MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. prisons, guided by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.
Under Lock & Key is a news service written by and for prisoners with a focus on what is going on behind bars throughout the United States. Under Lock & Key is available to U.S. prisoners for free through MIM(Prisons)'s Free Political Literature to Prisoners Program, by writing:
MIM(Prisons) PO Box 40799 San Francisco, CA 94140.
The Soldiers of Bondage (S.O.B.) is a revolutionary communist
organization with its members consisting of political prisoners within
the Illinois Department of Corrections. The party was founded on 2 July
2011 in Pontiac Correctional Center Segregation. Current membership is
very small, but, with the publishing of this study guide, it is hoped
that the party will grow nationally in both numbers and resources. A
Manifesto of S.O.B. will be completed soon and it will hopefully be made
available to prisoners across Amerika.
The “Communist Manifesto” is the most important piece of political
literature to the communist. However, due to the many oppressive
conditions that plague the lumpen proletariat within the United $tates,
many prisoners have problems with comprehending the “Communist
Manifesto.” For this reason S.O.B. felt it necessary to create a study
guide that would assist prisoners in obtaining as much information as
possible from the “Communist Manifesto.” This study guide contains 184
questions as well as answers from the text.
After creating the study guide the next question to be answered was how
to make the study guide easily available to prisoners. After some debate
it was decided that the only real option was to go through MIM(Prisons).
We are not sure if MIM(Prisons) will just send this out to prisoners who
request it or if they will make it one of their official study group
programs. Either way it will assist prisoners in the development of
their political consciousness.
Remember that the only way to combat the oppressive conditions we are
subjugated to is to become aware of the cause and solution of our
oppression. It is the hope of S.O.B. that this study guide will help
many become aware of these elements. As Karl Marx and Frederick Engels
articulated within the “Communist Manifesto,” the proletariat must
emancipate itself. Amerika does not have a proletariat. However, Marx
and Engels’s edict is just as true for the lumpen proletariat: the
lumpen proletariat must emancipate itself. You must liberate yourself
from the oppression you suffer. Begin your journey to become the New Man
by educating yourself. Education is power. Resist! Rebel! Defy!
In strength and solidarity, Cadre (on behalf of S.O.B.)
MIM(Prisons) responds: First we want to commend this group for
their hard work focusing on communist education amongst the lumpen. The
extensive study guide they created took a lot of work. And their
decision to undertake a project that is focused on bringing up the level
of theoretical understanding of the lumpen suggests that we have a lot
of unity around our principal tasks at this time. MIM(Prisons) knows
little about the S.O.B. organization so we cannot comment on our
relative level of theoretical unity, and until they publish a manifesto
we can only say that the “Communist Manifesto” questions suggest we
agree on the bought-off nature of the vast majority of the
imperialist-country workers who now constitute a petty-bourgeoisie. This
is particularly important as we read a book like the “Communist
Manifesto,” which was written so many years ago when the labor
aristocracy was just a very small segment of the working class, and the
workers in First World countries were still a part of the proletariat.
We look forward to work and political discussion with S.O.B. We hope
these comrades in Illinois serve as an example for other USW study
groups across the country. If you want this study pack, write in to
MIM(Prisons). Tell us if you already have the “Communist Manifesto” or
if you need a copy
There are two important tasks which imprisoned revolutionaries need to
carry out. The first is to build public opinion for revolution. The
second is to survive their imprisonment long enough so as to ensure a
lasting impact on the revolutionary movement long after their release.
For those not getting out, it’s important not to give up, as your
contributions to oppressed peoples’ movements are still very meaningful.
It is from these concrete classrooms that some of the most dedicated
revolutionaries emerge, returning to their communities after years in
prison. Therefore the need for political instructors to train these
students is dire. As such, survival pending revolution should be an
important part of any comrade’s focus while imprisoned.
Survival pending revolution can mean figuring out how to navigate
everyday prison politics in a manner acceptable to the prison masses. At
its most basic this can mean doing no harm in the masses’ eyes.
Ultimately, the prison movement is a mass movement. How can we lead a
mass movement if the prison masses cannot trust us because we are
actively working against their own righteous interests? How can we claim
to stand for liberation if we are responsible for oppressing others? In
our interactions with the prison masses we must be like fish swimming in
the sea, not only blending in with our environment, but becoming one
with our environment.
The anti-imperialist prison movement is a mass movement, but if we don’t
have the support of the masses then we don’t have anything. This is an
important point that real revolutionary organizations have understood
from very early on. The Chinese Communist Party understood this and so
they created an eight point program which helped to address the needs of
both cadre and masses within the wider scope of revolutionary practice.
Decades later the Black Panther Party would incorporate this same
program into its organization, re-working the points to the BPP’s
specific conditions:
Speak politely.
Pay fairly for what you buy.
Return everything you borrow.
Pay for anything you damage.
Do not hit or swear at people.
Do not damage property or crops of the poor, oppressed masses.
Do not take liberties with women.
If we ever have to take captives do not ill-treat them.
Because prison can be such a violent place and communists are supposed
to stand against oppression, comrades associated with the prison
movement should make it a point to be best known as peacemakers rather
than agitators, unless of course they are dealing with injustice at the
hand of the oppressors. As such, the likelihood of injury is
significantly higher amongst prisoners when compared to people on the
streets, with one report citing that more than a quarter of state and
federal prisoners report being injured since admission to prison.(1)
These figures however do not account for prisoners who do not report
injuries, so the real number is definitely higher.
Another common cause of injury in prison, which is often overlooked and
under-reported, is the violence associated with prison sexual assault.
According to Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) reporting, more than 1
million people have been sexually assaulted in prison over the past 20
years.(1) That’s an astonishing 50,000 people a year every year for the
last 20 years! Again this estimation by PREA is likely under-reported.
Prison rape is important to prevent, not only for the obvious reasons
but because with sexual assault in prison comes “an increase in other
types of violence, including murder, involving inmates and staff, and
long lasting trauma which makes it even more difficult for people to
succeed in the community after release.”(1, 2)
When it comes to substance abuse virtually all prisoners are addicted to
something. Statistics show that 80% of prisoners abuse drugs or alcohol
and that nearly 50% of jail and prison inmates are clinically
addicted.(3) “Four of every five children and teen arrestees in state
and juvenile prisons are under the influence of alcohol and drugs while
committing their crimes, test positive for drugs, are arrested for
committing an alcohol or drug offense, admit having substance abuse and
addiction problems or show some combination of these
characteristics.”(3) This last point is very relevant to the lumpen in
prison and lumpen youth because most prisoners started doing drugs and
alcohol at very early ages, generally around the same time they start
breaking bourgeois laws and getting into trouble. A hundred and fifty
years ago social scientists like Marx and Engels started theorizing that
breaking bourgeois laws was just another way for oppressed people to
rebel against their oppressive conditions. Needless to say that this
form of rebellion was not very effective, but it is as Frederick Engels
termed “revolution in embryo.”
It is interesting that much of adolescence is spent in almost continuous
rebellion, as this is generally the stage in humyn development when
people begin to become conscious of the world around them in ways not
experienced before. The fact that lumpen youth engage in criminal
behavior at such an early age says a lot about the ways certain groups
in society begin to exhibit early signs of what can only be described as
an early group, or class, consciousness. This is important to note
because it shows that the lumpen realize where their place in society
under capitalist rule is, and they actively begin to figure out how to
fit in it.
The real take away here, however, is that many people who currently find
themselves in prison first learned to survive and fit into their
oppressive social environment by both developing and adapting many
negative behaviors as a way of seeking positive reinforcement within
negative situations. Unfortunately for the oppressed this positive
reinforcement came at the expense of reinforcing negative behaviors
which has of course landed them in prison. Learning to combat such
negative behaviors means having to unlearn many of the traits that were
previously thought socially acceptable and necessary. In essence, this
means learning to undo and working against the lumpen lifestyle. A
lifestyle that is not only characterized by violence, alcohol and drug
abuse, but by anti-people activity in general. As dialectical
materialists however we are confident that the oppressed nation lumpen
can learn to combat such negative character traits using the methods of
unity-struggle-transformation.(4) The hope of the oppressed internal
nations depends on it.
I received the information on the study group/cells which I go over
several times a night, then engage my neighbor here in Ad-Seg/SHU in
good conversation. At times others quit talking, and conversation don’t
resume until directly after I am forced to sit down after standing on
cold hard concrete a few hours. I have severe nerve damage from diabetes
as well as this cement box environment. But I do hit the door at least 4
times a day to continue or expand the topics I read in past issues of
ULK I have, or the more recent materials you have sent like “The
Tyranny of Structurelessness” and “Commitment is the Key.” I have got
two young men reading many of my past issues of ULK that I have
received from you and inherited from others over the years.
Forming an actual study cell on this 14-man section of the pod is hit
and miss. The Security Threat Group Office has a very broad but vague
description of who and what constitutes an STG member/group. And this
being a highly militarized zone in central texa$ with Ft. Hood and an
Air Force base nearby; many who discharged or were drummed out come to
work here, with severe cases of hate toward prisoners in general. A few
target anyone deemed anti-american or anti-capitalist.
What I see are quite a few who support the xenophobic racist Trump, even
a few people one would not expect such as several black and mexican
officers! I do not capitalize their race/color or call them New Afrikans
or Chican@ because they are not to me, supporting a vile individual like
Trump. I have attempted to find out why they support him. It’s the
rhetoric he spews that they believe in. More jobs, make america great,
stronger military presence overseas, etc. Because of my reaction and
comments I have lost meal trays come slop time, or been “forgotten” for
medical lay in, rec or even shower time. Even my mail gets misplaced for
days or given to the wrong person on another section!
Oh, an update on medical co-payment in texa$ and University of Texas
Medical Board (UTMB) Healthcare. As of 1 February 2016 TDC prisoners are
not charged medical copay for the dentist UNLESS it is for teeth
cleaning. So texas comrades let it be known on your facilities. This
came directly out of the mouth of UTMB Dentist of the Year for 2016
quoting the director of texas healthcare in TDC and the director of TDC
dentistry.
As of April 2016, I am currently battling a new TDC move on medical
copay. If you do win your initial grievance Step 1 or Step 2, they now
go back on your records previous 24 months and look for things to charge
for that were overlooked the first time. I have a grievance filed
specifically countering that. When I hear a response I will inform all
my comrades at MIM(Prisons).
MIM(Prisons) responds: We appreciate this comrade updating us on
the medical copay campaign, and we are not surprised that TDCJ is going
back thru medical records to see what they can charge for. It’s just
another example of the eternal dead end of reformism. As
revolutionaries, we work on reforms presently so we can lay the
groundwork for our more broad political organizing. We recognize the
need for a complete change in the system that capitalizes off of humyn
suffering, and we are always striving toward this goal.
Subscribers should keep sending us updates on the several campaigns we
are supporting all across the United $nakes.
by a California prisoner March 2016 permalink[In January 2016, MIM(Prisons) received a report from a comrade in Kern
Valley State Prison stating that the Agreement to End Hostilities (AEH)
had been broken there. The incident included an attack by one group, and
retaliation by another group against others not necessarily involved in
the original attack. The original attackers reportedly ran to the state
for protection. The prospects for peaceful resolution were not great. In
response to this report, a comrade now working as part of the Free
Speech Society sent us this update on efforts to reconcile the conflict
in line with the AEH.]
All power to the people who do not fear
real freedom!!!
Mission Statement:
In the aftermath of two small-scale race-based “isolated” incidents that
occurred on B-facility in January of 2016 at Kern Valley State Prison,
the Free Speech Society was able to successfully initiate a conflict
resolution committee as a part of the inmate advisory council (IAC) that
has been established at this prison.
The conflict resolution committee ensures the de-escalation of potential
conflicts between various groups/formations on B-facility. As it
constitutes a body of like-minded individuals that is both
representative of the totality of the various groups/formations on
B-facility, but also capable of resolving potential or actual conflicts
in a responsible, positive, and expeditious fashion. In the past, Kern
Valley State Prison (KVSP) administrators, which is inclusive of
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR)
headquarters in Sacramento, California have made errors in one form or
another, by failing to ensure the engagement of the primary stakeholders
that are representative of those groups/formations actually engaged in a
conflict, nor has there been a body of “like-minded” individuals
specifically tasked with resolving potential conflicts before they
mature into actual hostile-based conflicts, whereby unnecessary
disturbances become manifest, which jeopardize the safety and security
of both prisoners and staff.
Per Departmental Operations Manual (DOM) 53120.5.3 (viz. “Special
Concern Sub-Committee”) the KVSP B-facility
Men’s
Advisory Council will enact the Conflict Resolution Committee (CRC).
The CRC is convened for the sole purpose of resolving potential and
actual conflicts on B-facility whenever and wherever they occur, and
effectively articulating these resolutions to the entire prisoner
population, with special attention given to the groups/formations in
conjunction with the Agreement to End Hostilities (AEH).
Because appropriate representation is essential to the resolution of
conflicts in an effective and responsible manner, the composition of the
CRC will reflect prisoner representation from each specific
group/formation who will in turn be responsible for engaging and
positively resolving any subdivisions in these groups.
A basic outline of the CRC representative body will consist of a
representative from each of the following groups/formations:
BGF
Surenos
Whites
Others
Crips
Bloods
Mexican nationals
Bay area Blacks
Hoovers
Muslims
415
Because of the sensitive nature of this special concern sub-committee,
the CRC must have access to the units on B-facility, per approval of the
facility captain. The daily activities of the CRC are designed to
increase dialogue across cultural lines of every formation/group to
promote a stronger foundation upon which issues can be put forward and
resolved in a constructive manner. Communication and timing are
essential components to preventing conflicts before they mature into
hostile-based conflict. Therefore, CRC members must be able to talk to
who they need to, when they need to. Our objective is to be proactive in
resolving potential and/or actual conflicts within the general
population. All prisoners are encouraged to relay any and all potential
conflicts to the CRC so they can be resolved in an expeditious manner.
The function and activities of this committee shall be to ensure equal
and effective representation of the entire general population in the
resolution of potential and actual conflicts on B-facility. The entire
CRC body will abide by the by-laws of the Inmate Advisory Council (IAC).
Our Struggle Continues!!! For more information about the Free
Speech Society go to:
www.freespeechsociety.org
MIM(Prisons) responds: What started as a report on the breaking
of the AEH at one of the largest California state prisons, has been
turned around to a testament of the practical work of the AEH. The
release of comrades from SHU is at play here in ensuring that the AEH is
upheld by the prison masses in a way that addresses the needs of the
masses.
In short order, comrades at KVSP have put to work the tools at hand to
address the contradictions among the people there in a practical way.
This is an example that should be followed and repeated throughout the
state and the country. All that said, in the long run we must caution
against depending on institutions of the state to meet the needs of the
oppressed. Conflict is not the natural state of the oppressed, it is
created. And the history of CDCR is one of utilizing, encouraging and
even creating divisions among the prison masses for its own interests.
When the Short Corridor Collective asked the CDCR to distribute the
statement calling for an Agreement to End Hostilities (AEH), that was a
correct tactical approach to working with the state. When the CDCR
refused, it still strengthened the cause of peace and unity among the
oppressed. In a recent essay a USW comrade lays out the history and
current reality of the MAC/IACs in California prisons.(1) While their
formation was based in the strength of the prison movement, they have
since been used to undermine the movement, as the comrade argues, as a
sort of neo-colonial force akin to U.$. foreign policy abroad.
Meanwhile, another comrade in
Pelican
Bay who has been struggling to build peace reports that attempts to
work within the MAC and within an approved Inmate Leisure Time Activity
Group have both resulted in increased harrassment by staff who see unity
as a threat.
Again, we commend the comrades at KVSP who have utilized the tools
available to them to address a very dangerous situation, and we offer
our support in those continued efforts. But we recommend that all those
attempting to build peace in prisons study the
5 principles
of the United Front for Peace in Prisons. Independence is one of
those principles, because without independence the masses do not have
the ability to make decisions for themselves and provide real solutions.
The name of our study group is Royal Descendant People Politically
Intelligent Revolutionary Units. We encourage Peace and try to be
problem solvers when it comes to New Afrikan on New Afrikan violence. We
encourage people to think instead of just reacting. We get leaders to
talk before violence starts.
We encourage Unity among different New Afrikan organizations. We will
work with other organizations not New Afrikan for a common kause like
going against Pork Khops (correctional officers) and their pig
counterparts, the agents of the oppressive and exploitative state
security and information gathering system. Our first duty is to campaign
which is to spread our ancestors’ and leaders’ revolutionary kulture. We
are democratic socialist chanting down capitalism and imperialism. When
it’s time to go against the real enemy we will unite with those who
share a common enemy. We are working on bettering our communication
system. People write but we have a hard time finding someone to print
our zines and books. That’s why I am reaching out networking to get
support. Beside our education program we have a military training
program which consists of eating right and exercise. We work mind and
body.
MIM(Prisons) responds: We are always happy to hear from groups
building unity and independent institutions of the oppressed behind
bars. And this comrade demonstrates an important aspect of these groups:
study. This organization seems to be well aligned with the United Front
for Peace in Prisons’s points of unity, peace, growth,
internationalism and independence. We look forward to
studying and building with them in the future. Others who have groups,
even just a few folks studying together, should get in touch with
MIM(Prisons) so we can provide materials to support your studies. And
get plugged in to the United Front for Peace in Prison.
MIM(Prisons) compiles and distributes study materials through our Free
Books for Prisoners Program. We are open to printing pamphlets made by
our subscribers so long as they fit into a revolutionary Maoist agenda.
We facilitate Maoist and anti-imperialist prisoner organizing through
United Struggle from Within, and help writers develop their skills and
politital line through our correspondence study courses. Our advanced
study group, the ULK Writers Group, is where the vanguard of the Maoist
anti-imperialist prison movement gathers to write articles, pamphlets,
and even books. Work through these organizations to ensure your work is
the most effective at fighting oppression.
I am a true soldier for the cause of change and the fight it takes to
accomplish it. I have been housed at Pelican Bay State Prison since
2013, after being released for a sticking. My prior dealings with this
place dates back to 1996 when I did my first bid. Currently I have
chosen to embrace change and growth as well as a United Front for Peace
at Pelican Bay State Prison.
I am currently involved in “P.E.A.C.E.”, Prisoners Embracing
Anti-hostilities and Cultural Evolution. We have been going strong for
over 8 months. Our cause is based on embracing anti-hostilities and
cultural evolution amongst Africans, Hispanics, Whites, Asians,
Islanders, and Native Americans by way of partaking in tournaments of
basketball, handball, volleyball and having made a conscious choice for
change.
These efforts are not being taken lightly by this prison, and every
effort is being made to stomp our push for change. The oppressor has
refused to follow any of their own set rules and regulations as far as
Inmate Leisure Time Activity Groups (ILTAGs) are concerned and assisting
our approved ILTAG from running said tournaments without any hassle or
fear of our sponsor being prevented from performing his duties without
constant nickel and dime harassment tactics.
Pelican Bay State Prison is not open for change. I have been placed in
Ad-Seg due to what staff here refer to as “causing ripples.” I did 9
months with no charges or a finding of guilt as to that 115
[Disciplinary Report]. A comrade took on the Men’s Advisory Council
chairman job and raised many concerns of the general population, only to
find their house searched by squad numerous times, and constantly given
urine tests, though none of these tactics ended with any findings of
guilt.
I have so much to share with you all including the atmosphere on these
main lines and the new tactics being used to incite violence, chaos and
riots. I am on the front line as are so many other brethren here, but we
need that voice and the way shared with us on how to proceed in the
correct way.
I wish to further educate the masses here at Pelican Bay State Prison as
do others, but we seriously need a support system from the outside. Just
like the distance of this place from civilization, this is what it feels
like to seek rehabilitation, peace, and change at a place that
specializes in oppressing. Prisoners’ mail is not going out or coming
in, and there is no way to prove either way, the
602
[prisoner grievance] process is in shambles; even when you win in
this prison you still lose. Every action causes a reaction and Pelican
Bay is notorious for their continued nit picking until they get the
reaction they are seeking: chaos, violence, riots and disunity amongst
prisoners.
We humbly ask for your assistance in bringing change to Pelican Bay
State Prison, and the followers you possess in how to proceed. Please
include all information and knowledge needed to proceed. Contact myself,
and all will be shared with the men concerned. P.E.A.C.E.
Survival in this imperial dungeon is a must. Survival is more than
looking over ya shoulder wondering when a shank will be placed in your
back. Survival in these walls has a broad base.
First, we must be vigilant in what we eat, the reason why is food
nourishes the body, mind and soul. There are so many chemicals added to
our diet that it kills or destroys us over a period of time. We must
change our diet or balance it with more fruits and veggies. What I have
done was get on a kosher diet rich in fresh produce, and cut back on a
lot of mystery meat. How can we fight with all our strength if what we
eat is making us weak?
Another survival method I use is peers. I connect to those held captive
in the system of snakes, and politic with them so we can all be on
point. Staying away from negative energy which brings chaos. I try to
apply “each one teach one” as my everyday survival method, cause once
you help your brother-comrade in need it brings a feeling of joy.
But the enemy can come with all kinds of tricks, and once they see you
are a fighter for justice, then you’re hauled off to a solitary
confinement unit. Now that’s when you must use all the tools to survive.
One method that I currently use now while housed here is reading a lot
of material and applying the principles to my everyday life. And
spreading literature helps so us comrades can chop it up (conversate)
amongst each other and figure out ways to find solutions rather than
being a problem. But I keep a simple program so I can survive in this
imperial prison. Stocks of peanut butter in case food supply doesn’t
come. Batteries for fuel, radio to keep up with current events. And
learning more about self, so I can be prepared mentally to overcome this
injustice.
MIM(Prisons) responds: On the topic of survival in solitary
confinement, we distribute excerpts from the “Survivors Guide for
Solitary Confinement” pamphlet that was released by the American Friends
Service Committee. It is primarily authored by prisoners and gets into
many mental health tactics, including meditation, setting a schedule,
and regular exercise. These tactics are useful for any comrade who’s
serious about political organizing, whether locked up or not.
Sometimes our oppressors will put us in a strip cell with no bedding, no
warmth, no food, no water, no medical attention. In those moments,
there’s little we can do as far as relying on peanut butter reserves.
But maintaining everyday practices that keep us healthy and strong, and
with a strong ideological understanding of the reasons we’re facing
these horrible conditions, will help us remain strong and make it
through this torture. Our survival tactics may be individual at times,
but our struggle is vast.
I’m at the most racist prison in Georgia, Hays State Prison. I am
currently on lockdown in the Tier 2 program (long-term solitary
confinement) and the other day they shook down a prisoner’s room and
found two knives. Being that this is a lockdown the Unit Manager Reids
and the Lieutenant Jones were pissed because we’re not supposed to even
have a way to get a knife, plus sharpening them. And there are 7 or 8
cameras in the dorm, so they can’t hide this like they used to back in
the days when there were no cameras.
They have to report this to the Warden and log it in the log book for
everyone to see. They were so mad at this prisoner that they took it out
on the dorm by keeping the dinner trays outside the dorm for an hour and
a half. Other prisoners in the dorm made a statement to the dorm saying
that we all should refuse these trays and make them go get us new hot
trays instead of those cold ones outside. Everyone agreed and when the
officer came in to pass out the trays (a racist officer) everyone
started screaming “We don’t want those cold trays! Go get more trays.”
When the Lieutenant came in he threatened to give out a DR (disciplinary
report) to any prisoners who refused to take a tray.
The goal is to not take the trays. If one person takes the trays then no
one will get new trays, and we refused our tray by choice. But if no one
takes the trays then they have to go get new trays. They have to feed
us. So things were going good, the first 5 rooms refused, until
Lieutenant got to the 6th one. He took his tray, then two more rooms did
after that. Others were refusing but like I said when one takes a tray
it’s pretty much a failed mission.
My Brother in the room with me and my two other Brothers next door said
they was going to get their trays since a few took theirs. They didn’t
want to go unfed on a weekend where we only get fed two times. I told
them “Hell naw! Just because the others took theirs that don’t mean we
give up an fold! If we got to go hungry and starve just to let the white
man know we as Blacks and as prisoners won’t go for anything then so be
it. We have to sacrifice for the greater purpose.”
True, my stomach was touching my back. But I was ready to starve just to
show the white man he does not rule me mentally. But unfortunately when
the trays got to my two Brothers’ room they took them. Then they were in
front of our door and my roommate grabbed me one and passed it to me. At
first I was going to refuse, well I wanted to, but seeing the tray with
food I gave in.
While we were eating, the Lieutenant came to our door and said “Good
boys. Y’all keep being good.” That made me feel so bad and embarrassed.
I let the white man win another war. He made me feel so low like I’m a
mutt and he told me to sit, I obeyed, and he rewarded me with a bone and
said “good boy.”
I was mad at myself. I should have refused the tray even if it means I’m
the only one refusing. At least I will feel good about myself and what I
did for my self-respect. But I didn’t. Another Black man falls to the
worst side of a white man. Why are we so weak-minded? Why can’t we
Blacks stick together against oppressors? Why do we fall for their
Willie Lynch tactics?
“My Brother is my Brother and I am my Brother’s keeper.” “2 Black minds
are stronger than one, and one strong Black mind is better than none.” I
guess I needed that extra mind to motivate me to go further with the
protest. And when it didn’t I folded, because of feeling alone,
vulnerable and hungry.
That day I told myself that won’t happen again. If I have to starve by
myself then I will. Our ancestors went through much more worse than
this. I won’t fail them again.
MIM(Prisons) responds: This comrade provides us a good example of
self-reflection and learning from our mistakes. Even the best
revolutionaries won’t be perfect all the time, in fact we will make many
mistakes. But the key is always keeping an open mind to learning from
these errors. And also learning from the successes and mistakes of
others. This was essentially what the Great Proletarian Cultural
Revolution was about in China: encouraging people not to blindly accept
what their leaders said and instead to be critical of incorrect actions
and political line, and to learn from mistakes. During this period in
China prisoners were offered an opportunity to learn from their errors,
undertake serious self-criticism, and return to society as productive
members. Although we don’t currently live under a Socialist government
which is encouraging and enabling these progressive practices, we can
still learn and grow, as this comrade bravely demonstrates.
Here is an example of choosing a small winnable battle by utilizing a
United Front theory in practice among prisoners of Arkansas Department
of Corrections (ADC), organized to overcome the oppressive penal system
about the human right to wear facial hair. In January 2015, the U.$.
imperialist supreme court ruled that ADC could not prohibit prisoner
Gregory Holt from growing facial hair for religious reasons. Prior to
this ruling prisoncrats argued that prisoners could hide contraband in
their hair or beards. With the above court ruling, prisoners had to
apply for a religious accommodation script in order to sport a beard. In
the spirit of revolutionary change, the prisoners within Arkansas
collectively organized and filed 5,600 applications requesting a
religious accommodation. Also there were 607 grievances that protested
that all prisoners should be allowed to wear facial hair. Because of the
surge of prisoner requests and grievances ADC asked the board to remove
the restriction, allowing all ADC prisoners to wear beards. Beginning 14
January 2016 all ADC prisoners were allowed to wear facial hair. It just
goes to show the power of a United Front, when prisoners put their
differences aside to accomplish a common goal.
MIM(Prisons) responds: This is a good example of the power of
united action, even in prison where the people have so little power. One
element of a United Front that is critical to anti-imperialists is
revolutionary leadership. While it is possible for people to come
together under even reactionary leadership to effect change, it is
revolutionary leadership that makes it possible to consolidate the
lessons of the organizing work and push forward from a basic unity
around one issue to a broader unity to build a movement that can take on
the criminal injustice system. This comrade’s example of the fight to
wear a beard is a very good starting point. It is an issue that unites
many, and beard restrictions are generally religious repression covering
for national oppression, disguised as a security issue. We can expose
how this repression fits into the broader problem of national
oppression, which the Amerikan prison system reinforces. As people see
their power to come together to effect change, and understand the system
behind the individual problems they are fighting, we can gain more
supporters and activists in the anti-imperialist struggle.
There is no justice for the Black man in the United $tates. “All black
people, wherever they are, whatever their crimes, even crimes against
other blacks, are political prisoners because the system has dealt with
them differently than with whites.” - George Jackson
The only way to receive justice is to fight. The comrades in prison will
have to fight from a different position. They would have to build cadres
to take on different tasks. All collectives through a mass line will
organize the masses around the problems of their particular prison.
Every cadre should have different responsibilities.
For example, there should be a cadre responsible for studying the
psychological warfare that is implemented by the correctional officers
and finding ways to combat it on a peaceful level. Another would study
prisoners’ rights and be ready to challenge all violations. A cadre
would write down all injustices that are manifested by the officers and
pass information on to the cadre leaders. A cadre should be in contact
with outside sponsors that can help our struggle by bringing to light
our problems to the public. All cadres are just components to the
machine. These are only examples.
We must continue the fight, especially on these plantations. However, we
have to be on point and tighten our security to protect ourselves from
agent provocateurs who claim to be on our side but are actually on the
side of the oppressor. Be mindful of those who are always showing up at
all the religious services, hoping to identify radical prisoners who may
speak at these gatherings. These agents are only there to ear hustle so
they can report back to their masters (prison administration). You will
be able to identify some of them through their actions. They’re always
preaching about Black history and Blacks uniting, but they are never
doing shit to protect the rights of the prisoners. They speak out
against those who are true vanguards of the people and try to turn the
masses against these warriors by spreading false rumors in hopes to
destroy these men’s work and characters. Please do not be fooled! They
will stop at nothing until their mission for massa is completed. They
are not only working against their own people, they are against the
entire prison population! You will see them trying to cut in or befriend
every group, organization, or nationality to learn what they can about
them. Be very mindful comrades.
There have been many strong Black revolutionaries who have died in
prison for the chimurenga (struggle) and they must never be forgotten.
Comrades like George Jackson, Hugo Pinell, William Christmas, Howard
Tole, James McClain, W.L. Nolen, and the many unknown but dedicated
warriors who have fought and never gave up until their deaths, should
always be loved and remembered. These brothers taught and trained others
to carry on the torch so that the struggle will continue behind these
walls. And in response many of them have suffered and remain in lock up
(SHU) since the 1990s, 80s, and even the 70s because they refuse to
denounce George Jackson!
Majority of the comrades are locked down in long-term isolation (SMU,
ADX, and Pelican Bay), not because they have incident reports, but
because they are carrying the torch and fighting against the injustice
of the Federal and State prisons that our fallen Freedom Fighters gave
their lives trying to destroy. We are not terrorists! We are
revolutionary Freedom Fighters striving to free the people (Black and
white) from the bloody claws of the imperialist monster. All committed
liberators should join among their own kind and work together in
solidarity. Let’s use the comrades that paved the way as examples and
continue fighting together, united with one clenched fist! Can’t stop!
Won’t stop! Long live the guerrillas!
MIM(Prisons) responds: This comrade provides a good example of
how to think about organizing tactics. We start from the assumption that
the only way we can get justice is to fight for it, and then we must
think about how we can be most effective in this fight. One key element
of our organizing should be building unity, as this writer points out.
We can build unity with all who oppose the criminal injustice system,
but at the same time, we strive to put forward the most advanced
political line to help raise consciousness and build a revolutionary
movement. The United Front is an integral part of this movement, but not
all participants will be revolutionaries themselves. This is ok, as we
seek to unite all who can be united in the fight against the criminal
injustice system.