Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy, by Heather Ann Thompson_eBook and Audiobook, with RBG Attica is All of Us Viedo Player

December 1, 2024December 1, 2024RBG Street Scholar Leave a comment

Book Summary

“Blood in the Water” offers a detailed account of the Attica prison uprising, which occurred in September 1971, and its aftermath. The book explores the conditions that led to the rebellion, the events during the uprising, the violent retaking of the prison, and the long-lasting implications for the American prison system and civil rights. Thompson combines extensive research, including firsthand accounts, legal documents, and archival materials, to present a comprehensive narrative that highlights the struggles for justice and the fight against systemic racism within the prison system.

This outline provides a structured view of the book’s contents, highlighting the key themes and events that Thompson addresses in her exploration of the Attica prison uprising and its lasting effects on amerikkkan society.

Introduction
- Historical context of Attica prison
- Overview of the prison conditions in the 1970s
- Significance of the uprising in American history
Chapter 1: Background of the Prison System
- Description of Attica’s conditions
- Overview of inmates’ grievances
- Racial dynamics within the prison
Chapter 2: The Uprising Begins
- Timeline of events leading to the rebellion
- Key figures involved in the uprising
- Initial demands of the inmates
Chapter 3: The Hostage Crisis
- Hostage situations and negotiations
- Media coverage and public perception
- The role of prison officials and state authorities
Chapter 4: The Retaking of Attica
- Government response and planning
- The violent retaking of the prison
- Casualties and injuries during the retaking
Chapter 5: Aftermath of the Uprising
- Legal repercussions for inmates and officials
- Impact on the families of hostages and inmates
- Public and political response to the violence
Chapter 6: The Legacy of Attica
- Changes in prison policies and practices
- Ongoing issues of prison reform and justice
- Influence on future movements for inmates’ rights
Chapter 7: Reflections on Justice and Accountability
- Analysis of systemic racism in the prison system
- The importance of remembering Attica’s legacy
- Calls for continued activism and reform
Conclusion
- Summary of key themes and insights
- Relevance of the Attica uprising in contemporary society
- Final thoughts on justice and human rights

Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy_eBook

On September 9, 1971, nearly 1,300 prisoners took over the Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York to protest years of mistreatment. Holding guards and civilian employees hostage, the prisoners negotiated with officials for improved conditions during the four long days and nights that followed.
On September 13, the state abruptly sent hundreds of heavily armed troopers and correction officers to retake the prison by force. Their gunfire killed thirty-nine men—hostages as well as prisoners—and severely wounded more than one hundred others. In the ensuing hours, weeks, and months, troopers and officers brutally retaliated against the prisoners. And, ultimately, New York State authorities prosecuted only the prisoners, never once bringing charges against the officials involved in the retaking and its aftermath and neglecting to provide support to the survivors and the families of the men who had been killed.
Drawing from more than a decade of extensive research, historian Heather Ann Thompson sheds new light on every aspect of the uprising and its legacy, giving voice to all those who took part in this forty-five-year fight for justice: prisoners, former hostages, families of the victims, lawyers and judges, and state officials and members of law enforcement. Blood in the Water is the searing and indelible account of one of the most important civil rights stories of the last century.

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Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy_Audiobook

Part 1

Audio start in earnest (Introduction @ 5 mins. 20 sec.) and corresponds to page 11 of the above Reader.

Part 2 RBG Attica is All of Us Viedo Player

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A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story by Leo Zeilig_eBook and Audiobook, with HAP 123-History Teaches Us- Walter Rodney

November 30, 2024December 2, 2024RBG Street Scholar Leave a comment

Book Summary

A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story by Leo Zeilig is a biography that delves into the life and legacy of Walter Rodney, a prominent Guyanese historian, political activist, and revolutionary. The book highlights Rodney’s contributions to Caribbean intellectual thought, his critiques of colonialism and imperialism, and his dedication to social justice and the empowerment of the oppressed. Through Rodney’s story, Zeilig explores broader themes of race, class, and resistance in the Caribbean, as well as the impact of Rodney’s work on contemporary movements for social change.

Key Themes and Historical Context:

Introduction to Walter Rodney
- Overview of Rodney’s significance in Caribbean history
- Brief introduction to his early life and background
Early Life and Education
- Rodney’s upbringing in British Guiana
- Educational experiences and early influences
- Development of his political consciousness
Academic Career and Historical Contributions
- Rodney’s work as a historian and scholar
- Key publications and their impact (e.g., “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”)
- Methodological approaches and critiques of traditional historiography
Political Activism and Leader of the People’s Movement
- Involvement in political movements in Guyana
- Formation of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA)
- Advocacy for the rights of marginalized communities
Colonialism and Imperialism
- Rodney’s critique of colonial structures
- Analysis of the effects of colonialism on Caribbean societies
- Advocacy for decolonization and self-determination
Exile and International Influence
- Rodney’s experiences of exile and its impact on his work
- Connections with other revolutionary movements in the Caribbean and globally
- Participation in international forums and discussions
Legacy and Impact
- Rodney’s influence on subsequent generations of activists and scholars
- The continuing relevance of his ideas in contemporary struggles
- Commemoration of Rodney’s life and work in cultural memory
Conclusion
- Reflection on Walter Rodney’s contributions as a revolutionary thinker
- The importance of his legacy in the fight for social justice and equality

A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story_eBook

Walter Rodney was a scholar, working class militant, and revolutionary from Guyana. Strongly influenced by Marxist ideas, he remains central to radical Pan-Africanist thought for large numbers of activists’ today. Rodney lived through the failed –though immensely hopeful -socialist experiments in the 1960s and 1970s, in Tanzania and elsewhere. The book critically considers Rodney’s contribution to Marxist theory and history, his relationship to dependency theory and the contemporary significance of his work in the context of movements and politics today. The first full-length study of Rodney’s life, this book is an essential introduction to Rodney’s work.

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A Revolutionary for Our Time: The Walter Rodney Story_Audiobook

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Mau Mau in Harlem?_The U.S. and the Liberation of Kenya, Gerald Horne|eBook and Audiobook| (Contemporary Black History), with Mau Mau Warrior Illustrated eBook, by Abiodun Alao (Author), Christa Hook (Illustrator).

November 29, 2024January 14, 2025Frolinan Scholar Leave a comment

Book Summary:

“Mau Mau in Harlem?: The U.S. and the Liberation of Kenya” is a book by historian Gerald Horne which explores the connections between the African-American Civil Rights movement in the United States and the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya, specifically how the struggle for Kenyan independence resonated with African Americans, leading to a sense of solidarity and even the idea of a “Mau Mau” movement within Harlem and other Black communities in the U.S.

Key points about the book:

Focus on the Mau Mau: The book delves into the Mau Mau Uprising, a violent guerrilla campaign by Kenyan Kikuyu people against British colonial rule in the 1950s, primarily focused on land rights and self-determination.
Harlem connection: It analyzes how the struggles of the Mau Mau movement were closely followed and supported by African Americans in Harlem, New York, who saw parallels with their own fight for civil rights in the United States.
Scholarly research: Horne draws on extensive archival research conducted in the US, UK, and Kenya to provide a nuanced understanding of the interconnectedness between the two movements.
Impact on Black consciousness: The book argues that the Mau Mau rebellion contributed to a growing sense of Black consciousness and solidarity among African Americans, further fueling the civil rights movement.
The Mau Mau Uprising: This was a violent resistance movement against British colonial rule in Kenya, primarily led by the Kikuyu tribe, during the 1950s.
African (American) Solidarity: The book argues that African Americans saw parallels between the Kenyan struggle against British colonialism and their own fight for civil rights in the U.S., leading to significant support for the Mau Mau movement within the Black community.
Malcolm X’s “Mau Mau in Harlem” reference: A prominent example of this connection is Malcolm X’s statement about the potential need for a “Mau Mau” style uprising in Harlem, signifying a willingness to use more militant tactics to achieve racial equality.
Historical Context: The book examines the broader historical context of the Cold War, where the U.S. was keen to demonstrate its anti-colonial stance, leading to some level of support for Kenyan independence.

Mau Mau in Harlem, Gerald Horne?_eBook

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Mau Mau in Harlem, Gerald Horne?_Audiobook

Audio start in earnest (Introduction @ 4 mins. 45 sec.) and corresponds to page 12 of the above Reader.

Part 1

Part 2 Mau Mau Warrior Illustrated eBook, by Abiodun Alao (Author), Christa Hook (Illustrator).

Amazon Books: “Osprey’s study of the Mau Mau Rebellion (1952-1960) in Kenya and its fighters. The Mau Mau Freedom Fighters waged a guerrilla war for eight years against their British colonial rulers, which became known as the Mau Mau Uprising. The Mau Mau sought to win back their land and independence. This underground militia was an extremely powerful force employing tactics, which included the assassination of British settlers and the Africans who collaborated with the British, as well as raiding colonial prisons for weapons and staging daring ambushes in the Kenyan forests and mountains. The conflict saw these untrained warriors, deemed by many to be terrorists employ an innovative mix of traditional African warfare tactics, counterinsurgency methods and European firepower. The uprising ended in failure but set the stage for Kenyan independence in 1963. This title will explore their unique motivations, training and tactics, as well as their battle experience.”

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In the Spirit of Crazy Horse: The Story of Leonard Peltier and the FBI’s War on the American Indian Movement, by Peter Matthiessen| eBook and Audiobook, with FREE Leonard Peltier Video Player

November 28, 2024October 8, 2025Frolinan Scholar Leave a comment

In the Spirit of Crazy Horse is a chronicle of a fatal gun-battle between FBI agents and American Indian Movement activists by renowned writer Peter Matthiessen (1927-2014).

Book Summary

“In the Spirit of Crazy Horse: The Story of Leonard Peltier and the FBI’s War on the American Indian Movement” by Peter Matthiessen is a profound examination of the life of Leonard Peltier, a Native American activist and a key figure in the American Indian Movement (AIM). The book details the events surrounding the 1975 shootout at Wounded Knee, the subsequent FBI investigation, and the controversial trial of Peltier, who was convicted of murder in the deaths of two FBI agents. Matthiessen’s narrative provides insights into the systemic oppression faced by Native Americans, the FBI’s aggressive tactics against AIM, and the broader struggles for Indigenous rights in the United States.

Essential Themes and Historical Context:

Introduction to Leonard Peltier
- Overview of Peltier’s significance within the American Indian Movement
- Introduction to the themes of oppression and resistance in Native American history
Historical Context of the American Indian Movement
- The formation of AIM and its goals
- Key events leading to the rise of Native activism in the 1960s and 1970s
- The impact of historical injustices on Indigenous communities
The Wounded Knee Incident
- Description of the 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee
- Tensions between AIM activists and federal authorities
- Major events and confrontations during the occupation
The Shootout and Its Aftermath
- Detailed account of the 1975 shootout that led to the deaths of FBI agents
- The immediate aftermath and the FBI’s response to the incident
- The portrayal of Peltier in the media and by the authorities
The FBI’s Campaign Against AIM
- Examination of the FBI’s surveillance and counterintelligence operations targeting AIM
- Analysis of tactics used by the FBI to infiltrate and undermine the movement
- The broader implications of the FBI’s actions on Native American activism
Trial and Conviction of Leonard Peltier
- Overview of Peltier’s arrest and the legal proceedings that followed
- Discussion of the evidence presented during the trial and its controversies
- Examination of claims regarding the fairness of the trial and the judicial system
Public Support and Advocacy
- Overview of the grassroots movements and public campaigns advocating for Peltier
- The role of various organizations in raising awareness of his case
- The significance of international attention and support for Indigenous rights
Legacy and Ongoing Struggles
- Reflection on Peltier’s impact on the fight for Indigenous rights and justice
- Discussion of the continuing issues faced by Native Americans today
- The importance of remembering and honoring the struggles of Indigenous peoples
Conclusion
- Summary of key themes and insights from Matthiessen’s narrative
- Final reflections on the significance of Leonard Peltier’s story in the context of American history

In the Spirit of Crazy_eBook

“On a hot June morning in 1975, a desperate shoot-out between FBI agents and Native Americans near Wounded Knee, South Dakota, left an Indian and two federal agents dead. Four members of the American Indian Movement were indicted on murder charges, and one, Leonard Peltier, was convicted and is now serving consecutive life sentences in a federal penitentiary. Behind this violent chain of events lie issues of great complexity and profound historical resonance, brilliantly explicated by Peter Matthiessen in this controversial book. Kept off the shelves for eight years because of one of the most protracted and bitterly fought legal cases in publishing history, In the Spirit of Crazy Horse reveals the Lakota tribe’s long struggle with the U.S. government, and makes clear why the traditional Indian concept of the earth is so important at a time when increasing populations are destroying the precious resources of our world.”

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