The battle for black Americans has not changed since the 1960s, according to former Black Panther leader Geronimo Ji Jaga, who urged young blacks to fight for their own nation Saturday at Cal State Long Beach.
Ji Jaga, formerly known as Geronimo Pratt, told a crowd of hundreds at the University Student Union that blacks are "still struggling to be free."
In his speech, "Black Power Politics: Then and Now," Ji Jaga said that the difference between then and now is only slight.
"Back then, it was a lot more clear that black is beautiful," Ji Jaga said. "We were proud of our noses, our lips, our hair."
Ji Jaga's speech was the keynote address at the 18th Annual Black Consciousness Conference, which was sponsored by the Black Student Union.
Though hailed by some as a hero, Ji Jaga told the audience that is not what he wishes.
"I'm about liberation," Ji Jaga said, "not about trying to be a leader. We've been misled so many times by the leader-follower complex."
Nearing the new millennium, Ji Jaga said, African-Americans are still not free.
Ji Jaga called for a UN-monitored plebiscite to establish the sovereignty of what he called the "New African Nation." He urged African-Americans to set up voter registration centers in every place that they have available. He encouraged audience members to study international law, to learn how to establish the plebiscite.
Ji Jaga said that the vote would prove that the majority of blacks favored forming their own nation, and said the community would not be let down.
"Once you give us the vote," Ji Jaga said, "we'll give you the nation."
Ji Jaga said that African-Americans should cease to be slaves to the American legal system.
"It doesnŐt serve us," he said.
He said he believes a swift change is possible with the "vim and vigor" of younger generations, many of whom were present at the conference. He told the students and guests that they could "be free" by 2000.
Ji Jaga, 50, questioned the wisdom of blacks who blindly flock to leaders who work within the system. He said they let enemies appoint our leaders.
While saluting some of his Panther compatriots, who are, "dead, in prison or run out of the country," Ji Jaga acknowledged the difficulties older activists face in gaining the respect of today's urban youth. He said they must liberate themselves, if they want the trust and loyalty of youth.
Ji Jaga was freed from prison this summer after serving 27 years for the murder of a Los Angeles police officer. His release came after authorities determined that a key prosecution witness provided false testimony.
Before his involvement with the Panthers, Ji Jaga served two tours in Vietnam. During that time, he earned several medals, including two Purple Hearts.
Ji Jaga suggested that old and young alike "master communicative techniques, so we can win once and for all." His speech ended with a promise to the young African-Americans in the audience to "see you in the trenches."