In This Land of Plenty: Mickey Leland and Africa in American Politics

On August 7, 1989, Congressman Mickey Leland and a thirteen-member delegation of Ethiopian and American relief workers and policy analysts departed on a flight from Addis Ababa, bound for Ethiopia's border with Sudan. The plane crashed, with no survivors. Leland was a forty-four-year-old, deeply charismatic, fiercely compassionate, black, radical American elected Democratic representative of Houston's largely African American and Latino Eighteenth Congressional District. He and a small group of former radical-activist African American colleagues exerted outsized influence to elevate Africa's significance in American foreign affairs and move the United States from its Cold War orientation toward a foreign policy devoted to humanitarianism, antiracism, and moral leadership. Benjamin Talton's book explores Leland's political career and African Americans' successes and failures in influencing U.S. foreign policy toward African and other Global South countries.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 25 October 2021
\n Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press
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On August 7, 1989, Congressman Mickey Leland embarked on a remarkable journey, accompanied by a thirteen-member delegation comprising Ethiopian and American relief workers and policy analysts. Their mission was to reach Ethiopia's border with Sudan, where they aimed to provide aid and support to those in need. This was Leland's seventh official humanitarian mission, a testament to his nearly decade-long dedication to transforming U.S. policies toward Africa. His vision was rooted in his black internationalist ideals, encompassing global cooperation, antiracism, and freedom from hunger. Leland's journey was filled with optimism and determination, as he believed in the power of collective action to bring about positive change. However, fate had other plans. The plane carrying Leland and his delegation never arrived at its destination. The plane crashed, tragically claiming the lives of all aboard. Leland, a forty-four-year-old charismatic and deeply compassionate black radical, was not only an elected Democratic representative of Houston's largely African American and Latino Eighteenth Congressional District but also a self-proclaimed citizen of humanity. Throughout the 1980s, Leland and a small group of former radical-activist African American colleagues inside and outside Congress exerted significant influence to elevate Africa's significance in American foreign affairs. Their internationalism defined a new era of black political engagement with Africa, challenging traditional narratives and fostering a deeper understanding between the two continents. In This Land of Plenty, Leland is presented as the embodiment of larger currents in African American politics at the end of the twentieth century. However, a closer examination of his aspirations reveals both the successes and shortcomings of domestic radicalism and the aspirations of politically neutral humanitarianism during that decade. The 1980s marked a significant turning point in U.S. relations with the African continent, as Leland and his colleagues sought to bridge the gap between humanitarianism and political activism. Their efforts to promote human rights, democracy, and development in Africa were met with both praise and criticism, reflecting the complex and multifaceted nature of the relationship between the United States and the African world. Despite the tragic end to Leland's journey, his legacy continues to inspire and influence those who seek to make a positive impact on the world. His commitment to humanitarianism, antiracism, and global cooperation remains a testament to the power of individuals to drive change and build a more equitable and compassionate society.

\n Weight: 410g\n
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 21 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780812224993\n \n