Harry Belafonte On The US , Racism, and The Vietnam War (1967)

 

Harry Belafonte (1927-2023)  had a long career as a singer and entertainer. What people do not acknowledge was his activism in the civil rights movement and opposing the Vietnam War. Belafonte explains that racism operates in both overt and subtle ways. The impact can be seen in how a person functions in daily life. Career opportunities and  just enjoying basic public accommodations were restricted by discrimination. Then the constant issue of lack of political power. Racism was not just part of America, but in the West Indies it was present with British colonial imperialism. Jamacia only got its independence in 1962. This was the island that Belafonte's parents emigrated from.  Activists  in the civil rights movement began to disapprove of the Vietnam War. America was exporting its racial hatred to Southeast Asia through military aggression. Being a World War II veteran, Belafonte was determined to see a world free of hate and violence. He wanted to see America go beyond a superficial patriotism. Fighting for the political establishment or corporate power is not patriotism. The CBC interview from 1967 of Harry Belafonte has more relevance to America's current domestic and international concerns.  

India Set To Become The Most Populated Nation

 

India's population has dramatically increased. According to United Nations data, India will overtake China as the most populated country in 2023. Looking at the demographics, India has a large amount of youth. Other nations struggle with a growing aging population. Japan and Italy are dealing with a growing number of senior citizens. India has seen rapid economic growth. However, this does not translate to improved living standards or the reduction of poverty. Growing concerns of unemployment and inadequate social services make a larger population more of a challenge. If there is not enough jobs or access to education millions could be left behind. It might also cause much of the population to be attracted to political extremism. During times of hardship or crisis prejudice and hatred become more pronounced. The news of population growth could cause a reaction from Pakistan. Diplomatic relations are less than optimal. India's growing power will mean it will play a larger role in Asia. Religious and ethnic tension will not disappear with a new generation. The rise of a narrow minded Hindu nationalism is actively being promoted by the BJP Party. India's population increased due to a decline in infant mortality rates and an increased fertility rate. The youth population might not want to remain in a country with limited opportunities. The youth population could emigrate to other countries. There could be an Indian diaspora coming in the following decades. Although India has a $3 trillion economy wealth is not distributed among the population. The rural and urban divide has expanded. India has not done a census since 2011, so the exact number of people in India might not be precise.  

The Story of The Freedmen's Bank

 

The Story of The Freedmen's Bank is a documentary presentation produced by the US Department of the Treasury. The Freedmen's Bank was the creation of abolitionists, philanthropists, and business leaders. The formerly enslaved and African American veterans needed a secure place for their money. Those who had been enslaved so long never made a wage or obtained a bank account. Much of the foundation of racial inequality was that wealth was concentrated in white communities. Labor exploitation through slavery and the working class created the basis of economic inequality in America. The bank was created in 1865 and one of the last important acts done by the Abraham Lincoln administration. According to records the total amount of deposits were estimated to be about $57 million ( today that would be $115 billion ). The wealth was lost due to government corruption and a change in the Freedmen's Bank's charter. The banking panic of 1873 and mismanagement resulted in the bank's demise. The failure of the Freedmen's Bank demonstrates the weaknesses of capitalism and the US government's dishonesty when it comes to confronting economic inequality.   

The Rapid Support Forces Revolt In Sudan

 

Sudan could be slipping into a state of civil war. The Rapid Support Forces have been engaged in combat with the Sudanese Army. Reports of fighting have been  documented throughout Sudan. Khartoum. Demonstrations against the Abdel Fattah al-Burhan regime continue. Sudan has remained unstable since the fall of the Omar al-Bashir government. The former regime is culpable for the conditions that currently exist. Sudan formed the Janjaweed militias to fight in Darfur. The region wanted to break off from Sudan. Those militias would form the RSF in 2013. The RSF was used for border security and fighting abroad. The RSF has participated in the war in Yemen. As the 2010s passed the security force became more powerful. The same force that Omar al-Bashir built up went on to participate in a coup against him. The RSF would also participate in the 2021 coup. Calls for their integration into the Sudanese military have been proposed. The paramilitary force would lose power if it were to do so. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo commander of the RSF could be seeking to take control of government. The military and paramilitary  forces have more power than Sudanese citizens. Those who want to see democratic and civilian rule continue to struggle. Another Sudanese Civil War will spread into neighboring countries. Libya, Chad, Ethiopia, the African Central Republic,  Egypt,  and Eritrea could be effected. The RSF poses the most formidable threat to  al-Burhan's rule. So far, the RSF rebellion has not escalated to the extent of being classified as a civil war. Much of that depends on the total strength of the RSF. 

The Status of FTX

 

The FTX scandal is not over. Further fallout is happening with the crypto exchange business. FTX has recovered a total of $7.3 billion. Former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried faces multiple charges and insists his innocence. Current CEO John Ray stated the major problem under Bankman-Fried was poor accounting and improper fund transfers. The rescue plan with Binance did not come through. Simultaneously, traders removed a total of $6 billion from FTX. That development forced the crypto exchange to file for bankruptcy. At the moment, FTX appears to be in disarray. FTX might be resurrected in some form. Customers and investors might not be so trusting of the new FTX brand. Due to the bankruptcy case, customers cannot get access to their deposits. Japanese customers can get to their deposits, because there are more regulations for cryptocurrency.  A relaunch would require a significant capital investment. FTX has an obligation to repay all its customers effected by the scandal. The FTX scandal reveals that there is a need for more regulation for crypto exchange. Otherwise fraud will become prevalent. Cryptocurrency was suppose to be a means of challenging the private central banking system. This form of currency is struggling to be widely accepted. The FTX scandal has caused skepticism about cryptocurrency. FTX intends to implement a Chapter 11 plan. Under this law of the Bankruptcy Code  a company must reorganize and pay creditors overtime. The process has not yet been approved. Criminal investigations are ongoing related to fraud. FTX might not be revived with a combination of criminal charges and financial instability.  

BRICS Is Developing A New Currency

 

BRICS has been planning on developing a new currency. This development indicates that the world might be shifting away from the US dollar. The motivations of some members of the emerging economies do vary. China seeks to be more competitive in the global market. Russia wants more economic connections in Asia and Africa seeing as relations in Europe are in decline. India wants to expand economic growth. Brazil has a desire to unlock more business opportunities. South Africa has been exploring ways to combat economic inequality. The motivations to move away from the US dollar differ among BRICS members. One currency among members of emergent economics could be useful. There markets would not be so dependent on the US or Europe. Tensions between members could cause such a project to be stalled. India and China have had border disputes. All members do not agree about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. If the currency is successful, questions remain about the chance of more countries becoming members. The global financial system is headed for a drastic change. Multipolarity will not just effect international affairs, but also the world economy. The name proposed for this new currency would be called the R5. Doing this could mean that sanctions could no longer harm Global South nations. It is not certain if the R5 would protect nations from a global financial collapse. The Global South appears to be asserting a type of economic independence. The measure of success depends on how economically secure citizens are and if the currency maintains a high value.  

Kenya Will Launch The Taifa-1 Satellite

 

Kenya has taken interest in space exploration and its commercial possibilities. Kenya's first satellite is called the Taifa-1. Kenya is not the only country launching satellites. A total of 13 African countries have produced up to 48 satellites. The space program has highlighted the ability of Kenyan engineers. This observation satellite will provide valuable information related agriculture and monitoring food security. Kenya has recently struggled with drought and is looking for new methods to combat its effects. Observation satellites can show where drought and desertification is causing the most damage. Using that data can help allocate resources to various regions. Taifa-1 is not just technology for solving problems. It represents Africa's technological rise. The year 2018 was another milestone related to Kenya's space program. Kenya launched a nanosatellite from the International Space Station. Other African countries have been active in satellite production. Ethiopia, South Africa, Sudan, and Angola have space programs. Over the next few decades Africa could be seeing more observation satellites launched.  

NATO Expansion Continues

 

NATO continues to expand with the addition of Finland. While the majority of the expansion has happened in Eastern Europe, now it has gone to Scandinavia. The justification for this addition to the military alliance is due to the Russia-Ukraine War. NATO expansion was one of the reasons the conflict broke out there. Sweden might also follow Finland in membership. The error is that this makes Europe more militarized and also contributes to the arms trade. Numerous corporations make profit from the military build-up and conflict in Europe. The failure of the West and Russia to reach a consensus has resulted in destabilization. The Russian Federation has no intent to invade Finland and Sweden. The Soviet Union lost a war to Finland. This was during the rule of Joseph Stalin and it demonstrates that Finland is more than capable of its own defense. Russia would not attack Finland considering its involvement in Ukraine. The invasion on the behalf of Russian militias in the Donbas has resulted in the opposite effect. More ate supporting NATO expansion, when the real objective is not security. NATO is being used as an armed force for regime change. Russia could in the distant future fall to a Yugoslavia style military intervention. Russia has another means of confronting this. Belarus overtime will be armed to counter the Baltic states and Ukraine. Finland's addition comes at a time when Europe is more tense than ever. The price of membership could have negative effects on the internal politics of Finland and its economy. 

The Pension Reform Protests Escalate

 

France is seeing a rise in protests over the pension reforms. Increasing the retirement age is not a policy that should be implemented when Europe faces economic difficulties. As demonstrations spread, police violence has increased. Images of tear gas and police using clubs have been seen all over the world. The image of orderly,  democratic, and free Europe has been destroyed. The image was in many ways a myth used to keep citizens passive about economic and political conditions. The new pension reforms are an attack on workers, labor unions, and the French public. President Emmanuel Macron is determined to force through the changes, even if it costs him politically. The bill was pushed through the lower house of parliament without a vote. Doing this raises questions about the legality of the matter. What the demonstrations expose is the normalization of police brutality and plots against organized labor. The attacks on the yellow vest protests were a precursor  to the current violence. Violence from law enforcement has caught the attention of Amnesty International, the Council of Europe, and the International Federation of Human Rights. The use of stun grenades and rubber bullets have been condemned by these organizations. The establishment claims police are being attacked by leftists and anarchists who create violence. Most of the violence comes from law enforcement directed at protesters. It does not matter if they are peaceful or violent. A coordinated effort is designed to repress workers and the public. France might continue to descend further into labor disputes, civil unrest, and authoritarian tendencies.