Black Lives Matter Boston

As the Commonwealth of Massachusetts celebrates the new 'life without parole' ruling, organizers must reflect on these developments and their implications for our ongoing efforts. The life without parole (LWOP) ban has been extended to the age of 21, allowing for more leniency for emerging adults, it does not constitute the end of our work. While it’s good that lawmakers finally understand "young adults whose brains are not yet fully formed should not be stripped of the chance to rehabilitate and see a life beyond prison", LWOP remains a terrible practice that abolitionists and organizers alike have rejected since its inception. We acknowledge the opportunity for resentencing and a new life beyond prison for individuals like Sheldon Mattis. It is essential to assert the legitimacy of our justice claims independent of the system's acknowledgment. The criminal legal system does not inherently equate to justice. Throughout history this same system indicted the acts of many who oppose oppression and shed light on its contradictions. This development prompts us not only to advocate for the end of LWOP but also to delve into the historical and philosophical frameworks of justice. By studying these perspectives, we can utilize them as tools to dismantle oppression. Our focus should extend beyond the immediate viral moments on an issue, leveraging such moments to illuminate their broader impact on liberation. See David Walker's Appeal, Frederick Douglass' "The 4th of July to the Negro," WEB Du Bois' "Black Reconstruction," and Ida B. Wells' "Southern Horrors" for example which serve as valuable resources for understanding justice and addressing oppression regardless if its popular today or never. #organizers #criminallegalsystem #lwop #massincarceration #massconstitution #criminallegalsystem #davidwalkersappeal #frederickdouglass #thefourthofjulyto thenegro #webdubois #blackreconstruction #idabwells #southernhorrors" #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston

Last Thursday, the Massachusetts Supreme Court, in a 4–3 decision, ruled that individuals under the age of 21 cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The court deemed such sentences as "cruel or unusual punishment" under the Massachusetts Constitution. This decision opens avenues for individuals sentenced to life without parole while under 21 to present their cases before the state's parole board. Massachusetts takes the lead as the first state to prohibit life sentences without parole for those under 21, signaling a notable change in the state's approach to young offenders. This is indeed progress that we should take stock, study and develop. Further, it is our work to continue to push the advocacy beyond people under 21. This is a longstanding effort organizers, directly impacted folks and abolitionists alike have been pushing for scores. As we know the law has not yet caught up to the need. Legal professionals have been actively advocating for more than a decade to reform how the state's criminal legal system handles young offenders. Analysis of Department of Correction data by the Criminal Justice Institute at Harvard Law School reveals that out of the 1,008 individuals serving life without parole in Massachusetts prisons in 2022, approximately one-fifth were aged 18 to 20 at the time of their offenses. The exact number eligible for immediate parole awaits a final calculation by the state's parole board. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eHfxJxev #lwop #pipelinestoincarceration #juvenile #massincarceration #massconstitution #sjc #criminallegalsystem #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston

In 2013, the Massachusetts Supreme Court determined that individuals below the age of 18 could not be subjected to a life sentence without parole. The court highlighted the challenge of proving a juvenile offender as 'irretrievably depraved,' deeming such sentences cruel or unusual for juveniles in any scenario.  This precedent was established in the case of Commonwealth vs. Sheldon Mattis. Mattis, convicted of the murder of Jaivon Blake at 18, was handed a life without parole sentence, while his co-defendant, aged 17, received a 15-year sentence. The recent decision, expanding the age limit to 21, mandates a reassessment of Mattis' case for resentencing. Additionally, it offers an opportunity for individuals serving life without parole in Massachusetts prisons to bring forth their cases before the state's parole board.  #schooltoprisonpipeline #juvenile #lwop #criminallegalsystem #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston

A collective autobiography of the New York Panther 21, an infamous conspiracy case that highlighted government repression of Black liberation activists during the 1960s and 1970s. 
Look For Me in the Whirlwind was co-written by surviving members of the 21: Sekou Odinga (who recently passed), Dhoruba Bin Wahad, Jamal Joseph, and Shaba Om, and shares a collective autobiography of the 21. Also included in the re-printed edition are new essays by still-imprisoned Mumia Abu-Jamal, Imam Jamil Al-Amin, and Sundiata Acoli; poetry and prose from Afeni Shakur, Kuwasi Balagoon, Ali Bey Hassan; and Michael “Cetewayo” Tabor, and a historical essay and lyrics from Panther leader and jazz master Bilal Sunni-Ali. The new edition shares why the Black Panther struggle is still relevant today. The book provides a firsthand account of their experiences as members of the Black Panther Party (BPP) and the Black Liberation Army (BLA) during the late 1960s and 1970s. Derived from a speech by Marcus Garvey, a prominent figure in the Black nationalist movement. The book covers their activism, the challenges they faced, and their perspectives on the social and political climate of the time. It delves into issues such as systemic racism, police brutality, and the struggles for justice and equality. The narrative also addresses the legal battles they faced, including being wrongfully accused and imprisoned. #lookformeinthewhirlwind #sekouodinga #dhorubabinwahad #jamaljoseph #shabaom #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston

Please join us in honoring our Baba Sekou Odinga as he joined the ancestors on January 12, 2024. He was 79 years old. Baba Sekou was a BLM Boston mentor, comrade, and board member—he led by example, showing us why elders are so important to our community as we fight together for liberation. He brought a wealth of historical knowledge and shared his firsthand account of the past, and was always generous with his time, guidance, and wisdom. He was passionate about helping our revolutionaries navigate the challenges of organizing today. He cared deeply about those of us that come after him—that we study the past and learn about it and carry on the fight the right way. Baba Sekou was a proponent of gender equity, and believed that women were the backbone of the movement–truth-telling let him tell it. He was a strong community builder, and was very much loved by the BLM Boston community. It always meant the world to us when Baba Sekou joined us for learning, organizing and action! As a founding member of both the Bronx chapter and the International Section of the Black Panther Party, Baba Sekou earned his place as a globally recognized Black liberation activist and freedom fighter. He was a member of Malcolm X’s Organization of Afro-American Unity, and was a student of Brother Malcolm and was also a Muslim. He was a citizen of the Republic of New Afrika, which holds the goals of creating a country in the five densly populated with a Black-majority states United States and acquisition of reparations from the US government by the descendants of enslaved people. Baba Sekou went underground for 12 years after hearing that he was the target of a police investigation in 1969 avoiding capture. He remained a part of the Black underground and the Black Liberation Army until his capture in 1981. After being prosecuted for a number of charges including the “Panther 21” in NYC, he became a US political prisoner and survived 33 years of captivity and torture before being released in 2014. Since his release, he’s been featured in documentaries, public events, major news outlets, and on Democracy Now! He’s become celebrated and admired by movements globally, and has become a symbol of persistence, courage, and commitment to the freedom struggle. Baba Sekou is a true revolutionary who also deeply loved his family. He is survived by his wife, 7 children, and grandchildren and great grandchildren. We love you, Baba Sekou. Thank you for everything. We’ll remember you and carry your legacy forward. #sekouodinga #revolutionary #baba #rip #blackopantherparty #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston #blm10

Day 7 Happy New Year! ✊🏿 Imani (faith) as we wrap on this year's Kwanzaa, we hope you take away the point that we must remain steadfast in the Principles. It is fiting that faith is the final one. We uphold our faith in whatever forms we choose to acknowledge the. It is what got us this far and what will sustain us. Imani emphasizes the significance of maintaining faith in the potential for positive change and the eventual realization of justice. In the midst of challenges and adversity, this principle urges us to persist with an unwavering belief in the righteousness of our cause. Embracing Imani fosters a sense of hope, resilience, and determination—essential qualities for sustaining long-term community goals and upholding the Kwanzaa Principles. For Black people, our faith has consistently been intertwined with spirituality. Whether one embraces the Muslim, Jewish, Christian faith, an African cosmology, or holds no faith at all, much of our culture is rooted in faith practices. Throughout history, there have been numerous attempts to control and limit us through faith. Christianity and chattel slavery stand out as glaring examples of such attempts. When asked: What have you got against Christianity? Comedien Eddie Griffin responds: "It's a slick game. When we was in Africa, we had all the land, all the gold, all the diamonds. They had all the Bibles. Now we got all the Bible's." Christianity essentially served as a pretext for Western governments to rationalize the exploitation and conquest of African nations. In the poem "The White Man’s Burden," poet Rudyard Kipling declares, “Take up the White Man’s burden, The savage wars of peace—Fill full the mouth of Famine and bid the sickness cease.” Initially referring to United States imperialism in the Philippines, the poem's Anglos-centric foundation aligns with the fundamental principles of imperialist ideology. European nations, disapproving of the religious practices of Africans as witchcraft and heathenism, aimed to convert and subsequently exploit the indigenous peoples of Africa. How will you uphold your faith in the new year? #kwanzaaprinciples #imani #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston

Day 6 ✊🏿 Kuumba (creativity) reminds us that we must uphold the Black arts, and practice our creativity with purpose. We reject the white washing and co-optation of Black culture and arts, promotion of stereotypical puppets and violence. We fight against the suppression and demonization of “too” Black art/artists like B dot the God, No Name, Mu Mu Fresh, Dead Prez, Scar lip (as a poet), LARussell, and Fela Kuti. May we all be encouraged to tap into our creativity to develop innovative strategies, artistic expressions, and educational initiatives that amplify the message of racial justice. Through artistic endeavors, such as music, visual arts, and literature, activists can engage a broader audience, foster empathy, and inspire collective action. Kuumba also emphasizes the importance of creating spaces for diverse voices and perspectives within the movement, fostering a rich tapestry of ideas and approaches. Embracing Kuumba empowers us to continually evolve their methods, ensuring the movement remains dynamic, resonant, and capable of sparking meaningful societal change. #kwanzaaprinciples #kuumba #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston

Day 5 ✊🏿 Nia (purpose) encourages individuals to purposefully pursue and develop their collective community goals, fostering a sense of purpose, unity, and commitment to advancing the well-being of the community. Huey P. Newton calls us to cultivate our “revolutionary intercommunalism”, rejecting the idea of being post-racial, the pipelines to prison, and other forms of oppression that we face in favor of upholding our community goals. President Obama's term in office amplified the idea of a "post-racial America", he remained an informed observer, offering at most a legacy of false hope. We are still in the belly of the beast; very much still in a white-supremist society which creates "Negropeans," a black person who either deliberately, or unconsciously buys into white propganda and participates in white supremacy. For a number of reasons many Black folks subscribe to the idea of being post-racial and operate from this vantage point. This take the form of individualism, liberal activities and exploitation of Black people and our experience. We must remain committed to our sense of collective purpose as we enter the new year. Nia emphasizes the importance of defining and pursuing collective goals with a clear sense of purpose. This principle guides us in developing a unified vision for our future, ensuring that every action and initiative serves the overarching purpose of protecting Black people and building Black futures. By aligning individual and collective efforts with a shared purpose, we can maintain focus, resilience, and a sense of direction, ultimately strengthening the community's impact and contributing to meaningful and sustained advancement of Black lives. #kwanzaaprinciples #nia #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston

Day 4 ✊🏿Ujamaa (cooperative economics), promotes cooperative economics and collective entrepreneurship, encouraging individuals to work together to create and sustain businesses that uplift and empower the community economically. Our cooperative creates an economy that becomes sustained and whole. In America Black people have been locked out, disenfranchised, and bamboozled out of opportunities time and time again. Take the Downtown Crenshaw initiative as an example, the mall refused to sell to their community group despite the fact that DC was the highest bidder. We've always been told that it is not about Black or white, that money talks. Participating by playing by their rules still didn't work for us. We must learn to embrace collective economics to foster empowerment within the Black community, reducing reliance on external systems that often subjugate us and perpetuate inequality. By promoting cooperative economics, we can build sustainable businesses and initiatives that reinvest in the community, creating a foundation for long-term economic resilience. This approach not only addresses economic disparities but also aligns with the broader goals. Through Ujamaa, we can forge a path towards economic independence and empowerment for Black communities contributing to our community development and sustainability. Cooperative economics has its roots from the African continent Ubuntu. Check out The book Collective Courage: A History of African American Cooperative Economic Thought and Practice; The Civil Rights Teaching's History on Black Cooperatives and the Grassroots Economic Organizing's A Brief History of Black Cooperatives in the U.S. To learn more. In Collective Courage, Dr. Gordon Nemhard, shares stories of Black people engaging in this principle (during the antebellum period). Those with the opportunity to earn money would collectively contribute to purchase each other's freedom, contingent on finding a willing seller. Over time, both enslaved and liberated Blacks established mutual aid societies within religious and fraternal institutions. Members pooled their dues and monthly fees to fund various purposes, including burials, small stipends for widows and orphans, and access to healthcare. As the number of liberated individuals increased, these mutual aid societies expanded in size and scope, offering a broader range of services. #kwanzaaprinciples #ujamaa #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston

Day 3 ✊🏿 Ujima (collective work and responsibility) underscores the imperative for communities to collaboratively address challenges, provide support, and foster a more cohesive and prosperous future. Unfortunately, these endeavors are frequently undermined or terminated by state entities. Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited (HARYOU) embodied Black collective work and responsibility, successfully enhancing opportunities for young Harlem residents. Yet, it faced an unceremonious defunding. Similarly, the Black Panther Party's free breakfast program, another example of this collective ethos, met the needs of the people. Regrettably, it was co-opted by the state, and disinformation, including false claims of poisoned and unsafe food, was disseminated to diminish its impact. The principle of Ujima underscores the necessity of concerted efforts to yield positive community outcomes. Recognizing that such initiatives have historically faced opposition and subversion, there is a compelling need to deliberately pool skills, perspectives, and resources. This collaborative approach builds power, fosters goal attainment, and cultivates community development. Achieving these objectives demands thoughtful, collective, and principled action. How are you actively incorporating the principles of Ujima in your communities? #kwanzaaprinciples #ujima #haryou #bpp #freefoodprogram #wethepeople #abolition #blackbostonians #wethenorth #blackliberation #blm #blacklivesmatter #blmboston