Tag: Joe A’Jene Valentine

Moved to our own educational critical thinking by Joe A’Jene Valentine’s critique of F.M. Shabazz’ story in SFBV’s May 2021 issue, another gift of shared humanity from the inside expands the view.

From behind the walls in a well of complexities, emerges clarity on the state of our humanity and the cloak of domination, oppression and abuse worn by Black and Brown people, even as some of that number are part of the fabric of the cloak.

I was validated on the mere basis of my New Afrikan revolutionary beliefs and political activities, expediently defined and treated as “gang activity.” I was literally told that my political writings were in the hands of others and would I consider not writing such because of their “concerns.” Naturally I refused to conform to their illegal requests, but a clear message was delivered to me: CDCR prefers that prisoners not evolve politically but to remain gang oriented inmates.

Know your enemy from your friend. On March 10, not too far from Pelican Bay State Prison, a 6.9 earthquake struck in Eureka and the powerful vibration was felt miles around. At that moment my thoughts began racing and the thought which prevailed was this: “If these haphazardly-designed concrete slabs began collapsing, we’d all be in the same damn boat – crushed dead.”