A Political Revolution From Tahrir Square to Frank Ogawa Plaza

As a co-host of the weekly KPFA-FM program "Voices of the Middle East and North Africa", Khalil Bendib has entertained commentary and opinion on a variety of issues pertinent to the region. Conducting his interviews and staying in touch with what is behind the scenes both there and in the U.S. has helped shape his outlook on events and possible solutions.

Khalil's current concern involves the plight of innocent populations caught in a persistent cycle of violence between Western militarism and Zionism on the one hand and Middle Eastern despotism and extremism on the other - and how the twin evils of Islamophobia and Islamic terrorism both conspire to create a climate of division, hate and confusion. It is in such an atmosphere that the U.S. military-media-industrial complex thrives, resulting in an outsized and largely unchallenged level of military spending.

On April 24, Khalil will present "A Political Revolution From Tahrir Square to Frank Ogawa Plaza". While there is darkness in the present, his invoking of the theme of a certain Presidential candidate suggests a degree of hope for the future - albeit long term - as the world continues to painstakingly evolve towards a more humanistic and egalitarian place.

Khalil will conduct all of this with his usual tongue-in-cheek approach, joining his words with a sampling of his many political cartoons that have appeared in numerous mainstream and alternative publications. We will also meet Khalil's alter ego, the "Prez in the Fez," who will give his presidential stump speech challenging what he calls "Donald Trump's gung-ho demagogic xenophobia and hatred."

The UUSM is wheelchair accessible.

Khalil Bendib is an artist and political cartoonist originally from Algeria. (He soon will receive the Aronson Award for political cartooning.) He currently resides in Berkeley, doing his art, political commentary and his radio show. "Voices of the Middle East and North Africa" airs Wednesdays on KPFA, 94.1 FM, from 2-3 PM.

Free, contributions welcome.