As African Internationalist revolutionaries, we would be amiss not to use those things put in place by revolutionaries, past and present, which forward the cause of revolution and socialism.
The Little Black Book, officially named “Quotations From Chairman Omali Yeshitela,” is a collection of notable quotes dating as far back as 1981 and to the present year of 2012.
Considering that the African People’s Socialist Party has chosen 2012 as the year to initiate its massive recruitment campaign, the publication and mass distribution of “Quotations From Chairman Omali Yeshitela” could not have come at a more desirable and strategic point in time.
The publication comes at a time when study, practice, theory, high morale and the steeling of cadres must become the high road for the membership of the African People’s Socialist Party. The quotations from the Little Black Book are situated in such a way as to develop membership into cadre and to develop the best daughters and sons of the African working class into membership.
“Quotations From Chairman Omali Yeshitela” is a compact version of the revolutionary theory of African Internationalism.
Thus, it is a scientific work that all revolutionaries, whether in Cuba, Afghanistan, Iran, South, Central or North America, Our Africa, in Europe or anywhere on this Earth can utilize to advance the general struggle against imperialism and capitalist/colonialist white power.
The fact that Quotations is divided into 48 different chapters gives us some indication that the book is trying to address a broad range of questions that the individual organizer or the group might be confronted with, day-to-day, as they go about solving problems of the Revolution.
A practical, inspirational revolutionary book
Indeed, the Little Black Book is made pocket-sized so that it is always available to membership, cadre and leadership not only for practical purposes but for inspirational purposes as well.
There is no better inspiration than reading "Quotations From Chairman Omali" when wondering or trying to figure out how African people and the peoples of the world will be free.
An example of the practical and inspirational value of Quotations can be found in Chapter 36 on Party Cadre.
Take for instance, you have worked, worked, worked to pull off a street demonstration or an indoor forum.
Most of the comrades carried out their assignments fairly well, but still only 10 people show up and 5 of them are professional event goers. Well, you wonder what happened.
You can’t blame this on the people. You have a problem that the Revolution must fix.
We go to our Little Black Book looking for some inspiration; not necessarily looking for the answer to this particular problem.
Chairman Omali says “When we say that the party is the vanguard, or the advanced detachment of the colonized African working class, this must not be confused with the idea that the Party and the working class are the same.”
“At any given time, the mass of the black working class may exist in a state of demoralization, or in a morass of social backwardness, of religious fatalism, drug-induced lethargy or a number of ailments often associated with revolutionary defeat.”
“Therefore the Party must consist of those Africans most dedicated to the revolutionary cause…”
The above quote is inspirational and practical. You don’t have to read the stars or your horoscope to try and figure out what happened.
You analyze the situation, meet with your group, provide some inspiration through pulling out The Little Black Book during your sum-up; then you have a scientific approach to organizing.
Then you go out and do better the next time.
The Little Red Book and The Little Black Book forward the Revolution
The revolutionaries in the Communist Party of China first came up with the idea of Quotations of Chairman Mao Zedong (The Little Red Book), which was first published in 1964.
It contained quotes from the great Chairman who led the Chinese Revolution against British imperialism, Japanese occupation and reactionary nationalists who were a formidable force following the defeat of the Japanese.
Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book contained quotes from 1927 through 1964, a period of 37 years. Chairman Omali’s Little Black Book contains quotes from 1981 to 2012, a period of 31 years.
The Little Red Book was published for the same reasons as The Little Black Book: to forward the aims of the Revolution–power to the people.
The Chinese Communist Party had seized state power in 1949, but it wasn’t until 1964 that “Quotations” was published.
Although the Revolution had seized power and defeated the nationalist forces led by Chiang Kai-shek, the struggle was far from over.
Chiang, after being defeated politically and militarily in 1949 by revolutionary forces, then called on the United Nations to protect him and set him up in what is still an imperialist stronghold in the Pacific today–the island of Taiwan.
The United Nations and U.S. troops are still there today.
Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book was also a mainstay of study in the political education program of the Black Panther Party.
Next to the Party’s newspaper, The Black Panther, The Little Red Book was required reading for cadre and for those coming into the Party.
The reading of The Little Red Book was an attempt to bring some science into the movement which was steeped in mysticism from cultural nationalism and “spookism” associated with adherents of religious beliefs.
Malcolm was the exception to this rule. He revealed to us through his speeches the class character of the Black Revolution.
And he gave us the fire and inspiration that we needed to make the fight.
Other than Malcolm, our movement was more or less by trial and error.
As Chairman Omali says, it was “on the job training.” Huey P. Newton and virtually the entire membership of the Black Panther Party were mere youngsters.
Chairman Omali and the forces that made up the Junta of Militant Organizations (JOMO) were mere youngsters also.
The situation is different now.
The Little Black Book culminates 40 years of revolutionary theory
We have a clear 40 years of non-stop revolutionary practice and theoretical advancement in revolutionary philosophy that you can find in Chairman Omali Yeshitela’s Little Black Book.
It is 178 pages of African Internationalism, that when grasped by the Party and the people, will be a cornerstone in the building of Black Power.
As Comrade Secretary General of the African Socialist International stated in the foreword to “Quotations From Chairman Omali Yeshitela,” “The growing movements of the masses of people against every manifestation of colonialism and neocolonialism are ushering in the downfall of 500 years of imperialist domination.
“They are pushing the world to the brink of genuine socialism through the destruction of this parasitic social system built and maintained at the expense of the majority of humanity.”
“Quotations From Chairman Omali Yeshitela” is a great work that needs to be in the hands of revolutionaries throughout the world.
It must immediately be transcribed into French and Spanish to provide a supplement to The Burning Spear newspaper for Party cadre all over the world.
READ IT! STUDY! PASS IT ON!
MAKE REVOLUTION WITH THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK AS ONE OF YOUR WEAPONS!
