The Day I Met Geronimo Ji Jaga Pratt

by Eco.Soul.Intellectual

I knew Geronimo Ji Jaga Pratt through books and stories passed by old head revolutionaries in Los Angeles. He was part myth and part hero---a comrade and political prisoner in conscious circles, and a brother effed by the police in the larger black community. 

I can recall going to Leimert Park in Los Angeles circa 1997-98, to celebrate and see Geronimo upon his release. He was like Mandela and Michael, and pre-Obama, much more grassroots, and more like a legendary dream. 

Leimert Park, the black arts Mecca in Los Angeles was packed with everyone from thugs to business folk. On that day, we all one. Every person that was unjustly treated by the justice deparment, from all walks of life, and races, hugged and shook hands in a small slice of victory. 

Los Angeles used to be a blood bath during the 60s and 70s when it came to black liberation struggle. There were more Panthers killed in Los Angeles, than any other city, including the home of BPP, Oakland. We couldn't believe that not only did he get released and was acquitted of the bogus charges, but he also got paid several million dollars.

Folk gathered and hugged, and waited to see Bro. Geronimo.

But as soon as we saw him he was whisked away to finally get a small taste of a life that was robbed from him.

I never once spoke to Geronimo, but I met him in the living room of Johnny Cochran. That day I met Geronimo, through the thick narrative of Mr. Cochran who was miles away from O.J. or gloves. He spoke with a passion that epitomized his practice of being a revolutionary with a 3-piece.

I had made the trek to a nice area of the city to go speak with Mr. Cochran on his next career venture. It was my last interview for a black local paper. I was thinking about suing them, but Mr. Cochran talked me out of it. Instead he shifted to his law firm and all the cases he vividly served as counsel.

What Would a Black Militant Say About Obama's First Year in Office? Brother X-Squared Responds to President Obama's State of the Union Address

The We Are Respectable Negroes News Network (producer of such award winning programs as the White in America series, and hard hitting exposes with Jesse Jackson and Pat Buchanan) is proud to bring you the latest installment in our recurring series of interviews with Brother X-Squared, president of the North American Chapter of the Renewed Black Panther Party. Always one of our most popular guests, he has been busy crisscrossing the country and spreading his unique brand of knowledge/power. In this exclusive interview, Brother X-Squared reflects on President Barack Obama's State of the Union Address and the one year anniversary of Obama's presidency.

WARNNN: It is wonderful to see you again Brother X-Squared. We have been trying to interview you for several months now, and you have been a whirlwind of activity. I know all of us here at WARNNN are so happy to see that you have been traveling all across this country spreading your message.

Brother X-Squared: I have been traveling. And it is wonderful to see you again Brother Chauncey. Did you receive the reading materials I sent you? The Conspiracy to Destroy Young Black Boys, How Capitalism Underdeveloped Black America, and The Mind of the Master Class?

WARNNN: Yes, I did. You are a wonderful ally and friend. Let's get to the interview: With all that has transpired, all the history that has been made with Obama's first year, his State of the Union Address, and Dr. King's birthday--the first time a Black man has been president during that most auspicious of days--what are your thoughts on these exciting and poignant happenings?

Brother X-Squared: First of all Brother Chauncey, I am not your friend or ally. I am no one's friend or ally. I love all Nubians--those black people whose minds are free. I belong to the all powerful pan Asiatic coalition of Black Freedom Fighters. I am only willing to be "friends"--the white man's word for those who give in to his power and whims--with those who will die for the cause. Are you willing to die for the cause of Black liberation?

WARNNN: It would depend Brother....

Brother X-Squared: I have to interrupt you. If you can't say "yes" right away the answer is "no." I like you Chauncey DeVega, but you have a long way to go before you free your mindstate and can become my "friend." Now, my thoughts on this Obama Dr. King anniversary nonsense. Do you want to know how I really feel? Are you ready Brother Chauncey?

WARNNN: Yes, I am eagerly waiting. As are my readers. Tell us, are you happy, how are you feeling?

Brother X-Squared: I am happy like a Pentecostal snake handler feeding his pet raccoon after drinking strychnine and speaking in tongues with a bowl of hot chitterlings (the white man's feces filled pig guts) in front of him.

WARNNN: I am surprised. You are usually so disappointed, angry and upset. What a wonderful change. So, have changed your mind about Obama's presidency? Have we turned a corner? Is America now a post-racial society?

Brother X-Squared: You are still a slave in the White man's Matrix Brother Chauncey. So silly and dumb you can be sometimes. I am happy because every prediction I have ever made about Obama has come true. I am a vessel of truth! Leading the light! I am a Black locomotive rushing through the night destroying every white man's car stalled on the railroad tracks in front of me! Obama, that so called halfrican, confused, transparent black man is running an Empire in decline. The ship that is America is rudderless. It is going in circles ready to hit an iceberg like that Titanic. So wonderful! A white ship hitting a white iceberg and thousands of white devils dead. Talk about poetic justice. I love it! America is that great Titanic and it has hit an iceberg where it will sink. Trust me, the supposed black President Barack Obama will be the first and last Black president this country ever sees.

WARNNN: You have not lost a step have you.

Brother X-Squared: Never. Guess what Brother Chauncey? The White man knew what he was doing the whole time. Those Glenn Beck, Limbaugh soon to be arrested for child molesting and drug use, Tea Party neo-John Birchers, Sarah Palin white trash, Fox news watching populists who howl at Obama and claim he is the devil are the most happy that Obama is President! The White man is a master of tricknology and evil. In fact, they lie so well and so often the Right wing believe--like all White people, especially White Liberals--that their lies are true.

My Apologies To White America: I Now Hereby Denounce My Blackness

I'm going to turn 39yrs old this summer. In reflecting upon my upbringing and my acquisition of knowledge or what I have come to know, and learn, I must say, I owe White people a lot. Seriously, if it wasn't for White people I wouldn't know as much as I do now about, well, everything I know.

What, you thanking the White man now RiPPa? That ain't no Black Power move! Hell you sounding like an Uncle Tom boot licking Negro dawg! You's a damn sellout now RiPPa?!!

Yeah I know, that's probably how I sound, but hey, it's with good reason so bear with me. You see, I realized that much gratitude is owed to White people when I was embattled in another heated debate with an older White woman last night.

You see, this woman taught me last night that the clenched fist that we Black people embrace as a symbol of empowerment, solidarity etc., was really and truly a symbol of hate. Uh huh, all this time here I thought the Black Power fist as we Black people have affectionately come to embrace, was a symbol of hate? Who knew?

I also learned from this woman that the Black Panther Party of the 60's were a group of communist radicals, who were trouble makers, and went around beating up White people and shooting cops. As a matter of fact, this woman was right when she suggested that us Black people adopt a newer image other than the Black Fist to represent us, because it was too offensive.

Yup, this is what I learned, and I am thankful that the Lord brought this woman in my path to impart such knowledge upon me. Because you see, if it wasn't for her, I would continue down the road of life, with the understanding that the Black fist, The Black Panthers, Black Power, the Civil Rights Movement, and all that other Black stuff was a source of pride for me, and the rest of the Black community.

If it wasn't for her, I would have to continue living the lie that was the Black Power Movement, and all other movements in Black history. You know, free lunch, protecting citizens within the urban landscape from racist policemen and drug dealers alike? Yeah, that was a lie, and the Black Panthers did no such thing. They were in fact trouble makers, and deserved to be deemed public enemy number one, and brought down through COINTELPRO.

Yeah, all of that was a lie, and thanks to this woman, I am now shameful to have been associated with such negative images under the guise of revolutionary change, economic and Black political empowerment. For that, I am so sorry White people. What can I say, I was misguided all these years. Uh huh, and it's because of trouble makers like Huey P. Newton, Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale and others that I am the racist pig that I am.

You see, I was educated by this woman last night - a White woman - that I need to step into the 21st century because all of those so-called movements of the 60's geared towards justice, civil rights, self-defense, and all that Black Is Beautiful stuff was all hate filled. That's right, none of that meant anything, or was well intended for the advancement or installment of Black pride.

In fact, up until last night, I used to think that there was a system of racism that permeates our society historically with the intent on holding back people of color. Thanks to this 57yr old White woman wise beyond her years, I now know that it is us Black people who are responsible for our condition. Yup and just in case there was ever another Civil War in America, I'm going to fight alongside my White brothers and sisters in the south. Uh huh, everybody knows that if the southern confederates won the war back in the day, currently things would be better for us as a people.

So now today, as an act of contrition, I would like to apologize to all White people and say that I am so sorry for my mis-education. I sincerely apologize for living the lie, and carrying the torch of hate. Matter of fact, I'll even go as far as to denounce my Blackness. Yes, from here on out, until I die, I'm not going to be Black anymore. From here on out, I am going to be White. It is my hope that you can accept me into the fold that is America as such.