Issue 25: Letters

Comrade Jaan,

 

I am sending a poem that I hope can become your “theme poem.” I based it on your editorial column… I had a discussion with a few brothers that I felt did not understand fully what oppression was, but being a humble man, I realize it’s possible I myself have a limited view, I wondered how many others understand it. If so, can you oppress the oppressor?

 

Also, I would like to learn exactly what a political prisoner is. There are so many terms: PPOC, POC, PP, etc. that I feel it should be explained. From my knowledge George Jackson was considered a political prisoner, but it was something he became while incarcerated as opposed to being locked up for political reasons. If you can orchestrate a dialogue on that, I’d appreciate it.

 

Comrade Wazo

 

Jamey Wilkins

#0502449

1300 Western Blvd.

Raleigh NC, 27606 USA

 

Note: See 4sm issues 12 and 13 for an earlier version of our “Glossary,” a collaborative and evolving list of definitions. In future issues, we will continue to explore and work together to define terms that are useful to our analysis – so feel free to suggest others.

 

4struggle

 

By COMRADE WAZO

 

   I am against suffering

I am against buckling

I am against any and everything other than

What I am 4… struggling

   Consistent resistance

Of oppressive conditions

Orchestrated by the select

For protecting their interests

   Their possessions are senseless

Too excessive, expensive

While the rest of us skimping

So, yes, I am against them

   But the masses I am with them

When attacking the system

Because I am against

Capitalistic imperialism

   I am 4 the just

The equal, the free

I am 4 war

In order to achieve peace

   I am against facism

I am against racism

I am against agent provocateurs

And their fakism

   Of political prisoners

I am 4 the release

I am against the strong

Who are exploiting the weak

   In solidarity I speak

With the tongue of the streets

With the heart of the revolutionary

In the belly of the beast

   If you are 4 socialism

Are 4 no more trouble

If you are 4 a change

They you must be 4struggle

 

[Below we share a letter from Tonio X, a long-time reader and supporter of 4sm. This reached us quite a while after it was sent, but we still wanted to share his words.]

 

4strugglemag,

 

I have for years, received and read all of your pamphlets and enjoyed reading every bit of them. Your pamphlets have kept me moving in these death camps, ‘cause they kept me focused on my real enemy in this struggle.

 

Your pamphlets made me adjust lots of my views – and views of those who I have always shared your pamphlets with.

 

Before I get too ahead of myself, I want to greet all my comrades with a revolutionary clenched fist. Without us there would be no revolution, the world needs people like us so they can point and say, there goes the people who are agitating the status quo.

 

I consider all of you my comrades ‘cause even though we are not side by side fighting those forces (enemies) who are trying to keep us silent, we are in spirit. Even though I’m behind these prison gates, and you all are on the other side, our fights are the same, ‘cause we are all the same people.

 

I love learning from your pamphlets, so I hope you keep sending them to me. It has been a while since I received one. The last Issue I recall receiving was with the picture of a good friend of mine – Geronimo Ji-Jage. He taught me a lot within the struggle, he taught me not to give up, ‘cause once you do then they will come pouncing.

 

So I say, keep those pamphlets coming. It’s not August, a month which we refer to as Black August, a month of remembrance. We remember all of those who came before us, and among us, it’s also a time when we gather together to remember how the past fallen brothers and sisters have given their lives in the struggle for the people, including not forgotten brothers and sisters who are engaged for speaking up and for challenging this rotten system.

 

We must remember in 1831 a Black man rose in the midst of slavery and proclaimed to the world that no man, woman and child was meant to be property of another person. This man stood strong, a man we all of an Afrikan descent recognize as Nat Turner. He is a symbol for all of us in the struggle. I always remember him because his spirit lives in me.

 

I also remember others who made way for us to follow; I remember David Walker (Walker’s Appeal), Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. DuBois, Malcolm X, George Jackson, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth.

 

In the trenches,

Tonio X

 

Mu’Mia

 

By MICHAEL MACKIE

 

Formidable are the locks

Which stand sentry to your thoughts

Resistance courses your heart

As the Black Panther walks —

At your side, oh Mu’Mia!

Our Black Shining Prince;

And that’s ever since…

Brother Malcolm’s demise.

From the Phoenixes’ charred ashes

Like smoke you will rise!!!

Paragon of the struggle,

For we see you and love you…

Standing ready to rumble,

Should your captors prove careless.

As cold as they are,

Yet your spirit remains fearless!

In solidarity with the Star —

That you are–

Comrade Pather Jamal!!!

Exceedingly clever and extremely calm,

Yet as torrid as Napalm —

Your words and verbs,

Are like the Mother Of All Bombs!

Brandishing such nerve.

Making “All Things Considered,”

As you’ve blazingly shown,

That Fire can’t be censored,

When it’s “Live From Death Row!”

Cynthia White wasn’t right;

Daniel died by his own.

Fixed was the fight,

At Lady Injustice’s Throne…

Yet for 29 years,

Borne by Blood,

Sweat and Tears,

Her scales wavered in the balance.

For Justice NEVER cared about —

Me nor You, oh Abu of The Truth…

Still the morrow awaits,

For it breathes for you!

Which means to turn back now provides no solution;

We have come too far —

Long live The Revolution!!!

An ode to Mu’Mia Abu Jamal.

 

Submitted by reader Calvin Davis