| In Tribute to the Ancestors, Heroes & Martyrs of Human Rights, Liberation, and Transformation |
| We have created this page because the focus of IKOLOGIKS and the IAIAS, Inc. is the celebration of "Life" or "Ankh Consciousness." We inner-stand that those that depart from this plain of consciousness due to illness, accident or old age have not really departed. The ancestors remain always with us in our hearts and minds, until the day comes when we join them in the transition. These pages will celebrate the lives of those leaving us since 2005, and beyond, rather than throughout history. |
Life of Brother James Forman
comrade and soldier of struggle. I have always felt a deep spiritual bond and connection to Brother James Forman. It started in the spring of 1969, I had just celebrated my 14th birthday living in the Bronx, NY. My social studies teacher at John Phillip Sousa, JHS wanted to take her special students on a class trip before the end of academic year. She was (white woman) a follower of Rev. Billy Grahman and wanted to take us to a Sunday service at the historic Riverside Church, NY. By some act of providence, I and four other classmates were sitting in the pews when Brother Forman and other activists entered dramatically into the church to deliver the historic "Black Manifesto" -- a call for black reparations. No event, has ever had a more lasting affect on my life or imprinted itself into my consciousness than this special moment in 1969. Later, in 1973 I entered Cornell University and to my surprise I met Brother Forman once again one day while I was walking on campus and learned he was studying for a degree at the AS&RC at CU. After leaving Cornell I started working in Atlanta, GA and volunteering at the Institute of the Black World. To my shock, one day I again met Brother Forman who was staying in Atlanta at the time. The last time I connected with Brother James was in the 1980's and early 90's when I was living in Washington, DC. Each time we met, he was always so kind and gentle to me. I always felt the deep LOVE and concern he had for our people and he even warned me about being careful in the struggle. My only regret is that I was unable to say farewell in person to someone I have always considered a "father figure" in my life. MAY GOD GRANT HIM COMFORT AND THE ANCESTORS WELCOME HIM HOME! Adisa Maina Omar (Adisaji), International Academy of Ikologiks and Advanced Studies, Inc. |
| James Forman 1928 - 2005 |
| (Left) Recent Photo of James Forman (right) 1969 at Riverside Church, NY when Forman read the 'Black Manifesto' calling for Reparations for slavery. |
James Forman was born in Chicago on 4th October, 1928. After high
school he entered the United States Airforce and fought in the Korean
War. When he returned to the United States he studied at Roosevelt
University, graduating in 1957.
Forman worked for the Chicago Defender and reported on the civil
rights struggle in the Deep South. He joined the Student Nonviolent
Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and in 1961 was appointed as its
executive secretary. In this post Forman controversially began to
demand that the African American people should be given $500 million
in reparations for the injustices of slavery, racism and capitalism.
Forman served as president of the Unemployment and Poverty Action
Council (UPAC) before returning to his academic studies, receiving a
M.A. from Cornell University (1980) and his Ph.D from the Union Institute
(1981). Foreman has also written several books including Sammy Young
Jr.: The First Black College Student to Die in the Black Liberation
Movement (1968), The Political Thought of James Forman (1970), The
Makings of Black Revolutionaries (1972) and Self-Determination (1985).
school he entered the United States Airforce and fought in the Korean
War. When he returned to the United States he studied at Roosevelt
University, graduating in 1957.
Forman worked for the Chicago Defender and reported on the civil
rights struggle in the Deep South. He joined the Student Nonviolent
Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and in 1961 was appointed as its
executive secretary. In this post Forman controversially began to
demand that the African American people should be given $500 million
in reparations for the injustices of slavery, racism and capitalism.
Forman served as president of the Unemployment and Poverty Action
Council (UPAC) before returning to his academic studies, receiving a
M.A. from Cornell University (1980) and his Ph.D from the Union Institute
(1981). Foreman has also written several books including Sammy Young
Jr.: The First Black College Student to Die in the Black Liberation
Movement (1968), The Political Thought of James Forman (1970), The
Makings of Black Revolutionaries (1972) and Self-Determination (1985).
| Photo Gallery Courtesy Yahoo News Slide Show, Associated Press, and Reuters News Service. |
