THE BLACK RADICAL TRADITION

Cornel West

SINCE 1976, February has been Black History Month in the United States. While it pays homage to the contributions of African Americans to American history, a vital piece of the picture has always been omitted- the Black radical political tradition.

Prominent radical social critic Cornel West says that Black History Month honors an anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist, internationalist tradition that fights for a truth that “is always to allow the suffering to speak no matter who is suffering.”

West joined other radical Black leaders like Angela Davis and Mumia Abu-jamal at the "Black Radical Tradition In Our Time" conference in Philadelphia last month to discuss “challenging white supremacy and capitalism in anticipating the next stage of the Black liberation movement.”

Featuring interviews with Cornel West and others, and with speeches from legends like Mumia Abu-jamal and Angela Davis, Abby Martin provides a snapshot from the conference.