Tag Archives: race

Another kind of Occupation: What do you mean “we”?

Occupation of public spaces to advance a political agenda is nothing new to us, nor to anyone who watched Occupy flash across American politics in 2011. The ongoing Occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon is a little … Continue reading

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Does the student campaign spread?

Activists copy things that seem to work, but the recipe for success in one place doesn’t always translate elsewhere. Of course, students around the United States found inspiration and encouragement from the Missouri students’ successful blitz of their university president.  … Continue reading

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The Mizzou moment: Student activism beyond Missouri

When activists see a tactic that seems to be producing results, they’ll imitate it. Innovation spreads ideas that seem to work. The ousting of University of Missouri Timothy Wolfe signaled student activists across the country about new possibilities. We’ve seen … Continue reading

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Mizzou, part II: Lead-up and legacies

Most of us tuned into the story about the ouster of University of Missouri president Timothy Wolfe last weekend, when the football team weighed in to support a hunger striker, and saw a sudden and conclusive end when Wolfe stepped … Continue reading

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How movements work: Activists sack a president at Mizzou

University of Missouri president Timothy Wolfe, a one-time championship high school quarterback, took a knee to avoid being sacked.  Once the football team lined up against him, it was clear Wolfe’s time was running out, and he resigned today to … Continue reading

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Tainted allies: The KKK weighs in

The worst thing that’s happened to the avowedly non-racist heritage supporters of the Confederate flag this week is the appearance of unwelcome support:  The Ku Klux Klan has been permitted to hold a rally in support of government display of … Continue reading

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Strike the flag; direct action version

Just in case all those rainbow flags flying everywhere had obscured the Confederate flag still flying at the state capitol in South Carolina, Bree Newsome climbed the flag poll and took it down.  Police were on top of the situation, … Continue reading

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Police violence and the special prosecutor

Twenty-five thousand people marched in New York City on Saturday because they were angry that police who kill unarmed, uh, suspects, aren’t prosecuted.  But they’re angry about more than that:  differential policing based on color, particularly the treatment of young … Continue reading

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#Black Lives Matter: Does protest?

Large demonstrations yesterday in Washington, DC and New York City–and smaller ones across the United States–kept public attention on the issue of police violence. Activists–and others who just might come out next time–wonder whether anything will come of this moment … Continue reading

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Protest and riots

Violence polarizes.  It makes people pay attention.  It makes people take sides.  And this goes for violence from authorities like the police as well as protesters. It doesn’t take many people, committed or crazy, in masks or police uniforms and … Continue reading

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