Repressive Laws, Mass Incarceration, And Imperialism:
Editor's Note: The following article is from the Jan-April 2006 issue of La Verdad, political organ of Unión del Barrio
For over 25 years, Unión del Barrio has express its position that all issues relating to the oppression of Raza, as well as all colonized and neo-colonized people throughout the world is concentrated within the question of Capitalism and Imperialism (capitalist globalization). We, along with other liberation movements within the belly of the beast (United States), most notably, the African People's Socialist Party (APSP), have struggled to informed as many people as possible that there is a concrete relationship between the oppression and suffering of the great majority of the people on planet earth and the policies of Global Capitalism (Imperialism).
Moreover, we have attempted to win over people to the understanding that capitalist-imperialist oppression of the masses would not exist without the presence of repressive laws and the Prison Industrial Complex (PIC). The robbery of the oppressed nations' resources, exploitation of their labor, and the ecological destruction of earth by the capitalists-imperialists, is predicated upon the existence of neocolonialism, private armies (the military and police) and concentration camps (prisons, detention centers, etc.). [1]
Our goal in exposing the workings of capitalism-imperialism has been to bring clarity to what really forms the basis of our oppression and to utilize this knowledge to develop and implement strategies that will fundamentally change the dynamics (situation) that exist between the oppressor and the oppressed. Subsequently, we have organized hundreds of workshops and published numerous articles and documents as a means of realizing this goal.
BORDERS WERE CREATED BY THE IMPERIALISTS
As Marx has so correctly observed, “The discovery of gold and silver in America, the extirpation, enslavement and entombment in mines of the aboriginal [indigenous] population, the beginning of the conquest and looting of the East Indies, the turning of Africa into a warren for the commercial hunting of black skins, signalized the rosy dawn of the era of capitalist production.” [3]
The past 500 years of history have taught us that repressive laws and prisons have been necessary consequences and by-products of slavery and colonialism, as they are the principle instruments by which to maintain the oppression of Africans, Native Americans/Mexicans, and Asians, and it is under this historical context in which they exist today. It is also within this context in which we find the social, political, economic, and ecological crisis facing the great majority of the people in the world.
EVERY MAJOR EVIL IN THE WORLD IS FORCED UPON THE MASSES BY THE RICH CAPITALIST PIGS
Neocolonialism has been imperialism's system of choice and has been imposed throughout the world, including upon the oppressed nations here in Occupied America (United States). Neocolonialism is a system where the imperialist, unable to rule directly, place their black, brown, yellow flunkies (neo-colonialists) to govern on their behalf. It tricks people into thinking that they are free and independent and thus cover up the work of the imperialists. Mass demonstrations are organized by the neo-colonialists as a way of keeping wealth and prestige they get from their association to the ruling class and to fool the people into thinking that they are some kind of righteous leaders fighting for the interests of the working class, poor, and oppressed.
Likewise, one doesn't have to look very deep to see that laws such as HR 4437, which is being considered by the U.S. Senate, a law which will automatically convert millions of people, so-called “illegal aliens” and those who help them, whether they are family members, friends, social workers, teachers, medical workers, and so forth, into criminals to be hunted down like dogs and imprisoned. But not only do we find HR 4437 in the policies of capitalist ruling elite, but also the Three Strike Law (life in prison for committing a third crime, no matter how petty it is), Anti-Gang Injunctions, where youth in whole sections of the community are branded criminals whose democratic rights are not to be respected, and the Patriot Act -which makes anyone who questions government policy targets of surveillance, harassment, and arrest without any type of legal due process. Because of this, we say that fascism is alive and well inside the current borders of the United States.
THE POOR AND OPPRESSED NATIONALITIES MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF THOSE INCARCERATED WITHIN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST (UNITED STATES)
Who makes up the great majority of those incarceration? It is the poor, oppressed nationalities (Mexican-Indigenous/Native Americans and African people), and youth (those mostly like to rebel). The reality is that in the not to distant future, as a result of the fascist and anti-democratic nature of capitalism and imperialism, those who are not locked up or have had served time in prison, will be a minority.
In a effort to tie the question of prisons to the current anti-immigrant hysteria, the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project (CMPP) presented the following statement at a conference organized by the Raza Rights Coalition:
“Recently implemented anti-immigration laws have created an oppressive and brutal existence for Raza who don't have the 'documents' demanded of them by the U.S. Colonial-Occupation government. These laws range from refusing to provide schooling for children, health services, drivers licenses, court appointed/public attorneys, -to deportation for wide range of criminal convictions (even if they have served their sentences or are not a danger to society).'
“As a result, hundreds of thousands, men, women, and children are jailed or detained throughout Occupied America. Most have been locked up (and deported) without a benefit of a trial or seeing a judge, or having an opportunity to talk to a lawyer.'
“The great majority of those have been arrested through raids (redadas) in the workplace, while shopping at the market, coming to or from school, attending church services, or at “street check points” in the neighborhoods in which they live.'
“The new so-called “Immigration Laws” have also affected many “documented” Raza. Those who have been imprisoned, upon release from serving a felony are immediately deported. Thousands have been have been stripped of their “legal status” (proper colonial documents) and deported for crimes they committed many years ago and who have since been exemplary citizens. Most grew up in United States, and know of no other life.” [5]
PRISONS AND POLICE ARE A SOCIAL INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR THE RICH
The torture, beatings, cold blooded murder by sadistic guards following “orders”, which were publicized widely by the media, are nothing new or limited to prisons in the U.S. occupied Iraq (Abu Ghraib) and in Cuba (Guantanamo Bay). In fact, the brutalization of prisoners is as “American” (European) as “ apple pie”, something practice for centuries on Indigenous and African people. The reality is that today, terrible inhumane conditions exist in every prison: rape, the torture of the SHU (Security Housing Unit) cells, early death caused by lack of medical care, guard brutality (physical and psychological), and prisoner on prisoner violence, are daily occurrences.
The role of the capitalist-imperialist media must also be understood, as the PIC and imperialism would not exist without the mass stupefication the masses through the lies and deceptions of the media. It is clear that the propaganda institutions of global capitalism work 24 hours a day, all year round working hard to keep the masses stupefied, while at the same time getting them to think they are smart. [6] It here, in the propaganda produced by the mainstream mass media where we find the answer to why so many U.S. Europeans and colonized are so confused and actually work against their own interest and support the policies of the thieving and murdering ruling class. It is from the propaganda of the mass media where we find so many people who are able to support wars of U.S. aggression, racism, and anti-immigrant hysteria.
In order to challenge and defeat capitalism-imperialism, those organizing for real and fundamental change must think critically and organized into an effective force. The leadership and activists involved in our struggle must think “outside the box”. We can't let imperialism dictate the terms of debate, set the framework for our analysis, or impose parameters on our struggle. The question should not be posed as one of “we do not need prisons” -but rather one in which we propose that we “free the oppressed and jail the oppressor”. Or one that addresses the questions of immigration with “no human is an illegal alien” -to one that states that the “only illegal alien are the racist Europeans who killed the native people, enslaved Africans, and colonially oppressed the nations of the world”.
WE MUST ORGANIZE THE PEOPLE TO FIGHT FOR THEIR OWN INTERESTS
To achieve this means, Unión del Barrio has dedicated itself to organizing several community based human rights organizations, the Chicano Mexicano Prison Project, the Comite de Mujeres Patricia Marin, Labor Committee, and Somos Raza Youth Project. Through these mass based formations Union del Barrio works to organized the people to fight for their interests and real fundamental change.
We also work hard to unite with progressive forces such as MEChA, Brown Berets, FUPA (Frente Unida de Pueblos de America), Barrio Defense Committee, and others, to forged a movement that will some day produce the organization that our struggle so desperately needs.
Alongside of our unity work, we also waged struggle against the neo-colonialists (the vendidos and uncle toms) who have betrayed our people and work hand in hand with the racist ruling classes to keep our people oppressed and disunited. We have also criticized those who claim to be “Chicano Activists” yet rarely leave the safety of the cafe, art gallery-studio, or the university office. To those offended by our criticisms we say, “if the shoe fits wear it.” And if the shoe doesn't fit, join us in the struggle.
As our camarada-sister, Assata Shakur has warned us, “Never in our history has critical resistance to the status quo been more important. The growth of the Prison Industrial Complex has been appallingly rapid and the escalating repression that has accompanied is totally alarming. What kind of future lies ahead of us?...If we don't destroy it, it will destroy us”. [7]
Hasta La Victoria -Siempre!
NOTES:
Central to understanding the question of colonialism and all forms of oppression is understanding how history defines who we, as Mexicanos, are. In response to this question, in 2004 we wrote, “We are an indigenous people to the continent known as America, whose oppression began over 500 years ago when the first Europeans came to our shores to plunder the resources of our people and exploit our labor. It is important to note that the imposition of borders themselves were created by European imperialists as a means to divide and conquer, therefore creating distinctions never before seen among our peoples.” [2}
Endless documentation exist that demonstrates that the imperialist looting of the world has led to genocide, mass unemployment and poverty, dislocation and forced relocation (migrations) of whole communities, ecological catastrophe, growing imposition of fascist and neo-colonialist governments under the guise of democracy, continuous wars of conquest, overthrowing of progressive governments, assassinations, repressive and racist laws, and the growing incarceration of poor people. In fact, every major evil in the world today is centered around the policies forced upon the masses by a small ruling elite of rich capitalist pigs.
These anti-democratic, fascist polices include the use of the FBI and the CIA in assassinations, arrests of activists, and spying on grassroots organizations. This includes the expansion of the Prison Industrial Complex and the police needed to arrest and keep people locked-up. Proof of this growing police state and the implementation of repressive laws is that fact that during the last three decades, the incarceration rate in the United States (Belly of the Beast) has grown from 300,000 to over 2,000,000 today. [4]
Therefore, the PIC is nothing less than a social insurance and protection program to enable the racist ruling class to continue with the exploitation of the world's people and its resources. Recently, we articulated this particularly point by stating, “The truth is that the main objective of prisons is to keep under control (and colonized) the oppressed nationalities and at the same time bring billions of dollars of profits to construction and utility companies, judges, D.A.s, prison officials, corrupt politicians, and so forth.” [6]
The answer to our liberation, and that of all oppressed people, lies in building an organization of disciplined, informed, and organized cadre who will be the front lines of struggle and lead the masses to victory.
[1] “The World Trade Organization and the Prison Industrial Complex”. At, www.prisonactivist.org
[2] From “On The Question of Migration and the Struggle for Mexican Liberation, presented at the Internal League of People's Struggle”, Second International Assembly, Eindhoven, Netherlands, Nov. 10-14, 2004, by Unión del Barrio.
[3] As quoted in The Road to Socialism is Painted Black, Omali Yeshitela, Chairman of the African People's Socialist Party.
[4] See article “Prisons and Imperialism”, by Monica Moorhead, Oct. 30, 2003, Workers World newspaper.
[5] Presented at the pre-marcha Raza Rights Coalition Foro on Oct. 1, 2004, San Ysidro, CA., titled “Question of Prisons, Mass Incarceration of Raza, and The Militarization of The Border”, Chicano Mexicano Prison Project.
[6] Commentary by Antonio Velasquez, Raza Press Association meeting, March 19, 2006, Oxnard, CA.
[7] Read, “The Prison Industrial Complex”, by Assata Shakur, Sept. 25, 1998, Havana, Cuba.