Black Women Taught Us: Abolition, Love, and the Politics of Survival

The conversation delves into ancestral wisdom, black feminism, and the intimate history of black feminism. It explores personal experiences, intellectual connections, and the impact of ancestral teachings on identity and community. The discussion also touches on the significance of grief and emotional/spiritual practices in the context of social movement work and abolitionism. The conversation delves into the spiritual and emotional connection to activism, emphasizing the role of spirituality and ancestral connection in the work. It also explores the influence of radical socialization and community roots on activism, highlighting the importance of community and genealogy in movement work. Additionally, it addresses the intersection of academia and activism, the importance of citational ethics, and the need for movement leadership to be rooted in the genealogy of Black Panther women. The conversation also discusses the problem of radical individualism and performative activism, emphasizing the need for community-based and strategic activism. The conversation delves into the legacy of the Black Panther Party, the evolution of movements, intersectionality, misinformation, the poverty cycle, teaching Black history, plagiarism, marginalization of Black women's voices, normalization of harm, telling the truth to ourselves, wisdom from Black women's histories, and upcoming books and projects.TakeawaysAncestral wisdom and teachingsBlack feminism and political theoryIntimate history of black feminism Spirituality and emotional connection to the workThe importance of community and genealogy in movement work Intersectional activismChallenging social normsChapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction06:21 Fluidity and Identity11:27 Black Women as Teachers and Architects17:34 Title of the Book and Intimate History22:40 Grief and Emotional/Spiritual Practice36:08 Academia and Activism46:23 Citational Ethics and Movement Leadership53:36 Radical Individualism and Performative Activism58:37 Misinformation and Disinformation01:05:23 Normalization of Harm01:14:21 Wisdom from Black Women's Histories01:20:01 Upcoming Books and Projects