Mama C Spreads the Love

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Charlotte Hill O’Neal, AKA Mama C. I've lived in Africa since I was 19, since I left the states with my husband, Mzee Pete O'Neal. I'm a multi-disciplinary artist and community activist. I'm the co-founder and program director of United African Alliance Community Center (UAACC) in Tanzania. I'm a former Black Panther, but I hate to put that “former” on there because once a Panther, always a Panther.

Can you speak more about your work?

I work with the youth and the arts here in Tanzania. I also work with many people all over the world, especially when I travel. What it comes down to is making sure that what we were taught as members of the Black Panther Party, community service and volunteerism, remains at the forefront of what we do. That is why I said at the beginning that once a Panther, always a Panther. I'm also able to work with hip-hop. I'm the hip-hop Grandmama!

How does activism of our generation compare to yours?

You know it all blends together to me. It's like the 60’s again in so many ways, in that there are so many young people who are coming together. I even see a lot of white kids stepping up to the plate the same way they were doing in the 60’s. Your generation is bringing out what we were always talking about, especially as far as police brutality, which was always an issue near the top of our list. I commend all the youth for doing that because that's something that’s very needed.

I also think that young people have to understand the power of their voices and how it is amplified by social media. People all over the planet can bear witness to what you all are bringing to the table. You all are expressing your power through music, through dance, through poetry, through film, all of that, and it's exciting for me. I call this the New Age of Enlightenment. I think there had been a lull in activism, but y'all are doing it with a punch, and it doesn't look like it's letting up. Y’all are taking it to another level. Each generation is bringing something different to the plate, but it's all joined together because it’s still the fight for liberation and freedom.

How is the struggle for Freedom being fought internationally?

That was emphasized during our Panther history, the need to connect with people all over the world. International solidarity is something I still carry in my heart and my work, and I see the fires of international solidarity growing more and more because of what your generation is doing. There's so much focus on America, but we got to really realize the power in having these International contacts. And I really saw that when I went to Venezuela. When I was there I saw the way they were dealing with the embargo, and the way the hip-hop community used their art to uplift the community. And then I went to Zimbabwe and Malawi and saw how they support the struggle in America. They see that their struggle might be approached a little differently, but they feel a kinship to what's going on in the States. That’s why Western Society tries to keep people apart, because they know if we're together, that's power. I can't think of any Panther Elders who are still living who don't feel the same way. There's a power in sharing ideas and sharing different cultures.

Do you have any final words of advice?

Don't give up. Don't give up.

You know, it's one of my favorite songs.

(singing)

Don't give up

Don't give up. Hey, don't you give up

Life may get rough

and thangs may get tough,

But don't you-ooo,

don't you give up.

Keep on pushing y’all. Yeah, yeah.

This interview has been condensed for web. The full interview can be found in BlueBook Magazine issue #0.

The United African Alliance Community offers lodging and volunteer opportunities for artist, educators, travelers, and study abroad groups year-round. For more information, visit https://www.uaacc.net/ or email Mama c at Mamacharlottesmusic2@yahoo.com.