SF Bay View stands with Minister King X and the struggle for worker power behind prison walls

by Tabari Morris

SF Bay View is unequivocally in solidarity with Minister X and those joining him in his fight to bring about a new way of thinking regarding the intersection of labor activism, human dignity and re-entry into society in California. His proposed paradigm calls for those coming out of incarceration to be viewed not as expendable labor or perpetual subjects, but rather as workers and organizers.

The heart of such an approach would be an initiative within CDCR that incorporates elements of legal literacy, reentry preparedness, organizing skills training and cultural education. Such initiatives are presented as the California Coalition for Worker Power initiative and the Workers Power Assembly, which includes fair chance rights, non-retaliation policies, sector-based career paths, and an agreement to end hostilities.

Minister X is presented in the report as an important link between internal organizing and external labor power. In terms of art, political education, media work and the 5-2-A curriculum, he plays a vital role in elevating the voices of those who have been and are currently incarcerated.

That matters to SF Bay View because this newspaper has long stood with imprisoned, formerly imprisoned and working-class people whose voices are too often erased from public debate. The report’s emphasis on shared humanity, collective agency, family unity, real rehabilitation and protection from exploitation reflects the same struggle for justice that community media has a responsibility to document and defend.

Moreover, the paper highlights that the movement is practical rather than symbolic. The paper provides real-world solutions to be taken in construction, healthcare, green infrastructure, logistics, and manufacturing industries, along with warm hand-off reentry assistance that could link returning individuals with legal help, housing, health care, mentoring and job opportunities.

SF Bay View understands that solidarity is not just about paying lip service. Solidarity means understanding that workers’ rights, the rights of our people behind the walls, and re-entry rights cannot be separated from each other, and that the voices and guidance of those who suffer the most under the system must stay in the foreground. Minister X is bringing this message with clarity and vision.

Tabari Morris, a journalism student at City College of San Francisco and news editor of The Guardsman, City College’s student newspaper, is managing editor of the Bay View and can be reached at tabari@sfbayview.com.  

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