Some Practical Ideas for Panther Community Organizing By Tom “Big Warrior” Watts 8/30/14 The strategy of the United Panther Movement (UPM), led by the New Afrikan Black Panther Party Prison Chapter (NABPP-PC), is to; Transform the “Slave Pens of Oppression” into “Schools of Liberation” and the oppressed communities into base areas of cultural, social and political revolution in the context of building a “Worldwide United Front Against Capitalist-Imperialism, Racism and Repression.” How far we can go in transforming the prisons is dependent upon our transforming the oppressed communities into base areas of people’s power. But there is no limit to how far we can go in transforming the oppressed communities, other than the limits of the imaginations and creativity of the comrades and the masses. The main problem is – how to get started? An idea I’ve been kicking around in my head and sharing with comrades is to open up storefront neighborhood centers in the oppressed communities. Basically, organizing the people in a specific neighborhood, by going door to door to enlist support and renting an old store front in the neighborhood, equipping it with couches and chairs and perhaps a computer and a big screen, a coffee machine and even a refrigerator. The center could also be equipped with a literature table and even a small reading library. Various kinds of study groups could be organized out of the center, including English as a second language where applicable. The centers could hold regular rent parties, where a couple bucks are collected at the door and refreshments are served. Various types of clubs can be organized too, like a jogging club, where people meet at the center and go jogging together around the neighborhood. Centers can be named after local victims of police repression, and can serve as a base for a neighborhood cop watch program. They can also host a neighborhood tenants association, or an association of single parents, who can assist each other by sharing resources and practical and emotional support. Once a couple of centers have been opened in a community, an association of neighborhood centers can be formed to assist in the formation of centers in other neighborhoods or other communities. Many types of “Serve The People” survival programs can be organized in the communities, like the Panthers’ “Free Breakfast for Children Program,” free clinics, soup kitchens or free rides to visit prisoners. Vacant lots can be transformed into “People’s Parks” or free community gardens. For every problem a solution can be sought by organizing the people to be self-reliant and work together. Various types of co-ops can be organized, like a “People’s Lunch Counter” or a grocery co-op to buy foods in bulk and share them out. Comrades should do constant outreach to the communities, going door to door, passing out flyers and putting out community newsletters and newspapers. Panther comrades should consciously promote and teach revolutionary intercommunalism while working to uplift the communities and building the people’s sense of community and pride. When people need help, like moving a refrigerator, the comrades should jump to be of assistance. Capitalism is the enemy of community. It promotes individualism and alienation. Communities are based on cooperation and mutual assistance. “One for all and all for one,” should be our motto, and, “An injury to one is an injury to all!” “Agitation, Education and Organization” are our watchwords.
Posted on: Sat, 30 Aug 2014 11:28:07 +0000
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