ECONOMIC SANCTIONS AGAINST RACISM IN AMERICA
by Sharika Unganisha
Even though we may feel powerless and helpless-which is only
a state of mind-STAC (Stop Targeting the Afrikan Community)/SAFC (Sundiata
Acoli Freedom Campaign) is appealing to all grassroots organizations to
put our petty differences aside and work toward our survival here in North
Amerika by economic sanctions against racism.
Why economic sanctions? It's simple, it's effective, and it's the only language
the oppressor understands. We write letters, fax letters, make phone calls,
demonstrate, hold press conferences-all of these forms of
protest are correct and must be done-but the U.S. government is not moved
by these actions; therefore, we must take our struggle to the next level.
The only time Afrikans in Amerika ever got the U.S. government's attention
was when we withheld our moneys. Why do you think the U.S. government uses
economic sanctions against other countries? To force them to do what the
U.S. government wants them to do!
We have used economic sanctions throughout our struggle for liberation in
North Amerika. In the 1890s, when some Afrikans refused to buy from White
merchants due to high prices and unfair practices, brothas and sistas were
forced to do business with one another and poor White farmers. This became
known as the "Populace Movement."
In the 1950s, the Montgomery Bus Boycott occurred when Sista Rosa Parks
refused to give her seat to a redneck simply because she was an Afrikan.
During this era, there were times when we existed under inhuman conditions,
which forced us to turn to one another because we had no other choice. We
are at this crossroad again.
In the 1980s, we implemented economic sanctions against Dillards, Macy's,
and Anheuser-Busch because of their racist employment practices.
In the 1990s, economic sanctions were implemented against Florida's tourist
industry.
Our conditions are getting worse, not better. Afrikans and other people
of color and poor Whites will not be able to take our pleas of injustices
to the courts because the U.S. government is passing laws where the government
will determine whether your suit will be heard in their courts or not by
labeling suits frivolous. Once you enter the courts, if you lose, you pay
all expenses. If you win, you are limited to $250,000.
Economic sanctions are the only successful tool we as an oppressed people
can use to fight against our oppression. Economic sanctions are a non-violent,
progressive, and aggressive form of resistance, and everyone can participate
on some level.
First, we must choose and research our targets because corporations are
interconnected (e.g. Pepsi/Taco Bell/KFC); therefore it pays to know who
is connected to whom.
Next we choose an issue to form our economic sanctions around (e.g. the
death penalty). Remember, this is economic sanctions against racism, so
the door is open.
Now we list our demands. Our demands should not only be about working on
massa's plantation. We are struggling on behalf of the generations here
today and those that are yet unborn.
While we are withholding our moneys, let's start our own liberation schools,
skills-training programs for our children, communal day-care, communal gardens,
and financial institutions. My point is, let's do for ourselves.
Let's begin to discuss economic sanctions and issues, targets and demands
among different grassroots organizations and churches. Let's share information
and the work that needs to be done to ensure our survival. STAC/SAFC will
announce the date of the economic sanctions conference.
Please feel free to contact Shiriki Unganisha, STAC/SAFC at
P.O. Box 5161, Kansas City, MO 64132
NCX Feb/Mar 1996