Black Agenda Radio 04.05.21

Welcome to the radio magazine that brings you news, commentary and analysis from a Black Left perspective. I’m Margaret Kimberley, along with my co-host Glen Ford. Coming up: Corporate Democrats and Republicans have long had a near- monopoly on electoral politics. But the Black Is Back Coalition wants to put Black Liberation in the U.S. electoral mix. And, the term fascism looks quite different from a Black historical perspective. Ajamu Baraka takes an in-depth look at the subject. But first – We’ll hear from Samaria Rice, mother of Tamir Rice, the 12 year-old Black youth who was shot to death by Cleveland police in 2014. She’s joined with Lisa Simpson, mother of Richard Risher, the 18 year-old shot dead by Los Angeles police in 2016, to demand accountability from the small group of people that control millions of dollars in Black Lives Matter donations. The mothers are demanding a meeting with Patrisse Cullors, Sean King and Tamika D. Mallory to address a whole range of proposals on the future of the Black liberation movement. Ms. Rice is advised by activist and academic Dr. Joy James and Fred Hampton Jr., son of the assassinated Chicago Black Panther Leader. Rice says it’s time that the Black Lives Matter hashtag folks answer to the Black community.

That was Samaria Rice, mother of Tamir Rice, speaking from Cleveland.

On April 10 and 11, the Black Is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations will hold its yearly Electoral Campaign School – digitally, of course. Black Is Back chairman Omali Yeshitela tells us how the electoral school became a yearly feature of the Coalition’s schedule.

That was Omali Yeshitela, chairman of the Black Is Back Coalition.

The Black Alliance for Peace is one of the member organizations of the Black Is Back Coalition. Alliance National Organizer Ajamu Baraka recently addressed the subject of fascism. We think Baraka’s remarks are a useful addition to Omali Yeshitela’s position on fascism.