Originally published on The Black Commentator in 2008 “Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history.” – Carter G. Woodson “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots” – Marcus Garvey The need to once and for all embrace a reasonable and comprehensive interpretation of African history that inspires and uplifts Black people is evident when examining how Black History Month is celebrated in US culture. Like most other historic reflections, Black History Month is . . .
Opinion Pieces
Why We Say: Fuck Black History Month
In this statement, members of the Hood Communist Collective will outline what we have identified as four key ways in which Black History Month has been commandeered to work in the interest of the ruling class and paralyze the potential for radical movement-building today. . . .
Another Nation: The Nation of Islam and the Refutation of the Black American Identity
Despite the mass racial psychosis afflicting contemporary Black America that has questioned the validity and relevance of race to the American identity, there has been an organization that, despite the attacks and smears to their work and legacy, have continued to recognize the centrality and importance of race in American political life – The Nation of Islam. The Nation of Islam (N.O.I.) is a Black organization within the United States that continues the tradition of proliferating a race-centric Black politique, one that ties racial identity to political action. Through the teachings of the N.O.I., the organization instills within their membership . . .
Pseudo Black Nationalism; Toxic Masculinity & Homophobia
Black Nationalism at face value has its honored place in history. Despite the efforts by racist Europeans and accommodating negroes to denounce it for centuries, the concept of Black Nationalism has always been a survival tool for the African masses. As Sekou Ture eloquently points out in his classic and widely missed analysis of “Negritude,” Black Nationalism was African people’s response to colonialism and slavery. Since a major component of institutionalizing those racist systems was for the bourgeois to develop and nurture the concept of white supremacy, Black Nationalism has always been our way of deconstructing racist ideology and proclaiming . . .
We Have To Stop Valorizing Black Cops
Policing in America is facing a PR crisis. Following the May 25th murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, the term “defund the police” has become a rallying cry for thousands across the country. Six months later, however, America has not defunded it’s police force––and in fact, has in some cases taken steps to give police departments even more money. Instead, police forces across America have taken an insidious approach: painting their departments in blackface. After the January 6th Trump riot at the Capitol building, Yoganda Pittman, a Black woman, was named the new Chief of . . .
Biden-Harris: On Celebrating Their Victory as Progress
The 2020 U.S. election victory of the Biden-Harris campaign has been hailed a victory for all peoples. A victory for all those who have felt betrayed by Trump and for those who never liked Trump to begin with. Trump was elected into office with the promise of economic transformation for the poor white masses, from which a significant portion of his support came. The rich white elite, of which he himself is a member, also supported him. Upon entering the White House, however, the Trump administration was spectacular in paying little to no mind the plights and conditions of the . . .
“One Settler One Bullet” is NOT hate speech!
The condemnation of the rallying cry “One Settler, One Bullet” from groups like Afri-Forum, Democratic Alliance (DA) and the South African “Human Rights” Commission (SAHRC) in 2020 was a continuation of European tactics, designed to manipulate Africans on how to frame and analyse the settler-colonial constructed South African political economy. In South Africa (SA), as in other settler-colonies like Australia, Canada, USA; there is no justifiable reason nor a moral obligation for why Europeans and colonist descendants should not be referred to as settlers. In fact, they should be called invaders because of their use of brutal methods of enslavement, . . .
These N*ggas are Not for Us
Matt Thompson Note: This article was originally published on the author’s site. I came here to vent. Actually, I came to tell a story. No, that isn’t right. I’m here to offer an explanation. See, I hate when academics throw jargon around that isn’t digestible to the masses. Half the time, it’s barely digestible to me. And it’s clear that there is a dire need to educate our folks, Black folks, on the lies they are being told and sold. Case in point: Obama was a nice guy. Right? Kind demeanor. (Seemingly) level-headed. Charming. And an excellent orator. And therein . . .