The Meaning of
Mumia
by Millie Barnet
Mumia Abu-Jamal, award-winning journalist
Nolen Edmonton
photoGO TO: Police Brutality | Sonoma County Free Press Home Page | Columns | Features
The Meaning of
Mumia
by Millie Barnet
Mumia Abu-Jamal, award-winning journalist
|
Nolen Edmonton
photo |
What is it about Mumia Abu Jamal that evokes such ardent devotion in his followers, and in others, virulent hatred? That he is a Black man on Death Row does not distinguish him; the number of Black men on Death Row is totally disproportionate to the Black population; that he was convicted without a fair trial is also not unusual; that he is poor? Nearly everyone on Death Row is poor.
Mumia stands out because he is a hero and a prophet for our times. But prophets are seldom well regarded in their "own country" and time.
An uncommonly bright and gifted young man, Mumia by the time he was 15 had already chosen, rather than to "lay up treasure for himself on earth," to put his talent at the service of the poor and oppressed. Even within the constraints of his life on Death Row, he has been able to assist fellow prisoners, and by his disciplined mind, to interpret and write eloquently about events from a broad historical perspective. Despite censorship by the mainstream media, his commentaries may be found on e-mail, he has had two books published, and now a CD. He writes and speaks (in a voice deep and resonant) of homely matters as well as political, legal, and historical issues.
Of honoring woman (a man's "god-given mate, his female self"), of mother love ("it is my belief that a mother's love is the foundation of every love that follows; it is the primary love relationship-the first that humans experience, and as such, a profound influence on all subsequent and secondary relationships in life. It is a relationship that surpasses all reason . . ") He understands the pain of father-hunger which he encounters frequently among the men in prison. When a strong man speaks truth about such things, the most jaded heart cannot but be touched.
Mumia is brave and highly principled. Recently when Sam Donaldson was preparing his hit piece on 20/20 against Mumia-which turned out to be a reiteration of the original "case against Mumia" by the Fraternal Order of Police, overlooking all the data that has been brought to light since the travesty of his "trial"-Mumia chose to forego the opportunity to be interviewed by an ABC scab crew (the union was locked out), despite the fact that to be seen on national television for the gentle, soft-spoken, and articulate person he is, would surely help save his life.
Mumia, whose life now hangs by a thread, whose legal appeals have been exhausted, who actually depends upon the vast general public learning about his case and joining the movement to save him, refused to cross the picket line. Donaldson, on the other hand, surely secure both financially and professionally, pandered shamelessly to the political power of Pennsylvania's Fraternal Order of Police, giving full rein to the prosecuting attorney to repeat the lies that have been thoroughly refuted since the trial, even impugned the intelligence of Mumia's supporters ("dupes," he called them). He cut off Mumia's lawyer, who has brilliantly demolished that same prosecuting attorney in debates on television more than once.
What is going on here, and why should you care? Mumia is a case study in how a righteous and visionary youth can become an enemy of the state and must be silenced by any means necessary-if only to be resurrected at some future time in harmless form, no longer threatening to the power structure, perhaps on a memorial stamp. Or with a national holiday. I remember that when Martin Luther King was alive, he was not so well regarded as he is (supposedly) today. Grimly tolerated when he stuck to issues of race, his favor with the political establishment took a decided plunge as he spoke out increasingly against the Vietnam war. Remarkable how his popularity improved after his death.
What is the threat that Mumia poses? His is a voice unkempt and uncowed, in a time when corporate mergers have narrowed the ownership of the major media to a couple of vast conglomerates who are able to drown us in advertising and propaganda. As in homeopathic treatment, so in political life, the smallest dose of truth is potent, dangerous to the status quo, and must be stopped, lest the people awaken and begin to think for themselves. A man who challenges the ruling power, exposes the racism and injustice of our society as dramatized in the prison industry, the rampant police brutality, the rank injustice of our economic system, is a dangerous man, and must be silenced.
Just how dangerous Mumia is perceived to be is indicated by the stridency of the entrenched forces arrayed against him. But on the other side another force, international in scope, steadily increases, intent on preventing the legal murder of this heroic man, this brilliant leader who has so much to offer to our time. This force is calling for a fair trial, not such an outlandish request, really; as a citizen of the U.S., you might expect as much for yourself.
Send Email to Sonoma County Free Press