Alright, let’s get straight to it. Trump just sanctioned South Africa. And if you’re not furious yet, you’re not paying attention. Because this isn’t just about South Africa—it’s about power, control, and the global enforcement of white supremacy.
And for my fellow Black folks who love to say, “What’s happening in America isn’t my fight”—you might want to reconsider. Because history has shown us, time and time again, that when oppression is normalized anywhere, it spreads everywhere.
This isn’t just a South African problem. This is a global Black issue, a humanity issue, and if you’re still stuck thinking you can pick and choose which fights matter based on skin color, you’ve already lost.
Trump’s Power Play Disguised as “Justice”
So, what’s the official excuse? Trump claims the sanctions are in response to:
- South Africa’s Land Reform Policies – The Expropriation Act of 2024 allows the government to seize land under very specific conditions to address historical land theft from Black South Africans.
- South Africa’s Case Against Israel at the ICJ – The country accused Israel of genocide, and Trump didn’t like that, so now he’s punishing them with economic warfare.
- “Protecting White Afrikaners” – Trump is rolling out refugee status for white South African farmers, claiming they’re “oppressed” while simultaneously making it nearly impossible for Black and Brown people to seek asylum in the U.S.
If your alarm bells aren’t ringing yet, let’s break it down.
1. The Land Reform Hypocrisy
South Africa’s land reform is about correcting a centuries-long theft of Black land. Yet, Trump and the far-right are framing it as “oppression against white people.” Because let’s be honest—whenever Black people fight for economic justice, white conservatives lose their minds.
But here’s the kicker: The U.S. itself has a history of land confiscation. They stole land from Indigenous people, forced Black farmers off their land post-Reconstruction, and use gentrification to push us out of our neighborhoods. But when the U.S. does it, it’s called “development.”
So let me ask you—if Trump is willing to sanction an entire country for addressing racial inequality, what makes you think he wouldn’t do it to you? What makes you think fighting for economic justice in America won’t be met with the same level of hostility?
This is why saying “That’s not my fight” is dangerous. Because if they can use economic warfare against South Africa for fighting racial injustice, they can—and will—do it here.
2. The ICJ Case Against Israel – The Price of Speaking Out
South Africa did what most world leaders wouldn’t—they called out Israel for genocide in Gaza. And how did Trump respond? Sanctions.
Think about what that means. If a country challenges U.S. foreign policy, the U.S. will financially strangle them into submission. That’s not democracy, that’s dictatorship.
So let me ask you this—if the U.S. is willing to punish an entire country for simply bringing a case to court, what makes you think they won’t do the same to Black activists here?
If you’ve been paying attention, you already know:
- Black activists in America are being labeled as terrorists for fighting against police violence.
- The government infiltrated and dismantled the Black Panthers for standing up against oppression.
- Speaking up for Palestine gets you fired, censored, or doxxed.
This is why thinking you can separate Black issues from global oppression is a fantasy. The tools they use to suppress justice abroad will always come back home.
3. The “Refugee” Smokescreen – Who Deserves Protection?
Trump’s administration is giving refugee status to white South Africans while denying entry to Black and Brown refugees.
Let’s be real—Trump doesn’t give a damn about refugees. The same man who called African nations “shithole countries” is suddenly moved by the plight of white South Africans? Give me a break.
This isn’t about humanitarian aid—it’s about reinforcing the lie that white people are the real victims.
And here’s why this matters for Black folks in America:
- If white South Africans are being welcomed as refugees, but Black immigrants from Haiti and Africa are being deported in record numbers, what does that say about who this country values?
- If Black Americans fighting for economic justice are labeled radicals, but white South Africans fighting for land retention are seen as victims, what does that tell you about the power structure?
Again, this is why saying “That’s not my fight” is a privileged, naive stance. Because Black pain is always framed as aggression, while white pain is framed as victimhood.
Why This Mindset is Dangerous
I’ve seen it firsthand—Black folks attacking other Black folks for standing up for humanity as a whole. I’ve been called a sellout for speaking on issues outside of the Black community. I’ve been told, “Focus on Black people first, not everyone else.”
And I get it. Black people have been so beaten down that we feel like if we don’t look out for ourselves, no one will. That instinct is valid, but the logic is flawed.
Because our struggles are connected—whether you want to admit it or not.
- The same systems that oppress us in America are propping up oppression worldwide.
- The same white nationalist ideologies that fuel Trump’s policies here are fueling right-wing movements in Europe, Australia, and South Africa.
- The same playbook they used against Civil Rights activists in the U.S. is being used against human rights defenders globally.
If you think you can separate these fights, you’re already lost.
The Call to Action
If you’re reading this and still think “That’s not my fight”—ask yourself, how long before it becomes your fight?
- Speak Up – When people try to spin this as “Trump protecting human rights,” call it what it is: neocolonialism in action.
- Support South African Businesses – Sanctions hurt everyday people, not governments. Buy South African products, invest in their economy, and keep them strong.
- Challenge the Narrative – If you see people pushing the “white farmers are victims” lie, hit them with the facts. They still own the majority of the land, and South Africa’s process is constitutional—not theft.
- Think Bigger – Stop seeing oppression as a Black vs. white issue. It’s a power vs. people issue. And the second you start fighting for all people, you become a threat to the system.
Final Thoughts
Trump’s sanctions on South Africa aren’t about justice. They’re about punishing Black leadership, protecting white wealth, and sending a message to the world:
“If you challenge white power, we will come for you.”
And if you think America is different—that what’s happening in South Africa isn’t your fight—you’re already playing into their hands. Because what happens there will happen here.
So wake up. Because if we don’t push back now, this won’t be the last time Trump or any leader decides to punish a nation—or a people—for daring to fight for justice.
