Beyond Borders's podcast

This week the Beyond Borders crew starts with our regional round-up discussing news from around the Caribbean and Latin America.  While technical difficulties prevented our interview on Venezuela, we discuss the issue of US imperialism in Latin America with a focus on the School of the Americas located at Fort Benning in Georgia.  We also learn that the School of the Americas Watch (SOA Watch) will return to Georgia this November to call for tech closure of the SOA.   In the second hour we check in with Uche Onwa who spent about 3 months in detention at the Atlanta City Detention Center (ACDC) after being detained on his way to a human rights conference dedicated to supporting those in the LGBTQ community.  Uche shares his previous advocacy work in Nigeria, his experiences in detention in the US, and his role in pushing the City of Atlanta to end their detention agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).   Uche also discusses his new leadership role at the Queer Detainee Empowerment Project (QDEP).  Learn more at: http://www.qdep.org   Finally we wrap up the program with a discussion on resistance to nuclear weapons organized by seven Kings Bay Plowshares activists in St. Mary's, Georgia.  The activists share their philosophy, dedication to non-violent civil disobedience, and even treat listeners to a celebration of their values in song.  Learn more at: https://www.kingsbayplowshares7.org

On this week's program, the Beyond Borders Crew checks in with several Venezuela solidarity actions happening around the US and the rest of the world in places like New York City, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Pensacola, Florida.  These coordinated actions are united in their opposition to US military intervention in Venezuela and seek to expose the so-called "humanitarian aid crisis" at the Venezuela-Colombia border as a PR stunt manufactured by the US government and others supporting the attempt to overthrow the democratically elected government of Nicolas Maduro.     In the second hour, the team explores the connections between white supremacy and racism throughout Latin America and the US as they interview a group of students from Kennesaw State University (KSU) resisting overt threats against black students and other student of color on campus made by white students with openly white supremacist views.  Many of those fighting injustices on campus are working together as a part of a student organization called KSUnited that formed to address racism on campus and originally defended the rights of student athletes using their freedom of speech to resist racism and white supremacy by kneeling at sporting events.  Their work played a crucial role in the resignation of former KSU president, Sam Olens, due to his mishandling of student protest.  Now KSUnited and their allies are calling for the university to defend victims of racist threats and devote resources to the construction of an anti-racist center on campus. You can find more information on this incidents and student responses in Arielle's reporting here: Student Targeted by Racial Discrimination in Group Chat Speaks Out Events Held to Address Racial Climate on Campus Night of Healing Event Addresses Racial Climate on Campus

The studio team is joined by Guerchang Bastia a renowned artists, changemaker and political activists hailing from Hinche, Central Ayiti to talk about his music, fighting for rights in Haiti, the youth, and the opportunities to support changemaking.  Music as a cultural weapon to challenge patriarchy, colonialism, imperialism, etc is explored as well as the central role of Hinche as a center of political and popular challenge to the status quo. Check out his music here. 2nd Hour Beginning on March 10, thousands of people throughout southwestern Colombia took to the streets. The "Minga in Defense of Life, Territory, Democracy, Justice, and Peace" brings together people fed up with the government's empty promises and the continuation of a war that dispossesses and displaces them, as it simultaneously destroy the planet: Madre Tierra, Uma Kiwe, Mother Earth.   Over the course of three weeks, the Minga has been subjected to threats, attacks, and racist vitriol emanating from the Colombian nation-state.   According to a recent statement from Pueblos en Camino: What is this Minga for? Well, it's to defend life, territory, justice, and peace for the peoples without owners. It is not a "direct action" to negotiate with an elected official currently holding office, if they are invited (and it's good to invite them). [The Minga] convenes us to understand, to rise up, to rescue our memory, to recognize a path without the state. That's right -- without the state -- because the state can't solve the problems it causes. Because the state exists to exploit and dispose of life; to destroy and exploit the territories; to commit injustices and cover them up in order to make war, which is its supreme instrument. The state is, well, the patriarchy. [...] So what does the Minga want? We want to live in peace. We want to live the good life in our territories. We want to sing and dance to the rhythms of Mother Earth. To learn more about the Minga, we are joined by Manuel Rozental, who is part of Pueblos en Camino (https://pueblosencamino.org/) and participated in previous Mingas.

In this episode we were able to speak with Claudia, the daughter of Mexican immigrants and have a glimpse at her US imperialism, separation, and patriarchy have impacted her. She also tells the story of a woman diagnosed with cancer who was still forced to work The Second Shift (the additional labor women have to perform outside of the workplace at home). We also talked to Josue, (and a woman whose name I don't remember) about issues with the caravan and how there is oppression against members of the caravan and those reporting on it. Priyanka Bhatt from Project South also came and gave us a quick update on Georgia Detention Watch and (I think???) we talk a bit about 21 Savage and how immigration is not just a (non-black) latinx issue

Kevin, Arielle, and Jovan are joined in the studio by Ras Kofi Kwayana to discuss Bob Fest ATL 2019 and the upcoming weeks of event. The impact and continued vibrations of Bob Marley and his impact on the world are discussed in depth. In the second hour, the team is joined by Bassey Etuk of Project South to discuss the #RAMificationsofPATRIOTISM and callers call in to discuss their beliefs on the matter as folks come to Atlanta to watch the superbowl! The show closes out with conversation about Langston Hughes and his triple consciousness and an extended musical selection for Beyond Borders After Dark!   Enjoy   For info about Bob Fest ATL 2019 visit http://www.ondafarm.com/home/bobfest/ Kids Who Die This is for the kids who die, Black and white, For kids will die certainly. The old and rich will live on awhile, As always, Eating blood and gold, Letting kids die. Kids will die in the swamps of Mississippi Organizing sharecroppers Kids will die in the streets of Chicago Organizing workers Kids will die in the orange groves of California Telling others to get together Whites and Filipinos, Negroes and Mexicans, All kinds of kids will die Who don’t believe in lies, and bribes, and contentment And a lousy peace. Of course, the wise and the learned Who pen editorials in the papers, And the gentlemen with Dr. in front of their names White and black, Who make surveys and write books Will live on weaving words to smother the kids who die, And the sleazy courts, And the bribe-reaching police, And the blood-loving generals, And the money-loving preachers Will all raise their hands against the kids who die, Beating them with laws and clubs and bayonets and bullets To frighten the people— For the kids who die are like iron in the blood of the people— And the old and rich don’t want the people To taste the iron of the kids who die, Don’t want the people to get wise to their own power, To believe an Angelo Herndon, or even get together Listen, kids who die— Maybe, now, there will be no monument for you Except in our hearts Maybe your bodies’ll be lost in a swamp Or a prison grave, or the potter’s field, Or the rivers where you’re drowned like Leibknecht But the day will come— You are sure yourselves that it is coming— When the marching feet of the masses Will raise for you a living monument of love, And joy, and laughter, And black hands and white hands clasped as one, And a song that reaches the sky— The song of the life triumphant Through the kids who die. (Langston Hughes)

In the first hour with have an update of regional news and the studio team is joined by the Venezuelan consul in New Orleans, Jesus “Chucho” Garcia for a wide ranging conversation on a variety of topics involving Venezuela and the region at large. In the second hour, Georgia Detention Watch provides an update on the situation in the state and students from Freedom University join in on a conversation on liberatory education today.

Joined by Carolyn-Rose Avila and Yvette Modestine, the Beyond Borders team discusses the rights of women and children in Haiti and the region, relief and development, and the history and legacy of Operation Just Cause (Panama 1989) 

Alister Thomas joins the studio team to talk about reparations, displacement, and land rights . Regular guest Franz follows up in the second half with a discussion of the legacy of the Haitian revolution

Joined in the studio by outside guests the team does a Regional Roundup, discusses ARgentina, Brazil, and Mexico.   Joined by Vicki Cervantes of La Voz de Los de Abajo, from Chicago regarding the events in Hondauras.   The team also speaks to Eduardo Garcia of School of the Americas Watch about new laws being promulgated in Mexico that empower the military.

In hour 1 the studio crew hears from Michael S Browne the Minister of Education of Antigua/Barbuda regarding recovery from hurricanes. That conversation is followed by comments on the passing of Ian Boyne

Jovan, Sobukwe, and Anthony are joined by a panel of activists and citizens to talk about situations in Honduras and at the borders. Learn about US involvement, complicity, and the state of martial law that has been declared in the midst of protest against a stolen election. We also hear some more about GLAHR, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights end of the year celebration.

Sobukwe and Jovan are joined in the studio by Anthony Dest to discuss recent developments in Columbia, the frontlines black and indigenous folk find themselves on in Columbia, the effects of the recent peace process, and ongoing developments in Buenaventura. More information can be found at https://afrocolombian.org

In the second hour of the November 18 show, we hear about WRFG's Carnival of Cultures, the outcome of Encuentro, and a regional Update

In hour 1 of the show, we speak to Bernard Warner of the ANtigua Barbuda Association of People with Disabilities to hear a report back about how Hurricane relief is going and speak to Ezili Danto about the importance of the Battle of Vertieres, a definitive event in the Haitian revolution and one whose aftershocks are still felt today!

In hour 2, hear from regular contributor Adrian Bernal as he reports back from the border!    This show was recorded on November 11, 2017.

Learn about community events with organizations like BAJI, a roundup of regional news, updates on hurricane relief, and the Bertha Caceras investigation continues. News about TPS and refugee displacement as well!    

Learn about community events with organizations like BAJI, a roundup of regional news, updates on hurricane relief, and the Bertha Caceras investigation continues. News about TPS and refugee displacement as well!

The studio team discuss 9/11/1973 and 9/11/2001 in the context of ongoing attacks on the working peoples of the world. Disability activists Bernard Warner of the Antigua Barbuda Association of People With Disabilities, and Lauryn Bonneli of the US VI.

The studio crew discusses DACA with Project South Legal and Advocacy Director Azadeh Shahshahani, Damage caused by Hurricane Irma and long term development efforts.

The studio crew of Subukwe, Jovan, and Kevin is joined by Kwame, Ras Lofi, and Baba Usi to continue the discussion on emancipation day, talk about the critical nature of independent community owned media, and they discuss the Caribbean.

The Studio team discusses events in Cuba the Congo and crimes of torture.

Join the Beyond Borders team as they discuss the Day of the African Child, remember Soweto with Peter Ngcobo of the Soweto Street Beat, discuss Guyanese/ Caribbean Youth, get a report from Puerto Rico and the Student resistance from Reynaldo Padilla of the University Sin Fronteras, and hear from Jovan Julien at Allied Media Conference.

Join the Beyond Borders team as they discuss the Day of the African Child, remember Soweto with Peter Ngcobo of the Soweto Street Beat, discuss Guyanese/ Caribbean Youth, get a report from Puerto Rico and the Student resistance from Reynaldo Padilla of the University Sin Fronteras, and hear from Jovan Julien at Allied Media Conference.

The studio team continues the discussion on Columbia and Greneda with some special guests.

The studio team discusses Walter Rodney and updates from Columbia!

The Beyond Borders Collective Studio Crew talks to Charo Minas Rojas of the Black Community Process and Afro Columbian Council for Peace about the ongoing state repression and attacks faced by Afro-Columbians in Buenoaventura, Columbia.  "The mass protest is the result of the dire conditions in which the city’s 400,000 Afro-Colombian residents live, despite huge amounts of wealth generated by the local port, where 60 percent of the county’s sea-going commerce is processed. Corruption and a lack of government oversight have left the city with no hospital, crumbling schools, little to no running water, a 64 percent poverty level, and 60 percent unemployment." To read more about conditions visit the Huffington Post   The studio crew also talks to Maurice Carney of Friends of the Congo about how to support African Liberation struggles.

The Beyond Borders collectives talks with about the National Joint Action Committee's history in Trinidad and Tobago with veteran and former member Ako Mutota.  They discuss general Caribbean history, revolutionary vs progress definitions, and Third Way Bolivarian politics and the right wings push backs.

Check out the first hour of the show as we talk about a wider range of critical issues in the Caribbean.

Regular guests discuss the Upcoming Atlanta Pan Program with Prof Ajamu Nyomba, Black Alliance for Just Immigration with Lovette Thompson, and the Campaign for Immigrant Rights with Xavier Torres. The elections in Ecuador were also discussed.

Catch the final 30 minutes of the Beyond Borders crew on 89.3 WRFG. Blanca schools us all on the Ponce Massacre which took place on the 21st of March 1937. The studio crew continued the discussion by considering the fiscal Junta currently in control in PR and its connection to similar austerity programs in the US and without. The studio crew also connects the killings to other similar stories around the the region. We also learn about Queen Nanny and 

The studio crew including Sobukwe, Kwame, and Jovan discuss the Grenada Revolution with Professor Michael West, the passing of Derrick Wolcott, the Walter Rodney Symposium in Atlanta, and the situations in Columbia an Honduras.

On this show Subowkwe, Adrian, and Jovan cover Regional News, the death of President Rene Preval of Haiti, regional perspectives on inclusion, BAJI, the plight of migrant workers in the US and more.

  Join Kwame, Subukwe, and Jovan as they celebrate Brother Adian's birthday, talk to Interfaith Coalition about liberatory theology and their work in Cuba, talk to Bocafloja about their work around Afro-Latinos, and discuss MLK's legacy  

Join the collective as we talk through the first stories of the year!

On this show the Beyond Borders team and guests cover Regional News, the death of Fidel Castro, Haitian presidential elections, indigenous resistance at Standing Rock, political prisoners including Oscar Lopez Rivera, Puerto Rico, environmental struggles, militarized police, the societal roots of fascism and so much more.