Myth: The Movement Towards Socialism is Dead
The Black Myths Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with organizers Zo Rivera, Sofia Sepulveda, and Nico McKee Jimenez to challenge the prevailing myth that the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) in Bolivia has died. We dive deep into the conditions that birthed the MAS, the evolution of its experiments, and how the people have sustained their movement towards sovereignty despite the political party dying. Through the lens of their recent anti-imperialist solidarity delegation to Bolivia, our guests break down the reality of the political landscape, the role of US imperialism in the 2019 coup, and how the people are...
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Myth: Iran Is An Evil Imperialist Regime (W/ Bikrum Gill)
The Black Myths Podcast
In this episode, we bring back political science professor Dr. Bikrum Gil to discuss the myth that Iran is an evil imperialist regime. The analysis goes beyond loving or hating Iran; instead, we ground the conversation in a material approach to understanding what constitutes an imperialist nation and where Iran fits within it. We also explore a recent open letter published in the Guardian titled ‘To Iran’s political prisoners, trapped ‘between two blades of a scissors’. It was signed by several prominent academics and activists, including Angela Davis, Robyn Kelley, and...
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Myth: Iran Is An Evil Imperialist Regime (W/ Bikrum Gill)
The Black Myths Podcast
In this episode, we bring back political science professor Dr. Bikrum Gil to discuss the myth that Iran is an evil imperialist regime. The analysis goes beyond loving or hating Iran; instead, we ground the conversation in a material approach to understanding what constitutes an imperialist nation and where Iran fits within it. We also explore a recent open letter published in the Guardian titled ‘To Iran’s political prisoners, trapped ‘between two blades of a scissors’. It was signed by several prominent academics and activists, including Angela Davis, Robyn Kelley, and...
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Myth: Iran Is An Evil Imperialist Regime (W/ Bikrum Gill)
The Black Myths Podcast
In this episode, we bring back political science professor Dr. Bikrum Gil to discuss the myth that Iran is an evil imperialist regime. The analysis goes beyond loving or hating Iran; instead, we ground the conversation in a material approach to understanding what constitutes an imperialist nation and where Iran fits within it. We also explore a recent open letter published in the Guardian titled ‘To Iran’s political prisoners, trapped ‘between two blades of a scissors’. It was signed by several prominent academics and activists, including Angela Davis, Robyn Kelley, and...
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Myth: Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism (w/ Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly)
The Black Myths Podcast
In this episode, in part 2 of this series, we discuss the recent spikes in anti-communism. Recently, the State Department released the "Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism," targeting all progressive elements in the US. They tie all these elements to Cuba as a broader effort to target so-called "domestic terrorism." Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly is back to discuss this document and the broader framework of domestic terrorism. She relates it back to historical iterations of red scares and explains the specific character of it today. Myth: Communism Made Me Do It Myth: Communism Made...
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Myth: Good Socialist, Bad Communist (w/ Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly)
The Black Myths Podcast
In this episode, we explore the false dichotomy between the “Good Socialist” and the “Bad Communist.” This is the idea that one can separate oneself from anti-communism by dissing communism. However, with the State Department's release of Cuba: The Capital of the 21st Century, targeting anything progressive as “domestic terrorism, it becomes clearer that everyone marginally left is a target. Historically, Black people, whether left-wing or not, are vulnerable to these types of red scares, and thus should be prepared. To help us discuss these dilemmas, we bring on a friend of the...
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Myth: Anti-Obama Race Traitor (w/ Dr. Jared Ball and Dr. Todd Steven Burroughs)
The Black Myths Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jared Ball and Dr. Todd Steven Burroughs to break down the myth of the "Anti-Obama Race Traitor." They dig into how that label was often weaponized to silence policy-based critiques of Barack Obama, forcing people to choose between unquestioning support or being ostracized. The conversation centers on how Obama’s public identity was a carefully constructed media strategy. The guests talk about how he learned to code-switch and use symbolic language to appeal to both Black voters and white power structures, all while avoiding any real challenge to the...
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Myth: AI Data Centers Uplift Black Communities (w/ Black Alliance for Peace)
The Black Myths Podcast
In this episode, we dissect the myths surrounding the proliferation of data centers in Black communities. We explore the realities behind industry promises—ranging from job creation and infrastructure support to tax base contributions—and examine the potential long-term impacts on water, energy, and community autonomy. Join us as we ground the conversation in what AI and data centers actually are, and discuss how Black communities can organize to address these critical issues.We are joined by guests Austin Cole, Nicholas Richard-Thompson, and India Williams from the Black Alliance for...
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Myth: "It Just Sports" and the World Cup (w/ Erica Caines)
The Black Myths Podcast
In this episode of "Its Just Sports," we, dismantle the persistent myth that athletics exist in an apolitical vacuum. Joined by guest Black Alliance For Peace National Co-Coordinator, Erica Caines, we dive into why the "just sports" narrative often washes the crimes of US imperialism. We explore the work of the BAP and their "People-Centered Human Rights" framework—rights secured through social struggle rather than top-down mandates. We contrast this grassroots approach with FIFA's own human rights protocols, which fronts for corporate interests. BAP argues that by allowing the U.S. to...
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Myth: All Marxisms are Created Equal (w/ Gabriel Rockhill)
The Black Myths Podcast
On this episode of the Black Myths Podcast, we tackle the "Myth: All Marxisms are Created Equal" with guest Gabriel Rockhill. Rockhill, a philosopher, cultural critic, and activist, breaks down the origins and implications of "Western Marxism". We discuss the influence of imperial entities like the CIA and the deep collaboration of the Frankfurt School founders with the State. The conversation explores the tendency within Western Marxism to oppose "actually existing socialism," and how this stance influences Black and critical theories around race. Finally, we address how to navigate the...
info_outlineIn this episode, we are joined by friend of the show and scholar, Rasul Mowatt, to challenge the myth that the Ku Klux Klan began in Indiana, exploring the 1st wave of the Ku Klux Klan, known then as the “KuKlux.” We analyse the post-Civil War context that led to the rise of white supremacist groups, vigilantism, and the Klan's origins, spread, and eventual decline. We also delve into the role of other white supremacist groups in picking up the Klan's mantle, such as the Red Shirts. This is a part of a series covering each historical wave of the Klan. Join us as we uncover the true history of the Klan and its enduring impact.
Rasul A. Mowatt is a son of Chicago and a subject of empire, while dwelling within notions of statelessness, settler colonial mentality, and anti-capitalism. Rasul also functions in the State as a Department Head in the College of Natural Resources, as an Interim Department Head in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, and as an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at North Carolina State University. He is the author of the book The Geographies of Threat and the Production of Violence: The City and State Between Us.
Some sources
White Terror: The Ku Klux Klan Conspiracy and Southern Reconstruction
https://lsupress.org/9780807178744/white-terror/
Hooded Americanism: The History of the Ku Klux Klan
https://www.dukeupress.edu/hooded-americanism
patreon.com/blackmyths
00:04:22 - Monologue
00:08:15 - Opening Thoughts
00:35:45 - War & Vigilantism
01:08:13 - Kuklux Origins
01:42:26 - Red Shirts & Them
01:57:51 - Compromise Inevitable
02:01:59 - The Clansman & Psychology