Black liberation assembly discusses theory & practice

The growing war on Black people was the impetus for the Black Liberation People’s Movement Assembly, held at the 2010 U.S. Social Forum in Detroit on June 24. The status and nature of the liberation movement and the move from theory to practice were part of the discussion.

In a packed room, participants from around the country dialogued to both create and share power towards rebuilding the Black movement. The host of the assembly was the Black Left Unity Network, which has also been actively engaged in the reparations movement for descendants of enslaved Africans and the demand for African-American self-determination.

The meeting gave priority to deepening the unity process in order to rebuild the movement. The struggle of African Americans for true democracy, liberation and revolutionary change was viewed as a part of a worldwide struggle against capitalism and imperialism.

Participants discussed how to better organize and mobilize mass-based power toward achieving self-determination and altering the balance of power. Solutions were explored to formulate a national framework that unites and aligns Black liberation forces with others in anti-imperialist movements in the U.S.

It was stressed that increased unity is essential, as no single Black organization is capable of mobilizing and recruiting the masses for building the power needed to wage an effective resistance to institutional and systemic racism and national oppression. The need for Black people to expand their rights in their own interest was emphasized.

The fragmentation of the movement, due to internal and external forces, was acknowledged. There was a sentiment that the existence, within the Black liberation movement, of different ideologies and approaches to achieving revolutionary power will have to be replaced by a more frank, honest, nonsectarian and active struggle, a common unity program, and a commitment to the struggle of the Black working class.

A more concerted effort to develop class consciousness was agreed upon. The danger of allowing the system to deliberately divide and conquer, having folks fighting over crumbs and resulting in unnecessary tensions and conflicts, was emphasized. It was agreed that much more strategizing is therefore necessary to build solidarity and alliances with other oppressed peoples and their struggles here and abroad. It was stated that immigrants are not responsible for the employment situation of African Americans.

The essential need for the inclusion of Black women in the liberation struggle was also mentioned, as women and children are the most affected by capitalism’s violence. The increase in women prisoners was noted as another important concern, as well as the need to give more attention to the issue of Black youth unemployment. Youth must be involved and informed about revolutionary politics.

Each panel member reiterated how critical the concerns of Black people are. African Americans have historically been, and continue to be one of the most exploited groups in the country, disproportionately bearing the brunt of the capitalist economic crisis. Therefore, it was stated that the Black working class must be strengthened and be at the vanguard of leadership in shaping demands, tactics and strategies that clarify the movement’s transformative revolutionary perspective.

Workers have to also rebuild and reorganize the trade union movement in the workplace, as well as see the big picture regarding what’s impacting their communities. An organizational network outside the Democratic Party must be formed in the process, since attacks on African Americans are increasing in this so-called “post-racial” society.

Blacks need to become independent domestically and internationally, it was stressed, and move from a position of weakness to a position of strength. Achieving power toward self determination and revolutionary change therefore requires increased efforts to analyze and challenge the racist capitalist and imperialist system in the U.S.

The issue of human rights — freedom, education, housing, jobs and decent wages, equal justice and protection under the law — was mentioned throughout the assembly. Fighting ruling-class power was stated as a continuing need. And the necessity of dismantling world capitalism was evidenced. Consensus was reached that folks need to know that a different society is an absolute necessity for the possibility of a better world.

All power to the people!