A-Infos (en) [From Mumia Abu-Jamal] THE REVOLUTION BETRAYED

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           Here is Mumia's latest article. For those new to
           the list, you can find his previous columns at
           http://www.mumiabook.com/mumia/column.asp

           on a move,
           Joe


           THE REVOLUTION BETRAYED
           By Mumia Abu-Jamal, M.A.
           #499 Column Written 3/4/2001
           All Rights Reserved

           "Is it possible to succeed without any act of
           betrayal?" - Jean Renoir (1894-1979) French Filmmaker

           When one speaks of revolution, the very notion, the
           very mention, reveals the interests of all
           participants.

           No one is neutral in a revolution, and even the
           pretension of neutrality is but inaction in favor of
           the status quo, and therefore, anti-revolutionary in
           effect.

           Most folks think of the American Revolution, or the
           French Revolution; some think of the Haitian
           Revolution, or the Russian Revolution.  Most see these
           revolutions as rare epoch in history; as earth-
           shattering as comets plunging from the heavens.

           Revolutions (despite what you were taught in history
           class) were rife in world history, and were successful
           in some ways, but unsuccessful in others.

           What will no doubt surprise many readers is the long
           history of revolutions across Europe.  They were
           religious, nationalist, and social-economic in
           character, yet they were revolutions nonetheless.

           For millions of Americans, the names of these European
           revolutionaries (although of their various ethnic
           backgrounds) are virtually unknown.  John Ball
           (England), Jan Hus (Czech), the Taborites, Prokop Holı
           (Czech priest), and the like, were all revolutionaries
           (or, at least, committed radicals) who rallied popular
           discontent against a rich, and foreign, clergy and
           aristocracy.

           There can be no discussion about these revolutions,
           without the acknowledgement that these revolutionaries
           fought in Revolutions that were ultimately betrayed by
           their erstwhile allies, for self-interest, gain, or a
           false, elusive "peace."  Bohemia's brilliant Jan Hus
           (ca. 1419) sparked a revolution that raged for 18
           years, while the betrayal of the Hussite revolution
           came from those who professed allegiance, yet
           practiced treachery, like the well-to-do and wealthy
           Masters of the University at Prague.
           [See C. H. George, 500 Years of Revolution:  European
           Radicals from Hus to Lenin, (Kerr, 1998)].

           The brilliant revolutionary historian, C.L.R. James,
           in his little-known A History of Pan-African Revolt
           (1938/1995) tells us of the attempt of Toussaint
           L'Ouverture to betray Haitian freedom to the French
           colonists:

           ...[W]hen the French Government sent Commissioners who
           boasted of the armed forces (quite imaginary) which
           were on their way, the Negro leaders [Jean-François,
           Biassou, and Toussaint] sought to betray their
           followers.  They wrote to the Commissioners promising
           that in return for the freedom of a few hundred they
           would cooperate in leading the others back into
           slavery and would join in hunting down the
           recalcitrant. [James, 40.]

           Toussaint's failed deal shows us how deep is the
           instinct of betrayal, not just in "Negro leaders," but
           in the very heart of the Revolution itself.  Let us
           learn from our radical and revolutionary history, for,
           in so doing, we are neither surprised nor dismayed by
           betrayals of revolution.  We expect it.

           What this history teaches us is that some revolutions,
           if led by the people, and not the bourgeoisie, will
           even succeed despite treachery.

           They spring, not from the brains of the bourgeoisie,
           but from the guts and hearts of a people on the move.

           A true revolution can be betrayed, but if it lives in
           the hearts of the people, it can't be stopped.
           (c)MAJ 2001

           ******************************************************
           This column may be reprinted and/or distributed by
           electronic means, but only for non-commercial use, and
           only with the inclusion of the following copyright
           information:

           Text (c) copyright 2001 by Mumia Abu-Jamal. All rights
           reserved. Reprinted by permission of the author.

           Get Mumia's columns by email: http://www.MumiaBook.com
           ******************************************************

           Mumia Abu-Jamal is the author of three books: 'Live
           from Death Row', 'Death Blossoms', and 'All Things
           Censored'. A new biography, 'On A Move: The Story of
           Mumia Abu-Jamal', is available at www.MumiaBook.com





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