In this episode, we examine the myth that prison is built for profit. That is, the myth that mass incarceration is driven by private profit above all else. Although there are certainly profiteers within the prison industrial complex, prisons operate at a loss. Therefore, in part 1 of this series, we explore what does not drive mass incarceration. In part two we will explore what actually drives mass incarceration. In part three we will interview, Orisanmi Burton, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and author of the book Tip of the Spear: Black Radicalism, Prison Repression, and the Long Attica Revolt.  Monologue- 00:09:40 Prison For Profit Myths - 00:14:12 Private Prisons - 00:37:24 Prison Labor - 00:45:35 Prison Fees - 00:57:24 Cost of Prison & Slavery - 01:02:54 Closing Thoughts - 01:22:57 Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2023 https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2023.html#myths   Captive Labor: Stories of Involuntary Servitude https://www.aclu.org/news/human-rights/captive-labor-stories-of-involuntary-servitude   Are private prisons driving mass incarceration? https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2015/10/07/private_prisons_parasite/   "Prisons Make Us Safer": And 20 Other Myths about Mass Incarceration Book by Victoria Law https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/659473/prisons-make-us-safer-by-victoria-law/   The Unlucky 13th: Liberalizing the Extreme https://imixwhatilike.org/2016/10/25/the-unlucky-13th-liberalizing-the-extreme/   patreon.com/blackmyths

Black Myths Pod crew reviews the myths we covered over the last year of 2023 including Patrisse Lumumba, Pan-Africanism, Political Prisoners, the Black dollar, Third World, Israel/Hamas, and Anti-Communism. Patreon https://www.patreon.com/blackmyths

Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly, a scholar focused on capitalism and racism, dives deep into the Black Scare/Red Scare Theory and its relevance today. She discusses the socio-political implications surrounding movements like 'Stop Cop City' and the Israel-Palestine conflict. Delving into how narratives shape capitalist racism, Dr. Burden-Stelly critiques the portrayal of marginalized communities as threats. She also examines the historical intersections of Black liberation movements with socialist ideologies and challenges conventional narratives surrounding labor and identity.

In this conversation, Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly, a critical Black Studies scholar, dives into how anti-communism serves as a scapegoat for radicalism born from systemic oppression. She discusses the legacy of anti-communism in shaping Black identity and its intersection with capitalism. Celebrating her book "Black Scare / Red Scare," she critiques Wall Street's imperialism and examines how historical legacies affect contemporary social justice movements. Burden-Stelly challenges stereotypes, advocating for a nuanced understanding of race, labor, and political repression.

We continue our conversation with our guests Rana Nazzal Hamadeh and Musa Springer. In this episode we delve into "Operation Al Aqsa" flood of October 7th and ways to understand the attack grounded in the broader historical context discussed in Pt. 1. We also discuss the anti-solidarity myths about Palestinians being homophobic and anti-black.    https://www.patreon.com/blackmyths

In this episode, we explore the myth of the Israel-Hamas War with guests Rana Nazzal Hamadeh and Musa Springer beginning with the history of Israeli conquest of Palestine and the history of apart that followed.  Rana is a Palestinian artist and filmmaker living between Ramallah and Ottawa on unceded Anishinaabe territory. Her photography, film, and installation works look at issues related to time, space, land, and movement, offering interventions rooted in a decolonial framework. My practice is deeply informed by the knowledge emerging from the grassroots movements for justice around me, both in Palestine and across Turtle Island. Musa Springer is a cultural worker, community organizer, and independent researcher. They are a member of the Walter Rodney Foundation, Hood Communist editor, and host of the Groundings podcast. Join the Patreon https://www.patreon.com/blackmyths

Dr. Jared Ball, an author and scholar known for his insights on Black buying power, joins to debate the necessity of pooling Black resources for liberation. He critiques the notion of buying power, arguing for a deeper understanding of resource allocation beyond financial metrics. The discussion covers historical examples of cooperative strategies and the challenges Black communities face within a capitalist system. Engaging and spirited, the debate highlights the importance of mutual aid and collective action in pursuing true empowerment.

In this episode, we explore the relationship between Atlanta and Cop City in our interview with Kamau Franklin. We explore the events that precluded cop City, how the Black elite helps shield the project, and what the realities are of organizing against it.  Kamau Franklin is the founder of Community Movement Builders, Inc. Kamau has been a dedicated community organizer for over thirty years, beginning in New York City and now based in Atlanta. For 18 of those years, Kamau was a leading member of a national grassroots organization dedicated to the ideas of self-determination and the teachings of Malcolm X.   Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/blackmyths

In this episode we cover the myth of the Black Mecca in relationship to the city of atlanta. We track the genealogy of the term and how Atlanta developed as a Black city. We cover the creation of the "new south," the rise of Maynard Jackson, the Atlanta child murders and the 1996 Olympics. We utilize "Legend of Black Mecca: Politics and Class in the Making of Modern Atlanta" by Maurice J. Hobson.   Join our Patreon https://www.patreon.com/blackmyths

In part 2, we explore the history of the Third World with the Soviet Union, the different characters of a one party state post-national liberation, and the activity in the Sahel region of Africa including the most recent coup in Niger. Vijay lays out the historical context that has led to the current coups in the region. He also clarifies how the Third World became known as an impoverished, backward place for missionary-like charity. "Niger is the fourth country in the Sahel to experience an anti-Western coup" https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/08/01/niger-is-the-fourth-country-in-the-sahel-to-experience-an-anti-western-coup/ Join Patreon https://www.patreon.com/blackmyths