Continued reading of organization means commitment by Grace Lee Boggs.
It is not enough to oppose the system. We have to develop people, values, and vision. If we are only criticizing what’s wrong, we will lose people. People need to see what we are building and how they fit into it. They need to trust us, and one of the best ways to gain their trust is to meet their material needs.
Revolution isn’t just about opposing the system—it’s about developing people capable of building something new.
Continued reading of Organization Means Commitment by Grace Lee Boggs. You can find the full video in my bio.
In this section of Organization Means Commitment, Grace Lee Boggs challenges us to stop mechanically applying past revolutionary strategies to our current moment without doing the work of analyzing our own conditions. Marx and Lenin developed their theories through systematic reflection on their specific realities, and we have to do the same today.
Boggs argues that the primary contradiction in the United States is not simply economic, but the contradiction between our advanced productive capacity and our lack of political consciousness and social responsibility. We have the ability to meet people’s needs, but we have not developed the culture, institutions, or consciousness to govern ourselves in a way that benefits everyone. Revolution, then, is not just about overthrowing systems, but transforming ourselves and building new ways of living and organizing.
The brilliant brothas @ericangelo_ms & @dr.dct3 dropped. In to AmandaLand and enlightened us on coalition building and more! Watch the full ep on YT #vfamandaland
Organization means commitment - Boggs argues that if revolutionary principles remain only in our heads, they turn into empty rhetoric. But if they are not grounded in dialectical principles and systematic reflection, organizations sink into routinism. The challenge is to constantly move between theory and practice, reflection and struggle.
This section from James Forman’s The Making of Black Revolutionaries is one of my favorites and feels extremely relevant right now. Forman was an organizer with SNCC and later worked closely with the Black Panther Party as its Minister of Foreign Affairs. In this passage, he reflects on the lessons he learned trying to build bridges between SNCC and the Panthers, the dangers of rushed alliances, and the political maturity required to determine when a working alliance or merger is actually feasible.
More importantly, he speaks to what sustains unity over time: principled struggle, criticism and self-criticism, humility, political clarity, and the ability to move beyond ego, distrust, and opportunism. He also reminds us that when movements and organizations fail to resolve contradictions internally, it is often the right and the forces of repression that benefit most.
Organization means commitment by Grace Lee Boggs - Conclusion
Just want to say thank you to everyone who followed along with this series. I haven’t decided what text I’ll read next, but in the meantime, I’ll likely be breaking down some shorter speeches and articles from our revolutionary ancestors. Also, special shout-out to @amandaseales@communalpress@trinbagoforpalestine@jeanpaul_fartre_ and others who have amplified and collaborated.
More to come soon!
In 2018, I attended my first Alliance for Boys and Men of Color event as a partner. It was my first time lobbying at the state level. My first time even stepping foot in the Sacramento Capitol.
But what I remember most wasn’t the building. It was the people. I remember the radical spirit of our grassroots partners. The love. The authenticity. I remember seeing @dr.dct3 in a “police free schools” shirt and thinking, “we can really show up to the halls of power like this?”
I fell in love with the organization that day.
Before I even got on the plane back to San Diego, I emailed @jordan.thierry and Marc Philpart and said if a role ever opened up, I wanted in. A couple months later, I joined the team.
What I didn’t imagine was that one day I’d help lead this network and build on the foundation so many people fought to create.
This was my 8th ABMoC Day at the Capitol. And that same spirit is still here and I’m still in love with it all.
This is what solidarity looks like in practice.
A multiracial, multigenerational network—young people, formerly incarcerated people, poor and working-class folks, lawyers, organizers, service providers, and legislators—coming together not just with a shared vision, but with real strategy and real bills to make that vision real.
Power built by grassroots partners across the state and through folks coming together with a shared commitment to transform systems that were never built for us.
Grateful for my team. Grateful for our partners. Grateful for everyone who showed up and made our power felt.
And this is just one day. One mobilization. But the organizing work to abolish harmful systems and build life-affirming, community-based solutions—is happening every single day.
Photos by: @movementphotographer
2026 ABMoC’s Policy Briefing and Lobby Day at the Sacramento Capitol brings together grassroots leaders from across California to align on shared policy priorities, strengthen relationships across our statewide network, and take collective action.
Speaking: Assemblymember Isaac G Bryan @ib2_real
Follow @allianceforbmoc and share ABMoC’s work to amplify community-led solutions:
Stay informed on policy priorities and active campaigns: abmoc.orq/policy-work/legislation
In this moment, why does solidarity across regions, issues, and communities matter more than ever?
What do you want people watching this to understand about the work ABMoC is leading across the state?
Speaking: Christian Beauvoir
Lead Organizer for @allianceforbmoc
ABMoC's Policy Briefing and Lobby Day at the Sacramento Capitol brings together grassroots leaders from across California to align on shared policy priorities, strengthen relationships across our statewide network, and take collective action. The day centers the leadership of boys and men of color and their communities, providing space to build strategy, deepen political alignment, and engage directly with legislators to advance community-driven solutions. These priorities were voted on at our 2025 ABMoC Policy Summit held in Oakland, California.
Support and plug into local grassroots organizations doing this work on the ground
Join future briefings, events, and advocacy opportunities to build power together
Donate to ABMoC:
/support-us/
Your contribution directly supports:
• Travel, stipends, and participation for grassroots and directly impacted leaders
• Training and political education to advance policy change
• Rapid response during crises, including protests, mutual aid, and healing spaces
• Campaigns to move resources from prisons into schools, housing, and community care.
Follow us at @allianceforbmoc
Media coverage by @communalpress
Why is it important for grassroots leaders from across California to come together at the Sacramento Capitol right now?
Speaking: Sally Ching Policy Director for @allianceforbmoc
The Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color (ABMoC), established in 2011, examines California state policies to improve outcomes for young men of color in education, health, employment, and juvenile justice. It collaborates with community leaders to dismantle systemic barriers, focusing on actionable policy, budget priorities, and equity.
Our collective voice-and our collective action-is what drives change. Strengthen statewide alignment across ABMoC’s network of grassroots partners
• Advance a shared policy and budget agenda for the legislative cycle
• Build the advocacy skills and capacity of community leaders
• Deepen relationships and solidarity across regions and issue areas
• Directly engage legislators to push for community-driven policy solutions
Action Steps
• Follow @allianceforbmoc and share ABMoC’s work to amplify community-led solutions:
• Stay informed on policy priorities and active campaigns:
https://abmoc.orq/policy-work/legislation
Media coverage by @communalpress
Continued reading of organization means commitment by Grace Lee Boggs – the indivisibility of politics and ethics
Ending with her central point: the indivisibility of politics and ethics. Revolutionary organizations must embody the values they are fighting for. Without shared standards, there is no trust. Without trust, there is no protracted struggle.
She contrasts this with earlier traditions, arguing that today the issue is not a lack of hostility toward the system. People already feel that. What is missing is a concept of human transformation and a commitment to long-term struggle.
The Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color (ABMoC), established in 2011, examines California state policies to improve outcomes for young men of color in education, health, employment, and juvenile justice.
It collaborates with community leaders to dismantle systemic barriers, focusing on actionable policy, budget priorities, and equity.
Follow us at @allianceforbmoc
Donate to ABMoC:
/support-us/
Your contribution directly supports:
• Travel, stipends, and participation for grassroots and directly impacted leaders
• Training and political education to advance policy change
• Rapid response during crises, including protests, mutual aid, and healing spaces
• Campaigns to move resources from prisons into schools, housing, and community care
Media coverage by: @communalpress
