This is an archive of the former website of the Maoist Internationalist Movement, which was run by the now defunct Maoist Internationalist Party - Amerika. The MIM now consists of many independent cells, many of which have their own indendendent organs both online and off. MIM(Prisons) serves these documents as a service to and reference for the anti-imperialist movement worldwide.
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THE MAOIST INTERNATIONALIST MOVEMENT
MIM Notes 168 August 15, 1998
MIM Notes speaks to and from the viewpoint of the
world's oppressed majority, and against the
imperialist-patriarchy. Pick it up and wield it in
the service of the people. support it, struggle
with it and write for it.
IN THIS ISSUE:
1. 100 YEARS OF RESISTANCE: THOUSANDS PROTEST AMERIKAN
OCCUPATION OF PUERTO RICO
2. LETTERS
3. ESTRADA REGIME IS AGAINST THE PEOPLE AND AGAINST THE POOR
4. CALIFORNIA SET TO SPEED UP LEGAL MURDERS
5. UNITE ALL WHO *CAN* BE UNITED:
TACTICAL ALLIANCES WITH REVISIONISTS OR REVISIONIST-LED
GROUPS?
6. FROM "THE TASKS OF REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH."
7. DALAI LAMA ADMITS SOME MATERIALISM
8. SUPREMACIST COURT ANALYZED
9. WIMMIN STILL MAKE 76 CENTS TO THE MAN'S DOLLAR
10. A MATTER OF DEFINITION
11. SUPER-PROFITS VEX U.$. SUPER-BANK
12. WHO CLAIMS WORLD HEALTH IMPROVING
13. BUILD PRISONER MASS ORGANIZATION AGAINST IMPERIALISM
14. CAPITALISM BLAMES WEATHER FOR DEATH IN WORLD'S RICHEST
COUNTRY
15. ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TURN OUT IN DALLAS DURING THE HEAT-
WAVE
16. ANNIVERSARY OF CRIMINAL HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI BOMBINGS
STRENGTHENS OUR RESOLVE TO OVERTHROW AMERIKAN IMPERIALISM
17. JAPANESE REACTIONARIES WHIPPING IT UP
18. USA TODAY BACKS CORRECT COLLEGE ENROLLMENT LINE
19. THE MASK OF ZORRO
20. SMALL SOLDIERS GIVE OUT BIG CARNAGE
21. "FRIENDS OF ANIMALS" TAKES UP CLEVER CHAUVINIST TACTICS
22. HOUSTON SURVEY ON IMMIGRANTS UPBEAT
23. UNDER LOCK & KEY: NEWS FROM PRISONS AND PRISONERS
* * *
WHAT IS MIM?
The Maoist Internationalist Movement (MIM) is a
revolutionary communist party that upholds
Marxism-Leninism-Maoism, comprising the collection
of existing or emerging Maoist internationalist
parties in the English-speaking imperialist
countries and their English-speaking internal
semi-colonies, as well as the existing or emerging
Spanish-speaking Maoist internationalist parties
of Aztlan, Puerto Rico and other territories of
the U.S. Empire. MIM Notes is the newspaper of
MIM. Notas Rojas is the newspaper of the Spanish-
speaking parties or emerging parties of MIM.
MIM is an internationalist organization that works
from the vantage point of the Third World
proletariat; thus, its members are not Amerikans,
but world citizens.
MIM struggles to end the oppression of all groups
over other groups: classes, genders, nations. MIM
knows this is only possible by building public
opinion to seize power through armed struggle.
Revolution is a reality for North America as the
military becomes over-extended in the government's
attempts to maintain world hegemony.
MIM differs from other communist parties on three
main questions: (1) MIM holds that after the
proletariat seizes power in socialist revolution,
the potential exists for capitalist restoration
under the leadership of a new bourgeoisie within
the communist party itself. In the case of the
USSR, the bourgeoisie seized power after the death
of Stalin in 1953; in China, it was after Mao's
death and the overthrow of the "Gang of Four" in
1976. (2) MIM upholds the Chinese Cultural
Revolution as the farthest advance of communism in
human history. (3) MIM believes the North American
white-working-class is primarily a non-
revolutionary worker-elite at this time; thus, it
is not the principal vehicle to advance Maoism in
this country.
MIM accepts people as members who agree on these
basic principles and accept democratic centralism,
the system of majority rule, on other questions of
party line.
"The theory of Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin is
universally applicable. We should regard it not as
dogma, but as a guide to action. Studying it is
not merely a matter of learning terms and phrases,
but of learning Marxism-Leninism as the science of
revolution."
-- Mao Zedong, Selected Works, Vol. II, p. 208
* * *
100 YEARS OF RESISTANCE: THOUSANDS PROTEST AMERIKAN OCCUPATION
OF PUERTO RICO
July 25th 1998 marked the 100 year anniversary of the U.$.
military invasion that landed in Puerto Rico through Guanica in
1898. Thousands of people came out to protest the u.s.
occupation in cities across the u.s. and in Puerto Rico. RAIL
organized a contingent to attend several of the rallies in
support of the struggle for independence and self-determination
for Puerto Rico. The RAIL contingent focused on the anti-
imperialist struggle both within u.s. borders and on the island
of Puerto Rico. RAIL also drew connections to national
liberation struggles world wide.
The economy of Puerto Rico, where the average wage is far lower
than in the u.s., suffers from high unemployment and low paying
jobs. U.$. corporations control 90% of the Puerto Rican economy
and the u.s. has important military bases on the island. To
control its investment, the U.$. has set up a puppet government
in Puerto Rico that does the bidding of their imperialist
masters.
The u.s. government is attempting to co-opt the Puerto Rican
people's desire for self-determination by offering a plebiscite
on the status of the island. But under u.s. military and
economic domination this plebiscite will do no more than put a
democratic face on the u.s. occupation of the island.
RAIL joins the struggle for true self-determination for the
Puerto Rican people. We demand that the Puerto Rican people be
given immediate independence from u.s. colonialism and we will
not stop fighting the U.$. imperialist occupation of Puerto
Rico until independence has been won.
New York rally
In New York city thousands of Puerto Ricans and supporters of
other nationalities joined a festive march to the United
Nations to demand an end to the u.s. imperialist occupation and
independence for Puerto Rico. The overriding message of this
march was anti-imperialist and many speakers decried the u.s.
occupation while calling for revolution.
The march took advantage of the U.N. resolution 1514 which
recognizes the right of colonies to self-determination. Puerto
Rico is recognized as a colony of the united snakes and so, if
the U.N. were not controlled by the imperialists, principally
by the u.s., this U.N. resolution would apply.
A large contingent of the Allmighty Latin King and Queen Nation
participated in the march. MIM has done work with this
organization and we support their moves towards increasing
involvement in anti-imperialist political struggles. There were
also organizations of Asians and Blacks and other Latino
nations promoting revolutionary solidarity with the struggle of
the Puerto Rican people.
A RAIL contingent marched in the rally under a banner demanding
an end to the U.$. imperialist occupation of Puerto Rico and
distributed many copies of the RAIL Notes pamphlet on Puerto
Rico and Notas Rojas.
While many organizations claiming to be Marxist or Marxist-led
showed up at the rally to distribute their literature, with the
exception of RAIL, these groups were trying to connect the
Puerto Rican peoples struggle with the so-called working class
in the united snakes and promoting false solidarity between the
white labor aristocracy and the Puerto Rican nation.
The speakers at the march drew attention to the general strike
in Puerto Rico and the on-going phone workers strike, correctly
calling for solidarity with the Puerto Rican people's struggle.
But the so-called Marxists tried to claim that Amerikan
workers' struggles for greater parasitism were linked to the
struggle of the Puerto Rican people. As one RAIL comrade asked
rhetorically in discussions at the rally: Just exactly when was
it that white labor aristocracy struggles for greater wages
ever turned into demands against u.s. imperialism? When was the
last time white workers' struggles directly tagetted or in any
way threatened capitalism? While the Puerto Rican workers are
drawing connections between the U.$. corporate control of the
economy and the U.$. military occupation of the island, the
Amerikan workers are supporting u.s. military plunder around
the world.
D.C. Rally
RAIL also participated in a rally in Washington D.C., at which
about 4,000 people (according to the Washington Post)
demonstrated in support of Puerto Rican independence. Speakers
at the rally also paid special attention to Puerto Rican
political prisoners and prisoners of war, who were featured on
banners on the stage while family members wore flowers to
identify themselves. RAIL found that many people were
enthusiastic about reading the RAIL pamphlet on Puerto Rico,
which includes a historical article about the Young Lords Party
and its program from the late 1960s.
On the same day in Washington, pro-statehood supporters led by
the lackey Gov. Pedro Rossello rallied for Puerto Rico
becomming a U.$. state. Rossello said voting for statehood in a
new referendum would be Puerto Rico's way of ending 100 years
of colonialism.(1) In fact, statehood would only transform
Puerto Rico from a direct colony to a neo-colony - despite
offering some economic incentives to the middle class and labor
aristocracy minority on the island. For the majority of Puerto
Ricans, on the mainland and on the island, MIM agrees with the
Young Lords Party of 1970 that independence and socialism is
the real road to liberation.(2)
Notes:
1. Associated Press in Washington Post, July 26, 1998, p. A10.
2. See MIM Theory 7 for an in-depth article on the Young Lords
Party.
* * *
LETTERS
Revolutionary white working class?
Dear MIM,
After visiting your website, I just have to say that it's
incredibly stupid. The white working-class is the enemy? Ha!
And who the hell is your membership composed of? A bunch of
rich college kids who are too busy discussing Marxism and
sucking down cafe lattes at Starbuck's to actually do anything
other than criticize the so-called elitist labor movement. The
Maoist revolution is right around the corner - yeah, right.
What's your rallying cry: "UPPER MIDDLE CLASS INTELLECTUALS OF
THE WORLD, UNITE!" ? Keep dreaming, jerkoffs!
-- an internet critic July, 1998
MIM responds:
First we have to say that identity should be irrelevant to
whether or not a political line is correct. This critic takes
the same approach that detractors of so many great political
leaders take by criticizing their identity rather than their
ideas. But apparently this critic didn't even spend much time
at our website or s/he would have the significant amount of
work we do in Amerikan prisons where our supporters face
tremendous repression for their political activism. Amerikan
prisons are disproportionately filled with members of Amerika's
internal colonies. Our comrades on the inside and on the
outside work to end imperialism through revolutionary national
liberation struggles.
We fight for the liberation of the nations oppressed by
imperialism both world wide and within u.s. borders. We do seek
to break off any intellectuals and in fact members of any non-
revolutionary class and nation who can be united with this
struggle. But we can see that the white working class does not
have a material interest in revolution and in fact the
revolutionary groups within u.s. borders are the oppressed
nations.
Critics like the above should put a little time into
investigating the basis of our position on the white working
class rather than just making up criticisms about the imagined
identity of our members and supporters. We have done extensive
work documenting the economic situation of the white working
class and demonstrating that they are not exploited and instead
constitute a labor aristocracy. We have literature that places
this in the context of the history of the u.s. and within the
history of Marxism. For those who are actually serious about
political line and it's consequences in strategy for the
revolutionary struggle we recommend the following: MIM Theory
#1 on the non-revolutionary nature of the white working class
($4), MIM Theory #10, Coming to Grips with the white working
class and the question of the Comintern ($6), and Settlers, The
Mythology of the White Working Class by J. Sakai ($10).
Homosexuality and overpopulation
MIM,
I do have questions on the MIM Party line concerning
heterosexism and overpopulation. I don't think homosexuality
should be encouraged in society and I think the world is about
1/3 over-populated, though I agree with you on the consumption
question.
Also, your study pack on Stalin was excellent.
--A friend in the east 15 June 1998
MIM responds:
MIM does not encourage any form of sexuality under the
patriarchy because we see that all sexual relationships under
this system involve power differentials that make consent
impossible. But we do not favor one form of sexuality over
another. There is no basis for the belief that homosexuality is
not natural or that homosexuality is somehow superior. In fact,
homosexuality dates back as far as human history.
On the question of overpopulation, the earth does have
sufficient resources to feed and support the entire population
without any problem. The biggest problem the earth faces is
over consumption and unequal distribution of resources. We
challenge our readers to provide us with evidence of
overpopulation because we are confident that you will quickly
find it is all propaganda from the imperialists and their
supporters.
MIM cautions against the danger of the overpopulation theory
because that is almost always used to refer to the Third World
while the First World is seen as appropriately populated. This
is because of the uneven distribution of resources that makes
it appear (to the very well brainwashed eye) that people of the
Third World just can feed themselves because there is not
enough resources to go around.
The imperialists said the same thing about China before the
revolution in 1949. Then they revolutionized the way
agriculture and industry was organized and suddenly they were
able to provide more than enough for the entire population.
Check out MIM Theory 12 "Environment, Society, Revolution" for
some relevant articles on this very important subject. It can
be ordered from MIM for $6.
* * *
ESTRADA REGIME IS AGAINST THE PEOPLE AND AGAINST THE POOR
Press Statement
Jose Maria Sison
Chief Political Consultant
NDFP [National Democratic Front of the Philippines] Negotiating
Panel
3 July 1998
MIM Notes reprints the following commentary on the recent
elections in the Philippines in order to give its readers an
update on the political situation in the Philippines. The
National Democratic Front of the Philippines is currently
engaged in a protracted people's war against the reactionary,
u.$.-puppet regime in the Philippines.
By its most important pronouncements, the Estrada regime is
categorically against the people and against the poor (i.e.,
the toiling masses of workers and peasants).
It continues the "free market" policies (denationalization,
liberalization, privatization and deregulation) of the Ramos
regime in subservience to the IMF, World Bank and WTO and the
multinational firms and banks. It seeks to outstrip the
preceding regime in betraying the Filipino nation by offering
100 percent ownership of land, banks, retail trade,
telecommunications and the mass media to the foreign
monopolies.
The Estrada regime is constituted and controlled by the worst
possible big compradors and big landlords, including the
Marcos family and the most notorious cronies of the hated
Marcos fascist dictatorship. In upper class circles, Estrada
is described as the dummy president, who does not read even
executive summaries and major contracts, while Eduardo
Cojuangco is referred to as the real president, who is the
chairman of the Laban ng Masang Pilipino and who has direct
control over the office of the executive secretary and other
key offices.
It is the crucial objective of the Estrada regime to reverse
the historical judgment of the people against the Marcos
fascist dictatorship and to allow the Marcos family and the
most notorious cronies of the fascist dictator Marcos to enjoy
and enlarge wealth illgotten through corruption and violation
of human rights.
The Estrada regime is poised to frustrate the demands of the
victims of human rights violations for justice and
indemnification. It is also bent on manipulating and fixing
the executive and judicial processes of the reactionary
government to ensure that the Marcos family and the cronies
grab back the sequestered assets and evade their criminal
liabilities and tax obligations.
What good can the people expect from a big comprador-landlord
regime in the service of foreign monopoly capitalists?
Nothing but demagogic platitudes, false promises and some
deceptive tokens. The regime offers no solution to but
aggravation of the crisis of the semicolonial and semifeudal
ruling system.
It seeks to perpetuate a basically agrarian, lopsided
semifeudal economy that is dependent on imports and produces
for export nothing more than low-value added semimanufactures
and raw materials. It is all set to beg for more foreign
loans to pay for debt service and cover budgetary and trade
deficits.
It offers no way out of the economic depression arising from
the [...] ravages of finance capitalism. The economists of the
regime think that solving the problem is a matter of lowering
interest rates. They cannot calculate that this can only
accelerate the outflow of foreign exchange.
No matter how much Estrada declaims that he is going to make
sacrifices ahead of them, the broad masses of the people are
going to carry the burden of the announced austerity program of
the regime. Using Estrada as the task master, the foreign
monopolies and the local exploiting classes of big compradors
and landlords will certainly intensify the oppression and
exploitation of the people.
The broad masses of the people will continue to suffer mass
unemployment, rising prices of basic commodities, the
depreciation of the peso, the mounting foreign and local public
debt, the breakdown of production and the deterioration of
social services and infrastructure.
The regime has announced that it adheres to the labor
flexibility scheme of imperialism and that will press down
wage and living conditions of the working class in order to
make local labor cheap and "globally competitive". The demand
of the landless peasants for land is in fact laid aside by the
policy of the new regime to keep the land in the hands of the
landlords, allow landconversions and open landownership to
foreign investors.
The new regime wishes to increase the revenues of the
reactionary government by selling off public assets at bargain
prices and raising the tax burden. At the same time, the big
tax evaders are assured of tax amnesty. The regime wishes to
reduce expenditures by trimming down those on social services
and by laying off large numbers of civilian employees. But the
expenditures for the so-called modernization of the military
and police modernization is being escalated.
The chief executive of the new regime wishes to monopolize the
pork barrel and the concomittant corruption by denouncing what
is assumed as the innate corrupt character of the legislators.
But the crooks in both executive and legislative branches of
the reactionary government will have their compromise at the
expense of the people.
Estrada has admitted that he cannot relieve the economic
suffering of the people. But he intends to score publicity
points by rounding up some petty criminals and by using death
squads to eliminate some of them. Thus, the three infamous
generals in the Kuratong Baleleng case are back in business,
with far more power than before. Nevertheless the criminal
syndicates of Charlie "Atong" Ang and some military and police
generals will thrive.
The people, the democratic forces and the revolutionary
movement must be vigilant against the demagogic popularization
of "unclipped powers", legal shortcuts and death squads because
these can be turned against them. The worst criminals are
those who use their political authority to oppress and exploit
the people and violate human rights on a massive scale.
In view of the ever worsening crisis of the ruling system, the
regime is bound to intensify military and police campaigns of
suppression against the people and the revolutionary forces.
It will also undertake massive campaigns of psychological
warfare by combining the talents of US advisers, military and
police officers and some former "Leftists".
Shamelessly manifesting its puppetry to US imperialism in
security matters, the Estrada regime has announced its
intention of approving the Visiting Forces Agreement. Such an
agreement converts the entire Philippines into a US military
base under the guise of transit access to facilities and
supplies and joint military exercises and gives up Philippine
jurisdiction over criminal offenses perpetrated by US military
personnel.
As the crisis of the ruling system worsens, the broad masses of
the people suffer worse oppression and exploitation. But they
are driven by the crisis to wage revolutionary struggle ever
more resolutely and militantly against the evils of foreign
monopoly capitalism, domestic feudalism and bureaucrat
capitalism, now chiefly represented by the Estrada ruling
clique.
Note:
The complete text of this article is available at
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/2078/natsi173.htm.
* * *
CALIFORNIA SET TO SPEED UP LEGAL MURDERS
Over one dozen prisoners on California's death row have
exhausted their legal appeals, and the state may set their
execution dates for next year. If all of these prisoners are
indeed killed in the next year, it will be the first time
California has executed more than 10 prisoners since 1963.
The reactionary "tough on crime" political climate in
California has given the state the largest death row in
Amerika. (Texas has the second largest death row, but leads in
executions, with over 30 last year.) There are currently 508
prisoners on California's death row, and every year California
courts sentence 30-40 more people to die.
The increase in the number of executions is a result of the
increase in the size of California's death row, as well as
changes in the law. The "Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death
Penalty Law" of 1996, for example, restricts death-row inmates'
ability to appeal their convictions and sentences.
Numerous studies have shown that the death penalty - and
imprisonment in general - is not correlated with the crime
rate. This guts the tough-on-crime demagogues' argument that
means the death penalty is a deterrent to crime.
The Amerikan death penalty is a weapon of genocide aimed at the
oppressed nations bound within u.$. borders. Members of
oppressed nations are disproportionately sentenced to death and
executed. For example, 54% of all people legally executed since
1930 were Black, despite the fact that only 12% of the
population in u.$. borders is Black.(2)
As practiced by the Amerikan injustice cyst'm, the death
penalty is a barbaric ritual of imperialism. We must oppose it,
and spend our days and nights building a movement that will
craft true justice for all people.
Notes:
1. The LA Times, 15 Jul 98.
2. MIM Theory 11, p. 46.
* * *
UNITE ALL WHO *CAN* BE UNITED:
TACTICAL ALLIANCES WITH REVISIONISTS OR REVISIONIST-LED GROUPS?
Most of the people who criticize the Maoist Internationalist
Movement's tactical policies on public co-sponsorship of events
as "sectarian" do not recognize the ideological differences
between MIM and other so-called Marxist groups - or they do not
think that ideology matters. But some people, while recognizing
these ideological differences, argue that self-identified anti-
imperialists should put aside their ideological differences and
unite on the political (tactical) plane. These people encourage
MIM and the Revolutionary Anti-Imperialist League (RAIL, a mass
organization led by MIM) to join forces with the Gorbachevite
Committees of Correspondence (CoC) and groups close to the
Trotskyist Workers' World Party (WWP) and crypto-Trotskyist
Revolutionary Communist Party, USA (RCP), in order to join
together in the fight for "democracy and socialism."
While MIM knows that revolution requires proletarian
revolutionaries to "shake hands with the devil" and enter into
tactical alliances with representatives of other classes, MIM
disagrees with this application of that truth. When we make
deals with forces from other classes, we must make sure that we
drive hard bargains, and gain at least as much as we give up.
The differences between MIM and revisionists like the CoC are
not yet crystal clear to the masses, and as Lenin wrote of
Russia in 1903, "ideas of party organisation, of party
consistency and honour, [and] of the party banner are still so
immeasurably weak" here inside u.$. borders. Because of these
things tactical unity with revisionists or their front groups
will cause more problems in confusing the masses on the need
for a party than they solve in gathering supporters to the
party's basic goals.(1)
On the surface, it may seem ironic that MIM is more willing to
unite tactically with explicitly non-revolutionary groups like
the American Friends Service Committee than to unite with so-
called "socialist" groups. But the same principle underlies
both practices. The party, as the representative of the
international proletariat, must maintain its independence and
initiative in the united front. The masses can clearly
differentiate between MIM and its allies when the allies are
non-Marxist, non-revolutionary. But the differences between MIM
and other so-called Marxists are not so obvious. This is
compounded by the fact that the revisionists themselves will
take every opportunity to confuse the masses about these
differences. Revisionism is always seeking to leech off of the
prestige of genuine communist movements.
Why should MIM care if non-Marxists appropriate Marx's name?
Because parties represent class interests. MIM represents the
interests of the international proletariat; we seek to build a
movement led by the ideology of proletarian internationalism.
Parties claiming Marxism dress themselves up as representatives
of the international proletariat, but represent the interests
of the privileged classes. In imperialist countries, many of
these revisionist parties actually represent the bloated petit-
bourgeoisie and labor aristocracy. This is a novelty for our
sojourner comrades, since the labor-aristocracy does not play a
large or independent role in their societies. But here in the
imperialist countries it has done so, repeatedly pulling the
anti-imperialist and socialist movement into the swamp of
capitulation and reformism.(2) It is MIM's task to remain firm
to proletarian principles, and try to pull elements of the
labor aristocracy and petit-bourgeoisie from the swamp onto the
firm road of anti-imperialist and socialist revolution.
Here's an example of the false logic used by amerikan advocates
of "left unity:" The CoC promotes tactical "left unity,"
claiming, "we will have time to settle our other differences
under a free, democratic and socialist world." But how do we
get to that "free, democratic and socialist world"? MIM argues
that the organizations that consistently hold high the banner
of revolutionary proletarian internationalism and make the
interests of the international proletariat their dividing line
will be fit to lead a revolutionary movement into a free,
democratic and socialist world. In scrapping the question of
whose interests coincide with those of the international
proletariat, the CoC line argues for capitulation to the enemy
classes.
We cannot win democracy and freedom for the international
proletariat by stirring up the reactionary nationalism of the
labor aristocracy, or by promoting Gorbachevism and all other
kinds of supra-class "humanist" clap-trap like the CoC. Such
practices and ideas set the anti-imperialist and socialist
revolution back.
For comrades who think that revolutionary or anti-imperialist
sentiment alone can unite these disparate groups, we recommend
that they read Lenin's article, "The tasks of the revolutionary
youth." Parties represent classes and so their theory and
ideology must be a genuine reflection of people's revolutionary
anti-imperialist will and not some shoddy imitation that relies
on sentiment and romantic notions of unity. Because the genuine
anti-imperialist movement must be led by the international
proletariat, it must be led by a party armed with the ideology
of the international proletariat: Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.
Finally, we must recognize that the revisionist parties and
their mass organizations are small, and by no means
representative of the masses. Indeed, the only thing that could
keep MIM and its mass organizations from matching or surpassing
their absolute size in short order is an unwillingness to
resolutely lead or be self-reliant. False unity with
revisionists will halt MIM and RAIL's growth. Genuine unity
with the international proletariat will build our work beyond
even the dreams of the revisionist capitulators.
Notes:
1. Lenin, "The tasks of revolutionary youth," Progress
Publishers (Moscow), 1970, p. 96.
2. See, "A law of degeneration: Blaming the United Front for
labor-aristocracy revisionism," MIM Theory 6, pp. 78-81.
* * *
FROM "THE TASKS OF REVOLUTIONARY YOUTH."
Is it not self-evident that one can speak of revolutionising
the students only having in mind a perfectly definite content
and character of this revolutionising process? To the Social-
Democrat [what we now call "Communist"], for example, it means,
firstly, spreading Social-Democratic [Communist] ideas among
the students, and combating ideas which, though called
"Socialist-Revolutionary" have nothing in common with
revolutionary socialism; and, secondly, endeavouring to broaden
every democratic student movement ... and make it more
conscious and determined ["Rely on the masses," as Mao would
say].
* * *
DALAI LAMA ADMITS SOME MATERIALISM
Tibet's 14th Dalai Lama has on occasion admitted some
materialist thoughts despite a general image of spiritualist
hokum concocted for Western hippie consumption. "Maybe I'm
mistaken, but perhaps there is an element here that is really
rhetoric in all this 'healing, healing, healing' talk. It
creates false expectations. We sincerely should not
exaggerate."
It was an appropriate statement from the leader in self-imposed
exile given while visiting children sick with cancer in New
York City May 5th.
Note: USA Today 6May1998, p. d1.
* * *
SUPREMACIST COURT ANALYZED
The U.S. Supreme Court has had 394 clerks hired by its current
nine judges. Fewer than 2% were Black and none were "Native-
American."
The current head judge William Rehnquist refuses to meet with
Black lawyers on the question, but he has hired no Blacks or
"Asian-Americans" since joining the court in 1972. One of his
79 clerks was "Hispanic."
Note: USA Today 10June 1998, p. 1.
* * *
WIMMIN STILL MAKE 76 CENTS TO THE MAN'S DOLLAR
Figures from the first quarter of 1998 showed that wimmin
continue to make about three-quarters what men make. The 76%
figure compares full-time workers.
In 1993, the figure was 77%, so it is not always a story of
progress.(1)
Although wimmin in the U$A make less than men, they are not a
class, and in fact the vast majority live with men and share
the class outlooks of their male family members. Indeed, as we
have shown in MT, wimmin are nearly equal partners within the
imperialist class of the U$A.
Within the ethnic groups, we start to see a different picture.
"Hispanic" wimmin make 57 cents on the dollar that the white
man makes according to a 1996 study.(2) There is a large Latino
middle-class within U.$. borders, but there is also a
proletarian element, especially in agriculture and textiles.
Notes:
1. Houston Chronicle 10June1998, p. 1c.
2. USA Today 11May1998, p. b1.
* * *
A MATTER OF DEFINITION
by a Michigan prisoner
Member of the Political Prisoners of War Coalition
Theater of Operations Michigan Death KKKamps
20 June 1998
As a 'jailhouse lawyer,' I've built a rather substantial and
impressive law library over the last nine years in the MDOC.
Needless to say, my personal collection of specialty legal
books and magazines consists of everything that should be
stocked in the prison law library and isn't: The last thing our
brutal oppressors want are *effective* jailhouse lawyers and
writ writers.(1)
On April 1, 1998, the screws hit my joint armed with the MDOC
equivalent of a search warrant(2) authorizing the seizure of
any contraband; to wit: "legal material." My law library, case
files and various documents were inventoried and impounded at
1950 hours in eight duffel bags.
I immediately contact the Court Appointed Monitor in Cain v.
MDOC, (3) explained my situation and inquired as to whether
Monitor Order No 430 was still valid. I had no way to ascertain
the answer for myself as all my documents pertaining to Cain
had been seized along with everything else, and my written
requests for materials from the MBP Law Library go unfilled
with regularity. I guess that will teach me to have the
temerity to file a grievance against the law librarian.
The Cain Monitor was helpful and informed me, inter alia [among
other things - MIM], that the December 5, 1997, order in Cain
at 97 13 specifically indicates that the Order does not Monitor
Recommendation Nos. 218, 219, 233, 247, 259, 278, 279, 311,
350, 382, 430, 462, 481, 516, and 521. Therefore, yes, Monitor
No. 430 which mandates "if the Office of Policy and Hearings
determines an *indigent prisoner* has necessary excess legal
property, then the institution should loan the prisoner
footlockers or provide other means of storage," is still
valid.(4) She also advised me that "[f]rom [her] experience in
reviewing Excess Legal Property Hearings, law books are often
included as necessary materials," although she had "never
see[n] 'legal magazines' included."
My primary concern was that the new PD-04.07.112 PRISONER
PERSONAL PROPERTY (effective date 4/20/98) -- which at II, 97
E, p.2 specifically declares what items are "legal materials"
-- does not list personal law books or legal magazines at 97
E.(1) To my way of thinking, a reasonable mind would conclude
that law books or legal magazines would no doubt fall under the
category of "any other written materials" as noted at 97 D (1).
However, after nine years of imprisonment, I know full well
that I've yet to meet an impartial Hearing Officer, let alone
one with a reasonable mind. I decided to play it safe and
conduct further research - I'm glad I did too!
On April 7, 1998, I was present and accounted for at the Excess
Legal Property Hearing. The Hearing Officer looked positively
sick when he eyed all those duffel bags and told me he would
take my word for it that all the documents pertained to pending
litigation, thus precluding the necessity of examining them. I
observed that he didn't want to take my word for anything at
any other time and insisted that he do his job in strict
accordance with departmental policy. Five hours or so later,
all my documents, pleadings, sample formats and the like had
been duly examined. When we got to all the books and magazines,
the H.O. initially took the position that I could have the
books, but not the magazines.
"Why not?" I asked.
"Because legal magazines aren't covered under the policy." The
fine upstanding representative of his alma matter informed me
tersely. "That's why."
"Yeah - but neither are law books." I replied. "Law books
and/or magazines would meet the definition of "any other
written materials." I then showed him a copy of the statue that
PD-04.07.112 is based on; MCL 800.42(7) (a) (I), which states:
"(7) As used in this section: (a) 'legal materials' means
either of the following: (I) Pleadings and other documents
ordinarily filed with a court, letters, research notes,
necessarily exhibits, books, periodicals, and similar items
that are needed for litigation which the prisoner is currently
pursuing on his or her own behalf."
"This says 'books.' It doesn't say anything about magazines."
He said.
You're probably wondering what the man's IQ is. I wondered what
is LSAT scores were, where he received his JD degree and how he
managed to pass the Michigan Bar Exam! "It is a matter of
definition," I explained. "If interpretation is necessary, a
court is restricted by MCL 8.3; MSA2.212 that 'all words and
phrases shall be construed and understood according to the
common and approved usage of the language.'" And in *Stowers v
Wolodzko*, 386 Mich 119, 133 (1971), our Supreme Court
reaffirmed the well-established principle of statutory
construction: "Every word shall be given meaning and no word
shall be treated as surplusage or rendered nugatory if at all
possible."
"So!?"
"So, a magazine and a periodical are the same thing, which
means I'm entitled my law books and legal magazines as an
axiomatic matter of clearly established blackletter law." Love
those old Perry Mason re-runs! "Read it for yourself." I said
and handed him my paperback copy of The Merriam Webster
Dictionary (1997) which defines 'magazines' as "a periodical
containing articles, stories, pictures, or other features."
He really looked green - the color suits him. "You win."
Notes:
1. Black's Law Dictionary defines "jailhouse lawyer" as "inmate
of penal institution who spends his time reading the law and
giving legal assistance and advice to inmates, especially to
those who are illiterate."
2. A Notice of Intent to Conduct an Administrative Hearing. See
R791.3310.
3. Carolyn N. Koenig (P53112). Attorney at Law. Court Appointed
Monitor. P.O. Box 19302, Lansing, MI 48901-9302 (your PIN# =
her#) (517) 482-1129.
4. Emphasis supplied. PD-04.02.120 Indigent prisoners sets
forth indigency requirements.
5. See MCI 791.252 et seq; R791.3301
From the author: "This article is dedicated to prisoners'
rights attorney and ex-offender Daniel F. Manville, author of
the Prisoners' Self-Help Litigation Manual, who has made his
existence felt by every prison official in this country."
* * *
SUPER-PROFITS VEX U.$. SUPER-BANK
The economists providing analyses for the U.S. Federal Reserve
bank are debating super-profits without knowing it.
In the booming economy, the so-called "Fed" would like to know
how much more efficient U.$. workers are becoming. If the
bankers knew this, they would know what to do with their
banking policies within bourgeois logic. Without this
information, they are stumbling in the dark. The efficiency of
workers is referred to by these analysts as "productivity."
Some economists say U.$. workers must be increasing
productivity 2.5% annually while others say 0.5%. If
productivity is increasing rapidly, the bankers reason that
incomes can rise rapidly without creating inflation. The
bankers can then adjust their policies to allow such a rise in
income.
In reality, the boom in the U.$. economy is created by an
increased flow of super-profits into the U.$. economy,
especially from East Asia, but also Latin America in very
recent years. What looks like efficiency gains of U.$. workers
is really increased super-exploitation of Third World workers.
Economists seeking to find the efficiency gains of the bloated
paper-shuffling and administration of the U.$. economy always
have a hard time. Consequently they must make up various
stories about how electron-shuffling has increased so much
along with the well-being of the people. The latest bourgeois
stories show that productivity is increasing, not super-
exploitation of course.
Most people in the imperialist countries calling themselves
"Marxist" have abandoned Marx's labor theory of value. They
have adopted the labor aristocracy view of itself that it is
"working hard" and deserves its economic gains, seemingly
created from paper-shuffling, which is what more than half the
labor force does in the oppressor nations. In contrast, MIM
continues to uphold the labor theory of value the way Marx did,
because we continue to see a difference between farming labor
and collecting dividend checks or having a job tallying the
dividend checks. The world can live without some kinds of labor
if it were reorganized. There will still be farming of some
sort. Such basic facts of life are lost by the U$A's leading
economists and bankers.
Note: USA Today 7May1998, p. b1.
* * *
WHO CLAIMS WORLD HEALTH IMPROVING
The World Health Organization (WHO) is claiming that world
health continues to improve under global capitalism. In 1955,
68% of the world population had a life expectancy at birth of
60 years or less, but by 1995, 86% had a life expectancy over
60 years.
The WHO did admit that in 18 countries in Africa, life
expectancy is still under 50. In fact, life expectancies in
Africa are declining.
In 1997, infectious diseases killed 52.2 million people. The
vast majority of such deaths are preventable with existing
medical technology.
WHO claims that by the year 2025 only 4% of the world
population will have life expectancies under 60. However, part
of the reason for that would be that the oppressed will be
dying off wholesale.
The WHO view presents a partial challenge to the MIM view of
imperialism as a global system. While WHO sees progress under
imperialism, MIM admits some medical technologies are
advancing, while it finds environmental and militarist threats
increasing.
If the relatively optimistic WHO view of world progress is to
hold up as true, it will be the result of class struggle in the
realms of health, the environment and world peace.
Note: USA Today 11May1998, p. D1.
* * *
BUILD PRISONER MASS ORGANIZATION AGAINST IMPERIALISM
As we announced in MIM Notes #161, the Maoist Internationalist
Movement (MIM) is working with prisoners to develop an anti-
imperialist prisoner mass organization which is led by the
proletariat. One of the largest revolutionary sections of the
Amerikkkan population is found within the settler nation's
gulags because our comrades under lock and key daily face the
wrath of imperialism. Many prisoners understand the only
possible path toward liberation is revolution. MIM is fiercely
working to improve and increase the level of work that
addresses the needs of prisoners specifically and that
mobilizes the revolutionary spirit of comrades under lock and
key. One of the recent ways we are increasing the level of
revolutionary movement is the development of the prisoner mass
organization and we will periodically use the pages of MIM
Notes to help prisoners build their organization.
First we list some general principles guiding the new prisoner
mass organization. These comments are in part responses to the
prisoner letters that follow.
The prisoner mass organization should help MIM and RAIL on the
outside to educate and expose the cruelties of Amerikkkan
gulags. And as prisoners' words are spread by those on the
outside, there will be greater resources to aid specific
struggles of prisoners against the cruelties.
The prisoner mass organization should also help prisoners to
deal with oppressive conditions until they can be changed. A
Minnesota prisoner writes below about cruelties which are
repeated throughout the United Snakes. MIM and the new prisoner
mass organization cannot change these things in one fell swoop.
But just as with oppressed masses on the outside, the mass
organization can help direct prisoners into productive,
revolutionary work which gives the comrades' lives more
meaning. As an example, if you see a prisoner who is utterly
frustrated with the way that a guard is treating him/her, then
help the prisoner to expose the torture to assist in building
more opposition toward systematic torture. Help other prisoners
to use their anger and frustration in a productive way to help
destroy oppression. This is far superior than attacking a guard
even if he is a prime torturer.
The prisoner mass organization should also help prisoners
strengthen revolutionary study groups. The offer from the East
Coast prisoner below is what we need in each state and then in
each prison. We need revolutionary leaders to help push others
to study at the same time that they are organizing against
oppression. The purpose of study is to understand the material
and economic bases of oppression on a deeper level and to
understand historical examples of successful methods to end
that oppression. For instance, studying the lessons from Attica
should help prisoners organize and improve from that battle.
The prisoner mass organization should be both proactive and
patient. Prisoners should be patient in seeing larger changes
which result from stronger organization of anti-imperialist
prisoners. It takes time to build foundations that are strong
and that are correct - correct meaning that they will achieve
winnable battles and not achieve a long list of revolutionary
martyrs. However, prisoners should not have to wait for
supporters on the outside who have better material conditions
and less of a material incentive to organize. Prisoners can
immediately begin to fight and win battles for better
conditions, fewer limitations on legal and educational
resources, and less censorship.
For conditions of prisoners to improve, prisoners need strong
organization, support from the outside and a correct analysis
of what path to take. This is why MIM has launched and is
leading the anti-imperialist mass organization - to meet these
needs.
In turn, the development of the prisoner mass organization will
aid the development of RAIL and MIM on the outside. It will
also raise the political level of the masses in general, and
thus aid in the development of proletarian-led united front
against imperialism in u.$. borders. This is our main response
to the comments of the prisoner from South Carolina below to
the effect that there is not a strong movement which supports
prisoners.
Our second response to comments regarding the absence of a
large prisoner support movement is that the majority of
Amerikkkans are not proletarian. Therefore our revolutionary
task is quite difficult because we battle both the
imperialists, but also the bought off lackeys of imperialism.
Even within the oppressed nations there are class divisions,
which leads some oppressed nationals to chase after scraps from
Amerika's table. Another reason why MIM stresses that the
united front against imperialism must be led by the
proletariat: Non-proletarian classes will vacillate. We
encourage our comrades behind lock who want to help build the
new anti-imperialist prisoner mass organization to study the
article on the united front printed in the last issue of MIM
Motes (MN167).
Here are a few letters recently received by revolutionaries
under lock and key.
Prisoner wants mass organization to fight repression
Dear Comrades,
Be advised that it is with a Spirit of Revolutionary effort,
cohesion and dedication that I, X, greet y'all at MIM with de
heart and soul of a Revolutionary Internationalist and as
always I salute you and all de rades with a mailed clenched-
fist for being persisted in y'all quest to make a strategic
difference in our struggle against IMPERIALISM.
[...]
I am very grateful to all de beautiful and wonderful rades at
MIM and RAIL that has worked tirelessly for over a year around
de Jericho '98 march and de Teach-in on de Criminal Injustice
System (thanks.) Well, I am maintaining, to remain above de
vile tide of my present environment. I've been dealing with one
hassle on top of another. I have been in administrative
detention (24 hour lock-up in seg) since [the beginning of
December 1997]. I was given a bogus assault charge on a pig,
but I already know that this latest attack is due to get me
back in de high/max kamp, now I am awaiting transfer.
Last week, I received MIM Theory 13 and a cover letter. I stand
totally in agreement with de forming of a Prisoner Mass
Organization. We no longer have a strong prison movement like
during de time of Attikkka.(sic) I will love to take part in de
Prisoner mass organization. I will like to be de contact person
for de prisoner study group at my front. I will like to propose
that de name for de mass organization be "Prisoner Anti-
Imperialist Liberation Front" or "Prisoner Anti-Imperialist
United Front."
Comrade, these are intense times. In tolerable things are going
down against de poor people of color. We need to build a
Prisoner mass organization that has no tolerance for prisoner
suppression. There is lots of repression in these bowels and
things are getting worse by de day and de only way that I see
it getting better is an uprising. And when it do happen, we
will need de outside to demonstrate on our behalf if not, it
will be another Attikkka.
[...]
I will be sending y'all some articles on prison soon.
Stiff resistance!
In struggle,
-- a prisoner on the East Coast, 18 May 1998.
A revolutionary proposal for comrades in South Carolina
Revolutionary Salutes,
I address the following as my proposal to all revolutionary
comrades throughout the region of South Karolina... Some of the
rades and I were discussing the ideological struggle of re-
building, and the establishing of a network for outreach
programs to help our people on the outside with transportation
to and from these various kamps... Being a New Afrikan, and son
of the ghetto-colony experience, I know we must form an
outreach program where the out-side is constantly being
connected to the respective revolutionary cadres. In doing so,
we would regain the confidence of the New Afrikan people and
community as a whole... At this moment there are no effective
organizations (to my knowledge) in South KKKarolina carrying
out the task of establishing committees which are aiding to
expose Amerikkkan prison system, gain legitimate resources, and
prepare for defense battles in the kkkolonial arena throughout
the states...
I've asked myself a lot of times, "Why do we have to struggle
inside these kkkamps to form our own bases when there should be
one New Afrikan base which deals with revolutionary/political
priorities in South Carolina?" One that deals with our concrete
conditions as a people inside and outside the kkkamps...
We comrades on the inside are struggling to do our best, as I'm
sure the comrades on the out-side are, yet I still feel that
some where out there, there should be an establishment to aid
various committees in the area of organizing book keeping, fund
raising, typing, computer operations, etc... I'm asking each
and everyone of the rads who are principled to respond to me in
this area of ideological struggle concerning this proposal. The
time has come for us here in South KKKarolina, New Afrikan
brothers, and sisters to take it to a new level...
The floor is open for long term goals, criticism, ideas, points
and encouragement's... people must move to advance our
movements because if we don't, no one else is going to. I am
just one of the many that has a thought or two to share. Power
to all of us who strive for the new day in the hear of
babylon...
Re-build,
-- a South KKKarolina prison comrade, 26 May 1998.
Revolutionary exposes plantation gestapo
I'm a former Black Brotherhood, Culture Development
Organization (BBCDO) member and Black Panther Party (BPP)
member and present revolutionary freedom fighter for all
oppressed and poor people of color. I'm doing time here in this
Northern Plantation in [a Maximum Security prison in
Minnesota.]
Here in this Northern Colony, the Gestapos rule with raw power.
From a mental stand point this white fox is more cruel and
vicious. And then there's help from the rats, or brothers who
are happy being here by smiling and jeffing with this evil
devil.
Up North here, its a pat on your back, smile in face, gotcha
kind of thing. Most of the brothers here have given up as far
as the struggle goes, a lot of these cats got life bits and are
compromising their dignity and ignoring the fight for
freedom...
We are housed in a unit called SHU. We are locked down 21 hours
a day, we eat in our rooms and are restricted work
opportunities. In 1996, this SHU unit was established and
implemented from an act of retaliation for some prisoners not
going to work... The racist gestapo called it a work strike.
The more time a person spends in the SHU unit, the more of
sensory and psychological deprivation... Prisoners are stripped
of their individual identities in order that compliant behavior
patterns can be implanted. A process of mortification and
depersonalization...
The severity of the living conditions in the SHU cause many
prisoners to deteriorate from pre-existing disorders. Officials
in the SHU unit intentionally antagonize and harass prisoners
to such a degree that exacerbates tensions. We have no real air
in our room, air and dust come through a vent which causes many
respiration problems. There are windows in the room, but they
are order-sealed by the warden. We are living under very
depressing conditions, from lack of visiting, to ... too many
to write about.
I find that these brothers allow any and everything to be said
or done to them by these keepers. For us, brothers in the
struggle, not only do we have to watch out for the funky
officials, we have to also watch out for the so called brother.
It seems that their blackness has been confiscated, and they
don't know what they are, or what they are supposed to do. We
older brothers want to help but they act so standoffish and
redneckish. Its very little talk of uplifting, but they run to
great gestapo jobs for that $.25 an hour. They'll read fuck
books with the quickness, but you won't see 'em with no black
worth-while literature.
The same job they kiss gestapos ass for, he cans their ass the
next day or two and they are right back at the SHU unit looking
sick and confused. But I would like to say to all my fallen
brothers in the North, or south, west or east... No matter what
has taken place, we must bring unity back and do away with
afraidness. There's nothing no longer to be afraid of, here in
this racist [unit.] Help one another to build a vanguard to
meet the chaos that bring us unopposing discrimination and
rituals of racist pig brutality, along with denial of human
rights and self-respect. Bring about a new demo, no longer
should you remain silent to these practices because if it
happens to him, it happens to you too.
My brother, no longer should you fight each other because 'he
called you a bitch.' Sure it's a disregarding word, but if it
doesn't describe you per se, don't you throw the first punch.
I say to you, what brother Haki Madhubut said to us all. He
said: Resistance must be our call, structured activism our
plan, conscious sharing our method, a working presence our
model. Anything else is tantamount to surrender and certain
death.
Power to the People who don't fear freedom!
Keep up the good work MIM, I sho nuff appreciate the paper.
-- a Minnesota prisoner, 16 May 1998
UPDATE ON PRISONER MASS ORGANIZATION:
All prisoners who are interested in developing the mass
organization who have not yet received a letter which outlines
the job ahead of us further should write MIM immediately. Any
prisoner who has expressed interest or has shown revolutionary
initiative and leadership should have already received the
first mass mailing to prisoners involved in starting the mass
organization. It could be that the letter was censored from you
or it could be that you were not sent the original letter
because we did not know that you were interested. So, please
write immediately if you are interested in developing the mass
organization. Additionally, all prisoners who are scheduled to
see the parole board or for release within the next two years
should have received a letter concerning MIM's Serve the People
Re-Lease program. Any prisoner who is in this category and has
not received a letter, please contact us immediately.
* * *
CAPITALISM BLAMES WEATHER FOR DEATH IN WORLD'S RICHEST COUNTRY
DALLAS, TX--On July 17th, the capitalist newspapers blamed the
record heat-wave in Texas for the death of the 19th persyn in
Dallas County since the heat-wave began. There had been 13 100
degrees (F) in a row and 26 for the summer by the end of the
18th. Individual day records of 110 degrees have also been set.
The city government of Dallas ordered itself to tend to the
crisis, but business went on as usual. The heat affects the
poor without air-conditioning or the money to move. Even more
likely targets of the heat are the elderly.
MIM asked the masses of Dallas their opinions of the causes of
the heat wave deaths. An activist demonstrating in 100 degree
weather to stop fur sales said, "people don't care about each
other" and hence do not check on the elderly. MIM would add
that the elderly without wealth are of no concern to
capitalism, because the elderly have finished their petty-
bourgeois or working-class lives and have no economic use
anymore.
A sales worker in "Forbidden Books" near Fair Park said, "a lot
of people live in poor conditions" and hence he was not
surprised by the deaths. An economic system built for all
people and led by the proletariat would see to eradicating
preventable deaths like those supposedly caused by heat-waves.
As it stands now, preventable deaths are only addressed by the
well-off and able-bodied.
Note: The Dallas Morning News 18July1998, p. 27a.
* * *
ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS TURN OUT IN DALLAS DURING THE HEAT-WAVE
DALLAS, TX--On July 18th in weather over 100 degrees, seven
people turned out to hold up grisly posters of a skinned fox in
front of a department store named Nieman Marcus. Such
demonstrations have gone on for a year once every week or two.
"We think it's ridiculous that here with 110 degree days, we
have the third largest fur market in the United States," said a
leader of the demonstration who had attended them over a long
period of time. We give these activists credit for recognizing
the decadent nature of luxury consumption in the United States.
The typical fur for $2000 has the bodies of 40 or 50 foxes or
up to 110 other animals.
Super-model Cindy Crawford posed nude to draw attention to the
cause of stopping fur sales, but her action also has the
underlying message that fur will not impress her. We at MIM
recognize that this underlying message is part of a struggle
over leisure time dynamics - the dynamics of gender. Such
gender struggles are secondary at this time and will not work
to end fur production-for-profit.
Although Macy's stopped selling furs, even if Nieman Marcus did
also, some other capitalist would make even more profits to
fill in the void. Instead, we believe it should be the law not
to produce fur for decadence just as we believe all producers
should abide by environmental regulations enforced by the
government, not by one-at-a-time boycotts.
According to two demonstrators, one male and one female, the
purchase of fur is by men seeking to "score" points with a
womyn he wishes to impress. "There is no purpose for fur; it's
purely a vanity thing," a demonstration organizer said.
MIM would have to agree with that, but our usual disagreement
with the PETA organizers is that such decadence goes much
further than just fur. There are many problems that are
similar that would vanish if production for profit were
illegal. Fur is actually a less than secondary problem,
considering that millions of innocent children die of
starvation in this profit-mad world every year.
One demonstrator who said this was his first demonstration
said, "there's not enough people behind this cause, not to
downplay human causes. This is a place where I'm needed."
Somehow the animal-rights movement has convinced people that
its failed movement deserves help more than other failed but
even more righteous movements. It's actually a measure of the
degree of separation of the humyn species from itself by class
that many can no longer feel the pain of the oppressed people
more than that of a fox.
Note: www.envirolink.org/orgs/alt
* * *
ANNIVERSARY OF CRIMINAL HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI BOMBINGS
STRENGTHENS OUR RESOLVE TO OVERTHROW AMERIKAN IMPERIALISM
[Last August 6th and 9th were the 53rd anniversaries of the
atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. These
two amerikan atomic bombs killed over 200,000 civilians, and
wounded and poisoned many many more. The Amerikan government
claims to this day that the bombings were necessary to force
Japan to surrender, but there is clear evidence that the
Amerikan government knew that Japan was planning to surrender
as soon as the USSR declared war on Japan which was scheduled
to happen several days after the bombings.(1)
The united $tates is still the only country to ever use nuclear
weapons and still maintains the largest nuclear arsenal in the
world. These facts expose the united $tates¹ brutality and
hypocriscy to the rest of the world. How can the unites $tates
prattle on about war crimes and nuclear proliferation when it
refuses to take responsibility for two of the largest war
crimes of this century? When it refuses to acknowledge its own
nuclear arsenal?
But Amerika¹s brutality and arrogance will actually help bring
about her downfall, by isolating Amerika from the peoples of
the world and stoking the fires of resistance to Amerikan
imperialism. As Chairman Mao liked to say, the Amerikan
imperialists ³are lifting a rock in order to drop it on their
feet.² To commemorate the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
and to put forward a correct perspective on the imperialists¹
terrifying-looking nuclear weapons, MIM Notes reprints here
several relevant excerpts from Chairperson Mao¹s writings and
speeches. MIM]
Riding roughshod everywhere, U.S. Imperialism has made itself
the enemy of the people of the world and has increasingly
isolated itself. Those who refuse to be enslaved will never be
cowed by the atom bombs and hydrogen bombs in the hands of the
U.S. imperialists. The raging tide' of the people of the world
against the U.S. aggressors is irresistible. Their struggle
against U.S. imperialism and its lackeys will assuredly win
still greater victories. --³Statement Supporting the Panamanian
People¹s Just Patriotic Struggle Against U.S. Imperialism,² 12
January, 1964.
The atom bomb is a paper tiger which the U.S. reactionaries use
to scare people. It looks terrible, but in fact it isn't. Of
course, the atom bomb is a weapon of mass slaughter, but the
outcome of a war is decided by the people, not by one or two
new types of weapon.
All reactionaries are paper tigers. In appearance, the
reactionaries are terrifying, but in reality they are not so
powerful. From a long-term point of view, it is not the
reactionaries but the people who are really powerful. In
Russia, before the February Revolution in 1917, which side was
really strong? On the surface the tsar was strong but he was
swept away by a single gust of wind in the February Revolution.
In the final analysis, the strength in Russia was on the side
of the Soviets of Workers, Peasants and Soldiers. The tsar was
just a paper tiger. Wasn't Hitler once considered very strong?
But history proved that he was a paper tiger. So was Mussolini,
so was Japanese imperialism. On the contrary, the strength of
the Soviet Union and of the people in all countries who loved
democracy and freedom proved much greater than had been
foreseen.
Chiang Kai-shek and his supporters, the U.S. reactionaries, are
all paper tigers too. Speaking of U.S. imperialism, people seem
to feel that it is terrifically strong. Chinese reactionaries
are using the "strength" of the United States to frighten the
Chinese people. But it will be proved that the U.S.
reactionaries, like all the reactionaries in history, do not
have much strength.
Take the case of China. We have only millet plus rifles to rely
on, but history will finally prove that our millet plus rifles
is more powerful than Chiang Kai-shek's aeroplanes plus tanks.
Although the Chinese people still face many difficulties and
will long suffer hardships from the joint attacks of U.S.
imperialism and the Chinese reactionaries, the day will come
when these reactionaries are defeated and we are victorious.
The reason is simply this: the reactionaries represent
reaction, we represent progress. ³Interview with America
Correspondent Anna Louise Strong,² August 1946.
The reactionaries are always boasting of their military
strength which seems to be powerful. Among the people
themselves, there is a certain number who, in varying degrees,
fear the military strength of the reactionaries. This is the
viewpoint that "weapons decide everything". In his well- known
treatise On Protracted War written in May 1938, Comrade Mao
Tse-tung made a profound criticism of this viewpoint:
This is the so-called theory that "weapons decide everything",
which constitutes a mechanical approach to the question of war
and a subjective and one-sided view. Our view is opposed to
this; we see not only weapons but also people. Weapons are an
important factor in war, but not the decisive factor; it is
people, not things, that are decisive. The contest of strength
is not only a contest of military and economic power, but also
a contest of human power and morale. Military and economic
power is necessarily wielded by people.(2)
In the editorial The Turning Point in World War 1I that he
wrote for the Liberation Daily, Yenan, on October I2, 1942,
Comrade Mao Tse-tung analysed the essential nature of the
reactionary forces which are outwardly strong but inwardly
weak, and reminded the revolutionary people not to be deluded
by superficial phenomena. He wrote:
Historically, all reactionary forces on the verge of extinction
invariably conduct a last desperate struggle against the
revolutionary forces, and some revolutionaries are apt to be
deluded for a time by this phenomenon of outward strength but
inner weakness, failing to grasp the essential fact that the
enemy is nearing extinction while they themselves are
approaching victory. The rise of the forces of fascism and the
war of aggression they have been conducting for some years are
precisely the expression of such a last desperate struggle; and
in this present war the attack on Stalingrad is the expression
of the last desperate struggle of fascism itself. At this
turning point in history, too, many people in thc world anti-
fascist front have been deluded by the ferocious appearance of
fascism and have failed to discern its essence.(2)
Notes:
1. ³HISTORIANS' LETTER TO THE SMITHSONIAN [protesting a pro-
atomic bomb exhibit],² http://www.he.net/~douglong/letter.htm.
2. Quoted in: Comrade Mao Tse-tung on ³Imperialism and all
Reactionaries are Paper Tigers,² Peking: Foreign Language
Press, 1966. Italicized text from editors of that booklet.
* * *
JAPANESE REACTIONARIES WHIPPING IT UP
In May, a World War II movie opened in Japan that depicts
General Hideki Tojo as a hero. This movie "Pride" has rightly
outraged the Koreans and Chinese who suffered the Japanese
invasion during World War II.
In the movie, Tojo refuses to believe in the "Rape of Nanking"
in which Japanese killed 300,000 Chinese in 1937.
The $11 million movie reflects the aspirations of some Japanese
imperialist circles, who wish to be every bit as imperialist as
the U$A in the same militarist way. At this time public opinion
and history in Japan continue to be impediments to such
circles, not to mention business ties with the Chinese and
Koreans.
Note: Austin American-Statesmen 16May1998.
* * *
USA TODAY BACKS CORRECT COLLEGE ENROLLMENT LINE
Texas law mandates that the top 10% of students from any high
school will be admitted to public universities. This rule has
helped oppressed nation middle-classes restore their image,
which has been under attack in California public universities.
The law goes into effect in 1998 and it appears right now that
Texas oppressed nation enrollments are increasing.
An even better solution would be to take the top 10% of high
schools and the top 10% of ethnic groups. If college must be an
elite-skimming device, then it should skim from all ethnic
groups. Currently, Euro-Amerikans decide what is "fundamental"
to education and gauge all others by their yardsticks.
MIM recognizes that the entire college education system is an
instrument of bourgeois rule and reproduction; however, we
continue to favor affirmative action or quotas, as a secondary
goal.
Note: USA Today 7May1998, p. 12a.
* * *
THE MASK OF ZORRO
review by MC17
The Mask of Zorro is overall a progressive film for mainstream
Amerika. It portrays the oppression of the Mexican masses by
Spain as well as the greed of the landed Mexican aristocracy.
Zorro, a hero of the people, defends the masses against the
abuses of their rulers.
But while it correctly picks the side of the people over the
oppressors, The Mask of Zorro advocates a theory of revolution
in which a few individual heroes save the masses from
oppression. In keeping with this theme, the movie portrays the
masses as incapable of fighting their oppression; instead,
they can only wait to be saved.
The older Zorro is training a young criminal who wishes the
avenge the death of his brother to take over as Zorro. The
aging Zorro tells his enemy that there were many in Mexico who
would have happily stepped up to the task of taking over the
mask of Zorro. This correct point about the leaders coming
from the masses was unfortunately not followed up by the
participation of the masses in throwing off their oppressors.
In reality, the battle between the oppressors and the
oppressed is not a sword fight between two men: one good and
one evil. In the real world, oppression does not end when the
person who leads the oppressive system is killed. It takes a
revolutionary struggle of the people to overthrow the system
of oppression. One oppressive leader can be easily replaced
by another, and one hero, no matter how well trained in
fighting, can not take down an entire system alone.
By the end of the movie, the young Zorro is seen in a very
nice, obviously expensive house. Just as the older Zorro had
been wealthy, apparently the only change in Mexican society
has been this one man's climb up the social ladder. The people
who worked as slaves in the gold mines whose lives Zorro saved
are nowhere to be seen. We can assume that once freed from
slavery they returned to a life of poverty, since the only
victory for the people was the elimination of one oppressive
leader and the destruction of one slave plantation.
* * *
SMALL SOLDIERS GIVE OUT BIG CARNAGE
by MC234
When MIM writes a review of a movie or other cultural work, we
always ask: is the world better off with or without this work?
In the case of Small Soldiers, a film about military toys
called the "Commando Elite" that come alive, the world was a
better place a few weeks ago before the film. It does have two
redeeming qualities, however. First, the bad guys are neither
people nor the peace-loving alien toys, but the toy soldiers.
The soldiers are very Amerikan, and speak in Amerikan war
movie clichés to patriotic music.
Second, Small Soldiers has the kid movie cliché in which
parents treat a kid like crap, and then get upset when he
"acts out." After being sent to psychiatrists, the parents can
just label their kid with fancy psychological labels and then
ignore the child. Predictably, after the usual hijinks the
parents learn the kid is can do things right and is telling
the truth. Like most other Hollywood "kid movies", this never
gets beyond a criticism of some temporary bad parenting into
the systematic criticism of the patriarchal family that is
required. If anything, the frequency of this plot device
should suggest that parents lot listening to their kids is a
common occurrence and a problem with the system.
In this film, Heartland Toys is acquired by Globaltech, a
company with many divisions, including military. The CEO of
Globaltech criticizes the upcoming soldier product of
Heartland because the commercial features the toy speaking and
breaking out of the box. Instead of asking "What role should
toys play" he instead says "I want to make a toy that actually
does what it does in the commercial." He gives Heartland
access to the Globaltech computer system so that they can in
fact make a toy that moves and speaks.
The Heartland employees discover and order the most advanced
chips in the Globaltech inventory, ignoring the fact that
these chips were designed for a military application.
Also pitched to the Globaltech CEO was a separate series of
toys named Gorgonites, peaceful lost aliens on a search for
their home planet. The Gorgonites instead become targets for
the Commando Elite. Heartland uses the military chips to
process movement and speech, but are unaware that the chips
give real intelligence and the ability to learn beyond their
core programming.
Small Soldiers got some criticism in the mainstream press for
being violent. Others defend the film "But what do you want
soldiers to do?" Which gets back to MIM's point, in a more
just society such as in socialist China (1949-76), the
military exists to serve the people. In China, many movies
were made about the People's Liberation Army and the
sacrifices they made to serve the people. Here in Amerika,
soldiers exist only to kill enemies and movies are made--
including for children--that glorify war against the oppressed
or just senseless violence.
MIM doesn't oppose this movie on pacifist grounds, but because
the violence in the film serves no purpose other than to make
violence fun. While the "bad guys" are the soldiers, the film
doesn't demonize them as they deserve to be. And the public
relations folks in Hollywood saw fit to label the film after
the soldiers and to make millions of soldier toys to
distribute in Burger King.
A young teenager who works in his father's toy store gets
early access to the Commando Elite and the Gorgonites. The
toys come alive, with the Commando elite discarding their
plastic weapons for ones they construct, and the hunt for the
Gorgonites begins. Humans are identified as the protectors of
the Gorgonites, so they are targeted as well. As the Gorgonite
Emissary, Archer, warns, the Commando Elite show no mercy. The
Amerikan reluctance towards so called "humane" war is also
shown, with the Commando Elite not accepting the surrender of
a human and instead trying to kill him.
From the advertisements, MIM thought the violence in the film
would be between animated figures. We were wrong. The Commando
Elite use knives, fire, and a nail gun against the humans. And
of course the humans fight back with equal force, with clubs,
a garbage disposal, and a lawnmower.
Amerika leads the world in two kinds of violence: First in
violence against the oppressed which is necessary to maintain
the status quo. Secondly, Amerika also leads the world in the
senseless kinds of violence, such as people shooting up
McDonalds, Post Offices and schoolyards. The anti-oppressed
violence and its media fanfare desensitize people to violence,
and movies like this one take that several steps forward.
Bringing it all together, the Burger King in Springfield,
Oregon has stopped distributing Commando Elite promotional
figure "Kip Killigan" because his name sounds very close to
that of a local teenager accused of killing his parents and a
number of schoolmates.
Even Globaltech in the film recognizes that the two kinds of
violence are not so far apart. At the end of the movie,
Globaltech buys off all the witnesses and people who suffered
property or physical damage in the Commando Elite assault. The
CEO asks the Heartland employees: "What are we charging for
the Commando Elite?" To the response, the CEO then adds: "Add
a few zeros and transfer them to the military division. I know
some South Amerikan guerrillas that are in for a nasty
surprise." The Heartland employees, one of whom had serious
misgivings about violent toys, don't object to this plan.
* * *
"FRIENDS OF ANIMALS" TAKES UP CLEVER CHAUVINIST TACTICS
Friends of Animals, 777 Post Road, Darien, CT 06820 took out a
half page ad to whip up anti-China chauvinism. The ad features
two dogs in a cage. The headline is "The Good News Is They're
Going to a Nice Family: The Bad News Is They're Being Served
for Dinner."
"Shortly after this picture was taken, these dogs were beaten
with a lead pipe, skinned and butchered for consumption,"
reads the ad. The organization justifies itself this way:
"China is now a priority. Cruelty to dogs and cats is
particularly distressing because, after thousands of years of
being selectively bred as trusting companions, they are aware
of being betrayed by humans."
The organization asks the reader to speak up for the animals
of China.
Next, they will start taking out ads in China protesting U.$.
practices of meat consumption, unless of course they are not
clever, just chauvinist.
Such ads whether reciprocated in China or not are a real
contribution to the possibility of war, because they mobilize
public opinion on an emotional and cultural level against
another country. As is often the case, animal-rights activists
in imperialist countries seem to have mixed up priorities.
Note: USA Today 18June1998, p. 13a.
* * *
HOUSTON SURVEY ON IMMIGRANTS UPBEAT
Houston, TX--For the first time, an annual survey in Houston
shows residents with a more positive attitude toward
immigrants than negative.
48% said immigrant contribute more than they take away from
the U$A and 39% said the opposite.
At the same time, there has been recent uproar from Houston
residents along the usual lines. Recent comments in regard to
the death penalty included one persyn who said of Hispanics:
"they should all be killed."
Blacks had the most negative outlook toward immigrants. As is
often the case, those on the lower ends of the middle-class
fight most desperately to stay there. A member of the American
Friends Service Committee (AFSC) correctly speculated that
Blacks and immigrants tend to compete at the lower end of the
job scale.
This emphasizes the importance of internationalist principles.
The principal enemies of Blacks and Mexican immigrants is u.$.
imperialism. Their struggles thus can and should be united
against this common enemy. But narrow nationalism (looking to
cut a special deal for one particular nation) and reactionary
propaganda threaten such unity - to the detriment of the
oppressed nations' proletarians.
Note: Houston Chronicle 20April1998, p. 9a.
* * *
UNDER LOCK AND KEY: NEWS FROM PRISONS AND PRISONERS
Some Real Criminals Do get Caught
...For crying out loud, the warden is under investigation for
embezzling three million dollars. Now, just imagine how POW's
are feeling the bulk of this sadistic administration's
malevolence. I see a lot of damage control being conducted to
minimize the effects of their latest scandal. But with Bill
Clinton's mishap they can suppress it in the media frenzy to
get Bill.
-- A Michigan Prisoner, 3 February 1998
Warden Transferred and Demoted
...As a result of the brutal beatings inflicted upon prisoners
(back here in the hole at SCI Greene) by guards, the grand
wizard warden, Ben Varner had been terminated from his
prestigious and luxurious position. Unfortunately the same
people who removed him from office decided to relocate him to
another prison within Pennsylvania. So now he's on the eastern
side of the state implementing the same dirty tactics. Only
now he's been demoted back to Deputy Superintendent.
Whether the ex-warden removal is a change for the better or
worse is uncertain. Whatever happens, conditions will still
remain repressive. At least he'll be making less money off our
misery as well as the other guards who were fired....
-- A Pennsylvania Prisoner, 23 April 1998
Inhumane Practices Exposed
Dear Comrades,
This is an update on our fellow comrades, and POW's here at
Snake Corruption Institution [SCI] Greene. Well the shit has
finally hit the ceiling somewhat. These demons have been
exposed for their corruption and inhumane tactics. After an
investigation and overwhelming evidence the superintendent,
Ben Varner, had been transferred and demoted. Plus, according
to the television news, 40 guards/predators are supposed to be
FIRED! They have recovered videotapes of inmates being beaten
down while NAKED! The inmates/POW's never did anything to
cause these pernicious predators to assault them.
...The sad thing is, out of nine so-called comrades that were
interviewed by Green County's District Attorney, only one
comrade was willing to press charges against the Demons who
assaulted him. The other eight were afraid they would not be
paroled if they pressed charges against the Demons who
assaulted them....
[Here's a list of some of] the toy-ass cops/predators who were
caught treating prisoners here inhumanely: Ben Varner, Ben D.
Ansell, Captain Muccino, Captain Lantis, Captain Kingston,
Lieutenant Grainy, Lieutenant Tustin, Lieutenant Mathus,
Sergeant Buckeye Grady, and CO [Correctional Officer]
Clovis....
-- A Pennsylvania Prisoner, 30 April 1998
Officers Fired but Repression Remains
Dear MIM,
I am writing to ...give you a brief update on what has been
happening here at SCI Greene. So far several pigs have been
fired, suspended or demoted. The head pig, Superintendent, Ben
Varner was transferred to another facility. I don't know if he
was demoted to a deputy or not. Major Sparbanie was demoted
back down to a Captain. Lieutenants Kingston and Tustin were
fired. Lieutenant Grainey was suspended. Two CO's were fired;
one of their names was Powel. A lot of others officers are
either on suspension or still being investigated.
Although this may seem to be a victory to those on the outside,
my comrades and I know it to be a farce given to the media
only to appease society. There should be a lot more officers
fired and brought up on criminal charges....
-- A Pennsylvania Prisoner, 18 May 1998
College Classes Denied to SHU Prisoners
...I am a prisoner here at the Secured Housing Unit (SHU) at
the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility. I always thought that
prison, whether it was level 1 or supermax, was to reform a
prisoner. This theory was proved to be false to me a few days
ago. In the SHU, we have long-term and short-term sentences
for disciplinary means. The long-term prisoners are allowed to
get a TV and get their GED. That's good for those prisoners
who have not gotten their GED yet. However, those who do have
a GED or a High School Diploma have no access to better their
education. What's wrong with wanting to better one's
education? It's not against any law or DOC [Department of
Corrections] policy?
I just recently spoke with the head ass, who is in charge of
the SHU, Mr. Bonner. He told me that in population college
instructors come from ISU [Indiana State University] and teach
classes. The prisoners in population can get grants and
federal/state funds to help pay their way. So I asked him if
there was some type of program we could set up for the SHU. He
replied that SHU could take correspondence classes at their own
expense. The downfall is that some classes require hardback
textbooks, which are not allowed in the SHU. Due to too much
legal actions, the prison will not allow officials to take off
the hardcover backing, so materials are very limited.
The second downfall is money. On the average college one course
costs $250.00. Not everyone had the funds for this. Why should
SHU prisoners pay and not population prisoners? What happened
to reform and right to an education? Wouldn't it make sense to
see us prisoners learning, instead of sitting around all the
time gambling, causing trouble?
Respectfully,
-- An Indiana Prisoner, 21 June 1998
MIM Responds:
We agree with you that the goal of prisons is not to reform
prisoners but to control them. Often the most revolutionary
prisoners are placed in Security Housing Units [SHU's], for no
other reason than for continued repression. With this in mind,
one can see how imperialists benefit from denying these
prisoners higher education.
Prisoners can gain important information from bourgeois
education classes. But unlike correspondence classes, MIM
Notes, and MIM Theory are revolutionary sources of education.
There are also many progressive texts that can provide one
with a greater sense of the world, which may not be covered in
more traditional education courses.
We encourage you to continue your struggle to educate yourself;
and concur that prisoners should spend more time educating
themselves and less time with escapist or destructive
activities. We advocate that you use MIM Notes and MIM
literature to form a study group. Let MIM help you educate and
organize for revolution against imperialist oppression.
Prison is not a place of Rehabilitation
It is the one year anniversary of the uprising here at the
Maryland House of Correction Annex, and one would think that
many things have changed for the better. The Administration
would have everyone on the outside think so, but actually the
jail is at a standstill. They've sent money to build two new
fences on the compound of the jail. They've added new officers
who are poorly trained, and almost all of them work double
shifts. They still have the same officers here, which was one
of the reasons inmates started retaliating. They treat us like
dogs. Well if you keep treating a dog badly, sooner or later
he'll bite back. The population was cut from 1800 to 1200, and
now it's 1500 and slowly rising back to where we started.
With the '98 summer coming around us, you can surely bet their
will be more problems, because we are back to where things
started. We are locked in our cell all hours a day, unless you
have a job or are in school. Jail is not Jail anymore. Not
that jail is a good place to be, but at one time a person
could get locked up and better him or herself. But there are
not enough jobs or means of education here. The administration
will not allow us help from the outside to start self- help
groups. Our complaints go unheard. If the administration really
wanted to change things to make it better, they could -- but
they keep putting us on promise street to better the jail. But
that's a street we will never see. The Administration has
learned nothing. What will it take, more officers to get hurt
or killed? Who knows, but they must start with the renegade
officers.
-- A Maryland Prisoner, 11 May 1998
Prison for Children
...The State of Wisconsin has completed the construction of a
second penal institution to Warehouse prisoners who have been
waved into the adult system, ages fourteen to twenty-three.
Yes, the State of Wisconsin had passed laws to place fourteen-
year-old children among adults [in prison]. Such a law went
into effect in 1996; the first child was placed in Green Bay
Correctional Institution in 1997.
There are two very significant things going down here in this
dairy state. One, the people in the aforementioned age bracket
are the meat, labors and fighter of this war. They are
fearless and wild. If given the proper education as to whom,
what and where to fight within the movement -- victory would
be at hand!
Two, children in the aforementioned age bracket, are in a very
impressionable stage. If they are educated by the enemy then
they will be as the enemy and turned against the revolutionary
struggle. This must be stopped if we are to prevail over this
corrupt system.
If I were a parent of these children, I would camp out on the
doorstep and force them to teach my child with the great minds
of Malcolm, Martin, ... and the other great minds who are
responsible for making education, economic, political and
social developments for everyday folks like us.
...When Wisconsin split us from these youth, Wisconsin took
control of cultivating the mind of those youths. Thus
controlling the future as those youths carry on their
shoulders the beacon of light, which illuminates the future of
mankind.
-- A Wisconsin Prisoner, 28 April 1998
Thanks from South Carolina
...I would like for MIM Notes to know the news you send out in
MIM Notes has really been a big help to our Culture Awareness
and Revolutionary class we hold here at Evans Correctional
Control Unit every Saturday and Sunday. All the Comrades here
would just like to say, "Thanks" for the news you supply us
with about the comrades in the control units throughout the
world.
In Struggle,
-- A South Carolina Prisoner, 18 June 1998
Restrictive Texas Parole Policy
...Upon my release my physical mobility will be limited. In
September of 1997, the State of Texas passed a law stating
that all violent offenders released from TDCJ [Texas
Department of Criminal Injustice] on parole must wear a
monitor for the remainder of their years on parole. So that
means outside of church, home and work my mobility will be
stipulated. But by all means, I will give assistance to the
cause as best as I can. They may be able to limit my mobility
but they have no control over my mentality!
A young brother in the struggle,
-- A Texas Prisoner, 16 May 1998
South Carolina Shakedown
Dear MIM,
I received the May 1st and 15th issues two weeks ago. I would
have written then but these pigs came through with a shakedown
and took all my paper and writing material and just about
everything else that I wasn't wearing or wasn't bolted to the
floor or wall. Now, I actually have to submit a request form
to get back what I'm supposed to have.
Also I see that y'all like to know about the wages being paid
to prisoners. Well, South Carolina pays nothing to anyone who
came to the kamp after January 28, 1998. If you were a
prisoner before that date, they take your pay if you get
written up.
-- A South Carolina Prisoner, 20 May 1998
Politically Conscious Prisoners Targeted
I was recently transferred from X repressive prison. Where I
was held captive for five years, three of which were spent on
(SMU) Special Management Unit, aka isolation. Only to be sent
to the infamous (MSU) Maximum Security Unit, which is the
highest security prison in the South Carolina Department of
Correction. The state and its agents decided this clandestine
move to heighten the level of their repressive Gestapo tactics
against all of those whom they feel are the most conscious and
politically active. As well as those of us who represent the
highest expression of revolutionary consciousness and ideas in
these prisons.
Upon arriving at the Maximum Security Unit in April 1998, I was
immediately targeted as being a predator and the worst of the
worst in South Carolina's Department of Corrections. However,
those of us who have been targeted and placed in MSU,
represent the highest expression of revolutionary
consciousness. We are legitimate targets because of our
unbreakable commitment to fight against their injustices. But
even this has not broken our spirits, and the struggle
continues.
In Solidarity,
-- A South Carolina Prisoner, 7 May 1998
Deep in the Woods Where Looks are Silent
Deep in the woods where looks are silent Are the worst crimes
committed which are more violent The worst punishments ever
seen But you won't know nothing 'cause you can't hear a scream
I live my life in shambles and pain Oppressed by those who are
truly insane Up in a tree where they think no one can see I see
a 30-30 rifle pointed at me
I can see it in his eyes, the Devil wants to shoot 'cause I'm a
handsome, strong, intelligent man in a dark green suit He says
don't worry, I'm gonna kill you one day I say you can shoot me
any time 'cause I'm not afraid.
So I keep teaching those to go about a Righteous path 'cause
truly one day can be my last the skill to kill and the heart to
love The love for the Revolutionary in the skies above
Late at night when all seems calm The Devils up to no good
preparing to cause harm Ring, Ring, Ring their goes the alarm
now I stick a piece of glass out my cell and I see my fellow
man get beat down
He can't even defend himself 'cause he's all in chains The RAGE
in my heart causes me internal pain Three days later they
finally let us out Scared of what they presume is coming about
But I go back out to the same spot to teach Hoping I can reach
the minds of each Today's subject is our Rights Even if we have
to stand up and fight.
But what sounded like thunder hit me so fast That it wasn't
'till I was on the floor that I was blast I looked up in the
sky and I saw a door I'm finally free, no problems no more
As my fellow men gathered around me in my final hour There was
a smile on the face of the man in the tower I told my fellow
men to unite and fight for their rights 'Cause what I see right
now is a beautiful sight
Don't let this come to you as no surprise 'Cause Honorable men
don't die they multiply I always knew my death would be violent
'Cause I was deep in the woods where looks are silent
Power to the people People are the power Even in the final hour
-- A New York Prisoner, 29 April 1998
The South Never Let Slavery Go
...[T]he South have never let slavery go in the first place.
Take here in North Carolina for example. They have a thing
called Community Road Squad. Before going out you are
subjected to a strip search, where as you are told to bend
over spread and cough. After that, you are loaded onto the
slave bus that is the size of a matchbox big enough to carry
six people, with eleven other prisoners. Then you are taken out
in the woods to dig ditches in temperatures that reach 95 to
100 degrees daily, where the chances of being bitten by a
snake is high. Refusal to this barbaric and inhumane treatment
results in segregation in the second hole.
-- A North Carolina Prisoner, 18 June 1998
"Free Speech" gets you a beating and solitary
...I must inform you that I was sent to solitary confinement
for writing to the President of this imperialist government. I
filed charges against him and two former Presidents. The CIA
came to see me, making threats. So I in turn stood up for what
I believe in. The pigs here didn't like what I said. After the
CIA pig left. The pigs here jumped on me while I was
handcuffed. [During this assault] my tooth was knocked out. So
they place me in confinement to hide what they had done.
-- A Maryland Prisoner, 21 May 1998
A Dialogue on Unity
[In a previous letter from this prisoner, s/he crossed out the
letter C every time s/he wrote a word with that letter in it.
-- ULK Editor]
...You were correct in your speculation. Crossing out the C
does mean Crip Killa. However, I did it more out of habit then
anything else. And as you can see, I've worked my way out of
that habit. I don't deny it was a BAD habit. And I really
don't have anything personal against Community Revolutionary
Inter-Party of Soldiers [CRIPS]. As a matter of fact, I
approve of that if they'll be "Bout it - Bout it". But not many
are working with the same concern as I am, and are a bit
misguided.
I can teach only those who have this in their hearts. If
Brotherly Love Overrides Oppression and Destruction [BLOOD],
then I'm going to live that. However, unfortunately, those
with no sense of direction totally disregard what we are
supposed to represent. If my nation turned their hostility on
these pigs, then they (the pigs) would have serious problems.
However, truth is a lot of us are still blind, but waking up
nonetheless.
One of my lil' brothers was just inviting a Latin King to his
dick and when I let the brother know that he was wrong [to say
that] -- he took it like I was against him. It's situations
like these that keep us under. And often make me wonder if I
belong in this [BLOOD] nation. My desire to wage war on the
oppressors is sincere. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only
one.
Stay Real
-- A New York Prisoner, 25 June 1998
NJ Gang Units
I last wrote to inform on Affiliation Lock Down, which was
printed in MIM Notes 160 - April 15th, 1998, page #10. Well
the BEAST has put their plan into effect as reported. On March
13th, 1998, myself, and about 50 other prisoners at Rahway
State Prison were taken out of our beds, and transferred here
to Northern State Prison to the new so called Gang Unit, know
as STG, security threat group. Once here we were all separated,
and remain separated, in whatever group you are affiliated
with. Latin Kings with Latin Kings, Five Percenters etc.
Now there are two parts of this so called Gang Unit. They have
the part for those that are doing administrative segregation
time, and the other part is for those that don't have no Ad-Seg
time to do, but have been labeled STG. Once a brother is done
doing his Ad-Seg time, he is placed in the second part of the
unit, where they are asked to denounce their affiliation to the
family they belong to, and they are made to sign paperwork
stating this. He who does not do this will remain in the Gang
Unit for the rest of their bids. They must stay in the unit
for at least 9 months. Which by the way is locked down just as
if they were in Ad-Seg, but even worse because they can't get
food packages and the only visitor they can have is from
immediate family. So all those brothers with girlfriends are
hit, cause they won't be able to see them.
Now it is not hard to see what these PIGS are trying to do,
which is to break the spirit of the prisoners, and I believe
that many will brake, cause it is fact that pressure busts
pipes and all that talk the talk will not walk the talk, which
is shown through actions. This is why it is said that many
will come, but only a few will be chosen. As a member of the
Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, I refuse to deny my
family and I will die before I do. Any person who denies his,
or her membership to this Nation is a coward, therefore not of
my Nation. We will not bow down to the beast, not today,
tomorrow or ever. Brothers it is time to stand up for what you
believe and fight these PIGS whose abuse gets worse every day.
It is not hard to see that they mean harm to our people, so why
allow them to do as they please, and not serve them justice?
On April 14th, 1998, a member of the Neta organization died
because these PIGS refused to give him Medical Assistance. I
myself heard this man calling the PIGS because he was pissing
blood. The pigs did nothing and let this man die, then tried to
say that he died of drugs, which is a lie, cause he didn't die
of an OD as the PIGS claimed he did. This is just a cover up
for letting him die. What hurts the most is that his Neta
brothers have not even retaliated for these PIG's actions,
which tells a lot. We the Kings told them we would stand by
them if they retaliated against the BEAST, but they haven't
done nothing. What is it going to take to wake those who are
asleep? Brothers, it is time to shed blood for the true cause
and be heard. Let's come together and let the Revolution begin,
for it is time.
Amor de rey, to my brothers and sisters and Peace to the Gods.
Let us remember Unity is Power!!!! In us we trust.
La lucha Continua,
--A New Jersey Prisoner, 1 May, 1998
MIM responds:
We agree with the call for unity and recognize recognize that
this unity is essential to overcoming imperialist national
oppression. However, as part of the letter points out, even
among those oppressed most, ignorance and the threat of further
U$ repression pacifies people. That is why MIM says that now is
not the time for armed struggle.
The oppressors are militarily stronger than the
revolutionaries. Thus premature armed struggle will almost
always get more of us killed. So instead, MIM focuses on legal
battles to build public support for revolution, while
simultaneously winning material concessions for the oppressed.
History has shown that focoist errors of armed struggle now
have ended up decimating the revolutionary movement.
Our comrades in prison are in the most difficult situation
because they are often faced with the choice of death when they
organize legally or death when they resist violently. But even
within prisons, resisting the urge to fight back with violence
when the forces of reaction are far stronger than the forces of
revolution is an important strategy that will save lives.
We encourage prisoners to put the idea of unity into practice
by setting up study groups to teach the truth about the
oppressive society. Also to continue writing to MIM Notes to
expose the injustices that take place everyday behind bars.
Join us in organizing resistance to the criminal injustice
system both behind the bars and on the outside as we build a
movement that will overthrow this corrupt and murderous system.
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