The last few months have been eye-opening for some. Our current administration, led by 47, has wreaked havoc with executive orders and government cuts. Moreover, 47, a convicted felon, is still able to run for President, win, and hold the office. I know some Black men who have been removed from their positions due to 20-year-old drug charges. This has caused some to question how we got here.
One reason this has occurred is the failure to engage in the daily work of unlearning White supremacy and understanding how it shows up in our lives: i.e., being performative, keeping White people comfortable, and individualism.
For example, when the opportunity came to step back from a commitment to DEIAJ (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Justice), some folded quickly. You’ve seen DEIAJ programs cut and even the words removed themselves. For Black people, this has made some consider looking at other parties. While this happens often after most presidential elections, this time it is a collective action. It is right up there with Black women deciding to both rest and resist. Both represent forms of collective consciousness, which are positive developments. Moreover, the two-party system has not benefited Black people. Our loyalty to these parties, especially the Democratic Party, is not deserved. I am not sure why we would stay; it’s like an abusive relationship on repeat. There are several other parties and political ideologies, such as the Independent and New African parties, as well as socialism(s).
The Independent Party is a recognized political entity. Typically, members have a core belief in refusing to adhere strictly to the traditional bipartisan system and seek alternative solutions to voters who are often stuck with a lesser of two evils approach. The New Afrikan Independence Party (NAIP) is committed to human rights and self/group determination for Black/New Afrikan people. They have a firm belief in calling for a revolutionary and radical reconstruction of social structures. NAIP was founded by Khalid Raheem in Pittsburgh, and they have an active chapter in Allegheny County.
Socialism encompasses a broad range of theoretical and historical ideologies. Various political movements have utilized it to enhance their beliefs. This has resulted in it generating several types of socialism(s). Dr. Maulana Karenga developed one form called Kawaida to push his theory that Black people needed a change of consciousness before we can truly have political power. It defines socialism as a “socio-economic theory and practice based on collective ownership, control of the productive apparatus, egalitarian distribution of social wealth, planned economy, and the end of alienation, especially class, racial, sexual, and species.” There are also political parties connected to this, specifically the African People’s Socialist Party (APSP). APSP centers socialism and Black liberation; their goals are to keep the Black Power Movement alive and pursue the goal of the liberation and unification of Africa and African people. In addition, here in Allegheny County we do have a group that I am a part of called the Black Socialist Formation (BSF), where we do collective study, political education and organizing. So, yes, we do have alternatives, and it’s time we started taking them seriously. Additionally, endorsing candidates who waver on core beliefs damages our credibility and hinders our movement’s progress. It’s important to remember that third-party candidates can succeed, and our collective organizing can back them just as we do for the two major parties. I hope we can learn to UNLEARN and build off these moments of collective consciousness.
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