In this episode, in part 2 of this series, we discuss the recent spikes in anti-communism. Recently, the State Department released the "Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism," targeting all progressive elements in the US. They tie all these elements to Cuba as a broader effort to target so-called "domestic terrorism." Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly is back to discuss this document and the broader framework of domestic terrorism. She relates it back to historical iterations of red scares and explains the specific character of it today.

Myth: Communism Made Me Do It

https://www.youtube.com/live/ZXuC-rPwYZ8?is=3eiIf9R9MGp34P30

Myth: Communism Made Me Do It Pt. 2

https://www.youtube.com/live/V4OSrY-tFvY?is=KkWz1ct4YzATtlsv

Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism

https://www.state.gov/cuba-the-capital-of-21st-century-communism

NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-7

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/

Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/blackmyths

In this episode, we explore the false dichotomy between the "Good Socialist" and the "Bad Communist." This is the idea that one can separate oneself from anti-communism by dissing communism. However, with the State Department's release of Cuba: The Capital of the 21st Century, targeting anything progressive as "domestic terrorism, it becomes clearer that everyone marginally left is a target. Historically, Black people, whether left-wing or not, are vulnerable to these types of red scares, and thus should be prepared.

To help us discuss these dilemmas, we bring on a friend of the show, Dr. Charise Burden-Stelly. She is an Associate Professor of African American Studies at Wayne State University and the author of the book Black Scare / Red Scare: Theorizing Capitalist Racism in the United States. We discuss anti-communism, what it is, the contradictions it creates, and ways to remain principled in combating it. We also look at the way Anti-communism is weaponized to target Black radical movements.

This is part 1 of 2. For Patreon subscribers who want to listen to both parts, part 2 is available. If you're not a subscriber, please sign up.

https://www.patreon.com/c/blackmyths

Dr. CBS

https://www.charisseburdenstelly.com/

Myth: Communism Made Me Do It

https://www.youtube.com/live/ZXuC-rPwYZ8?is=3eiIf9R9MGp34P30

Myth: Communism Made Me Do It Pt. 2

https://www.youtube.com/live/V4OSrY-tFvY?is=KkWz1ct4YzATtlsv

Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism

https://www.state.gov/cuba-the-capital-of-21st-century-communism

NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM/NSPM-7

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jared Ball and Dr. Todd Steven Burroughs to break down the myth of the "Anti-Obama Race Traitor." They dig into how that label was often weaponized to silence policy-based critiques of Barack Obama, forcing people to choose between unquestioning support or being ostracized. The conversation centers on how Obama's public identity was a carefully constructed media strategy. The guests talk about how he learned to code-switch and use symbolic language to appeal to both Black voters and white power structures, all while avoiding any real challenge to the status quo. They reflect on how even among Black activists and intellectuals, there was an intense pressure to fall in line, often at the expense of independent political analysis. They also get into how this era set a template for other Black political figures to follow, prioritizing access and symbolism over radical policy demands. It's a pretty candid look back at a time when criticizing the first Black president could get you labeled a traitor, even when those criticisms were based on his actual record, his cabinet appointments, and his imperialist policies. Ultimately, they discuss how the Obama years are being rebranded today as a "golden era," which they argue obscures the reality of what actually went down and the long-term consequences for Black political thought.

Jesse Jackson and Black People

https://www.firstofthemonth.org/jesse-jackson-and-black-people-redux/

What Is The Message? ft. Todd Steven Burroughs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-SfX6_XLRQ

Rising Star: The Making of Barack Obama and the Limitations of Liberal Criticism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMeiPgJe0qo

The Great Harlem Debate of 2008! Is the Election of Barack Obama Good for Black People?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWx-SZmgwn8

In this episode, we dissect the myths surrounding the proliferation of data centers in Black communities. We explore the realities behind industry promises—ranging from job creation and infrastructure support to tax base contributions—and examine the potential long-term impacts on water, energy, and community autonomy. Join us as we ground the conversation in what AI and data centers actually are, and discuss how Black communities can organize to address these critical issues.We are joined by guests Austin Cole, Nicholas Richard-Thompson, and India Williams from the Black Alliance for Peace.

https://blackallianceforpeace.com/environment

https://www.patreon.com/c/blackmyths

In this episode of "Its Just Sports," we, dismantle the persistent myth that athletics exist in an apolitical vacuum. Joined by guest Black Alliance For Peace National Co-Coordinator, Erica Caines, we dive into why the "just sports" narrative often washes the crimes of US imperialism.

We explore the work of the BAP and their "People-Centered Human Rights" framework—rights secured through social struggle rather than top-down mandates. We contrast this grassroots approach with FIFA's own human rights protocols, which fronts for corporate interests.

BAP argues that by allowing the U.S. to host, FIFA is whitewashing state criminality, including the support of genocide in Gaza, military strikes on Venezuela, and the ongoing repression of people domestically.

More broadly we explore the effects sports has in securing our consent through fandom and how it engineers the making of our cities.

To learn more about the boycott campaign, information is listed below

https://peoplescenteredhumanrights.com/move-the-games/

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/c/blackmyths

On this episode of the Black Myths Podcast, we tackle the "Myth: All Marxisms are Created Equal" with guest Gabriel Rockhill. Rockhill, a philosopher, cultural critic, and activist, breaks down the origins and implications of "Western Marxism". We discuss the influence of imperial entities like the CIA and the deep collaboration of the Frankfurt School founders with the State. The conversation explores the tendency within Western Marxism to oppose "actually existing socialism," and how this stance influences Black and critical theories around race. Finally, we address how to navigate the contradictions within political discourse without resorting to ideological "purity tests," reminding us: "You only feel a leash if you run far enough from your owner".

https://www.patreon.com/c/blackmyths

In this episode, the myth that Black voting rights = voting power is analyzed through the lens of internal neo-colonialism following the recent devastating blow to the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais. We are joined by Petros Bein, author of "Internal Colonialism and the Reproduction of Capital", to explore the historical evolution from colonialism (Slavery, Jim Crow) to neo-colonialism.

The discussion focuses on the critical distinction between the right to vote and actual power, using examples like the War on Drugs and the Crime Bill to show how Black elected officials have historically legislated policies that harmed the Black community. The conversation ultimately concludes that while the fight for voting rights must continue, true power requires organizing above and beyond the State and its ballot box, as voting in a colony should not be confused with obtaining real power.

Internal Colonialism and the Reproduction of Capital

https://hoodcommunist.org/2026/04/02/internal-colonialism-and-the-reproduction-of-capital/

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/c/blackmyths

In this episode, we revisit a Black Myths classic: Black People Died to Vote. Due to the recent supreme court decision on (LOUISIANA v. CALLAIS ET AL.) that effectively ends majority Black districts across the south, voting rights is back in the public discourse. Although well-intentioned by most, the often-heard retort that "Black People Died to Vote" distorts the history of struggle around the vote. It reduces Black death to the vote itself, not the broader struggle for liberation. In this episode, we explore the history surrounding the vote throughout Black history with a particular focus on Ella Baker and her work in the civil rights movement. Fun fact: this was actually the first episode the current cast of co-hosts had ever recorded together.

Executive Editor of Grassroots Thinking, J. Ezra McCoy joins Black Myths Pod to Interview Too Black regarding his latest pieces on "Nonviolence is Violence Too". They discuss the process for writing the pieces, the limitations of nonviolence as a concept, how historically violence is a companion to nonviolence, and some of the background editing that went into the piece.

pt. 1 https://www.grassrootsthinking.com/nonviolence-is-violence-too-somebodys-gotta-die/ pt. 2

https://www.grassrootsthinking.com/nonviolence-is-violence-too-part-2-were-all-in-the-gunk/

In this episode, we are joined by guest Momodou Taal, a PhD candidate in the Africana Studies department at Cornell University, host of The Malcolm Effect podcast, and a co-founder member of VoxUmmah. We dive into a critical discussion on the intersections of Iran, global power, and religion.

We open with reflections from our previous episode, including an assessment based on Dr. Bikrum Gill's analysis of "Imperialism as the primary contradiction". We focus on Islam, exploring its material role in the current war against Iran, and analyzing why the left often finds it challenging to integrate Islam and religion into its analysis.

Lastly, we look at Imperialism Today. We examine the utility of debating the roles of the US versus Israel in the war effort, discuss how imperialism has mutated over time, and identify the anti-imperialist forces in the world today—and how to build them up.