Remembering the Power of Words by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780870716140
Publisher: Oregon State University Press

REFERENCES

Kunjufu, Jawanza. Developing Positive Self-Images and Discipline for Black Children. Sauk Village, Illinois: African American Images, 1984.

———. Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys. Sauk Village, Illinois: African American Images, 1985.

Sanchez, Sonia. I’ve Been a Woman: New and Selected Poems. Chicago, Illinois: Third World Press, 1978.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Forward Together, Backward Never

The visible leadership of the Black United Front was male. This meant Ronnie Herndon, the late Rev. John Jackson, the late Halim Rahsaan, Kamau Sadiki, and Richard Brown. Jean Vessup coordinated a lot of the BUF work around civil rights and police issues. She was an amazing organizer, hard worker, and good friend. Yet it was almost tradition that women worked in the background doing research, preparing for meetings, and making sure that things like press conferences happened. I was doing a lot of that work in the background, as were Karen Powell and Charlotte Rutherford, before she left for Howard University Law School. So were my good friends Evelyn Crews and Venita Myrick, and her mother Bobbie, and Elaine Harrison. Mrs. Bobbi Gary, Gloria Johnson, Mrs. Vivian Richardson, and Mrs. Vesia Loving also stand out in my memories.

All of us were called to service. We all signed on for the mission and vision of BUF, with its upbeat motto Forward Together, Backward Never. Over time, I became part of the more visible, before-the-cameras team at the press conferences, for example, or in a delegation to meet with the mayor. One day, I was talking with a Front supporter, Jean Drew, who worked at Portland Community College. I had recently wound up in more of an out-front role than usual and she commented: “Oh, now the fellas are letting you in.” I remember that her comment struck a chord in me, like “Yeah, they are.” It was not a criticism from her but it wasn’t quite an affirmation either. At another BUF meeting at the King Neighborhood Facility, the topic being discussed was reproductive rights. After a time, I heard myself say, “You know, all the folks talking are men so far in this conversation and I’m really interested to know what the women around the table think about all of this.” I felt the situation was odd and strange and needed to be interrupted and challenged. And the women did speak.

There was respect in BUF yet at the same time sexism in terms of the roles that folks just kind of fell into—or were asked to fill. Those of us who were conscious of it bumped up against it, and did not play along. At another meeting at my house, we were assembling packets for a public meeting. We were literally doing this assembly work on the floor with our chairs pushed back. The folks doing the work on the floor were the women and the guys were sitting back on chairs. We said, “Oh, no. This isn’t going to work. You’ve got to work too. This is a work party. We’re all in this together.” So we put them to work.

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