EN#3 The Brutalization of Black Bodies and the Struggle for Social Justice

What’s Goin’ On?: Voices from the African Diaspora: The Brutalization of Black Bodies and the Struggle for Social Justice in the U.S-African Diaspora (Session two of a series, participants can attend one or both sessions)

Chair-person: Amina Humphrey, M.A., Ph.D.

Artists, activists, educators, and Critical Race Theory scholars discuss the brutalization of Black bodies and the struggle for social justice in the African Diaspora with an emphasis on the United States of America. Artists share their intersectional works with perspectives on race, Queerness, gender, class, the effects of colonialism, and the continual systemic oppression of Black people in the United States of America. Artist-Educator/s apply an Indigenous African restorative justice transformative approach for Afro Futures.

Presenter-Poet: Harold Llyod: Poem on Black/Queer/Trans Lives Matter (3-5 minutes)

He will share spoken word.

Presenter: Nicole Powell: Black Bodies, Punishment, and Policy: From George Floyd to the Crown Act (10 min). She will share research and actions for social justice.

Presenter: Penelope Lowder: Penelope will read an excerpt from She Shot Me.

This creative work is based on Latasha Harlins (an African American teen) who was shot by Soon Ja Du (a Korean store owner). This incident along with the beating of Rodney King sparked the 1992 LA Riots. (5 min)

Presenters: Ebony Gilbert and Adisa Septuri will discuss ifine (beauty).

ifine is an award-winning film. ifine explores the impact and effects of skin bleaching on children/teens in Sierra Leone, colonialism, and Western beauty corporations and media. https://www.ifinedocumentary.com/ (10 min)

Presenter: Anna Eme is a Black maternal health and wellness expert.

She will share her findings from the African Diaspora. (10 min)

Presenter: Djelani Hamm is a restorative justice educator. (3-5 minutes)

He will share final perspectives based on an Indigenous African restorative justice approach in addressing the focus of this session The Brutalization of Black Bodies and the Struggle for Social Justice in the U.S-African Diaspora.