#network sovereignty

[indigenousandnativewaysofbeing]

Synthesis Report

Technology, simply defined, is information with a goal and a way to be reproduced. Writing is technology. So are telephone polls, hammers, knives, and AI. Technology has often been cited as the driving force of the United States empire. And for Western ways of living, technology has been seen as a gift to foreign regions. For the purposes of this essay, I will connect concepts of racism that have led to what we consider today as objective technology– that is, tech that is unbiased and bears science-backed ideas of truth. And thus, we will discover how the intersection of tribal sovereignty, (un)naturalized algorithms, and colorblind ideology all help us understand how technology has historically been used as a tool to boost colonial motives. Let’s first look at tribal sovereignty, what it means, and how it works in our modern world.

Tribal sovereignty, as defined by Marisa Elena Duarte, is the right for Indigenous and Native tribes to self-govern. But because white leaders have a penchant for manifest destiny, the Indigenous peoples of what is now known as “America” are forced into difficult situations like losing land and access to the internet. To understand how to move forward, Duarte asks us in her book “Network Sovereignty” to look at Indigenous spiritual practices and appreciation of the land in contrast to how colonial technology is developed under racist guidelines. She lists these considerations for the digital generation: colonial technologies have historically been weaponized against Native and Indigenous peoples, digital technology can support Native youth, and awareness of digital technology’s ability to limit traditional Native notions of grace and peace.

On that note, the “Natives in Tech” conference, which was held in 2020, has provided that there are big movements created by Indigenous and Native tribes to cut out third-party vendors and big tech companies and is moving forward with creating a network of Native software engineers. These software engineers move within the parameters of the sacred land connection integral to Indigenous ways of living. These movements teach us that it is possible to create systems of technology that fully encapsulate non-white and non-western existences and that doing so actually makes the spread of information found in the complexities of globalization.

Ever since the birth of search engines and the internet at large, we've been told that algorithms tell us more about ourselves than they do about the people who make them. What our screens show us is a product of what we’ve searched previously and what we’ve clicked on the most. The reality is algorithms are not naturalized. Algorithms are, actually, highly simplified systems based on the coder’s bias. Safiya Umoja Noble, author of “Algorithms of Oppression,” contends they currently “[do] not provide appropriate social, historical, and contextual meaning to already overracialized and hypersexualized people who materially suffer along multiple axes” (36). A big hint for why this is such an issue comes from the lack of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color employed in Silicon Valley. In “Silicon Valley Pretends That Algorithmic Bias Is Accidental,” Amber Hamilton discusses the tech culture, which has a history of racist and sexist hiring discrimination.

What’s more, Hamilton continues, is that tech companies, like Google, have a habit of dissuading employees from holding political discussions in the workplace. Yet again, we see an example of how easy it is for white tech to reflect white interests. We return, again, to the overarching idea that white tech seeks white power. Even if these instances seem unintentional, they tell us a story. The colorblind ideology that ensues, as Ruha Benjamin says in “Race After Technology,” “are sold as morally superior because they purport to rise above human bias” (38). It is almost impossible to challenge tech as we are brought to believe it's an entity all of its own, totally void of its creator's morality. MIT's data scientists work hard to construct robots without gender, class, or race. While the robots indeed were “servants” and “workers,” MIT scientists referred to them as “friends and children, addressing them in “class-avoidant” terms (Benjamin 42). Programmers felt so uncomfortable inputting the varying histories of racism, transphobia, and misogyny that they just let them out altogether. Unfortunately, acting as if these things didn’t exist doesn’t make technology better. It only makes it worse. So how do tribal sovereignty, naturalized algorithms, and colorblind ideology all tie together?

Colonial tech is so focused on reaching the biggest audience it can that there really is no space for them to care about the repercussions of their product. And if they are legitimately concerned, it's generally in favor of discriminating against Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Decolonizing tech looks like creating tech according to accurate histories and with values that empower people. It doesn’t look like plowing through sacred land. It doesn’t look like perpetuating racism or claiming racism doesn’t exist. Tech has the power to be something more. Tech has the power to create better lives not just for white people but for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

[geeknik]

What will you do if the Internet goes down?

The prospect of a widespread internet disruption is a genuine concern in our increasingly digital world. Our reliance on the internet for communication, commerce, and information access makes us vulnerable to the consequences of a prolonged outage. The centralization of our digital infrastructure, with a few tech giants controlling a significant portion of the cloud, exacerbates this vulnerability. A disruption to these services would have a ripple effect, impacting businesses, supply chains, and individuals alike.

However, crises often breed opportunities. Could an internet outage catalyze the rise of decentralized, community-driven networks? We've seen glimpses of this resilience in mesh networks used during protests and the proliferation of open-source tools promoting digital freedom. Could such initiatives not only survive but flourish in a landscape devoid of the traditional internet? Personal resilience starts with individual preparedness. Backing up data, utilizing offline knowledge repositories, and adopting secure communication protocols are not just good practices; they're essential for digital sovereignty. Preparing for an internet outage isn't about fear; it's about empowering ourselves with self-sufficiency.

Financial autonomy is equally crucial. Recognizing that banks are susceptible to disruption, exploring alternatives like cryptocurrency (in cold storage) and localized trade becomes prudent. In essence, while we prepare for potential digital turbulence, let's ground ourselves with analog foundations. Community networks, contingency plans, and an adaptable mindset are our anchors. Our goal shouldn't be merely to endure a digital blackout; it should be to cultivate a resilient lifestyle that thrives regardless of our online connectivity.

Counter-cultures are not just about opposing the status quo; they're about resilience and adaptability. Our responses to restrictions can foster the emergence of more robust, diverse systems that align with our inherent need for freedom and privacy. As we navigate the delicate balance between convenience and sovereignty, let's remember to look beyond our screens. Our neighbors, local communities, and the independence of thought are pillars that cannot be gated or switched off.

[ivygorgon]

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Out with Incest Laws: Reconsider Blood Quantum Laws in Native Reparations

An open letter to State Governors & Legislatures

1 so far! Help us get to 5 signers!

I am writing to express profound concerns about the continued reliance on Blood Quantum Laws, or Indian Blood Laws, in Native Reparations Programs. These laws, established by federal and state governments as far back as 1705, define Native American status based on fractions of Native American ancestry, perpetuating harmful consequences for tribal communities and some, alarmingly, terminating before just 5 generations.

The use of Blood Quantum Laws has led to detrimental effects on Native American families and communities. It has incentivized harmful family planning practices, compelling individuals to marry within close kin networks to maintain "pure bloodlines." This practice not only violates individual autonomy but also jeopardizes genetic diversity and the long-term viability of tribal populations.

Of utmost concern is the declining population within many tribal communities, with some nearing critical thresholds of fewer than 1000 individuals. This situation is further exacerbated by the principles of population biology, particularly the 50/500 rule, which underscores the need for a minimum population of 500 individuals to reduce genetic drift and ensure sustained viability. It is troubling to note that these laws inadvertently encourage cousin marriages, posing additional risks to community health and resilience.

Moreover, Blood Quantum Laws impose an arbitrary expiration date on government-funded reparations and jeopardize the cultural continuity of these communities. By tethering Native American status to ancestry thresholds, these laws undermine the diversity and autonomy of tribal enrollment criteria.

I urge policymakers to urgently reconsider the use of Blood Quantum Laws in Native Reparations Programs and advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable approach to reparations. This approach should prioritize the cultural and social integrity of Native American communities, safeguarding their continued existence and resilience for future generations.

Our villages were razed by colonizers, our ancestors were genocide survivors, and, as ever, our children bear the enduring impacts of historical injustices.

Thank you for considering these critical issues and taking decisive action to address them.

Source:

📱 Text SIGN PBDXGL to 50409

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[freehawaii]

FREE HAWAI`I TV THE FREE HAWAI`I BROADCASTING NETWORK   "WILL THIS DESTROY FOOD SOVEREIGNTY IN HAWAI`I?"

Think The Poisoning Of Drinking Water At Red Hill Is Bad? You Ainʻt Seen Anything Yet. What If Those Same Poisons Contaminated Hawai`iʻs Agricultural Lands?

Watch This To See Where Itʻs Already Happening & Poisoning Food.

[itsfarmerphil]

W17D4: Do you realize how important people are? Don't isolate!

Here we go into another day. Do you realize the importance of investing in others? You realize how important people are right? Beyond faith, hope, and love which will last forever the only other thing that will remain are the souls of people. Don’t isolate and leave yourself out of the opportunity to speak truth, life, and love into the lives of others. Be the light, shining for the glory of God…

[reasonsforhope]

"In a historic move Friday [November 8, 2024], Sacramento State announced its new Native American College, a first of its kind in the California State university system. 

The college, a co-curricular institution housed at Sacramento State, will support Native-based education with a focus on leadership and career building. It will offer a diverse range of programs that integrate "tribal values, traditions and community engagement," according to a press release. 

This marks Sacramento State's second ethnic-based institution. The university launched the the nation's first Black Honors college earlier this year. 

The announcement was made at the California State Capitol by President Luke Wood and Dr. Annette Reed, an enrolled member and citizen of the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation, who will be the first dean of the Native American College. 

Reed said students will have access to faculty mentors, advisors, outreach coordinators and more who have the expertise to work closely with Native American students and can support them holistically. 

She hopes this historic initiative will address low enrollment of Native students pursuing higher education across the state and in the country. Native American students face significant barriers to enrolling in higher education, such as financial constraints, feelings of isolation, historical trauma and lack of culturally relevant curriculum. 

"And so I'm hoping this impacts the students where they go through as a cohort. They can create networks, they can be able to have more of a support system going through and beginning together and hopefully graduating at the end together," Reed said.

Reed recalled taking her first class on Native American studies in 1980. She would later on serve as the director of Native American studies at Sacramento State and chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies. For her, advocating for Native American education was a natural top priority. 

"People always ask me, 'What is Native American studies?' It is history. It is looking at culture. It's looking at teaching sovereignty, federal Indian law. It's teaching social work, art. It's teaching about Native cultural expression, it can be literature," Reed said. 

The Native American College will introduce two new courses, according to Reed, which will be focused on Native American leadership. 

"It means that maybe some of the ones that start in Fall 2025 will end up here at the Capitol. Maybe they'll end up being the future senators or assembly people or the future of people in business. They might be leading our nation as tribal chairs, they might be going into the medical field," Reed said. "But whatever field they go into, leadership is really key." 

Students who want to be in the Native American College can apply after being accepted into the university's general application process. All students will be required to minor in Native American Studies, with an emphasis on Native American leadership."

-via ABC 10, November 8, 2024

[canary-prince]

Indigenous Aid Organizations To Give To In This Shitty, Shitty Time

First Nations Development Institute: From addressing economic inequality, to preserving and uplifting native languages and arts, to fighting for land stewardship, to directly supporting COVID relief in California native tribes, they really do it all.

Native American Rights Fund: A law and advocacy network dedicated to fighting for tribal recognition, sovereignty, resource control, and human rights. In addition to court battles (local, state, and federal) they consult on issues of tribal law.

Lakota Peoples Law Project: Founders of the Lakota Child Rescue Project, they are another law and advocacy collective that fight to enforce the Indian Child Welfare Act, secure Native voting rights, and restore the sovereignty of indigenous peoples over their sacred lands such as the Black Hills and lands stolen by the Catholic Church.

Indigenous Women Rising: This grassroots mutual aid fund is open to all Indigenous peoples seeking abortion care, prenatal care, or delivery care. In addition to the direct donations, they have a bonfire store.

Quileute Move To Higher Ground: The Tribal School has been completed!!! The children of the Quileute community have a new, safe school to attend, but, tribal housing is still located within the tsunami zone. Donations now go towards construction of safe housing. I repeat: the school is BUILT. The school!!! Is!!! BUILT!!! This is objectively WONDERFUL.

American Indian Resource Center: A nonprofit focused on providing cultural events/resources and educational experiences to native children. Among other programs, they operate Camp Sevenstar, a project aimed at immersing Cherokee youth in the traditions of their culture, and the Cherokee Little Seeds Program, which aims to produce a new generation of Cherokee speakers.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Brazil Took on Musk and Won. Now Lula Is Sharing Notes With Europe

European governments reeling from Elon Musk’s political attacks are comparing notes with fellow targets all-too familiar with the X owner’s methods.

Brazil briefly took down X last year over hate speech and fake news, and is heading for a broader showdown with social media networks as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva mounts a crusade against disinformation that he says is so pervasive it’s undermining democracy.

It’s an approach that’s being closely watched in Europe: In recent days, Lula, as Brazil’s leader is known, has held calls with French President Emmanuel Macron and with Antonio Costa, the Portuguese president of the European Council, about ways to preserve countries’ sovereignty and the battle against disinformation, racism, misogyny and hate crimes spread on social media.

Macron and Lula have had “many” conversations on the topic and “Brazil is bringing its expertise in several areas,” said Tiennot Sciberras, press counselor of the French Embassy in Brazil. “In this area of fighting against disinformation it is Brazil that is pulling us along.”

Lula’s rallying call is resonating more widely as Musk amplifies fake news and conspiracy theories on X while taking on political leaders in the UK, Germany and the European Union. How the fightback plays out may result in a model for how to respond — or a lesson in the limits of government influence over big tech.

Continue reading.

[batboyblog]

I just saw someone call "vote blue people" fascists today on this godforsaken website. They also rambled about Jews Zionists a little too much and repeated some blatant blood libel points so like, I shouldn't take anything they say seriously but.

Is that what we've come to? People voting for Democrats, the party that wants to destroy the world and its people the least... Fascists? Is there no winning with these damn people? What the hell is considered acceptable to them anymore?

hm, I mean I think there are a number of different types of these people. I think there are people who grew up in Republican households and took on all the anti-Democrat baggage and their leftism is rebellion against mommy and daddy but not very deep.

I think there are people influenced by the silly idea that the worse things get the better it is for the Communist Revolution thats totally about to happen any day now we swear, Karl Marx the once and future King will rise from his sleep to lead Britain in its hour of greatest need or whatever.

I think the media are really failing, because they love an idea of "balance" but like when it comes to say Republican criminality there isn't balance? there's no Democratic counter point? so they have to under cover Republican scandal and also lean into an unthinking narrative that whatever Republicans do is somehow Democrats fault? in some way "why didn't Democrats stop them?" well because thats not how it works? why did Republicans do it in the first place? why wasn't the public aware thats what Republicans would do if elected?

I think the antisemitism is a big factor this time around as you mentioned the raving about Zionists or whatever, putting all issues on the back burner to somehow "punish" Democrats for the fact a war broke out in a foreign country on the other side of the world when a Democrat happened to President.

which leads me to the final part, propaganda. When Trump was President he recognized Israel's annexation of two areas, East Jerusalem which has long been talked about as the site for a Palestinian capital, and the Golan Heights a legal part of Syria. This is the first time an American President (or any world leader) had recognized land occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War as a PART of Israel, rather than occupied. Trump went further and put forward a plan drafted by Israel and right wing American Israel hawks which would have reduced Palestine to a bunch of little islands of sovereignty cut off from each other by land annexed to Israel. A Palestine of bridges and tunnels. And Netanyahu claimed, and I believe him, that Trump said he could go ahead and annex that land even if the Palestinians said no to the deal (which they did)

do you remember the big protests then? no? none? you don't recall any of this? strange... because there are big bot networks boosting content about this conflict, making sure it makes it into your timeline, making sure you tie it to somehow be Democrats fault and that its the most important thing in the world and showing how upset you are by it is the single most important thing imaginable. All day, every day.

As far as Palestine goes, there are two options. The Party that believes in a two state answer, and the party that doesn't. Trump already signed off on annexation once, when he's back in office, now, after October 7th? ooof. Any one who's serious and not cooked knows which is the better choice.

[nobbin0]

In the 1990s, John Williamson, a British economist and senior fellow of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, coined the term Washington Consensus to describe the neoliberal agenda to privatise state-owned enterprises (SOEs), commodify public goods, and liberalise capital accounts and trade. These policy choices, driven by the IMF and World Bank in alignment with the US Treasury, find much of their theoretical justification in neoclassical economics and the works of thinkers like Friedrich Hayek and those associated with the neoliberal Mont Pelerin Society. The Washington Consensus paradigm is perhaps most famous for its role in the so-called structural adjustment programmes (SAPs), which led to a lost decade on the African continent.

For the past several decades, the IMF has enforced a combination of austerity (what they call a ‘balanced budget’ agenda), privatisation, and trade liberalisation on decolonising nations. This has stripped states in the Global South of the capacity to drive their development processes and protect their infant industries. In order to deal with the resulting imbalances, the IMF has frequently encouraged underdeveloped countries to borrow from private capital markets, leading to more debt traps. Meanwhile, the World Bank has historically followed an agenda of recommending anything but large-scale industrialisation for the Global South. In the early post-World War II era, this manifested in its recommendations for countries to stick to their ‘comparative advantage’ in exporting raw materials. By the 1990s, the World Bank was promoting ‘financial deepening’, code for encouraging financial deregulation as a panacea for mobilising resources for development. More recently, the World Bank has shifted its focus to promote development in the service sector and investment in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), both recipes for continued debt bondage on the national and household level. The service sector is often dominated by multinational corporations (MNCs) with monopolistic structures, making states that focus their development on this sector susceptible to the whims of MNCs in the Global North. SMEs, which typically lack the resources (including government subsidies) to compete with MNCs and do not have the advantages of scale of MNCs, end up absorbed into these larger monopoly-dominated networks. Indeed, the combination of financial liberalisation and the promotion of SMEs locks countries into what Samir Amin called generalised monopoly capital, with both upstream (raw materials, technology, and capital) and downstream (distribution, marketing, and consumer access) networks of control.

One of the main outcomes of the Washington Consensus has been an almost religious belief in the power of foreign direct investment (FDI) to drive economic growth and structural transformation. The FDI mindset drives Global South states towards a narrow focus on opening up their labour and natural resource markets to Western monopolies, thereby linking their agendas to the rent-seeking needs of financiers rather than the developmental aspirations of their populations. Empirical evidence of FDI’s transformative capacity, however, is limited at best: this form of investment fails to promote integrative growth that could pave a pathway out of indebtedness and towards national sovereignty, instead promoting unproductive sectors of the economy. Three characteristics of FDI are important to note:

FDI flows are declining. FDI peaked in 2007, the year that the Third Great Depression took hold in the major capitalist countries, and has decreased in the years since. Indeed, according to the United Nations’ Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), both FDI and project finance (long-term infrastructure or industrial funding) have experienced a gradual decline. From 2022 to 2023, for instance, developing countries saw a 7% decrease in FDI flows to developing countries.

FDI flows are non-productive. Over the past few years, UNCTAD’s annual investment reports have shown the changing character of FDI. While in the past it was concentrated in the manufacturing and industrial sectors as well as natural resource extraction, FDI has increasingly been channelled into the financial and service sectors, where it does not generate integrated or transformative development that could help transcend colonial underdevelopment.

FDI flows do not drive growth or investment. According to a 1999 UNCTAD report, large FDI inflows to developing countries in the 1990s had little impact on increasing investment patterns. More recent studies by UNCTAD have shown a clear divergence between FDI flows and GDP growth since the Third Great Depression. This means that economic growth is increasingly independent of FDI flows.

The Washington Consensus has only reinforced the colonial pattern of underdevelopment, producing debt burdens that cannot be easily serviced. With bondholders mercilessly seeking repayment and interest regardless of a country’s economic situation, the debt spiral eats into precious revenues that could otherwise be spent on health care, education, and productive industry and infrastructure. Countries borrow and go into debt. When they cannot repay their debt, they borrow more to pay off their existing debt, and the spiral continues. As Raghuram Rajan, the IMF’s chief economist from 2003 to 2007, wrote in his book Fault Lines (2010), the IMF’s policies are a ‘new form of financial colonialism’.

[sankofaspirit]

The Black Star Line: The Blueprint for Black Economic Liberation – A Garveyite Perspective

"A race without authority and power is a race without respect." – Marcus Garvey

The Black Star Line was not just a shipping company—it was a revolutionary statement. It symbolized Black self-determination, global economic independence, and the rejection of white economic control. From a Garveyite perspective, the Black Star Line was the economic blueprint for Black liberation, a direct challenge to white supremacy, and a Pan-African vision made tangible.

Yet, despite its powerful vision, the Black Star Line was deliberately sabotaged, revealing just how dangerous true Black economic independence is to the global white power structure.

This is the real story of the Black Star Line—what it meant, why it was targeted, and why its lessons remain essential today.

1. Why Garvey Created the Black Star Line

In the early 1900s, Black people worldwide were economically trapped. Whether in the United States, the Caribbean, or Africa, they were at the mercy of white-owned businesses, white-controlled trade, and white financial institutions.

Marcus Garvey understood that political power meant nothing without economic power. He believed that:

Black people must own and control their own industries.

Global Black trade must be independent of white middlemen.

Economic unity between Africa and the diaspora was key to liberation.

A Black-controlled shipping industry was the foundation of Pan-African commerce.

White shipping companies exploited Black labor and overcharged Black businesses for transport. This meant that Black farmers, merchants, and producers were always under the control of white interests.

Garvey’s solution? The Black Star Line—a Black-owned global shipping network to connect the African diaspora economically.

2. The Symbolism of the Black Star Line

The name “Black Star Line” was a direct response to the white-owned White Star Line, the shipping company that built the Titanic.

The White Star Line symbolized European wealth, power, and global dominance.

The Black Star Line symbolized Black resistance, economic sovereignty, and Pan-African unity.

It was the first step in Garvey’s larger vision: a self-sufficient Black empire.

Garvey wasn’t just talking about freedom—he was building it.

3. The Vision: A Global Black Trade Network

The Black Star Line was meant to be more than a shipping company. It was:

A direct trade route between Africa, the Caribbean, and Black America—cutting out white intermediaries.

A foundation for Black-controlled commerce—allowing Black businesses to grow without white interference.

A transport system for repatriation to Africa—preparing for Garvey’s long-term goal of returning to the motherland.

An investment opportunity for Black people—encouraging economic unity and wealth-building.

Garvey wanted Black people to become shareholders and owners, not just workers. This was about Black financial literacy, investment, and economic nationalism.

For the first time, Black people were not just consumers but co-owners of an international enterprise.

4. How White Power Sabotaged the Black Star Line

The success of the Black Star Line terrified white elites. It was proof that Black people could organize globally, pool their resources, and operate outside of white economic control.

To stop it, they used four main tactics

1) U.S. Government & FBI Infiltration

The FBI, under J. Edgar Hoover, saw Garvey as a major threat. He was the first Black leader they targeted in their war against Black radicalism.

They sent spies into the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) to:

Spread misinformation.

Encourage sabotage.

Disrupt leadership and cause internal conflicts.

Hoover wrote in internal memos that Garvey’s movement was too powerful and had to be “neutralized.”

2) Economic Sabotage & Fraud Allegations

White financiers and corrupt insiders sold Garvey faulty ships and overcharged him for repairs.

The first ship, the SS Yarmouth, had severe mechanical problems.

Another ship was sabotaged while docked, causing financial loss.

White shipyard owners refused to do business with the Black Star Line.

When the company faced financial struggles due to these deliberate acts, the U.S. government charged Garvey with mail fraud—a bogus charge designed to destroy his movement.

3) Propaganda & Media Attacks

White newspapers and Black integrationist leaders (like W.E.B. Du Bois) attacked Garvey, calling him:

A fraud

A con man

A “Black Napoleon” leading people to ruin

The goal was to turn Black people against Garvey so they would lose confidence in their own ability to be self-sufficient.

4) Imprisonment & Deportation

In 1923, Garvey was convicted of mail fraud and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

The U.S. government deported him to Jamaica in 1927, cutting him off from his movement and collapsing the Black Star Line.

5. Lessons from the Black Star Line for Today

The fall of the Black Star Line was not a failure of Garvey’s vision—it was a lesson in how white power operates to destroy Black economic independence.

But Garvey’s blueprint remains relevant today.

1) We Must Build Our Own Institutions

Garvey showed us that Black people must own businesses, banks, and trade networks. Relying on white systems keeps us powerless.

2) Economic Self-Sufficiency = Real Power

Political rights mean nothing without economic control. If you don’t control your food, housing, education, and trade, you are still a slave to the system.

3) The System Will Try to Destroy Black Success

Every time Black people create economic independence, it is sabotaged:

Black Wall Street (Tulsa) was burned down.

COINTELPRO destroyed Black banks and businesses.

Black leaders like Malcolm X? Fred Hampton and many others being assassinated.

This is why we must be strategic, united, and prepared for attacks.

4) Pan-Africanism is the Future

Garvey’s greatest message was that Black people worldwide must unite economically.

The African Union, Caribbean trade agreements, and Black-owned global businesses all reflect Garvey’s original vision.

The Black Star Line was not just a business—it was the beginning of a global Black economic empire.

We must continue where Garvey left off.

Final Thought

Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line was one of the boldest economic moves in Black history. It proved that we do not need white approval, white funding, or white leadership.

Garvey was right then, and he is right now:

“Be Black, buy Black, think Black, and all else will take care of itself.”

[aroacesafeplaceforall]

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[27moremoons]

Resistance News Network:

At least 181 ballistic missiles were launched from Iran towards the zionist entity, resulting in dozens of direct impacts, including IOF military bases in the occupied Naqab, and the sounding of sirens over 1,864 times across occupied Palestine. Zionist air defenses appear to have failed miserably to confront the attack.

Preliminary statement issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps:

In response to the assassination of Martyr Ismail Haniyeh, Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and Martyr General Abbas Nilforoushan, we have begun striking important military targets in the occupied Palestinian territories with dozens of rockets.

If the zionist regime responds to the operation, it will face violent attacks.

Iran's Mission to the United Nations:

Iran’s legal, rational, and legitimate response to the terrorist acts of the zionist regime—which involved targeting Iranian nationals and interests and infringing upon the national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran—has been duly carried out. Should the zionist regime dare to respond or commit further acts of malevolence, a subsequent and crushing response will ensue. Regional states and the zionists’ supporters are advised to part ways with the regime.

Hamas:

In the Name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

We bless the Iranian missile launches that came in response to the zionist aggression against the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples.

The Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas blesses the heroic missile launches carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran, targeting vast areas of our occupied lands. This comes as a response to the ongoing crimes of the occupation against the peoples of the region and as vengeance for the blood of our heroic martyrs: the martyr fighter Ismail Haniyeh, the martyr His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and the martyr General Abbas Nilforoushan.

We affirm that this honorable Iranian response is a strong message to the zionist enemy and its fascist government, aimed at deterring them and curbing their terrorism. Their crimes, arrogance, and violations of international laws and humanitarian norms have exceeded all limits.

We express our pride in our brothers in the Islamic Republic of Iran and our appreciation for their stance against the unchecked zionist arrogance and their alignment with the values of justice, the Palestinian people's struggle, the Lebanese people, as well as the supreme interests of the Islamic Nation, which are represented in ending the occupation and deterring the fascist zionist enemy.

We call on all countries, peoples, parties, and all forces of our Arab and Islamic Nations to stand united and confront the zionist crimes and the expansionist zionist expansionist project, which targets everyone. We urge them to work by all means to liberate our land and sanctities from the filth of the fascist occupation.

The Islamic Resistance Movement - Hamas

Tuesday, 28 Rabi' al-Awwal 1446 AH

Corresponding to: October 1, 2024

[embodiedfutures]

Updated version! ID written by @swosheep (it won't let me tag you oof)

ID 1: All images are of an Instagram post by letstalkpalestine2. The first one is titled "Lets Talk. What is Hamas? Answering the basic questions".

ID 2: the second image is titled "What Are Its Origins?". the body text reads: "Hamas is a Palestinian political party and armed resistance movement based in the besieged Gaza Strip. It emerged in 1987, at the start of the First Intifada, as a reaction to intensifying israeli violence and as a religious alternative to the secular Palestinian parties that dominated the scene at the time. Hamas was originally a branch of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood but later cut ties with it and became an independent group. In 1992, Hamas formed a military wing called the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades to resist the israeli occupation. The Brigades carried out several significant operations against Israel during the Second Intifada, which established Hamas as a leading force in the Palestinian resistance."

ID 3: the third image is titled "Who Are Its Leaders?". The body text reads: "Hamas is composed of a political wing and a military wing. They each perform different functions but operate under the same leadership structure." There is a grid with four sections. The first section is titled "Political Bureau", and reads: "- Headed by Ismail Haniyeh from exile - Sets general policy". The second section is titled: "Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades" and reads: "- Commanded by Marwan Issa and Mohammed Deif - Conducts military operations". The third section is titled: "Shura Council" and reads: "- Led by Saleh al-Arouri in the West Bank and Yahya Sinwar in Gaza - Handles affairs in Gaza, the West Bank, diaspora, and israeli prisons". The fourth section is titled: "Gaza Government" and reads: "- Headed by Prime Minister Issam al-Da'alis - Enacts policies and provides social services to people in Gaza".

ID 4: The fourth image is titled: "What Does Hamas Want?" The body text reads: "Its 2017 charter states that its current political program is to: - Implement the right of return for all Palestinian refugees; - Establish a temporary Palestinian state along the 1967 borders (the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip) and arrange a long-term truce with israel. Hamas considers the establishment of a Palestinian state on the '67 borders as a temporary step. It refuses to recognize israel's legitimacy and advocates for the 'full and complete liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea.' Hamas's 2017 charter states that its struggle is against the israeli state and the Zionist movement due to their occupation of Palestine, not Jewish people, and criticizes israel for associating its actions with Jewish values. Hamas's stated goals for its current operation are to - Free the thousands of Palestinian prisoners held by israel, - End the Gaza blockade, - End the status quo where Israel continues its occupation without cost".

ID 5: the fifth image is titled: "Does Hamas Control Gaza?". The body text reads: "Not really. Hamas administers local affairs, while israel controls much of Gaza from the outside through its blockade. israel forcibly controls: - Airspace, - Sea access, - Movement of all goods and people in and out, - Telecoms networks, - Electromagnetic sphere, - Tax distribution, - Population registry, - Water, - Electricity and fuel. Hamas began governing Gaza in 2007, and has since managed: - Healthcare, - Education, - Infrastructure, - Social welfare, - Law enforcement, - Public employment. Hamas is not a sovereign government. israel's blockade prevents Palestinians from independently exercising sovereignty over Gaza's population, development, and economy."

ID 6: The sixth image is titled "Does Hamas Represent Palestine?" The body text reads: "Hamas is one of many Palestinian political parties. On the one hand, Hamas was democratically elected by voters in 2006, garnering a plurality of West Bank and Gaza votes (44%) for its social services and resistance efforts. Today. Fatah and Hamas, the two largest parties, are roughly tied, each enjoying the support of a third of the public. On the other hand, many Palestinians strongly criticize Hamas's political wing due to its corruption and repressive policies, and the last elections were in 2006. 43% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza believe that no party represents Palestine. The other polled Palestinians were split between parties, with no clear winner. We have no statistics for Palestinians in the heartland ("israel") or diaspora. However, Hamas is currently the only major group that pursues armed resistance, which is widely supported. So while most Palestinians might not support Hamas as a party, the overwhelming majority support acts of resistance in general, whether by Hamas or others."

ID 7: the seventh image is titled "Is Hamas a Proxy of Iran?". The body text reads: "No. Hamas is an independent group with a political program and military strategy distinct from Iran. Hamas and Iran are strategic allies, meaning that while Iran provides Hamas with significant financial, military, and political support, Hamas does not act or operate on behalf of Iran. It makes decisions based on its own interests, and independently manages relations with countries like Turkey, Qatar, and Egypt. For example: In 2012, Hamas cut ties with Syria because it opposed the Assad regime's violent crackdown on protesters. It took this decision despite angering Iran, a close ally of Assad. Regarding Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, even israeli officials admit there is no evidence that Iran was in any way involved. Iran was actually surprised by it. Hamas independently coordinated and launched the operation to achieve its own goals."

ID 8: The eighth image is titled "Does Hamas Negotiate with Israel?". The body text reads: "Hamas views armed struggle as only one of several tools to end apartheid & occupation, such as diplomacy. In 2006, in an op-ed for The Guardian, Hamas chairman Ismail Haniyeh revealed that israel refused Hamas's proposal for a truce. In 2008, former Hamas chief Khaled Meshal offered a 10-year truce in exchange for a sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital." israel rejected the proposal. In 2016, Hamas offered a long-term truce in exchange for simply ending the Gaza Blockade. israel rejected it. In 2018, Haniyeh revived this offer by sending a handwritten letter in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. But israel rejected it again. israel repeatedly rejected Hamas's diplomatic initiatives because israel saw no reason to end the oppressive status quo, which it believed gave it power & privileges over Palestinians with minimal downsides. israel's benefits outweighed the costs. Hamas is trying to change that."

ID 9: the ninth image is titled "Is Hamas Risking Palestinian Lives?". The body text reads: "Westerners often accuse Hamas of risking Palestinian lives by fighting apartheid and thus inviting a deadly israeli crackdown. But the reality is that israel's blockade is slowly killing everyone in Gaza. [quote] 'We have paid a high cost in lives in this conflict. But if that's the price for long-term changes - breaking the siege and obtaining freedom - it's one many of us feel we have no choice but to swallow.' [unquote] -Haytham Besalso, civil engineer from Gaza, 2014. [quote] 'We are bleeding here, anyway [..] The Gaza Blockade crushes any opportunity for peace.' [unquote] -Ismail, anonymous journalist from Gaza, 2021. The argument that Hamas is responsible for israel's killing of Palestinians is malicious. It blames the victims for resisting apartheid and absolves the oppressors of responsibility, treating the mass killing of children as a 'normal' israeli response."

ID 10: the tenth image says: "You don't need to support Hamas as a political party to support Palestine. Most Palestinians don't support it as a party. But Hamas is an effective political player in the struggle against apartheid, oppression, and colonization. It has achieved remarkable success in preventing israeli violence in Jerusalem and freeing Palestinian hostages abducted by israel. Hamas has institutions, ministries, student movements, and women's movements, and employs thousands of doctors, teachers, judges, and aid workers. It is part of the fabric of Palestinian society. So while you don't need to support Hamas to support Palestine, you cannot oppose oppression without supporting the resistance to it. You cannot support freedom while supporting israeli efforts to wipe out those who fight for that freedom, including Hamas, to leave Palestinians defenc Pales". End ID.

the original caption states that @/LetsTalkPalestine2 does not endorse any specific party, including Hamas, and that the last word on the last slide should be *defenseless.

[probablyasocialecologist]

The main effort in a process of planetary degrowth must be made by the countries of the industrialized North (North America, Europe, and Japan) responsible for the historical accumulation of carbon dioxide since the Industrial Revolution. They are also the areas of the world where the level of consumption, particularly among the privileged classes, is clearly unsustainable and wasteful. The “underdeveloped” countries of the Global South (Asia, Africa, and Latin America) where basic needs are very far from being satisfied will need a process of “development,” including building railroads, water and sewage systems, public transport, and other infrastructures. But there is no reason why this cannot be accomplished through a productive system that is environmentally friendly and based on renewable energies. These countries will need to grow great amounts of food to nourish their hungry populations, but this can be much better achieved—as the peasant movements organized worldwide in the Vía Campesina network have been arguing for years—by a peasant biological agriculture based on family units, cooperatives, or collectivist farms. This would replace the destructive and antisocial methods of industrialized agribusiness, based on the intensive use of pesticides, chemicals, and genetically modified organisms. Presently, the capitalist economy of countries in the Global South is rooted in the production of goods for their privileged classes—cars, airplanes, and luxury goods—and commodities exported to the world market: soya beans, meat, and oil. A process of ecological transition in the South, as argued by ecosocialists, would reduce or suppress this kind of production, and aim instead at food sovereignty and the development of basic services such as health care and education, which need, above all, human labor, rather than more commodities.

Michael Löwy, Nine Theses on Ecosocialist Degrowth

[ausetkmt]

After 14 years of tireless work and community support, Detroit is celebrating a major victory! The city’s first Black-led and community-owned grocery store, the Detroit People’s Food Co-op (DPFC), is opening its doors on May 1st, 2024. This marks a historic moment in Detroit’s fight for food justice and economic empowerment.

“This is the result of a diverse community coming together to create a solution for everyone in Detroit,” said Lanay Gilbert-Williams, president of the DPFC board. “There’s no other business in the city with over 2,500 owners from across the city and state.”

More Than Just a Grocery Store

The DPFC is more than just a place to buy groceries. It’s a beacon of hope and a symbol of Detroit’s resilience. Built on cooperative principles, the store offers affordable, locally sourced, and culturally relevant food options to residents. It also aims to stimulate economic growth within the North End neighborhood and beyond.

The DPFC is located inside the Detroit Food Commons, which will officially open its doors on May 18th. This new center is a testament to the collective power of community and taking control of the food system. Anyone 21 or older living in Michigan can become a member-owner, although membership isn’t required to shop.

Fresh, Local, and Inclusive

Situated in Detroit’s North End, the DPFC offers a wide selection of products, including fresh produce sourced directly from local farmers whenever possible.

“We’re excited to welcome our community into a welcoming and inclusive environment centered on fresh, locally grown produce from Detroit’s own farmers,” said Akil Talley, DPFC’s general manager. “We’re confident we have the best prepared foods department in Michigan, and we can’t wait to open our doors!”

A Hub for Education and Empowerment

The second floor of the Detroit Food Commons, managed by the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, will serve as a center for educational workshops, community events, and health and wellness initiatives. It will also feature four commercial kitchens and a rentable hall.

The DPFC is part of a larger movement for Black food sovereignty and economic empowerment in Detroit. They partner with local businesses, urban farms, and community organizations to build a more resilient and sustainable food system that benefits everyone in the city.

Join the Celebration!

“On opening day, I want everyone in Detroit to walk through our doors and feel like this is their store,” said Talley.

The DPFC opens for business on May 1st, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Regular hours are 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.

The grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting for the Detroit Food Commons will be held on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, starting at 11:00 AM. The entire community is invited to celebrate this new era for Black food sovereignty in Detroit