4Strugglemag from the Hearts and Minds of North American Political Prisoners and Friends
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Issue 19: Summer 2011 4strugglemag from the hearts and minds of north american political prisoners and friends geronimo ji-jaga, 1947-2011 www.4strugglemag.org 4strugglemag P.O. Box 97048 RPO Roncesvalles Ave. ________________________________________ Toronto, Ontario M6R 3B3 Canada IN THIS ISSUE: War in Lybia ! Anti-Racism ! Black August ! FBI Repression Struggle & Analysis ! Letters ! Poetry ! Updates & Actions ! and more! Welcome to 4strugglemag Call for contributors You have just come upon a dynamic and unique publication, where Truth (real and raw) speaks to power. This magazine 4strugglemag is looking for quality writing that focuses on the insights and experiences of north american contributes to critical, revolutionary thought and political prisoners on major issues of the day. While a lot of re ection. In particular, we are interested in the the writing is by political prisoners, other activists, allies, following: revolutionaries and insightful outside voices are included. We publish three issues a year and all back issues remain Feature articles: In-depth, analytical articles that posted on the website (4strugglemag.org). critically examine a particular issue, historical oc- currence, political idea, or current event. If you are 4strugglemag is an independent non-sectarian revolution- in need of research or writing help, don’t hesitate ary voice. We are unapologetically anti-imperialist and solidly in support of progressive national liberation, espe- to ask.. cially the struggles of New African/Black, Mexicano/Chi- cano, Puerto Rican and Native American Nations presently Book reviews: Is there a book you’d like to re- controlled by U.S. imperialism. Re ecting on the work and view for 4strugglemag? Let us know. principles of political prisoners held by the United States, 4strugglemag advocates for justice, equality, freedom, so- Letters: We love to hear from you. Please let us cialism, protection of our Earth, human rights and peace. know if we have permission to print your letter. www.4strugglemag.org is primarily an e-magazine, but hard copies are available (see sidebar for subscription de- tails). We encourage readers to respond, critique and carry on discussions in the magazine. We value and encourage Subscriptions feedback and discussion. The address of each political prisoner is posted with his/her article so people can direct- Support 4strugglemag’s commitment to providing ly communicate with them (few political prisoners have free prisoner subscriptions by subscribing or do- access to the internet). nating. We publish 3 issues a year. We like dialogue, but we are not going to print racist or Prisoner subscriptions: free pro-imperialist messages, so you government agents and 1 year standard subscription: $15 klansmen don’t bother wasting your time. 1 year solidarity subscription: $30 (Solidarity subscription covers 1 year for yourself Each issue of 4strugglemag focuses on at least 3 main top- ics. Additional poems, graphics, essays, announcements and subsidizes a free prisoner subscription). and more are included. Unsolicited writings and graphics are accepted and welcomed. We won’t guarantee printing, To subscribe by credit card or paypal, check out but we’d like to see your work. This and other correspon- our website: www.4strugglemag.org dence should be sent via regular mail to the following ad- dress (remember it costs 75 cents to send a letter to Canada If you wish to pay by cheque or money order, from the U.S.). please get in touch rst. We cannot cash cheques made out to 4strugglemag. 4strugglemag P.O. Box 97048 RPO Roncesvalles Ave. If you are one of our 400+ subscribers with a free Toronto, Ontario prisoner subscription, one way to contribute is to M6R 3B3 Canada send us stamps, which help off-set our huge mail- ing costs. or via email to: [email protected] Jaan Laaman, editor Back issues anti-imperialist political prisoner Unfortunately, we lack the funds and resources to send back issues. You can print articles from our Moving? Don’t forget to send us website, or have a friend do so, if you don’t have your new address! internet access: 4strugglemag.org 4strugglemag are going to miss you brotherman, but we will keep on Table of Contents Remembering Gil Scott Heron listening to all you had to say. 25 The Signs of the Defeat of Libyan Revolution BY JAAN LAAMAN PS: for 4sm readers who aren’t too familiar with much of by Saoud Salem Gil Scott Heron’s music, do yourself a favor, get some of it Black August: The core of my personal soundtrack in this life has long and listen, learn and enjoy it. 7 27 An Anti-Imperialist Analysis on the War been Bob Marley and roots reggae. Right next to that A Celebration of Freedom Fighters Against Libya music, and interwoven through the decades, has been the by Doc Holiday et al. by Jaan Laaman rhythms, the sounds and de nitely the words of Gil Scott geronimo ji jaga, 1947-2011 Heron. 10 32 Wars and Revolutions Gil Scott-Heron Memorials by Sundiata Acoli, Lynne by Mumia Abu-Jamal Stewart and Leonard Peltier It is with sadness that I heard the brother, Mr. Gil Scott BY CHUCK D, time.com Heron passed on May 27, in New York City. He was 62 34 Cynthia McKinney Speaks on Libyan TV 11 Blood of a Slave, Strength of a Panther by Abayomi Azikiwe years old. A week before Gil Scott-Heron’s death on May 27 at 62, I by Barry Crumbley recorded a guest vocal on a remix of his song “Third World 34 NATO: A Feast of Blood I never knew the man personally, but from way back in the Revolution.” I was honored, of course. I rst met Gil when 12 Self-Awareness by Cynthia McKinney 60s, when we rst heard the different sound and lyrics of we appeared on a CBS Morning News show in 1988. I’m by Eddie Lang “The Revolution will not be televised... the revolution will typically quiet in the presence of royalty—musical or oth- 36 Why Libya Matters not go better with Coke/ the revolution will not ght the erwise—so I just listened carefully that time and on the 13 On Being Anti-Racist by Chad Wellins germs that cause bad breath/ the revolution will put you in few occasions we got together after that. by Christopher Gonzalez the driver’s seat/ the revolution will not be televised/ will 36 Black Guard (UNI 2) not be televised/ WILL NOT BE TELEVISED/ the revolu- Obviously, Gil’s art, music and opinion formed a basis for by Akili Castlin tion will be no re-run brothers/ the revolution will be live,” rap music. His performances, with their ad-lib-lecture-po- we knew this brother had something to say. And he said it et-style commentary, were like his own onstage play-by- and did it in a way like now one else ever had before. Of play. And though he didn’t like to claim responsibility, he course Gil Scott heron has been recognized as a pioneer of clearly is a cornerstone of what we do and why we do it, 14 Transitions Part One: Casualties of War spoken word and rap sounds. especially when we get it right. No him, no us. by Saleem 37 Ely State Prison: A Place of Depravity, Death and Despair Gil Scott created music that touched you, made you think, 16 Tarentelle What gets me is that for the past 25 years, folks had said he by Kelly Pfug-Back by Coyote gave you information and insight, made you dance too. Gil was so frail. And yet he kept keeping on, smashing great Scott Heron inspired, informed, in amed me and so many songs, albums and concerts, all of which were a testament Running Down the Walls 2011 39 Building Revolutionary Organizations others, with his raw, real, relevant rhymes and sound. His to his will and strength. He was and will remain a man 17 with Numbers Consciousness music was about reality, about social struggle from the whose powerful lines can knock you over in under 140 19 First Nations Under Surveillance: by Rey Tokatzin U.S. to South Africa and across the world. characters. Harper Government Prepares for First Fighting Strategy to Defeat G8/G20 Gil Scott understood that artists have a Nations “Unrest” 41 by Russell Diabo and Shiri Pasternak Global Imperialist KKKorporation social responsibility and that culture is by Danny Bonds about this world we live and struggle in: it’s not above it. Gil Scott was a 20 Activists Cry Foul over FBI Probe by Peter Wallsten 42 Truth is Revolutionary man of principle. Even though he had by Terrance E. White need of cash, he did not betray his 21 Activists Get $50,000 for FBI & principles for corporate and imperial- St. Paul Police Raid Prior to 2008 43 Paying the Price: ist money. For example in 2010, after Republican Convention Feeding the Children of Iraq his last album, “I’m New Here” came by Katherine Hughes out, he turned down a concert in Israel, 22 Canadian Media Fails to Deliver: out of solidarity with the Palestinian Media Coverage of Canada Post 44 My Friend Marguerite people and their struggle (see “Sing- by Jaan Laaman ing for Justice as a Life-long Commit- Labour Dispute Uncritical, Inaccurate ment”, by Marta Rodriguez, on page by Kaley Kennedy 45 A Voice for Change: The 60s, 25 of issue 16 of 4sm, for an article on Activist Jaggi Singh Given Suspended the Civil Rights Movement and Today Gil Scott Heron’s refusal to play at this 23 by Tim Loc pro-Israeli concert). Sentence for G20 Speech by Megan Kinch 46 Remembering Gil Scott Heron Think back readers: “Winter in Amer- 24 People’s Lawyer Gets Jail Sentence by Jaan Laaman ica,” “1980,” “Johannesburg,” “Angel by Stevan Kirschbaum Dust,” “In a Bottle,” “The Vulture,” 46 Gil Scott-Heron and many, many more cuts.