"Revolutionary Love": Michelle Alexander on Gaza, Solidarity, MLK & What Gives Her Hope

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Author and civil rights advocate Michelle Alexander's new piece in The Nation reflects on Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s April 4, 1967, speech in New York opposing the war in Vietnam and its lasting lessons for American society today. She describes "revolutionary love" as the transnational "connections between liberation struggles" around the world, and calls for anti-oppression movements in the U.S. to continue working to "end the occupation of Palestine and commit to the thriving of all of the people who have been subjected to endless war and occupation." Revolutionary love, argues Alexander, "is the only thing that can save us now."
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[@brucewilson1958]

I'm a 70 year old American white man, a Native of Iowa. I've been a member of the Baha'i Faith for 40 years. I met Michelle Alexander at a Baha'i Conference in Wisconsin soon after her Jim Crow book was published. She was a featured speaker and I attended a workshop with her. She is a splendid role model for all humans, courageous, fair-minded, intelligent and articulate. Great to hear this interview with her. Bravo.

[@serpentines6356]

Yeah, nice person...AND very wrong.

[@giannidali9226]

So are you white or are you a native? Sioux, Meskwaki, or Sauk at the Natives of Iowa the rest are Settler Squatters.

[@brucewilson1958]

@@giannidali9226 You need to work on your attitude and be a better student of history. I'm Caucasian, whatever that means. Every Tribe on Earth fought with other Tribes over resources; water and game and land. They raided other Tribes and took slaves, both as laborers and to replace those killed in battle. Some just liked to fight and kill. I suggest that you read the diary of Kaveza De Vaca, a Spanish Explorer who walked from Florida to New Mexico a generation after Columbus. The Native People he encountered were like children. They spent 90% of their time securing food. They did not know how to fish. He found entire villages drunk on fermented cactus juice. As for me, I was the first non-Native allowed to Dance the Sun Dance in the home town of Sitting Bill, Little Eagle, SD. I've been on at least 20 reservations. If you want to learn and grow bring an attitude of friendship and respect to others.

[@mohammadhamad4694]

Thanks for your brilliance, Michelle! 🇵🇸

[@serpentines6356]

You are so so wrong.

[@highvolumepls]

Michelle we hear your voice falter and lament ,Thank you so much for your honesty and stamina😢

[@artofmybody2882]

So fake

[@aguilayserpiente]

​@@artofmybody2882Please identify how and what constitutes fake as opposed to non-fake lamentation. Cite a published work of psychology to support your claims.

[@AmberEyedVirgo]

@@artofmybody2882You’re literally the problem. If you have no empathy you have no soul

[@serpentines6356]

​@@AmberEyedVirgo Do you have any empathy for Israel? For saving western civilization?

[@SwimKam]

Had the privilege to hear Michelle Alexander in person. She is a powerful truth speaker.

[@patriciacampbell489]

Michelle is a breath of fresh air.

[@user-zq7zb6ew8p]

No, she emits a bad odor of antisemite.

[@jereuter01]

Yeah, you can choke on it. She's right about Nakba! But she's absolutely wrong about all the rest of her baloney. Yak yak yak. Stay focused. She's crazy mouthpiece for anarchy. Yeah , let's go back to Summer of 2020. I'll pass. This woman is sick.

[@reneecairo5020]

Wow, what a POWERFUL!!!!! Program. Thank you so much for featuring Michelle Alexander. I was so Blessed to read her book some years ago and wondered if she was still alive and well in the movement. And I’m so happy to see her in your show doing (advocating), what she does best. She truly is a SUPER STAR at this present moment and I pray Gods blessings and Protection upon her, and the continued commitment of truth telling of Democracy Now!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@hanifahal-amin3583]

Thank you, Michelle Alexander, for your tireless compassion that you extend "the people".👏🏾💜👏🏾

[@serpentines6356]

You all care nothing for the fact that more Muslims kill other Muslims. Israel is on the side of justice, and doesn't even come close.

[@ummahmed3354]

Dear. sister Michelle Alexander.. we love you for your relentless effort and compassionate to fight for oppressed and less fortunate...thanks for standing up for humanity Allah bless you

[@peacelover7000]

Love and respect for you ma'am. People like you are really giving hope for Palestinians, hope that they will be free sooner or later.

[@TheeOldest]

That was wonderful!! Thank you Michelle and Democracy Now!

[@janedasilva7792]

This woman is 100% right!!

[@artofmybody2882]

WRONG

[@user-zq7zb6ew8p]

No, she is not. You are ignorant person.

[@aguilayserpiente]

​@@artofmybody2882We cannot countenance anyone like you, who opposes justice for oppressed people.

[@artofmybody2882]

@aguilayserpiente isrealis are obviously oppressed.. there's 22 giant Arab countries and a tiny sliver for Isreal and smh the Arabs are oppressed?? U insane? After they attacked in 1948 and every time after?? U lost your mind in Gaza??

[@andrewreynolds912]

​@@aguilayserpiente dam right

[@janedasilva7792]

This woman is right!!

[@serpentines6356]

No. She isn't.

[@stevenparkinson8475]

I've always loved Michelle Alexander. She's so eloquent with her view on the world. A rare gem.

[@highvolumepls]

God bless Michelle, am Martin Luther King jr would be so proud of you and your family and team. Clearly delivered Good Luck😊❤

[@monamak8271]

“The Nazis made me afraid of being Jewish and the Zionists made me ashamed of being Jewish.” ~ (Dr. Israel Shahak, organic chemistry professor, human and civil rights activist, and Holocaust survivor) "Take the worst thing you can about Hamas multiply it by a thousand times and it still will not meet the Israeli repression and mass killing and dispossession of Palestinians." ~ Gabor Maté Holocaust Survivor "I don't remember one occupation in which the occupier presented himself as the victim, we are the victims, we are forced to kill their children, poor us.” ~ Israeli journalist Gideon Levy “The biggest insult to the memory of the Holocaust is not denying it but using it to commit genocide against the Palestinian people.” ~ Norman Finkelstein

[@user-eg9pn5ll4i]

500%, 1000% correct.

[@BeHumanWithOutBorders]

💯💯💯🎯🎯🎯

[@MohamedAbdallahSaid]

Thank you Democracy Now for fighting for the Children,Women and generally Civilians of Gaza

[@panagenesis2695]

In the long run, the arc of History and Civilization bends towards Justice.

[@joshuaboudreau5258]

It does bend but it needs the gentle push from people like Michelle.

[@PulverturmZA]

​@joshuaboudreau5258 not more gentle pushes, this now needs to be resolved! If Israel gets away with this we are all done.

[@serpentines6356]

​​@@PulverturmZA Quite the opposite... Israel must win if the world is to tilt more towards the good.

[@RandomNooby]

Powerful words of hope...

[@valentinadivina2229]

We are definitely creating a Revolution! Thank you Michelle for being part of it 💕👏✊✌️💕

[@user-zq7zb6ew8p]

Beware, Valentina… Do you know about Russian revolution anything?

[@valentinadivina2229]

@@user-zq7zb6ew8p Hein!?! What are you talking about. 🤔

[@user-zq7zb6ew8p]

@@valentinadivina2229 So, you don’t know…. Those who are “creating a Revolution” usually are eaten by it. Do you expect to be a victim?

[@aguilayserpiente]

​​@@user-zq7zb6ew8pYes, including the Mexican revolution preceding the same, the objective of which was and is elimination of foreign occupation and capitalist exploitation. No one needs to go to the U.N.'s codification of the rights of indigenous peoples to self-determination and dignity lost during colonial occupation. Whether it is Atahualpa, Cuauhutémoc, Morelos, Magón, or Red Cloud, Natives themselves explicitly articulate the objection to and offensive nature of foreign occupation: Once we were happy in our own country and we were seldom hungry, for then the two-leggeds and the four-leggeds lived together like relatives, and there was plenty for them and us. But the Wasichus came, and they have made little islands for us and other little islands for the four-leggeds, and always these islands are becoming smaller, for around them surges the gnawing flood of the Wasichu; and it is dirty with lies and greed. Neihardt, "Black Elk Speaks," (Bison Books; Complete ed. edition (March 1, 2014); see also Zapata, Emiliano, "Manifesto to the Mexican People: Reform, Justice, and Law," (Tlaltizapán, Morelos, 04/23/1918)(The revolution dedicates itself to: the redemption of the indigenous race, by returning its lands to it and by the same its liberty; achieve that the farm worker, today's slave of the landed baron, be converted into a free man and owner of his destiny, using small property; to improve the economic, intellectual, and moral condition of the laborer in the cities, by protecting him from capitalist oppression; to abolish the dictatorship [of Porfirio Díaz] and to secure ample and effective political freedoms for the Mexican people."). The passage of time makes the depth of the oppression that much more odious. The crime against the Native people is active in current perpetration. No amount of time erases the Native Palestinian people's sovereignty and rightful claim to Palestine, and right to redress grievances by resistance, militant or otherwise.

[@aguilayserpiente]

​@@user-zq7zb6ew8p Yes, including the Mexican revolution preceding the same, the objective of which was and is elimination of foreign occupation and capitalist exploitation. No one needs to go to the U.N.'s codification of the rights of indigenous peoples to self-determination and dignity lost during the colonial occupation. Whether it is Atahualpa, Cuauhutémoc, Morelos, Magón, or Red Cloud, Natives themselves explicitly articulate the objection to and offensive nature of foreign occupation: Once we were happy in our own country and we were seldom hungry, for then the two-leggeds and the four-leggeds lived together like relatives, and there was plenty for them and us. But the Wasichus came, and they have made little islands for us and other little islands for the four-leggeds, and always these islands are becoming smaller, for around them surges the gnawing flood of the Wasichu; and it is dirty with lies and greed. Neihardt, "Black Elk Speaks," (Bison Books; Complete ed. edition (March 1, 2014); see also Zapata, Emiliano, "Manifesto to the Mexican People: Reform, Justice, and Law," (Tlaltizapán, Morelos, 04/23/1918)(The revolution dedicates itself to: the redemption of the indigenous race, by returning its lands to it and by the same its liberty; achieve that the farm worker, today's slave of the landed baron, be converted into a free man and owner of his destiny, using small property; to improve the economic, intellectual, and moral condition of the laborer in the cities, by protecting him from capitalist oppression; to abolish the dictatorship [of Porfirio Díaz] and to secure ample and effective political freedoms for the Mexican people."). The passage of time makes the depth of the oppression that much more odious. The crime against the Native people is active in current perpetration. No amount of time erases the Native Palestinian people's sovereignty and rightful claim to Palestine, and right to redress grievances by resistance, militant or otherwise.

[@Rebekkah9]

When the Power of Love , Overcomes the love of power the World 🌎 will know Peace ~Jimi Hendrix- thank you Michelle Alexander for shining your Love light 💡

[@yemilantonioharcharaffache2595]

Great concept Michelle Congratulation from Chile

[@daiu48]

No doubt that MLK’s speech condemning the Vietnam war and JFK’s speech - A Strategy of Peace - on nuclear disarmament and dialogue with the Soviet Union at the American University need to be constantly broadcasted and understood .

[@wisethescholar5779]

Gorgeous woman and i admire her for authoring this classic book. I have my own copy .

[@Lysh769]

Absolutely true we can’t overcome anything without love

[@CW-xf1li]

Thank you Michelle! What I find particularly disturbing is the surprise that non-Palestinians care. The real mindset of our "representatives" is being revealed. I see no differences to vote for in the two-party system.

[@rajnikantsharma]

Support and strengthen people like Dr. Cornell West even if it takes time to have viable third party candidates.

[@edelgyn2699]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 One of the best, if not THE best, propositions I've heard in the last four months!!! When I think of it most of the talking heads have been male. Maybe if we listened more to what women are saying the world would be a better place - not fishing for approval, just a suggestion.

[@ansumanacamara9335]

Compassionate and intelligent women.

[@kevinwilliams1768]

excellent interview . Insightful, & analytical . Blessings Michelle Alexander . Continue your good work .

[@justinrussell851]

MLK Jr. legacy was born out of the unconditional love that he had for humanity and living up to our true human potential. The powers that be were intent on pacifying him to make him into a pariah. So.. it's even that more important for "the people" to understand that MLK Jr. was a real deal revolutionist organizer who never shied from calling out the US government for their criminal record.

[@subzero3056]

Until today i asked who's running the US government

[@justinrussell851]

@@subzero3056 The US is the biggest bully in the global playground. So, it's no longer a secret that they stand alone in terms of the forever war industry.

[@chalimunoz-elias5442]

Inspiring, truely heart-felt words. Ty Mrs. Alexander (and ty Amy).

[@MohamedAbdallahSaid]

The Neo-colonialist forget that millions of people exist with a pure heart that are not ready to be there slaves.

[@ownedlib5152]

Thank you both ❤

[@zachklieman2141]

Dr. Alexander and her work are incredible

[@joycesvarvar]

Thank you Democracy Now for airing this post. Its absolutely mind-blowing what is happening in the US, as it continues to support military and political occupation in Palestine. As we TikTok our way through this war, normalizing brutality and the killing of women and children, a crossroads for the "democratic ideal" looming with the National Election in November, your message could not be more timely. As someone who participated in the Civil Rights Movement as a Student in North Carolina, its clear to me, now in my 80s, a nonviolent movement based on unconditional love is the only answer. Violence through War is not the answer and never will be. Its sad to see, more difficult to accept any justification for the normalization of Genocide. Thank youfor your courage. Thank you Democracy Now for platforming this guest.

[@KGchannel01]

Beautiful words of wisdom and love, thank you!

[@toddhayes3506]

Thanks Michelle Alexander

[@Zuvie77]

Amazing book by an amazing author. Thank you for standing up for the plight of the Palestinians. We are not free until all of us are free!

[@jacklanham7311]

She nailed it. We need this voice and more to unite focus and get louder.

[@grzegorzgreg09]

Free Palestine!!!!✌ Save our beautiful planet!!! 🌍🏝🐘🦘🐼🐨🦜🦓🐬🐅🌍

[@rodrigomachado476]

So clear and brillant 🎉 You ll wonderful 🎉

[@esmeralda478]

". . . revolutionary love is the only thing that can save us now."

[@user-zq7zb6ew8p]

You definitely do not know what a revolution is… Beware what you wish for.

[@erikablack6761]

One of my fave authors 😍

[@ultravulva]

I Love Michelle Alexander . She’s always advocating the Revolutionary Love campaign. It’s encouraging.

[@subzero3056]

This is giving me a lot relief knowing good is here too.

[@emanabdulla6130]

Thank you for this hopeful take on the human condition that has become unbearably dismal. May this revolutionary love take us far and bring more justice and empathy to this sad world.

[@HOGH22]

Stop genocide! Justice for Palestine!

[@cadillacblue3412]

I could not agree more. I have felt the absolute need for REVOLUTIONARY LOVE in our society and at home.... it ALL begins at home❤

[@redbeardandfriends]

Peace be upon those who follow guidance! A Chinese scholar once said, "there are two ways in this world, the way of humanity, and the way of inhumanity " it is obvious that the ruling class in this country have chosen the way of inhumanity! So the evidence is clear, that the people of humanity have to unite!

[@tempacc9589]

Thank you

[@bettinagrunschel]

She is just so brilliant. ❤️

[@TheeOldest]

Thank you for saying these things!!!!❤

[@madeline-7748]

Thank you for sharing this discussion 💜

[@BigFatHeretic]

I’m 72 years old and I remember Martin Luther King. I’ve been a registered Democrat since I was old enough to vote. I love hearing all the old recordings of his speeches! I have been getting a lot of good recommendations from the KZbin algorithms for historical and science channels! I’m a socialist, a secular humanist, and back in 2010 I became an atheist. My younger brother is a right wing Republican and he’s ignorant and superstitious!!!

[@charlenekoya]

Thank you, that was amazing! only Revolutionary Love can save us now

[@ruthpicon2203]

This interview deserves more views. I hope you have her back soon.

[@user-un4ow2zx8u]

J WILL GET THIS BOOK.....THE BLACK VETERAN FOR REAL JUSTICE "...B1...FBA....BLACK NATIVE....USA❤❤❤❤❤

[@tg5275]

Excellent segment

[@toddhayes3506]

God Bless All Love and Support All Unconditionally

[@hakkah8564]

❤Michelle Alexander❤

[@sirmclovin9184]

Thanks for the interview.

[@Lantey1]

It was amazing watching this show. Hearing ML KING speech on Vietnam, and seeing whats happening in the world now made me feel proud but also so sad because nothings changed.

[@allyngharbi641]

Love it

[@jermainewashington2224]

My queen 👑 I love you MICHELE Alexander

[@Bigfut1]

All love & all emotions ❤

[@DrXtoph]

Thank you so much for all you do.

[@allyngharbi641]

That speech shocked me from inside to out

[@davidrobinson3434]

We are told all our lives, in every facet of our lives, that bad things are good, and good things are bad.

[@norikadolmy7274]

Beautiful and inspiring, I cried

[@shellycook3571]

I have bought 6 copies of her book" The New Jim Crow" . Fantastic work. Thank you from the UK .

[@davidlafleche1142]

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Messiah and King of the Jews. He shall soon return to save Israel and give them the Holy Land. "Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion" (Psalm 2:6, KJV). Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Establish the Kingdom of Peace in Jerusalem (Isaiah 9:7, KJV)!

[@robertafierro5592]

I swear, im going to meet Ms. Goodman and take a quick photo together with her and thank her for being a Voice for people who want to understand the morning news..

[@toddhayes3506]

Great Job Amy

[@toddhayes3506]

God Bless Democracy Now!

[@user-kv2sw5mf6p]

Make me very emosial the way she explain how people connect love.. Hope😢😢😢

[@theulins2896]

🌷

[@Angeprof]

I love that lady. She’s magnificent.

[@gloriakelly707]

, your parents are now opening their eyes and seeing the injustices, and now they themselves cannot be silent. There has to be change where the whistleblowers can speak up in any situation without fear of any kind. Don’t give up

[@Lovewins0356]

This message is so powerful❤. We must wake up and stand firm against corruptive forces if humanity is to survive.

[@nadiraraja4858]

Throughly enjoyed this interview and it is so poignant to todays situation

[@fairygaslight8660]

Awesome! TY!

[@nefertinaabrams1853]

Respect this a Queen so much for her intelligent activism and scholarship.👑💐

[@badihammad3669]

Salute to you for your courage to speak the truth if you cannot lift injustice tell everyone about it Israel now behaves exactly like Germany

[@carlkuss]

This is 1. Tremendous 2. A Mouthful 3. Important. And a couple of other things occur to me. I am very thankful that she drew my attention to the Riverside Church Discourse of MLK giving it the attention that it deserves. I thank Michelle Alexander also for having woken me up to the terrible reality of mass incarceration and what it represents. Lastly, as a Catholic priest I hear a lof of Pope Francis in what she is saying. And I hear it gratefully.

[@taramahmoud7368]

Ugh what a queen ❤🇵🇸

[@UNCIVILIZE]

Love has healthy boundaries. It must.

[@liz.joanmarie]

I have a feeling our 20-year long war in the Middle East would not have gone on that long if we had the same real-time access to see what was actually happening that we do today. War is absolutely awful and the only country that deserves US military support right now are those brave Ukrainians fighting for their lives and land. I’m honestly disgusted with the US government.

[@Roofers-Nail-Hardest]

But this is actually a war that started 1000 years ago. It went cold for a couple centuries and started back up again on September 11, 2001

[@chytaan]

Palestine is an issue of Humanity. Free PALESTINE ❤️🇵🇸

[@user-cx7fz5pi9s]

Michelle Alexander,she's a black genius

[@SaHayes-it2uw]

….or just a genius

[@user-cx7fz5pi9s]

@@SaHayes-it2uw absolute genius

[@cowsandpigsmaketheearthwar1471]

PHILOSOPHY LOVE IS THE SOURCE -PaulTeich-©️10/31/2023 This poem is about talking to God about love Love is the source of all things You are the source of all things We can feel your love Can you feel ours? We can see examples of your power Can you see ours? Are ours destruction or planting flowers? How do you view us from your ivory tower? What keeps evil at Bay? Is it a spell and Apple and leaf of bay? Is it an old-fashioned ruler who thinks she is A Bey? Or is it the simple acts of simple people taking care of each other day by day? You have given us love to turn Earth into Eden You let us know we were without true gnosis with the Apple Adam had eaten Letting us know we get intrinsic worth from giving a rib and not from beating Please take away indifference, give us peace and make us care if everyone is eating Love is the source Whether it comes from you or me, love takes us to heaven on a winged horse May peace, love and poetry, save the world!!!

[@semsemeini7905]

The ADL wrote a very interesting response in 2019 to MIchelle Alexander's article about this conflict.

[@MrLollith]

She still hasn’t realized both parties are the problem and work for the same masters. That’s why nothing ever gets better and in fact gets worse. We need to unite and get out of the 2 party system.

[@CikisHelyzet]

👏👏👏 Truesay, Michelle. Truesay 🖤

[@manuelbello5806]

Make love not war

[@paulheydarian1281]

What the world needs now, is ❤, sweet ❤.

[@moralfortitude...2217]

but they love making:war 🤨🤦‍♀️ get it ? 🤔🙄

[@redbeardandfriends]

Peace be upon those who follow guidance! The Prophet Muhammad (SAAW) said, "help the oppressed and help the oppressors, the companions asked, how do we help the oppressors? He(SAAW) said stop them from oppressing"!

[@AmrHussein1805]

It is people like Michelle who can make the world a better place

[@attackofthewindmills]

This is actually very good and very inspiring.

[@laluba3603]

Save tik-tok = Free J Assange = Freedom of speech = Free Press = Gives Peace a Chance.

[@dabrupro]

"Rare indeed, my son, is the lucky one whose observation of the world’s behavior has led to the extinction of their thirst for living, thirst for pleasure and thirst for knowledge." - Ashtavakra Gita (9.2), John Richards translation

[@afterforever8924]

Love > hate

[@Zambezibazaar]

I cannot find a copy of the Nation Magazine that contains this article "Only Revolutionary Love Can Save Us." Maybe I misheard something.

[@UNCIVILIZE]

If you're not fighting for free speech and against the abuse of our justice system, and you're not, nothing else really matters because our rights and safety will just be widdled away.

[@finn1355]

About time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! white America has been waiting and waiting for black Americans to figure it out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!