Voltaire Network

Glen Ford

Executive Editor of the Black Agenda Report (BAR) the journal of African American political thought and action.

11 articles

The archetype of the phony, pro-war "progressive"

by Glen Ford

The archetype of the phony, pro-war "progressive"

New York (USA) | 7 May 2013
Hard right Republican Senator John McCain and Progressive Caucus co-chair Rep. Keith Ellison, a Minnesota state Democratic Party affiliate, both support no-fly zones over Syria. That’s because, as BAR executive editor observes, when it comes to U.S. imperial policy, there is not one iota of difference between the pro-war Left and the Right, who march in symbiotic lockstep.

The Marikana massacre: South Africa’s unfinished revolution

by Glen Ford

The Marikana massacre: South Africa's unfinished revolution

23 August 2012
The massacre of 34 miners at Marikana lays bare the central contradiction of the South African “arrangement.” Back in 1994, “the ‘revolution’ was put on indefinite hold, so that a new Black capitalist class could be created, largely from the ranks of well-connected members of the ruling party and even union leaders.” The regime now represses Black workers on behalf of capital.

White House unveils strategy for Africa: intensified militarization and war on terror

by Glen Ford

White House unveils strategy for Africa: intensified militarization and war on terror

New York (USA) | 24 June 2012
The White House has put in writing its policies for sub-Saharan Africa. The problem is, there’s hardly a word of truth in the document, and not a single mention of AFRICOM, the U.S. military command on the continent. The presidential paper repeats Obama’s 2009 lecture to Africans on “good governance.” He also warned that they avoid the “excuses” of blaming “neocolonialism” and “racism” for their problems. Meanwhile, AFRICOM is “positioning the U.S. to launch coups at will against African civilian, or even military, leaders that fall out of favor with Washington.”

The Empire Holds Its War Council in Chicago

by Glen Ford

The Empire Holds Its War Council in Chicago

New York (USA) | 18 May 2012
The Obama administration imposed the most draconian police state legal structures in U.S. history before summoning the heads of NATO to Chicago. NATO accounts for 70 percent of military spending on the planet – combining the capacities of yesterday’s imperialists and the current superpower. According to the Executive Editor of Black Agenda Report, “The Black man in the White House is seen, ironically, as the last best hope of the old colonial racial order and the rule of capital.”

The Libyan Soldiers: The True Heroes of NATO’s War

by Glen Ford

The Libyan Soldiers: The True Heroes of NATO's War

New York (USA) | 27 August 2011
While NATO has proven its capacity to kill thousands of Libyan soldiers from the skies, it has failed to convey respectability to the marauding "rebels" under its wing, posing as freedom fighters. The latter, however, should not get too used to their spot in the limelight, which is sure to wane when their usefulness as NATO stooges eventually dries up. Meanwhile, for this author, the incinerated bodies of her soldiers have already secured Libya’s place in history.

U.S. Agency sabotages Haiti earthquake aid

by Glen Ford

U.S. Agency sabotages Haiti earthquake aid

New York (USA) | 12 June 2011
A US Government commissioned report questions the official Haiti earthquake death toll, implying the Haitian authorities grossly overstated the figures to secure more aid. Conversely, BAR Executive Director Glen Ford speculates that the outcome of the report was predetermined to provide a justification for reducing aid for the beleaguered island.

Haiti: Washington’s Cynical Campaign to Keep Aristide in South Africa

by Glen Ford

Haiti: Washington's Cynical Campaign to Keep Aristide in South Africa

New York (USA) | 5 March 2011
With unbounded hypocrisy, the United States shrieks “democracy!” at the world while denying Haitians every political right of citizenship in their own land. Having deposed and kidnapped the popularly elected president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, in 2004, the U.S. now pretends not to be the main party standing in the way of his return from South African exile, ahead of the scheduled 20 March run-off elections. Meanwhile, former dictator “Baby Doc” Duvalier re-entered unimpeded on an expired Haitian passport.

“Mongrel”: Historically, and from Obama’s Mouth

by Glen Ford

“Mongrel”: Historically, and from Obama's Mouth

New York (USA) | 9 August 2010
The author rightfully takes issue with Barack Obama’s way of describing himself. Although Obama is publicly identified as African-American, there is very little of that culture and perspective in him. This phenomenon was exploited by the ruling class when they chose him to run for President. They used this racist proclivity to fool the public into thinking that, first of all, this was an "equal opportunity" country that had overcome racism, and secondly, that Obama represented a truly different perspective on things which informed his campaign theme about "change".

Obama, US Continue To Reap Trillions and Condemn Africa To Climate Catastrophe

by Glen Ford

Obama, US Continue To Reap Trillions and Condemn Africa To Climate Catastrophe

New York (USA) | 29 December 2009
With humanity at risk and Africa facing “incineration,” the United States opted for “disaster capitalism” at the global climate conference, last week. “President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton went to Copenhagen to end any possibility of a global agreement on greenhouse gasses that the rich nations would be bound to respect", claims BAR Executive Director Glen Ford.

The Van Jones Affair: An “Unfriendly Environment” for Progressives at the White House

by Glen Ford

The Van Jones Affair: An “Unfriendly Environment” for Progressives at the White House

New York (USA) | 16 September 2009
The general assumption is that Anthony "Van" Jones came under fire for signing a "9/11 Truth" petition. However, Glen Ford, Executive Editor of the Black Agenda Report, thinks there is more to the story and offers an alternative interpretation. According to him, progressive elements like Jones who were appointed by Obama essentially as window dressing are becoming increasingly cumbersome in an atmosphere heavily conditioned by the neo-McCarthyites of the Republican Party whom Obama wishes to appease.

Video

The Election of Barack Obama Has Paralyzed Progressive Forces in US Politics

by Glen Ford

The Election of Barack Obama Has Paralyzed Progressive Forces in US Politics

New York (USA) | 2 July 2009
Speech delivered by BAR Executive Editor Glen Ford at African Liberation Day 2009 in Washington, DC on May 24, 2009, which highlights the paralysis of black and progressive leadership and the dead end in which progressive forces in the U.S. find themselves as a consequence of Barack Obama’s election.

Most popular

The Libyan Soldiers: The True Heroes of NATO’s War

White House unveils strategy for Africa: intensified militarization and war on terror

“Mongrel”: Historically, and from Obama’s Mouth

The archetype of the phony, pro-war "progressive"

The Marikana massacre: South Africa’s unfinished revolution

The Empire Holds Its War Council in Chicago

Obama, US Continue To Reap Trillions and Condemn Africa To Climate Catastrophe

The Van Jones Affair: An “Unfriendly Environment” for Progressives at the White House

Haiti: Washington’s Cynical Campaign to Keep Aristide in South Africa

The Election of Barack Obama Has Paralyzed Progressive Forces in US Politics
Video

U.S. Agency sabotages Haiti earthquake aid