I cannot in good conscience….,

This is not going to be some flowery, hipster political ‘got-cha’ social commentary.  Just straight up truth and reality. For the last couple weeks, former supporters of the Bernie Sanders campaign and others of the progressive-to-left persuasion have lamented the likelihood that former Vice-President Joe Biden will win the Democratic Party nomination for President. In spite of the more recent allegations of sexual misconduct, canceled and postponed primaries, Biden still appears to be the presumptive nominee. Progressives and leftists of various denominations, particularly those associated with the Democratic Party are now pushing the community to vote for Biden because “we” must get rid of Trump, no matter what.

Again, we the people are being forced to vote for and accept a seriously flawed, corporate and wall-street democrat under the guise of voting for the ‘lesser of two evils’. The Black/New Afrikan working-class and poor are again being called upon to save the neo-liberal and neo-colonial agenda of the Democratic party, ‘hold our noses’ and vote for a candidate who helped to usher in mass incarceration: draconian legislation, policies and practices which continue to wreck havoc throughout the national Black community. Others demand that the Black community vote for Biden because he was Obama’s vice-president for eight years. Many of those folks are still enamored and brainwashed by the Obama mystique and political mythology. While yet another segment within the Black/New Afrikan community suggest that Biden should be supported because he has promised to select a female running-mate, perhaps a Black woman. Stacey Abrams, Kamala Harris and even Michelle Obama are the names being tossed around as possible vice-presidential running mates on the Biden ticket.

The bureaucratic elite of the Democratic Party (Democratic National Committee-DNC) campaigned hard to stop Bernie Sanders from being their nominee. They fought harder against the Sanders narrative and platform than they did to counter the ongoing narrative and campaign of Donald Trump. These people are a corporate, racist, imperialist and war-mongering clique that masquerades behind liberal platitudes, rhetoric and misplaced identity politics. Bernie Sanders knows them well and should have known that they would fight tooth and nail to suppress his political ascendency to the white house. But again, he (Sanders) took the same path toward 2020 as he took in 2016…, with the same predictable results.

And, Sanders himself has taken the same political posture as he did in 2016, which is to publicly support the presumptive or official candidate of the Democratic Party: Hillary in 2016, Biden in 2020. Meanwhile all these progressives and leftists are in a tizzy as if they have lost all common sense and direction. Bernie Sanders led people into a political trap-house. No options, no alternatives, no real movement except support for the presumptive Democratic Party nominee, no matter how racist, reactionary, militarist or corporatist he or she may be.

A real political revolution starts with proposing, building and developing a real political alternative. The Democratic Party is not the way. It cannot be reformed, rigged, manipulated or transformed to genuinely represent the best collective interest of Black/New Afrikan people or working –class people in general. It is thoroughly corrupt to its core and beyond any immediate redemption. Please don’t take my word for it. Look around for yourself. Along with Sanders and other former Democratic presidential candidate rivals, every major Congressional democrat (including the vaunted ‘squad’ of progressive women of color) has come out in support of Joe Biden per endorsement or vote. Yes, even Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) said that she would vote for Biden.

So here we are again. Having to pick between Pig #1 or Pig #2 in the name of the “lesser of two evils”. Always presented with a Republican boogeyman (Nixon, Goldwater, Ford, Bush, McCain, Romney, and Trump) as an incentive to secure power for the so-called liberal wing of the ruling class, but never experiencing genuine freedom and liberation as an exchange for our votes. As Black people, we must develop, build and support an alternative political narrative and reality that is based on Black freedom and power, not neo-liberal pandering.

Contrary to the rhetoric and hype, Donald Trump is not an existential threat to the collective well being of Black people. That threat and its supporting cast existed long before Trump took office. The existential threat is white-supremacy, economic injustice (in the form of capitalism and imperialism) and the war-mongering and environmental destruction that accompanies it. Trump, however is its latest manifestation who demonstrates more raw neo-fascist tendencies than his recent predecessors. The real existential threat is embodied in both the republican and democratic parties, not just its individual representatives. So, for all the reasons listed above (and many, many more), I CAN NOT in good conscience support or vote for either JOE BIDEN (or DONALD TRUMP). I hope you won’t either.

All Power to The People!

Free The Land!

Khalid Raheem

Chairman, New Afrikan Independence Party (NAIP)

05-01-20

http://www.newafrikan.org

“Toward A New Afrikan Revolution: volume #1

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Reflections on the Struggle and Movement for Black Freedom and Self-Determination

Features the writings of long-time community activist and organizer Khalid Raheem, chairman and founder of the New Afrikan Independence Party (www.newafrikan.org) and a former member of the Black Panther Party. Essays and contemporary analysis concerning the current status and contradictions within the movement for Black or New Afrikan freedom and self-determination

Short-Term Political Victories: Long-Term Political Enslavement…,

During the last few weeks there have been many Democratic Party primary elections held featuring both prominent veterans and new-comers to electoral politics. There certainly will be more primaries held in several states over the next few months as the process advances toward the general elections of November 2017.

Some of these primaries, held in districts dominated by the Democratic Party, also have significant populations of Blacks/New Afrikans as well. As such, the general assumption is that whoever wins the democratic primary is the de-facto victor in the general election.

Within the circles of Black/New Afrikan, radical, progressive and leftist  politics, no recent primary has received more attention, scrutiny and general support than that of Chokwe Antar Lumumba in his quest to become mayor of Jackson, Mississippi. 

Chokwe Antar is the son of the late Chokwe Lumumba, a long-time human rights and revolutionary activist/attorney, himself a former city councilman and mayor of Jackson.

To the credit of his campaign organizers, supporters and the legacy of grassroots advocacy and organizing through formations such as the New Afrikan Peoples Organization, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and Cooperation Jackson, Chokwe Antar Lumumba won the Democratic mayoral primary on May 2, 2017 and appears to be on his way to becoming the next mayor of Jackson, Mississippi.

Chokwe Antar Lumumba

And while we commend and congratulate Brother Chokwe Antar Lumumba for his decisive primary victory, there remain some very important strategic issues concerning the quest for Black/New Afrikan freedom and self-determination.

A central issue however continues to be the need to develop a truly independent political vehicle, i.e. political party in Jackson and the surrounding cities, counties and states.

Why has this not happened? And, why is there continued dependence and reliance on the traditional Democratic Party machine and mechanism in areas that are predominantly Black/New Afrikan?

The democratic party is a political party of racism, capitalist exploitation, imperialism and war.

Throughout the United States, in countless cities, the dominant political party directly overseeing the deluge of Black poverty, unemployment, crime, police brutality and terror, closed schools, mass incarceration and gentrification has been the Democratic Party.

THE BLACK RADICAL POLITICAL TRADITION

We can do better and chart a new course on developing and sustaining genuinely independent Black/New Afrikan political institutions.

Jackson, Mississippi  is over eighty percent (80%) Black. We must challenge the stranglehold and hegemony of the democratic party over the Black/New Afrikan community. It is time to leave the political plantation of the Democratic Party and free the land.

All Power to The People!

Free The Land!

Khalid Raheem, Founder & Chairman

New Afrikan Independence Party

05-23-2017

Concerning the Call for Proportional Political Representation: Origins

Concerning the Call for Proportional Political Representation: Origins

Recently, there has been some discussion regarding the subject of Proportional Political Representation as it pertains to the Black/New Afrikan community. Where did this concept come from? How is it connected to the current struggle for Black freedom and self/group determination?

The call for Black/New Afrikan proportional political representation was conceptualized, formulated and articulated as part of the National Platform of the New Afrikan Independence Party (NAIP) as written by NAIP founder Khalid Raheem in 2012 and 2014.

The call for Proportional Political Representation, (along with Economic and Judicial) is an integral aspect of our party’s strategic initiative to increase legitimate, independent Black political power and provide some relief and remedy to the disproportionately poor, low-income and working-class masses of Blacks/New Afrikans and others.

It is a political empowerment model based on the demographics and historical struggles of Black/New Afrikan people for freedom, liberation and self/group determination. The NAIP model is a non-traditional variation of proportionality politics, unlike that practiced within other, mostly parliamentary-styled governments and nation-states.

It was not conceptualized nor intended to become a ‘back-door’ entrance for the continued dominance of Black politics by what Glenn Ford and the Black Agenda Report refer to as the “Black mis-leadership class”.

And, while we certainly welcome, encourage, support and unite with  other genuinely radical and revolutionary formations taking up the call for Proportional Political Representation, we also continue to educate and organize for its implementation through our weekly political education classes and the distribution of our publication Philosophy and Platform of the NAIP

All Power to The People!

Free The Land!

Bro. Khalid Raheem, Chairman

Khalid Raheem

Presidential Politics: The Lesser of Two Evils is Still Evil…,

As the 2016 U. S. presidential race comes to a conclusion, one thing that should be crystal clear: Blacks/New Afrikans must organize and fight for our right to self-determination, politically and otherwise.

The democratic party continues to manipulate and exploit the civil rights history and sentiments of the Black community, especially the baby-boomers, who are holding on to the unfulfilled promises and lofty expectations made by the democratic presidential administrations of their youth.

Just as the republican party betrayed and abandoned New Afrikans in the years after the U.S. civil war, so has the democratic party betrayed and manipulated New Afrikans during and since the the 1960’s post-civil rights era.

Neither Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump represents any profound change for Blacks in the United States. Black freedom and self/group determination are not part of their agenda.

They are both supporters and defenders of white-supremacy and economic exploitation at home (capitalism) and abroad (imperialism) .

They ONLY differ with one another on how best to manage the American empire, but both agree that it needs to be defended, maintained and expanded.

All Power To The People!

Free The Land!

Free All Political Prisoners!

Khalid Raheem

Chairman, New Afrikan Independence Party (NAIP)

Misappropriation, Misrepresentation and Plantation Politics

Tired of folks appropriating Assata Shakurs’ image and quotations in order to promote some neo-liberal bs agenda that has nothing to do with BLACK LIBERATION OR SELF/GROUP-DETERMINATION.

Be true to yourself: Quote Hillary instead, cause that’s who you really follow and represent.

Here in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, some Black folks & so-called leaders are so damn afraid of offending the white power structure headed by Rich Fitzgerald and Bill Peduto, they won’t even come out to support their own communities best interest.

Instead they resort to hiding behind shallow and superficial ‘community activism’ , devoid of any real direction or substance: basically, just going through the motions pretending to be something they really aren’t.

Step Up or Shut-Up!!! Stop pimping the imagery and history of the Black Liberation Movement!!!

Assata was/is a revolutionary, not an apologist for white-supremacy and economic exploitation (capitalism).

And, she damn sure ain’t a member of the democratic party and fake-ass so-called progressive (democratic-party controlled ) unions!!!

All Power to The People!
Free the Land!

Khalid Raheem, Chairman

New Afrikan Independence Party

Controlling Black Rage

The collusion between democratic party elites, corporate sponsors, so-called progressive unions and the foundation-community in controlling ‘black rage’ is sickening. Pittsburgh and Allegheny County has to rank as one of the worst. As long as the Black community is kept confused, dazed, singing, dancing and rapping, the white-power structure here feels confident and safe that ‘all is well on the plantation’.

Any hint or possibility of conscious action or rebellion…, well, they resort to calling on token Black leadership to distract or misdirect Black people. Domestic Neo-Colonialism in theory and practice. We must demand self/group determination. We must demand reparations..,

All Power to The People!

Free The Land!

Khalid Raheem, Chairman

New Afrikan Independence Party

 

The Dilemma of the Black Lives Matter Movement

Over the last two years ‘black lives matter’ has developed into more than just a hash-tag and rallying call for police accountability.

It has become a burgeoning movement advocating and organizing for black freedom and liberation across the multiple spectrum representing the chronic crisis of being Black/New Afrikan in the United States.

Led by Black people of various ideological perspectives, BLM has shaken up the status quo civil-rights leadership with its focus on direct –action and civil disobedience.

Presidential hopefuls from both the republican and democratic parties have taken notice, especially since candidates have been confronted by members of BLM during campaign appearances.

However, BLM now finds itself being courted by the Democratic Party, no doubt, in an effort to co-opt the BLM message, energy and leadership.

In response, BLM has insisted that it will not endorse or support ANY political party and real change will only occur in the streets.

While we certainly understand and support BLM’s sentiments, we must state emphatically that conceding the area of electoral political struggle is a huge mistake.

While attending the BLM conference in Cleveland, during a post-workshop conversation, I advised a small group that BLM should either form its own independent party or join the New Afrikan Independence Party (NAIP).

But to do nothing regarding electoral political struggle except stage protest is strategically not smart.

All Power To The People!
Khalid Raheem
National Chairman (NAIP)
09/09/2015

Cowardly Coonery and Political Buffonery

The ongoing effort to co-opt an emerging militant and potentially revolutionary movement for police accountability and Black freedom is obvious.

The recent Department of Justice initiative, created during the Holder administration and now being implemented by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch appears to be such an attempt.

Let us be clear: “Community Policing” and “Community-Control of the Police'” ARE NOT the same thing.

As more and more so-called ‘community leaders’ accept the ‘Trojan-Horse’ and funds from the Department of Justice- DOJ (with blessings from the Fraternal Order of Police-FOP), the fundamental relationship between the Black community and the police forces WILL NOT CHANGE.

It’s way past time for so-called Black/New Afrikan “conscious” folks to ‘step it up’ in the movement for freedom. Profiling and posturing serves nothing but egos. Taking selfies with mainstream politicians and celebrities is as empowering as taking photos with a brain-surgeon and then proclaiming yourself to be a doctor…,

ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

Khalid Raheem,

National Chairman

New Afrikan Independence Party

Collective Consciousness and Community Defense

The murder of nine Black/New Afrikans at the historic Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina is a heart-wrenching and incomprehensible tragedy. It should also represent a turning point in the current struggle for Black justice and freedom in the United States.

Political pundits throughout main-stream media outlets have struggled with articulating the reality of racial hatred, violence and terrorism directed toward Blacks/New Afrikans. Instead, many have focused on calling for more stringent gun-control laws and the removal of the confederate flag from government properties, while ignoring the obvious pattern of race-based terrorism aimed at Blacks all across the United States.

Vigilantes, murderous pig-police and now, organized and armed white-supremacist have targeted and converged upon Black/New Afrikan people with a vengeance. Traditional and “responsible” African-American leadership appears to be unprepared and ill-equipped to respond to these most recent situations, while more radical and militant Black leaders are angry and outraged, but have so far, failed to provide a tangible and programmatic approach.

Calls for gun-control may be well-intended, but ultimately only help to assist in the efforts to systematically disarm the Black/New Afrikan communities and make it easier for Black folks to be victimized by whites and other reactionary forces within our neighborhoods.

Conversely, white folks in America are buying guns and ammunition in record numbers. Most whites are killed by other whites; however, there are no calls for “stop the violence” or “turn in your gun” campaigns being directed their way.

The Pittsburgh area features at least four (4) gun-shows every year, offering discounts for children who attend with their parents. Certain schools in the area even have gun clubs which compete against other schools. Meanwhile, predominantly Black schools (in urban areas) are only competing in traditional sports like football and basketball.

I think we all should respect and honor the decision of surviving family members and Black clergy in calling for understanding, non-violence and forgiveness towards the white-community in general, Dylan Roof in particular. Forgiveness, mercy and understanding certainly has its place and are valued characteristics of being a human being. However, so is security, defense and group preservation.

As we honor the memory of those who were murdered or injured and offer support to their surviving families and parishioners, we should take the time to reflect on the safety and security of Black/New Afrikan communities and institutions.

We must raise the security awareness and consciousness within our communities and neighborhoods. We must be on high-alert when it comes to those who may wish to do us harm. We must not be ‘shamed’ into neglecting to educate and arm our communities and neighborhoods regarding collective security and safety.

We cannot depend on local police, because many of these forces are embedded with racist, violent and/or self-hating cops. We must develop our own capacities to defend and protect ourselves. The time is now…,

All Power to The People!

Freedom in Our Lifetime!

Khalid Raheem

National Chairman