We return to this this issue covered a year ago (1), in light of the fact that for the last month and a half, the political future of Diane Abbott MP, the first Afrikan woman elected to UK parliament (and the longest serving Afrikan Member of Parliament), has hung in the balance following her suspension from the Labour party for emphasising the uniqueness of Anti-Black racism (Afriphobia), compared to other groups, which she follwed by an immediate retraction and apology. (2)

Tomiwa Owolade, the author of the article Abbott was responding to has received scant coverage except in sections of the right-wing media, where he is feted. (3) But he has been identified as part of the “Black Conservative Industrial Complex,” who at the behest of the white think tanks that fund them seek to strip racism of its structuaral and instituional basis thus becoming more individualised, interpersonal and encompassing of everybody, including those variously categorised as white, and blaming “pessimistic” Afrikans themselves for their plight, as in the 2021 CRED Report by Tony Sewell. (4) They are joined from a different but complimentary angle by the likes of comedian David Baddiel, even with his “long history” of racism and “gaslighting Black and Roma people” to push the minimise Afriphobia agenda. (5)

It also comes at a time when the Martin Forde KC’s report, commissioned by the Labour Party itself, suggests the they are “weaponizing” anti-Semitism, while operating a ”hierarchy of racism or of discrimination, with other forms of racism or of discrimination [than anti-Semitism] being ignored.” (6)

The “double standards” practiced by the UK Labour Party (7) vis-a-vis Afriphobia have reached such an extent that Black MPs are reportedly too afraid of publicly calling out racism for fear of reprisals from the party. (8)

In sum, in return for generation after generation of support of the Labour Party, the Afrikan community has been cast aside not only for, what some deem as “a privileged part of the White community,” but what one commentator calls “perhaps the most racist section of White British society.” (9)

(1) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (09/05/22) Are we politically HOMELESS? https://alkebulan.org/2022/05/09/aswag-380-politically-homeless/

(2) Tobi Oredein (23/04/23) Founder’s Letter: Diane Abbott, Dr. Kayode Oki & The Hypocrisy of The Left. https://blackballad.co.uk/views-voices/founders-letter-diane-abbott-dr-kayode-oki-the-hypocrisy-of-the-left; Amani Olubanjo Buntu (Ed) (2002) OFFICIAL REPORT: Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism, 2-6 October 2002, Sherbourne Conference Centre, Bridgetown, Barbados. Afrikans and Afrikan Descendants World Conference Against Racism 2002 and the Global Afrikan Congress Secretariat. p. 66 defines Afriphobia as: “the fear of Afrikan people affirming the right to self determination.”

(3) David Rose (26/04/23) Keir Starmer must expel Diane Abbott, says writer at centre of letter row. https://www.thejc.com/news/news/keir-starmer-must-expel-diane-abbott-says-writer-at-centre-of-letter-row-70UJzKdxmJevsHa3VKzihB

(4) Tafadzwa ShakaRa Mbandaka (25/04/23) GotKush TV: Zivanayi – Open House, Kemi Seba, Dianne Abbott & Racism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPeSSmUZ4wQ; Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (05/04/21) UK: Institutionally Racist No More? https://www.alkebulan.org/2021/04/05/aswag-326-cred-report/

(5) Tony Greenstein (27/12/22) Jews Don’t Count is an Exercise in Special pleading for Jewish Exceptionalism, Jewish Privilege & Jewish Victimhood. https://azvsas.blogspot.com/2022/12/david-badiel-has-long-history-of-racism.html

(6) Asa Winstanley (27/07/22) Labour right guilty of “weaponizing” anti-Semitism, inquiry finds. https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/asa-winstanley/labour-right-guilty-weaponizing-anti-semitism-inquiry-finds

(7) Voice Online (25/05/23) Labour accused of double-standards over Diane Abbott suspension. https://www.voice-online.co.uk/news/uk-news/2023/05/25/labour-accused-of-double-standards-over-diane-abbott-suspension/

(8) Serena Barker-Singh (18/05/23) Labour MPs call on Keir Starmer for ‘urgent action’ on racism. https://www.channel4.com/news/labour-mps-call-on-keir-starmer-for-urgent-action-on-racism

(9) Greenstein. Op. Cit.

we ask the question:

Are we politically homeless? Part 2

1) What does the Diane Abbott situation say about race and racism in the UK?

2) Is there really a Black Conservative Industrial Complex?

3) If Black MPs are afraid to speak out about racism, what purpose to they serve?

4) Have we ever had a political home in the UK? If not, how do we find one?

Our Special Guests:

Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.

Bro. Howard Dean Johnson: is a teacher and academic with over 30 years of knowledge and experience in race and racism and Black Studies (Africana Studies). His race and Black Studies education began in the 1980s studying the books: Black People in The British Empire, Malcom X and Afro-American History and The Souls of Black Folks. Later, intensive studies of the lectures and books of Dr Amos Wilson and Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, Prof. Charles Mills, Prof. David Gillborn, Prof. Derrick Bell and Prof. Tommy Curry. In the early 1980s, in the family tradition, he became a musician and music composer. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Surrey receiving his BMus Honours in Music. Since the 2000s, Johnson has been active in the black community for over 20 years. In 2015, he studied ‘Whiteness Studies’ at University College, London. He presently teaches GCSE English literature and language in a secondary school, and has been teaching the subject since 2004. As a social justice advocate, Johnson is deeply committed to teaching the centrality of race to the making of the modern world. He therefore promotes what he calls ‘racial literacy’ or ‘race education’. Bro. Howard is the author of the forthcoming The Racism Handbook For People Classified As Black: A Guide To How Racism Really Works. Vol. I (https://theracismhandbookforpeopleclassifiedasblack.com/the-book/)

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SIGN: Justice for children wrongly classified as ESN: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/631043

SIGN: Stop Anti African racism in Tunisia – https://chng.it/5MVRbCD2sn