A CONVERSATION WITH MARK GOGGINS (Interviewed by The RBM)
The RBM: The title of your book is "Catalyst For A Black Revolution". Would you explain to the
readers what that title means?
Mark: A catalyst is an agent that speeds up a process. A revolution is a total and complete change. So a
'catalyst for a black revolution' is one who works to speed up the process of complete change in the black
community.
The RBM: In your bio, I read that you entered the U.S. Army after high school and it was there
when you sort of "discovered" the calling of making a difference in the "Movement" after
experiencing racial discrimination. Was it one specific incident or the accumulation of many that led
you do the decision of "I've gotta do something."?
Mark: It was an accumulation of events from watching white soldiers enter the army after me and get
promoted before me, to the everyday subtle and not-so-subtle discriminatory treatment of my self and other
brothers around me. Also, I was introduced to Malcolm X via a recording and that helped immensely in
helping me to see with my mind's eyes and allowing me to better understand why i was going through the
things I was going through and the history of Amerikkkan injustice.
The RBM: In your opinion, how has the struggle changed since your eyes were opened? Has it
improved or regressed in your opinion?
Mark: It's done neither brother. In my judgment, it has sort of stagnated because black leaders are disunited
and many are sugar-coating their messages and not appealing effectively enough to the masses of our people
who seek real solutions to everyday problems. The black church by and large is not meeting the needs of the
people, and black leaders are so disunited and many are so caught up in politics until they are handcuffing
themselves against the aspirations of our people. So the people have few spokespersons to articulate their
pain, their hurt because many of the leaders have stopped feeding the people and are now more concerned
with just feeding themselves.
The RBM: How much of the responsibility falls on us, African-Americans, to kinda remove some of
the negative stereotypes that we may place on ourselves for others to use, OR are we responsible
for them at all?
Mark: Much of the responsibility falls on us to act other than the super-imposed stereotypes. Lose the
mouth full of gold or platinum. Stop the video-hoeing. Stop the gang-banging and drug dealing. Stop the
violence. We have learned Dr. Kings' message of non-violence well when it comes to white people, but we
need to practice that tactic on each other and find better ways to solve conflicts without the use of a gun.
We need to carry ourselves with more self-respect. We may not be responsible fro getting knocked down in
life, but we are responsible for getting back up.
The RBM: I also read that Malcolm X really inspired and moved you, then Louis Farrakhan. How
would you compare their messages and styles with one another, and does one move you more than
the other?
Mark: The styles are similar as well as the messages of self-reliance because both were taught by the same
teacher, the most hon. Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm was more politically astute, whereas Farrakhan is more
spiritually in-depth in his messages. But Malcolm knew spirituality well, and Farrakhan knows politics well.
Both are extremely intelligent and surprisingly to some, neither has a degree from any of the universities yet
they have devoured many scholars in debates. Both are fiery orators and articulate speakers and live the
messages they preach.
The RBM: About Malcolm, what type of leader do you believe he would be if he weren't murdered?
What would he say about the African-American ways and lifestyles of today?
Mark: I believe Malcolm was becoming more spiritual but I don't believe he was ever gonna be accepted by
mainstream white Amerikkka or many in the black church for that matter unless he renounced his belief in
Islam. His message was too strong and he was too determined to allow his messages about the evils done by
this Amerikkkan system to be watered-down and made of non-effect. I believe he'd be very disappointed
today in our lack of courage to speak truth to power and in our disintegrating family structure and
propensity for violence against one another.
The RBM: How did the "Million Man March" change you as a Black Man?
Mark: It cemented the notion in my mind that I had to step out and contribute in some way to the black
struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. So I began to write poems about the conditions we had been
placed in Amerikka and how we got in that condition. The Million Man March showed me that black men
can come together in love and unity without the violence and negative stereotypes.
The RBM: Ok, about the book (smiling), what is the message you are trying to get out to the
readers, what are you trying to say?
Mark: I'm saying that although whites have put us in a hell of a condition in our 400 year sojourn in
Amerikkka, we ultimately bear the responsibility of pooling our resources and finding ways to do something
for ourselves. WE CAN'T LAY AROUND AT THE FEET OF WHITE PEOPLE BEGGING FOR JOBS AND
CRUMBS FROM HIS TABLE WHEN WE CAN GET UP AND UNITE TO BUILD A TABLE OF OUR
OWN.
The RBM: I read that it's "The book they never wanted you to read". Why is that?
Mark: Because the primary objective behind the doctrine of white supremacy is to hide the truth of our
glorious history and our many achievements. They never wanted us to know that we were the fathers and
mothers of civilization. So I expose that in my book. I expose the fact that Jesus was black. I expose the
fact that Beethoven and most of the characters we revere in the Bible are black. I tell of how the Pope of
Rome sanctioned the African slave trade by saying that we were "soulless" savages. I tell how 11 of the first
16 Presidents were at some point in their lives a slave owner. I speak on reparations and the 40 acres and a
mule that we were promised yet never received. I talk about the FBI's counter-intelligence program who's
stated aim was to "PREVENT THE RISE OF A BLACK MESSIAH." It is said that truth will set us free so
my mission is to tell as much truth as I can regardless of the consequences. I've lost jobs for speakin' these
truths. I've been threatened by listeners in live radio show appearances because there were those whites who
couldn't handle that kind of truth.
The RBM: If anyone is to take anything away from "Catalyst", what should it be?
Mark: That we can overcome white supremacy with black love and that we can't look to some beneficent
white president or some politician to lead us out of this mess we're in. We can't look to those who put us in
this condition to get us out of it. We have to step out on that faith we claim to have and take bold steps to let
the world know that we're serious about changing the conditions we live in here in Amerikkka and that we
intend to change it by whatever means necessary.
The RBM: Are you currently working on any other projects?
Mark: I am presently in the latter stages of my manuscript for my second book which will either be volume
2 of my first book, or it'll be titled, 'For the Love of My People."
The RBM: Finally, tell the readers about your website "TheBlackPoetryCafe.com" and what you are
accomplishing there.
Mark: I am trying to slowly spoon-fed the members of the BPC with bits and pieces of knowledge they
may have very little knowledge of. I was taught that you spoon-feed people until they grow strong enough
to go and feed themselves. So while we engage in a lotta fun and entertaining things at the BPC, there is also
a subtle movement afoot to educate as well and I have been blessed to have gifted poets like a brother called,
"Kaffeine" and others who work diligently toward that end.
You can read more about Mark Goggins by visiting his website: blackrevolution.net or theblackpoetrycafe.com
The RBM: The title of your book is "Catalyst For A Black Revolution". Would you explain to the
readers what that title means?
Mark: A catalyst is an agent that speeds up a process. A revolution is a total and complete change. So a
'catalyst for a black revolution' is one who works to speed up the process of complete change in the black
community.
The RBM: In your bio, I read that you entered the U.S. Army after high school and it was there
when you sort of "discovered" the calling of making a difference in the "Movement" after
experiencing racial discrimination. Was it one specific incident or the accumulation of many that led
you do the decision of "I've gotta do something."?
Mark: It was an accumulation of events from watching white soldiers enter the army after me and get
promoted before me, to the everyday subtle and not-so-subtle discriminatory treatment of my self and other
brothers around me. Also, I was introduced to Malcolm X via a recording and that helped immensely in
helping me to see with my mind's eyes and allowing me to better understand why i was going through the
things I was going through and the history of Amerikkkan injustice.
The RBM: In your opinion, how has the struggle changed since your eyes were opened? Has it
improved or regressed in your opinion?
Mark: It's done neither brother. In my judgment, it has sort of stagnated because black leaders are disunited
and many are sugar-coating their messages and not appealing effectively enough to the masses of our people
who seek real solutions to everyday problems. The black church by and large is not meeting the needs of the
people, and black leaders are so disunited and many are so caught up in politics until they are handcuffing
themselves against the aspirations of our people. So the people have few spokespersons to articulate their
pain, their hurt because many of the leaders have stopped feeding the people and are now more concerned
with just feeding themselves.
The RBM: How much of the responsibility falls on us, African-Americans, to kinda remove some of
the negative stereotypes that we may place on ourselves for others to use, OR are we responsible
for them at all?
Mark: Much of the responsibility falls on us to act other than the super-imposed stereotypes. Lose the
mouth full of gold or platinum. Stop the video-hoeing. Stop the gang-banging and drug dealing. Stop the
violence. We have learned Dr. Kings' message of non-violence well when it comes to white people, but we
need to practice that tactic on each other and find better ways to solve conflicts without the use of a gun.
We need to carry ourselves with more self-respect. We may not be responsible fro getting knocked down in
life, but we are responsible for getting back up.
The RBM: I also read that Malcolm X really inspired and moved you, then Louis Farrakhan. How
would you compare their messages and styles with one another, and does one move you more than
the other?
Mark: The styles are similar as well as the messages of self-reliance because both were taught by the same
teacher, the most hon. Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm was more politically astute, whereas Farrakhan is more
spiritually in-depth in his messages. But Malcolm knew spirituality well, and Farrakhan knows politics well.
Both are extremely intelligent and surprisingly to some, neither has a degree from any of the universities yet
they have devoured many scholars in debates. Both are fiery orators and articulate speakers and live the
messages they preach.
The RBM: About Malcolm, what type of leader do you believe he would be if he weren't murdered?
What would he say about the African-American ways and lifestyles of today?
Mark: I believe Malcolm was becoming more spiritual but I don't believe he was ever gonna be accepted by
mainstream white Amerikkka or many in the black church for that matter unless he renounced his belief in
Islam. His message was too strong and he was too determined to allow his messages about the evils done by
this Amerikkkan system to be watered-down and made of non-effect. I believe he'd be very disappointed
today in our lack of courage to speak truth to power and in our disintegrating family structure and
propensity for violence against one another.
The RBM: How did the "Million Man March" change you as a Black Man?
Mark: It cemented the notion in my mind that I had to step out and contribute in some way to the black
struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. So I began to write poems about the conditions we had been
placed in Amerikka and how we got in that condition. The Million Man March showed me that black men
can come together in love and unity without the violence and negative stereotypes.
The RBM: Ok, about the book (smiling), what is the message you are trying to get out to the
readers, what are you trying to say?
Mark: I'm saying that although whites have put us in a hell of a condition in our 400 year sojourn in
Amerikkka, we ultimately bear the responsibility of pooling our resources and finding ways to do something
for ourselves. WE CAN'T LAY AROUND AT THE FEET OF WHITE PEOPLE BEGGING FOR JOBS AND
CRUMBS FROM HIS TABLE WHEN WE CAN GET UP AND UNITE TO BUILD A TABLE OF OUR
OWN.
The RBM: I read that it's "The book they never wanted you to read". Why is that?
Mark: Because the primary objective behind the doctrine of white supremacy is to hide the truth of our
glorious history and our many achievements. They never wanted us to know that we were the fathers and
mothers of civilization. So I expose that in my book. I expose the fact that Jesus was black. I expose the
fact that Beethoven and most of the characters we revere in the Bible are black. I tell of how the Pope of
Rome sanctioned the African slave trade by saying that we were "soulless" savages. I tell how 11 of the first
16 Presidents were at some point in their lives a slave owner. I speak on reparations and the 40 acres and a
mule that we were promised yet never received. I talk about the FBI's counter-intelligence program who's
stated aim was to "PREVENT THE RISE OF A BLACK MESSIAH." It is said that truth will set us free so
my mission is to tell as much truth as I can regardless of the consequences. I've lost jobs for speakin' these
truths. I've been threatened by listeners in live radio show appearances because there were those whites who
couldn't handle that kind of truth.
The RBM: If anyone is to take anything away from "Catalyst", what should it be?
Mark: That we can overcome white supremacy with black love and that we can't look to some beneficent
white president or some politician to lead us out of this mess we're in. We can't look to those who put us in
this condition to get us out of it. We have to step out on that faith we claim to have and take bold steps to let
the world know that we're serious about changing the conditions we live in here in Amerikkka and that we
intend to change it by whatever means necessary.
The RBM: Are you currently working on any other projects?
Mark: I am presently in the latter stages of my manuscript for my second book which will either be volume
2 of my first book, or it'll be titled, 'For the Love of My People."
The RBM: Finally, tell the readers about your website "TheBlackPoetryCafe.com" and what you are
accomplishing there.
Mark: I am trying to slowly spoon-fed the members of the BPC with bits and pieces of knowledge they
may have very little knowledge of. I was taught that you spoon-feed people until they grow strong enough
to go and feed themselves. So while we engage in a lotta fun and entertaining things at the BPC, there is also
a subtle movement afoot to educate as well and I have been blessed to have gifted poets like a brother called,
"Kaffeine" and others who work diligently toward that end.
You can read more about Mark Goggins by visiting his website: blackrevolution.net or theblackpoetrycafe.com
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exclusive Spotlighted
Author interviews!!
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September '06
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October '06
Various
November '06
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