The BLAC Manifesto
THE BLAC MANIFESTO
In today’s society, there is a question that inevitably spawns more; that is, just what is the “Black Agenda”? What sort of policies and agendas does such a vast, diverse group of people have? Does such an agenda change, or is it perpetual, merely shifting to accommodate new issues facing Black and brown individuals across the diaspora in America? Who decides what is or is not in it, or is merely a collective will? Is there even such a thing as the “Black Agenda”, or is it merely the scare tactics of an enraged and worried right wing?
The Black Leadership Action Coalition, or BLAC for short, has decided to produce this political document which, while it is not The “Black Agenda”, is a manifesto – a statement of our tenants and ideals which inform every action and position that we undertake. In this current political climate, the issuance of a political document was necessary – a climate where black and brown people still face economic oppression, social discrimination, and fear the state-sanctioned barrel of the police finding them in its crosshairs. For all the progress that has been made, the reality is that Black and brown people remain second class citizens in not only America, but the world. A legacy of racist oppression that was first born of the capitalist greed of white bourgeoise in Europe and exacerbated by the invention of imaginary principals by the very same to justify the cold metal chains locked around the necks of slaves – this is the legacy we as a nation, as a world, must still grapple with. A legacy of pain, arbitrary hatred, and tears.
Organization after organization has produced statements, documents, and more that decry the current situation of Black and brown Americans with weak words and abstract goals. For BLAC, this was not enough. No, we needed a manifesto, a political statement of pure power and vision that would not only serve as the skeleton for our own organization’s work. No, BLAC wishes that our Manifesto serve as an example; a set of tenants and principles that can guide anyone trying to make life better for our historically marginalized communities. A banner of idealism and hope, distilled into actionable and eternal rules, that broadcasts to America and beyond that BLACK LIVES MATTER, that racism is alive and maliciously eating away the democratic structures of our nation and world, and that we must act in order to move forward triumph in a new era of human solidarity and progress.
BLAC presents to you our tenants and truths – your approval is not necessary, for while we cannot claim to speak for all Black and brown people, it has been our purpose to distill the issues of importance to the majority into as comprehensive a plan as possible.
I. People of all races, be they Black, brown or any other color, are HUMAN
II. Black and brown people DESERVE equal representation – Jim Crow’s legacy lives on, denigrating our minority communities by stifling their ability to voice their opinions in the ballot box, something that cannot continue
III. Housing is a HUMAN right – it is utterly disgusting that our nation still allows our brothers and sisters to sleep, exposed to the elements, especially when so many of them are people of color
IV. Healthcare is a HUMAN right – it is inconceivable that a country that has LIFE as a supposed right would not provide, to all people, the means for prolonging and enjoying such a life
V. Black and brown people DESERVE economic justice – restitution for past wrongs, and the support necessary to compete on the same level as all other races
VI. Black and brown people DESERVE environmental justice – for too long our communities have lived in the shadow of polluters, on top of toxic grounds, and our health has suffered for it
VII. Black and brown people DESERVE social and racial justice – the legacy of demonizing and oppressing nonwhite communities has only hindered these communities’ attempts to make lives for themselves
We will not allow ourselves to be constrained in our activities. The issues and demons facing Black and brown communities are legion, their forms ever changing, their champions holding high offices. Therefore, BLAC must be also become legion, must be flexible in our weapons and goals, and must in turn create champions of our oppressed communities. To claim such responsibility alone would be an impossible task and would be ignoring the most important thing – that we cannot, should not, and will not claim to speak for the Black and brown community as if we alone represent them. We are not omniscient, and would not pretend to be. But we would ask you, our fellow organizers and organizations, comrades in the fight for equality and the end of racism, to join us. Our focuses may be disparate, our proximity nonexistent, but our convictions are shared. And as such, we can yet unite to tackle the evil forces standing in the way of true peace and prosperity for all people, no matter what the color of their skin may be. BLAC is merely the symbol of our alliance, a codification of our de jure pact to topple those who would see us divided and oppressed. We do not ask you sublimate your ideas to ours, for that would make us no better than the racists telling us to “be white!” We want your unique insights, your talents, to help serve our broad coalition that will help lead the charge towards a truly egalitarian future! Such is our passion, our drive, and our goal. If you feel in your heart and soul that all people are equal, then you are BLAC!
To the racists and centrists reading in vain for some hint of strategy – know that your days of perpetuating this evil, racist status quo are drawing to an end. You have made your money on the bowed backs of slaves, have made names in all fields because you oppressed your competition, and for that we condemn you. Your passionate endorsements of programs that oppress and take, justified by flimsy allegations of corruption and stupidity in the communities you seek to keep down, fall on deafer and deafer ears every day. And you are worried, because you know that we are righteous and stronger, and you seek to delay what is inevitable. Know this; BLAC will not negotiate. We will not stop our efforts. We will not be swayed by gifts, promises, and pork in the budget. The only thing we will settle for is a truly even playing field, and we will fight as viciously for an inch as we would for a mile. Your beliefs are outmoded, your explanations fallacious, and while you may hold the high ground now BLAC will tunnel under you until you fall flat.
The path before our communities of color is still obstructed, barricaded, obscured by red tape and the traditions of racists long dead. For our fellow organizers and organizations, it may seem too much for just one person to make a difference. Even though one person, one organization, does not make an army, a collection of us do make one. BLAC invites every person, every organization, for whom this manifesto rings true to join us in our mission.
You
will not be oppressed by us, for we loath oppression.
You
will not be silenced by us, for we know that each person’s voice counts and contributes.
You
will not be sublimated by us, for BLAC is not an organization – it is a coalition, a coalition of Black and brown organizations who lead their communities to action against the oppressors.
Join us in our quest to unite the disparate and struggling into a legion of unmatched energy and purpose, for as the saying goes – if you are not a part of the solution, you are a part of the problem.
In struggle,
The Black Leadership Action Coalition