The Black Myths Podcast

We return for part 2 of our series as we delve into the common misconception that the Ku Klux Klan was primarily a movement of poor white individuals. It explores the historical context of urbanization, industrialization, and the aftermath of war in the early 1900s, examining how these factors contributed to the grievances of middle-class white Protestant men and impacted labor dynamics. The episode will also discuss the founding of the second Klan in 1915, the significant influence of D.W. Griffith's film "Birth of a Nation," and how the Klan evolved from a small organization into a national movement. Listeners will learn about the Klan's prominent areas, their political aims, and why their focus extended beyond Black people to emphasize white Protestantism. A specific segment will explore the Indiana chapter, its unique characteristics, and its unexpected popularity in cities with small numbers of its perceived enemies. Finally, the podcast will analyze the rapid decline of the second Klan by 1930 and how its successes and failures laid the groundwork for future iterations of the organization.   Some Sources The Rise of the Ku Klux Klan: Right-Wing Movements and National Politics The Ku Klux Klan in the Heartland An extended episode can be found on our Patreon    00:10:23 - Whiteness 00:17:55 - Political Economy of the Klan 00:55:28 - Birth of a Nation 01:31:35 - KKK Organizing  01:48:44 - KKK Political Aims 01:58:53 - KKK Decline 02:18:40 - Last Thoughts

In this episode, we are joined by friend of the show and scholar, Rasul Mowatt, to challenge the myth that the Ku Klux Klan began in Indiana, exploring the 1st wave of the Ku Klux Klan, known then as the “KuKlux.” We analyse the post-Civil War context that led to the rise of white supremacist groups, vigilantism, and the Klan's origins, spread, and eventual decline. We also delve into the role of other white supremacist groups in picking up the Klan's mantle, such as the Red Shirts. This is a part of a series covering each historical wave of the Klan. Join us as we uncover the true history of the Klan and its enduring impact.   Rasul A. Mowatt is a son of Chicago and a subject of empire, while dwelling within notions of statelessness, settler colonial mentality, and anti-capitalism. Rasul also functions in the State as a Department Head in the College of Natural Resources, as an Interim Department Head in the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, and as an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at North Carolina State University. He is the author of the book The Geographies of Threat and the Production of Violence: The City and State Between Us.   Some sources White Terror: The Ku Klux Klan Conspiracy and Southern Reconstruction https://lsupress.org/9780807178744/white-terror/ Hooded Americanism: The History of the Ku Klux Klan https://www.dukeupress.edu/hooded-americanism patreon.com/blackmyths   00:04:22 - Monologue 00:08:15 - Opening Thoughts 00:35:45 - War & Vigilantism 01:08:13 - Kuklux Origins 01:42:26 - Red Shirts & Them 01:57:51 - Compromise Inevitable 02:01:59 - The Clansman & Psychology  

In this episode, the entire crew is back and we're diving into myth: Black Capitalism = Sovereignty,' which challenges the idea that Black capitalism is the path to true sovereignty. Our discussion pulls from a recent piece written by co-host Too Black, titled “Kids' corner economics: What tariffs teach us about Black capitalism.”  We explore key economic concepts like trade, tariffs, protectionism, and free trade, using real-world examples to show how these forces impact Black businesses within a globalized economy shaped by white supremacy. We focus on the two primary myths of Black capitalist ethos: the 'circulating Black dollar' and 'Black buying power,' arguing that these concepts often misrepresent the economic realities and limitations faced by Black people. Ultimately, this episode prompts us to consider what real sovereignty looks like and how to pursue it beyond the confines of capitalist structures Kids' corner economics: What tariffs teach us about Black capitalism patreon.com/blackmyths Intro - 00:00:00 Monologue - 00:18:13 Trade and Tariffs explained - 00:20:39 Brief history of modern trade and tariffs - 00:46:12 Circulating Black Dollar and Trade - 01:10:22 Black Buying Power and Trade - 01:46:09 Closing Thoughts - 02:00:18  

n this episode we dispel the idea that Trump's federalization of DC police is an abberation from what has already been happening in DC. Rather, it should be understood as an escalation of an ongoing bipartisan project committed to dissolving the thin line between police and military. To help us discuss this myth, we invite guests Oliver Robinson and Erica Caines.    Oliver Robinson is an organizer in Pan-African Community Action (PACA), a DC-based group of African people organizing for locally based power.    Erica Caines is a writer and organizer in Baltimore and the DMV. Caines is the national coordinator of The Black Alliance For Peace, editor at Hood Communist, and founder of #LiberationThroughReading, providing African children with books that represent them.   End the Colonial Occupation of Washington D.C.: The People Demand Self-Determination and Self-Governance https://blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/end-the-colonial-occupation-of-washington-dc   Trump Terror, Complicit Local Leadership, and the Assault Against Southeast D.C. https://blackagendareport.com/trump-terror-complicit-local-leadership-and-assault-against-southeast-dc

We return for part 2 of our myth, "this ain't our fight." This time, we have a different guest named Joan Agoh. She is one of the coordinators of BAP So-CAL and works full-time in immigrant justice. She’s involved with mutual aid groups in Los Angeles and is one of the coordinators at the Radical Hood Library.    We discuss the erasure of Black people in the immigration fight, organizing against ICE, Birthright Citizenship, and the "Big Beautiful Bill."   https://www.patreon.com/blackmyths

In this episode, we examine the myth "This Ain't Our Fight" concerning the issue of immigration. Recently, protests broke out in Los Angeles, California, following highly aggressive ICE Raids. As protests were occurring, there was a trending response by some Black people that "this ain't our fight" implying that families being separated is not relevant to American-born Black folks.    We talk with Southern California-based organizer Kim Moore to discuss the fallacies of this claim. Kim has been a community organizer for 20 years in San Diego County and is a member of the Black Alliance for Peace So-Cal City Wide Alliance.   https://www.instagram.com/socalbap?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=emN1dXAwNjN3Nmdr   patreon.com/blackmyths   00:00:00 Intro 00:07:39 This Ain't Our Fight 00:24:28 Immigration As a "Black Issue" 00:46:37 Imperialism and Complicity  01:03:02 Outro

In this episode, Too Black and Ryan debrief about the National Black Radical Organizing Conference. They were both deeply involved in the planning and logistical process of bringing the conference to Indianapolis. We aim to provide an assessment of the conference, highlighting the complexities involved in planning an event of such scale. Building is important, but how we do it matters. Thus, we also engage in self-criticism to highlight areas for improvement. Although this episode is not about a myth, we strive to dispel some of the bad faith understandings of organizing not only a conference but organizing in general.  00:00:00 -Opening 00:22:41 - Why Indiana? 00:53:35 - Logistics 01:22:31 - Logistics and Difficulties 01:51:50 - P2 Significance  https://www.patreon.com/blackmyths

We return for part two under a slightly different title: DEI has Radical Roots. In this episode, we trace the origins of DEI back to early integrationist efforts by US government up to affirmative action efforts and the subsequent Supreme Court decision that established the legal precedent for modern DEI to emerge. We continue with the trio Too Black, Rasul and Ryan.   Bootleg Rehab: Still Laundering Black Rage   https://www.blackagendareport.com/bootleg-rehab-still-laundering-black-rage   Patreon  patreon.com/blackmyths

In this episode, we explore the distortions surrounding DEI, particularly the myth that it has any radical elements in its function. Recent boycotts against Target's anti-DEI policies, false claims by the Trump administration, and media misinformation lay the groundwork for the discussion. We base this episode around a piece written by our host Too Black, and friend of the show Rasul Mowatt, entitled "Bootleg Rehab: Still Laundering Black Rage." This piece offers a materialist critique of DEI as a soft power mechanism of the State, not an initiative for justice.   Bootleg Rehab: Still Laundering Black Rage   https://indyliberationcenter.org/bootleg-rehab-still-laundering-black-rage/    Patreon  patreon.com/blackmyths

Grounding Our Purpose https://www.blackagendareport.com/grounding-our-purpose-second-national-black-radical-organizing-conference  INDIANAPOLIS, IN – April 7, 2025 – The Second National Black Radical Organizing Conference (NBROC) will convene approximately 500 Black/African/New Afrikan organizers from Friday, May 30th to Sunday, June 1st, 2025, at Butler University in Indianapolis, IN. This crucial gathering aims to build collective political power, advance revolutionary strategies, and craft a liberated future beyond capitalism, imperialism, patriarchy, and white supremacy. Inspired by the historic 1972 National Black Political Convention, this year's conference, themed “Base-Building for Collective Power,” will focus on skill-building, political clarity, and fostering a movement rooted in self-determination, solidarity, and transformative change in the fight against fascism. A significant component of the conference will be a call to action regarding the Pendleton 2. What: Second National Black Radical Organizing Conference (NBROC) - Action for Pendleton 2 When: May 30 - June 1st, 2025 Where: Butler University, Indianapolis 1000 W 42nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46208 Indianapolis, IN Who: Featuring representatives from: the Black Alliance for Peace, Community Movement Builders, National Black Liberation Movement, Black Men Build, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Cooperation Jackson, and more to be announced. Why: To build collective political power, advance revolutionary strategies, and craft a liberated future beyond systems of oppression. The conference aims to address critical issues facing Black communities and strategize for transformative change. A specific action will be called for in regards to the Pendleton 2.