BROCKPORT, N.Y. — The SUNY Brockport community has now heard the controversial address from Jalil Muntaqim, formerly known as Anthony Bottom.
Many on campus and in the community have been wondering what he would say.
“There are individuals out there, particularly law enforcement, who try to silence me,” said Muntaqim during the presentation.
SUNY Brockport students watched the much talked about conversation virtually over Zoom.
“I spent 49 years, nearly 50 years in prison for my activities in regards to fighting white supremacy and capitalist imperialism,” Muntaqim said.
The nearly two-hour presentation and discussion focused on Muntaqim’s opinions on racism, white supremacy, mass incarceration and other similar topics.
“Let’s make that point especially clear — the struggle always has been and always will be one against white supremacy," Muntaqim said. "Why? In order for white supremacy to exist, right, to be, it has to what? Make itself superior to any other people, superior to people of color. And therefore they have to make other people inferior.”
“I thought that a lot of what he said was true and it needed to be talked about and it was a conversation that was needed especially at Brockport and in the city of Rochester itself," said SUNY Brockport student Angelina Jenderseck. "It’s a conversation that he opened up. It was smart of him to do so. But in the manner that he did was kind of condescending in my sense. He was speaking kind of to us rather than with us.”
“I think that he was very on point, that a lot of the issues he faced when he joined the Black Panthers are still seen today," said Evette, another student. "The only point that I was just like, hmm, was when he brought up the psychiatrist stopping at his cell and talking to him and he’s like I’m in here for a crime I didn’t commit. Like, you did, and it’s okay to acknowledge that.”
“So I thought this would be more about his opinion on his past crime and he didn’t mention it really at all,” said SUNY Brockport grad Serina Jenderseck."
His past crime was the killing of New York City police officers Joseph Piagentini and Waverly Jones. They were gunned down responding to a 911 call in Harlem in 1971. They were shot multiple times by Anthony Bottom and two other men who were all convicted. Bottom was Muntaqim’s name at the time of the murders.
“He did have a first-hand encounter, he was there," said Serina Jenderseck. "He has his opinion and his point of view. So he does have that but he just didn’t share it with us.”
The event was changed to a virtual talk after word that Muntaqim would address students in person drew massive public backlash. Dozens of protesters gathered outside during the event. He was invited by Assistant Professor Rafael Outland.
The bottom line for these students is they appreciate Muntaqim’s speech and say they stand by him.
“At no point, like anyone watching that, no one condoned murder, at all,” said Evette.