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Herman Bell interview (1 of 3)
First of 3 interviews with Herman Bell in Clinton Correctional Facility. Interviewed by two NYC high school teachers, both presumably white and middle class. Discusses building a national campaign around political prisoners, defines/distinguished between political and social prisoners and who to prioritize in an amnesty movement, talks about the role of the church specifically in the black community, reparations and what the government owes to all black people, voting and representation, racism and incarceration rates, the growth of prisons and industry of incarceration, the Black Panther Party and their opposition to drugs and their success with the Free Breakfast Program, lack of economic control in the black community, need for land and self-determination, a large piece on Nuh Washington and how they met and Nuh’s personality, on missing his family and especially being absent while his children grow up, the wretched conditions of prison health care. Great stuff just avoid using questions/sound from interviewers.
Herman Bell interview (2 of 3)
Interview tape 2 of 3 of Herman Bell. Continues talking about Nuh and ho w he received his name and went from Albert to Nuh Washington. Asked about changing his name - both Jalil and Nuh changed their names and became Muslim, Herman did neither. Talks about the importance of freeing political prisoners - they are/were the leaders of the streets. Frustrated at how many young people (particularly men) in poor communities of color are turning against each other, assaulted by an intentional infestation of drugs, and have no guidance/traditions which could be passed on if the political prisoners were freed. Asked about his mentors - growing up he talks a lot about Malcolm X, mentions Patrice Lumumba and the case of the Congo. As early as 14, Bell was politicized by Malcolm. Discusses his resentment towards Ebony magazine for being so conservative and portraying a black petty bourgeoisie lifestyle. Discusses his home life and that his parents bought into the apple pie American dream myth, didn’t approve of Herman or his sister in the Black Panther Party. Discusses militarization of police throughout history, profiling, brutality, and surveillance. Reagan starting SWAT teams in California. Says that things are much worse for young black males today, demonized by the mainstream, the disparity of drug laws and heightened policing. Briefly discusses first trip to Watts after the rebellion - looked like a “war zone”. Watts and Huey talking about arming himself - two politicizing moments in his life.
Herman Bell interview (3 of 3)
Last of 3 interviews with Herman Bell. Briefly discusses more of his youth, involvement in the Air Explorer club and having a politicized mentor. Talks about having to go underground, captured in 73, and imprisoned ever since. Since 1979, been in New York, got his degree in sociology and plays the flute, has been learning music theory for 5 years. Reads a lot, especially enjoys science fiction and Nietzshe. Despite the burnout, working as a mentor/teacher on the inside has had a lot of positive rewards. Very difficult to communicate and pass on info given that people have to let go of their absence of vision/future. Goes into discussing Victory Gardens Project for a long time. Idea of self-sufficiency, working in communities, correspondence with political prisoners, freeing ourselves from dependence on corporate structures. Discusses 3 types of political prisoners and prioritizes freeing those working on the streets and imprisoned for their political work first. Footage outside Clinton Correctional Facility.
Herman Bell interview (all 3 tapes)
Compilation of Videos 74-76 (see those descriptions)
Jalil Muntaqim interview (3 of 4)
Middle of his story from end of tape 2 about creating a national movement around freeing political prisoners. Met a white guy named Commie Mike who told him about the UPU, United Prisoners Union, formerly run by Popeye Jackson, who was just killed at the time. Contacts Sundiata Acoli about representing the E. Coast. Tremendous response from prisoners throughout the country (political and non) about UN appeal for clemency for political prisoners//prisoners of war. UPU was overwhelmed and so Prairie Fire Organizing Committee produced a pamphlet and brought attorney Katherine Burke from Amnesty International onto the case. Jalil taught her about domestic revolutionary struggle and she taught him about international law. Two different dynamics on the W. and E. Coast. W. Coast was progressive/revolutionary white folks and E. Coast was black folks in the Black Panther Party/RNA/APP and other revolutionary nationalists. Katherine went to Geneva and there was a huge international response given that the US always uses human rights against each other, but never discusses their own domestic HR abuses. So that racial tension caused a lot of sectarianism/factionalism thus an overall lull in the movement. Jalil has always written about political prisoners. Talks about Andrew Young, a US ambassador to the UN who was fired for acknowledging that the US has political prisoners - probably thousands - during a visit to Paris, France. Jalil has tried to get a prisoner exchange between US and Cuba - trade political prisoners for some Cuban held US CIA operatives. Discusses how although COINTELPRO was found illegal, there was no remedy/redress for victims. Believes that Jericho needs to push COINTELPRO.
5 Documents Found
