#thedeclaration

BLACK SEED: As an affiliation based network, is a (Black) REVOLUTIONARY – art, activism and community driven – apparatus. Adopting a, MUST BE LARGER THAN ART philosophy. We are hereby – conceiving a movement to birth a revolution – striving to propel art/activism, beyond mere symbolism, as a catalyst and vehicle for bringing about authentic social change. Our main objective is Black liberation, through the practice of self-determination and empowerment. Art, implemented, both, as a tool of protest (to foment resistance) and galvanizing agent for community based action, is one, of many, means we will employ to attain this end. Recognizing that art alone cannot accomplish this, we also aspire to create an action based movement that will forward and reify the messages: concepts and objectives conveyed through our (respective) creative practice. As such, we seek to organize and build a, (multifaceted) Black community driven network of, revolutionary minded individuals from ANY and EVERY background; of any and every (gender, sexual, social, economic and spiritual) stripe – relying on our own resources, thus preserving and protecting our revolutionary integrity. These individuals – which will comprise of: artists, actionists, activists, organizers, educators, laborers, farmers, physicians, lawyers, scientists, spiritual leaders, dreamers, freethinkers, etc., must share and embrace one common vision. That being, the liberation of the GLOBAL Black population, via the creation – a unification of ONE solid, liberating, BODY – of a reverberating Black power base. We aim to create an, ever evolving and growing (community structured) movement, focused on resurrecting and developing a radical Black power agenda. Thus, this movement – rooted in the praxis of Black liberation and geared towards the harnessing and nurturing of our (Black people’s) revolutionary potential – will be steadfastly committed to the process, practice and cultivation of nation building. In essence, we must break the deleterious cycle, of dependency, we have to others. Understanding that it is only through our collective strength and action, i.e., our ability to reclaim and embrace a concept of, nation, that we can ever (TRULY) hope to liberate ourselves from the systematic (capitalism and imperialism controlled) subjugation of a dominant, racist white power structure. Lastly, the call for a Black liberation is not a unilateral or isolated cause. We understand that we share a common cause with not only Black people, but with other exploited and oppressed people – around the globe. As the, social construct, that is, race – the seed of black oppression – is the foundation on which white hegemonic supremacy was built (and is preserved). We, essentially recognize that Black liberation holds the seeds of human liberation. Thus we ultimately seek to organize and spark a revolutionary consciousness in Black people as a whole for the sake of subsequently awakening a revolutionary consciousness in ALL exploited and oppressed people on this planet.

FOUNDATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Understanding that we are NOTHING without the sacrifice of those (freedom fighters) who came before us. Our agenda is built upon a foundation that has already been set. We are, therefore, answering the call – A CHARGE TO KEEP. Proclaiming our commitment to pick-up the torch and continue, the struggle and plan – for liberation, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY – put forth by those courageous Black warriors, prophets, intellects and teachers, who preceded us. As such, it is only befitting that our agenda is based upon these questions...“How will my people stay on this earth? How will they be educated? How will they be schooled? How will they be housed and how will they be defended?” (Dr. John Henrik Clarke/A Great and Mighty Walk/1996)

1) FREEDOM... First and foremost – recommitting ourselves to the mission and declaration put forth by the Black Panther Party – WE WANT FREEDOM. That is, “the power to define ourselves, our existence and determine the destiny of our Black and oppressed communities.” Recognizing that the, true root or the nature of humanity lies in the exercise and consciousness of freedom. Our first priority, as a people, must be to reclaim our humanity through the act of liberation. Which necessitates that we, “create our own terms through which to define ourselves and our relationship to the society, and to have these terms recognized.” (Black Power/Stokely Carmichael and Charles V. Hamilton/Chapter 2, pg.35)

2) COMMUNITY... We seek to heal and strengthen our (Black) familial ties – this relates to both, blood and community. It is imperative that we reestablish a strong communal bond. To paraphrase, Stokely Carmichael and Charles V. Hamilton, we have to develop a new consciousness that’s rooted in a sense of peoplehood pride and thus instills in us an attitude of (kindred) communal responsibility – one to another. Upholding and observing the lives of each and every Black individual (woman, man and child) as, a most invaluable resource, essential to our collective survival. As we are committed to love, support and protect those of our own blood, so must we also be committed to love, support, and protect those in our community. The family, as the nucleus and the foundation of society, provides us a most essential archetype for nationhood. Without family there is no nation. Every family is a small community and every community is a small nation. Therefore heeding the African proverb: It takes a village to raise a child. If we hope to save our children, it’s vital that we – envision our communities as communal families – create and maintain strong, healthy and viable villages, i.e., communities. More importantly, our familial ties must transcend all boundaries, in respect to geographic location, culture, language, gender, sexuality or sexual orientation. Recognizing that such boundaries – established on the basis of white patriarchal domination – serve only to reinforce standards and practices of self-hatred, separation and shame. Hence, we must embrace a philosophy of unity, respect, support and unconditional love. If Black Seed, is to be a revolutionary vehicle and movement for black liberation. It must therefore be a movement that represents, respects and protects ALL Black life. Thus, Black Seed is a pan-African movement, as it is also a Black Goddess movement and Black Queer movement... WE ARE FAMILY!

3) NATIONHOOD... We want to develop a cohesive network of black communities focused on bringing about black independence through the process and practice of nation building, self-determination. Organizing our communities around alternative methods for development in regards to education, economic sustainability, technology, and spiritual enrichment. Transforming our communities into, viable (Black) spaces for creative experimentation, incubation and innovation of radical concepts geared towards democratic socialist practice. Creating for ourselves, true, (community based) democratic spaces – of, for and by the people. Formulated on the basis of, cooperative living, consensus decision making and (bottom up) direct/participatory democratic practices.

4) DEMOCRACY... Although, we are politically minded, we are not a political party and as such, do not (MAINLY) seek to establish power by participating or running for office within the ranks of the current, establishment/state based political system. Understanding that doing so only serves to perpetuate and validate the current system of white supremacy and oppression. Borrowing from the John Africa (MOVE) philosophy, "Politicians are put in place to legalize, endorse, and protect industry and big business", therefore it would generally behoove us to not support politics at all, suffice certain identifiable circumstances whereby the community might stand to be directly impacted, e.g. Reformations in regards to prison industry, policing, housing, social entitlement programs, welfare, and health care. In this regard, our objectives stand antithetical to the traditional practice of representational democracy.

POINTS OF ACTION:

Self Determination

Community Development

Education

Economic Freedom

Spiritual/Cultural Enrichment

Gender Equality

Protection/Defense

Technology

Sustainability

Housing

Collective Reciprocity

Resource Management and Consolidation

Capitalist Exploitation

Institutional Racism

Political Repression