Thread by @mrhick01

Good late evening family. This is going to be another long one.

With this Tweet-thread, we're going to review and consider coalitions and alliances.

Let's have a discussion about when to do them, why to do them, and what to expect out of the transaction. #ADOS #ADOSAgile (1/)

An excellent prologue for a discussion on this critical issue is Kwame Ture (formerly Stokely Carmichael) & political scientist Charles V. Hamilton's "Black Power: The Politics of Liberation."

Taking influence and cues from the Ture/Hamilton text, I will paraphrase the couple of pages for #ADOS interest: "We do not oppose the formation of political coalitions *per se,* ... But coalitions with whom? On what terms? And for what objectives?" #ADOSAgile (2/)

Now that we have almost 55 more years of data than the original authors, the results of such coalitions remain woefully lacking.

#ADOS (3/)

The major problems remain: these coalitions for Black people, #ADOS, only tend to exist at the leadership level, they are dictated by terms that are established by others, and the goals & directives do not bring gains in the lives of ADOS masses.

#ADOSAgile (4/)

It remains a durable problem that has only worsened over time.

It's critical that it be understood that #ADOS does not reject coalitions & their development, but it demands a clear understanding of when to do them to ensure that it is for our collective's best interest. (5/)

Ture/Hamilton—"The Myths of Coalitions":

#ADOS #ADOSPolitics #ADOSAgile (6/)

There's more coming after tonight's show.

Back to teaching.

A key problem facing any *functional* or *useful* coalitions or alliances that #ADOS would consider is the problem of *Anglo-conformity.* This is a position that what's good for America—by default, whites—is good for ADOS, and that...is simply not true. (7/)

That cannot work for us.

This is an ongoing problem that the Democratic Party has when presenting ADOS their solutions to our collective, and it has especially emerged as a problem of America's factions on the political Left.

#ADOS (8/)

Their overconcern with class as opposed to America's history with *race,* via chattel slavery and extended anti-Black, anti-ADOS racism continues to be an ongoing problem.

#ADOSPolitics (9/)

It always reveals itself in how "negotiable and expendable" #ADOS interests are when it conflicts with the interests of our "allies." As the status quo remains, the material needs of ADOS remains secondary to the goals of the Democrats. #ADOSPolitics (10/)

Another enduring problem of ADOS coalition attempts, one that continues to reap ineffectual results for the people *to this very day* are our existing so-called "coalitions" with the existing Democratic Party.

#ADOSPolitics (11/)

As it stands, as #ADOS & other motivated Black groups express the interests of our people FIRST, most professed support of our group problems are quickly dropped and the words of "divisive" or even "racist(?!?)" and the so-called allies disappear.

Consistently. (12/)

So then: alliances and coalitions for ADOS, to date, continues to be a losing proposition for our collective interests.

#ADOSPolitics (13/)

From the Republican compromise of the 1876 Presidential election that ended Reconstruction in the deep South, to the betrayal of ADOS by Tom Watson & the Populist movement in the 1890s, to Chicago Machine politics of the 20th century, to the present... #ADOSPolitics (14/)

...the material interests of whites in these coalitions always trump (no pun intended, until I change my mind) the socioeconomic objectives of #ADOS.

Given this shows most of our problems in this political climate, what shall we do? #ADOSPolitics (15/)

As #ADOS continues to gather and grow, our *organizational development* must continue to use a BOTTOM-UP approach.

When a group of people, relatively speaking, lack money and their body of organizers continue political education & are developing;

#ADOSPolitics (16/)

...this approach holds the greatest potential of moving & encouraging ADOS to rely upon our own ideas & collective power.

#ADOSPolitics (17/)

Be #ADOSAgile. Search community events for potential like-minded thinkers. Continue to self-educate through subscribing to the #BreakingBrown newsletter and following up on those articles through checking the sources from them. (18/)

Over time, continue to work as an individual & in small groups through consuming the content of our book list: goodreads.com/list/show/1110….

Read & participate in the #ADOS Book Club. For reference on key topics, review @BreakingBrown and @tonetalks' YouTube libraries. (19/)

@BreakingBrown @tonetalks Not only that, but connect with the local-area #ADOS chapter forming in your area of the country.

If your area does not yet have one, then read, continue to follow YC & AM on YouTube, support #ADOS-educational material that I have provided on Medium, link in my profile...

(20/)

Read more informational material at sites such as @ActifyPress and moguldom.com (amongst a couple of others) and connect on social media with #ADOS leadership groups to engage in conversations how to better get our people.

#ADOSAgile (21/)

Ongoing education, #RecurringTraining & #ContinuousImprovement are key. Mobilization, organization, & leadership are BUILT through this engagement.

#ADOSAgile (22/)

Learn, start small & do not overextend.

Don't look at yourself as the superstar of a Black Empowerment Extravaganza where everyone else around you are staff & bit-players.

Create your lane, recruit the curious & motivated, and BUILD. #ADOSAgile (23/)

As our chapters & study groups continue to organize, remember that The Main Thing is the agenda, OUR AGENDA, and that is the assessment of what is for the good of *the collective "us,"* based upon our 400+ years here & our socioeconomic history in this nation. #ADOS (24/)

Secondly, before #ADOS can consider any serious coalition or alliance, it's a necessity for GENUINE POWER BASES before we have anything that actually will benefit US.

We cannot base this on sentiment or magical thinking, it demands organization & POWER. (25/)

After these two critical standards can be met (and this is a serious, intentional process), we continue to keep in mind, that:

COALITIONS need to be of mutual benefit;
and ALLIANCES should only be entered when our objectives can be achieved no other way. #ADOSPolitics (26/)

If all of these things can happen as we do movement work & interact with other groups (perhaps w/others of "color" or other kinds of "at-risk" background), there are four additional & absolutely necessary preconditions that must be considered:

#ADOSPolitics (27/)

1) DO NOT come into an alliance as a weak link or afterthought (be aware of your—and their—self-interests);

2) BE CLEAR on what you, *collectively,* expect to get from this arrangement (specific & identifiable goals);

#ADOSPolitics #ADOSAgile #ADOS (28/)

3) BALANCE the COALITION/ALLIANCE with independent organizational work (each party has its own base of power), and;

4) MONITOR THE RELATIONSHIP that agreements are kept (again specific, as opposed vague & general goals).

#ADOSPolitics #ADOSAgile #ADOS (29/)

When ADOS comes to a moment where we must consider a coalition or alliance in this struggle, it only matters as others view us as co-equals & our political & economic goals can mesh (can be of mutual benefit).

If we cannot have that, we better not do it. #ADOS (30/X)