“The Squad Won’t Fight Pelosi and Corporate Power” by Glen Ford discusses newly elected and reelected progressive Democrats’ failure to stand up to the party leadership’s neoliberal agenda.
David Gray writes:
“Let's see what kind of excuse they muster up post-Georgia Blue which gives Biden all three branches. Recall what Obysmal did when he had it? I do. He reached over to the other side of the aisle to seek ‘bi-partisanship.’
“I pointed out that John Conyers complained that Obama spent more time seeking to placate, mollify, convince the GOPissants that he was on their side and not to worry. What did he get for his troubles? Absolutely NOTHING. Not one GOP vote.
“The People's Party is the only way to dislodge this Fascist Plutonomy. Why do you think that Warren, Buttigieg and Klobuchar prior to Super Tuesday pulled out and supported Biden? He is the heir-apparent proxy.”
John E. writes:
“Having heard the firebrand interviews with Cori Bush, I was wondering if she would kowtow like the rest of the so-called progressive Dems, which she did by voting for ice-cream Nancy. It's all so utterly disgusting.
“The U.S. version of democracy: 1. only two corporate parties allowed 2. only sell-outs allowed to hold office 3. only the predatory capitalists allowed to destroy the empire.
“The people don't have a chance.”
Barbara Maddox writes:
“’Having nothing to offer their ‘base,’ Democrats make Trump the excuse for their refusal to buck the corporate masters. What will they do when the Orange Ogre is finally gone? Even though Biden was selected, his supporters can't seem to stop thinking about, talking about Trump, they can't take Trump outta their mouths. Shows what a good propaganda job the mainstream media did over the last four years demonizing the man to the point where his supporters are so filled with hate they can't stop humping Trump. ‘Doubtless, they will blame the Russians’ and the Iranians, which is what Joe Biden was installed to do.”
In “Freedom Rider: Let the Black Caucus Be Black” Margaret Kimberley argues that only mass action, not the actions of newly elected members of Congress, can bring about progress for Black people in 2021.
Reg Callaway writes:
“Tucked within the recent spending bill Trump threatened to veto was a provision to compensate in the millions of dollars (reparations) the victims of the 1998 Kenya and Tanzania US embassy attacks. Also buried in the bill was direct spending for Alaska and Native Americans’ projects. Also receiving boatloads of loot from the ‘law’ are Egyptians and Israelis. As best I can tell there are no legal challenges to the payments. However, the only state government to provide direct payments to African-American individuals and businesses to assist them through the pandemic is Oregon. Even the larger population can see the utter collapse of the community. Naturally, several white and Hispanic groups ignore the Black enduring hardship and filed lawsuits against the government financial support towards Blacks because in their opinion ‘the payments violate the 14th Amendment.’ So far the judges have not blocked progress of the law.
“What has been illusive for the last several centuries is the federal obligation to make reparations to those descendants impacted by African slavery. Chief bill negotiator Nancy Pelosi or one of her Black lieutenants could have slipped in HR 40, the legislation to get started on the discussion of reparations, but chose to keep Black issues out of the public discussion and let the bill die.
“With such indifference towards the rapid declining Black community, one would think there would be a (white or Black) leader to emerge to take a stand against such an obvious racist system. Unfortunately, that is not in the cards. The community is constantly stuck voting for the worthless Democratic Party because there is no alternative.
“Nancy Pelosi chose to keep Black issues out of the public discussion.”
“The secret which the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) never discuss is the putrid anti-Black features of passing legislation. What we’re not told publicly is the only acceptable bills that pass muster are those where whites won’t be offended. Indeed, CBC legislatures have to navigate through an institution that has been historically resistant towards a Black agenda. Then again, people should not be feeling sorry for CBC members because they actively work against their own in order to show their white masters a degree of toughness.
“As it stands now the African-American community can count on ever more pain and suffering for months and years ahead. We are just too marginalized to make a difference. The result is a much needed Black agenda won’t be forthcoming.”
The struggle for a serious Black agenda in 2021 must begin with a great ideological struggle. Such a process has the possibility for transformation of this society in this new decade.
Jahan Choudhry is Comments Editor for Black Agenda Report. He is an organizer with the Saturday Free School based in Philadelphia, PA.
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It is more imperative than ever to reduce the funding, power, weaponry, and reach of law enforcement agencies that are committed to protecting a white supremacist status quo.
The purpose of policing––to jail and kill Black folks––remains the same regardless of the officers’ race.
Activist youth who weave deep histories of resistance together with anarchist, autonomous, and decolonial politics and urban culture.
Even those who are significantly marginalized act in ways that, unfortunately, inflict pain on others.
