All Lives Matter Panel Questions

1. Many inmates were reluctant to participate in the All Lives
Matter seminar and expressed their concern about the appearanee.
‘They said If "all lives mattored" why are minority lives being
targeted more than any other races? What would you like to say to
them?

Answer: The short answer to that is yes, all lives do
matter, but not to those in authority and the system is
(and always has been) pro-slavery oriented. Even to this
day, slavery Is the bedrock concept of the Constitution.
Insanely enough, slavery is the linchpin of our so-called
“legal” system. Systemic racism is the endless reality.
The further you get Into the Incarceration juggemaut, the
blacker the skin on those being made to pay so
horrifically get. How else can you expect young black
men and women to feel, as they see the endless conveyor
belt to the prisons?

Chicago Is a great example. The first Mayor Daley
was a gang tough and participated in the racism pogrom,
known as the "1919 Race Riots." White gangs of
politically connected thugs and murderers were
considered "athletic clubs." The black gangs, such as the
Conservative Vice Lords, were not assimilated into the
power structure, like Daley's Irish gang, but rather, killed,
brutalized and imprisoned. Any attempt, such as by Fred
Hampton, Sr. to "politicize" the gangs and include them in
the genuine social life of the city, was met with lies and
brutality.

Much money is to be made by the industry of mass
incarceration. The actual housing of inmates, paid for
(usually) by taxpayers, is expensive, yet sure to be
covered. Guards make good salaries with benefits and
pensions. They actually do very little, because the slave
laborers (prisoners) are forced to do most of the actual
work in prisons. Their main Jjob Is to be the face of
repressive authority and reinforce the sense of
hopelessness and pointiessness constantly being felt by
prisoners. It's no wonder prisons allow for endless z
television, yet are particularly sensitive to certain reading
material.

A doclle, alienated, uneducated, constantly humiliated
and harassed group of hyper-encaged men (or women) is
much easier to control than a consclous group of men or
women. We have to get out of the mindset that anything
the government does is legitimate, truthful or moral - or
necessary for our survival, much less our ability to grow
and thrive. We must come to understand that everything
depends upon our own efforts.

It's been said that Albert Einstein only used 5% of his
brain. We are all geniuses In walting. The trick is to self-
educate ourselves to the point where despalr and lethargy
are transcended and genuine consclous pro-active
behavior evolves. This takes an enormous effort of
transforming oneself on every level. You must learn to
trust and love yourself and make this "self" a dynamic
motivating voice for spearheading the work that is each
and every one of our destiny and calling. Malcolm X said
people won't move until they discover their humanity.
Every person has unique talents and interests. But, like
everything else, to actualize such things takes practice,
focus and concentration. You can't be afraid to fail. 90%
of lack of success in life Is inertia. People can't find a way
to get off the dime. They are stuck and fall back on
simple excuses. Find the courage to trust yourself to go
into the unknown! When you have these epiphanies and
take steps forward, you will shed your cynicism and
despairing bitterness and fatalism. Yesterday's gone, but
today and tomorrow are possible. Find examples of
people who did cross the "fear line" and made manly men
of themselves! Find women, who staod up to a racist
system and never wavered in their dedication. You too,
can become something awesome and important and
meaningful to others. I'm not a religlous person, but to
me, "everlasting life" is how those that come after you
remember you as.
2. In Chicago, there have been over 500 shooting
this year, in Detroit, Flint, and Ypsilanti, crime has
always been a problem, which is a major problem
for people everywhere and should raise more
attention than it has gotten. When a minority is
killed by another race or police, people are 2
outraged, they march, they protest, and it's
broadcast on TV. Why are people not calling and
bringing attention to the violence in our
neighborhoods and not just as outraged at black on
black crimes?

Answer: Well, I'm close to Chicago and I see the
slaughter on the local news every night. It's well over
600 people have been killed In Chicago so far this year
and three thousand wounded by gunfire, so far this year!
Criminality - at least street level criminality - is a direct
function of economic desperation, racist policing, mass
incarceration (and its threat) physical displacement, such
as razing housing projects and forcing people onto other
peoples’ “turf" and other factors. Destitution is felt by
many, most acutely by those in the militarily occupied
inner ghettos.

As well, groups of people do protest "black on black
crime" but you wouldn't know it by the nightly news. A
lot of good community activity Is never publicized. Only
the sensational seems to make the mainstream media.
Why? Money, mostly. "Do gooders" are boring and
ratings are what brings in the revenue. Once again, look
into history for examples of people, who faced supposedly
impossible odds to succeed, who persevered and made a

genuinely positive impact on the lives of those around
them.

The educational system is run by the government. Is
it any wonder that nobody has ever been told about the
reallties of slavery, abolitionism or the attempts at
freedom and revolt towards this slave system? Just like
back In chattel slavery times, It Is basically illegal to
genuinely educate the siaves of today. For real
education, leads to understanding and the awakening of
the humanity that Malcolm X spoke about. In short, it
revolutionizes people, makes their lives meaningful and
begins to tear down the decrepit facade of the lie-based
system of slavery touted as "freedom" and "democracy."

People need to reclaim their own space - their homes
and neighborhoods. Would the Jews in the Warsaw
ghetto rely on the "authority" of their Nazi captors who
were intent on destroying them? We must develop self-
sufficiency in everything we do. It's a question of
priorities. Do you want to live a pointless and dangerous
life as a "gangsta” - kill and be killed, which is just a
mirror image of the real gangsters that run the federal
government and terrorize the world and run a vast gulag
system, here at home? OR! Do you want to stand up,
put your contributions into the mix - in your own way -
and, as Franz Fanon said, take your rightful place as a
generation pushing real change? Happiness, satisfaction,
and the “doing" of participatory action are what the days
and weeks of life hold in store for you. Fear and excuses
are replaced by powerful thinking and the bringing to life
of the idea of creating peace and freedom in a soclal sea
of rebuilding community. Don't sell yourself short no
matter what situation you may find yourself confronted
with. In a world where you can't trust anybody, who else
but yourself, should you turn to, whenever you need
someone who is for real?

3. The police threatened to boycott Beyonce
because of her tribute to Black Lives Matter. They
threatened to not provide protection for the San
Francisco 49'ers because Colin Kaepernick refused
to stand for the National Anthem. In light of these
well publicized ‘events, both society and the prison
community have become divided over their
positions on ethics and values -concerning the Black
Lives Matter movement versus support for law
enforcement. What suggestions and/or plans do

you have to bridge the gap between this ohvious
divide.
Answer: The police are supposed to be an agency of
government, ostensibly "controlled” by the political <~
authorities, but they act as a separate force, as
exemplified by thelr recent threats not to do they jobs,
due to political disagreements. It is not up to the police
to decide what is appropriate political activity and
withhold their alleged services to certain people.
Everybody pays for them, via forced taxation, so their
threats seem to me to be a sort of societal
insubordination. Can you imagine If the fire department
or the Secretary of State workers decided to withhold
services in such a manner? Like the police do to so-called
"gangbangers" they'd round up the "ringleaders” and
prosecute them severely?

This shows the lack of accountability that the system
has, particularly their law enforcement arm. I saw in
yesterday's Chicago Tribune, on the front page. It said
there were 125,000 complaints against 25,000 Chicago
cops over the last several years. Some cops had over
100 complaints apiece! But was there ever any real
repercussions for their dreadful behavior? Everyone
knows there wasn't. Rarely does a cop get fired. When
people are killed by cops, rarely Is it ever even brought to
a criminal charge. Sometimes, victim's families receive a
settiement, but it is never out of the pockets of the cops
who did the killing. It's just taxpayer money.

The flag has come to mean aggressive warfare abroad
and police statism at home. It doesn't represent the
"People” at all, but rather the deadly behavior of
government, at home and abroad. Not standing for the
flag or the National Anthem Is a very harmless protest.
Standing In solidarity with young Black men who are
threatened by the carceral state is a positive thing, in my
opinion.

1 feel like "law enforcement" Is the most dangerous
"gang” of alll They are gun-wielders who are allowed to
shoot, beat, kidnap and loot the possessions of people. It
seems like every week, some poor soul is finally released
after decades of false imprisonment for something,
having been convicted on forced "confessions" doctored
testimony and etc. Who else does this and gets away
with it? Nobody!

1 don't feel that Incarceration Is a positive thing. It
makes matters much worse! There are better alternative
remedies for aberrant behavior that don't destroy the
lives of the so-called "criminals.” Why are these
settlements wrbngfully convicted people so high? It is
because incarceration is such a heinous penalty to give a
person, whether they are guilty of the "crime” or not.
More than half of prisoners are Incarcerated for non-
violent drug violations. I don't think they deserve such
hideous suffering for this activity. 95% of prisoners
eventually return to society, but what awaits them? They
have been permanently deemed 2nd class citizens, not
allowed to vote, get many jobs, get money for schooling
or housing. How is such a person supposed to function in
this extreme environment? No wonder so many people
are subject to recidivism. With no educational programs,
vocational programs, drug rehab programs or even
reorientation to soclety programs, how are excons
supposed to act in the rapidly changing world around
them after years of isolation in some miserable prison?

People in the inner ghettos have a difficult go of it.
The police treat them dreadfully and often, so do the local
gangs. But, anything you say to the cops can and often
Is used against you. People are in survival mode and
don't want to be menaced by the gangs or the cops. You
really can't blame them. The authorities aiways side with
the cops, as does the mainstream media and etc. As I've
said earlier, people need to rely on themselves and those
around them, which is really why the gangs are so
prevalent - they are In survival mode, tool Without real
prospects, opportunities, jobs and so forth, how are they
supposed to exist, much less "thrive?"

Things are so locked down an the "outs" as well as.
inside the prisons, there is no chance for real solutions,
such as community-controlled enforcement of aberrant
behavior. The system Is totally top-down and any real
attempt to make it people-oriented is handled violently by
the authorities. So, until enough people come to a
genuinely autonomous mindset and the will to implement
real solutions, we will be stuck in this mess of endless
arresting of people, mass incarceration and the increasing
nastiness of a surveillance/police state.

At least we still have our right to "free speech” even
though when exercised, you may put yourself in danger
with the authorities. I have issues with the agenda of
Black Lives Matter, but I believe it is still a valuable
contribution to the tortured social debates of today. I
believe W.E.B. DuBols was correct, when he said at the
tumn of the 20th Century, that race was the main issue for
the future. Itstill is. The water fountains and bathrooms
may no longer be segregated, it's just that now, we all
share them in prison, with Afrikans being several more
times likely to be stuck there than so-called “whites."
Being a cop is a personal choice. Belng Black is not. I
side with the oppressed, every single time!

4. It has been widely debated that inner-city youth
of minority are regarded with suspicion and fear by
police. What can we do to change this perception
and if nothing, why? What steps should police take
to change the perception that they're against
minorities and always suspect the worst from
them?

Answer: The portrayal of young Black men as
“dangerous” is drummed into all of us every single day.
Just watch the daily news. Only "street crime” is
reported. You never hear about the daily plunder meted
out by corporations or military forces killing and maiming
people. People are not taught the true history of this
nation - the reality of centuries of slavery, the systemic
racism, the stunted lives of so many people. Ghetto kids
have parents and other relatives in prison, many more
times that of others. This makes them much more likely
to end up in prison themselves. Some go through a
prison training program known here In Chicago as DCFS.
Brutalized throughout their youth, even the schools track
them to the Big House. How do you expect a whole
people to act? How are they supposed to be docile and
friendly to the cops and white society at large? They are
reacting to their reality.

1 don't really think cops are “afraid" of Afrikan kids,
but white Amefica sure is. Chicago Is very segregated
and It is the cops who enforce that reality. Blacks kids
don't want to be doomed to being endlessly hassled,
beaten, shot at and incarcerated by cops - or other
people. What should they do? Escape to Canada??? We
have to stop lying to ourselves and just think this is a
“free country” and If young destitute Afrikan people don't
like the way things are, they must be “criminally-
minded."

As for steps police should do to right things, I'd like to
see the police forces disbanded - de-escalate the war!
But, we all know, that's not going to happen, so we are
stuck with a real mess, sort of like the Israeli-Palestinian
nightmare, where the Israelis hold an entire people in a
sort of gigantic prison.

5. Most inmates and civilians in society believe that
prisoners are not getting the proper programming
to function productively in society. What training
or programs would you suggest that inmates need
from staff or outside influences to reach their full
potential?

For most all-inmates, useful programs have been
eliminated, as a cost-cutting move or to make the
institution more "secure” or as just punishment. Prisons
are not “rehabilitation centers" but rather, human
warehouses of vile treatment. Drug treatment for drug
addicts has proven far more valuable as a rehabilitative
measure than incarceration. Genuine educational
opportunities are few and far between, as are vocational
training. Some inmates work for for-profit corporations
or to run their prison, for little or no money. Laws are
stacked against them upon their return. Prison staff has
been hardened against them and very few really care 9
about their futures.

I think prisoners have to seek out education on their
own - self-education. Find resources and literature from
people on the "outs" who really do have their best
interests at heart. The best "tool" a person has to realize
their potential is the will to do sol Once a person resolves
to go it alone and rely upon themselves, all other
distractions and excuses can become irrelevant. Use your
time in the joint to develop your thinking. You can
actualize yourself, but it takes a total commitment to
yourself, by yourself. Nobody is going to make your life
what it can be, save for yourself! A few people really do
care about the lives of prisoners and try to help them, in
various ways. Find out who these people are and pick
their brains for valuable suggestions that you can
implement into your life.

Focus on what is important. You don't need a bunch
of money or possessions to have a meaningful life. Learn
to live frugally. Clothes can be had for next to nothing.
Learn to entertain yourself for nothing! Read, read and
read some more! Change your whole approach to life.
Simplify things and pursue your talents and interests in
service to humanity. This is the key to a fulfilling life!
Once you actually do become a positive to those around
you, love and appreciation with come back at you. Most
of all, you will appreciate yourself!

6. Most people believe they have a duty to help
others, but are left with the question of what is
their role to help prisoners and people in society.
What do you think is needed / required as a
collective community to get past our differences on
topics like discrimination, prejudice and culture?

Answer: Wow, that's a tough one! I think the system we
are living under has to be dismantled. The Constitution
to this day, sanctions the enslavernent - legally - of
prisoners! We are supposed to feel this is the most
sacred document on Earth! It is not! When slavery was
being fought, people had to oppose the government,
which allowed for such a vile system. The same is true
today! We are a dying empire. We cannot continue to go
around the world killing people, which the rich people in
power have diagreements with and expect a sane |,
domestic soclety!

What do people need? Collectives are needed, where
people can work for and with each other and share what
is produced, equally. We need genuinely fair
arrangements with other groups, where everyone's
culture and life is respected. We need to respond to
conflict with careful humanity and not knee-jerk violence.
We need to teach our children the brutal truth of history
and reality and infuse them with self-respect and love for
doing positive things, instead of lying and cheating them,
embittering them. We need a revolution of our approach
to reality. We need to question everything and disallow
the pandemic bullying of humanity that is rampant. We
need to discover our humanity and use our innate
intelligence to propel ourselves into doing things that
actually do help other people - with no strings attached.
We need to follow the "Golden Rule" in everything we do.
It's easy to just say, "be yourself.” But, how is that self
made to fully flower, when society does not want people
to be free thinking Individuals? I contend it is very
difficult but not impossible and everyone awes it to
themselves to cross that “fear line” and try, fall, try
again, many times over until your last breath. The
progress you make will be what your life was meant to be
about.

7. How do we begin the healing process from the
senseless violence and drugs that are eroding the

moral fibers of our community?
Answer: Well, we live in a violence-glorying soclety, from
the movies to revering people in military uniforms, violent
video games, toys - it seems our whole society is I
addicted to depictions of endless violence! The drugs and
violence and mistreatment of women so prominent in say,
gangsta rap, Is wildly popular, worldwide. Yeah, they
articulate the mean streets of the 'hood, and they talk
tough against the cops, but what is their solution? Bling
and money? Hell, the big corporations are the ones
raking in the dough these guys create for them! Very
little or anything goes back to the *hood.

What did the Panthers do, back in the day, before
they were executed and incarcerated? They set up
daycare centers, clinics, free breakfast and educational
programs. These things need to be re-created in every
neighborhood. Local control over local communities,
managed by real people who have earned the trust of
those around them, need to develop. Power must come
from the ground up. We need to get to a point, where
the welfare of complete strangers is as important to us as
the wellbeing of our own children. This will take a
complete change from how we are motivated to do
things, nowadays.

I've seen this type of dedication to humanist activity
in some degree in some people. It needs to be greatly
expanded. I have no trust or hope in the police, the
judicial system, the military or the political system to
“right the ship" that we are all sinking on, now. Each
person is ultimately responsible for themselves, but
defective humans overwhelm our society. We are just
like any other animal. If you treat a dog with love and
affection, you will have a good dog. If you brutalize that
dog, he will be mean. Everybne knows what is right and
what is unacceptable. We must be accountable for
ourselves - even in a society that laughs at such a thing!
"When we send our children to school they learn
nothing about us other than we used to be cotton pickers.
Why, your grandfather was Nat turner; your grandfather
was Toussaint L'Ouv 3rture; your grandfather was
Hannibal. It was yo.r grandfather's hands who forged
clvilization and it was your grandmother's hands who
rocked the cradle of civilization. But the textbooks teil
our children nothing.”

- MALCOLM X
June 28, 1964

Anthony Rayson

South Chicago ABC Zine Distro
P.0. Box 721
Homewood, IL 60430