Screed 3:
THE SLA OATH
The seven values listed on the basic cobra-head chart were carefully explicated in a seven-part oath or vow. From internal evidence one may judge that the oath was developed as a committee project, rather than by a single intelligence.
Its insistence on the elements of pride, morale, and solidarity unmistakably connect the oath to the Black Studies and Black Awareness programs of the 1960's, and to the other Consciousness and Awareness programs (for Orientals, Hispanics, Prisoners, Women, Children, Homosexuals, and so on) which spun off from them. Collations with oaths and programs of Latin terrorist groups, in particular the Tupemaros, and with non-terrorist quasi-revolutionary groups such as the Venceremos of California, also reveals an indebtedness. Copies of the documents were circulating along Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley in early 1973, and others came to light immediately after the assassination of Marcus Foster in November. That it was circulated in other places, including prisons, is certain.
It seems likely that the term "nation" in items 1, 3, 5, and 7 was substituted for an earlier term indicating race or caste, and that the non-revolutionary concept of environmentalism under "KUUMBA" was added in consideration of the "ecology" movement which engrossed public attention in the period 1968-70. Very noticeable is its concentration on the Federation aspect of Symbionese activity, and its failure to mention the "Army" or militant aspect.
In its apparently final form, the oath was sent to Radio Station KPFA and the Hearst family with the demand that it be published in "all public media".
TO THOSE WHO WOULD BEAR THE HOPES AND
FUTURE OF OUR PEOPLE, LET THE VOICE OF
THEIR GUNS EXPRESS THE WORDS OF FREEDOM
UMOJA - LA UNIDAD UNITY To strive for and maintain unity in our household, our nation and in The Symbionese Federation.
KUJICHAGULIA - LA LIBRE DETERMINACION - SELFDETERMINATION -- To define ourselves, name ourselves, speak for ourselves and govern ourselves.
UJIMA - TRABAJO COLLECTIVO Y RESPONSABILIDAD - COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY --- To build and maintain our nation and the federation together by making our brothers' and sisters' and the Federation's problems our problems and solving them together.
UJAMAA - PRODUCCION COOPERATIVA -- COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION -- To build and maintain our own economy from our skills, and labor and resources and to insure ourselves and other nations that we all profit equally from our labor.
NIA PROPOSITO - PURPOSE -- To make as our collective vocation the development and liberation of our nation, and all oppressed people, in order to restore our people and all oppressed people to their traditional greatness and humanity.
KUUMBA - CREATIVO -- CREATIVITY -- To do all we can in order to free our nation and defend the federation and constantly make it and the earth that we all share more beautiful and beneficial.
IMANI -FE - FAITH -- To believe in our unity, our leaders, our teachers, our people, and in the righteousness and victory of our struggle and the struggle of all oppressed and exploited people.
