2-8-14

Combating Bourgeoisie Ideology

This article is in response to an article In Under Lock and Key No. 36 titled "Resistance From Within."

This comrade is onto something that's very important and pertinent across all U.S. prisons. The proselytizing of prisoners to conform and uphold bourgeois views. In light of this, it should be noted that most prisoners come into prison with this viewpoint, including antisocial behaviors. What's more is that not only are prisoners been dehumanized, but their minds are being "dumbed-down". An article in ULK No. 27 alludes to this when sine says, "Prisoners are not doing time, the time is doing them. Mentally, prisoners are being dumbed down. It used to be when the youth entered the prison, they received a book from elder prisoners and a knife for their comrades for protection from the other prisoners and the pigs. Now youth sit in front of the idiot box (TV) turned on BET and MTV."(1)

It is true that prisoner values and principles (if they have any) see a steady erosion once in prison. At the same time, bourgeoisie values that further capitalism are already presented to us before we enter prison. One need only to look at drugs, pimping, gambling, and other acts that resemble what imperialists do.

As the comrade noted, at what point do one's values hold and up to what point will that individual discard and give up his/her values? Principles and values are not abstract ideas, but have a basis in material reality. "There is not growth providing room for accomplishment. Growth is something that leads to conscious awareness... production. Not production in its synthetic form or the bourgeois definition of the word. But productive transition of maturing into a person, who at this higher level of self-perceptively sensing and clearly seeing a need for care, unified prison objectives." (2) Our values can subtly change to reflect bourgeoisie values and likewise can reflect to promote communist, socialist values too. Prisoners can slip dangerously into a defeatism within the compounds of prison.

Another question from a theoretical point of view is how does one maintain his/her principles in face of subterfuge, thievery, backstabbing, and intrigue? If all are trying to "come up" on the next man, must one of revolutionary fortitude act passively to the acts around him? How can one be promoting communistic values while these around him/her are caught up in deceitful ways and act contrary to altruistic views? Are not acting in the betterment of the community but only to fatten their coffers?

Staying in contact with mim and other similar organizations can enhance one's values and combat dehumanization. That in itself will not bring those values about. One must be conscious of that which he combats and that which he strives to be, whether it be behavior, values, attitudes or ideology.

Notes:
(1) ULK, No. 27, pg.6
(2) ULK, No. 25, pg.13