In the 1980s and 1990s, the crack cocaine epidemic violently ravaged the black community and changed the face of Black families for generations. Stories of murder and mayhem became so common they lost their shock value. However, in the midst of this firestorm, one Black man’s experience would shock him to the point of rage. A rage that drove him to act. Sonny Abubadika Carson, a Bedstuy hero and activist whose name is synonymous with fighting for the plight of Black People is that man. One of Carson’s many fights for Black people’s self-determination was the fight against crack in the Black community. After his plans to move to Africa were interrupted by the murder of his mother-in-law by crack addicts, he focused his attention on what was happening in his community, the Black community.

Immediate action needed to be taken by the Black community. Action which demanded focused leadership and commitment. In collaboration with Black community activists Coltrane Chimurenga and Viola Plummer they recruited a number of strong Black men. Chimurenga was a key figure in the assembling of Black men for what Abubadika called The Black Men’s Movement Against Crack (BMMAC). A man whose fiery speeches matched the fire in his heart for change in the Black community, Chimurenga was the Field Marshall. He made sure the BMMAC carried out Abubadika’s vision. Chimurenga examined Brothers sharply, giving them assignments based on their talents and skills. Omowale Clay, who possessed a genius at conveying ideas was assigned as the organization’s propagandist. Abubadika’s vision, now materialized, was ready for action.

Black men equipped with the Red, Black and Green flag, a bullhorn and steely courage would recapture their community. The Black community was no longer a get rich quick hustle at the expense of Black people. The chant of “Close the crack house!” echoed throughout the Black community. What was initially looked upon as a joke by some, due to the grip the crack epidemic had on the community, became respected by many because of the BMMAC’s consistency. The chant became a warning to the drug dealer and for those who chose to ignore it. Consequences were felt as the intensity of the crisis rose. Abubadika carried out Malcolm X’s teachings on the benefits of learning from history. Today, as we remain under attack, whether it’s from ethnic cleansing (gentrification) or fentanyl, what lessons can we learn from Abubadika’s brain- child, The BMMAC? What actions can we be inspired to take from the BMMAC?