Special to the AmNews
This Saturday afternoon, the African Brotherhood 4 Self Determination and the December 12th Movement will sponsor a Black Power physical day commemoration acknowledging the lifetime achievements of legendary street warrior Sonny Abubadika Carson. The event will be conducted in the People’s Republic of Brooklyn at the intersection of Malcolm X Boulevard and Harriet Tubman Boulevard (Utica Avenue and Fulton Street).
A march and rally is planned for 1 p.m. in his traditional “in the streets, where the people are” manner, to belatedly celebrate the 86th anniversary of Abubadika’s physical birth, which passed this May 20.
Simultaneously, those in attendance will also speak out against many of the same issues still plaguing our communities today as the ones when he was still physically alive—police terrorism, racial profiling, government-sponsored narcotics trafficking and lack of community control of our children’s education, as well as the onset of gentrification.
“How different would our lives be today if Abubadika were still alive and here with us?” Bed-Stuy native La Meh Nua rhetorically asked. “Our hoods wouldn’t be gettin’ invaded by outsiders. And every time an Eric Garner or Shantel Davis happened, we would turn out like on ‘The Day of Outrage.’” The reference is to the time Carson orchestrated a mass protest against the Aug. 23, 1989, racially motivated murder of 16-years-young Yusef Hawkins.
Other fond memories of Abubadika taking uncompromising measures were also recollected, such as when he led economic boycotts against local Korean grocers who discriminated against Black patrons, jammed up the streets when racist bigots unjustly murdered young unarmed Black men and led mass protests against police terrorism.
“He was our Black Power general who gave us direction and focus in these streets,” said Caleef Cousar, a member of Carson’s Committee to Honor Black Heroes. “He embraced the youth and gave them guidance. The community always recognized who he was and how committed he was to us.”
“We miss you and will always love and remember you, Sonny,” expressed Sister Viola Plummer during a recent engagement at Harlem’s African Square.
Carson’s Black Men’s Movement Against Crack also comes to mind as many recall them clearing the streets of the crack epidemic of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
Although Carson joined the ancestors Dec. 20, 2002, his impact is still being felt today. His co-naming of various streets in Brooklyn and Harlem after glorious African ancestors is certain to positively influence future generations.
His self-determining approach has inspired a campaign to rename a stretch of Gates Avenue in Bed-Stuy after Abubadika, further ensuring that his name continues to ring bells long after many of his adversaries have passed on.
Long live Abubadika Sonny Carson!