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Born the same year as his Pan-African contemporary Malcolm X, Patrice Lumumba was the first legally-elected Prime Minister of the independent Democratic Republic of the Congo. Patrice Lumumba's Pan-Africanist ethos threatened the West, as he believed that the Congolese people should benefit from the natural wealth of their land.
Lumumba was assassinated due to the collusion of the United Nations, the US, British, and Belgian governments on January 17 of 1961.
After the world learned of Lumumba's assassination nearly a month later, Malcolm X stated that "Patrice Lumumba was the greatest Black man to ever walk the African continent."
Bakari Lumumba honors Patrice Lumumba for his namesake and trailblazing contributions to Pan-Africanism.
IN HIS WORDS
"The day will come when history will speak. But it will not be the history which will be taught in Brussels, Paris, Washington, or the United Nations.
It will be the history which will be taught in the countries which have won freedom from colonialism and its puppets.
Africa will write its own history and in both north and south, it will be a history of glory and dignity.
Do not weep for me. I know that my tormented country will be able to defend its freedom and its independence.
Long live the Congo!
Long live Africa!
Excerpt Letter from Thysville Prison to Mrs. Lumumba
