12 August, 2010 — Black Agenda Report

Make Jesse Jackson, Ben Jealous and Big Labor Own Up to Their Words

by BAR executive editor Glen Ford

Established Black and labor leaders are compelled by the spiraling economy to at least pretend to make demands on the First Black President. However, “the Obama administration has no intention of supporting a direct government jobs creation program, the only measure that could begin to counter Wall Street’s decade’s-long jobs destruction policies.” The political crunch is coming.

Freedom Rider: Public Theft and the End of Empire

by BAR editor and senior columnist Margaret Kimberley

If it feels like this economic roller coaster ride is stuck on down, you’re right. At the same historical moment that the public sector is put on a starvation diet, the demands of the military reach record levels. “The height of brute force brings with it the nadir of support for human needs.”

Social Movement: Obama’Laid and the Internet

A Black Agenda Radio commentary by BAR columnist Jared A. Ball, Ph.D.

The recent Netroots Nation conference shows that Obama’Laid is easily dispensed in digital form, inebriating millions. What does it matter if 25 percent of Twitter users are Black, when “by 2012 75 percent of the country will have only one Internet service provider offering high-speed broadband Internet?” Clearly, the revolution will not be Twitterized. A real mass movement is needed.

Black Mass Incarceration, Unemployment, Unjust Wars, Corporate School Reform, Rampant Privatizations Are All “Off The Table” at CBC’s Annual Legislative Conference

For a generation, the CBC’s Annual Legislative Conference, popularly known as “CBC Week” has billed itself the penultimate gathering of Black America’s political elite, its best and brightest and most forward thinking minds brought together for our collective advancement. If that’s anywhere close to the truth, then why are there no workshop sessions on black mass incarceration or the unjust wars in Africa and the Middle East which are massively unpopular in black communities? Why no sessions on how to stop privatizations, or defend public libraries, public schools, public transit or the public sector?

Paul Kagame: America’s Genocidaire in Central Africa

A Black Agenda Radio commentary by Glen Ford

Precisely like his predecessor, President Obama empowers a pro-western Murder Inc. in Black Africa, a roster that includes the most vicious mass murderers and assassins on the continent. One of them, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, who is culpable in the death of millions in Congo, recently held an election in which he got 93 percent of the vote. But you won’t hear any complaints from the White House.

Wyclef Jean Godsend for U.S., France; NYPD Top Cop is “Rogue” / Cynthia McKinney Bikes for Peace / Blacks Get Little News Coverage

Wyclef Jean Godsend for U.S., France; NYPD Top Cop is “Rogue”; Cynthia McKinney Bikes for Peace; Blacks Get Little News Coverage

by Nellie Bailey and Glen Ford

Wyclef Jean’s “Divisive” Role in Haiti

Should we take entertainer Wyclef Jean’s candidacy for the Haitian presidency serious? “In normal times, in a country that was functioning normally,” said community activist and radio host Roger Le Duc, “it would be a joke.” But with the state that Haiti is in today, Jean’s role could be to “divide the popular masses” to the advantage of American, French and Canadian overseers.

Roosevelt Offered the New Deal, Obama Launches the Old Deal

by michael hureaux perez

Since Barack Obama has clearly reneged on any new dispensation for Black and working people in America, we may soon see him pitching an Old Deal as the Best Deal. Need affordable housing? “Please know that if a barn was good enough for Secretariat, it’s good enough for you. You’re an American.”

President Obama Meets African Youth Leaders

by C. Uzondu

President Obama appears to be avoiding any real discussion of the biggest challenges facing Africa. At a White House forum for young African leaders, there was nothing on the agenda about AFRICOM, climate change, or international economic justice. With the U.S. rapidly militarizing much of the region, “Africans inhabiting the richest continent will necessarily become terrorists whenever they resist US corporate-state plunder.”

Race and Redemption: The Shirley Sherrod Debacle

by Dr. Ron Daniels

Often ignored in discussion of the Shirley Sherrod affair, was the question of whether Sherrod was actually obligated to give assistance to a white farmer in danger of eviction. After all, Sherrod’s not-for-profit job was specifically to help Black farmers. “Had she simply stopped at making a referral (as she initially did) that would have been above and beyond the call of duty under the circumstance – but she chose to do more.”

South Africa Loses Its War On Poverty

by Patrick Bond

The African National Congress government in South Africa claims to be engaged in a life and death struggle with poverty, but there’s little evidence of it. The government’s strategy and tactics are considered state secrets, to be concealed especially from the poor, themselves.