H. Rap Brown

Date of Birth: October 4, 1943

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

H. Rap Brown, born Hubert Gerold Brown on October 4, 1943, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a prominent American civil rights activist known for his fiery rhetoric and leadership within the Black Power movement during the 1960s. He initially gained national attention as a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), where he served as the chairman from 1967 to 1968. Brown became infamous for his advocacy of armed self-defense and his slogan, “violence is as American as cherry pie,” which captured the frustrations of many African Americans during that era. In 1968, Brown became a member of the Black Panther Party, further solidifying his role as a key figure in the fight against racial injustice. His activism was met with significant resistance from the U.S. government, leading to multiple arrests and legal battles. In the late 1970s, Brown converted to Islam and changed his name to Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin. Despite his transformation, he continued to be a controversial figure. His life took a dramatic turn in 2000 when he was convicted of the murder of a sheriff’s deputy in Georgia, a crime for which he maintains his innocence. As of now, he is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

5 Interesting Facts about H. Rap Brown

1. H. Rap Brown’s book, “Die Nigger Die!”, is a classic work that outlines his thoughts on race relations and the struggle for Black liberation.

2. He became chairman of SNCC after Stokely Carmichael, another influential figure in the civil rights movement.

3. Brown’s outspoken nature and radical views made him a target of the FBI’s COINTELPRO program.

4. After converting to Islam, Brown led the National Ummah, an Islamic community in the United States.

5. He was known for his powerful oratory skills, which inspired many young African Americans to join the civil rights movement.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from H. Rap Brown

1. “Violence is as American as cherry pie.”

2. “I say violence is necessary. It is as American as cherry pie.”

3. “You don’t have to be a man to fight for freedom. All you have to do is to be an intelligent human being.”

4. “The only politics in this country that’s relevant to black people today is the politics of revolution.”

5. “I don’t see any American dream; I see an American nightmare.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by H. Rap Brown is not well-documented, but his primary legacy lies in his contributions to civil rights activism rather than financial wealth.

Children

H. Rap Brown has children, but specific details about them are generally kept private given his contentious history and the need for privacy and security.