Professional Documents
Culture Documents
To Struggle Means We Are Alive: Testimonios Desde Las Prisiones USA
To Struggle Means We Are Alive: Testimonios Desde Las Prisiones USA
Were Alive
Or the rivers where youre drowned like Leibknecht
But the day will come
You are sure yourselves that it is coming
When the marching feet of the masses
Will raise for you a living monument of love,
And joy, and laughter,
prisoners speak out on Ferguson,
And black hands and white hands clasped as one, Baltimore, and the ongoing
And a song that reaches the sky revolt against the police
The song of the life triumphant
Through the kids who die.
prisonersonferguson.wordpress.com
To Struggle Means Were Alive
47
To Struggle Means Were Alive
1 46
To Struggle Means Were Alive
likely to hear, Yeah we can ght back, but we should do The folks who contributed to this small publication come
it together than, We shouldnt ght back. So thats nice. from a variety of backgrounds, politically, racially, and
But yeah I do have feelings about these arguments. I was otherwise. They are Black and Brown and white, gay and
And I could say that actually thinking today,
remembering something
straight. The pieces have been minimally edited for spell-
ing and grammar but not content, with the hope of preserv-
white people need to like a chief of police, I ing as much as possible the quality of prisoners voices on
stand up with them think during Baltimore, the page. Some contributors have chosen to remain anony-
in order to start a that police were the last mous, while others gave their consent to be named. Most
culture of coopera- line of defense against the of these prisoners are people Ive written with for years,
tion between us, and savages, referring to the though when word of the publication started spreading, I
thats the only thing rioters in Baltimore as sav- began to hear from people Id never talked to before, and a
that will allow us to ages. And of course, thats couple of these pieces reect that.
beat them. And that a really loaded, clearly rac-
resonated with a lot ist terminology and has
a strong connection to a
I hope to be a comrade to those behind bars whenever pos-
sible, but I am not an ally to them, or any other hetero-
of people I think. long racist history. And geneous group for that matter. Rather, as an anarchist Ive
thats the sort of sentiment that I often hear in here, that tried to represent myself as transparently as possible politi-
this is how police look at us [Black people]. And unfortu- cally to those I correspond with, avoiding the dynamic that
nately theres also the sentiment, thats probably true, that comes from passively following leadership and instead at
thats how most white people look at us. times engaging in active debates with people. Sometimes
this means actively choosing to work with some prisoners
4. Were other prisoners talking about these rebellions, and if so, rather than others. Though there is absolutely a (construc-
what kinds of conversations were they having?: Did it stimulate tive, I hope) variety of political viewpoints represented here,
discussion, organizing, and/or resistance in your facility? Did my own afnities are likely made clear.
it feel to you like there was a racial dynamic to how prisoners
reacted to the news of these mostly Black uprisings? Was there I should point out that there is an unfortunate shortage
more or less racial unity with regards to anti-police sentiment of women prisoners voices in this zine. This is primarily
in the prison? Did it seem like white or Latino/a prisoners could due to the proportion of male to female prisoners in North
relate? Carolina facilities, where men outnumber women roughly
ten to one, though perhaps it is also representative of the
Denitely, yeah. So, I kinda went into that with my last an- strengths and weaknesses of my own relationships. Cer-
swer, but Ill go more into it. It of course stimulated conver- tainly there is no shortage of rebellious women at NCCIW
sation, but here, I think, not in the way your question hopes or most other womens facilities, and there is a strong his-
for. It didnt stimulate organizing, or at least not that I was tory of North Carolina women resisting their connement
privy to. But it gave me a chance tolike, I dont know if its and subjugation at the hands of the state.
45 2
To Struggle Means Were Alive
on] and thats when I started hearing people talk about it,
With recent prison riots and strikes in Texas, Nebraska, like in the chow hall and stuff.
Michigan, and Alabama, and the widespread hunger strikes
that spread through California several years prior, were liv- 2. How did you react?
ing in a time when prison struggles are building intensely.
These efforts are primarily being initiated and self-organ- I was kicking myself that I came to prison just as this was
ized by diverse crews of prisoners outside of established happening! And then I was trying to gure out how to take
activist organizations or networks. Support on the outside advantage of it in the situation I was in. And so you know
has also grown, however, and is currently playing a role in I was just, just trying tofor part of that time I was being
amplifying news of a national prison strike set for Septem- processed in the diagnostic prison. And there was like no
ber 9th, the 45th anniversary of the Attica uprising. communication out of there, just letters and stuff. The ma-
jor feeling at the time was
This surge in activity unfortunately coincides with the just that I was missing out One refreshing thing
increased prevalence of reformist and even abolitionist on something. Oh, and re- about being in prison
rhetoric among politicians and their loyal opposition in ally wanting to urge people is you almost never
the world of non-prots and esteemed activist organiza- to act in the situation with
hear people make
tions. Whatever their intentions may be, if historical prec- a mindset that it will end,
edent serves, these forces will act to preserve whiteness and with a vision toward
moral arguments
and capitalism by inaugurating new methods of discipline how we can get the most against militancy or
and social control to replace the old. out of it while it lasts. hard tactics. They
only ever make tacti-
In this context, I hope that this publication can prove use- 3. There were and are a lot of cal arguments against
ful to comrades and accomplices on both sides of the wall, contradictory and conicting it, and generally not.
that future struggle against prisons will be as impossible to elements to these protests and
control as it is to contain, and that these prisoners words rebellions. Right-wing media has used coded, racist language
speak to others as they have spoken to me. blaming thugs and criminals, while left-wing media and
some activists have also at times decried the rioting, blaming it
-anon, NC on outside agitators. Do you have thoughts on these conicts
Spring 2016 over tactics and strategy? Do they resonate with debates going
on over resistance inside prisons?
3 44
To Struggle Means Were Alive
Yeah, it was friends and family. The day I went in, I think, Those who are locked up
is the day Ferguson started. And so rst I heard about it on
the phone talking to people, and then, maybe even the day
know better than their jailers
before I went in. But people from St. Louis were sending the taste of free air.
me write-ups on stuff that was happening and keeping me
well informed. And I was talking to friends. -Hlne Cixous
(Was news of that also making it into the facility by radio or TV?)
Yeah, but it didnt feel like a big deal at that point. I was
at the county jail then, and it didnt seem like a big deal.
Thats when it was rst happening, and then I guess stuff
happened again after the non-indictment, and I think thats
when it became a really big thing in here [at the state pris-
43
To Struggle Means Were Alive
becoming aware of its power Anyhow, as others got the news, they started beating on
doors, screaming Fuck 12! and all kinds of shit. Eventu-
XXXXXX ally comrades on the outside started sending me reports in
Lanesboro CI the mail on the riots, and as I shared them with others, guys
Polkton, NC started attacking the COs with feces and piss, a common
tactic of warfare in the lockup. Fireballs of paper and cloth-
I rst heard about the anti-police uprisings and #Black- ing was being thrown off the top two tiers.
LivesMatter protests from the news and media. Whats sad
is that it took Ferguson, Baltimore, Oakland, and Charlotte After receiving more literature of what was going on, like
and other cities to see whats going on in our cities around the Nation of Islam and New Black Panther Party telling the
the world and what the police are doing to Black people and sistas to get off the streets and trying to quell the rioting, I
Latino/s. Just look at what happened in Durham to Chuy became disheartened because we keep allowing these pov-
Huerta. When are we going to realize that change needs erty pimps to turn potential insurrectionary moments into
to occur in ourselves and society in this corrupt country. the same old bullshit reformist direction.
Day by day on the news or in our eyes we are subjected to
see or undergo police brutality, racism, discrimination, and As a matter of fact, at this moment [May 2016] we are on
injustice by the same people whose job it is to protect and workstrike here at Holman Prison here in Alabama, and
serve. Honestly Im tired of seeing my people get treated just today we had a gang leader state that we need to leave
like were inhuman and outcasts, and naturally its bad in the COs alone and keep things nonviolent. But he turned
the prison system. They feel like because its not them that right around thirty minutes later and held a beatdown on
they are doing this to, it dont matter. The system dont care another gangmember. No violence against the pigs, but its
about people of color. Were the game to these killers in OK against each other. A pig sent him [to our unit] because
black and blue uniforms. They either destroy us or put us since weve been on strike theyve cut back on our food
into Federal, Sate, and County facilities, or try and deport portions, and it was stated that if it keeps up, there was go-
the Latino/as. ing to be some actions.
I say this because Im going through all these things at this See, the same recuperative methods used in the streets is
time. We got to become conscious of whats going on, be- being used in the prisons. But I can say that the riots in
cause Blacks and Latino/as are being targeted and its clear- Ferguson have inspired a lot of the actions in here, because
ly time for a change, time to destroy the system of this rac- whenever theres a planned action Ferguson and Mike
ist and wicked government, stand up against racism, police Browns murder is mentioned as examples of the oppres-
brutality, and injustice, ght the powers that be, and make sion that Black folks suffer in the good old USA.
change, because if we dont these things will continue to
5 42
To Struggle Means Were Alive
tation with them. All my life Ive seen my family members, happen. As brothers all around the world we need to stand
friends, and strangers suffer brutality from the kops, even up and come together and protest for every single man and
murder. Ive never had a positive encounter with the kops. woman. They are going to keep killing us and keeping us
in slavery. Thats why we need to get all the education and
Anyhow, I waited another hour for the news to come back come together on the inside and outside, because we all
on the radio to make sure that I had the details correct. Af- have somebody we love or who loves us. So lets stop hurt-
ter hearing again that Michael Brown was shot, I hollered ing each other and come together to stop these uniformed
through the vent to the guys in the cells above me and told killers on the outside and in the prison system. Thats why
them to turn on their ra- we need the people on the outside, to stand by us and to
As others got the news, dio. After a few minutes of come up with plans for the youth and the people thats get-
they started beating quietness to allow them ting out of this prison sys-
on doors, screaming to nd a news report of tem and are willing to help
We need society con-
Fuck 12! and all Mikes murder, like me themselves. necting us, not solely
kinds of shit. Eventu- they expressed their rage with other predomi-
ally comrades on the by stating that someone We need society connect- nantly white social
outside started send- needed to start retaliat- ing us, not solely with other movements but also
ing against the kops when
ing me reports in the they murder one of us.
predominantly white social with the many peo-
movements but also with ple who survive with-
mail on the riots, and Throughout the night we the many people who sur-
as I shared them with chopped it up about our out compromise in
vive without compromise
others, guys started frustrations with the Black in this world on re. We are
this world on re.
attacking the COs. organizations and gangs not individuals acting on our moral impulseswe are a so-
out there not retaliating cial force becoming aware of its power. Becoming powerful
and only marching, and the family suing the police depart- is a matter of making our story a place to inhabit, of making
ments for monetary damages, when its evident that its no our story material. We dream in the face of nightmares, not
deterrence to the killing of Black, Brown, and poor whites. as an escape into an alternative reality but as a weapon to
change this one. Because not only do Black lives matter, and
When the riots popped off, the way it was being reported Latino/as, but all lives matter. So outside world: the people
made me think that just maybe Black folks had had enough on the inside of these prisons need your help too, because
of this bullshit. That this was the beginning of the revolu- we are being killed by black and blue uniforms. Just look
tion. A couple of others here expressed the same sentiment. at what happened to Mr. Michael Kerr at Alexander CI on
That nally some pigs were going to do some dying and not 3/12/14. We all need help.
us alone. And the guys above me shared my thoughts, but
then we began to talk about what it would take other than With Love to the world,
taking out some pigs. I wont go into the plans for future XXXXXX
41 6
To Struggle Means Were Alive
a sense of everyone Michael Kimble is a 49-year old Black, gay anarchist serving a
life sentence for the murder of a homophobic, racist bigot. He has
feeling like, about time a blog and has been an active voice among prisoners at Holman
correctional facility in Atmore, Alabama, where there have re-
XXXXXX cently been several riots, as well as strikes in conjunction with the
Bertie CI Free Alabama Movement. You can read more writings from him
Windsor, NC at anarchylive.noblogs.org
1. How did you rst hear about the anti-police uprisings and
#BlackLivesMatter protests in Ferguson, Baltimore, Oakland,
and other cities, of 2014-2015: friends and family, other prison- Reections and Reminiscence
ers, corporate media, and/or radical publications?
on the Murder of Mike Brown
I rst heard about the anti-police uprisings and #Black-
LivesMatter protests through the media, newspapers, ra- Michael Kimble
dio, and television. Also it was a discussion that friends and Holman CF
family were having amongst each other about the realer Atmore, AL
portrayal nally being shown about the systemic injustice
within the justice system that is built into the thread of While in segregation listening to the radio news report, it
our society to the point of being a constant perpetuator of was reported that a young Black male by the name of Mi-
the ills of this society by being based on archaic ideals that chael Brown had been shot and murdered by a Ferguson,
Missouri kop. A blind rage
If I was shocked have nothing to do with
justice. came upon me, but being in My rst time seeing
about anything it segregation, in a single cell a kop as a child was
was the persistence 2. How did you react? What consisting of brick and steel, when my mother
of the protesters to were your initial thoughts and there wasnt much I could got into a physical
pursue the issues on feelings? do to express my outrage confrontation with
adequately. See, Im an an- them. All my life
the basis of the facts archist who has been locked Ive seen my fam-
and not be persuad- My reaction wasnt shock or
down for a long time and
ed by the system, ei- disbelief because Ive been ily members, friends,
have been the victim of bru-
ther by intimidation living this reality for the
tality of kops my entire life.
and strangers suffer
majority of my life. If I was
or pacifying. shocked about anything it My rst time seeing a kop as brutality from the
was the persistence of the protesters to pursue the issues a child was when my mother kops.
on the basis of the facts and not be persuaded by the sys- got into a physical confron-
7 40
To Struggle Means Were Alive
abused by ofcers in their schoolsthe word of authority tem, either by intimidation or pacifying, to let things go.
is no longer gospel. While not all ofcers are evil and there I started really paying attention, at rst I thought it was
remain shining exceptions that seek to serve the interested just another movement where it would be more about the
of their communities, there is an undeniable problem with persons/person pushing the movement than the cause the
any organization that, by either omission or commission, movement was born out of. So Ill say my initial thoughts
allows for monsters in their ranks. were, Here we go again with people trying to come up off
the misfortune of others.
I wish I could tell you there were some major discussions
or resistance in my prisons but I cant. Ive spent 7 1/2 3. There were and are a lot of contradictory and conicting ele-
years in the midst of a sociological experiment gone hor- ments to these protests and rebellions. Right-wing media has used
ribly awry. I have met only a precious handful of socially coded, racist language blaming thugs and criminals, while
conscious individuals over the course of my incarceration. left-wing media and some activists have also at times decried the
Many of these women have never voted and would contin- rioting, blaming it on outside agitators. Do you have thoughts
ue to do so without knowledge or regard of how many Afri- on these conicts over tactics and strategy? Do they resonate with
can Americans and wom- debates going on over resistance inside prisons?
What I want the pub- en fought for the rights
lic to know is how of future generations, our I believe with so many people involved in the issues it is
tragically young many generations. What I want inevitable for there to be conict on several levels, not only
of the women in pris- the public to know is how in ideology but strategy, and personal and group agendas.
on are, Black women tragically young many of Excluding those that are involved solely just because and
especially. the women in prison are, not for the cause, I feel like everyones actions can push the
Black women especially. talks into actual steps towards reforms. Throughout history
These girls have been failed by all the social systems, the from all groups of people with differing views on tactics
public school system, and nally by the criminal justice against government tyranny there has been debate on the
system, simply shufed through from one to the next with best tactics, so this is not an issue exclusive to our times or
a lack of concern that is criminal in itself. this movement. There was always conicting thoughts on
strategy on the same objectives, for every Martin Luther
At NCCIW, which is the large maximum security womens King there was a Malcolm X, every W.E.B. Dubois a Marcus
prison in Raleigh, there is no cable television and mail Garvey, and all their actions shaped and pushed reform in
and magazines are closely monitored. We were frequently their times. No change for the better has ever happened
denied material that they thought might incite or inspire, without those two elements. You need the reasonable voice
and any correspondence they deemed questionable. I like to convey in an articulate way the demands of the move-
to think that the lack of interest in any of the revolution- ment, and the muscle to show why its best to listen to the
ary movements stemmed from a simple lack of information, voice of reason.
but maybe thats just what I like to think.
39 8
To Struggle Means Were Alive
9 38
To Struggle Means Were Alive
They have a Black mayor, Black congressmen, Black dis- ment and encourage that too, but we just dont want to let
trict attorney, whats the problem? All of these person were the opposition use our past deeds in a propaganda cam-
democratically elected. Instead of them trying to capitalize paign to discredit the movement as a whole. Our position
off of the community, they shouldve been making formal is: we want the establishment to realize that they would
requests regarding these issues. They let the people of Bal- rather talk to the reasonable organizers than to deal with
timore suffer instead. Also, when CNNs own Wolf Blitzer us. But yes, its caused us to put aside certain differences at
was reporting on the Baltimore revolt, the only subject he times in here to stand together in a common cause.
seems to care about is the burning of the CVS building.
They talked about the city destruction as if it couldnt be 5. Did it feel to you like there was a racial dynamic to how pris-
repaired. They talked about the looting and stealing as if oners reacted to the news of these mostly Black uprisings? Was
Freddy Gray just didnt get his life robbed by those crooked there more or less racial unity with regards to anti-police senti-
cops. The city can repair those building and many domestic ment in the prison? Did it seem like white or Latino/a prisoners
and foreign investors, but the city cant repair Freddy Gray, could relate?
Mike Brown, nor Eric Garners lives. To me it seems that
Black lives dont matter but capitalist institutions like the Among the Blacks mostly, but other groups as well, it has
CVS do. led to an increased eagerness to learn our history in this
society and world. The interest to learn about the Black
Panthers, the Deacons for Defense, the American Indian
Movement to name a few has rapidly increased. Guys in
here study the history of the struggle and are coming to the
realization that the past has as much to do with the affairs
of today. They are arming themselves with this knowledge
and choosing the roles that personally resonate with them
and taking action. Yes there are more radical thoughts and
actions with unity among the prison population across all
racial boundaries in response to the anti-police sentiment.
No matter the race, at this level we all relate to the orches-
trated oppression of the ruling class with their aggressive,
abusive tactics of the enforcement division of that class. We
all get beat with the same baton, sprayed with the same
mace, and put in the same isolation by the same rules that
are all anti-us. Still, there are pockets of division even in
here, with favoritism to certain races depending on the re-
gion of the institution.
37 10
To Struggle Means Were Alive
6. What do you think the relationship can or should be between The tragic death of Freddy Gray rocked Baltimore. The sec-
these anti-police rebellions on the outside and resistance inside ond Afrikan man to get murdered by the police in a year.
prisons? Is there resistance or organizing going on at your facil- I knew the police had killed him because I personally wit-
ity you want to mention or hold up? nessed many occasions in Baltimore, where many Afrikan
men were beaten by Balti-
I think society should use the experience of the prison mores nest swine. I stayed The Baltimore re-
population to educate themselves about the in-the-trench- in Baltimore, Maryland and volt reminded me
es dirty tactics of the government and police. In order to Washington, DC, and know of the Palestinians.
justify their erroneous actions in pursuit of their objec- exactly what those brothers They threw rocks
tives of law and order, and to show the public the need go through. When Freddy in protest like the
Its tricky consider- for increasing police pow-
ers and overbearing pres-
Grays death became break-
ing news, I wasnt surprised
Palestinians during
ing the very macho ence, they themselves cre- because this was nothing
political conicts.
culture of prison life ate crime and criminals new. The Baltimore revolt reminded me of the Palestinians.
where your image to pursue. How many of They threw rocks in protest like the Palestinians during
means everything, their FBI, DEA, and local political conicts. When the Crips, Black Guerilla Family
which is why we stress vice-squad informants are and Bloods proposed a truce and decided to unite to go
that every warrior, actually soliciting crime against our common enemy, this was beautiful but late. In
soldier, and freedom in order to bring down a Los Angeles where I lived, many Crips and Bloods had al-
ghter didnt carry a crime ring they orches- ready united and joined political cadres like the New Black
weapon, sword, spear, trated at the behest of the
police with the funding to
Panther Party, founded years ago by Khalil Muhammad, or
the Republic of New Afrika. I was proud of the brothers
or gun. do it? Its ridiculous. So for standing for a greater cause and in solidarity with the
yes, the organizers should utilize the guys in prison to get struggle.
certain vital info based on the actual experience of going
through this system at all levels. Not to belittle anyones ex- What I didnt like about the Baltimore scene is that the
perience, cause an injustice is an injustice no matter what, Afrikan men and women who were in prestigious positions
but there needs to be more communication between what in the city and state governments complaining about the
they deem as the hardened criminals cause they can con- social/economic problems of Baltimore. These people are
tribute something that a guy that just spends his weekends the Congressmen, Councilmen, lawyers and pastors. They
in jail for DUIs cant. There needs to be more question- have the position and the authority to propose bills and
asking such as youre doing. send them through legislature to be passed. These people
are community leaders who could form petitions and give
At the moment myself and a few others are organizing them to the government. Why did they wait until Freddys
ourselves to educate and direct some of the energy of the death to complain about these problems in Baltimore?
11 36
To Struggle Means Were Alive
In a New York borough called Staten Island, the same thing younger prison population in a more constructive manner.
happened to Eric Garner. He was murdered by the same Were getting the older ones to pass along the hard learned
pig who continuously harasses him on those streets, being lessons theyve earned through experience by creating an
a bully and trying to exert his authority, being the repres- atmosphere that encourages
sive and oppressive pig he was bred to be. So what if Eric the sharing of views without To struggle means
Garner was selling a loose cigarette. That did not give that judgement or reprisal. Its were alive. When
pig the right to jump on his back and strangle him. That tricky considering the very the struggle stops it
pig wanted to kill him. On the video that ofcer used a macho culture of prison life means youre dead.
chokehold that was deemed illegal in the State of New where your image means eve-
York. Many people tried to downplay the whole situation by rything, which is why we stress that every warrior, soldier,
saying that Eric Garner was a criminal and he was engaged and freedom ghter didnt carry a weapon, sword, spear, or
in criminal activities prior to his death. Eric Garner was gun. Thats how we will keep pushing, because to struggle
not a criminal in my eyes, he was a provider for his family. means were alive. When the struggle stops it means youre
He wasnt selling crack, marijuana or any other drugs. He dead.
wasnt selling stolen goods, any rearms, just a measly ciga-
rette. If the government of New York would stop criminaliz-
ing Afrikan and Latino men then maybe he couldve gotten
a better job or a better hustle. He wouldnt have to stand
on the corners of streets selling cigarettes, he couldve been
making an honest living. The system is so bent on bringing
the Afrikan man down that its ridiculous. I felt his mother
and his wifes pain, but I couldnt understand his daugh-
ter. She gets on national television and says that she wants
peace, and proclaims that her father would want peace. Her
father died in anguish, he died over a damn cigarette! Then
she goes on to say that the police are good individuals and
blah blah blah. Well, the good pig just took your fathers
life!
35 12
To Struggle Means Were Alive
13 34
To Struggle Means Were Alive
The following prisoner is an organizer with and member of the for the same types of circumstances. Black teens seem more
NC prison chapter of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party (not apt to be shot or manhandled than a white teen of the same
to be confused with the New Black Panther Party). Writings of age under the same circumstances. And such is not limited
that party can be found at rashidmod.com to teenagers. The media seems to often imply that even if a
Black man was not guilty of an offense then he must have
done something to contribute to his getting shot, or in-
Ferguson, Baltimore, jured, or killed, etc.
New York, Cleveland 3. There were and are a lot of contradictory and conicting ele-
ments to these protests and rebellions. Right-wing media has used
XXXXXX
coded, racist language blaming thugs and criminals, while
Marion CI
left-wing media and some activists have also at times decried the
Marion, NC
rioting, blaming it on outside agitators. Do you have thoughts
on these conicts over tactics and strategy? Do they resonate with
debates going on over resistance inside prisons?
It was a beautiful sight to see the people in Ferguson, Balti-
more, New York, Cleveland, and Philly, along with Oakland,
I am by nature a non-violent person, but it seems, at least
protest about the recent and ongoing police brutality vic-
partially, that our system of government fails to recognize
As I sat in the day- timizing Black Afrikan or acknowledge peaceful protests and that after a point, the
room of a prison indus- men. People of all ethnic only way to have society focus on and address the issue
trial complex, my eyes backgrounds came to- is through riot behaviors
couldnt hold the hefty gether to be in solidarity
with the beautiful Afri-
(e.g. burning, smashing, etc.) These anti-police
tears that were stream- kan brothers who was Of course these avenues protests did have one
ing from my eyes, down murdered by the po- also often lead to physical noticeable effect in-
my cheeks. violence and other alterca- side the prisons, at
lice. They sang spiritual
tions, both intentional and
songs, held hands, and chanted slogans of Hands up, Dont
accidental (See also Occupy
least where Ive been
Wall Street, or the protests held, and that is that
shoot and No Justice No Peace. As I sat in the dayroom of
a prison industrial complex, my eyes couldnt hold the hefty
of monetary/nancial sum- during the height of
tears that were streaming from my eyes, down my cheeks.
mit meetings worldwide). the conict our ofc-
Anger started to set in. I was supposed to be marching with
Society became inured to ers seemed to back
my brothers and sisters, protesting and holding up signs. I
protests after the 60s and off of us on the petty
was supposed to be on the frontline with them when things
70s and is now quickly be- things.
turned ugly. This is what I signed up for. A true revolution-
coming likewise inured to
ary cries when his people struggle for justice. Its not a sign
violence (e.g. The recent Belgium terror attack didnt even
33 14
To Struggle Means Were Alive
make frontpage news in some papers). These anti-police 6. What do you think the relationship can or should be between
protests did have one noticeable effect inside the prisons, these anti-police rebellions on the outside and resistance inside
at least where Ive been held, and that is that during the prisons? Is there resistance or organizing going on at your facil-
height of the conict our ofcers seemed to back off of us ity you want to mention or hold up?
on the petty things. Possibly out of fear of setting off an-
other statewide prison riot? And I even noted some ofcers There isnt any organization I wish to support or hold up
opening dialogue with groups of prisoners on the topic, right now in the Feds, including the Nation of Islamtalk-
almost as if they were conducting some sort of survey. ing loud but saying nothing and doing nothing to bring
about action or resolution.
4. Were other prisoners talking about these rebellions, and if so, When police kill innocent Real talk, [we need] ed-
what kinds of conversations were they having? Did it stimulate people it is warranted by ucation, going back
discussion, organizing, and/or resistance in your facility? the people to be rebel- to basics for prison-
lious. It didnt just start in ers: reading, studying,
Prisoners were denitely discussing these rebellions, most- the 2000s, its a reex go- research and think-
ly holding an agreement that the violence was dispropor- ing back to 1900s through ing for themselves as
tionately aimed at minorities, and feelings of solidarity to- the 80s etc. There can not leaders.
wards those outside organizations, though falling short of be a relationship with po-
attempting to organize resistance within the system, I think lice. Policemen must protect elites and their property, and
mostly because of the strict prison regulations against such maintain law and order dealing with the underprivileged
organizing. Although it should be noted that older prison- people. What I have perceived being locked up over 20
ers took the opportunity to relate to the younger prisoners years is that we are back to basics: educate people to learn
about past prison-based resistance movements (e.g. Black socially, politically, and economically.
Panthers) and giving rst person accounts of previous pris-
on riots. Of course, on the opposite side white power-afli- I hope my answers share some light and what time it is.
ated inmates complained that Blacks were only attempting Real talk, [we need] education, going back to basics for
to get special treatment or really deserved to be shot. prisoners: reading, studying, research and thinking for
themselves as leaders, and not being dumb-followers to be
5. Did it feel to you like there was a racial dynamic to how pris- manipulated by others negativity. These street gangs got be
oners reacted to the news of these mostly Black uprisings? Was checked because they serve no realistic purpose, but death
there more or less racial unity with regards to anti-police senti- and destruction both outside and inside prisons, with no
ment in the prison? Did it seem like white or Latino/a prisoners real objectives setout against the establishment!
could relate?
15 32
To Struggle Means Were Alive
At FCI-Butner we have few conscious individuals that are to acute racism or to maintaining a front because of beliefs
politicized and are concerned about the law and order be- held by groups they are associated with in prison remains
ing given to people of color under white supremacist, privi- to be seen. Though most prisoners seem to feel solidarity
leged society. We have one group, a religious gang, known with any expression of anti-police sentiments by free world
as the Nation of Islam with about 8 members that shows peoples, regardless of race.
concern at their religious services. We do not have group
discussions or dialogue about Americas corrupted system, 6. What do you think the relationship can or should be between
nor the criminal political injustice system. Normally, we these anti-police rebellions on the outside and resistance inside
just follow the news entertainment report in the moment, prisons? Is there resistance or organizing going on at your facil-
and its done tomorrow until the frontline, headline break- ity you want to mention or hold up?
ing news. Finally, there is no resistance here whatever. I
estimate that we have about 75% mists, undesirables, rats, There seems little that we as incarcerated individuals can
government assistants--where they not trying to make any do to help outside groups besides a limited rst amend-
noise while living in protective custody. The others here are ment approach. Because of prison regulations and restric-
DC prisoners, those in here for medical reasons, and those tions involving inmate petitions, groups, etc. However, the
about to get released within 18 months. I have a few old same is not true of our free world supporters in that the
timers I dialogue with throughout the week about courts, rst amendment allows them to contact and network with
police corruption, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, terror- as many prisoners as they are comfortable doing, and our
ism and the bombing of innocent people under the pretext outside supporters have resources that prisoners currently
of Islam, from what I gather off the news. have little to no access to, such as the internet and legal
libraries.
5. Did it feel to you like there was a racial dynamic to how pris-
oners reacted to the news of these mostly Black uprisings? Was There is absolutely no protest activity occurring at Harnett
there more or less racial unity with regards to anti-police senti- at this time, largely due to the fact that most of these guys
ment in the prison? Did it seem like white or Latino/a prisoners are afraid to act up for fear of shipping and losing out on
could relate? school assignments and the ability to experience a sense of
freedom here because of the layout and operations, which
Prisoners incarcerated in the Feds are no longer politi- allow inmates to socialize regardless of dormitory assign-
cizedBlack, White, Brown, Latino, Mexicansas the BOP ment (ed. note: Harnett CI is a medium custody facility).
has modied their thinking to cease to think as individuals, There is a freedom of movement here which simply does
with fear, pacication, modication programs, and divide not exist elsewhere, for however much longer it lasts.
and conquer tactics that eliminate unity among prisoners.
BOPs goal is to keep them dumb, quiet, and obedient.
31 16
To Struggle Means Were Alive
This piece was originally written a year ago, but Saleem was en- 3. There were and are a lot of contradictory and conicting ele-
thusiastic about it being used for this project. One Hood United ments to these protests and rebellions. Right-wing media has used
is a youth movement of imprisoned activists that was inspired by coded, racist language blaming thugs and criminals, while
Hip Hop activist Jasiri Xs One Hood Movement in Pittsburgh. left-wing media and some activists have also at times decried the
More information about One Hood United can be found at www. rioting, blaming it on outside agitators. Do you have thoughts
onehoodunited.org on these conicts over tactics and strategy? Do they resonate with
debates going on over resistance inside prisons?
One Hood United: First, let me inform you that at least 85% of federal pris-
Ganging Up on Oppression oners are government assistants, or straight up rats, slang
for snitches and defectors. Being in BOP over 20 years, I
by Saleem/One Hood United have seen it all and now am shockproof about what these
5/4/2015 so-called fed prisoners wont do, or prison ofcials. Its all
about securing and controlling the inmates behavior to
their best advantage with behavior modication methods:
Theres an urgent need for the New Afrikan and other oppressed pacication, reward and punishment, divide and conquer
communities to develop new ways of viewing and interacting tactics, and last, inmate informants. The number one tactic
with gangs in our communities. Rather than look upon some of BOP uses is divide and conquer to keep the uneducated
our young people as enemies that we should attack and destroy, thugs, gangs, religious groups in fear of coming together
we must be mindful that members of gangs are our children for any common cause. Racism is understood in BOP by
and grandchildren, our brothers, sisters, cousins - members of nationality, religion, gang, and geography (city and state)
our family. We must love them unconditionally; We must protect location. Finally, most federal prisoners done lost contact
them and work to help them along righteous paths. Rather than with society only to be with incarcerated minds: sex fanta-
trying to rid our communities of gangs we should denitely sies, homosexuality, drugs, gambling, working in the Uni-
try to assist them as they themselves engage in a process of trans- Con factory, and sport and play. Ask anything about current
formation into community groups that aim to combat some of our events and most cannot elaborate because they dont read
real problems. the newspapers, nor watch the daily news or world news
- Owusu James Yaki Sayles, Lets Gang Up On for social enlightenment. The living dead! In most FCIs
Oppression [federal correction institutions] there is no resistance, only
submission and passivity and gratication.
Baltimore, MD. The amerikkkan police state was on the
ropes in Baltimore as New Afrikan (Black people born in 4. Were other prisoners talking about these rebellions, and if so,
the U.S.) youth took to the streets in a campaign of civil dis- what kinds of conversations were they having?: Did it stimulate
obedience that forced the city to charge six police thugs discussion, organizing, and/or resistance in your facility?
in the brutal murder of 25 year old Freddie Gray. In an
17 30
To Struggle Means Were Alive
Will Anderson is an elder in the Federal system who runs a pris- inspiring display of unity, solidarity protests by demonstra-
on literacy program for and with other prisoners. tors in Ferguson, New York, Philly, Cincinnati, and Oakland
let the world know that Baltimore was not rumbling alone.
Lets get it straight, it wasnt President Obamas speeches
going back to basics or retired NFL linebacker Ray Lewiss rants that won the
rst phase of justice for Freddie; it was the youth and rid-
Will Anderson ers of Baltimores hoods that served notice to the state that
Federal Correctional Institution-2 they werent tolerating police abuse and murder anymore.
Butner, NC Had the youth in Baltimore not stepped up and put the city
under brick and torch, the murder of Freddie Gray by the
police would have been written off as justied like the
1. How did you rst hear about the anti-police uprisings and previous murders of unarmed New Afrikan youth in Balti-
#BlackLivesMatter protests in Ferguson, Baltimore, Oakland, more by the police.
and other cities, of 2014-2015: friends and family, other prison-
ers, corporate media, and/or radical publications? While the youth were bravely rumbling in the streets de-
manding their life and dignity be respected, another battle
Every morning weekdays I watch CNN news and TV One was being waged in the media for the narrative of Baltimore.
news, and Ronald Martin (Black news mainly) about police Talking heads within the empires state-sponsored corpo-
murdering Blacks, protests, BlackLivesMatter movement, rate media were attempting to one up each other in con-
news on sentence disparities and gun laws. Also newspa- demnation of Baltimores
pers: Nation of Islams Final Call and the Bay View (San Uprising. Sadly, many main- My concern is with
Francisco, CA). stream Black commentators the new Negro com-
joined the chorus of con- mentators who were
My thoughts kick in 2. How did you react? demnation. Im not going selling our youth out
and say, Here we go What were your initial to waste my time discuss- while they were put-
thoughts and feelings? ing the response of main-
again, they did it again. ting it on the line for
stream amerikkka, who in-
Lying, shooting an in- stinctively believe all New
justice.
My thoughts kick in and
nocent Black man. say, Here we go again, Afrikan youth are criminals and thugs deserving whatever
they did it again. Lying, shooting an innocent Black man. abuse the police inict on them. The days of concerning
Policemen inventing false reports and fabricating their own ourselves with the opinion of racist and conservative white
story to justify their action as a cover-up for wrongdoing. folks should be over, although unfortunately many New Af-
Finally, corruption at its apex as criminals in a corrupted rikan misleaders havent awoken to this fact. My concern is
political system! with the new Negro commentators who were selling our
youth out while they were putting it on the line for justice.
29 18
To Struggle Means Were Alive To Struggle Means Were Alive
19 28
To Struggle Means Were Alive
left-wing media and some activists have also at times decried the geting. Many of the vehicles set ablaze were either aban-
rioting, blaming it on outside agitators. Do you have thoughts doned cars or police vehicles, or were positioned strategi-
on these conicts over tactics and strategy? Do they resonate with cally at intersections to prevent the police from speeding
debates going on over resistance inside prisons? through the streets in dangerous convoys, as was shown
on CNN. Burning vehicles were also placed at intersections
You see fables such as these placed on the proletariat since to keep marauding police out of the neighborhoods. The
the early 1400s. When a nationality or a group resists and youth were sending a message: they didnt want an unac-
revolts against the fascist ideology, they call us savages, countable police presence in their territory and they could
thugs, criminals, etc. See the media uses those titles to control their own neighborhoods.
brainwash the public, to make the public believe what the
protesters and freedom ghters are doing is for their own Our youth are tapping into a long history of resistance, re-
personal gain. So if they call us these names then it places bellion and civil disobedience within our community. The
a negative image on us, so the unconscious will not support torch and re have long been tools our youth have used
the move. For many years the media has been used to the to challenge injustice. The rebellions of New Afrikan com-
advantage of the capitalist-imperialist. There is not a group munities and cities in 1919 and especially 1968 (following
of resistance nowhere right now in the State of North Caro- MLKs Assassination) are examples of this legacy. The old
linas plantations because 90% of these guys suffer from slaves today who continue to lament that were only burn-
Stockholm Syndrome. The ones that are conscious, they ing our own neighbor-
separate us. Its known facts that the capitalist uses any bad hoods down need to study During slave upris-
situation for their advantage. the history of our people, ings, our ancestors
the people they claim to torched not only the
4. Did it feel to you like there was a racial dynamic to how pris- represent. During slave plantation but also the
oners reacted to the news of these mostly Black uprisings? Was uprisings, our ancestors
there more or less racial unity with regards to anti-police senti- slave quarters/cab-
torched not only the plan-
ment in the prison? Did it seem like white or Latino/a prisoners tation but also the slave
ins where they lived.
could relate? quarters/cabins where The whites couldnt
they lived. The whites understand why they
See here in NCs plantations, racism is not an issue. Yes, couldnt understand why would burn their own
there are some that are racist and you have some racist they would burn their own quarters out.
groups, but they keep to themselves. Like I said, nationality quarters out. The reason
does not matter when it comes to the lower class we are all they did it is because it wasnt theirs. They didnt feel a part
one class, and we have nothing to lose but our chains. So of the social contract or society at large. For the most part,
regardless of skin color if you are of the lower class you can it is no different today within impoverished and disenfran-
relate because we can feel their pain. chised communities. Today, when we burn out and destroy
the neighborhoods we are contained in, it is because we
27 20
To Struggle Means Were Alive
know we are not part of this society and have been written in bondage within the gulags of these Razorwire Planta-
off. tions need to come together and form a newsletter to bring
awareness to the comrades within these walls, as well as
The intelligence of men who place themselves in between those who are not. We are silenced by mail censorship, lim-
our youth and battalions of riot police in lines of human ited access to organization that can be our voice, because
chains has to be called into question, along with men who our lives matter also! We are only limited to what we limit
would defend liquor stores from the torch. If you are de- ourselves to.
fending youth from the police then why the hell is your
back to the police? If you are defending the youth, then do 2. How did you react? What were your initial thoughts and feel-
an bout face and face down the police in a human chain. ings?
It is the youth who must be protected from disproportion-
ate police violence from police in body armor and riot See, when being a victim of
gear who would open re with smoke canisters, tear gas oppression, repression, and When being a vic-
or riot batons because a protester tosses a water bottle or fascism, and you hear or tim of oppression,
rock at them. Although the intentions of the men who form witness any form of revolt repression, and fas-
these human chains are well meaning, the perception they it lls you with joy, pride, cism, and you hear or
are creating is that it is the police they are protecting and and the desire to unite and witness any form of
it is our youth who are the problem. The media exploits revolt yourself against any
this perception. We need the men and women of our com- form of oppression you
revolt it lls you with
munities to stand in solidarity with the youth protesters may be facing at the time. joy, pride, and the de-
and make it clear to the police that disproportionate police Thats why the administra- sire to unite and re-
violence against them will not be tolerated. We need strong tionthe overseers of volt yourself against
men and women defending our youth and we want our these plantationstry to any form of oppres-
leaders in the streets doing the same. Too often our youth keep those of us who are sion you may be fac-
are being led by misleaders more interested in photo-op conscious on lockdown, be- ing at the time.
politics instead of the actual pursuit of Self Determination, cause they fear we will unite
Freedom and Sovereignty. This is why when we take to the with other prisoners and riot. When you love the people,
streets we are not only combating the state but also well and you see the oppressed people stand up it makes you so
intentioned members of our communities. happy, because they are a reection of you. So with my st
in the air I say this with pride, continue on and its all power
We are now entering a potential new phase in New Afrikan to the people.
youth insurgency and we must be prepared for the states
counterinsurgency campaign, which will be waged today by 3. There were and are a lot of contradictory and conicting ele-
New Negroes and amerikkkan state-sponsored and cor- ments to these protests and rebellions. Right-wing media has used
porate media outlets. We got a glimpse of the counterin- coded, racist language blaming thugs and criminals, while
21 26
To Struggle Means Were Alive
25 22
To Struggle Means Were Alive
lence drug free playgrounds and streets, as well as Cop Rebellion. The street organizations of Baltimore and other
Watch programs. They should consider adopting the code hoods should be encouraged to resurrect the example of
of conduct for gang members advocated by the late Tupac the Black Panthers and Black Liberation Army from the
Shakur (available at: http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/ ashes of Baltimore and to rebuild the New Afrikan Libera-
open-forum/9011-code-thug-life.html). They should also tion Movement. Comrades within the kamps should take a
The street/youth or- designate credible activ-
ists and former gang
lesson from the youth of Baltimore and put all set and ter-
ritorial differences to the side to rebuild and contribute to
ganizations in Balti- members as mediators a new era in New Afrikan liberation and to join the struggle
more today are walking for territorial disputes in the streets. To make this a reality they should get on deck
in the example of the and personal beefs. They with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movements Let Your Motto
street organizations should have procedures Be Resistance campaign to seize control of our neighbor-
who came together af- in place to mobilize hoods (available at: https://mxgm.org/let-your-motto-be-re-
ter the 1992 LA Rebel- and take the ght into sistance-a-handbook-on-organizing-new-afrikan-and-op-
lion and built a last- the streets to get justice pressed-communities-for-self-defense/). They should also
ing truce between the in instances of police check out The New Afrikan Community Security Protocol
brutality and to mobi- Mandate by Bro. Abdul Olugbala Shakur (available via akil-
Bloods and the Crips. lize rallies against mass ishakur@gmail.com).
incarceration and other internal threats to our neighbor-
hoods. The youth and street organizations must become, in At the end of the day, from Ferguson to Baltimore, from
the words of Assata Shakur, shields that protect our com- Philly to Oakland, We are: One Hood United!
munities and spears that penetrate its enemies. They must
also know that the objective of any uprising must be control
over our communities and the liberation of our territory.
23 24