Author: aepupp

Young Activists are the Future!

May 3, 2019 / aepupp / 0 Comments

Radical activism, in its simplest form, means taking steps to achieve justice in one’s daily life. This young female, Mari Copeny, exemplifies radical activism and gives me hope for the future leaders of America. As is showcased by the artifacts selected, Copeny, otherwise known as Little Miss Flint, is a young activist, 11 years old, holding politicians accountable since she was 8. In the thick of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, Copeny mailed a letter to President Barack Obama in an attempt to draw his attention to the problems residents were facing. Since then she has continued to use her voice, and the voices of those who stand by her side, to bring awareness to the families in her community who have been affected. Copeny is vocal on social media, tweeting at politicians when she disagrees with them, and making sure people are still talking about the Flint water crisis and its long-lasting effects on residents. Additionally, Copeny led a GoFundMe to raise over $200,000 to provide cases of bottled water and worked with the nonprofit Pack Your Back to distribute more than 10,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students throughout Flint.

I chose Copeny because I believe the most important activism comes from the youngest individuals. Children, like Copeny, are able to use their voices to garner sympathy from individuals and, when starting young, they are able to lead a life of change. The artifacts selected showcase the ways in which Copeny was able to garner attention, by directly reaching out to the highest person in charge, and continues to do so by making use of social media, primarily Twitter. As our forms of communication evolve, it is those that evolve with them that will be able to make a change.

Mari Copeny’s activism began at the age of 8 with a letter to President Barack Obama. In the letter she acknowledged her ability to stand up for herself, and her community, and urged the President to “lift people’s spirits.”

After gaining fame and meeting with President Obama, Copeny continued her activism by raising money for water and school supplies for members of her community. Given the lack of actions taken by politicians, this shows a shift in Copeny, and surely her friends and family, taking matters into her own hands.

The last two artifacts work together in that they show Copeny’s transition into social media and her willingness to call out current politicians, such as President Trump, and the supporters who are willing to give money for the building of an immigration wall. In knowing the power of social media, turning to Twitter as a form of activism allows Copeny to speak to community members, especially the younger communities, in a more accessible manner.

Black Panther and the Black Freedom Struggle

April 8, 2019 / aepupp / 0 Comments

Black Panther takes viewers on a journey to a fictional African nation, Wakanda, filled with wealth, advanced technology, and, most importantly, strong Black leaders. Amongst them, King T’Challa stands out as an individual fighting for the protection and continued existence of his nation, which to non-Wakandan’s is a third world country struggling to survive. The narrative takes viewers through T’Challa’s fight for power as a new member of the royal clang emerges, the American Killmonger, and briefly leads Wakanda towards a vengeful overthrowing of the world through violence. As this occurs, the film provides glimpses into the points of view of various characters with competing notions of racial consciousness and black internationalism. At its core, the narrative allows viewers to wrestle with the question of whether Wakanda should open its resources to Black people all around the world and stand up for those that have been oppressed for generations. However, in its journey to the answer, the film undoubtedly villainizes the radical methods proposed for freeing Blacks in other nations.

“If the world found out what we truly are, what we possess, we could lose our way of life.”-T’Challa

As our first point of view, T’Challa’s logic is one of a protector. Given the experiences of Black individuals across the world—the ways in which they have been oppressed, mistreated, and regarded as less than—it is not dumbfounded that T’Challa wants to keep his people save from those ills. He knows that if Wakanda is viewed as anything other than a third world country, others will come in and steal its resources and attempt to overthrow all they have built. However, in attempting to protect his own, T’Challa is blatantly disregarding the experiences of those who are not shielded (literally) by the walls of Wakanda and abandoning them in the same way the rest of the world has. He is prioritizing safety and longevity over solidarity.

“You let the refugees in, you let in all their problems.” -W’Kabi

When T’Challa begins considering the ways in which Wakanda can aid the world—primarily by allowing those in need to come in to its border—viewers are faced with another answer to the film’s question. W’Kabi urges T’Challa to keep the borders closed, in fear of ending Wakanda, but goes on to propose that they to go out into the world and conquer territories. This leads viewers to assume that while bringing refugees in is not desirable, nations with access to immense resources should be obligated to help those in need around the world. In this way, the film makes a large commentary on the refugee crisis occurring all over the world during the movie’s premier. While the conquering perspective is one that leads back to a long journey of torture for those colonized, the key point remains that Wakanda, and countries like it, should not sit back and watch those in need suffer.

““The world’s gonna start over, and this time we’re on top. The sun will never set on the Wakandan empire.”-Killmonger

As the film’s most radical character, Killmonger is portrayed as an individual who has internalized the colonizers’ predilection for aggression and dominance. His words are quite similar to those uttered about the British Empire, “on which the sun never sets.” The “sun” part is an allusion to a famous saying about the British Empire at the height of its powers. It meant that because Britain had so much colonial territory around the world that it was literally always daytime in at least some part of the empire. While his desires are valid, wanting to set free the individuals who have been shackled since the days of slavery, Killmonger’s violent extremes, portrayed by desires to conquer the world by killing anyone who opposes him, allows viewers to see him in the light of a villain who is just as bad as the world’s colonizers. In this lies my biggest critique of the film. Taking into account Killmonger’s death, and the ways in which he has been excluded from Wakanda and its community, his opinions are shoved under the rug and villainized when in reality he is fighting for Blacks across the world to have access to something that is technically ‘theirs,’ by virtue of Wakanda being the birthplace of all.

“Wakanda will no longer watch from the shadows…We will work to be an example of how we as brothers and sisters on this earth should treat each other. Now, more than ever, the illusions of division threaten our very existence. We all know the truth: more connects us than divides us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe.” T’Challa

While Killmonger was widely villainized, in the end credits of the movie viewers are able to witness the ways in which T’Challa shifts the standard of Wakanda and, in non-violent ways, adopts what Killmonger desired. Though at one point afraid of change, by the end of the movie T’Challa stands for global black solidarity. He establishes an outreach center at the building in Oakland where N’Jobu died and intends for the center to the first in a series of efforts by Wakanda to help uplift impoverished communities around the world. Nonetheless, his change of mind, while admirable in that it aims to empower the larger Black community, would have been more powerful if instead of letting Killmonger die he would have attempted to work with him in order to fulfil the necessary narrative shift with the help of someone who has actually lived outside of Wakanda. Largely, while Black Panther will always be an admirable movie filled with much needed representation, it is vital that viewers take into account the larger messages the film portrays when it comes to the Black freedom Struggle.

Freedom Rides

March 25, 2019 / aepupp / 0 Comments

Freedom Rides Virtual Tour

I chose to display the 1961 Freedom Rides through a google tour. In my opinion, this event displays diasporic consciousness-making in that it showcases the unity of 13 people who knew that segregation had to come to an end and took it upon themselves to make a necessary push in the movement. With this tool the user is able to both geographically follow the route taken by the Freedom Riders and also read a bit about what occurred at each location on the given day. Thus, while a timeline would have sufficed, in that it would have broken down what occurred on the rides from May 4th through May 16th, the use of the virtual tour still includes all those details while also taking viewers on a showcase of the actual driving – providing a better sense of how much the riders traveled each day and what they endured at each site.

The Dangers of Migration

March 9, 2019 / aepupp / 0 Comments

Then conquer we must when our cause it is just/And this be our motto: “In God is our Trust.”/And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave/O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

–Francis Scott Key

As per the nation’s national anthem, the United States is lauded as the “land of the free and the home of the brave;” a country filled with hope and opportunity for all. However, in its living reality the United States still stands as a land of discrimination and segregation against people of color, particularly those of African descent. On the hand of segregation, it comes as no surprise that, as per the 2010 census, the average African American in a metropolitan area lived in a neighborhood that was 35 percent white—the same figure as in the 1950 Census—whereas the average white American still lived in a neighborhood that was more than 75 percent white. This pattern of residential segregations results not from private choices or from mere economics, but instead from a long history of pervasive, intentionally discriminatory government actions, such as the enforcement of Black Belt regions, that have continued well past the Fair Housing Act. Further, in focusing on the perpetuation of discrimination and mistreatment of African bodies, it is crucial to note that, on the extreme end of the spectrum, Black men aged 15-34 are between nine and sixteen times more likely to be killed by police than other people, while on the other hand of the spectrum, Black females are still discriminated against in work settings for the seemingly ‘unprofessional’ texture and look of their natural hair.

Thus, in observing the culture of the United States and the mistreatment of Blacks, it comes as no surprise that like Martin Delany and Caribbean migrants in the interwar years, many people of color today face the question of whether to stay or leave the United States. While I support the choices made by every individual, and deeply understand the desire to go and find a ‘home,’ I would argue against a contemporary emigration scheme to Africa for those of African descent.

In inspecting the history of Black (e)migration, a key figure to keep in mind is Martin Delany, the father of Black nationalism. During his time Delany fought for the migration of the highest forms of Blacks back to Africa. From his point of view these individuals, the morally exempt and highly intelligent, could bring up the standing of Africa and populate it with the highest forms of human kind. However, those that supported his logic failed to notice its many downfalls. First and foremost, in including only the highest elites, Delany failed to create a version of Pan-Africanism that welcomes and includes all. Much like the rest of the American government at the time, Delany’s plans still left behind those who most desperately needed the help and the opportunity to find a place they could call home. Further, in assuming that American Black elites could populate Africa, and make it a land worthy of its new inhabitants, Delany failed to consider the wishes and perspectives of the individuals who already populated the African countries he hoped to better.

As we fast forward to the present and the future, any (e)migration scheme would make the same mistakes that Delany’s vision would have encountered. While those of African descent should choose what is best for them, be it migrating to Africa or staying put, a large migration scheme that does not address the racial and socioeconomic inequalities existent within the current population, and or the wishes and perspectives of those living in the mother land fails to fully understand the larger picture. Thus, instead of migrating away from the United States, I advocate for Blacks to remain within this country and continue making an impact and changing the country to fit their needs. Most importantly, since they do not have the long standing power and respect given to Whites, the biggest change must come from allies within the United States who are willing to stand up for people of color and speak up when their own and those who they barely know are discriminating or segregating individuals whose home is, and will always be, the United States of America.

A Puzzle Piece in the Large Black Narrative

February 20, 2019 / aepupp / 0 Comments

Morgan Jerkins, Princeton Class of 2014, is an American born author currently based in New York City. With a bachelor’s degree in comparative literature from Princeton University and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing and Literature from the Bennington Writing Seminars, Jerkins stands as an up-and-comer in both the world of literature and activism.

Shifting from her undergraduate scholarly work, specialized in late nineteenth century Russian literature and post-war Japanese literature, her New York Times Bestselling novel, This Will Be My Undoing focuses on the distinctions of Living at the Intersection of Black, Female, and Feminist in (White) America. Over 10 essays, Jerkins writes about milestones in her life, such as her first brushes with racism, the politics of black women’s hair, traveling abroad while black, and the importance of former First Lady Michelle Obama in shaping her view of strong Black women in the media. She describes her undergraduate years at Princeton with a wistful fondness, journaling the experiences that shaped her sensibility as a writer and prepared her for the challenges of young adulthood in New York City. In her novel Jerkins interweaves her incisive commentary on pop culture, feminism, black history, misogyny, and racism with her own experiences to confront the very real challenges of being a black woman today.

As per the first essay in This Will Be My Undoing, Jerkins’ complicated relationship with race began at the young age of 10-years-old. In the essay, titled “Monkeys Like You,” Jerkins describes the cheerleading tryouts she attended as a pre-teen. Upon arrival, she committed to the strenuous routines and forced herself to smile at older White judges, who seemed to be amused by her enthusiasm. However, despite her committed efforts, she did not make the team. She was forced to confront her feelings about the giddy reception awaiting young white women who “simply have to show up and try.” On the one hand, she disclosed her desire to be a white cheerleader with straight hair and a svelte body, in order to feel an increased sense of acceptance and appreciation, yet on the other was filled with both anger and rage as a ‘friend’ told her that she didn’t make the squad because they “didn’t accept monkeys like [her].” While a moment she would analyze for years, this occasion stands as an experience that would not only shape Jerkins’ perception of herself but also the ways in which that perception was shaped by others.

Flashing forward to her high school years, Jerkins’ relationship with other Black women was further complicated. Upon relocating from Egg Harbor Township to Williamston in New Jersey, Jerkins encountered two Black girls who decided to make her the subject of relentless bullying. While addressing the identity of her bullies, and the differences between them and herself, Jerkins attributes this period of bullying towards the “violence [black women] hurl at one another.” While a victim of it, in “Monkeys Like You” Jerkins is also able to acknowledge her role in shaping the Black girl experience. She describes one of her bullies as brash, cocky, and loud while portraying herself as quiet and bookish. In other words, Jerkins viewed herself as better than her bully, whether as a result of her lighter skin tone, education, or general well-mannered behavior. However, as an adult publishing these experiences, Jerkins is able to acknowledge that these things do not warrant the kind of arrogance and anti-blackness she felt towards her bullies in high school.

In the last stage before pursuing the life of an author, Jerkins’ period as an undergraduate student was filled with personal growth in terms of academics, culture, and politics. As a comparative literature student, she was reminded that everything has two sides, there is no objective truth, a realization that would shape her ability to write a novel that tackles intersectionality from its many perspectives. Further, in meeting new people, with many different viewpoints, Jerkins’ learned about misogynoir, the hatred of black women, as well as the ever-flowing gender binary. Finally, knowing the historical precedent of African-Americans who had navigated the ultra-exclusive place that the University holds in society motivated her to succeed and to hold herself accountable for her actions. Being almost painfully conscious of the privilege that attending the University confers on its students Jerkins’ felt an obligation to incorporate into her work how educational privilege works.

That, the consciousness of her role as an author, is what makes Morgan Jerkins and individual worthy of further exploring. Rather than presenting her story as the story of Black women and Black experiences, Jerkins is able to acknowledge that everything she explores in This Will Be My Undoing is unique to her. As she states, “Black women are extremely complex. Oftentimes we may be messy, we may be contradictory. With this book, I hope that people will read about one black woman’s reality and not think that she speaks for all black women because I am not the arbiter of truth, I cannot monopolize black womanhood, much less blackness.” Though adding to the conversation, as she is aware, Jerkins is only a puzzle piece in the large Black narrative.