Published by:

Revolutionary East Bay Youth Lead

What Do We Want People To Do?
1) Get Educated - research your history. study the lessons from past revolutions and movements. discuss our newsletter articles and see our facebook for ideas on where to start. 2) Get Active - make copies of this newsletter and give them to people you know. find out whats going on in the community and participate. come to our meetings to think critically about how were going to win against the system. 3) Get At Us - email us. facebook us. send us ideas for articles you want to write. lets make this happen together.

REBYL

Real Change

hat happens when you put a bandaid on a gunshot wound? Itll help stop the bleeding but wont actually get to the root problem...the bullet. What is real change? One of the main questions that plague youth today is what career choice can they pick that actually make REAL change. We as youth have good intentions and want to better our community but fail to see that real change happens by fixing the root problem (bullet). When your shirt is dirty, would you rather try to clean it off or put on a new fresh one? We try to make change through small acts of justice (trying to clean it off) but fail to see that real change comes through solving the root problem (putting on a fresh shirt).

one? There are community organizers whose job it is to raise awareness on immigration policy, and advocates who talk directly to politicians to try and get them to change their mind about how they treat undocumented communities. But even though they go deeper than immigration lawyers in addressing the causes of our communitys problems, they still dont address the root causes of immigration.

The real cause is not just bad immigration policies: its the whole system that causes people to leave our countries. The problem is the USs relation to Mexico. The U.S has a history of supporting and promoting dictators and puppet presidents that make it easier for the U.S to exploit Mexican land and labor. This causes bad working conditions and strips Mexico of its resources forcing many to immigrate to the U.S, even if they have to do so without papers. This system is called capiI can compare this to a student who talism and imperialism. What does this wants to become an immigration lawyer. mean, specifically? Capitalism is a system They have intentions to help out those suf- in which the small percentage of wealthy fering due to the issue of immigration by people (capitalists) utilize their power providing legal services. Although the to get richer and maintain their control goal of helping undocumented people over the working class (people who own through becoming an immigration lawyer no property). Imperialism means capitalis honorable, many of us havent been ism working throughout the whole world, brought to consciousness of the bigger with certain countries (like Mexico) havissue - the system that forces people to ing workers who are taken advantage of leave their countries. It is important for by both Mexican capitalists and US capiyouth to analyze the bigger picture if talists, working together to get richer. they want to create change. So, if the whole system of capitalism and What is a career that can create real imperialism is the root of the problem, change around immigration? Is there what type of career can help us fight it? 2

No career will do this. The only thing that can smash the system is a movement of people who are willing to put their lives on the line to make it happen.

ting weak ass band aids on the wounds.

As youth we have to ask ourselves: will the career I pick solve the issues in my community, will a job stop the bleeding? Around the world people who created Will I try to clean my shirt or put on a change were not being paid to do it. fresh one? As youth we are often encourThey didnt just follow their teachers and aged and motivated to create change by parents wishes and get good jobs to getting jobs within the same system thats feel good about themselves. They went caused us all our problems. Or, were against the grain of being an active mem- encouraged to stop being sexist/racist/ ber in an opetc as if our pressive sociindividual acety. But what tions by themdid they do? selves change In order to social oppresanswer this sion. Were question we not taught in have to look at school to find specific examthe root of the ples of global problem, nor rebellions. For are we taught example, in how to rebel Egypt workagainst the ers, students, system. and many others revolted against a regime because they saw their governThe point of this is not to be against getment as the root of their problem. They ting a job. Of course we need jobs, how rioted and ended up overthrowing that else are we going to eat? But we cant government. Mexico and Greece also go on fooling ourselves thinking that our had similar rebellions recently in which job is whats going to change the world. they revolted against their governments. The only way to get free is to get educatStudying these movements and applying ed on what the root problem is about the the lessons here can be very helpful in dysfunction that occurs within our society. providing ideas on where to start, and Then we can call out the system for what understanding the role that youth have it is - capitalism and imperialism - and played in rebelling against the system. start to figure out how people have made Whats the point? Youth in Mexico, revolutions against it. This will help us Egypt, and Greece have been trying to figure out what actions we need to take. give their societies surgery instead of put- After all, YOLO, right? 3

I Just Like The Beat

elcome to the generation of stupid music. Not really, but it seems that way to the many people who listen to mainstream modern music. Particularly some rap and hip-hop songs. Our youth is being dictated by artists like Nicki Minaj, 2Chainz and others like them. Unfortunately what they rap about is not respectful or knowledgeable of much. Repetitive and derogatory terms seem to be the core of the song lyrics. Though, if you ask youth now a days what those words mean to them they will most likely say, nothing, I listen to this song because I like the beat. Yet when rappers such as Aubrey Graham (Drake) come up with mottos like YOLO (You Only Live Once), or tire out the term swag, It becomes clear that the beat isnt all youth care for. Hip-Hop or rap is by definition a tool of self-expression and self-definition, and has often been used as a tool of resis4

tance. Back in the days when parents and grandparents were youngsters, as they say, music meant something. Though many of us have gotten lectures that begin like this one, its not so far fetched. In the 80s/90s, Hip-hop got big, and the songs were about the oppression faced in the artists communities. Most of these communities were the projects, ghettos, and other impoverished cities. Of course these cities were all home to colored people. Through rap or Hiphop a message of resistance was shared with the world. Mainstream The message in song lyrics now a days isnt clear to me. Artist begin their stardom with revolutionary thoughts and once in the limelight their lyrics express no real feeling. A prime example would be J Cole, an artist who has very deep underground music. One of my favorite songs is called Lost ones and it talks about a young couple facing pregnancy. With the fame and popularity flourishing the artist, he then became mainstream and yet again an artist changes his ways. His hit song which most folks might know is called Work out. A song which talks

about him trying to get at a girl. Comparing and contrasting songs from artists before the fame and after the fame is a serious eye opener. In order to reach fame the artist must sacrifice their originality.

enced again later in the song. The only possible explanation as to why that line is in the recording, and I am willing to bet the writer would agree with me, is because he needed to fill extra space in the instrumental. Out of respect for the artA song ist, Tyga, like the song Gangis about nam being Style, drunk and which high so has over it DOES one bilmake lion views sense that on youthe song tube is amazing. To many of us who DOESNT. And obviously that doesnt dont speak korean, the thought of this matter because the song Faded song having anti imperialist concepts can peaked at 33 on the US Billboard HOT be surprising. And now the new trending 100 Chart. We have to ask why. We video is the Harlem Shake. Though its need to understand this idea of just likbeginning its popularity, Im sure most of ing the beat, and what it means. And I the influencers of the harlem shake are say that we HAVE to because many of us not aware that it is infact a shake that including the self-proclaimed conscious started in Harlem. They might also not be ones, have found ourselves uncontrollaaware of the fact that residents of Harbly bobbing our heads and enjoying Lil lem are not happy by the attention these Waynes Lollipop or some other disrevideos are getting. *transition* spectful song while simultaneously smiting ourselves for enjoying it so much! When Take these lyrics for example, Vampire listening and watching these songs what fucked up your evening. I pop up and comes to mind? Is there a little voice eat lunch, leave you in the cement. Dont inside your head nagging you to think believe it, stripe like a fucking Adidas about the lyrics, or nagging at you to Is what I hear on the radio, its what I actually pay attention to the lyrics? probhear people reciting, and its what my 11 ably not. And if there was?... would you year old brother likes to listen to. Im not listen? proud of it. The quote is from a popular song, and if you are wondering No. What You Didnt Know The song has absolutely nothing to do with vampires. They arent even referTo take the scientific approach and quick5

ly mention that in the UK at the University of Bristol, researchers created an algorithm that could determine whether or not a song would become a hit. They use 23 variables to complete the equation. Some of which include, loudness, danceability, tempo, and duration. The algorithm does have a 60% success rating due much to the fact that what people like to hear evolves over time and the study looks back into 50 years of music. Either way 60% is a passing grade at many schools in America so props to Bristol! Their research pretty much told me that in some cases we dont control what we like, the beat does. Now I dont have to feel as bad for loving lollipop. Propaganda Now that weve established that some of us who actually listen to song lyrics, like to hear ignorant music because of the beats and catchy hooks. We should note the dangers behind what is happening with the folks that say they only like the beat. The fact of the matter is whether or not they are analyzing the lyrics they are still subconsciously and consciously affected by those lyrics. Once again Ill be writing from my lived experience. Air Force Ones. Classic shoes that were out of style, and now seem to be neutral ground in the sneakers department. However, I noticed higher production of Air Forces, and a higher demand from consumers after Nelly and the St. Lunatics released their song Air Force Ones. I noticed the same result with Vans. Previously, Vans were seen as a skater shoe 6

for white folks. After The Pack released their Vans Song young black folks were sporting Vans like they were Jordans. The strangest in my opinion was the whole Hip-Hop meets Rock music. Songs like Party Like a Rock Star by the Shop Boyz caused black Urban Folks to suddenly begin wearing clothes with pictures of skulls and studded belts. Ed Hardy made a lot of money during this transition of course. It should be obvious by now that the music industry plays a major role in the way we live our lives. I honestly dont think that it is necessary for me to delve deep into all the derogatory terms and disrespectful lyrics in the songs we hear. I trust that as the reader you arent nave to the fact that there is offensive music that millions of people arent just listening to, but repeating, in the context of the music and in the context of their lives. To reiterate, theres nothing wrong with just liking a beat. It is not even the end of the world to enjoy an extremely clever and disrespectful lyric. Where I see the trouble, and if you take anything from what Ive written its this be conscious of what you are listening to. You could be nodding your head to the worlds most racist song with the volume at its limit while your neighbors dial 911, and I wouldnt scold you for it. All as long as you understand that you are enjoying the worlds most racist song. Then analyze why, and sit with those thoughts. You have to start from somewhere right?

Is Obama Really Helping Undocumented Immigrants?

o you know anyone whos undocumented? Are they able to go to college? If they are, can they get funding? Who decides this stuff? Obama?

education, there comes a time where we have to decide: do we want to go to work, or do we want to go to school? Or even if we go to school and get our education, it doesnt guarantee us a job because we dont have the work permit we need to work using our diploma or degree.

However, in 2012, there were a few modifications, such as deferred action, in the education system nationwide. Now that this deferred For a long action portion time people of the Dream without citiAct has passed zenship paas a reform, pers, people students are from Mexico, now receiving Guatemala, more benefits El Salvador, which include China, and fee waivers, other counwork permits, tries, have not and social sebeen able to curity numbers get scholarfrom which we ships for colcan apply for lege. This has drivers licensmade it very expensive to actually go es. While these changes are good, and to college, whether its community colmany of us who are undcoumented are lege or a 4 year university. Even when excited, weve got to be real: the system some of us are able to get in to college, that gave us these small privileges is the its only because weve had to borrow same system thats kept our people living money from family members, work one in fear of being deported for decades. to three jobs to pay off tuition, or be a For example, the fact is that only some of part-time student and take one class at a us are eligible for deferred action, and time, leaing to a long time in college. Ob- even if were accepted it will only last viously, things arent easy for us. for two years. After two years, we have to re-apply and pay 465 dollars again! Because of all the obstacles we face in Not to mention lawyers fees and times trying to get something as simple as an 7

spent filling out forms and waiting for the government to respond.

Moroccan migrants have occupied buildings and built militant (meaning strong actions that go face to face with the govSo, its obvious that things arent perfect. ernment) protests to fight for full citizenLawmakers and higher school authorities ship. Weve got see that the movement are still making it almost impossible for us of undocumented youth in this country is to succeed and achieve their educational part of a global struggle of people fightgoals. But many of our family members ing to be recognized for who we are: and friends will still say, but at least human beings trying to live life freely. Obama gave us this. If we keep faithful to him and keep electing Democrats, We dont want to just keep the same things will just get better. This is just not education system that we have right now true. Lets examine its obviously not why. working. Students are kept out of school, The reality is that and teachers are kept undocumented high from teaching the way school students and they want to teach, recent graduates, also because of budget known as dreamers, cuts and control came together in profrom the government test of the education through standards. system. Students of all We want free educaages and backgrounds tion that teaches us filled the streets showthe truth about our ing the government histories, and the their desire to obtain truth about the way legalization in the country they were this society works taking advantage of raised in. Building were taken over, such poor working people in order to benefit as Obamas campaign headquarters in the rich. We want a public education downtown Oakland, and undocumented that speaks to what students need, and students like us demanded that we be that values the teachers who put in time seen as full human beings. The fact is to teach us what we want to learn. All that undocumented people, especially of these educational goals we want to youth, have fought back in the United meet are part of a total process of freeStates, but also around the world. In dom that were seeking. This struggle for France, Arab youth have fought against freedom will be stopped at all points by the system of racial oppression that has the capitalist system unless we unite our kept them from getting good jobs, and forces and overthrow it. kept them living in the slums. In Spain, 8