Every year since 1954, Veterans Day (11 November) has honoured military veterans who have served in the US armed forces. However, it is crucial to examine the role of patriotic celebrations in the world’s largest empire built on unceded land and through the labour of enslaved people.
In the case of the United States, the military serves imperialism, a system that benefits a small group of wealthy individuals through military domination.
At African Stream, we instead choose to honour revolutionary African heroes worldwide by celebrating Pan-African Veterans Day. From the Black Liberation Army in the US to Afro-Cuban revolutionary Victor Emilio Cruz, our fighters sacrificed their lives to combat the dehumanisation of African people everywhere and the exploitation of our people and natural resources.
Check out this video we published on 11 November 2023 featuring Salifu Mack (@pititlafrik) and let us know your thoughts on Pan-African Veterans Day.