A Black Agenda Radio commentary by Glen FordClick 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 7th at a rally in Washington, DC's Malcolm X Park, followed by a march down 16th 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 12th 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 7th 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'.
Zulu Sharod is Chairman of the New Afrikan Black Panther Party which is based in New Jersey.
Ali Abunimah is Director of electronicantifada.net, an independent online news publication and educational resource focusing on Palestine.
In this week's segment we hear about the state of Black politics in Newark and across the country.
Thanks for your support of Black Agenda Report in 2023. We are taking our annual break and we'll be back on January 10, 2024. Power to the people!
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