Pandemic Has Shaken Global Capitalism to Its Core
Black America’s most prolific political author, Dr. Gerald Horne, notes that the bubonic plague “set the stage for the erosion of feudalism in 14th century Europe,” leading to the rise of capitalism. “In 2020, we have the eruption of a new pandemic which is setting the stage for the erosion of the innards of capitalism,” said Horne, a professor of history and African American Studies at the University of Houston.
Rural Blacks and Browns at High Risk
“In the last decade more than 125 rural hospitals have closed,” said Dr. Carrie Hemming-Smith, of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and co-author of a study on premature deaths among Black and indigenous people in rural areas. Non-whites in these areas “are much more likely to have chronic conditions and underlying health issues,” said Hemming-Smith, making them more vulnerable to the Covid-19 epidemic.
Is Genetic Testing a Tool for Reparations?
The science of genetics “can be useful for showing continuity, that the people who were harmed are, indeed, ancestors of those who are living today,” said Dr. Jada Benn-Torres, author of a study titled “‘Reparational’ Genetics: Genomic Data and the Case for Reparations in the Caribbean.” However, “It would be my largest fear if genetics were used to suggest who is a member of this or that group,” said Benn-Torres.
Mumia: Everybody is Getting a Taste of Lockdown
The nation’s best known political prisoner, Mumia Abu Jamal, says all of Pennsylania’s incarcerated population has been on 23 hour, 15 minute daily lockdown since the beginning of the health emergency. “That’s how it was on death row and solitary confinement – now it’s like that all around,” said Abu Jamal. In much of the country outside the prison walls, “People are getting a taste of what it’s like to be incarcerated.”
Black Agenda Radio on the Progressive Radio Network is hosted by Glen Ford and Nellie Bailey. A new edition of the program airs every Monday at 11:am ET on PRN. Length: one hour.
Dr. Cornel West announced a presidential run as a People's Party candidate but later announced he was seeking the Green Party nomination.
This week’s featured author is Dixa Ramirez-D'Oleo. Ramirez-D'Oleo is Associate Professor in the English department at Brown University. Her book is This Will Not Be Generative.
A Third Takeover of Lima is the next action planned in the mobilization against the coup government in Peru.
The author asks CARICOM member states to support the Haitian people in their struggle for sovereignty.
