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AfricanLiberationDay2012

Presented by The All­African People’s Revolutionary Party 

  

AFRICAN YOUTH:

GET UP!

STAND UP!

ORGANIZE!

 

Trayvon Was Not The Only One – Our Struggle For  Justice Is Not Yet Done! 

  The All‐African People’s Revolutionary Party (A‐APRP) welcomes you to African Liberation Day 2012! Each year our Party mobilizes Africans all over the world to spend this special day reflecting on Africa’s challenges and the path to liberation.   This year, our theme is: “African Youth, Get Up! Stand Up! Organize!”  Because of the rich legacy of struggle left by generations of African youth, this theme would be appropriate every year. Just a few examples of exemplary youth resistance include:    • The brave children of Sharpeville who were gunned down in Azania/South Africa 

in 1960;  (Continue on p. 2) 

 

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 • The youth of Birmingham, Alabama (USA) who faced down police dogs  

and fire hoses in 1963; 

             

 

 (Cont  

• The Young Pioneers of the Convention People’s Party in Ghana; 

 

• The African youth who rebelled in Brixton (England) and in Paris (France);  

  

(Continued on p.  5)  

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There Is No Smooth Road To African Unity    

Second, and not unrelated to the balkanization of Africa, are the artificial boundaries the colonial powers created when carving up our continent for their purposes.  With more borders than any other continent—totaling 166—Africa is racked with countless border disputes found in nearly every region of the continent, the most recent involving Sudan and South Sudan.  In most cases, the driving force behind these disputes is a contest for some valuable natural resource like oil.  Neighboring countries have crossed the Democratic Republic of Congo borders with military force to acquire coltan and other valuable mineral resources.  As usual, this warfare has victimized women and children.  A third obstacle is the infrastructure Africa inherited from its colonial masters.  In short, the transportation and communication networks in Africa make it very difficult for intra‐African trade and cooperation to take place.  Since the end of direct colonial rule, the legion of so‐called African leaders that have held power over the African masses have done nothing to dismantle these barriers to intra‐African integration and unity.  Instead, they have only built additional barriers in the form of stifling tariffs and duties, along with various bureaucratic bottlenecks to prevent Africa from taking advantage of the huge benefits of internal trade. 

 (Continued on p. 4)

During African Liberation Day activities, you will no doubt hear repeated calls for Africans everywhere to organize to achieve Pan‐Africanism: the total liberation and unification of Africa under scientific socialism.  The benefits of a unified socialist Africa are numerous – too many to list. But just to mention a few, Pan‐Africanism will ensure: 

 • Access to the wealth of Africa for OUR 

development • Economic self‐sufficiency and stability • Self‐defense capability (both internally and 

externally) • Ability to plan and implement on a 

continental scale (energy, education, health, environment, and etc.), and 

• Independent control, use, and development of our culture. 

 We are motivated by the critical necessity of uniting Africa, but we must recognize that the struggle to build a united Africa, based on the principles of scientific socialism, is fraught with a number of challenges. While all of these challenges are formidable, none are insurmountable.  It is therefore necessary for us to, at least, be very clear about the concrete challenges that we face.   African unity and socialism are organically complementary, but the obstacles to achieving African unity fall into a slightly different category than the ones we face in the struggle to build a socialist society in Africa.  Near the top of the list of obstacles to unity is the balkanization of Africa. There is a huge ethnic divide with origins in the ‘divide and rule’ years of the colonial era. This continues to tear the continent apart.  Just take a look at what has happened recently in: Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Libya, the Democratic Republic of  Congo, Kenya and elsewhere on the continent where different ethnic groups, many of whom were historical rivals, were forced under one geo‐political colonial “roof,” fossilized, and then “set free” to build these non‐viable, economically dependent nation states during the post‐colonial period.   

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Mawina Kouyate Daughters of Africa Award  

WangariMaathai

 

African Liberation Day 2012 Awards Each year the All‐African People’s Revolutionary Party is supremely honored and takes great pride in awarding cherished awards to revolutionaries from around the world, who have made great contributions to the struggling, oppressed masses.  

 

Kwame Ture Black Star of Labor Award

Jamahiriya­­Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya brought to the Libyan people free or very low‐cost housing, electricity, literacy, medical support, as well as adequate and low‐cost food, gasoline from oil revenues that belong to the people. The 

2011 NATO invasion interrupted their development.  Long Live the struggle against imperialism! 

 

 

The name of her autobiography, Unbowed, describes this phenomenal woman who devoted her life to the struggle of African people in general, and women in particular. The first woman in East Africa to earn a PhD, her accomplishments include Nobel Peace Laureate; professor; environmentalist; scientist; parlia-mentarian; founder of the Green Belt Movement; advocate for social justice, human rights, and democracy; elder; peacemaker; mother and grandmother. Her most notable work began with working with women in Nairobi, Kenya to find solutions to food, water, and heating needs leading to the planting of 47 million trees. She remained Unbowed in the GBM, women’s rights movement, and anti-corruption in government despite imprisonment, beatings, loss of jobs and positions and other attacks.

 

(There is No Smooth Road to African Unity, Continued from p. 3) Fourth, the state economies of the various nation-states of Africa are so disjointed and disparate that it makes it very difficult for them to integrate in their current form. How does a country as large and mineral-rich as the Democratic Republic of Congo unite with a country as small and poor as Gambia? Likewise, how does a country as large as South Africa unite with a country as small and poor as Lesotho? This can be done - the challenges of doing so notwithstanding - but only with the courage, vision, and conviction that spring from revolutionary action. There are other obstacles as well, many of which result from the political backwardness of Africa’s so-called leaders. These leaders are the class enemies of the African masses. They represent the interests of an elite class in Africa and they also represent the interests of foreign governments and corporations – imperialism. This is why we must go to the people, work with the people, learn from the people, educate the people, and ultimately organize the masses of African people in order to empower them to build the new Africa – an Africa that is unified and socialist.  

(1 April 1940 – 25 Sept. 2011)

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The countless African youth who have channeled their resistance through hip-hop culture.

 

        

 

However, this year a focus on African youth is particularly important because of the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida (USA). This young African was not unique, because African children encounter senseless violence daily all over the world. But Trayvon Martin’s case has a special significance because of the attention that has been focused on it, and the many lessons it teaches about the circumstances of Africans everywhere. As the world now knows, Trayvon was followed by 28-year-old George Zimmerman, an armed civilian, who made assumptions that this young African was predisposed to commit crimes. Even though Zimmerman was directed by police to cease following Martin, he ultimately had a confrontation with the youth that ended with Martin’s death from a gunshot wound to the chest. Zimmerman acknowledged that he shot the young African, but he was not arrested until after many weeks of righteous protest by countless Africans around the world. After the Martin case became the subject of public attention, there were endless discussions about a variety of issues, including: “racial profiling”; suspicious clothing; and Florida’s “stand your ground” law that permits the use of deadly-forc self-defense in many unconventional places. However, missing from these discussions is the question that gets right to the heart of why the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party pursues its Pan-African objective so relentlessly. That is, why would anyone believe they might be able to kill an unarmed African child with impunity? The answer to that disturbing question is that Africans are not perceived to be capable of imposing punitive consequences on those who attack Africans individually or collectively. Everyone knows intuitively if not consciously that an attack on any affluent child of European ancestry risks extraordinary repercussions. Shouldn’t these reactions serve as a sufficient deterrent to the abuse that Africans continue to experience? Africans try to create consequences with spontaneous insurrections.  Spontaneous or ad hoc non-violent and violent manifestations do not communicate that those who are engaged in these demonstrations have the capacity to hold those who have offended them accountable. (Continued on p. 5) 

Talib Kweli, K’Naan, Lupe Fiasco, Ugochi Nwaogwugwu, Gwaii Thyword, and many others

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Washington, D.C. Photo: Ben Becker  

 

Spontaneous rebellions only signal that the many people involved are desperate, frustrated, angry and completely incapable of changing the conditions that they protest. A completely different message is communicated by people who are not only organized, but who are also in possession of a plan and the means to dominate those who in any way threaten their security. These factors translate into genuine power. If Africans had this kind of power, there would not even be a question of whether there will be justice for Trayvon Martin. The fact is, Trayvon Martin would never have been under surveillance by George Zimmerman in the first place – much less the victim of murder. If power is the key to respect, how much money will we need to be recognized as powerful? Actually - none. Power does not come from money. What Africans need first is mass organization, because it is organization that will make it possible to achieve power. True power attaches to those with the capacity to build up or destroy national and corporate entities. For example, if a people control territory that is located in a militarily strategic region of the world, the control of that territory is a source of power

because other countries perceive that their own security revolves largely around maintaining good relations with those who control that land. If a people control territory containing oil, precious minerals and other natural resources that are vital to the functioning of industrialized economies, the control of that land equals power. Because the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party thoroughly understands the facts of life about power, it spends no time attempting to influence those who have it. Instead, the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party spends all of its time working to take power for the masses of African people worldwide. To this end, the organization’s exclusive focus is on the African continent. Historically, Africa’s vast reserves of oil, diamonds, gold, and numerous other natural resources have made it the prize in an ongoing competition between nation states and multi-national corporations. None of those countries and corporations can function without Africa’s resources. Consequently, African people will be able to call the shots when Africans gain control of the continent’s natural wealth.

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throughout the world, wherever they may have been born, or wherever they may live, will finally have the respect we have craved. The Trayvon Martins of the world will be able to walk the streets confident that everyone will know that if African youth are in any way bothered by anyone, there will be a risk that Africa will be offended. If Africa is offended, perhaps the continent’s oil will not be made available, or because of Africa’s status, its calls for sanctions will be universally heeded. There will be risks connected with harming us, and everyone will know that. The All-African People’s Revolutionary Party knows that this most difficult challenge – liberating African territory and uniting the African continent into one gigantic socialist superpower – is an achievable objective, and the African World’s youth are critical to the success of our efforts. Capitalists know it too, and it is for that reason that they do everything in their power to use the mass media and commercialism to distract and confuse African youth. As Hip-Hop music became ever-more insightful, and in some cases revolutionary, music industry executives began to release only music that denigrated our people – our women in particular. “Celebrities” are purely the creation of major corporations, and African celebrity images tend to glorify crime and immorality. It is difficult for any young African to wade through these mountains of pseudo-cultural garbage and emerge with a positive self-image, a commitment to reading and a political analysis that will move them toward action on behalf of their communities. The good news is that many African youth continue to do precisely that against all odds. They can still be seen on the frontlines of struggle everywhere. Whether they are pounding the streets as part of voter registration drives; or demonstrating for justice for Trayvon Martin; or fighting to preserve affirmative action, they are highly engaged in campaigns for political reform. It is the task of the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party to organize them into the African revolution.  

(Continued from p. 6) Gaining control of Africa’s wealth will not be easy. During recent decades Africa’s people have fought intense struggles against foreign forces, and in almost all cases the most that has been won has been some measure of political independence. But when it comes to Africa’s wealth, it’s a different story. Take South Africa for example. Its system of rigid racial segregation called “apartheid” was defeated two decades ago, but the vast natural wealth of that country remains in the hands of major foreign corporations. In many cases, Africans in that country are as poor as they ever were. This dilemma was anticipated by visionary African leaders as early as 1945. To change that paradigm, they determined that the objective of those who want real power for Africans must be Pan-Africanism, the total liberation and unification of Africa under scientific socialism. In the first instance, African territories and resources must be wrested from the control of foreign states and corporations. Africa must then be united into one gigantic socialist superpower capable of dominating any forces that attempt to exploit or challenge Africa militarily, economically or diplomatically. There are those who have balked at the suggestion that Africa must be socialist. The reasons why socialism is essential in Africa are really quite simple. Through the years, the opposite system – capitalism – has given license to foreign forces to hold Africa’s natural wealth in the hands of the few. Africa’s wealth belongs to the masses of Africa’s people, and placing the nation’s wealth in the hands of the masses is the primary and most important feature of a socialist economy.  Once Africa becomes a gigantic socialist superpower, it is guaranteed that Africans  

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(Our Struggle For Justice Is Not Yet Done! Continued from p. 7) Our Party is greatly encouraged about our prospects for success because of the recent political experiences of young people generally. As the capitalist system has continued to deteriorate in the lead up to its inevitable collapse, employment opportunities for the youth have become extremely rare, and many have had to resort to extended residence with parents and those fortunate enough not to be unemployed have frequently had to accept jobs for which they are “overqualified.” In the face of this tragic waste of human energy and intelligence, capitalist media have cruelly blamed the youth for their predicament, frequently labeling them “slackers.” Nevertheless, the youth have not passively accepted these insults. They have engaged in their own analysis, and they made a bee-line to Wall Street – the very heart of international capitalism. The “Occupy Wall Street” movement triggered a global response among youth, and now that the enemy has been accurately identified, there is no turning back. The All-African People’s Revolutionary Party calls upon all African youth to recognize that our people need more than a movement that attempts to influence those with power. Africans need a revolution that will put power into the hands of the masses of the people and enable them to transform their own reality. African Liberation Day is the perfect opportunity to join an organization that is working very hard to establish global networks of Africans who share this same objective. Enjoy African Liberation Day and be inspired by it. But by all means make sure that on or before the following day you join an organization fighting for Africa and African people. The All-African People’s Revolutionary Party extends an open invitation to you.  

 

In 2012 African Liberation Day is being held around the world­­  Africa  Arusha, Tanzania,  Johannesburg South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Serrekunda, Gambia; Takoradi, Ghana Europe Lagos, Portugal, London, United Kingdom; Murcia, Spain North America: 

Bermuda, Hamilton Canada 

  Toronto Caribbean Nassau, Bahamas; Grand Bay, Dominica St. Croix, VI; St. Thomas, VI United States Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Oakland, CA; Orlando, FL; Washington, D.C.;  (3 dates) 

 

ALL-AFRICAN PEOPLE’S

REVOLUTIONARY PARTY A-APRP International

Post: P.O. Box 965, Bissau Guinea-Bissau, West Africa

Email:contact@aaprp-intl.org Tel:(+44) (0) 20 8523 7381

www.aaprp-intl.org

Facebook: A-APRP; A-aprp Dc; Aaprp- Illinois;

Aaprp Mw; AAPRP Britain

 

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