Black Liberation
Black and Indigenous struggle are inextricably linked, and many of our comrades are in fact both Black and Indigenous. Historically and in the present day, Black people have been the major drivers of revolutionary struggles against settler racism and capitalism and we must align ourselves with our relatives in the African diaspora and on the African continent as many of our ancestors first did against settler colonialism. Pieces that are bolded are those we recommend you start out with.
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Articles
The Policy Platform of the Movement for Black Lives lays out a collective vision for Black liberation endorsed by 50 organizations. A new 2020 version has been relaunched.
Settler-Colonialism, Nationalism, and Patriarchy by Onyesonwu Chatoyer An essay written for the Hood Communist by our comrade with the All African Peoples’ Revolutionary Party on the relationship between capitalism, settler colonialism, and patriarchy and draws on the history of African and Indigenous solidarity against colonialism.
Malcolm X “The ballot or the bullet” speechSettler-Colonialism, Nationalism, and Patriarchy by Onyesonwu Chatoyer
A transcript of one of Malcolm X’s most famous speeches where he outlined a new, global sensibility in the fight for racial justice: “We intend to expand [the freedom struggle] from the level of civil rights to the level of human rights.”
Thomas Sankara Speech before the General Assembly of the United Nations A transcript of a 1984 speech by Thomas Sankara at the UN General Assembly on behalf of the revolution of Burkina Faso.
Thomas Sankara Speech before the General Assembly of the United Nations
Books
PDF of a book describing the history of European domination and intentional underdevelopment of Africa. It is an excellent introductory study of the dynamics of Africa’s relationship with the West.
Black Awakening in Capitalist America by Robert Allen An important book that traces the development of the Black Power movement of the 20th century and the dynamics of cultural nationalism, Black capitalism, and corporate cooptation of the Black liberation struggle. Has good analysis of the ways corporations and nonprofit foundations redirect movements away from radical systemic change.
From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor A recent book that traces the development of the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality and other forms of systemic racism and connects it to a broader struggle for Black liberation. A great place to start to understand the current moment of uprisings.
Revolutionary Intercommunalism and Rights of Nations to Self Determination by Huey NewtonFrom #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
A book by the co-founder of the Black Panthers that explains his concept of “intercommunalism” and continues debates about self-determination of nations beginning with the Russian Revolution and continuing today.
Black Indians by William Loren KatzRevolutionary Intercommunalism and Rights of Nations to Self Determination by Huey Newton
A book with interesting historical narrative of the interactions between Black and Indigenous communities and the struggles facing those with both ancestries. Disclaimer: contains some American exceptionalism that seeks to frame Black and Indigenous history as “part of the American story” but still offers often unknown history of Black and Indigenous solidarity that is relevant to our struggles today.
Videos & Podcasts
A revolutionary 1973 film that was banned by the FBI and only recently found on tape and uploaded online. It follows a Black former CIA agent who uses what he learned in the agency to struggle against racist police in Chicago. (102 minutes)
Kwame Ture: Theory and the Revolution Video of a 1992 speech by Kwame Ture (aka Stokely Carmichael) that explains the importance of prolonged struggle, study of history, and organization of the masses of people. It is under 2 hours long and is worth watching!
Millennials Are Killing Capitalism: Cedric Robinson, the Black Radical Tradition and Racial Regimes with Joshua Myers Podcast Episode Podcast episode that explains racial capitalism, Black Marxism, the Black Radical Tradition, and the work of Cedric Robinson.
“The Political Economy of Racism” We Are Many Podcast Episode Podcast episode with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, author of From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation, discussing the systemic nature of racism in America.
Fred Hampton on Revolution and Racism“The Political Economy and Racism” We Are Many Podcast Episode
Short portion of a speech by Black Panther Fred Hampton discussing the need to put theory into practice to build revolution. He starts discussing the Black Panther Party’s collaboration with anyone “with revolution on their mind” no matter their race.