After the nationwide revolt across the United States, beginning with the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the incarcerated political activist and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal asked the following questions: What do we do now? What is to be done? How can this be directed towards really revolutionary ends?
Michael Novick of Anti-Racist Action-Los Angeles said, “People need to rethink what is possible and what is necessary, because the quantitative leap in numbers should represent and enable a qualitative leap in resistance.”
In support of revolutionary action, I commit to the following 2021 New Year resolutions. They are both personal and political. As my foremothers said, “The personal is the political.”
- I commit to my sobriety and addiction recovery. In the event of a relapse, I re-commit to living clean and sober. As an Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous member, I will seek a sponsor and work the 12-step program.
- I resolve to support the abolitionist demands of #DefundThePolice!
- I will continue to pursue my education as an incarcerated student toward my associate’s degree in arts and humanities from San Bernardino Valley College, Coastline College, and Hartnell College.
- I will continue to participate in rehabilitation and self-help programs, such as the integrated substance use disorder treatment program and classes sponsored by the outside advocacy group Amity Foundation.
- I will start a regular exercise routine at least three days a week and will make a conscious effort to limit my food intake with the goal of losing between 20 to 30 pounds.
- I will continue my poetry workshop lessons, writing and journalism mentorships, and work on completing my memoir.
- I will complete my electrolysis in the next few months and be scheduled for my pending sex reassignment surgery after a final medical consultation. The surgery was approved over two years ago and has been repeatedly delayed.
- I will request transfer to a women’s facility under California’s new law, The Transgender Respect, Agency and Dignity Act (SB-132), before surgery.
- I will continue my work with abolitionist, anarchist and transfeminist collectives, particularly as a co-founder of the Fireant Collective, a collaborative organization for anarchists, as a legal advocate for the Transgender-Variant and Intersex Justice Project and as a core member and organizer for Red Roses, a trans prison collective.
- I will also use hashtags whenever appropriate.
#BlackTransLivesMatter
#SayHerName
#NoJusticeNoPeace
#DefundThePolice
#Schools Not Prisons
#FreeThem All
#ClemencyNow
#EmergencyReleaseNow
#FreeHer