Refocusing why we resist By Lord Grim, ALKQN Vieques! This island in the Caribbean has become essentially the focus of progressive, reactionary, liberal and nationalist Borinquenos alike. It has allowed the people of Borinquen to vent their hostile feelings towards their colonizers -- because that is what they are -- occupied by the united states. Throughout this entire situation I've noticed a serious trend. This most unfortunate trend would take potential revolutionaries to a long term career in single issue organizing or politics with limiting reformist/progressive goals. Why are we surprised or outraged that these bombings go on when Borinquen currency, correspondence systems, laws and even radio wave broadcasts are subject to the mandates and whims of a settler-society hundreds of miles away and have been so for over 100 years? What happens when four years from now the U.$. "releases" Vieques? Will they go back to the same repressed feelings that stir uncomfortably in every Borinqueno's gut when in the solitude of his/her thoughts s/he shamefully recognizes that the "Vieques situation" is merely the manifestation of a larger issue many Borinquenos refused to face head on? The most recent polemic in the Borinquen island today is in regards to the U.$. vs. Acosta Martinez trial in which for the fourteenth time federal prosecutors have completely ignored the will of the Borinquen people who have banned the death penalty since 1929(1). For the revolutionary it is common knowledge that no imperialist country can effectively deliver justice in a fair and unbiased manner. Their entire society is based upon the super-exploitation of those they see "weaker" than them. Indeed a direct correlation can be made with imperialism's oppressive mode of production and those that the pigs seek to prosecute in a statistically provable platform. When the per capita ratio proves that Black, Mexican and Borinquen Nations are imprisoned far more easily than whites (especially those that live below U.$. "poverty" standards) there is nothing that the Oppressed Nation Comrades (ONC) will accept as a viable excuse. Even by imperialist "legal" standards the 1950 federal law passed by U.$. congress (which officially made borinquen a "Commonwealth" colony) clearly states that only those federal laws which are "not locally inapplicable" would apply in Borinquen (2). In other words if there is a Borinquen law prohibiting capital punishment, federal law cannot be applied. This "legal" struggle and the Vieques struggle are certainly rallying points of agitation which I encourage the Borinquenos to apply their efforts to. The exposure of imperialist atrocities and injustices can only aid the anti-imperialist struggle. It is however the erroneous idealism that at times accompanies some ONCs that puts in jeopardy the effectiveness of that agitation. We should be reminded that in fact these are manifestations of a larger problem and unless the larger problem is neutralized there can only be repetitive negative manifestations of the aforementioned type. I am a Latino nationalist, which means that I believe in the self- determination of the various Latino nations (Mexica-Aztlan, Borinquen, Cuba, America del Sur, etc.). While my belief extends to a specific cultural society, the next logical step is to recognize that any form of anti-imperialist nationalism necessitates a tactical unity with the international anti-imperialist struggle. If the Borinquen people become interested only in beneficial reforms or capitalist independence they do not take into consideration that they become accomplice to the proletariat exploitation that their own nation endured during the corporate occupation when 80% of agricultural lands were exploited for sugar and tobacco markets leaving the island destitute and socio-economically co-dependent to the U.$. Borinquen has a very strong number of lumpen, proletariat and semi- proletarian masses (it can also be said that the majority of Borinquen wealth left after the U.$. fiscal year rape, is spread within a minority Borinquen National Bourgeoisie). On the whole it can be considered an oppressed nation but every year brings them less and less to that mark in no small part due to reform politics, growing capitalist consumption and settler-society assimilation (i.e. labor-aristocratic attitudes). My point is, while four million Borinquenos remain an oppressed nation, they are not the bulk of the masses. In fact hundreds of millions compose the oppressed, proletariat masses. The masses in Puerto Rico are benefiting economically from the relationship to imperialism and superprofits. If the Borinqueno cannot look at h fellow international proletariat/ONC in similar light to h own struggles then h proposed solution to the plight will be warped and nullified in the long run for h/self and moreover the masses. Borinquen and its culture is important to Borinquen and you should do what is necessary to see that the Borinquen Nation survives to see a day when they will be free from imperialism. I do not ask progressives or reformists to discontinue their anti-oppressive struggles. I do ask that they apply their efforts to a more correct revolutionary practice; a practice that culminates with a roof over every persyn's head, food for every persyn's table and a right to make a living for everyone as s/he desires. I ask only what the principles of Maoism and the anti- imperialist spirit of Kingism can ensure when it is practiced correctly. What use is independence and self- determination to a parasite? In the end it can only destroy its host and himself. Borinquen revolutionaries don't want to gain independence by emulating imperialist history, Borinquen revolutionaries want to create a new people's history by destroying imperialism. In regards to the dialogues I've been having with my beloved comrades and allies; ALKQN, U. Bloods - N.J., Insane Vicelords and Nation of Gods and Earth regarding this issue. It would do us well to understand that while we seek that our respective parties/orgs are economically and functionally solvent, the need for this is in direct relation to how we apply it for revolutionary struggle within imperialist borders and not for want of the "piece of the pie" motives. Fuck the pie!!! If you find a "Crouching Tiger" in the ALKQN, you best believe it's not in fear. We're on the hunt and counter- revolution is our prey. I remain humble in servitude, indestructible in nobility and spear of the Lion Tribe!!! Lord Grim c/o MIM PO Box 29670 Los Angeles, CA 90029-0670 I invite all criticism and dialogue on this and similar topics. Please make sure to write your mailing address only on the envelope and an unknown nickname in your letter. We'll correlate your nickname with your envelope's address on a separate list. For more information on Revolutionary Nationalism send MIM $7 and you'll receive MIM Theory #7. One last thing, while this article is geared towards Borinquen, its underlying message can apply to the Almighty Mexica-Aztlan, Cuban nations, etc. ITAL MIM publishes this article by comrade Lord Grim from the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation both for its news and analysis of events in the Puerto Rican independence movement and as an example of the kinds of ideological struggles MIM supporters and sympathizers can (and should) lead. END Notes: 1. U.S. Justice Department statistics record federal prosecutors have sought the death penalty in Puerto Rico 14 times. 2. "For Puerto Rico case is life, death" Richard Chacon, Boston Globe, March 26, 2001.