CapitalismPlus DopeEquals Genocide

ByMichaelCetewayoTabor,1970 FormerPoliticalPrisoner,NY21 USExileinZambia Born13December1946,Harlem Died17October2010,Zambia

BlackPantherParty,USA
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I.TheProblem.
RecentlyintheBlackcolonyofHarlema12yearoldBlackboywasmurderedbyan overdoseofheroin.Lessthantwoweekslatera15yearoldBlackgirlmetthesame tragicfate.Duringtheyear1969inNewYorkCityalonetherewereover900 deathsresultingfromdrugaddiction.Ofthese210wereyouthsranginginagefrom 12to19.Oftheover900dead,theoverwhelmingmajoritywereBlackandPuerto Rican.Itisestimatedthatthereareatleast25,000youthsaddictedtonarcoticsin NewYorkCityandthatisaconservativeestimate. DrugaddictioninthecolonizedghettosofAmericahasconstitutedamajorproblem forover15years.Itsuseissowidespreadthatitcanwithoutfearofexaggeration betermeda"plague".Ithasreachedepidemicproportions,anditisstillgrowing. ButithasonlybeenwithinthelastfewyearsthattheracistUSgovernmenthas considereddrugaddiction"amatterofgraveconcern".Itisinterestingtonotethat thisgrowingconcernonthepartofthegovernmentisproportionatetothespreadof theplagueintotheinnersanctumsoftheWhitemiddleandupperclass communities.Aslongastheplaguewasconfinedtotheghetto,thegovernmentdid notseefittodeemitaproblem.Butassoonascollegeprofessors,demagogic politicians,moneycrazedfinancecapitalistsandindustrialistsdiscoveredthattheir ownsonsanddaughtershadfallenvictimtotheplague,avirtual"stateofnational emergency"wasdeclared.Thisissignificant,foritprovidesuswithacluetothe understandingoftheplagueasitrelatestoBlackpeople. FromtheFederalBureauofNarcotics,totheclergy,tomembersofthemedical profession,socallededucators,psychologists,rightondowntotthechemically enslavedaddictsonthestreetcorner,thehopesforeffectivelycurbingthespreadof
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theplaguearedishearteninglydim.Despitethestifferjailsentencesbeingmeted outtothosewhomthelawdefinesas'drugprofiteers'aeuphemismforillegal capitaliststherearemoredopedealersnowthateverbefore.Despitetheever increasingnumberofpreventiveandrehabilitativeprogramstheplague proliferates;itthreatenstodevourandentiregenerationofyouth. Thebasicreasonwhytheplaguecannotbestoppedbythe,drugpreventionand rehabilitationprogramsisthattheseprograms,withtheirarchaic,bourgeois Freudianapproachandtheirunrealistictherapeuticcommunities,donotdealwith thecausesoftheproblem.Theseprogramsdeliberatelynegateoratbestdeal flippantlywiththesocioeconomicoriginofdrugaddiction.Theseprograms sanctimoniouslydenythefactthatcapitalistexploitationandracialoppressionare themaincontributingfactorstodrugaddictioninregardtoBlackpeople.These programswereneverintendedtocureBlackaddicts.Theycan'tevencurethe Whiteaddictstheyweredesignedfor. Thisfascistgovernmentdefinesthecauseofaddictionastheimportationofthe plagueintothecountrybysmugglers.Theythemselvesevenadmitthatstopping theentryoftheplagueisimpossible.Foreverykilo(2.2lbs.)ofherointhey confiscate,atleast25kilosgetpastcustomsagents.Thegovernmentiswellaware ofthefactthateveniftheywereabletostoptheimportationofheroin,dopedealers andaddictswouldsimplyfindanotherdrugtotakeitsplace.Thegovernmentis totallyincapableofaddressingitselftothetruecausesofdrugaddiction,fortodoso wouldnecessitateeffectingaradicaltransformationofthissociety.Thesocial consciousnessofthissociety,thevalues,moresandtraditionswouldhavetobe altered.Andthiswouldbeimpossiblewithouttotallychangingthewayinwhich themeansofproducingsocialwealthisownedanddistributed.Onlyarevolution
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caneliminatetheplague. Drugaddictionisamonstroussymptomofthemalignancywhichisravagingthe socialfabricofthiscapitalistsystem.Drugaddictionisasocialphenomenathat growsorganicallyfromthesocialsystem.Everysocialphenomenonthatemanates fromasocialsystemthatispredicateduponanddrivenbybitterclassantagonisms thatresultfromclassexploitationmustbeseenfromaclasspointofview.

II.EscapismandSelfDestruction
InregardtoBlackpeople,ourproblemsarecompoundedandtakeonappalling dimensionsasaresultoftheracistdehumanizationthatwearesubjectedto.To understandtheplagueasitrelatestoBlackpeople,wemustanalyzetheeffectsof capitalisteconomicexploitationandracistdehumanization. TheheinousandsadisticprogramofannihilatingthehumanityofBlackpeoplethat wasinitiatedover400yearsagobymoneymadslavemastersandthathas continuedunabateduntilthisverydayisdeliberateandsystematic.Itisdonefor thepurposeofjustifyingandfacilitatingourexploitation.Sincetherealityofour objectiveexistenceseemedtoconfirmtheracistdoctrinesofWhitesuperiorityand itsantithesis,Blackinferiority,andsincewelackedanunderstandingofour condition,weinternalizedtheracistpropagandaofouroppressors.Webeganto believethatwewereinherentlyinferiortoWhites.Thesefeelingsofinferioritygave birthtoasenseofselfhatredwhichfindsexpressioninselfdestructivebehavior patterns.Thewretchednessofourplight,oursenseofpowerlessnessanddespair createdwithinourmindsapredispositiontowardtheuseofanysubstancewhich produceseuphoricillusions.Weareinclinedtouseanythingthatenablesusto

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sufferpeacefully.Wehavedevelopedanescapistcomplex.Thisescapistcomplexis selfdestructive. Thedepravedcapitalistracistoppressorexploitsthesepsychologicalandemotional deficienciesforalltheyareworth.Theoppressorencouragesourparticipationin anyactivitythatisselfdestructive.Ourselfdestructivebehaviorpatternsandour escapisttendenciesconstituteasourceofprofitsforthecapitalists.Theyalso,by weakening,dividinganddestroyingus,reinforcethestrengthoftheoppressor enablinghimto:Perpetuatehisdominationoverus. Fratricidalstreetgangfightingisadirectmanifestationofaselfdestructive behaviorpattern.ItisalsoaformofescapismbywhichBlackyouthsventtheir rage,frustrationsanddespaironeachotherratherthandealingwiththetrue enemy.Pathologicalreligionismorthefanaticalindulgenceinreligionisessentially escapistbecauseitencouragesthevictimtoconcentratehisattention,energyand hopeforsalvationandfreedomuponadubious,mysticalforce.Itdiscourages confrontingtheactualcausesofourmiseryanddeprivation.Itencouragesthe focusingofattentionuponpieinthesky,ratherthanthesecuringofmorelamb chopsrighthereonplanetearth.Italsoservesasasourceofprofitsforthose religiouscharlatans,preachersandministerswhoexploitit. Alcoholismisbothselfdestructiveandescapist.Itisalsoasourceoftremendous profitsforthecapitalists.Theamazinglyhighnumberofbarsandliquorstoresin theBlackcommunitiestestifytothistragicfact.Thecapitalistliquorindustrycould prosperjustonthebusinessitdoesintheBlackghettoalone.

III.TheHeroinAddict

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Themostescapistandselfdestructiveactivityforusandoneofthemostprofitable forthecapitalist,andthereforethemostencouragedbyhim,isdrugaddiction, specificallyheroinaddiction. About1898aGermanchemistdiscovereddiacetylmorphine,heroin.Itwashailed astheperfectdrugforcuringmorphineaddicts.Butsoonitbecameapparentthatit wasmoreaddictivethanmorphine.Bythe1920'stherewereaddictswhowere injectingheroindirectlyintotheirveins.HeroinproductionintheUnitedStates wasdiscontinued'andthedrugwasnolongerusedasanantidoteformorphine addictionandasapainkiller. Heroinaddiction,theplague,thescourgeoftheBlackcoloniesofBabylon.The plague,whosespiritual,moral,psychological,physicalandsocialdestructivepowers greatlyexceedthatofanydiseasehithertoknowntohumanity.Theplague,opium fromTurkey,shippedtoMarseilles,convertedintomorphinebase,thenprocessed intoheroin,smuggledintoAmerica,cut,diluted,thenplacedintotheBlackghetto. Theplague,poisonous,lethal,whitepowderysubstance,soldbydepraved,money crazedbeaststoBlackyouthswhoaredesperatelyseekingakick,ahigh,ameans, anythingthatwillhelptomakethemoblivioustothesqualor,totheabjectpoverty, diseaseanddegradationthatengulfsthemintheirdailyexistence. Initiallytheplaguedoesjustthat.Underitssinisterinfluence,theoppressive, nauseous,ghettoprisonistransformedintoavirtualBlackValhalla.Onebecomes impervioustotherancidstenchofurinesoakedtenementdungeons,unaffectedby thepiercingcriesofanguishofBlackfolksdriventothebrinkofinsanitybya sadistic,socialsystem.Unaffectedbythedeafeningwailofpigpolicecarsirensas theytearthroughthestreetsoftheBlackHellenroutetoanswera1013callfrom someotherpigpolicewhoisinastateofwelldeserveddistress.Unaffectedbythe
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trashcanswhosedecayed,diseasecarrying,garbagehasoverflowedtofillthe ghettostreets. Yes,underitsecstaticinfluenceoneismadeoblivioustouglyrealities.Butthereis atrick,acruelmonstroustrick,adeadlyflimflamawaitingitsnaive,youthful victim,for,astheillusionarybeautyoftheheroininducedhighbeginstovanish, correspondingly,thetemporaryimmunityfromrealityattainedunderitschemical trancevanishes.Therealitythatthepatheticvictimsoughtsodesperatelyto escape,onceagaindescendsuponandreengulfshim.Therancidstenchofurine soakedtenementdungeonsbeginstoassailhisnostrils.ThoseBlackcriesof anguishseemtoblendwiththewailingsirensofpigpolicecars.Hehearsthem now,veryloud,andveryclearinstereophonicsound.Andthatgarbagethatflows overontothestreetsfromuncollectedtrashcansisfeltunderfoot. Theyoungvictimisnotlongindiscoveringthatonlybytakinganotherdosagewill hebeabletoattainsanctuaryfromhishideousreality.Eachshotoftheplaguethat heinjectsintohisbloodsystembringshimthatmuchclosertothegrave.Soonheis strungout,hooked.Heisphysiologicallyandpsychologicallydependentonthe plague.Bothhisbodyandmindhavebecomeaddictedtoheroin.Hehasnow becomeafulltime,charteredmemberoftheCloud9Society.Hisphysicalbody beginstotakeonadecimatedappearance.Ashamelessdisregardisdisplayed towardhisclothes.Thathisshirtisfilthyandhisshoesaresoleless,leavinghimto walkvirtuallyonhisnakedfeet,doesnotmatter.Thathisunwashedbodynow emitsamostfoulodordisturbshimbutlittle.Thathisnonaddictedfriendsnow shunhimandlookuponhimwithcontemptmattersnot,forthefeelingsare mutual.Theynolongerhaveanythingincommon.Everythingceasestomatter. Everythingexceptheroin,theplague.
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Ashecontinues,hisbodybeginstobuildupanimmunitytothedrug.Now,inorder toattainhiseuphorichighhemustincreasehisdosage.Thismeansthathemust obtainmoremoney.Soenslavedhashenowbecomethathewilldoanythingfora bag,fora"shot".Tolie,tosteal,tocheat,torobisnothingtohim.Whateverhe mustdofora"shot"hewilldo,hemustdo,forheisaslavetotheplague. Theviciouscyclegrindsintomotion.Heviolateswhattherulingclassdefinesas beingthelawinordertosecuremoneytofeedhissickness.Inevitablyhegets flaggedoff,busted.Hegoestojail,andafterhehasservedouthissentenceheis released.Thefirstthinghewantsisashot.Thecyclecontinues.Andheplunges deeperanddeeperintotheabysmalpitofdegradation.Andthere,alwaysthereand everwilling,forapriceofcourse,tomeettheaddict'sdemandfordopeisthecop man,thedealer,purveyorofpoison,distributorofdeath,merciless,murdering scum,oftheplanet,vilecapitalists,salesmenofdeathontheinstallmentplan,the dopepusher,theplagueman.

IV.CapitalismandCrime
Dopesellingisbeyondadoubtoneofthemostprofitablecapitalistundertakings. Theprofitsfromitsoarintobillions.Internationallyanddomesticallythetradeand distributionofheroinisultimatelycontrolledbytheCosaNostra,theMafia. Muchoftheprofitsamassedfromthedrugbusinessisusedtofinancesocalled legitimatebusinesses.TheselegitimatebusinessesthatarecontrolledbytheMafia arealsousedtofacilitatetheirdrugsmugglingactivities.Giventhefactthat organizedcrimeisabusinessandaneverexpandingoneatthat,itisconstantly seekingnewareasofinvestmenttoincreaseprofits.Hence,moreandmoreillegal

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profitsarebeingchanneledintolegitimatebusinesses.Partnershipsbetweenthe Mafiaand"reputablebusinessmen"aretheorderoftheday.Thereisadirect relationshipbetweenlegitimateandillegitimatecapitalists. Overtheyearsanumberofpoliticiansandforeignambassadorsandwealthy businessmenhavebeenarrestedinthiscountryfordrugactivities.Others,because oftheirwealthandinfluence,wereabletoavoidarrest.Inthefallof1969itwas discoveredthatagroupofprominentNewYorkfinancierswasfinancingan internationaldrugsmugglingoperation.Noindictmentswerehandeddown.Shortly afterthatagroupofwealthySouthAmericanbusinessmenwerearrestedinaplush NewYorkCityhotelwithover$10millionworthofdrugs. Giventhepredatoryandvoraciousnatureofthecapitalist,itshouldcomeasno surprisethatsocalledlegitimatebusinessmenaredeeplyinvolvedinthedrug trade.Capitalistsaremotivatedbyaninsatiablelustforprofits.Theywilldo anythingformoney.Theactivitiesoforganizedcrimeandthe"legitimate capitalists"aresoinextricablytiedup,sothoroughlyinterwoven,thatfromour vantagepointanydistinctionmadebetweenthemispurelyacademic. ThelegitimizationoftheMafia,theirincreasedemphasisuponinvestingin,and establishingcorporations,hasbeenacceleratedbythestifferprisonsentencesthat arebeingmetedouttodrugprofiteers.InNewYorkthishasresultedinthegradual withdrawaloftheMafiafromtheirpositionofactualleadershipoftheNewYork drugtrade.TheNewYorkdrugtradeisnowdominatedbyCubanexiles,manyof whomweremilitaryofficersandpoliceagentsintheprerevolutionary,repressive Batistaregime.TheyequaltheMafiainruthlessnessandgreed. Thesenewlocaldopekingpinshaveestablishedabroadnetworkofinternational
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smugglingoperations.Theyutilizethetraditionaltraderoutesandcreatenewones, asindicatedbytheincreasednumberofNarcoticsBureauseizuresofdopecoming fromSouthAmerica. TheconceptofBlackPowerhasinfluencedthethinkingofeverysegmentofthe Blackcommunity.IthascometomeanBlackcontroloftheinstitutionsand activitiesthatarecenteredintheBlackcommunity.BlackteachersdemandBlack communitycontroloftheghettoschools.Blackbusinessmenandmerchants advocatetheexpulsionofWhitebusinessmenfromtheghettosothattheycan maximizetheirprofits.Blacknumbersgameoperatorsaredemandingtotalcontrol oftheghettonumbersoperations.AndBlackdopedealersaredemanding communitycontrolofheroin.ItisatragedythatinNewYorkthegreatestgains madeintherealmofBlackcommunitycontrolhavebeenmadebyBlackracketeers, numbersgamebankersanddopedealers,bytheBlackillegalcapitalists.Priorto 1967itwasararitytofindaBlackdopedealerwhohandledmorethan3kilos(1 kiloequals2.2lbs.)ofheroinatanygiventime.IndependentBlackimporterswere unheardof.Now,thereisanentireclassofBlackswhohavebecomeimporters, usingMafiasuppliedlistsofEuropeanconnections. Theextentandinstantrateofprofitsreapedfromthedopeindustrycouldarouse theenvyofU.S.Steel,GeneralMotorsandStandardOil.Fromthehighestlevelto thelowest,theprofitsareenormous.Iftheindividualissufficientlyambitious, cunning,ruthlessandvicious,hemaygraduatefromthestatusofstreetpeddlerto bigtimewholesaleranddistributorinashortspanoftime. Acharacteristicfeatureofclassandracialoppressionistherulingclasspolicyof brainwashingtheoppressedintoacceptingtheiroppression.Initially,thisprogram iscarriedoutbyviciouslyimplantingfearintothemindsandsowingtheseedsof
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inferiorityinthesoulsoftheoppressed.Butastheobjectiveconditionsandthe balanceofforcesbecomemorefavorablefortheoppressedandmoreadversetothe oppressor,itbecomesnecessaryfortheoppressortomodifyhisprogramandadopt moresubtleanddeviousmethodstomaintainhisrule.Theoppressorattemptsto throwtheoppressedpsychologicallyoffbalancebycombiningapolicyofvicious repressionwithspectaculargesturesofgoodwillandservice. GiventhefactthatBlackpeoplehaveabandonedthenonfunctionalandineffective tacticsofthe"CivilRights"eraandhavenowresolvedtoattaintheirlongoverdue liberationbyanymeansnecessary,ithasbecomenecessaryfortheoppressorto deploymoreoccupationforcesintotheBlackcolony.Theoppressor,particularlyin NewYork,realizesthatthiscannotbedoneovertlywithoutintensifyingthe revolutionaryfervoroftheBlackpeopleinthecolony.Therefore,apretextisneeded forplacingmorepigsintheghetto. Andwhatisthepretext?Itgoeslikethis:Responsiblenegrocommunityleaders haveinformedus,andtheirreportsconcurwithpolicefindings,thatthenegro communityisravagedbycrime,muggings,burglaries,murdersandmayhem.The streetsareunsafe,businessestablishmentsareinfestedbyarmedrobbers, commercecannotfunction.CityHallagreeswithnegroresidentsthatthemain causeforthishorriblesituationisthedopeaddictswhopreyoninnocentpeople. Yes,thedopeaddictsaretoblamefortheeverincreasingcrimerate.AndCityHall willanswerthedesperatecryofnegroresidentsforgreaterprotectionsendinmore police! ThatvictimsoftheplagueareresponsibleformostofthecrimesintheBlack ghettosisafact.ThatBlackdrugaddictsperpetratemostoftheirrobberies, burglariesandtheftsintheBlackcommunityagainstBlackpeoplecannotbe
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denied.Butbefore,outofdesperation,wejumpupandscreamformorepolice protection,webetterrememberwhoputtheplagueinHarlem,BedfordStuyvesant andtheotherBlackcommunities.Webetterrememberwhoultimatelyprofitsfrom thedrugaddictionofBlackpeople.Webetterrememberthatthepolicearealien hostiletroopssentintotheBlackcoloniesbytherulingclass,nottoprotectthelives ofBlackpeople,butrathertoprotecttheeconomicinterestsandtheprivate propertyofthecapitalistsandtomakecertainthatBlackpeopledon'tgetoutof place.RockefellerandLindsaycouldcarelessaboutthelivesofBlackpeople.Andif wedon'tknowbynowhowthepolicefeelaboutus,thenwearereallyinbadshape.

V.PigPolice
TheplaguecouldneverflourishintheBlackcoloniesifitwerenotfortheactive supportoftheoccupationforces,thepolice.Thatnarcoticsarrestshaveincreasedin nowaymitigatesthefactthatthepolicegivedopepeddlersimmunityfromarrest inexchangeformoneypayoffs. Itis,alsothepracticeofpigpolice,especiallynarcoticsagents,toseizeaquantityof drugsfromonedealer,arresthim,butonlyturninaportionoftheconfiscated drugsforevidence.Therestisgiventoanotherdealerwhosellsitandgivesa percentageoftheprofitstothenarcoticsagents.Thepigpolicealsoutilize informerswhoaredealers.Inreturnforinformation,theyreceiveimmunityfrom arrest.Thepolicecannotsolvetheproblem,fortheyareapartoftheproblem. Whenyouconsiderthatakiloofheroinpurchasedbyanimporterfor$6,000,when cutandbaggedanddistributedwillbringbackaprofitof$300,000inaweek'stime, itbecomeseasiertounderstandthatevenifthedeathpenaltywereimposedon

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drugprofiteers,itwouldnotdeterthetrade. Thelyingdeviouspuppetsofthebourgeoisrulingclass,thedemagogicpoliticiansof CapitolHillhavenowpassedalawwhichgivesnarcoticsagentstherighttocrash intoaperson'shomewithoutknocking,onthepretextoflookingfornarcoticsand "otherevidence".Thislawwasostensiblypassedtopreventdopedealersfrom destroyingthedopeand"otherevidence."Now,anyonewhothinksthatthislaw willbeconfinedtojustsuspecteddrugdealersislaboringunderatragicand possiblysuicidaldelusion.Toassumethatonlysuspecteddrugdealerswillbe affectedbythislawistonegatetherealityofpresentdayAmerica.Toallow yourselftothinkforonemomentthatthislawonlyappliestosuspecteddrug dealersistodenythatthelawsbeingpassed,thepoliciesbeingimplemented,and themethodsandtacticsofthepolicehavebecomeblatantlyandshamelesslyfascist. Itshouldcomeasnosurprisewhenthehomesofrevolutionariesandother progressiveandtruefreedomlovingpeopleareinvadedbythepoliceonthepretext ofsearchingfordrugsand"otherevidence".Anumberofrevolutionarieshave alreadybeenimprisonedonframedupnarcoticscharges.LeeOtiswasgiven30 yearsandMartinSostrewassentencedto41yearsontrumpedupnarcotics charges.Restassuredthispolicywillbeintensified.Itwoulddouswelltoconsider whatkickingin.aperson'sdoorinsearchofdrugsand"otherevidence"actually means.Whatis"otherevidence"?Thebourgeois,fascistlawmakershavenot specifiedwhatconstitutes"otherevidence".TheNoKnockLaw!sanintegralpart ofthefascisttripthatthiscountryhasembarkedupon. Before,whenthehomeofaBlackpersonwasburglarizedbyadrugaddict,ora sisterhadherpursesnatched,thepolicetookallnighttorespondtothecall,or didn'trespondatall.Theburglarorpursematcherwashardlyevercaught.Inmost
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instances,whensomeonewasarrested,itwasthewrongperson.Butwhenan exploitingcapitalistbusinessestablishmentinthatverysameghetto,especiallya Whiteone,getsrippedoff,thereareimmediately15sirenwailingpolicecarsonthe set,andthreedozenpigsarerunningupanddownthestreet,wavinggunsin everybody'sface.Andyoucanlay5to1oddsthatsomebodyisgoingtojailforit. Whetherornotthearrestedpersonperpetratedtheactisirrelevantfromthepigs' standpoint.TheracistpigpoliceuseBlacksasanoutletfortheirsadisticimpulses, inadequaciesandfrustrations.Nowthatmorepolicehavebeensentin,the situationhasgonefrombadtoworse.

VI.Revolution
Theracistpigpolice,thedemagogicpoliticians.andtheavariciousbigbusinessmen whocontrolthepoliticiansaredelightedthatBlackyouthshavefallenvictimtothe plague.Theyaredelightedfortworeasons:one,itiseconomicallyprofitable,and two,theyrealizethataslongastheycankeepourBlackyouthsstandingonthe streetcorners"nodding"froma"shot"ofheroin,theywon'thavetoworryaboutus waginganeffectivestruggleforliberation.AslongasouryoungBlackbrothersand sistersarechasingthebag,aslongastheyaretryingtocopafix,theruleofour oppressorsissecureandourhopesforfreedomaredead.Itistheyouthwhomake therevolutionanditistheyouthwhocarryitout.Withoutouryoung,wewillnever beabletoforgearevolutionaryforce. Wearetheonlyonescapableoferadicatingtheplaguefromourcommunities.It willnotbeaneasytask.Itwillrequiretremendouseffort.Itwillhavetobea revolutionaryprogram,apeople'sprogram.

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TheBlackPantherPartyispresentlyintheprocessofformulatingaprogramto combattheplague.Itwillbecontrolledtotallybythepeople.We,thepeople,must stampouttheplague,andwewill.Dopeisaformofgenocideinwhichthevictim paystobekilled.

SEIZETHETIME! INTENSIFYTHESTRUGGLE! DESTROYTHEPLAGUE! ALLPOWERTOTHEPEOPLE!

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TheTenPointProgramoftheBlackPantherParty WhatWeWant!WhatWeBelieve!
(1) WEWANTFREEDOM.WEWANTPOWERTODETERMINETHE

DESTINYOFOURBLACKANDOPPRESSEDCOMMUNITIES.Webelievethat Blackandoppressedpeoplewillnotbefreeuntilweareabletodetermineour destiniesinourowncommunitiesourselves,byfullycontrollingalltheinstitutions whichexistinourcommunities. (2) WEWANTFULLEMPLOYMENTFOROURPEOPLE.Webelievethat thefederalgovernmentisresponsibleandobligatedtogiveeveryperson employmentoraguaranteedincome.WebelievethatiftheAmericanbusinessmen willnotgivefullemployment,thenthetechnologyandmeansofproductionshould betakenfromthebusinessmenandplacedinthecommunitysothatthepeopleof thecommunitycanorganizeandemployallofitspeopleandgiveahighstandardof living. (3) WEWANTANENDTOTHEROBBERYBYTHECAPITALISTSOFOUR BLACKANDOPPRESSEDCOMMUNITIES.Webelievethatthisracist governmenthasrobbedusandnowwearedemandingtheoverduedebtofforty acresandtwomules.Fortyacresandtwomuleswerepromised100yearsagoas restitutionforslavelaborandmassmurderofBlackpeople.Wewillacceptthe paymentincurrencywhichwillbedistributedtoourmanycommunities.The AmericanracisthastakenpartintheslaughterofourfiftymillionBlackpeople. Therefore,wefeelthisisamodestdemandthatwemake. (4) WEWANTDECENTHOUSING,FITFORTHESHELTEROFHUMAN BEINGS.WebelievethatifthelandlordswillnotgivedecenthousingtoourBlack andoppressedcommunities,thenhousingandthelandshouldbemadeinto cooperativessothatthepeopleinourcommunities,withgovernmentaid,canbuild andmakedecenthousingforthepeople. (5) WEWANTDECENTEDUCATIONFOROURPEOPLETHATEXPOSES THETRUENATUREOFTHISDECADENTAMERICANSOCIETY.WEWANT EDUCATIONTHATTEACHESUSOURTRUEHISTORYANDOURROLEIN THEPRESENTDAYSOCIETY.Webelieveinaneducationalsystemthatwillgive
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toourpeopleaknowledgeoftheself.Ifyoudonothaveknowledgeofyourselfand yourpositioninthesocietyandintheworld,thenyouwillhavelittlechanceto knowanythingelse. (6) WEWANTCOMPLETELYFREEHEALTHCAREFORALLBLACKAND OPPRESSEDPEOPLE.Webelievethatthegovernmentmustprovide,freeof charge,forthepeople,healthfacilitieswhichwillnotonlytreatourillnesses,most ofwhichhavecomeaboutasaresultofouroppression,butwhichwillalsodevelop preventivemedicalprogramstoguaranteeourfuturesurvival.Webelievethat masshealtheducationandresearchprogramsmustbedevelopedtogiveallBlack andoppressedpeopleaccesstoadvancedscientificandmedicalinformation,sowe mayprovideourselveswithpropermedicalattentionandcare. (7) WEWANTANIMMEDIATEENDTOPOLICEBRUTALITYAND MURDEROFBLACKPEOPLE,OTHERPEOPLEOFCOLOR,ALLOPPRESSED PEOPLEINSIDETHEUNITEDSTATES.Webelievethattheracistandfascist governmentoftheUnitedStatesusesitsdomesticenforcementagenciestocarry outitsprogramofoppressionagainstblackpeople,otherpeopleofcolorandpoor peopleinsidetheUnitedStates.Webelieveitisourright,therefore,todefend ourselvesagainstsucharmedforcesandthatallBlackandoppressedpeopleshould bearmedforselfdefenseofourhomesandcommunitiesagainstthesefascistpolice forces. (8) WEWANTANIMMEDIATEENDTOALLWARSOFAGGRESSION.We believethatthevariousconflictswhichexistaroundtheworldstemdirectlyfrom theaggressivedesireoftheUnitedStatesrulingcircleandgovernmenttoforceits dominationupontheoppressedpeopleoftheworld.WebelievethatiftheUnited Statesgovernmentoritslackeysdonotceasetheseaggressivewarsitistherightof thepeopletodefendthemselvesbyanymeansnecessaryagainsttheiraggressors. (9) WEWANTFREEDOMFORALLBLACKANDOPPRESSEDPEOPLE NOWHELDINU.S.FEDERAL,STATE,COUNTY,CITY,ANDMILITARY PRISONSANDJAILS.WEWANTTRIALSBYAJURYOFPEERSFORALL PERSONSCHARGEDWITHSOCALLEDCRIMESUNDERTHELAWSOFTHIS COUNTRY.WebelievethatthemanyBlackandpooroppressedpeoplenowheldin UnitedStatesprisonsandjailshavenotreceivedfairandimpartialtrialsundera racistandfascistjudicialsystemandshouldbefreefromincarceration.Webelieve
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intheultimateeliminationofallwretched,inhumanpenalinstitutions,becausethe massesofmenandwomenimprisonedinsidetheUnitedStatesorbytheUnited Statesmilitaryarethevictimsofoppressiveconditionswhicharetherealcauseof theirimprisonment.Webelievethatwhenpersonsarebroughttotrialtheymustbe guaranteed,bytheUnitedStates,juriesoftheirpeers,attorneysoftheirchoiceand freedomfromimprisonmentwhileawaitingtrial. (10) WEWANTLAND,BREAD,HOUSING,EDUCATION,CLOTHING, JUSTICE,PEACEANDPEOPLE'SCOMMUNITYCONTROLOFMODERN TECHNOLOGY.When,inthecourseofhumanevents,itbecomesnecessaryforone peopletodissolvethepoliticalbondswhichhaveconnectedthemwithanother,and toassume,amongthepowersoftheearth,theseparateandequalstationtowhich thelawsofnatureandnature'sGodentitlethem,adecentrespecttotheopinionsof mankindrequiresthattheyshoulddeclarethecauseswhichimpelthemtothe separation.Weholdthesetruthstobeselfevident,thatallmenarecreatedequal; thattheyareendowedbytheirCreatorwithcertainunalienablerights;thatamong thesearelife,liberty,andthepursuitofhappiness.Thattosecuretheserights, governmentsareinstitutedamongmen,derivingtheirjustpowersfromtheconsent ofthegoverned;that,wheneveranyformofgovernmentbecomesdestructiveof theseends,itistherightofthepeopletoalterortoabolishit,andtoinstitutea newgovernment,layingitsfoundationonsuchprinciples,andorganizingitspowers insuchformastothemshallseemmostlikelytoeffecttheirsafetyandhappiness. Prudence,indeed,willdictatethatgovernmentslongestablishedshouldnotbe changedforlightandtransientcauses;and,accordingly,allexperiencehathshown thatmankindaremostdisposedtosuffer,whileevilsaresufferable,thantoright themselvesbyabolishingtheformstowhichtheyareaccustomed.But,whenalong trainofabusesandusurpation,pursuinginvariablythesameobject,evincesa designtoreducethemunderabsolutedespotism,itistheirright,itistheirduty,to throwoffsuchgovernment,andtoprovidenewguardsfortheirfuturesecurity.

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THEREAREPOLITICALPRISONERSINTHEUNITEDSTATES ByNajiMujahid,2009 LeonardPeltier,SundiataAcoli,MarshallEddieConway,ImamJamil AlAmin,MutuluShakur,SekouOdinga,RuchellMagee..Doanyofthese namesringabell?Probablynot;theyarewhatmanyconsidertobePolitical Prisoners/PrisonersofWar(PPs/POWs).TheyarenotinCuba,Iran,NorthKorea, Russia,China,oranyothersovereignStatethattheUnitedStateswouldhaveus believeisundemocratic,evil,orbackward.Infact,theseindividualscanbefound languishinginprisonsalloverAmerica;fromMarylandtoColoradotoCalifornia. However,theUnitedStatesdoesnotacknowledgethepresenceofany(PPs/POWs) withinitsborders. WhatisaPoliticalPrisoner?TheSpecialInternationalTribunalonthe ViolationofHumanRightsofPoliticalPrisonersandPrisonersofWarinUnited StatesPrisonsandJailswhichconvenedonDecember710,1990atHunter CollegeinNewYorkCitydefinedpoliticalprisonerasapersonincarceratedfor actionscarriedoutinsupportoflegitimatestrugglesforselfdeterminationorfor opposingtheillegalpoliciesofthe[UnitedStates]governmentand/oritspolitical subdivisions.Moreover,itdescribedprisonersofwarasthosecombatants strugglingagainstcolonialandaliendominationandracistregimescapturedas prisonersandpositedthattheyaretobeaccordedthestatusofprisonersofwar andtheirtreatmentshouldbeinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheGeneva ConventionsRelativetotheTreatmentofPrisonersofWar,of12August1949. (GeneralAssemblyResolution3103(XXVIII)). ThePPsmentionedaboveandthoselikethemhavenotonlybeen deniedacknowledgementassuch,buttheyhavebeencastascommoncriminalsand therebythelegitimacyoftheirstruggleforselfdeterminationhasbeendenied. SelfdeterminationisahumanrightcodifiedinArticle1,paragraph1ofthe InternationalCovenantforCivilandPoliticalRightsandtheInternational CovenantforEconomic,Social,andCulturalRights.Itistherightofthepeopleto freelydeterminetheirpoliticalstatusandfreelypursuetheireconomic,social,and culturaldevelopment. Negros,Blacks,AfricanAmericans,orwhatevertheproper nomenclaturemaybe,havebeensystematicallydeniedthisrightsincetheir collectiveintroductiontotheWesternHemispherebyEuropeanslavetraders.Since thattime,astheUnitedStateshasevolvedtherelationshipofAfricandescendents tothepowerstructurehasremainedconstant.BlacksintheUSareanexploited
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classofpeopleperpetuallydisadvantagedbytheirorigins;trulyaninternalcolony withintheUS.Theextentofthisisfurthermanifestedbytheabsenceofanyreal restorativeaction,suchasreparations,takenbythegovernment. Concomitantly,anyactionstakenbythepeople,toeitherforcea redressofgrievancesorproduceaselfinterestedsolutiontotheinheritedproblems hasbeenattackedandtreatedasacriminalmatter.JustastheSupremeCourt decisionintheDredScottcasedeterminedthatBlackshadnorightsthatWhites wereboundtorespecttheBlackPantherPartywaslabeledaspublicenemy numberonebytheFederalBureauofInvestigation(FBI),thenationsfederal policeforce,in1968.ThisdesignationledtoincreasedrepressionbytheBureauand othernational,state,andlocalagencies;todate,therearescoresofindividuals (Black,White,NativeAmerican,PuertoRican,andothers)stillinprison,manyin horrendousconditions. IllustrativeoftheaforementionedrepressionarethecasesofGeronimo Pratt,DhorubaBinWahad,andFredHampton.PrattwastheleaderoftheBPPin LosAngelesandHamptontheleaderinChicago.InearlyDecemberof1969,within daysofeachother,policeraidedHamptonshomeandtheLAPantherofficewhere Prattslept.Inbothcases,highlyplacedFBIinformantswithinbothchapters suppliedthepolicewithfloorplansandotherinformationaboutbothlocations. InthecaseofHampton,theFBIagentdruggedhimandDefense MinisterMarkClarkwithasubstancethatinducedsleep.Whentheraidsoccurred, itwasdonewithgunsblazing;thepoliceshotthroughwallswherethesuspected Pantherswere,therewasnowarrantandnosuspectedcrime,theywerecomingfor blood.Theirideawastoinitiateagunbattleanduseitforjustificationtoarrest survivors.TherewerenocasualtiesinLA,butinChicago,FredHamptonandMark ClarkwerebothkilledintheirsleepandHamptonspregnantwifewasarrested.In LA,therewerenocasualtiesand,infact,thePantherswereabletoengagethe policeina4hourshootout.Theysurrenderedafterthepublicandpresshad gathered.Ofcourse,theywerearrested,buttheonlychargethatthepolicecould gettostickwasaminorconspiracytopossessillegalweaponscharge;the13that werearrestedwereallacquittedofconspiracytoassaultormurderpoliceofficers. Threeyearslater,PrattwasframedbytheFBIforanunsolvedmurder thatoccurredin1968.Subsequently,hedid27yearsuntilhewasabletoprovethat theFBIhadsethimupandhewasreleased.Similarly,DhorubaBinWahad,who wasaprominentfigureintheNewYorkBPPchapter,wasindictedforthe attemptedmurderoftwopoliceofficersin1971.AtthistimetheNYPDandFBI
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wereinvolvedinajointoperationcalledNewkill.BinWahadwasconvictedand did19yearsbeforehewasabletoprovethattheFBIsethimupandhewas acquittedofthecharges. HistoryprovesthatUScitizenswhoactivelyopposegovernmentpolicy andinstitutionalizedsocialandeconomicdisparitiesbecomelikelytargetsfor disruption,destruction,andneutralization.Thosewhostilllanguishinprisonhave notbeenasfortunateasPrattandBinWahadtobeabletoprovethattheywereset up;however,inthosetwocasesthereisclearproofthatsetupsoccur.Moreover,in theFBIfilesoftheirCounterIntelligenceProgram(COINTELPRO)andtheSenate ChurchCommitteeReports(97455)thereisproofthatithappens.MartinLuther King,Jr.theNobelPeacePrizeLaureateandfamouspacifistwasarrested16 times,possiblymore,andlaterassassinated.Ifhewasnotdead,quitepossibly,he wouldbeinprison.Itisatravestythatacountrythatsoferventlypromotesthe idealsoffreedom,hasallowedforsincerefreedomfighterstobelockedawayfor decadesandforgotten. Meanwhile,theelectionofaBlackmanasPresidentiswidely consideredindicativeofachangeinAmericansocialvalues.BarackObama,as popularandcharismaticashemaybe,doesnotrepresentchange.Thetrue representativesofchangeareinprison.

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