From Pan Africanism to Afropessimism: Palestine and the degeneration of Black politics

For decades, most Black political commentary has expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people, but recently, a new phenomenon has appeared, particularly on social media platforms, which accuses all Palestinians of being anti-Black racists, and asserts that aligning with them is either of no use to Black people or even that it is detrimental to our own cause. Some of these individuals are Democratic Party operatives attempting to maintain Black voter loyalty as Israeli war crimes in Gaza remain a campaign issue. Others are of a right wing tendency which either supports U.S. imperialism or asserts that Black politics can and should stand alone, and that any talk of solidarity with Palestinians or other peoples is misguided. It’s not surprising that these questions have come to the fore as the Democratic National Convention is taking place in Chicago, while so-called ceasefire talks take place in Israel, even though Israel continues to reject any talk of a real ceasefire and Kamala Harris promises to keep sending them weapons. Black Agenda Report editor and columnist Ajamu Baraka provides his analysis in conversation with Executive Editor Margaret Kimberley. Margaret Kimberley: Every time I think I’m not going to be surprised by anything new, something...