by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 17, 2025

Ice Cube’s BIG3 Launches International Showcase Tour In Australia ‘To Grow The BIG3 Game Globally’

Ice Cube continues the global expansion of the BIG3 with a showcase tour in Australia.

The BIG3 will spotlight its top players in its first-ever international BIG3 Showcase, which will take place in Australia in November 2025.

Created in collaboration with Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) and GameAbove Sports, the showcase will feature a lineup of the BIG3’s top players traveling to cities across Australia. The official announcement comes ahead of the BIG3’s eighth season tip-off on June 14, 2025.

“With this partnership, the NBL and the BIG3 are taking it upon themselves to grow the BIG3 game globally and continue to expand the talent development pipeline for Australian 3-on-3 athletes, cultivating top 3-on-3 talent that has been absent on the international stage thus far,” BIG3 Co-CEO Ice Cube tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“The NBL is one of the most respected basketball leagues in the world and its reputation is getting bigger and bigger. That’s why we are happy to enter into this unique partnership and are excited for what the future holds.”

Through their partnership, the BIG3, NBL, and GameAbove Sports aim to create a lasting and sustainable collaboration. The showcase aligns with the NBL’s position as Australia’s premier professional basketball league, dedicated to highlighting top-tier talent worldwide while expanding the game’s reach and popularity domestically and internationally.

“This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event,” Ice Cube said in a press release. “We’ve wanted to bring our players to compete on the international stage for years, and we can’t think of a better place to do just that than in Australia among some of the best basketball fans in the world. The energy, culture, and love for basketball in Australia is astounding, making it a perfect fit for us. What the NBL has done to grow the game is incredible and together with GameAbove, see no limit to this partnership. We can’t wait to bring Aussie fans the power of the BIG3 live in November, and perhaps beyond.”

The Australia showcase marks the next step in the BIG3’s global expansion, following successful international regular-season matchups in Nassau, Bahamas; Toronto, Canada; and London, UK—where the 2023 BIG3 Champion Enemies were crowned at the iconic O2 Arena to an overwhelming fan response.

The BIG3 has thrived for seven years and eight seasons with its innovative take on professional basketball, FIREBALL3—an enhanced version of traditional 3-on-3 play. The league boasts an impressive roster of talent, featuring Hall of Fame coaches like George “The Iceman” Gervin, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, and Nancy Lieberman, alongside 3-on-3 standouts such as Michael Beasley, Isaiah Briscoe, and Jordan Crawford.

The BIG3’s eighth season kicks off on June 14, 2025, live on CBS, marking the debut of four new franchises in Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, and Detroit—led by GameAbove Sports.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 17, 2025

Wendy Williams Takes Aim At Guardianship In First In-Person Interview

Wendy Williams is on a press tour to speak out against her ongoing guardianship.

Wendy Williams is speaking out to assert her mental clarity. In her first in-person interview, the former talk show host accused her guardianship of “lying” about her ability to move freely and live her life on her own terms.

Williams spoke with ET on March 13 after returning from a dinner date with her niece, Alex Finnie, and addressed the situation involving the assisted living facility she’s staying at. She claimed the facility called the cops, falsely accusing her niece of kidnapping her after she was picked up with alleged permission to leave.

“Our recent events have been unbelievable,” Williams said before telling her niece to give reporters the rundown of what occurred.

With the cops called about a false kidnapping, Finnie says the incident directly contradicts “the statements that the guardian has made that Wendy is able to come and go as she pleases and that there are no family visits that are blocked.”

“Clearly, uh, they are lying to me when they say I am. I can go out and and do what I want to do,” Williams added.

When asked how she feels about fans launching the “FREE WENDY” movement on social media, Williams said it’s “Fabulous.”

The former radio personality continued her media tour the following morning with a telephone interview on The View, where she spoke out against her guardianship. She strongly asserted that she is not cognitively impaired and expressed confusion over why she is being kept in a “memory unit” at an assisted living facility with seniors dealing with memory issues.

“Get off my neck,” Williams said of her guardian and the judge who ordered the guardianship. She added that she would never want to work with them again and just wants to “move on with my life.”

Shortly after her phone-in appearance on The View, Sunny Hostin, the panel’s legal expert, read an updated statement from Williams’ guardian, Sabrina E. Morrissey, who announced plans to request a new mental evaluation for the former talk show host.

“We think it is important to note that her legal guardian now believes it would be prudent for Wendy to undergo a new medical evaluation that will involve comprehensive neurological and psychological testing by a specialist in the field,” the statement said.

“This would be more thorough testing than what she had mentioned earlier. The judge has agreed to do that. And when we learn more, we will let you know.”

This comes after a mental capacity test Williams took earlier in the week that she said she passed with “flying colors.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 17, 2025

Junior Bridgeman Memorial Service Announced By Family

The Celebration of Eternal Life for the businessman will take place at the Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

Former Milwaukee Bucks player-turned-successful-businessman Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman died March 11, and his family has announced a public service memorial will take place in Louisville, Kentucky, on March 22.

The Bridgeman family and Ebony Magazine are having a Celebration of Eternal Life for the businessman, who died at 71. This will take place at the Southeast Christian Church in Louisville. The family is asking that instead of bringing flowers to the service, people make donations to support the West End School, which uplifts and educates young men.

“Dear Family and Friends,

With heavy hearts but unwavering faith, we gather to honor the life of Ulysses Lee “Junior” Bridgeman, who was called home to be with our Lord on March 11, 2025, at the age of 71. While we mourn his passing, we rejoice in the promise of eternal life and take comfort in knowing he now rests in the arms of our Savior. Junior lived a life of faith, kindness, and service, always leading with love and humility.

We will come together for a public Celebration of Eternal Life to honor his remarkable journey and legacy.”

Bridgeman, who recently joined the Billionaires Club with a reported estimated net worth of $1.4 billion, died after he collapsed at the Galt House Hotel and passed away later that afternoon, according to The Courier-Journal.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Milwaukee Bucks (@bucks)

According to ESPN, his business acumen grew over the years but started when he played for the Bucks. An opportunity arose when team owner Jim Fitzgerald asked several players if they wanted to invest in a cable television operation. Bridgeman invested $150,000, and about five years later, when Fitzgerald sold the company, Bridgeman received a check for $700,000. That was the start he needed.

Bridgeman then entered the restaurant business and purchased several successful Wendy’s franchises. Post-NBA, Bridgeman became involved in a program with the NBPA (National Basketball Players Association), trying to lead young basketball players into financial literacy since so many players face financial ruin due to money mismanagement.

Bridgeman has inspired many with his business success. As the CEO of Manna Inc., the holding company for his franchise empire of quick-service restaurants, he’s a longtime member of the BE 100s. According to the Michigan Chronicle, Bridgeman, the CEO of a Coca-Cola bottling company and part-owner of Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited, was once featured on a 2016 Forbes top-paid athletes list.

Venturing out of the food industry, the businessman attempted to purchase Sports Illustrated in 2018. He withdrew his bid in 2019; the magazine was sold to Authentic Brands Group for $110 million.

In 2020, Bridgeman’s company, Bridgeman Sports and Media, emerged as the successful bidder for Ebony Media’s assets after he placed a bid of $14 million for the company.

He has ensured that his children, Eden, Justin, and Ryan, have generational wealth. Forbes reported that his daughter, Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, who used to be the chief marketing officer of Manna Inc., is now the chief executive officer and owner of Ebony and Jet‘s parent company, 1145 Holdings, LLC.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 17, 2025

Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation Responds To Lil Yachty Saying, ‘BLM Is A Scam’

'Black Lives Matter has supported Black families who have lost loved ones to police violence. We have built programs, funded mutual aid, and fought in courtrooms and on the streets to protect our people.'

After learning that, during a recent interview, Lil Yachty said that the Black Lives Matter movement was “literally a scam,” a board member from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation issued a response to the rapper’s statement.

According to Fox News, while appearing on the YouTube program “Feeding Starving Celebrities,” the recording artist revealed his thoughts on the organization. When the show’s host, Quenlin Blackwell, asked about the organizations he has donated to, she zeroed in on BLM. His response?

“BLM is a scam.”

He then went on to say, “BLM was literally a scam. They had bought mansions, and you probably wouldn’t know anything about it because you don’t care about Black people and don’t follow Black news.”

The rapper was referring to a report from 2022 by New York Magazine that discovered that the organization bought a $6 million property in cash in 2020. The publication stated that the organization used donations to make the purchase.

The report stated, “The California property was purchased for nearly $6 million in cash in October 2020 with money that had been donated to BLMGNF (Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation).”

After requests for comment on Yachty’s assertion, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation released a statement to Fox News Digital:

“It’s clear Lil Yachty has been drinking the white supremacist ideology Kool-Aid. His comments are wrong. They are misinformed, unoriginal, and crafted to please the same people who profit from Black suffering.”

It then went on to diss Black artists.

“The real scam isn’t Black Lives Matter. It is watching Black artists with massive platforms recycle the same tired attacks on Black movements while ignoring the actual systems killing us. Black Lives Matter has supported Black families who have lost loved ones to police violence. We have built programs, funded mutual aid, and fought in courtrooms and on the streets to protect our people.”

“BLM was never a scam; selling out your people for clout is.”

You can view the full interview:

by Daniel Johnson

March 17, 2025

UNCF Celebrates HillmanTok On Capitol Hill, Highlighting The Power Of Digital Education

Dr. Leah Barlow, an assistant professor at North Carolina A&T State University, is credited as the founder of HillmanTok after she uploaded what she intended as a course preview for her students to TikTok.

In collaboration with TikTok, the United Negro College Fund honored the contributions of the “HillmanTok” community and the Black educators who utilized the platform in an attempt to bring Black history and Black studies to the masses at a time when both seem to be uniquely vulnerable in a classical education environment March 11 on Capitol Hill.

According to BET, Black content creators and educators associated with HillmanTok, named after the fictional HBCU popularized on “The Cosby Show” spinoff “A Different World,” met up with members of Congress in an attempt to bring increased awareness to the work of those individuals to drive conversations about the power of inclusive education and the preservation of Black history.

A group of Black educators behind the viral #HillmanTok movement took their mission to Capitol Hill, partnering with the United Negro College Fund and TikTok, to highlight the power of accessible education for everyone. https://t.co/u441agayGQ
— #becauseofthemwecan (@Becauseofthem) March 13, 2025

Dr. Leah Barlow, an assistant professor at North Carolina A&T State University, an HBCU, is credited as the founder of HillmanTok after she uploaded what she intended as a course preview for her students to the platform.

Dr. Barlow’s content went viral nearly immediately, garnering more than 3.6 million views and 550,000 followers over the course of a week.

Barlow was joined on Capitol Hill by other educators, including but not limited to CPA Thurman Brooks, Denise Francis, Jordyn Brooks, Shyia Simmon, Gyllian Carter, and Kyra Brown, each of whom used the social media platform to engage their followers with content geared toward finance, STEM, the humanities, and personal development in accordance with their expertise in these fields.

According to Ed Smith-Lewis, the senior vice president of Strategic Partnerships and Institutional Programs at the United Negro College Fund, the UNCF wanted to spotlight the brilliance of the Black educators and content creators who have expanded and democratized access to information using digital tools.

“UNCF is proud to partner with TikTok to amplify the transformative power of the #HillmanTok movement,” Smith-Lewis told Essence. “This collaboration celebrates the brilliance of educators, content creators, and digital innovators who are redefining the future of learning and storytelling. By harnessing the power of technology, we are expanding access, elevating the legacy of HBCUs, and engaging a new generation committed to educational excellence. Through this partnership, UNCF reaffirms its role as a catalyst for opportunity—ensuring that HBCUs and their students are equipped to lead, innovate, and thrive in an evolving digital landscape.”

On Capitol Hill, the educators also utilized TikTok, capturing content with several Congressional representatives, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who has used social media, including TikTok, to bring political discussion directly to her followers and constituents.

In one of the pieces of content shared on Dr. Barlow’s account, Rep. Crockett stressed “the importance of knowing your history and understanding economics,” underscoring how education concerning politics and group economics often go hand in hand, a point that the various chapters of the Black Panther Party of the 1960s frequently drove home to their respective communities.

According to The Hub, HillmanTok plans to move from hosting content on TikTok to a website hosted on GoDaddy under the domain hillmantokhbcu.com, which will be available soon.

The website is expected to feature a course catalog listing all available classes, just like the ones at brick-and-mortar HBCUs.

Students will also be able to sign up for lessons on the site, which is useful as TikTok’s future. Thus, the availability and reach of HillmanTok’s lessons largely depend on how the United States government views TikTok’s ownership.

As Dr. Barlow told The New York Times in February, the urgency created by the hostile political climate to diversity spurred her to post the initial video as Donald Trump was sworn in and quickly moved to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion from the federal government via executive order.

“I think that this has been in the making,” Dr. Barlow told the outlet. “You have accessibility, not just because of TikTok, but you also have people who don’t have to be in the ivory tower to have the ability to speak. That is something that I find both beautiful and necessary.”

Dr. Barlow continued, “I certainly think the political time and the environment is rife with a lot of contention,” she said, before adding that Trump’s assault on diversity programs had given a “fresh urgency” to a project that prioritizes the voices of Black educators.

by Ahsan Washington

March 17, 2025

6 Line Dances That Serve Black Joy

Dancing brings people together in community

Dance, for a long time, has been a key element of expression within Black culture. That aside, dancing brings people together in community to experience Black joy. One of the common types of collective dance is line dancing, where a group of people dance in a line while doing the same dance steps to music that has shared choreography. To bring Black joy to the forefront during the worst of times, BLACK ENTERPRISE spotlights six classic line dances that exhibit the energy, ingenuity, and creativity of Black culture. These dances are a means to celebrate as well as reflect the living soul of Black expression in the form of movement.

Boots On The Ground

Boots on the ground is a fairly new line dance that has social media in a clutch. The call and response song by 803 Fresh comes out of South Carolina trail rides and begets the dance. Dancers are usually dressed in cowboy boots and waving fans in the air. Boots on the ground is sure to be around for years to come.

The Cupid Shuffle

The Cupid Shuffle is a popular dance song by Cupid (Bryson Bernard) that was released in February 2007. The energetic beat and simple choreography made the song and dance a staple for all dance floors on cruises and family reunions for folks to get in sync and dance.

Electric Slide

“Electric Boogie” is a song by Marcia Griffiths which came out in 1983. It became widely known for its link with the electric boogie dance which is referred to as the Electric Slide. The catchy rhythm of the song and the electric boogie dance moves catapulted it into the pantheon of line dances. The electric slide is still being performed at parties and other events and often to Frankie Beverly and Maze’s popular song “Before I Let Go.”

Wobble

The “Wobble” is a line dance song by V.I.C., that came out in 2008. The song is a great party and dance hit because of its easy-to-learn dance moves and its catchy beat. The dance is composed of simple steps where the demonstrator moves to the side, shifts the hips up then comes in with a step forward or a step back in tune with the music. Its playfulness and interactivity are the main reasons for its success throughout the years. The Wobble continues to be a favorite at wedding receptions, clubs, and parties.

Cha Cha Slide

“Cha Cha Slide” is an funky line dance song by DJ Casper that came out in 2000. The tune introduces step-by-step guidance to the dance moves like left and right slides, “Cha Cha” step, and a turn. It is primarily heard in parties, weddings, and fitness classes. Due to its cheerful upbeat tempo and the fact that it engages audiences, the Cha Cha Slide is still a trendy line dance.

Soul Train Line

The Soul Train Line is a dancing tradition that was first introduced on the TV show Soul Train, which aired from 1971 to 2006. The Soul Train Line is made up of two rows of dancers facing each other. Individuals or couples dance down the middle lane created by the line of dancers.. While the people in front display their respective dance moves, others in the audience cheer on the dancer moving down the line. The Soul Train Line is unique, highly expressive, and soulful. It remains a favorite at parties, weddings, and social events.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 17, 2025

Jamie Foxx Tells Anti-DEI Supporters To ‘Leave Us Alone’ As He Tries To Amplify Black Stories

Foxx also spoke on how much Black people have shaped the culture.

Jamie Foxx refuses to bow down to the anti-DEI movement. He wants those against amplifying diverse stories to “leave us alone” as he continues celebrating Black culture and history.

Foxx got real about the serious push to stifle DEI while on the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of his upcoming documentary, “Number One on the Call Sheet.” The feature details the rise of Black entertainers in Hollywood, and Foxx spoke about the necessity of sharing these success stories.

“They trying to erase everything we do. They talking about the DEI, affirmative action, ‘we don’t need Black history.’ Why you picking on our history?” questioned Foxx in an interview with Extra. “So, we just do more history. The more you erase, the more we replace. So, that’s all it is. We ain’t gonna be shy about it. Leave us alone! Let us enjoy! Let us all be American.”

The “Back In Action” actor then emphasized how much Black people contribute to society. According to Foxx, whether through arts, fashion, or general coolness, the Black community’s impact should be uplifted and not minimized.

The Oscar winner added, “We give so much to the culture and look at what we give: We give them the swag, fashions, the bops, moves, everything—and we don’t charge! Well, give us back some of our stuff if it’s DEI!”

His words come at a time when DEI initiatives from the federal government to the corporate sphere remain at risk. As federal agencies cut programs designated to support identity groups, with corporate giants like Amazon and Target also scaling back their DEI efforts, this public support for diversity actions has become pivotal to its continuation.

Moreover, “Number One on the Call Sheet” calls attention to the importance of DEI and the obstacles Black actors have faced to gain recognition for their work. Acclaimed actresses such as Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Viola Davis, and Whoopi Goldberg detail their tumultuous journeys in entertainment, with fellow actors such as Kevin Hart, Denzel Washington, and Foxx also appearing in the documentary.

“Number One on the Call Sheet” premieres March 28 on Apple TV+ as a two-day film event.

Florida Museum Of Black History, Florida

by Daniel Johnson

March 17, 2025

Florida Museum Of Black History Sparks Heated Debate Over Ideal Location

One of the cities that has emerged as a contender for the museum is St. Augustine.

In May 2024, the State of Florida’s Florida Museum of Black History selected St. Johns County to host the state’s first Black History Museum. However, during a hearing on March 11, multiple cities, each with its own connections to Black history in Florida, were floated as potential sites for the proposed museum.

According to Politico, one of the cities that have emerged as a contender for the museum is St. Augustine, which was backed by multiple community members in St. Johns County and the city itself in the hearing as they highlighted Fort Mose, which was located in St. Augustine, the first free Black settlement in the United States and the first place where Black people were born free.

Horace Hord, the Florida Memorial University Foundation Inc. chairman, told the outlet that the discussion over the museum site is about much more than just land. “It is more than just land,” Hord said. “It is sacred ground for telling the full, rich, and often overlooked history of Black Floridians.”

Although SB 466, a bill supporting St. Johns County’s efforts to host the museum, was passed unanimously by the Florida Senate Committee on Community Affairs, other lawmakers have also supported bids for cities like Eatonville, the home of celebrated novelist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston, and Opa-Locka.

Those lawmakers cited the need for a thorough examination of how all of the proposed locations would work as museum sites because, among other things, the museum needs to be financially secure.

To that end, Michael Dobson, a business developer and consultant from Central Florida who also would like to see the museum located in Eatonville, recommended that the Florida Legislature request a study to determine which of the locations would be most sustainable over the long term, but also noted Eatonville’s location relative to Orlando, a top tourist location.

Dobson also criticized the selection of St. Johns County as the site for the museum, telling Politico after the hearing that “you really can’t compare” foot traffic in St. Augustine with foot traffic in Orange County, saying that St. Johns is “not the best location for a variety of reasons, particularly if we’re thinking about making a wise investment with state tax dollars.”

Florida State Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami), who was unable to attend part of the hearing because a bill he sponsored was up for a vote in another room, told Politico that he is “excited this is a discussion and even happening” but also believes, like Dobson, that each location should be evaluated to keep lawmakers from “trying to do everything possible to maintain and keep the site” a few years down the line.

Commissioner Sarah Arnold, who represents District 2, which contains St. Augustine, signaled her excitement regarding the Senate Community Affairs Committee’s vote in a news release from St. Johns County. Arnold also thanked the community for traveling to Tallahassee to support the bill.

“I am beyond excited about the decision by the Community Affairs Committee,” Commissioner Arnold said. “It is another step forward on our journey to make the dream of the Florida Museum of Black History in St. Johns County a reality. I praise the community for traveling with us to Tallahassee to demonstrate their ongoing support for this project.”

Sickle Cell Gene Therapy , Prairie View A&M University

by Jameelah Mullen

March 17, 2025

New York Man Cured Of Sickle Cell Anemia Using Innovative Stem Cell Therapy

This is huge!

Sebastien Beauzile, 21, has been cured of sickle cell anemia, according to his doctors at Cohen’s Children’s Medical Center.

Beauzile received a new gene therapy called Lyfgeni, created by the biotech company Bluebird Bio. Beauzile, who suffered from chronic pain for most of his life, received the treatment in December 2024. Since then, he has not had any symptoms of sickle cell anemia, which led doctors to determine he is cured of the disease.

“We feel blessed to be the first to be able to offer this,” Dr. Jonathan Fish of Cohen Children’s Medical Center, told WCBS.

Beauzile said he’s grateful for his better quality of life, which allows him to travel and focus on his educational and career goals. Beauzile plans to pursue a career in the medical field.

“Sickle cell was like a blockade for me—now it’s like a wall that I just jumped over,” Beauzile said.

According to his mother, Magda Lamour, Beauzile has been a patient at Cohen Children’s Medical Center since he was two-months-old. Lamour expressed her gratitude to the medical staff for providing this groundbreaking treatment to her son.

Dr. Jeffrey Lipton, chief of hematology and oncology at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, noted that modern medicine books have mentioned sickle cell disease since 1910. More than 100 years later, he believes a cure has been found .

Sickle cell anemia is a severe inherited disorder that prevents hemoglobin in red blood cells from carrying oxygen to all body parts. The condition can lead to anemia, chronic pain, blood clots, organ damage, and other complications.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 100,000 people live with the disease in the United States. Sickle cell anemia primarily affects Black and Hispanic people. Cohen Children’s Medical Center aims to focus on these communities when offering this potentially life-saving treatment.

South African President, daughter, Zuma,Recruiting Men, Russia

by Daniel Johnson

March 16, 2025

Marco Rubio Kicks South Africa’s Ambassador Out After His Analysis Of MAGA

Rubio declared Ebrahim Rasool persona non grata.

The Trump administration’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, declared in a social media post on March 14 that South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool is considered persona non grata by the Trump administration and, as such, is no longer welcome in the United States after Rasool shared his thoughts on Donald Trump’s rise in American politics.

According to Al-Jazeera, Rubio wrote in his post on social media that he, by virtue of his position, the Trump administration, considers Rasool unwelcome in the United States.

“Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates POTUS,” Rubio wrote, referring to Trump. “We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.”

South Africa's Ambassador to the United States is no longer welcome in our great country.

Ebrahim Rasool is a race-baiting politician who hates America and hates @POTUS.

We have nothing to discuss with him and so he is considered PERSONA NON GRATA.https://t.co/mnUnwGOQdx
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 14, 2025

Rubio attached his sentiments to a link from far-right news source Breitbart, which quotes Rasool as saying that Trump was able to tap into a white “supremacist instinct” and “white victimhood” and described those terms as a “dog whistle” for racists during the 2024 election.

According to NPR, Rasool delivered remarks in a seminar hosted by a South African think tank. His comments followed widely accepted ideas about the motivations and fears of white supremacists, and his remarks indicated that the MAGA political movement is part of a wider movement toward extremist political parties globally.

“So in terms of that — the supremacist assault on incumbency, we see it in the domestic politics of the USA, the MAGA movement — the Make America Great Again movement — as a response not simply to a supremacist instinct, but to very clear data that shows great demographic shifts in the USA in which the voting electorate in the USA is projected to become 48% white, and that the possibility of a majority of minorities is looming on the horizon,” Rasool said in the seminar.

The South African government responded to the expulsion of its ambassador with a statement emphasizing its desire to maintain a good relationship with the United States of America.

Vincent Magwenya, the spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, called the decision “regrettable” before urging a commitment to decorum.

“We urge all relevant and impacted stakeholders to maintain the established diplomatic decorum in their engagement with the matter,” Magwenya said. “South Africa remains committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the United States of America.”

South Africa has been a frequent target of Trump’s false representations concerning the country’s plans to deal with the inequality regarding its commercial farmland. This aligns with the substance of Rasool’s comments about what led to MAGA’s rise in American politics.

Although Trump indicated that white farmers in South Africa are having their land taken and invited them to settle in the United States as refugees, the majority of South African commercial farmland is controlled by South Africa’s minority white populace.

The South African government described this as an exercise in irony as they declared it “ironic that the executive order makes provision for refugee status in the US for a group in South Africa that remains amongst the most economically privileged.”

South Africa is governed by the African National Congress (ANC), which emerged post-apartheid and was intended to help the country heal the scars of its oppressive rule by the country’s white minority population.

Although Trump appears to believe that white South Africans are an oppressed group, South African authorities have indicated that the country still bears the scars of apartheid through continued levels of inequality between its minority-white population and its majority-Black population.

Of note, Rasool and his family were expelled from their homes in Cape Town during South Africa’s apartheid period when Black residents were rounded up and forcibly relocated to designated areas for non-white citizens with nearly zero resources or economic opportunities, similar to how the United States of America treated its own indigenous peoples during the Trail of Tears.

According to Nicky Falkof, a professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, the idea that white South Africans are oppressed and the idea that white people are perpetual victims are part and parcel of white victimhood, which Rasool criticized in his seminar.

“The architecture of white supremacy depends on the idea that white people are extraordinary victims. This is the driving notion beneath the great replacement theory, a far-right conspiracy theory claiming that Jews and non-white foreigners are plotting to “replace” whites. It also underpins violent reactions to the global migration crisis and the rise of populism in the north’” Falkof wrote for The Conversation in a February op-ed.

She continued, “I don’t think it’s going too far to say that whiteness as a social construction is intrinsically tied to victimhood. The idea that whiteness actually makes people more rather than less vulnerable is likely to remain a central part of white people’s collective psychic imaginary for some time.”