Russia, Racism & The Targeting of African Americans During the 2016 Election

African Americans were exposed to a sophisticated campaign by the Russian government to sow discord and exploit the country’s racial history.

In December of 2018 Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund wrote a schathing article in the Washington Post dissecting exactly how Russia targeted African Americans “Ever since U.S. intelligence agencies reported that the Russian government worked to sway the 2016 election, foreign election meddling has been one of our nation’s top national security concerns.

In light of these disturbing new reports, it is clear we can no longer think of foreign election meddling as a phenomenon separate from attempts to disenfranchise Americans of color. Racial injustice remains a real vulnerability in our democracy, one that foreign powers are only too willing to attack. Finally, we have to accept that foreign powers seize upon these divisions because they are real — because racism remains the United States’ Achilles’ heel. Indeed, it is, and always has been, a national security vulnerability — a fundamental and easily exploitable reality of American life that belies the image and narrative of equality and justice we project and export around the world.”

Global Strategists Association  in partnership with Truman National Security, TruDiversity will host a panel discussion on the exploitation of  racism by Russia, and what African Americans can do to better protect ourselves from future schemes of foreign governments. Our 2018 global fellow Terrell J. Starr a Fulbright scholar and The Root Global Reporter specializing in Ukrainian/Russian affairs along with Asha Castleberry, National Security Strategist and US Arny Veteran will share their expertise. The event will be followed by a recption in honor of Black Veterans and National Security professionals in the Chiacoland area. 

       Global Strategists Association strives to increase global engagement among the African Diaspora.