It was an honor this past Monday to talk with former U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney about the role of Black Progressives in our society who speak out against the imperialism of the Obama administration and at the same time critique the dependence of the majority of African Americans in this country on the Democratic Party which, periodically, glories in the Republican attack on women in order to strengthen their own legitimacy. Click the play arrow to listen. Choosing the lesser of two evils is a false choice. This conversation we had took place at Calvary Church in West Philadelphia before Cynthia McKinney's talk about the growing necessity of progressives to really speak truth to power and convince the Democratic supporters to jump ship and work towards a stronger independent party. In our conversation we talked about the important presence of soldiers and higher officers in the U.S. Armed Forces who challenge the president's potential plans to militarily invade or bomb Iran. Preventing this excursion is perhaps the most important work that progressives can do. Before we talk about the specter of invading Iran, however, Ms. McKinney kindly asks me about my dissertation which I am finishing now, and which speaks to the important anti imperialist work of radical editors Pauline Hopkins, A. Philip Randolph, and Paul Robeson. I am grateful to post this on the wonderful 57th birthday of Ms. McKinney: HAPPY BIRTHDAY CONGRESSWOMAN MCKINNEY!!! YOUR EXAMPLE OF AN INTELLIGENT COMPASSIONATE CHRISTIAN REMAINS A BEACON TO ME AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR YOUR EXAMPLE. Special thanks to Betsey Piette of the Philadelphia International Action Center for organizing this interview and to Iresha Picot for this photo. -RF.
