—Kerry Hill, B1Daily

Marcel Dixon sat down with B1Daily to discuss the grassroots’ plans for 2026. He had choice words for both the Democratic and Republican party, and wants Black America prepare for 2026.

What specific policies should the grassroots be advocating for this year in your opinion?

There are a few things, but first and foremost, we should always have monetary reparations based on status as our first priority.. However, there are other goals that align with that. First, we should push for our own agency. Various Native American tribes have their own agencies. They are allocated a budget to spend on people of their status and lineage. We should have the same thing. That is why I pushed for the reactivation of the Freedmen’s Bureau that would be staffed and managed by Freedmen and solely for Freedmen. Secondly, we need an anti-hate crime bill. We have been the most terrorized group in this nation, yet when other groups are targeted for their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other factors—such as Asians, LGBTQ people, or Jews—we remain silent. We have seen this government act on their behalf and protect them specifically. We need that specificity as well.

Another policy we should advocate for is mass deportations. If you look at the history of the United States of America, there has never, ever been an immigration wave that has benefited us. Never. Secondly, when we look at a lot of the groups that organize against, you will find that a lot of them arrived her via immigration. They arrived in a nation that we were essential in building, yet they organize and activate against us while simultaneously benefiting from our struggles and contributions. Some examples of this has been seen in California where Hispanic politicians were recorded discussing how to disenfranchise Black voters, or where Hispanic gangs targeted the remaining Black residents in majority-Hispanic neighborhoods. This is seen when the children of people who came here via Ellis Island who vociferously fight against the specific repair that Black Americans (Freedmen/FBA) are due or individuals like Byron Donalds, a “black” man who is of Jamaican and Panamanian descent, who speaks against reparations. Furthermore, regarding illegal immigration, studies have repeatedly shown that it hurts Black Americans (Freedmen/Foundational Black Americans) the most. When these individuals have children, their kids currently have the right to vote, and they vote against our own interests. Hopefully, this will change. Their votes dilute our voting power. I can go on and on about this, but we should support measures that fight mass immigration and eliminate illegal immigration.

What are you thoughts on Wes Moore’s veto of the reparations bill in Maryland?

I am not surprised. This reminds me of what the Black Caucus and the overall Democratic Party in California did to the reparations bill that was initiated by the Black American grassroots in California. They sabotaged it even though the Democrats have a super-majority in California. Wes Moore claims that he did not want another study and that it was time for action. Yet, he has taken no action to address the needs of Black Americans (Freedmen/FBA) in Maryland. He proposed a bunch of “a rising tide lifts all boats” type policies, but centuries of evidence show these policies benefit us the least or sometimes even hurt us while elevating other groups above us when we were the group in need. I do not know Wes Moore’s background. He always talks about his Jamaican heritage. He may or may not have Black American heritage, but this just goes to show how these other groups come here, they benefit from our legacy, and we get no thanks for it.

How do you think Trumps first year has gone?

I think it has gone terribly. Outside of securing the border, I do not see any area where he has succeeded on any of his promises. However, there is one thing that I have always said: When the Republicans are in office, everyone suffers. When the Democrats are in office, Black Americans suffer. Trump has been fair. Everyone suffers. It would be nice to get officials who ensure that Black Americans do well while looking out for everyone else. We have yet to get someone, in recent times, to look out for us.

Can Republicans be negotiated with on a reparations policy, in your opinion?

Absolutely! Are most Republicans anti-Black American? Of course! Are most Democrats anti-Black American? Of course! Politics is not about who likes or dislikes you. It is about mutual interests. These people want power. We need to approach and lobby everyone. We have more leverage than we realize. In some areas, a person wins or loses based on our vote. That is leverage that we have yet to exercise, and Democrats, just like Republicans, want access to power. We need to make them earn it. That being said, there are groups out there, who are lineage and status specific, who are working with individuals irrespective of their political affiliation. This has happened in California, New York, and on a smaller scale, South Carolina.

Have you been shocked by the Democrats lack of fight? Where do you see the state of the party being in 2026 without the Black vote?

No, the Democrats only fight for illegal immigrants, corporations, Israel, and other special interest groups. Trump has been the best thing to happen for the Democrats.They use him as a bogeyman to rile up their otherwise disillusioned voters. That might result in a slight bump in voter turnout, but it will not last long. They will soon lose the reins of power again if they do not present real policies and continue trying to try and replace us with immigrants they are importing as their new voter base.

Have you been keeping up on local South Carolina politics? What are your thoughts?

Not really, but the little I have seen shows that the Democrats keep losing and refuse to learn the obvious lessons. Again, Trump is giving them a little bump in voter turnout, but it will not last. I was reading about a townhall. All of the politicians were black, I am sure they were Black Americans (Freedmen).They spent most of their time discussing why we need to abolish ICE. Literally, I can guarantee that the majority of Black Americans do not give a damn about abolishing ICE. In fact, the few polls conducted show that Black Americans, like most Americans, feel that those here illegally should be deported. A question arose regarding Black Americans’ feelings about illegal immigration, considering its detrimental effects on them. The candidates completely ignored it. They said nothing of black land loss, reparations, a hate crime bill specific to us, making us a protected class, and more.

What can SC Democrats do to implement cash payment reparations? Are they even trying?

On the state level, cash reparations would be difficult. However, what can be done and is qiute feasible is what some of their reparationists and I went to the South Carolina State House to discuss with Democrats and Republicans alike. We talked about a state level Freedmen’s Bureau that would have a budget allocated to it for the needs of Black Americans, Freedmen, those who are descendants of those emancipated from American slavery. It was received well by Democrats and Republicans, and we were supposed to have follow-up conversations. A seed has been planted. It just needs to be watered.

How has your personal life been since you settled your legal fights? Are you back to teaching?

It has returned to a semblance of normalcy. It has been a bit boring, and I like it, LOL. I still have some legal fights, but the main one has been resolved. I took a brief hiatus from teaching, and I loved it. I took a cybersecurity course, and early on, I studied independently and received certifications in various domains. I was not able to find a job in cybersecurity, apparently it is a tough, tough time to find a job in the field, so I almost immediately returned to teaching. It was very, very tough since I did not want to return to the field, but I have been fortunate to find schools that I have really enjoyed.

Your thoughts on Freedman possibly being recognized on US census under a Trump administration? Would it be historic? Would it matter if it was under Trump’s tenure?

“Freedmen” is a status. We can use any of the proposed designations, and descendants of those emancipated from American slavery would still have the status of Freedmen. It is definitely possible, but as I said before, we have to organize and lobby everyone. It is unfair that we must do all this work for things we are owed, especially since we have not been treated fairly before or since this country’s formation. It is not right, and that is why we fight, and when we fight, we organize, and that is how we win. Yes, it would be historic, but steps have already been taken towards this end. Some forms make a person specify their origins after they chose “black.” No, it would not matter if it is during Trump’s term or some other term. I think we need to work with whomever is in office.

What are ways that Black Americans can find Black teachers to educate their children?

They try to make us disapprove of these voucher programs. We need to take advantage of these vouch programs and start our own home school consortiums and micro schools. However, if we want to find more black teachers, we need to address the underlying, grave issues that are causing people to leave the teaching field.

Your thoughts on Black Americans moving down south?

I love it. We will always be everywhere in the nation, but the South is, so to speak, our “motherland.” We need to organize in areas where we have a significant population, find or mold those candidates who will be for us, and then support them with the numbers we have.

Will you become more active on social media like your Youtube channels or twitter now that you’re continuing your activism?

I do not know. I am looking for ways to get involved outside of electoral politics. I am still exploring options. It is not likely to be something as big as running for federal office, but I hope it will be something that helps to move my people forward. My saying was “Justice For All or Justice For None.” I hope to continue to embody that. One thing I notice is the lack of education. This is in regards to politics, our history, our culture, and more. I have been considering that area.

—Marcel Dixon is an American educator, activist, and a proud contributor of B1Daily News