MIM(Prisons) is a cell of revolutionaries serving the oppressed masses inside U.$. prisons, guided by the communist ideology of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.
Under Lock & Key is a news service written by and for prisoners with a focus on what is going on behind bars throughout the United States. Under Lock & Key is available to U.S. prisoners for free through MIM(Prisons)'s Free Political Literature to Prisoners Program, by writing:
MIM(Prisons) PO Box 40799 San Francisco, CA 94140.
I represent a particular group of individuals who are revolutionary
minds of the United Struggle from Within (USW). We believe in
anti-imperialism and putting politics in command over everything. Our
struggle is the struggle against oppressor nation vs. oppressed nations.
I support the five points of the
statement
of principles because it is necessary for the unity of all prisoners
in order to change the oppressive conditions of U.$. imprisonment on
these modern day plantations.
USW is a prison organization guided by MIM(Prisons) and MLM Theory, that
believes in the concept and ideology of organization in order to empower
the prisoner population. Growth and development is Our motto. We welcome
any and all prisoners and groups who are determined to contribute to the
works and struggle of this anti-imperialist movement in a protracted
way.
We oppose studying persynalities over politics, and we also oppose the
idea that violence against individuals builds a stronger movement. As
revolutionaries struggling under Maoism, it is Our task to unite all
prisoners, and objective to do so by first educating one prisoner at a
time. Education, study and practice are the only ways that We are going
to be able to develop leaders of the revolution toward a just society
free of national oppression, starvation, incarceration, rape, and war.
It is the only way We are going to turn people on to the need and
possibility of liberation in favor of efforts of the oppressed prisoners
to liberate themselves. This United Front statement provides Our
organization with the basis to do just that, and therefore is hereby
endorsed.
Millionaire popstar/rapper Soulja Boy stepped out of line in his
latest video, and was reprimanded by Amerikan hip hop fans this week for
his lack of patriotism. Under pressure he quickly apologized and took up
the Demoncratic Party line claiming that he was only criticizing the two
long wars, implying that the U.$. economy would somehow be better if the
U.$. wasn’t exerting control over the economies of the Middle East thru
military occupation. This is what he originally said in the song
Let’s Be Real:
Fuck the FBI and the Army troops fighting for what? Bitch, be your
own man.
While this was just a couple lines out of tons of bullshit he’s spit,
they’re pretty strong words. Not known for being politically outspoken,
there’s no doubt his inspiration comes from the countless
radical/nationalist MCs who came before him and influenced his thoughts
and rhymes. He even outdid his adversary Ice-T who said “fuck the FBI,”
but never fuck the troops. The troops ain’t nothing but the police for
oppressed people in other countries; the CIA abroad is the FBI at home.
Fuck oppression! Fuck ’em all!
While it was good to hear someone like Soulja Boy put out such strong
anti-imperialist words, especially with all the 9/11 talk these days, it
was discouraging to see the response and who’s responding. There have
been multiple diss songs and videos made in response to Soulja Boy, by
hip hop artists in the military, at least some of which are from
oppressed nations. The response wasn’t just strong and swift, it came
from his own fans and more generally from fans of hip hop music. In
Under Lock & Key
issue 10 we questioned whether hip hop was still a culture that
represented the oppressed, and when you see these videos you really have
to doubt it.
One Black male MC sports a shirt reading “America the Beautiful.” His
politics echo those of the white militias made up of ex-military people
that are very critical of the government, but have much love for the
country and respect for the troops and the privileges they fight for us
to have. All of the artists seem to find that requisite “hardness,” that
is so integral to the gangsta rap persona, in their identity as U.$.
soldiers. One threatens to waterboard Soulja Boy and pull out his finger
nails.
The fact is, the pro-U.$. troops lyrics aren’t that far from a typical
gangsta rap song. The United $tates is the biggest gangster in the
world, so that makes sense. The boys in blue are the biggest gang on
U.$. streets. So we see gangsta rap too often reflecting and reinforcing
the ideology of the oppressor, rather than challenging it.
In other Soulja Boy news, he is supposedly working on a remake of the
film Juice, where he will play the role of Bishop, originally
played by Tupac Shakur. On September 13, we commemorate not just the
fallen soldiers of the
Attica
uprising 40 years ago, but it is also the 15th anniversary of the
death of self-proclaimed thug and rapper 2pac. Pac was unique in keeping
his music both gangsta and for the people; a fine line most can’t seem
to walk, and perhaps impossible today when gangsta rap is mostly a
caricature. Unlike Soulja Boy, Tupac never apologized for shit, and he
said some things that got people riled up. There is little doubt that
his real connection to oppressed people in Amerikkka lead to his
untimely death.(1)
While Soulja Boy’s three lines don’t compare to Tupac’s legacy, in those
lines we may have seen him connecting to the oppressive conditions he
grew up in – a glimmer of truth. While the U.$. military is
disproportionately Black (18% of military vs. 11% of general
population), it is also disproportionately middle income.(2) The poorest
20% of the U.$. population was the most under-represented income group
in the U.$. military in 1999 and 2003.(3)
Since the Vietnam war, Blacks have increased their over-representation
in the U.$. military from a factor of 1.14 to 1.40.(2) This shows the
effects of integration without providing Black youth with quite the same
opportunities as their white counterparts. The increase in Black
military recruits seems to correspond with an overall bourgeoisification
of the Black nation. Not only were there fewer Blacks (per capita) in
Vietnam than Iraq and Afghanistan, but Black power and linking it to the
struggle of the Vietnamese against U.$. imperialism was widespread, and
fragging of white officers and even all out fighting between Blacks and
whites on bases was not uncommon.
As the Black nation becomes more bourgeois, the pressure to Amerikanize
increases for Blacks of all socio-economic standings. To the poor and
oppressed who see no hope in U.$. imperialism, we echo Soulja Boy’s
words, “Bitch, be your own man!”
by a Connecticut prisoner September 2011 permalink
I XYZ, National President of the Enforcers, and my Enforcers, all fully
support the United Front and believe that if the
Statement
of Principles are lived out to the letter this would be the start to
bringing about change and creating a better world for all people.
We have all been subject to oppression for some reason at some point in
our life, but if we remain united we can peacefully battle the
unrighteousness and create growth and independence and
that also includes all oppressed people. I, XYZ, and the
Enforcers Elite Society will stand behind these principles so that
together, in unity, forever we will all be!
In solidarity, National President and O/B/O Enforcers (CT & MA)
As an organization we stand firmly together as a collective body, to
utilize strength, integrity, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding.
Education is very essential, especially in politics, to become a power
beyond boundaries without measure, and bring peace to prisons within
this nation we reside in amongst other organizations either affiliates
or adversaries. So we can all come together and unite as one body.
That’s why I extend my serving hand to link up with the United Front for
Peace in Prisons. I believe our concepts are somewhat interrelated. I am
a member of the Gangster Disciples so me putting together UGN was a
vision within my struggle to make a powerful impact. So that’s why I
want to be listed to join forces with the UF. Growth, Organizational
structure, education, justice, social development and unity plays a
major role.
Within the Black Order Revolutionary Organization we educate to create
real meaningful change. The old saying says “action makes the front.”
But to take this analysis a step further, “bold, intelligent,
revolutionary actions make the front.” The war is real and it’s a war
that is physical as well as psychological and educational. The
imperialist strives to physically as well as psychologically dominate,
subjugate, manipulate and control the masses in prison and out of prison
by creating and engineering social conditions that fit their agenda. The
enemy of humanity understands the driving force behind action is man’s
mental orientation. So if they control our mental atmosphere and mental
appetites they will control our social behavior. This is the reason why
we as front line Askaris must always understand our greatest weapon is a
correct analysis of concrete conditions as we strive to crush
imperialism/colonialism in its total. To do that the Askari must keep
his/her mind sharp.
Comradez, I’ve been on lock down in a federal SMU program since 2008.
Since the fedz closed Marion max the fedz have created the same lockdown
scheme with the Special Management Units (SMU). It continues to be for
the express purpose of controlling outlaw/anti-authoritarian
revolutionary conduct. Every organizational structure across amerika can
be found held within the lockdown yet there is no meaningful dialogue
between parties, groups or organizations to effect meaningful change.
The project for peace in prison is a foundation laid so that
inter-organization/multi-organizational communication can begin. But for
the project for peace to work we need the leaders and spokesmen for
these street and/or progressive organizations to accept the peace
project. In a lot of these organizations, directions flow down the chain
of command. The Latin King wrote in [to ULK] about Kingism,
which was good. But he is only one man and cannot make an organizational
commitment to accept the peace in prison project. That must come from
Lord Gino, their crown. So I am calling on all leaders nationally from
the Crips, Bloods, Vice Lords, Latin Kings, Mighty Mighty Black Nation,
G.D.s, and all those in between to unite in principle and contribute to
our collective struggles. T-fly, Bay Bay, Minister RKO for the Vice
Lords where y’all at? G.D. Crusher holler at us brotha, Crown Prince AB
for the MMBN, OG Mojo New York Damuz and all the other unmentioned men
and women that have a voice in their organizational community, let’s
squad up so that the peace in prisons project can be real and used as a
weapon.
MIM(Prisons) replies: We echo this call to those in leadership
positions to represent what so many of the LOs already have in their
bylaws and histories. But we want to reach all potential comrades with
the message of the
United
Front for Peace in Prisons, from the capo to the pee wee on the
street. While some of the leaders mentioned above could have a quick
impact, we’ve learned from the past the short-comings of LOs whose
leadership went radical, but the soldiers only followed the leader and
never embraced the movement. It is not sustainable. Slowly recruiting a
hundred local chapters or representatives to sign on to the
Statement
of Principles will mean more in the end. And building solidarity
between organizations around common struggles at each locality is how we
can build real peace. In many places this is already happening.
Fuck the hatred It’s time for changes To free this world from
the oppressor It’s time for us to make some better arrangements In
order to make our lives better Revolution’s the lesson Not
oppression as a profession Anti-imperialist Being groomed for a
new session Educate each other As we’re one within this
struggle United in this Front for Peace Because Revolution is on
the bubble
Myself and others have founded the National Liberation Revolution of
Oppressed Persons (NLROP), to educate and liberate the oppressed and
disenfranchised. Furthermore, to end the suffrage and disparagement of
formerly incarcerated persons who are never truly free or relieved of
their debt to society, constantly being subjected to various civil and
humanitarian rights violations - “The New Jim Crow.” We fully support
the United Front for Peace in Prisons, and the principles thereof as
proclaimed by MIM(Prisons). The NLROP also fully supports the Prisoners’
Bill of Rights as proclaimed by Incarcerated Citizens Coalition, the
internal chapter of the Human Rights Coalition.
I have discussed the principles of UF for Peace with our members, and as
Chairman I speak on behalf of the NLROP and do confirm our signing and
full support of the United Front for Peace, and the principles thereof.
A committee of seven members from different affiliations is currently
being constructed to oversee day-to-day operations in and outside of
prison. Our first newsletter magazine is scheduled for production and
release October 2011.
The NLROP is currently comprised primarily of incarcerated and
affiliated persons within Tennessee prison colonies. However we do not
limit ourselves or pose any restrictions on expansion, and welcome with
open arms those who are committed to the cause and agree with our
guidelines and/or principles internally, and that which we agree to as a
whole, externally.
The reason UF principles are important to us as a movement is that they
transcend those principles and guidelines that we already follow and
believe in, and expound on such in a very clear and concise manner.
I’d like to ask that my organization, Revolutionary Gangstas, be listed
as an affiliate of the United Front for Peace in Prisons and the USW. I
define Gangsta as one who doesn’t conform to the rule of society (sheep
mentality), one who refuses to be “hoodwinked” or “pickled” by the
powers that be. In addition to concepts of Peace, Unity, Growth,
Internationalism, and Independence, we incorporate and utilize: Power,
Honor, Honesty, Truth, Respect, Control, and Liberty. We strive against
obscurantism (opposition to the spread of knowledge), imperialism and
capitalism. We strive to educate members of LOs that the purpose of
founding of respective LOs was not to fight and kill each other over
colors, points on a star or geographical areas that don’t belong to us.
We emphasize that as long as LOs suffer from internecine disputes that
the real enemy (oppressors) can continue unchecked. The founders (myself
and another prisoner) as members of the Gangster Disciples have started
by instructing members of that LO to stop engaging in self-destructive
behavior and following misguided and unfounded “theories” of what being
in a LO means now and get back to original purpose. We put emphasis on
education and self-determination. We’re accepting of all LO members who
can unite under the ideology of all power of all people (oppressed) and
sacrifice selfish desires for the benefit of the whole.
I am writing this on behalf of S.A.M.A.E.L, aka “The Ministry”. We are a
small autonomous revolutionary organization devoted to engaging in, and
fomenting, resistance via individual, tribal, direct, and guerilla
action in the cultural, social and political milieu. Our ideology is
within the ambit of class consciousness and holistic resistance, “each
according to will and ability.”
We feel the Statement of Principles of the United Front for Peace in
Prisons is, in spirit, consistent with our own charter, oaths, and
declarations which stress the need for unity in the face of a common
enemy and resisting any “doctrines which divide us.”
This being said, we accept this unilateral invitation and ratify the
Statement of Principles of the United Front for Peace in Prisons in the
spirit of solidarity and the advancement of our common goals.
Allow me to first salute and extend my comradely blessings to those who
have evolved in realization that unification and commonality is the one
and only true efficient vehicle for our struggle towards liberation.
However, being that this is my first entry this article will be
contributed to the topic of unity and peace.
As I reside in the Maryland prison system, I can only speak on the
assessment of this region, and a lack of unity and peace amongst the
prison class has established a stronghold throughout the many
institutions. We have an environment littered with opposing groups which
historically have common origins that share the same vision and cause.
Somewhere along the timeline they have gotten away from a political
platform geared towards revamping the conditions of the lower and lumpen
classes of society. They have swayed away from the real opposition,
which as a result has plagued the prison community by creating these
mentalities and groups of mass destruction. That is why I support and
believe that the collective conscious minds need to manufacture a united
front to combat the fatuous and self-destructive mind-state which has
been a detriment for too long.
Nevertheless, from what I’ve evaluated, I believe before we can
consolidate to one unit we need to focus on peace. Without peace amongst
the many power structures there can’t be unity. In order to establish
peace there must be a certain height of maturity amongst the leadership
in these regimes to conceive the significance and dire need to unify and
stand for a common purpose. Personal growth and development must be
acquired for one to widen their lens to envision the benefits of this
objective. Only once this level of growth is reached between the
leadership can they exert their influence and pass down the educational
curriculum necessary to manifest/cultivate a paradigm shift emulating a
united mission. Only then can we extirpate (root out) the infantile
foolishness, the individualistic agendas, and breed a sound social
atmosphere. Of course I’ve given thought that there may be renegade
members within the groups who refuse to adhere to the cause, but I’m a
firm believer of operating with an iron fist, and we need to weed out
those who neglect to contribute and continue to destroy. Some may
associate this statement with radical theory. But I believe considering
the words can’t produce the same results as action.
Moreover, once we build on this foundation of peace we can then move in
the direction of unity. It is imperative that we have unification,
because without the strength of unity we dis-empower ourselves. Every
movement which has gained its liberation derived from uniting the people
for a common cause. We injure our purpose by our ignorance and
succumbing to the psychological tactics of divide and conquer. While our
ignorance continues to serve as strength and energy to this system which
governs us all, we will continue to wallow in this cycle of repression.
So, yes I do believe peace and unity are the essence of true liberation,
and probably the last remaining alternative for improvement. I admire
this attempt for international unity, this alarming call for a united
front, and as a member of The New Man Corp, you have my support.