I just want all of us to believe that we are good enough. And I believe that when we believe that we’re good enough, we will see the value in each other. And when we see the value in each other then some of these other structures we are looking to overthrow that were built in white supremacy, can be defeated ~ Dr. Wes Bellamy on what his freedom dream for Black America entails
To label Virginia native, Dr. Wes Bellamy as merely a “ social media influencer” is a gross understatement. The 36-year-old professor and chairman of Virginia State University’s political science department, former vice mayor of Charlottesville, Virginia, chairman of the Our Black Party political organization, and father of two is a multi-hyphenate renaissance man dedicated to the work of liberating Black folks, politically and ensuring that Black Americans arrive at whatever their interpretation of freedom is, sound in both body and mind.
I spoke with Dr. Bellamy or Wes as he prefers to be referred to just before the new year on a variety of topics including his work with the Sean “Diddy” Combs-founded, Our Black Party, the identity of Black voters in the binary spectrum of the majority two-party political system, his advice to Black students who are apathetic about American politics, communal wellness and the plight/parallel of Black leaders of today and yesteryear.
Throughout our discussion, Wes lovingly instructs his 3-year-old daughter, Stokely (named after Stokely Carmichael) to turn down her game as we conversed while they were in transit through the Carolinas. There was something sweet and revolutionary about our talking about the power of Black political mobilization as Wes’ daughter sat in the backseat vying for her dad’s attention, while subconsciously taking in his hopes for our people.
I am thankful for his time and encourage you all to tap into our 31-minute discussion. Oh, and happy 2023!
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