CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Making Revolution Irresistible in Socially Engaged Art (New Book) Editors: Drs. H. “Herukhuti” Sharif Williams and Otto Muller, Goddard College (Vermont, USA) Publisher: Routledge Anticipated publication year: 2025 The world is ablaze with the rise of white supremacist fascism, genocide, and wealth extraction. Communities are working to resist and disrupt the mechanismsContinue reading "CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Making Revolution Irresistible in Socially Engaged Art (New Book)"
WORLD PREMIER of In the Valley of Coming Forth – One Night ONLY
By Dr. Herukhuti It's here. We're just days away from the realization of a new contribution to funk theatre. For two years, I've been working with the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI) to bring to life the Afrofuturist, funk ritual performance piece, In the Valley of Coming Forth (IVCF). On November 24, 7pmET,Continue reading "WORLD PREMIER of In the Valley of Coming Forth – One Night ONLY"
Afrofuturism and The Birth of Funk Theatre
"While there has been quite a bit of work to define the roots and elements of Afrofuturism, from my observation Afrofuturists come to the framework in different ways and associate with different elements." by Dr. Herukhuti The creative and philosophical discourse known as Afrofuturism has been growing in reach since the early 90s. Simply put,Continue reading "Afrofuturism and The Birth of Funk Theatre"
I Missed You. I Figure You’ve Missed Me Too.
by Dr. Herukhuti Hey there. I know it's been a long time since you've heard from me here. Too long. My last post was in the summer of 2020. While COVID affected my life as it did many of you, there have been a number of important experiences that contributed to the absence of myContinue reading "I Missed You. I Figure You’ve Missed Me Too."
Reparations or Revolution, There Are Decisions to Make on All Sides
by Dr. Herukhuti As the surge in protests, looting, and uprising occurred several months ago, close friends and colleagues, unbeknownst to each other, asked me the same question, "do you think this is it?" By it, they were referring to a change that would fundamentally transform the society. Being known as a revolutionary scholar, IContinue reading "Reparations or Revolution, There Are Decisions to Make on All Sides"
The Problem Isn’t Merely Policing – Dismantling the Matrix of Domination
by Dr. Herukhuti In the wake of the most recent murders of and attacks against Black people, people around the world have taken to the streets to demand justice for Black victims of police and vigilante violence and defunding the police. But anti-Blackness, white supremacy, and racial terrorism didn't begin and won't end with policing.Continue reading "The Problem Isn’t Merely Policing – Dismantling the Matrix of Domination"
Habari Gani? Kwanzaa and Umoja Can Be Complicated
By Iyatunde Oshunade Folayan In 2009, I received my name at the long running Kwanzaa celebration within Detroit's historic Black queer community. It was done in the beauty salon basement of SASHA (Sexual Assault Services for Holistic Healing) center founder Kalimah LocMama Johnson. As a part of that annual Kwanzaa ritual, Detroit performs name-giving ceremoniesContinue reading "Habari Gani? Kwanzaa and Umoja Can Be Complicated"
That Ain’t Forgiveness: On the Political Economy of Hugging
By Dr. Herukhuti Stop it. Stop showing the images, playing the video. Stop talking about how amazing or incredible or moving or heartwarming it was. To anyone who is using the scene of the sentencing phase of Amber Guyger's trial in Dallas, TX, USA to pimp a narrative about forgiveness and Black people or BlacknessContinue reading "That Ain’t Forgiveness: On the Political Economy of Hugging"
The Loss of Empathy: When We Can No Longer Mourn Our Dead, We Become Dust
by Dr. Herukhuti We don't love each other, not because we don't have the capacity. But because our trauma has so disrupted our natural instinct to do so. The intergenerational trauma of experiencing settler-colonialism, imperialism, white supremacy, capitalism, and cisheteropatriarchy has wrought havoc on our collective empathy. It is easiest for us to mourn theContinue reading "The Loss of Empathy: When We Can No Longer Mourn Our Dead, We Become Dust"
Reppin’ Ain’t Easy and Some of Us Are Brave
By Dr. Herukhuti Before keeping it real was a thing, we represented. Back in the 90s and early 00s, people repped the street on which they lived, the school they attended, the neighborhood, city, or state in which they resided. Showing love for your community and your origins was a sign of self-love and weContinue reading "Reppin’ Ain’t Easy and Some of Us Are Brave"