The global economic crisis of neoliberal capitalism—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—has exposed the ethical, moral and political contradictions of the liberal interpretation of human rights that contends these rights can be viewed separately from the political economy, global structures and power relationships. Operating from the false premise that human rights are objective and politically neutral, neoliberals began weaponizing the framework in the 1990s as an instrument that rationalized naked imperialist interventions. Humanitarian interventionism and the “responsibility to protect” became the contemporary white-supremacist expression of the “white man’s burden” that involved “saving” natives in the global South from their autocratic rulers.

It had escaped most people that the rulers to be deposed usually were in nations that attempted to resist U.S. domination with the help of European allies. From Cuba, Iraq, Libya, Syria and Iran to North Korea and Venezuela, subversion, direct military interventions, proxy wars, and sanctions were all deployed to “save” the people from their oppressive rulers. It did not matter that hundreds of thousands would die in the process, even being denied medicine amid COVID-19. The white West had determined in capitals thousands of miles away that these losses were acceptable collateral damage to preserve “democracy” and “human rights.”

This cynical ideological manipulation of human rights is the reason why so many around the world have turned away from using the liberal framework. Yet, from W.E.B. Dubois and Claudia Jones through to Malcolm X, the Black Panthers and the Mississippi Workers’ Center for Human Rights, African Americans still frame the struggle being waged using the vocabulary of human rights. Are African Americans mistaken or are we operating from a different framework?

The African American radical human-rights tradition systematized by BAP National Organizer Ajamu Baraka as the “People(s)-Centered Human Rights (PCHRs)” framework is strikingly different from the liberal, individualistic, state-centric and legalistic framework of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. This contrast was the topic of analysis and discussion during a number of webinars—including one BAP hosted—held in commemoration of Human Rights Day (December 10). The assumption of the PCHRs framework is simple and clear: Only when human rights are “de-colonized” and the oppressed determine what human rights look like for them will human rights be relevant for the oppressed.

PRESS AND MEDIA


On the December 1 episode of WPFW’s “Voices With Vision”, Netfa Freeman, who represents Pan-African Community Action (PACA) on BAP’s Coordinating Committee, and co-host Craig Hall, featured a segment of voices from BAP’s discussion last month on the post-election direction mixed with clips from the song “We the People” by Agallah featuring M1 & Hakim Green. Plus, Craig brought the show a condensed version of I Mix What I Like’s discussion between BAP member Dr. Jared Ball and journalist and author Todd Steven Boroughs on political prisoner Mumia Abu Jamal.

December 8's episode featured Mumia weighing in on the spread of COVID-19 among Pennsylvania prisoners and the new U.S. red scare. Then BAP member Aaron Greene (also of the NJ Institute for Social Justice) discussed the Trump administration reinstituting federal executions of death-row prisoners, resulting in 12 prisoners being killed since July and 4 more scheduled to be executed in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, BAP Coordinating Committee member YahNé Ndgo, a core organizer with Black Lives Matter-Philly, spoke about the 10 Black Lives Matter chapters calling for the newly created Black Lives Matter Global Network to be accountable, financially transparent and democratic. Plus, hip-hop artist and PACA organizer, Dahk Matter (aka Ahmed Braxton), relayed information about the upcoming “Battle of the Beats” showcase event to benefit PACA.

Lawrence Grandpre, research director for the Baltimore-based activist organization Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle, agrees in principle with the demand for defunding police, but doesn’t think Black Lives Matter has been able to sell the concept in Black communities because of a lack of local engagement. Check out the conversation he had with Jared on “I Mix What I Like.”

On Human Rights Day, Ajamu and BAP Coordinating Committee member Jaribu Hill discussed the People(s)-Centered Human Rights framework, which is based on the Black Radical Tradition’s understanding of human rights and was first articulated by Ajamu. Watch the recording. Also, watch radical scholar and BAP member Charisse Burden-Stelly discuss the PCHRs framework on a People’s Forum webinar. That day, BAP reprinted an article written by Aaron on the federal execution that took place that night, as well as other federal executions scheduled to take place during Trump’s lame-duck period. BAP also issued a press release on the matter.

BAP Coordinating Committee member Margaret Kimberley wrote in Black Agenda Report that Black Misleaders give the impression of exercising Black empowerment when they are, in fact, only promoting themselves.

Charisse and BAP member Taure Brown discussed Obama’s legacy on The Real News Network in a segment titled, “All hope and no change makes Obama a dull boy.”

Ajamu recently was interviewed by Greek publication Kosmodronio, where he laid out why the real threat comes from the neoliberal right.

The National Lawyers Guild-International Committee, World Beyond War and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom called attention to the U.S. Africa Command in recent webinars. Watch them here and here. Meanwhile, BAP member organization Horn of Africa Pan-Africans for Liberation and Solidarity (HOA PALS) recently held a webinar on policing in African states.

Plus, Philly Liberation Radio interviewed BAP member Asantewaa Nkrumah-Ture about BAP’s work and the struggle against imperialism and capitalist state violence in Philadelphia, as well as about being an elder in the movement.

EVENTS


December 14: The Committee for Anti-Imperialists in Solidarity with Iran is holding a webinar, “Anti-Imperialism, Policing and Decolonization After the Trump Presidency,” which will feature BAP member Toussaint Losier, plus activists Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, Nick Estes and Navid Farnia. Register here.

December 15: The Claudia Jones School for Political Education will hold a webinar, “Community Control of the Police: What It Means and Why It’s An Essential Demand,” featuring National Alliance Against Racism and Police Repression Executive Director Frank Chapman, PACA member Max Rameau and CPUSA member L. Gato Martinez-Bentley. BAP members Luci Murphy and Queshia Bradley (of PACA) will moderate alongside Dr. Marsha Coleman Adebayo of the Bethesda African Cemetery Coalition and Black Agenda Report. ASL interpretation will be provided. Register here.

TAKE ACTION

  • 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.

  • Our brother, former political prisoner Jalil Muntaqim, faces the possibility of re-incarceration for filling out a voter registration form. 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.

  • Sign up to join BAP’s U.S. Out of Africa Network to receive the bi-weekly AFRICOM Watch Bulletin in your inbox.

  • Make sure you keep up with us throughout the week by subscribing to our YouTube channel, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram and Twitter.

We appreciate your support as we close the year with this final newsletter.

No Compromise, No Retreat!

Struggle to win,
Ajamu, Dedan, Erica, Jaribu, Margaret, Netfa, Nnamdi, Paul, Rafiki, YahNé

P.S. Freedom isn’t free. Consider giving today.

Photo credit: Brendan McDermid/Reuters