Dr. Charles Simmons on U.S. Imperialism, Global Power Shifts & Detroit’s Future

"We need to build think tanks in each one of our communities among the existing organizations… and think of the global and the local at the same time."—Dr. Charles Simmons. In this compelling episode of Detroit is Different with Khary Frazier, Dr. Charles Simmons shares his wealth of knowledge and firsthand experiences in international affairs, decolonization movements, and the historical and ongoing impact of U.S. imperialism. Dr. Simmons, an activist, journalist, and scholar with deep ties to Detroit’s Black community, takes listeners on a journey through his awakening as a young airman in the U.S. military, where he began to question America's role in global conflicts, from the Korean War to the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam. He breaks down the ways in which Western powers, particularly the United States, have maintained dominance through military intervention, economic manipulation, and media control, often to the detriment of Black and brown nations worldwide. The conversation delves into the structures of global oppression, touching on everything from the role of NATO and the Cold War to the economic stranglehold of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank on the Global South. With sharp analysis, Dr. Simmons connects these international forces to Detroit’s struggles, from labor rights to media representation, and emphasizes the importance of grassroots education, unity, and self-determination for Black communities in the face of systemic oppression. The discussion culminates with an in-depth look at the BRICS coalition—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—emerging as a counterforce to Western hegemony, signaling a shift in global power. This thought-provoking episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand how international movements shape Black life in Detroit and beyond, and how community-building and collective action can carve a path forward in uncertain times.