Time for all Amerika’s prisoners to rise up
by Keith ‘Malik’ Washington
“The essence of slavery was coercion of the most primitive kind. The relationships between master and slave were characterized by mutual distrust, fear, hatred and undisguised force. All slaves, whether the proverbial Uncle Toms or Nat Turners, recognized that production could not take place without the daily use of physical or psychological violence.” – Manning Marable, “How Capitalism Under-Developed Black America” (Haymarket Books)
Revolutionary greetings, Comrades! Now, y’all see I always be finding some of the livest quotes to share with y’all as we begin to embark on the next chapter of our struggle to throw off the yoke of modern day prison slavery from around our damn necks. As that brother said in the movie “Amistad” – “We want free!”
The 86th legislative session ended in the state of Texas, and these folks in the state Senate didn’t do a damn thing to address the conditions down here in these slave kamps and gulags run by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
We down here still dealing with this fraud ass “good time” and “work time credit” scam. We still workin’ for free and gettin’ treated like some modern day Kunta Kintes and Kizzee. At 1east Kunta had sense enough to fight back.
You know what, I think a lot of sisters and brothers down here with me are finally tired. I think we may be ready, y’all, and what better time to stand up than on Oct. 1, 2019, when prisoners from all over the United States will be joining our comrades in North Carolina who are with the Prisoners of the World Movement?
Today I am making an official call to all prisoners in all states across the U.S. to get it on they mind! Y’all already know that for us who are trapped in the numerous prison systems across the U.S. that First Chance Act didn’t do a damn thang for us.
In fact, there really ain’t a lot of people who are going to really benefit. All of them are in federal custody, and if you really analyze the financial backing of the law, it comes up lacking horribly. I guess Donald Trump and his son-in-law don’t think we can read! They talked all that big talk and didn’t get enough funds to support all that rappin’.
In my opinion, it was a propaganda move to pacify the growing number of citizens who are sick and tired of the love affair America has had with targeting and locking up the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
I ain’t going to rap y’all to death. Let’s look at the platform of our comrades in North Cackalacky. I know some of y’all have seen this already, but let’s look at their 10 demands – I think you’ll agree they are worth standing up for.
Prisoners of the World Movement Demands
1) Offer parole opportunities to all prisoners, even lifers who demonstrate rehabilitation
2) End long term solitary confinement and administrative fees for rule violations
3) End 85 percent mandatory minimum laws
4) End JPay practices that only allow persons on the prisoner’s visitors list to send the prisoner money
5) Provide better food, health care and dental care
6) Pay fair wages for prisoner slave labor
7) End unreasonable mail censorship (hell yeah to that!)
8) Amend the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as well as Article 1, Section 17, of the North Carolina Constitution, to remove the slavery clause
9) End SRG (Security Risk Group) rules that prohibit gang members from visiting with their wives, fiancés and children
10) Provide more meaningful job opportunities, rehabilitation and education
Well, last year it was the comrades in South Carolina who made the call. This year, North Carolina and Petey Pablo are making the call.
Y’all know what it is – North Carolina! Rise up! From the Bay Area to Texas! From Georgia to VA! From New York to Washington State and all those in between!
It s time, y’all! Every year this thang keep getting’ bigger and bigger. Last year we had prisoners from 17 different states stand up. All I can say is, “Come on, Texas! It’s time to represent!”
I’m going to end this with a shout out to Jay-Z, Meek Mill and Van Jones with Reform Alliance! And of course I must send out mad respect to the big homey J. Prince, and all the go-getters and change-makers at #MOBTIES.
But I would be wrong as hell not to pay my mad respects to Brooklyn, the Bronx, Harlem, Strong Island. Yeah, y’all! I got to give it up to the homey Hocus45, French Montana, Cardi-B. Unity and solidarity – we up in here inside the belly of the beast. We need y’all, all of y’all to come check on us. Support our movement!
Dare to struggle, dare to win, all power to the people!
RIP Nipsey Hussle! Your legacy and spirit will be kept alive.
Keith “Malik” Washington is co-founder and chief spokesperson for the End Prison Slavery in Texas Movement, a proud member of the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee, an activist in the Fight Toxic Prisons campaign and deputy chairman of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party Prison Chapter. Read Malik’s work at ComradeMalik.com. Send our brother some love and light: Keith “Malik” Washington, 1487958, McConnell Unit, 3100 S. Emily Dr., Beeville TX 78103.