Correspondence to and from Imprisoned Black Revolutionaries.
Date Modified
2025-09-30
Description
Black Liberation Army member Albert Washington, aka Nuh Abdul Qaiyum (“Nuh” is the Arabic pronunciation of Noah), was imprisoned in 1975 after being convicted with two others in the 1971 killing of two police officers. While imprisoned, Qaiyum exchanged letters with several other political prisoners including Sundiata Acoli, Gunnie Haskins, Assata Shakur (Joanne Chesimard), and others. This item set is Frankye Adams-Johnson’s collection of letters to and from Black imprisoned revolutionaries.
Black Panther Party leader, co-founder of the Black Liberation Army, and political prisoner Dhoruba Bin Wahd (Richard Moore) writes to the Freedom Now Campaign concerning several of the group's members exhibiting opportunistic tendencies on the issue of African-American political prisoners because of a power vacuum in the Black liberation struggle
Victor Cumberbatch, who was sentenced to prison in 1973 on robbery and weapons charges in connection with a Black Liberation Army (BLA) robbery, writes to update Albert Washington (Nuh Abdul Qaiyum) on his physical wellbeing and where he is serving his prison sentence. He asks if he has heard anything about an incident in Brooklyn.
Victor Cumberbatch, sentenced to prison in 1973 on robbery and weapons charges in connection with a Black Liberation Army (BLA) robbery, writes to Frankye Adams-Johnson (Malika). He explains the impression and lifelong impact that she left on him. He mentions meeting her husband, and he relates to him in the sense of growing older in prison.
Sundiata Acoli, a member of the Black Liberation Army (BLA) who was convicted in 1974 for the murder of a cop, writes to fellow revolutionary Sute. He addresses his lack of writing, as he is trying to organize revolutionaries in prison. He tells Sute the location of other brothers in the prison and news of their court proceedings.
Raul Abd Al Khaliq, a fellow imprisoned Black revolutionary, writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum. In the letter, he mentions some of Nuh Abdul Qaiyum's writings, and stresses the importance of prisoners communicating with one another. He also lays out a vision and ideology for armed Black resistance, namely the need for centralized leadership.
Raul Abd Al Khaliq, a fellow imprisoned Black revolutionary, writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum. He opens the letter with a passage from the Quran. He then focuses on the mental and conscious change that imprisoned and free revolutionaries must go through to fight the battle properly. He explains the need for an organized structure for resistance groups.
Raul Abd Al Khaliq, a fellow imprisoned Black revolutionary, writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum. He writes about forming a mass network of communications between all revolutionaries across the country. He feels there is a lack of those willing to take action and that a mass re-organization of the party, their structure, and ideals is necessary.
Pedro Monges (Chango Caribe), who was sentenced to prison in 1973 on robbery and weapons charges in connection with a Black Liberation Army (BLA) robbery, writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum to explain his current conditions and treatment in jail, saying he is under extreme surveillance. He writes about his newly born son, case proceedings, and other news.
Pedro Monges (Chango Caribe), who was sentenced to prison in 1973 on robbery and weapons charges in connection with a Black Liberation Army (BLA) robbery, writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum to apologize for the delay between letters. He writes that he is hopeful for the future because their fight is a natural one that the people must get serious about.
A letter from imprisoned Black Panther Party member Nuh Abdul Qaiyum on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Black Panther Party in 1986. He writes about the Black Panther Party, its impact, and its legacy. He explains the void that the Party left in the community after its end due to having no political power.
Kuwasi Balagoon (aka Donald Weems) was a Black Liberation Army Member (BLA) who was imprisoned in 1969. He writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum to detail the conscious change that the revolutionaries and prisoners need to undergo. He believes there are too many contradicting messages and they must maintain an organizational structure and single message.
Written on Middlesex County Workhouse letterhead, where Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur) was being held in connection with a 1973 police shooting. She writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum in response to his letters and to catch up. She notes that she is hesitant toward religion, but believes Islam teaches the mental processes needed for revolution.
Written on Middlesex County Workhouse letterhead, where Joanne Chesimard (Assata Shakur) was being held in connection with a 1973 police shooting. She writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum that she heard about his marriage and wrote a love poem for them. She thanks him for his book suggestions and writes about the other prisoners attitudes’ toward books.
Harold Simmons (Hodari Diallo), a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for a robbery to raise money for the BLA, writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum. He copies an article detailing his and two other members' court proceedings. He explains their mission was to disrupt the court system, and believes they achieved a victory for the people.
Harold Simmons (Hodari Diallo), a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for a robbery to raise money for the BLA, writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum to tell him he was sentenced to 25 years and is currently in segregated lockup, still being harassed by the police. He explores corruption in the community before mentioning an essay he read.
Gunnie James Haskins, a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for a robbery to raise money for the BLA, is writing to update Nuh Abdul Qaiyum to express happiness in the fact that their book is becoming a reality and the revolution is still happening in different ways.
Gunnie James Haskins, a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for a robbery to raise money for the BLA, is writing to update Nuh Abdul Qaiyum of his current condition and the treatment of the other prisoners. He tells him of their court proceedings and gives his idea for a collaborative book about the BLA.
Bashir Abdul Lugman AS-Sabur writes to a fellow imprisoned person. He compares the Black Panther Party to scattered seeds that can't grow. He mentions the need for their forces to be reunited and how the recipient's religious rights are being violated through the denial of the ability to perform the Muslim practice of Jumma services in prison.
Ashanti Alston, a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for 11 years for a robbery to raise money for the BLA, writes to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum, asking which methods should be used to communicate with the people and the best actions to take that will instill unity in the community. He also writes about his court proceedings.
A letter from Ashanti Alston, a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for 11 years for a robbery to raise money for the BLA. He explores the mistakes of the BLA and writes about the principles of the new movement. He gives an update of his prison sentence of 25 years.
Ashanti Alston, a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for 11 years for a robbery to raise money for the BLA, writes to three fellow imprisoned revolutionaries. He writes about the psychology of the fight for Black liberation and the ways in which their organization should fight for the people.
A letter from Ashanti Alston, a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for 11 years for a robbery to raise money for the BLA, to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum. The letter includes 2 lists: "Points of Attention In Our World Among Revolutionary Elements" and "Points of Attention in Work Among the Masses"
A card from Ashanti Alston, a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for 11 years for a robbery to raise money for the BLA, to an unknown recipient. A collage of Malcolm X photos is on the cover. He updates the recipient on a pregnancy and marriage taking place and informs them of his schedule and admits to procrastination.
A letter from Ashanti Alston, a Black Liberation Army (BLA) member who was imprisoned for 11 years for a robbery to raise money for the BLA, to Nuh Abdul Qaiyum. He has come up with "points of attention" for the revolutionaries, and he wants Nuh Abdul Qaiyum and the other members to critique them.
