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We should always remember some of our great ancestors. One such ancestor is Lu Palmer.
On Sunday, September 12, 2004, Lu Palmer made his transition to eternity. Lu Palmer was an unquestioned leader, and dedicated soldier in the struggle for Black Liberation and independence. His spirit will remain among us forever.
As I began to think about the tremendous contributions Brother Lu made
Lutrelle Fleming Palmer, Jr. was born on March 28, 1922 in
Lu Palmer, Sr. graduated from
Over the years, Brother Lu Palmer, Jr. secured that same kind of support in
After his graduation from high school Lu attended and graduated from
From the early 1950s, Lu worked in a variety positions as a journalist, communicator, writer, and educator. The name Lu Palmer is synonymous with the quest of Black people’s efforts in
For over fifty-three years, Lu worked in the field of communications as a journalist, as the Director of the News Bureau, as an editor at Fisk University, as a reporter at the Tri-State Defender, as senior writer at the Chicago Defender, a reporter in the Peace Corps, a reporter at The Chicago American, and as a columnist at the Chicago Daily News.
It was the racism and white supremacy of the Chicago Daily News that caused Lu to resign his lucrative position in 1972 and start his own newspaper called the Black X-Press. Although the life of this newspaper was short-lived, the idea and example that Lu set by taking this bold step was indicative of his character as a true freedom fighter.
Like his father
Through Lu’s Notebook and forums, he was instrumental in mobilizing and organizing Black people to take action around our own self interests. Perhaps his greatest organizing venture was the establishment of his organization, Chicago Black United Communities (CBUC), which more than any other organization laid the foundation for the election of
If you recall, it was Lu Palmer and CBUC that convened the Citywide Political Conference at Malcolm X College on August 15, 1981, “To examine, to explain, to explore old and new strategies that will enable us to chart new paths toward full political representation and full political empowerment - in Black precincts, in Black wards, in Black congressional districts, in Black state legislative districts, in City Hall and throughout this country.” It was Lu Palmer that declared at this conference, and subsequently popularized the slogan that became a reality, “We Shall See In `83.”
We miss Lu, but his spirit remains with us.
BlackCommentator.com Columnist, Conrad W. Worrill, PhD, is the National Chairman Emeritus of the National Black United Front (NBUF). Click here to contact Dr. Worrill. |
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Remembering Lu Palmer and African American History Month
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