Reggae—roots reggae specifically—is one of many overt cultural manifestations of resistance and radical movements. Though reggae did not directly come out of Africa, its main component, the drums, is a strong and pure African influence. The drums are the very first thing one hears in most reggae songs—and that’s for a reason. The drums are the heartbeat of any reggae song. . . .
Research Papers
African Financial Independence is a Threat to Imperialism
The deeper issues are usually traced to colonial economic interactions and the introduction of capitalism in developing countries. There were concerted efforts to build and maintain economic relations, in which the colonies were made into permanent producers of raw materials to satisfy the requirements of metropolitan countries. The established links between the producers and the colonial metropoles meant that colonies became dependent on other countries to purchase and dictate the prices of products. Colonies, as a result, were left without the infrastructure to process the raw materials and only purchased ready-made goods from the associated colonial power. The result was that colonies produced what they did not consume and consumed what they did not produce. . . .
Afro-Pessimism and the (Un)Logic of Anti-Blackness
What, then, are we fighting for? I want to open the door to this critical, but absent, conversation around anti-racist organising – the space for such conversations is desperately needed. Indeed, many of the claims about race that I have challenged created a suffocating climate in the last decade in which dissent from shared assumptions and attempts to develop theoretical grounds for solidarity are routinely characterised as ‘anti-black’. . . .
The Black Panthers, the NRA, and the Contradiction of Guns in the U.S
May 2, 2021, marks the 54th commemoration of 29 Black Panther Party members and supporters converging on the California State Capitol in Sacramento, armed with guns, to protest the pending Mulford bill legislation to make carrying guns in public illegal. Don Mulford, a racist state senator from racist Mill Valley in the Bay Area, sponsored this bill, with full backing from the National Rifle Association (NRA). . . .
The US Military Occupation Of Trinidad
We must not allow a definition of ‘occupation’ given by the British colonial power to mislead us into believing that the deal they made with the US during World War II to give lands across the West Indian islands in exchange for 50 old naval assets did not result in the military occupation of our country with its attendant violence, discrimination and plunder. . . .
Joe Biden Is a White Supremacist
Let’s be very clear that Joe Biden is, in fact, Donald Trump — no, he’s worse. If you like your racism nicely packaged, just say that. But stop lying about Joe’s role in white supremacy because he’s a Democrat. . . .
Why Kenya Must Reject the U.S. Free Trade Agreement
A Free Trade agreement with the USA will be lopsided and will threaten cottage industries in the country as well as informal jobs known as Jua Kali. This will negatively impact the lives of millions of working class Kenyans dependent on what is referred to as the “informal sector”. . . .
Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson: A Tower of Strength
Despite the loss of her physical presence, there is not an African alive anywhere on earth who has not been touched by the legacy of her movement work. Her courage, determination, and commitment to lifting us higher are principles that will continue to inspire our movement for justice and forward progress. . . .