Podcasts about devyn springer

Nick joins the show to provide a comprehensive and riveting breakdown of the struggles faced by Leonard Peltier, one of the longest held political prisoners in the world, incarcerated for almost five decades. We dive into  the history of the American Indian Movement (AIM), the blood counter-insurgency war waged by the U.S. government against AIM, the critical implications of Peltier's case, and the broader context of Indigenous resistance in the United States.In a recent article, Nick writes: "The way Leonard Peltier tells it, he was a criminal the day he was born — but not by choice. The seventy-eight-year-old Anishinaabe and Dakota elder says his “aboriginal sin” was being born Indian in a country founded on Indians' forced disappearance."Nick Estes is an Indigenous organizer, journalist, and historian, and a citizen of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. He is a co-founder of The Red Nation and Red Media, and the author of Our History Is the Future: Standing Rock Versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance.Check out the International Leonard Peltier Defense Committee and get involved here. Consider supporting the Groundings Podcast at Patreon.com/HalfAtlanta.   

In this episode of the Groundings podcast, host Musa Springer talks with Dr. Akinyele Umoja, a scholar, activist, and author, about the notorious COINTELPRO program. This program was led by the FBI and local police departments, and was an all-out war on Black organizers. This episode delves into the history, consequences, and the struggle led by Black organizers to expose the violent program.Dr. Umoja provides a comprehensive understanding of the COINTELPRO program, its inception, and first-hand account of its impact on Black liberation movements in the US. The episode begins with a discussion about Assata Shakur, a prominent figure within the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army, and her experiences with COINTELPRO.Dr. Umoja shares his insights on the counterintelligence and counterinsurgency tactics used by the FBI to disrupt and neutralize Black nationalist movements, and how these tactics are relevant and still in use today. He also discusses the discovery of the COINTELPRO program and the subsequent congressional hearings that confirmed its existence.

Activist and musician Baba Bilal Sunni-Ali, of the Jamil Al-Amin Action Network, joins Groundings to discuss the life, legacy, and impact of current political prisoner Imam Jamil Al-Amin.Formerly known as H. Rap Brown, Imam Jamil Al-Amin was once one of the Amerika's most well-known Black revolutionary activists. A former member of SNCC, Jamil Al-Amin was framed for a crime in 2000, and despite a mountain of evidence showing his innocence, he's sat as a political prisoner ever since. Baba Bilal Sunni-Ali discusses the legal matters related to Al-Amin's case, the current movement to free him, and the impact he had on several communities, including Atlanta's West End neighborhood. To get involved and support the campaign to free Imam Jamil Al-Amin, check out: www.imamjamilactionnetwork.orgAlso, consider supporting the podcast at Patreon.com/HalfatlantaYou can access the clip you hear of Jamil Al-Amin speaking here. 

In this episode, we discuss the story of Sundiata Jawanza, who has been in prison since 1995 on a life sentence. Sundiata has spent the last 28 years working towards self-development and has become a beacon of hope for others in prison; he's a selfless advocate for prisoners' rights, is a peer counselor where he supports the mental health of fellow incarcerated people, and provides legal aid and education through his work as a founder of the organization Jailhouse Lawyers Speak. He has also served as the Imam, providing spiritual guidance to the entire prison Muslim population.Jay and Rock discuss the recent movement to free Sundiata, as his parole approaches, what his organizing and activism has looked like, who he is as a person, the role of jailhouse lawyers, and how the listeners can get involved to bring him home. Visit SundiataJawanza.com for more information and to get involved. Visit Patreon.com/Halfatlanta to support the podcast. 

In this episode, poet and activist Too Black joins to discuss the incredible story of the Pendleton 2. We dive into the details of the 1985 uprising at the Pendleton Correctional Facility and explore the factors that led to this critical event: racial tensions and a violent prison environment created by guards who were part of a KKK splinter group, the "Sons of Light," pushed John 'Balagoon' Cole and Christopher 'Naeem' Trotter to take a courageous stand against racist prison abuse.Too Black gives us a play-by-play of the day's events, highlighting the importance of unity among prisoners in making the rebellion, and we learn how Cole and Trotter managed to bring everyone together and prevent the situation from escalating into something much worse. We also discuss their decision to call Black radio stations and newspapers for help, warning them that their lives were in danger if they didn't intervene; examine the 14 demands  they issued which were eventually met; and why this event became known as "Indiana's Attica." Despite their heroic actions to save a Black man's life from racist prison guards, both Cole and Trotter remain incarcerated to this day. As we wrap up our conversation, we share resources for listeners who want to learn more about the Pendleton 2 and get involved in supporting their cause. Please visit Pendleton2.com to learn more, watch the new documentary, and get involved. Please consider supporting the podcast on Patreon at patreon.com/halfatlanta.

We sit down with Slank and Sunny Ture to discuss their new album, "Nation Time." Throughout the episode, we delve into the creative process behind "Nation Time," discussing the themes, concepts, and inspirations that shaped the album. We examine the samples used throughout the project, including speeches from influential figures like Amiri Baraka, Malcolm X, Tupac Shakur, and Edward Onaci. Additionally, we take a closer look at the album's bibliography and its connection to the politically conscious roots of hip-hop, with standout tracks like "Black Belt Thesis" and "Devil in the Details."Read the full Nation Time bibliography.Check out more music from the PushSoul Collective.Support the Groundings podcast on Patreon.Buy prints from Musa's shop, which helps support the podcast.

Just two months before his 20th birthday, Black Panther and Black Liberation Army members Jalil Muntaqim was captured by enemy forces along with Albert “Nuh” Washington, and made into one of the longest-held political prisoners in U.S. history.Muntaqim joins the show to discuss his revolutionary life, his long history of organizing for incarcerated people, and his own political incarceration. We also get into a crucial paradox: the imagery of the Black Panthers is very popular now, with capitalists like Beyonce and Marvel profiting from the aesthetics of the organization, while the actual lives of surviving Black Panthers themselves are disregarded. We also discuss the Mutual Aid for Veteran Black Panther Party Members fund that Muntaqim organized alongside Kamau Franklin, which helps give material support to veterans of the Black liberation struggle each month. [This episode was originally recorded in February, so some dates and time-sensitive mentions may be outdated.] Support the Mutual Aid for Veteran Black Panther Party Members here. Support the podcast on Patreon here.Read the findings of the 2021 International Tribunal On U.S. Human Rights Abuses Against Black, Brown, and Indigenous Peoples here. Purchase of a copy of We Are Our Own Liberators: Selected Prison Writings here. Visit the Jericho Movement website here. Intro audio sourced from the 2002 documentary by Eve Goldberg and Claude Marks, based on an interview done in August 2000 by John O'Reilly and Nina Dibner, Jalil Muntaqim - Voice of Liberation.Music by the homie JayOhAye.  

The following interview, facilitated by Derek Ford, took place via e-mail during June and July in preparation for Black August, when progressive organizers and activists deepen our study of and commitment to the Black struggle in the U.S. and the anti-colonial and anti-imperialist class struggles worldwide. During this time, we wanted to provide a unique and accessible resource on Walter Rodney, the revolutionary Guyanese organizer, theorist, pedagogue, political economist, and what many call a “guerrilla intellectual.” Liberation School recently republished Rodney's essay on George Jackson here (https://www2.liberationschool.org/walter-rodney-on-george-jackson/). Read the interview here: https://www.liberationschool.org/walter-rodneys-revolutionary-praxis-devyn-springer-interview/

In our last episode of season 2, co-hosts Dr. CBS and Dr. Layla Brown, start by shooting the shit with producer, Too Black, about bloopers from season 2. In her "Planting Thoughts" segment, Layla breaks down Alocasia Wentii (New Guinea Shield) also known as the hearty elephant ear - does well in bright indirect light, extensively grown in SE Asia. Next, the two co-hosts and Too Black, reflect on their favorite episode and segment from season 2 as well as offer some self criticism. For Part 2 of highlighting Radical Black Women, we introduce our Top 5 Dead or Alive: Radical African/Black Women Edition segment. Co-hosts Dr. CBS and Dr. Layla Brown are joined by two special guests from the Groundings podcast, Devyn Springer and Darian Alexander Williams, to discuss their top 5 radical Black/African women . In Risse's Rants, Dr. CBS employs more people to watch and appreciate season 2. Tap in to this episode of LDI--and be sure to subscribe to the channel and consider becoming a Patreon! Ashley Farmer's pieces: https://www.aaihs.org/the-power-of-dr... https://www.aaihs.org/heed-the-call-b... Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/LDIpodcast Twitter: @ldipodcast Instagram: @ldipodcast

From Claudia Jones and Safiya Bukhari, to Assata Shakur and Dr. Patricia Rodney, the impact of Black women radicals has created monumental shifts in the way we think, organize, and survive. In this episode we're joined by community organizer and writer Erica Caines and professor Charisse Burden-Stelly, who dive into a deep history of important Black communist women figures like Claudia Jones. We discuss what makes their work so important, why they have such lasting relevance, how we should engage their work, and why there's a battle going on to dissociate them from their communist politics. In the opening, you will hear an excerpt from a speech given by Shirley Graham Du Bois in 1970 at UCLA. You can listen to the full speech here. To support the podcast, consider becoming a monthly patron at Patreon.com/Halfatlanta. To support Erica Caines, consider becoming a monthly patron at Patreon.com/Rickii.Shout out to the homie JayOhAye for providing music for season 4 of Groundings; check out more of their work here. This episode was recorded using SquadCast. 

In episode seventeen of season two, co-hosts Dr. CBS and Dr. Layla Brown, starts by shooting the shit with producer, Too Black, about the concept of collaboration in Black radical work. In her "Planting Thoughts" segment, Layla breaks down the Echeveria Elegans. In this episode and the following, for our History of the Present of the Present segment, we highlight Black radical women. To discuss this segment we are joined by two special guests from the Groundings podcast, Devyn Springer and Darian Walker. In Risse's Rants, Dr. CBS discusses checking your eurocentrism is a must. Tap in to this episode of LDI--and be sure to subscribe to the channel and consider becoming a Patreon!

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Ted Rall, award-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist, and author of the graphic novel, "The Stringer," to discuss corporations working around their commitments to stop donating to politicians who were complicit in the attempt to overturn the election through lobbyists, the extreme corruption in the so-called democratic process that is often passed off as lobbying, and the willingness of corporations to advance the dangerous interests of these politicians in order to turn a profit.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire to discuss French troops withdrawing from Mali and how the uprisings of Malians against overt French operations played into this decision, how despite the occupation of Mali beginning under the pretext of regional security and the threat of Islamist terrorists it has failed to deliver on any semblance of security, whether France will make good on this commitment to withdraw and what its aftermath will mean for Mali and West Africa.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Leo Flores, Latin America Campaign Coordinator at CODEPINK to discuss the political prosecution of Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab, who sits in a Miami prison cell over charges related to conducting business on behalf of Venezuela, the attempts to scandalize Saab over allegations that he served as a DEA agent, the successful CLAP food assistance program that Saab was working on when he was arrested, and wh programs like CLAP are necessary for Venezuela under the economic warfare waged by the US.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Devyn Springer, cultural worker, host of the Groundings Podcast, and digital outreach coordinator at the Walter Rodney Foundation to discuss the challenges faced by Black Cubans because of the US blockade on the country and the reality of the Black Cuban experience, how the Cuban government fosters popular education, history, and culture of Black Cubans instead of suppressing it like institutions in the US, and the history of Black Americans receiving medical education in Cuba and serving their underserved communities at home.

Armed uprisings across the Caribbean can often be portrayed as spontaneous and isolated events that were largely unsuccessful. In fact, these efforts have informed each other across time and can reshape how we think about imperial domination in Africa and across the Americas.  The Christmas Rebellion, sometimes called the Baptist Uprising, is the largest rebellion in Jamaica's history, and it reveals the importance of continued resistance and pushes us to rethink what we call ‘successful' revolts by the enslaved. Writer and organizer Q. Anthony Omene joins us to discuss this and much more, in the first episode of Groundings season 4. You will also hear archival audio from Walter Rodney, which can be found in full here.Hosts:DarienDevSupport:Patreon.com/Halfatlanta

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Monica Cruz, labor reporter with BreakThrough News to discuss an international day of action led by employees of Phillip Morris, the importance of solidarity among international workers and the need to globalize resistance to exploitation, how the Phillip Morris action fits into the context of the rising tide of workers struggle in the US, and the connections between labor, class, and race and their importance in building a working class movement.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Celina Della Croce, Coordinator of Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research to discuss an upcoming anti-imperialist week of action focused on food sovereignty, the connections between food and imperialism, how food sovereignty presents a radical shift in thinking around food and community control over food.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Sohrob Aslamy, a doctoral candidate at Syracuse University in the department of Geography and the environment to discuss the economic crisis and hunger in Afghanistan, how the US invasion and the unofficial sanctions imposed by organizations like the World Bank have contributed to the crisis, the Taliban's inability to handle these issues, and the possibility of the rise of extremist groups like ISIS as a result of these unofficial sanctions.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Devyn Springer, cultural worker, host of the Groundings Podcast, and digital outreach coordinator at the Walter Rodney Foundation to discuss the emergence of both progressive and reactionary movements in the midst of major contradictions within the ruling class and intensifying crises of capitalism, the continued fallout from the Dave Chappelle special on Netflix and the false concern over cancel culture from the ruling class, and how capitalist culture and consumption informs politics.

What's up to my nifty nubian ibexes and perspicacious Palestine mountain gazelles! Welcome back to the BNP y'all and thank you for tuning in! Shout out to my patrons: y'all are the drivers in my headphones and the Freon in my air conditioner. This week's episode comes from the heart. I did my best to do right by a topic that feels like a car alarm constantly going off in my heart: Palestine. The tenacious, obstinate and strategic Palestinian resistance to the colonial brutality of apartheid Israel, backed by the imperial ambitions of the U.S., is one of the most impressive and important stories of our time. As of 2AM on March 21, a ceasefire was declared. Make no mistake: this is a victory for Palestine.  Palestinian voices featured in this episode include: Palestinian-American journalist Ali Abunimah and Palestinian-American lawyer and journalist Larah Elborno on the Electronic Intifada podcast, and Palestinian writer and activist Mohammed El-Kurd on Devyn Springer's Groundings Podcast.Thumbnail cover art features Leila Khaled, a Palestinian refugee and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. She has been in the struggle her whole life and is now 77 years old. Thank you for subscribing, rating, and reviewing the BNP! Thank you for spreading the word and telling a friend about the BNP. :)If you like what I do here at the BNP, please help me stay on the air by donating just $1/month - that's .03 cents a day- at www.patreon.com/noetics. You receive untold hoards of amazing karma when you become a patron. You also get a mongoose farm! Its like an ant farm but with live mongooses instead. A $8,999 value, FREE when you become a patron of the BNP. Solidarity with Palestineand One Love,Conan WAYS OF SUPPORTING PALESTINE:Medical Aid for Palestine: https://www.map.org.uk/donate/donatePalestine Children's Relief Fund: https://pcrf1.z2systems.com/np/clients/pcrf1/donation.jsp?campaign=342&Muslim Relief's Palestine Appeal: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/palestineappeal2020Palestinian Dignity and Hope Manifesto: https://mondoweiss.net/2021/05/the-manifesto-of-dignity-and-hope/TRACKLIST FOR THIS EPISODE Return of the Boom Bap Vol. 4 (Mix)Dykotomi- Corvid CrunkShadia Monsour feat Omar Offendum - We Have To Change Nitin Sawhney - The LightnessDead Can Dance - The Host of Seraphim  Loops Beauty - Self Love (Mix) Electronic Intifada Podcast #36 feat. Ali Abunimah  Kofia Palestinian Struggle SongGroundings Podcast: The Palestinan Resistance feat.  Palestinian writer and activistMohammed el-KurdBest of Devaloop Instrumental Mix Maysa Daw, Yusor Hamed, Lina Makoul, Nancy Hawa & Noel Kharman - Asli BarriShuggie Otis - Strawberry Letter #23Electronic Intifada Podcast #35 feat. Larah Elborno & Joharah Baker Immortal Technique - Creation and DestructionNitin Sawhney - Nadia Support the show (http://www.patreon.com/noetics)

As events in Palestine continue to develop we're bringing you this special episode in collaboration with the Groundings podcast and friend-of-the-site Devyn Springer. Devyn is a cultural worker, community organizer, and independent researcher. They are a member of the Walter Rodney Foundation, and host of the Groundings podcast. They've written and worked with several media outlets, including Mondoweiss, and produced documentaries such Parchman Prison: Pain & Protest. Today, Devyn and their co-host speak to Mohammed El-Kurd. Mohammed is a poet, writer, and activist from Jerusalem, Palestine. He lives in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood where the Israeli government is trying to forcibly remove his family and other Palestinian families so that Israeli settlers can take over their homes. Protests have been ongoing in Sheikh Jarrah over the last several weeks. Israeli forces escalated the violence by entering the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as the holy month of Ramadan came to an end, attacking tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers. Hamas, in Gaza, issued an ultimatum to Israel to withdraw its forces from Al-Aqsa and Sheikh Jarrah or it wide launch rockets into Israeli-held territory. The Israeli government ignored the deadline, and since late last week has carried out massive airstrikes against the civilian population in Gaza. As of this recording on Monday, May 17th, Israel has killed over 200 Palestinians in Gaza, including 61 children, and left over 1400 injured. - - - SUPPORT OUR WORK: Help us continue our critical independent coverage of events in Palestine, Israel, and related U.S. politics. Donate today at https://mondoweiss.net/donate - - - SHOW NOTES: Subscribe to the Groundings Podcast, our partner on this episode – https://groundings.simplecast.com/ Follow Mohammed El-Kurd on Twitter – https://twitter.com/m7mdkurd Follow Devyn Springer on Twitter – https://twitter.com/halfatlanta Solidarity with the Palestinian General Strike across historic Palestine – https://mondoweiss.net/2021/05/solidarity-with-the-palestinian-general-strike-across-historic-palestine/ U.S. Labor must stand with Palestine! – https://mondoweiss.net/2021/05/u-s-labor-must-stand-with-palestine/ - - - SUBSCRIBE TO ONE OF OUR FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Daily Headlines – https://mondoweiss.net/sign-up-for-daily-headlines-delivered-straight-to-your-inbox/ Weekly Briefing – https://mondoweiss.net/weekly-briefing/ The Shift tracks U.S. politics – https://mondoweiss.net/the-shift/ COVID-19 in Palestine – https://mondoweiss.net/2021/05/only-4-of-palestinians-are-fully-vaccinated-as-curfews-lift-in-gaza/ - - - FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook – https://facebook.com/mondoweiss Twitter – https://twitter.com/mondoweiss Instagram – https://instagram.com/mondoweiss YouTube – https://youtube.com/MondoweissVideos

The entire world has witnessed israel's naked colonial violence in Sheikh Jarrah, Palestine, where countless Palestinians have been brutalized and forcefully removed from their homes. Palestinian writer and activist Mohammed el-Kurd joins the show to discuss the latest round of ethnic cleansing in his home neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, the many ways that Palestinians are resisting israel colonial domination, and why we're seeing unprecedented resistance from Palestinians.  We also discuss those who only support Palestinians when they appear to be 'perfect victims' but are quiet when they are resisting iraeli state violence, and how international media is complicit in ongoing israeli apartheid. Palestinian-American medical worker and community organizer Abu Shawarib joins as co-host. This is a special bonus episode of season 3 in collaboration with Mondoweiss, an independent website devoted to informing readers about developments in occupied Palestine and related US foreign policy.

In this episode we interview Devyn Springer. This is the third episode we’ve recorded over the years with Springer, but the first since the summer of 2018.  Devyn Springer is a cultural worker, community organizer, and independent researcher. They are a member of the Walter Rodney Foundation and the host of the Groundings podcast. In this episode we revisit some of our discussion from 2017 on Walter Rodney, touching on How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, the dialectic of underdevelopment and development, and the apocalyptic impact of the transatlantic slave trade on the African continent. Devyn also shares insights on key issues facing African peoples today in Africa and across the diaspora. And Josh and Devyn discuss the continued relevance of Springer’s piece from 2017, Does The Western Left Have An Africa Problem? We also revisit concepts of the guerrilla intellectual and the misleadership class. Finally Devyn adds some thoughts on critical struggles for the Pan African Left today, including freeing political prisoners like Mumia Abu-Jamal. As always if you appreciate what we do and want to help sustain our work here at Millennials Are Killing Capitalism, you can do so by contributing to our patreon. And just a note Devyn announces on this episode a forthcoming season of Groundings and multiple other projects they are working on, so remember to support their patreon as well.

Professor, writer, and activist Dr. Joy James joins the show to discuss her work around abolition. More specifically, we look at what Dr. James calls "academic abolitionism", the role that academics play in halting or co-opting revolutionary organizing, the current state of the prison abolition movement, and why it is revolutionary to start our political organizing with one simple question: what do Black children need?Felicia Denaud joins as co-host. The beat you hear was produced by JayOhAye, and you can hear more here. The painting on the cover art is "J.D. McClain’s Day in Court" (1970) by Jeff Donaldson.If you enjoyed the episode, consider supporting on Patreon here. 

Dr. Jared Ball joins the show to discuss his new book, The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power. We discuss the propaganda used to perpetuate the supposed trillion-dollar "buying power" myth, Black capitalism, and the Black misleadership class of rappers. Writer and organizer Erica Caines just as guest co-host for the conversation. The first audio you will hear is a scene from the Malcolm X movie, the second audio clip is Angela Davis discussing the relationship between capitalism and racism. 

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Daryle Lamont Jenkins, Founder & Executive Director of One People's Project, to discuss the thousands of Trump supporters who descended on Washington, DC, this weekend, how the city and police worked with the right-wingers to set the stage for a night of violence which culminated in the stabbing of three anti-fascist activists, and why so few liberals—who celebrated the defeat of Donald Trump there just weeks ago—were unwilling to protect Black Lives Matter Plaza from being overrun by Proud Boys.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Jason Dzubow, an immigration attorney, partner at Dzubow & Pilcher, PLLC and blogger at www.asylumist.com, to discuss the appointment of Cecilia Muñoz to Joe Biden's immigration team, why her previous efforts to enforce family separations under President Obama have immigration advocates so worried, and why a Biden presidency is unlikely to push for progressive reforms to the immigration system.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Chris Garaffa, editor of Tech for the People, to discuss the top Silicon Valley executives appointed to Joe Biden's transition team, the wave of right-wing individuals moving away from traditional social media platforms to Parler, and the latest in the efforts by the US government to force TikTok's Chinese owners to sell the company to a US-based business entity.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Devyn Springer, cultural worker, host of the Groundings Podcast, and digital outreach volunteer at the Walter Rodney Foundation, to discuss his new poem "the apocalypse," the resignation of Peru's recent 'interim' President Manuel Merino, and what solidarity looks like in a post-pandemic world.

Rapper and poet Noname has spent a bulk of her career rejecting celebrity, and is now taking a turn towards the left to embrace anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist, and radical politics. Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly and Devyn Springer speak with her to find out what the trajectory towards political activation has been like, who inspires her, where she sees the state of hip-hop today, how she hopes to continue on her political path, voting, and much more. You will hear interlude audio of Nina Simone discussing the role of artists, and of a clip contrasting the political orientations of Tupac Shakur and Young Thug.  If you enjoy the episode make sure to rate it 5 stars, subscribe and share. Also, consider supporting patreon.com/HalfAtlanta.

Guest hosts Yasmina and Tarik  interview filmmaker Merawi Gerima, who discusses his new film Residue. The film puts the spotlight on gentrification in DC, and all the racist, violent baggage and displacement that accompanies it. They discuss the process of 'community filmmaking' that helped create the film, the role of capital in dictating creative directing choices, the importance of Black film and narrative-shaping, the Gerima  legacy of filmmaking and community building, the power of DC's go-go music, and much more.  

Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly discusses the history and institutionalization of Black Studies, the often overlapping relationship between anti-communism and anti-Blackness, and the 'elision' of political economy in capitalist academia. Moreover, she also talks about 'academic McCarthyism', academic celebrities, ideological battles, and the current state of Black Studies. [cover image: student activist Don McAllister beaten bloodied and arrested by pigs during San Francisco State College protests, 1968]

Writer and activist Benji Hart discusses the multitude of ways grassroots movements against police in Chicago are challenging the Black misleadership class. We discuss the struggle around the struggle against the construction of a $95 million cop academy in Chicago, the many movements and educational moments birthed from this struggle, and how individuals like Mayor Lori Lightfoot represent the 'Black misleadership class'.You will here audio from a 2017 Chicago City Council meeting which can be found here. In this audio clip you will also hear chants stating "NTA is here to stay" - you can find out more details about that chant and the struggle surrounding it here. You can also learn more about LVEJO's ight against environmental racism here. You can find more of Benji's work at Benjihart.com.If you enjoyed the episode, consider supporting the podcast on Patreon here. Money goes to transcription of episodes (releasing soon!), production assistance, equipment, and more to keep the show running. 

Community organizer and educator Dustin Gibson discusses the white supremacist, colonial, capitalist roots of ableism which structures capitalist society, why a disability justice framework must be abolitionist, and why "the state always has a carceral response to disabled Black people."Throughout the episode, you will hear the following audio clips:Leroy Moore discussing the erasure of Emmett Till's disability Members of Fairfax County, Virginia, at a public forum following the killing of Natasha McKennaJennifer Msumba describing the abuse faced at the Judge Rotenberg Center in Canton, Mass.Cover image: “Back of the Neck,” (1983) by Jean-Michel Basquiat    

Mumia Abu-Jamal, world-renowned political prisoner, former Black Panther, and award-winning journalist, gives me his opinion on the movement taking place in the streets right now against police violence, the outpouring of international solidarity we've witnessed, and more. Because he is incarcerated, our interview was cut very short, but he still manages to pack intense amounts of wisdom into only a few minutes.Then we hear from author, professor, and longtime activist Johanna Fernández, who has spent nearly two decades working on the campaign to free Mumia and all political prisoners. We discuss what it is about Mumia specifically that makes millions around the world demand his freedom, why this new generation of activists and everyone else has a moral duty to free political prisoners, and why the creation of political prisoners inevitably means the ruling class shooting themselves in the foot.Mumia is arguably the most recognized political prisoner in the world, having served three decades on death row for a crime he was framed for. Millions across the world have read and engaged with his writings, listened to his audio analyses from incarceration, and found clarity in the always stellar commentary in his multiple top telling books. As we discuss abolition, tearing down prisons, defunding the police, and all related topics, it's imperative that we continue to uplift the fight to free all political prisoners, including Mumia. You can find out how to donate, write letters to, and spread the word for Mumia's freedom here. You will hear an audio interlude which includes clips from old news coverage of the cases of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Assata Shakur, Jamil Al-Amin, Herman Bell, and Angela Davis.// Transition music produced by 23djTbone 

In light of the Black-led revolt, Devyn Springer (@HalfAtlanta), journalist and host of the Groundings podcast, talks race, class, decolonization, and so much more. Support: patreon.com/therednation 

In this segment of By Any Means Necessary hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Devyn Springer, host of the Groundings Podcast and digital outreach volunteer at the Walter Rodney Foundation, to talk about the latest in the Justice For George Floyd protest movement rocking the country, the various attempts to co-opt the movement by more liberal and democratic factions, and his new article in The Independent, "Killer Mike, T.I. and Atlanta's Black Misleadership Class."

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Devyn Springer, host of the Groundings Podcast and digital outreach volunteer at the Walter Rodney Foundation, to talk about the latest in the Justice For George Floyd protest movement rocking the country, the various attempts to co-opt the movement by more liberal and democratic factions, and his new article in The Independent, "Killer Mike, T.I. and Atlanta's Black Misleadership Class."In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Gilbert Mercier, Editor in Chief of News Junkie Post and the author of "The Orwellian Empire," to talk about the massive anti-police brutality demonstration in Paris in solidarity with US protesters calling for an end to racist police violence, how the protest movement is being viewed from abroad, and the social factors that are motivating such enormous turnout at protests within the US and beyond. Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Dr. Dave Ragland, Senior Bayard Rustin Fellow at the Fellowship of Reconciliation and co-founder of the Truth Telling Project, to talk about the news that Minnesota is upgrading the murder charges against Derek Chauvin and filing charges against the other three officers involved in the killing of George Floyd, the roots of the hyper-militarization of local police departments throughout the US, and why the supposedly alternative vision for the future presented by Joe Biden is so similar to Trump's.

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Milwaukee housing and anti-lead activist Robert Penner to talk about the wave of Wisconsin residents flooding bars and restaurants after the state Supreme Court struck down a statewide stay-at-home order and why the logic of capitalism has lead to a complete lack of protections for residents forced back to work amid the Coronavirus crisis. In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by José Ramón Cabañas, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to the United States of America, to talk about recent threats by the Trump Administration to officially designate Cuba as being uncooperative or even complicit in the so-called "fight against terrorism," why the failure by Trump or Pompeo to condemn the recent terrorist attack on the Cuban embassy reveals the Trump administration is "simply a political game," and how the US government's renewed economic and propaganda attacks are impacting the everyday lives of Cuba's people. In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Devyn Springer, host of the Groundings podcast and Digital Outreach Coordinator for the Walter Rodney Foundation, to talk about his new article in Shadowproof, "Street Medics See Cuba As A Model For COVID-19 Response In Vulnerable Communities," why the impressive public health outcomes seen in Cuba wouldn't have been possible if not for the Cuban Revolution, and how the stark contrast in public health priorities between our countries is forcing more health workers here to take a political stance as the pandemic rages. Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Taya Graham and Stephen Janis, journalists with the Police Accountability Report on The Real News Network, to talk about racist police killings and disparities in social distance enforcement, the deep legacy of racism and capitalism in the origins of US policing, the double standard exposed by the prosecution of Breonna Taylor, the EMT killed by Louisville police during a no-knock raid at the wrong address, and the rise in vigilantism among private citizens that are connected.

In this segment of By Any Means Necessary hosts Sean and Jacquie are joined by Devyn Springer, host of the Groundings podcast and Digital Outreach Coordinator for the Walter Rodney Foundation, to talk about his new article in Shadowproof, "Street Medics See Cuba As A Model For COVID-19 Response in Vulnerable Communities," why the impressive public health outcomes seen in Cuba wouldn't have been possible if not for the Cuban Revolution, and how the stark contrast in public health priorities among our countries is forcing more health workers here to take a political stance as the pandemic rages.

I spoke with scholar, writer, and professor Charisse Burden-Stelly about W.E.B. Du Bois. Charisse recently co-authored the new book W.E.B. Du Bois: A Life in American History with historian Gerald Horne, and has an extensive amount of insight, knowledge, and research on the life of Du Bois. Moreover, she's apt to think deeply on the intellectual, political, and ideological history within his life trajectory.We speak about Du Bois, the many ways his ideological positions shifted over the century (!) he lived, where Du Bois fell short and where he accelerates, how to position him between Pan-Africanism, communism, and Black Nationalism, his internationalist politic, and much more!Throughout the episode you will hear excerpts from his speech "Socialism and the American Negro" given in 1960. You can read the speech here. You can purchase Charisse's book here. 

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Dan Kovalik, author of the new book "No More War: How the West Violates International Law by Using ‘Humanitarian Intervention' to Advance Economic and Strategic Interests," to talk about the news that Donald Trump is finally implementing the Defense Production Act, and what it means that Trump declined to invoke the bill to produce PPE and is using it only to mandate that vulnerable meatpacking workers return to processing plants.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Mohamed Elmaazi, journalist and editor of the Interregnum, to talk about the news that Julian Assange's extradition trial has been postponed due to court's inability to carry out the second stage of the trial amid the pandemic, how dangerous conditions are jeopardizing the health of Julian Assange and all others incarcerated at Belmarsh prison, and what's next for the imprisoned journalist.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Riya Ortiz, Lead Organizer and Case Manager for Damayan Migrant Workers Association, to talk about how the precarious legal status and broad lack of social protections for many domestic workers means they have been among "the worst-hit members of the community" by not just economic hardship but the disease itself.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Devyn Springer, host of the Groundings Podcast and digital outreach volunteer at the Walter Rodney Foundation, to talk about what he sees as a "collapse in the mythology" mass incarceration under the reality of the Coronavirus pandemic, why there's actually a perverse logic behind the US campaign to "steal the Global South's PPE and then blaming them for not having enough," and whether efforts by the Democratic establishment to shoehorn Joe Biden into the nomination (and ultimately reduce the 2020 election to a competition between the "lesser of two rapists") could lead to mass disillusionment with the two-party duopoly.

Philadelphia based community organizer and writer Steven Powers helps run a community based, free, socialist gym, the People Power Gym, and is involved in a number of other community survival projects. In this episode we discuss how his organization was able to turn these survival programs into a Covid-19 mutual aid grocery program, delivering free groceries throughout their neighborhood. We also discuss how capitalism has exacerbated this pandemic into a crisis with blood on its hands, the need for community organizing, a cautious understanding of 'mutual aid', and Sock'em Boppers. Support their fundraiser here. You can read Safiyah Bukhari's The War Before here, and George Jackson's Soledad Brother here. Audio samples used:Assata Shakur, Eyes of the RainbowMumia Abu-Jamal, Safiyah Bukhari: Lioness for LiberationFred Hampton, On the Importance of EducationEricka Huggins, On Meditation

Devyn Springer joins Breht to discuss the life and legacy of Walter Rodney: the renowned Guyanese historian, Caribbean revolutionary, Pan-Africanist thinker, and Marxist martyr. Find Devyn and his work: https://devynspringer.journoportfolio.com/ Support his work: https://www.patreon.com/Halfatlanta Check out his podcast: https://groundings.simplecast.com/ Find and Support the Walter Rodney Foundation: http://www.walterrodneyfoundation.org/ Here are the Essays Devyn mentioned in the episode: https://www.marxists.org/subject/africa/rodney-walter/index.htm   Outro music 'Hussle & Motivate' by Nipsey Hussle ------- LEARN MORE ABOUT REV LEFT RADIO: www.revolutionaryleftradio.com SUPPORT REV LEFT RADIO: www.patreon.com/revleftradio Our logo was made by BARB, a communist graphic design collective: @Barbaradical Intro music by DJ Captain Planet. --------------- This podcast is affiliated with: The Nebraska Left Coalition, Omaha Tenants United, FORGE, Socialist Rifle Association (SRA), Feed The People - Omaha, and the Marxist Center.

On this episode of "By Any Means Necessary" hosts Jacquie Luqman and Sean Blackmon are joined by Garland Nixon, co-host of Fault Lines with Lee Stranahan on Radio Sputnik, to talk about the latest details in ongoing attempts to negotiate a British departure from the European Union, the reasoning behind why different elements of British voted the way they did, and why the muted reactions from the British public to the latest terrorist attack in London may lead some to underestimate its political impact.In the second segment, Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Sputnik News Analyst Bob Schlehuber to talk about the latest developments in the Democratic caucus in Iowa, how the backlash against Bernie Sanders betrays a deep discomfort among the political establishment about a rising wave of progressivism in the Democratic party, why socialism is growing in popularity as a progressive ideal and a conservative bogeyman, and why centrist Democrats like Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar are having trouble carving out a niche for themselves between the left and right wings of the party.In the third segment, Jacquie Luqman and Sean Blackmon are joined by Ollie Vargas, a British/Bolivian writer and editor of EyesOnLatinAmerica.com, to talk about the state of the Left and the Right in Bolivia ahead of the May 3rd elections, why the MAS party is leading in the polls despite the regime continuing to force its upper leadership into jail or exile, and how the US government and international NGOs helped whitewash the coup as it happened and are now giving cover to those who instigated it.Later in the show, Jacquie and Sean are joined by Devyn Springer, host of the Groundings podcast and Digital Media Manager of the Walter Rodney Foundation, to talk about the failures by both major political party to address what MLK identified as the Three Evils in the world (racism, exploitation, and militarism), how the shared experience of living under colonization led to the Palestinian liberation struggle being so intertwined with the Black liberation struggle, why the peace plan proposed by Donald Trump is just a rewording of apartheid, the politics of the Superbowl Halftime show, why US 'culture' relies so heavily on Black experience while actively erasing Black history from the dominant narrative, how the legacy of white supremacy in the US has left Black people as "country-less citizens," why the sharpening divide between rich and poor in cities across the country is gutting the concept of the American Dream, why we need to restructure our society to be able to begin to end racism, sexism, and homophobia here, the limitations of social democracy and a Sanders presidency more broadly, the health and sanitation crisis inside Parchman prison that's left nearly a dozen incarcerated people dead this year, how the presumption of guilt undergirds widespread public acceptance of dehumanizing and punitive carceral conditions, and why prisons are less oriented towards resolving problems like crime or drug abuse and more oriented towards hiding them.

I speak with community organizer, researcher, and writer Taiza Troutman to discuss urban development, trap music, Tyler Perry, activism, homelessness, neoliberalism, displacement and, above all else, gentrification in Atlanta. Audio used throughout the episode was provided graciously by Eva Dickerson, activist, educator, and all around comrade. Watch the full video in which this audio is from here.  Some of the books mentioned in the episode:Rashad Shabazz, Spatializing Blackness: Architectures of Confinement and Black Masculinity in ChicagoLester K. Spence, Knocking the Hustle: Against the Neoliberal Turn in Black PoliticsSaidiya Hartman, Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Histories of Social Upheaval

Devyn Springer is an Atlanta-based writer, editor, artist, and author. He is the host of Groundings   An appeal Please consider supporting the show. I can't do this for much longer unless I can at least hit my goal of $1500 a month. (That literally would give me enough for rent + $300). Right now, I make a third of that and it's unsustainable. I have a Patreon and Gofundme You can also donate directly with Venmo or Paypal.  Links on the homepage, eastpodcast.com 

Devyn Springer is an Atlanta-based writer, editor, artist, and author. He is the host of the Groundings   An appeal Please consider supporting the show. I can't do this for much longer unless I can at least hit my goal of $1500 a month. (That literally would give me enough for rent + $300). Right now, I make a third of that and it's unsustainable. I have a Patreon and Gofundme You can also donate directly with Venmo or Paypal.  Links on the homepage, eastpodcast.com   

We explore the philosophy and theoretical work behind the actions of Amílcar Cabral, African revolutionary from Guinea-Bissau who helped lead a succesful anti-colonial movement against the Portugese in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde.Reasearcher, writer, and organizer Zeyad El Nabolsy discusses Cabral's approach to culture and cultural liberation, dispels some eurocentric and racist myth surrounding Cabral's legacy, and looks at Cabral's relationship to Marxism.You can find Zeyad's essays we reference here, as well as the essay by Blaut here which he mentions towards the end.Intro/outro audio: Angela Davis on Amilcar Cabral, 1973You can support me at Patreon.com/HalfAtlanta, and follow me on Twitter @halfatlanta.

In this episode, activist and writer Bilphena Yahwon get into the nitty gritty details of the school-to-prison pipeline, racial disparities in school disciplinary actions, how these disparities send Black children to prison, and the ways she uses restorative justice processes to combat it.

Haiti is an island in perpetual revolution, and over the past few months massive island-wide mobilizations have been taking place as Haitians protest to oust their corrupt, neo-colonial, U.S.-installed government. I speak with lawyer, activist, and director of the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti Brian Concannon, who gives a general overview of why Haitians are protesting, and how the corrupt and violent Moïse government has remained in power with support from Western empires like the US. Then we discuss the connection between the protests in Haiti and the imperialist aggression on Venezuela, and we compare the stark differences in Western media attention to both situations. The struggle in Haiti is ongoing, and independent media outlets like the Haiti Info Project are critical to understanding what's happening on the ground there. Please follow and support their work! If you like the podcast, make sure you subscribe, share it, and tweet at @halfatlanta to let Devyn know! You can also support the podcast efforts at Patreon.com/HalfAtlanta.

This is part two of a special report on Venezuela, in collaboration with Venezuelanalysis.com. First I speak with Christina Schiavoni, scholar and activist who deals with issues of food, food sovereignty, and agriculture. Her work in Venezuela has been very important to dispelling misinformation about food, food shortages, and agricultural production in Venezuela, as well as the great strides towards food sovereignty that the Bolivarian Revolution has made. We specifically reference an essay of hers titled "The Politics of Food in Venezuela" that masterfully combats myths and intentional misinformation surrounding the subject. Then Jeanette Charles of Venezuelanalysis.com interviews Dr. Akinyele Umoja, head of Georgia State University's Black Studies department and co-founder of the Malcom X Grassroots Movement. Akinyele is a friend of the Walter Rodney Foundation and has an incredible ability to tie relevant historical information in Black history with the social, political, and cultural movements of today. In this interview he discusses the long history of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement doing solidarity work with Afro-Venezuelans, how the Bolivarian Revolution was a Black revolution, and how the government has taken great strides to help African people both in Venezuela and throughout the entire diaspora. Dr. Umoja has traveled several times to Venezuela, including for the International Meeting on Reparations for African peoples which was held in Caracas. A very special thank you to Jonathan Chai-Chang Azterbaum, who did post-production for this episode, as well as part 1. If you missed part 1, where we cover the grassroots activist perspectives of the importance of the Bolivarian Revolution and elections in Venezuela, you can listen here.

In collaboration with Venezuelanalysis.com, this is part one of a two-part special on current events in Venezuela, as well as the historical developments which have led to the country being the target of an international imperialist campaign, conducted by the U.S., to remove the popularly elected President Maduro and install a Western puppet via a coup. We remove the imperialist propaganda dominating the news and interview four different people whose analyses are key to understanding Venezuela, the Bolivarian Revolution, U.S. imperialism, grassroots activism, sanctions, race, gender and agriculture in the country, and so much more. For part one, you will hear an interview with Jeanette Charles from Venezuelanalysis.com, who gives a general overview of what is occurring in Venezuela: Western governments, lead by the U.S., supporting a coup attempt by an unelected representative of an elite opposition party. Then we speak with human rights lawyer and author Dan Kovalik, who was an official observer of Venezuela's elections, who discusses the important process of elections and the trend of U.S. election meddling across the world. Intro sound: "La Alborada" Interview with Jeanette Charles Transition sound: "La Alborada" Interview with Dan Kovalik

Writer, academic, and activist Max Ajl discusses his critique of the Green New Deal, which particularly looks at the ways in which the Green New Deals intentionally leaves out the Global South and functions to preserve a "green" version of industrial capitalism. Then he explains what ecological catastrophe like global warming could mean for the Global South if left in our current state of global capitalism, and we explore revolutionary, agricultural alternatives to the Green New Deal that have emerged from the Third World. In short, full decolonization marks the future of hope in combating global ecological catastrophe. Finally, we end on a conversation about food and agricultural sovereignty before Samir Amin's 'delinking' theory, which Ajl wrote about here, and says can be a powerful model for moving forward.

Organizer and academic Annie Olaloku-Teriba discusses her recent essay, which is a critique of Afro-Pessimism, "anti-blackness" theory, and how these two things often negatively impact organizing spaces. We try to break down lots of academic jargon and wordy concepts to dive into a conversation which is crucial right now for Black studies and the movements it represents. This is one of my favorite episodes yet; a conversation which dives deep into the world and currently contemptuous debates occurring in Black Studies, however discussed without leaving unfamiliar listeners behind—we make sure at every step to explain the contexts and meaning to what we're discussing. A few of the books mentioned: Black Star, Crescent Moon by Sohail Daulatzai Racecraft: The Soul of Inequality in American Life by Karen & Barbara Fields Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon

(This episode was a Patreon exclusive for several days prior to release elsewhere. ) In this episode, Native activist and writer Dani Miller breaks down the various ways that the brand identity of Coca-Cola, a brand known and admired worldwide, is built on a mountain of anti-Indigenous tropes, racism, and what she calls "conglomerate imperialism." She then discusses the need for a Native anti-imperialist perspective, connecting Indigenous struggles in the U.S. to struggles globally, and explores how normalizing the racist, imperialist marketing tactics of corporations like Coca-Cola has material impacts on Indigenous communities everywhere. You can support this podcast on Patreon, follow Devyn on Twitter, and make sure to subscribe to stay updated on the latest episodes. If you or someone you know would make a great guest for an episode, send a tweet to Devyn and let them know!

Co-host of Millennials Are Killing Capitalism Jared Ware joins me for a conversation on the material practice of prison abolition. Prison abolition is such an imaginative theory, but beyond simply discussing Abolition as an idea, we target the question of what does abolitionist organizing look like, and what are we doing to work towards abolition? More than just this, we discuss what abolition means on a global scale, especially given the colonial and imperialist roots of the global prison-industrial-complex. Then Jared discusses prison strikes, both the ways they come about and how incarcerated revolutionaries sustain them. Finally, Jared gives us the context of the upcoming nationwide #August21 prison strike. Then, Jared gives context to the #August21 nationwide prison strike and how folks can find ways to get involved. This episode is in collaboration with and cross-posted between the #GroundingsPodcast (which you can support here) and Millennials Are Killing Capitalism (which you can support here).

Devyn Springer who many of you know as @HalfAtlanta on twitter, and Jay decided to do an episode where they discuss what prison abolition is, and both of their connections to it, along with a conversation about the prison strike. We’ll be cross-promoting this episode on both of our podcasts, Millennials Are Killing Capitalism and Devyn’s Groundings Podcast. For those who don’t know Devyn, they are an accomplished artist, organizer, member of the Worker’s World Party and the host and producer of the excellent Groundings podcast.   We plan to provide more updates on the strike as it goes on. And lastly we wanted to note that this month for Black August and for the prison strike we will donating all of our patreon donations to the prison strike fundraiser.     

In this episode I speak with writer, activist, and academic Yasmin Nair, who is highly critical of liberal narratives of "diversity" and TLGBQ+ "inclusion" inside of violent and imperialist institutions like the US military. Recently, Nair co-wrote a piece with Eli Massey which gave a radical left and queer critique of the mainstream push for trans inclusion in the military, and that serves as the basis for our discussion. Then, we discuss the intentional erasing of the legacy of radical queer anti-capitalist/anti-imperialist organizing, the problematic nature of reactionary gay politics like "legalize gay" and how they serve a white/capitalist class. Finally, we discuss the book "Against Equality", which she co-wrote.

Multi-disciplinary artist Bocafloja, one of Mexico's first rappers, discusses global politics and capitalism where they intersect with hip-hop. He also discusses his documentary Nana Dijo which explores anti-Blackness in Latin America. Along with this, we also have an in-depth conversation on navigating the capitalist music industry, cultural hegemony, and the social construct of the "conscious rapper."

Anti-racist activist Tommy DiMassimo, known for rushing Trump's stage during the 2016 elections, discusses why he decided to charge at Trump and the repression against him which followed, the role of a white comrade in the anti-racism struggle, and moving beyond white guilt and liberalism. In the interview, Tommy shares that the moment he ran after Trump on stage was not a random or unplanned event, rather the culmination of years of anti-racist activism. Then, he describes the political repression against him, enacted by the Feds, in the year following the event. Along with this, we talk about the role of white people who want to aid in the anti-racist struggle, specifically how to move beyond self-gratifying liberalism, inaction, and comfortability.

"Your consciousness can come from anywhere. but the point is, it needs to come urgently." — Asha Rodney An Interview with Asha Rodney, scholar-activist, lawyer, and youngest child of Walter Rodney. Asha discusses the assassination of her father by the hands of an immensely repressive Guyanese government in 1980, describes what a "groundings" session is, and gives us suggestions for how to implement her father's work and legacy in our organizing today. Asha Rodney, along with the rest of the Rodney family, has spent many years seeking justice for the assassination of her father, the revolutionary Walter Rodney. Walter Rodney was assassinated in 1980 by an explosive device which was hidden in a walkie-talkie, provided to him by Gregory Smith who was later revealed to have been an operative for the Guyanese government. Asha covers not only meticulous details of her father's assassination, but describes the political climate and context in which it occurred: an incredibly repressive, western-backed regime eliminating and outlawing all forms of dissent. Along with covering the assassination, Asha also teaches us about the process of investigation surrounding the assassination; the decades it took to have an official commission of inquiry into Walter's murder, the hundreds of Guyanese people who testified for the commission of inquiry, how incredibly damning the results of the investigation are, and just how hard the Guyanese government has tried to suppress this information. Finally, Asha brings this fight for justice to the current day and discusses why the commission of inquiry, as well as Walter Rodney's assassination, are very important for activists and organizers around the world. We then discuss the 'groundings' concept, and putting Walter's theories into practice.

Organizer and educator Derek Ford gives a historical context for the current imperialist aggression surrounding the DPRK, explains the 'Juche' ideology, and recounts some firsthand propaganda-shattering experiences from his travels inside the country. The day after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced the travel ban for US citizens to North Korea, Derek Ford traveled to the country on a fact-finding delegation. In this episode, he shares many of those firsthand experiences with me, and discusses how what he saw in person was quite different from the propaganda he'd been told in the US. Along with this he discusses the 'Juche' ideology, which is essentially the guiding philosophical ideology of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and gives a quick history lesson on both the Juche ideology and the country itself.

Revolutionary Pan-Africanist writer, artist, and organizer Sobukwe Shakur gives a first-hand account of the history of the Black Art Movement, a movement which took place in the 1960s and 1970s and ran parallel to the Black Power Movement. Sobukwe Shukur is a multi-media cultural worker, the host of the Revolutionary African Perspectives radio show on Georgia's independent WRFG station, a cadre and organizer in Nkrumah’s brainchild, the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (A-APRP) and a former chair of the National Network On Cuba (NNOC). The conversation begins with Sobukwe setting the context for the Black Arts Movement, one of global Black political consciousness at its height, before diving into first-hand experiences as a school student during the early 1960s before transforming into an organizer and cultural worker within the movement itself. In discussing the politics of the Black Arts Movement, he discusses how various ideologies existed simultaneously, at times in conflict, and how this was embraced and seen through the act of a multi-plural cultural revolution that took place. In the final third of the interview we discuss the legacy of the Black Arts Movement; how it has influenced us today compared to the Harlem Renaissance, and how Black arts of today reflect a deeply different dominant ideology being reflected in the art.

In this episode we caught up with artist, organizer, educator, and writer Devyn Springer to talk about the work and legacy of Walter Rodney. Devyn also spoke about the Rodney family and the Walter Rodney Foundation and the work they do in Atlanta. Josh and Jay asked Devyn about how he utilizes Rodney's pedagogy as a teacher and organizer, what Rodney's most important contributions were, and Rodney's theory of development and underdevelopment.  Devyn Springer is an Atlanta-based artist, writer, organizer, and educator with a background in African & African Diaspora studies and a concentration in Art History. He is the editor at Offtharecord.com, a digital media platform which focuses on uplifting marginalized voices, as well as assistant editor of two peer-reviewed academic journals, South and ATL. You can purchase his poetry/art book "Grayish-Black" on Amazon, follow him on Instagram @HalfAtlanta.jpeg, and see some of his visual art at Urbansoulatlanta.com. You can learn more about Walter Rodney and the Walter Rodney Foundation at http://www.walterrodneyfoundation.org.  

Artist, writer, and organizer Devyn Springer joins the Beyond Prisons podcast for a special two-part episode. In part two, Devyn speaks with hosts Kim Wilson and Brian Sonenstein about hip hop scholarship and pedagogy as liberatory approaches to education. We also discuss his photography, writing, and poetry. Devyn explains his scholarship focuses on hip hop as a means of resistance. He talks about how, as one of most influential art forms of the past century, hip hop has always been about race, class, and gender, and that it tells stories and histories. He discusses the importance of having students see themselves in the material he teaches, explaining how the work of Walter Rodney has influenced his own practice. We also discuss Devyn's photography and writing, including a piece he wrote about the Pulse Nightclub shooting. He sees his art as a way to combat the normalization of oppression and  the idea that oppression is an essential part of human existence and human nature. We explore a piece Devyn wrote on writers block as a socioeconomic condition. He talks about the struggle to create art that exists for beauty itself when he's only given a platform to discuss his identity and trauma. He explains how marginalized artists and writers are only called upon to appease someone else's diversity quota, and how white artists are primarily the only ones permitted to create art simply for its beauty, while artists of color must make a statement about their identity in order to be given a platform. He raises the class aspect of this dynamic, explaining that staff writing positions are rarely available and that when opportunities are available, they are low paying and exclusively for him to write from the perspective of his identity as someone who is Black, Muslim and queer. The anxiety this creates hinders the writing process itself. Finally, we discuss the concept of self-care with Devyn, which he sees as "being an adult" and "doing what you need to do to secure your livelihood." He argues self-care should be done to "alleviate your conditions temporarily so you can continue doing your organizing and your work." Devyn Springer is an Atlanta-based artist, writer, organizer, and educator with a background in African & African Diaspora studies and a concentration in Art History. He has worked with various organizing groups in Atlanta such as Rise UP, It's Bigger Than You, Black Lives Matter, and is a member of Workers World Party. He is the assistant editor of two peer-reviewed academic journals, South and ATL. His first book of poetry & art is titled "Grayish-Black,” and you can follow him on Twitter @HalfAtlanta, and see some of his visual art at Urbansoulatlanta.com Please listen, subscribe, and rate/review our podcast on iTunes and on Google Play Sign up for the Beyond Prisons newsletter to receive updates on new episodes, important news and events, and more. Send tips, comments, and questions to beyondprisonspodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter: @Beyond_Prison @phillyprof03 @bsonenstein @jaybeware Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondprisonspodcast/ Music & Production: Jared Ware

Artist, writer, and organizer Devyn Springer joins the Beyond Prisons podcast for a special two-part episode. In part one, Devyn speaks with hosts Kim Wilson and Brian Sonenstein about his work with mental health response networks in Atlanta. Through Rise UP, Black Lives Matter, and other groups, Devyn has worked to confront mental health emergencies through deescalation and by building relationships in the community. We discuss how the presence of police, and threat of violence that accompanies them, exacerbates manic episodes. We also talk about the dangers of making police the first responders in times of crisis, as well as the defunding and dissolution of mental health services in the community, which have shifted to prisons and jails. We talk about how these facilities do not and cannot provide an adequate therapeutic environment, and how situating treatment in the justice system has encouraged a defensive posture, in which we are dealing with crises more than providing ongoing support and treatment before they happen. Finally, we examine the recent killing of Scout Schultz, a student at Georgia Tech who had a history of mental illness, as well as the response to Scout's death by other students. Devyn Springer is an Atlanta-based artist, writer, organizer, and educator with a background in African & African Diaspora studies and a concentration in Art History. He has worked with various organizing groups in Atlanta such as Rise UP, It's Bigger Than You, Black Lives Matter, and is a member of Workers World Party. He is the assistant editor of two peer-reviewed academic journals, South and ATL. His first book of poetry & art is titled "Grayish-Black,” and you can follow him on Twitter @HalfAtlanta, and see some of his visual art at Urbansoulatlanta.com Please listen, subscribe, and rate/review our podcast on iTunes and on Google Play Sign up for the Beyond Prisons newsletter to receive updates on new episodes, important news and events, and more. Send tips, comments, and questions to beyondprisonspodcast@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter: @Beyond_Prison @phillyprof03 @bsonenstein @jaybeware Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beyondprisonspodcast/ Music & Production: Jared Ware

Devyn Springer is an artist-activist and educator from Atlanta whose dedication to all people in the Black diaspora has not gone unnoticed in local communities. A student at Kennesaw State University, a teacher, a photographer, a poet and artist, Deyvn has enough titles to make a Game of Thrones monarch blush. But that’s what happens when you’re poppin, amirite? I […]