Beware the Movement’s “Controlled Opposition”
Shannon Jones, of Bronxites for NYPD Accountability, who was among 250 people arrested at a massive police assault on protesters, June 4, warns that some corporate foundation-funded groups now constitute a “controlled opposition” to the ruling order. “Follow the money,” said Jones. “There are so many organizations that are profiting and poverty-pimping off of Black pain and struggle.” Jones’ organization and others have for several years been confronting the NYPD under the slogan “F the Police.”
Community Control of Police is a Right and Necessity
In response to protests, the eastern North Carolina city of Greenville has discontinued its ties to the Pentagon’s infamous 1033 program that funnels military weapons and equipment to local police. However, the city continues to resist demands for community control of police. “We want to live in a society where these forces are nonexistent in our communities,” said Dedan Waciuri, of the Mapinduzi organization. “We have the ability to protect ourselves.
Roots of “Strong Black Women” Ideology
Systemic oppression, from slavery to mass Black incarceration, has led Black women to value self-reliance, said Dr Ashlee Davis, supervising psychologist at Fordham University’s counseling center and author of an article titled, "Traditional Femininity Versus Strong Black Women Ideologies and Stress Among Black Women." During slavery and its aftermath, “African American women had to take on roles reflective of both traditionally feminine and traditionally masculine norms – having to be both the father and the mother,” said Davis.
Black Agenda Radio on the Progressive Radio Network is hosted by Margaret Kimberley and Glen Ford. A new edition of the program airs every Monday at 11:am ET on PRN. Length: one hour.
Kareem Crayton is senior director for voting and representation at the Brennan Center for Justice.
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!
