Amerikan prosperity built on the backs of the oppressed

MIM's reporting on the Daewoosa sweatshop (MIM Notes 229) in 
American Samoa is a stark example of the u.$. character and 
the ugly face behind Amerikkan prosperity. When we speak of 
the rape of African and the transatlantic slave trade we 
recognize it by its character. Many Europeans in Amerikkka 
would like to dismiss those times by chalking the situation 
up to history and dismiss their forefathers' actions by 
saying they were mere 'products of their time.' MIM 
publicizes US sanctioned instances of exploitation such as 
the Mexican farm workers and our sisters in Samoa so the 
Amerikkkans of this generation can't feign ignorance or use 
the 'product of our time' line to excuse their own 
complicity in the year 2001. 

In a speech by the 
revolutionary Robert Williams concerning the state of 
Amerikkka in the 60s he said, "We who are brutally oppressed 
and victimized cannot forever afford to spare the fortress 
of social reaction and tyranny because there are alleged 
silent dissenters within its gates." 

The gag that silenced 
Amerikkkans then is the same that immobilizes Amerikkkans 
now regardless of their nationality. While our brothers and 
sisters abroad are so horribly victimized, such as the 
sisters in that Daewoosa sweat shop, many enjoy the benefits 
and privileges of life in Amerikkka without a second 
thought. To stand against exploitation in all its forms, 
times, and places is to stand against those who perpetuate 
it here and now. It is not enough to denounce chattel 
slavery in the 18-1900s and say it was wrong then while 
ignoring the Amerikkkan slave master of today and sporting 
his wares; i.e. the FUBU pants and the Nike shoes. There is 
no difference in purchasing JC Penny's clothing in 2001, and 
a citizen of Britain in the 1800s availing themselves of a 
sweater or coat made of cotton grown on an Amerikkkan 
plantation. So we can hear the truth in Robert Williams' 
words when he said "A good man who is silent and inactive in 
times of great injustice and oppression is no good man at 
all." Supporting a exploiting nation and benefiting from 
that exploitation is the nature of this Amerikkkan working 
class. This is the difference between oppression and 
exploitation. People in the US who don't have the privilege 
of dominant nation status, although oppressed, benefit from 
the exploitation of people such as the ones in Amerikkkan 
Samoa whenever they are employed by or patronize a JC Penny 
Store (or any of a number of other stores and occupations). 

It is difficult if not impossible to avoid this bribe but 
this is where complicity is bought. Whenever we turn a blind 
eye on our sisters and brothers across these man made 
borders and enjoy our lives of relative ease we are making a 
statement. This makes us not silent dissenters, but 
accomplices. We recognize that u.$. prosperity doesn't come 
without a price. It is at the expense of our brothers and 
sisters and we are not content to be silent or inactive. We 
rally in support of our sisters in Samoa and anywhere else 
on the Earth that our brothers and sisters face a life of 
victimization and exploitation. To stand against 
exploitation in its many forms and places one must recognize 
its character (even if that means exposing the ways that we 
ourselves benefit or have been compliant) and use our time 
to put an end to it. Support our sisters in Samoa! Their 
struggle is ours and the struggle is one against capitalism. 
Support and learn about the Movement! Support MIM!

Note: 1. Speech by Robert Williams, 12 August 1966, 
http://www.prisoncensorship.info/archive/etext/classics/
robertwilliams1966.txt

--A California Prisoner  march 2001

MIM Responds: Well said, comrade. It's always good to mix in 
a little Robert Williams. In fact, the 2001 MIM Congress 
passed the following resolution: "U.$. citizens will be 
accessories and accomplices to U.$. imperialist crimes until 
imperialism comes down. Anyone who pays taxes or 
participates in the U.$. economy is at least an accomplice 
in the most criminal nation in the world. We will add a 
paragraph to the 'MIM on Prisons & Prisoners' box in MN 
before the part about all prisoners being political 
prisoners (just before 'MIM does not advocate...'): 'All 
U.S. citizens are criminals--accomplices and accessories to 
the crimes of U.$. oppression globally until the day U.$. 
imperialism is overcome. All U.S. citizens should start from 
the point of view that they are reforming criminals.'" As 
you eloquently point out, the biggest step in "reforming" 
ourselves and others is struggling to overthrow u.$. 
imperialism.