Virginia Humanities’ Post

CubaBrief: Remembering James Lawson, the nonviolent architect of the Civil Rights Movement, and his relevance for Cubans today Civil rights activist and nonviolence tactician Reverend James Lawson passed away at age 95 on June 9, 2024. Inspired by the example of Mohandas Gandhi, and the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott he traveled South to Nashville, Tennessee, where he began organizing and training activists in nonviolent direct action. He would spend over six decades showing generations of activists that there was a better way to achieve change, and that was through strategic nonviolence. Reverend Lawson recognized that: “Through non-violence, courage displaces fear; love transforms hate. Acceptance dissipates prejudice; hope ends despair. Peace dominates war; faith reconciles doubt. Mutual regard cancels enmity. Justice for all overthrows injustice. The redemptive community supersedes systems of gross social immorality.” Today in the Cuban diaspora we hear a seductive argument about bringing change to Cuba: either you prefer a violent bloody war that precipitates swift political change or you favor a slow and incremental transition launched by the dictatorship. It is a false choice because there is a third option nonviolent resistance through civil disobedience movements. Since 1976, Cubans on the island have opted for this third option: using the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as a shared reference point. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g-Cjg2wB

"Cross the Rubicon" signifies making an irreversible decision that commits you to a particular course of action. It originates from Julius Caesar’s historic crossing of the Rubicon River in 49 BCE, an act that led to a civil war and changed the course of Roman history. Today, it’s a metaphor for bold, life-changing decisions. Life Story: Rosa Parks Rosa Parks’ decision to refuse her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 exemplifies “Crossing the Rubicon.” At that moment, Parks knew the risks—arrest, threats, and retaliation—but her refusal marked a turning point in the fight for civil rights in America. Her brave act of defiance led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a massive protest that lasted over a year and became a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. Parks’ decision was irreversible and carried profound consequences, but it also sparked a wave of change, inspiring others to fight against racial injustice and segregation. Her courage to cross her own Rubicon made her a symbol of resistance and ignited a movement that changed history. Reflection: Rosa Parks’ story reminds us that some decisions define our lives and the world around us. In my own life, I’ve found that taking bold steps, even when they feel daunting, often leads to the most meaningful outcomes. “Cross the Rubicon” is a call to embrace courage, take decisive action, and accept the transformative consequences that follow. #WordAlchemy #BoldDecisions #CrossTheRubicon #RosaParks #Courage #Inspiration #LifeLessons #CivilRights #ChangeMakers #IrreversibleChoices

Today is the National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation. Over the past nearly three decades, Black, Indigenous, and people of color-led movements have worked incredibly hard to forefront police violence and the dangerous trend of authoritarian and nationalist movements weaponizing police against communities and their political opponents. These movement groups have made progress raising public consciousness despite overwhelming political odds and without consistent funding support. In solidarity with movement organizations taking action across the country to end police violence, we’ve published a collaborative funder call to action with CSFund, Democratizing Justice Initiative, Funders for Justice, and the Piper Fund to elevate ongoing efforts to Stop Cop Cities, national trends criminalizing protesters, and the role of philanthropy in fortifying movement infrastructure to prepare for and pushback against the increased criminalization and repression of movement organizations. https://lnkd.in/dwr8qHYq #NationalDayAgainstPoliceBrutality #StopCopCity

What does "Reclaiming Narratives" mean to you? #BlackHistoryMonth #LinkedInNewsUK This theme underscores a commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage. It’s about taking control of our stories and honouring our heroes while challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally.  Reclaiming the Narrative is letting the world know that there are many more black heroes with in the Uk and around the world that we should know. Take Roy Hackett one of the primary organisers of the Bristol Bus Boycott, who protested against the Bristol Omnibus Company's ban on employing black and Asian drivers and conductors. You can also look at the Mangrove Nine, who were a group of British Black activists tried for allegedly inciting a riot at a 1970 protest against the police targeting of The Mangrove, a Caribbean restaurant in Notting Hill, West London. These men and women became known nationally as the 'Mangrove Nine. ' When all nine defendants were acquitted of the most serious charges after a long 55-day trial. There is so much more in Black British history, which is not taught or mentioned in school. These untold stores are called counter stories , which are stories that are not really documented or published with the media. Reclaiming the narrative highlighted a few of the people and groups I have mentioned above, furthermore encourages organisations and institutions to understand by highlighting such great heroes, this create's a higher level of empowerment.

My interview with Wisdom of Crowds is now live: https://lnkd.in/g4Svbu4R A highlight, something I haven't talked about elsewhere, Damir Marusic, Christine Emba and I explore how "nonviolent" activism is often a really ugly affair. MLK et al. willfully exposed themselves to violence, participated in and encouraged boycotts, disrupted neighborhoods and businesses (by trying to move blacks into segregated spaces, leading to crackdowns, mobs, etc.), willfully broke the law (this is what civil disobedience means!). MLK was deeply unpopular at the time he was killed, including among liberals and symbolic capitalists -- particularly after he moved his campaign up north, and people who had been cheering on the campaign against "those people" in the South suddenly had to confront the reality that ending the system of racism would require major changes and sacrifices from people like themselves as well. And would be highly destabilizing for their own institutions and communities as well. (I discuss this at the end of Chapter 2 of We Have Never Been Woke). People celebrate King today, but forget what "nonviolent" MLK-style activism was like. Not people singing kumbaya in an orderly way while complying with prevailing rules and norms, and people in power looking benevolently upon the crowd peaceably assembled and saying, "oh wow, I never thought of it that way" and changing of their own accord. The civil rights movement was heavily dependent on coercion, implied threats, and willfully provoking high profile incidents of repression against demonstrators who declined to respond in kind. It was not pretty. It was not comfortable. It was not orderly. King had nothing but explicit contempt for folks who prioritized order, following the rules, decorum, civility, etc. over ending exploitation and oppression. Or who wanted to blame the *activists* for the chaos, rather than blaming the unjust system and the people doggedly working to prop it up -- including through violence and repression. The kind of "activism" that symbolic capitalists typically do -- which tends not to be particularly threatening, and is indeed intended to help enhance one's status, and endear one to key gatekeepers -- is a far cry from MLK style protesting. But then again, many who criticize the "wokes" explicitly hold up MLK as their vision of what social justice activism *should* look like -- with apparently little awareness of what that would entail. They absolutely would *not* want MLK style protests today. Which may be part of why they are not leading, organizing or participating in such movements to confront social problems, despite their professed reverence. And if others *did* launch MLK style movements today, many who profess to revere King would probably not support them. They'd probably hate them even more than "woke" movements. You think BLM was uncomfortable (as they cozy up with Goldman Sachs)???? Much more in the full interview.

This week I have seen... ...a video of police assaulting Muslim women by removing their hijabs without their consent, publically in front of others including men, and while handcuffed ...a video of police assaulting an elder Palestinian man shoving him, throwing him to the ground, and handcuffing him while multiple officers (all of whom were twice the size/weight of the Palestinian man) crushed him with their knees and body weight before dragging his limp body across the ground and dropped by a group of other detainees ...a video of police dragging a woman of color across the ground and throwing her down a set of stairs ...a video of police full body searching a white Pro-Palestinian Jewish woman in public, in front of groups of other people Where did all these events take place? In the US. I need all the white feminists to connect with their rage, their fury, and their sense of justice to mobilize, pink-hat-style, for Muslim women, for Black women, for Indigenous women, for Women of the Global South, for Jewish women standing up against zionist supremacy. The same police who did nothing to protect your children from school shootings in elementary and high school are the same police who are currently brutalizing your children on college campuses all because they want to stop a genocide. White women, we need to organize and fall in line to follow the direction of those who are leading actions to disclose, divest, boycott, and sanction the US and its funding of this genocide. We don't need to create new programs or organizations. We don't need to set up new events. We need to listen to what BIPOC women have been telling us for literal centuries and put in work and funding on the projects, programs, and initiatives they have already created. Our job is to listen, follow directions, and leverage our whiteness and the privilege that comes with it to fight for and protect women globally. We have power. Let's use it for liberation and justice of *all* not some.

💔 Black women are nearly 3x more likely to be killed by males than white women. This stark reality highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and firearm violence on communities of color. In 2022, 78% of Black women killed by males were shot with firearms. This alarming statistic reflects a significant increase in firearm-related homicides, up from 51% in 2011. At Hope and Heal Fund, we are committed to addressing the systemic inequities that make Black women more vulnerable to this lethal violence. We must continue to push for resources and healing practices that protect all women, especially those disproportionately impacted by domestic violence. @VPC https://lnkd.in/gcsjWEgC

Montgomery Bus Boycott: A Year of Unyielding Strength in the Pursuit of Justice In 1955, the quiet act of resistance by Rosa Parks sparked a monumental shift in the American Civil Rights Movement. What began with her simple yet profound refusal to surrender her bus seat to a white passenger in Montgomery, Alabama, grew into a powerful, year-long protest led by figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting the profound impact of unity, resilience, and peaceful defiance against racial segregation. The Montgomery Bus Boycott stands as a historic symbol of the power of peaceful protest and collective action. For 381 days, the Black community in Montgomery walked, carpooled, and strategized alternative ways to commute, sacrificing their comfort and convenience to protest systemic injustice. This boycott was not just about seats on a bus—it was a fight for dignity, equality, and the fundamental human rights denied to them for generations. The success of the boycott, which eventually led the Supreme Court to rule segregation on public buses unconstitutional, showcased the strength of a unified community and the undeniable influence of peaceful resistance. It taught the world that transformative change requires more than words—it demands courage, collaboration, and the unwavering will to persevere. Let us remember and honor this pivotal moment and reflect on how much strength lies in standing together for justice “Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.” – Robert F. Kennedy #CNJAssociates #ThrowbackThursday #CivilRightsMovement #MontgomeryBusBoycott #RosaParks #MartinLutherKingJr #Equality #PeacefulProtest #SocialJustice

And just like that, one by one they pass on. We are surely in that season. Their contribution to this country is incalculable, it cannot be measured. But at times they were far from valued (by even the British state) after being taught to believe whilst in the Caribbean that they were 'British subjects'. I pay tribute to the many African Caribbean men and women who had the courage to leave the warmth of the Caribbean to endure the often cold, hostile environment of the UK. Despite the hostilities they worked hard. The vast majority became home owners and upstanding members of their communities. They established churches and bought church buildings and church vehicles, set up African Caribbean community centres and Saturday Schools. They formed simple money savings groups called The Pardner System that helped the growth of African Caribbean home ownership. The Pentecostal Credit Union (that became the first black owned bank this year) was established to assist in the purchase of black churches after many could no longer bear the cold reception they received at white churches and after lending institutions found them unviable. Rejection is indeed a great motivator. Talking of rejection, the Bristol Bus Boycott led by Paul Stephenson and the late great Roy Hackett was motivated by rejection. It seems that whenever we have faced rejection we have mobilised and overcome. Only time will tell whether moving to the UK has been worth it all, as this story continues to unfold. But one thing is for sure, overcoming adversity, obstacles and thriving in the face of rejection is a key component in the history of the Windrush generation. RIP 🙏🏾 Alford Gardner (and all who have passed on). 6 October 2024 (Photo and lede courtesy of the Guardian - link to full report in comments)