But I have talked around the country doing the past few weeks on the subject of what the black presence. in America has meant to America. And I think until the future of blacks is secure. in this country that the celebration of our past in order to promote understanding and knowledge about our past is bear significant. One of the first things that the slave masters did and they brought slaves from Africa. What's the try to remove us entirely from our past? Slaves were forbidden to speak in their native tongues. And as much as it was possible. family members of the same tribe were separated in order to wipe out past course if you can wipe out a person's past. and then facilitates the controlling of his present and the shaping of his future. I'm so I've chosen that subject the black presence in America and what it is meant to America because it gives us an opportunity to look at the broader aspects of the black experience in this country aside from calling the roads of the black Heroes. I don't need before such an astute and learn it assemblage exist call the role of blacks has made contribution development. No, even remind you of those Advanced and intelligent ancient African civilizations such as Molly and Timbuktu don't need to do that with this group. I'd be insulting you if I dealt with that elementary level cause you know that, you know, I don't have to talk about As we talk for a minute in the club one of the classes today and tell you that blood plasma was developed by black brains, which is saved White lives Brown lies. I don't have to recite all that, you know all that, you know that many of our great cities like Chicago and Washington DC were laid out by black. Urban designers I asked you not to hold it against them. They did it. I don't have to tell you that the complex railroad signal system. For example in this country developed by black mind. I don't need to recite those thing because you you you you know that and I'm a student academic Community such as this and would be at best pregnant in prison for me to suggest calling up kind of role. So that's why I told you brought it isn't times what the black presence is meant to America are they first thing I'd like to suggest it. That I understand. I'm to speak 3 hours and discussion 2 hours. Is that where my flights at? 8:15. I just seen keep you up with me all night, and I won't miss a fly. The first thing I'd like suggest is that the black presence in America. has reflected what I think. Is the highest noblest most authentic form of patriotism? I think the true loyalist. the true Patriots of America I've been the black. people of America not simply because a black man was the first to die at Bull Run not just because of the blacks have died in every war to protect America and not just because Hardly, any blacks have been convicted of treason? Not just because I don't because of the more important things at that that that that blacks and the black presence. The black presence has has challenged America. And and has has pushed in pool in America. Up to her tiptoes in terms of of what she may become. The black presence has not indulged America at her weaknesses. No, excuse her failures. What is challenge at both that she might strengthen her weaknesses? And correct her mistakes And move on up a little high I think real patriotism is not the kind Express buy it as self-styled super Patriots who go around wrapped up in flags and who wear bumper sticker saying love it or leave it. I think it's the true patriotism is expressed by those who loved it so much that they will not leave it alone until it lives up to its Noble precepts and keeps its lofty promises and commitments to be the land of the free as well as the home of the brave. I think that's authentic patriotism. Now, sometimes authentic patriotism causes discomfort. Justice you know, what a good teacher is not the teacher who indulges the student in the students weaknesses. The good teacher is a teacher who has the student even causing the student some discomfort and reaping the displeasure of the student as he initiates the healing process. I hate to hear my doctor said take off your coat and roll up your sleeve. Or Worse still hold. I let down your britches and it's he's about to engine me and and I hate to hear him say that but it is that discomfort that temporary discomfort that initiates the healing process that permits me to live on in hell and I think the black presence in this country, which is sometimes had to fill our streets and Jama Gio's and take her to court and wrestling with the through the long night. Racial crises in all that we might look forward to the dawn of a new day of Justice in Brotherhood. I think that is on centek patriotism. I think the black presence in the Americas, but I have a friend who Whose son when he was very young was stricken with polio. Carried him to a clinic and they put braces on his leg. My friend says in the middle of the night he would hear his. Sun whimpering I knew you would go upstairs and say what is it son in the boy would say Daddy? please Lucian The braces and my friend said he said to his son my godson. I'd give him a right on. if I could loosen the braces, but they tell me it is a tightness of the braces that stretch the muscles So all I can do is lie here with you in the bed and weep with you through the long night. So that one day we can walk together. Every Sunday morning. I almost every Sunday morning. I see that boy now young man walking down the aisle. He has a limp but he walking and he walks because his father went with him in the night that they might not enjoy on Sunshine Day walking together. I think the black presence in America has been the highest most authentic form of patriotism. That enables America now to walk with a head a little high because we've challenged that patriotism. Has been significant in America's growth. And that creative pressure. Must continue to be exerted on America. In the context of love of country because we must complete the task begun. Decade of total gold that has not been completed. And the second thing I say would leave me into. some discussion of foreign policy is that I think the other thing that the black president Mentor America is at The black presence black folks of just always I know you going to keep when I leave you with this, but I don't I don't think so black folks with almost born with an innate sense of justice. And a sensitivity to human need it's just we always know what's right. We don't always do what's right, but we know what's right. We just have a sense of justice and and it's been reflected in the black experience my mother to me and wouldn't tell me what she whipping me about not seeing what you with me about and she would say, you know. And I did. He just stood in green sense of justice and sensitivity to human needs that is that sense of justice that that has has motivated and driven black community. Just stand for what was Justin was right, even though it's on popular even though it gets you in trouble. I remember the heart of the movement when when white churches. We're putting young black people in jail for coming to worship that in the midst of that. I don't know a single black church anywhere that ever had a white person arrested alternative white person away who wanted to come in and praise the Lord. Because we knew it wasn't right. Well sense of justice and that sensitivity human need that sense of justice help free. Not only black people in this country. What helped free wifey? Because a sense of superior. Just as much imprisonment as a sense of inferiority. In order to hold a person in a ditch part of you. Has to remain in the ditch that sense of justice that sensitivity of human need. Is significant now as blacks exercise not simply the right to be involved in foreign policy, but their responsibility to help this country shape its policy toward its neighbors in the world. This is not new for SCLC. SCLC on the leadership of our first president, dr. King was among the first to challenge the morality of the Vietnam conflict. Was dr. King and SCLC who is severely criticized and rebuked. For saying that there was something wrong about the war in Vietnam. It was dr. King and SCLC. Who is the recognition of red China? as an important component components of Peace in Southeast Asia and if the nation had heated, dr. King and SCLC, we would have saved thousands of lives and billions of dollars. So I'll foray into foreign policy is not new resident of the same black to criticize that's the day are the successors to the same blacks who criticized. Dr. King in that day. Barbie. Dwell on that beginning of black involvement in foreign policy w e b Dubois What are the most outspoken advocates? Alamo sensitive policy toward Africa Marcus Garvey and Ralph Bunche a black man earned the Nobel Peace Prize for his leadership in foreign policy in the Middle East and if blacks become more involved in foreign policy and the shaping of foreign policy. This country would benefit from that sense of justice and that's sensitive to the human need that were characterized our involvement as it has on the domestic scene example blacks had a strong voice in foreign policy. We wouldn't have the hostages in Iran right now. No, no, no, no. Black folks would have dug that dude to Shaw early in our relationship. Never would we've been fooled and jaw by him Black Folk, no shucking and jiving when they sleep. Let alone in the midst of delicate Foreign Relations know that the hostages are being held matter fact, I don't like all that so that the battle back. Can't sing. It takes a Lily Pons or somebody Lauren linen team price to sing it but they are opposed to America because of America's power foreign policy supported A desperate and a corrupt. Shaw black involvement in foreign policy has a widow would have change that situation. What's happening in Iran is we have sown the wind? And we are reaping the Whirlwind when the Ayatollah release the blacks and the women. Some black leaders were offended. I was not offended. I Rejoice today release and cable him that I hope tomorrow you release the blue-eyed and the next day that knock me down and then the slew-footed and the pigeon total are all released. But seriously what I think we all your toilet was trying to say to us was that he released the blacks and the women because he was trying to identify his move with the movement of the oppressed around the world then unfortunately, he negates that effort by violating human rights of the hostages, but we have learned in the movie that you do not use ignoble mean to attain a Noble in But nevertheless nevertheless. We and I am concerned and many of Senses at the treatment of that it raining in students have received in some parts of this country as a result of the holding of the hostages by the militants and Ryan, I believe America. Should respect the human rights of the Iranian students in this country and Pie by our example show what real respect for human rights can be and thereby. I begin the process of reversing the feelings of hostility that existed this country in many parts of the world because We have identified with those who are oppressors rather than those who were liberators. We have sown the wind. We reap the Whirlwind. Black must be more involved in the state department that tire. wing of government that is tired insensitive White. on creative wishy-washy volk's one way today another by Nightfall in the state department less than 2% of the senior-level foreign Personnel is black. I need to go to warehouse workers concern. You would think that we'd have a substantial representation there less than 6% of the senior-level foreign offices of black. Therefore if that's sense of justice that's sensitivity. Human needs will characterize America's posture toward the world on a horizontal level not the vertical of old. We must have more persons with a sense of justice with a sensitivity to human need. I'm deeply concerned about our reaction to Afghanistan. I'm sorry. And shame on the Russians for invading Afghanistan and they all have to go home and let the afghanistani and I was it called. People determine their own destiny, but if they stay there a hundred years, I am not willing to see one single American died over that issue are there for mistake? Sirius of the opposition to any sort of draft Drafting about young people interrupting their lives and talk of war in that part of the world. As a matter of fact, I don't see the threat to National Security and justifies a draft and if they have to draft if it comes to that, I have a suggestion. I want them to draft the rich old white man. Who always making decision to send poor young black and white man to wall? Truth of the matter is they don't have to drive blacks for a long time in the United States armed and now is 33 and one third percent black. Weehoo, I 11% of the population of 33 and one third percent of the army not because we so military. What the kobe like to eat? We we develop habits of housing, you know in clothes and thing and there's more opportunities that then outside but even that is saying racism exist for why we who are 11% of the population and 33 and a third percent of the army and we only 6% of the offices in the butt more startling than that. We are fuct is 7% of the combat divisions in the Army. So if we go to war who And they say we're not going to have a nuclear war. We going to have a conventional war with who world. I know I think a draft thoughts of traffic is premature and I'm frightened. At what I hear in many conversations and what I heard one presidential candidates say about a limited nuclear war. I wondered we could survive. And I'm frightened about the debate over whether we are 10% behind the Russians up 2% In terms of of of of strategic weapons. The truth of the matter is According to which military expert they claim we can kill every Russian at least from 20 to 29 times. And that they can kill us at least the same number times. If that's true. Then it seems to me. This is a bait about whether the numbers RTG weapon. Will it be at 2% of 10% behind becomes extremely irrelevant? I submit the killer ever Russian once will suffice and I'm satisfied that every American who dies once would be just as dead as he will after the 28th time. So I'm I'm extremely concerned about this kind of talk with talkin in Peculiar ways. And we talkin about is surviving a nuclear conflict. Somebody had to study reason and they reveal for one nuclear weapon dropped on Boston. For example, I don't know why they picked Boston example of thinking about South Boston. I'm not sure but if they dropped a bum that was 1000 times as powerful as the bomb dropped on Hiroshima and that's not the most powerful bomb we have available as a little bitty Feller. Bath. Bomb would make a crater 1/2 Mile in diameter and 700 ft deep and wipe out completely everything within 4 miles. of the explosion 48 miles away picture of the explosion would be blinded. Of the three million people in Boston 2.2 million would be killed at once. With the hospital's doctors equipment destroyed the others would die shortly. How then can we engage in discussions? About limits. How can we death think of nuclear war? And yet the insensitivity. about foreign policy the growing hawkishness I'm on many of those who spoke eloquently of a new kind of relationship a new kind of aggressiveness four-piece who now speak emphatically and hawkish Lee and shocking me. So what is that? For example Toto Africa, we've only begun recently to move toward that continent with a sense of justice and a sensitivity to human need. What was so important about Andrew Young Dro as ambassador to the united nation was that it reflected a new kind of sensitivity as we relate to the emerging nations in the world emerging Nations that are non-white. non Catholic nun Protestant non-jewish and non submissive to the Roar of the lion or the ground the bear or the wing spread of the eagle. But I'll self determinant proud and longing for Liberty. It requires a new sensitivity human need a new sense of justice that the black involvement must bring to foreign policy not simply as a right but as a responsibility And finally, let me see. The blacks must be involved in in shaping foreign policy because it has a direct impact. on domestic issues and Brews uninformed head in the sand folks who say why go to the midi. So why go to Africa and and and then and now, you know, I got I got to say hallelujah tonight because because at least the 80s while the 7th is ended on a sad note at least it heat is have begun on a fairly good note for for for for my brothers and sisters in in in Zimbabwe. Rhodesia can say free at last free at last thank God Almighty. We are free at last but and then and I don't care what this Mugabe and nkomo mail music rental. In fact, I know email so well, I guess I thought I was by my head was pulling for Mugabe and my heart was doing so well. He's a bishop in my church and he had maggots reading my home, but he couldn't win and God knows best. I ever had one. We still had War. Now that Mugabe is what I hope will have peace. Thank God for peace. But those who said why go to Africa. The ghetto let's please help them understand. Whenever the military and defense budget, which country goes up the programs that will help her get her. And that's that's true as if I'm in St. Paul Minnesota, and I know they ain't that much snow in, Atlanta, Georgia. It is undeniably true in the clothes of 78 the black leadership Forum met with. President Carter black unemployment was 11 to 12% when President Carter took office. Black unemployment is still 11 or 12% That's officially we know it's twice that high realistic. We said the mr. Carter. You're not keeping your commitment. You you you promised to tackle the black unemployment problem with Vigor and a sense of urgency what you put it on the back burner. Mr. Kotter said well. I'm sorry, we should but you got to increase those programs designed to provide job training and jobs and Health Care and housing quality education. The president said I'm sorry. We've got to fight inflation. In order to fight inflation. I'm not only can't increase the budget for those problems. I've got to reduce it. Mr. President don't you realize you making the people who are least able by the burden of fighting inflation? But then in the next breath. Wow, he must reduce programs that speak to the needs of the poor. He adds 11.6 billion dollars to the defense budget. And anybody who can't see the correlation between domestic issues and foreign policy. Is simply not being realistic? and right now the budget he is suggested in spite of his talk about 2 billion dollars for hardcore unemployed, which won't go to affect another two-year. He's proposing even now to reduce that by 20 billion dollars. not one red penny will come out of the military defense budget. So then where would it come from? He'll come from she don't come from housing because medication it'll come from Healthcare. It's all foreign policy. that determines the intensity with which we grapple without domestic problems. So yes black folks must be involved. Not only do we have a right. What do we have a responsibility? To take that sense of justice that sensitivity human need. into the world striped pants diplomacy And change it. the jeans Which reflect? sense of equity among the children of God when the national crises negatively impact this country. It has its worst effect on Black Folk. See America as a whole and suffering repression. black folks suffering depression When America has a bad cold? black folks have pneumonia So don't tell me we're not concerned by where we cannot afford. to be anything less urgently concern urgently involve South Country And what right do I have? to not offer I sense of justice and sensitive to the human need to how country. I noticed black folks every now and then. Say let us stand and sing The Negro national anthem. They are referring to a great him by James Weldon Johnson that begins lift every voice and sing. I reject that. It's not my name. Yes, my nationalhymne. I love it. We sing it every Sunday at my church for doxology. But I'm going along with the Star-Spangled Banner. What is it? Oh say, can you see as I said, there is a terrible song. It is it cannot be song melodically the words don't represent what America order represent is bursting in the ass that ass she bad. So I call her soul to change what Minnesota started. But as long as the country say that's it. It's mine. Because I'm not going to have to keep my ownership of this country. And I'll let no one else abrogate. No, Bridge, Myra, my privileges and opportunities. Ain't yours it's us. And we have to learn it ain't my fault country. They just act like it. list all country Caribbean if I had to vote tonight out of old no. On the sanctions of it's very interesting as I I think I said earlier that you know, I'm not excited about Russian troops in Afghanistan them out. But I'm not willing to go to war over and I'm very concerned that there wasn't anybody got excited when the South African troops invaded Namibia. And so I just refuse to panic over that the other little interesting sidelight it all on the Olympics that you know that this country has always said you must have mix politics with the Olympics and you too young to remember but a few years ago and I thought it was 72, but it tell me to 68 when two young black fellows, you know won the gold and silver medals. And they just you know, just raise up the hand like that and all they were saying was that America we love you. We down here running for you bringing you all know in the world and when we come back home, how about giving us a little odd? That's all he was saying. And just country. Had had something like epileptic fits. You know send them home pack them up before they could get off. I don't think that time but their pants on and they called the play in the shorts and and and have been discredited in the world over Athletics because they dad inject the political thought into the Olympics. and now the president I just do that and nothing extra for that. I think that is responsibilities of a black community. To to see that the country. the level of Consciousness about South Africa's race There again, I refer to my brothers. Did you while I disagree with them on many things about Israel? They have been very effective in leg lifts in this country's level of Consciousness about Israel. And I think we ought to take lessons and see that this country level of conscious about South Africa, you know, we have gotten the ages to deal with the corporations that support The apartheid government in South Africa in this country and as long as we sit idly by and do nothing, but rap. You know if you don't rap without a map. You know yourself. I just described as poor town Rider. Now the other easy question about the Kennedys I said in Richmond, Virginia Richmond at the Black Agenda meeting last Friday and your UPI United press in and out across the country light endorse. John Anderson. What I said in the speech was that the Democrats? Keep taking us for granted. They take calculated risk. But the commitments that make to wash electivire needs because they don't think we going to have anywhere else to go. And so far the Republicans have proved them right because they haven't given us any way to go. But the Democrats keep playing games with us because we don't have anywhere to go. Democrats what they quoted Us in the springtime, we met them in the fall. They deserters in the winter when we needed them. Most of all. So what I said in Richmond was that I had dad the Republicans are the Republicans nominate somebody like John Anderson and see then whether or not they can stand black support and I said that if they nominate a man like John Ellis Island in phokis, how about black support? I just said you're squishing, you know Dixie and Yankee bill, but If they nominate somebody like John Anderson. I and others might be willing. to campaign for him I think he's a breath of fresh air. And this was last Friday before he wanted Massachusetts almost, you know, really did one but about all the candidates with the possible exception of of John Anderson bushes. Talk about the limited nuclear war. You know damn talk about the move B movies she made and anybody never ever ever made one. Good one. I ain't got no business being president. And Conley is so slick. He don't fluid right out of the picture. I think so, I'm really upset President Carter wrapped himself in the flag and climbed the flagpole and there he rests lofted Noble above debate and anybody deserves to be present who won't discuss the issues with me. And he keeps sending out his aides age to tell us his buddies against in fighting face, but I can't hear what he's for to stop inflation, which is killing at 10 for Black Folk. We get hit by double barrel shotgun inflation and unemployment and underemployment. So I'm and mr. Kennedy is. I don't know you got to stop so fast on that horse with his shield and spear. I don't know somewhere. I stumble. You know over Camelot Spencer something. I don't know what happened, but he just he keeps threatening to deal with the issues. But failed somehow to fulfill his threat. And so I'm really upset Jerry Brown. I don't know which one is running. You know Jerry before Proposition 13 Jerry after Jerry before Africa to Jerry after after the gym before Linda Jerry after Linda with live at somebody. I don't know which Jerry it is. I really don't so Franklin's I said I'd have to vote. No and I'm really I'm really concerned about the state of the nation. Because I'm concerned about the state of leadership. Nobody's really putting forth to inches. dealing with unemployment example Nobody's honestly bringing the country to grip with the question that we are going to settle the unemployment question until we bring about some real systemic change personation. Hadn't been in the face. Value conomic theories in this country that that in order for this economy to be viable. It must have at least four to 5% unemployment. And I did naughty allegation and defy the alligator. That relegates millions of people to permanent pockets of poverty. You're setting forth the debate around the issues that are going to lead us to understanding. We going to have some kind of system and chain real tax reform. motornation and domestic corporations steal enough money in the tax system to put everybody work. We're not talking about that kind of system to change. We're not in the energy. We are not dealing with the question we need to deal with everybody knows that we need to do it but nobody's really dealing with it. The question America has to wrestle with now that she's going to come out. I'm not suggesting that I have some idea whether or not we can ever resolve the oil crisis as long as a handful of profit-oriented people who know or company's we got to this nation has got to debate whether or not the people ought to own and all have some kind of control over the oil companies. And and and we're too afraid of being called communist or socialist to discuss. I don't care what they call me. Do you know by the way this is going to call me or, cuz I love the Lord. It coming isn't carry within its own nature the seat of his destruction. Communism is negative. It makes people Servants of the state rather than the states and several people. I can never be a comment. I love the Lord. But if you want to call me or come this that's that problem, but I'm still saying we got to deal with the issue. What what is wrong with this? Cuz Exxon is holding us hostage. I Can't Hold Us hostage And we shouldn't all being ripped off and too afraid to talk about whether or not the people are on our control and take J brown 21 je Brown which one it was had a suggestion. Once they won Bae. I really let you know. I'm mad at him because he would have frustration. I really have some hope for him. He's a former theological student. He was real sensitive and I'll just don't know where you got messed up somewhere anyway. He has suggested that we create an authority Public Authority type structure to deal with y'all coming that ownership might remain private, but that management and owner nnnnn relative might be on a firestick with public appointees sharing responsibility for control with people who didn't own it. So the government would have some sense of responsibility for until the people that I got had some problems. We'll discuss it that we just left no all comers make more and more and more and more why we paying more and more and more and more and and and and and some people are too having to choose between Heating and eating. Because I can't make a charger though. I know them. I just pray for the winner of the past. before more people have to make these choices, but who where is the leadership? That's that's challenging us to wrestle with these issues so we can make some decision for the 80s. I'm very concerned about.