Just sent a letter to the warden of Jackson Correctional Institution, and I’m proud to stand in support of prisoners’ rights to access The Militant, an international socialist newsweekly connected to the Socialist Workers Party and the Pathfinder Press.
The Florida Department of Corrections has banned issue no. 17 of The Militant, citing concerns over a photo from an article about the fight against anti-Semitism. Prison officials claim the content is “dangerously inflammatory,” but it’s clear that the article provides historical context, not hate speech or incitement. https://themilitant.com/2024/08/17/help-overturn-ban-on-the-militant-in-florida-prison/
This is about more than just a newspaper—it’s a fight for prisoners’ constitutional rights to access political literature.
Here is the copy of the letter I sent and I would recommend others socialists to email the department of corrections as well. Email was sent to Services Administrator Saritza Legault at [email protected]. com
Text of my letter:
September 4, 2024
Warden Heath Holland Jackson Correctional Institution 5563 10th St Malone, FL 32445
Dear Warden Holland,
I’m writing to express my concern over the recent decision to ban issue no. 17 of The Militant newspaper within Jackson Correctional Institution. I respectfully urge you to reconsider this action, which I believe undermines the fundamental rights of prisoners to access political literature and infringes on their freedom of speech, as protected by the Constitution.
The Militant provides important perspectives and educational content to its readers, including many incarcerated individuals who benefit from staying informed on national and international issues.
I respect the safety concerns of your institution but believe that banning literature like The Militant does more harm than good by limiting access to educational and political materials that help incarcerated individuals engage in constructive dialogue and understanding. I hope you will consider reversing this ban and allow this publication to be accessed by those who wish to read it.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It’s banned because can’t have slaves getting ideas.
It’s banned because can’t have slaves getting ideas.
Exactly!
During openly acknowledged chattle slavery, they left out parts of the Bible they feared would cause uprising. I’ve been seeing religion, occultism as allegorical ways to bring us into wholeness with ourselves, before psychology. CBT and REBT are great, but we are cut off from them way too early, usually due to financial and time constraints. Why is that? Maybe societies don’t want that. I wonder what could possibly be the reasons?
Alternately, some people shun these things when access is freely available. Again, for what reasons, when the ostensible ones are so transparent, a half-sneeze would dissipate them into the farthest reaches of the multiverse.
