ADIFF 2024: Walter Rodney: What They Don't Want You to Know

This year we get another opportunity to cover the African Diaspora International Film Festival. This year we get to see some premiere screenings, panels and other festivities. Be sure to check out the ADIFF website for information nyadiff.org

We got the opportunity to watch one of the films that is highlighted for this year's festival: Walter Rodney: What They Don't Want You to Know directed by Arlen Harris and Daniyal Harris Vajda. The documentary focuses on the mysterious death of Guyanese political activist Walter Rodney and the involvement of several countries in his death. Starting with his studies at the University of the West Indies which sparked his interest in decolonization especially after he visited Russia and Cuba at the age of 19. The directors touches on several revelations such as how long Rodney was under surveillance, the impact of the Cold War on Guyanese politics to the secret units who was paid to write negative propaganda on Walter's work. The importance of this film is to shed light on the government of Guyana who spent decades to erase him from history books until a investigation in 2015 proved how involved the government was in his death.

Another point of the documentary is Walter's widow who discusses the impact of his death on the family and how she managed raising the children on her own. Another highlight is Walter's brothers Edward and Donald who witnessed from the beginning that worldly knowledge of colonialism shaped Walter's perception of what imperialism is and how destructive it is to his fellow countrymen. A great chronicling of a man who only tried to bridge his country together only to be murdered by corruption and oppression of the government who wanted nothing but their own interests. What They Don't Want You to Know is great for those who want to more about the man and a good introduction to those who want to know where some activists get their influence from.