Mohammad Haddi Harris Malik
Politics, Philosophy and Religion (Bailrigg) | Year 3 | Degree: Politics (Bachelor of Arts)
The fight for social justice by Black activists in St.Louis.
In 2019, as part of my Politics degree, I spent a year abroad studying in St.Louis, Missouri the site of the Ferguson uprising in 2014 and thus the birth of the Black Lives Matter movement. However, six years later, the gross injustices and the constant stream of the names of the African American community, lost at the hands of police brutality has not faded away.
The existing academic narrative fails to recognize, study, and learn from the lives of black organizers who have pledge their lives as activists and leaders of their communities. Instead, their black experiences are romanticized, victimised and portrayed in the context of a cycle of violence. This dissertation will explore the lives of three black activists in St. Louis who participate in the ‘revolution of love.’ Using semi-structured interviews and diary extracts, this work will centre their voices and provide agency to those who have been marginalised and excluded by mainstream academia. Whether that is feeding the unhoused community, participating in direct action, or fighting gentrification, the voices of black activists must be amplified, both for their ongoing fight and against institutional racism.
Mohammad Haddi Harris Malik
Politics, Philosophy and Religion (Bailrigg) | Year 3 | Degree: Politics (Bachelor of Arts)
The fight for social justice by Black activists in St.Louis.
- One on one interviews with black activists.
- Through personal diary extracts of my experiences in St.Louis.
- By directly engaging and immersing myself with the St.Louis activist community. (militant ethnography).
Analaysing these concepts with feminist, queer and liberation theory.
Current academia often victimises black communities and instead focuses on their trauma rather than achievements.
Academics often observe African Americans externally, rather than truly immersing themselves into black communities (challenging existing dominant white academia).
Our academia must be decolonised. By understanding our privelige as researchers in any field can we empower and emancipate the communities we study.
Mama Cat, an elder of the Ferguson frontline, a year after the protests, created Potbangerz a non-for-profit organisation to feed the unhoused community of St.Louis. Till today she makes 150 meals every week.
' All lives matter, but until mine does, I'm going to be specific.' (in reference to black lives matter).
Methodological Approach
The revolution of love: Mama Cat continously used language that was indictive of 'love winning' (community development) against 'hate' (police violence and racism).
By referring to 'breaking bread' and feeding her 'village' and community, motivation for her work is biblical and centred around God.
The Ferguson uprising created an enviornment which inspired revolutionary thought, including socialist politics (Cori Bush Congresswoman), and commitment to community development (Mama Cat).
Purpose
Findings
St. Louis City + Ferguson + Activism
Activism: vigorous action, organization, and mobilization to bring social and political change
---- PRESS AUDIO BEFORE STARTING ----
To follow along with the presentation
Image description: Above is a map of St.Louis depicting the different locations in which Potbangerz delivers meals. On the right is a timeline showcasing important events for black activist Mama Cat.
Image Description: Above, Mama Cat, spooning salad into a bowl. On the left, she talks to a man by her side.
Image description: above Haddi looks to the other volunteers, behind a stall with food and supplies.
Image description: 3 interview extracts depicting the language of Mama Cat during our interview.
References:
Apoifis, N. (2017) ‘Fieldwork in a furnace: anarchists, anti-authoritarians and militant ethnography’, Qualitative Research, 17(1), pp. 3–19. doi: 10.1177/1468794116652450.
Zoe, K. (2016) Revolutionary Love: Ferguson Uprising: A love story. pp. 38-57. Available at: https://repository.wellesley.edu/object/ir656 (accessed on 4 November 2020).
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