DID BLACK LIVES EVER MATTER IN US HISTORY?

A common criticism of the Black Lives Matter slogan is that it itself is racist - that the slogan should be: ALL Lives Matter. But the issue isn’t as black and white (pun intended) as all that. In the context of Africans in America, history is the crucial factor.

In this clip, late US activist and YouTuber Sandra Bland (responding precisely to comments on her page that actually ALL lives matter) points out that, when you look back, Black lives have never mattered in America - not since they were forcibly brought there from Africa. Bland herself would go on to become a victim of the brutality of the systemic oppression and violence that Africans in America are subjected to on a daily basis.

On July 10th, 2015, she was stopped by a White police officer for changing lanes without signalling. She was arrested during the stop for allegedly assaulting the officer who had stopped her.

Continued….Three days later, she was discovered dead in her cell. Police claimed that it was death by suicide, but this claim was disputed by her family and friends, who suspect foul play. The police officer involved in the arrest was charged with perjury for lying about the details of the arrest, but the charge was dropped on condition that he never works in law enforcement again.

In May 2019, video footage that Bland filmed during the arrest emerged. It strongly suggests that the police officer's claim that he felt threatened during the stop was false. This resulted in calls for a new inquiry into the incident, which became one of the prominent deaths that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement.

The tragic ending of sister Bland's life makes her message in the video even more poignant. It shows that the lives of Black people in the United States are in constant danger of a system that oppresses and violates them. And because the problem runs so deep that it’s systemic - for, as a matter of fact, all lives, all races, are not treated equally - it’s right to focus on ‘Black’ in our activism.

What do you think?

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El Salvador has revealed its true Afrophobe colours!

It’s rolled out a $1,130 fee for most Africans transiting through the country’s airports. Indian travellers will also be discriminated against and subject to the same charge.

The Central American nation says the collected funds will go towards improving airport infrastructure - but it fails to explain why only Africans and Indians are being forced to cough up for this.

The discriminatory fee was unveiled shortly after a visit by the US Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs. That’s led to speculation that it’s real purpose is to deter migrants using El Salvador as a platform to reach the US-Mexico border, where crossings are rising.

That doesn’t explain why Africans have been singled out, though. While the share of Africans making the journey through Central America into the US has grown, it’s still relatively small.

Perhaps Washington wants to nip this trend in the bud. But it’s a clear sign that anti-African racism is driving policy.

SHELL OIL COMPANY MURDERS ACTIVIST KEN SARO WIWA/ THE OGONI 9

On November 10th, 1995, the Nigerian government - then ruled by General Sani Abacha and heavily backed and influenced by British multinational oil and gas company Shell - executed nine Indigenous environmental organisers, known as the Ogoni 9. Among the organisers that were hanged for their political resistance was the influential leader Ken Saro-Wiwa. Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other Ogoni 9 were members of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), who fought to defend the Ogoni lands from environmental destruction and human rights violations by major oil companies. This is their story.

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DEADLY FLOODS SWEEP SOMALIA

Somalia’s suffering another natural disaster with deadly flooding sweeping parts of the country. Dozens have been killed and thousands left trapped in villages. It follows one of the worst droughts in Somalia’s history, with scientists blaming the latest heavy rains on El Niño.

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Continued…..Maybe that had something to do with President Ruto’s strong statement of support for Tel Aviv after the Hamas attacks on October 7th.

A stance different from the African Union’s that addressed the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine as the root of the issue.

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“UK GIFTED KENYA ENGLISH AND DEMOCRACY” SAY WHAT?!!!

Sky News’ Andrew Bolt believes the British rescued Kenya from barbarism and the babel of strange-sounding African languages. Yet, if it weren’t for colonialism, Europeans would have been learning Swahili in order to interact and trade with us, for example. It boils down to the British specialisation of class divisions based on someone’s grasp of English - itself a product of interactions with many cultures and languages over time. And when it comes to democracy, the Brits don’t have a stellar record either, as their treatment of Julian Assange and others proves.

Watch the full reaction on our YouTube channel and leave a comment.👇🏿

https://youtu.be/uxJmGLu8Hr8?si=rbNZrSqcDM3zN_o5

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WEST’S RACIST MORALITY EXPOSED

Western nations and institutions like to play the role of moral policemen and human rights champions. But there’s a shocking double standard when it comes to who they protect.

In this week’s Africa in 90 Seconds we expose the grim selective morality of Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. It’s hard to believe he’s the same person, when you hear his concern for Ukrainians but lack of regard for Palestinians.

Sadly, as Ahmed Ghoneim explains, it’s nothing new.
Western nations have also stayed largely silent over horrific wars ravaging Africa, whether in Sudan or Congo to name just two.

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HARRIET ‘MOSES’ TUBMAN!

The strength and courage of African women fighting for our freedom in America never ceases to amaze. Harriet Tubman was nicknamed ‘Moses’ because she led slaves to freedom. She was also referred to as a ‘train conductor’ because she led escapees along a network of safe houses and secret routes in the US used by Africans to reach Canada - known as the ‘underground railroad.’ Catch a ride down the tracks of history with African Stream’s Brenda Mwai to learn more about this inspirational African woman.

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THE CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF SUDAN

Sudan makes headlines for all the wrong reasons these days, but did you know how important it is for the region and world alike? We break down its geo-strategic, economic and cultural importance.

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WHAT IS PAN-AFRICAN VETERANS DAY?

Veterans Day, observed on 11 November in the United States, is meant to honour military veterans who have served in the country’s armed forces. But it is important to question the function of patriotic celebrations in the core of the world’s largest empire, built on unceded territory and with the labor of enslaved people.

When we offer gratitude to those who have ‘served,’ let’s interrogate precisely who and what is being served. In the case of the United States, the answer is quite simple: Imperialism, a system that serves the interests of a handful of wealthy people.

Today, instead, African Stream chooses to honour African heroes worldwide with Pan-African Veterans Day. Salifu Mack puts the spotlight on a few liberation fighters who sacrificed their lives to avenge the dehumanization of Africa people, everywhere we are.

Let us know what you think of a Pan-African Veterans Day.

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Seen today in London where over 800,000 marched for Palestine despite British Home Secretary Suella Braverman inciting the far-right by calling pro-Palestine protests ‘hate marches’.

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MALEMA BLASTS ROYAL-LOVING RUTO

Kenya’s red-carpet treatment for King Charles has been blasted by South African politician Julius Malema. The leader of the EFF party said it betrayed the spirt of the Mau Mau who bravely fought against British colonial rule. He also tore into President William Ruto’s u-turn on election pledges such as de-dollarisation.

You’ve gotta hand it to Malema who made the damning speech at the recent launch of the Pan African Institute IN Kenya. Never one for holding back, he sticks it to Ruto who's cast himself as a champion of the African cause. Ruto has recently come under sharp criticism for being the Black face of U.S imperialism. His active stance against a revolutionary coup in Niger that kicked out French puppet Mohamed Bazoum outed Ruto as a western sympathizer. He later on agreed to send Kenyan police to Haiti to help ‘maintain stability’ and tackle gang violence, at the request of the United States.

Continued….It's not even a contest but who do you think has the continent’s best interests at heart. Ruto or Malema? Let us know below.

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