Victory Gardens Food Project
by Herman Bell
Herman Bell is a U.S. political prisoner and former Black Panther who has been imprisoned for the past 23-and-a-half years for his courageous participation in the Black Liberation Movement. Herman, like so many other political prisoners, has continued his activism despite decades behind bars. The following proposal details one of his latest projects.
Note: This is the 1997 proposal which describes the project. See the update.
The political and economic system that bends our lives to its will, that worsens our predicament relentlessly, benefits the rich not the poor. We know we must resist. However, we must have a plan.
I have friends in Athens, Maine, who have rural skills. They produce most of their own fresh food for consumption, which includes winter canned goods, and stored root crops, and they would like to help others to tap into this strategy for food production. Last year they delivered a half-ton of organically grown food to the MOVE organization of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Just as the new prison industrial complex is being used to control people of color, the NY3 (that's me, Nuh, and Jalil) are a high-priority example of the system's intentions to quash efforts towards self-help in the inner-city neighborhoods. The criminalization of individuals who have ventured to liberate the Afrikan-American community through programs of self-help must not be forgotten. Just as important, the aim of this food program is to help the people help themselves. We wish to introduce food production to as many people as we can, and invite them to come to Maine and learn to grow their own food.
Our immediate need for this year's project includes a used, heavy-duty vehicle capable of transporting a ton of food. Over the long term, the needed vehicle must be capable of transporting people from NYC to Maine. So we're in need of $5,000 for the expense of buying, registering, insuring, and operating this vehicle; for the cost of seed, fertilizer, tilling tools, mulch, etc.; and to primitively house and feed people willing to come to Maine to learn the skills of food production. This should include at least two groups during the growing season. My friends will also need to travel to Harlem to participate in the organizing sessions.
The program is do-able, and once primitive sleeping arrangements are fixed up on the place and everything is running smoothly, we can then arrange to have at least two, maybe three groups of children from the city to rotate up to Maine for the summer, which affords them the opportunity to be out of the city, where they can learn to grow food and have the run of the place. For this alone, the project is worth it.
In my view, this is a practical way to get people involved with helping themselves; it's a way for people in our targeted neighborhoods to get to know, trust, and work with each other. The food project will simply be the focal point; it's a way for people to naturally come together, and political education/group discussions will b encouraged.
Here's my suggestion: Ask your friends and neighbors for donations so that it won't be a strain on anyone. Select one or two persons to take responsibility for the collected donations. Keep a record of all funds. Send the funds via postal money order to:
Carol Dove
RFD 1
Box 6025
Athens, Maine 04912The parties selected to collect and disburse the donations will receive periodic updates so that everybody who donates to this project will learn for themselves what a great thing they've done. Also, if you wish to keep me apprised of the progress of donations in your area, write me as follows:
Herman Bell
79C-0262
Clinton Correctional Facility
Box 2001
Dannemora, NY 12929Thank you very much!
-- Herman Bell
This page is maintained by the Prison Activist Resource Center.