Milena Abdullah, a professor and prominent figure in the Black Lives Matter movement, has been selected as the running mate for independent presidential candidate Cornel West. Abdullah is known for her advocacy for defunding police departments and her strong stance on racial relations in the US. She has made controversial statements in the past, including suggesting that being a Taylor Swift fan is “slightly racist” and claiming that the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win was part of a white supremacist conspiracy.
Abdullah, who co-founded the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter and served as chair of the Pan-African Studies department at California State University, has endorsed rioting in predominantly white neighborhoods as a response to police violence against black people. She has called for prosecution of police officers who harm individuals in their communities and believes in defunding the police as a means of bringing justice to those affected by systemic racism.
West, a professor at Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan, chose Abdullah as his vice-presidential pick because of her commitment to empowering poor and working people. He has been a vocal advocate for progressive policies such as a $27 minimum wage, reparations for black Americans, and environmental initiatives such as declaring a climate emergency. West has criticized President Biden as a “war criminal” and has shown skepticism about his ability to make it to the general election.
Abdullah’s breakaway civil rights group, BLM Grassroots, has been involved in legal battles, including a $10 million lawsuit against the national Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation. However, the lawsuit was dismissed by a California judge in 2023 for lack of evidence. Abdullah and West face challenges in gaining support for their campaign, as they are currently polling at around 1.7% in matchups against other candidates such as Biden, Trump, and third-party contenders.
West’s platform includes a wide range of progressive policies, such as dismantling the US empire, disbanding NATO, and demilitarizing the border, but he has struggled to garner widespread support. Abdullah has expressed a deep commitment to social justice and economic equality, which aligns with West’s vision for a more just and equitable society. The duo will face an uphill battle in getting on the ballot in all 50 states as an independent ticket, but they remain dedicated to advancing their platform and challenging the political status quo.
