Reported from Chocolate City | Featuring Mbezi

This powerful episode captures an intimate conversation with an elder Vietnam War veteran who was drafted as a telecommunications specialist. He recounts his experiences during the war, the lessons he carried home, and his critical reflections on the U.S. military—then and now.

Guest Mbezi joins the discussion, offering a sharp, Afrocentric perspective on the systemic forces at play. Coining the phrase “the poor fighting the poor,” Mbezi connects the dots between capitalism, class disparities, and the psychological toll on communities disproportionately forced to bear the costs of war.

This interview serves as a vital contribution to the forthcoming publication, “An Afrocentric Lens: Unveiling the Ecological Consequences of Chemical Warfare,” which examines the long-lasting impact of war crimes, dioxin contamination, and ecological development in Vietnam.

Through this ethnographic and intergenerational exchange, we honor the voices of our elders while uncovering the broader implications of their stories. Tune in for an unflinching look at the intersections of war, injustice, and resilience.