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African American Conspiracy Theories

African American Conspiracy Theories. A different axis. Last week JFK assassination – massive and society wide conspiracy theory This week - conspiracy theories held by smaller group, one historically oppressed, and who may have more concrete foundation for suspicion

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African American Conspiracy Theories

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  1. African American Conspiracy Theories

  2. A different axis • Last week JFK assassination – massive and society wide conspiracy theory • This week - conspiracy theories held by smaller group, one historically oppressed, and who may have more concrete foundation for suspicion • Not the only group we might examine – feminist conspiracy theories • AA CTs – reveal some fascinating specifics and some general characteristics to illuminate the workings of conspiracy theory beliefs

  3. Standard in black America? • For instance, Hurricane Katrina 2005: • Kanye West’s views on George BushSpike Lee chips in on Katrina • While Liz Claiborne refuses to sell clothes to black women • And OJ Simpson is the victim of a conspiracy • Origins? Watch documentary extract

  4. Recent prominence • Reverend Jeremiah Wright controversy • Pastor of the Trinity United Church, Chicago, attended by Obama • His Autobiography is titled after one of Wright’s sermons (The Audacity of Hope) • Wright especially made claims that AIDs was a disease created specifically to kill black people

  5. AIDS2005 studyWidespread doubts about origins common in black community50% believe deliberateSuspicion of targeting black raceTopic we will return to

  6. Tuskegee Syphilis study • Study of a group of 400+ infected black men by the CDC via Tuskegee Institute, Al. • Cure found 1947, but was deliberately withheld from subjects • Revealed 1960s, not stopped until 1972 • Frequently quoted example of the real used to justify CT (if they did this, then why not X?) • Reckoned by some to have led to continuing mistrust of medicine by black people

  7. Drug Conspiracy • 1980s influx of crack cocaine into American cities hit black community hard, doubled crime rate, doubled murder rate for young men, increased child mortality… • Gary Webb, author of Dark Alliance alleged was result of CIA drug running to fund Contra rebels against Marxist Nicaragua • Forced an investigation by CIA, found accusations unwarranted • But widely accepted as true among black Americans, and has now attained undeniable plausibility – another Tuskegee

  8. Relationship to black heritage • Slavery and suspicion • Racism and institutionalised, legal, status as second class. Catch a cab? • Mistrustful relationship to state • Murders of leaders (MX, MLK, Panthers) • Rodney King • Conspiracy Theories from the oppressed – does a different standard apply? • More on COINTELPRO

  9. Disseminators: Nation of Islam • Aka the “Black Muslims” are a frequent source and promoter of black conspiracy theories • Anti-semitic – classic CT. Examples • More militant voices still – Khalid Muhammad • Draws on the Afrocentric arguments of Leonard Jeffries about Africa as the root of all civilisation • (clip) stolen history of Kings. Conspiracy of silence about “Black Egypt” and “Black Greece.” • Hidden history of black Presidents

  10. Disseminators: Hip Hop • Lost Children of Babylon afrocentrism • Wu-Tang Clan (Ol’ Dirty Bastard speaks aka Russell Jones) • Immortal Technique – note is about 9/11 • And a back flip: • Alicia Keyes: 'Gangsta rap' was a ploy to convince black people to kill each other. 'Gangsta rap' didn't exist. Later response

  11. Disseminators: 2 for a dollar • KFC & Churches Chicken among others • Why food? Why these foods? • Tropic Fantasy the “Ballbuster” or spermkiller • Very intimate and trusting relationship to modern food, especially cheap, fast food • Threat to virility claimed, itself a peculiar reflection of a white prejudice/fantasy about black male sexuality

  12. Obama Rebound • Conspiracy Theories about Obama • Is a Muslim • His Oath of Office flub • Refuses to salute flag • The “Birther” conspiracy theories • During campaign, the Fight the Smears website • Obama conspiracies website tracks them • Obama = secret socialist (already seen Glenn Beck, so here is Pat Buchanan)

  13. Conclusions • Heritage of slavery in American life, deep suspicions black/white it established • This historical basis for suspicion and doubt resonates through black CTs; Peter Knight calls them a “popular sociology”, offer mythic illustrations of meaning behind real issues • Anita Waters – “ethnosociologies?” • What explanations does she reject? What explanation does she provide? How does her view characterise CT believers and CTs as bases for action?

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