Nothing quite demonstrates the arrogance and white supremacy of the U.S. empire like its relationship to Africans and other colonized people.
On Thursday, the Biden administration slapped new sanctions on Cuban government officials. We ask those who have raised racism in Cuba as a nuance worthy of interrogation: Why not question the white supremacy inherent in U.S. policies that disproportionately impact African/Black peoples throughout the region?
The Cuban people have spoken and they have said, yes, they have internal contradictions, like any country born within the context of colonial conquest and genocide. But they also have said what would make the most difference to Cubans in Cuba is an end to the cruel medieval-style blockade that has prevented vital food, medicine and other items needed to help the Cuban people.
We say when a people are at war with an oppressor, it is our obligation inside the United States to stand with them against the empire without engaging in the ego-inflating exercise of raising their internal contradictions at those critical moments. Either you support national liberation and self-determination or you don’t.
Liberals give cover to the U.S. empire's machinations against Cuba. But these same people do not raise the hypocrisy of the imperialist media highlighting small Cuban protests over lack of food and necessities while ignoring protests numbering in the tens of thousands against a U.S.-backed, neocolonial dictator in predominantly Black Haiti. In fact, it took the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse to get any media coverage.
Similarly, Africans are suffering in Colombia, as the right-wing state that allies with the United States guns down, brutalizes and disappears Afro-Colombians. The national strike that kicked off in April continues, but imperialist media coverage vanished after the initial media flurry that disappeared Afro-Colombians from the stories, which helped win the hearts of the white West.
No other U.S.-based anti-war or anti-imperialist organization is able to raise in the same way as the Black Alliance for Peace the contradictions Africans within the belly of the U.S. empire and within the African diaspora face. Even though it is uncomfortable for the state, and even for some on the so-called left, when we stand against imperialism in all its forms, we effectively agitate and organize for ourselves and for collective humanity.
PRESS AND MEDIA
On the July 13 episode of WPFW (89.3 FM-Washington, D.C.)'s “Voices With Vision,” co-hosts Craig Hall and Netfa Freeman, who represents BAP member organization Pan-African Community Action (PACA), heard from Onyesonwu Chatoyer, an organizer with BAP member organization All-African People’s Revolutionary Party and the Venceremos Brigade, as well as an editor for Hood Communist, on Biden’s hypocritical comments on recent protests in Cuba. Then they turned their focus to Haiti in an eye-opening conversation with BAP Haiti/Americas Coordinator Dr. Jemima Pierre and BAP Haiti/Americas Committee member Chris Bernadel. Political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal’s commentary about schools where Indigenous people faced cultural genocide served as a jump off point for an audio feature about mental decolonization. Today’s show included Mumu Fresh’s song “North Star,” featuring D Smoke, an audio excerpt from the TV cartoon, “The Boondocks,” and Rachelle Antoine’s “A Poem To Haiti.”
On the July 20 episode of WPFW (89.3 FM-Washington, D.C.)'s “Voices With Vision,” Brother Craig held it down solo, while co-host Netfa represented BAP and PACA on a delegation to Nicaragua, a country that is part of the Latin America Axis of Decolonization. This episode celebrated the birthday of freedom fighter and exiled former political prisoner Assata Shakur by airing Jacqueline Luqman of Luqman Nation's update and perspective on Assata. Then James Early, formerly of the Smithsonian Institute and current board trustee for the Institute for Policy Studies, discussed the U.S. blockade on Cuba that the majority of countries have called to come to an end.
BAP members have discussed the latest on Haiti while providing anti-imperialist context. Jemima was quoted in the Final Call, while appearing on Black Star News’ radio show that airs on WBAI (99.5 FM-New York City). Pascal Robert appeared on a Broward College-North Campus’ online discussion and on Blog Talk Radio’s “Our Common Ground.” Erica Caines was quoted by Sputnik News. Chris Bernadel was interviewed on FAIR’s CounterSpin. Radio interview here and transcript here. Netfa appeared on Press TV. BAP’s July 15 rally in Washington, D.C. was mentioned on The Hill’s “Rising” YouTube show.
BAP National Organizer Ajamu Baraka signed a letter on behalf of BAP titled, “Let Cuba Live,” that appeared as a full-page ad in the New York Times’ July 23 issue. Photo (below, right) of the print version courtesy of Brian Becker. PDF of the letter can be found here.
BAP members also have been interviewed extensively on the Cuba issue. Netfa appeared on Press TV. Ajamu appeared on a panel discussion on Black News Channel’s “World News Tonight” and Briahna Joy Gray interviewed him on Bad Faith’s “Third Party Power.” Efia Nwangaza appeared on Fox Carolina during a protest opposing U.S. interventions in Latin America.
Tunde Osazua appeared on Radio Sputnik’s “By Any Means Necessary,” hosted by Sean Blackmon and BAP member Jacqueline Luqman, to discuss recent U.S. drone strikes on Somalia. Netfa appeared on Press TV to discuss Tigray. BAP Coordinating Committee member Margaret Kimberley spoke on July 17, 2021, at a BanKillerDrones.org rally held in solidarity with former U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst Daniel Hale, who faces 10 years in federal prison for revealing U.S. drone secrets. Margaret also was mentioned in Workers World newspaper.
Margaret appeared 52 minutes into a No Cold War webinar titled, “The Past 100 Years: China, the West and the World.”
Netfa (pictured below, seated third from left / courtesy: TN8) represented PACA and BAP on a multi-country delegation in Nicaragua organized by the Alliance for Global Justice. The group issued a statement in English, español, français and portugues on July 23 to the Nicaraguan press. The press conference can be viewed here. Kawsachun News tweeted a highlight of the coverage by eight Nicaraguan media outlets. Netfa also spoke to WBAI Evening News about the delegation’s trip and the geopolitical situation.
On “By Any Means Necessary,” Jacquie and Sean interviewed Netfa to discuss Biden’s address on voting rights, the arrest of Houston resident Hervis Rogers for unknowingly voting while on parole, the hypocrisy of the United States attacking other countries over “democracy” and the inherent racism of imperialism.
RT America’s “Watching the Hawks” spoke with Netfa about the role of the United States as the self-proclaimed “global policeman” amid the horror and tragedy of U.S. interventionism. Meanwhile, U.S. domestic policing is under fire with many pointing out the desperate need for reform.
PACA organizer Max Rameau and Community Movement Builders organizer Kamau Franklin joined Black Power Media’s “Black Myths Podcast,” hosted by BAP member Too Black, for a conversation on the theory of Community Control Over Police and how it relates to abolition.
EVENTS
July 26: BAP-Philly is co-sponsoring a rally in support of the 68th anniversary of the Cuban revolution and to oppose the U.S. blockade on Cuba at 5 p.m. at City Hall in Philadelphia. Get details.
July 28: PACA’s next Assata Shakur Study Group session is “What is Pan-Africanism?” Register here.
August 12: PACA is partnering with D.C. International Womxn’s Alliance for a forum, “Unity in Resistance from Domestic Colonialism to Imperialism.”
August 19: Look out for information on BAP’s next webinar commemorating Black August.
TAKE ACTION
Sign BAP petitions calling for an end to the 1033 program and peace in Afghanistan.
Dedan Waciuri, who represents Black Workers for Justice on BAP’s Coordinating Committee, is being charged for inciting a riot and damaging government property. Sign this petition to demand charges be dropped.
The Black Latina Girls and Women Fund was created by BAP member organization AfroResistance, a Black Latina women-led organization in the service of Black Latinx women in the Americas. This fund offers financial support by giving money directly to Black Latin womxn, girls and femmes who are experiencing severe financial need across the region, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether in Brazil, Colombia, United States or Panama, Black Latina girls, women, and femmes are organizing in their local communities in the fight against several forms of state violence. You can donate here and people are encouraged to use the hashtag #BlackLatinaGWFund.
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No Compromise, No Retreat!
Struggle to win,
Ajamu, Charisse, Dedan, Erica, Jaribu, Margaret, Netfa, Nnamdi, Paul, Rafiki
P.S. Freedom isn’t free. Consider giving today.
Banner photo: Delegations traveled to Calí, Colombia for the Asamblea Nacional Popular (Popular National Assembly) while facing police harassment at the hands of the right-wing U.S.-backed government of Ivan Duque. Afro-Colombians continue to mobilize and demand their ethnic-territorial rights. (@renacientes on Twitter)