WHITE PSYCHOLOGY CAN’T EXPLAIN BLACK PSYCHE

There’s long been concern over White psychology being used to produce misleading and prejudicial conceptions about Black people.

Psychologist Mamie Phipps Clark (1917-1983) found many Black children in America who were told they had a disability or learning problem were wrongly diagnosed due to biased psychological testing.

Joseph L White published a seminal article in Ebony magazine in 1970, called ‘Toward a Black Psychology.’ It highlighted how White psychology pushed flawed narratives that Black people were ‘lacking’ or ‘less than’ and failed to address their unique experiences and perspectives.

Continued……In this 1982 clip, the late Dr. Amos Wilson lays out why the Black psyche cannot be understood through a Eurocentric viewpoint.

It’s an issue that spurred the launch of The Association of Black Psychologists in America in 1968. It aims to boost the mental health of the national Black community and has over 1,400 members. Important work and an important issue. Give us your thoughts and experiences below.

Video credits: SCETV, 1982

RACE AND IQ AN IDEOLOGICAL WEAPON

Although race science or scientific racism has been repeatedly debunked, the idea that certain races are inherently more intelligent than others is as far-fetched as it is ignorant.

A 1977 New York Times article sensationally claimed Blacks have below average IQs which is why many fall below the poverty line. But that was discredited by US political commentator, Noam Chomsky, who pushed back against such offensive thinking.

Here, he explains that if environmental factors are equalised and socio-economic disparities removed, then IQ differences disappear. The supposed science of race is at least as old as slavery and colonialism, and it was considered conventional wisdom in many Western countries, until recently.

In apartheid South Africa, the idea that each race had its own characteristics and intellectual ability was part of the justification for the system of exploitative white rule. Ultimately, race and intelligence have deeper layers than the mere colour of skin.

PT. 4: FORMER CIA AGENT SPILLS ON WAR AGAINST THIRD WORLD

This former CIA agent, John Stockwell, has revealed CIA crimes against humanity that most people may find unbelievable. In this 1988 clip, he said a CIA operation in Afghanistan created the ‘Golden Crescent,’ the world’s centre for illicit opium production.

The 2001 US invasion of Afghanistan devastated the lives of millions as the US carpet-bombed the country, k*lling thousands of men, women, and children. The poppy and heroin trades became the cornerstone of the Afghan economy. Under US Central Command head John Abizaid, Afghanistan’s poppy fields grew from 4,163 acres to 510,766 acres, and production of opium increased from 40 metric tons to 5,000 metric tons of opium.

Continued….. In 2001, Afghanistan’s heroin inventory was worth $600 million on European streets. By 2004, the same crop could fetch over $50 billion on the same streets.

At one point, Afghanistan was producing 80 per cent of the world’s opium. Afghan opium still produces 95 per cent of European heroin.

Throughout the world, 60 million people suffer from opioid addictions. Meanwhile, 2.1 million US residents are addicted to opium products like heroin and other opioids. History has shown imperialist US foreign consistently comes back to wreak havoc on those who live within its borders. 

This week’s proverb advises us to know how and when to control our anger. It imparts much needed wisdom about the fine line between one’s level of fury and irrational behaviour. Intense, uncontrolled anger can lead to actions resembling madness or insanity.

KWAME TURE: ‘DO THE WORK FOR THE NEXT GENERATION’

Kwame Ture (1941-98), formerly known as Stokely Carmichael, remains a towering figure in the annals of Pan-Africanist history. 

In this clip from an unknown date, Ture denounced elder activists who wanted to know when they can stop working. Ture was well-known for sleeping on couches as he traveled and eating the same food as students when visiting university campuses.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised in Harlem and the Bronx, Ture’s journey to becoming a prominent revolutionary began at Howard University. 

Later, his tenure as chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) marked a turning point in the civil rights struggle, emphasising grassroots organising as the cornerstone of liberation. Ture popularised the ‘Black Power’ concept during the 1960s, galvanising marginalised communities worldwide.

Continued….. As he evolved, his unwavering commitment to Pan-Africanism manifested in his work with leaders like Kwame Nkrumah and his later efforts to promote socialist ideals across the African diaspora, cementing his legacy as a catalyst for justice.

In the twilight of his life, Kwame Ture remained a beacon of hope and resilience for activists worldwide. His relentless pursuit of justice never wavered, even as he battled illness. Ture’s legacy continues to inspire contemporary movements.

UGANDAN KIDS SATIRISE TRUMP SHOOTING - VIRAL CLIP

We all know how creative our people can be, and this viral clip of Ugandan children re-enacting the assassination attempt on Donald Trump has sparked plenty of reactions online.

Kids with wooden guns pretend to be Trump’s security detail while real audio from the shooting is played over the top. It was posted by TikToker Blud Ug, who’s made many other spoof videos about current events.

This latest @https://www.tiktok.com/@bloodoffical0 has been viewed millions of times, and many people appreciate the kids’ talent. Others say it shows the power and reach of American politics worldwide.

While we never condone violence, we couldn’t help but smile at this satirical take. Film producers may contact them soon.

Video credit: https://www.tiktok.com/@bloodoffical0

Will Kamala Harris be the new Democratic nominee for the 2024 US presidential elections?

Joe Biden has given his endorsement… but what is she really like as a candidate? For the past four years, she has served as vice president of the United States, the first Black (and Asian) woman to occupy this position. Yet, compared to another Black lady VP in the Americas, she seems not to have her people’s best interests at heart. Let us compare Kamala Harris’ record to one of her neighbours to the south, Francia Márquez, vice president of Colombia.

Kamala Harris, throughout her career, has consistently sided with the racist, capitalist, imperialist system. Her career as a prosecutor was built off of the war on drugs and strict policies targeting the Black and Brown working class. She is a strong supporter of Israel and has spoken more than once at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the largest pro-Israel lobbying group in the US.

Continued….. The country she represents as vice president is sending billions of dollars to Israel, as Tel Aviv bombs Gaza to ruins and kills thousands.

Francia Márquez, the first Afro-Colombian vice president, is part of a long tradition of grassroots Black liberation and environmental justice activism. Unlike Harris, she represents the interests of the African diaspora and oppressed peoples worldwide. The government she represents has restored relations with Venezuela, strengthened ties with the African continent and stood in solidarity with Palestinians facing an Israeli onslaught.

Comparing Harris and Márquez in this way reveals why radical politics matter more than just shallow representation without commitment to the people.

Do you think Kamala Harris would make a good pick for president of the United States?

THE WORST KIND OF IMPUNITY

Is William Ruto a time traveller lol?

Well, this 2008 clip of William Ruto - then Kenya’s agriculture minister - speaking out against deceitful leaders who break election promises and act with impunity has come back to haunt him… in it, he seems to be speaking to himself in the future as it is the perfect denoscription of President Ruto in 2024!

On the campaign trail, he vowed to bring down the cost of living and taxes but instead tried to push through IMF-approved austerity measures and scrapped fuel subsidies. His security services brutally cracked down on the mass protests against the planned tax hikes, killing dozens, and state agencies are accused of covering up human rights abuses. Ruto promised to reduce government spending but has been blowing the budget on lavish private jets for his trips abroad and renovating official residences.

Continued….. And he’s been borrowing faster than his predecessor but spent less on development. Ruto also completely ignored Kenya’s Supreme Court, which ruled that his deployment of police officers to Haiti was unconstitutional - while people close to him have had corruption cases dropped.

Do you think the 2008 Ruto describes the 2024 Ruto well? Watch it and let us know in the comments.

Video credit @citizentvkenya

IBRAHIM TRAORÉ EXPOSES U.S. DESTRUCTION OF USSR

Ibrahim Traoré continues to expose imperialism at every opportunity. During his 11 July address to the nation, the 36-year-old president used the US destruction of the Soviet Union as an example to warn his people to be cautious in the face of the imperialist system.

As he pointed out, the United States deployed multiple tactics during the 20th century’s Cold War, from economic destabilisation initiatives to backing the Afghan mujahideen in a war against the Soviet Union in the 1980s. This group would eventually form the basis of the Taliban that returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, almost 20 years after the US launched an invasion claiming the group was behind the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US.

Continued……President Ronald Reagan also set up the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which some opposition forces called the ‘Star Wars Program,’ to serve as a space-based missile defence program. Ultimately, the totality of these and other tactics led to the Soviet Union’s dissolution and the Western capitalist takeover of Russia’s economy in the 1990s.

What lessons do you think Africans can learn from this history? Let us know in the comments.

Video credit: Faso7 TV (@faso7tv on YT, @faso7_bf on X and IG, @faso7bf on TikTok)

KAMALA HARRIS NOT FOR REPARATIONS

US President Joe Biden appears to have heeded calls from fellow Democratic Party members to withdraw from the 2024 US presidential race, ending his re-election bid on 21 July.

This follows his debate performance on 27 June, which fuelled some Democrats’ worry about Biden’s ability to defeat former President Donald Trump. Public opinion polls released over more than a year have shown Biden faring poorly against Trump.

He has endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, whom reports say is the only other Democrat who could access $91 million in Biden-Harris campaign donations.

Since the announcement, Harris has secured the backing of several Democratic Party bigwigs. However, beloved figures like former President Barack Obama held off on endorsing Harris.

Continued….. The Democratic Party will hold its nominating convention in August in Chicago. Still, it remains unclear how the party will democratically choose a nominee, with state primaries ending in June.

The mainstream media has touted Harris’s identity as a mixed Indian and Black woman as why her candidacy is notable, showcasing her as a champion of Black people. 

However, in this 2020 interview with theGrio senior correspondent Natasha Alford (@NatashaSAlford on IG, X and TikTok), Harris made it clear that she does not support calls for paying reparations to Black people who are descendants of enslaved people in the United States. Meanwhile, a Reuters/Ipsos poll in 2023 revealed that at least 74 per cent of Black people support reparations.

That position, as well as her record imprisoning Black people as California’s attorney general, has raised questions about her loyalty.

Like Biden, Harris fares poorly in polls against Trump.

Video credit: @theGrio (YouTube)

GENOCIDE JOE’S LEGACY

US President Joe Biden’s dropped out of his re-election bid after weeks of pressure from fellow party members, sparked by a disastrous presidential debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27th. Behind him, ‘Genocide Joe’ leaves a destructive legacy as bloody as they come.

He’s armed and bankrolled Israel’s obliteration of Gaza and consistently vetoed UN resolutions for a ceasefire. Domestically, many Black people will remember him backing a crime bill which disproportionately locked up the Black community. Even as a young politician, he fought against desegregation of schools in case his children ‘grow up in a racial jungle’.

Continued…. In all, it’s good riddance but the future isn’t looking brighter with his endorsement of his Vice President Kamala Harris for president. She’s also a terrible record when it comes to keeping Black men locked up to provide cheap labour. As for Trump, let’s not even bother.

It’s clear the African community in the United States still needs a voice. The question is, where will it come from?

Credit : Carlos Latuff

CROWDS DESPERATE FOR MEDICINE IN DRC

Medical supplies are so scarce in eastern DRC, crowds gather as soon as health workers arrive to offer help in the war-torn region. The desperate situation was highlighted by #TheRealHumanitarian documentary, which followed X Medical provider Joy Dale. She says her ‘tiny, little medical supplies’ run out every day, as people queue for treatment.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been the site of one of the world's most violent conflicts for decades, with militia groups fighting for control of resources. Many have international backers, with a UN expert recently confirming Rwanda’s 'de facto control' of the M23 rebel group.

Continued….. The consequences for civilians are devastating. Since the beginning of 2024 nearly 358,000 have been displaced, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons to around 7.1 million. Disease is widespread, prenatal care is limited, and sanitation systems have been destroyed.

Aid groups, such as @focuscongo (also shown in the video) step in to help, but the roots of the crisis remain.

Video credits:
@foreverjuicebae
#TheRealHumanitarian documentary