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    The New Abolitionists

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    Kaka Portilho

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    SMe eO asc SUTRA ERO Crier Chiy, The cover act, “Milk Goddess Talking to Earth," by arist Sundiata Acoli was exiginally ‘printed in Fauling Up the Morningleando la Mana: Writings and Art by Political Prison rs and Prisoners of War n the US. eds. Tim Slunk, Rayenond Lue Levasseu, end the edie tors of jacohin Books (Trenton, N): Red Ses Pees) f appears by permission of the artist and Sunni Melero, Pablshed by Saae Universiy of New York Press Albany (© 2005 State University of New York Allcights reserved Printed in the United States of America [No pat of this hook may be used or reproduced in any mannes whtsoever ‘withoue writen permission, No part of this book may be stored ina reteral system or ‘ransmiced in sny form or by any mean including electronic lectrostatic, magnetic te, mechanical, photocopying, recording, ‘otherwise without the prior permission in writing nf rhe pice For information, addces State University of New York Press, 184 Woshington Avense, Sate 308, Albany, NY 12210-2388 Production by Mariya P Semerad ‘Marketing by Arne M. Valentine Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data The new abolitionists: (nco)slave narratives and contemporary prison writings / edited and inroduetion by Joy James . em.— (SUNY series, philosophy and race) Includes bibliographical references end index ISBN 0.7914-6485-7 (hardcover = alk. paper) — ISBN 0-7914-6486- (pb, alk, paper) 1. Prisoners" writings, American. 2. Pisoners—United Seates—Social anton. 3. Fhonets—Unied Sutes—Bionophy. I Jame, Joy. (i Hyga6e.nee 2005 365197310922 den2 2o0s017478 wos7ssasat Since this page cannot accommodate ll the copyright notices, the pages dat follow constzue an extension of the copyrighs page Permissions “Folsom, August 11th: A Question of Races” by Pancho Aguila wat originally published it Pancho Aguila, Dark Smoke: Poems (San Francia, CA: Second Coming, Press, 1977), 46. AL. “Prison Exiquete" by Dachine Rainer end Holley Cantine was originally published i Prison Beiquentes The Convicts Compendium of Usefa Information, edited by Dachin Rainer and Holley Cantne (Bearsile, NY: Retore Press, 1950). Icis public domain 2. *Nores on the Prison Community” by Beenard Phillips was originally published i Prison Exquette: The Comvit’ Compandaime of Useful Information, edited by Dachin Rainer and Holley Cantne(Bearsile, NY: Rerore Press, 1950). leis public domain “The Criminalization of Poverty in Capitalise America” (Abridged) by Jalil Muntagic was orginally published ia Schooling the Generations in the Politics of Pritone, exite by Chinotole (Berkeley, CA: New Earth Publications, 2996). les eepeinted by pesmi son ofthe author. 4. *Contcol Unit Prisons: Deceit and Folly in Modern Dungeons” by Bll Dunne appeat by permission ofthe author. ‘5. “Trouble Coming Every Day: ADX—The First Yeor” by Raymond Luc Levasseur wa originally published online in Letters from Exile, homs.earthlink.net/-neolede bberychl Ie is reprined by permission of the euthor. 65, “Behind the Mireor's Face” by Paul St. John was orginally published in Doing Time ‘Tuenty-Fve Year of Praon Writing, edited by Bell Gale Chevigny New Yorks Acad Publishing, 1998). Ie i reprinted hy permission of Arcade Pabliching and Franc Gola Literary Agency. 7% *A Call for the Abolition of Prisons” by Tiye Artalla Sslah-El appears by pecmisio of the author. 8. “Women in Prison: How We Are” by Assata Shakur was originally published in Th Black Scholar Vel. 9, No. 6 (April 1978) and was eprined in The Black Scholar Vo 12, No. 6 (NovemberiDaceraber 1981). Iti reprinted by permission of The Blac Scholar. 9. *Womea Casuals ofthe Drug Wat” by Susan Rosenberg was orginally published i Prison Life, January-February 1996, leis eprint by pexmission of the author. 10. “Reflections on the Black Woman's Role in the Community of Slaves” by Angela > Davis wat originally published in the The Bick Scholar, Val. 3, No. 4 (Decembs 1971) and was reprinted in The Angela ¥. Davis Reser, edited by Joy James (Malet ‘MA: Blaclvell, 1999), 111-128, leis repinted with permission of The Black Sebola “Thank you to Blackwel! Publishers foe proving this version of the ex. 11, “Killers" by Prince Imari A Obadele(Shemuct hoo-Yahweh) appears by permission « the author. 12, "Men Against Sexism" by Ed Mead appests by permission ofthe author 13, "The American India inthe White Men's Prisons: A Story of Genocide” by Little Roe Read was originelly published in Hiomanity and Sccety, Vol. 13, No, 4 (1989). ei reprinted by permission of Humanity and Society, 14, "A People's Revo for Power and an Up-Tiurm ithe Black Condition: An Appeal and halle" by Imari Abubakari Obadele {was originally published in 1977 as 2 past ple. fis ceprineed by permission ofthe asehor 415, "To My Baby's Children" by Price [mari A Obadele (Sherwel ben-Yehorch) appest by permission of the author 16, “King Tones Diary” by Antonio Fernandes (King Tons} appears by permission of ch author SUNY SERIES, PHILOSOPHY AND RACE Robert Bernasconi/T. Denean Sharpley-Whiting, editors The New Abolitionists (Neo)Slave Narratives and Contemporary Prison Writings Edited and with an Introduction by Joy James STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK PRESS vi ‘The New Abolitionists 17, “Let “Gang Up’ on Oppression: Youth Organizations and the Struggle for Powes in Oppresed Communities” by Yaki (ames Sayles) was originally published under the fame of Owast Yoki Yakubu in Crossroad Newsletter, Vol 5, No. 2/3. fis reprinted by permission of he ator. 18 Mumia Abu-jarals Evergreen State College Commencement Address “A Life Lived, Delibracely” wes originally pablished in Radical Philosophy Reviews Vol. 3, No.1 (2000s epsingad by permission of Frances Goldin Lirrary Agsney. 18, “Live from the Psnopticon: Architecture and Power Revisited” was originally published in Lingua Franca (July/August 1993). I is eprinted by permission of Drew Leder 20, "On Prisons and Prisoners” was originally published as "An Interview with Angelo Davis: On Prisons and Prisoners” in Prison Focus (Fall 1997/Wincer 1998). fe i Luprinsd by permission of Lese DiBenedeto 21, “An Imerview with George Jackson” was recorded May 16, 1971 at San Quentin State Prison in California. Ie was fist broadcast on KPFA-FM, 2 Berkeley, California radio station. The interview was published in 1995 in Black Prison Movamants USA: The NOBG Journal of African American Dialogue, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Trentony NJ Aftica World Pes), where i was misidentified ar an interview done August 21, 1971 (the day of Jacksoa's murder). An aiced version of the orginal inerview was seo published in the Michigan Citizen, Val. 22, No. 38, August 13-19, 2000. cis reprinced here by per rission of Karn Wald 22. “The Blace Panthers: An Interview with Geronimo ji Jaga Pett” is excerpeed from “The Black Panthers: Interviews with Geronimo jijage Prete and Mumia Abu-Jamal,” sxiginally published in Race and Glass, Vo. 35, No.1 (JulySeprembee 1993). Heike ‘Kletinrs steeview sath Geronimo p Japa (mer rates printed hereby permission of Race aed Clase. 23. “You Mave co be losimate With Your Despait A Conversation with Vier Mike Ngo (San Quenkin Prison, £21895)" appears by permission of Dylan Rodriguez and Vie Mike Ngo. 24. *Crue! Bot Not Unssosl—The Punishment of Women in U.S, Pisans” was originally published as "Cruel But Not Unusual: The Punishment of Women in US. Prisons, An Iervew with Laura Whitchorn and Marlyn Buck" in Monthly Review, Vo. 53, No.3 (July/August 2001). Conducted in 2001, his interview is reprinted by permission of Maryn Bock, Susie Day, Laura Whitshern, and Monthly Review: 25. “An Incerview vith Shaka Saakofs (Gary Graham)" wos eondacred on February 14, 1996, ard was originally published ia The Gaither Reporter, Vol. 4 No. 6 [MarchiApsi! 2000). Ie is eprinted by permission of Larveser Gaither 26. “Engaged in Life: Alan Berkman on Prison Health Care” appenes by permission of Susie Day 27. ““W’s Too Bad the Soil Coulde’e ey Out from the Blood Shed Upon I," an interview with Philip Berrigan, was conducted on March 14, 1998 from inside the Pxersbura, Feseral Penitensary in West Virginia and fist aited on May 27, 2002 on Democracy "Now! Radio, An excerp is reprinted here by permission of Aroy Goodman, "The Anica Liberation Faction Manifesto of Demands and Anti-Depresson Platform” iz public domain, “Arica Thiety Yous Late" by David Gilbert appears hy permission of authos, CContribotors co this volume, as well The Black Scholar, Race cred Class, Democracy Now!, ‘Monthly Review, and the Francis Goldin Literary Agency granted fee access to reprint theit respective articles: Arcade Publishing and History & Society proved exrays and articles for 8 rekced fee | | To my ancestral kin: Virginia, Mamie, Eddie Mae, Anna Contents Preface Acknowledgments Pancho Aguila Folsom, August 11th: A Question of Races Joy James Introduction: Democracy and Captivity 1. Penal Democracy 1, Dachine Rainer and Holley Cantine Prison Ftiquette 2. Bernard Phillips Notes on the Prison Community 3. Jalil Muntagins ‘The Criminalization of Poverty in Capitalist America (Abridged) 4, Bill Dione Control Unit Prisons: Deceit and Folly in Modern Dungeons 5: Raymond Luc Levasseur ‘Trouble Coming Every Day: ADX—The First Year 6. Paud St. John Behind the Mirror's Face 7. Tiyo Attallah Salab-El A Call for the Abolition of Prisons Il. Gendered Captivity 8. Assata Shakur ‘Women in Prison: How We Are x Contents 9 Susan Rosenberg ‘Women Casualties of the Drug War 10. Angela Y. Davis Reflections on the Black Woman’s Role in the Community of Slaves (Abridged) 11. Prince Imari A. Obadele (Shemuel ben-Yahweh) Killers 12, Ed Mead ‘Men Against Sexism IL. Revolt 13. Little Rock Reed ‘The American Indian in the White Man’s Prisons: A Story of Genocide 14, Imari Abubakari Obadele 1 ‘A People’s Revolt for Power and an Up-Turn in the Black Condition: An Appeal and a Challenge 15. Prince Imari A. Obadele (Shemuel ben-Yabweh) ‘To My Baby's Children 16. Antonio Fernandez (King Tone) King Tone’s Diary 17. Yaki (James Sayles) Let’s “Gang-Up” on Oppression: Youth Organizations and the Struggle for Power in Oppressed Communities 18. Mumia Abu-Jamal A Life Lived, Deliberately 1V, Dialogues in Resistance (Interviews) 19. Charles Baxter, Wayne Brown, Tony Chatman-Bey, H. B. Joknson Jr, Mark Medley, Donald Thontpson, Selvyn Tillet, and Jobn Woodland Jr (with Drew Leder) Live from the Panopticon: Architecture and Power Revisited 20. Angela Y. Davis (with Leslie DiBenedetto) On Prisons and Prisoners 91 93 99 101 13 15 7 9 133 135 451 193 161 167 169 173 175 195 197 205 207 27 Contents 21. George Jackson (with Karen Wald) An Interview with George Jackson 22, Geronimo ji Jaga (Ehner Pratt) (with Heike Kleffnuer) ‘The Black Panthers: An Interview with Geronimo ji Jaga Pratt 23. Viet Mike Ngo (with Dylan Rodriguez) *You Have to be Intimate with Your Despair”: A Conversati with Viet Mike Ngo (San Quentin State Prison, E21895) 24, Marilyn Buck and Laura Whiteborn (with Susie Day) Cruel But Not Unusual—The Punishment of Women in US. Prisons 25, Shaka Sankofa (Gary Graham) (with Larvester Gaither) An Interview with Shake Sankofa (Gary Graham) 26. Alan Berkman Engaged in Life: Alan Berkman on Prison Health Care (as told to Susie Day} 27, Philip Berrigan (with Amy Goodman and Jeremy Scabill) “It's Too Bad the Soil Couldn't Cry Out from the Blood Shed Upon It” Appendix 1: The Attica Liberation Faction Manifesto of Demands and Anti-Depression Platform Appendix 2: David Gilbert Attica—Thirty Years Later Selected Bibliography About the Editor Index xi 227 29 235 237 247 249 253 261 275 277 287 28s 298 297 30: 311 31: ar 32: 32: Introduction: Democracy and Captivity Joy James Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as 2 punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist ‘within the United States, or any place subject to thet jurisdiction, ‘—Thineenth Amendment, Section 1, U.S. Constitution [he post-Civil War southern system of convict lease . . . eanslerred symbolically significant numbers of black people from the prison of slav- ery tothe slavery of prison. Angela ¥. Davis ‘Asa slave, the social phenomenon that engages my whole consciousness is, of course, revolution. —Ceorge Jackson “What Is in a Name? From its origins as a democratic slave state or a slave democracy into its ‘current manifestations as a penal democracy, the United States of America _ has produced a wealth of writings constituting perhaps the world’s largest collection of (neo)slave literature. A singular achievement. This literary productivity will continue given that the United States has che greatest incarceration rate in the industrialized world-—estimated at about 2.5 mil- lion (counting children, nonlegalized immigrants, and the mentally disor- dered). Overwhelmingly, these detainees are poor and people of African, ‘Latino, Asian, and indigenous ancestry. The United States also possesses the technological means and wealth to record and to preserve (or censor and disappear) its captive/penal discourse as part of its vast warehouse of *(neo)slave narratives.”* © thank Brady Heiner, Dylan Rodeiguez, and Sharon Luk for their generosity in critiquing drafis ofthis reflection on democracy and captivity, xxi vail Joy James ‘The above epigraphs are part of the abolitionist literature that exists as subcategories of a genre that [ identify as “(nco)slave narratives.” (NeojSlave narratives emerge from the combative discourse of the captive as well as the controlling discourse of the “master” state. (NNeo)Slave nar- ratives focus on the punitive incarceration and containment of designated peoples in the United States (and its “territories,” such as the prisons at Guantnamo Bay in Cuba and Abu Ghraib in Iraq). Here, I focus on three categories of (neo)slave narratives: those of the “master-state”, those of the nonincarcerated abolitionist and advocate; and those of the “prisoner. slave.” Ideologically, these narratives range from conservative and! liberal to radical and revolutionary. The above epigraphs proffer fragments of abolitionist (neo}slave narratives that clash in ideology and political abjec- tive as they seek to alter the reality of enslavement in the United States. (Narratives shaping penaVslave democracies intend different, and at times, complementary or contradictory, abolitionisms; among African Americans, the most intensely policed in the United States, [neolslave narratives pos- sess no uniform ideology.2) OF the state narratives, the most significant to this discussion is the Thirteenth Amendment to the US. Constitution. The Thirteenth Amend- ‘ment ensnares as it emancipates. In fact, it fanctions as an enslaving anti- enslavement narrative. In contradistinction, slain prison rebel, author, and theorist George Jackson—his 1971 death at the hands of California prison guards would spark New York’s Attica rebellion weeks later—calls into ‘question the very right of the state (as master) to exist. In abolitionists’ insucrectionary narratives, such as those offered by Jackson, what is sought is not the mere abolition of penal captivity or slavery, but the aboli- tion of all masters, including the state-as-master or master-state. Not all abolitionists seek the same “freedoms” or even freedom at all.! Some seck management and containment of social or state violence. At times, both a visionary freedom and an immediate emancipation are sought, Advocacy abolitionism and its narratives by nonprisoners—like state narratives—grant only “emancipation.” Neither advocacy abolitionism nor state abolitionism can control or create “freedom” for the captive ‘These terms cannot be fully explored here. Yet, we can note that despite the common assertion that “Lincoln ‘freed’ the slaves,” the President issued proclamation and legislation to establish emancipated people. Emancipation is given by the dominant, it being a legal, contractual, and social agreement. Freedom is taken and created. It exists a5 a right against the captor and/or enslaver and a practice shared in community by the sub- ordinate captives. (In fact, as W. E. B. DuBois notes in Black Reconstrxc- tion, some 200,000 African Americans fought in the Civil War—for Introduction xxii emancipation and freedom.) Freedom is an ontological status—only the individual or collective—and perhaps a god—can create freedom. Narratives by penal slaves scck and demand freedom (no matter for how limited a time, in what limited space).® However, penal captives or slaves conditioned by the state can sec freedom and emancipation as one and the same. As a consequence, not all penal slave narratives offer new visions of freedom. Some yearn for emancipation (parole, clemency) but not freedom (liberation from racial, economic, gender repression) and the political agency and risk-taking that could realize it. Racially fashioned enslavement shares similar features with racially {fashioned incarceration. Plantations, historically, were penal sites—prisons for the exploitation of agricultural, domestic, and industrial labor and the

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