South Africa and the United States have broadly similar histories of racial oppression. Recognising this, Black people in both countries have since the late 1800s forged ties, exchanges, and solidarities that ultimately contributed to greater Black self-determination. As South Africa marks 30 years of democracy, with struggles for racial justice and equality continuing in both countries, Robert Trent Vinson reflects on the shared struggle between the two contexts to solve the problem of the global colour line.