truthout--2020-07-19--Top US Airlines Plan Thousands of Layoffs When CARES Act Ban Expires

Leading US airlines are warning workers of massive cuts when a provision in the federal airlines bailout prohibiting layoffs expires in September .
Congress approved a $ 25 billion bailout fund for hard-hit airlines earlier this year as part of the $ 2.2 trillion CARES Act package in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Under the deal , airlines that accepted federal grants agreed not to lay off or furlough workers or cut pay until September 30 .
But the country ’ s top airlines are already itching to make major cuts when the ban is lifted .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardest hit by the economic shock of the pandemic .
The number of people passing through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints was down 73 % from last year in the first two weeks of June .
The International Air Transport Association estimated last month that airlines around the world would lose $ 84 billion this year and see a 50 % drop in revenue .
American Airlines , which took about $ 4.1 billion in grants and nearly $ 6 billion in loans from the government , warned staff in a memo that about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of its US workforce , could be laid off or furloughed in October , CNBC reported .
That includes nearly 10,000 flight attendants , 2,500 pilots , and 7,700 maintenance workers .
Airlines are required to inform employees of mass layoffs 60 to 90 days ahead of time .
CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom told employees that June revenue was down more than 80 % from last year and , due to rising infections across the country , “ demand for air travel is slowing again.
” The memo urged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can stretch up to two years , or accept early retirement packages in order to reduce the number of layoffs .
“ From the time the CARES Act was signed in March , we had a stated goal of avoiding furloughs because we believed demand for air travel would steadily rebound by Oct. 1 as the impact of COVID-19 dissipated , ” the memo said , according to the Dallas Morning News .
“ That unfortunately has not been the case.
” The company has already cut its management and support staff by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of involuntary and voluntary layoffs , ” the outlet reported .
The two American Airlines executives said they support a union-led effort to lobby Congress to extend relief and the layoff ban through March 2021 because of the “ much longer impact of the pandemic than was anticipated when the CARES Act was enacted.
” “ We are hopeful that we can mitigate the overages and avoid involuntary Flight Attendant furloughs , ” said Julie Hedrick , the president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants .
“ In partnership with other labor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the current administration to extend the Payroll Support Program ( PSP ) within the CARES Act to help keep aviation front-line workers connected to their pay and benefits as we deal with reduced demand as a result of the pandemic.
” That effort could help tens of thousands of worker at other airlines .
United Airlines warned 36,000 frontline workers , or about 38 % of its workforce , of potential layoffs and furloughs earlier this month .
That includes about 15,000 flight attendants , 2,250 pilots , 11,000 customer service and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintenance workers .
The airline said the number of workers ultimately affected by the cuts would depend on how many agree to take voluntary leave or buyout packages .
The airline said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it expected August demand to drop about 65 % from last year “ resulting from reduced demand to destinations experiencing increases in COVID-19 cases and/or new quarantine requirements or other restrictions on travel.
” The airline announced on Friday that it reached a deal with a union representing its 13,000 pilots that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The deal includes early retirement packages for older pilots , voluntary furlough offers that will allow workers to keep health insurance , and arrangements that allow pilots to fly a reduced number of hours , CNN reported .
The airline said it hopes to reach a similar deal with unions representing its other workers .
“ We ’ ll be taking time in the months ahead to work with our union partners on creative ideas that would involve reduced hours and leaves of absences instead of furloughs , ” said United CEO Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though those options are difficult and will need to be widely shared by everyone here at United , it would save jobs , and most importantly , it would allow us to bounce back quickly , which is the best way to ensure everyone ’ s jobs and stability for our company for years into the future.
” Delta Airlines has stated that it wants to avoid layoffs but says it is still overstaffed , even after 17,000 employees agreed to take voluntary buyouts and early retirements .
About 45,000 of the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voluntary unpaid leaves , according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution , and as many as 35,000 of those are still on leave .
“ We will continue to need more volunteers to take leaves for the upcoming fall months , ” CEO Ed Bastian said in a memo to staff .
“ These monthly leaves will continue to be critical to reducing the risk of involuntary furloughs.
” Delta posted a $ 5.7 billion loss between April and June , its biggest since the Great Recession .
Its June revenue was down 88 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to earn less than a quarter of last year ’ s $ 12.5 billion haul in the third quarter of this year .
“ Demand has stalled as the virus has grown , particularly down here in the South , across the Sun Belt , coupled with the quarantine measures that are going in place in many of the Northern states , ” Bastian told CNBC .
“ Those two factors are causing consumers to pause.
” Southwest Airlines has yet to warn employees about potential layoffs , but CEO Gary Kelly told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it would take a massive improvement to avoid mass cuts .
Kelly said the airline would have to triple its number of passengers by the end of the year to avoid staff reductions .
“ Although furloughs and layoffs remain our very last resort , we can ’ t rule them out as a possibility obviously in this very bad environment , ” he said in the memo , adding that spikes across the country “ aren ’ t positive developments for our business , and we are concerned about the impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also not sent warnings to employees but is working to reach a deal for thousands of workers to accept voluntary leave or buyouts , according to a memo obtained by Bloomberg News .
The company also reached an agreement with its pilot union to avoid any involuntary furloughs until May 2021 , CNBC reported .
Airline unions have asked Congress to provide another $ 32 billion to stave off the cuts and keep workers on the employed through next spring .
The unions recently gained an ally in Rep. Peter DeFazio , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Transportation and Infrastructure Committee , who urged his colleagues to respond to the ongoing economic crisis .
“ When we passed the CARES Act in March , there was an expectation that we would see a significant recovery in U.S. aviation by the fall , ” he said in a letter to fellow lawmakers .
“ This is no longer the case .
With the current resurgence of COVID-19 in several States across the country and a vaccine for the virus yet to be developed , passenger demand for air travel will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Program ) expires on September 30 .
And without an extension of the PSP before then , hundreds of thousands of airline workers may be fired or furloughed starting October 1 .
We must extend the PSP as soon as possible.
” But while other aid efforts by Democrats have been met with opposition from Republicans , it may be the airlines themselves that foil any talk of an extension .
Airlines for America , a trade group representing major US airlines , said that carriers would only accept more bailouts , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opts to enact the labor-requested proposal , ” a spokesperson told Reuters , “ we would support our workforce ’ s decision to pursue a simple and clean extension of the grants as long as no additional or extraneous conditions are required .
”

Unions are urging Congress to extend relief, but airlines say they'll only accept bailouts with no restrictions.
Leading US airlines are warning workers of massive cuts when a provision in the federal airlines bailout prohibiting layoffs expires in September.
Congress approved a $25 billion bailout fund for hard-hit airlines earlier this year as part of the $2.2 trillion CARES Act package in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Under the deal, airlines that accepted federal grants agreed not to lay off or furlough workers or cut pay until September 30. But the country’s top airlines are already itching to make major cuts when the ban is lifted.
There is no doubt airlines have been among the hardest hit by the economic shock of the pandemic. The number of people passing through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints was down 73% from last year in the first two weeks of June. The International Air Transport Association estimated last month that airlines around the world would lose $84 billion this year and see a 50% drop in revenue.
American Airlines, which took about $4.1 billion in grants and nearly $6 billion in loans from the government, warned staff in a memo that about 25,000 frontline employees, or about 29% of its US workforce, could be laid off or furloughed in October, CNBC reported. That includes nearly 10,000 flight attendants, 2,500 pilots, and 7,700 maintenance workers.
Airlines are required to inform employees of mass layoffs 60 to 90 days ahead of time.
CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom told employees that June revenue was down more than 80% from last year and, due to rising infections across the country, “demand for air travel is slowing again.”
The memo urged workers to take extended leaves, which can stretch up to two years, or accept early retirement packages in order to reduce the number of layoffs.
“From the time the CARES Act was signed in March, we had a stated goal of avoiding furloughs because we believed demand for air travel would steadily rebound by Oct. 1 as the impact of COVID-19 dissipated,” the memo said, according to the Dallas Morning News. “That unfortunately has not been the case.”
The company has already cut its management and support staff by about 5,000 workers through a “mix of involuntary and voluntary layoffs,” the outlet reported.
The two American Airlines executives said they support a union-led effort to lobby Congress to extend relief and the layoff ban through March 2021 because of the “much longer impact of the pandemic than was anticipated when the CARES Act was enacted.”
“We are hopeful that we can mitigate the overages and avoid involuntary Flight Attendant furloughs,” said Julie Hedrick, the president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. “In partnership with other labor Unions, we are calling on Congress and the current administration to extend the Payroll Support Program (PSP) within the CARES Act to help keep aviation front-line workers connected to their pay and benefits as we deal with reduced demand as a result of the pandemic.”
That effort could help tens of thousands of worker at other airlines.
United Airlines warned 36,000 frontline workers, or about 38% of its workforce, of potential layoffs and furloughs earlier this month. That includes about 15,000 flight attendants, 2,250 pilots, 11,000 customer service and gate agents, and more than 5,000 maintenance workers.
The airline said the number of workers ultimately affected by the cuts would depend on how many agree to take voluntary leave or buyout packages.
The airline said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it expected August demand to drop about 65% from last year “resulting from reduced demand to destinations experiencing increases in COVID-19 cases and/or new quarantine requirements or other restrictions on travel.”
The airline announced on Friday that it reached a deal with a union representing its 13,000 pilots that could reduce the number of involuntary layoffs. The deal includes early retirement packages for older pilots, voluntary furlough offers that will allow workers to keep health insurance, and arrangements that allow pilots to fly a reduced number of hours, CNN reported.
The airline said it hopes to reach a similar deal with unions representing its other workers.
“We’ll be taking time in the months ahead to work with our union partners on creative ideas that would involve reduced hours and leaves of absences instead of furloughs,” said United CEO Scott Kirby. “I recognize that even though those options are difficult and will need to be widely shared by everyone here at United, it would save jobs, and most importantly, it would allow us to bounce back quickly, which is the best way to ensure everyone’s jobs and stability for our company for years into the future.”
Delta Airlines has stated that it wants to avoid layoffs but says it is still overstaffed, even after 17,000 employees agreed to take voluntary buyouts and early retirements. About 45,000 of the company’s 90,000 employees have also taken voluntary unpaid leaves, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and as many as 35,000 of those are still on leave.
“We will continue to need more volunteers to take leaves for the upcoming fall months,” CEO Ed Bastian said in a memo to staff. “These monthly leaves will continue to be critical to reducing the risk of involuntary furloughs.”
Delta posted a $5.7 billion loss between April and June, its biggest since the Great Recession. Its June revenue was down 88% from last year. The airline projects to earn less than a quarter of last year’s $12.5 billion haul in the third quarter of this year.
“Demand has stalled as the virus has grown, particularly down here in the South, across the Sun Belt, coupled with the quarantine measures that are going in place in many of the Northern states,” Bastian told CNBC. “Those two factors are causing consumers to pause.”
Southwest Airlines has yet to warn employees about potential layoffs, but CEO Gary Kelly told employees in a memo obtained by Reuters that it would take a massive improvement to avoid mass cuts. Kelly said the airline would have to triple its number of passengers by the end of the year to avoid staff reductions.
“Although furloughs and layoffs remain our very last resort, we can’t rule them out as a possibility obviously in this very bad environment,” he said in the memo, adding that spikes across the country “aren’t positive developments for our business, and we are concerned about the impact on already weak travel demand.”
JetBlue has also not sent warnings to employees but is working to reach a deal for thousands of workers to accept voluntary leave or buyouts, according to a memo obtained by Bloomberg News. The company also reached an agreement with its pilot union to avoid any involuntary furloughs until May 2021, CNBC reported.
Airline unions have asked Congress to provide another $32 billion to stave off the cuts and keep workers on the employed through next spring. The unions recently gained an ally in Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who urged his colleagues to respond to the ongoing economic crisis.
“When we passed the CARES Act in March, there was an expectation that we would see a significant recovery in U.S. aviation by the fall,” he said in a letter to fellow lawmakers. “This is no longer the case. With the current resurgence of COVID-19 in several States across the country and a vaccine for the virus yet to be developed, passenger demand for air travel will not recover before the PSP (Payroll Support Program) expires on September 30. And without an extension of the PSP before then, hundreds of thousands of airline workers may be fired or furloughed starting October 1. We must extend the PSP as soon as possible.”
But while other aid efforts by Democrats have been met with opposition from Republicans, it may be the airlines themselves that foil any talk of an extension. Airlines for America, a trade group representing major US airlines, said that carriers would only accept more bailouts, but not any restrictions.
“If Congress opts to enact the labor-requested proposal,” a spokesperson told Reuters, “we would support our workforce’s decision to pursue a simple and clean extension of the grants as long as no additional or extraneous conditions are required.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-07-19--Oregon Sen. Vows Amendment to Bar Trump’s Paramilitary Squads From US Streets

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley on Saturday announced plans to introduce an amendment barring the Trump administration from deploying federal law enforcement to U.S. streets as backlash continues over the White House ’ s use of unidentified agents to violently crack down on protests in Portland and detain demonstrators without cause .
“ When I get back to D.C. next week , I will be introducing an amendment to the defense bill with Sen. Ron Wyden to stop the Trump administration from sending its paramilitary squads onto America ’ s streets , ” Merkley tweeted , referring to the National Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consideration in the Senate .
“ We won ’ t let these authoritarian tactics stand.
” Merkley ’ s proposal came as the Trump administration was hit with a barrage of lawsuits over its deployment of federal agents to quash ongoing Black Lives Matter protests in Portland .
Video footage posted to social media in recent days shows unidentified federal agents dressed in combat fatigues firing impact munitions into crowds and throwing protesters into unmarked vehicles .
Late Friday , as Common Dreams reported , Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum sued the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S .
Marshals Service , the U.S. Customs and Border Protection , the Federal Protection Service , and their agents for violating “ the civil rights of Oregonians by seizing and detaining them without probable cause.
” The legal complaint ( pdf ) names “ John Does 1-10 ” as defendants because “ they have made it impossible for them to be individually identified by carrying out law enforcement actions without wearing any identifying information , even so much as the agency that employs them.
” According to the New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Homeland Security include officials from a group known as BORTAC , the Border Patrol ’ s equivalent of a SWAT team , a highly trained group that normally is tasked with investigating drug smuggling organizations , as opposed to protesters in cities.
” The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Oregon also sued the Trump administration Friday , condemning federal agents for “ terrorizing the community , risking lives , and brutally attacking protesters demonstrating against police brutality.
” The Trump administration has been using unidentified federal officers to respond to protests over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early last month , a practice that alarmed journalists , civil liberties groups , and lawmakers .
“ We can not tolerate an American secret police , ” Sen. Chris Murphy ( D-Conn. ) tweeted in response to videos of unidentified officers patrolling the streets of the nation ’ s capitol and refusing to answer questions about who they work for .
Oregon ’ s governor , members of the state ’ s congressional delegation , and Portland ’ s mayor , both Democrats , have demanded that the Trump administration withdraw all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is absolutely unacceptable , ” Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown , a Democrat , said in an appearance on MSNBC Friday .
“ They only want to escalate .
They want to dominate the streets.
” Portland ’ s Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler slammed the federal agents as Trump ’ s “ personal army ” and said they have only heightened tensions in the city .
“ This is part of a coordinated strategy of Trump ’ s White House to use federal troops to bolster his sagging polling data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wheeler—who also serves as police commissioner—called on federal agents to leave Portland , Oregon Live reported Saturday that Portland police have been working “ in tandem with federal officers ” to beat back demonstrations .
In a statement late Saturday , Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said “ we know Portland police are collaborating with this federal occupying force ” and implored Wheeler to “ stop denying the violence being perpetrated by our own police force.
” “ You are putting our community in danger .
You are putting my staff in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We need you to be better .
”

Backlash continues over the use of unidentified agents to crack down on protests and detain demonstrators without cause.
Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley on Saturday announced plans to introduce an amendment barring the Trump administration from deploying federal law enforcement to U.S. streets as backlash continues over the White House’s use of unidentified agents to violently crack down on protests in Portland and detain demonstrators without cause.
“When I get back to D.C. next week, I will be introducing an amendment to the defense bill with Sen. Ron Wyden to stop the Trump administration from sending its paramilitary squads onto America’s streets,” Merkley tweeted, referring to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) currently under consideration in the Senate. “We won’t let these authoritarian tactics stand.”
Merkley’s proposal came as the Trump administration was hit with a barrage of lawsuits over its deployment of federal agents to quash ongoing Black Lives Matter protests in Portland. Video footage posted to social media in recent days shows unidentified federal agents dressed in combat fatigues firing impact munitions into crowds and throwing protesters into unmarked vehicles.
Late Friday, as Common Dreams reported, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Federal Protection Service, and their agents for violating “the civil rights of Oregonians by seizing and detaining them without probable cause.”
The legal complaint (pdf) names “John Does 1-10” as defendants because “they have made it impossible for them to be individually identified by carrying out law enforcement actions without wearing any identifying information, even so much as the agency that employs them.”
According to the New York Times, “the tactical agents deployed by Homeland Security include officials from a group known as BORTAC, the Border Patrol’s equivalent of a SWAT team, a highly trained group that normally is tasked with investigating drug smuggling organizations, as opposed to protesters in cities.”
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Oregon also sued the Trump administration Friday, condemning federal agents for “terrorizing the community, risking lives, and brutally attacking protesters demonstrating against police brutality.”
The Trump administration has been using unidentified federal officers to respond to protests over the police killing of George Floyd since early last month, a practice that alarmed journalists, civil liberties groups, and lawmakers.
“We cannot tolerate an American secret police,” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) tweeted in response to videos of unidentified officers patrolling the streets of the nation’s capitol and refusing to answer questions about who they work for.
Oregon’s governor, members of the state’s congressional delegation, and Portland’s mayor, both Democrats, have demanded that the Trump administration withdraw all federal law enforcement agents from Portland.
“This is absolutely unacceptable,” Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, said in an appearance on MSNBC Friday. “They only want to escalate. They want to dominate the streets.”
Portland’s Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler slammed the federal agents as Trump’s “personal army” and said they have only heightened tensions in the city.
“This is part of a coordinated strategy of Trump’s White House to use federal troops to bolster his sagging polling data,” Wheeler said.
But even as Wheeler—who also serves as police commissioner—called on federal agents to leave Portland, Oregon Live reported Saturday that Portland police have been working “in tandem with federal officers” to beat back demonstrations.
In a statement late Saturday, Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty said “we know Portland police are collaborating with this federal occupying force” and implored Wheeler to “stop denying the violence being perpetrated by our own police force.”
“You are putting our community in danger. You are putting my staff in danger,” said Hardesty. “We need you to be better.”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-07-19--A New Wave of Pan-Africanism Seeks to Combat Global Anti-Black Racism

The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately hurting African Americans and racist killings of Black people continue .
A massive uprising is occurring throughout the U.S. in response to the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd and systemic police violence against Black people ; this uprising has inspired similar protests against anti-Black racism around the world .
A new wave of Pan-Africanism is emerging and is actively challenging these ills .
Earlier this year , before the pandemic hit the U.S. , celebrities like actor Samuel L. Jackson , rapper Ludacris and rapper/singer Cardi B had been taking steps to return to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Nigeria and both Ludacris and Samuel L. Jackson gained citizenship in Gabon .
Jackson traced his ancestral roots to the Benga people of Gabon , while Ludacris ’ s wife , Eudoxie Mbouguiengue , is Gabonese .
Cardi B filed for Nigerian citizenship , partially citing the Trump administration ’ s policies as her reason to do so .
NFL player Malcolm Jenkins , who , like Colin Kaepernick , protested the national anthem to bring attention to racial injustice , “ is buying land to build a vacation home in Ghana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jenkins continues to explore history , ” according to NBC News .
Meanwhile , African governments and the African Union are increasingly engaging with the African diaspora in concrete ways , sometimes by offering citizenship and indefinite stays .
These efforts are part of a new chapter in empowering Black people globally and making Pan-Africanism , the unity of all peoples of Black African descent around the world , a reality .
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted global air travel , the Pan-African spirit is not defeated — it constitutes a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Year of Return ; Beyond the Return The year 2019 marked the 400-year anniversary of the first enslaved Africans arriving in British North America .
This was commemorated in a major New York Times magazine series .
The Ghanaian government commemorated the anniversary with the Year of Return , an effort to invite African Americans and other diasporic Africans to Ghana .
Many slave dungeons that held enslaved Africans before they were trafficked to the Americas are located in Ghana .
Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the goal of the Year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joyful and learning experience ” for the African continent and diaspora and affirm “ our determination that never again should African people permit themselves to be subjected to such dehumanizing conditions , sold into slavery , and have their freedoms curtailed.
” At the end of 2019 , just in time to ring in 2020 , President Akufo-Addo launched the “ Beyond the Return ” initiative .
The goal of the initiative is to invite Africans in the diaspora to Africa in order to invest in and develop the African continent .
President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come to engage Africans in the diaspora and all persons of African descent more positively in areas such as trade and investment co-operation , and skills and knowledge development.
” He added , “ Let us all remember that the destiny of all black people no matter where they are in the world is bound up with Africa.
” The African Union ( AU ) considers the African diaspora the sixth region , next to the five regions ( North , South , East , West , Central ) that encompass the 55 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AU , the African Diaspora “ consists of peoples of African origin living outside the continent , irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union ” and includes “ all historic migrations ( forced and voluntary ) , ” which means the African Union recognizes the diaspora of enslaved Africans brought to the Americas as members of the African Union .
The AU ’ s Diaspora Division “ serves as the focal point and hub for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and encourage the African Diaspora to participate in the building and development of the African continent .
Its main task therefore , is to serve as a catalyst for rebuilding the global African family in the service of the development and integration agenda of the continent.
” Therefore , the Ghanaian government ’ s efforts are a way to actualize the AU ’ s Pan-Africanism .
Some African governments provide easier citizenship to Africans in the diaspora .
Sierra Leone has granted citizenship to African-Americans , such as actor Isaiah Washington , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the country ’ s ethnic groups through DNA testing .
Ghana has a “ right of abode ” law for diasporic Africans that allows them to stay in the country indefinitely .
However , “ right of abode ” is not full citizenship .
Given the level of systemic racism in the United States , from rampant police violence to a massive racial wealth gap , African citizenship can provide sanctuary for diasporic Africans from racist persecution .
African-American academic Obadele Kambon was wrongfully arrested for having a loaded gun under his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The charge was later dropped .
As he sat in court , he vowed , “ Never again will I allow myself to be in a jurisdiction where corrupt white police officers and a judge will take me away from my family , wife and kids just on a whim.
” After the ordeal , he moved to Ghana , became a professor , and never looked back .
In 2016 , he was granted full citizenship .
Then-President John Mahama told Kambon , “ I am not giving you anything , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only restoring what is rightfully yours.
” Dynast Amir is an African American from Sacramento , California , who runs a channel on YouTube called Search For Uhuru where he documents his travels throughout Africa and has in-depth discussions on global Black politics .
Amir is a Pan-Africanist , a Nigerian citizen , and was coronated as a prince in Nigeria after he traced part of his ancestral roots to Nigeria ( like this author ’ s ancestry , his other part is Sierra Leonean ) .
In an interview with Truthout , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Return “ was a great move ” on Ghana ’ s part because of the money it brings to Africa .
“ We have to understand Africa is the future .
By investing in Africa , you are investing in the best interests of not only yourself but of future generations , ” he said .
“ The reason why I love it is because Black people , people of African descent , instead of going to Europe and France and Thailand , they ’ re circulating their money into a Black economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities , as well , ” he said .
Amir encourages other Africans in the diaspora to travel or move to Africa .
“ A lot of us have this idea that there ’ s nowhere else to live outside of [ the U.S. ] .
But there are definitely places that you can move to and thrive.
” As for what African governments can do to reach out to the diaspora , Amir suggested “ expedited citizenship is one ; we didn ’ t choose to leave the continent ” and land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a YouTuber and video journalist based in Ghana , interviewed local Ghanaians on their views of the 2019 Year of Return .
Many local Ghanaians said they thought the Year of Return was good .
The largest benefit they cited was that the increased tourism during Year of Return benefitted the economy , especially local businesses .
The African Diaspora News Channel interviewed several local Ugandans , asking if they supported giving citizenship to African Americans in African countries .
The majority of those interviewed supported giving citizenship to African Americans .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ true native land of African Americans .
One man opposed giving citizenship to African Americans because of cultural differences between African Americans and continental Africans .
However , most supported the idea .
A few went further and said that citizenship should be given to everyone , regardless of race , and people should be allowed citizenship anywhere in the world .
Truthout also spoke to continental Africans to get their perspective on offering citizenship and land for Africans in the diaspora , particularly those who are descendants of enslaved Africans kidnapped and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slave trade .
Clever Chingwara , based in Harare , Zimbabwe , supports the idea of giving both African citizenship and land to Africans in the diaspora .
When asked if he supports giving African citizenship to diasporic Africans , he said , “ Not only citizenship but pieces of land and investment opportunities.
” He added , “ Some Africans in the diaspora have knowledge about where they come from .
They can lobby the governments to be given pieces of land and citizenship .
And for those who do not know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be apportioned land in Africa.
” As for what kind of land and where , that is a tricky question .
“ Part of state land can be allocated to diasporans , ” Chingwara said .
However , others had differing opinions .
A law student from Zimbabwe did not agree with giving automatic citizenship to diasporic Africans ; however , “ if they choose to ” apply for citizenship and go through the process then “ yes.
” As for land , he said , “ Land is the pride of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be given to people depending on the purpose ; for instance , if it ’ s agricultural land , it should be given to those who are able to use it.
” In addition to African governments , there are also individual grassroots efforts to unite the African continent and African diaspora , along with diasporic Africans moving to Africa for economic purposes .
Birthright AFRICA , a nonprofit organization in New York City , offers free trips to people of African descent to Africa .
Thanks to the internet , it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the world , in different countries speaking different languages , to communicate with each other and build organic ties .
These organic bridges , overcoming generations of separation caused by slavery and colonialism , are also creating the grounds for real global Black solidarity .
This solidarity is in full force against anti-Black racism and joining forces with the protests against police violence in the United States .
Wode Maya is a Ghanaian YouTuber whose channel , with over 318,000 subscribers and nearly 60 million views , changes Africa ’ s narrative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aspects to combat negative images of Africa .
Maya recorded a video decrying the police murder of George Floyd and expressed solidarity with diasporic Africans as “ fellow brothers and sisters.
” Philimena Royda Urey , a Liberian vlogger who moved from Detroit , Michigan , back to Liberia , recorded a video with several Liberians expressing solidarity with Black Lives Matter .
In addition , Africans throughout the continent have spoken out and protested in solidarity with African Americans against racism and the police murder of George Floyd .
People in Nigeria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States and even U.S. embassy staff joined the protesters .
Similar protests against racism and police brutality occurred in South Africa , Kenya and Ghana .
Protesters throughout Africa have been chanting “ Black Lives Matter ” and saying the names of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor .
Not only are people at the grassroots in Africa protesting police brutality , African governments and leaders are taking a stronger stance than before .
Thomas Kwesi Quartey , a Ghanaian diplomat and current vice chairperson of the African Union Commission , tweeted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unwarranted execution of another African-American male – George Floyd for no other reason than BEING BLACK .
This is one too many .
Africa demands full investigation into this killing.
” Minister of Tourism , Arts and Culture Barbara Oteng-Gyasi invited African Americans to resettle in Ghana if they feel unwelcome in the United States .
Recently , all 54 African nations called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to debate racism and police brutality .
In a letter on behalf of the 54 African nations , Burkina Faso ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The death of George Floyd is unfortunately not an isolated incident , with many previous cases of unarmed persons of African descent suffering the same fate due to unchecked police brutality.… The main aim of the Urgent Dialogue is to address the structural and proximate causes of racial discrimination that prevails worldwide with tremendous impact on the enjoyment of human rights especially by People of African Descent.
” According to Al Jazeera , “ The call came after Floyd ’ s family , along with the families of other victims of police violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called on the council to urgently address systemic racism and police impunity in the US.
” Blackness , especially African-American and diasporic African identity , is typically discussed in vague , metaphysical terms ; however , it is a specific African ethnic identity forged despite slavery .
Anywhere between 10.5 million to 12.5 million Africans were trafficked from Africa to ( and enslaved in ) the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade .
The slave trade lasted for over 300 years from the early 16th to the late 19th centuries .
The majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Caribbean .
Enslaved Africans brought to the United States largely came from the Senegambia region , West-Central Africa , which includes present-day Angola , Congo and Gabon ; and the Slave Coast that includes today ’ s Ghana , Nigeria and Ivory Coast .
It is estimated by historian Gwendolyn Midlo Hall that over 45 African ethnic groups were brought to the Americas , including the BaKongo people , Mande , Yoruba , Igbo , Akan and Wolof .
That means African Americans are , ancestrally , a mixture of different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The transatlantic slave trade separated families and removed immediate ties to Indigenous African cultures .
As a result , many Africans throughout the diaspora do not know their original , pre-slavery African names , languages , cultural customs or religions .
On the plantations , enslaved Africans had to find ways to preserve their African culture and peoplehood under the brutal conditions of slavery in the Americas .
Different African ethnic groups , people with different languages and cultural customs , were forced to work together as slaves .
As a result , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ African ethnic and cultural identity to transcend those differences and communicate with each other , thereby forming a unique identity of their own .
Therefore , African-American cultural and social identity is a fusion of various African ethnic groups enslaved in the United States and constitutes a unique ethnic/national identity that is tied to the larger African community .
African-American identity has the ingredients of an ethnic identity — shared ancestry , shared history , common culture ( music , literature , way of life ) .
The same applies for other diasporic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This fusion of the disparate African ethnic cultures was a matter of survival for enslaved Africans .
Their culture also influenced the culture of the Americas .
African influences can be seen in music — reggae in the Caribbean ; the deep incorporation of African rhythms like the tresillo and clave patterns in Latin music .
African-American blues music , particularly Mississippi Delta blues , evolved from West African folk music .
The banjo can also be traced back to African string instruments like the akonting .
While African drums were banned in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Louisiana , which was subject to French Catholic laws .
New Orleans ’ s Congo Square preserved many African drumming traditions , which gave birth to ragtime and jazz .
In fact , the rhythmic syncopation that is ubiquitous in American music comes from African musical traditions .
Despite the uniqueness and influence of diasporic African culture , there is still a void many Africans in the diaspora feel in not knowing where they truly come from .
This stems from how slavery severed and suppressed , through systematic violence , ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 23-year-old Haitian student from New York City who went on a Birthright AFRICA trip , told CNN , “ For those of us in the diaspora , our history , according to the textbooks , starts with slavery .
I was doubtful and kind of cynical about what the future held not only for me as an individual , but also for black people as a whole.
” Going to Ghana in 2018 gave her closure .
“ We may not speak the same language , but the foods we eat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way we relate to one another , and our deeply ingrained spirituality reflect a bond that is still there , ” she said .
“ There is a sense of inner peace and ease I now have , that wasn ’ t there before .
I can move forward with my life , with intention behind everything I do.
” It is not just diasporic Africans who benefit from Pan-African efforts — the African continent does as well .
African Americans receive solidarity from Africa for the Black struggle , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flip side , because diasporic Africans — especially African Americans living in the United States — have access to financial capital in the West , bringing the investment and skills of Africans in the diaspora to Africa builds the continent .
It ’ s a way to reverse the ills of slavery and colonialism .
The world is currently watching how the United States handles its generations-long systemic anti-Black racism , with police violence being the tip of the spear .
Given that so many other reforms have not mitigated the depths of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revival of Pan-Africanism offers an alternative vision to combat global racism and uplift Black people globally .

The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately hurting African Americans and racist killings of Black people continue. A massive uprising is occurring throughout the U.S. in response to the Minnesota police killing of George Floyd and systemic police violence against Black people; this uprising has inspired similar protests against anti-Black racism around the world. A new wave of Pan-Africanism is emerging and is actively challenging these ills.
Earlier this year, before the pandemic hit the U.S., celebrities like actor Samuel L. Jackson, rapper Ludacris and rapper/singer Cardi B had been taking steps to return to their African roots. Cardi B traveled to Nigeria and both Ludacris and Samuel L. Jackson gained citizenship in Gabon. Jackson traced his ancestral roots to the Benga people of Gabon, while Ludacris’s wife, Eudoxie Mbouguiengue, is Gabonese. Cardi B filed for Nigerian citizenship, partially citing the Trump administration’s policies as her reason to do so. NFL player Malcolm Jenkins, who, like Colin Kaepernick, protested the national anthem to bring attention to racial injustice, “is buying land to build a vacation home in Ghana. After having visited three times, Jenkins continues to explore history,” according to NBC News.
Meanwhile, African governments and the African Union are increasingly engaging with the African diaspora in concrete ways, sometimes by offering citizenship and indefinite stays. These efforts are part of a new chapter in empowering Black people globally and making Pan-Africanism, the unity of all peoples of Black African descent around the world, a reality. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has restricted global air travel, the Pan-African spirit is not defeated — it constitutes a growing force against global anti-Black racism.
Year of Return; Beyond the Return
The year 2019 marked the 400-year anniversary of the first enslaved Africans arriving in British North America. This was commemorated in a major New York Times magazine series. The Ghanaian government commemorated the anniversary with the Year of Return, an effort to invite African Americans and other diasporic Africans to Ghana. Many slave dungeons that held enslaved Africans before they were trafficked to the Americas are located in Ghana. Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said the goal of the Year of Return was to “be a joyful and learning experience” for the African continent and diaspora and affirm “our determination that never again should African people permit themselves to be subjected to such dehumanizing conditions, sold into slavery, and have their freedoms curtailed.”
At the end of 2019, just in time to ring in 2020, President Akufo-Addo launched the “Beyond the Return” initiative. The goal of the initiative is to invite Africans in the diaspora to Africa in order to invest in and develop the African continent. President Akufo-Addo said, “The time has come to engage Africans in the diaspora and all persons of African descent more positively in areas such as trade and investment co-operation, and skills and knowledge development.” He added, “Let us all remember that the destiny of all black people no matter where they are in the world is bound up with Africa.”
The African Union (AU) considers the African diaspora the sixth region, next to the five regions (North, South, East, West, Central) that encompass the 55 continental member states. According to the AU, the African Diaspora “consists of peoples of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union” and includes “all historic migrations (forced and voluntary).” Laying out the characteristics, the AU says the African diaspora consists of “people living outside the continent whose ancestral roots or heritage are in Africa” and “people of African heritage, who migrated from or are living outside the continent. In this context, three trends of migration were identified — pre-slave trade, slave trade, and post-slave trade or modern migration,” which means the African Union recognizes the diaspora of enslaved Africans brought to the Americas as members of the African Union. The AU’s Diaspora Division “serves as the focal point and hub for implementing the African Union decision to invite and encourage the African Diaspora to participate in the building and development of the African continent. Its main task therefore, is to serve as a catalyst for rebuilding the global African family in the service of the development and integration agenda of the continent.” Therefore, the Ghanaian government’s efforts are a way to actualize the AU’s Pan-Africanism.
The Pan-African spirit is not defeated — it constitutes a growing force against global anti-Black racism.
Some African governments provide easier citizenship to Africans in the diaspora. Sierra Leone has granted citizenship to African-Americans, such as actor Isaiah Washington, who have been able to trace their ancestry to the country’s ethnic groups through DNA testing. Ghana has a “right of abode” law for diasporic Africans that allows them to stay in the country indefinitely. However, “right of abode” is not full citizenship.
Given the level of systemic racism in the United States, from rampant police violence to a massive racial wealth gap, African citizenship can provide sanctuary for diasporic Africans from racist persecution. In fact, many African-Americans have decided to settle and live their lives overseas to flee racism in the United States. One refugee expert pointed out that the racist oppression African-Americans experience qualifies as persecution, which would qualify them to seek asylum in other countries. African-American academic Obadele Kambon was wrongfully arrested for having a loaded gun under his car seat in 2007 in Chicago. The charge was later dropped. As he sat in court, he vowed, “Never again will I allow myself to be in a jurisdiction where corrupt white police officers and a judge will take me away from my family, wife and kids just on a whim.” After the ordeal, he moved to Ghana, became a professor, and never looked back. In 2016, he was granted full citizenship. Then-President John Mahama told Kambon, “I am not giving you anything, this is your birth right, I am only restoring what is rightfully yours.”
Dynast Amir is an African American from Sacramento, California, who runs a channel on YouTube called Search For Uhuru where he documents his travels throughout Africa and has in-depth discussions on global Black politics. Amir is a Pan-Africanist, a Nigerian citizen, and was coronated as a prince in Nigeria after he traced part of his ancestral roots to Nigeria (like this author’s ancestry, his other part is Sierra Leonean). In an interview with Truthout, Amir said Ghana’s Year of Return “was a great move” on Ghana’s part because of the money it brings to Africa. “We have to understand Africa is the future. By investing in Africa, you are investing in the best interests of not only yourself but of future generations,” he said. “The reason why I love it is because Black people, people of African descent, instead of going to Europe and France and Thailand, they’re circulating their money into a Black economy. You’re looking at investment opportunities, as well,” he said. Amir encourages other Africans in the diaspora to travel or move to Africa. “A lot of us have this idea that there’s nowhere else to live outside of [the U.S.]. But there are definitely places that you can move to and thrive.” As for what African governments can do to reach out to the diaspora, Amir suggested “expedited citizenship is one; we didn’t choose to leave the continent” and land ownership for diasporic Africans.
Vanessa Kanbi, a YouTuber and video journalist based in Ghana, interviewed local Ghanaians on their views of the 2019 Year of Return. Many local Ghanaians said they thought the Year of Return was good. The largest benefit they cited was that the increased tourism during Year of Return benefitted the economy, especially local businesses.
The African Diaspora News Channel interviewed several local Ugandans, asking if they supported giving African-Americans in African countries. The majority of those interviewed supported giving citizenship to African-Americans. The majority of those interviewed supported giving citizenship to African Americans. They mostly argued that Africa is the true native land of African Americans. One man opposed giving citizenship to African Americans because of cultural differences between African Americans and continental Africans. However, most supported the idea. A few went further and said that citizenship should be given to everyone, regardless of race, and people should be allowed citizenship anywhere in the world.
The African Union recognizes the diaspora of enslaved Africans brought to the Americas as members of the African Union.
Truthout also spoke to continental Africans to get their perspective on offering citizenship and land for Africans in the diaspora, particularly those who are descendants of enslaved Africans kidnapped and brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. Clever Chingwara, based in Harare, Zimbabwe, supports the idea of giving both African citizenship and land to Africans in the diaspora. When asked if he supports giving African citizenship to diasporic Africans, he said, “Not only citizenship but pieces of land and investment opportunities.” He added, “Some Africans in the diaspora have knowledge about where they come from. They can lobby the governments to be given pieces of land and citizenship. And for those who do not know, arrangements can be made for them to be apportioned land in Africa.” As for what kind of land and where, that is a tricky question. “Part of state land can be allocated to diasporans,” Chingwara said.
However, others had differing opinions. A law student (who did not give their name) from Zimbabwe did not agree with giving automatic citizenship to diasporic Africans; however, “if they choose to” apply for citizenship and go through the process then “yes.” As for land, he said, “Land is the pride of Africa and African economy, it should be given to people depending on the purpose; for instance, if it’s agricultural land, it should be given to those who are able to use it.”
African Relocation and Global Black Solidarity
In addition to African governments, there are also individual grassroots efforts to unite the African continent and African diaspora, along with diasporic Africans moving to Africa for economic purposes. Birthright AFRICA, a nonprofit organization in New York City, offers free trips to people of African descent to Africa. Another example is the African Diaspora Alliance (ADA), founded by two Baltimore activists, which promotes unity and solidarity across the African diaspora through healing, study abroad, excursion trips, and education. Thanks to the Internet, it is easier for all people of African descent around the world, in different countries speaking different languages, to communicate with each other and build organic ties.
These organic bridges, overcoming generations of separation caused by slavery and colonialism, are also creating the grounds for real global Black solidarity. This solidarity is in full force against anti-Black racism and joining forces with the protests against police violence in the United States. Wode Maya is a Ghanaian YouTuber whose channel, with over 318,000 subscribers and nearly 60 million views, changes Africa’s narrative by highlighting the continent’s positive aspects to combat negative images of Africa. Maya recorded a video decrying the police murder of George Floyd and expressed solidarity with diasporic Africans as “fellow brothers and sisters.” Philimena Royda Urey, a Liberian vlogger who moved from Detroit, Michigan, back to Liberia, recorded a video with several Liberians expressing solidarity with Black Lives Matter. In addition, Africans throughout the continent have spoken out and protested in solidarity with African Americans against racism and the police murder of George Floyd. People in Nigeria protested against police brutality in the United States and even U.S. embassy staff joined the protesters. Similar protests against racism and police brutality occurred in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. Protesters throughout Africa have been chanting “Black Lives Matter” and saying the names of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Not only are people at the grassroots in Africa protesting police brutality, African governments and leaders are taking a stronger stance than before. Thomas Kwesi Quartey, a Ghanaian diplomat and current vice chairperson of the African Union Commission, tweeted that the African Union “is distressed to witness the unwarranted execution of another African-American male – George Floyd for no other reason than BEING BLACK. This is one too many. Africa demands full investigation into this killing.” The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Barbara Oteng-Gyasi invited African-Americans to resettle in Ghana if they feel unwelcome in the United States. Ghana paid tribute to George Floyd with a large ceremony and by permanently mounting his name “on the wall of the Diaspora African Forum at the W.E.B. Du Bois Center in Ghana’s capital,” according to the BBC.
Recently, all 54 African nations called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to debate racism and police brutality.
Last month, all 54 African nations called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to debate racism and police brutality. In a letter on behalf of the 54 African nations, Burkina Faso’s ambassador to the UN wrote, “The death of George Floyd is unfortunately not an isolated incident, with many previous cases of unarmed persons of African descent suffering the same fate due to unchecked police brutality.… The main aim of the Urgent Dialogue is to address the structural and proximate causes of racial discrimination that prevails worldwide with tremendous impact on the enjoyment of human rights especially by People of African Descent.” According to Al Jazeera, “The call came after Floyd’s family, along with the families of other victims of police violence and more than 600 NGOs this week called on the council to urgently address systemic racism and police impunity in the US.” Heeding the call, the UN Human Rights Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning the police killing of George Floyd and systemic racist police violence against people of African descent. The resolution also called for a report on systemic racism against people of African descent. Some human rights officials are pushing for broader international probe into systemic racism against Afro-descendant people not just in the U.S. but around the world.
Slavery and the African Diaspora
Blackness, especially African-American and diasporic African identity, is typically discussed in vague, metaphysical terms; however, it is a specific African ethnic identity forged despite slavery. Anywhere between 10.5 million to 12.5 million Africans were trafficked from Africa to (and enslaved in) the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade. The slave trade lasted for over 300 years from the early 16th to the late 19th centuries. The majority of enslaved Africans were sent to Brazil and the Caribbean.
Enslaved Africans brought to the United States largely came from the Senegambia region, West-Central Africa, which includes present-day Angola, Congo and Gabon; and the Slave Coast that includes today’s Ghana, Nigeria and Ivory Coast. It is estimated by historian Gwendolyn Midlo Hall that over 45 African ethnic groups were brought to the Americas, including the BaKongo people, Mande, Yoruba, Igbo, Akan and Wolof. That means African Americans are, ancestrally, a mixture of different Western and Central African ethnic groups.
The transatlantic slave trade separated families and removed immediate ties to Indigenous African cultures. As a result, many Africans throughout the diaspora do not know their original, pre-slavery African names, languages, cultural customs or religions. On the plantations, enslaved Africans had to find ways to preserve their African culture and peoplehood under the brutal conditions of slavery in the Americas. Different African ethnic groups, people with different languages and cultural customs, were forced to work together as slaves. As a result, they had to forge a common Black African ethnic and cultural identity to transcend those differences and communicate with each other, thereby forming a unique identity of their own. Therefore, African-American cultural and social identity is a fusion of various African ethnic groups enslaved in the United States and constitutes a unique ethnic/national identity that is tied to the larger African community. African-American identity has the ingredients of an ethnic identity — shared ancestry, shared history, common culture (music, literature, way of life). The same applies for other diasporic Africans, from Afro-Cubans to Afro-Brazilians.
This fusion of the disparate African ethnic cultures was a matter of survival for enslaved Africans. Their culture also influenced the culture of the Americas. African influences can be seen in music — reggae in the Caribbean, the deep incorporation of African rhythms like the tresillo and clave patterns in Latin music. African-American blues music, particularly Mississippi Delta blues, is a direct descendant of West African folk music. The banjo can also be traced back to African string instruments like the akonting. While African drums were banned in British North America, they were not in Louisiana, which was subject to French Catholic laws. New Orleans’s Congo Square preserved many African drumming traditions, which gave birth to ragtime and jazz. In fact, the rhythmic syncopation that is ubiquitous in American music comes from African musical traditions.
Given that so many other reforms have not mitigated the depths of systemic anti-Black racism and neocolonialism, the revival of Pan-Africanism offers an alternative vision to uplift Black people globally.
Despite the uniqueness and influence of diasporic African culture, there is still a void many Africans in the diaspora feel in not knowing where they truly come from. This stems from how slavery severed and suppressed, through systematic violence, ties to Indigenous African cultures.
Shaina Louis, a 23-year-old Haitian student from New York City who went on a Birthright AFRICA trip, told CNN, “For those of us in the diaspora, our history, according to the textbooks, starts with slavery. I was doubtful and kind of cynical about what the future held not only for me as an individual, but also for black people as a whole.” Going to Ghana in 2018 gave her closure. “We may not speak the same language, but the foods we eat, the way we carry ourselves, the way we relate to one another, and our deeply ingrained spirituality reflect a bond that is still there,” she said. “There is a sense of inner peace and ease I now have, that wasn’t there before. I can move forward with my life, with intention behind everything I do.”
The Pan-African Movement Is Rising
It is not just diasporic Africans who benefit from Pan-African efforts — the African continent does as well. African Americans receive solidarity from Africa for the Black struggle, along with a sense of belonging. On the flip side, because diasporic Africans — especially African Americans living in the United States — have access to financial capital in the West, bringing the investment and skills of Africans in the diaspora to Africa builds the continent. It’s a way to reverse the ills of slavery and colonialism.
The world is currently watching how the United States handles its generations-long systemic anti-Black racism, with police violence being the tip of the spear. Given that so many other reforms have not mitigated the depths of systemic anti-Black racism and neocolonialism, the revival of Pan-Africanism offers an alternative vision to combat global racism and uplift Black people globally.
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truthout--2020-07-19--Community Peacemakers in Chicago Offer a Proven Alternative to Policing

Imagine a world where after being accused of using a counterfeit bill , George Floyd was approached by a community member who helped mediate the situation , rather than the police officer who suffocated him as he begged for his life .
A world where Rayshard Brooks was not murdered for falling asleep in his car in a Wendy ’ s parking lot , but given a ride home .
A world where Elijah McClain was not choked and injected with ketamine for “ acting suspicious , ” but simply asked by a neighbor how he was doing .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a world is impossible — but for the past four years , the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago has been providing a roadmap for what this radical reimagining of justice might look like .
For decades , Chicago has been plagued by gun violence , which has taken the lives of more than 350 people in the city this year .
Nonviolence Chicago ’ s workers are guided by Martin Luther King ’ s principles and defuse conflict through mediation rather than by force .
Whenever there is a shooting , outreach workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to advocate against retaliation — and even when they insert themselves in potentially dangerous situations , they do not wear bullet proof vests and refuse to carry weapons .
“ People who are involved in violence are human , just like anyone else , ” said Sam Castro , the institute ’ s outreach program supervisor .
“ They need love and resources.
” The institute was founded in 2015 , right after the city was left reeling from yet another devastating loss .
This time , it was the police murder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 times as he ran away .
The increasingly-militarized Chicago Police Department later funded an elaborate cover-up , further confirming that they could not be depended on to address the homicide rates in the community .
In fact , police were frequently the purveyors of violence themselves .
In Chicago , this violence is especially appalling : It includes the assassination of the Black revolutionary Fred Hampton in 1969 , two decades of torturing Black suspects , imprisoning thousands at a secretive interrogation site and spending millions of taxpayer dollars on brutality settlements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lack of funds .
The background of the institute ’ s founder , Teny Gross , prepared him to relate to the violence in Chicago — both as a victim and perpetrator .
On the one hand , members of his family had been persecuted by the Nazis and killed during the Holocaust .
On the other , he helped enforce a violent military occupation during his time in the Israeli Defense Force , a perspective which moved him to spend the rest of his life studying , teaching and practicing a philosophy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ institute has expanded to Austin , Back of Yards and West Garfield Park — some of the city ’ s most at-risk districts .
Most of its workers grew up in the neighborhoods they serve .
As Senior Director Chris Patterson explained , “ Many of our staff have been formerly incarcerated or gang involved — and yet , when given an opportunity and purpose , they dedicate their entire lives to shaping the lives of others .
They put on their invisible capes everyday to go out and help people.
” Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime levels in Chicago to any one source , Nonviolence Chicago ’ s outreach has been overwhelmingly successful .
Between 2016 and 2019 , Austin had 47 percent fewer homicides and 45 percent fewer nonfatal shootings .
After leading the city in homicides for over a decade , Austin had the sharpest reduction in violence in 2018 .
Similar organizations have had positive results in other cities , including Philadelphia , Nashville , Oakland and Washington , D.C .
Unlike the United States ’ current criminal justice system , which aims to punish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Nonviolence Chicago focuses on nurturing and empowering at-risk individuals so that they can prevent violence from ever taking place .
In 2019 alone , its workers were able to make 45,467 contacts with individuals involved in violence .
“ When we do our job , people don ’ t get shot , and they also don ’ t go to jail , ” Patterson said .
“ When there ’ s a conflict , we ’ ve asked community members to try calling us before they call the police .
We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , and they agree.
” Before joining Nonviolence Chicago ’ s team , Castro spent nearly 17 years in state and federal prisons .
His past has enabled him to reach out to people who are going through what he once was .
“ If you ’ re a person who ’ s never lived through it , and you see a shooting on TV where an innocent bystander gets shot , you might be like , ‘ Why would somebody do that ?
They ’ re monsters , ’ ” Castro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it used to be normal .
You don ’ t know what these people go through — we had trauma , we had bottled up anger , we had frustrations .
We were looking for love , and we found it on the street.
” To demonstrate the power of violence intervention , Castro often shares a story about a group of young people who had a reputation for being involved in violence in the community .
“ I went to their house .
There were maybe 13 guys and 15 guns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered pizza .
We talked for about four hours , ” Castro said .
Later , he assisted their mothers with resources , and got a few of the men jobs .
“ Now , whenever I see them , they ’ ll pull up their shirts , and be like , ‘ Hey , we don ’ t got no guns !
We ’ re about to go play basketball.
’ ” For Tasha Poplous , a victims advocate for Nonviolence Chicago , the work of building relationships with people immersed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve lost someone in my life to gun violence , ” she said .
“ After a while , the text messages and the phone calls slow down .
But everybody needs someone , in one way or another .
They need to know that someone cares about them.
” Whenever there is a shooting in the neighborhood she serves , Poplous will track down the victims to visit them in the hospital .
In some cases , she is their only visitor — and her presence can be critical when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I tell them if they don ’ t want to end up in jail or end up dead , they have to take precautions , ” she said .
“ Some of them are welcoming .
Even when they ’ re bleeding from every which way , they ’ ll say , ‘ Yes , I need your help.
’ ” For many people involved in violence , this is the first opportunity they ’ ve had to speak about a lifetime of trauma , which is an experience that can be transformative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few times , and I never talked to anybody about it , ” Castro said .
“ The hard part is getting them to open up.
” Since the pandemic , Poplous is no longer able to visit victims in hospitals .
The virus has also impacted her role in planning funerals and memorial services for those lost to gun violence .
As funeral homes try to adhere to social distancing protocols , Nonviolence Chicago ’ s workers have been standing outside , limiting the amount of people who can go in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families who have been robbed of their chance to properly mourn their loved ones .
Even when the world isn ’ t in the midst of a pandemic , being on the frontlines can be emotionally exhausting — especially because being available to respond to community members in crisis can leave little room for self-care .
Recent weeks have been especially busy for the institute ’ s peacemakers , who have been protesting the brutal murder of George Floyd while trying to de-escalate conflict to keep the community safe , facing pepper spray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few times we were able to help people in dire situations , ” said Patterson , who recounted a shooting that took place after a group of people stole a TV from a family ’ s van during one of the protests .
“ A member of the family was grazed , and the car was so messed up with bullets that they were pretty much stranded .
The family had guns , and they were initially so panicked that they were ready to shoot anything that came their way .
But we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we gave them a ride home .
If we hadn ’ t been there , who knows what that could have turned into.
” Shootings , which have increased due to tensions surrounding the pandemic , continue to rise as the weather gets warmer .
Father ’ s Day weekend was especially brutal — with more than 100 people shot and 14 people killed , including five children .
“ We feel like if we don ’ t take a call , or if we take a day off , something may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I understand that sometimes you can ’ t save people , but it still hurts my heart when a person is killed .
You always think , ‘ Man , did we do everything we could have done ?
’ ” The peacemakers of Nonviolence Chicago take on many roles , but at the heart of all their work is a willingness to reach out to people and meet them where they are .
“ Our job is to connect and build relationships , whether they ’ re the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting , ” Castro said .
“ At the end of the day , they ’ re both victims of something.
” In a country founded on white supremacy that maintains the largest imprisonment rate in the world , it ’ s impossible to combat street violence without confronting the institutional violence that fuels it .
For decades , impoverished Black and Latino youth have been criminalized by a war on drugs designed to incentivize the mass incarceration of human beings for free labor and profit .
This so-called “ war ” has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like many areas of Chicago , that already faced segregation and housing discrimination .
Combined with police corruption and lax gun laws in neighboring states , where nearly 60 percent of the guns in Chicago come from , these policies have been lethal .
Never has this been more evident than during the pandemic — one in six of Chicago ’ s coronavirus cases can be traced back to Cook County Jail , where 1,000 employees and detainees have tested positive .
“ Mass incarceration may be working for those old farmers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not working for Black America , so restorative justice is an answer , ” Patterson said .
Restorative justice is a theory of justice that focuses on addressing the harm that crime causes to people , relationships and community .
The theory emphasizes cooperation between offenders and victims , the prevention of future harm and rehabilitation .
Because people often turn to violence as a means of survival , the workers of Nonviolence Chicago believe that providing the community with resources is a vital element of violence prevention .
Since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been distributing hundreds of meals , boxes of groceries and hygiene kits each week .
They ’ ve quickly adapted to addressing people ’ s needs as they arise — including helping families pay rent , connecting essential workers with daycares and finding shelter for people who are homeless .
“ It ’ s important for people to understand that this wasn ’ t some white savior who came from outside of the community , ” said Tara Dabney , the institute ’ s director of communications .
“ The people that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violent ’ or as throwaways — because they have been convicted — these are the people who have never stopped working .
They ’ ve been there since day one , responding to both COVID and violence in ways that are loving and compassionate and real.
” The ultimate vision of Nonviolence Chicago is not simply to end the cycle of violence , but to create what King called “ a beloved community ” — a fellowship of human beings built on redemption , reconciliation and radical love .
According to King , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in our souls and a qualitative change in our lives.
” “ I ’ ve had staff who have been in jail for murder who have shed tears when people die on the street , because they understand how tragic the loss of life really is , ” Patterson said .
“ There ’ s a strength and toughness , but also a tender care from people who have been downtrodden for so long .
Chicago is full of beautiful , spirited people … and when given the opportunity to change their life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake of the current uprisings , the institute ’ s peacemakers are hoping to develop a model that can be used by communities across the country .
Because street outreach usually takes place in neighborhoods that outsiders rarely step foot in , they ’ ve also been encouraging volunteers to join them in passing out food , so that they can witness what restorative justice looks like in action .
Lastly , they hope to increase the city ’ s budget for street outreach , which is currently only $ 11.5 million , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.45 billion allocated to the Chicago Police Department .
When the institute first expanded to Austin in 2016 , workers struggled to get the word out about nonviolence .
“ Now there are people on the streets quoting Dr. King — I ’ m talking about gang-involved individuals , ” Patterson said .
“ They may not be able to understand all the principles , but they understand ‘ beloved community .
’ ”

Imagine a world where after being accused of using a counterfeit bill, George Floyd was approached by a community member who helped mediate the situation, rather than the police officer who suffocated him as he begged for his life. A world where Rayshard Brooks was not murdered for falling asleep in his car in a Wendy’s parking lot, but given a ride home. A world where Elijah McClain was not choked and injected with ketamine for “acting suspicious,” but simply asked by a neighbor how he was doing.
Those in power would have us believe that such a world is impossible — but for the past four years, the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago has been providing a roadmap for what this radical reimagining of justice might look like.
For decades, Chicago has been plagued by gun violence, which has taken the lives of more than 350 people in the city this year. Nonviolence Chicago’s workers are guided by Martin Luther King’s principles and defuse conflict through mediation rather than by force. Whenever there is a shooting, outreach workers arrive at the scene within 30 minutes to advocate against retaliation — and even when they insert themselves in potentially dangerous situations, they do not wear bullet proof vests and refuse to carry weapons.
“People who are involved in violence are human, just like anyone else,” said Sam Castro, the institute’s outreach program supervisor. “They need love and resources.”
The institute was founded in 2015, right after the city was left reeling from yet another devastating loss. This time, it was the police murder of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, who was shot 16 times as he ran away. The increasingly-militarized Chicago Police Department later funded an elaborate cover-up, further confirming that they could not be depended on to address the homicide rates in the community. In fact, police were frequently the purveyors of violence themselves.
In Chicago, this violence is especially appalling: It includes the assassination of the Black revolutionary Fred Hampton in 1969, two decades of torturing Black suspects, imprisoning thousands at a secretive interrogation site and spending millions of taxpayer dollars on brutality settlements while local schools are shuttered due to lack of funds.
The background of the institute’s founder, Teny Gross, prepared him to relate to the violence in Chicago — both as a victim and perpetrator. On the one hand, members of his family had been persecuted by the Nazis and killed during the Holocaust. On the other, he helped enforce a violent military occupation during his time in the Israeli Defense Force, a perspective which moved him to spend the rest of his life studying, teaching and practicing a philosophy of nonviolence.
Since 2015, the institute has expanded to Austin, Back of Yards and West Garfield Park — some of the city’s most at-risk districts. Most of its workers grew up in the neighborhoods they serve. As Senior Director Chris Patterson explained, “Many of our staff have been formerly incarcerated or gang involved — and yet, when given an opportunity and purpose, they dedicate their entire lives to shaping the lives of others. They put on their invisible capes everyday to go out and help people.”
Although it’s impossible to attribute lowering crime levels in Chicago to any one source, Nonviolence Chicago’s outreach has been overwhelmingly successful. Between 2016 and 2019, Austin had 47 percent fewer homicides and 45 percent fewer nonfatal shootings. After leading the city in homicides for over a decade, Austin had the sharpest reduction in violence in 2018.
Similar organizations have had positive results in other cities, including Philadelphia, Nashville, Oakland and Washington, D.C.
Restorative justice in action
Unlike the United States’ current criminal justice system, which aims to punish people after they commit acts of violence, Nonviolence Chicago focuses on nurturing and empowering at-risk individuals so that they can prevent violence from ever taking place. In 2019 alone, its workers were able to make 45,467 contacts with individuals involved in violence.
“When we do our job, people don’t get shot, and they also don’t go to jail,” Patterson said. “When there’s a conflict, we’ve asked community members to try calling us before they call the police. We’ve said that in front of the police, and they agree.”
Before joining Nonviolence Chicago’s team, Castro spent nearly 17 years in state and federal prisons. His past has enabled him to reach out to people who are going through what he once was. “If you’re a person who’s never lived through it, and you see a shooting on TV where an innocent bystander gets shot, you might be like, ‘Why would somebody do that? They’re monsters,’” Castro said. “But for me, it used to be normal. You don’t know what these people go through — we had trauma, we had bottled up anger, we had frustrations. We were looking for love, and we found it on the street.”
To demonstrate the power of violence intervention, Castro often shares a story about a group of young people who had a reputation for being involved in violence in the community. “I went to their house. There were maybe 13 guys and 15 guns. I took off my shirt, we ordered pizza. We talked for about four hours,” Castro said. Later, he assisted their mothers with resources, and got a few of the men jobs. “Now, whenever I see them, they’ll pull up their shirts, and be like, ‘Hey, we don’t got no guns! We’re about to go play basketball.’”
For Tasha Poplous, a victims advocate for Nonviolence Chicago, the work of building relationships with people immersed in violence is deeply personal. “I’ve lost someone in my life to gun violence,” she said. “After a while, the text messages and the phone calls slow down. But everybody needs someone, in one way or another. They need to know that someone cares about them.”
Whenever there is a shooting in the neighborhood she serves, Poplous will track down the victims to visit them in the hospital. In some cases, she is their only visitor — and her presence can be critical when it comes to discouraging retaliatory shootings. “I tell them if they don’t want to end up in jail or end up dead, they have to take precautions,” she said. “Some of them are welcoming. Even when they’re bleeding from every which way, they’ll say, ‘Yes, I need your help.’”
For many people involved in violence, this is the first opportunity they’ve had to speak about a lifetime of trauma, which is an experience that can be transformative. “I’ve been shot a few times, and I never talked to anybody about it,” Castro said. “The hard part is getting them to open up.”
Since the pandemic, Poplous is no longer able to visit victims in hospitals. The virus has also impacted her role in planning funerals and memorial services for those lost to gun violence. As funeral homes try to adhere to social distancing protocols, Nonviolence Chicago’s workers have been standing outside, limiting the amount of people who can go in. They’ve also been comforting families who have been robbed of their chance to properly mourn their loved ones.
Even when the world isn’t in the midst of a pandemic, being on the frontlines can be emotionally exhausting — especially because being available to respond to community members in crisis can leave little room for self-care. Recent weeks have been especially busy for the institute’s peacemakers, who have been protesting the brutal murder of George Floyd while trying to de-escalate conflict to keep the community safe, facing pepper spray in the process.
“Quite a few times we were able to help people in dire situations,” said Patterson, who recounted a shooting that took place after a group of people stole a TV from a family’s van during one of the protests. “A member of the family was grazed, and the car was so messed up with bullets that they were pretty much stranded. The family had guns, and they were initially so panicked that they were ready to shoot anything that came their way. But we were able to calm them down, and we gave them a ride home. If we hadn’t been there, who knows what that could have turned into.”
Shootings, which have increased due to tensions surrounding the pandemic, continue to rise as the weather gets warmer. Father’s Day weekend was especially brutal — with more than 100 people shot and 14 people killed, including five children.
“We feel like if we don’t take a call, or if we take a day off, something may happen to a person,” Castro said. “I understand that sometimes you can’t save people, but it still hurts my heart when a person is killed. You always think, ‘Man, did we do everything we could have done?’”
The institutional violence fueling gun violence
The peacemakers of Nonviolence Chicago take on many roles, but at the heart of all their work is a willingness to reach out to people and meet them where they are. “Our job is to connect and build relationships, whether they’re the person being shot or the person doing the shooting,” Castro said. “At the end of the day, they’re both victims of something.”
In a country founded on white supremacy that maintains the largest imprisonment rate in the world, it’s impossible to combat street violence without confronting the institutional violence that fuels it. For decades, impoverished Black and Latino youth have been criminalized by a war on drugs designed to incentivize the mass incarceration of human beings for free labor and profit. This so-called “war” has willfully devastated low-income communities of color, like many areas of Chicago, that already faced segregation and housing discrimination.
Combined with police corruption and lax gun laws in neighboring states, where nearly 60 percent of the guns in Chicago come from, these policies have been lethal. Never has this been more evident than during the pandemic — one in six of Chicago’s coronavirus cases can be traced back to Cook County Jail, where 1,000 employees and detainees have tested positive.
“Mass incarceration may be working for those old farmers who now have a new plantation, but it’s not working for Black America, so restorative justice is an answer,” Patterson said.
Restorative justice is a theory of justice that focuses on addressing the harm that crime causes to people, relationships and community. The theory emphasizes cooperation between offenders and victims, the prevention of future harm and rehabilitation.
Because people often turn to violence as a means of survival, the workers of Nonviolence Chicago believe that providing the community with resources is a vital element of violence prevention. Since the pandemic began, their team has been distributing hundreds of meals, boxes of groceries and hygiene kits each week. They’ve quickly adapted to addressing people’s needs as they arise — including helping families pay rent, connecting essential workers with daycares and finding shelter for people who are homeless.
“It’s important for people to understand that this wasn’t some white savior who came from outside of the community,” said Tara Dabney, the institute’s director of communications. “The people that the rest of the country see as ‘violent’ or as throwaways — because they have been convicted — these are the people who have never stopped working. They’ve been there since day one, responding to both COVID and violence in ways that are loving and compassionate and real.”
Building Chicago’s beloved community
The ultimate vision of Nonviolence Chicago is not simply to end the cycle of violence, but to create what King called “a beloved community” — a fellowship of human beings built on redemption, reconciliation and radical love. According to King, this requires both “a qualitative change in our souls and a qualitative change in our lives.”
“I’ve had staff who have been in jail for murder who have shed tears when people die on the street, because they understand how tragic the loss of life really is,” Patterson said. “There’s a strength and toughness, but also a tender care from people who have been downtrodden for so long. Chicago is full of beautiful, spirited people … and when given the opportunity to change their life, most people take it.”
In wake of the current uprisings, the institute’s peacemakers are hoping to develop a model that can be used by communities across the country. Because street outreach usually takes place in neighborhoods that outsiders rarely step foot in, they’ve also been encouraging volunteers to join them in passing out food, so that they can witness what restorative justice looks like in action. Lastly, they hope to increase the city’s budget for street outreach, which is currently only $11.5 million, as opposed to the more than $2.45 billion allocated to the Chicago Police Department.
When the institute first expanded to Austin in 2016, workers struggled to get the word out about nonviolence. “Now there are people on the streets quoting Dr. King — I’m talking about gang-involved individuals,” Patterson said. “They may not be able to understand all the principles, but they understand ‘beloved community.’”
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
This piece was reprinted by Truthout with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.


truthout--2020-07-20--Trump Is Bringing Back His Daily COVID Press Briefings

President Donald Trump announced on Monday that , starting this week , he would be resuming daily coronavirus press briefings similar to those he held earlier this year .
Trump held those briefings beginning in March and lasting through the end of April , when he lamented in a tweet that the briefings were “ not worth the time & effort ” after news reports began fact-checking him in real-time and journalists present at the briefings began asking him questions that were more critical in nature .
Trump ’ s comments during the briefings were widely known for being contradictory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for how to manage the coronavirus pandemic in the United States .
The president also gave dangerous advice to the American people , including pushing a potentially dangerous drug that had not been tested as a means to treat COVID-19 , as well as suggesting the ingestion of disinfectants ought to be given serious consideration .
On Monday , citing the television ratings that happened before , Trump said the briefings would be making a comeback .
“ We had a lot of people watching [ … ] in the history of cable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything like it , ” Trump said to reporters .
It ’ s possible that , absent his ability to host campaign rallies across the country as widely as he has wanted to , the president is hoping to use the briefings as a means of promoting himself to a wider audience on a daily basis .
Indeed , in April , several commentators noted that Trump ’ s spring round of press briefings were more akin to his campaign rallies than actually providing any benefit to the American people , as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ They have become a daily stage for Trump to play his greatest hits to captive audience members , ” Washington Post media columnist Margaret Sullivan said of the briefings .
Others warned that it was imperative for news media to look away from them .
“ All of us should stop broadcasting it , honestly .
It ’ s going to cost lives , ” MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow said .
Last week , White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany hinted that the briefings might be returning , suggesting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than harmful to his image .
“ It ’ s causation not coincidence that the president ’ s handling of the coronavirus was higher in public opinion when he himself was addressing the pandemic , ” she said .
However , it ’ s not clear that McEnany ’ s predictions — that daily press briefings will improve Trump ’ s standing with Americans — will actually come true , nor is it clear that her assessment is based on reality .
According to Real Clear Politics ’ s averages of polling data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 46.5 percent on March 27 , when his daily press briefings had just started .
By April 30 , a few days after he decided to stop holding them , his average approval rating was down to 44.3 percent , with a majority of Americans ( an average of polls showing 51.4 percent ) saying they disapproved of the job he was doing .
A recently published ABC News/Washington Post poll finds that only 39 percent of the American public approve of the way he ’ s handling his job as president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job performance .

The daily briefings were infamous for peddling false and contradictory information for how to best combat the disease.
President Donald Trump announced on Monday that, starting this week, he would be resuming daily coronavirus press briefings similar to those he held earlier this year.
Trump held those briefings beginning in March and lasting through the end of April, when he lamented in a tweet that the briefings were “not worth the time & effort” after news reports began fact-checking him in real-time and journalists present at the briefings began asking him questions that were more critical in nature.
Trump’s comments during the briefings were widely known for being contradictory to his own health experts’ advice for how to manage the coronavirus pandemic in the United States. The president also gave dangerous advice to the American people, including pushing a potentially dangerous drug that had not been tested as a means to treat COVID-19, as well as suggesting the ingestion of disinfectants ought to be given serious consideration.
On Monday, citing the television ratings that happened before, Trump said the briefings would be making a comeback.
“We had a lot of people watching […] in the history of cable television, there’s never been anything like it,” Trump said to reporters.
President Trump to restart coronavirus briefings NEW: Pres. Trump says he is restarting coronavirus briefings."I think it's a great to get information out to the public," he says, adding, "We had a lot of people watching…in the history of cable television, there's never been anything like it." http://abcn.ws/39cQXVG Posted by ABC World News Tonight with David Muir on Monday, July 20, 2020
It’s possible that, absent his ability to host campaign rallies across the country as widely as he has wanted to, the president is hoping to use the briefings as a means of promoting himself to a wider audience on a daily basis. Indeed, in April, several commentators noted that Trump’s spring round of press briefings were more akin to his campaign rallies than actually providing any benefit to the American people, as far as coronavirus and public health was concerned.
“They have become a daily stage for Trump to play his greatest hits to captive audience members,” Washington Post media columnist Margaret Sullivan said of the briefings.
Others warned that it was imperative for news media to look away from them.
“All of us should stop broadcasting it, honestly. It’s going to cost lives,” MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow said.
Last week, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany hinted that the briefings might be returning, suggesting that they were helpful to the president more than harmful to his image.
“It’s causation not coincidence that the president’s handling of the coronavirus was higher in public opinion when he himself was addressing the pandemic,” she said.
However, it’s not clear that McEnany’s predictions — that daily press briefings will improve Trump’s standing with Americans — will actually come true, nor is it clear that her assessment is based on reality.
According to Real Clear Politics’s averages of polling data, Trump had an average approval rating of 46.5 percent on March 27, when his daily press briefings had just started. By April 30, a few days after he decided to stop holding them, his average approval rating was down to 44.3 percent, with a majority of Americans (an average of polls showing 51.4 percent) saying they disapproved of the job he was doing.
A recently published ABC News/Washington Post poll finds that only 39 percent of the American public approve of the way he’s handling his job as president, while 57 percent disapprove of his job performance.
Tired of reading the same old news from the same old sources? So are we! That’s why we’re on a mission to shake things up and bring you the stories and perspectives that often go untold in mainstream media. But being a radically, unapologetically independent news site isn’t easy (or cheap), and we rely on reader support to keep the lights on.
If you like what you’re reading, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. We’re not asking for a handout, we’re asking for an investment: Invest in a nonprofit news site that’s not afraid to ruffle a few feathers, not afraid to stand up for what’s right, and not afraid to tell it like it is.
Copyright © Truthout. May not be reprinted without permission.