Sundiata Answer #4

[nattyreb]

Majadi: "My question is dealing with strategy! Please ask the elder, if it is better that one large organization for our movement be established or should we organize as small independent groups to pursue our liberation goals?...I think it comes down to one extremely large Grizzly Bear versus 9 small Grizzly Bears. Which organizational structure works better? I am of the mind that the smaller groups can move faster."

Sundiata: As with most questions of choices, the answer is "It depends...on what your circumstances are." If you are operating in an orthodox political environment and put a premium on strength, power and size then ONE-LARGE organization (1 Grizzly) is probably the best choice. It allows for the greatest unity, thus greatest strength - and the greatest power because an organization by nature makes a group greater than the sum of its individual members. For example, it's self-evident that a United States of Afrika would be much stronger and much more effective than the present Afrika that's divided into 51 separate independent states.

But if you're in an unorthodox environment: outnumbered, severely repressed, constantly surveilled and/or short on basic resources like personnel, money and material etc., then these are the type of circumstances that usually call for the speed, flexibility, diversity and stealth that SMALLER-GROUPS (9 Grizzlies) provide.

The remaining choices of structuries/strategies fall somewhere between the two extremes:ONE-LARGE GROUP or a number of SMALLER-GROUPS. They are a matter of putting together the proper mix of size, speed, strength, flexibility, stealth and power (medium, small and/or midget sized Grizzlies) to establish the type of organization that's best suited for the job at hand.

And last, being ever mindful of the dialectical relationship between the two extremes in which the SMALLEST-GROUP(S) can turn into the LARGEST-ONE or vice versa, i personally think it would be best if ONE-LARGE organization could be established for our movement provided that we always remain committed to using SMALL, LARGE or WHICHEVER-SIZED GROUPS, structures or strategies that prove most effective in dealing with the problems confronting us.

Struggle, Sundiata.

[Elisa Keisha]

Thank you Elder Sundiata for this answer!! and thank you Queen for bringing it to us.

I guess he made it clear and as he said, its something we all have heard, united the ants conquered the elephant.

What comes through mi mind after reading Sundiata's answer is that a combination of both structures should be posible to maximize the benefits. If one organization is too big and highly hierarchical, every move of the masses, the lower stratum, has to be systematicaly approved by the stratums above, and that minimizes the speed of action/reaction and might even block some good innovative ideas. it also creates an atmosphere where the masses dont really know their leaders, it facilitates confusion (and intrusion) and favors the cult of personality that so hurt revolutionary movements.

but on the other hand, if many small groups work isolated or continually disagree on so many levels they cant do things together. That is counterproductive and makes no sense.

So i think the hierarchy is necessary not so much for groups but for objetives. If we all can work together fpr a minute and find common, clear, first ranking objectives, each group can be more autonomus and work faster and better, and at the same time we all keep in mind and maintain an agreement on a couple of main goals so, we all walk in different ways, but in the same direction.

[nattyreb]

Right on for your very thorough, thoughtul response, Sista!!

Originally Posted by Elisa Keisha

Thank you Elder Sundiata for this answer!! and thank you Queen for bringing it to us.

I guess he made it clear and as he said, its something we all have heard, united the ants conquered the elephant.

What comes through mi mind after reading Sundiata's answer is that a combination of both structures should be posible to maximize the benefits. If one organization is too big and highly hierarchical, every move of the masses, the lower stratum, has to be systematicaly approved by the stratums above, and that minimizes the speed of action/reaction and might even block some good innovative ideas. it also creates an atmosphere where the masses dont really know their leaders, it facilitates confusion (and intrusion) and favors the cult of personality that so hurt revolutionary movements.

but on the other hand, if many small groups work isolated or continually disagree on so many levels they cant do things together. That is counterproductive and makes no sense.

So i think the hierarchy is necessary not so much for groups but for objetives. If we all can work together fpr a minute and find common, clear, first ranking objectives, each group can be more autonomus and work faster and better, and at the same time we all keep in mind and maintain an agreement on a couple of main goals so, we all walk in different ways, but in the same direction.

[Majadi]

Damn, what a bad ass answer! Wow, my head is going to explode, I feel like I just talked to a Revolutionary Shaman on a mountain, damn!, I am so humbled I could cry tears of machetes!!! I won't I will save those for a bloody...I mean a rainy day!!! Please thank the elder for the response. I see the dichotomy is not as...dichotomous? As I had thought! This makes sense as well Elisa K, see that's why ya'll are my family, cuz' ya'll some bad, revolutionary Mothers/Fathers...!!! You can dig it!

Objective is the key it seems to hinge on objective! I guess if the Panther Party and others had a larger collective, with objectives and similar patterns of thought, yet each group keeping local and native goals in mind it could work! One organization I was a part of had a Central branch but each individual part had a great deal of autonomy, the problem was that the leader was so charismatic, beloved that the individual hubs felt stifled. Not stifled by the leader but by their awe of the leader (cult of personality, Elisa), to the point they felt they had to ask the leader for every move. It was ridiculous!

[nattyreb]

Right on, Strong Bro., he will be so pleased that you took the time to dig into his response.

Please also check out this relevant accompanying material if you haven't already: A Brief History of the Black Panther Party and Its Place In the Black Liberation Movement | Sundiata Acoli Speaks - SundiataAcoli.Org - Sundiata Acoli Freedom Campaign (SAFC)

Stay strong!

Originally Posted by Majadi

Damn, what a bad ass answer! Wow, my head is going to explode, I feel like I just talked to a Revolutionary Shaman on a mountain, damn!, I am so humbled I could cry tears of machetes!!! I won't I will save those for a bloody...I mean a rainy day!!! Please thank the elder for the response. I see the dichotomy is not as...dichotomous? As I had thought! This makes sense as well Elisa K, see that's why ya'll are my family, cuz' ya'll some bad, revolutionary Mothers/Fathers...!!! You can dig it!

Objective is the key it seems to hinge on objective! I guess if the Panther Party and others had a larger collective, with objectives and similar patterns of thought, yet each group keeping local and native goals in mind it could work! One organization I was a part of had a Central branch but each individual part had a great deal of autonomy, the problem was that the leader was so charismatic, beloved that the individual hubs felt stifled. Not stifled by the leader but by their awe of the leader (cult of personality, Elisa), to the point they felt they had to ask the leader for every move. It was ridiculous!

[nattyreb]

i sent Bro. Sundiata tanyababy's (sorry if i didn't get that name quite right) question, but i'm hoping to be able to send him some more reactions to his response, he really looks forward to reading them!

Hate to sound like a broken record, but can more of y'all weigh in, please? Asante sana!

[Sourakhata]

Small structures are swift, flexible and reactive, there can be no struggle without the base, without the grassroots, they are the ants soldiers.

But to be effective and coherent they need a central command, they need a shelter, a headquarter, bigger & stronger in every aspects, it's the colony from which every single soldier take its power from and its reasons to fight no matter what.
We have to find a balence between autonomy & cohesion. That's why reliable chain of command is of the utmost importance and has to be re-think & re-invented.
I also believe new ways to organize the leaders (base & central alike) are to be set up.
Leadership is as crucial as membership, but no army can fight without central command. Leaders must be protected from repression.

[nattyreb]

Right on, Strong Bro., i will be sure to share your very thoughtful comments with our Bro.! Y'all please keep 'em coming, OK, don't worry about how it might sound, Bro. Sundiata wants all or any of you to just say what you feel, if not on this, then on one of the other topics!

Also remember to submit a question to the "Ask Sundiata" portion, as well, and this isn't just for a few, but for ALL who post on this site, it's totally and completely inclusive!

Finally, i'd be remiss to not once again strongly encourage all to contact not only Bro. Sundiata by snail mail, but any of the other PP's on the list in the PP forum.

This also goes for someone in your life who you know would really appreciate a card or a note to acknowledge that you think of them from time to time. Just worry about the cost of a stamp, cuz if you're waiting to get money to send commissary or to be able to get a phone card or make a visit, the inmate is left hanging for weeks, months, even years. A word from you could quite literally make the difference between life and death in some instances.

Again, asante sana, Bro. Sourakhata. i also want to publicly acknowledge the projects you, my Bro., have initiated to teach others about the plight of our freedom fighters, that is exactly the type of response for which we together are amassing this incredible educational resource, you are turning information into action, teaching by example!

Educate to liberate!!

Originally Posted by Sourakhata

Small structures are swift, flexible and reactive, there can be no struggle without the base, without the grassroots, they are the ants soldiers.

But to be effective and coherent they need a central command, they need a shelter, a headquarter, bigger & stronger in every aspects, it's the colony from which every single soldier take its power from and its reasons to fight no matter what.
We have to find a balence between autonomy & cohesion. That's why reliable chain of command is of the utmost importance and has to be re-think & re-invented.
I also believe new ways to organize the leaders (base & central alike) are to be set up.
Leadership is as crucial as membership, but no army can fight without central command. Leaders must be protected from repression.

[nattyreb]

Bro. Sundiata is doing a lot of work now and said that he's not able to get to Question #5 until the new year. But he's grateful for all the interactions with us and is looking forward to continuing when he gets his workpile cleared out some. Asante sana to all the participants!

We also talked b4 about contacting at least one other PP to include in this activity, is anyone else in touch with any PP's/POW's? Please share if you already are, and/or if you're willing to be in touch with someone in order to include in building these types of interactions, there's plenty of profound wisdom in these dungeons that we need to be educated with! Plus, a lot of our freedom fighters get little to no mail and it would be positive for them on many levels to receive mail on a consistent basis.

[Sourakhata]

We be impatiently waiting for the mighty warrior to be more available. Asante Sana Sis Natyreb.

Originally Posted by nattyreb

Bro. Sundiata is doing a lot of work now and said that he's not able to get to Question #5 until the new year. But he's grateful for all the interactions with us and is looking forward to continuing when he gets his workpile cleared out some. Asante sana to all the participants!

We also talked b4 about contacting at least one other PP to include in this activity, is anyone else in touch with any PP's/POW's? Please share if you already are, and/or if you're willing to be in touch with someone in order to include in building these types of interactions, there's plenty of profound wisdom in these dungeons that we need to be educated with! Plus, a lot of our freedom fighters get little to no mail and it would be positive for them on many levels to receive mail on a consistent basis.