The Anti-Black Blackness
Cutting against Colour
Once again, I find myself with a topic that I cannot shake…and wish to avoid. Here it is, the end of June and we have the US involved in another war, ICE agents raiding and grabbing people off the streets, and my own concerns over money continue (where are all those contracts?). I thought that I could just observe and comment like a true Vocalist, and then move on with the rest of my summer.
But there has been a little problem with my plans…
I have discovered the YouTube page of one Lady Boule, an African-American woman who offers her opinions on the changing climate of the US landscape, racially, politically and socially. She has commented on the ICE raids, the No Kings protests and Trump’s parade, racism, political intrigues, and what it means to be Black in America today. I have become a fan, and I approach her as a West-Indian Canadian who has a lot to learn about what is going on behind the scenes. I have learned about FBAs, Foundational Black Americans. These are the African Americans born and bred within the cauldron of the USA, not immigrants recently adapting to the country. I learned about the struggles and perspectives of the people who took part in protests, voted for the current American government, and now…are paying the price. What stood out for me – the real reason why I decided to write this – was her view of the Latino community in America. Lady B. was quite critical of the people singing homages to the current leader of the free world, and then discovering that his forced removal of citizens would include people in their own families. She would go on to point a finger at the belief of some in the community who thought that Black Americans would – just possibly – be the target of the deportations that are all over the news. I thought this was an interesting theory, but one that I could not dismiss. And then it got personal.
She began to note that the raids would probably target anyone brown or black enough to be noticed by people in masks, in unmarked cars, who have the right to grab you off the street without a warrant. She included illegal immigrants, but also began to comment on African immigrants and what she called “Caribbeans”.
I had to take a pause there. Her accusations towards people I grew up with included our willingness to earn money, but not give back to the communities we live in; contempt for the concerns of those FBAs; being Trump supporters when it was convenient; indifference to the pain of the community’s pain and harassment.
This was startling to me. I am West-Indian Canadian, specifically from the island of Dominica. I did grow up in a very close community, having very little contact with anyone African or Latino at home, in school, in church, or in any of the social activities we engaged in. I never thought that we were pointing a finger at other communities with our hard work, determination to get ahead, and willingness to ignore what could not be comprehended.
But I could not forget a few things.
First, there were the stories I would hear over the dinner table about how Africans immigrants were just not clean (a sharp contrast with my family’s neatness and obsession with appearances). Then there were the comparisons with the African-American community. One relative even told me with a straight face that Canada would never allow the sort of ghettos that exist in the US (“We aren’t like them.”) I heard nothing about the Latino community, which feels like a small mercy.
Now, my family missed out on the counterculture and the general upheavals of the American 1960s (my own family moved to Canada in 1970). We all had families and homes and lives and children and jobs that we were not always proud of, but used to keep our heads above waters. And I was raised by workaholics whose influence clearly rubbed off on me (I had my first jobs before I was legally allowed to work).
But did we really hate our African American brothers and sisters?
I doubt it. There was too much information in the media and in our encounters with them to truly feel as if we were not a part of the project. I did not feel special or indifferent from what I read, saw, heard or experienced.
But we still had those comments among us. We still had our biases.
And now, I wonder just how guilty we should feel.
This is worse than colourism or ignoring the way the media controls our narrative. This is something that we have done to ourselves and have not even noted.
Are we guilty for not being in the game? What is our role now, as we look south?
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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.
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About the Creator
Kendall Defoe
Teacher, reader, writer, dreamer... I am a college instructor who cannot stop letting his thoughts end up on the page. No AI. No Fake Work. It's all me...
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Political Graffiti
The people have spoken. Officially, Canada’s Election Day is Monday, April 28th. We have had early voting, with a record 7.3 million eligible Canadians making their choice over the Easter weekend (I was a part of this particular group, noting that I was doing so on Good Friday – see my poem). The race has tightened up over the last week, with the American presidency, tariffs and a general pro-Canadian feeling permeating the nation. We will probably have a minority government running things again, with the same two main parties – Liberal and Conservative – duking it out and butting heads over issues. My mother will go for the former; some relatives will choose the latter, or take a real shot in the dark and choose one of our other parties (New Democrats, People’s Party of Canada, Green or…?) One of the more amusing things about this nation is how many political parties seem to grow in the body politic every year (I remember one called the Natural Law Party when I was an undergrad; their party leader was our own infamous magician Doug Henning – look him up). I often wonder how a nation like the United States can possible cohere and run with just two political parties (yes, I know that there are independent candidates, they seem to just be a sideshow to the big tent events). I wonder how it works.
By Kendall Defoe 9 months ago in The Swamp
US Labels Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as ‘Terrorists’: A Major Shift in Middle East Policy
The United States has officially designated the Muslim Brotherhood’s branches in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as terrorist organizations, marking a significant change in Washington’s stance toward one of the most influential Islamist movements in the Middle East. This announcement, made by the State Department, is expected to have far-reaching consequences for regional politics, diplomacy, and counterterrorism efforts. A Controversial Organization Founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood has evolved from a religious and social movement into a politically influential organization across multiple countries. It operates social services, charities, and political entities, but some factions have also been accused of engaging in militant activities. Historically, the Brotherhood has maintained a complex position in global politics: viewed as a legitimate political actor by some governments and as a security threat by others. Before this designation, the United States had largely differentiated between the Brotherhood’s political and militant wings, often engaging with non-violent factions for diplomatic purposes. By labeling the Egyptian, Lebanese, and Jordanian branches as terrorist organizations, the US is signaling a zero-tolerance approach, potentially treating all elements of the movement as threats. Implications for Egypt In Egypt, the Brotherhood has been banned since 2013 following the military removal of former President Mohamed Morsi, the group’s first democratically elected leader. The Egyptian government has since carried out a harsh crackdown on members, imprisoning thousands and restricting the organization’s activities. The US decision aligns with Cairo’s hardline stance and provides international validation for continued suppression. However, analysts warn that the designation may further radicalize the movement’s underground elements, potentially leading to an increase in clandestine activity. Impact on Lebanon Lebanon presents a more complicated scenario. Unlike in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood in Lebanon primarily operates as a political and social organization without a significant armed wing. The US terrorist designation could disrupt Lebanon’s delicate political balance, which relies on cooperation among multiple sectarian and ideological groups. Critics argue that this move may inadvertently push some factions closer to extremist groups, destabilizing a nation already facing political and economic challenges. Consequences for Jordan In Jordan, the Muslim Brotherhood functions as a recognized political party, participating in parliamentary elections and social programs. By labeling the organization a terrorist entity, the US risks creating tensions between the Jordanian monarchy and Brotherhood supporters. This could provoke unrest, weaken moderate political participation, and complicate US-Jordan relations, which have historically relied on cooperation with both government authorities and political Islamists. International Reactions The US decision has prompted mixed international responses. Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have long opposed the Brotherhood, welcomed the designation, viewing it as a step toward curbing the organization’s regional influence. Conversely, European allies have expressed concern that such a sweeping classification could undermine diplomatic engagement and limit channels for negotiating with moderate Islamist groups who participate in political processes. Human rights organizations have also criticized the move. They argue that lumping non-violent political activity together with terrorism risks undermining civil liberties and discouraging peaceful political participation. “By not distinguishing between armed militants and lawful political actors, this policy could fuel alienation and radicalization rather than prevent it,” said an analyst from an international think tank. Broader Implications for US Policy This designation reflects a broader US policy shift toward political Islam in the Middle East. Officials argue that labeling the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization will limit funding, restrict movement, and reduce the operational capabilities of groups perceived as threats. However, critics caution that this approach could backfire by eliminating moderate voices, empowering authoritarian regimes, and alienating populations who view the Brotherhood as a legitimate representative of their interests. Looking Ahead The US labeling of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as terrorist organizations is likely to have profound political, security, and diplomatic repercussions. Beyond cutting off financial and logistical support, the decision could reshape regional alliances, alter internal political dynamics, and redefine the US approach to Islamist movements in the Middle East. Governments in the region now face the challenge of managing local responses while balancing international relations and domestic stability. For the Brotherhood, the designation raises urgent questions about strategy, from legal challenges to underground operations. In an increasingly volatile Middle East, the US decision underscores the continuing struggle between state authorities and Islamist movements, highlighting the difficult balance between security, political inclusion, and the rights of citizens. As events unfold, the world will be watching closely to see whether this controversial move strengthens stability or fuels further unrest.
By Fiazahmedbrohi a day ago in The Swamp
Comments (3)
Thought this was incredibly well written Kendall. Thought it was an interesting point about the media controlling our narrative. It feels particularly hard to find 'real' news at the moment and to ask questions without causing offense.
This is a really interesting piece - it's not something I can weigh in on myself due to lack of knowledge or experience in this specific topic, but I would say its always good for us to look inwards. We have all been exposed to biases and preconceived ideas, especially from older family members and it's clear that you're thinking hard about this!
An excellent piece. And excellent questions. I know from friends of mine, and communities I've lived in, that we're so divided now that even our divisions have divisions. As the lyrics of "Won't Get Fooled Again" say, And the parting on the left Is now parting on the right. Fixing it is of course the problem.