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We must support our sister!
by Keith ‘Malik’ Washington, Chief Spokesperson for the End Prison Slavery in Texas Movement
“We cannot afford to waver in our political participation, because we have the most to lose.” – Symone D. Sanders, political strategist and CNN commentator
Peace and Blessings, Sisters and Brothers!
Independence Day is a good time for New Afrikan and Latinx people to do a thorough inventory of our status and treatment within the confines of the United States of Amerika. While many free-world folks eat barbeque and sip something cold, a broad swath of the New Afrikan and Latinx population will be locked inside cages throughout Amerika!
This is a harsh and bitter reality that illuminates the fact that freedom, justice and equality still have not been achieved for many who have become victimized by Amerika’s “manifest destiny.”
Many of us claim to be leaders in the New Abolition Movement. This is a movement which seeks to end prison slavery and amend the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in order to strike the exception clause, also referred to as the slavery clause, which is underlined here: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
If you claim to be a leader, influencer or change maker, then you must take on the work. Today I am here to proclaim that 2019 Rodenberry Fellow Amani Sawari has risen to the challenge!
For years I have toiled incessantly in regard to addressing and shedding light on specific injustices and abuse I’ve witnessed and been subjected to here in the slave state of Texas. While I’ve been doing my “thang,” Sister Amani has been doing hers – and in a magnificent manner, I must add!
Do you want to know why 2020 presidential candidates in Amerika have been talking about granting prisoners the right to vote? It is because Amani Sawari is using her Roddenberry Fellowship to spearhead a national campaign to re-enfranchise thousands of prisoners housed in Amerikan jails and prisons.
Re-enfranchisement is a crucial part of this protracted Abolition Movement. Re-empowering the disenfranchised with their Right2Vote provides us with a “voice” and an opportunity to take part in a democracy which has failed us for decades.
In the 20th century, Malcolm X’s teaching in “The Ballot or the Bullet” seems prophetic, especially right now. We can’t continue to ignore the multitudes of human beings trapped inside these cages who have been systematically disenfranchised. This problem most assuredly will come back to haunt us one way or the other.
One of our main points of focus in this Abolition Movement is to actively and assertively seek to strike the exception clause (slavery clause) which is contained within the body of the 13th Amendment and which has promoted, condoned and sanctioned “legalized slavery” for over a century and a half.
Pennsylvania prisoner and freedom fighter Richard A. Smith has crafted a letter directed to members of the United Nations. This letter requests that the United Nations call for the “slavery clause” of the 13th Amendment to be amended in order to finally abolish slavery and involuntary servitude in Amerika once and for all!
We the leaders, influencers and change makers of this Abolition Movement are requesting that our sisters and brothers in the rap music industry as well as conscious professional athletes and entertainers in Amerika with free-wor1d citizens who are staying woke sign on to this letter that we intend to deliver to United Nations Secretary Antonio Guterres.
The General Assembly Session opens in September 2019, so please do not procrastinate. Act today!
“Re-empowering the disenfranchised with their Right2Vote provides us with a ‘voice’ and an opportunity to take part in a democracy which has failed us for decades.”
In order to check out the letter that we intend to send and to sign on your support and endorsement, please visit http://sawarimi.org/appeal-to-the-united-nations.
If you would like to learn more, please by all means contact our Sister in Struggle Amani Sawari via email at amanisawari@gmail.com or hit her up on twitter at @sawarimi.
In closing, I send out a call for action and support to Jay-Z and Meek Mill of Reform Alliance. I call upon the Big Homey, H-Town’s Finest, Rap Mogul J. Prince, as well as the entire #MobTies Movement. I am sending out a special request for support to J. Cole, Colin Kaepernick, Cardi-B, Solange Knowles and Beyonce! We need y’all support!
Do your research, this movement and this struggle is real. I leave as I came in the spirit of peace. Help us to end prison slavery in Amerika!
Dare to Struggle, Dare to Win, All Power to the People!
Keith “Malik” Washington is a co-founder and chief spokesperson for the End Prison Slavery in Texas Movement, he is a proud member of the Incarcerated Workers Organizing Committee and the deputy chairman of the New African Black Panther Party (Prison Chapter).
Malik has been instrumental in calling for the abolition of legalized slavery in Amerika and is very active in the Fight Toxic Prisons Campaign. You can view his work at comrademalik.com or you can also read his articles at https://sfbayviewnews.wpenginepowered.com/?s=keith+malik+washington which he regularly writes for the San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper. Send him an e-mail at kh.washington68@gmail.com or write him directly at Keith H. Washington, 1487958, McConnell Unit, 3001 S. Emily Dr., Beeville, Texas 78102.
Amani Sawari navigated into the world of journalism and research writing after graduating from the University of Washington with a double major in media and communications and law, economics and public policy. Her time at UW allowed Amani to develop her writing skills, and her passion for social equity and human rights led her to pursue photography and journalism. In college she assisted new students from around the world with their transition into the university. She also mentored and arranged programs for students living in on-campus housing. These experiences allowed Amani to develop an appreciation for working with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Today, she is a newsletter writer and editor for two publications. She writes an internal newsletter for a real-estate agency in Seattle, and the other is a community publication called “No Shackles” for a prisoner advocacy organization. In addition to newsletter writing, she also manages her own website, sawarimi.org, where she publishes articles and essays to inspire the black community, particularly in the United States.
A fun fact about Amani: She started her own business when she was 18 years old. To this day she manages a hair studio in the Seattle area. As a result of this work, she’s been able to connect with hundreds of women from around the country, sharing her expertise and love for natural hair. See more at https://wearenotnumbers.org/home/Mentor/Amani_Sawari.
PHOTO: Secretariat Building at UN headquarters by Rick Bajornas, UN Photo
CAPTION: The Secretariat Building at UN headquarters in New York City – Photo: Rick Bajornas, UN
