Love Is at the Root of Resistance: Strategies of Activism, Advocacy, and Liberation
Gyasmine George-Williams, PhD
Similar to the impetus birthing Black Lives Matter, this handbook is born from the grief and pain of witnessing the modern-day lynching and injustices of fellow brothers and sisters at the hands of police and neighborhood vigilantes. The reality of watching a cop place his knee on the neck of George Floyd for 8 minutes and 46 seconds as the world watched him beg for his life, exclaiming he could not breathe while calling for his late mother, has compelled individuals to move, to act, to speak up, and to use their voices for the voiceless. With this new calling to speak truth to power, one may not know exactly how, when, where, or with whom to engage to develop their identities and to make critical changes happen. This can lead to a feeling of despair or directionlessness, with so much passion and fire and no idea where to fuel, recharge, or elevate one’s calling. This handbook is for you. The Activism Growth Model™ and Black Athlete Activist Leadership Model™ presented here are based on the narratives of multiple studies capturing the lived experiences of activists from campuses and communities, and centered in Critical Race Theory, Black Feminist Thought, and Community Cultural Wealth. These models were created as frameworks of guidance for activists and their supporters as they navigate their campus and communities and build upon their advocacy and activism. So, take a knee. March for all Black lives. Utilize your voice. Recognize and leverage your privilege to speak truth to power, and let love be at the root of your resistance. May this handbook be a roadmap for your calling to engage and be empowered.
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