Being a member of the 2018 cohort of John Lewis Fellows has been revolutionary. Through presentations and films, Fellows have been able to discuss the multidimensional systems of oppression within the historical context of the Civil Rights movement in Atlanta. During the course of these three weeks, the group was quickly reminded time and time again that the past and present movements are really inseparable and to some extent perpetuating old violations of basic human and civil rights. Mass incarceration, human trafficking, voter suppression, barriers to health care, immigration, and many more systemic issues are not far from the realities of African American freedom fighters of the 1960s. It is through this Fellowship that I learned the importance of acknowledging history and being able to extract trends and patterns that are relevant to current collective efforts and movements.
Mass incarceration, human trafficking, voter suppression, barriers to health care, immigration, and many more systemic issues are not far from the realities of African American freedom fighters of the 1960s.
One of the most profound moments of this program happened after our visit to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. The long history of racial inequalities in the United States are depicted through a number of interactive sections that piece together the legacy of lynching, slavery, and racial segregation to the gradual evolution of the current American criminal “justice” system. The hardest part of walking through the museum is realizing that the United States has found creative ways to interpret the laws in order to continue the cycles of oppression for brown and black bodies, while pledging to provide “justice” for all.
The first section of the museum was a collection of quotes from mothers who had been separated from their children. My mind quickly drew parallels to the current incarceration of unaccompanied minors and the tragic deaths of children and families in the Mediterranean Sea. The museum is a raw reflection of the blood that continues to shed as a result of the laws in Amerikkka. The manifestation of racism is still alive and thriving in this nation. Despite the hundreds of years of oppression, the liberation movements and leaders are often hidden which supports the culture of denial that is very prevalent in Amerikkka. There will never be a law or piece of legislation that can ever pardon or justify the horrendous treatment of other living beings.
United States has found creative ways to interpret the laws in order to continue the cycles of oppression for brown and black bodies, while pledging to provide “justice” for all.
Among the activist and scholars that spent time with our group, Dr. Hooker’s presentation resonated with my questions regarding equity and justice. As individuals who are dedicated to bending the arc towards justice, we were asked to deconstruct the meaning of such a word. Justice, as Dr. Hooker described it, can be a state of being. With the knowledge of all the violence, exclusion, threats, and sacrifices made during the Civil Rights Movement, we were brought to the reality that “justice” is not won over a span of a day, week, or months. It is about the perseverance to overcome and the patience to weigh the small and big victories as equally important triumphs. The discussion continued with the framing of justice within the legal system. We perceive justice in terms of our basic understanding of the law and as a result we use the U.S. Constitution and current laws as a basis of policy work. I question whether we can reach justice when the laws are constantly altered within the same racist framework.
Transforming fear into advocacy and grassroots organizing is what makes the real political difference.
Despite having reflections and new lessons gained from each presentation, the immigration panel was personally the most impactful. Executive Director, Emiko Soltis, explained the current struggle for equal rights and access to higher education for undocumented students. The underground school for undocumented youth in Georgia has laid the foundation for activist and leaders within the community. The institution serves as a means of resistance for individuals who have been silenced. Professors like Dr. Washington are providing agency and skills that are transforming the lives of young individuals and fostering them into effective leaders. After talking to a current student from Freedom University, she made it evident that she was no longer scared to speak out. This is a revolutionary act. By teaching the students their civil and human rights, they are able to stand tall and fight for their own definition of justice. That to me is extremely powerful and inspiring. It is as Cesar Chavez once stated,
“You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore.”
Transforming fear into advocacy and grassroots organizing is what makes the real political difference. As a nation, we are in critical need to look at the bigger picture and actively listen to one another. When visiting Ebenezer Baptist Church, the sermon focused on the giving tree and its manifestation through our contributions to our communities. Constant resistance, promoting inclusivity, meeting people where they are, and fostering selflessness within your individual organizing efforts will allow for sustainable movements and cultivate effective micro/macro changes to our societies and the world. The lessons learned during this intense 4-week program cannot be summarized in five pages. The presence of each fellow and their exploration of each concept is a gift in and of itself. I am confident that each individual will re-enter their community even more curious and excited to do the work after Humanity in Action.
The knowledge gained during this Fellowship would not have any significance if the over intellectualization of racism and all the other intersecting –isms were not brought to the table on a community level. As I prepare to return to my community, I reflect on all the issues of justice surrounding the topic of immigration. After several attempts for an equitable immigration reform throughout the years, I find myself questioning the legal system that is now being used to criminalize refugees and asylum seekers who are being impacted by poverty, war, general violence, global warming and several other determinants of forced migration. I was fortunate enough to engage in dialogue with several European Fellows regarding the impact of immigration and policies created by the United Nations. Not knowing much about the global forced migration crisis, I became interested in the parallels in rhetoric, justification of detention centers, and discussions regarding the increase of policing borders. In the past several years, the United States’ inability to fabricate an inclusive immigration reform has caused the dehumanization and illegal repatriation of individuals who are seeking refuge from countries fighting off political turmoil. This is one of many unfortunate examples the United States has provided for other strong global powers like Europe.
My fear is that Europe will allow this unfixed situation to set the precedent for discriminatory, dehumanizing, and permanent immigration laws. With all of these factors in mind, I would like to focus my action project on highlighting the voices of global migrants and their current collective efforts to fight for human rights. The overall goal is to host webinar style discussions as a means to build a transatlantic immigrant rights coalition/collective. The plan would be to educate one another about the current political climate of our countries and share organizing skills. Building an international coalition in response to the new global forced migration crisis can create a community that allows nations to stand in solidarity with one another and prevent the perpetuation of systemic violence around the world.