CLASS VS. RACE
Ihave always had problems with the struggle for liberation of Afrikan People and other oppressed people of color being reclassified as a CLASS struggle only. This has never set right for me. I believe our struggle in this country and around the world is about RACE, has always been about RACE, and will continue to be about RACE.
Here is where CLASS does play a part. For capitalism to maintain itself, there must always be a CLASS of people that will be disenfranchised, and that class will always be the working poor. The working poor are those of us who sell our labor in order to maintain a roof over our heads, food on the table, education for our children, and clothes on our backs. This CLASS of people consists of all Races--Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, and White--yet this CLASS of people does not relate to one another because of RACE.
Even though White Amerikans are members of this class of working poor, this society reinforces them. They are still above the Black, Brown, Red, and Yellow peoples. Looking at Class vs. Race in this country, we must keep it in its historical context--the kidnapping and enslaving of Afrikans for life simply because they were/are looked upon as being less than human. White slaves who worked side by side with Afrikan slaves were free within five to seven years.
Is that Class or Race?
The lynchings that took place throughout Amerika--why weren't White Men chosen as targets for lynching parties?
Is that Class or Race?
The "Tuskegee Experiments" from 1932-1972 in which some 600 Afrikan Men were used as human guinea pigs to study the effects of syphilis--why weren't White Men chosen?
Is that Class or Race?
Most of the Killer Kop Epidemic across this country affects Afrikans and Latinos.
Is that Class or Race?
My point is, everything on this planet is predicated on RACE first. There are no decisions made by the White Power Structure, where RACE is not considered.
If RACE were not considered, all ethnic groups would have an equal opportunity for their share of institutionalized terrorism. I also believe the Class Struggle issue is no more than a red herring to keep from dealing with Amerika's greatest problem facing the 21st Century-THE "RACE PROBLEM." Many of our scholars, like W.E.B. DuBois, Carter G. Woodson, Dr. Clark, and Malcolm X , have spoken about Amerika's Race Problem. Even Bill "Slick Wee Wee" Clinton convened a panel on "Race Relations" in Amerika.
The challenge to White Amerika is to begin to search your hearts and souls and come to grips with Racism. Racism is about power and control, the dominant group imposing its will on those who have no power. Many White Amerikans believe that because you don't call Black people "niggas" and you can talk to us, you're not a Racist. I maintain ALL White people are Racist. You are not born Racist. You are taught to be Racist. You are born to Racist parents, live in aRacist society, go to Racist schools, look at Racist TV, and it's as natural as breathing, and this society helps to reinforce this.
I'm not saying ALL White people owned slaves; what I am saying is that ALL White people benefited from slavery then and benefit from it today. The Prison Industrial Complex is slavery 21st Century style. The kamps are built in rural White areas to invest in these depressed communities at the expense of Afrikans and other people of color.
White Amerikans must rise above their Racism and challenge the contradictions of their dear kountry. Stop getting your bowels in an uproar because someone calls you a Racist. Until the Afrikan Holocaust that took place on these shores (which is one of the greatest crimes against hue-manity), are dealt with, there can never be a healing in Amerika between the Races.
Our children deserve a better planet in which to live, love, and grow, and this will only happen when you and I come together in unity.
--Feel Free to call Sista Shiriki at (819) 333-9814, or write me at P.O. Box 320441, Kansas City, MO 64132 or email me: <Shiriki@gvi.net>