I’m in my ‘Bay View mood’

by Eugene F. Kimbrough

It is Saturday here at the plantation (prison) called “Comstock” and famously known as “Great Meadow.” It is located in the eastern region of New York State, about a three-and-a-half hour drive from New York City, the “Big Apple.”

You may have read about Comstock in articles by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. What does The Wall Street Journal care about prisons? It is a national financial newspaper!

They were reporting on the racist atmosphere present in New York state prison institutions, specifically that Comstock is one of the worst in the state of New York. The abuse was reported against both staff and prisoners of color.

But, today is Saturday, and I woke up with my mind, soul and spirit on the one and only Bay View news. To be in this type of mood, one has to have their mind on change, revolution, taking back what was wrongfully taken – all to correct a wrong done to you and others.

However, when you don’t know what was yours, you don’t know what was taken from you. When you learn what was taken from you, you can then determine whether it is worth taking back!

Once you learn of rights that have been taken from you, and you decide that it is worth your taking them back, you come to terms with the methods you will need to get them back. A “revolution” begins with the realization that someone has been wronged. This wrong must be fixed, and it will be fixed in a manner best suited for the mission.

When I am in my “Bay View mood,” I’m in a state of being that points me in a direction of someone that is wronged and the role I can play in fixing that wrong. I don’t have to be the actual fixer; I just need to play my role.

As you read these words, here is your chance to define your role in fixing the national problem of mass incarceration. This is the problem, and it must be fixed! It will be fixed. The only questions remaining are: What role will you play? What will be your legacy in this fight?

Our role starts with “self-evaluation” and “self-inventory.” In other words, we must us take a closer look at ourselves, see who we really are and what we are made of. Everybody don’t want to march, or fast, or write a congressman to solve our problems. This is not unreasonable.

Maybe you are this type of person? While you don’t want to do those things – can you write to a prisoner that you do not know, just to give him or her some moral support? Can you send a prisoner a copy of the Bay View news? Can you share a story of change? Little things can be done in the revolution.

A real revolutionary party has standards, policies and rules to establish what type of qualities and skills a person must have to work with them before opening doors for members. When a party, group or bodies of people have a real cause and purpose, rarely do they have an open door policy for entrance into their movement. You need to be concerned, rather, when you find a group that has an open door policy, like “Come as you are.”

Time is rarely on the side of the fighter because the fights just don’t wait. However, before you place yourself on the battlefield, you must be prepared for the fight. The first step of preparation is “self evaluation.” You must take stock of your strengths and weaknesses. Write down your strengths and weaknesses, such as: “I learn quickly”; “I can fix just about anything man-made”; “I smoke cigarettes”; “I don’t work out”; “I am selfish”; “I am broke”; etcetera.

These are real life strengths and weaknesses that can, in time, determine which makes each of us a better fighter. If a fighter is broke, he is subject to being bought by the enemy. How focused are you? Can you stay the course to reach the goal? How sure are you?

Many good revolutionaries have come and gone because they were “sold out.” Some sold out on their own free will, while others were sold out by the weakness of other broke so-called revolutionaries. Simply put, they took the money and ran.

This is one of the oldest tricks and tools of the adversaries: to buy the soldiers out of his duties. Remember, in the story of Jesus, he was sold out for 30 pieces of silver. Can you be bought off? These real questions must be asked before you suit-up for change.

If one’s relief is simply to get money, he is disqualified as a real good revolutionary. Since money is his weakness, it will always be his motivation. And since there is never enough, it will always threaten any cause he dares to be part of.

Money is the foundation of a capitalistic society; we must have it to live comfortably in one.

Do not be confused: All revolutions must be financed. Finance evens the playing field in a capitalistic world. But, money buys people as well.

As you see, a broke person is ripe for purchase by anyone. Some people are bought at times to achieve certain goals, and that is where their purpose ends. These people can cause harm to themselves and others when they are subject to the lure of money.

Deductive reasoning would dictate that a real revolutionary must be rich or without money problems. That is not true. A good revolutionary, a good person of change, is one who cannot be distracted by his personal concerns when he is on a mission.

This means that one should have his house in order before going to the battlefield. It is common practice and knowledge that most wars are won on the backs of fighters who are promised relief in their civilian lives both during and after the fight. All wars are financed. Money itself is not the problem, but obsession with it brings massive problems.

Self-inventory will save lives at rallies and on the battlefields. Do the self-inventory, find and learn all you can about the group that fits your strengths and weaknesses, and get involved! My latest move on a personal base has been the total involvement of how I can assist in the growth of the San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper.

I want to be a part of the Bay View’s history – which is happening right now – of keeping the Bay View’s legacy alive during these turbulent times in 2019. Simply put: I will fit in where the Bay View needs me, and I will play my role accordingly.

My revolution begins by supporting the Bay View with a paid subscription, spreading the word about the Bay View newspaper and reading the Bay View! I will proudly offer my candid advice and other remedies of achievement, while making meaningful suggestions to increase subscriptions directly to the honorable Dr. Willie Ratcliff, the publisher, and his staff. To underwrite its future, we will steadfastly enhance the Bay View’s readership and its continuation through measurable goals and board achievements.

Do you like history, travel, current events and events you can take your family to? Then you need to be reading anything written by our beautiful sister Wanda Sabir in the Bay View newspaper!

She is one of my favorite writers at the Bay View. I can’t fully describe her wonderful writings – you have to read them yourself. I can tell you this: Her stories take the reader behind the scenes.

It’s real reporting that travels in time with what is being said. Her writing is engaging, informative and educational, and she writes stories that are literally “in your face.” I leave my place as I am vicariously moved to action each time I read her eye-opening remarks.

Where else can you read about our people routinely calling upon the power and force of our ancestors and forefathers? Read Wanda Sabir’s articles in the Bay View, along with those of other veteran Bay View writers from all around the world. You will not be disappointed.

More importantly, share the knowledge you get from reading the articles with at least one person. You never know, that information might be just the thing that person needed to motivate them to get on their own personal revolution. The simple act of sharing the Bay View newspaper with another person or of telling another person about an article you read in the Bay View newspaper is a big contribution to our revolution.

Doing your part begins with small actions that lead to big returns. For you, this means: Do the things that you already know how to do! You don’t need permission – pass the word “Bay View” on! When you do, your work will begin, and bigger missions will come your way.

You can look forward to more informative articles from me in my support and in my promotion of the San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper, coming all the way from the state of New York, in print and online. The Bay View can be found on most social media sites.

Until then, take care ‘cause I care. Peace.

Send our brother some love and light: Eugene Kimbrough, 06-B-0487, P.O. Box 51, Comstock NY 12821.