“Black is Back” on Nov. 7: D.C. Rally and March on White House | Black Agenda Report

“Black is Back” on Nov. 7: D.C. Rally and March on White House

Glen Ford, BAR executive editor

22 Sep 2009

🖨️ Print Article

A Black Agenda Radio commentary by Glen Ford

Click the flash player to listen to or the mic below to download the MP3 audio of this commentary.

The “period of passivity in Black politics” that accompanied the ascent of Barack Obama, is about to end. The Black is Back Coalition seeks to reignite a Black-led movement for social justice, peace and reparations – which will in turn energize progressive politics in general. See you in DC on November 7.

“Black is Back” on Nov. 7: D.C. Rally and March on White House

A Black Agenda Radio commentary by Glen Ford

“We will confront the forces of war, of neo-colonialism, of the rule of bankers and the crime of mass Black incarceration.”

The time has come to bring independent Black politics back to the forefront – to reignite and refocus the debate over the burning issues of the day. Nine months of the Obama presidency has taught us that a Black presence in the White House does not necessarily give voice to critical issues facing African Americans. Instead, Black concerns have been shunted to the side, treated as distractions, derided or ignored, by this president, even as the Black condition in the U.S. and the world steadily deteriorates.

When militant, politically conscious Black people fail to Speak Truth to Power, Power feels comfortable in pretending that somebody else's version of the truth is more compelling. When Black people make no demands, but instead defer to a Black president, then that same president will inevitably respond to other people's demands.

That's why a coalition of Black organizations and individuals is determined that the period of silence and deference and damn-near invisibility for Black people is over. Black is Back, and Truth will be spoken on November 7^th at a rally in Washington, DC's Malcolm X Park, followed by a march down 16^th Street to the White House, where Power resides.

“African Americans have invested more energy in circling the wagons around one man, than in defending the interests of Black people and humanity at-large.”

The Black is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations was formed on September 12^th by activists from a wide range of organizations who believe that a Black-led movement is absolutely necessary to halt the destruction wrought by the predatory rich, the incorrigibly racist, and a world-threatening military. The Black is Back Coalition understands where the vital center of gravity for progressive politics in the United States is located: among African Americans, who have always stood for social and economic justice, and against U.S. military adventures abroad. That Black voice is coming back, beginning on November 7^th in Washington, DC, when we will confront the forces of war, of neo-colonialism, of the rule of bankers and the crime of mass Black incarceration.

When Black is Back, all of progressive politics is energized, educated and strengthened for the common struggle to save humanity. Since the ascent of Barack Obama, African Americans have invested more energy in circling the wagons around one man, than in defending the interests of Black people and humanity at-large. This period of passivity in Black politics ends on November 7

in Washington, DC.

Write to me for more information on the Black is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations. I'll put you in touch with spokespersons Chioma Oruh, Rosa Clemente, and Jared Ball. When Black is Back, the movement gets rollin'.

For Black Agenda Radio, I'm Glen Ford. On the web, go to www.BlackAgendaReport.com.

BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com.

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.

More Stories

The State of Trump’s Union: Geopolitical Economy Hour with Ajamu Baraka
24 Apr 2026
In this Geopolitical Economy Hour, Radhika converses with one of the foremost left political leaders and Black political activist and journalist in the US, Ajamu Baraka. Together, they understand the…
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio April 24, 2026
24 Apr 2026
In this week’s segment, we discuss the importance of including African-descended people in discussions around climate change and a just transition from fossil fuel production. But we begin with a…
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Deed Theft and the Loss of Black Property
24 Apr 2026
Evangeline of the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft, a grassroots New York City organization, discusses efforts to stop deed theft and the need for legislation to protect homeowners. She also…
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
African Descendants and Just Transition in the Climate Crisis
24 Apr 2026
The first International Conference to Phase Out Fossil Fuels takes place in Santa Marta, Colombia, from April 24 to April 29. Anthony Rogers-Wright, a Black Agenda Report contributor, provides…
Margaret Kimberley, BAR Executive Editor and Senior Columnist
Trump Uses Immigration Enforcement to Make America Whiter Again
22 Apr 2026
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies are racist and are intended to send even documented Global South immigrants and naturalized citizens out of the country. The evidence is…