February has been designated as Black History Month. However, the legacy of African people goes beyond the calendar. It must be understood that our story does not begin with slavery. Chattel Slavery impeded it. The Transatlantic Slave trade ruined Africa’s economy and total infrastructure. Not to mention, erasure of accomplishments and existence.

Africa and African People are the progenitors of scientific development, engineering, mathematics, architecture, medicine and early political developments such as state formation and monarchy. Before Colonization, our territories were more advanced than elsewhere.

“We must recognize that we can’t solve our problem now until there is a radical redistribution of economic and political power… this means a revolution of values and other things. We must see now that the evils of racism, economic exploitation and militarism are all tied together… you can’t really get rid of one without getting rid of the others… the whole structure of American life must be changed. America is a hypocritical nation and [we] must put [our] own house in order.”

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Report to SCLC Staff, May 1967.

On the day of our nation's official celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, we wish you solidarity and strength. As Greens with a radical commitment to the pillars of Social Justice and Nonviolence, we commemorate and give praise to Dr. King's legacy.

ST LOUIS – The Green Party of St. Louis is joining those organizations responding to the call of the Universal African Peoples Organization to investigate the possible murder of a civilian by a Richmond Heights police officer as described below.

Date: Monday, November 25, 2019
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: St. Paul AME Church, 1260 Hamilton, St. Louis, Mo 63112

ST. LOUIS – What is it like to experience the trauma of a family member, friend or relative being shot? What if the victim is a child? What community work can be done to help people learn to settle disputes without violence? How are poverty and income disparity linked to violence? What should the role of police be in reducing violence? Why is the current arrest-and-incarcerate system failing to do what it claims to do in protecting us? If we took away guns, would that help solve the problem or leave people at the mercy of the Klan? 

On September 2, 2018, Hardel Sherell, a father of three, died in the Beltrami County, MN, jail due to neglect & abuse. The National Black Caucus of the Green Party of the United States stands united with the family of Hardel Sherrell as they seek justice. Newly released ​video​ and phone records contradict​ authorities' version of the events leading up to Mr. Sherrell's death. Footage released to Unicorn Riot and other news agencies shows Hardel falling out his bed and being left to lie on the floor for up to 8 hours until he died.

The National Black Caucus of The Green Party of The United States stands in solidarity with media entrepeneur Byron Allen regarding his multi-billion dollar lawsuit against Comcast for racial discrimination, and the preservation of the 1866 Civil Rights Act. The 1866 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination when making and enforcing contracts.

Trahern Crews, Chair of the National Black Caucus of the Green Party of the United States Reparations Working Group stated, "We encourage President Trump to change his stance in support of Comcast and side with the American people instead of multinational corporations when it comes to civil rights in the United States of America."

By Don Fitz

In 2017 my Green Papers article, “Any White Cop Can Kill a Black Man at Any Time,” told how St. Louis cop Jason Stockley killed a 24-year-old black man, Anthony Lamar Smith.  Though Stockley claimed he had fired in self defense when Smith pulled a gun on him, evidence showed that he had planted the gun after the killing.  When Stockley was found “not guilty” protests by thousands in St. Louis lasted for months, just as in 2014 when another white cop, Darren Wilson, killed Michael Brown in neighboring Ferguson.

Two members of the Allegheny County Council submitted a bill to create a countywide Civilian Police Review Board, similar to the board already in existence in Pittsburgh. A public hearing was held in August by Council, and below is testimony given by a Green Party spokesperson:

Hi, my name is Jay Walker, and I'm the chair of the Green Party of Allegheny County. I represent the more than 1000 registered Green Party members who reside in this county. Our party endorsed an independent review board last September because it exemplified three out of the four pillars that form the foundation of our party.

• The topic for the next Black & Green Wednesday Forum is Trauma

Trauma is a deep emotional wound. Children, especially black children, are exposed to too much toxic stress and upsetting situations that impact overall health and well being. What physical changes go on in the body when a person has too much stress? How do personal problems and community issues interact with each other?