Eldridge Cleaver Autographed Notes Reflecting on "The

Eldridge Cleaver Autographed Notes Reflecting on "The Codes Of Life"

Single page of draft notes scripted on the recto with verso blank perhaps in preparation for a speech he was titling "The Codes Of Life". Circa late 1970s / early 1980s, 5" x 7", boldly scripted in graphite entirely in the hand of Eldridge Cleaver. Near fine condition. Accompanied by a near fine unused envelope with the address label and the printed return address of "Cleaver for Congress …", and embellished with a United States flag, 9.5" x 4".

A mind reeling set of notes as shown below, composed by Eldridge Cleaver in his ever active need to philosophize, analyze and proselytize.

"The Codes Of Life" Rape / Statutory / Purpose of Sex

The Penal Code

The Civil Code

The Moral Code

The Death Penalty

The Law Enforcement Establishment

The Court System

The Prison System

These should be emphasized in their relationship to each other, with statistics both historical and actual"

Cleaver was always in a perpetual process of trying to make sense of humanity. Always questioning the system, the government, racial tensions and superiority. Also seeing beyond the surface of the primal human emotions that drive us, from hate, greed, lust, fear, and how our government handles and navigates its people. Cleaver grapples with both the basic essences and the flagrant differences between our inner moral codes and the codes forced upon us by the "Law", or "The Court". His eternal quest for the truth brought him to hell and back, living on the fringes of society at times, in jail, or in exile. His eternally evolving set of beliefs morphed and changed as he experienced the world, constantly questioning himself and those around him. His metamorphosis ran from rapist and drug-dealer to Malcolm X apostle to Marxist revolutionary, who became, virtually overnight, one of the leading exponents of “black liberation” in America.

Today, nearly 20 years after his death, his philosophical quotes are still known and frequently used today in by politicians, by businesses, philosophers and activists:

"The price of hating another human being is loving oneself less"

"You are either a part of the solution or a part of the problem"

"You do not need to teach people how to be human, you have to teach them how to stop being inhuman"

"I feel that I am a citizen of the American dream and that the revolutionary struggle of which I am a part is a struggle against the American nightmare."

As one holds this page of notes, one is aware of his mind reeling about the "Codes of Life" while wondering what he was pondering and preparing to elaborate upon, including his desire to "emphasize in their relationship to each other, with statistics both historical and actual". For him everything was always connected.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.
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