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BOBBY HUTTON Visuals tell it better than so many words; but who is this young man who is not showing his eyes for us to read his sweet soul? This is Bobby Hutton, who in December 1966 became the first to join the Black Panthers in Oakland after it had been formed. |
He is credited with affecting the original membership with his profound sense of discipline though he was only 16. The brother who was deeply committed in his service to the community, was fondly referred to him as Li'l Bobby. Bobby was made to the Treasurer. He was quick to purchase as many Little Red Books by Mao as possible and had them sold particularly on the university campuses. When the Manford Act that was designed to outlaw the carrying of guns (as was the practise with the Panthers in their community protection 'police' patrols) was proposed, Bobby Hutton led a march on the California State Capitol in Sacramento on May 26, 1968 in protest of the bill. Though on April 6, 1968, after the police set on fire the basement to which they had pursued Bobby and Eldridge Cleaver to a few hours earlier, he came out of the smoke filled, bullet riddled shelter with his hands up and his clothes off indicating to his assailants he was surrendering unarmed, the 17 year old Bobby Hutton was cut down mercilessly in a fresh shower of police gunfire. Not only has this inspired those in the country where he lived and worked. The relatively short life of this African(-American) has left an indelible mark on some of us on the Motherland as well. For all that it's worth, we find it befitting to celebrate this man every single day in the vibes of Africa Our One Country. RASPECT, Bobby!!! FORWARD >>>> AFRICA[home] |
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