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Quanell X

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Quanell X (born Quanell Ralph Evans on December 7 1970 in Los Angeles, California) is a member of the New Black Panther Party in Houston, Texas, and a convicted crack dealer. His father, Brian Chris Evans and mother were both Nation of Islam converts from Los Angeles and Quanell was raised and indoctrinated with the racist views of the Nation. His parents divorced when his father wanted to bring home a second wife, a practice condoned by Nation of Islam leaders at the time [2]; Quanell moved to Houston to live with his mother and younger brother in the South Acres area. Quanell then attended Worthing High School [1].

Public Image

Once a "young street thug" according to himself, Quanell polished up his image to set a better role model for the people he leads. He always appears in a very expensive suit and tie and flanked by an armed (guns and knives) posse of New Black Panther Party members to provide intimidation factor. Quanell is a skilled speaker and uses his oratory skills to help lead his organization. Quanell does not currently state his career or where his income comes from.

Early Criminal History

Quanell was a drug dealer in the Sunnyside community of South Houston, Texas.[2]. In May 1989, Quanell spent a brief time in jail and received 10 years probation for possessing and dealing crack cocaine. He claims, though it is unsubstantiated by any other report, that he was beaten and subjected to racial slurs during the arrest. It was during this time that Quanell claims to have had a life changing conversion and decided he would devote his life to the betterment of African-Americans in Houston.

Entry into Nation of Islam

In September 1990, Quanell was inspired by a Louis Farrakhan speech at Sam Houston Coliseum, and joined the Nation of Islam. The newly dubbed Quanell X rose quickly to become a spokesman in the organization.[3]

Ejection from Nation of Islam for Publicly Inciting Violence

In July 1992, Quanell found his brother Quinten dead in his apartment with three others, all with bullets to their heads. He met State Representative Ron Wilson (D-Houston); he would eventually work for Wilson as an aide for a short while.[1]

In 1995, Quanell was quoted in the New York Daily News as saying,

"I say to Jewish America: Get ready … knuckle up, put your boots on, because we're ready and the war is going down. … The real deal is this: Black youth do not want a relationship with the Jewish community or the mainstream white community or the foot shuffling, head-bowing, knee bobbing black community. … All you Jews can go straight to hell."[4]

Quanell was forced out of the Nation of Islam for publicly inciting violence with his televised, and highly publicized, exhortation to Houston-area blacks:

"[i]f you feel that you just got to mug somebody because of your hurt and your pain, go to River Oaks and mug you some good white folks. If you’re angry that our brother is put to death, don’t burn down your own community, give these white folks hell from the womb to the tomb."[5][6]

After leaving the Nation of Islam, Quanell attempted to form his own faction, named "MFOI" or "Mental Freedom Obtains Independence." The new faction did not attract significant membership.

Entry into Black Panthers

Quanell joined the New Black Panther Party under the leadership of Khalid Abdul Muhammad,[5]; he is now a local leader of the organization.

Interactions with Police

Since becoming a leader of the Black Panthers, Quanell has had both positive and negative interactions with the Houston police.

In 1999, at the trial of John William King for the 1998 slaying of James Byrd, Jr, Quanell and his posse briefly disrupted proceedings. [3]

On March 30, 2004, Quanell took the podium at a Houston City Council meeting and demanded that reparations for slavery be put on the council agenda. This demand had previously been denied by mayor Bill White. The exchange escalated enough that Houston police had to be called to forcibly remove Quanell from the chamber.[4]

In June 2004, Quanell was charged with evading arrest. He was on the phone with Executive Assistant Chief Charles A. McClelland of the Houston Police Department when arranging the surrender of cop shooter Derrick Forney. Quanell was convicted on a lesser charge of 'running from a police officer', a class-B misdemeanor in the State of Texas; on December 1 2006, the State of Texas First Court of Appeals overturned the conviction.

Quanell X is credited with helping officers in the March 2007 murder investigation of Texas A&M University student Tynesha Stewart.[7] He helped obtain a confession from Timothy Wayne Shepherd, the suspect in the murder.[8] He also criticized the Harris County sheriff's decision not to search for Stewart's body in an Humble, Texas area landfill, which was later to be discovered to be unrecoverable due to suspects burning remains in two Barbecue pits.[9][3]

Joe Horn Protest

Quanell X led a protest in Pasadena, Texas on December 2, 2007. The protest was held in front of Joe Horn's house, the man suspected of shooting dead two suspected burglars. Quanell attempted to approach Horn's house to speak to the media, but was greatly out numbered by counter-protesters for Joe Horn, including bikers revving their Harley-Davidson motorcycles and hundreds chanting "USA", "Go home" and "We love our country, what do you love?", waving placards and US flags, shouting and clapping. The noise made it impossible for Quanell to be heard, even when using a bullhorn. Quanell left the area about 8 minutes later, having been unsuccessful in attempting to make a public speech. He returned soon after with more Black Panther reinforcements and attempted to speak again. Quanell's speech included chants of "black power" and the exhortation for blacks to ignore "white law." Riot police had to be readied in case Quanell's Black Panthers started violence.[10][11] [12] [13]

Reference in Pop Culture

  • Some of Scarface's early music videos ("A Minute to Pray, A Second To Die") featured community activist Quanell X in supporting roles.
  • Quanell X has also been featured on Botany Boys track "Straped-N-Texas".

References

  1. ^ a b Patterson, Randall (1997-04-03). "Would You Buy a Revolution From This Man?". Houston Press. Retrieved 2007-12-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Crowe, Robert (2001-01-27). "Destructive Force Mars Sunnyside's Rebirth". Houston Chronicle. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b Freemantle, Tony (2001-03-01). "Vitriolic Visionary". Houston Chronicle. p. 33. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "Visionary" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Quanell X statement, October 17, 1995". New York Daily News. October 17 1995. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b Courréges, Owen (2004-06-15). "Who is Quanell X?". Chronically Biased. Retrieved 2007-03-04. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Quanny just looking out for the children". Hambone. March 31 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Measley, Travis (2007-03-29). "Students, friends mourn loss of Houston native". The Battalion. Retrieved 2007-03-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ Crowe, Robert (2007-03-23). "Officers Grateful to Quanell X". The Houston Chronicle. pp. B5. Retrieved 2007-03-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Hewitt, Paige (2007-03-23). "Agony, Anger Over Decision Not to Hunt for Teen's Body". Houston Chronicle. pp. A1. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Video of event on Youtube with Quanell X's comments
  11. ^ [1]
  12. ^ Associated Press (2007-12-03). "Pasadena Protest Over Slain Burglars Heats Up". Houston Chronicle. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ KTRK.com's video
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