“Peace Through Revolution”: Black Is Back Coalition March and Rally Nov 1 and 2
A Black Agenda Radio commentary by executive editor Glen Ford
“The Black Is Back Coalition held firmly to its founding principles of unity in struggle against imperialism, white supremacy and the rule of the rich.”
The orgy of militarized policing in Ferguson, Missouri, and the forces that had already been set in motion in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s assassination-by-vigilante have changed the tone and substance of the Black political conversation in America – except, of course, among the Black Misleadership Class, whose crisis of relevancy deepens by the day. Having reached the pinnacle of their own narrow and entirely symbolic version of Black Power with the election of the first Black President, in 2008, they have had nowhere to go but down ever since, and nothing worthwhile to say. The silence of the shams.
The Black Is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations came together during Barack Obama’s first year in office, in large part to show that there were still lots of Black folks who understood that the struggle for self-determination and a new dispensation for all the world’s people is the real prize worth fighting for. The fact that the new president was Black did not alter in the slightest the demands put forward by the newly organized Coalition at its first rally and march on the White House, in November of 2009.
There have been many marches and rallies and conferences and mobilizations since then. As Obama plugged the world deeper into chaos and war, and a brutal police state tightened its grip on impoverished Black communities across the nation, the Black Is Back Coalition held firmly to its founding principles of unity in struggle against imperialism, white supremacy and the rule of the rich. It was critical that, when the fog and confusion of the Age of Obama finally lifted, at least some Black folks could be identified as having been right all along.
Black is Back!
Well, the fog is lifting, people are once again trying to get in motion, and the Black Is Back Coalition returns to Malcolm X Park, in Washington, for a rally and march on the White House, on Saturday, November 1, under the theme “Peace through Revolution.” Then, on Sunday, November 2, the action shifts to Howard University, for a teach-in where activists and strategists will tackle the problems of organizing for the battles that have already begun. Speakers at the rally will include New York’s fighting city councilman and former Black Panther Charles Barron, Philadelphia’s Pam Africa, a prime mover in the campaign to free Mumia Abu Jamal, Omali Yeshitela, veteran organizer and chairman of the African Socialist Party – and I’ll have a few things to say, as well.
The teach-in will bring together some of the freshest young minds and seasoned veterans of the liberation struggle. So, now you know: November 1st and 2nd is an important time to be in Washington, where the Black Is Back Coalition and its allies will chart a path to “Peace through Revolution.” The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, the Hands Up Coalition, United Against Police Terror, Friends of Congo, former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, NCOBRA, and both the ANSWER Coalition and the United National Anti-War Coalition have all endorsed the march, rally and teach-in. On November 1st and 2nd, Black Is Back!
For Black Agenda Radio, I’m Glen Ford. On the web, go to BlackAgendaReport.com. And, while you’re there, sign up for free email notifications of our new issues, each Wednesday.
BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com. For more information on the Black Is Back Coalition march, rally and teach-in call: 224-572-9887, 727-821-6620 or visit blackisbackcoalition.org.
This week’s featured author is Sami Schalk. Schalk is Associate Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Her book is Black Disability Politics.
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