Wopashitwe Mondo Eyen we Langa
(formerly known as David Rice)
has been a political prisoner in the Nebraska State Penitentiary
since 1970, when he and fellow Black Panther Ed Poindexter were
convicted for the bombing murder of Omaha policeman Larry Minard,
and given life sentences. Both have consistently denied any
connection with the crime, and Amnesty International, after
reviewing the many inconsistencies in the trial transcript, as well
as FBI files obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, have
called for either a new trial, or immediate release.
He was born in Omaha in 1949, graduated from
Creighton Preparatory School and took courses at Creighton
University. He wrote for the local underground paper, Buffalo Chip,
from 1969 to 1970 and joined the Black Panther party. In the 32
years since his conviction, Mondo has created art, written short
stories, poetry and journalism. He had five books of poetry
published between 1973 and 1978 and has contributed poems and
stories to such literary journals and magazines as Prairie Schooner,
The Black Scholar, ARGO, Black American Literary Forum, Shooting
Star Quarterly Review, Pacifica Review, Obsidian, Black Books
Bulletin and over 30 more. In addition, his poem, "Great Babaleur"
was featured in Malcolm X: By Any Means Necessary by Walter Dean
Myers (Scholastic, Inc, 1993). Two of Mondo's plays, Different
Dances and We Dance in Our Neighborhood, were performed by Ujima
Youtheatre in Nebraska, as well as in New York City.
Mondo is one of several co-authors (including
Yosef-ben-Jochannan, John Henrik Clarke, et al) of The Race: Matters
Concerning Pan Afrikan History, Culture, and Genocide (Native Sun
Publishers, 1992). He is a contributor to Nebraska Voices, the
anthology commissioned by the Nebraska Humanities Council in
celebration of the sesquicentennial of Nebraska statehood.
In prison, he has continued his education, and
now in his 50s, is a mentor and exemplar to young inmates just
coming into the system. In all the years of his incarceration, he
has not committed a single act of violence; he has, in fact, been an
exemplary prisoner.
In the early 1980's, Mondo
created many works of art that remain a testament to his unique
place in contemporary American art. This web site displays
many of his paintings, drawings and sculptures. High quality,
professional prints of his paintings and drawings are available for
sale on this web site. To view thumbnail images of all of the
artwork contained on this site, click on the Art Gallery links at
the top or bottom of this page. While viewing the page of
thumbnail images, click on the thumbnail of your choice and you will
be taken to a page with a larger image of the art work and details
on ordering prints. |