News

TENDAI MWARI                                                                                        23/10/2013

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

It is with deep regret that we receive the news of the passing of our highly treasured community Elders: Mama Erica Huntley (13/10/2013) and Baba Ralph Straker (12/10/2013) and wish to sendour deep condolence, respectively, to Baba Eric Huntley (husband) and family as well as Mama Monica Straker (wife) and her family.

 

As Co-Chairs of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament we are sure that we speak for all who know them and those who will come to know of their decades of monumental works and contributions to the nation of Afrikans in the UK and the forces of progress.

 

Alongside Baba Eric Huntley, Mama Jessica (86) contributed extensively to creating a rich cultural and political legacy for Afrikans in Britian. This began, in fact, with their commitment to the fight for justice in their native Guyana and for its independence from British colonialism. This continued since their arrival in the UK in the 1950s, with campaigns against racial injustice manifesting in policing, education, criminal justice, housing and various aspects of Afrikan life in an extremely hostile society. Part of that legacy is the beautiful and much needed symbol of Afrikan Male and female union that they projected; a union that spanned over 60 years.

 

But it was in the field of education that she/they have made their greatest impact, through the publication and retailing of Afrikan-centred books and resources, via their publishing house and bookshop, Bogle-L’Ouverture, established in 1968 (later renamed Walter Rodney). Among the great works they published was the Eminent Scholar-Activist, Dr Walter Rodney’s seminal book, ‘The Groundings with My Brothers’ and his ground braking, ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Afrika’. They also published notables like Maya Angelou, George Jackson, Frantz Fanon and Afrika-UK’s own Dr Robin Walker and Linton Kwesi Johnson. Moreover, amidst a dearth of culturally specific resources, they produced the book, ‘Getting to Know Ourselves,’ designed to enable Afrikan children to explore their identity with pride and fun.

 

Baba Ralph Straker (77), equally, was deeply and tirelessly committed to procuring equal rights and justice for Afrikan people and creating a just and fair society for all. Whether as Senior Officer for the Hackney Council Race Equality Unit, the Haringey Race Equality Unit, an officer for the Church of England Southwark Diocese Race Relation Commission, as a Justice of the Peace, a magistrate, as Board Visitor for Holloway Prison, as civil rights activist and community organiser, or as a funder-member of the African Caribbean Leadership Council, Turnpike Lane, his undying commitment was always to project and procure the very best of and for our people and community.

 

One of his most lasting contributions is the founding of the Sam Uriah-Morris Society at the Harriet Tubman House, in Hackney, for which he was president. This permanent pictorial display of Afrikan contributions to world culture and civilisation, beginning with Early Khemet (Egypt) to modern times, complete with a reference library and artefacts, was an invaluable community historical resource. It also had a mobile service that travelled the country. In addition, Harriet Tubman House provided a cultural centre which not only offered a space for cultural events and celebrations, but was a monument in honour of that great historical icon whose honourable name it bore. He was also very committed to our young people, mentoring many as well as organising youth conferences and supporting many families whose children were experiencing difficulties.

 

As we work to build a National Afrikan People’s Parliament, designed to promote, preserve and protect the best interest of Afrikan people domiciled here in the UK and beyond, let it be known that we stand on the shoulders of such great community figures as Mama Jessica Huntley and Baba Ralph Straker. Indeed, both Elders were involved in the organising of the historic Black People’s Day of Action, the 30^th anniversary of which inspired the founding of the NAPP. Thus, to whatever heights the vision of the NAPP will take us as a people, the names Jessica Huntley and Ralph Straker will also rise with deserving praise and honour; knowing that we are a stronger and better people because of who they were and what they did. 

 

To the families of Mama Jessica and Baba Straker, we also extend our heartfelt appreciation to you for sharing these very special persons, your precious loved-ones, with us for so many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time and will be always: may you find strength and comfort in this.

 

Mama Jessica Huntley and Baba Ralph Straker: may their souls find eternal peace and rise to perpetual glory.