Black Agenda Radio

• Africa – The continent and its diaspora triumph over colonial control -
• World War II – Historical disinformation about the Soviet defeat of Hitler’s Germany is used against Russia to this day -
• Nakba Day – Commemoration of the displacement of the Palestinian people -

In this week’s segment we discuss the anniversary of victory in Europe in World War II, and the disinformation that centers the US role and dismisses the pivotal Soviet role in that conflict. Also, we learn about the Nakba, the catastrophe, that began the displacement of Palestinians by the new state of Israel in 1947.

But first we hear from the author of a new book which challenges narratives about the African continent and its diaspora and explains that Africa is a phoenix rising from the ashes of the burnt out colonial world.

Roger McKenzie is the international editor of the UK-based Morning Star Online, the only English-language socialist daily newspaper in the world. He joins us from Oxford to discuss his new book, “The Rebirth of the African Phoenix: A View from Babylon.” We will also talk about politics in the UK, the recent by-election results and why the Reform party is resurgent.

The late Bruce Dixon was a Black Agenda Report co-founder and Managing Editor. In 2018 he provided this commentary entitled, US Fake History of World War 2 Underlies Permanent Bipartisan Hostility Toward Russia, and his commentary is still relevant today. On May 8, 1945, the U.S. and its allies declared Victory in Europe, ending World War II in that theater. But it was after midnight in Moscow, May 9th, and that day is still known in Russia and other former Soviet republics as Victory Day. World leaders are gathering in Moscow to celebrate. It is important to know this history after Donald Trump declared May 8 will henceforth be known as Victory Day for World War II, and declared that Veterans Day, which actually should be known by its original name Armistice Day, will now be called Victory Day for World War I. Trump said, “The victory was mostly accomplished because of us, like it or not.” Not only did World War II actual end three months later in August after the defeat of Japan, but as Bruce Dixon explains, European victory was won on the eastern front, where the Soviet defeat of Hitler’s Germany  was the largest land battle in history. It is the descendants of the Soviets who have a right to use the words Victory Day in regard to the battle in Europe.

On Thursday, May 8th, zionist organizations in Chicago were scheduled to raise the Israeli flag to commemorate what they call Israeli independence but which is what Palestinians call al-Nakba, the Catastrophe, when over 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes and lands in 1947-1948 by European Jewish settlers. Nadiah Alyafai  is a member of the US Palestinian Community Network chapter in Chicago and she joins us to discuss why the public must be aware of the Nakba and the continuity of Palestinian displacement over the decades, which we now see manifested in war crimes committed in Gaza and the west bank which are aided and abetted by the US.

• Roger McKenzie – Editor and author -
• Bruce Dixon – The late Managing Editor of Black Agenda Report -
• Nadiah Alyafai – U.S. Palestinian Community Network, Chicago Chapter -

• https://www.manifestopress.coop/product/roger-mckenzie-the-rebirth-of-the-african-phoenix-a-view-from-babylon
  

• 
  
• https://soundcloud.com/user-887995524-149532189/20180802-bd-fake-history-ww2

• https://uspcn.org/