When the Panthers died

Artivists-event-for-CPF-SFBV-KAGE-crowd-at-Queen-Memorial-COGIC-120719-by-Izola-Haynes, When the Panthers died, Culture Currents
Despite one of the worst rainstorms in memory, the beautiful Queen Memorial Church of God in Christ was nearly full on Saturday, Dec. 7, for the Artivists event, an afternoon of inspiring art and performances and loving fellowship. Artworks by incarcerated artists were beautifully displayed, although few in attendance could afford to buy them. Many recently released prisoners, standing tall and proud, proved that the spirit-crushing effect of imprisonment doesn’t destroy everyone. The Bay View extends our deepest gratitude to all who worked long and hard to present an event we’ll never forget. – Photo: Izola Haynes

by Min. King X aka Pyeface or William E. Brown Jr.

When the Panthers died, I cried,

I tried to hold back my tears,

While in my mother’s womb, I was consumed with fear 

I seen my people being killed by the police,

Through the eyes of my Mother and my Father trembling feet

Running fast from a billy club ass whuppin,

Mug shot faces lookin crooked.

WHEN THE PANTHERS DIED 

I knew it wouldn’t be the same,

When the Panthers died, everything changed,

Gangs and automatic rifles came, aimed at the destruction of our folk,

Not to mention crack cocaine smoke,

Black people always had hope until then,

BLACK PEOPLE STOOD ORGANIZED AT ONE TIME,

UNIFIED by military STRIDES made in the community

I never knew the ideology of BOBBY SEALE and HUEY P. NEWTON would elude me,

WHEN THE PANTHERS DIED

Remember afro-natural picks and a Black fist raised high

POWER TO THE PEOPLE was a slogan spoken LOUD,

JAMES BROWN had large crowds singing “I’m Black and I’m Proud”

It was a beautiful sight to behold,

Executed a plan of attack for control,

Manipulating Black souls to turn cold on their OWN shade

Traitors and infiltrators what a shame,

Pathetic cowardice was engraved in their hearts,

Shouldn’t be able to breathe in presence of KINGS THAT ARE DARK,

WHEN THE PANTHERS DIED

When ASSATA SHAKUR fled to CUBA, THE WHITE MAN CRIED,

They tried to make her a political prisoner,

They wanted her to FRY but she suffered NEITHER,

NOW THAT WAS A SPECIAL VICTORY,

VICTORY Is LOVE, JOY and PAIN,

WHEN THE PANTHERS DIED, EVERYTHING CHANGED,

Many Black brains became maimed by,

BLAXPLOITATION movies and drive-bys,

WE dropped the BALL and created A LIE,

Our own power WE denied,

WHEN THE PANTHERS DIED,

KAGE BROTHERS and SISTERS grew wings,

Then came the NEW RISE,

HUGO

WHEN THE PANTHERS DIED.

(All performers end the scene with a revolutionary clinched fist salute, while exiting the stage chanting.)

Oscar-Grant-Fruitvale-BART-Station-memorial-Min.-King-Pyeface-performs-‘When-the-Panthers-Died’-010120-2-e1579332968702-600x800, When the Panthers died, Culture Currents
Min. King, aka the rapper Pyeface, performed “When the Panthers Died” at the memorable Artivists event he organized on Dec. 7, and he’s shown here performing it at the annual commemoration on Jan. 1, 2020, the anniversary of the murder by BART cop Johannes Mehserle of young father Oscar Grant. For years afterward, “I am Oscar Grant” was the rallying cry in Oakland. 
Oscar-Grant-Fruitvale-BART-Station-memorial-010120-w-Min.-King-friends-600x800, When the Panthers died, Culture Currents
Shouting “I am Oscar Grant,” Oakland’s rallying cry for years, the crowd of 200 attending the annual Oscar Grant Unity Rally at Fruitvale BART on Jan. 1 heard Min. King, aka the rapper Pyeface, perform “When the Panthers Died,” as he did at the Artivists event Dec. 7. Among the community leaders were some recently released from prison, including Oscar’s father, Oscar Grant Sr. From left, they are Sean “Stone” Ramsey, Mistah F.A.B., Min. King-X, Rese, Damon John aka Soulja, Oscar Grant Sr., Mone, Rafiki aka Lil Rob. Uncle Bobby-X brought them all on stage as delegates for those returning from long term prison sentences. Min. King-X also conducted an interview with the local news media regarding, “I STAND 2VOTE.”

 

Min. King X, released in 2019 after 18 years in prison, can be reached at kagekage371@gmail.com.