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Show Eldridge Cleaver Tells His Story ByLydta Hawska Recently, at the Ore .11 residence of Phil Snelgrove, took place a meeting for those, who are interested in American political processes, with representatives of The National Center for Constitutional Studies, formerly known as the Freeman Institute. The organization now has chapters in all fifty states and has received requests from foreign governments to analyze their constitutions and how they ought to made more effective. To avoid the label of provincialism, the headquarter have been moved to Washington, D.C. The Chief purpose of the organizationa is to educate people -those who are directly involved in politics and those who vote - about the Constitution of United States and how its application can solve national problems. Eldridge Cleaver was the featured speaker. Cleaver is best known for his involvement in the Black Panther revolutionary movement of the 60s. His anti-establishment behavior began much earlier, when - at the age of ten - he participated in burning of a school. A product of a broken home with an abusive father, he turned to force as a means for obtaining a sense of control. "I was involved in the spirit of rebellion against all forms of authority," he said. "In my heart I became an outlaw. I was narrowly focusing on the problems of. racial prejudice and poverty. I hated the Founding Fathers and was blind to the fact, that in the slave-holding culture, they had the higher aspirations expressed in the words 'all men are created equal' and not 'all white men are created equal!' " Finally, serving a 10-year prison sentence in San Quentin, he realized that for his desire to change things to be effective, he needed some ideology. He was upset by the fact that his ignorance caused him to be easily persuaded, independently of the value the argument may have. In prison, he first came across Communist ideology and was impressed by the fact that it seemed like a pancea to every problem. He saw it as "a perfect way a road to Utopia." It taught that here would be no "have and have nots." Everyone would be equal. Ittaught that poverty and racism are results of capitalism and by doing away with the system, those social evils could also be destroyed. And a revolution is the way to accomplish it. "A revolutionary," explained Cleaver, "is a doomed man with a Kamikaze spirit. He is not only willing to kill, but also to die. To be a revolutionary, you have to become a cold killing machine. "This philosophy met his needs, because, as he put it, "I am a right-wing extremist. If you are going to do something, let's do it now. I don't want to make a statement and sit down. I want to do it." His idols were men like Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra. In 1966, after his release, he began searching for revolutionaries willing to overthrow the government. The six Communist parties then in existence were too mile and he joined the Black Panther movement. The organization jokingly referred to California governor Ronald Reagan as "the father," because his conservative rule fed their anti-government anti-government activity. After an arrest in Oakland, Cleaver was released on the writ of "habeas Corpus" arid told to appear for trial in 60 days. Unwilling to return to prison, he accepted the invitation from the Cuban government and went to Cuba to organize a center for urban guerilla warfare in which to train American revolutionaries. Black Panthers were in contact with the militant Arab organizations and other Communist countries as well. Cleaver's idealistic image of a happy Utopia was quickly shattered, as he perceived, that the red carpet treatment he received was drastically different from the way the Cuban government treated its own citizens. He saw their poverty, the tortures they were subjected to in prisons and mental institutions. And finally the real revolutionaries, who fought against all forms of dictatorship, and for democracy. After 8 months he left for Algeria, where his wife and friends joined him. His travels took him to Middle East, black African countries as well as the Eastern European ones. He was suspicious of white Soviet Union, especially since it talked of peaceful co-existence, but felt more at home in the oriental countries where the actual revolution was taking place (North Korea, Vietnam, China). His findings were much different than what he expected. As he put it, he was "horrifed to see what was really going on, how the people were being terrorized." He found that the closest analogy he could think of would be prison, with the captive, helpless population and a hierarchy of overseers. He found it reflected in the spirit of the people. Many people reproached him for his activies. "America is the hope of the world," they said. Cleaver now found himself faced with a moral choice. And he made it according to his philosophy, that "It's better to cling to the truth regardless of consequences, than to cling to a lie, because we have a vested interest." His change was made at risk of getting killed for "selling out." In order to make a living, the forged documents, especially passports and knew identity of some shady people. His associates were hijackers, bombers, etc. Cleaver found himself more frightened by the menacing forces that are threatening to overthrow democracy, He saw the U.S. As the last bastion of freedom standing between them and the control of the world. The amounts of money that are used to create conditions destructive to SCVEE3 THESE SiQER-REED Electronic Portable Typewriter uniy l i ' With Fabulous $1 CO00 FESEE Ribbons end SupsHes Offer LOWE'S Typewriter Co. 294 North 100 West - Provo (Just Across from Sears) - Ph. 373-3631 Expert Cleaning and Repairing democracy in the U. S. are beyond estimate, They come not only from the Communist Block countries, but also from the "Holy War" Arab states. Clever wanted to personally do something about it, especially after he realized, how many prejudices, based not necessarily dh the skin color, are fostered in a totalitarian system of government. He found himself becoming proud of his U. S. citizenship. "Problems," according to him, "arise not because of personalities, like for example, Castro, but because of the doctrines on which those systems are based. " Cleaver, having undergone this 8-year oddysey in a moral, as well as physical sense, decided to turn around and try to save America. He surrendered to U.S. authorities, "You bang on the door, when you want to get into the United States" he said, "once you get in, you don't bang on the wall, but get to work to make things better." He now sees U.S. as a country with a spiritual , Christmas Gift . . . Honda 1904 ATC 200 - 3 Wheeler TRX 200 4 Wheeler With Trailer 311 Just Like New - Will Sell Separate PliQEie 225-5393 Orem, Utah destiny, which is to make democracy work and endure. He feels that this country can teach others about overcoming racial prejudice. In his opinion, "we must unleash a fierce ideological struggle and stop talking about our weaknesses. Countires like Iran believe that U.S. will be destroyed by inner conflicts along racial and sexual lines (ERA)." "My heart lies with healing of America," said Cleaver. "I recognize, that I had been very active in unhinging of it." In retrospection, he said "I don't think I would change anything about my life if I could. I am where I am today, because I've gone through the things I've been through. I prefer to look at experiences and draw a positive inspiration from them. "I still believe in Utopia" said Clever in conclusion. "I believe the world can be better and I feel that human behavior has a lot to do with thewaythingsare." The National Center for Constitutional Studies is going to conduct a series of 8 courses dealing with the principles upon whicli the U.S. Constitution is based ami their practical application. The courses will be offered monthly, beginning ,'anuary 5, at Lakeridge High in Orem. Interested persons may contactHarvardJensenat22G-3445. B r . tod ft - i .Mk Juf M . M W-i y U 'Ownt'cl and OperaU'il by DAROLD CLARK WHOLESALE -RETAIL PUBLIC WELCOME FREEZER MEATS Quarters - Halves Whole CUSTOM CUTTING BEEF - PORK LAMB BACON NORTH I Lindon Hill Ace Rents Ground Es! Pat&j & Stddc Oiim Our Spsciafy jL DISCOUNTS FOB PARTIES BANQUETS M 785-4002 100 SO. STATE LINDON Darold's Specialty Meats Watts i Lumber 0 BRa If" ' ' r' 2-fverywhere touching all . w WMf iiflfe'''-iarthly creatures with its j7j) M IWf W'd'Sy gicand warmth. We. fYfcS VI 'm&S'! share this Spirit with our fd IrSi 'All - hi w u v- friends and wish you a 2-ir 7i f ii I 1 D'A 4 wonderful holiday season, r&yjr Our gratitude to all. ymw v.i, H. B. (jack and Dona Sumner Brent Sumner jack Sumner Ronald Stine jean Thayne Roberta Bushel! Gary Whitehead Mike Whitehead Les Campbell Faye Connelly joyce Kallas Cal jones Carl Fiilch Betty Liston Steve Goodwin Mike Goodwin ftryce Liston WW |