Herman Wallace, Black Panther, free to die after 41 years in solitary confinement

Freed to die after 'a lifetime of injustice': Ex-Black Panther who spent 41 YEARS in solitary confinement for killing prison guard is released while suffering terminal cancer

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

PUBLISHED: 21:09 EST, 1 October 2013 | UPDATED: 03:05 EST, 2 October 2013

Almost free: A judge has ruled that Herman Wallace, 71, have his previous murder conviction overturned because women were kept out of the grand jury

A 71-year-old Louisiana prisoner who spent 41 years in solitary confinement and is now dying of cancer has had his release ordered by a federal judge.

Herman Wallace had his murder conviction of a prison guard in 1974 overturned by U.S. District Chief Judge Brian Jackson who said that women were unconstitutionally excluded from the grand jury that indicted Wallace nearly four decades ago.

The case against Wallace and two other prisoners became infamous when the three men were sentenced to solitary confinement for decades a piece.

'The record in this case makes clear that Mr. Wallace's grand jury was improperly chosen in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment's guarantee of `the equal protection of the laws' ... and that the Louisiana courts, when presented with the opportunity to correct this error, failed to do so,' Jackson wrote.

A lawyer for Wallace said the decision gives his client 'some measure of justice after a lifetime of injustice,' but his response was tempered by the grim outlook for Wallace's health.

'He's pleased,' Kendall said of Wallace's reaction after hearing of Tuesday's ruling, 'but he's quite ill.'

Wallace, whose birthday is October 13, has been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.

His lawyer said that Wallace 'ceased receiving treatment a couple of weeks ago.'

Headed out: Wallace, who has terminal cancer, speaks to members of his legal team after being released on October 1

Last Letter from Herman Wallace

"On Saturday. August 31st, I was transferred to LSU Hospital for evaluation. I was informed that the chemo treatments had failed and were making matters worse and so all treatment came to an end. The oncologists advised that nothing can be done for me medically within the standard care that they are authorized to provide. They recommended that I be admitted to

hospice care to make my remaining days as comfortable as possible. I have been given 2 months to live.

I want the world to know that I am an innocent man and that Albert Woodfox is innocent as well. We are just two of thousands of wrongfully convicted prisoners held captive in the American Gulag. We mourn for the family of Brent Miller and the many other victims of murder who will never be able to find closure for the loss of their loved ones due to the unjust criminal justice system in this country. We mourn for the loss of the families of those unjustly accused who suffer the loss of their loved ones as well.

Only a handful of prisoners globally have withstood the duration of years of harsh and solitary confinement that Albert and myself have. The State may have stolen my life, but my spirit will continue to struggle along with Albert and the many comrades that have joined us along the way here in the belly of the beast.

In 1970 I took an oath to dedicate my life as a servant of the people, and although I'm down on my back, I remain at your service. I want to thank all of you, my devoted supporters, for being with me to the end."

Herman Wallace is a remarkable man from whom we have much to learn.

Herman's Story

As a Black Panther & Member of the Angola 3:

Herman Wallace was convicted of armed robbery he was sent to Angola in 1971.  In 1971 he established the Angola Chapter of the Black Panther Party with Ronald Ailsworth, Albert Woodfox, and Gerald Bryant after receiving permission from the Panther central office in Oakland.

As a Black Panther Herman organized to improve conditions at the prison making him, and his fellow organizers notable targets of the administration that profited from poor conditions. In 1972 a prison guard named Brent Miller was brutally murdered behind the walls of Angola. By 1974  Wallace and Woodfox he were convicted for the murder, with no physical evidence linking them to the scene of the crime.  Herman and Albert have been fighting their convictions ever since, citing numerous infractions of justice including that one of the eyewitnesses was legally blind and the other was a known prison snitch who was rewarded for his testimony. After the murder, the Angola’s most visible organizers of justice, Herman Wallace, Albert Woodfox and Robert King—were put in solitary, where they have remained ever since. (King was released in 2001, after 29 years in solitary, when his conviction in a separate prison murder was overturned.) Several years ago, Herman was transferred to Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, where he remains in solitary. Albert Woodfox, Robert King and Herman Wallace are collectively known as the Angola 3.

As a human doing:

Herman Wallace was born in the 12th Ward, New Orleans LA on October 13th 1941. Herman was the 4th of 8 children and his mother Edna Clark Williams worked for the Orleans Parish Prison until her death in 1996. Herman’s entire life has been a sacrifice to serving justice and ending the suffering of all those serving unjust prison sentences, especially those forced to endure long term solitary confinement. Herman Wallace identifies as a political prisoner and his resolved is strengthened by the unimaginable conditions he is forced to endure. Deep into his 41st year of solitary confinement, he believes whole heartedly in justice, peace and the power of the people.

Call for Afrocentric Arts

Art by Elizabeth Cattlett Mora (RIP)

AFROCENTRIC    ARTS  DEFINING OUR OWN CULTURE 

Fellow Artists,

The time has come for us to work together and take control of our own future and artistic destiny. We can no longer blame others for what we have not done. We have the power to change our course, our direction, our world. As a
coalition, we can accomplish and achieve great things. Recently, a few artists met and discussed this concern, and concluded that there is a need for an Afrocentric Arts Alliance. Our mission is to establish a group that will foster, promote and advance the needs of The Bay Area Black Arts Community.

Starting with the performing arts, our goal is to create a black artistic network where artists can meet and share their ideas and projects. Coalition artists will guide comprehensive classes in their fields such as acting, directing, or play writing. We want to establish a meeting place where artists can perfect their crafts in front of eager and supportive colleagues. Our aim is to create a strategic plan as a foundation in order to support existing Afrocentric art and artists.

We invite you to be part of this Alliance and we are hosting a forum in the Latino Hispanic Room of the San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, 100 Larkin Street (at Grove Street) near City Hall in San Francisco, Sunday, 13 October 2013, from 1:30 to 4:30. Below is the agenda.

Agenda:

I .Introductions:

II. Speaker Overview:

III. Identify and Discuss Issues

o Youth

o Marketing

o Database

o Networking

o Space

o Monies

o Classes/Teachers

IV. Follow-up:

V. Conclusion:

Your ideas and participation are important, and please pass this information along to anyone you think might appreciate being a part of this effort. Please RSVP to me or Gloria Fisher, as space is limited. Hope to see you there. 650-458-6255.

Keith

Introduction: The Wisdom of Plato Negro, parables/fables, Marvin X

Ptah Allah El

"We doubted a Marvin X
existed. We double doubt
there is a Plato Negro."
--AB

Introduction


*by Ptah Allah El



To all seekers of truth living in the post modern world, this volume of
literature is your pragmatic hustler’s guide and intellectual syllabus
for success. Some people found it strange when scholar Ishmael Reed
first compared Marvin X, the son of Owendell and Marian Jackmon to the
classical Greek Philosopher Plato (427 B.C.), son of Ariston and
Perictione. 

No one can argue that both Plato and Marvin X have proven in
their dialogues/writings to be great thinkers and critics of their
respective eras. Although separated by over two thousand years of
history and clearly two distinct worldviews, research proves that these
poet/philosophers strangely share similar souls. Recently while reading
about the Dialogues of Plato, I came across a quote by William Chase
Greene, former Professor of Greek and Latin at Harvard University.
Greene describes Plato’s works by profoundly stating, “In yet another
field the Platonic Philosophy seeks to find an escape from the flux.

Those poets and artist who are content to record the fleeting
impressions of the senses, or to tickle the fancies and indulge the
passions of an ignorant people by specious emotional and rhetorical
appeals, Plato invites to use their art in service of truth.”

These are timeless words describing Plato’s classic works, yet if you simply
replace Plato’s name with Marvin X in the above quote, and review
Marvin’s work over the past 40 years, you won’t be surprised why he has
adopted the title “Plato Negro”. 

In this classic volume Marvin X truly becomes Plato personified, as we see him 

transcend from master poet to philosopher. Plato was once a master poet until 

the death of his teacher Socrates in (399 B.C.). This marked a turning point in Plato’s life
causing him to fully convert to philosophy. The same can be said now
with Marvin X who recently lost his master teacher John Douimbia and has
since elevated beyond poetry, reincarnating as the philosopher “Plato
Negro”. 

These “New Dialogues” of The Wisdom of Plato Negro provide a
post modern Gorgias, Sophist, Symposium of Laws, on how to hustle and
survive in the new Obamian American Republic. It is clear that Marvin X
has become the true Platonist of the day by demonstrating his Platonic
love for the people, taking us on a symbolic trip through the parable of
the Cave, where all true analysis takes place, inside the true self. 

As an African Philosopher, as ironic as it sounds, the works of “Plato
Negro” prove to be a major contribution to the field of African
Philosophy. These works provide a model for a standard approach toward
reflective thinking and critical analysis for African people, still
trying to define their own philosophical worldview. What Plato’s works
did to inspire classical Greece and the European generations to follow,
we hope this brilliant piece of literature from “Plato Negro” will shed
light on Africans today and future generations to come. Write on “Plato
Negro”.


--Ptahotep A. El (Trace 101)
Minister of Education, Academy of da Corner,
14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland
www.blackbirdpressnews.blogspot.com

From the Drs. Nathan and Julia Hare Archives, exhibited at Academy of da Corner, Oakland

photo Francisco Barradas

Dr. Nathan Hare is the founding publisher of Black Scholar Magazine. Support the Community Archives Project. Stop throwing away Black Gold, the archives of your elders upon their transition to ancestor hood. 

Honoring Ancestor John George

Askia Toure confirmed for Black Arts Movement Conference at UC Merced, March 1-2, 2014

Peace, Bro. Marvin X,

I've just seen the Outline for the forthcoming Black Arts/Black Power Conference. I would like to make a suggestion: I would like to be included on the Black Power Section of the Program, due to the fact that I infiltrated SNCC and introduced Black Power into the Southern Civil Rights mass movement. When I was a member of SNCC's Atlanta Project, I co-wrote the 1966 SNCC Black Power Position Paper, with Atlanta Project leader, William Bill Ware, and Black SNCC activist-writer, Donald Stone. This paper influenced Stokely Carmichael, and it was published in the New York Times. After the Paper was circulated throughout the Southern SNCC chapters, where it was fiercely debated, it grew to become more or less the "official" position of Carmichael's tenure as director of Black Power SNCC, which deposed integrationist SNCC. Marvin, this proved historically important, because until then, "Black Power" was considered a "Northern" position, while the South was "integrationist." I'm not so sure that many Black Power activists in the North are even aware of this historical event. Muhammad Ahmed & I also taught Black Power/Black His-tory in the SNCC "Freedom Schools," in Mississippi, and in Atlanta, in 1967, where I developed an Atlanta "Freedom School," before being invited by SNCC's Jimmy Garrett and Sis. Sonia to come work with the Black Power/Black Studies project in San Francisco. 

Yours in Struggle, Askia Toure'.

Black Bird Press News & Review: Photo Essay:: Danny Glover and Marvin X at SF Anti-War Rally, 2003, photos by Kamau Amen Ra

Black Bird Press News & Review: Photo Essay:: Danny Glover and Marvin X at SF Anti-War Rally, 2003, photos by Kamau Amen Ra

Danny Glover discusses how the Black Arts Movement saved his life, esp. Marvin X and Sonia Sanchez at San Francisco State University. See www.scoopusanewspaper.com, September 27, 2013.

Bob Marley - WAR

Plato Negro, A Day in the Life at Academy of da Corner

Those who don't know need to know that Academy of da Corner is a project of the Marvin X Ministry, a writer's ministry to spread truth in the world, and someone said truth will set you free! If it ain't true for me and you, it ain't truth! Don't tell me what you believe, I care nothing for your beliefs. You can believe it's raining today in Oakland, but you see clearly the sun is shining, yet you want to convince me you believe it is raining. Get a life!

Today the poet/philosopher had a full day at his academy of da corner, located at 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland, in the Oscar Grant Plaza/Frank Ogawa Plaza (Frank was a former city councilman, one of the best of the lot, says Marvin X), across from city hall.

Quitta and Plato

photo Doris Easley

It is enough to make a movie, he told his new wife, Quitta, who came to assist the poet and was overwhelmed at how people share their stories with the poet, who often says nothing but listens.

A senior woman was introduced to his wife and said how nice that she could help the poet, and she's beautiful too, the woman said.

Poet Charles Blackwell

Blind poet Charles Blackwell came through. In his raw manner, Marvin X introduced Charles as a nigguh from Mississippi. Charles, always humble except when he gets raw in his Mississippi manner, asked Marvin why he had to introduce him as a nigguh from Mississippi? How ya coin, Charlie? Rev. Reems told me to tell you he looking fa ya! He told me to tell you he looking fa you too, Charles shot back.

After Charles departed, Quitta remarked, "For a blind man, he sure moves fast with that cane. And he can read his poetry. I must tell my sons (9 year old twins) about him, even though he is blind. I told them about Stevie Wonder, a man who has never seen a piano."

Marvin X failed to inform readers that yesterday a young lesbian had come by and informed Plato she was not a boy, she was a girl. Plato had not asked her gender but was happy for the information. I'm tired of these girls acting like I got a dick. I know I don't have no dick and I'm tired faking. I'm gonna be the woman I am! I loveya gul, Plato said. Talk reality to me!

Mississippi poet Charles Blackwell was soon followed by another partially blind white man Plato recalled had bought DVDs in the past. The white man testified and confessed about his life for at least an hour. He said his mission is to search for truth. He is a veteran who fought in WWII and was disabled but felt he was not treated fairly by the Veterans Administration.

The man said he was about 100 feet away when the Marine, an Iraqi war veteran,  was shot in the head by the cops during Occupy Oakland. Plato was also present that night and was overcome by tear gas after the Marine suffered a concussion from a police projectile when he refused to dismiss on police orders.

Plato's classroom was also the scene of the Oscar Grant street protests. The film Fruitvale neglected to depict that mass protests over the Oscar Grant murder.

The blind white man said he would return next week to purchase some DVDs. But he didn't depart, he lingered on, talking about his search for truth. He mentioned the De Vichy Code and others sources that have tried to uncover truth in the world. Finally, he departed. This is what you go through, Quitta asked. Yes, sometimes you must just listen. Who else has time to listen,
but we must cut it short because the people will drain your energy.  You ain't seen nothing yet, he told Quitta. The show is just beginning.

Plato and San Francisco's Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi. He's had problems in his male/female relations

A man purchased the most popular piece of writing Plato has published, the 18 page pamphlet Mythology of Pussy and Dick. He went away but came back a little later to purchase another copy.
I want one for my son, he said. He must read this. I'm shocked at the things you've said. You noted a man can't bleed for five days and not die, you said he can't bleed for five minutes! That got me. Then you said don't be a 50, 60, 70 year old still tripping about pussy and dick. Yes, give me one for my son!

Quitta said, you're gonna get rich with that Mythology of Pussy and Dick! A white woman with luggage waiting for her son to pick her up bought a copy as a gift for her son.

A brother came manic over the fact he'd just got out of the US Marines this day, after 25 years. He said he didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he was doing both. I feel sorry for my people here in America. If they throw me in jail I'm going to do this. He performed a little robot dance saluting and marching, left right left, march time march. It was straight drama and fit any stage. He said he better go because he's too excited. Pray for me, ya'll pray for me. Quitta couldn't believe the real live drama she'd just witnessed. Plato said the brother will need to be careful out here. You heard me tell him this is the Black man's battleground. This is the war and he is a victim.

Plato and Howard University, Wash DC fan

 Plato and Academy of da Corner Professor of Law, Gregory Fields

 Academy of da Corner top student, Jermaine Marsh, Civil Rights attorney Walter Riley,

living blues legend Suggar Pie De Santo and Plato

 Oakland Post Publisher Paul Cobb and Marvin X are childhood friends from West Oakland

Plato and Rahmana Ali

Plato's wellness coach Michael Bennett of the San Francisco Bayview/Hunters Point WMCA

We love you, Comrade George Jackson. Liberate the captives! Black August, look for me in the whirlwind!

Plato, librarian Sister Linda and novelist Cecil Brown

Want to contact Marvin X? 

Call 510-200-4164

Order books, speaking  and reading engagements nationwide

Robert Reich on New Republican Tricknology

ROBERT B. REICH, Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley, was Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration. Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. He has written thirteen books, including the best sellers “Aftershock" and “The Work of Nations." His latest, "Beyond Outrage," is now out in paperback. He is also a founding editor of the American Prospect magazine and chairman of Common Cause. His new film, “Inequality for All,” will be out September 27. 

The House Republicans’ Dangerous New Constitutional Doctrine: Repealing Laws by De-Funding Them

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

Yesterday morning on ABC’s “This Week,” Newt Gingrich and I debated whether House Republicans in should be able to repeal a law — in this case, the Affordable Care Act — by de-funding it. Here’s the essence:

GINGRICH: Under our constitutional system, going all the way back to Magna Carta in 1215, the people’s house is allowed to say to the king we ain’t giving you money.

REICH: Sorry, under our constitutional system you’re not allowed to risk the entire system of government to get your way.

Had we had more time I would have explained to the former Speaker something he surely already knows: The Affordable Care Act was duly enacted by a majority of both houses of Congress, signed into law by the President, and even upheld by the Supreme Court.

The Constitution of the United States does not allow a majority of the House of Representatives to repeal the law of the land by de-funding it (and threatening to close the entire government, or default on the nation’s full faith and credit, if the Senate and the President don’t come around).

If that were permissible, no law on the books would be safe. A majority of the House could get rid of unemployment insurance, federal aid to education, Social Security, Medicare, or any other law they didn’t like merely by deciding not to fund them.

I believe the Affordable Care Act will prove to be enormously popular with the American public once it’s fully implemented — which is exactly why the Republicans are so intent on bulldozing it before then. If they were sincere about their objections, they’d let Americans try it out — and then, if it didn’t work, decide to repeal it. 

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X's Brief Career in Academia: UC Berkeley, A Case Study by Dr. J. Vern Cromartie of the Contra Costa College Sociology Department

Black Bird Press News & Review: Marvin X's Brief Career in Academia: UC Berkeley, A Case Study by Dr. J. Vern Cromartie of the Contra Costa College Sociology Department:

Marvin X has argued that if contemporary professors of Black Studies want to be acceptable to the ancestors in Africa it will be important for them to ―make peace with the trees and swamps and bayous of Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana (p. 85).

Likewise, Marvin X has argued that contemporary professors of Black Studies need to connect with Black people in the ghetto. In his view, it is necessary for contemporary professors of Black Studies to ―make peace with them and ―teach them to make peace with themselves (p. 85).