Freedom School is a Sapelo Square initiative that provides students with an opportunity to seek knowledge through Black Muslim scholarship and expertise. A safe and intimate space that encourages reflection and discussion among community members regarding the most pressing issues in our society as it relates to race and Islam in America. Nurturing the unique perspectives firmly rooted in our experiences are a crucial component of reframing the current narrative.
Recognizing the need for a more robust Black Muslim presence in publications, Dr. Aminah Al-Deen’s class, Resistance: Writing Us, emphasized the power of the pen while encouraging attendees to discover their voice and use it as a force to uphold justice. Throughout the four weeks, students were asked to share their thoughts and feelings related to the genocide in Gaza, the conflict in 15 African states and the upcoming 2024 election. Below are just a few of the opinions expressed within the course, however, we appreciate all the students for their efforts, courage and participation during the session and look forward to sharing more voices in the future.
UPCOMING ELECTION: 2024
By Najla Abdul-Malik
As the Presidential Election of 2024 looms in the not-too-distant future, the masses of citizens are in a state of flux; false information is seeping into every facet of our lives. African American voters are being inundated with a hodgepodge of ruthless rhetoric that is being used to sabotage our basic right – our freedom to vote. How we choose to navigate this senseless onslaught will affect our daily lives as we strive to survive in an unhealthy climate of blatant denial of the apparent truth: that all men are equal.
There is no simple solution when dealing with entities that will distort the truth for political and personal gain to ensure that the reins of power remain in the hands of the chosen few.
We as African Americans Muslims, must stand firm in our commitment to justice and equality, in order to strive and maintain balance in an unjust society run by bigots and blatant racists. As African American Muslims, we must arm ourselves with knowledge that is relevant, we must organize collectively to focus on the issues at hand. The survival of our people is critical within a structure that is based on racial privilege and dark money allies.
Knowledge of political process along with action is the key to success. The upcoming 2024 election is going to be a trial for us all, how we respond and the actions we take will have a long term, far-reaching effect on our people as well the country in which we live. It is not too late to form think tanks, it is not too late to come together and strategize, our lives depend upon it. The sleeping giant must awaken, now is the time to reclaim our dignity and community life.
“Wanted – Civilian Rule, Freedom, Justice – Free Sudan” by Alisdare Hickson licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
SUDAN
By Shima Idries
What is happening in Sudan right now is not a civil war. Yes, there are two groups, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), engaged in a violent power struggle to gain control of the country with the main casualties being innocent civilians, characteristic of what defines a “civil war.” But what does that language do? What happens when the conflict that broke out on April 15, 2023 and has led to the largest internal displacement and humanitarian crisis in the world right now is called a “civil war?”
First, it’s lazy. It collapses the history of the Sudanese people and their decades-long fight for liberation against racial capitalism and the imperial forces that abate it into age-old caricatures of barbaric, power-hungry Africans thirsty for senseless violence and unable to govern themselves.
Secondly, it’s irresponsible. It misplaces the origins of the conflict onto the Sudanese people and their domestic government instead of the foreign powers, like Israel and the UAE, who are supplying weapons and funds to the opposing factions in a bid to gain control and profit over Sudan’s resources and regional significance.
Thirdly, it’s wrong. This is not a civil war but a proxy war, an attempt to maintain the exploitative conditions that keep the country and its resources within control of imperial forces and a counter-revolutionary crackdown on the Sudanese people.
Language matters. Calling the conflict in Sudan a “civil war” has clouded global literacy and limited international support for Sudanese liberation.
Shima Idries is a 29 year old Sudanese-American woman living in the United States. She is an epidemiologist, yogi, science fiction-lover, dancer, and tired Sudanese diasporan with longing to return home and raise her progeny in a free Sudan.
CHANGE HAS COME!
By Jawairriya Abdallah-Shahid
From Africa to the United States, the winds of change are blowing and are felt. Political, economic, social and civil unrest are pervasive for black bodies, souls, and minds.
The history of training minds to believe there is no hope for Africa has not been idle. On the contrary, the masses are guided by the media to watch and absorb images portraying Africans in need of intervention. Until today that is. I believe there is a growing alternative view that there is true hope for Africa.
Captain Ibrahim Traore has taken the international world by storm! The current President of Burkina Faso is the youngest in the country’s history. At 36 years of age he has changed the course of direction for the landlocked country by committing to fighting terrorism, forcing the French troops to withdraw from the country, and developing a nuclear power plant that will increase the electrical supply for its citizens.
Likewise, Niger’s president of the military junta, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, is also seeking major change to push Niger forward. The former UN Peacekeeper has curtailed uranium exports to France while ousting the U.S. Troops from his country.
Mali, under the leadership of Colonel Assimi Goïta, expelled French troops from the country. Although Mali has seen all political activities cease while under military rule, Goita insists public order is a priority.
Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali aligned and entered into a defense agreement a year ago, the Alliance of Sahel States. This agreement was formalized in 2023 and to me is a symbol of unity and strength for those waiting to witness a new wave of hope for humanity sprout from the motherland. Although to colonialist and imperialist powers, it may have invoked fear in their hearts, for Africans and their supporters, witnessing their power erode exemplifies possibilities and the realization of dreams.
The changes in West Africa are momentous and inspiring to me, and I’m sure to others as well. The close collaboration of these three nations plants seeds of hope that have been unwatered for decades. Hope is contagious! And right now, in 2024, I do believe it is spreading.
COMPASSION FATIGUE IS REAL, BUT THERE ARE SOLUTIONS
By Aubrey Wells
There have been over 43,000 Palestinians killed in the Israeli-Gaza conflict since the inception of war in October of 2023. Whether the footage is on your local news outlets or other arenas, there hasn’t been a day since the war has ensued that we haven’t heard about it in some capacity. But the idea that being inundated with the latest occurrences of violence and tragedy could cause the phenomenon known as “compassion fatigue” is very unsettling. Compassion fatigue is the idea of being traumatized due to exposure to the trauma of others that you feel helpless to end and want to stop. You feel the unfairness of the injustice they’re enduring, however, you’re powerless to avenge the suffering because you lack the resources.
There are several ways that people who suffer compassion fatigue choose to deal with what they’re experiencing. The first is to either engage in peaceful protests directly or support those who engage in those efforts. Another approach is to limit their own exposure to the media coverage of the tragedy to get a semblance of refuge from being bombarded with bad news. Lastly, some go through a severe case of survivor’s guilt, where they feel terrible about not having to suffer the same fate as their compatriots. As a Muslim who’s connected in solidarity with my Palestinian brethren, but not afflicted with the consequence of their tragedy, I struggle with feeling that fatigue. The best solution to remedy the fatigue is to fight it with mindfulness and contributing to relief efforts.
(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Sapelo Square, its board of directors, or its employees. As a fiscally sponsored 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Sapelo Square does not engage in political campaigning or endorse candidates for public office. All information presented is for education and informational purposes only, in line with our mission to provide a platform for diverse perspectives on the issues impacting our community.)
No comments