Assata Shakur Articulates The Importance of Socialism (1996)

Assata Shakur (1947-2025) was an activist and one of the leaders of the Black Liberation Army. The BLA split from the Black Panther Party and promoted socialism as well as black nationalism. The FBI during the 1970s was on a campaign to wipe out leftist organizations in the United States. Assata Shakur was accused of murder of state troopers, but evidence for the 1973 case was lacking. The 1977 Werner Foerster murder case made another accusation, but despite disputable claims Assata was convicted of murder. What appeared to be happening was the FBI was persecuting Assata Shakur as a means of dismantling the Black Liberation Army. Shakur believed that socialism could be a means of fighting economic inequality, imperialism, and oppression. Assata Shakur escaped prison and was granted political asylum in Cuba . It was 1984, when Assata Shakur was given protection from the US government. Cuba has since 1962 been threatened by the United States. US empire continues to cause deaths. During the Cold War Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia were subject to atrocities by the United States. The  people of the Global South share a common oppressor as African Americans Assata Shakur stated in 1996. The illusion of progress is the idea that African Americans becoming more active in capitalist enterprise means freedom. Accepting the economic system preserves an authoritarian political structure. Shakur never stopped being an activist, even though she was in exile.   

 

Sam Nujoma 's Namibian Independence Speech

 

Sam Nujoma ( 1929-2025)  was the first president of  Namibia. SWAPO waged a long liberation war against Apartheid South Africa's occupation of the land. Nujoma mentions that multiple resolutions were passed by international bodies. The United Nations resolutions did not obtain Namibian independence. It was through armed freedom struggle against  the white minority ruled regimes. When Apartheid South Africa lost Namibia in 1990, it was apparent the regime was going to fall. Sam Nujoma declared a new era was emerging on the African continent. European colonial imperialism was a relic of the past. Yet, Namibia and South Africa were still fighting it. The liberation movements of the South African region were successful. The new era that Sam Nujoma referred to was the independent states free from foreign interference and colonization. Namibia obtained its independence after a long liberation war. . Sam Nujoma would serve as president of Namibia from  1990 to 2005. After leaving office he continued to campaign for SWAPO and was like an elder  statemen. 

Nelson Mandela Speaks of Tolerance (2006)

 

Nelson Mandela gave a PSA message that was broadcast on CBS. The subject of the short PSA was discussing tolerance. No one is born as Mandela stated hating other based on their race, religion, or background. Hatred is learned, but tolerance can be taught as Mandela expressed. Humanity can have the capcity to love and do right Mandela asserted. The former president and freedom fighter dedicated his life to fighting the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Two years after this message South Africa had an outbreak of xenophobic violence in 2008. South Africa continues to grapple with racism and inequality. The Boer ownership of farms continues to represent the long legacy of colonial oppression. South Africa has not become the rainbow nation that Nelson Mandela envisioned. A new way of  political thought needs to be promoted that encourages Pan-African ideas. There needs to be more than just tolerance; there must be acceptance of various groups. It will take time for South Africa to reach a point of tolerance. 

Ibrahim Traore Praises The Russian Federation (2023)

 

Ibrahim Traore praised the Russian Federation. in 2023. During a speech at the Russia-Africa Summit he recognized that Russia and Burkina Faso have a common struggle. The West continues to promote neocolonialism in various parts of the world. Russia found itself in the same situation with NATO expansion during the 2000s. Russians and Africans gave their lives to stop fascism in Europe during World War II. After the war, the Soviet Union provided aid to national liberation movements. This was helpful in the fight against white minority ruled regimes in Southern Africa. Traore mentions this history of collaboration, which explains why more African countries have a more favorable view of Russia. Burkina Faso at one time had a revolutionary socialist leader Thomas Sankara. Ibrahim Traore almost seems like a 2020s version of  the former leader of Burkina Faso. Traore's laudation of the Russian Federation makes sense when viewed in a wider historical context. Burkina Faso and Russia are being brought closer together due to the poor diplomatic relations with France.