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WELCOME TO HELL
Yaribu Malik-Al Din Damu
First and foremost, let us take a moment to commemorate our fallen comrade Sista Charla Greene, creator of this webpage, and a strong advocate for prison reform and the abolition of the death penalty who died several years ago. In her spirit and all those in forward track we march on proudly providing the voice and means for progressive ideas and development.
I am Brotha Yaribu, representing "People In Unity." With the support of my beloved wife Sista Tish, I am empowered to advocate the mission at hand. Sista Mary Moore, has given me her blessing so let us begin the road of "Alternative Creation."
I was raised in South Central Los Angeles, with both loving parents, along with three sisters and a brother. Growing up in the community of Watts, gangs, drugs and violence were pervasive in most peoples' lives. This level of human violation began to take shape in my life by the age of thirteen, when I was shot by the rival neighborhood gang. At this time I was not a gang member and only hung out with a few peers of the neighborhood. I was more interested in school, and I was an excellent student until I dropped out after being shot. I gave up school track, football and theater during my Jr. high years. The gang drew me in out of intimidation and lack of security. Without the gang association, I was very vulnerable in my community as well as the surrounding communities of Los Angeles.
I spent fifteen years in prison for a gang related case. Upon entering the prison system, at the age of twenty, I was miseducated and lost. Fortunately, I met and bonded with many politically conscious prisoners. This select group of prisoners took great interest in me and that extra concern provided me with guidance that enabled my survival, higher education, and ultimately my release. These respected elders influenced my maturity and social consciousness. I got my G.E.D. and my studies kept me thriving when there was no hope beyond the walls that held me. In 1998 I created a group called, " the New Afrikan Cultural Group". The purpose was to raise the level of consciousness and development from the Lumpen mentality of many of my young Brothas in prison.
Since my release, July 16th, 2006, I have been putting into action the years of Self- Education and the reality that I discovered locked in the belly of the beast of the so called" justice system."