Letter To The Mc5 From A Memphis White Panther

LETTER TO THE MC5 FROM A MEMPHIS WHITE PANTHER

I've just listened to your album, and I'm really glad to hear that somebody's got some guts. Yeah, its a drag to put up with all the bullshit day after day, and its about fucking time someone did something about it. I've been ground through the bullshit mill and still, I've come out in one piece, but I've seen too many of my friends starve, beat up, or busted and hasseled by the narks here in Memphis. There are so very few us left here in Memphis: we need a message, we need encouragement. We need a force to get us all together, stand up one and all and say enough! to all of those who would put us down. And that force is the MC5. Too many of us are just giving up. I've been busted twice on narcotics raps, but I still refuse to die.

It's not too late, though. We heads can still be rescued from complete extinction. All we need is a strong, unifying force, a cosmic iron to smooth out the wrinkles in our heads. I live for the day when my old lady and I can stand up proud and free and live without fear of bigots, rednecks, and the vice squad.

I tell everyone its fine to discuss and contemplate socio-economic change and revolution, but talking won't get any of us anywhere. You know it and I know it, so let me hear from you so I can let the rest of us know that we do have a chance to live.

Keep your head

The Duke ot Dopers

Memphis, Tenn.

As far as our own desire is concerned, we don't want to fight even for a single day. But if circumstances force us to fight, we can fight to the finish.

Chairman Mao Tse-Tung

People's Republic of China