This week we discuss the internal colony theory, Hollywood’s portrayal of the Central Park Five, and continue the discussion on the future of Black Lives Matter. We share letters about “Some Critics Argue that the Internal Colony Theory is Outdated. Here’s Why They’re Wrong,” “Freedom Rider: The Central Park Five and the Limits of Suffering,”and “Black Lives Matter Founder Launches Huge Project to Shrink Black Lives.”
“Some Critics Argue that the Internal Colony Theory is Outdated. Here’s Why They’re Wrong”by Patrick D. Anderson rebuts critiques of the theory that Afro-America is an internal colony by analyzing the relationship between race and class.
Thomas Russell writes:
“The basic tenants of colonialism have remained unchanged. Take what you want whenever you have the power, enslave those you overrun, or kill those who don't take well to slavery. These days they often have to reconquer territory and the modes of slavery have been disguised somewhat, but it is still the same game.”
In “Freedom Rider: The Central Park Five and the Limits of Suffering” Margaret Kimberley argues that there is little that Hollywood productions about the brutality of American racism, such as the recent Netflix series on the Central Park case, can offer activists for racial justice. Instead she calls for political education as a step to building a mass movement against racism.
Dave Peterson writes:
“A big shout out to Margaret Kimberly for hitting the proverbial nail on the head. Don’t get angry, get even. Without a sustained effort on many levels to deal with the police state, nothing will really change. My immediate reaffirmation is to reflect on an experience I had in the 90’s as a foreman on a jury during a 2nd degree murder case where, like the Central Park Five, the evidence was lacking and the use of intimidation was profound. It would have been much too easy to go along with the ‘law and order’ crowd and send an 18-year old black man to prison based on the histrionics of the prosecuting attorney, the collusion of the police and the seeming accommodation of the judge. But rather than succumb, this jury deliberated over a week, starting with three not guilty and eight guilty, and ending with a not guilty verdict on 2nd degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. The only thing this young man was guilty of was possessing a firearm. The moral of the story is simple, but requires great courage: no evidence, no conviction; and treat the authorities with great skepticism. Whether in the streets or in the court room, stand up and be counted.”
In “Black Lives Matter Founder Launches Huge Project to Shrink Black Lives”Glen Ford discusses Alicia Garza and her associates new mass survey of Black political opinion and its glaring omission of questions of foreign policy.
Midge O’Brien writes:
“Perhaps another reason for the BLM "survey" is the DNC support of imperialism as a means of employment for African Americans in the military, an ‘equal opportunity’ (to kill/be killed) employer. I made the same observation of Hillary Clinton's early ‘pre-campaign testing the waters’ of opinions before she announced her 2008 campaign for president--then in the heat of the wars on Iraq and Afghanistan--which didn't even mention WAR, and probably in 2016 as well (I didn't bother opening her correspondence by then). Democrats at election time seem to think that we live in a vacuum where there is no war and voters don't know or care anything about foreign policy.”
Henry Norr writes:
“This morning KPFA broadcast a long interview with her [Alicia Garza] by Cat Brooks of the Anti-Police Terror Project, etc., and to my disappointment but not surprise, Ms. Brooks didn't raise any of the issues your piece did.
“The interview did prompt me to visit the Black Futures Lab site, download their report on the survey, and read through it. I was shocked to discover that the wars and the military budget are not the only gaping holes: as I posted on your FB page, there's not a syllable about the climate catastrophe!
“All this even though the Movement for Black Lives platform (https://policy.m4bl.org/invest-divest/) does include these issues:
* A divestment from industrial multinational use of fossil fuels and investment in community- based sustainable energy solutions.
* A cut in military expenditures and a reallocation of those funds to invest in domestic infrastructure and community well-being....
Black people are amongst the most affected by climate change. If we’re not serious about reducing emissions, the planet will keep getting hotter and Black people will continue to bear the biggest brunt of climate change. Divest from industrial use of fossil fuels and reinvest in community-based sustainable energy solutions to make sure communities most impacted (Black communities) are helping to lead that shift.
The U.S. military is the largest contributor to emissions (war economy drives fossil fuel economy) …
What are the solutions?
* Divest from any industry that makes money on the production of fossil fuels.
* Shift toward Black community control of more local sustainable energy and food systems.
* People directly impacted by climate change, particularly Black communities, know what the issues are most and should be at the forefront. Additionally, some of our people work in industries of extractive energy (power plants), etc. We can instead apply those skills to sustainable, clean energy production (like solar, etc.).
* Reduce military expenditures overall, particularly in the use of fossil fuel.”
We at BAR appreciate your letters in our struggle to build a non-corporate movement for black life.
Jahan Choudhryis Comments Editor for Black Agenda Report. He is an organizer with the Saturday Free School based in Philadelphia, PA
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