Black Agenda Radio - 01.23.17

Welcome, to the radio magazine that brings you news, commentary and analysis from a Black Left perspective. I’m Glen Ford, along with my co-host, Nellie Bailey. Coming up: The chairman of the Black Is Back Coalition explains what keeps the various groups in the coalition together; a new Poor People’s Campaign attempts to mobilize against global economic inequalities; and, Why are Black teachers disappearing from the classrooms in New York City? 

There was more active opposition to Donald Trump’s inauguration than, perhaps, to any president since the Civil War. In his inaugural address, Donald Trump tried to frame himself as a champion of the little. We spoke with Ajamu Baraka, who ran for vice president on the Green Party ticket.

Lot’s of groups went to Washington to demonstrate in the week before the inauguration. Most were opposed to, or in support of, Donald Trump. However, one organization -- the Black Is Back Coalition for Social Justice, Peace and Reparations – rallied at Howard University for a very different reason. According to chairman Omali Yeshitela, two points of political unity keep the various groups in the Coalition together: their commitment to Black self-determination, and their opposition to U.S. imperialism.

Almost 50 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign was interrupted by his assassination, and the campaign never managed to get back on its feet. However, a range of organizations has banded together for a 21 st campaign against global economic injustice. Willie Baptist is a veteran of the welfare and housing rights movements, and is currently and organizer with the Kairos Center, at New York’s Union Theological Center. He talks about the current Poor People’s Campaign.

A leading Afro-Colombian political activist and her partner have been assassinated, as violence escalates against Black people seeking to defend their land in that South American nation. Emilsen Manyoma was a leader of CONPAZ, Communities Building Peace in the Territories. She was beheaded, it is assumed by right-wing paramilities that have stepped up their terror in the wake of a peace deal between leftist guerillas and the government. Charo Mina Rojas is also an Afro-Colombian political activist. She spoke about Ms. Manyoma’s assassination.

Sean Ahern is an activist teacher in New York City. Ahearn teaches incarcerated young people at the Rikers Island jail. He’s urging fellow union members to examine the reasons why Black and Latino teachers are disappearing from the city’s classrooms – and to do something about it.

And that it’s for this edition of Black Agenda Radio. Be sure to visit us at BlackAgendaReport.com, where you’ll find a new and provocative issue, each Wednesday. That’s www.BlackAgendaReport.com. It’s the place for news, commentary and analysis, from the Black Left.