Tribute
to Professor Charles Ssali …
by James Clingman -- Blackonomics USA (7/31/04)
Two
More Die On Their Way to Freedom -- Robert Evans and Dr. Charles
Ssali
Among those
who died during July 2004, including my cousin, Robert Evans, two
strong Black men, who were also my friends, stand out. Dr. Charles
Ssali, the noted physician from Uganda, was the founder and director
of the non-governmental organization, Mariandina Nutritional Health
Products, established in 1993. Dr. Ssali resided in London, England.
Professor Ssali was also a researcher in both western and traditional
herbal medicines. He was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons
(FRCS) in London. After ten years of scientific medical research,
he developed natural nutritional supplements for building the body's
immune system. Read more about him and his work at www.mariandina.com.
My other friend was Bob McDaniels, owner of McDaniels Sheet Metal
in Cincinnati, Ohio. Bob was (here's that number again) 53 years
of age, the same age as Marcus Garvey, Amos Wilson, Khallid Muhammad,
Ken Bridges, Billie Joe (The Big Guy) Smith, and another friend
we lost in 2003, Craig Edwards, when they died.
For more than thirty years Bob McDaniels worked at his trade and
grew his business, despite the resistance he met along the way.
He was an outspoken, fearless, tenacious brother, who would stand
up for his rights and the rights of other Black contractors.
Both of these brothers were pioneers and both were known for making
waves and going against the grain of the establishment. Dr. Ssali
took on the pharmaceutical companies by exposing many of the myths
and hoaxes they perpetrate on consumers. He also bucked much of
the propaganda about HIV/AIDS. Those who heard him lecture, as I
did on a couple of occasions, know exactly what I mean.
Bob bucked the trend of accepting the subcontracting crumbs from
development projects in exchange for being silent when he saw crooked
prime contractors doing their dirt and denying Black folks access
to the millions being spent. He also called out Black folks who
stood in the doorway to block for their modern day massas by insisting
everything was "all right" with the way contracts were
being handed out.
We certainly could use more Ssali's and McDaniel's, but I see a
trend where more and more Black men and women are being sucked into
the whirlpool of unrighteousness, or at least into a paralyzing
state of complacency. Many of us are unwilling to speak out and
stand up, not only for what is right for Black folks but also for
what is right in general.
These two brothers died on their way to freedom, just as Ken Bridges
did when he was felled by a sniper's bullet. They also died as they
made their individual way in life, running their businesses, and
using their resources to help others. Dr. Ssali brought his products
to the only Black owned and operated distribution channel in this
country, The MATAH Network, allowing hundreds of people in MATAH
to earn profits from his success.
Bob McDaniels, helped many young people with their educational expenses,
gave generously to various causes, and never looked for the nearest
camera or newspaper headline to boast about it. I know because we
talked a lot about his involvement and his concern about our people.
During one of our discussions he said he wanted to send me a check,
for a certain amount, because he wanted me to restart the Unity
Fund I began back in 1999. As we continued, I suggested to him that
we needed more than a fund; we needed an initiative that would serve
Blacks in Cincinnati in a larger way. My partner and dear friend,
Ken Price, developed an organizational concept (I will share specifics
about it at a later date), and Bob did exactly what he said he would
do; he sent the check.
What better way to honor these two fallen soldiers than by us stepping
to the front and taking the baton. Yes, they died, but at least
they were on their way to freedom - for themselves and for us. How
many of us will be able to say that when we take our last breath?
With health care being one of the most sought-after benefits, and
found lacking among million of families, especially Black families
and children, Dr. Ssali's advancements in medicine are very much
needed considering the high cost of prescription drugs. Economically,
his Mariandina products could bring tremendous profits as well as
employment for those in the field. All we have to do is purchase
the products instead of all of those other things we buy and promote
to one another.
Bob McDaniels worked to empower himself, and he worked to empower
others. He provided work for those who would not have otherwise
had access to it; he spoke to young people at various schools and
helped them get focused on their careers; he struggled with many
of those in his profession and would often share with me his questions
on why they were afraid to speak out and work for real change instead
of settling for the status quo.
It is
good to know that these two strong Black men were not complacent
about their accomplishments. It's good to know they were still working
for economic freedom for themselves and for others when death called.
Will you?
© Copyright 2001
Mariandina Nutritional Health Products
