The 1993 Alan Billups vs. Greg Martin Debate Was An Important
Debate For Black Buddhist

Since Buddhism's introduction to America, African/Americans in the 1960's were regulated into subordinate positions in the excommunicated Buddhist lay organization. SGI discouraged scholarship among African/Americans and Black people in the SGI and were subordinated to Japanese and Whites. In 1993 Alan Billups attempted to encourage debate between the  Nichiren Shoshu Priesthood and SGI with the support of SGI Study Department Chief Greg Martin. Alan wrote a letter to his former friend explaining circumstances in SGI and SGI Study Chief Greg Martin attempted to put Alan Billups in his place. Consequently a debate between Alan Billups and Greg Martin took place. The Martin/Billups debate was very significant to Black people because it allowed a Black man in SGI an opportunity to openly participate in an open debate for the first time. African/Americans were not considered equal in SGI and it was un-common for an African/American to challenge a white or Japanese to a debate. A young Alan Billups had to take on not only an SGI member but he had to face an SGI study department chief.

Circumstances Surrounding the 1993 Billups/Martin Debate

In 1993 Alan Billups had just graduated Howard University and the younger Billups had to hurdle his way
past the SGI manipulated structure. At that time Hokkeko had almost no reading materials in English to
support Alan in his debate with the SGI study chief Greg Martin.

The Debate Proved Fruitful For Alan Billups And
African/Americans

Because Alan Billups had to prepare himself to debate a study department Chief Alan grew in his
confidence, knowledge and Buddhist wisdom. Instead of a Black man being a subordinate he was a
participate   in the process to propagate Buddhism correctly in America.   Page Four