This week’s episode features New Afrikan Political Prisoner Kwame Beans Shakur discussing not only the need to test theory through practice but providing concrete examples of how to do so successfully. “Revolution is based on land,” as Malcolm X said, but that’s not enough: cutting the umbilical cord with U.S. imperialism requires the knowledge of cultivating the land and, more generally, utilizing our capacities collectively for a common purpose.

For the Naptown Breakdown, hosts Dani Abdullah and Derek Ford each bring two recent, ongoing instances of the local ruling-class’ negligence and disregard for the people of Indianapolis. They examine the Indy Public Library’s Board’s upcoming vote to increase CEO Greg Hill’s salary by almost 25%, up from $205,000 to $265,000. If Hill, who never applied or interviewed for the job, gets the raise, it will amount to more than the median salary of librarians. Next they turn to the recent audit of the Office of Public Health and Safety, which found $45 million of taxpayer money is “missing.”

New Afrikan Political Prisoner Kwame Beans Shakur, who is also the National Director of the Prison Lives Matter Movement and, along with Shaka A. Shakur, Co-Founder of the New Afrikan Liberation Collective, joins Derek for a politically incisive and timely discussion about the state of the New Afrikan/Black liberation movement and the struggle to free Political Prisoners, the Republic of New Afrika, and all oppressed and exploited people.

Serving a 110-year sentence for a crime he didn’t commit, Beans is currently captive at Miami “Correctional” Facility. Even years of solitary confinement couldn’t stop his organizing or his development as a musician. Learn about his unconscious and then conscious politicization, the concrete projects he’s facilitated that put theory to the test, his upcoming single release party and video shoot at the Indy Liberation Center next month, and more! Most importantly, see the show notes to join the struggle to free Beans, Political Prisoners, Prisoners of War, and all of our people behind enemy lines!

Show Notes:

Kwame Shakur Defense Campaign (IG, FB)
Kwame Beans Shakur Music (Apple, Spotify)
“Contradictions on Organizing in Post-Neo-Colonial north amerikkka“
Spirit of Mandela

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Indianapolis Liberation Center
Party for Socialism and Liberation – Indianapolis

Events:

Thurs, 6/18: Reading with Comrades: Teaching to Transgress
Fri, 6/19: “Radical Roots:” Anti-ICE Juneteenth Open Mic
Sat, 6/20: Circle City Sangha Mindfulness Meetup
Sat, 6/20: Trans Pride “Brick” Party
Sun, 6/21: Emancipatory Motions: Yoga for Liberation
Mon, 6/22: Pack the Library Board: Raises for Workers, Not the CEO!