She didn’t stand more than a foot over the podium, but her
work was big enough to merit the attention of the government.
Ramona Africa, who spoke Tuesday in Haines Hall, had a simple
but clear message.
“Think for yourself. Get information and get
involved,” Africa said, during her presentation to a group of
about 40 students. “The worst thing you can do is
nothing.”
Almost 20 years ago on May 13, 1985, law enforcement officials
dropped an explosive device on the MOVE organization’s
headquarters in Philadelphia to end an all-day siege. The ensuing
fires killed six adults and five children, leaving Africa the sole
adult survivor.
But Africa, rather than being scared away from her activist role
in MOVE, stepped up her involvement in the movement for African
Americans, speaking at various events around the country about the
work MOVE does.
Africa is currently in California in honor of the birthday of
Mumia Abu-Jamal, on whose story she focused in her speech.
Jamal, who has been on death row in Pennsylvania for the past 22
years, was convicted for the murder of a police officer. But some
evidence, including testimony from another person who said that he,
not Jamal, had killed the officer, has suggested Jamal is
innocent.
According to legalities, this evidence was not credible, a point
hotly contested by Africa.
“Innocence is not the issue; that is what you are being
asked to accept as justice in this country,” Africa said.
“We are not talking about legal procedures; we are talking
about a man’s life here.”
Africa went on to discuss the differences between legality and
morality, urging the audience to stand up for what is right rather
than what is lawful.
Africa’s words inspired and encouraged many in the
audience not to accept norms and to be active about their
beliefs.
“It encouraged me to see outside of activism on
campus,” said Andy Ramirez, a fourth-year history and
Chicana/o studies student. “The things we do are for a
greater purpose, and they affect a greater community. We should not
just abide by the rules we are given because it is all for a just
cause, not to hurt anybody, but to build community.”
Another audience member, Robert Nuengaye, a graduate student
candidate pursuing a Ph.D. in international conflict resolution
psychology, said he connected with Africa on another level.
Nuengaye, whose wife and three children were killed in South
Africa several years ago, has dealt with his loss by pursuing
education to find ways to prevent such hatred.
“I’m not the only one who lost a loved soul mate and
children who was able to come through with not only the psyche
intact, but the ability to turn away from anger and bitterness to
reach out to people different from me,” he said.
The event was hosted in part by the African Student Union, the
African Diaspora Foundation and the Black Graduate Student
Association.
Itibari Zulu, vice president of the African Diaspora Foundation,
said he thought the event presented a strong message to
students.
“She has the personal experience; not just the
theoretical, but practical experience,” Zulu said. “She
was a person similar to people in the audience. She went to
college, tried to play by the rules, and she found out that the
rules are different in real life.”