The Task Ahead

Fall/Winter 1998

 

“Building and Developing Momentum For The Concept WORK”

 

Note: The concept below was introduced into the following cities this past October - St. Louis, Missouri; East St. Louis, Illinois; Memphis Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland and Detroit, Michigan.  It is our hope that WORK will be implemented by the masses of Black people in upcoming years.  A copy of the flyer distributed to the public is enclosed and a thank you and summation of WORK for the year, 1998.  We have begun preparing for 1999 starting now.  WORK toward the liberation of self and our people.

 

Support Black People’s National Awareness and Implementation of WORK

(October 16 thru October 25)

 

As head of the Universal African People Organization, I/we encourage every Black person who reads this appeal to support and participate in what we consider, a common sense approach to keep alive the spirit and ideas of the Million Man March and Million Woman Marches through the concept known as WORK.

            WORK is a concept that is a acronym which represents Week of Reason, Respect, Righteousness, Rejuvenation, Resurrection, and Knowledge.  It is our belief, that if these two God inspired and historical marches/events which brought together our people in unprecedented unity and cooperation are to be viewed properly, then they must be interconnected with a plan of action that redefines how we behave towards ourselves and our relationship with the economic system of this country.

            In keeping with this principle, we find that it is not by chance that if you subtracted 16 from 25 your answer will be nine.  Therefore, as the number nine is important in the cycle of human life (nine months from inception to birth), as well as our solar system (nine planets); it is our belief that this period of time is significant because the Million Man March of October 16, 1995 impregnated our women which gave birth to the Million Woman March of October 25, 1997 (16 minus 25 equals nine).

            Continuing to follow the significance of nine, again it is our feeling that it is not by coincidence that in this year, the Million Youth March held in New York and the Million Youth Movement held in Atlanta were both observed in September.  As you know September is the ninth month of the Christian calendar, again we find the number nine being significant.  Therefore, it should be quite obvious that our creator is calling for a new birth, a new age, a new renaissance of the Black nation here in America, and throughout the world as we head into the 21st Century.

            But, it is our feeling that in the eyes of God, each of the above marches will never bear the best fruits for our people, if there is no serious WORK to actualize the tenets of each March.  Thus, the scripture that we are utilizing to move forward the concept of WORK comes from the Holy Bible, King James - Chapter 2 Verse 17 “Faith without work is dead;” because without a plan of work and action there will be no lasting foundation for change.

            In essence, the concept WORK is like a bridge uniting the Million Man and Million Woman Marches through nine days of unification in spirit and action.  We are encouraging those who hear and see to join us in implementing to the best of your ability, the following set of do’s and don’t(s) between October 16th and 25th of this year and annually thereafter.

            Do (1) implement the 5R’s of WORK (2) read, study, and reflect on our history, culture, and other progressive literature (3) help someone less fortunate (4) build and act on the values of the Million Man and Woman Marches (5) focus on our children and youth (6) fast, meditate and be prayerful for nine days (7) recognize/acknowledge everyone by speaking (8) respect our elder and (9) support Black businesses.

            Don’t (1) curse, berate or verbally abuse one another and use the (N) word (2) physically or emotionally abuse one another (3) drink alcohol or use drugs (4) smoke (5) gossip or lie (6) steal from one another (7) hesitate to express your love and concern for those dear to you (8) put off tomorrow what can be done today (procrastination) and (9) don’t spend your money with anyone other than Black businesses (shopping malls, fast food, etc).

            During the observance of WORK, we are also calling upon our community to individually and or collectively act upon the following one each respective day: October 16 - Observe the Holy Dat of Atonement, October 17 - Buy Black and Register Someone To Vote Day, October 18 - Give Tribute and Time To an Elder Day, October 19 - Mentor a Youth Day, October 20 - Help Someone Less Fortunate Day, October 21 - Turn Off the TV and Write To Someone Who’ Incarcerated, October 22 - Join A Community Organization And Protest Against Police Harassment And Brutality, October 23 - Pan African Day (organize to send needed supplies of clothing, educational material and/or medical supplies to African or Carribean nations, October 24 - Read A Book Or Assist Someone In Reading A Book Day, October 25 - Respect Our Women and Reflection on WORK Day.

            In conclusion, we are seeking at least 144,000 conscience people to engage in this spiritual, mental, cultural, and economic exercise known as WORK.  Be part of WORK.  To indicate your support please write UAPO, PO Box 9226, St. Louis, MO 63117 or call (314)454-9005.