By Charles Brooks
UPDATED October 1st, 2017:
On September 30th, 2017 there was a ceremony held in Harlem, New York to recognize the extensive legacy of Mr. Elombe Brath by co-naming the southwest corner of 125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Jr.Blvd as Elombe Brath Way. Since his passing, the Elombe Brath Foundation was established to archive his incredible body of work to inspire future generations of Pan-African leaders.
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On May 31st, Elombe Brath was laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery after services were held at the Abyssinian Baptist Church. The day started with a mass community tribute to Mr. Brath – a walking procession through the streets of Harlem in honor of his incredible body of work - “Morning Walk Through Harlem Retracing Our Brother’s History.” The people walked freely in the streets of Harlem, sharing stories and their memories of Mr. Brath who was active in so many struggles within the movement such as his work against the oppressive South African apartheid, supporting African nationalist movements, the movement to free Mumia-Abu Jamal, and all political prisoners, the reparations movement, the Hands off Assata Shakur campaign, the Central Park 5 case and his participation in the United Nations World Conference against Racism, to name a few.
Mr. Elombe Brath, was born on September 30th, 1936 and made the transition to join the ancestors on May 19th at 77 years old. Over two thousand people came out to pay their respects to Mr. Brath and his legacy. Mr. Brath stood tall in Black activist circles not just in New York City but in the Caribbean and Africa as well. He was indeed a revolutionary – a committed activist in the Pan African and Black Liberation Movements. There is no doubt that Mr. Brath’s legacy is solidified in the annals of Pan African and Black Liberation history and activism - branded with his reputation as a tireless and relentless activist in pursuit of Black Liberation.
For a moment or two, take a collective breath and slowly consider some of Mr. Brath’s work that his legacy is built upon: There was his work with the Federation of Pan-African Nationalist Organizations or FOPANO that eventually led to the formation of African Liberation Support Committee and to what we know today as African Liberation Day. As the founder and chairman of the Patrice Lumumba Coalition – he kept Mr. Lumumba’s name alive and legacy relevant by linking it contemporary developments in Africa.
He also worked to mobilize support against apartheid forces in South Africa, and built relationships with African revolutionary leaders, foreign ministers, ambassadors and other noted dignitaries. When the New York State Senate honored Mr. Brath in May 2013, they had this to say: "The PLC came at a most propitious time when there was much confusion about which liberation movement to support in the war against colonial domination in Africa; it was a matter of separating the truly progressive organizations from the reactionary ones, and Elombe and members of the PLC were indispensable in providing the correct guidance and understanding of the often fractious and contentious forces vying for control; and for more than a generation Elombe, as the chairman of PLC, helped to coordinate hundreds of forums with the purpose of educating the masses, not only about the struggle in Africa but also about the conditions oppressed people faced all over the world."
For a moment or two, take a collective breath and slowly consider some of Mr. Brath’s work that his legacy is built upon: There was his work with the Federation of Pan-African Nationalist Organizations or FOPANO that eventually led to the formation of African Liberation Support Committee and to what we know today as African Liberation Day. As the founder and chairman of the Patrice Lumumba Coalition – he kept Mr. Lumumba’s name alive and legacy relevant by linking it contemporary developments in Africa.
He also worked to mobilize support against apartheid forces in South Africa, and built relationships with African revolutionary leaders, foreign ministers, ambassadors and other noted dignitaries. When the New York State Senate honored Mr. Brath in May 2013, they had this to say: "The PLC came at a most propitious time when there was much confusion about which liberation movement to support in the war against colonial domination in Africa; it was a matter of separating the truly progressive organizations from the reactionary ones, and Elombe and members of the PLC were indispensable in providing the correct guidance and understanding of the often fractious and contentious forces vying for control; and for more than a generation Elombe, as the chairman of PLC, helped to coordinate hundreds of forums with the purpose of educating the masses, not only about the struggle in Africa but also about the conditions oppressed people faced all over the world."
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| Photo Credit: sondjataolatunji |
Rest in Peace Elombe...The People's Scholar will never be forgotten.
Further Reading:
Elombe Brath's legacy from the Elombe Brath Foundation
Photo Gallery of the September 30th street co-naming ceremony from Mr. John Brathwaite.
The New Jersey Video Collective presents: The funeral of a Pan-Africanist: Farewell to Elombe Brath
Eternal gratitude for all what Elombe did for Africa, the Caribbean and the diaspora. For me, it meant restoring my sanity, educating me on the struggle on 125th St., City College and his tireless walking, teaching, connecting.
ReplyDeleteBecause of Elombe's teachings and his trust in me, I am forever grateful for tasking me with providing every material support I could to the ANC and SWAPO.
I love you brother. I will always miss you, but I will be forever consequent with your teachings and principles. La Luta Continua!
This is a very good article and with its own unique pictures
ReplyDeleteGod blless
ReplyDelete