Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.
  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire
Rikers Island, Slave Catching, and the Modern Carceral State
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
07 Mar 2025
🖨️ Print Article

Black Agenda Radio · Rikers Island, Slave Catching, and the Modern Carceral State

Darren Mack is co-founder and co-director of Freedom Agenda, an organization devoted to decarceration and system transformation, including closing the Rikers Island jail. In commenting on New York City mayor Eric Adams' plan to allow ICE to operate on Rikers Island, Darren Mack pointed out the history behind the name. Richard Riker was a New York City judge who worked with slave catchers and the kidnappers who captured fleeing enslaved people and free Black New Yorkers to send them to slavery in the south. Darren Mack joins us from New York City to discuss this history, the need to close Rikers Island, and the historical connections with the modern-day carceral state.

Rikers Island
Incarceration
Slavery
New York City
Eric Adams

Related Podcasts

Carmella Charrington
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Deed Theft and Black Communities
22 May 2026
Leah Goodridge, a New York City-based attorney, housing advocate, and writer, is a memb
BAR Radio Logo
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Black Agenda Radio April 24, 2026
24 April 2026
In this week’s segment, we discuss the importance of including African-descended people in discussions around climate change and a just transition
Carmella Charrington
Black Agenda Radio with Margaret Kimberley
Deed Theft and the Loss of Black Property
24 April 2026
Evangeline of the People’s Coalition to Stop Deed Theft, a grassroots New York City organiz

More Stories

  • H.R. 6600 Would Impose More Harsh and Illegal US Sanctions, this time on Ethiopia and Eritrea
    Ann Garrison, BAR Contributing Editor
    H.R. 6600 Would Impose More Harsh and Illegal US Sanctions, this time on Ethiopia and Eritrea
    23 Feb 2022
    House Resolution 6600, the misnamed Ethiopia Stabilization, Peace, and Democracy Act, has moved from th
  • BAR Book Forum: Interview with Tyrone S. Palmer
    Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Interview with Tyrone S. Palmer
    23 Feb 2022
    As part of the Black Agenda Report Book Forum, we interview scholars about a recent article they’ve written for either an academic journal or popular publication.
  • The Hoosier State hero’s baaaaack— saving Amerikkka from the woke left!
    Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    The Hoosier State hero’s baaaaack— saving Amerikkka from the woke left!
    23 Feb 2022
                                                           â€¦
  • Hide Nothing From The Masses: An Insider Perspective in the Black Lives Matter Global Network Sham
    Yahne Ndgo
    Hide Nothing From The Masses: An Insider Perspective in the Black Lives Matter Global Network Sham
    23 Feb 2022
    Questions about finances at the Black Lives Matter Global Foundation made headlines, but political impropriety is at the heart of the matter.
  • NATO and Africa: A Relationship of Colonial Violence and Structural White Supremacy
    Djibo Sobukwe
    NATO and Africa: A Relationship of Colonial Violence and Structural White Supremacy
    23 Feb 2022
    NATO is the means of continuing colonial aggressions against African countries.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us