HOUSTON—On Saturday, July 25, forty-five years after his assassination by Houston Police snipers, the spirit and legacy of black revolutionary Carl B Hampton was brought home to the Pleasantville community he was born and raised in.
It was a fitting and long overdue project that was headed by Bunchy Crear, James Aaron and the Black Panther Party Alumni (Southwest Region).
Nearly 400 people braved the near 100 degree heat to give Carl his just due and let the world know that he did not die in vain.
Members of Carl’s immediately family were there and were obviously bursting with pride as the martyred freedom fighter was praised throughout the day.
While the speakers and cultural workers made for not a dull moment outside, famed Black Panther Party Minister of Culture, Emory Douglas, displayed an art exhibit and presented a historical slide show presentation of his work as one of the most prolific revolutionary graphic artist of our time.
Also in the exhibit hall with Emory was Peruvian artist William Cordorva who exhibited some of his work.
Sister Akua Holt, a prominent radio personality and political activist in Houston did an outstanding job as MC for the event.
She blended in the Speakers and the entertainers and kept the program’s theme on Carl Hampton the Revolutionary.
Sister Debra Adams, precinct chairwoman for Pleasantville gave a dynamic history of Pleasantville and Carl growing up there two houses down from her.
Carl’s lifelong friend and fellow musician , brother Marvin Pearson was also instrumental in putting the entire project together; including securing the venue and the cultural workers. His act with the James Brown look alike with full band was off the chain.
Also helping this effort was Omowale Kefing of the African People’s Socialist Party and NBUF with Kofi Taharka, chairman of the National Black United Front. NBUF also had a table where they passed out bags of groceries to local residents through its Feed the Hood program.
Black Panther Party alumni Ruby Morgan, Vernon “Sensei” Benton , Desalines Kambon and Brother Claude “Chilly” Frost are to be commended for their work in making this memorable event occur.
The outstanding observation in this Carl Hampton commemoration was the fact that the Black Panther Alumni organized this in old Panther style.
They left no stones unturned in upholding the legacy of People’s Party II Chairman Carl B. Hampton.
The following day, a contingent traveled to Carl’s burial site to pay tribute. “You can kill a revolutionary. But you can’t kill the Revolution!”
Long Live Carl Hampton!
