"The Quadrennial Duopoly Sham" and the Black Vote

I must thank Jared Ball and Bashi Rose of I Mix What I Like for this amazing video of my talk at the recent Black is Back Coalition conference. I already posted but this is pretty amazing. Thanks again Jared and Bashi.

Talk Nation Radio: Margaret Kimberley on Politics, Scams, and Activism

Talk Nation Radio: Margaret Kimberley on Politics, Scams, and Activism

A few weeks ago I wrote a column entitled, "Democrats and the SCOTUS Scam" for Black Agenda Report. David Swanson invited me to discuss it on his Talk Nation Radio show. We talked about the many ways in which we are scammed every four years and how the democrats keep progressives hypnotized into believing that this time, this year they really will fight the republicans. In reality we have a far right party and a center right party but I don't know if the democrats are even at the center anymore. Listen up.

BIBC-3 Margaret Kimberley: Sanders and Black Self Determination

Uhuru! That means freedom and it is the rallying cry of the Black is Back Coalition. The BIBC conference was held on April 9, 2016 in Harlem. The conference theme was The 2016 Election and Black Self-Determination. I spoke on the issue of the Bernie Sanders campaign and how it does nothing to promote self-determination for black people. Listen up.

Response to Terry Burke and In These Times

On March 13, 2016 the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) held a Day of Peace and Solidarity rally in New York City. I was among the many speakers who made clear our opposition to all U.S. interventions abroad. Obviously Syria was a subject of discussion and Syrian-Americans were in attendance who condemned the American led destruction of their country.

Terry Burke condemned the event in an In These Times article published two weeks ago. Burke says that our event was too "U.S. centric" and decried the fact that some of the Syrians who marched with us carried their own flags and images of president Assad. Burke criticizes the lack of a Syrian presence within the anti-intervention movement except there was a Syrian presence which she acknowledges but they are pro-Assad so they don't really count. It was the usual blather from pseudo leftists who don't really mind when wars are carried out by democrats and who are happy to listen to the bogus claims of humanitarian intervention. It is the U.S., Saudi, Israeli, Turkish, Qatari, ISIS camp who have destroyed Syria and displaced 9 million people and killed 400,000 more. There is nothing humanitarian about this brutal war.

None of her arguments makes sense, but we at UNAC felt compelled to respond, point by point. After much discussion we did so and our rebuttal is now posted on the UNAC web site. Please take the time to read it.

Hands off Syria!

UNAC Day of Peace and Solidarity

On Sunday, March 13, 2016 I was joined by my comrades from UNAC, Peoples Organization for Progress, the Peace Poets, the International Action Center, People's Power Assemblies, Gabriela New York, Free Aafia Siddiqui and many others. We marched and rallied against war, imperialism, police murder, neo-liberal attacks on working people and government entrapment.

Watch the two hours at your leisure but I start at about 28 minutes. Do listen to Larry Hamm, Imam Talib, Ray Laforest, Mauri Salakhan, Nat Agosto, Lynne Stewart, Debra Sweet, Raymond Nat Turner and many more.

Now Age Conversations: The Liberal-Left Divide with Margaret Kimberley

I had a great conversation with Craig Gordon of Now Age Press. We talked about the presidential election and how the left should respond.

Christopher Columbus of Brooklyn and 21st Century White Settlers

White Settlers of New York City

Sometimes people who don’t filter their thoughts do the world a great service. Such was the case in New York City last week when video of a fight over side walk space revealed the sinister nature of gentrification.

The video shows a white man arguing with a white couple after he claimed to be bumped by their baby’s stroller. In part of his tirade, the mystery man is heard to say, “The only reason white people are living here is because I settled this fucking neighborhood for you.”

Needless to say the man now dubbed “Christopher Columbus of Brooklyn” is not a person whose actions ought to be repeated. Notwithstanding the abject narcissism displayed by this person, he spoke a very serious truth. White people gentrifying Brooklyn or Harlem or Washington DC or Oakland or Chicago taker their role very seriously. They see themselves as conquerors and they act accordingly. When white people wanted to move back into the cities they had fled, they were called urban pioneers and homesteaders.

The use of these names is not at all accidental. White Americans still see themselves as pilgrims or pioneers stealing Indians land. The imagery is a powerful one even for people who did not play a direct part in that story. No matter. If they are white they are invited into the circle which they may find so intoxicating.

A settler community is violent and rapacious. They may live in New York or in an Israeli settlement stolen from Palestinian land. They may have arrived at Plymouth Rock or St. Augustine, Florida or Tasmania in Australia. The end result is always the same. Indigenous communities are wiped out and settlers get the spoils.

While the ill-mannered man in the Brooklyn video has been lambasted for bad behavior, the people who could stop him are silent. He is a villain and a figure of fun in social media, but the fracas has not inspired any serious discussions about the massive displacement taking place in New York.

Neither the New York City Council nor the democrats who control the state assembly chamber have come up with any meaningful legislative agenda to prevent the 21^st century pilgrims from eradicating the native population. While luxury high rises proliferate and the number of protected apartments decline, the misleaders of New York do nothing.

The masses know that they are being chased out of town, but there is no one to help make their voices heard. Their concerns are diminished with foolish questions about whether people have the right to live where they like. Yes, everyone should have that right, but it ought to be extended to everyone, regardless of means. Harlemites and Brooklynites have a right to live in the neighborhoods they have occupied for decades. That right shouldn’t be dismissed because the newcomers have money and are present because red lining was reversed and big money has been poured into New York.

The only voice of reason in this sorry episode comes from a black person viewing the incident as he says, “Thank you white guy.” 

I’m sure he was being ironic.

Protest held near UN headquarters over refugee crisis

I participated in a great rally yesterday here in New York City. You can see some of my comments starting at about 29 seconds. We protested the economic and political policies which cause millions of people to leave their homes in desperation.

It was also the first anniversary of the disappearance of 43 Mexican students in Ayotzinapa.

#BlackLivesMatter marches on Minnesota State Fair

I didn't talk about this particular action but about the terrible state of black people's lives and my concerns about the Black Lives Matter organization. Only three minutes. Not enough time.

Syria Forum at International Action Center on August 12, 2015

I was on a panel at the International Action Center with Sara Flounders, Ramsey Clark, Joe Lombardo, Dr. Ghias Moussa and Lawrence Hamm. We discussed Syria, What's Ahead? Diplomacy or Military Escalation? I start at about 27 minutes.

UNAC 2015 CONFERENCE: PANEL 2: FREE POLITICAL PRISONERS

I co-chaired this panel at the United National Antiwar Coalition on May 9, 2015 in Secaucus, NJ.

Uber: Neo Liberal Bastards from Hell Calling My House

This afternoon I got a phone call from Uber, the $40 billion for hire car company trying to take over the world (it operates in 57 countries) by paying drivers peanuts. I must disclose here that I have an Uber app on my phone and I have used the service  six or seven times in the past year or so.

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio is sponsoring legislation to regulate the for hire car industry.  That sounds reasonable to me, given Uber’s bad labor track record of racing drivers to the pay scale bottom and flooding an already crowded city with cars, but it didn’t get to be a big company by playing nice.

Uber has hired David Plouffe, a former Obama campaign aide as a lobbyist. Plouffe is trying to get King Rat Al Sharpton on board to fight the mayor.

This is all fairly standard corruption but today I came home to hear this robocall on my answering machine.

“Hi. It’s Molly from Uber and we need your help. Uber ended the days when you couldn’t get a ride during rush hour or in bad weather. Now mayor de Blasio is trying to bring the bad old days back because his billionaire taxi donors are telling him to.

But why on earth would your Council Member ever consider voting for something like this? They should stand up for you, not take orders from the mayor.

You Council Member is still undecided on this issue and we need your voice. Please call and tell them to vote against mayor de Blasio’s anti-Uber bill. Because you and all New Yorkers deserve reliable transportation.

Paid for by Uber 212 257-1745.”

There are now more Uber cars on the streets than the yellow taxis which provide a living wage. I will tell my City Council Member to back the mayor’s legislation.  I will also tell Uber not to call me again. Any business that hires Al Sharpton is inherently corrupt and will get no support from me. Then again, de Blasio thought that Sharpton was working for him. There really is no honor among thieves.

Russian Documentary "President"

I was watching the May 9th Victory Day celebrations on youtube and came across a Russia 24 network documentary about president Vladimir Putin. It appeared to be a history of his presidency and included interviews with him. Of course it was in Russian and I couldn't understand any of it.

Ah, the wonders of the internet. Thanks to Russia Insider I found a link to the eight-part English translation.

Thank you interwebs!

Episode 1

Left Forum 2015, Liberation Politics in the Post Obama World

Black Agenda Report always has a great panel at the recent Left Forum. Glen Ford, Ajamu Baraka, Nellie Bailey, Marsha Coleman-Adebayo and yours truly. The subject was Liberation Politics in the Post Obama World. BAR always brings it.

Police officer charged with killing 2 unarmed African Americans, found N...

I was a guest on Presstv yesterday. I was asked to comment on the acquittal of a Cleveland policeman who murdered two black people in 2012. I was asked why these crimes persist. My answer, "Racism."

UNAC Conference Political Prisoners Panel

I co-chaired a panel along with Jeff Mackler at the recent United National Antiwar Coalition conference. Jeff and I both serve on the Administrative Committee of UNAC.

End the US Wars Around The World and At Home

I was among those on a UNAC Panel on October 25, 2014. We discussed many aspects of the wars waged both at home and abroad. I start at around 4:30 but check out all the panelists.

2014 Was a Very Good Year

Exactly one year ago I began receiving emails announcing that Lynne Stewart, the people's lawyer, was awarded compassionate release from federal prison. I and many others were also asked to greet her at Laguardia airport the next day. I did, and that January 1st began an amazing year.

On February 14th I joined with other fans of Lynne to wish her a happy birthday. Here I am with Lynne and Nellie Bailey. (Photo by Tony Savino)

I was deeply honored when Vanderbilt University professors Jemima Pierre and Peter Hudson asked me to join an illustrious group (Kevin Alexander Gray, Dr. Christina Sharpe, David Austin, Dr. Maboula Soumahoro, Dr. Emira Woods, Glen Ford, Kevin Edmonds, Dr. Aaron Kamugisha, 

Dr. Naomi Beth Reed, Dr. Johnny Eric Williams, Sokari Ekine, and Dr. Rinaldo Walcott) to speak at a workshop entitled Black Folk in Dark Times.  Here I am with my fellow panelists.

Ah spring. In New York City that means Left Forum. As always, Black Agenda Report convened a panel. This year our theme was "Black America and the Empire in Crisis."

Bruce Dixon, yours truly, Dr. Anthony Monteiro, Dr. Marsha Coleman-Adebayo, Glen Ford and Nellie Bailey in front.

In September I joined my comrades at the United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) as we presented the panel "War and the Climate Crisis" at the Climate Convergence Conference.

In October, Counterpunch published "Killing Trayvons: An Anthology of American Violence." Thanks to Kevin Alexander Gray, I contributed one of my Black Agenda Report columns, "Obama Dog Whistles Over Trayvon." 

I was very busy in October. On October 10th I was interviewed on Presstv to discuss my column on the ebola epidemic.



On October 10th I joined by Marty Goodman to speak after a showing of the powerful documentary Miners Shot Down at Maysles Cinema in Harlem.

October 24th the Black Agenda Report team presented our annual fundraiser at Riverside church. This year's theme, "After Ferguson."

The very next day, October 25th (yes, I got up the next morning bright and early) to join another UNAC panel, "End the U.S. Wars Around the World and At Home."

More good news came in November. Professor Johnny Eric Williams invited me to speak at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. My topic was "Black America in a System in Crisis." 

All of this hard work paid off in November. The Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia invited UNAC to speak at a conference on December 13th. I was asked to join and speak on the anti police brutality protests which began in Ferguson, Missouri. The other members of our delegation were Bill Dores, Joe Lombardo, Joe Iosbaker, and Mo Hannah. Unfortunately Mo is not in this picture. 

We were all interviewed by Russian media and I was a guest on Govorit Moskva, Moscow Speaks, for an hour long interview with call-in from listeners. These were my first experiences working with translators and it was all very exciting. 

You can read a not very good translation of my radio interview here but better to download on that page so you can hear it.

I love being a tourist.

I left before others in our group and so I missed a protest at the U.S. embassy in Moscow. One of our hosts, Alexander Ionov, is in this photo.

When I returned I got right back to work. I gave another interview on Presstv on December 20th on police violence and the ensuing protests.



There were times that I felt overwhelmed with some of my commitments and wondered if I should slow down. I have learned that sometimes biting off more than I think I can chew is a great way to make progress.

I had no idea in January that I would be going to Moscow in December, but my work made it all possible. It was a wonderful ride which happened because I kept doing what I really love, which is writing and speaking and joining with like minded people whenever possible.

Work hard at whatever you love. That is the moral of this story.

Press TV interview

I was interviewed on Press TV on the subject of police brutality and protests against it. Ironically, this interview took place just 45 minutes before two police officers were killed.

December 20, 2014

Freedom Rider in Moscow

I was invited to attend the December 13th Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia conference as part of a United National Antiwar Coalition (UNAC) delegation. Black Agenda Report is a member of UNAC and I serve as a member of the Administrative Committee. I was joined by Joe Lombardo, UNAC Co-Coordinator, Bill Dores of the International Action Center, Joe Iosbaker of the Committee to Stop FBI Repression and women's rights activist Mo Hannah.

The Anti-Globalization Movement is dedicated to "The rights of people to self-determination and construction of a multi-polar world." We all spoke at the conference and made ourselves available for interviews with Russian media. 

On December 15th I was fortunate to be interviewed on Govorit Moskva, which I believe is translated as Moscow Speaks. You can listen to the hour long interview here.