History 101: Black Panthers, Palestinians & The Fight to End Racist Zionism

Former Political prisoner Dhoruba Bin Wahad

Former Political prisoner Dhoruba Bin Wahad

We sat down and spoke w/ former political prisoner, Black Panther (Panther 21) and BLA member Dhoruba Bin Wahad who gave us an incredible in-depth history about the relationship between the Black Panther Party and the Palestinian Liberation Movement.. It’s important history that has been erased in the current conversation as there is a concerted effort by organizations like AIPAC to rewrite history and downplay the militant aspects of the Black Freedom struggles. For example many do not know that there were Palestinian Black Panthers in Palestine. Dhoruba explained that they formed because they felt organizations like the PLO were not militant enough. The breakdown on this is serious history.

Our conversation started off with Dhoruba laying down the history of how Israel formed in the first place and the mass displacement of Palestinian people. He clears up the common misperception of Palestine and Israel being in armed conflict for centuries. Its an excuse given so that people avoid looking at Israel’s human rights violations. It obscures the racist and imperialistic aspects of Zionism which is driving the current conflict. More importantly as Dhoruba points out it takes away from the reality of Israel being a ‘settler state’.

Dhoruba talks about the role colonial powers, in particular Britain and France played in issuing mandates and how they fostered a climate that eventually resulted in the current conflict we see going on now in the Middle East..

Palestinian Black PantherDhoruba detailed how and why the Black Panthers linked up with the Palestinians and the important role that the struggles in Algiers played in bringing folks together. Dhoruba explained his role as one of the liaisons between the Panthers and Palestine’s UN delegation..he also details how J Edgar Hoover and his infamous Cointel-Pro program launched a campaign with a racist name called Operation Hymie where they sent off letters to Jewish organizations asserting the Black Panthers were Nazis and Anti-Semitic. It was an attempt to demonize the Panthers and dampen the relationship and support they had from Jewish folks who did support the Panthers.

We were joined in our conversation by local activist and scholar Danea Martinez who detailed the relationship between Palestine and the Black freedom struggle in South Africa. She gave us an accurate perspective on Nelson Mandela, the ANC (African National Congress) and where and how they intersected with the Palestine struggle. She also gave us perspective on Israel displacing Palestinians in 1948 from their homeland and the formation of Apartheid in South Africa that same year.. Its remarkable and sobering history as she details Zionist Israeli’s long sordid relationship with Apartheid South Africa. Its history that many in power are trying to erase.

Both Danea and Dhoruba talked at length about Arab racism and slavery on the African continent. Dhoruba who lived in Africa for a number of years detailed the racial politics and how they play out both here in the US and abroad. He reminded folks that many of the Arabs we’re  talking about involved in slavery in places like Mali and the Sudan are actually Black. he noted they are ‘Blacker than you and me’ but in appearance but they identify as Arab. He walks us through some of the complexities around this and talks about where and how Anti-Black sentiment emerges within the Arab world. The information he breaks down in this segment is extremely insightful and gives important context to this discussion on Arab racism.

We also talk at length about the impact the cold war had on the liberation struggles in both America amongst Black people and in Palestine. We talk about the role it played in heightening racist Zionism..

We conclude the conversation with a discussion of how Israel’s policies and practices are being exported to US police departments and SWAT teams here in the US.. There is an NYPD office in Tel A Viv and many officers have taken leaves of absence to go fight for Israel’s IDF to hunt down Palestinians. This slaughter has got to stop.

Check out the full Hard Knock Radio Interview below

https://soundcloud.com/mrdaveyd/hkr-08-01-14-fight-the-power-black-liberation-palestine-zionism

Update: As we are finishing up this interview we got word that Palestinian futball (soceer) legend Ahed Zaqout  was killed as a result of Israel’s relentless bombings of Gaza. We also got word that 9 members of Dr. Mona El-Farra, of the Middle East Children’s Alliance and the director of Gaza Projects Lost 9 members of her family yesterday.  You can hear her first hand accounts HERE

 

Malcolm X Gives a Great History Lesson & Breakdown on Zionism

During these troubled times where all eyes are focused on the ongoing assaults and massacres in Gaza via Israel,  there are some that like to run around and pull up an erroneous quote from Dr Martin Luther King that says critique of Zionism is anti-Semitic. We all know that was wrong-headed, just like King should not and is not considered anti-American for criticizing this country for her war policies in Vietnam, even though some called him a traitor the time he spoke out. One can speak on the very public, impactful far-reaching policies of a nation especially one supported by our tax dollars and not be a hateful bigot

Next time someone quotes King you can always direct them to Malcolm X who gives a stellar break down and great history lesson on Zionism. It explains why so many want to seemingly erase or distort his history and his words.

Here’s what Malcolm X said in the Egyptian Gazette September 1964.

Malcolm X right<< The Zionist armies that now occupy Palestine claim their ancient Jewish prophets predicted that in the “last days of this world” their own God would raise them up a “messiah” who would lead them to their promised land, and they would set up their own “divine” government in this newly-gained land, this “divine” government would enable them to “rule all other nations with a rod of iron.”

If the Israeli Zionists believe their present occupation of Arab Palestine is the fulfillment of predictions made by their Jewish prophets, then they also religiously believe that Israel must fulfill its “divine” mission to rule all other nations with a rod of irons, which only means a different form of iron-like rule, more firmly entrenched even, than that of the former European Colonial Powers.

These Israeli Zionists religiously believe their Jewish God has chosen them to replace the outdated European colonialism with a new form of colonialism, so well disguised that it will enable them to deceive the African masses into submitting willingly to their “divine” authority and guidance, without the African masses being aware that they are still colonized.

CAMOUFLAGE

The Israeli Zionists are convinced they have successfully camouflaged their new kind of colonialism. Their colonialism appears to be more “benevolent,” more “philanthropic,” a system with which they rule simply by getting their potential victims to accept their friendly offers of economic “aid,” and other tempting gifts, that they dangle in front of the newly-independent African nations, whose economies are experiencing great difficulties. During the 19th century, when the masses here in Africa were largely illiterate it was easy for European imperialists to rule them with “force and fear,” but in this present era of enlightenment the African masses are awakening, and it is impossible to hold them in check now with the antiquated methods of the 19th century.

The imperialists, therefore, have been compelled to devise new methods. Since they can no longer force or frighten the masses into submission, they must devise modern methods that will enable them to manouevre the African masses into willing submission.

The modern 20th century weapon of neo-imperialism is “dollarism.” The Zionists have mastered the science of dollarism: the ability to come posing as a friend and benefactor, bearing gifts and all other forms of economic aid and offers of technical assistance. Thus, the power and influence of Zionist Israel in many of the newly “independent” African nations has fast-become even more unshakeable than that of the 18th century European colonialists… and this new kind of Zionist colonialism differs only in form and method, but never in motive or objective.

At the close of the 19th century when European imperialists wisely foresaw that the awakening masses of Africa would not submit to their old method of ruling through force and fears, these ever-scheming imperialists had to create a “new weapon,” and to find a “new base” for that weapon.

DOLLARISM

The number one weapon of 20th century imperialism is zionist dollarism, and one of the main bases for this weapon is Zionist Israel. The ever-scheming European imperialists wisely placed Israel where she could geographically divide the Arab world, infiltrate and sow the seed of dissension among African leaders and also divide the Africans against the Asians.

Zionist Israel’s occupation of Arab Palestine has forced the Arab world to waste billions of precious dollars on armaments, making it impossible for these newly independent Arab nations to concentrate on strengthening the economies of their countries and elevate the living standard of their people.

And the continued low standard of living in the Arab world has been skillfully used by the Zionist propagandists to make it appear to the Africans that the Arab leaders are not intellectually or technically qualified to lift the living standard of their people … thus, indirectly “enducing” Africans to turn away from the Arabs and towards the Israelis for teachers and technical assistance.

“They cripple the bird’s wing, and then condemn it for not flying as fast as they.”

The imperialists always make themselves look good, but it is only because they are competing against economically crippled newly independent countries whose economies are actually crippled by the Zionist-capitalist conspiracy. They can’t stand against fair competition, thus they dread Gamal Abdul Nasser’s call for African-Arab Unity under Socialism.

MESSIAH?

If the “religious” claim of the Zionists is true that they were to be led to the promised land by their messiah, and Israel’s present occupation of Arab Palestine is the fulfillment of that prophesy: where is their messiah whom their prophets said would get the credit for leading them there? It was Ralph Bunche who “negotiated” the Zionists into possession of Occupied Palestine! Is Ralph Bunche the messiah of Zionism? If Ralph Bunche is not their messiah, and their messsiah has not yet come, then what are they doing in Palestine ahead of their messiah?

Did the Zionists have the legal or moral right to invade Arab Palestine, uproot its Arab citizens from their homes and seize all Arab property for themselves just based on the “religious” claim that their forefathers lived there thousands of years ago? Only a thousand years ago the Moors lived in Spain. Would this give the Moors of today the legal and moral right to invade the Iberian Peninsula, drive out its Spanish citizens, and then set up a new Moroccan nation … where Spain used to be, as the European zionists have done to our Arab brothers and sisters in Palestine?…

In short the Zionist argument to justify Israel’s present occupation of Arab Palestine has no intelligent or legal basis in history … not even in their own religion. Where is their Messiah? >>

3 Dope Songs from UK Artist Lowkey-Taking on the Obama Nation

Lowkey redOver the past few years Lowkey who hails from the UK and is of Iraqi and English descent has been making a lot of noise both with his lyrical prowess and his hard hittin’, social and political content..He had been putting out mixtapes since 2003 and caught a lot of attention with the release of his 2008 project called ‘Dear Listener‘..Songs like Alphabet Assassin and Revolution were the standout cuts there..

In 2011 he released the critically acclaimed ‘Soundtrack to the Struggle‘. It was preceded by several popular singles including “Voices of the Voiceless” featuring  Immortal Technique, ‘Long Live Palestine’, ‘Something Wonderful’ and ‘Obama Nation‘ which was arguably the song that put Lowkey on everybody’s radar especially after the song was banned on TV in the UK…

Lowkey has been outspoken both in songs and in real life about the plight of Palestinians and the oppressive nature of Zionism. In fact he is said to have coined the phrase..’Nothing is more anti-semitic than Zionism’ . This was in  reference not only to the seldom acknowledged fact that Arabs are themselves Semites but also to what he called the “identical points of view” within Zionism and anti-semitism; he argued both believe that Jewish people cannot co-exist among other people and grow into a single community.

He has also called into question US and UK foreign policy arguing who is the real terrorist as was the case in his popular song Terrorist which spawned a number of remixes. You can check for that cut HERE

Long Live Palestine has also spawned off a number of remixes which led to the inclusion of vocals from popular Palestinian artists Dam and Shadia Mansour as well as fellow Iraqi artist The Narcicyst and Iranian artists Hich Kas and Reveal.. Check for that song HERE

Needless to say Lowkey’s  political positions this has resulted in this gifted emcee  being shunned by mainstream outlets. Hence we are proud to highlight him in 3 Dope Songs

In recent days Lowkey announced that he was taking a hiatus from music so he could concentrate on other things including his studies and political activism

Below are 3 Dope Songs from  Lowkey

Lowkey Obama Nation pt1

This track was one that caught everyone’s attention primarily because he was one of the first to publicly call out Obama over his policies while noting that the president probably had little choice since he was heading what many have called an Empire…

This cut led to several remixes which featured vocals from M1 of dead prez, Lupe Fiasco, Malcolm X and 2Pac.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4OI0GUCI_A

Folks who enjoyed this song may wanna see Obama Nation pt 2 featuring M1, Lupe Fiasco, Black the Ripper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB-vYuYhdSE

The remix track featuring Malcolm X and 2Pac called Obama Nation 3 can be found HERE

Lowkey Hands on Your Gun

This is an incredible song that questions the weaponry used by armed forces, in particular drones. Its featured on the album ‘Soundtrack to the struggle‘.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBNeD57-RVg

Lowkey w/ Faith SFX  ‘Alphabet Assassin’

This was a jam that came out early in Lowkey’s career and helped establish him as a formidable emcee whose lyrical skillz are unmatched.. Faith SFX is beat boxing the entire time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToZUIdbgqjE

 

Zionist Holding Racist Signs Greet Freedom Flotilla Demonstrators in SF

We attended the June 1 2010 demonstration in front of the Israeli Consulate on Montgomery Street where local activist and clergy spoke out against the horrific attacks on humanitarians trying to get food and medical supplies to folks living in Gaza via the Freedom Flotillas.  In those predawn attacks 15 people were killed..

Sadly as hundreds gathered in front of the consulate, racist Zionists showed up holding signs calling for the destruction of Gaza and Islam.. It seemed a bit extreme for a group who says they were defending themselves and want peace…Seems like they were there to provoke a fight.

We spoke to local activists including former Black Panther Emory Douglass who reminded us that what took place over the Memorial day weekend was not the first time Israel has attacked unsuspecting ships…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMA2znpZmDE

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