The BGR Manifesto - 2026 Edition
New Year, New Mission, Same BGR
Hello BGR Readers,
It’s Pat, back with the first BGR Substack article of 2026, and the first one in a long LONG time. But today marks the beginning of a new era of BGR. It’s been over a year since I started BGR on Substack, and I, as a creator as well as this audience, have grown to insane degrees.
Here, I will clarify the BGR mission moving forward. Let’s start with an introduction for new readers and a reminder for you Day 1’s.
What is BGR?
Black Green Red (BGR) is an independent political media project. It exists to produce content centered around sociopolitical journalism, commentary, investigation, and analysis.
The three colors represent the core focus:
Black for Black Liberation
Green for Climate Justice
Red for the Revolutionary Socialism
There seems to be confusion regarding what BGR is, so let’s reiterate
BGR IS:
Not A political party (No, you cannot become a card-carrying member of BGR) (Yes, several people have asked)
Not a movement
Not an organizing body
Not a moral authority
Not an educational replacement
Not a replacement for on-the-ground IRL organizing
If you expect BGR to be any of these things, BGR will go out of its way to disappoint you. I am not your savior.
What is my “role”?
I am a Marxist, (Revolutionary) Socialist, political commentator, and independent journalist. I am not an unbiased reporter. I am a left-wing propagandist who investigates the class struggle (particularly in America) and uses Marxist theory as a framework for analysis.
Many run from the word “propaganda”. But in reality, it’s a neutral term. It’s not a good thing or a bad thing, but it’s indeed a thing. CNN, FOX, CBS, NY Times, they’re all propaganda. A key difference is that I am telling you upfront.
I’ll also tell you this upfront: I am not aiming to be anything that I haven’t listed earlier.
I am not a movement leader.
I am not a community organizer.
I am not a political theorist.
I am not a spokesperson for the left.
You do not expect these things from any other left creator or any independent journalist. Don’t expect it from me either.
BGR Editorial Principals
There is a set of content and ideological standards that BGR will operate on. This includes the following principles:
Class-centered analysis, rejecting liberal and conservative identity politics
Anti-Imperialism grounded in addressing its consequences
Skepticism of the state and corporate sources and narrative
Evidence-first, even if said evidence destroys my personal beliefs
No party loyalty (Democratic, Republican, DSA, PSL, Green, etc.)
Focus on systems rather than specific individuals (unless a specific individual is a case study of a system, ie, Zohran Mamdani and Democratic Socialism)
Amplifying rather than substituting (I will analyze and amplify the voices of movements rather than speak for them)
I will almost certainly make mistakes. When I do, I will hold myself accountable for them. Whether that’s issuing retractions or clarifications regarding my content. I do not intend to aim for purity and perfection. I aim for honesty and clarity. You can all hold me accountable as well by utilizing the commenting features on all platforms.
Should I notice that my content has an error or inaccuracy that needs correcting, I will correct it within 24 hours. For YouTube, a pinned clarifying statement in the comments and description. For Substack, the original post will be republished with the necessary changes.
Socialist CNN
While I intend to put much of my effort into ensuring that BGR grows significantly this year, it will not be my only major project this year. The left needs a stronger media ecosystem, and this means going beyond podcasts and video essays. It includes news media as well.
I am currently developing a socialist news network.
While this project is led by me, it will not be a “BGR” project, and the name will have nothing to do with BGR. The original plan was BGRNN (BGR News Network), but since then, BGR has become my identity, my voice, and even my nickname rather than the identity of a group or movement.
This news organization will not only belong to me because an independent left new media organization must be able to outlive a single voice. It will belong to the future team to represent the voices of the masses. So the name should reflect that.
While I am not yet ready to release details of this news media project, I am ready to say these important facts:
The network will report the class struggle. This includes platforming the voices of the American working class, investigating issues impacting our quality of life, and upholding principles of transparency, honest reporting, and socialism.
The end goal is on the ground reporting. While I imagine the first phases will primarily be online, and the network will always have online content, there is a clear end goal of prioritizing on-the-ground reporting.
I am currently building a team consisting of volunteers on Discord. If you are interested, please consider joining.
I want the online launch to start early this year.
BGR Promise
I vow that all content and projects led by me will be built through consistency, honesty, responsible messaging, full measures, and never half measures, as well as humility. Should I ever lapse on these promises, please hold me accountable while I find my way back on the path.
Before You Go
There is one thing I need from each of you. If you believe in the mission I laid out here, then I humbly ask that you lend your support in any way you can. Subscribe to the BGR platforms, share your thoughts in the comments, consider being a paid Substack or Patreon subscriber, and share BGR content everywhere you feel comfortable sharing it.
I would like to contribute to your socialist news network project in any way, shape, or form.
Hi pat, thank you. I love this piece, I find it non conflating, direct and full of integrity, which I hold much value in. I am glad I found you and just joined your discord. Again, Thank you