anarchism and the black revolution

60
8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 1/60 LorenzoKom’boaErvin DedicationForthesecondeditionofAnarchismandtheBlackRevolution IdedicatethissecondeditionofAnarchismandtheBlackRevolutiontoComrade GingerKatz,oneofthefoundersoftheoriginalNorthAmericanAnarchistBlack Crossalmost15yearsago.ItwasGingerKatzwhoalmostsingle-handedlyarrange dforthetypesetting,publishingandprintingofthefirstedition,andthensh ewentoutandsoldthembythethousands.Withouther,thissecondeditionwoul dnothavebeenpossible. Shehadtofighttogetthebookspublished,andtogetahearingformyselfand otherBlackAnarchists,whohadthingstosayaboutthedirectionofthemoveme nt.The“Anarchistpurists,”whowantedtokeepthemovementallwhiteandasanInd ividualist,counter-culturalphenomenon,foughthertoothandnail.Someofthes ecriticismsandstruggleswerethinlyveiledracism,andIamsurethattheyfr ustratedandexhaustedComradeGinger.Ifso,sheneverrelayedittome,butI hearditfromothersources.IremembermydealingswithAnarchistsinthemovem entduringthe1970s,whodeniedtheexistenceofracismassomethingweshould fightentirely.ButnotComradeGinger.ShewasoneofthefewAnarchistswhoun derstoodhowtheAmericanstatewasorganized,andhowitusedwhiteskinprivil egetosplittheworkingclass,andtocontinuethedictatorshipofCapitalismt hroughsuch“divideandrule”tactics. IstillhavesomeofthelettersthatGingerwroteme15yearsagowhenIwasin prison.ButIlostcontactwithhersincetheearly1980.In1983,Iwasreleas edfromprison,andbecameestrangedfromtheAnarchistandprisonmovements,so Idonotknowwheresheis.Butwhereversheis,Ihopeshewillknowhowmuch Iappreciatewhatshedidtomakethisprojectareality,andhowshelaidthes eedsforthegrowthofthepresentandfutureLibertarianSocialistmovementon thiscontinent,andhopefullyaroundtheworld.IamhopefulthatImightoneda ymeether,maybewhenIamonanationalbooktourforthisandotherbooksIh avewritten,andjustthankherforhelpingme,whenIcouldnothelpmyself.To thiscomrade,Iwillgivemyloveandrespectalways.Thankyou. LorenzoKom’boaErvin September1993 Chapter1.AnAnalysisofWhiteSupremacy ThispamphletwillbrieflydiscussthenatureofAnarchismanditsrelevanceto theBlackLiberationmovement.Becausetherehavebeensomanyliesanddistorti onsofwhatAnarchismreallystandsfor,bybothitsleft-andright-wingideolo gicalopponents,itwillbenecessarytodiscussthemanypopularmythsaboutit .Thisinitselfdeservesabook,butisnottheintentionofthispamphlet,whi chismerelytointroducetheBlackmovementtorevolutionaryAnarchistideals. Itisuptothereadertodeterminewhetherthesenewideasarevalidandworthy ofadoption. HowtheCapitalistsUseRacism Thefateofthewhiteworkingclasshasalwaysbeenboundwiththeconditionof Blackworkers.GoingasfarbackastheAmericancolonialperiodwhenBlacklabo rwasfirstimportedintoAmerica,Blackslavesandindenturedservantshavebee noppressedrightalongwithwhitesofthelowerclasses.ButwhenEuropeaninde nturedservantsjoinedwithBlackstorebelagainsttheirlotinthelate1600s, thepropertiedclassdecidedto“free”thembygivingthemaspecialstatusas“white s”andthusastakeinthesystemofoppression. Materialincentives,aswellasthenewlyelevatedsocialstatuswereusedtoen suretheselowerclassesallegiance.Thisinventionofthe“whiterace”andracials

Upload: mosi-ngozi-fka-james-harris

Post on 06-Apr-2018

225 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 1/60

LorenzoKom’boaErvinDedicationForthesecondeditionofAnarchismandtheBlackRevolution

IdedicatethissecondeditionofAnarchismandtheBlackRevolutiontoComradeGingerKatz,oneofthefoundersoftheoriginalNorthAmericanAnarchistBlackCrossalmost15yearsago.ItwasGingerKatzwhoalmostsingle-handedlyarrangedforthetypesetting,publishingandprintingofthefirstedition,andthenshewentoutandsoldthembythethousands.Withouther,thissecondeditionwouldnothavebeenpossible.

Shehadtofighttogetthebookspublished,andtogetahearingformyselfandotherBlackAnarchists,whohadthingstosayaboutthedirectionofthemovement.The“Anarchistpurists,”whowantedtokeepthemovementallwhiteandasanIndividualist,counter-culturalphenomenon,foughthertoothandnail.Someofthesecriticismsandstruggleswerethinlyveiledracism,andIamsurethattheyfrustratedandexhaustedComradeGinger.Ifso,sheneverrelayedittome,butIhearditfromothersources.IremembermydealingswithAnarchistsinthemovementduringthe1970s,whodeniedtheexistenceofracismassomethingweshouldfightentirely.ButnotComradeGinger.ShewasoneofthefewAnarchistswhounderstoodhowtheAmericanstatewasorganized,andhowitusedwhiteskinprivilegetosplittheworkingclass,andtocontinuethedictatorshipofCapitalismthroughsuch“divideandrule”tactics.

IstillhavesomeofthelettersthatGingerwroteme15yearsagowhenIwasin

prison.ButIlostcontactwithhersincetheearly1980.In1983,Iwasreleasedfromprison,andbecameestrangedfromtheAnarchistandprisonmovements,soIdonotknowwheresheis.Butwhereversheis,IhopeshewillknowhowmuchIappreciatewhatshedidtomakethisprojectareality,andhowshelaidtheseedsforthegrowthofthepresentandfutureLibertarianSocialistmovementonthiscontinent,andhopefullyaroundtheworld.IamhopefulthatImightonedaymeether,maybewhenIamonanationalbooktourforthisandotherbooksIhavewritten,andjustthankherforhelpingme,whenIcouldnothelpmyself.Tothiscomrade,Iwillgivemyloveandrespectalways.Thankyou.

LorenzoKom’boaErvin

September1993

Chapter1.AnAnalysisofWhiteSupremacy

ThispamphletwillbrieflydiscussthenatureofAnarchismanditsrelevancetotheBlackLiberationmovement.BecausetherehavebeensomanyliesanddistortionsofwhatAnarchismreallystandsfor,bybothitsleft-andright-wingideologicalopponents,itwillbenecessarytodiscussthemanypopularmythsaboutit.Thisinitselfdeservesabook,butisnottheintentionofthispamphlet,whichismerelytointroducetheBlackmovementtorevolutionaryAnarchistideals.Itisuptothereadertodeterminewhetherthesenewideasarevalidandworthyofadoption.HowtheCapitalistsUseRacism

ThefateofthewhiteworkingclasshasalwaysbeenboundwiththeconditionofBlackworkers.GoingasfarbackastheAmericancolonialperiodwhenBlacklaborwasfirstimportedintoAmerica,Blackslavesandindenturedservantshavebeenoppressedrightalongwithwhitesofthelowerclasses.ButwhenEuropeanindenturedservantsjoinedwithBlackstorebelagainsttheirlotinthelate1600s,thepropertiedclassdecidedto“free”thembygivingthemaspecialstatusas“whites”andthusastakeinthesystemofoppression.

Materialincentives,aswellasthenewlyelevatedsocialstatuswereusedtoensuretheselowerclassesallegiance.Thisinventionofthe“whiterace”andracials

Page 2: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 2/60

laveryoftheAfricanswenthand-in-glove,andishowtheupperclassesmaintainedorderduringtheperiodofslavery.Evenpoorwhiteshadaspirationsofdoingbetter,sincetheirsocialmobilitywasensuredbythenewsystem.Thissocialmobility,however,wasonthebacksoftheAfricanslaves,whoweresuper-exploited.

Butthediehadbeencastforthedual-tierformoflabor,whichexploitedtheAfrican,butalsotrappedwhitelabor.WhentheysoughttoorganizeunionsorforhigherwagesintheNorthorSouth,whitelaborerswereslappeddownbytherich,whousedenslavedBlacklaborastheirprimarymodeofproduction.Theso-called“free”laborofthewhiteworkerdidnotstandachance.

AlthoughtheCapitalistsusedthesystemofwhiteskinprivilegetogreateffecttodividetheworkingclass,thetruthisthattheCapitalistsonlyfavoredwhiteworkerstousethemagainsttheirowninterests,notbecausetherewastrue“white”classunity.TheCapitalistsdidn’twantwhitelaborunitedwithBlacksagainsttheirruleandthesystemofexploitationoflabor.Theinventionofthe“whiterace”wasascamtofacilitatethisexploitation.WhiteworkerswereboughtofftoallowtheirownwageslaveryandtheAfrican’ssuper-exploitation;theystruckadealwiththedevil,whichhashamperedalleffortsatclassunityforthelastfourcenturies.

Thecontinualsubjugationofthemassesdependsoncompetitionandinternaldisunity.Aslongasdiscriminationexists,andracialorethnicminoritiesareoppr

essed,theentireworkingclassisoppressedandweakened.ThisissobecausetheCapitalistclassisabletouseracismtodrivedownthewagesofindividualsegmentsoftheworkingclassbyincitingracialantagonismandforcingafightforjobsandservices.Thisdivisionisadevelopmentthatultimatelyundercutsthelivingstandardsofallworkers.Moreover,bypittingwhitesagainstBlacksandotheroppressednationalities,theCapitalistclassisabletopreventworkersfromunitingagainsttheircommonclassenemy.Aslongasworkersarefightingeachother,Capitalistclassruleissecure.

IfaneffectiveresistanceistobemountedagainstthecurrentracistoffensiveoftheCapitalistclass,theutmostsolidaritybetweenworkersofallracesisessentialThewaytodefeattheCapitaliststrategyisforwhiteworkerstodefendthedemocraticrightswonbyBlacksandotheroppressedpeoplesafterdecades

ofhardstruggle,andtofighttodismantlethesystemofwhiteskinprivilege.WhiteworkersshouldsupportandadopttheconcretedemandsoftheBlackmovement,andshouldworktoabolishthewhiteidentityentirely.Thesewhiteworkersshouldstriveformulticulturalunity,andshouldworkwithBlackactiviststobuildananti-racistmovementtochallengewhitesupremacy.However,itisalsoveryimportanttorecognizetherightoftheBlackmovementtotakeanindependentroadinitsowninterests.Thatiswhatself-determinationmeans.RaceandClass:theCombinedCharacterofBlackOppression

BecauseofthewaythisnationhasdevelopedwiththeexploitationofAfricanlaborandthemaintenanceofaninternalcolony,Blacksandothernon-whitepeoplesareoppressedbothasmembersoftheworkingclassandasaracialnationality.AsAfricansinAmerica,theyareadistinctpeople,houndedandsegregatedin

U.S.society.BystrugglingfortheirhumanandcivilrightstheyultimatelycomeintoconfrontationwiththeentireCapitalistsystem,notjustindividualracistsorregionsofthecountry.Thetruthsoonbecomesapparent:Blackscannotgettheirfreedomunderthissystembecause,basedonhistoricallyunevencompetition,Capitalistexploitationisinherentlyracist.

Atthisjuncturethemovementcangointothedirectionofrevolutionarysocialchange,orlimititselftowinningreformsanddemocraticrightswithinthestructureofCapitalism.Thepotentialisthereforeither.Infact,theweaknessofthe1960sCivilrightsmovementwasthatitallieditselfwiththeliberalsin

Page 3: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 3/60

theDemocraticPartyandsettledforcivilrightsprotectivelegislation,insteadofpushingforsocialrevolution.Thisself-policingbytheleadersofthemovementisanabjectlessonaboutwhythenewmovementhastobeself-activatedandnotdependentonpersonalitiesandpoliticians.

Butifsuchamovementdoesbecomeasocialrevolutionarymovement,itmustultimatelyuniteitsforceswithsimilarmovementslikeGays,Women,radicalworkers,andotherswhoareinrevoltagainstthesystem.Forexample,inthelate1960stheBlackLiberationmovementactedasacatalysttospreadrevolutionaryideasandimages,whichbroughtforththevariousoppositionmovementsweseetoday.Thisiswhatwebelievewillhappenagain,althoughitisnotenoughtocallformindless“unity”asmuchofthewhiteleftdoes.

Becauseofthedualformsofoppressionofnon-whiteworkersandthedepthofsocialdesperationitcreates,Blacksworkerswillstrikefirst,whethertheirpotentialalliesareavailabletodosoornot.Thisisself-determinationandthatiswhyitisnecessaryforoppressedworkerstobuildindependentmovementstounitetheirownpeoplesfirst.Thisiswhyitisabsolutelynecessaryforwhiteworkerstodefendthedemocraticrightsandgainsofnon-whiteworkers.Thisself-activityoftheoppressedmasses,(suchastheBlackLiberationmovement)isinherentlyrevolutionary,andisanessentialpartofthesocialrevolutionaryprocessoftheentireworkingclass.Thesearenotmarginalissues;itcannotbedowngradedorignoredbywhiteworkersifarevolutionaryvictoryistobehad.Ithastoberecognizedasacardinalprinciplebyall,thatoppressedpeoplesha

vearighttoself-determination,includingtherighttoruntheirownorganizationsandliberationstruggle.Thevictimsofracismknowbesthowtofightbackagainstit.SoWhatTypeofAnti-RacistGroupisNeeded?

TheBlackmovementneedsalliesinitsbattleagainsttheracistCapitalistclass—nottheusualliberalorphony“radical”support,butgenuinerevolutionaryworkingclasssupportandsolidarity,otherwisecalled“mutualaid”byAnarchists.Thebasisofsuchunityhowevermustbeprincipledandbebasedonclassinterest,ratherthanliberal“guilttripping,”“do-gooding”oropportunismandmanipulationbyliberlorradicalpoliticalparties.Theneedsoftheoppressedpeoplemustbethemostimportantconsideration,buttheywantgenuinesupport,notfakeryorleftistrhetoric.

TheAnarchistmovement,whichisoverwhelminglywhite,muststarttounderstandthattheyneedtodopropagandaworkamongtheBlackandotheroppressedcommunity,andtheyneedtomakeitpossiblefornon-whiteAnarchiststoorganizeintheircommunitiesbyprovidingthemwithtechnicalresources(printingofzines,videoandaudiocassetteproduction,etc.)andassistingwithfinancialresources.

OnereasontherearesofewBlackAnarchistsisbecausethemovementprovidesnomeanstoreachpeopleofcolor,winthemovertoAnarchismandhelpthemorganizethemselves.ThismustchangeifwewantthesocialrevolutiontotakeplaceinAmerica,andifwewantNorthAmericanAnarchismtobemorethan“whiterights”movement.

Thetypeoforganizationneededmustbea“mass”organizationworkingtouniteallworkersincommonclassstruggle,butmustbeabletorecognizethedutytosupportandadoptthespecialdemandsoftheBlackandothernon-whitepeoplesasthoseoftheentireworkingclass.Itmustchallengewhitesupremacyonadailybasis,itmustrefuteracistphilosophyandpropaganda,andmustcounterracistmobilizationandattacks,witharmedself-defenseandstreetfighting,whennecessary.Theobjectiveofsuchamassmovementistowinthewhiteworkingclassovertoananti-whitesupremacy,class-consciousposition;tounitetheentireworkingclass;andtodirectlyconfrontandoverthrowtheCapitaliststate,anditsr

Page 4: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 4/60

ulers.ThecooperationofandsolidarityofallworkersisessentialforfullSocialrevolution,notjustitsprivilegedwhitesector.

Forinstance,anexistingorganizationlikeAnti-RacistAction,ifadoptingsuchpoliticsasanAnarchistgroup,shouldbegivenahigherprioritybyourmovement.EverycityandtownshouldhaveARA-typecollectives,andeveryexistingAnarchistfederationshouldhaveinternalworkinggroupsthatdoworkaroundracismandpolicebrutality.Infact,thetypeofgroupthatIamtalkingaboutwouldbeafederationitselftocoordinatestrugglesonthenationalandmaybeeveninternationallevel.

Thiswouldbearevolutionarymovement,notcontenttositaroundandreadbooks,electafewBlackpoliticiansor“friendsofLabor”toCongressortheStateLegislature,writeprotestletters,circulatepetitions,orothersuchtametactics.ItwouldtaketheexamplesoftheearlyradicallabormovementsliketheIWW,aswellastheCivilrightsmovementofthe1960s,toshowthatonlydirectactiontacticsofconfrontationandmilitantprotestwillyieldanyresultsatall.Itwouldalsohavetheexampleofthe1992LosAngelesrebelliontoshowthatpeoplewillrevolt,butthereneedtobepowerfulalliesextendingmaterialaidandresistanceinfo,andanexistingmassmovementtotakeittothenextstepandspreadtheinsurrection.

TheAnarchistsmustrecognizethisandhelpbuildamilitantanti-racistgroup,whichwouldbebothasupportgroupfortheBlackrevolutionandamass-organizi

ngcentertounitetheclass.Itisveryimportanttowrestthemassinfluenceoftheracialequalitymovementoutofthehandsoftheleft-liberalDemocraticwingoftherulingclass.Theleftliberalsmaytalkagoodfight,butaslongastheyarenotforoverthrowingCapitalismandsmashingthestate,theywillbetrayandsabotagetheentirestruggleagainstracism.Thestrategyoftheleft-liberalsistodeflectclass-consciousnessintostrictlyraceconsciousness.TheyrefusetoappealonthebasisofclassmaterialintereststotheU.S.workingandmiddleclassestosupportBlackrights,andasaresultallowtheright-wingtocapitalizeunopposedonthelatentracistfeelingamongwhites,aswellasontheireconomicinsecurity.ThekindofmovementIamproposingwillstepinthebreachandattackwhitesupremacy,anddismantletheverythreadsofwhatholdsCapitalismtogether.WithoutthemasswhiteconsensustotheruleoftheAmericanstate,andthesystemofwhiteskinprivilege,Capitalismcouldnotgooninto

thenextcentury!TheMythof“ReverseRacism”

“ReverseDiscrimination”hasbecomethewarcryofallthoseraciststryingtorollbackcivilrightsgainswonbyBlacksandotheroppressednationalitiesinhousing,education,employment,andeveryaspectofsociallife.Theracistsfeelthesethingsshouldonlygotowhitemales,andthat“minorities”andwomenaretakingthemawayfromwhitemen.Millionsofwhiteworkersday-inandday-outarebombardedbythisracistpropaganda,anditishavingebigimpact.Manywhitesbelievethislieofreversediscriminationagainstwhitepeople.Thisbeliefisembracedbymanydupedwhiteworkers,whoconsider“reversediscrimination”tobeatleastpartlyresponsiblefortheeconomicproblemssomanyofthemaresufferingfromtoday.SuchbeliefspropelledRonaldReagantohistwotermsasU.S.president

.Reagantriedtousethisracistpropagandalinetoprecipitatearollbackinthecivilrightsgainsofoppressednationalities.

TheracistsclaimtheconceptofreversediscriminationsuggeststhewholesalediscriminationagainstBlacksandotherraciallyoppressedgroupsisahoax.Baldlystated,theideaisthatthepassageofthe1964CivilrightsActendeddiscriminationagainstBlacks,Latinosandothernationalities,andwomen,andnowthelawisdiscriminatingagainstwhitepeople.TheracistssayracialminoritiesandwomenarethenewprivilegedgroupsinAmericansociety.Theyareallegedlygettingthepickofjobs,preferentialcollegeplacements,thebesthousing,gov

Page 5: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 5/60

ernmentgrants,andsoonattheexpenseofwhiteworkers.Theracistssayprogramstoenddiscriminationarenotonlyunnecessary,butareactuallyattemptsbyminoritiestogainpowerattheexpenseofwhiteworkers.TheysayBlacksandwomendonotwantequality,butratherhegemonyoverwhiteworkers.

AnAnarchistanti-racistmovementwouldcountersuchpropagandaandexposeitasarulingclassweapon.TheCivilRightsActdidnotcauseinflationby“excessive”spendingonwelfare,housing,orothersocialservices.Further,Blacksaren’tdiscriminatingagainstwhites:whitesarenotbeingherdedintoghettohousing;removedfromorprohibitedfromenteringprofessions;deprivedofdecenteducation;forcedintomalnutritionandearlydeath;subjectedtoracialviolenceandpolicerepression,forcedtosufferdisproportionatelevelsofunemployment,andotherformsofracialoppression.ButforBlackstheoppressionstartswithbirthandchildhood.Infantmortalityrateisnearlythreetimesthatofwhites,anditcontinuesanthroughouttheirlives.Thefactis“reversediscrimination”isahoax.Anti-Blackdiscriminationisnotathingofthepast.Itisthesystematic,allpervasiverealitytoday!

MalcolmXpointedoutinthe1960sthatnocivilrightsstatuteswillgiveBlackpeopletheirfreedom,andaskedifAfricansinAmericawerereallycitizenswhywouldcivilrightsbenecessary.MalcolmXobservedcivilrightshadbeenfoughtforatgreatsacrifice,andthereforeshouldbeenforced,butifthegovernmentwon’tenforcethelaws,thenthepeoplewillhavetodoso,andthemovementwillhavetopressurethegovernmentauthoritiestoprotectdemocraticrights.Tou

nitethemassesofpeoplebehindaworkingclassanti-racistmovement,thefollowingpracticaldemands,whichareacombinationrevolutionaryandradicalreformism,toensuredemocraticrights,arenecessary:

Blackandwhiteworkers’solidarity.Fightracismonthejobandinsociety.

Fulldemocraticandhumanrightsforallnon-whitepeoples.Makeunionsfightracismanddiscrimination.

Armedself-defenseagainstracistattacks.Buildmassmovementagainstracismandfascism.

Communitycontrolofthepolice,replacementofcopsbycommunityself-defen

seforceelectedbyresidents.Endpolicebrutality.Prosecutionofallkillercops.

Moneyforrebuildingthecities.Creationofpublicworksbrigadestorebuildinnercityareas,madeupofcommunityresidents.

Fullsociallyusefulemploymentatunionwagesforallworkers.Endracialdiscriminationinjobs,trainingandpromotions.Establishaffirmative:actionprogramstoreversepastracistemploymentpractices.

BantheKuKluxKlan,Nazisandotherfascistorganizations.Prosecutionofallracistsforattacksonpeopleofcolor.

Freeopenadmissionstoallinstitutionsoflearningforallthosequalifiedtoattend.Noracialexclusioninhighereducation.

Endtaxesofworkersandpoor.Taxtherichandmajorcorporations.

Fullhealthandmedicalcareforallpersonsandcommunities,regardlessofraceandclass.

Freeallpoliticalprisonersandinnocentvictimsofracialinjustice.Abolishprisons.Fighteconomicdisparity.

Page 6: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 6/60

RankandfiledemocraticcontroloftheunionsbybuildinganAnarcho-Syndicalistlabormovement.Makeunionsactiveinsocialissues.

Stopracistharassmentanddiscriminationofundocumentedworkers.

SmashtherightWing!

“Fascismisnottobedebated.Itistobesmashed…”

—BuenaventuraDurritti,SpanishAnarchistrevolutionary,1936.

AsCapitalistsocietydecays,peoplewilllookforradicalandtotalsolutionstothemiserytheyface.TheNazisandtheKlanareamongthefewright-wingpoliticalforcesthatoffer,orappeartooffer,aradicalanswertothecurrentproblemsofsocietyforthewhitemasses.ThatthesesolutionsarefalsewillmatterlittletoconfusedandhystericalpeoplesearchingdesperatelyforawayoutofthesocioeconomiccrisistheCapitalistworldisfacing.Sectionsofthemiddleclass,better-offlayersofthewhiteworkingclass,poorandunemployedwhiteworkers,allpoisonedbytheracismofthissociety,areeasypreyforNaziandKlandemagogues.

TheNazis,skinheadsandtheKlanarethemostextremeright-wingracist/fascistorganizationsintheUnitedStates.Todaythesegroupsaresmall,andmanylibe

ralsliketodownplaythethreattheyrepresent,eventoarguefortheirlegal“rights”tospreadtheirracistvenom.Butthesegroupshaveatremendousgrowthpotentialandcouldbecomeamassmovementinasurprisinglyshortperiodoftime,especiallyduringaneconomicandpoliticalcrisislikewearenowin.

Basingthemselvesonalienatedwhitesocialforces,theNazisandKlanaretryingtobuildamassmovementthatcanhireitselfouttotheCapitalistsatthepropermomentandassumestatepower.WhentheCapitalistfeelthattheymightneedanadditionalclubtokeeptheworkersandtheoppressedinline,theywillturntotheNazis,Klanandsimilarright-wingorganizations,withbothmoneyandsupport,inadditiontostrengtheningthestatepoliceandmilitaryforces.Ifneedbe,theCapitalistswillplacetheminpower,(astheydidinSpain,GermanyandItalyinthe1920sand1930s),sothefascistswillsmashtheunionsandot

herworkingclassorganizations;placeBlacks,LatinosGays,Asians,andJewsintoconcentrationcamps;andturntherestoftheworkersintoStateslaves.Fascismistheultimateauthoritariansocietywheninpower,eventhoughithaschangeditsfacetoamixtureofcruderacismandsmootherracisminthemoderndemocraticstate.

SoinadditiontotheNazisandtheKlan,thereareotherright-wingforcesthathavebeenontheriseinthelast15years.Theyincludeultra-conservativerightistpoliticiansandChristianfundamentalistpreachers,alongwiththeextremerightsectionoftheCapitalistrulingclassitself—smallbusinessowners,talkshowhostslikeRushLimbaugh,alongwiththeprofessors,economists,philosophersandothersinacademiaprovidingtheideologicalweaponryfortheCapitalistoffensiveagainsttheworkersandoppressedpeople.Notalltheracistswearsh

eets.Thesearethe“respectable”racists,thenewrightconservatives,whoarefarmoredangerousthantheKlanorNazisbecausetheirpoliticshavebecomeacceptabletolargemassesofwhiteworkers,whointurnblameracialminoritiesfortheirproblems.

TheCapitalistclasshasalreadyshowntheirwillingnesstousethisconservativemovementasasmokescreenforanattackontheLabormovement,Blackstruggleandtheentireworkingclass.Manycitypublicworkershavebeenfired;schools,hospitalsandothersocialserviceshavebeencurtailed;governmentagencieshavebeenprivatized;welfarerollshavebeencutdrastically;andthebudgetsof

Page 7: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 7/60

cityandstategovernmentsslashed.Bankshaveevenusedtheirdictatorialpowerstodemandthesebudgetcuts,andtoeven,makeentirecitiesdefaultiftheydidnotsubmit.ThisevenhappenedtoNewYorkCityinthe1970s.Sothisisnotjustanissueofpoor,dumbrednecksinhoods.Thisisabouthoodsinbusinesssuits.

Afirststepinorganizingandpreparingtheworkingclassintheeconomiccrisiswefaceistodirectlytakeontheright-wingthreat.Repressiveeconomiclegislationbyconservativepoliticianstopunishthepoorandworkingclassmustbedefeated;taxesontherichandmajorcorporationsmustbeincreased,whiletaxesontheworkersandfarmersmustbeabolished.Ifthepoliticianswillnotdoit,wewillorganizeataxboycotttoforcethemtodoit.TheNazisandKlanmustbeconfrontedthroughdirectaction.Anarchists,theleftandlabororganizationsmustorganizetodefendworkersandoppressedfromphysicalassaultsbytheracists,aswellasholdmassdemonstrationsinthestreetsatfascistrallies.WealsomustopposescumlikeOperationRescuethatusesviolentFascisttacticsagainstwomen’srightstoabortions.Itispartofthesamebattleground.

Hereisthesituation:DavidDuke,the“ex”-Klansmanisnowpartofthe“respectable”rght,whichpicksupsupportamongtheuppermiddleclass.MeanwhiletheKlanandNaziskinheadsaremakingheadwayamongdifferentsociallayers,mainlypoorwhiteworkersandunemployedwhiteyouth.TomMetzger,theleaderofwhiteAryanResistance,calledtheNaziskinheadshis“Brown-shirtsofthe’90s.”Thisisverydangerous,butwecannotleavethesepeopletotheNazisandKlanuncontested.Wesh

ouldtrytowinthemover,oratleastneutralizeanyactiveoppositionontheirpart.Thisisadefensivetacticattheveryleast,butreallywehavenochoice,anditispartofourrevolutionarydutytoorganizetheentireworkingclassanyway.WeshoulddirectpropagandatotheseworkerstoexposetheNazisandKlanforthescumtheyare,andshowhowtheworkersarebeingmisled.Weshouldalsomakeitpossibleforthemtofightthismiseryagainsttherealenemy:theCapitalistclass.

Butinadditiontodefensiveoperationsforpropaganda,wemusttakedirectoffensiveactiontophysicallyresisttheracistswhenthisispossible.Forexample,wherethebalanceofforcesallowsit,wemustorganizetoforcefullydrivetheNazisandKlanoffthestreets.Inordertosmashtheirmovementswemustorganizecommando-typeactionstoattacktheirrallies,closetheirbookshopsandne

wspapers,destroytheirmeetinghalls,andbreakuptheirmarches.SincetheNazisandKlanorganizebythreateningandusingviolence,wemustbepreparedtoreplytotheminkind,butinabetter-organizedandmoreeffectiveway.Forinstance,pigslikeDavidDukeandTomMetzger,whohavebeenadvocatingandleadingthefascistmovementinAmerica,shouldbeassassinated.WeshouldinfiltrateKlanandNazidemonstrationsinordertoassaultleadersanddisruptthem,orhideatadistanceandsnipeatthemwithhigh-poweredrifles.IhavealwaysfeltthatundergroundguerillamovementsliketheBlackLiberationArmy,WeatherUnderground,andNewWorldLiberationFrontshouldhaveattackedfascistmovementsandassassinatedtheirleaders.Ifwecripplethefascistsinthisfashion,wecansmashtheentirerightandbegintosmashtheState.Thisistheonlywaytostopfascists.DeathtotheKlanandallfascists!

NoneotherthanAdolphHitlerhasbeenquotedassaying:“Onlyonethingcouldhavestoppedourmovement.Ifouradversarieshadunderstooditsprinciple,andfromthefirstdayhadsmashedwiththeutmostbrutalitythenucleusofournewmovement.”Weshouldtakeheed.

Oneotherthingthatwemustdo,andissomethingwhichtacticallyseparatesusAnarchistsfromtheMarxist-Leninists,isthatweuseourstudiesoftheauthoritarianpersonalitytohelpusorganizeagainstfascistrecruitmentAlltheM-L’s“UnitedFronts”careaboutisastrictpoliticalapproachtodefeatfascismandpreventthemfromattainingstatepower,whilebeingabletoushertheCommunistpart

Page 8: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 8/60

yininstead.Theyorganizeliberalsandothersintomasscoalitionsjusttoseizepower,andthencrushallradicalandliberalideologicalopponentsaftertheygetdonewiththefascists.ThatiswhytheStalinist`Communist”statesresemblefascistpolicestatessomuchinrefusingtoallowideologicalplurality—theyarebothtotalitarian.Forthatmatter,howmuchdifferencewastherereallybetweenStalinandHitler?So,Isaythatmerelyphysicallybeatingbackthefascistsisnottheissue.Weneedtostudywhataccountsforthemasspsychologyoffascismandthendefeatitideologically,goingtothecoreofthedeepseatedracistbeliefs,emotions,andauthoritarianconditioningofthoseworkerswhosupportfascismandallpolicestateauthority.

Thethirdprongofourstrategyistoorganizeamongtheworkersandotheroppressedsectionsofsocietywithaprogramthataddressestheirneeds.Ashasbeensaid,theKlanandNazisrecruitamongcertainsociallayers—overwhelminglywhiteyouthwhoarehard-pressedbytheeconomiccrisis.ThesepeopleseeBlacks,Latinos,Asians,Gays,women,andradicalmovementsasathreat.Theyareracist,reactionaryandpotentiallyveryviolent.Fearfulthattheywilllosethelittletheyhave,theybuythemyththattheproblemsis“thosepeople”tryingtostealtheirjobs,homes,future,etc.,ratherthanthedecayoftheCapitalistsystem.

Aslongasthereappearstobenoalternativetofightingoverashrinkingsocial“pie,”thefascists,withtheirsimpleminded“solutions,”willgetahearingamongtedegenerateelementsoftheworkingclass.TheonlywaytoundercuttheappealoftherightistoorganizeaLibertarianworkersmovementthatcanfightforan

dwinthethingsthatpeopleneed—jobs,decenthousingandschools,healthcare,etc.Thiscandemonstrateconcretelythatthereisanalternativetotherightwing’spoisonous“solutions,”anditcanwintotheranksoftheworkers’movementsomeofthosepeopleattractedtothefascistmovement.

Inallareasofourorganizing,wemustcarryoutconsistentrevolutionarypropagandaexplainingCapitalismisresponsibleforunemployment,risingprices,rottenschoolsandhousingandtherestofthedecayweseearoundus.Wemustexposethefactthat,whiletheNazis,Klanandotherright-wingersmakeBlack,Gays,Latinosandotheroppressedpeoplethescapegoatfortheeconomiccrisis,theirrealaimistodestroytheentireworkersmovement,commitgenocide,startanadventuristicwarandturnworkersintooutrightslavesoftheState.Therefore,thesefascistforcesareathreattoallworkersofeverynationality.Itmustb

eexplainedthattheyonlywanttousewhiteworkersaspawnsintheirschemetocreateafascistdictatorship,andallworkersmustuniteandfightbackandoverthrowthestateiftheyaretobefree.DeathtotheKlan,deathtothenazis!Defeatwhitesupremacy!

Theverymeansofclasscontrolbytherichistheleastunderstood.Whitesupremacyismorethanjustasetofideasorprejudices.Itisnationaloppression.Yettomostwhitepeople,thetermconjuresupimagesoftheNazisorKuKluxKlanratherthanthesystemofwhiteskinprivilegesthatreallyundergridstheCapitalistsystemintheU.S.Mostwhitepeople,Anarchistsincluded,believeinessencethatBlackpeopleare“thesame”aswhites,andthatweshouldjustfightaround“commonissues”ratherthandealwith“racialmatters,”iftheyseeanyurgencyinealingwiththematteratall.Somewillnotraiseitinsuchabluntfashion,t

heywillsaythat“classissuesshouldtakeprecedence,”butitmeansthesamething.Theybelieveit’spossibletoputoffthestruggleagainstwhitesupremacyuntilaftertherevolution,wheninfacttherewillbenorevolutionifwhitesupremacyisnotattackedanddefeatedfirst.Theywon’twinarevolutionintheU.S.untiltheyfighttoimprovethelotofBlacksandoppressedpeoplewhoarebeingdeprivedoftheirdemocraticrights,aswellasbeingsuper-exploitedasworkers.

AlmostfromtheveryinceptionoftheNorthAmericansocialistmovement,thesimple-mindedeconomistpositionthatallBlackandwhiteworkershavetodotowagearevolutionistoengageina“common(economic)struggle”hasbeenusedtoavoid

Page 9: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 9/60

struggleagainstwhitesupremacy.Infact,thewhitelefthasalwaystakenthechauvinistpositionthatsincethewhiteworkingclassistherevolutionaryvanguardanyway,whyworryaboutanissuethatwill“dividetheclass”?HistoricallyAnarchistshavenotevenbroughtupthematterof“racepolitics,”asoneAnarchistreferredtoitthefirsttimethispamphletwaspublished.Thisisatotalevasionoftheissue.

YetitistheCapitalistbourgeoisiethatcreatesinequalityasawaytodivideandruleovertheentireworkingclass.WhiteskinprivilegeisaformofdominationbyCapitaloverwhitelaboraswellasoppressednationalitylabor,notjustprovidingmaterialincentivesto“buyoff”whiteworkersandsetthemagainstBlackandotheroppressedworkers.ThisexplainstheobedienceofwhitelabortoCapitalismandtheState.Thewhiteworkingclassdoesnotseetheirbetteroffconditionaspartofthesystemofexploitation.Aftercenturiesofpoliticalandsocialindoctrination,theyfeeltheirprivilegedpositionisjustandproper,andwhatismorehasbeen“earned.”Theyfeelthreatenedbysocialgainsofnon-whiteworkers,whichiswhytheysovehementlyopposedaffirmativeactionplanstobenefitminoritiesinjobsandhiring,andtoredressyearsofdiscriminationagainstthem.Itisalsowhywhiteworkershaveopposedmostcivilrightslegislation.

Yetitistheday-to-dayworkingsofwhitesupremacythatwemustfightmostvigorously.Wecannotremainignorantorindifferenttotheworkingsofraceandclassunderthissystem,sothatoppressedworkersremainvictimized.Foryears,B

lackshavebeen“firsthired,firstfired”byCapitalistindustry.Further,senioritysystemshaveengagedinopenracialdiscrimination,andarelittlemorethanwhitejobtrusts.Blackshaveevenbeendrivenoutofwholeindustries,suchascoalmining.Yetthewhitelaborbosseshaveneverobjectedorintervenedonbehalfoftheirclassbrothers,norwilltheyifnotpressedupagainstthewallbywhiteworkers.

Aspointedouttherearematerialincentivestothiswhiteworkeropportunism:betterjobs,higherpay,improvedlivingconditionsinwhitecommunities,etc.,inshortwhathascometobeknownasthe“whitemiddleclasslifestyle.”Thisiswhatlaborandthelefthavealwaysfoughttomaintain,notclasssolidarity,whichwouldnecessitateastruggleagainstwhitesupremacy.Thislifestyleisbasedonthesuper-exploitationofthenon-whitesectorofthedomesticworkingclassa

swellascountriesexploitedbyimperialismaroundtheworld.

InAmerica,classantagonismhasalwaysincludedracialhatredasanessentialcomponent,butitisstructuralratherthanjustideological.Sincealloftheinstitutions,theculture,andthesocioeconomicsystemofU.S.Capitalismarebasedonwhitesupremacy,howthenisitpossibletotrulyfighttheruleofCapitalwithoutbeingforcedtodefeatwhitesupremacy?Thedual-tiereconomyofwhitesontopandBlacksonthebottom(evenwithalltheclassdifferencesamongwhiteshassuccessfullyresistedeveryattemptbyradicalsocialmovements.Thesereluctantreformershavedancedaroundtheissue.Whilewinningreforms,inmanycasesprimarilyforwhiteworkersonly,thesewhiteradicalshaveyettotopplethesystemandopentheroadtosocialrevolution.

ThefightagainstwhiteskinprivilegealsorequirestherejectionoftheviciousidentificationofNorthAmericansas“white”people,ratherthanasWelsh,German,Irish,etc.astheirnationalorigin.This“whiterace”designationisacontrivedsuper-nationalitydesignedtoinflatethesocialimportanceofEuropeanethnicsandtoenlistthemastoolsintheCapitalistsystemofexploitation.InNorthAmerica,whiteskinhasalwaysimpliedfreedomandprivilege:freedomtogainemployment,totravel,toobtainsocialmobilityoutofone’sbornclassstanding,andawholeworldofEurocentricprivileges.Therefore,beforeasocialrevolutioncantakeplace,theremustbeanabolitionofthesocialcategoryofthe“whiterace.”(withfewexceptionsinthisessay,Iwillbeginreferringtothemas“NorthA

Page 10: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 10/60

mericans.”)

These“white”peoplemustengageinclasssuicideandracetreacherybeforetheycantrulybeacceptedasalliesofBlackandnationallyoppressedworkers;thewholeideabehinda“whiterace”isconformityandmakingthemaccomplicestomassmurderandexploitation.Ifwhitepeopledonotwanttobesaddledwiththehistoricallegacyofcolonialism,slaveryandgenocidethemselves,thentheymustrebelagainstit.Sothe“whites”mustdenouncethewhiteidentityanditssystemofprivilege,andtheymuststruggletoredefinethemselvesandtheirrelationshipwithothers.Aslongaswhitesociety,(throughtheStatewhichsaysitisactinginthenameofwhitepeople),continuestooppressanddominatealltheinstitutionsoftheBlackcommunity,racialtensionwillcontinuetoexist,andwhitesgenerallywillcontinuetobeseenastheenemy.

SowhatdoNorthAmericansstarttodotodefeatracialopportunism,whiteskinprivilegesandotherformsofwhitesupremacy?Firsttheymustbreakdownthewallsseparatingthemfromtheirnon-whiteallies.Thentogethertheymustwageafightagainstinequalityintheworkplace,communities,andinthesocialorder.YetitnotjustthedemocraticrightsofAfricanpeoplewearereferringtowhenwearetalkingabout“nationaloppression.”Ifthatwerethewholeissue,thenmaybemorereformscouldobtainracialandsocialequality.Butno,thatisnotwhatwearetalkingabout.

Blacks(orAfricansinAmerica)arecolonized.Americaisamothercountrywith

aninternalcolony.ForAfricansinAmerica,oursituationisoneoftotaloppression.Nopeoplearetrulyfreeuntiltheycandeterminetheirowndestiny.Oursisacaptive,oppressedcolonialstatusthatmustbeoverthrown,notjustsmashingideologicalracismordenialofcivilrights.Infact,withoutsmashingtheinternalcolonyfirstmeansthelikelihoodofacontinuanceofthisoppressioninanotherform.WemustdestroythesocialdynamicofaveryrealexistenceofAmericabeingmadeupofanoppressorwhitenationandanoppressedBlacknation,(infactthereareseveralcaptivenations).

ThisrequirestheBlackLiberationmovementtoliberateacolony,andthisiswhyitisnotjustasimplematterofBlacksjustjoiningwithwhiteAnarchiststofightthesametypeofbattleagainsttheState.ThatisalsowhyAnarchistscannottakearigidpositionagainstallformsofBlacknationalism(especiallyre

volutionarygroupsliketheBlackPantherParty),evenifthereareideologicaldifferencesaboutthewaysomeofthemareformedandoperate.ButNorthAmericansmustsupporttheobjectivesofraciallyoppressedliberationmovements,andtheymustdirectlychallengeandrejectwhiteskinprivilege.Thereisnootherwayandthereisashortcut;whitesupremacyisahugestumblingblocktorevolutionarysocialchangeinNorthAmerica.

TheBlackRevolutionandothernationalliberationmovementsinNorthAmericaareindispensablepartsoftheoverallSocialrevolution.NorthAmericanworkersmustjoinwithAfricans,Latinosandotherstorejectracialinjustice,Capitalistexploitation,andnationaloppression.NorthAmericanworkerscertainlyhaveanimportantroleinhelpingthosestrugglestotriumph.Materialaidalone,whichcanbeassembledbywhiteworkersfortheBlackrevolution,coulddictatethe

victoryordefeatofthatstruggleataparticularstage.

Iamtakingtimetoexplainallthis,becausepredictablysomeAnarchistpuristswilltrytoarguemedownthathavingawhitemovementisagoodthing,thatBlacksandotheroppressednationalitiesjustneedtoclimbaboardthe“AnarchistGoodShip”(ashipoffools?),andallofthisisjust“Marxistnationalliberationnonsense.”Well,weknowpartofthereasonforanAnarchistanti-racistmovementistochallengethischauvinistperspectiverightinthemiddleofourownmovement.AnAnarchistAnti-RacistFederationwouldnotexistjusttofightNazis.Weneedtochallengeandcorrectracistanddoctrinairepositionsonraceandclass

Page 11: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 11/60

withinourmovement.Ifwecannotdothat,thenwecannotorganizetheworkingclass,Blackorwhite,andareofnousetoanyone.Chapter2.WhereistheBlackstruggleandwhereshoulditbegoing?

Some—usuallycomfortableBlackmiddleclassprofessionals,politiciansorbusinessmenwhorodethe1960sCivilrightsmovementintopowerorprominence—willsaythereisnolongeranynecessitytostruggleinthestreetsduringthe1990sforBlackfreedom.Theysaywehave“arrived”andarenow“almostfree.”Theysayouronlstrugglenowisto“integratethemoney,”orwinwealthforthemselvesandmembersoftheirsocialclass,eventhoughtheygivelipserviceto“empoweringthepoor.”Look,theysay,wecanvote,ourBlackfacesarealloverTVincommercialsandsituationcomedies,therearehundredsofBlackmillionaires,andwehavepoliticalrepresentativesinthehallsofCongressandStatehousesallovertheland.Infact,theysay,therearecurrentlyover7,000Blackelectedofficials,severalofwhompresideoverthelargestcitiesinthenation,andthereisevenagovernorofaSouthernstate,whoisanAfrican-American.That’swhattheysay.Butdoesthistellthewholestory?

Thefactisweareinasbadorevenworseashape,economicallyandpolitically,aswhentheCivilrightsmovementbeganinthe1950s.OneineveryfourBlackmalesareinprison,onprobation,parole,orunderarrest;atleastone-thirdormoreofBlackfamilyunitsarenowsingleparentfamiliesmiredinpoverty;unemploymenthoversat18-25percentforBlackcommunities;thedrugeconomyisthenumberoneemployerofBlackyouth;mostsubstandardhousingunitsarestillc

oncentratedinBlackneighborhoods;Blacksandothernon-whitessufferfromtheworsthealthcare;andBlackcommunitiesarestillunderdevelopedbecauseofracialdiscriminationbymunicipalgovernments,mortgagecompaniesandbanks,who“redline”Blackneighborhoodsfromreceivingcommunitydevelopment,housingandsmallbusinessloanswhichkeepourcommunitiespoor.Wealsosufferfrommurderousactsofpolicebrutalitybyracistcopswhichhasresultedinthousandsofdeathsandwounding;andinternecinegangwarfareresultinginnumerousyouthhomicides(andagreatdealofgrief).Butwhatwesufferfrommostandwhatencompassesalloftheseillsisthatfactthatweareanoppressedpeople—infactacolonizedpeoplesubjecttotheruleofanoppressivegovernment.Wereallyhavenorightsunderthissystem,exceptthatwhichwehavefoughtforandeventhatisnowinperil.ClearlyweneedanewmassBlackprotestmovementtochallengethegovernmentandcorporations,andexpropriatethefundsneededforourcommunities

tosurvive.

Yetforthepast25yearstherevolutionaryBlackmovementhasbeenonthedefensive.Duetocooptation,repressionandbetrayalsoftheBlackLiberationmovementofthe1960s,today’smovementhassufferedaseriesofsetbacksandhasnowbecomestaticincomparison.ThismaybebecauseitisjustnowgettingitsstufftogetherafterbeingpummeledbytheState’spoliceagencies,andalsobecauseoftheinternalpoliticalcontradictionswhicharoseinthemajorBlackrevolutionarygroupsliketheBlackPantherParty,StudentNonviolentCoordinatingCommittee(SNCCor“snick’asitwascalledinthosedays),andtheLeagueofRevolutionaryBlackWorkers.Ibelieveallwerefactorsthatledtothedestructionofthe1960s’Blackleftinthiscountry.Ofcourse,manyblamethisperiodofrelativeinactivityintheBlackmovementonthelackofforcefulleadersinthemoldofMalc

olmX,MartinLutherKing,MarcusGarvey,etc.,whileotherpeopleblamethe“fact”theBlackmasseshaveallegedlybecome“corruptandapathetic,”orjustneedthe“correctrevolutionaryline.”

Whateverthetruefactsofthematter,itcanclearlybeseenthatthegovernment,theCapitalistcorporations,andtheracistrulingclassareexploitingthecurrentweaknessandconfusionoftheBlackmovementtomakeanattackontheBlackworkingclass,andareattemptingtototallystripthegainswonduringtheCivilrightsera.Inadditionthereisaresurgenceofracismandconservatismamongbroadlayersofthewhitepopulation,whichisadirectresultofthisright

Page 12: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 12/60

-wingcampaign.Clearlythisisatimewhenwemustentertainnewideasandnewtacticsinthefreedomstruggle.

TheidealsofAnarchismaresomethingnewtotheBlackmovementandhaveneverreallybeenexaminedbyBlackandothernon-whiteactivists.Putsimply,itmeansthepeoplethemselvesshouldrule,notgovernments,politicalpatties,orself-appointedleadersintheirname.Anarchismalsostandsfortheself-determinationofalloppressedpeoples,andtheirrighttostruggleforfreedombyanymeansnecessary.

SowhatroadisinorderfortheBlackmovement?ContinuetodependonopportunisticDemocratichackpoliticianslikeBillClintonorTedKennedy;thesameoldgroupofmiddleclasssellout“leaders”oftheCivilrightslobby;oneoranotheroftheauthoritarianLeninistsects,whoinsistthattheyandtheyalonehavethecorrectpathto“revolutionaryenlightenment”;orfinallybuildingagrassrootsrevolutionaryprotestmovementtofighttheracistgovernmentandrulers?

OnlytheBlackmassescanfinallydecidethematter,whethertheywillbecontenttobearthebruntofthecurrenteconomicdepressionandtheescalatingracistbrutality,orwillleadafightback.Anarchiststrustthebestinstinctsofthepeople,andhumannaturedictatesthatwherethereisrepressiontherewillberesistance;wherethereisslavery,therewillastruggleagainstit.TheBlackmasseshaveshowntheywillfight,andwhentheyorganizetheywillwin!ACallforaNewBlackProtestMovement

ThoseAnarchistswhoareBlacklikemyselfrecognizetherehastobeawholenewsocialmovement,whichisdemocratic,onthegrassrootslevelandisself-activated.Itwillbeamovementindependentofthemajorpoliticalparties,theStateandthegovernment.Itmustbeamovementthat,althoughitseekstoexpropriategovernmentmoneyforprojectsthatbenefitthepeople,doesnotrecognizeanyprogressiveroleforthegovernmentinthelivesofthepeople.Thegovernmentwillnotfreeus,andispartoftheproblemratherthanpartofthesolution.InfactonlytheBlackmassesthemselvescanwagetheBlackfreedomstruggle,notagovernmentbureaucracy(liketheU.S.JusticeDepartment),reformistcivilrightsleaderslikeJesseJackson,orarevolutionaryvanguardpartyontheirbehalf.

Ofcourse,atacertainhistoricalmoment,aprotestleadercanplayatremendousrevolutionaryroleasaspokespersonforthepeople’sfeelings,orevenproducecorrectstrategyandtheoryforacertainperiod,(MalcolmX,MarcusGarvey,andMartinLutherKing,Jr.cometomind),anda“vanguardparty”maywinmasssupportandacceptanceamongthepeopleforatime(e.g.,theBlackPantherPartyofthe1960s),butitistheBlackmassesthemselveswhowillmaketherevolution,and,oncesetspontaneouslyinmotion,knowexactlywhattheywant.

Thoughleadersmaybemotivatedbygoodorbad,eventheywillactasabrakeonthestruggle,especiallyiftheylosetouchwiththefreedomaspirationsoftheBlackmasses.Leaderscanonlyreallyservealegitimatepurposeasanadvisorandcatalysttothemovement,andshouldbesubjecttoimmediaterecalliftheyactcontrarytothepeople’swishes.Inthatkindoflimitedroletheyarenotlea

dersatall—theyarecommunityorganizers.

ThedependenceoftheBlackmovementonleadersandleadership(especiallytheBlackbourgeoisie)hasledusintoapoliticaldeadend.Weareexpectedtowaitandsufferquietlyuntilthenextmessianicleaderassertshimself,asifheorshewere“divinelymissioned”(assomehaveclaimedtobe).WhatisevenmoreharmfulisthatmanyBlackpeoplehaveadoptedaslavishpsychologyof“obeyingandservingourleaders,”withoutconsideringwhattheythemselvesarecapableofdoing.Thus,ratherthantryingtoanalyzethecurrentsituationandcarryingonBrotherMalcolmX’sworkinthecommunity,theyprefertobemoanthebrutalfacts,forye

Page 13: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 13/60

arafteryear,ofhowhewastakenawayfromus.Somemistakenlyrefertothisasaleadershipvacuum.”ThefactistherehasnotbeenmuchmovementintheBlackrevolutionarymovementsincehisassassinationandthevirtualdestructionofgroupsliketheBlackPantherParty.Wehavebeenstagnatedbymiddleclassreformismandmisunderstanding.

Weneedtocomeupwithnewideasandrevolutionaryformationsinhowtofightourenemies.Weneedanewmassprotestmovement.ItisuptotheBlackmassestobuildit,notleadersorpoliticalparties.Theycannotsaveus.Wecanonlysaveourselves.Whatformwillthismovementtake?

Iftherewasonethinglearnedbyanarchistrevolutionaryorganizersinthe1960s,youdon’torganizeamassmovementorasocialrevolutionjustbycreatingonecentralorganizationsuchasavanguardpoliticalpartyoralaborunion.EventhoughAnarchistsbelieveinrevolutionaryorganization,itisameanstoanend,insteadoftheendsitself.Inotherwords,theAnarchistgroupsarenotformedwiththeintentionofbeingpermanentorganizationstoseizepowerafterarevolutionarystruggle.Butrathertobegroupswhichactasacatalysttorevolutionarystruggles,andwhichtrytotakethepeople’srebellions,likethe1992LosAngelesrevolt,toahigherlevelofresistance.

Twofeaturesofanewmassmovementmustbetheintentionofcreatingdualpowerinstitutionstochallengethestate,alongwiththeabilitytohaveagrassroot

sautonomistmovementthatcantakeadvantageofapre-revolutionarysituationtogoalltheway.

DualpowermeansthatyouorganizeanumberofcollectivesandcommunesincitiesandtownalloverNorthAmerica,whichare,infact,liberatedzones,outsideofthecontrolofthegovernment.Autonomymeansthatthemovementmustbetrulyindependentandafreeassociationofallthoseunitedaroundcommongoals,ratherthanmembershipastheresultofsomeoathorotherpressure.

SohowwouldAnarchistsinterveneintherevolutionaryprocessinBlackneighborhoods?Well,obviouslyNorthAmericanor“white”AnarchistscannotgointoBlackcommunitiesandjustproselytize,buttheycertainlyshouldworkwithanynon-whiteAnarchistsandhelpthemworkincommunitiesofcolor.(Idothinkthattheexa

mpleoftheNewJerseyAnarchistFederationanditsloosealliancewiththeBlackPanthermovementinthatstateisanexampleofhowwemuststart.)AndwearedefinitelynottalkingaboutasituationwhereBlackorganizersgointotheneighborhoodandwinpeopletoAnarchismsothattheycanthenbecontrolledbywhitesandsomeparty.ThisishowtheCommunistPartyandotherMarxistgroupsoperate,butitcannotbehowAnarchistswork.WespreadAnarchistsbeliefsnotto“takeover”people,buttoletthemknowhowtheycanbetterorganizethemselvestofighttyrannyandobtainfreedom.`Wewanttoworkwiththemasfellowhumanbeingsandallies,whohavetheirownexperiences,agendas,andneeds.Theideaistogetasmanymovementsofpeoplefightingthestateaspossible,sincethatiswhatbringsthedayoffreedomforusallalittlecloser.

ThereneedstobesomesortofrevolutionaryorganizationforAnarchiststowork

onthelocallevel,sowewillcalltheselocalgroupsBlackResistanceCommittees.EachoneoftheseCommitteeswillbeBlackworkingclasssocialrevolutionarycollectivesinthecommunitytofightforBlackrightsandfreedomaspartoftheSocialrevolutionTheCommitteeswouldhavenoleaderor“partyboss,”andwouldbewithoutanytypeofhierarchystructure,itwouldalsobeanti-authority.Theyexisttodorevolutionarywork,andthusarenotdebatingsocietiesoraclubtoelectBlackpoliticianstooffice.Theyarerevolutionarypoliticalformations,whichwillbelinkedwithothersuchgroupsalloverNorthAmericaandotherpartsoftheworldinalargermovementcalledafederation.Afederationisneededorcoordinatetheactionsofsuchgroups,toletothersknowwhatishappe

Page 14: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 14/60

ningineacharea,andtosetdownwidespreadstrategyandtactics.(Wewillcallthisone,forwontofabettername,the“AfricanRevolutionaryFederation,”oritcanbepartofamulticulturalfederation).AfederationofthesortIamtalkingaboutisamassmembershiporganizationwhichwillbedemocraticandmadeupofallkindsofsmallergroupsandindividuals.ButthisisnotagovernmentorrepresentativesystemIamtalkingabout;therewouldbenopermanentpositionsofpower,andeventhefacilitatorsofinternalprogramswouldbesubjecttoimmediaterecallorhavearegularrotationofduties.Whenafederationisnolongerneeded,itcanbedisbandedTrythatwithaCommunistpartyoroneofthemajorCapitalistpartiesinNorthAmerica!Revolutionarystrategyandtactics

IfwearetobuildanewBlackrevolutionaryprotestmovementwemustaskourselveshowwecanhurtthisCapitalistsystem,andhowhavewehurtitinthepastwhenwehaveledsocialmovementsagainstsomeaspectofouroppression.Boycotts,massdemonstrations,rentstrikes,picketing,workstrikes,sit-ins,andothersuchprotestshavebeenusedbytheBlackmovementatdifferenttimesinitshistory,alongwitharmedself-defenseandopenrebellion.Putsimply,whatweneedtodoistakeourstruggletoannewandhigherlevel:weneedtotakethesetriedandtruetactics,(whichhavebeenusedprimarilyonthelocalleveluptothispoint),anutilizethemonanationallevelandthencouplethemwithasyetuntriedtactics,forastrategicattackonthemajorCapitalistcorporationsandgovernmentalapparatus.Weshalldiscussafewofthem:ABlackTaxBoycott

Blackpeopleshouldrefusetopayanytaxestotheracistgovernment,includingfederalincome,estateandsatestaxes,whilebeingsubjectedtoexploitationandbrutality.Therichandtheircorporationspayvirtuallynotaxes;itisthepoorandworkerswhobearthebruntoftaxation.Yettheyreceivenothinginreturn.TherearestillhugeunemploymentlevelsintheBlackcommunity,theunemploymentandwelfarebenefitsarepaltry;theschoolsamdilapidated;publichousingisadisgrace,whilerentsbyabsenteelandlordpropertiesareexorbitant—alltheseconditionsandmorearesupposedlycorrectedbygovernmenttaxationofincome,goods,andservices.Wrong!ItgoestothePentagon,defensecontractors,andgreedyconsultants,wholikevulturespreyonbusinesswiththegovernment.

TheBlackLiberationmovementshouldestablishamasstaxresistancemovementto

leadaBlacktaxboycottasameansofprotestandalsoasamethodtocreateafundtofinanceblackcommunityprojectsandorganizations.Whyshouldwecontinuetovoluntarilysupportourownslavery?ABlacktaxboycottisjustanothermeansofstrugglethattheBlackmovementshouldexamineandadopt,whichissimilartothepeacemovement’s“wartaxresistance.”Blacksshouldbeexemptedfromalltaxationonpersonalproperty,incometaxes,stocksandbonds(thelatterofwhichwouldbeanewtypeofcommunitydevelopmentissuance).TaxtheRich!ANationalRentStrikeandUrbanSquatting

Hand-in-glovewithataxboycottshouldbearefusaltopayrentfordilapidatedhousing.Theserentboycottshavebeenusedtogreateffecttofightbackagainstrentgougingbylandlords.AtonetimetheyweresoeffectiveinHarlem(NY)thattheycausedthecreationofrentcontrollegislation,preventingevictions,

unjustifiedpriceincreases,andrequiringreasonableupkeepbytheownersandthepropertymanagementcompany.Amassmovementcouldbringarentstriketoareas(suchasinthe.SoutheastandSouthwestwherepoorpeoplearebeingrippedofbythegreedylandlords,butarenotfamiliarwithsuchtactics.Unfairlawsnowonthebooks,so-calledLandlord-Tenant(wheretheonly“right”thetenantshaveistopaytherentorbeevicted)shouldalsobeliberalizedoroverturnedentirely.Theselawsonlyhelpslumlordsstayinbusiness,andkeepexploitingthepoorandworkingclassTheyaccountformassevictions,whichinturnaccountforhomelessness.Weshouldfighttorollbackrents,preventmassevictions,andhousethepoorandthehomelessindecentaffordableplaces.

Page 15: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 15/60

Besidestherefusaltopaytheslumlordsandexploitativebanksandpropertymanagementcompanies,thereshouldbeacampaignof“urbansquatting”tojusttakeoverthehousing,andhavethetenantsrunitdemocraticallyasahousingcollective.Thenthatmoneywhichwouldhavegonetowardrentcouldnowgointorepairingthedwellingoftenants.Thehomeless,poorpersonsneedingaffordablehousing,andotherswhobadlyneedhousingshouldjusttakeoveranyabandonedhousingownedbyanabsenteelandlordorevenabearded-upcityhousingproject.Squattingisanespeciallygoodtacticinthesetimesofserioushousingshortagesandarson-for-insurancebytheslumlords.Weshouldthrowthebumsoutandjusttakeover!Ofcoursewewillprobablyhavetofightthecopsandcrookedlandlordswhowilltrytousestrong-armedtactics,butwecandothattoo!Wecanwinsignificantvictoriesifweorganizeanationwideseriesofrentstrikes,andbuildanindependenttenantsmovementthatwillself-manageallthefacilities,notonbehalfofthegovernment(withthetricky“Kempplan”),butonbehalfofthemselves!ABoycottofAmericanBusiness

ItwasproventhatoneofthestrangestweaponsoftheCivilrightsmovementwasaBlackconsumerboycottofacommunity’smerchantsandpublicservices.Merchantsandotherbusinessmen,ofcourse,arethe“leadingcitizens”ofanycommunity,andthelocalrulingclassandbossofthegovernment.Inthe1960swhenBlacksrefusedtotradewithmerchantsaslongastheyallowedracialdiscrimination,theirlossofrevenuedrovethemtomakeconcessions,andmediatethestruggle,evenholdthecopsandtheKlanatbay.Whatistrueatthelocalleveliscertainly

trueatthenationallevel.Themajorcorporationsandelitefamiliesrunthecountry;thegovernmentisitsmeretool.Blacksspendover$350billionayearinthisCapitalisteconomyasconsumes,andcouldjustaseasilywageeconomicwarfareagainstthecorporatestructurewithawellplannedboycotttowinpoliticalconcessions.Forinstance,acorporationlikeGeneralMotorsisheavilydependentuponBlackconsumes,whichmeansthatitisveryvulnerabletoaboycott,ifonewereorganizedandsupportedwidely.IfBlackswouldrefusetobuyGMcars,itwouldresultinsignificantlossesforthecorporation,tothetuneofhundredsofmillionsofdollars.Somethinglikethiscouldevenbringacompanytoitsknees.YettherevolutionarywingoftheBlackmovementhasyettouseboycotts,callingit“reformism”andoutdated.

Butfarfrombeinganoutdatedtacticthatweshouldabandon,boycottshavebeco

meevenmoreeffectiveinthelastfewyears.In1988,theBlackandprogressivemovementintheUnitedStateshitonanothertactic,boycottingthetouristindustriesofwholecitiesandstateswhichengagedindiscrimination.Thisreflectedontheonehandhowmanycitieshavegonefromsmokestackindustriessincethe1960stotourismastheirmajorsourceofrevenue,andontheotherhand,arecognitionbythemovementthateconomicwarfarewasapotentweaponagainstdiscriminatorygovernments.The1990-1993BlackBoycottagainsttheMiamiFloridatourismindustryandthecurrentGayrightsboycottagainsttheStateofColorado(startedin1992)havebeenbothsuccessfulandhavegottenworldwideattentiontotheproblemsintheircommunities.Infact,boycottshavebeenexpandedtocovereverythingfromCaliforniagrapes,beer(Coors),acertainbrandofJeans,allproductsmadeinthecountryofSouthAfrica,acertainmeatindustry,andmanythingsinbetween.Boycottsaremorepopulartodaythantheyeverhavebeen.

Dr.MartinLutherKing,Jr.recognizedthepotentialrevolutionarypowerofanationalBlackboycottofAmerica’smajorcorporations,whichiswhyheestablished“OperationBreadbasket”shortlybeforeanassassinkilledhim.Thisorganization,withofficesinChicagowasdesignedtobetheconduitforthefundsthatthecorporationsweregoingtobeforcedtopourmoneyintoforanationalBlackcommunitydevelopmentprojectforpoorcommunities.Andalthoughhewasassassinatedbeforethiscouldhappen,wemustcontinuehisworkinthismatter.AlloverthecountryBlackBoycottofficesshouldbeopened!Weshouldbuilditintoamassmovement,involvingallsectorsofourpeople.Weshoulddemonstrate,picket,and

Page 16: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 16/60

sit-inatmeetingsandofficesoftargetcorporationsalloverthecountryWemusttakeittotheirverydoorstepandstoptheirlootingoftheBlackcommunity.ABlackGeneralStrike

Becauseoftheroletheyplayinproduction,BlackworkersarepotentiallythemostpowerfulsectoroftheBlackcommunityinthestruggleforBlackfreedom.ThevastmajorityoftheBlackcommunityisworkingclasspeople.Barringthedisproportionatenumbersofunemployed,about11millionBlackmenandwomenaretodaypartoftheworkforceoftheUnitedStates.About5-6millionoftheseareinbasicindustry,suchassteelandmetalfabrication,retailtrades,foodproductionandprocessing,meatpacking,theautomobileindustry,railroading,medicalserviceandcommunications.Blacksnumberl/3tol/2ofthebasicblue-collarworkers,and1/3ofclericallaborers.BlacklaboristhereforeveryimportanttotheCapitalisteconomy.

BecauseofthisvulnerabilitytojobactionsbyBlackworkers,whoaresomeofthemostmilitantworkersonthejob,theycouldtakealeadingroleinaprotestcampaignagainstracismandclassoppressionIftheyareproperlyorganizedtheywouldbeaclassvanguardwithinourmovementsincetheyareatthepointofproduction.BlackworkerscouldleadanationwideGeneralStrikeattheirplaceofworkasaprotestagainstracialdiscriminationinjobsandhousing,theinordinatelyhighlevelsofBlackunemploymentbrutalworkingconditions,andtofurtherthedemandsoftheBlackmovementgenerally.ThisgeneralstrikeisaSocialiststrike,notjustastrikeforhigherwagesandovergeneralworkingconditio

ns;itisrevolutionaryinpoliticsusingothermeans.Thisgeneralstrikecantaketheformofindustrialsabotage,factoryoccupationsorsit-ins,workslowdowns,wildcats,andotherworkstoppagesasaprotesttogainconcessionsonthelocalandnationallevelandrestructuretheworkplaceandwinthe4-hourdayforNorthAmericanlabor.Thestrikewouldnotonlyinvolveworkersonthejob,butalsoBlackcommunityandprogressivegroupstogivesupportwithpicketlineduty,leafletingandpublishingstrikesupportnewsletters,demonstrationsatcompanyofficesandworksites,alongwithotheractivities.

Itwilltakesomeseriouscommunityandworkplaceorganizingtobringageneralstrikeoff.Inworkplacesalloverthecountry,BlackworkersshouldorganizeGeneralStrikeCommitteesattheworkplaces,andBlackStrikeSupportCommitteestocarryonthestrikeworkinsidetheBlackcommunityitself.Becausesuchastr

ikewouldbeespeciallyhard-foughtandvicious,BlackworkersshouldorganizeWorker’sDefenseCommitteestodefendworkersfiredorblacklistedbythebossesfortheirindustrialorganizingwork.Thisdefensecommitteewouldpublicizeavictimizedworker’scaseandrallysupportfromotherworkersandthecommunity.Thedefensecommitteewouldalsoestablish,aLaborstrikeanddefensefundandalsostartfoodcooperativetofinanciallyandmaterialsupportsuchvictimizedworkersandtheirfamilieswhilecarryingonthestrike.

Althoughtherewilldefinitelybeanattempttoinvolvewomenandwhiteworkers;wheretheyarewillingtocooperate,thestrikewouldbeunderBlackleadershipbecauseonlyBlackworkerscaneffectivelyraisethoseissueswhichmosteffectthem.WhiteworkershavetosupportthedemocraticrightsofBlacksandothernationallyoppressedlaborers,insteadofjustwhiterightscampaigns”onso-called

“commoneconomicissues,”ledbytheNorthAmericanleft.InadditiontoprogressiveNorthAmericanindividualsorunioncaucuses,thelaborunionlocalsthemselvesshouldberecruited,buttheyarenottheforcetoleadthisstruggle,althoughtheirhelpcanbeindispensableinaparticularcampaign.Ittakesmajororganizingtomakethembreakfreeoftheirracistandconservativenature.Soalthoughwewantandneedthesupportofourfellowworkersofothernationalitiesandgenders,itisridiculousandcondescendingtojusttellBlackworkerstositaroundandwaitfora“whiteworkersvanguard”todecideitwantstofight.Wewilleducateourfellowworkerstotheissuesandwhytheyshouldfightwhitesupremacyatourside,butwewillnotdeferourstruggleforanyone!Wemustorganizet

Page 17: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 17/60

hegeneralstrikeforblackfreedom!TheCommune:CommunityControloftheBlackCommunity

“Howdoweraiseanewrevolutionaryconsciousnessagainstasystemprogrammedagainstouroldmethods?WemustuseanewapproachandrevolutionizetheBlackCentralCityCommune,andslowlyprovidethepeoplewiththeincentivetofightbyallowingthemtocreateprograms,whichwillmeetalltheirsocial,political,andeconomic,needs.Wemustfillthevacuumsleftbytheestablishedorder…Inreturn,wemustteachthemthebenefitsofourrevolutionaryideals.Wemustbuildasubsistenceeconomy,andasociopoliticalinfrastructuresothatwecanbecomeanexampleforallrevolutionarypeople.”

—GeorgeJackson,inhisbook`BE’

Theideabehindamasscommuneistocreateadualpowerstructureasacountertothegovernment,underconditions,whichexistnow.Infact,Anarchistsbelievethefirststeptowardself-determinationandtheSocialrevolutionisBlackcontroloftheBlackcommunity.ThismeansthatBlackpeoplemustformandunifytheirownorganizationsofstruggle,takecontroloftheexistingBlackcommunitiesandalltheinstitutionswithinthem,andconductaconsistentfighttoovercomeeveryformofeconomic,politicalandculturalservitude,andanysystemofracialandclassinequalitywhichistheproductofthisracistCapitalistsociety.

Therealizationofthisaimmeansthatwecanbuildinner-cityCommunes,whichwillbecentersofBlackcounter-powerandsocialrevolutionarycultureagainstthewhitepoliticalpowerstructuresintheprincipalcitiesoftheUnitedStates.Oncetheyassumehegemony,suchcommuneswouldbeanactualalternativetotheStateandserveasaforcetorevolutionizeAfricanpeople—andbyextension—largesegmentsofAmericansociety,whichcouldnotpossiblyremainimmunetothisprocess.ItwouldserveasalivingrevolutionaryexampletoNorthAmericanprogressivesandotheroppressednationalities.

ThereistremendousfightingpowerintheBlackcommunity,butitisnotorganizedinastructuredrevolutionarywaytoeffectivelystruggleandtakewhatisdue.ThewhiteCapitalistrulingclassrecognizesthis,whichiswhyitpushesthefraudof“BlackCapitalism”andBlackpoliticiansandothersuch“responsibleleaders

.Thesefakesandselloutartistsleadustothedead-endroadofvotingandprayingforthatwhichwemustreallybewiltingtofightfor.TheAnarchistsrecognizetheCommuneastheprimaryorganofthenewsociety,andasanalternativetotheoldsociety.ButtheAnarchistsalsorecognizethatCapitalismwillnotgiveupwithoutafight;itwillbenecessarilytoeconomicallyandpoliticallycrippleCapitalistAmerica.Onethingforsureweshouldnotcontinuetopassivelyallowthissystemtoexploitandoppressus.

ThecommuneisastaginggroundforBlackrevolutionarystruggle.Forinstance,Blackpeopleshouldrefusetopaytaxestotheracistgovernment,shouldboycotttheCapitalistcorporations,shouldleadaBlackGeneralStrikealloverthecountry,andshouldengageinaninsurrectiontodrivethepoliceoutandwinaliberatedzone.Thiswouldbeapowerfulmethodtoobtainsubmissiontothedemand

softhemovement,andweakenthepowerofthestate.Wecanevenforcethegovernmenttomakemoneyavailableforcommunitydevelopmentasaconcession;insteadofasapayofftobuy-outthestruggleashappenedinthe1960sandthereafter.Ifweputaguntoabanker’sheadandsaid“Yoreknowyou’vegotthemoney,nowgiveitup,”hewouldhavetosurrender.Nowthequestionis:ifwedidthesamethingtothegovernment,usingdirectactionmeanswithaninsurrectionarymassmovement,wouldthesewouldbothbeactsofexpropriation?Orisitjusttopacifythecommunitywhytheygaveusthemoney?Onethingforsure,wedefinitelyneedthemoney,andhoweverwecompelitfromthegovernment,isoflessimportantthanthefactthatweforcedthemtogiveituptothepeople’sforcesatall.Wewo

Page 18: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 18/60

uldthenusethatmoneytorebuildourcommunities,maintainourorganizations,andcarefortheneedsofourpeople.Itcouldbeamajorconcession,avictory.

ButwehavealsogottorealizethatAfricansinAmericaarenotsimplyoppressedbyforceofarms,butthatpartofthemoralauthorityofthestatecomesfromthemindoftheoppressedthatconsenttotherighttobegoverned.AslongasBlackpeoplebelievethatsomemoralorpoliticalauthorityofthewhitegovernmenthaslegitimacyintheirlives,thattheyoweadutytothisnationascitizens,oreventhattheyareresponsiblefortheirownoppression,thentheycannoteffectivelyfightback.TheymustfreetheirmindsoftheideasofAmericanpatriotismandbegintoseethemselvesasanewpeople.Thiscanonlybeaccomplishedunderdualpower,wherethepatriotismofthepeopleforthestateisreplacedwithloveandsupportforthenewBlackcommune.WedothatbymakingtheCommunearealthingintheday-to-daylivesofordinarypeople.

WeshouldestablishcommunitycouncilstomakepolicydecisionsandadministertheaffairsoftheBlackcommunity.ThesecouncilswouldbedemocraticneighborhoodassembliescomposedofrepresentativeelectedbyBlackworkersinvariouscommunityinstitutions—factories,hospitalsschools—aswellasdelegateselectedonablockbasis.WemustrejectBlackMayorsandotherpoliticians,orgovernmentbureaucrats,asasubstituteforcommunitypower.WemustthereforehavecommunitycontrolofalltheinstitutionsoftheBlackcommunity,insteadofjustlettingtheStatedecidewhatisgoodforus.Notjustjobsandhousing,butalsofullcontroloverschools,hospitals,welfarecents,libraries,etc.,mustturned

overtothatcommunity,becauseonlytheresidentsofacommunityhaveatrueunderstandingofitsneedsanddesires.

Hereisanexampleofhowitwouldwork:wewouldelectacommunitycounciltosuperviseallschoolsintheBlackcommunity.Wewouldencourageparents,students,teachers,andthecommunityatlargetoworkcooperativelyineveryphaseofschooladministration,ratherthanhaveanauthorityfigurelikeaprincipalandhis/heruncaringbureaucraticadministrationrunthingsasaredoneatpresent.ThewholeBlackcommunitywillhavetoengageinamilitantstruggletotakeoverthepublicschoolsandturnthemintocentersofBlackcultureandlearning.WecannotcontinuetodependontheracistorBlackpuppetschoolboardstodothisforus.

Thelocalcouncilwouldthenbefederated,orjoinedtogether,onalocalleveltocreateacitywidegroupofcouncilswhowouldrunaffairsinthatcommunity.Thecouncilsandotherneighborhoodscollectivesorganizedforavarietyofreasonswouldmakeamasscommune.ThiscommunewouldbeinturnfederatedattheregionalandnationalleveltheaimbeingtocreateanationalfederationofBlackcommunes,whichwouldmeetperiodicallyinoneoranumberofmassassemblymeetings.ThisfederationwouldbecomposedofelectedorappointeddelegatesrepresentingtheirlocalcommuneorcouncilSuchanationalfederalofcommuneswouldallowcommunitycouncilsfromalloverNorthAmericatoworkoutcommonpoliciesandspeakwithonevoiceonallmattersaffectingtheircommunitiesorregions.ItwouldthushavefarmorepowerthananysinglecommunitycouncilcouldHowever,topreventthisnationalfederationfrombureaucraticusurpationofpowerbypoliticalfactionsoropportunisticleaders,electionsshouldbeheldregularl

yanddelegateswouldbesubjecttorecallatanytimeformisconduct,sothattheyremainunderthecontrolofthelocalcommunitiestheyrepresent.

TheBlackcommunitycouncilsarereallyatypeofgrassrootsmovementmadeupofallthesocialformationsofourpeople,theblockandneighborhoodcommittees,Labor,studentandyouthgroups,(eventhechurch,toalimiteddegree),socialactivistgroups,andotherstounitethevariousprotestactionsaroundacommonprogramofstruggleforthisperiod.Thecampaignsforthisperiodmustutilizethetacticsofdirectmassaction,asitisveryimportantthatthepeoplethemselvesmustrealizeasenseoftheirorganizedpower.Thesegrassrootsassociat

Page 19: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 19/60

ionswillprovidetotheusuallymassspontaneousactions,aformoforganizationwhosesocialbaseisoftheBlackworkingclass,insteadoftheusualBlackmiddleclassmis-leadership.

TheAnarchistsrecognizethesecommunitycouncilsasbeingaformofdirectdemocracy,insteadofthetypeofphonyAmerican“democracy,”whichisreallynothingbutcontrolbypoliticiansandbusinessmen.Thecouncilsareespeciallyimportantbecausetheyprovideembryonicself-ruleandthebeginningsofanalternativetotheCapitalisteconomicsystemanditsgovernment.Itisawaytounderminethegovernmentandmakeitanirrelevantdinosaur,becauseitsservicesarenolongerneeded.

TheCommuneisalsoaBlackrevolutionarycounterculture.ItistheembryoofthenewBlackrevolutionarysocietyinthebodyoftheoldsick,dyingone.Itisthenewlifestyleinmicrocosm,whichcontainsthenewBlacksocialvaluesandthenewcommunalorganizations,andinstitutions,whichwillbecomethesociopoliticalinfrastructureofthefreesociety.

OurobjectiveistoteachnewBlacksocialvaluesofunityandstruggleagainstthenegativeeffectsofwhiteCapitalistsocietyandculture.TodothatwemustbuildtheCommuneintoaBlackConsciousnessmovementtobuildraceprideandrespect,raceandsocialawarenessandtostruggleagainsttheCapitalistslavemasters.ThisBlackcommunalismwouldbebotharepositoryofBlackcultureandideology.Weneedtochangebothourlivesandourlifestyles,inordertodealw

iththemanyinterpersonalcontradictionsthatexistinourcommunity.WecouldexaminetheBlackfamily,Blackmale/femalerelationships,thementalhealthoftheBlackcommunity,relationsbetweenthecommunityandthewhiteestablishmentandamongBlackpeoplethemselves.WewouldholdBlackconsciousnessraisingsessionsinschools,communitycenters,prisonsandinBlackcommunitiesalloverNorthAmerica—whichwouldteachBlackhistoryandculture,newliberatingsocialideasandvaluestochildrenandadults,aswellascounselingandtherapytechniquestoresolvefamilyandmaritalproblems,allthewhilegivingaBlackrevolutionaryperspectivetotheissuesoftheday.Ourpeoplemustbemadetoseethattheself-hatred,disunity,distrust,internecineviolenceandoppressivesocialconditionsamongBlackpeoplearetheresultofthelegacyofAfricanslaveryandthepresentdayeffectsofCapitalism.FinallythemainobjectiveofBlackrevolutionarycultureistoagitateandorganizeBlackpeopletostrugglefort

heirfreedom.

AsSteveBiko,themurderedSouthAfricanrevolutionary,hasbeenquotedassaying:

“ThecallforBlackconsciousnessisthemostpositivecalltocomefromallygroupintheBlackworldforalongtime.ItismorethanjustareactionaryrejectionofwhitesbyBlacks…AttheheartofthiskindofthinkingistherealizationbyBlackthatthemostpotentweaponinthehandsoftheoppressoristhemindoftheoppressedOncethelatterhasbeensoeffectivelymanipulatedandcontrolledtrytheoppressorastomaketheoppressedbelievethatheisaliabilitytothewhiteman,thenthereisnothingtheoppressedcandothatwillreallyscarethepowerfulmasters…ThephilosophyofBlackconsciousness,thereforeexpress

esgroupprideandthedeterminationbyBlackstoriseupandattaintheenvisagedself.”

Bythe“envisagedself,”BikoreferstotheBlackself,aliberatedpsyche.ItisthatwhichwewanttorescuewithsuchaBlackconsciousnessmovementhereinAmerica.WeneedtocounterBlackself-hatredandthefrivolous“partymentality.Wealsowanttoendthesocialdegradationofourcommunity,andriditofdrugaddiction,prostitution,Black-on-Blackcrime,andothersocialevilsthatdestroysthemoralfiberoftheBlackcommunity.Drugsandprostitutionaremainlycontrolledbyorganizedcrime,andprotectedbythepolice,whoacceptbribesandgift

Page 20: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 20/60

sfromgangsters.Thesenegativesocialvalues,theso-called“dog-eat-dog”philosophyoftheCapitalistsystemteachespeopletobeindividualistsoftheworstsort.Willingtocommitanykindofcrimeagainsteachother,andtotakeadvantageofeachother.Thisoppressivecultureiswhatwearefighting.Aslongasitexists,itwillbehardtounifythepeoplearoundarevolutionarypoliticalprogram.BuildingABlacksurvivalprogram

Buttheremustalsobesomewaytoensuretheireconomicsurvival,inadditiontoprovidingnewculturalrolemodels.ItisthenwhentheCommune,anetworkofcommunityorganizationsandinstitutions,assumesitsgreatestimportance.WewillbuildasociopoliticalinfrastructuretointerveneineveryareaofBlacklife:foodandhousingcooperatives,BlackLiberationschools,people’sbanksandcommunitymutualaidfunds,medicalclinicsandhospitals,rodentcontrolandpestexterminationprograms,cooperativefactories,communityculturalandentertainmentcenters,theestablishmentofanintercommunalelectroniccommunicationsnetwork,landandbuildingreclamationprojects,publicworksbrigadestorebuildthecities,youthprojects,drugclinics,andmanyothersuchprograms.

AlltheseprogramssatisfythedeepneedsoftheBlackcommunity,buttheyarenotsolutionstoourproblems,becausealthoughwecanbuildasurvivaleconomynow,wehavetorealizeitwilltakeasocialrevolutiontooverthrowCapitalismandobtainfulleconomicself-sufficiency.ButtheywillhelpustoorganizetheBlackcommunityaroundatrueanalysisandunderstandoftheirsituation.This

iswhytheyarecalledsurvivalprograms,meaningsurvivingunderthissystempendingasocialrevolution.

Buildingconsciousnessandrevolutionaryculturemeanstakingonrealisticday-to-dayissues,likehunger,theneedforclothingandhousing,joblessness,transportationandotherissues.ItmeansthattheCommunemustbeinthevacuumwherepeoplearenotbeingproperlyfedclothed,providedwithadequatemedicaltreatmentorareotherwisebeingdeprivedofbasicneeds.

Contrarytotherhetoricofsomeleftistgroups,thiswillnotmakepeoplepassiveorjustdependentonus.Ratherthanstrugglingagainstthegovernmentanddemandingthosethings,itinspiresconfidenceintherevolutionaryforcesandexposesthegovernmentasuncaringandincompetent.Thatismoreofanincentivefo

rthepeopletorevoltandoverthrownthegovernmentthanbaldingpoliticalpeprallies,givingspeeches,runningforpublicoffice,andpublishingmanifestosandresolutionsorpartynewspapersandothergarbage(thatnoonereadsbuttheirownmembers),likemostBlackandradicalgroupsdonow.

Weneedanewwayofconfrontingouroppressedsituation.Weneedtouniteoutpeopletofight,andtodothatweneedtoeducate,agitateandorganize.That’stheonlywaywe’llwinanewworld.WhatfollowsisanexampleoftheandofsurvivalprogramImean:

Wemusthavecommunitycontrolofallbusinessesandfinancialinstitutionslocatedinourcommunities,andforthosebusinessesnotworkinginourbestinterestsornotreturningsomeofitsrevenuebacktothecommunity,wewillseize

saidbusinessesandturnthemintocommunitycooperativesandmutualaidbankingsocieties.

WemusthavecommunitycontrolofallhousingandmajorinputinallcommunityplanningofBlackcommunities.Ifapieceofpropertyorhouseisownedbyaslumlord(eitheraprivateRealtororgovernmentagency),wewillseizeitandturnitintocommunityhousingcooperatives.WeopposeUrbanRenewal,spatialdecomposition,yuppiegentrificationandothersuchracistschemestodriveusoutofthecities.WmusthavecompletecontrolofallplanningboardsaffectingandconcerningtheBlackcommunity.Toenforcethesedemands,weshouldleadrents

Page 21: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 21/60

trikes,demonstrations,armedactionsandurbansquattingtodrivelandlordsoutandtakeovertheproperty.

Wemusthaveanindependentself-sustainingeconomytoguaranteefullemploymentforallourpeople.WedemandthattheU.S.governmentprovidemassiveeconomicaidtorebuildthecities.ThegovernmentspendsbillionsperyearforthePentagonkillingmachine.AtleastthatamountshouldberedirectedtomeettheneedsofAmerica’soppressedcommunities.Ghettohousingmustberebuiltandturnedovertotheoccupants.AdequatejobsandservicesmustbeprovidedtoallcommunityresidentsincludingfirstpreferenceforallconstructionjobsintheBlackcommunity,whenpublicworksbrigadesareassignedtorebuildthecities.WemustfightforBlackgrassrootscontrolofallgovernmentfundsallocatedtotheBlackcommunitythroughanetworkofmutualaidbankingsocieties,communitydevelopmentcorporations,andcommunitydevelopmentcreditunions.

Reparations:theBigPayback.TheUnitedStatesgovernmentandtherichclassofthiscountryhasstolenandoppressedAfricansinthiscontinentfordecades.Theyworkedourancestorsasslaves,andafterslaverytheycontinuedtooppress,murderandexploitourpeople,ondowntothepresentday.Wemustbuildamassmovementinourcommunitiestocompelthegovernmentandtherichtoprovidethemeansforourcommunityredevelopment.Theyoweusforcenturiesofabuseandrobbery!Wemustdemandthatreparations,intheformofcommunitydevelopmentmoneyandotherfunds,beprovidedandplacedincreditunions,cooperatives,andothermutualaidinstitutionsintheBlackcommunity,sothatwecanstart

toobtainsomemeasureofeconomicselfsufficiency.Yetweknowthattheywon’tgivethemoneytous.Wemustfightthemforit,justlikewemuststruggletooverturnthesystemofwageslaverytoday.

Endpolicebrutality.Wemustorganizeself-defenseunitstoprotecttheBlackcommunityanditsorganizations,andremovetheState’spolicefarces.Wedemandcriminalprosecutionandjailingofallbrutalorkillercops.NojurisdictionfortheState’sjudicialsysteminBlackliberatedzones.

Wemustundertakealarge-scaleprogramtotrainBlackpeopleasdoctors,nursesandmedicalparaprofessionalsinordertomakefreequalitymedicalanddentalcareavailabletoBlackpeople.Wemustdemandthatthegovernmentsubsidizeallsuchmedicalanddentaltraining,aswebasfortheoperationofclinics,b

utBlackpeoplethemselvesmustestablishandrunthefreemedicalclinicsinallBlackcommunitieswhetherurbanorrural.Thiswouldincludecommunityanti-drugprogramsanddrugrehabilitationclinics.

WemustestablishaBlackcommunity-controlledfoodsystemforself-sufficiencyandasawayoffightingtoendhungerandmalnutrition,includingatruckingnetwork,warehouses,communalfarms,farmers’cooperatives,foodcooperatives,agriculturalunions,andothercollectiveassociations.ThiswillincludeaprotestcampaignchallengingthetheftofBlackfarmlandbyagribusinesscorporationsandrichwhite“landbarons”andreclaimingitforourprojects.ThisisespeciallyimportantnowthattheU.S.hasenteredaneconomiccrisisthatwillnotbeabletoprovideforourneeds.Wemustforcethegovernmenttoprovidethemoneyformanyoftheseprojects,tobeadministeredunderourtotalcontrol,insteadof

byagovernmentagency.

TheBlackcommunitymusthavecontrolofitsentireeducationalsystemfromthenurseryschoolthroughcollege.WemustestablishaBlackLiberationeducationalsystemwhichmeetsthetrainingneedsofBlackchildren,preparesthemforjobtrainingandfutureeconomicsecurity,servicetotheircommunity,andgivesthemaknowledgeofthemselvesandanunderstandingofthetruehistoryandcultureofAfricanpeople;aswellasaprogramofadulteducationforcommunitypeoplewhoseearliereducationalopportunitieshavebeenstuntedWeshoulddemandfreehighereducationforBlacksandotherminoritiesatfullgovernmentexpense

Page 22: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 22/60

,includingremedialtrainingprogramsforallwhowishtoqualify.

WemustdemandandfightforthereleaseofallBlackpoliticalprisonersandvictimsofracialinjustice,wemustinvestigateandreviewthecasesofallsuchprisonerswhoarethevictimsofgovernmentpoliticalrepressionandracistframe-ups,andleadamasscampaignfortheirrelease.Someofourbestrevolutionaryorganizersarerottingawayintheprisonhousesofthisland.

ThecentraldemandisforBlackcontroloftheBlackcommunity,itpoliticsandeconomy.Wehavetotakeoverthecities,establishmunicipalcommunes,andexerciseself-government,asavitalstep.Wearethemajorityinmanyofthemajorcitiesofthiscountryandweshouldbeabletocontrolourownaffairs(oratleastobtainsomeautonomy),butasweshouldnowbeawarewewon’tevergetthiscommunitysocialpowerbyvotingforsomeBlackCapitalistpolitician,orfrompassivelydependingfor“salvation”onleadersofonesortoranother.Wehavetodoitourselvesifwearetoevergetontheroadtofreedom.

TheNeedforaBlackLaborFederation

ThedemandforBlacklaborhasbeenthecentraleconomicfactorinAmerica;itwasBlacklaborthatbuiltthefoundationsofthisnation.BeginningwithslavelaborintheOldSouthonplantations,thenwithsharecroppingandotherfarmlaboraftertheCivilwar,successivemigrationtotheNorthandworkingmills,mineandfactoriesduringa40yearperiod(1890-1920),andondowntothepresent

day,BlacklaborisimportanttothefunctioningoftheCapitalisteconomicorder.Almostfromthebeginning,BlackworkershaveorganizedtheirownLaborunionsandworker’sassociationstorepresenttheirinterests:theNationalColoredLaborUnionin1869,thenationalColoredFarmer’sAlliance(Populist)inthesameyear,theBrotherhoodofSleepingCarPortersinthe1940s,theleagueofBlackRevolutionaryWorkersinthe1960s;theUnitedConstructionWorkersAssociationandtheBlackandPuertoRicanCoalitionofConstructionWorkersinthe1970s,andondowntothepresentdaywithsuchunionsorassociationsastheBlackWorkersforJusticeandtheCoalitionforBlackTradeUnionists.Someofthesewereunions,somewerejustassociationsofBlackworkersinexistingunions.(Note:InadditiontoBlackorganizedorledlaborfederationsinthe1870s,therewere90,600BlackworkersintheKnightsofLaborinthe1880sandatleast100,000intheIndustrialWorkersoftheWorld(IWW)inthe1900s.)

Infact,thetradeunionswouldnotevenexisttodayifitwerenotfortheassistanceandsupportoftheBlackworker.TradeunionismwasbornasaneffectivenationalmovementamidthegreatconvulsionsoftheCivilWarandthefighttoendslavery,yetBlackworkerswereroutinelyexcludedfromunionsliketheAmericanFederationofLabor.OnlymilitantassociationsliketheKnights,IWWandtheAnarchist-initiatedInternationalWorkingPeople’sAssociation(IWPA)wouldaccepttheirmembershipsatall.Thiscontinuedformanyyears,untilthefoundingoftheCongressofIndustrialOrganizations(CIO)beganitscampaignofstrikes,sit-downs,andotherprotestactionstoorganizetheunskilledindustrialworkers.Blacklaborwaspivotalinthesebattles,yethasneverfullyreapedthebenefits.Infact,theLaborbossesbetrayedthemwhentheCIOwasbeatendowninthe1950s.

YouwouldthinkthatAmericanlabormovementwouldseeitascriminalorracisttoignorethesefellowworkerstodayinthatfashion.ButevennowthereisnolabororganizationintheU.S.whichgivesfullrepresentationandequaltreatmenttoBlackworkers.ThefactisthatevenwithsomeBlackLaborofficialsinoffice,Blackworkersreceivefarfewerunionbenefitsthanwhiteworkers,andaretrappedinthemostlow-paid,tediousanddangerousjobs,eventhoughtheymadesubstantialeconomicgainsduringthe1960s.

ThemajorityoftheBlackmassesareintheworkingclass.Becauseoftherolet

Page 23: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 23/60

heyplayinproduction,BlackindustrialandclericalworkersarepotentiallythemostpowerfulsectoroftheBlackcommunityinthestruggleforBlackliberation.Asthevictimsofinequalityintheeconomy,Blackworkershavealreadybeguntoorganizefortheirinterestsandprotecttheirrightsonthejob,eveniftheunionisconservativeandwon’tfighttheboss.Theyhaveformedunioncaucusesandevenindependentlaborunionswherenecessary.Ofcourse,theunityofBlackandwhiteworkersisindispensabletocombatandoverthrowCapitalism.ButwherewhiteworkersarenowprivilegedandBlackworkersarepenalized,BlackunityandstrugglemustprecedeandpreparethegroundforanyBlack-whiteunityonabroadscale.BlackcaucusesintheUnionscanfightagainstdiscriminationinhiring,firing,andupgrading,andforequalityoftreatmentintheunions,now,whilewhiteworkersstillhaveyettowidelysupportdemocraticrightsforBlackandotheroppressednationalities.BlackCaucusesareimportant.Wheretheyarepartoforganizedlabor,theyshouldstrivetodemocratizetheunions,regeneratetheirfightingspirits,andeliminatewhitejobtrustpractices.TheseBlackcaucusesintheunionsshoulddemand:

Rankandfiledemocraticcontroloftheunion.

Equalrightsandtreatmentforallunionists;eliminateallracistpracticesinthelabormovement.

Affirmativeactionprogramstoredresspastracistemploymentpractices,endracialdiscriminationbasedonseniorityandotherploys.

FullemploymentforallBlacks,women,andothernon-whiteworkers.

A20-30hourworkweekwithnoreductioninpay.

Therighttostrike,includingwildcatstrikeswithoutunionsanction.

Speedierandfairgrievanceprocedures.

Anescalatorclauseinallunioncontractstoensureautomaticwageadjustmentstokeepupwiththerisingcostofliving.

Fullpaymentofsocialsecuritybyemployerandthegovernment.Fullunemplo

ymentcompensationat100ofbasepay.

Minimumwagesatunionscale.

Preventrunawayshops,phonybankruptcy,or“strategicplantshutdowns”bycompanieswithoutnoticetounionortogainadvantageincontractnegotiations.

ApublicworksprogramtorebuildtheBlackandotherinner-citycommunities,andtoprovideworkforBlackworkers.

Worker’sself-managementofindustrybyfactorycommitteesandworker’scouncils,electedbytheworkersthemselves.

Inadditiontotheunioncaucuses,BlackworkingpeopleneedanationalBlackworkersassociation,whichwouldbebotharevolutionaryunionmovementtodoworkplaceorganizing,butalsowouldbeamasssocialmovementforcommunityorganizing.SuchamovementwouldcombinetheorganizingtacticstoboththelaborandBlackLiberationmovements.ItisnotdesignedtodriveBlacksoutofthoseunionswheretheyarealreadyorganized,butwouldratherserveasatooltomultiplytheirnumbersandstrength,andturntheirunionsintomilitant,classstruggleinstruments.

TheLeagueofRevolutionaryBlackWorkers,whichorganizedBlackautoworkersdu

Page 24: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 24/60

ringthelate190sprovidesanexampleofthetypeoforganizationneededTheLeague,whichgrewoutofitsmajoraffiliate,theDodgeRevolutionaryMovement(DRUM),wasundoubtedlythemostmilitantBlackLabormovementinAmericanhistory.ItwasaBlacklaborfederationwhichexistedasanorganizedalternativetotheUnitedAutoWorkers,andwastheinevitablestepoftakingtheBlackLiberationstruggletotheindustrialshopfloor,thepointofproduction,andCapitalism’smostvulnerablearea.

TheLeaguehadwiselydecidedtoorganizeintheDetroitautomobileproductionindustry.ThiswasanindustrywhereitsworkerswereanimportantpartoftheworkforceandalsointheDetroitBlackcommunity,wheretheLeagueunitedthestruggleinthefactorieswiththatoftheBlackstruggleasawhole.ItquicklybecameamajorforceintheworkplaceandinthestreetsasmanyofitscadresorganizedoncollegecampusesandintheBlackinner-cityareas.IthadthepotentialtobecomeamassnationwideBlackworkingclassmovement,butthispotentialwasstifledthroughpoliticalfactionfightsamongtheleadership,lackofasolidorganizedbaseinthefactories;company/UAW/andStaterepression,organizedracismandlackofcooperationamongwhiteworkers,andothersuchreasons.EventuallytheLeaguesplitintomutuallyhostilefactionsanddied,afterlessthanfiveyearsofexistence.

EventhoughtheLeaguewasatbestarevolutionarysyndicalismorganization,andlaterarigidMarxist-Leninistorganization,(andtheiradoptionofthislaterauthoritarianideology,withitsideasofpurgesandunquestionedleadership,di

rectlyleadtoitsdemise),thereismuchthatAnarchistsandradicalBlacklaboractivistscanlearnfromtheLeague.ThemainthingisthatBlackworkerscanandshouldbeorganizedintosomesoreofindependentlaborassociation,inadditiontooreveninlieuof,theirmembershipinorganizedlaborunionsandespeciallywheretheunionsareofthesellouttypeanddiscriminatesagainstBlacks.AlsoitismucheasierforBlackworkerstoorganizeotherBlackworkersandtheircommunityinsupportofstrikesandworkplaceorganizing.ThatispreciselywhyweneedtoestablishagroupliketheLeaguetoday,butasanAnarcho-Syndicalistorganization,soastoavoidthepastpitfallsandideologicalsquabblesofMarxism-Leninism.SimplystatedwhatwouldbetheprogramofanewlyformedNationalFederationofBlackWorkers?

Forclassstruggleagainstthebosses.

ToorganizetheunorganizedBlackworkersignoredbythetradeunions.

Forworkerssolidarityamongallnationalitiesofworkers.

ItshouldbeanInternationalBlackLaborFederation!

FromDetroit,MichigantoDurban,SouthAfrica,fromtheCaribbeantoAustralia,fromBraziltoEngland,Blackworkersareuniversallyoppressedandexploited.TheBlackworkingclassneedsitsownworldlabororganization.ThereisnoracialgroupmorebornedownbysocialrestraintthanBlackworkers;theyareoppressedasworkersandasapeople.BecauseofthesedualformsofoppressionandthefactthatmosttradeunionsexcludeordonotstruggleforBlacklaborer’sright

s,wemustorganizeforourownrightsandliberation.EventhoughinmanyAfricanandCaribbeancountriesthereare“Black”laborfederations,theyarereformistorgovernment-controlled.Thereisalargeworkingclassinmanyofthesecountries,buttheyhavenomilitantlabororganizationstoleadthestruggle.ThebuildingofaBlackworkers’movementforrevolutionaryindustrialsabotageandageneralstrike,ororganizetheworkersforself-managementofproduction,andsoundermineandoverthrowthegovernmentisthenumberonepriority.

WhatwouldaninternationalBlacklaborfederationstandfor?Firstly,sincemanyBlackworkers,farmers,andpeasantsarenotorganizedatallinmostcountrie

Page 25: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 25/60

s,suchanorganizationwouldbeonebigunionofBlackworkers,representingeveryconceivablesillandvocation.AlsosuchanorganizationmeanstheworldwideunityofBlackworkers,andthen,secondly,itmeanscoordinatedinternationallaborrevolts.CapitalandLaborhavenothingincommon.

TherealstrengthofworkersagainstCapitalandtheimperialistcountriesiseconomicwarfare.ArevolutionarygeneralstrikeandboycottofthemultinationalcorporationsandtheirgoodsbyBlackworkersallovertheglobeishowtheycanbehurt.Forinstance,ifwewanttomakeBritainandtheUSAwithdrawfinancialandmilitarysupportfromSouthAfricathenweusetheweightandpowerofBlackLaborinthosecountriestowagestrikes,sabotage,boycottandotherformsofpoliticalandeconomicstruggleagainstthosecountriesandthemultinationalcompaniesinvolved.Itwouldberpowertobereckonedwith.Forinstance,coordinatedactionsbytradeunionsandpoliticalactiongroupsinthatcountryhavealreadycausesmajor-policychanges,afull-fledgedgeneralstrikewouldlikelyleadtothetotaleconomiccollapseoftheracistSouthAfricanstate,especiallyifsuchstrikesweresupportedbyBlackworkersinNorthAmerica.

InadditiontoaskingtheBlackworkerstoformtheirowninternationallaborfederationandtoorganizerank-and-filecommitteeswithintheirexistingtradeunionstopushthemintoaclassstruggledirection,wealsoinviteBlackworkerstojoinAnarcho-SyndicalistlabororganizationsliketheIWWandtheWorkersSolidarityAlliance,theAmericansectionoftheInternationalWorkers’Association,whichisbasedinParis,France.But,ofcourse,itisnotintendedtodriveBla

ckworkersoutofthoseunionswheretheyarealreadyactive,butwouldratherserveasatooltomultiplytheirnumberandstrengthinsuchunions,andmakethemmoremilitant.UnemploymentandHomelessness

Inthefirstthreemonthsof1993,theU.S.LaborDepartment’sBureauoflaborStatisticslistedofficialunemploymentratesataboutsixmillionpersonsorjustsevenofthelaborforce.UnderCapitalismhalfthatfigureis“normal”andnonsensicallyisconsideredbyCapitalisteconomistsas“fullemployment”eventhoughthisismillionsofpeopleconsignedtoeconomicpovertyoftheworstsort.Butthegovernmentfiguresareintentionallyconservative,anddonotincludethosewhohavegivenupactivelysearchingforjobs,theunderemployed(whocan’tmakeenoughtoliveon),thepart-timeworkers(whocan’tfindafulltimeorsteadyjob)and

thehomelessofwhichthemarenowbetween3-5millionalone.

Ofthe6millionpeoplethatthegovernmentdoescountasjoblessnow,lessthan3millionaregivenanyunemploymentcompensationorotherfederalorstateaid;therestarelefttostarve,stealorhustlefortheirsurvival.ApersonwithoutajobundertheCapitalistsystemiscountedasnothing.Everyworkerhasthehumanrighttoajob;yetunderCapitalism,workersaredismissedformemploymentintimesofbusinesscrisis,overproduction,depressionorjusttosavelaborcoststhroughlessworkersandmorespeed-up.AndsomeworkerscannotfindjobsintheCapitalistlabormarketbecauseoflackofskills,orracialorsocialdiscrimination.

Butthegovernment’sfigureslie,privateresearchersstatethatthetotalnumber

ofpeoplewhowantfulltimejobsandthuscannotfindthemamountstonearly14.3millionpersons.Clearlythenthisisacrisissituationofbroadproportions,butallthegovernmentisdoingisjugglingandhidingfigures.ButthefiguresdoshowthatBlacks,Latinos,andwomenarebearingthebruntofthecurrentdepressionTheNationalUrbanLeagueinits“BiddenUnemploymentIndex”(includedaspartofitsannual“StateofBlackAmerica”report)reportslevelsof15-38percentforBlackadults25andolderandincrediblelevelsof44-55%forteensandyoungadults17-24years.Infact,Blackyouthunemploymenthasnotdeclinedatallsincethe1974-1975recession.Ithasstayedatanofficiallevelof35-40percent,butinthemajorcitieslikeDetroit,Chicago,Philadelphia,andLosAngeles

Page 26: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 26/60

,therealunemploymentrateismorelike70percent.ForBlackyouththeunemploymentrateisthreetofivetimeshigherthanthatofwhiteyouth.CapitalismismakingeconomicexilesofBlackpeopleasawhole.ThefactisthatunemploymentisconcentratedintheBlackandHispaniccommunities,andisgreatlyresponsibleforthemostdestructivetendenciesinhumanrelationsanddeterioratingneighborhoods.Crime,prostitution,suicide,drugaddiction,gangfighting,mentalillness,alcoholism,andthebreakupoftheBlackfamily,andothersocialills—allarerootedinthelackofjobsandthedenialofessentialsocialservicesintheircommunities.Itisactuallyracialgenocideintheformofsocialneglect.

Unemploymentisprofitableforthebossesbecauseitdrivesdownthewagesofworkersandhelpstheemployerstokeeptheworkforceundercontrolthroughthis“reservearmyoflabor,”whichareallegedlyalwaysreadytoscab.BecauseofpervasivediscriminationagainstBlacks,Latinosandothernationallyoppressedworkers,includinghigherlevelsunemployment—thejobstheydogetartgenerallyonthebottomrung.Thisisalsoprofitablefortheboss,anddividestheworkingclass.

Homelessnessisjustthemostintensifiedformofunemployment,whereinadditiontolossofjoborincome,thereislossofhousingandlackofaccesstosocialservices.Therearenowmillionsofpeoplehomelesssincethelast15years,becauseoftheCapitalistoffensivetodestroytheunions,beatbackthegainsofthecivilrightsstruggle,anddoawaywiththeaffordablehousingsectorinfa

vorofyuppiegentrificationinthecities.Youseethemincities,bigandsmall,andwhatthisreflectsisatotalbreakdownintheCapitalistState’ssocialservicessystem,inadditiontotheheatingupoftheclasswarwagedbygovernmentandthemajorcorporations,Itshows,morethananything,thatCapitalismworldwideisundergoinganinternationalfinancialpanic,andisreallyinthebeginningstagesofaworlddepression.Inadditiontothe90millionpersonswholivebelowthepovertylineandthreetofivemillionhomelessintheU.S.;thereareanother2.7millionhomelessinthetwelvenationsoftheEuropeancommunity,and80millionpeopleamlivinginpovertythere,withmillionsmoreintheCapitalistcountriesofJapan,KoreaandotherpartsofAsia.SoalthoughBlackworkersmustorganizeandfightagainsthomelessandunemploymentintheU.S.,clearlytheremustbeaninternationalmovementofworkerstofightthiseconomicdeprivation,aspartoftheoverallclassstruggle.IneverycityinNorthAmerica

,theBlackworkersmovementshouldorganizeunemploymentcouncilstofightforunemploymentbenefitsandjobsforthejobless,thebuildingofdecent,affordablelow-incomehousingandanendtohomelessness,aswellasagainstracialdiscriminationinjobsandhousing.Suchcouncilswouldbedemocraticorganizations,organizedonaneighborhoodbasis,(toensurethatitwouldbeunderthecontrolofthepeople,andagainstinfiltrationandtakeoverbyliberalor“radical”politicalparties,orco-optationbythegovernment),whichwouldbefederatedintoacitywide,regional,andnationalorganization.ThatorganizationwouldbeanationalBlackunemploymentleague,tocreateamassfightbackmovementinthisdepression.ItwouldbemadeupofBlackcommunityunemployedcouncilsfromalloverthecountry,withdelegateselectedfromallthelocalgroups.Suchanationalorganizationcouldmeettomapoutalarge-scaleattackonunemployment,aswellasserveasanationalclearinghouseonBlackunemploymentconditions.

OnthelocallevelintheBlackneighborhoods,itwouldbethecommunityunemploymentcouncilswhichwouldestablishfoodandhousingcooperatives,leadrentstrikesandsquatting,initiatelandandbuildingreclamationprojects,establishproducerandconsumercooperatives,distributefoodandclothing,andprovideforotherservices:theywouldestablishneighborhoodmedicalclinicsforfreetreatmentofthehomelessandunemployed,rodentcontrolprograms,etc.,andtheywoulddealwithcommunitysocialproblems(broughtonbyunemployment),andotherissuesofinterestTheywouldbuildhungermarchesandotherdemonstrationsandcarrythepeople’swrathtovariousgovernmentofficesandtothebusinessesoft

Page 27: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 27/60

herich.Notonlywouldtheunemploymentcouncilsbeawayoffightingforjobsandunemploymentbenefits,butalsothecouncilswouldawaytoaobtainagreatdealofcommunityself-sufficiencyanddirectdemocracy,insteadoftotallydependingoncityhall,CongressorthePresident,andhelpsleadtothekindofconfidenceamongthemassesthataBlackmunicipalcommunebecomesaseriouspossibility.

Oneofthemostimportantfunctionsofanunemploymentmovementistoobtainunitybetweentheemployedandunemployedorhomeless,andworkerssolidarityacrossracelines.TheemployedandunemployedmustworktogethertostruggleagainsttheBossclassiftheyaretoobtainanyseriousgainsduringthisperiodofeconomiccrisis.Workerswhoareonstrikeorprotestingagainstthebosswouldbesupportedbytheunemployed,whowouldevenmanthepicketlineswiththemandrefusetoscab.Inturntheworkerswouldformunemployedcaucusintheirtradeunionstoallowunionrepresentationoftheseworkersandalsoforcesuchunionstoprovidefoodandothernecessities,makefundsandtrainingavailabletotheunemployed,aswellasthrowtheweightoftheunionsinthefightfordecentjobsandhousingforallworkers.TheCapitalistbosseswillnotbemovedotherwise.Makethebossespayfortheireconomiccrisis!

Hereiswhataunitedmovementofworkersandhomelessmustdemand:

Fullemployment(zerounemployment)forallworkersatunionwage.

Establishmentofashorterworkweek,sothatworkerswouldbepaidattheratefor40hoursofworkfor20-30hoursaweekonthejob.

Endhomelessness,buildandmakeavailabledecentaffordablehousingforall.Repealallloitering,anti-panhandlingandotherlawsagainstthehomeless.

Endthewarbudget,andusethosefundsfordecent,low-incomehousing,betterschools,hospitalsandclinics,libraries,parksandpublictransportation.

Endracismandsexisminjobopportunitiesandreliefbenefits.

Jobsoraguaranteedincomeforall.

Fullfederalandstatebenefitsforunemployedworkersandtheirfamilies,includingcorporateandgovernmentfundstopaythebills,rentsanddebtsforanylaidoffworker,andunemploymentcompensationat100%ofregularpaidwage,lastingthefulllengthofaworker’speriodofunemployment.

Nationalminimumwagesetatprevailingunionentrywage.

Governmentandcorporatefundstoestablishapublicworksprogramtoprovidejobs(withfullunionrightsandwagescale)torebuildtheinnercitiesandprovideneededsocialservices.TheprogramanditsfundsshouldbeunderthecontrolofcommitteesdemocraticallyelectedfrompoorandBlackneighborhoods,soastoavoid“povertypimps”andripoffjobagencies,orgovernmentbureaucrats.

Freeallpersonsinprisonforcrimesofeconomicsurvival.

These,andthedemandspreviouslymentioned,aremerelyasurvivalprogramandagendaforunemployedworkers;therealanswerisSocialrevolutiontheeliminationofCapitalism,andworkers’self-managementoftheeconomyandsociety.Thisisavitalfirststephowever.ThemwouldbenounemploymentorsocialneedforwagelaborinanAnarchist-Communistsociety.CrimesAgainstthePeople

Itistherichwhodecidewhatisorisnotacrime;itisnotaneutraldesigna

Page 28: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 28/60

tion.ThelawsarewrittentoprotecttherichandthosewhoactasagentsoftheState.Butmostpersonalcrimesartnotcommittedagainsttherich,theyareusuallyinaccessible.ItispoorandworkingclassBlackpeoplewhoarethemajorvictimsofviolentcrime.TheBlackfemaleistheprimaryvictimofrapeandabusebytheBlackmaleinthiscountry.TheBlackmalehimselfistheleadinghomicidevictimintheU.S.byanotherBlackmanlikehimself,andsadlyourchildrenareamongtheleadingvictimsofchildabuse,manytimesbyhisorherownparents.WedonotliketothinkofthesethingsintheBlackcommunity,butwearebatteringandkillingourselvesatanalarmingrate.ThisisnottodenythattheCapitalistsocialsystemhascreatedfrustrating,degradingconditionsoflifethatcontributetothisbrutalityandfratricide,butwewouldbelaxinourhumaneandrevolutionarydutyifwedidnottrytocorrectthisproblemontheshort-term,andalsomakeBlackpeopleassumeresponsibilityforouractions.IamnottalkingsomeBlackconservativeor“lawandorder”garbagehere,butratherrecognitionoffactthatwehaveaproblem.

Wehaveanexternalandaninternalcrisissituationfacingusinourcommunity.Theexternalcrisisisracismandcolonialism,whichworkstosystematicallyoppressusandisresponsibleforwhateverinternalcrisisthereis.Theinternalcrisisistheresultofanenvironmentwheredrugsandviolence(bothsocialandphysical)arerampant,andlifeissometimesconsideredcheap.Black-on-Blackcrimesandinternalviolencearedestroyingourcommunity.Itisundoubtedlyself-hatredandthedesperateeconomicandsocialconditionsweliveunderwhichmakesuspreyoneachother.Drugs,frustratedrage,prostitutionandothervicesa

resymptomsofoppression.

Wekill,beat,rapeandbrutalizeeachotherbecauseweareinpainourselves.Thusweareactingoutanti-socialrolesdefinedforusbysomeoneelse,notourselves.Inourpainandconfusionwestrikeoutatconvenientandfamiliarvictims;thoselikeourselvesThemareordinaryBlackpeoplewhostealandrobjusttosurviveunderthissystem,becauseofthatunequaldistributionofwealth.Further,forsameofus,inourdesireto“makeit”inCapitalistsocietywewillstopatnothing,includingmurder.Andfinally,therearethosewhodowhatevertheydobecauseofdrugaddictionormentalsickness.

Whateverthereasons,wehaveaseriousproblemthatwemustremedybecauseitistearingawayatthemoralandsocialfabricofourcommunity.Itwillbeimpas

sibletouniteBlackpeopleiftheyareinfearandhatredofoneanother.ItisalsoobviousthatthepoliceandgovernmentrectifythisproblemandthatonlytheBlackcommunitycandoso.Thecourtsandprisonpreventthesituationfromrecurring.Thereforewhatcanwedo?

Itisthecommunity,throughitsownorganizationsofconcern,whichwillhavetodealwiththisproblem.Communityself-managedprogramstoworkwithBlackyouthgangmembers,(asourceofmuchviolenceinthecommunity),ratherthanthemilitaryapproachofcallinginthecops,empowerthecommunityratherthantheracistprisonbureaucracyandthecops.Also,thecommunity-rundrugrehabilitationgroups,therapyandcounselinggroups,andotherneighborhoodorganizinghelpustoeffectivelydealwiththeproblemofinternalviolenceandhopefullydefuseit.Mostimportantlyitinvolvesthecommunityintheeffort.

Butwecannottotallydependuponcounselingorrehabilitationtechniques,especiallywherethemisanimmediatethreatofviolenceorwhereithasoccurred.So,toinsurepeaceandpublicsecurity,aBlackcommunityguardservicewouldbeorganizedforthispurpose,aswellastoprotectagainstthewhitePowerstructure.Thissecurityforcewouldbeelectedbylocalresidents,andwouldworkwiththehelpofpeopleinneighborhoods.Thisistheonlywayitwouldwork.Itwouldnotbeanauxiliaryofthecurrentcolonialoccupationarmyinourcommunity,andwouldnotthreatenorintimidatethecommunitywithviolenceagainstouryouth.Norwouldsuchacommunityguardprotectviceandorganizedcrime.Thisco

Page 29: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 29/60

mmunityguardwouldonlyrepresentthecommunitythatelectedit,insteadofcityhall.Similarsuchunitswouldbeorganizedalloverthecityonablock-by-blockbasis.

YettheAnarchistsgofurther,andsaythatafteramunicipalcommuneissetup,theexistingcourtsmustbereplacedbyvoluntarycommunitytribunalsofarbitration,andincasesofgravecrimes,connectedwithmurder,oroffensesagainstlibertyandequality,aspecialcommunalcourtofanon-permanentnaturewouldbesetup.Anarchistsbelievethatantisocialcrime,meaninganythingthatoppresses,robs,ordoesviolencetotheworkingclassmustbevigorouslyopposed.Wecannotwaituntilaftertherevolutiontoopposesuchdangerousenemiesofthepeople.ButsincesuchantisocialcrimesareadirectexpressionofCapitalism,therewouldbearealattempttosocialize,politicallyeducateandrehabilitateoffenders.NotbythrowingthemintothewhiteCapitalistprisonstosufferlikeanimalsandwhere,becauseoftheirtortureandhumiliation,theywilldeclarewaronallsociety,butbyinvolvingtheminthelifeofthecommunityandgivingthemsocialandvocationaltraining.Sinceallthe“criminologyexperts”agreethatcrimeisasocialproblem,andsinceweknowthat88percentofallcrimesareagainstpropertyandarecommittedinordertosurviveinaneconomicallyunjustsociety,wemustrecognizethatonlyfullemployment,equaleconomicopportunity,decenthousingandotheraspectsofsocialjusticewillensureanendtocrime.Inshort,wemusthaveradicalsocialchangetoeradicatethesocialconditionsthatcausecrime.AnunequalunfairsocietylikeCapitalismcreatesitsowncriminalclass.Therealthievesandmurderers,businessmenandpoliticians,are

protectedundertoday’slegalsystem,whilethepoorarepunished.Thatisclassjustice,andthatiswhatSocialrevolutionwouldabolish.

Butunderstandably,manypersonswanttoendtherape,murder,andviolenceinourcommunitiestoday,andwindupstrengtheningthehandsoftheStateanditspoliceagents.Theywillnotgetridofcrime,butthecopswillmilitarilypatrolourcommunities,andfurtherturnusagainstoneanother.Wemuststayawayfromthattrap.Frustratedandconfused,Blackpeoplemayattackoneanother,butinsteadofcondemningthemtoaslowdeathinprisonorshootingthemdowninthestreetsforrevenge,wemustdealwiththeunderlyingsocialcausesbehindtheact.

Anarchistsshouldbegintohavecommunityforumsonthecauseandmanifestations

ofcrimeintheBlackcommunity.Wehavetoseriouslyexaminethesocialinstitutions:family,schools,prisons,jobs,etc.thatcauseustofuss,fight,robandkilleachother,ratherthantheenemywhoiscausingallourmisery.Whileweshouldmobilizetorestrainoffenders,wemustbegintorealizethatonlythecommunitywilleffectivelydealwiththemater.NottheracistCapitalistsystem,withitsrepressivepolice,courtsandprisons.Onlywehavepsychologyandunderstandingtodealwithit;nowwemustdevelopthewill.Nooneelsecares.

Insteadofeye-for-eyepunishment,thereshouldberestitutiontothevictims,theirfamiliesorsociety.Norevenge,suchasthedeathpenaltywillbringamurdervictimback,norwilllong-termimprisonmentserveeitherjusticeortheprotectionofsociety.Afterall,prisonsareonlyhumantrashcansforthosethatsocietyhasdiscardedasworthless.Nosaneandjustsocietywouldadoptsuchac

ourse.Societymakescriminalsandmustberesponsiblefortheirtreatment.Whitecapitalistsocietyisitselfacrime,andisthegreatestteacherofcorruptionandviolence.

InanAnarchistsociety,prisonswouldbedoneawaywith,alongwithcourtsandpolice(exceptfortheexceptionsIhavealludedto),andbereplacedwithcommunity-runprogramsandcentersinterestedsolelywithhumanregenerationandsocialtraining,ratherthancustodialsupervisioninainhumanlockup.Thefactisthatifapersonissoviolentordangerous,heisprobablymentallywarpedorhassomephysicaldefectanyway,whichcauseshimtocommitviolentactsafterso

Page 30: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 30/60

cialjusticehasbeenwon.Ifsuchpeoplearementallydefective,thentheyshouldbeplacedinamentalhealthfacility,ratherthanaprison.Humanrightsshouldneverbestrippedandheshouldnotbepunished.Schools,hospitals,doctorsandaboveallsocialequality,publicwelfareandlibertymightprovethesafestmeanstogetridofcrimesandcriminalstogether.Ifaspecialcategorysuchas“criminal”or“enemy”iscreated,thenthesepersonsmayforeverfeelanoutcastandneverchange.Evenifheorsheisaclassenemy,theyshouldretainallcivilandhumanrightsinsociety,eventhoughtheyofcoursewouldberestrainediftheyledacounter-revolution;thedifferenceiswewanttodefeatthemideologically,notmilitarilyorbyconsigningthemtoaso-calledreeducationcamportobeshotliketheBolsheviksdidwhenassumingpowerinRussiain1917.

TherearetwomajorreasonswhyactivistsintheBlackcommunityaswemovetochangesociety,itsvaluesandconditions,mustimmediatelytakeaseriouslookandacttochangethepoliticaldebatearoundcrime,prisonsandtheso-calledcriminaljusticesystem.Thosetworeasonshitrighthome!Oneisbecauseduringanygivenyear,oneoutoffourBlackmeninthiscountryisinprison,injailonparole,orprobation,comparedtojustoneofeveryfifteenwhitemen.InfactBlacksmakeup50-85percentofmostprisonpopulationsaroundtheU.S.,makingatruismoftheradicalphraseologythat“PrisonsareconcentrationcampfortheBlackandpoor.”Itmaybeyourbrother,sister,husband,wife,daughterorsoninprison,butIguaranteeyouweallknowsomeoneinprisonatthisveryminute!TheotherprimaryreasonBlackshaveavestedinterestincrimeandpenalinstitutionsisbecausebyfar,mostBlacksandothernon-whitesareinprisonforcom

mittingoffensesagainsttheirowncommunity.

PrisonsarecompactduplicatesoftheBlackcommunity,inthatmanyofthesamenegativeanddestructiveelementsthatareallowedtoexistinourcommunityandcausecrime,especiallydrugs,areinpoisoninamoreblatantandconcentratedformTocallsuchplaces`correctional”or“rehabilitative”institutionsisagrossmisnomer.Deathcampsaremorelikeit.Theseprisonsdonotexisttopunisheveryoneequally,buttoprotecttheexistingCapitalistsystemfromyouandI,thepoorandworkingclass.

Thehighrateorrecidivismproves,andtheso-calledauthoritiesallagree,thattheprisonsystemisatotalfailure.About70percentofthoseenteringprisonarerepeatoffenderswhocommitincreasinglyseriouscrimes.Thebrutalityor

prisonexperienceandthe“ex-con”stigmawhentheyarefinallyreleasedmakethemworse.Basictosolvingthesecrucialproblemsisorganization.TheBlackcommunityandtheBlackLiberationmovementmustsupporttheprisonersintheirfightforprisonershumanrightsTheyshouldfightfarthereleaseofpoliticalprisonersandvictimsofracialinjustice.TheyshouldalsoformcoalitionsofgroupsintheBlackcommunitytofightagainsttheracistpenalandjudicialsystem,andespeciallytheunequalapplicationofthedeathpenalty,whichisjustanotherformofgenocideagainsttheBlackrace.Andfinally,andmaybemostimportantly,localcommunitygroupsmustbeginprogramsofre-educationwithbrothersandsistersinprisonbecauseonlythroughplanned,regular,andconstantcontactcanwebegintoresolvethisproblemthatsodirectlytouchesourlives.Abolishprisons.TheDrugEpidemic:ANewFormofBlackGenocide?

Oneoftheworstformsofcriminalityisdrugdealing,anditdeservessameseparatecommentsallitsown.ThereisanegativedrugsubcultureintheBlackcommunitythatglorifies,oratleastmakesacceptable,druguse,eventhoughitiskillingusanddestroyingourcommunity.Infact,everydaywereadofsomejunkieinourcommunitiesdyingoveranoverdoseofdrugs,orofsomestreetcornerdrugdealerdyingfromashootoutoveradisputeortip-offduringadrugdeal“gonesour.”Thetragedyofthelatteristhat,thesedays,innocentvictims—childrenorelderlypeople—havealsobeengunneddowninthecrossfire.Thedrugaddict(thenewtermseemstobe“crack-head”)isanothertragicfigure;hewasahumanbei

Page 31: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 31/60

ngjustlikeanyoneelse,butbecauseofhisoppressedsocialenvironment,soughtdrugstoeasethepainortoescapetemporarilyfromthe“concretejungles”weareforcedliveintheurbanghettosofAmerica.

Withtheintroductionofcrack,amorepowerfulderivativeofcocaine,whichmadeitsappearanceinthe1980s,evenmoreproblemsandtragediesofthissorthaddeveloped—moreaddicts,morestreetgangkillings,andmoredeteriorationofourcommunity.Inthemajorurbanareastherehavealmostalwaysbeendruguses,whatisnewisthedepthofgeographicalpenetrationofcracktoBlackcommunitiesinallareasofthecountry.Butthespreadofcrackisjustafollow-uptomassivegovernmentdrugpeddlingthatbeganattheendofthedecadeofthe1960s.ThewhiteHouseisthe“rockhouse,”meaningtheU.S.politicaladministrationisbehindthewholedrugtrade.TheU.S.governmenthasactuallybeensmugglingdrugsintothiscountryformanyyearsaboardCIAandmilitaryplanestouseasachemicalwarfareweaponagainstBlackAmerica.Thesedrugsweremostlyheroinimportedfromtheso-called“GoldenTriangle”ofSoutheastAsiaduringtheVietnamWar.Butwiththeintroductionofcrackcocaine,therewasnoneedtoimportdrugsintothecountryatthesameextentasbefore,becauseitcouldbechemicallypreparedinamainlandlab,andthendistributedimmediately.Crackcreatedawholenewgenerationofdrugclientsandcustomersforthedrugdealers;itwascheapandhighlyaddictive.

Crackandotherdrugsareahugesourceofprofitsforthegovernment,anditkeepstheBlackcommunitypassiveandpoliticallyindifferent.Thatisthemainre

asonwhywecannotdependuponthepoliceforceandorthegovernmenttostopthedrugtrafficorhelpthevictimshookedondrugs.Theyarepushingthedrugstobeatusdown,ontheonehand,buttheStateisalsomademorepowerfulbecauseofthephony“warondrugs”whichallowspolicestatemeasuresinBlackandoppressedcommunities,andbecauseofmillionsofdollarsingovernmentmonetaryappropriationsmadeof“lawenforcement”agencies,whosupposedlyareputtingdownthetrafficindrugs.Buttheynevergoafterthebankersorthebigbusinesspharmaceuticalcompanieswhofundthedrugtrade,justthestreetleveldealers,whoareusuallypoorBlacks.

Unemploymentisanotherreasonthatdrugtraffickingissoprevalentinourcommunities.Poorpeoplewilldesperatelylookforanythingtomakemoneywith,eventheverydrugsthataredestroyingoutcommunities.Butifpeoplehavenojobs

orincome,drugslookverylucrativeandthebestwayoutofthesituation.Infact,thedrugeconomyhasbecometheonlyincomeinmanypoorBlackcommunities,andtheonlythingthatsomepeopleperceivewillliftthemoutoflivesofdesperatepoverty.Clearly,decentjobsataunionwagearepartoftheanswertoendingdrugtraffickinginourcommunity,ratherthanadependenceonpolice,courtsandtheState.Thecopsarenotourfriendsorally,andmustbeexposedfortheirpartinprotectingthetrade,ratherthansuppressingit.

Onlythecommunitycanstopdrugtrafficking,anditisourresponsibilityhoweveryoulookatit.Afterall,thosejunkiesareourbrothersandsisters,mothersandfathers,neighborsandfriends;theyarenostrangers.Wemustorganizetosavetheirlivesandthelifeofourcommunity.Wemustestablishanti-dopeprogramsinBlackcommunitiesalloverthecountry.Wemustexposeandcounterthe

government’sroleaspusherofdope,alongwiththatofthepoliceasprotectorofthedrugtrade.Butalsowemustbepreparedtohelpthedrugvictimswithstreetcounseling,streetclinics(wheretheycabclean-upandlearnatradeandthesociopoliticalreasonsfordruguse),propagandaagainstdruguse,andotheractivities.

Junkiesarethevictimsofthedrugsociety,whichthinksitscooltousedrugs.Childrenaresomeofthebiggestvictimsofdrugdealing,whentheyaretrickedorforced(byeconomicnecessity)intousingorsellingit.Theusersanddealersbotharevictims,butthedealersaresomethingelsethanentirelyinnocentE

Page 32: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 32/60

venthoughthatBlackonthecornersellingdopebagsisavictimhimselfoftheeconomicandpoliticalsystemwhichmakeshimdoit,dopedealersareacorrupt,dangerousbreedwhomustbestoppedManypeoplehavebeenkilledorseriouslyinjuredfornaivelytryingtoopposedopedealers,andmakethemleavetheirneighborhoods.Therefore,whereasthepolicywithjunkieswouldbemorebenevolentandunderstanding,withdopedealerswemustbecautious,andevenruthlesswhenitiscalledfor.Weneedtotrytowinthemoverfirstwithaneconomicandpoliticalprogramtodrawthemawayfromthe(hugtrade,butmanyofthedealersaresoviolenceprone,especiallythe“bigshots”(whoarealsoprotectedbythecops)theymustbeopposedbybothmilitaryandpoliticalmeans.

Wearenotadvocatingthesummarymurderofpeople,butwearesayingifittakesdeathtobringaboutachangeinthecommunity,sobeit!Theissueofdeathisessentiallyanissueofwhoisdoingthedying.Itcanbedirectandexercisedagainstthedeathmerchant,oritcanbeindirectandexercisedagainstouryouth—ifweletit.Tobeawareofadangeroussituationandnotmovetochangeitistobeasresponsibleforthatdangeroussituationasthosewhocreateditinthefirstplace.

Listen,Idon’twanttosimplifythisproblembysayingthatjustkillafewstreet-leveldealersandthatwillendit.Noitwon’t,andwedon’twanttodothatanyway!Theyarejustpoorpeopletryingtosurvivethissystem,justpawnsinthedruggamewhoselivesdon’tmattertothebigCapitalistsorgovernment.Whentheysaysothesestreetleveldealerswillbekilledorimprisoned,butthedrugped

dlingsystemwillgoon.Thisisasociopoliticalproblem,whichcanbestbeaddressedbygrassrootsorganizations.Butit’sthecorporateandindustrialbackersofthedrugtrade(notjustthecomerdealer)thatnotonlymustnotonlybeexposed,butmustbemovedon.Inadditiontoeducational,agitationandotheraction,theremustbemilitaryactionbyrevolutionarycells.

Theundergroundactionswhichweareaskingpeopletomoveancanbecarriedoutbyarelativelysmallgroupofdedicatedpeople,arevolutionarycellofarmedfighters,whohavebeentrainedinguerillatacticsButeventhesesmallgroupsofpeoplemusthavethesupportoftheneighborhoodsinordertofunction,otherwisepeoplewillnotknowitfromanotherviolentgang.Oncethissocialcohesivenessexistsamongthecommunity,thenwecanbegintoputthisproposalintoactionagainstthemostviolent,high-leveldrugdealers.Weareaddressingoursel

vestowhatcanbemoreorlessbeconsideredtobeguidelinesfordealingwiththeproblemonaneighborhoodorcommunity-widelevelthenatanationallevel:

Setupdrugeducationclassesinthecommunity,fortheyouthespecially,toexposethenatureofthedrugtrade,whoithurts,andhowthegovernment,banks,andpharmaceuticalcompaniesarebehinditall.

Exposureofthedeathmerchantsandtheirpoliceprotectors.(Photos,posters,fliers,newsletters,etc.)

Harassmentofthedealers;i.e.,threateningphonecalls,knockingthedrug“product,”havecitizensmarchinginsidetheir“placeofbusiness,”andothertactics.

Setupdrugrehabilitationclinicssothatjunkiescanbetreated,canstudythenatureoftheiroppression,andcanbewanovertorevolutionarypolitics.Wemustwinpeopleawayfromdruguseandtotherevolution.

Physicaleliminationofthedealer;intimidationdrivinghimoutaneighborhoodoroutoftown,beatings,andassassination,wherenecessary.

Dopeisdeath!Wemustfightdopeaddictionbyanymeansnecessary!Doallyoucantohelpyourpeopleintheanti-dopewar!AfricanIntercommunalism

Page 33: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 33/60

TheAnarchistidealsleadlogicallytointernationalismormorepreciselytrans-nationalism,whichmeansbeyondthenation-state.Anarchistsforeseeatimewhenthenation-statewillceasetohaveanypositivevalueatallformostpeople,andwillinfactbejunked.Butthattimeisnotyethere,anduntilitis,wemustorganizeforintercommunalism,orworldrelationsbetweenAfricanpeopleandtheirrevolutionarysocialmovements,insteadoftheirgovernmentsandheadsofstate.

TheBlackPantherPartyfirstputforwardtheconceptofintercommunalisminthe1960sand,althoughslightlydifferent,isverymuchalibertarianconceptatitscore.(Thisusedtobecalled“PanAfricanism,”butincludedmainly“revolutionary”overnmentsandcolonialorindependencemovementsasallies).Becauseofthelegacyofslaveryandcontinuingeconomicneocolonialism,whichhasdispersedBlackstoeverycontinent,itisfeasibletospeakofBlackinternationalrevolutionarysolidarity.

HereishowAnarchistsseetheworld:theworldispresentlyorganizedintocompetingnation-states,whichthoughtheCapitalistWesternnationshavebeenresponsibleformostoftheworld’sfamine,imperialismandexploitationofthenon-whitepeoplesoftheearth.Infact,allstatesareinstrumentsofoppression.Eventhoughtherearegovernmentsthatclaimtobe“workersstates,”“Socialistcountries”rso-called“Revolutionarygovernments,”inessencetheyallhavethesamefunction:dictatorshipandoppressionofthemanyoverthefew.Thebankruptcyofthesta

teisfurtherprovenwhenonelooksatthemillionsofdeadovertwoworldwars,sparkedbyEuropeanImperialism,(1914-198and1939-1945),andhundredsof“brushwars”incitedbythesuperpowersoftheWestorRussiainthe1950sandcontinuingtothisday.Thisincludes“workers’states”likeChina-Russia,Vietnam-China,Vietnam-Cambodia.Somalia-Ethiopia,Russia-Czechoslovakiaandotherswhohavegonetowaroverborderdisputes,politicalintrigue,invasionorotherhostileaction.Aslongastherearenation-states,therewillbewar,tensionandnationalenmity.

Infact,thesadpartaboutthedecolonizationofAfricainthe1960swasthatthecountrieswereorganizedintotheEurocentricidealofthenation-state,insteadofsomesortofotherformationmoreapplicabletothecontinent,suchasacontinentalfederation.This,ofcourse,wasareflectionofthefactthataltho

ughtheAfricanswereobtaining“flagindependence”andallthetrappingsofthesovereignEuropeanstate,theyinfedwerenotobtainingfreedom.TheEuropeansstillcontrolledtheeconomiesoftheAfricancontinent,andthenationalistleaderswhocametotheforewereforthemastpartthemostpliableandconservativepossible.TirecountriesofAfricawerelikeadogwithaleasharounditsneck;althoughtheEuropeanscouldnotlongerrulesthecontinentdirectlythoroughcolonialrule,itnowdidsothroughpuppetsitcontrolledanddefended,likeMobutuintheCongo,SelassieinEthiopia,andKenyattainKenya.ManyofthesemenweredictatorsoftheworstsortandtheirregimesexistedstrictlybecauseofEuropeanfinancecapitalInaddition,therewerewhitesettlercommunitiesinthePortuguesecolonies,SouthAfrica,andZimbabwe,whooppressedtheAfricanpeoplesevenworsethantheoldcolonialsystem.Thisiswhythenationalliberationmovementsmadetheirappearancesinthe1960sand70s.

Anarchistssupportnationalliberationmovementstothedegreethattheystruggleagainstacolonialorimperialistpower;butalsonotethatinalmosteveryinstancewheresuchliberationfrontshaveassumedstatepower,theyhavebecome“StateCommunist”partiesandnewdictatorsoverthemassesofthepeople.Theseincludesamewhohadengagedinthemastepicstruggles,butalsoincludemanybasedonthemostobviousmilitarydictatorshipfromthestart.TheyarenotprogressiveandtheytoleratenodissentForinstance,nosoonerhadtheMPLAgovernmentbeeninpowerinAngola,thanitbegantoarrestallitsleft-wingideologicalopponents(Maoists,Trotskyites,Anarchists,andothers)andtoforciblytoquel

Page 34: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 34/60

lstrikesbyworkersforhigherpayandbetterworkingconditions,callingsuchjobactions“blackmail”and`economicsabotage.”AndwiththeNitoAlvesaffairandhisallegedcoupattempt,(Alveswasaherooftherevolutionandapopularmilitaryleader),therewasthefirstpartypurgeofopponentsinthenewgovernment.SomethingsimilartothisalsotookplacewhentheSandinistaNationalLiberationmovementtookoverinNicaraguainthe1980s.NoneofthisshouldseemstrangeoruncharacteristictoAnarchists,whenweconsiderthattheBolshevikpartydidthesamethingwhenitconsolidatedstatepowerduringtheRussianRevolution(1917-1921).

CountriessuchasBenin,Ethiopia,thePeople’sRepublicoftheCongoandother“revolutionary”governmentsinAfrica,arenotinpowerastheresultofapopularsocialrevolution,butratherbecauseofamilitarycouporbeinginstalledbyoneofthemajorworldpowersFurther;manyofthenationalliberationmovementswerenotindependentsocialmovements,butwereratherundertheinfluenceorcontrolofRussiaorChinaaspartoftheirgeopoliticalstruggleagainstWesternimperialismandeachother.Thisisnottosaythatrevolutionarymovementsshouldnotacceptweaponsandothermaterialsupportfromanoutsidepower,aslongastheyremainindependentpoliticallyanddeterminetheirownpolicies,withoutsuchaidbeingconditionalonthepoliticaldictatesandthe“partyline”ofanothercountry.

Buteventhoughwemaydifferwiththempoliticallyandtacticallyinmanyareas,andevenwithalltheirflawsafterassumingStatepower,therevolutionaryli

berationfightersareourcomradesandalliesincommonstruggleagainstthecommonenemy—theU.S.imperialistrulingclass,whilethefightgoeson.TheirstrugglereleasesthedeathgripofU.S.andwesternimperialismorasAnarchistsmorepreciselycallitCapitalistworldpower),andwhilethefightgoesonweareboundtogetherincomradeshipandsolidarity.YetwestillcannotoverlookatrocitiescommittedbymovementsliketheKhmerRouge,aMarxist-LeninistguerillamovementinCambodia,whichjustmassacredmillionsofpeopletocarryoutrigidStalinistpoliticalpoliciesandtoconsolidatethecountry.WemustlaythisbutcheryandothercrimescommittedbyStateCommunismbateforalltosee.Wedonotfavorthiskindofrevolution,whichisjustsheerpowerseekingandterrorismagainstthepeople.ThisiswhyAnarchismhasalwaysdisagreedwithhowtheBolsheviksseizedpowerinSovietRussia;andStalin’sbutcheryoftheRussianpeopleseemstohavesetamodelfortheStateCommunistmovementstofollowovert

heyears.

Thenationalliberationfrontsmakeonebasicmistakeofmanynationalistmovementsofoppressedpeoples,andthatistoorganizeinafashionthatclassdistinctionsareobliteratedThishappenedinAmerica,whereinthefightfordemocraticrights,thecivilrightsmovementincludedBlackmiddleclasspreachers,teachersandothers,andeveryBlackpersonswasa“brother”or”sister,”aslongastheywreBlack.Butthissimplisticanalysisandsocialrealitydidnotholdforlong,becausewhentheCivilrightsphaseoftheAmericanBlackstrugglehadspentitself,classdistinctionsandclassstrugglecametothefore.Theyhavebeengettingsharpereversince.AlthoughthemareBlackmayorsandotherbureaucrats,theymerelyserveaspacificationagentsoftheState,“Blackfacesinhighplaces.”Thisneocolonialsystemissimilartothetypeofneocolonialismwhichtookplac

einthe3rdWorld,aftermanycountrieshadobtainedtheir“independence”inthe1960s.Europestillmaintainedcontrolthroughpuppetpoliticiansandacommandofpettybourgeoisclass,whowerewillingtobarterthefreedomofthepeopleforpersonalgains.Thesepeoplemerelypresideoverthemiseryofthemasses.Theyarenotaseriousconcessiontoourstruggle.Theyareputinofficetoco-optthestruggleanddeadenthepeopletotheirpain.

SowhileBlackrevolutionariesgenerallyfavortheideasofAfricanintercommunalism,theywantprincipledrevolutionaryunity.Ofcourse,thegreatestservicewecanrenderthepeoplesoftheso-called“ThirdWorld”ofAfrica,AsiaandLatinA

Page 35: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 35/60

merica,istomakearevolutionheminNorthAmerica—inthebellyofthebeast.Forinfreeingourselves,wegettheU.S.imperialistrulingclassoffbothoutbacks.WewishtobuildaninternationalBlackorganizationagainstCapitalism,racism,colonialism,imperialism,andmilitarydictatorship,whichcouldmoreeffectivelyfighttheCapitalistpowersandcreateaworldfederationofBlackpeoples.WewanttouniteabrotherorsisterinNorthAmericawiththeBlackpeoplesofAustraliaandOceania,Africa,theCaribbeanandSouthAmerica,Asia,theMiddleEast,andthosemillionsofourpeopleLivinginBritainandotherWesternEuropeancountries.Wewanttounitetribes,nationsandBlackculturesintoaninternationalbodyofgrassrootsandstrugglingforces.

Allovertheworld,Blackpeoplearebeingoppressedbytheirnationalgovernments.SomearecolonialsubjectsinEuropeancountries,andoneoranotheroftheAfricanStatesexploitssome.OnlyaSocialrevolutionwillleadtoBlackunityandfreedom.HoweverthiswillonlybepossiblewhenthereexistsaninternationalBlackrevolutionaryorganizationandsocialmovement.AnorganizationwhichcancoordinatetheresistancestruggleseverywhereofAfricanpeoples;actuallyanetworkofsuchorganizations,resistancemovements,whicharespreadallovertheworldbasedonaconsensusforrevolutionarystruggle.Thisconceptacceptsanylevelofviolencethatwillbenecessarytoenforcethedemandsofthepeopleandworkers.InthosecountrieswhereanopenBlackrevolutionarymovementwouldbesubjectedtofiercerepressionbythestate,suchasinSouthAfricaandinsameBlackpuppetdictatorshipsinotherpartsofAfrica,theCaribbean,andAsia,itwouldbenecessarytowageanundergroundresistancestruggle.Further,

thestatehasgrownmoreandmoreviolent,withwidespreadtortureandexecutions,prisonsandmaximumpolicecontrols,spyinganddeprivationofdemocraticrights,policebrutalityandmurder.Clearlysuchgovernments—andallgovernments—mustbeoverthrown.Theywillnotfallduetointernaleconomicorpoliticalproblems,butmustbedefeatedanddismantled.SowecallforaninternationalresistancemovementtooverthrowgovernmentsandthesystemofCapitalistworldgovernment.

ButevenintheWesternimperialistcountries,wemustrecognizethelegitimacyofrevolutionaryviolence.Whensuchformsofrevolutionaryactionarerequired,however,acleardifferenceshouldbeseenamongrevolutionariesbetweensimpleterrorismwithoutpopularsupportandcoherentpoliticalprogramandguerillawarfarearisingoutofthecollectivelyfeltfrustrationsofthecommonpeoplean

dworkers.TheuseofmilitarymethodswouldbenecessaryinacasewheretheviolenceofthestatemadeitimperativeforBlackrevolutionariestodefendthemselvesbytakingthearmedoffensiveagainstthestateandtherulingclass,andtoexpropriatethewealthoftheCapitalistclassduringtheSocialrevolution.

TheBlackliberationmovementneedsanorganizationcapableofinternationalcoordinationoftheBlackliberationstruggle,aworldfederationofAfricanpeoples.AlthoughthiswouldnotjustbeanAnarchistmovementafederationlikethiswouldbemadeeffectivethananygroupofstates,whethertheUnitedNationortheOrganizationofAfricanUnity,infreeingtheBlackmasses.Itwouldinvolvethemassesofpeoplethemselves,notjustnationalleadersornationstates.Themilitarydictatorsandgovernmentbureaucratshaveonlyproventhattheyknowhowtospendmoneyonpompandcircumstance,butnothowtodismantlethelastve

stigesofcolonialisminSouthAfricaordefeatWesternneocolonialistintrigues.AfricaisstillthepoorestoftheWorld’scontinents,whilemateriallytherichest.Thecontrastisclear:millionsofpeoplearestarvinginmuchofEquatorialAfrica,butthetribalchiefs,politiciansandmilitarydictators,aredrivingaroundinMercedesandlivinginluxuryvillas,whiletheydothebiddingofWestEuropeanandAmericanbankersthroughtheInternationalMonetaryFund.Theyarepartoftheproblem,notpartofthesolution!

OurideasabouttheimportanceofintercommunalismambasedanafirmbeliefthatonlyafederationoffreepeopleswillbringtrueBlackpowertothemasses“Pow

Page 36: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 36/60

ertothepeople”doesnotmeanagovernmentorpoliticalpartytoruleintheirname,butsocialandpoliticalpowerinthehandsofthepeoplethemselves.Theonlyreal“people’spower”isthepowertomaketheirdecisionsonmattersofimportance,andtomerelyelectsomeoneelsetodoso,ortohaveadictatorshipforceddowntheirthroats.Truefreedomistohavefullself-determinationaboutone’ssocialeconomicandculturaldevelopment.ThefutureisAnarchistCommunism,notthenation-state,bloodydictators,Capitalismorwageslavery.ArmedDefenseoftheBlackCommune

“Ourinsistenceonmilitaryaction,defensiveandretaliatory,hasnothingtodowithromanticismorprecipitousidealistfervor.Wewanttobeeffective.Wewanttolive.Ourhistoryteachesusthatthesuccessfulliberationstrugglesrequireanarmedpeople,awholepeople,activelyparticipatinginthestrugglefortheirliberty!”

—GeorgeJackson,quotedinBloodinmyEye

Wemustorganizeself-defenseunitstoprotecttheBlackcommunityanditsorganizations.ItisthepoliceandthegovernmentwhoarethemainperpetratorsofviolenceagainstBlackpeople.Everydaywereadofthepolicemurderingandmaimingthepeopleinourcommunity,allinthenameof“lawandorder.”Thispolicebrutalityhasincludedtheuseofdeadlyforceagainstchildrenasyoungasfiveyearsoldandelderlypersonsover75yearsold!Wemustdisarmanddemilitarizethepolice,andforcethemtoleaveourcommunity.Perhapsthiscanbedoneafter

arebellionorinsurrectiondrivesthemout,orperhapstheywillhavetobedrivenoutbyastreetguerillaforce,liketheBlackLiberationArmytriedtodointhe1970s.Ihavenowayofknowing.Ijustknowthattheyhavetogo.Theyareanoppressiveoccupyingarmy,arenotofourcommunity,cannotunderstanditsproblems,anddonotidentifywithitspeopleandtheirneeds.Further,itisthecorruptionofthecopsthatprotectsorganizedcrimeandviceinourcommunity,andCapitalismwithitsexploitativeeconomicconditionswhichisresponsibleforallcrime.

ExistingpoliceforcesshouldbereplacedwiththeBlackcommunity’sownself-defenseforce,madeupofmembersofourcommunityelectedorappointedbytheirneighborstothatposition,orfromanexistingstreetguerillaforceorpoliticalorganizationifthepeopleagree.Theywouldbesubjecttoimmediaterecalland

dismissalbytheCommunityControlboardsofanarea.Thisisonlysothatwewillhavecommunitycontroloftheself-defensefarce,begintodealwithfratricidalBlack-on-Blackcrime,andbeabletodefendourselvesfromwhiteracistorpoliceattacks.Withtheincreaseofwhiteracistviolencetoday,andthepossibilityofwhitemobactioninthefuture,usuallyinthenameof“lawandorder,”thiscommunityself-defenseforceismostimportant.Theonlyquestionis:canwedothisnow?

Weexistnowunderconditionsofnominallegalityandcivilrights,butatsomestageintheprocessofbuildingupourfarces,hisinevitablethatthewhitepowerstructurewillrecognizethedangertoitselfrepresentedbysuchafreeBlackcommune,andwillthentrytoforciblyrepressit.Wemusthavetheself-defensecapabilitytoresist.Thisconceptoforganizingaself-defenseforceaccept

sanylevelofviolencethatwillbenecessarytoenforcethedemandsofthepeopleandworkers.Yettheseself-defenseforceswouldnota`partyvanguard,”apoliceforce,orevenastandingarmyintheStatistorusuallythoughtofsense;theywouldbeaBlackPeoples’militia,self-managedbytheworkersandcommunityitself:inotherwords,thepeople-in-arms.Thesemilitiaorganizationswillallowustoengageinoffensiveordefensiveactions,eitheringeneralcommunitydefense,oraspartofaninsurrectionorundergroundresistance.

Butwhatdowedorightnowinconditionsoflegality,toreclaimourcommunityfromviolentracistcops?Dowesitaroundanddebatetheappropriatenessofmil

Page 37: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 37/60

itarypreparation,whentheenemyisourcommunitynow,committingrapeandmurderofBlackpeopleordowehitback?Howdoweevengettheideaacrosstoourpeopleandstarttotrainthemforparamilitaryoperations?Onamassscale,Iadvocatetheimmediateformationofdefenseandsurvivalskillsstudygroups,undertheguiseofgunclubs,martialartssocieties,wildernesssurvivalclubsorwhateverweneedtocallthem.Athoroughunderstandingofmarksmanship,ammunitionfabrication,demolitionandweaponmanufacturingisminimalforeveryone.Inaddition,weshouldstudyfirstaidpertainingtotherathertraumaticinjuriessustainedfromgunfireandexplosives,combatcommunications,combatweapons,combattacticsforthesmallgroup,combatstrategyfortheregionornation,combatintelligenceofpoliceandmilitaryactivitiesamongothersubjects.Thesesubjectsareindispensableifamliveundergroundorduringageneralinsurrection.

Weshouldputemphasisonthepurchase,collection,duplicationanddisseminationofmilitarymanuals,gunsmithingtextbooks,explosiveandimproviseddemolitionsmanuals,policeandgovernmenttechnicalmanuals,andpiratededitionsofright-wingmanualsonthesubject(sincetheyseemtowritethebestmaterialinthisarea),andalsobeginthestudyofhowtobuildintelligencenetworkstocollectinformationontherapidlygrowingSkinheadandothertotalitarianracistorganizations,alongwithintelligenceandcounter-intelligenceinformationonthegovernmentsecretpoliceandlawenforcementagencies,liketheFBI,CIA,ATF,etc.,andonanyandeveryothersubjectwhichcouldbeofusetousinthecomingstruggle.

EventhoughintheUnitedStates,developmentofmilitaryskillsandselfdefenseissimplerthanmanyothercountriesbecausearmsandammunitionarewidelyavailable,itislogicaltoassumethatthearmssituationwillsoonbesotightsoastomakefirearmsvirtuallyunobtainable,exceptthroughanexpensiveBlackmarketbecauseofthegovernment’s“warandrugs”andotherproposedguncontrollegislationtopreventstreetviolence,”orsotheysay(Doyouthinkthesportinggoodsstoreswillbeopenduringaninsurrection?)Thereforeweshouldlearntousemachinetooltechnologytoproduceourownweapons.Perfectlyadequatefirearmsmaybeproducedusingaminimumofmachineteals,providingtheindividualorgroupiswillingtodothenecessarystudyingandpreparation.Itisnotenoughtoknowalittleaboutthesesubjects;itisamatteroffuturesurvival—oflifeanddeaththatonebehighlyproficient.

Iamnotadvocatingtheimmediatewagingofurbanguerillawarfare,especiallywherethereisnomassbaseforsuchactivities.WhatIamadvocatingatthisstageisarmedself-defenseandtheknowledgeoftacticstoresistmilitaryaggressionagainsttheBlackcommunity.ItisafoolishandunfortunatetraitamongAnarchists,thewhiteleftandsectionsoftheBlackmovementtocondemnthestudyofmilitarytacticsasprematureoradventuristic,orantheotherhand,tocastoneselfintoablindfuryofbankexpropriations,kidnappings,bombingsorplanehijackings.Toomanypeopleinthemovementhaveadeathtripapproachtoguns—theyassumeifyouarenot“foolingaround,”thenyoushouldproveyourconvictionsviaasuicidalshootoutinthestreets.Itdoesn’thavetobethatway.

ButtheBlackmovementdoesn’tevenhavetheluxuryofsuchtepiddebates,andmus

thaveanarmeddefensepolicybecauseAmericahasalongtraditionofgovernmentpoliticalrepressionandvigilanteparamilitaryviolence.AlthoughsuchattackshavebeendirectedprimarilyatBlacksandotheroppressednationalitiesinthepast,theyhavealsobeendirectedatlaborunionsanddissidentpoliticalgroups.Suchviolencemakesitabsolutelynecessarytoacquirefamiliaritywithfirearmsandmilitarytactics.Infact,theBlackResistancemovementthatIspokeofearliershouldthinkofitselfasaparamilitarymovement,ratherthanastrictpoliticalassociation.

Wemustassertourrightstoarmedself-defenseandrevolution,eventhoughiti

Page 38: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 38/60

struethatthereisalotofloosetalkaboutguns,selfdefense,revolution,“urbanguerillawarfare,”etc.,intheBlackandradicalmovements,butwithverylittlestudyandpracticeinhandlingandusingweapons.Someofthesamefolksthink“pickingupthegun”meansthatyoupickoneupforthefirsttimeonthedayofaninsurrectionorconfrontationwithpolice.Thisisnonsenseandisthereal“revolutionarysuicide,”youcouldgetlednotknowingwhatyouaredoing.Butmanyinstancesattesttothefactthatarmedcommunityselfdefensecanbecarriedoutsuccessfully,suchastheMOVEresistanceinPhiladelphia,theRepublicofNewAfricaarmedresistanceinDetroitandMississippiandtheBlackPanthercases.Evenasimportantastheactofdefenseitselfis,isthefactthattheseinstancesofsuccessfulself-defensehavemadeatremendousimpactontheBlackcommunity,encouragingotheractsofresistance.Insurrection

Butwhatisarebellionandhowdoesitdifferfromaninsurrection?Aninsurrectionisageneraluprisingagainstthepowerstructure.Itisusuallyasustainedrebellionoverthecourseofdays,weeks,monthsorevenyears.Itisatypeofclasswarthatinvolvesawholepopulationinanactofarmedorsemi-armedresistance.Sometimesmistakenlycalledarebellion,itscharacterisfarmorecombativeandrevolutionary.Rebellionsarealmosttotallyspontaneous,short-termaffairs.Aninsurrectionisalsonottherevolution,sincerevolutionisasocialprocess,ratherthanasingleevent,butitcanbeanimportantpartoftherevolution,maybeitsfinalphase.AninsurrectionisaplannedviolentprotestcampaignwhichtakesthespontaneousrevoltofthemassestoahigherlevelRevolu

tionariesintervenetopushrebellionstoinsurrectionarystage,andtheinsurrectionantoasocialrevolution.Itisnotsmall,isolatedpocketsofurbanguerillastakingactions,unlessthoseguerillasarepartofalargerrevolt.

Theimportanceofrecognizingthetruedifferencesofeachlevelcandefineourstrategyandtacticsatthatstage,andnotleadusprematurelyintoafulloffensive,whentheenemyisnotyetweakenedenoughbymassactionorpoliticalattacks.TheimportanceofalsorecognizingthetruecausesoftherevoltcannotbeunderstatedAnarchistrevolutionariesinterveneinsuchstrugglestoshowpeoplehowtoresistandthepossibilitiesofwinningfreedom.Wewanttotakethepeople’srebellionsagainstthestateandusethemtoweakentheruleofCapitalWewanttocreateresistanceonalongertermandtowinliberatedzonesTodisconnectthesecommunitiesfromthestatemeansthattheserebellionswillassumeac

onsciouspoliticalcharacterlikethePalestinianIntifadaintheoccupiedterritoriescontrolledbyIsraelintheMiddleEast.CreatingthepossibilityofaBlackinsurrectionmeanspopularizingandspreadingthevariousrebellionstoothercities,townsandevencountries,andincreasingtheminnumberandfrequency.Italsomeansconsciouslynullifyingthepowerofthestate,insteadoftemporaryrevoltsagainstit,whichultimatelypreservesitspower.Theremustbeadeliberateattempttopushthegovernmentoutofexistence,andestablishPeople’sPower.ThishasnotyethappenedwiththevariousBlackrevoltswehaveseensince1964,whenthefirstsuchmodernrevolteruptedinHarlem,NY.

Inthe1960s,theBlackcommunitiesallovertheU.S.roseupangrilywithmassiverebellionsagainstthestatedemandingracialjustice.AftertheHarlemrevolt,forthenextfouryearsmajorrebellionsshooktheU.S.intheWattssection

ofLosAngeles,Detroit,Chicago,andhundredsofotherNorthAmericancities.Isolatedactsofpolicebrutality,racialdiscriminationsubstandardhousing,economicexploitation,“thehoodlumelement,”abreakdowninfamilyvalues,andahostofother“explanations”havebeenputforwardbyliberalandconservativesociologistandotherscommissionedbythestatetowhitewashthetruecauses.YetnoneoftheserevealedthisasaprotestagainsttheCapitalistsystemandcolonialrule,eventhoughthesocialscientists“warned”ofthepossibilityofanewoutbreakofviolence.

OnceagainintheSpring,1992,wesawamassiverevoltinLosAngeles,whoseim

Page 39: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 39/60

mediatecauseswererelatedtotheoutrageousacquittalof1AngelespolicemenwhohadbrutallybeatenRodneyKing.Butthereagainthiswasjustanimmediatecauseactingasatrigger;thisrevoltwasnotasympathyrevoltonbehalfofRodneyKingpersonally.ThecauseofthisrebellionwaswidespreadsocialinequalityintheCapitalistsystemandpoliceterrorism.Thistimetherebellionspreadto40citiesandfourforeigncountries.Anditwasnotjustaso-called“raceriot,”butratheraclassrevoltthatincludedalargenumberofLatinos,whitesandevenAsians.Butitwasundeniablyarevoltforracialinjusticefirstandforemost,evenifitwasnotjustdirectedagainstwhitepeopleingeneralbuttheCapitalistsystemandtherich.ItwasnotlimitedtojusteventheinnercityintheLasAngelesareabutspreadeventowhiteuppercrustareasinHollywood,Ventura,andbeyondThiswasthebeginningstageofclasswarfare.

Ifanundergroundmilitaryforceexistedoramilitiawasassembled,itcouldhaveenteredthefiledofbattlewithmoreweaponryandadvancedtactics.Asitwasthegangsplayedthatrole,andplayeditverywell.Theirparticipationiswhyittooksolongtoputtherebelliondown,buteventheycouldnotpreventthereestablishmentofwhitepowerinSouthCentralLosAngeles.Notjustbecauseofbeingmilitarilyoutgunned,butbecausetheyhadnorevolutionarypoliticalprogramdespitealltheirrhetoricofhavingbeenradicalizedAlsothestatecamedownextremelyhardontherebels.Over20,000personswerejailed,50werekilledandhundredswounded.

Couldaliberatedzonehavebeenwon,sothatdualpowercouldhavebeenestabli

shed?ThatpossibilityexistedandstilldoesexistifthepeopleareproperlyarmedandeducatedMassresistancewithheavymilitaryweaponrymayhavewonseriousconcessions,oneofwhichistopullbackthecops.Wedon’tknowthat,thisispurelyspeculation.WedoknowthatthisisnotthelastrebellioninL.A.andothercities.Theymaycomemuchquickernowthatthegenieofurbanrevolutionofthebagagain.Wecanonlyhopeandprepare.Onwardtotheblackrevolution!Chapter3.AnarchistTheoryandPractice

ThemajoraimofthischapteristolistthemajorelementsofAnarchistthoughtandtogiveexamplesofwhatsomeAnarchiststhinkaboutthem.Unlikeotherstreamsofpoliticalthought,Anarchistsdonotelevatecertaintextsorindividualsaboveothers.TherearedifferenttypesofAnarchistswithmanypointsofdisagreement.TheprimaryareasofdebateamongAnarchistsrelatetowhatformofor

ganizationshouldbestruggledforandwhattacticsweshoulduse.Forinstance,someoftheirmostsignificantdifferencesconcerntheeconomicorganizationoffuturesociety.SomeAnarchistsrejectmoney,andsubstituteasystemoftradeinwhichworkisexchangedforgoodsandservices.OthersrejectallformsoftradeorbarterorprivateownershipasCapitalism,andfeelthatallmajorpropertyshouldbeownedincommon.

ThereareAnarchistswhobelieveinguerillawarfare,includingassassination,bombings,bankexpropriations,etc.,asonemeansofrevolutionaryattacksontheState.ButtherealsoareAnarchistswhobelievealmostexclusivelyinorganizational,labororcommunitywork.Thereisnosingletype,nordotheyallagreeonstrategyandtactics.Someareopposedtoviolence;someacceptitonlyinself-defenseorduringarevolutionaryinsurrection.

AnarchistsandAnarchismhavehistoricallybeenmisrepresentedtotheworld.ThepopularimpressionofanAnarchistasanuncontrollablyemotional,violentpersonwhoisonlyinterestedindestructionforitsownsake,andwhoisopposedtoallformsoforganization,stillpersiststothisday.Further,themistakenbeliefthatAnarchyischaosandconfusion,areignofrape,murderandmindless-totaldisorderandinsanityiswidelybelievedbythegeneralpublic.

Thisfalseimpressionprimarilyisstillwidelybelievedbecausepeoplefromacrossthepoliticalspectrumhaveconsciouslybeenpromotingthislieforyears.A

Page 40: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 40/60

llwhostrivetooppressandexploittheworkingclass,andgainpowerfarthemselves,whethertheycomefromtherightortheleft,willalwaysbethreatenedbyAnarchism.ThisisbecauseAnarchistsholdthatallauthorityandcoercionmustbestruggledagainst.Infact,Anarchistswanttogetridofthegreatestperpetratorofviolencethroughouthistory:governments.ToAnarchists,aCapitalist“democratic”governmentisnobetterthanafascistorCommunistregime,becausetherulingclassonlydiffersintheamountofviolencetheyauthorizetheirpoliceandarmytouseandthedegreeofrightstheywillallow,ifany.Throughwar,policerepression,socialneglect,andpoliticalrepression.Governmentshavekilledmillionsofpersons,whethertryingtodefendoroverthrowagovernment.Anarchistswanttoendthisslaughter,andbuildasocietybasedonpeaceandfreedom.

WhatisAnarchism?AnarchismisfreeorLibertarianSocialism.Anarchistsareopposedtogovernment,thestateandCapitalism.Therefore,simplyspeaking,Anarchismisano-governmentformofSocialism.

IncommonwithallSocialists,theAnarchistsholdthattheprivateownershipofland,capitalandmachineryhashaditstime;thatitiscondemnedtodisappear,andthatallrequisitesforproductionmustandwill,becomethecommonpropertyofsociety,andbemanagedincommonbytheproducersofwealthPeterKropotkin,inhisAnarchist-Communism:ItsBasisandPrinciples.

Thoughthereareseveraldifferent“schools”ofAnarchistthough,revolutionaryAnar

chistorAnarchist-Communismisbasedupontheclassstruggle,butitdoesnottakeamechanistviewoftheclassstruggletakenbytheMarxist-Leninists.Forinstance,itdoesnottaketheviewthatonlytheindustrialproletariatcanachieveSocialism,andthatthevictoryofthisclass,ledbya“communistworkingclassparty”representthefinalvictoryoverCapitalism.Nordoweaccepttheideaofa“worker’sstate.”Anarchistsbelievethatonlythepeasants,workersandfarmerscanliberatethemselvesandthattheyshouldmanageindustrialandeconomicproductionthroughworkers’councils,factorycommittees,andfarmcooperatives,ratherthanwiththeinterferenceofapattyorgovernment.

Anarchistsaresocialrevolutionaries,andfeelthattheSocialrevolutionistheprocessthroughwhichafreesocietywillbecreated.Self-managementwillbeestablishedinallareasofsociallife,includingtherightofalloppressedra

cesofpeopletoself-determination.AsIhavestated,self-determinationistherighttoself-government.Bytheirowninitiative,individualswillimplementtheirownmanagementofsociallifethroughvoluntaryassociations.Theywillrefusetosurrendertheirself-directiontotheState,politicalparties,vanguardsectssinceeachofthesemerelyaidinestablishingorreestablishingdomination.Anarchistsbelievethestateandcapitalistauthoritywillbeabolishedbythemeansofdirectaction-wildcatstrikes,slowdowns,boycotts,sabotage,andarmedinsurrection.Werecognizeourgoalscannotbeseparatedfromthemeansusedtoachievethem.Henceourpracticeandtheassociationswecreatewillreflectthesocietyweseek.

Crucialattentionwillnecessarilybepaidtotheareaofeconomicorganization,sinceitisherethattheinterestsofeveryoneconverge,UnderCapitalismwea

llhavetosellourlabortosurviveandtofeedourfamiliesandourselves.ButafteranAnarchistsocialrevolution,thewagesystemandtheinstitutionofprivateandstatepropertywillbeabolishedandreplacedwiththeproductionanddistributionofgoodsaccordingtothecommunistprincipleof:“Fromeachaccordingtoability,toeachaccordingtoneed.”Voluntaryassociationsofproducersandconsumerswilltakecommonpossessionofthemeansofproductionandallowthefreeuseofallresourcestoanyvoluntarygroup,providedthatsuchusedoesnotdepriveothersordoesnotentailtheuseofwagelabor.Theseassociationscouldbefoodandhousingcooperatives,cooperativefactories,community-runschools,hospitals,recreationfacilities,andotherimportantsocialservices.These

Page 41: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 41/60

associationswillfederatewitheachothertofacilitatetheircommongoalsonbothaterritorialandfunctionalbasis.

Thisfederalismasaconceptisaformofsocialorganizationinwhichself-determininggroupsfreelyagreetocoordinatetheiractivities.Theonlysocialsystemthatcanpossiblymeetthediverseneedsofsociety,whilestillpromotingsolidarityonthewidestscale,isonethatallowspeopletofreelyassociateonthebasisofcommonneedsandinterests.Federalismemphasizesautonomyanddecentralization,fosterssolidarityandcomplementsgroups’effortstobeasself-sufficientaspossible.Groupscanthenbeexpectedtocooperateaslongastheyderivemutualbenefit.ContrarytotheCapitalistlegalsystemanditscontracts,ifsuchbenefitsarenotfelttobemutualinanAnarchistsociety,anygroupwillhavethefreedomtodissociate.Inthismanneraflexibleandself-regulatingsocialorganismwillbecreated,alwaysreadytomeetnewneedsbyneworganizationsandadjustments.FederalismisnotatypeofAnarchism,butitisanessentialpartofAnarchism.Itisthejoiningofgroupsandpeoplesforpoliticalandeconomicsurvivalandlivelihood.

Anarchistshaveanenormousjobaheadofthem,andtheymustbeabletoworktogetherforthebenefitoftheideaTheItalianAnarchistErricoMalatestasaiditbestwhenhewrote:

“Ourtaskisthatofpushingthe“people”todemandandtoseizeallthefreedomtheycantomakethemselvesresponsiblefortheirownneedswithoutwaitingforo

rdersfromanykindofauthority.Outtaskisthatofdemonstratingtheuselessnessandharmfulnessofthegovernment,orprovokingandencouragingbypropagandaandactionallkindsofindividualandcollectiveinitiatives.”…“Aftertherevolution,Anarchistswillhaveaspecialmissionofbeingthevigilantcustodiansoffreedom,againsttheaspirantstopowerandpossibletyrannyofthemajority…”

QuotedinMalatesta:HisLifeandTimes,ed.byVernonRichards

So,thisisthejobofthefederation,butitdoesnotendwiththesuccessoftherevolution.Thereismuchreconstructionworktobedone,andtherevolutionmustbedefendedtofulfillourtasks,Anarchistsmusthavetheirownorganizations.Theymustorganizethepast-revolutionarysociety,andthisiswhyAnarchistsfederatethemselves.

Inamodernindependentsociety,theprocessoffederationmustbeextendedtoallhumanity.Thenetworkofvoluntaryassociations—theCommune—willknownoborders.Itcouldbethesizeofthecity,state,ornationorasocietymuchlargerthanthenation-stateunderCapitalism.Itcouldbeamasscommunethatwouldencompassalltheworld’speoplesinanumberofcontinentalAnarchistfederations,sayNorthAmerica,Africa,ortheCaribbean.Trulythiswouldbeanewworld!NotaUnitedNationsor“OneWorldgovernment,”butaunitedhumanity.

Butouroppositionisformidable—eachofushasbeentaughttobelieveintheneedforgovernment,intheabsolutenecessityofexperts,intakingorders,inauthority—forsomeofusitisallnew.Butwhenwebelieveinourselvesanddecidewecanmakeasocietybasedonfree,caringindividuals,thattendencywithin

uswillbecometheconsciouschoiceoffreedom-lovingpeople.Anarchistsseetheirjobasstrengtheningthattendency,andshowthatthereisnodemocracyorfreedomundergovernment—whetherintheUnitedStates,ChinaorRussia.Anarchistsbelieveindirectdemocracybythepeopleastheonlykindoffreedomandself-rule.TypesofAnarchists

ButAnarchistscan’tbeexpectedtoagreeoneverything.HistoricallythesedifferenceshaveledtodistincttendenciesinAnarchisttheoryandpractice.

Page 42: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 42/60

IndividualistAnarchistshopeforafuturesocietyinwhichfreeindividualsdotheirdutyandshareresources“accordingtothedictatesofabstractjustice.”Generallyspeaking,Individualistsaremerephilosophersratherthanrevolutionaryactivists.Theyarecivillibertarianswhowanttoreformthesystemtomakeitwork`fairly.”Theywereprevalentinthepastcentury,butarestillseenin“counter-cultural”Anarchistformations,middleclassphilosophers,orright-wingLibertarians.

MutualistsareAnarchistsassociatedwiththeideasof19thcenturyAnarchistphilosopher,Pierre-JosephProudhon,whobasedhisfutureeconomyon“…apatternofindividualsandsmallgroupspossessing(butnotawning)theirmeansofproduction,andboundbycontractsofmutualexchangeandmutualcredit(insteadofmoney)whichwouldinsuretoeachindividualtheproductofhisownlabor.ThistypeofAnarchismappearswhenIndividualistsbeingtoputtheirideasinpractice,andmerelywishtoreformCapitalismandmakeit“cooperative.”ThisisalsowheretherightwingLibertariansandadvocatesofaminimizedroleforthestategettheideas.MarxattackedProudhonasan“idealist”and“utopianphilosopher”fortheAnarcistconceptofMutualAid.

CollectivistsareAnarchistsbaseddirectlyontheideasofMichaelBakunin,theRussianAnarchist,thebest-knownadvocatetothegeneralpublicofAnarchisttheory.Bakunin’scollectivistformofAnarchismreplacedProudhon’sinsistenceonindividualpossessionwiththeideaofSocialistpossessionbyvoluntaryinstitutions,andtherighttotheenjoymentoftheindividualproductofhis/herlaboro

ritsequivalentstillassuredtotheindividualworker.ThistypeofAnarchisminvolvesadirectthreattotheclasssystemandtheCapitaliststate,andistheviewthatsocietycanonlybereconstructedwhentheworkingclassseizescontroloftheeconomybyasocialrevolution,destroystheStateapparatus,andreorganizesproductiononthebasisofcommonownershipandcontrolbyassociationsofworkingpeople.ThisfarmofAnarchismisideologicallythebasisofAnarchist-Syndicalism,orrevolutionarylaborunionism.

Anarcho-SyndicalistsareAnarchistswhoareactiveinthelaborandworkingclassmovements.Anarchist-SyndicalismisafarmofAnarchismforclass-consciousworkersandpeasants,formilitantsandactivistsinthelabormovement,forlibertarianSocialistswhowantequalityaswellasliberty.Aspointedout,thisphilosophyisbasedheavilyantheideasofBakunin,thoughitsorganizingtechniqu

esstemfromtheFrenchandSpanishCNTtradeunionmovements(called“Syndicates”),whereAnarchistswereheavilyinvolved.ThisisthetypeofAnarchismthatinfluencedtheIWWinNorthAmericaandwhichexpressestheviewthattheCapitaliststatemustbetoppledbyarevolutionaryformofeconomicwarfarecalledtheGeneralStrike,andthattheeconomymustbereorganizedandbasedonindustrialunions,whichwouldbeunderthecounseloftheworkingclass.AllpoliticalmatterswouldbehandledbyeitheranIndustrialUnionCongress,whileworkplacematterswouldgotoafactorycommittee,electedbytheworkersthemselvesandundertheirdirectcontrol.ThistypeofAnarchismhasgreatpotentialfarorganizinganAnarchistworkingclassmovementinNorthAmerica,ifitraisescontemporaryissuesliketheshortenedworkweek,factorycouncils,thecurrentdepressionandafightbackagainstthebosses’offensiveofthelast20yearsagainsttheworkingclassworldwide.

Anarchist-CommunistsarerevolutionaryAnarchistswhobelieveinthephilosophyofclassstruggle,anendtoCapitalism,andallfarmsofoppression.ContrarytoAnarchist-Syndicalismitdoesnotlimititselftoworkplaceorganizing.ThephilosophyisbasedonthetheoriesofPeterKropotkin,anotherRussianAnarchist.KropotkinandhisfellowAnarchist-Communistsnotonlyenvisagedthecommuneandworkers’councilsasthe,properguardiansofproduction;theyalsoattackedthewagesysteminallitsforms,andrevivedtheideasofLibertariancommunism.ThistypeofAnarchismisknownasLibertarianSocialismalso,andincludesMastSocialistswhoarealsoopposedtotheState,dictatorship,andpartyrule,thou

Page 43: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 43/60

ghtheyarenotAnarchists.

Sincethe1870stheprinciplesofAnarchist-CommunismhavebeenacceptedbymostAnarchistorganizationsfavoringrevolution.ThisAnarchistorLibertarianCommunismmust,ofcourse,notbeconfusedwithmuchbetterknowncommunismoftheMarxist-Leninists,thecommunismwhichisbasedonstateownershipoftheeconomyandcontrolofthebothproductionanddistribution,andalsoonpartydictatorship.Thatformofauthoritariancommunistsocietyisbasedonoppressionandslaverytothestate,whilewefavorafree,voluntarycommunismofsharedresources.LibertarianCommunismisnotBolshevismandhasnoconnectionwithorsupportforLenin,Stalin,TrotskyorMaoTseTung.Itisnotstateorprivatecontrolovertheessentialsoflifeweseek,andweopposeallformsofdictatorship.Anarchistcommunistsseektofosterthegrowthofanewsocietyinwhichfreedomtodevelopasoneseetisintegratedtothefullestextentwithsocialresponsibilitytoothers.

AutonomistsareanewtendencyintheAnarchistmovementThistendencyaroseinthemid1980sinGermanyandlaterspreadtoothercountriesinEuropeandNorthAmerica.Students,intellectuals,anddisaffectedworkersmadeupthistendencyoriginally,butthereamalsoAnarchistswhocallthemselvesAutonomiststoimplytheyarenotlinkedwithafederation,orarenotdoctrinaireorapurist.LikeLiberatingSocialism,theyseemtodrawtheirideologyfrombothMarxismandsometenetsofAnarchistphilosophylikeAnarchistCommunism,buttheytendtobemoreindependentandverymeticulousaboutexplainingtheirdifferentidentity

.

Inconclusion,thisisonewaytolistthedifferenttendenciesinAnarchistthoughtandpractice.Themmaybemanyotherwaystodoitanddescribethehistoricaldevelopmentofeachtendency.ThatmaybebeyondthescopeofthispamphletButmostAnarchistswouldagreeonthesegeneralstatements:Anarchistshopefar,constructtheoriesabout,andacttopromotetheabolitionofgovernment,theState,andtheprincipleofauthoritythatiscentraltocontemporarysocialforms,andtoreplacethemwithasocialorganizationbasedonvoluntarycooperationbetweenfreeindividuals.AllAnarchisttendencies,excepttheIndividualists(andtosomeextent,theMutualists),seethisfuturesocietybasedanorganicnetworkofmutualaidassociations,workers’andconsumerscollectives,communes,andothervoluntaryalliances,organizedintoregionalunitsandothernon-author

itarianfederationsfarthepurposeofsharingideas,informationtechnicalskillsandlargescaletechnological,culturalandrecreationalresources.AllAnarchistsbelieveinfreedomfromhungerandwantandareagainstallformsofclass,sexualandracialoppression,aswellasallpoliticalmanipulationbytheState.

Thephilosophyisanevolvingidealinwhichmanyindividualsandsocialmovementshaveinfluence.Feminism,BlackLiberation,Gayrights,theecologymovementandothers,arealladditionstotheawarenessofthephilosophyofAnarchism,andthisinfluencehashelpedintheadvancementoftheidealofAnarchismasasocialforceinmodernsociety.TheseinfluencesensurethattheSocialrevolutionweallanticipatewillbeasallencompassinganddemocraticasall,andthatallwillbefullyliberated,notjustaffluentstraight,whitemales.

AnarchistVersusMarxist-LeninistThoughtonOrganizationofSociety

Historically,therehavebeenthreemajorformsofsocialism:LibertarianSocialism(Anarchism),AuthoritarianSocialism(MarxistCommunism),andDemocraticSocialism(electoralsocialdemocracy).Thenon-Anarchistlefthasechoedthebourgeoisie’sportrayalofAnarchismasanideologyofchaosandlunacy.ButAnarchismandespeciallyAnarchist-Communismhasnothingincommonwiththisimage.Itisfalseandmadeupbyitsideologicalopponents,theMarxist-Leninists.

ItisverydifficultfortheMarxist-Leniniststomakeanobjectivecriticismof

Page 44: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 44/60

Anarchismassuch,becausebyitsnatureitunderminesallthesuppositionsbasictoMarxism.IfMarxismandLeninism,itsvariantwhichemergedduringtheRussianrevolution,isheldouttobetheworkingclassphilosophyandtheproletariatcannotoweitsemancipationtoanyonebutitself,itishardtogobackonitandsaythattheworkingclassisnotyetreadytodispensewithauthorityoverit.LenincameupwiththeideaofatransitionalState,whichwould“witheraway”overtime,togoalongwithMarx’s“dictatorshipoftheproletariat.”TheAnarchistsexposethislineascounter-revolutionaryandsheerpowergrabbing.Over75yearsofMarxist-Leninistpracticehasprovenusright.Theseso-called“SocialistStates”producedbyMarxist-LeninistdoctrinehaveonlyproducedStalinistpolicestateswhereworkershavenorights,anewrulingclassoftechnocratsandpartypoliticianshaveemerged,andtheclassdifferentialbetweenthosethestatefavoredoverthoseitdidn’tcreatedwidespreaddeprivationamongthemassesandanotherclassstruggle.Butinsteadofmeetingsuchcriticismsheadan,theyhaveconcentratedtheirattacksnotonthedoctrineofAnarchism,butonparticularAnarchisthistoricalfigures,especiallyBakunin,anideologicalopponentofMarxintheFirstInternationalofSocialistmovementsinthelastcentury.

Anarchistsaresocialrevolutionaries,whoseekastateless,classless,voluntary,cooperativefederationofdecentralizedcommunes-baseduponsocialownership,individuallibertyandautonomousself-managementofsocialandeconomiclife.

TheAnarchistsdifferwiththeMarxists-Leninistsinmanyareas,butespeciallyinorganizationbuilding.Theydifferfromtheauthoritariansocialistsinprima

rilythreeways:theyrejecttheMarxist-Leninistnotionsofthe“vanguardparty,”“democraticcentralism,”andthe“dictatorshipoftheproletariat,”andAnarchistshavealternativestoeachofthem.Theproblemisthatalmosttheentireleft,includingsameAnarchists,iscompletelyunawareofAnarchism’stangiblestructuralalternativesoftheCatalyst,Group,AnarchistConsensus,andtheMassCommune.

TheAnarchistalternativetothevanguardpartyisthecatalystgroup.ThecatalystgroupismerelyanAnarchist-Communistfederationofaffinitygroupsinaction.ThisCatalystgrouporrevolutionaryanarchistfederationwouldmeetonaregularbasisoronlywhentherewasanecessity,dependingonthewishesofthemembershipandtheurgencyofsocialconditions.Itwouldbemadeupofrepresentativesfromortheaffinitygroupitself,withfullvotingrights,privileges,andresponsibilities.Itwouldsetbothpoliciesandfutureactionstobeperform

ed.ItwillproducebothAnarchist-Communisttheoryandsocialpractice.ItbelievesintheclassstruggleandthenecessitytooverthrowCapitalistrule.Itorganizesinthecommunitiesandworkplaces.Itisdemocraticandhasnoauthorityfigureslikeapartybossorcentralcommittee.

Inordertomakearevolutionlarge-scale,coordinatedmovementsarenecessary,andtheirformationisinnowaycountertoAnarchismWhatAnarchistsareopposedtoishierarchical,power-trippingleadershipwhichsuppressesthecreativeurgeofthebulkofthoseinvolved,andforcesanagendadowntheirthroats,Membersofsuchgroupsaremereservantsandworshippersofthepartyleadership.ButalthoughAnarchistsrejectthistypeofdomineeringleadership,theydorecognizethatsomepeoplearemoreexperiencedarticulate,orskilledthanothers,andthesepeoplewillplayleadershipactionroles.Thesepersonsarenotauthority

figures,andcanberemovedatthewillofthebody.Thereisalsoaconsciousattempttoroutinelyrotatethisresponsibilityandtopassontheseskillstoeachother,especiallytowomenandpeopleofcolor,whowouldordinarilynotgetthechance.Theexperiencesofthesepersons,whoareusuallyveteranactivistsorbetterqualifiedthanmostatthemomentcanhelpformanddriveforwardmovements,andevenhelpcrystallizethepotentialforrevolutionarychangeinthepopularmovement.Whattheycannotdoistakeovertheinitiativeofthemovementitself.Themembersofthesegroupsrejecthierarchicalpositions—anybodyhavingmore`official”authoritythanothers—andunliketheM-Lvanguardparties,theAnarchistgroupswon’tbeallowedtoperpetuatetheirleadershipthroughadictato

Page 45: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 45/60

rshipaftertherevolution.Instead,thecatalystgroupitselfwillbedissolvedanditsmembers,whentheyareready,willbeabsorbedintothenewsociety’scollectivedecision-makingprocessThereforetheseAnarchistsarenotleaders,butmerelyadvisorsandorganizersforamassmovement.

Whatwedon’twantorneedisagroupofauthoritariansleadingtheworkingclass,andthenestablishingthemselvesasacentralizeddecision-makingcommand,insteadof“witheringaway”;Marxist-Leniniststateshaveperpetuatedauthoritarianinstitutions(thesecretpolice,laborbosses,andthecommunistparty)tomaintaintheirpower.Theapparenteffectivenessofsuchorganizations(we`rejustasefficientastheCapitalists)masksthewaythat“revolutionaries”whopatternthemselvesafterCapitalistinstitutionsbecomeabsorbedbybourgeoisvalues,andcompletelyisolatedfromtherealneedsanddesiresofordinarypeople.

ThereluctanceofMarxist-Leniniststoaccepttoacceptrevolutionarysocialchangeis,however,aboveallseeninLenin’sconceptionoftheparty.ItisaprescriptiontojustnakedlyseizepowerandputitinthehandsoftheCommunistParty.ThepartythatLeninistscreatetoday,theybelieve,shouldbecomethe(only)“PartyoftheProletariat”inwhichthatclasscouldorganizeandseizepower.Inpractice,however,thismeantpersonalandpartydictatorship,whichtheyfeltgavethemtherightanddutytowipeoutallotherpartiesandpoliticalideologies.BothLeninandStalinkilledmillionsorworkersandpeasants,theirleft-wingideologicalopponents,andevenmembersoftheBolshevikparty.ThisbloodyandtreacheroushistoryiswhythemissomuchrivalryandhostilitybetweenMarxi

st-LeninistandTrotskyitepartiestoday,anditiswhythe“workers’states,”whetherinCuba,China,Vietnam,orKoreaaresuchoppressivebureaucraciesovertheirpeople.ItisalsowhymostoftheEastEuropeanStalinistcountrieshadtheirgovernmentoverthrownbythepettybourgeoisandordinarycitizensinthe1980s.MaybewearewitnessingtheeclipseofStatecommunismentirely,sincetheyhavenothingnewtosayandwillnevergetthosegovernments-backagain.

WhileAnarchistgroupsreachdecisionsthroughAnarchistconsensus,theMarxist-Leninistsorganizethroughso-calleddemocraticcentralism.Democraticcentralismposesasaformofinnerpartydemocracy,butisreallyjustahierarchybywhicheachmemberofaparty—ultimatelyofasociety—issubordinatetoa“higher”memeruntilonereachestheall-powerfulpartycentralcommitteeanditsChairman.Thisisatotallyundemocraticprocedure,whichputstheleadershipabovecritic

ism,evenifitistabovereproach.Itisabankrupt,corruptmethodofinternaloperationsforapoliticalorganization.Youhavenovoiceinsuchaparty,andmustbeafraidtosayanyunflatteringcommentstoorabouttheleaders.

InAnarchistgroups,proposalsaretalkedoutbymembers(noneofwhamhasauthorityoveranother),dissentingminoritiesarerespected,andeachindividual’sparticipationisvoluntary.Everyonehastherighttoagreeordisagreeoverpolicyandactions,andeveryone’sideasaregivenequalweightandconsideration.Nodecisionmaybemadeuntileachindividualmemberoraffiliatedgroupthatwillbeaffectedbythatdecisionhashadachancetoexpresstheiropinionontheissue.Individualmembersandaffiliatedgroupsshallretaintheoptiontorefusesupporttospecificfederationactivities,butmaynotactivelyobstructsuchactivities.Intruedemocraticfashion,decisionsforthefederationasawholemust

bemadebyamajorityofitsmembers.

Inmostcases,thereisnorealneedforformalmeetingsforthemakingofdecisions,whatisneedediscoordinationoftheactionsofthegroup.Ofcourse,therearetimeswhenadecisionhastobemade,andsometimesveryquickly.Thiswillberare,butsometimesitisunavoidable.Theconsensus,inthatcase,wouldthenhavetobeamongamuchsmallercirclethanthegeneralmembershipofhundredsorthousands.Butordinarilyallthatisneededisanexchangeofinformationandtrustamongparties,andadecisionreaffirmingtheoriginaldecisionwillbereached,ifanemergencydecisionhadtobemade.Ofcourse,duringthedisc

Page 46: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 46/60

ussion,therewillbeanendeavortoclarifyanymajordifferencesandexplorealternativecoursesofaction.AndtherewillbeanattempttoarriveatamutuallyagreeduponconsensusbetweenconflictingviewsAsalways,ifthereshouldbeanimpasseordissatisfactionwiththeconsensus,avotewouldbetakenandwitha2/3majority,thematterwouldbeaccepted,rejectedorrescinded.

ThisisalltotallycontrarytothepracticeofMarxist-LeninistpartieswheretheCentralCommitteeunilaterallysetspolicyfortheentireorganization,andarbitraryauthorityreigns.AnarchistsrejectcentralizationofauthorityandtheconceptofaCentralCommittee.Allgroupsarefreeassociationsformedoutofcommitteesnotrevolutionariesdisciplinedbyfearofauthority.Whenthesizeofthework-groups(whichcouldbefannedaroundLabor,fundraising,anti-racism,women’srights,foodandhousing,et.)becomescumbersome,theorganizationscanbedecentralizedintotwoorseveralmoreautonomousorganizations,stillunitedinonelargefederation.Thisenablesthegrouptoexpandlimitlesslywhilemaintainingitsanarchicformofdecentralizedself-management.Itissortoflikethescientifictheoryofabiologicalcell,dividingandredividing,butinapoliticalsense.

However,Anarchistgroupsaren’tevennecessarilyorganizedloosely;Anarchismisflexibleandstructurecanbepracticallynonexistentorverytight,dependinguponthetypeoforganizationdemandedbythesocialconditionsbeingfaced.Forinstance,organizationwouldtightenduringmilitaryoperationsorheightenedpoliticalrepression.

Anarchist-CommunistsrejecttheMarxist-Leninistconceptofthe“dictatorshipoftheproletariat”andaso-called“workers’state,”infavorofthemasscommune.UnlikeembersofLeninistparties,whosedailylivesaregenerallysimilartopresentbourgeoislifestyles,Anarchistorganizationalstructuresandlifestyles,throughcommunallivingarrangements,urbantribes,affinitygroups,squatting,etc.,attempttoreflecttheLiberatedsocietyofthefuture.AnarchistsbuiltallkindsofcommunesandcollectiveduringtheSpanishRevolutionofthe1930s,butwerecrushedbythefascistsandtheCommunists.SincetheMarxist-Leninistsdon’tbuildcooperativestructures,thenucleusofthenewsociety,theycanonlyseetheworldinbourgeoispoliticalterms.TheywanttojustseizeStatepowerandinstitutetheirowndictatorshipoverthepeopleandtheworkers,insteadofcrushingStatepowerandreplacingitwithafree,cooperativesociety.

Ofcourse,theparty,theyinsist,representstheproletariat,andthereisnoneedforthemtoorganizethemselvesoutsideoftheparty.YetevenintheformerSovietUniontheCommunistPartymembershiponlyrepresentedfivepercentofthepopulation.ThisiselitismoftheworstsortandevenmakestheCapitalistpartieslookdemocraticbycomparison.WhattheCommunistPartywasintendedtorepresentintermsofworkerspowerisnevermadeclear,butintrue1984“doublethink”fashion,theresultsare75yearsofpoliticalrepressionandStateslavery,insteadofaneraof“gloriousCommunistrule.”Theymustbeheldaccountablepoliticallyforthesecrimesagainstthepeople,andrevolutionarypoliticaltheoryandpractice.TheyhaveslanderedthenamesofSocialismandCommunism.

Werejectthedictatorshipoftheproletariat.Itisunbridledoppression,andt

heMarxist-LeninistsandStalinistsmustbemadetoanswerforitMillionshavebeenmurderedbyStalininthenameoffightinganinternalclasswar,andmillionsmoreweremurderedinChinaPoland,AfghanistanCambodia,andothercountriesbyCommunistmovementswhichfollowedStalin’sprescriptionforrevolutionaryterror.WerejectStatecommunismastheworstaberrationandtyranny.Wecandobetterthanthiswiththemasscommune.

TheAnarchistmasscommune(sometimesalsocalledaWorkersCouncil,althoughtherearesomedifferences)isanationalcontinentalortransnationalfederationofeconomicandpoliticalcooperativesandregionalcommunalformations.Anarchi

Page 47: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 47/60

stslooktoaworldandasocietyinwhichrealdecision-makinginvolveseveryonewholivesinit—amasscommune—notafewdisciplinefreakspullingthestringsinaso-called“proletariandictatorship.”Anyandalldictatorshipisbad,ithasnodeemingsocialfeatures,yetthatiswhattheLeniniststelluswillprotectusfromcounterrevolution.WhileMarxist-LeninistsclaimthatthisdictatorshipisnecessaryinordertocrushanybourgeoiscounterrevolutionsledbytheCapitalistclassorright-wingreactionaries,AnarchistsfeelthatthisisitselfpartoftheStalinistschooloffalsification.Acentralizedapparatus,suchasastate,isamucheasiertargetforopponentsoftherevolutionthanisanarrayofdecentralizedcommunes.Andthesecommuneswouldremainarmedandpreparedtodefendtherevolutionagainstanyonewhomilitarilymovesagainstit.Thekeyistomobilizethepeopleintodefenseguards,militiasandothermilitarypreparednessunits.

ThispositionbytheLeninistsofthenecessityforadictatorshiptoprotecttherevolutionwasnotprovenintheCivilWarwhichfollowedtheRussianrevolution;infactwithoutsupportoftheAnarchistsandotherleft-wingforces,alongwiththeRussianpeople,theBolshevikgovernmentwouldhavebeendefeatedAndthentruetoanydictatorship,itturnedaroundandwipedouttheRussianandUkrainianAnarchistmovements,alongwiththeirleft-wingopponentsliketheMensheviksandSocialrevolutionaries.EvenideologicalopponentsintheBolshevikpartywereimprisonedandputtodeath.LeninandTrotskykilledmillionsofRussiancitizensrightaftertheCivilWar,whentheywereconsolidatingStatepower,whichprecededStalin’sbloodyrule.Thelessonisthatweshouldnotbetrickedi

ntosurrenderingthegrassrootspeople’spowertodictatorswhoposeasourfriendsorleaders.

Wedon’tneedtheMarxist-Leninists’solutions,theyartdangerousanddeluding.Thereisanotherway,but,toomuchoftheleftandtomanyordinarypeople,thechoicehasappearedtobeAnarchic“chaos”ortheMaoist“Communist”parties,howeverdogaticanddictatorial.Thisisprimarilytheresultofmisunderstandingandpropaganda.ButAnarchismasanideologyprovidesfeasibleorganizationalstructures,aswellasvalidalternativerevolutionarytheory,which,ifutilizedcouldbethebasisfororganizationjustassolidastheMarxist-Leninists(orevenmoreso).Onlytheseorganizationswillbeegalitarianandreallyforthebenefitofpeople,ratherthanfortheCommunistleaders.

Anarchismisnotconfinedtotheideasofasingletheoretician,anditallowsindividualcreativitytodevelopincollectivegroupings,insteadofthecharacteristicdogmatismoftheMarxist-Leninists.Therefore,notbeingcultist,itencouragesagreatdealofinnovationandexperimentation,promptingitsadherentstorespondrealisticallytocontemporaryconditions.Itistheconceptofmakingideologyfitthedemandsoflife,ratherthantryingtomakelifefitthedemandsofideology.

ThereforeAnarchistsbuildorganizationsinordertobuildanewworld,nottoperpetuateourdominationoverthemassesofpeople.Wemildbuildanorganized,coordinatedinternationalmovementaimedattransformingtheglobeintoamasscommune.Suchwouldreallybeagreatoverleapinhumanevolutionandagiganticrevolutionarystride.Itwouldchangetheworldasweknowitandendthespecia

lproblemslongplaguinghumankind.Itwouldbeaneweraoffreedomandfulfillment.Letsgetonwithit,we’vegotaworldtowin!GeneralPrinciplesofAnarchist-Communism

SinceAnarchist-CommunismiscurrentlystillthemostimportantandwidelyacceptedformofAnarchismmoteneedstobesaidaboutthisdynamicrevolutionarydoctrine.

Anarchist-Communismisbasedonaconceptionofsocietythatharmoniouslyunitesindividualself-interestandsocialwell-being.AlthoughAnarchist-Communistsa

Page 48: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 48/60

greewithMarxandmanyMarxist-LeniniststhatCapitalismmustbeabolishedbecauseofitscrisis-riddennature(herewerejectthefalseterm“anarchyofproduction”)anditsexploitationoftheworkingclass,theydonotbelieveCapitalismisanindispensable,progressivepreconditionforthetransitiontoasociallybeneficialeconomy.NordotheybelievethatthecentralizedeconomicplanningofStateSocialismcanprovideforthewidediversityofneedsordesires.TheyrejecttheveryideaoftheneedforaStateorthatitwilljust“witheraway”ofitsownaccord;orapartyto“bossover”theworkersor“stagemanage”therevolution.Insort,whileacceptingtenetsofhiseconomiccritiqueofCapitalism,theydonotworshipKarlMarxasaninfallibleleaderwhoseideascanneverbecritiquedorrevised,astheMarxist-Leninistsdo;andAnarchist-CommunismisnotbasedonMarxisttheory.

TheseAnarchistsbelievethe“personalispolitical,andthepoliticalispersonal,”meaningthatonecannotdivorceone’spoliticallifefromone’spersonallife.Wedonotplaybureaucraticpoliticalroles,andthenhaveaseparatelifeasanothersocialbeingentirely.Anarchist-Communistsrecognizethatpeopleartcapableofdeterminingtheirownneedsandofmakingthenecessaryarrangementstosatisfythoseneeds,providedthattheyhavefreeaccesstosocialresources.Itisalwaysapoliticaldecisionwhetherthoseresourcesaretobefreelyprovidedtoall,soAnarchist-Communistsbelieveinthecredoof“fromeachaccordingto(their)means,toeachaccordingtotheirneeds.”Thisassuresthatallwillbefed,clothed,andhousedasnormalsocialpractice,notasdemeaningwelfareorthatcertainclasseswillbebetterprovidedforthanothers.

Whennotdeformedbycorruptsocialinstitutionsandpractices,theinterdependenceandsolidarityofhumanbeingsresultsinindividualswhoareresponsiblebothforthemselvesandtothesocietythatmakestheirwellbeingandculturaldevelopmentpossible.Therefore,weseektoreplacetheStateandCapitalismwithanetworkofvoluntaryalliancesembracingaofsociallife-production,consumption,health,culture,recreation,andotherareasInthiswayallgroupsandassociationsreapthebenefitsofunitywhileexpandingtherangeoftheirfreedomAnarchistsbelieveinfreeassociationandfederatinggroupsofcollectives,workers’councils,foodandhousingcooperatives,politicalcollectives,withothersofalltypes.

Asapracticalmatter,Anarchist-Communistsbelievethatweshouldstarttobuil

dthenewsocietynow,aswellasfighttocrushtheoldCapitalistam.Theywishtocreatenon-authoritarianmutualaidorganizations(forfood,clothing,housing,fundingforcommunityprojectsandothers),neighborhoodassembliesandcooperativesnotaffiliatedwitheithergovernmentorbusinesscorporations,andnotrunfarprofit,butforsocialneedSuchorganizations,ifbuiltnow,willprovidetheirmemberswithapracticalexperienceinself-managementandself-sufficiency,andwilldecreasethedependencyofpeopleonwelfareagenciesandemployers.Inshort,wecanbeginnowtobuildtheinfrastructurefarthecommunalsocietysothatpeoplecanseewhattheyarefightingfor,notjusttheideasinsomeone’shead.Thatistherealwaytofreedom.Capitalism,theStateandPrivateProperty

TheexistenceoftheStateandCapitalismarationalizedbytheirapologistsas

beinga“necessaryevil”duetotheallegedinabilityofthegreaterpartofthepopulationtoruntheirownaffairsandthoseofsociety,aswellasbeingtheirprotectionagainstcrimeandviolence.Anarchistsrealizethatquitetothecontrary,theprincipalbarrierstoafreesocietyareStateandtheinstitutionofprivateproperty.ItistheStatewhichcauseswar,policerepression,andotherformsofviolence,anditisprivateproperty—thelackofequaldistributionofmajorsocialwealth—whichcausescrimeanddeprivation.

ButwhatistheState?TheStateisapoliticalabstraction,ahierarchicalinstitutionbywhichaprivilegedelitestrivestodominatethevastmajorityofpeo

Page 49: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 49/60

ple.TheState’smechanismsincludeagroupofinstitutionscontaininglegislativeassemblies,thecivilservicebureaucracy,themilitaryandpoliceforces,thejudiciaryandprisons,andthesubcentralStateapparatus.ThegovernmentistheadministrativevehicletoruntheState.(Thepurposeofthisspecificsetofinstitutionswhicharetheexpressionsofauthorityincapitalistsocieties(andso-called“Socialiststates”),isthemaintenanceandextensionofdominationoverthecommonpeoplebyaprivilegedclass,therichinCapitalistsocieties,theso-calledCommunistpartyinStateSocialistorCommunistsocietiesliketheformerUnionofSovietSocialistRepublics.

However,theStateitselfisalwaysanelitistpositionstructurebetweentherulesandtheruledorder-giversandorder-takers,andeconomichavesandhave-nets.TheState’seliteisnotjusttherichandthesuper-rich,butalsothosepersonswhoassumeStatepositionsofauthority—politiciansandjuridicalofficials.ThustheStatebureaucracyitself,intermsofitsrelationtoideologicalproperty,canbecomeaneliteclassinitsownright.ThisadministrativeeliteclassoftheStateisdevelopednotjustthethroughdispensingofprivilegesbytheeconomicelite,butaswellbytheseparationofprivateandpubliclife—thefamilyunitandcivilsocietyrespectively—andbytheoppositionbetweenanindividualfamilyandthelargersociety.Itissheeropportunism,broughtonbyCapitalistcompetitionandalienation.ItisabreedinggroundforagentsoftheState.

TheexistenceoftheStateandarulingclasses,basedontheexploitationando

ppressionoftheworkingclassaminseparable.Dominationandexploitationgohand-in-handandinfactthisoppressionisnotpossiblewithoutforceandviolentauthority.ThisiswhyAnarchist-CommunistsarguethatanyattempttouseStatepowerasameansofestablishingafree,egalitariansocietycanonlybeself-defeating,becausethehabitsofcommandingandexploitingbecomeendsinthemselves.ThiswasprovenwiththeBolshevikintheRussianRevolution(1917-1921).Thefactisthatofficialsofthe“Communist”StateaccumulatepoliticalpowermuchastheCapitalistclassaccumulateseconomicwealth.Thosewhogovernformadistinctgroupwhoseonlyinterestistheretentionofpoliticalcontrolbyanymeansattheirdisposal.ButtheinstitutionofCapitalistproperty,moreover,permitsaminorityofthepopulationtocontrolandtoregulateaccessto,andtheuseofallsociallyproducedwealthandnaturalresources.Youhavetopayfortheland,water,andthefreshairtosomegiantutilitycompanyorrealestatefir

m.

ThiscontrollinggroupmaybeaseparateeconomicclassortheStateitself,butineithercasetheinstitutionofpropertyleadstoasetofsocialandeconomicrelations,Capitalism,inwhichasmallsectorofsocietyreapsenormousbenefitsandprivilegesattheexpenseofthelaboringminority.TheCapitalisteconomyisbased,notuponfulfillingtheneedsofeveryone,butonamassingprofitforafew,BothCapitalismandtheStatemustbeattackedandoverthrown,notoneortheother,oronethentheother,becausethefallofeitherwillnotensurethefallofboth.DownwithCapitalismandtheState!

Nodoubt,someworkerswillmistakewhatIamspeakingofasathreattotheirpersonalaccumulatedproperty.No,Anarchistsrecognizethedistinctionbetweenp

ersonalpossessionsandmajorCapitalisticproperty.CapitalisticPropertyisthatwhichhasasitsbasiccharacteristicandpurposethecommandofotherpeople’slaborpowerbecameofitsexchangevalue.Theinstitutionofpropertyconditionsthedevelopmentofasetofsocialandeconomicrelations,whichhasestablishedCapitalism,andthissituationallowsasmallminoritywithinsocietytoreapenormousbenefitsandprivilegesattheexpenseofthelaboringminority.ThisistheclassicscenarioofCapitalexploitinglabor.

Wherethereisahighsocialdivisionoflaborandcomplexindustrialorganization,moneyisnecessarytoperformtransactions.Itisnotsimplythatthismoney

Page 50: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 50/60

islegaltender,anditisusedinplaceofdirectbarterofgoods.Thatisnotwhatweartlimitedtohere:Capitalismoney,butmoneyasaprocess,whichreproducesandincreasesitsvalue.Capitalarisesonlywhentheownerofthemeansofproductionfindsworkersonthemarketassellersoftheirownlaborpower.Capitalismdevelopedastheformofprivatepropertythatshiftedfromtheruralagriculturalstyletotheurban,factorystyleoflabor.Capitalismcentralizestheinstrumentsofproductionandbringsindividualscloselyalongsideofothersinadisciplinedworkforce.Capitalismisindustrializedcommodityproduction,whichmakesgoodsforprofit,notforsocialneeds.Thisisaspecialdistinctionofcapitalandcapitalalone.

WemayunderstandCapitalismandthebasisofourobservations,asCapitalendowedwithwillandconsciousness.Thatis,asthosepeoplewhoacquirecapital,andfunctionasanelite,moneyedclasswithenoughnationalandpoliticalpowertorulesociety.Further,thataccumulatedcapitalismoney,andwithmoneytheycontrolthemeansofproductionthatisdefinedasthemills,mines,factories,land,water,energyandothernaturalresources,andtherichknowthatthisistheirproperty.Theydon’tneedideologicalpretensions,andareundernoillusionsabout“publicproperty”.

Aneconomy,suchastheonewehavebrieflysketched,isnotbasedonfulfillingtheneedsofeveryoneinsociety,butinsteadisbasedontheaccumulationofprofitsforthefew,wholiveinpalatialluxuryasaleisureclass,whiletheworkersliveineitherpovertyoroneortwopaychecksremoved.Yousee,therefore

,thatdoingawaywithgovernmentalsosignifiestheabolitionofmonopolyandpersonalownershipofthemeansofproductionanddistribution.Anarchism,ViolenceandAuthority

OneofthebiggestliesaboutAnarchistsisthattheyaremindlessbombthrowers,cutthroats,andassassins.Peoplespreadtheseliesfortheirownreasons:governments,becausetheyamafraidofbeingoverthrownbySocialrevolution;Marxist-Leninists,becauseitisacompetingideologywithatotallydifferentconceptofsocialorganizationandrevolutionarystruggle;andtheChurch,becauseAnarchismdoesnotbelieveindeitiesanditsrationalismmightswayworkersawayfromsuperstition.Itistruethattheseliesandpropagandaareabletoswaymanypeopleprimarilybecausetheyneverheartheotherside.Anarchistsreceivebadpressandsufferascapegoatofeverypolitician,rightorleftwing.

BecauseaSocialrevolutionisanAnarchistrevolution,whichnotonlyabolishesoneexploitingclassforanother,butallexploitersandtheinstrumentofexploitation,theState.Becauseitisarevolutionforpeople’spower,insteadofpoliticalpower;becauseitabolishesbothmoneyandwageslavery;becauseAnarchistsamfortotaldemocracyandfreedominsteadofpoliticianstorepresentthemassesinParliament,Congress,ortheCommunistParty;becauseAnarchistsareforworkers’self-managementofindustry,insteadofgovernmentregulation;becauseAnarchistsareforfullsexual,racial,culturalandintellectualdiversity,insteadofsexualchauvinism,culturalrepression,censorship,andracialoppression;lieshavehadtobetoldthattheAnarchistsarekillers,rapists,robbers,madbombers,unsavoryelements,theworstoftheworst.

Butlet’slookattherealworldandsetwhoiscausingallthisviolenceandrepressionofhumanrights.ThewholesalemurderbystandingarmiesinWorldWarsIandII,thepillageandtapeofformercolonialcounties,militaryinvasionsorso-called“policeoperations”inKoreaandVietnam—allofthesehavebeendonebygovernments.Itisgovernmentandstate/classrule,whichisthesourceofallviolence.Thisincludesallgovernments.Theso-called“Communist”worldisnotcommunistandthe“Free”worldisnotfree.EastandWest,Capitalism,privateorstateremainsaninhumantypeofsocietywherethevastmajorityisbossedatwork,athome,andinthecommunity.Propaganda(newsandliterary),policemenandsoldiers,prisonsandschools,traditionalvaluesandmoralityallservetoreinforceth

Page 51: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 51/60

epowerofthefewandtoconvinceorcorrectthemanyintopassiveacceptanceofabrutaldegradingandirrationalsystem.ThisiswhatAnarchistsmeanbyauthoritybeingoppression,anditisjustsuchauthoritarianrulewhichisatworkintheUnitedStatesofAmerica,aswellasthe“Communist”governmentsofChinaorCuba.

“Whatisthethingwecallgovernment?Isitanythingbutorganizedviolence?Thelawordersyoutoobey,andifyoudon’tobey,itwillcompelyoubyforce—allgovernments,alllawandauthorityfinallyrestenforceandviolence,onpunishmentorfearofpunishment.

—AlexanderBerkman,inABCofAnarchism

Therearerevolutionaries,includingmanyAnarchists,whoadvocatearmedoverthrowofthecapitalistState.Theydonotadvocateorpracticemassmurder,likethegovernmentsofthemodernworldwiththeirstockpilesofnuclearbombs,poisongasandchemicalweapons,hugeairforces,naviesandarmiesandwhoarehostiletooneanother.ItwasnottheAnarchistswhoprovokedtwoWorldWarswhereover100millionpersonswereslaughtered;norwasittheAnarchistswhoinvadedandbutcheredthepeoplesofKorea,Panama,Somalia,Iraq,Indonesia,andothercountrieswhohavesustainedimperialistmilitarysnack.ItwasnottheAnarchistswhosentarmiesofspiesallovertheworldtomurder,corrupt,subvert,overthrowandmeddleintotheinternalaffairsofothercountriesliketheCIA,KGB,MI6orothernationalspyagencies,norusethemassecretpolicetoupholdthe

homegovernmentsinvariouscountries,nomatterhowrepressiveandunpopulartheregime.Further,ifyourgovernmentmakesyouapolicemanorsoldier,youkillandrepresspeopleinthenameof“freedom”or“lawandorder”.

“Youdon’tquestiontherightofthegovernmenttokill,toconfiscateandimprison.Ifaprivatepersonshouldbeguiltyofthethingsthatthegovernmentisdoingallthetime,you’dbrandhimamurderer,thiefandscoundrel.Buraslongastheviolencecommittedis“lawful”youapproveofitandsubmittoit.Soitisnotrealviolencethatyouobjectto,butpeopleusingviolenceunlawfully”—AlexanderBerkman,inABCofAnarchism

Ifwespeakhonestlywemustadmitthateveryonebelievesinviolenceandpracticesit,howevertheymaycondemnitinothers.Eithertheydoitthemselvesort

heyhavethepoliceorarmytodoitontheirbehalfasagentsofthestate.Infact,allofthegovernmentalinstitutionswepresentlysupportandtheentirelifeofpresentsocietyarebasedonviolence.InfactAmericaisthemostviolentcountryonearth,orasoneSNCCcomrade,H.RapBrown,wasquotedassaying:“violenceisasAmericanasapplepie(!)”TheUnitedStatesgoesallovertheworldcommittingviolence,itassassinatesheadsofState,overthrowsgovernments,slaughtersciviliansinthehundredsofthousands,andmakesaprisonoutofcaptivenations,suchasitisdoinginIraqandSomalia,atthepresenttime.Weareexpectedtopassivelysubmittothesecrimesofconquest,thatisthehallmarkofagoodcitizen.

SoAnarchistshavenomonopolyandviolence,andwhenitwasusedinso-called“propagandaofthedeed”attacks,itwasagainsttyrantsanddictators,ratherthana

gainstthecommonpeople.Theseindividualreprisals—bombings,assassinations,sabotage—havebeeneffortsatmakingthoseinpowerpersonallyresponsiblefortheirunjustactsandrepressiveauthority.Butinfact,Anarchists,Socialists,Communistsandotherrevolutionaries,aswellaspatriotsandnationalists,andevenreactionariesandracistsliketheKuKluxKlanorNazishaveallusedviolenceforavarietyofreasons.WhowouldnothaverejoicedifadictatorlikeHitlerhadbeenslainbyassassins,andthussparedtheworldracialgenocideandtheSecondWorldWar?Further,allrevolutionsareviolentbecausetheoppressingclasswillnotgiveuppowerandprivilegeswithoutabloodyfight.Sowehavenochoiceanyway.

Page 52: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 52/60

Basically,wewouldallchoosetobepacifists.AndlikeDr.MartinLutherKingJr.counseled,wewouldratherresolveourdifferenceswithunderstanding,loveandmoralreasoning.Wewillattemptthesesolutionsfirst,wheneverpossible.Intheinsanitythatreigns,however,outmovementacknowledgetheutilityofpreparedness.Itistoodangerousaworldtobeignorantofthewaystodefendourselvessothatwecancontinueourrevolutionarywork.Bringacquaintedwithaweaponanditsusesdoesnotmeanthatyoumustimmediatelygooutandusethatweapon,butthatifyouneedtouseit,youcanuseitwed.WeartforcedoacknowledgethattheAmericanprogressiveandradicalmovementshavebeentoopacifisttobetrulyeffective.WealsorealizethatopengroupsthatproposedcooperativechangeandwerebasicallynonviolentliketheIWW,werecrushedviolentlybythegovernmentandfinallywehaveunfortunateexampleofDr.King,Jr.himself,whowasassassinatedin1968byaconspiracyofagentsoftheState,mostlikelytheFBI.

Understandthatthemorewesucceedatourwork,themotedangerouswilloursituationbecome,becausewewillthenberecognizedasathreattotheState.And,makenomistake,theinsurrectioniscoming.AnAmericanIntifadathatwilldestabilizethestate.Sowearttalkingaboutaspontaneous,prolonged,risingofthevastmajorityofthepeople,andthenecessitytodefendourSocialrevolution.Althoughwerecognizetheimportanceofdefensiveparamilitaryviolence,andevenurbanguerillaattacks,wedonotdependuponwartoachieveourliberation,forourstrugglecannotbewonbytheforceofarmsalone.No,thepeoplemus

tbearmedbeforehandwithunderstandingandagreementofourobjectives,aswellastrustandloveoftherevolution,andourmilitaryweaponsareonlyanexpressionofourorganicspiritandsolidarity.Perfectloveforthepeople,perfecthatefortheenemy.AstheCubanrevolutionary,CheGuevara,said:“Whenonefalls,anothermusttake(their)place,andtherageofeachdeathrenewsthereasonforthefight”

ThegovernmentsoftheworldcommitmuchoftheirviolenceinrepressinganyattempttooverthrowtheState.Crimesofrepressionagainstthepeoplehaveusuallybenefitedthoseinpower,especiallyifthegovernmentispowerfulLookwhathappenedintheUnitedStateswhentheBlackrevolutionofthe1960swasrepressed.Manyprotestinginjusticewerejailed,murdered,injured,orblacklisted—allofwhichwassetupbytheState’ssecretpoliceagencies.Themovementwasbeaten

downfordecadesasaresult.Sowecannotjustdependonmassmobilizationsalone,orjustengageinundergroundoffensives,ifwewanttodefeatthestateanditsrepression;somemid-placebetweenthetwomustbefound.Forthefuture,ourworkwillincludedevelopmentofcollectivetechniquesofself-defense,aswellasundergroundworkwhileweworktowardssocialrevolution.AnarchistsandRevolutionaryOrganization

AnotherlieaboutAnarchismisthattheyarenihilisticanddon’tbelieveinanyorganizationalstructure.AnarchistsarenotopposedtoorganizationInfact,Anarchismisprimarilyconcernedaboutanalyzingthewayinwhichsocietyispresentlyorganized,i.e.,government.

Anarchismisallaboutorganization,butitisaboutalternativeformsoforgani

zationtowhatnowexists.Anarchism’soppositiontoauthorityleadstotheviewthatorganizationshouldbenon-hierarchicalandthatmembershipwouldbevoluntary.Anarchistrevolutionisaprocessoforganizationbuildingandrebuilding.ThisdoesnotmeanthesamethingastheMarxist-Leninistconceptof“partybuilding,whichisjustaboutstrengtheningtheroleofpartyleadersanddrivingoutthosemembersthosewhohaveanindependentposition.ThesepurgesaremethodsofdominationthattheML’susetobeatalldemocracyoutoftheirmovements,yettheyfacetiouslycallthis“democraticcentralism”.

WhatorganizationmeanswithinAnarchismistoorganizetheneedsofthepeople

Page 53: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 53/60

intonon-authoritariansocialorganizationssothattheycantakecareoftheirownbusinessonanequalbasis.Italsomeansthecomingtogetheroflike-mindedpeopleforthepurposeofcoordinatingtheworkthatbothgroupsandindividualsfeelnecessaryfortheirsurvival,wellbeing,andlivelihood.SobecauseAnarchisminvolvespeoplewhowouldcometogetheranthebasisofmutualneedsandinterestscooperationisakeyelementAprimaryaimisthattheindividualsshouldspeakforthemselves,andthatallinthegroupbeequallyresponsibleforthegroup’sdecisions;noleadersorbosseshere!

ManyAnarchistswouldevenenvisagelargescaleorganizationalneedsintermsofsmalllocalgroupsorganizedintheworkplace,collectives,neighborhoods,andotherareas,whowouldsenddelegatestolargercommitteeswhowouldmakedecisionsonmattersofwiderconcern.Thejobofdelegatewouldnotbefull-time;itwouldberotated.Althoughtheirout-of-pocketexpenseswouldbepaid,thedelegatewouldbeunpaid,recallableandwouldonlyvoicethegroup’sdecisions.ThevariousschoolsofAnarchismdifferinemphasisconcerningorganization.Forexample,Anarcho-Syndicalistsstresstherevolutionarylaborunionandotherworkplaceformationsasthebasicunitoforganization,whiletheAnarchist-Communistsrecognizethecommuneasthehighestformofsocialorganization.Othersmayrecognizeotherformationsasmostimportant,buttheyallrecognizeandsupportfree,independentorganizationsofthepeopleasthewayforward.

ThenucleusofAnarchist-CommunistorganizationistheAffinityGroup.Theaffinitygroupisarevolutionarycircleor“cell”offriendsandcomradeswhoareintun

ewitheachotherbothinideologyandasindividuals.Theaffinitygroupexiststocoordinatetheneedsofthegroup,asexpressedbyindividualsandbythecellasabody.Thegroupbecomesanextendedfamily;thewellbeingofallbecomestheresponsibilityofall.

“Autonomous,communal,anddirectlydemocratic,thegroupcombinesrevolutionarytheorywithrevolutionarylifestyleinitseverydaybehavior.Itcreatesafreespaceinwhichrevolutionariescanremakethemselvesindividually,andalsoassocialbeings.”

—MurrayBookchin,inPostScarcityAnarchism

Wecouldalsorefertotheseaffinityformationsas“groupsforlivingrevolution”b

ecausetheylivetherevolutionnow,eventhoughonlyinseedform.Becausethegroupsaresmall—fromthreetofifteen—theycanstartfromastrongerbasisofsolidaritythanmerepoliticalstrategyalone.Thegroupswouldbethenumberonemeansofpoliticalactivityofeachmember.Therearefourareasofinvolvementwhereaffinitygroupswork:

MutualAid:thismeansgivingsupportandsolidaritybetweenmembers,aswellascollectiveworkandresponsibility.

Education:inadditiontoeducatingthesocietyat-largetoAnarchistideals,thisincludesstudybymemberstoadvancetheideologyofthegroups,aswellastoincreasetheirpolitical,economic,scientificandtechnicalknowledge.

Action:thismeanstheactualorganizing,andpoliticalworkofthegroupoutsidethecollective,whereallmembersartexpectedtocontribute.

Unity:thegroupisaformoffamily,agatheringoffriendsandcomrades,peoplewhocareforthewell-beingofoneanother,wholoveandsupporteachother,whostrivetoliveinthespiritofcooperationandfreedom;voidofdistrust,jealousy,hate,competitionandotherformsofnegativesocialideasandbehavior.Inshort,affinitygroupsallowacollectivetolivearevolutionarylifestyle.

Page 54: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 54/60

AbigadvantageofaffinitygroupsisthattheyarthighlyresistanttopoliceinfiltrationBecausethegroupmembersaresointimate,thegroupsareverydifficulttoinfiltrateagentsintothem,andevenifagroupispenetrated,thereisno`centraloffice”whichwouldgiveanagentinformationaboutthemovementasawhole.Eachcellhasitsownpolitics,agenda,andobjectives.Thereforehewouldhavetoinfiltratehundreds,maybethousands,ofsimilargroupsFurther,sincethemembersallknoweachother,hecouldnotleaddisruptionswithoutriskofimmediateexposure,whichwouldbluntanoperationliketheCOINTELPROusedbytheFBIagainsttheBlackandprogressivemovementsringthe1960s.Further,becausetherearenoleadersinthemovement,thereisnoonetotargetanddestroythegroup.

Becausetheycangrowasbiologicalcellsgrow,bydivision,theycanproliferaterapidly.Therecouldbehundredsinonelargecityorregion.Theypreparefortheemergenceofamassmovement;theywillorganizelargenumbersofpeopleinordertocoordinateactivitiesastheirneedsbecomeapparentandassocialconditionsdictate.Affinitygroupsfunctionasacatalystwithinthemassmovement,pushingittohigherandhigherlevelsofresistancetotheauthorities.Buttheyareready-madeforundergroundworkintheeventofopenpoliticalrepressionormassinsurrection.

ThisleadsustothenextlevelofAnarchistorganizations,theareaandregionalfederation.Federationsarethenetworksofaffinitygroupswhocometogetheroutofcommonneeds,whichincludemutualaideducation,action,andanyotherw

orkdeemedtobeneededforthetransformationofcurrentsocietyfromtheauthoritarianstatetoAnarchist-CommunismThefollowingisanexampleofhowAnarchist-Communistfederationscouldbestructured.First,thenistheareaorganization,whichcouldcoveralargecityorcounty.Alllike-mindedaffinitygroupsintheareawouldassociatethemselvesinalocalfederation.Agreementsonideology,mutualaid,andactiontobeundertakenwouldbemadeatmeetingsinwhichallcancomeandhaveequalvoice.

Whenthelocalareaorganizationreachesasizewhereitisdeemedtobetoobig,theareafederationwouldinitiateaCoordinatingConsensusCouncil.ThepurposeoftheCouncilistocoordinatetheneedsandactionsdefinedbyallthegroups,includingthepossibilityofsplittingandcreatinganotherfederation.Eachlocalarea’saffinitygroupwouldbeinvitedtosendrepresentativestothecounc

ilwithalltheviewpointsoftheirgroup,andasadelegatetheycouldvoteandjoininmakingpolicyonbehalfofthegroupatthecouncil.

Ournextfederationwouldbeonaregionalbasis,saytheentireSouthorMidwestThisorganizationwouldtakecareofthewholeregionwiththesameprinciplesofconsensusandrepresentation.NextwouldcomeanationalfederationtocovertheU.S.A,andthecontinentalfederation,thelatterofwhichwouldcoverthecontinentofNorthAmerica.Lastwouldbetheglobalorganizations,whichwouldbethenetworkingofallfederationsworldwide.AsforthelatterbecauseAnarchistsdonotrecognizenationalbordersandwishtoreplacethenation-state,theythusfederatewithallotherlike-mindedpeoplewherevertheyarelivingontheplanetearth.

ButforAnarchismtoreallywork,theneedsofthepeoplemustbefulfilled.SothefirstpriorityofAnarchistsisthewellbeingofall;thuswemustorganizethemeanstofullyandequallyfulfilltheneedsofthepeople.First,themeansofproduction,transportation,anddistributionmustbeorganizedintorevolutionaryorganizationsthattheworkersandthecommunityrunandcontrolthemselves.ThesecondpriorityoftheAnarchistsistodealwithcommunityneedorganizations,inadditiontoindustrialorganizing.Whateverthecommunityneedsare,thentheymustbedealtwith.Thismeansorganization.Itincludescooperativegroupstofulfillsuchneedsashealth,energy,jobs,childcare,housing,alternativeschools,food,entertainment,andothersocialareas.Thesecommunitygroup

Page 55: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 55/60

swouldformacooperativecommunity,whichwouldbeanetworkofcommunityneedsorganizationsandserveasanAnarchisticsociopoliticalinfrastructure.Thesegroupsshouldnetworkwiththoseinotherareasformutualaideducation,andaction,andbecomeafederationonaregionalscale.

Third,Anarchistswouldhavetodealwithsocialillness.Notonlydoweorganizeforthephysicalneedsofthepeople,butmustalsoworkandpropagandizetocuretheillssproutedbytheState,whichhaswarpedthehumanpersonalityunderCapitalism.Forinstance,theoppressionofwomenmustbeaddressed.Noonecanbefreeif51percentofsocietyisoppressed,dominatedandabused.Notonlymustweformanorganizationtodealwiththeharmfuleffectsofsexism,butworktoensurepatriarchyisdeadbyeducatingsocietyaboutitsharmfuleffects.Thesamemustbedonewithracism,butinadditiontoreeducationofsociety,weworktoalleviatethesocialandeconomicoppressionofBlackandothernonwhitepeoples,andempowerthemforself-determinationtoleadfreelives.AnarchistsneedtoformgroupstoexposeandcombatracialprejudiceandCapitalistexploitation,andextendfullsupportandsolidaritytotheBlackliberationmovement.

Finally,Anarchismwoulddealwithanumberofareastoonumeroustomentionhere—science,technology,ecology,disarmament,humanrightsandsoon.Wemustharnessthesocialsciencesandmakethemservethepeople,whilewecoexistwithnature.Authoritariansfoolishlybelievethatitispossibleto“conquer”nature,butthatisnottheissue.Wearejustoneofanumberofspecieswhichinhabitthisplanetevenifwearethemostintelligent.Butthenotherspecieshavenotcr

eatednuclearweapons,startedwarswheremillionshavebeenkilled,orengagedindiscriminationagainsttheracesoftheirsub-species,allofwhichhumankindhasdone.Sowhoistosaywhichoneisthemost“intelligent?”WhyAmIAnAnarchist?

TheAnarchistmovementinNorthAmericaisoverwhelminglywhite,middleclass,andforthemostpart,pacifistsothequestionarises:whyamIapartoftheAnarchistmovement,sinceIamnoneofthosethings?Well,althoughthemovementmaynotnowbewhatIthinkitshouldbeinNorthAmerica,Ivisualizeamassmovementthatwillhavehundredsofthousands,perhapsmillionsofBlack,Hispanicandothernon-whiteworkersinit.ItwillnotbeanAnarchistmovementthatBlackworkersandtheotheroppressedwilljust“join”—itwillbeanindependentmovementwhichhasitsownsocialoutlook,culturalimperative,andpoliticalagenda.

ItwillbeAnarchistatitscare,butitwillalsoextendAnarchismtoadegreenopreviousEuropeansocialorculturalgroupeverhasdone.Iamcertainthatmanyoftheseworkerswillbelieve,asIdo,thatAnarchismisthemostdemocratic,effective,andradicalwaytoobtainourfreedom,butthatwemustbefreetodesignourownmovements,whetheritisunderstoodor“approved”byNorthAmericanAnarchistsornot.Wemustfightforourfreedom,nooneelsecanfreeus,buttheycanhelpus.

Iwrotethepamphletto:

inspireanationalanti-racistandanti-copbrutalityfederation,whichwouldbeAnarchist-initiatedoratleastbeheavilyparticipatedinbyAnarchists;

createacoalitionbetweenAnarchistsandrevolutionaryBlackorganizationssuchasthenewBlackPanthermovementofthe1990s;and

tosparkanewrevolutionaryfermentsadorganizationsintheAfrican-Americanandotheroppressedcommunities,whereAnarchismisacuriosity,ifthat.

Ithoughtthatifaserious,respectedlibertarianrevolutionaryputtheseideasforththeywouldbemorelikelytobeconsideredthanjustbyawhiteAnarchist,nomatterhowwellmotivated.IbelieveIamcorrectaboutthat.SohereiswhyIamanAnarchist.

Page 56: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 56/60

Inthe1960sIwaspartofanumberofBlackrevolutionarymovements,includingtheBlackPantherParty,whichIfeelpartiallyfailedbecauseoftheauthoritarianleadershipstyleofHueyP.Newton,BobbyScaleandothersontheCentralCommittee.Thisisnotarecriminationagainstthoseindividuals,butmanyerrorsweremadebecausethenationalleadershipwastoodivorcedfromthechaptersincitiesalloverthecountry,andthereforeengagedin“commandism”orforcedworkdictatedbyleaders.ButmanycontradictionswerealsosetupbecauseofthestructureoftheorganizationasaMarxist-Leninistgroup.Therewasnotalotofinner-partydemocracy,andwhencontradictionscameup,itwastheleaderswhodecidedontheirresolution,notthemembers.Purgesbecamecommonplace,andmanygoodpeoplewereexpelledfromthegroupsimplybecausetheydisagreedwiththeleadership.

Becauseoftheover-importanceofcentralleadership,thenationalorganizationwasultimatelyliquidatedentirely,packedupandshippedbacktoOakland,California.Ofcourse,manyerrorsweremadebecausetheBPPwasayoungorganizationandwasunderintenseattackbythestate.IdonotwanttoimplythattheinternalerrorsweretheprimarycontradictionsthatdestroyedtheBPP.Thepoliceattacksonitdidthat,but,ifitwerebetterandmoredemocraticallyorganized,itmayhaveweatheredthestorm.Sothisisnomindlesscriticismorbackstabbingattack.Ilovedtheparty.And,anyway,notmyselforanyoneelsewhocritiquethepartywithhindsight,willevertakeawayfromthetremendoustalcthattheBPPplayedintheBlackLiberationmovementofthe1960s.Butwemustlookat

afullpictureofoutorganizationsfromthatperiod,sothatwedonotrepeatthesameerrors.

IthinkmybriefperiodinthePantherswasveryimportantbecauseittaughtmeaboutthelimitsof—andeventhebankruptcyof—leadershipinarevolutionarymovement.Itwasnotaquestionofapersonalitydefectonbehalfofparticularleader,butratherarealizationthatmanytimesleadershaveoneagenda,followershaveanother.

IalsolearnedthislessonduringmyassociationwiththeAfricanPeople’sSocialistPartyduringthe1980swhenIhadgottenoutofthejointIhadmetOmaliYeshitelawhileIwasconfinedinLeavenworth(KS.)federalpen,whenhewasinvitedtoourannualBlackSolidarityBayfestivitiesin1979.Thisassociationconti

nuedwhentheyformedtheBlackprisoners’organization,theAfricanNationalPrisonOrganizationshortlythereafter.ANPOwasdefinitelyagoodsupportorganization,andalongwithNewsandLettersCommitteestheKentuckybranchoftheNationalAllianceAgainstRacismandPoliticalRepression,andtheSocialrevolutionaryAnarchistFederation(nowdefunct),theywrotelettersandmadephonecallstohavemehospitalizedafterIhadbeeninfectedwithTuberculosis,whichsavedmylife.Butthegroupfoldedwhentheproposedcoalitionoffoundingorganizationscollapsedduetosectarianism.

AfterIgotoutofprison,IlostcontactwiththemastheyhadmovedfromLouisvilletotheWestCoast.Itwasnotuntil1987thatIonceagaincontactedthemwhenwewerehavingamassdemonstrationagainstpolicebrutalityinmyhometown.Theywereinvitedandcametothedemo,alongwithNAPOandseveralleft-wing

forces,andfortwoyearsoffandon,Ihadanassociationwiththem.ButIfeltAPSPpoliticallywasalwaysanauthoritarianorganization,andeventhoughwasneveramember,IbecamemoreandmoreuncomfortablewiththeirorganizationalpoliciesIntheSummerOf1988,IwenttoOakland,Californiatoattendan“organizers’school,”butIalsowantedtosatisfymyselfabouttheinternalworkingsofthegroup.Forsixweeks,Iworkedwiththemoutoftheirnationalheadquartersinthelocalcommunity.Iwasabletodetermineformyselfaboutinternalmattersandalsoabortthepoliticsofthegroupitself.Ifoundoutthataboutawholehistoryofpurges,factionalfights,andthe`oneman”dictatorialleadershipstyleoftheParty.WhileinOakland,IwasaskedtoattendameetinginPhiladelphia

Page 57: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 57/60

thatFalltoreestablishANPO.

IattendedthePhillymeeting,butwasveryconcernedwhenIwasautomaticallyplacedaspartofa“slate”tobeofficersoftheANPOgroup,withoutanyrealdemocraticdiscussionamongtheproposedmembership,orallowingotherstoputthemselvesforwardaspotentialcandidates.Iwasinfactmadethehighest-rankingofficerinthegroup.AlthoughIstillbelievethatthereshouldbeamasspoliticalprisoners’movementandespeciallyaBlackprisoners’movement,Ibecameconvincedthatthiswasnotit.IbelievethatitwilltakeatruecoalitionofforcesintheBlackandprogressivemovementstobuildamassbaseofsupport.Igottofeelingthatthesefolksjustwantedtopushthepartyanditspolitics,ratherthanfreeprisoners,andsoIjustdroppedoutandhaven’tdealtwiththemsince.IwasverydisillusionedanddepressedwhenIlearnedthetruth.Iwon’tbeusedbyanybody—notforlong.

TheearlystagesoftheStudentNonviolentCoordinatingCommitteewasacontrastinmanywaystoanyBlackfreedomgrouptocomebeforeorafter,PartoftheSNCCactivistsweremiddleclasscollegeintellectuals,withasmallnumberofworkingclassgrassrootsactivists,buttheydevelopedaworkingstylethatwasveryanti-authoritarianandwasuniquetotheCivilrightsmovement.Insteadofbringinginanationalleadertoleadlocalstruggles,likeDr,MartinLutherKingJr.andhisgroup,theSouthernChristianLeadershipCouncil,waswonttodo,SNCCsentinfieldorganizerstoworkwiththelocalpeopleanddevelopindigenousleadershipandhelporganize,butnottakeoverlocalstruggles.Theyplacedth

eirfaithintheabilityofthepeopletodetermineanagendawhichwouldbestservethemandleadthemselvestoobtaintheirgoalsratherthanbeinginspiredortoldwhattodobyaleaderSNCCitselfhadnostrongleaders,eventhoughithadpersonsindecision-makingauthority,buttheywereaccountabletomembershipboardsandthecommunityinawaynoothergroupinthecivilrightsmovementwas.

SNCCwasalsoanon-secularorganization,incontrasttoSCLC,whichwasformedbyBlackpreachersandhadco-optedtheirstyleoforganizingfromtheBlackchurch,withareligiousauthorityfigurewhogaveorderstothetroops.TodaymostpoliticalcommentatorsorhistoriansstilldonotwanttogivefullcredittotheeffectivenessofSNCC,butmanyofthemostpowerfulandsuccessfulstrugglesoftheCivilrightsmovementwereinitiatedandwonbySNCC,includingmostof

thevotingrightsstrugglesandtheMississippiphaseofthefreedommovement.IlearnedalotaboutinternaldemocracybybeingapartofSNCC,howitcouldmakeorbreakanorganization,andhowithadsomuchtodowiththemoraleofthemembersEveryonewasgivenanopportunitytoparticipateindecision-making,andfeltpartofagreathistoricalmission,whichwouldchangetheirlivesforever.Theywereright.EventhoughSNCCgavesomelifelonglessonstoallofusinvolved,evenifitwasdestroyedbytherichandtheirown,whoresortedtoanauthoritarianstyleinlateryears.

IalsobegantohavearethinkingprocessafterIwasforcedtoleavedeU.S.andgotoCuba,Czechoslovakiaandothercountriesinthe“Socialistbloc,”asitwascalledthen.Itwascleatthatthesecountrieswereessentiallypolicestates,eventhoughtheyhadbroughtmanysignificantreformsandmaterialadvancestoth

eirpeoplesoverwhathadexistedbefore.Iobservedalsothatracismexistedinthosecountries,alongwiththedenialofbasicdemocraticrightsandpovertyonascaleIwouldnothavethoughtpossible.IalsosawagreatdealofcorruptionbytheCommunistPartyleadersandStateadministrators,whowerewelloff,whiletheworkersweremerewageslaves.Ithoughttomyself,“therehastobeabetterway!”Thereis.ItisAnarchism,whichIstartedtoreadaboutwhenIwascapturedinEastGermanyandhadheardmoreaboutwhenIwaseventuallythrownintoprisonintheUnitedStates.

Prisonisaplacewhereonecontinuallythinksabouthisotherpastlife,includ

Page 58: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 58/60

ingtheexaminationofneworcontraryideas,IbegantothinkaboutwhatIhadseenintheBlackmovement,slangwithmymistreatmentinCuba,mycaptureandescapeinCzechoslovakia,andmyfinalcaptureinEastGermany.Ireplayedallthisoverandoverinmyhead.IwasfirstintroducedtoAnarchismin1969,immediatelyafterIwasbroughtbacktotheU.S.andwasplacedinthefederallockupinNewYorkCity,whereImetMartinSostre.Sostretoldmeabouthowtosurviveinprison,theimportanceoffightingforprisoners’democraticrights,andaboutAnarchism.ThisshortcourseinAnarchismdidnotstickhowever,eventhoughIgreatlyrespectedSostrepersonally,becauseIdidnotunderstandthetheoreticalconcepts.

Finallyaround1973,afterIhadbeenlockedupforaboutthreeyears,IstartedreceivingAnarchistliteratureandcorrespondencefromAnarchistswhohadheardaboutmycase.ThisbeganmyslowmetamorphosistoaconfirmedAnarchist,andinfactitwasnotuntilafewyearslaterthatIcameover.Duringthelate1970s,IwasadoptedbyAnarchistBlackCross-EnglandandalsobyaDutchAnarchistgroupcalledHAPOTOC,(HelpAPrisonerOpposeTortureOrganizingCommittee),whichorganizedaninstrumentaldefensecampaign.ThisprovedcrucialinultimatelygettingpeopleallovertheworldtowritetheU.S.governmenttodemandmyrelease.

IwroteasuccessionofarticlesfortheAnarchistpress,andwasamemberoftheSocialrevolutionaryAnarchistFederation,theIWW,andanumberofotherAnarchistgroupsintheU.S.andaroundtheworld.ButIbecamedisheartenedbythe

Anarchistmovement’sfailuretofightwhitesupremacyanditslackofclassstrugglepolitics.So,in1979,IwroteapamphletcalledAnarchismandtheBlackRevolution,toactasaguidetothediscussionofthesemattersbyourmovement.Finally,in1983,Iwasreleasedfromprison,afterhavingservedalmost15years.

Foralltheseyears,thepamphletinfluencedanumberofAnarchistswhowereopposedtoracismandalsowantedamoreclassstruggle-orientedapproachthanthemovementthenafforded.MeanwhileIbadfallenawayfromtheAnarchistmovementindisgust,anditwasnotuntil1992whenIwasworkinginmyhometownofChattanooga,Tennessee,asananti-racistcommunityorganizer,thatIranintoanAnarchistnamedJohnJohnsonandonceagainmadecontact.HegavemeanissueofLoveandRagenewspaper,andasaresult,IcontactedChrisDayofLoveandRage,andcomradesinWSAinNewYork.Therest,astheysay,ishistory.Ihavebeen

backwithavengeanceeversince!

Allofasudden,IseetherearenowothersinthemovementwhounderstandtheworkingsofwhitesupremacyandtheyhaveencouragedmetorewritethispamphletIhavegratefullydoneso.WhyamIanAnarchist?Ihaveanalternativevisionfortherevolutionaryprocess.Thereisabetterway.Letusgetonwithit!WhatIBelieve

Allanarchistsdonotbelieveinthesamethings.Therearedifferencesandthefieldisbroadenoughthatthosedifferencescancoexistandberespected.SoIdon’tknowwhatothersbelieve,IjustknowwhatIbelieveinandIwillspelloutitsimply,butthoroughly.

IbelieveinBlackliberation,soIamaBlackrevolutionary.IbelievethatBlackpeopleareoppressedbothasworkersandadistinctnationality,andwillonlybefreedbyaBlackrevolution,whichisanintrinsicpartofaSocialrevolution.IbelievethatBlacksandotheroppressednationalitiesmusthavetheirownagenda,distinctworld-view,andorganizationsofstruggle,eventhoughtheymaydecidetoworkwithworkers.

IbelieveinthedestructionoftheworldCapitalistSystem,soIamananti-imperialist,AslongasCapitalismisaliveontheplanet,therewillbeexploitation,oppressionandnation-states.Capitalismisresponsibleforthemajorworld

Page 59: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 59/60

wars,numerousbrushwars,andmillionsofpeoplestarvingfortheprofitmotiveoftherichcountriesintheWest.

Ibelieveinracialjustice,soIamananti-racist,TheCapitalistsystemwasmatedbyandismaintainedbyenslavementandcolonialoppressionoftheAfricanpeople,andbeforetherewillbeasocialrevolutionwhitesupremacymustbedefeated.IalsobelievethatAfricansinAmericaarecolonizedandexistasaninternalcolonialoftheU.S,whitemothercountry.Ibelievethatwhiteworkersmustgiveuptheirprivilegedstatus,their“whiteidentity,”andmustsupportraciallyoppressedworkersintheirfightsforequalityandnationalliberationFreedomcannotbeboughtbyenslavingandexploitingothers.

Ibelieveinsocialjusticeandeconomicequality,soIamaLibertarianSocialist.Ibelievethatsocietyandallpartiesresponsibleforitsproductionshouldsharetheeconomicproductsoflabor.IdonotbelieveinCapitalismorthestate,andbelievetheybothshouldbeoverthrownandabolishedIaccepttheeconomiccritiqueofMarxism,butnotitsmodelforpoliticalorganizing.Iaccepttheanti-authoritariancritiqueofAnarchism,butnotitsrejectionoftheclassstruggle.

Ibelieveinworkerscontrolofsocietyandindustry,soIamanAnarcho-Syndicalist.AnarchistSyndicalismisrevolutionarylaborunionism,wheredirectactiontacticsareusedtofightCapitalismandtakeoverindustryIbelievethatthefactorycommitteesworkers’councilsandotherlabororganizationsshouldbethew

orkplaces,andshouldtakecontrolfromtheCapitalistsafteradirectactioncampaignofsabotage,strikes,sitdowns,factoryoccupationsandotheractions.

Idonotbelieveingovernment,andsoIamanAnarchist.Ibelievethatgovernmentisoneoftheworstformsofmodernoppression,isthesourceofwarandeconomicoppression,andmustbeoverthrown.Anarchismmeansthatwewillhavemoredemocracy,socialequality,andeconomicprosperity.Iopposeallformsofoppressionfoundinmodernsociety:patriarchy,whitesupremacy,Capitalism,StateCommunism,religiousdictates,gaydiscrimination,etc.AppendixAShortBiographyofLorenzoKom’boaErvin

LorenzoKom’boaErvinwasbornandraisedinChattanooga,Tennesseein1947;what

hecallsthe“…segregatedSouth…”wasanenvironmentofviolence,racism,povertyandrjection.Ayouthstreetgangmember,ErvinjoinedtheNAACPyouthgroupwhenhewas12yearsoldandtookpartinthe1960sit-inprotestswhichchangedracialdiscriminationinpublicaccommodationsinthecity.AfterbeingdraftedandafterservingtwoyearsintheU.S.Army,(wherehewasaVietnamanti-warorganizerandwascourt-martialed),hejoinedtheStudentNon-violentCoordinatingCommitteein1967shortlybeforeitmerged(temporarily)withthemoremilitantBlackPantherParty.

InthewakeoftheurbanBlackrebellionsthatrockedtheU.S.aftertheassassinationofDr.MartinLutherKingintheSpringof1968,anattemptwasmadetoframeErvinonweaponschargesandforplanningtokillalocalKlanleader.InordertoescapeprosecutioninthesechargesErvinhijackedaplanetoCubainFe

bruary1969.ItwaswhileinCubaandlaterinthethen-RepublicofCzechoslovakia,thathefirstbecamedisillusionedwithstatesocialism,recognizingitasdictatorshipperiod,notthe“dictatorshipoftheproletariat”asvariousCommunistgovernmentsclaimed.InPrague(theCzechoslovakcapital),ErvinwasbetrayedtoU.S.officialsbypro-CIAelementsleftoverfromtheDubcekregimeshortlyaftertheSovietinvasionofthecountry.BrieflycapturedandheldattheAmericanConsulate,hefledtoEastBerlinwherehewaskidnappedbyaspecialteamofbyAmericanandWestGermanspecialagentssenttorecapturehim.HewasdruggedandtorturedduringinterrogationinthebasementoftheU.S.Consulateforalmostaweek,andafteralmostdyingfromthismistreatment,hewasillegallybrough

Page 60: Anarchism and the Black Revolution

8/2/2019 Anarchism and the Black Revolution

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/anarchism-and-the-black-revolution 60/60

tbacktotheUSAwhereitwasfalselyannouncedbytheStatedepartmentandtheFBIinapressconferencethathehad“turnedhimselfin”atJFKairport.

AfterafarceofatrialinasmalltowninGeorgia,wherehefacedthedeathpenaltybeforeanall-whitejudge,jury,prosecutoranddefenseattorneys(appointedbythecourt),hewassentencedtotherestofhislifeinprison.ErvinremainedpoliticallyactiveinprisonwherehewasfirstintroducedtotheidealsofAnarchisminthelate1970s.Hereadmanybooksonthesubjectsentbyprisonbookclubs,andtheAnarchistBlackCross,aninternationalprisonersupportmovement,adoptedhiscase.Alsoinprison,ErvinwroteseveralAnarchistpamphletsthatareprobablythemostwidelyreadwritingsonanarchismandtheBlackliberationmovement.AnarchismandtheBlackRevolutionisstillpopular,andhasgonethroughseveralprintings.

Hewasalsoinvolvedinmanyprisonstruggles,theearly1970sprisonunionorganizingcampaignsandtheBlackprisonermovementorthatperiod.Becauseofyearsofsolitaryconfinementandprisonmailcensorship,hiscasewaskeptinobscurity,anditwasnotuntilhewasoneofthe“MarionBrothels,”agroupofprisonerswhobecamewellknownastheystruggledagainstthefirstControlUnitatMarionFederalPenitentiary,thathiscasebecameapublicconcern.Ervin’sownlegalchallengesandaninternationalcampaigneventuallyledtohisreleasefromprisonafter15yearsofincarceration.

AfterhisreleaseErvinreturnedtoChattanooga,whereforovertenyears,here

mainedactivewiththeConcernedCitizensforJustice,alocalcivilrightsgroup,fightingpolicebrutalityandorganizingagainsttheKuKluxKlan.In1987ErvinhelpedorganizeamajormobilizationagainsttheKlanthatresultedintheKlanbeingrunoutoftown.Alsoin1987,ErvinwasprimarilyresponsibleforthefilingofamajorcivilrightslawsuitthatsuccessfullyforcedthecityofChattanoogatochangeitsstructureofgovernanceonthebasisthatitsystematicallydisempoweredtheBlackcommunity.

Inretaliationforhisactivism,thewhitepowerstructurehassoughttoframeErvinuponanumberofcharges,thelastbeinghisarrestonmisdemeanorchargesinthe“Chattanooga3”case.Inthatcase,ErvinwasarrestedwithseveralotheractivistsintheAdHocCoalitionAgainstRacismandPoliceBrutality(whichsucceededtheConcernedCitizensforJustice)forhisparticipationinademonstratio

nagainstthefailureofagrandjurytobringanycriminalchargesagainstpolicemenwhochokedaBlackmotorist,LarryPowell,todeathinFebruary1993.