Having literally been raised in the fedz (age 23-40), I developed a
very unique perspective/world view on the “struggle” and the varying
dynamics associated with it. One of the things I saw in the fedz from
the beginning was the abundance of “official” OGs on the yards.
Revolutionaries and street entity! They put efforts into educating males
that, at minimum, one only had to carry oneself with a certain level of
convict decorum if you will, to stay on level 5 lines. The various
nations policed themselves. Which in turn negated much of the
reactionary interracial violence which’d typically occur.
My journey began in a United States Penitentiary (USP) where I lasted 6
months before an encounter in center hallway with an aggressive pig!
Before my 1st full year was done, I’d added 24 more months to the 15
years I’d been given! That set the tone for my bid and life. In that the
hatred I felt for authority manifested quite regularly over the next 2
years. Accumulating a slew of violence shots (writeups), FBI referrals
for prosecution and ultimately my first SHU placement.
What I recall most of my first ADX stay (mid-late 90s) was the standard
of the majority of men I met, be they euro-nationalist, Muslim,
revolutionary nationalist, Chicano, tribal structures, New Afrikan,
tribal cats, etc. All stood firmly against the pigs. Anti-rodent
philosophies included. Granted, we had the typical frictions associated
with being in unnatural environments, forced to occupy very tight
spaces. Many cats got hurt, racial reactionary issues and intra-racial
fratricide due to geographical biases typically. However, I recall many
instances where those of us who had any “credibility” and/or “entity
status” would regularly parley (i.e. politic) to maintain respect
between us and thereby negate potential violence.
At this time, I personally put down my own “tribal identity” and
embraced a progressive ideological precept, albeit infantile. Three
specific men entered my life and changed it forever: a European
communist, a founding member of the dominant Chicano structure, and last
but not least, a bay area militant turned Muslim! While in “stepdown
units” of ADX, each took time to work with me, share progressive
literature with us, build via dialogue. Many of my/our (i.e. tribal
cats) previously held biases and notions on particular ethnic groups,
etc. These were proven false once we were put within the close confines
of ADX and actually talked.
I learned of various German philosophers (Nieche, Clausowitch) from
euro-nationalists; about Aztecs, Toltecs, etc. from Chicanos under
structure; about Mao, Lenin, Marx from communists; about Chaka, Diop,
Huey P., George, Fred, so many more fallen heroes (and sheroes) from
Afrikan nationalists! All of which giving insight into how these men
thought, crucial to forging any qualitative bonds across both tribal
and/or national lines in prison! I left ADX for Lompoc, where I remained
4 years, got to finally visit my family, and where I was embraced to the
revolutionary nationalist ideology via affirmation and deeds!
There I again encountered some truly conscious men who embraced one and
aided in my growth from tribal reactionary towards revolutionary
activist. [Many comrades freely gave of themselves on a daily to uplift
all of us! What I learned from them was “struggle”! To educated
ourselves and others to learn the needs of the people, stand beside all
who share same struggle (i.e. quest for revolutionary political and
economic change in U$). Skin color being a non-factor in assessment of
one’s revolutionary authenticity. This is a reality I took with me over
the following 5 years, including a (3 year) ADX return. Each line I hit,
my objectives stayed fairly fixed, but open to change depending on
conditions and personnel. This led to many fruitful alliances with a
cross section of the populace on one hand, and quite a few situations
where we organized and in turn undermined the progression of our common
oppressor.
The biggest hurdle that I see to Euro-nationalists truly embracing a
genuinely revolutionary ideology is their own fears and inherent biases.
The fear of being ostracized by other Europeans keeps majority from
standing beside folks of color. Their shared sociocultural backgrounds
with the pigs (in majority of states) oftentimes see the euro-captive
identify with the euro-captor out of some misguided sense of cultural
identity vs. those held beside them, who are of New Afrikan or Latino
ancestry. Ray Luc and Richard W. (rip) showed exactly how one of
European ancestry can be revolutionaries. Neither of them were cowards
about reactionary BS! They walked as men, and as such, all respected
them. And both had full military support of party, tribal sets, etc.
should any of the racists attempt to move on them. Those who are really
striving to be about the struggle stand on “people’s power” not skin
affiliations or entities which espouse supremacist rhetoric.
The article by Bro Rashid (ULK 55, p. 14) I related to as I am
presently housed in the cesspool (twilight zone) of Oregon DOC. What he
described from 2014 could’ve easily been today. Thus far I have lasted 1
month at East Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI) and 3 months on
this mainline. In both instances I was kited off yard, likely by other
folks of color. My party jacket, coupled with the past tribal ties
(i.e. gang) has apparently moved my captors to indeterminately SHU me.
Oh, and my conversion to Islam a couple years ago likely didn’t help my
cause, considering all of the extremist activities going on globally,
that is. It appears I shall be sent out of state at some point.
Objective being to get the militants up out of ODOC so as to keep these
cats asleep and complacent! Lifers content to own multiple pairs of
shoes; mp3 players, etc. I am constantly amazed, daily, at how warped
these Oregonians ideals are, as they relate to acceptable conduct for
ethical men in prison! Kickin it with pigs is not only accepted by the
so called “good dudes” (Oregon speak for a Euro-captive that is not a
sex offender). Cell soldiering back and forth is a daily occurrence. I
hear an abundance of anti-sex-offender rhetoric, but next to nothing
about the “system” which creates misogynist cats who in turn abuse
women?!
MIM(Prisons) responds: This writer brings up some good examples
from eir history that demonstrate the potential for people to learn and
grow, for unity across groups in prison, and for people of all nations
to take up revolutionary struggle. While there are material reasons why
oppressed nations have a stronger interest in revolutionary struggle,
people from the oppressor nation in prison are in a unique situation
that can inspire them to take up the struggle.
We also want to comment on the last paragraph in which this writer talks
about ethical behavior in prison, as this is an important point. The
ideals that make it correct to talk trash about sex-offenders but not
fight misogyny is something we need to address head on. It is the
patriarchy that makes males feel good to attack those convicted of sex
offenses without thinking about their own patriarchal behavior. Further
the idea that attacking sex offenders is correct but murderers are ok
makes no sense. We need to create a culture where all crimes against the
people are condemned. And then we need to struggle with those who commit
these crimes to see the mistakes they have made and reform their lives.