Best thing I’ve heard yet about the Gulf oil disaster

[via The Rachel Maddow Show Blog]

Meet Malik Rahim, a former Black Panther and noted activist from Louisiana who’s training for a bike ride from Houma to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about environmental justice and the loss of wetlands in the Gulf of Mexico…

This guy is a ray of light in a dark time:

“Some say I’m crazy. Some say my time could be better used doing other things, I’m too old. That’s why I’m out there, for future generations. So that they can say that if life is destroyed as we know it, that at least there was one old man that tried to wake up this nation.”

He’s asking people to join him on his 45 day ride. Rahim plans to stop along the way to talk to politicians and anyone else who will listen to his message. “If we take this as an opportunity not just a disaster… it’s not insurmountable… we can do it if we come together as a people.”

Read more at Maddow Blog

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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bruce
bruce
13 years ago

Fabulous and inspirational. Hey Portland Bike Builders! Very easy for me to spend your time and money but how about if we use BikePortland to fund a super-all star Portland bike for this ride?

Joe
Joe
13 years ago

wow on a mission! cool.

Jonathan "J.R" Reed
13 years ago

Inspiring.
Unfortunately, the link to http://www.biketothegulf.org is not currently live. An update when it is would be great. I’d like to donate.

A big part of a proper bike is getting the fit (physical and functional) for the rider. I hope by spreading the word, BikePortland readers will assist in getting the bike requirement handled close to home for MR. Rahim. No sense in burning jet fuel when competent builders, fitters and shops exist across the country.
Note that this is part of another cross country ride from July 24-Sept 22 with participants starting from SF, Seattle, PORTLAND, etc.
http://socialentrepreneurship.change.org/petitions/view/bike4peace_2010

Lance P.
Lance P.
13 years ago

very very inspiring! I would love to sit down and talk with him.

Red Five
Red Five
13 years ago

I’m glad to see this man has removed the hatred from his heart.

david
david
13 years ago

Very inspiring, would like to see him wear a helmet though.

Wesley Mouch
Wesley Mouch
13 years ago

Nice to see him trying to do something about it. His bike did look small in that photo, but maybe that was the camera angle. He needs a mountain bike with hard, smooth tires for easy rolling. Mountain bikes have nice wide handle bars for stability. And for long distance might want big cushy foam grips. Maybe a comfort bike would be better – looks like he is used to sitting upright.

I’m not sure if he needs to raise awareness of environmental justice and loss of wetlands however. I’d think very few people are not aware of the disaster down there.

Someone needs to provide him with some blaze orange triangles for visibility. Maybe some lights too!

Will he ride in the rain? If so will need fenders, rain jacket, oil for chain, etc.

I think we should send down the whole Portland city council, and the mayor – they don’t seem to have anything to do but meddle in the business of states like Arizona where they have NO business. Also, they will need an organizer, and Barack Obama is qualified to do that as we all know – I say put him on the team too – maybe he’ll stop trying to force us to buy crap we don’t want or need – like medical insurance. Maybe if he gets out, does some sweating, and gets in a little work he’ll gain some common sense. Doubt it.