Class Antagonisms inside the
Fundamental Contradiction of National Oppression
7–4–47 ADM (11)
Having
just passed the 19th, and quickly approaching the 20th, anniversary of the
L.A. Rebellion
[1],
We should be reminded here of what Rodney King whimpered as he stood in front
of a bank of microphones surrounded by class enemies and neo-colonial
politicians.
We
should remember how he’d been dressed in that non-threatening cardigan sweater,
white shirt, and black tie. How his hair had been tortured into submission by
a jheri curl. We should reflect, as well, upon how timid
and spooked he looked and on how concerned and stern those who flanked
him were as well. That was a Kodak moment. It was staged to foster an image of contrition and resignation.
Submission. A
victim.
Rodney
King had been led to believe, thru a bourgeois sense of reasoning, that the Rebellion
was really about
him. That the reason New-Afrikans and Mexicanos took
to the streets of South Central was the result of his filmed beating.
That,
of course, is typical of mechanical, bourgeois thinking. What it’s not typical
of however, is someone from the ‘
hood.
[2]
And this cuts both ways. No one in the ‘hoods and barrios,
ever thought it was about Rodney King. We’d all seen the film, over and over like everyone else. But that was par for
the course. We’d
always seen that - long before anyone had caught it on
tape.
Actually, We’d
experienced much more than that. Why, it’s safe to say, that hoods have gone to
War with each other, in vicious waves of internal (intra-class) combat, for
much
less than that. Tho’, because of a general colonial mentality,
which prevents the challenging of (from bottom up) oppression, the same “hood” forces
will
not, in any systematic way, wage war on the pigs! Or
for Freedom, Land and Socialism.
[3]
Rodney
King, alone and of his own accord would
not have thought to hold a
press conference to ask the asinine question (in the form of a whimpered
request), “Can’t We all just get along?” The fact of
the matter was
We were getting along. New
Afrikans and Mexicanos
were getting along just fine. What we
couldn’t
overstand was why he was admonishing
Us for getting
at the exploiters of our communities? The impression he gave, with his
handlers’ hands up his back, like a ventriloquist doll, was that a “Race Riot”
[4]
was going on. As if we had begun to kill
each other, or burn
and rob
each other’s homes. His handlers compelled him to send
up a false flag - a diversion. But, you see, this was the very thing that
exposed the class interests and reactionary politics of the Uncle Toms that
had been designated to handle him and by extension Us!
[5]
Let’s
go back for a minute, let’s talk social development (“history”). There exists a
fundamental contradiction in Our lives that, like an elephant
in the room, no one wants to acknowledge. Here’s the thing, as a consequence of
the war waged upon various Afrikan Nations by European powers, those of Us captured and kidnapped where taken out of Our own self-determining
social developments and violently forced into Euro-amerikan
his-tory.
This is not simply a clever play on words. This is a reality. We lost the ability
to control
Our own destiny.
[6]
Read that again.
From
that time until now, the fundamental (basic) contradiction between the U.S.
oppressor Nation and Our own oppressed, and colonized Nation, has been the
governing imperialist relationship. Which is to say,
Us
not being in control of the
qualitative factors [7]
that determine Our lives as a people. A Nation!
Our
tradition of struggle against this fundamental contradiction has taken on many
faces - some hidden or obscured, and some open and hostile. But all of
these have been to resolve the fundamental contradiction and to regain Our independence.
[8]
While there have been bona fide struggles to resolve the contradiction, there,
too, have been reactionary, neo-colonial struggles, waged by internal enemies
loyal to the oppressor Nation and culture, that have tried time and time
again to subvert and control Our destiny for the benefit of the capitalists.
[9]
They’ve
come among Us, always imposed from above, stirring up
emotions and giving lip service to “progress”, “equality”, “justice” and
“prosperity”. These always
within the colonial
confines of the oppressors’ arrangements.
[10]
And none, collectively,
ever materialize, because without a resolution
of the fundamental contradiction - that is, the freeing of Our productive
forces from U.S. imperialism and the governing of Our own affairs, We’ll
remain a “minority”
within the Amerikan system (as opposed to a
majority
in Our own) and subjected to the established bourgeois social contract, i.e.
colonialism.
Neo and Post.
[11]
We
can parade all thru the empire with “black” congressman, “black” mayors,
“black” governors, “black” police chiefs, “black”
supreme kourt justices - hell, even a “black” president - and
absolutely
nothing will alter the genocidal relationship that governs Our national
oppression here because the “blacks” are a part of the colonial apparatus. They
have made a strategic alliance with the capitalist-imperialists to act as
go-betweens in Our oppression and exploitation.
[12]
This
is a conscious class stand. The “black” petty- bourgeoisie is not innocently
confused, like say Mrs. Johnson across the street is about our national
oppression. About the
existence and subjugation of New Afrika. They are well read, have
travelled and are experienced - they have just chosen sides against Us and in favor of Our historical enemies! And, the sooner
We recognize and internalize this, the better off
We’ll be.
[13]
Black
ain’t nothing but a color. As a designation of Our national Identity it has played out. It is a superficial
overstanding at best and a
foolish and
dangerous analysis at
worst.
[14]
We
have no collective control over the qualitative factors which determine our
lives. We do not, in other words, control Our destiny.
Not as a people (Nation) or a state (government). We are not a free,
self-determining people. We were, before contact, kidnapping and national
oppression - but not now. And until this fundamental contradiction is resolved,
until New Afrika is independent of U.S. imperialism and neo-colonial
domination, We will remain at the continual mercy of
Our historical enemies and their warped worldview. A worldview that breeds,
promotes, encourages and finances predation and exploitation!
Which
brings Us back to Rodney King and “Can’t We All Just
Get Along”. The question that begs an answer is:
Who is this “We” he
spoke of? The rebellion was
against what was generally perceived as the
system and particularly
against exploiters who parasitically attached
themselves to Our oppression, chose to bleed our
communities of the little finances we were able to have. The masses, in their choice
of targets, were only re-appropriating the wealth they’d invested in these
stores and businesses that were then taking that wealth out of the ‘hoods
and barrios and giving it to the enemies of Us all. So “
We”, the
poor and exploited, were already “getting along” with each other. Who We
didn’t get along with were those who’d exploited
Us. Who’d bled our areas dry of finances while flooding our areas with a bunch
of crap and b.s.
It
wasn’t the Crips, Bloods or Surenos
[15] who’d pulled
Rodney King out of his car and beat the hell out of him. Nor was it the Black
Liberation Army or the Brown Berets. So, why was his press conference directed
at
Us in the ‘hoods
and barrios? This also alerted Us to whom had arranged this press conference. The next
question in line with his request is: What exactly did he mean by “
Get along?“ As in, “Can We All
Get Along?”
Didn’t
Our “Getting Along” with national oppression lead Us
to this point? Didn’t We “
just get along” after they
kidnapped Us,
colonized Us,
hung Us,
neo-colonized Us,
imprisoned
Us,
ghetto-ized Us,
miseducated Us,
un-employed Us,
assassinated
Our leaders,
drugged Us,
infected Us
[16]
and sent our youth to
fight other oppressed peoples for them? Didn’t We get along during
all that? Getting
“along” with U.S. imperialism and our own genocide, has gotten Us into this
sordid ass state.
“Getting
Along” allowed the pigs to feel comfortable with pulling Rodney King out of his
car and beating the hell out of him. The pigs didn’t fear reprisal from the
Black Liberation Army for harming one of Our nationals
because when they imprisoned Our combatants We “just got along” with that.
Re-read that.
[17]
But
you see, here’s the thing - that was not Rodney King’s
words, nor his thoughts. Probably not even his will. No, those who were pulling
his vocal cords were those who had a vested interest, a stake, in the system -
as it was
before the Rebellion. Those who had made a political and economic
(class) alliance - with the imperialists! His now famous quote was actually a
message from our class enemies by way of someone who they
thought we
could identify with. But, of course, his (their) words fell upon deaf ears
because those who’d been treated just as bad (and some even worst) were out in
the streets looking for a better day.
All
the things people labored so hard to manufacture, at minimum wage jobs, but
could not afford to buy, they got for
FREE. People were getting food,
clothing, diapers, shoes and whatever else they could never afford, but always
needed. And this in an Empire who’s wealth began upon their conquests and
continues upon their exploitation today. Let Us not forget that the U.S., as an
Empire, has never supported itself -
EVER! It was born a parasite and
grew to prominence - as a parasite. It is today a parasite. But in the
wealthiest Empire on the planet, in the history of the world, people are
starving,
homeless and generally
without.
The
repression required to keep Us “just getting along” is
a massive effort undertaken by every branch of the oppressor government: Executive, Legislative
and Judiciary. In fact, laws are enacted to maintain bourgeois hegemony over
both internal and external colonies. Both Federal (National) and
State (Regional) laws function to keep the oppressed tethered to the
floor
of the Empire.
[18]
There is a general and a permanent state of war that governs all relations
between oppressor and oppressed. Sometimes it’s
hidden and tactically called something else - usually something with a benign
name that sounds well-meaning. You know like “War on Poverty”, or “War on
Drugs” - “War on Gangs”. They militarize
everything having to do with relations between
oppressed and oppressor Nations. It’s all part and parcel of the general
and permanent state of war between Us and them!
And just because We ain’t ready, organized and responding
to it don’t mean
it’s not a war. The ‘hoods,
barrios and reservations are virtual prisons. The schools are half-way houses
and the prison industrial complex is doing big business. It’s a war alright. Ready or not.
[19]
A
permanent state of war
must exist in order to maintain fear in and
control over the internal colonies. This permanent state of war is called
colonialism.
When they allow someone who looks like you to govern you, for them - this is
called Neo (New) Colonialism. And, when they let a “black” run the business, as
in Rock Bottom being president of the U.S. - this is called
post-neo-colonialism. But colonialism all the same.
The system is capable of morphing at moment’s notice in order to survive and
continue to oppress. As Butch Lee pointed out, “it can even appear as its opposite in order to evade destruction.” The slogan
popularized by the old Black Liberation Movement, “By Any Means Necessary”, actually
embodies what the U.S. system of capitalism is
really about. In practice.
Always.
[20]
They
will select a “black” sock puppet to be the president to demonstrate to their
investors that they are color blind - turn right around and imprison 800,000
New Afrikans.
[21]
Then, the sock puppet president, turns around and
appoints various women to his team to show the people it is not patriarchal -
but the same system is waging an authoritarian war on women and children. Tho especially women and children of color - those from the internal
colonies (New Afrika, Puerto Rico, Aztlan and Indigenous Nations).
[22]
And,
of course, We have to contend with the
loyal-
enemies
of the Empire. These are the ones who go hooping and hollering about “racism”
and “discrimination” - boo-hooing about how
exclusionary the system is
- and yet they really only want
in. They want “equality” - to be equal
with the very ones they claim are “racists”. They use terms like “
OUR
government”, or “
OUR troops in Afghanistan” - “
OUR police Force”.
They are clamoring against “discrimination” because they feel they, too, should
be allowed to prey on people. They want to be “equal”
in the system
of
capitalism. They don’t want to
stop the problem - they want to be a part
of it. Why else would they ask for “equality” without calling into question the
entire grotesque apparatus?
[23]
This
is what makes the petty bourgeois class of “blacks” so dangerous. They have the
resources, approval and backing of the imperialists to carry on their
campaigns of
accepted forms of protests,
even when it appears to question
the bourgeois laws of the enemy. For instance: they’ll support both a new trial
and the release of Mumia Abu Jamal,
only because we can prove
that he was wrongly convicted as a part of a frame-up . And while
We go on to link this frame-up with a total array of
colonial maneuvers carried out to keep New Afrika oppressed and exploited,
they’ll
pull back at “racism” and ignore Our need for self-determination. This, because
their class interests reach an ending at
calling into question the fundamental contradiction.
[24]
We can demonstrate this by the fact that there is no support for Sundiata
Acoli, Jalil Muntaqim, Sekou Odinga or any other New Afrikan prisoners of war.
Anything that points to the challenging of the fundamental contradiction - that
calls into question the actual National Oppression of New Afrika - the petty
bourgeoisie will
ignore, reject or outright deny support for. This would
not be in accord with
their class interests as parasites upon Our misery, their collaboration with our oppressors.
So, within the framework of their accepted forms of protests, as
loyal enemies
(as oppo-sames), they can call Mumia’s capture, incarceration and conviction
“racist”, “discriminatory”
and “questionable”. But that’s where it will end. That’s the parameters.
That’s the function of this class. To
appear as staunch defenders of
“black”, or “Afrikan American”, rights, progress and equality
only within
the boundaries of established imperial rule. Which is to
say
only as “citizens” of the oppressor Nation - as “minorities” needing
special handling. Victims.
And
here we are back at Rodney King. Once the spontaneous L.A. Rebellion had run
its course, brought under control only secondarily by the National Guard - it’s primary weakness, of course, was its spontaneity
[25]
- the U.S. government enacted a counterinsurgency policy called
Weed and
Seed. This directive was issued straight from the White House, from then
president George H.W. Bush. And, let Us not forget, that this same pig had,
from February 1976, to November of that same year, been Director of the Central
Intelligence Agency. So he was no stranger to counterinsurgency programs.
[26]
Weed and Seed was a counterinsurgency program much like the
Phoenix Program run previously on the Vietnamese people to, it explicitly said,
“neutralize the Viet Cong by assassinating its cadres,
destroying its bases among its people and strategically winning over the
Vietnamese population”. That is exactly what
Weed and Seed was about
as well. In the ‘
hoods and
barrios of South
Central.
[27]
Once
you see New Afrikans as an internal, colonized
Nation and not simply
as a “black minority of discriminated against U.S. citizens”, you’ll begin to
overstand the interchangeability of military tactics used against other
colonies around the world. Not only did
Weed and Seed implement a
weeding out of “troublemakers”, i.e. combatants, leaders and political adversaries, but it
seeded
points of contention and distrust amongst the various participants in the
Rebellion and Resistance that grew eventually into what’s happening now
between almost every ‘hood and barrio. These conflicts did not fall from the
sky. Their origins are on Earth, issuing from designs that serve someone’s needs.
The idea is to follow the conflicts to the point of interest. Which is to say,
who
is benefiting from the conflicts? Keep the term
Weed and
Seed
in mind as We go forward here.
Nationals
of two oppressed and colonized Nations (Aztlan and New
Afrika) are involved in shooting wars. Yes, these conflicts largely involve
lumpen (criminal) elements. Those involved in street org activity. The lumpen
element to a degree played some significant roles in the Revolution of the 60’s
and early 70’s. Especially those who were able to transform
their criminal mentalities into conscious Revolutionary mentalities. Even tho’ it’s largely lumpen elements in contention in the ‘hoods/barrios,
regular, working-class people, students and children, are also being affected
by these clashes. But the thing is, the
combatants are nationals of
oppressed Nations - those the U.S.
government has already deemed “social dynamite”
[28]
and have slated for liquidation thru one of its various methods of collective
death and destruction. So, once the enemy culture saw the mass unity during
the Rebellion, measures thru Weed and Seed, were
undertaken to
divide, so as to be in a better position to
CONQUER,
these elements who obviously had no qualms about rebelling against oppression.
Here’s
one of the tactics they used: On Florence and Normandie Avenues, the
acknowledged point of origin of the Rebellion, New Afrikans were shown on film
pulling a Mexicano priest from his car, yanking his pants down, while he has on
the ground, and spray painting his private parts black. This was not what it
actually was reported to be. While this priest was, in fact, Mexicano, he’d
been pointed out by a Mexicano as a child molester and was thus disciplined
by the first group that got to him. But because those who got him were New
Afrikan and he was obviously a Mexicano and no sound was attached to the
video, the media was allowed to mis-interpret the scene as they wished.
And
this is what they did. So, there was Reginald Denny layed out after being
pulled from his truck - after he’d yelled “get your black asses out of the
street” to the Rebels - and then beaten. And across the street was the
Mexicano priest, pants pulled down, private parts painted black - and the
Rebels were seemingly targeting anyone who wasn’t New Afrikan as they passed.
This is what it
looked like from the helicopter and after the news
people interpreted it as such. But that wasn’t true.
The
Rebels, the lumpen, had just had a very physical brawl with a few dozen
L.A.P.D. pigs over their manhandling of a fellow by the name of Marc.
[29]
During the Rebels’ battle to free Marc from the pigs clutches, a radio call
came out which instructed the pigs to retreat - to leave the area. They got
into their cars and left.
Then the Rebels walked up to Florence Avenue
and were attempting to secure the intersection from
all vehicle
traffic - that is:
all vehicle traffic.
Any motorists that
attempted to pass had their vehicles bombarded with stones, sticks and
bottles. The tactic was to secure the intersection against the eventual return
of the L.A.P.D. Which, is must be added, has its 77th Division (a notoriously aggressive
and hostile station) right down the avenue of Florence at Broadway. So, the
idea, on a purely spur of the moment level, was to secure the main intersection
from any and all flowing traffic. What is interesting to note is that the
young Rebels and lumpen weren’t trying to “start” the L.A. Rebellion. And it
certainly wasn’t about the Rodney King beating or verdict. Tho We’d all seen that too. Where earlier in
that fateful day the four L.A.P.D. pigs were acquitted after a trial for the
taped beating.
[30]
While it most definitely wasn’t the central factor, it was however one more
nail in the coffin of belief in the system. This, if only for a few days, while
Rebels re-appropriated various goods and demolished certain structures they
knew were used to exploit and extract wealth out of the area. Local, mom
and pop shops, were
not destroyed or looted.
However,
by showing over and over the corner of Florence and Normandie, Reginald
Denny’s stoning, the priest’s painting and the chaotic attempts by the Rebels
and lumpens to secure the corner, the impression of “Madness” and “Racism”
was projected out into the city, region, state and the Empire.
And, of course, like most things involving a challenge to capital, exploitation
and private property, the states’ propaganda machine put its own spin on
these events. With a few agents on the ground, in key places, doing whisper campaigns,
it wasn’t too hard to convince right-wing street (and prison) organizations
that it was the “Racist blacks attacking Mexicans”. Thus began the acrimonious
flow of orders to “get even” that issued from the tombs of the SHU units. Check
the stats - after the ‘92 Rebellion, the hoods and barrios across L.A.,
Watts, Compton and Lynwood erupted in lethal clashes that have culminated in
the hostile stand off that exists today. In the midst of the Rebellion nevertheless,
there came a ceasefire order observed by some of the most dangerous and
combative street orgs within the New Afrikan communities. Eighty percent of the
sets complied with the cease fire. Bitter enemies blended
across color lines in South Central, Watts and Compton. This was in the
historic spirit of the 1965 Watts Rebellion
[31]
that saw a ceasefire and blending of the older New Afrikan street orgs in
favor of United Action Against the L.A.P.D. and
National Guard. Weed and Seed was to prevent this from happening again.
Once
the streets orgs agreed upon a ceasefire in 1965, they, unlike the Crips and
Bloods of 1992, had a social movement to join as an alternative.
[32]
A social movement that was increasingly becoming an armed revolution.
Malcolm had been murdered earlier that year, in February. The Revolutionary Action
Movement (RAM) was active, and nightly on the bourgeois news, images of civil
rights protests were being shown. There existed a more obvious exposure of the fundamental
contradiction. New Afrika was being rapidly de-colonized. The system of
capitalism was morphing again, looking, searching, for new ways to maintain its
control over the internal colonies, while simultaneously struggling to get new
colonies in Vietnam, South Amerika and Afrika. The following year, in
October, the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense would start. And, too, would
the United Slave Organization. Most of the street org combatants who’d come
together in a cease fire during the 1965 Watts Rebellion, would go on to
join either the Panther Party or the
United Slaves. A move that wasn’t lost on the FBI who, thru its
Counterintelligence Program (Cointelpro) worked tirelessly to exacerbate
pre-existing conflicts between individual combatants that inevitably spilled
over into gunfights and murders.
[33]
The
same tactics were used against the Crips and Bloods under Weed and Seed, after
the 1992 Rebellion. Same war, different names of the maneuvers, same objective.
What should come across as evident to Us as We reflect
on the various tactics used against Us over the centuries is that the enemy has
more faith in Our ability to get free than we do. Put another way, the enemy
has had to implement so many ploys, to hold, control, exploit and now to eliminate
Us that for Us to sit and point these things out
make even the most astute observer appear as a wing-nut conspiracy theorist.
Tho of course, it’s no theory when its actually happening, as Butch Lee and J.
Sakai point out in
Rethinking New Orleans,
[34]
it ain’t a conspiracy when it’s done out right and in the open - it’s a
strategy.
Why else would the imperialists have to implement plan after plan - sometimes elaborate
and varied - to contain New Afrika (or any other colony) if for (1) it wasn’t
capable of breaking Free, (2) it wasn’t an asset and (3) it wasn’t able to
turn it’s oppression into the actual defeat of the empire itself?
[35]
Oftentimes
the reaction to an issue can be a lesson unto itself. In this instance the enemy’s
reaction to Our very existence is quite enough for
those with eyes and ears, to recognize the vast potential in our collective
ability to break de chains. Of course, the fact remains that the chains which
bind - that at this stage are psychological - are so thoroughly in place that
the masses have to be
convinced that they are oppressed.
[36]
Consciousness will not fall from the sky. Nor will people be moved to action by
mere thoughts, or ideas in anyone’s head. On both accounts material, earthbound,
tangibles - food, clothing, shelter, Land, and control of destiny (Socialism)
will motivate the masses. People are moved by interests.
So,
in closing, it never was about Rodney King, the verdict, or any singular thing
at all. These, however were accelerants, or sparks, at any given time, but the
basic most fundamental thing that causes Us to
struggle, to resist, is that We are not collectively free to determine Our own
destiny. That we are under the thumb of U.S. imperialism.
And this imperialism is administered thru colonialism - colonial violence
(violence both armed and unarmed). Violence does damage (physically or
mentally) - in the streets or in the schools. Thru police
shootings or cultural hegemony. The colonialism is in place to exploit
Us through capitalism. Let’s be clear
on this. Because whether the people are conscious of this or not, it is the reality
We are in. And it follows that it will be Our recognition, challenge to and resolution of this fundamental
contradiction that will end Our National oppression. Without overstanding this,
We’ll continue to be played on Amerika’s Ferris Wheel
of “citizenry” - dazed and confused. Being led by the “black” bourgeoisie to
meekly just “get along” with Our oppression. Hau!
Rebuild!
Sanyika
Shakur
[1] L.A. Rebellion, 4-29, 5-1– This is the “official” timeline.
However, it took the security forces (police - above and undercover– CHP,
sheriffs and national guard) at least seven days to
regain full control of rebel areas.
[2] Suffice it to say that those of us in the hoods and barrios have
always had a running battle with the L.A.P.D. and L.A. Sheriff’s Department.
We’ve never found it expedient to hold press conferences to highlight either Our beatings nor our attacks on them. We took our lumps,
just as We gave them theirs.
[3] What prevents hood forces from systematic, i.e. organized and
sustained combat, is the colonial mentality. This
mentality sees the state and its operators as legitimate and reflects upon
itself as not. Thus ultimately the lumpen submits to the “legitimate authority”
and allows the state to carry out its function – which is to dominate,
oppress and exploit. For further reading on the criminal/colonial mentality see: Notes From A New Afrikan P.O.W, Journal, Book
One (Spear and Shield Publications) and “Mediations On Frantz Fanon’s
Wretched of the Earth”, Yaki Yakubu (Kersplebedeb, 2010).
[4] i put both
race and
riot
in quotations because, of course, both are misnomers – false flags designed to
not just mis-inform, but to
distort the reality. There are no “races”.
There’s but the human race. Again, see “Meditations….” (Yaki).
Nor was the Rebellion a “riot”. That term was deliberately used to
de-legitimize, to belittle and confuse. And of course no reports of private
homes or national clashes were reported–or seen.
[5] For a critical breakdown and overstanding of the black
petty-bourgeoisie, see: “Settlers: Mythology of the White Proletariat” by J.
Sakai.
[6] A people’s sovereignty is measured by its ability to control, chart
and determine its own destiny. That is, who it trades with, who it is, who it
gets along with and who it doesn’t. For example, the Provisional Government
of the Republic of New Afrika is not at war with Afghanistan –
but, the
u.s. has so blurred the reality of Our national
reality, that not only do Afghani people believe that all the people in the
political borders of amerika are at war with them, the actual colonial subjects
of captive nations believe it as well. Thus, even though the PG–RNA is not at
war with the Afghanis, it has literally no control over its nationals to
prevent them from going to war on behalf of the u.s.
oppressor nation. It does not have the power to control Our
national destiny.
[7] Of course the qualitative factors are education, health care,
employment, judiciary and housing. All these are administered at a hefty
and often mind-warping and spirit-breaking price by the colonialists!
[8] As revolutionary nationalists We reject
the notion and line that says our freedom is to be found, or “won” by
integrating into and becoming “equal” with the very system responsible for
our oppression and the people who administer that domination. Therefore we
look to the lines of struggle which have sought to regain independence from -
out and away of - the colonialists, e.g. the Garvey Movement, Henry Highland
Garnet, Pap Singleton, the BLM and NAIM. And similar
national liberation struggles here and abroad - all anti-imperialist
struggles.
[9] See: Settlers: Mythology of the White Proletariat, J. Sakai, Chapter 4: Neo-colonialism and Leadership.
[10] Here you have to visualize Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, MLK Jr.
etc. These are Our “leaders”
not because We have chosen them – or because they speak our aspirations to
power, but because Our enemies have chosen them to mis-interpret Our
aspirations to fit into the colonial scheme of national oppression. Hence at
every
outbreak of struggle, whether it’s the L.A. Rebellion or the Jena 6 issue,
Mumia’s case or the Occupy the Hood struggle in Oakland - here come the
neo-colonialists not to help us, but to do reconnaissance for the enemy. To
find out what’s going on and then to report it, get instructions on how to twist
it, then jump opportunistically out in front to mis-lead it right back into the
clutches of the colonial parameters. That’s the function of this class. See
“Settlers....”
[11] We should clarify this term “post-colonialism”. Ward Churchill
pretty much summed this up in “On the Justice of Roosting Chickens” (AK Press,
2003) when he said: “...how about we actually complete the process of global
decolonization
before we announce our entry into “the postcolonial era”?
Truly, how can we be in a
post (after) colonial era when colonialism
still
exists??
[12] In our struggle - inside the colonial reality of New Afrika and
its struggle to identify itself in the sea of imperialist distortion and
neo-colonial
ignoration - which, as Ward Churchill points out in “On the
Justice of Roosting Chickens (AK Press, 2003), is deeper than mere ignorance.
Ignoration is: “...instead to be informed and then to
ignore the
information”. So, to be ignorant is
not to know, but
ignoration
is to know, but to ignore. Churchill says: “there is a vast difference between
not knowing and not caring....” (pg.7.) So, here We are trying to show that
within
the New Afrikan Nation there is a class struggle between those who identify
themselves as “Black” or “African American” and New Afrikans. And further,
that those petty-bourgeois forces are actually
conscious of themselves
as go-betweens in order to steer the masses wrong (rightward) and serve
their
class interests and that they deftly employ ignoration. So, when We use “Black” here it is to direct attention to this class.
As collaborators. Like the Negroes Malcolm pointed out
when bringing “Black” into existence.
[14] To label oneself “Black” or others “White”, “Brown” or “Red” is to
fall into the ideological trap of racism. It is to believe and propagate the
false social construct that humans are broken down into different “races” which
are classified outwardly by the complexion of ones skin, or the texture of
one’s hair. Though, of course, it’s deeper than this since it also promulgates
ones superiority and inferiority according to those who designed it. What it
essentially does is bury the reality of class and politics - the real social
determinants of humans. Humans are all
one race. No matter if you
subscribe to racism or not, if you’re using terms like Black, White or Brown to
determine yourself or others
you are pushing a racist line. See:
“Meditations on Frantz Fanon’s Wretched of the Earth” by Owusu Yaki Yakubu
(Kersplebedeb, 2010). We’ll use these terms in quotations to point to their
un-reality. Or in distinguishing New Afrikan revolutionary
nationalists from petty-bourgeois collaborators.
[15] Here We use the three dominant street orgs in L.A. - Crips, Bloods
and Surenos (Southsiders) - to point up the reality that those on the front
lines, in the initial stages of the Rebellion were, in fact, street org
combatants who’d felt a sense of pride and control over their areas. Of
course, the grassroots - the students, working class and the elderly
eventually came out en masse and kept it going. And, here, the Surenos
(Southsiders) are the conglomerate “Latino” street orgs that function under the
13 (or Trece) numerology.
[16] “Infected Us” points to the various
government tactics of smallpox (Trail of Tears), syphilis (Tuskeegee study
-1932 to1972), HIV, hypertension, etc, etc. Hepititis, as
well. See “Doctors of Death” by Dr. Alan Cantwell.
[17] To recognize Political Prisoners of War is to recognize the reality
of the nation. We feel that because there is a low national consciousness level
- so few are aware that they are colonial subjects of captive nations that this
directly correlates with the low levels of recognition and support for Our captured combatants. Some of the longest held Prisoners
of War, hail from internal colonies here (New Afrika, Puerto Rico, Aztlan and
the Indigenous Nations), inside the u.s. of a.
[18] See: The New Jim Crow, by Michelle Alexander.
[19] See: Rethinking New Orleans, by Butch Lee and J. Sakai
(Kersplebedeb) and The FBI War On Tupac Shakur and Black Leaders, by John
Potash (Progressive Left Press, 2007).
[20] See Perversions of Justice: Indigenous Peoples and Anglo-American
Law, by Ward Churchill (City Lights, 2003).
[21] See: The New Jim Crow, Michelle Alexander.
[22] See: Night-Vision: Illuminating War and Class on the Neo-Colonial
Terrain, by Butch Lee and Red Rover (Vagabond Press, 1993).
[23] There’s another term We could use here to
describe this class - or rather what this class suffers from:
cognitive dissonance.
This, on top of their
ignoration. And cognitive
dissonance is: even when confronted with overwhelming evidence that what one
perceives is wrong, one still, without fail, believes to the contrary. It was
coined by Dr. Leon Festinger, of the University of Chicago, in the 1950’s. The
petty-bourgeoisie in order to sustain itself as a class of mis-leaders has to
submit to a collective sense of cognitive dissonance and ignoration.
[24] Even in giving lip service support to Mumia within the parameters
of the bourgeois order, they did so only after the massive effort of the people
grew too big to ignore. They safely laid in the cut,
and tailed safely behind.
[25] We have to acknowledge what Comrade George Jackson coined “The Riot
Stage” of social development, and of consciousness. This stage is characterized
by spontaneity and shortsightedness. Usually led by petty-
bourgeois sentiment and emotions. This, of course, is a weakness that
is exploited by the enemy. They’d easily prefer a quick, spontaneous flare-up -
a “riot” - to an entrenched, protracted people’s war waged by the internal
colonies. So, in portraying the Rebellion, even by calling it a “riot”, they’ll
promote it as if it
really was a great threat to the establishment. And
as revolutionaries We have to point out that yes, We
are glad to see that the masses have not been so lulled to sleep by the
illusions of bourgeois democracy that they wouldn’t resist at all. We
simultaneously must stress that rebellions are not revolutions. That rebellions are, by and large, reformist. Since one
can rebel
against something without necessarily being
for its
opposite. Usually if it’s spontaneous, this is the case. So while the L.A.
Rebellion was
against exploitation, pig repression and a general sense
of oppression, it wasn’t actually
for Land, Independence and Socialism.
Nor was it actually defined as anti-capitalist. But for Us
cadres it was a sign of collective life and a will to resist. Good soil to
plant new seeds.
[26] For a very good breakdown on counterinsurgency, check out: “Our
Enemies in Blue: Police and Power in America” by Kristian Williams (South End
Press, 2007).
[27] To show the audacity of the colonialists, since 1992, they have an
actual program called the Weed and Seed Program which is at: 1133 Rhea
Street, Long Beach, CA 90806. Website
www.longbeach.gov/health/FSS/ws.asp.
Here are the “services” it offers: “Clothing, mental health, counseling, social
service information, low cost housing, drug and alcohol treatment, WIC, child
care and schools. Also provides: education, career preparation, social and
economic/life skills activities, job readiness skills, drug and gang
prevention and education program and promotes educational programs to
ex-offenders to assure work skills for employment”. This is from its website.
This
is counterinsurgency disguised as a “helpful program”.
[28] See “Lockdown America: Police and Prisons in the Age of Crisis”
by Christian Parenti (Verso, 1999).
[29] Marc Williams is the older brother of Damian “Football” Williams,
charged in the L.A. 4 case that came out of the beating of Reginald Denny and
the securing of the corner of Florence and Normandie. Damian was captured
personally in a media staged moment by chief of police Daryl Gates.
[30] This after they won a change of venue from the city of Los Angeles
to Simi Valley where the population is not only amerikan and conservative,
but largely inhabited by L.A.P.D. members and their families.
[31] Watts Rebellion began on August 11th and lasted until August
14th. Brought under control by the State National Guard.
[32] This is an important point because from 1965 to at least September
1971, when the Crips began, street org activity was replaced by struggle for
liberation within the framework of the Black Liberation Movement. And We need
only to give a cursory glance at who all were street org combatants to point up
the power of the BLM then: Alprentice “Bunchy” Carter, Sekou Odinga, Zayd Malik
Shakur, Afeni Shakur, Nuh Washington, etc. - all were bangers before joining
the Revolution. Some in L.A. Some in New York or
others parts of the Empire. The movement attracted them, though, and cadres
transformed them. But after the movement was disrupted by the
counterrevolutionary thrust of the state - which was, in part possible by the
movement’s own internal weaknesses. Street orgs than again, began to
proliferate. So, when in ’92, the Crips and Bloods agreed on a cease fire,
they had no movement, no cadres to transform them. In swooped Weed and Seed
and the Crips, Bloods and Surenos were easy pickings. It wasn’t long before
chaos was back as the norm. Only this time as a shooting war between nationals
of oppressed nations. A tactic of counterinsurgency is: Problem - Reaction -
Solution.
[33] See: The FBI War on Tupac Shakur and Black Leaders, John Potash
(Progressive Left Press, 2007).
[34] Rethinking New Orleans, Butch Lee and J. Sakai
(Kersplebedeb Publishing).
[35] To “Capitalism as We know it to be, in
present and past form. Which is to say that, no matter the internal struggles
in Europe, among Europeans, between those who ruled and those who were ruled,
between serfs and lords, etc. - no matter these influences - what cemented
and gave assurance to the development of what We know as capitalism,
imperialism, was the enslavement and transport of Afrikan people,
from
the Afrikan to other continents. Was the circumstances
which led to the birth of New Afrika. The movement of Afrikan people
from
independence -
to independence, is what will end the life of the Empire.
No matter how hard it may be for some folks to accept right now”. Bakari
Shanna, Notes From A
New Afrikan P.O.W. journal, Book Two (Spear and Shield Publications, 1978).
[36] It used to be that “Raising consciousness” to particular levels was
enough to show the masses that no real self-determination existed and that
bourgeois democracy was a sham. Now, however, with the initiative firmly in the
clutches of the state, globalists and their propagandists, and cadre, We have to literally
convince the masses that all
this is smoke and mirrors. It’s a daunting task, actually. Especially in the
post-9/11 age of “everyone who is anti-state is a terrorist”. Still, however,
it is what is to be done.
***********************************
Sanyika Shakur in a New Afrikan Communist currently held in Pelican Bay's Security Housing Unit; you can write to him at:
Kody Scott D#07829
PBSP-SHU / C-7-112
PO Box 7500
Crescent City, CA
95532
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