HAS THE PARENT BODY BECOME THE PIRATE BODY?
GOLDING RESPONDS TO LETTER Of EXPULSION

Fellow Citizens of Africa and Guardians of the Ethiopian Realm,

My heart and thoughts are with you all in these times and so I share them now with those who are willing. There are a number of issues, which we must resolve in the coming months as well as hurdles to overcome and obstacles to tackle. Given everything that has transpired in the past several months, I pray that we will neither lose faith nor become dismayed. Know that everything we continue to work so hard for shall come to fruition through the spirit of Marcus Garvey. Believe me when I say to you that all is well!

It has come to my attention that I, along with other stringent members of the UNIA-ACL, have been expelled on the grounds that we have been insubordinate and disrespectful to the Parent Body. As far as I know, we have neither been given a hearing nor an opportunity to hear the specific charges being made against us, nor have we been invited to speak in our own defense.

As I have said before in a report to the Executive Council, I will now say again and without reservation, that "THE PARENT BODY HAS BECOME THE BRIDGE FROM WHICH A FEW SEEK TO DOMINATE THE MANY AND CRUSH THE HOPES OF AN UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE"! Personally, I have been accused of being disrespectful to my elders by expressing my concerns regarding the ability of our high officers and in questioning the manner in which this universal association has been functioning. Yet I continue to ponder my early Christian teachings; and as it was written so would it appear that "THE TRUTH IS AN OFFENCE BUT NOT A SIN".

I have at no time disrespected any officer of this association personally or otherwise. The constitution created by the founding ancestors protects our right to express our opinion, whatever that may be, regarding the association to which we have devoted much time and effort and to which shall forever belong my heart and my sword. What I have done is to speak my mind with the full force of my heart and with the hope that somewhere in the darkness my words may give light to the truth. And what is that truth?

The truth is that the Parent Body has failed to act as a parent and has neglected the concerns and issues which have been brought to their attention at times by the Divisions.

The truth is that the Executive Council is not a cohesive body and oftentimes decisions are being made by 1 or 2 officers who then coerce the council unfairly with sharp talk and illusory documentation.

The truth is that the President-General is not in touch with the happenings of the association as he tends to forget things oftentimes, which seriously impedes his ability to direct and control the affairs of the association.

The truth is that the Secretary-General has been negligent in her responsibilities, failing to properly communicate with Divisions in a prompt and efficient manner and denying them their constitutional right to full participation in the democratic process of our great association.

The truth is that the 3rd Assistant President-General (APG) has grossly overstepped the boundaries of his constitutional role, and under the guise of the President-General has been informing and issuing instructions to other executive officers including the 1st and 2nd APGs who as a result seem misinformed and unaware regarding decisions being made and actions being taken.

The truth is that the High Chancellor has yet to report to the Divisions as demanded by the constitution, the financial status of the association in terms of revenue earned from Divisions and enterprises such as the Garvey Voice, and expenditures undertaken by the Parent Body.

The truth is that at the last elective convention, offense was taken to some young members who campaigned for and supported the candidacy of the present 1st Assistant President General against the wishes of some of the "powers that be". As a result of this, following the convention plans were put in place to undermine the authority of the 1st APG by keeping him out of the loop and apart from the decision making “clique”. As well, attempts are now being made to expel these "offensive" young members.

The truth is that both the New York and Washington DC Divisions, from which most of the young members hail, have been the target of intense scrutiny by the Parent Body in an effort to disrupt and undermine the activities and work which these Divisions have been carrying out. Their officers have been misaligned and harassed as well as subjected to unfair and needless hostility by the Parent Body.

The truth is that instead of seeking to maintain effective communications and relations with all Divisions, the Parent Body seeks to dismantle any Division, which puts them under the microscope of accountability. Not only have they isolated local Divisions within the United States where they are seated, but they have failed to develop and maintain fraternal relationships with the Divisions outside the U.S. who have now begun to question and disregard the role of a Parent Body which to them remains mute and in absentia.

The truth is that members who have been traveling at their own expense and innovating new ways and modern means of carrying the banner of the UNIA in order to build up new Divisions or strengthen existing ones, have been chastised and scrutinized by the Parent Body; who instead of lending their support to these soldiers of the cause, choose to react with hostility and fear as if they were losing a popularity contest. The very notion of expelling these members clearly demonstrates gross inaptitude and a lack of vision for moving this great association forward in the 21st century.

The truth is that time and time again new blood and young energy has come forward to sit at the foot of the Right Excellent Marcus Garvey and time and time again the Parent Body has reacted to this by choosing confrontation instead of conciliation. For too long the UNIA has been locked in a cycle of isolation and stagnation, passing the key down from one generation of palace guards to the next but all the time preventing new light and new hope from bursting through the doors and rejuvenating the ancient courtyard.

The truth is that the Parent Body has even gone as far as attempting to change the constitution in such a manner so as to remove the power of the convention as the highest decision making body of the association and replace it with the High Executive Council granting them absolute authority over the decisions and policies of the association. This can be duly noted in the proposed revised constitution as sent out by the Secretary-General and as pointed out by the recommendations submitted by the New York Division.

The truth is that all it takes for injustice to prevail anywhere is for righteous people to do nothing no where. Speak out now as you have the power and constitutional right to do so. Every Division must let their voice be heard in protest to this tyranny. Those members who have been expelled for their tireless effort to bring these issues to the forefront should be vindicated by the convention, because only you have the authority to declare them enemies of the race, and only such declared enemies of the race may be expelled from this great association.

THIS IS THE LAW OF THE UNIA!

DO NOT LET THE PARENT BODY BECOME THE PIRATE BODY!

We must demand dialogue and advance conflict resolution. This organization was created to unite the Negro race universally. No one who is willing to bear their lion share of work should ever be left out, left behind, or abandoned. No member of the Universal Negro Improvement Association & African Communities League can be expelled unless such member has proven to be a traitor to the race and the cause of African Redemption. Rest assured that the constitution guarantees our protection from the iniquity of man.

Does the Parent Body truly believe that they stand on the side of right? Are they in defense of the constitution or do they intend to bend and manipulate it to fit their own purposes? Do they understand the precedent and legacy they are leaving for generations to come? It is our duty as soldiers of Garveyism to refute any decision which would cause disunity among the members of our noble race especially among the active members of this great association.

Therefore, let justice be done to all mankind, realizing that if the strong oppresses the weak, confusion and discontent will ever mark the path of man but with love, faith and charity towards all the reign of peace and plenty will be heralded into the world and the generations of men shall be called Blessed.

For God. For Africa. For Justice.

It is my honor to serve faithfully.

FREEDOM'S JOURNAL Vol.1