Beyond Voting
The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership
Welcome to Beyond Voting, a limited series podcast that digs into the critical issues central to the 2024 election cycle. Each episode, we'll bring you insightful interviews with activists, community leaders, and experts focused on building a more just and sustainable future that goes beyond the ballot box. Also, check out our previous podcast, Radical Futures Now, for more thought-provoking conversations with social justice leaders around the world.The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership (ACSJL) is an initiative of Kalamazoo College whose mission is to develop and sustain leaders in human rights and social justice through education and capacity-building
Democracy: The Illusion of Choice. Featuring Madiba Denning and Dr. Melina Abdullah
Do not despair, we have the power to organize, build supportive communities, and challenge harmful policies.In our special post election edition episode on Beyond Voting. We’re joined by two special guests, Madiba Dennie and Dr. Melina Abdullah. We did a legal lightning round with Madiba Dennie, Deputy Editor of BallsandStrikes.org, to explore how we got here and understand the legal challenges and issues that had such a profound effect on our elections across the country. We also spoke with 202
Activism: Are We Ready For This Moment? Featuring Charlene Carruthers
Have you lost your voice?On the sixth episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deep with Charlene Carruthers, community organizer, writer, filmmaker, and Black Studies PhD candidate. Charlene is the founding national director of BYP 100, a Chicago -based social justice organization led by Black youth activists. Her work spans more than 20 years of community organizing across racial, gender,and economic justice movements. She is also the author of the 2018 bestselling book, Unapologetic: a Black, queer,
The Supreme Court: Political Tool or Arbiter of Justice? Featuring Dr. Nicole Nguyen
Is the Supreme Court for us or against us?On the fifth episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deep with Dr. Nicole Nguyen, associate professor of criminology, law, & justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She’s also a feminist geographer whose research contributes to, and draws on, grassroots struggles challenging racialized policing, war and empire, particularly in collaboration with community organizations.We spoke with Nicole about how the Supreme Court is meant to function versus how i
Fascism: Modern Threat or Facade? Featuring Alberto Toscano
Fascism: Modern threat or facade?On the fourth episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deep with Alberto Toscano, critical theorist, professor in the School of Communications at Simon Fraser University, and also co-director of the Centre for Philosophy and Critical Theory at Goldsmiths, University of London. We spoke with Alberto about what modern fascist movements look like, where we see real examples of anti-fascist resistance, and what we can learn - particularly from Black radical traditions- abou
The Third Way Forward- Featuring Rosa Clemente
Have you ever considered a third party as an option?On the third episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deeper with Rosa Clemente, a black Puerto Rican scholar, activist, journalist, organizer, and former vice presidential candidate alongside Cynthia McKinney on the Green Party ballot in 2008. We spoke with Rosa after she had just interviewed third party presidential candidate with the Justice For All Party, Dr. Cornel West. So third-party campaigns were front and center in her mind.We spoke with her
The Uncommitted Movement- Another way to vote.
Do you stay in the process or do you check out?On the second episode of Beyond Voting, we dive deep with Esam Boraey, Egyptian-American political activist and academic, into what it looks like working within the confines of electoral politics, what it can do for us, and what its limitations are – through the lens of the Uncommitted Movement. We spoke with Esam only a few days after the Democratic National Convention wrapped up its week-long festivities in Chicago. He shared his thoughts on his e
To Vote or Not to Vote
Are you voting between a rock and a hard place?On this first episode of Beyond Voting, we get real about voting our values with Dr. Michelle Taylor, also known as Feminista Jones- the award-winning author of Reclaiming Our Space: How Black Feminists Are Changing the World from the Tweets to the Streets.We spoke with her after the 2024 Democratic National Convention and took a critical look at where we find ourselves with Vice President Harris, our new Democratic nominee. She shared her thoughts
Beyond Voting Coming September 24th
Are you ready to move beyond the ballot box and become a more engaged citizen? Beyond Voting is rooted in our conviction that democracy requires more participation than just voting. It’s up to all of us to take action if we want to see real change. Hosted by Emily Williams, Executive Director of The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College. We’ll feature conversations with leaders, activists, and educators discussing the state of our country’s institutions, ongoing syst
New podcast from The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership!
Listen to the newest show from the Arcus Center!On September 24th we’ll be dropping our new podcast, Beyond Voting, right here on this feed. And since you're already here- you don’t have to do anything but stay locked in! If you’ve enjoyed our previous podcast, Radical Futures Now, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy our new show Beyond Voting. It’s a show about raising our consciousness, inspiring new leaders, and redesigning the democracy we deserve. So, if you want to be part of that- listen to Bey
Youth Organizing and Pan-Africian Philosophies with Aya Chebbi
Aya Chebbi discusses Pan-Africanism and Youth Organizing with us. Aya Chebbi is a diplomat, peacebuilder and activist. Aya is also a multi-award winning Pan-African feminist. Aya has transformed the youth participation space across Africa, specifically with building the Afrika Youth Movement which is one of Africa's largest youth-led movements.
Time Banking with Alice Bagley
Alice Bagley shares about timebanking, urban farming and community-building through and through. Unity in Our Community Timebank is an organization in Southwest Detroit focused on sharing services and building community one hour at a time. Alice Beagley is currently organizing learning circles with Michigan Alliance Timebanking and farming at Oakland Urban Farm.
Interconnectedness and power in Hip Hop With Mazi Mutafa
Mazi Mutafa discusses the sacredness of the cypher, and the expansiveness of Hip Hop as a music and culture. Mazi Mutafa is the Executive Director of Words Beats & Life inc, a non-profit based in Washington, D.C. that teaches, convenes and presents Hip-Hop around the world. Mazi Mutafa began this organization as an after school program dedicated to creating transformative learning experiences in non-traditional classrooms, teaching the elements of Hip-Hop.
Statement on Atlanta with historical lens with Cat March
Cat March discusses the murders in Atlanta through a historical, gender and racial lens. Cat March (they/them) is a Gender Studies and English scholar. They have a personal passion for Asian American histories, especially Japanese internment camps in the United States. They are currently the student advisor at the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College and finishing up their graduate program in higher education.
Statement on Atlanta and Leftist Asian-American Organizing With Mika Hernandez
Mika Hernandez discusses their feelings after the murders in Atlanta, and post-Atlanta organizing rooted in the Ohlone Land (Bay Area). Mika Hernandez (they + she) is a queer and non binary community organizer whose work is rooted in trans and queer liberation, abolition, transformative justice, and community care. They put this work into practice within their political and movement homes: Asians4BlackLives, APIENC, and the Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective. Mika is currently enrolled i
The Impacts of Colonization on Spirituality and Family Structure - Baba Buntu
Dr. Baba Buntu speaks on building stronger relations within family structures and returning to ancient African. Dr. Buntu is an Activist Scholar and Founding Director of eBukhosini Solutions; a community-based company in Johannesburg, specializing in Afrikan-Centered Education. Dr. Buntu has founded a number of community interventions based on practical approaches to Black Consciousness and decolonial methods.
Community Surveys and Feminist Methodologies - Jamie Grant
Jamie Grant discusses community-based surveys, intersectional feminism, and the expansiveness of gender and sexuality. Jamie Grant is a lesbian writer and activist, and author of Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey and Great Sex: Mapping your Desire. She is currently working on a LGBTQ+ Women’s community survey that centers anyone who identifies as a woman and those who used to identify as a woman and would like to speak about their experience.
Community care and performative allyship - Abeni Jones
CW: mentions of suicidality. Abeni Jones discusses with us her articles for Autostraddle and workshops regarding community care and avoiding performative allyship. Abeni Jones is currently Managing Editor at PushBlack, a non-profit media organization for Black Americans, using the power of narrative to educate and activate readers. She is also a writer for Autostraddle.
The Importance of having a historical analysis when participating in movement work - Mia Henry
We’re back for part two with Mia Henry, she discusses The Importance of having a historical analysis when participating in movement work.Mia Henry is the founder of Freedom Lifted, an organization that creates learning spaces for youth and adults to grow as social justice leaders. Prior to her work with Freedom Lifted, Mia was the founding director of the Chicago Freedom Schools and the executive director of the Arcus Center. Mia also organizes civil rights tours in the south which creates tran
Food as a form of resistance - Mia Henry
Mia Henry discusses the role that food plays in exploring different cultures and histories. Mia Henry is the founder of Freedom Lifted, an organization that creates learning spaces for youth and adults to grow as social justice leaders. Prior to her work with Freedom Lifted, Mia was the founding director of the Chicago Freedom Schools and the executive director of the Arcus Center. Mia also organizes civil rights tours in the south which creates transformational experiences for people by reconne
Detroit Organizing and Building the Grace Lee Boggs Center - Shae Howell
Shea Howell discusses everything Detroit. Shea has organized, as one of the founders of the Grace Lee Boggs Center, developing intergenerational relations, within the Council of Elders, and so much more. She is currently working in the water struggle in Detroit and celebrating the most recent win to pause the water bill during the covid-19 pandemic.
Resistencia de mujeres Afrocolombianas con Luz Marina Becerra
En este episodio de Futuros Radicales Ahora entramos en conversación con Luz Marina Becerra, lideresa de AFRODES y la COMADRE de AFRODES, sobre experiencias de lxs Afrocolombianxs, la opresión por parte del Estado, y su resistencia. Este episodio está presentado por Marcos Ferguson Morales, y editado por Marcos Ferguson Morales y Paige Chung // In this episode of Radical Futures Now we discuss with Luz Marina Becerra, leader of AFRODES and la COMADRE de AFRODES, about the Afrocolombian experienc
Up To Us: APIENC’s community survey with Samie & Yuan
Sammie Ablaza Wills and Yuan Wang discuss trans-centered organizing, community based participatory research, and solidarity. APIENC is a grassroots organization building transgender, non-binary and queer API power in the Bay Area. APIENC recently conducted a community based participatory research called Up to Us that was conducted by and centered transgender API community members.
Hip-Hop Culture and Black Movements - Msia Clark Kibona
Hip-Hop is more than just a genre of music; it is a form of resistance and storytelling. Hip-Hop also plays an integral role in Black Movements. We speak with Msia Kibona Clark, Associate Professor of African cultural & feminist studies in the Department of African Studies at Howard University. Her work examines hip-hop in Africa’s importance as social commentary, especially around Pan Africanism and African feminist thought. Msia describes the parallels and differences of Hip-Hop culture in the
And We are back!! - Radical Futures Now
Welcome to Season 2 of Radical Futures Now. Get the inside scoop about our rebrand and the reasoning behind it. Listen and get to know the members of the Racial Futures Now team. Learn about our roles, passions, and why we love to do this work. Hear about what guests and topics we have in store for you.
Transmasculinity and Being a Transformer: - Willy Wilkinson
The transgender movement has come a long way in the last six decades, from very little visibility and support to growing awareness and acceptance. We speak with Willy Wilkinson, author of the Lambda Literary Award-winning book Born on the Edge of Race and Gender: A Voice for Cultural Competency, about his journey coming out as a young trans child in the early sixties. Now a sought-after public health consultant who helps organizations and institutions develop LGBTQ-affirming services and systems
Voter Suppression - Tamara Morrison
Voting shouldn't be hard but, between voter suppression and misinformation spreading, the right to participate and vote in this year's election becomes an imminent threat. In this episode, we talked to Tamara Morrison about voter suppression in the U.S. and how we are coming up against the odds.With the Arcus Center staff out of the office, we missed having morning chats around the kitchen island and getting each others' opinions on current events. Given the upcoming elections, in this series, w
Politics No Thank You! with Tamara Morrison (Part 2)
With the Arcus Center staff out of the office, we missed having morning chats around the kitchen island and getting each others' opinions on current events. Given the upcoming elections, in this series, we chat about our hot takes on the two party system, voter suppression, and inevitable dissatisfaction talking about U.S. electoral politics. This second part dives in deeper into the two party system and our collective reluctance to trusting it. Catch us in our two-part series with our guest Tam
Politics No Thank You! with Tamara Morrison (Part 1)
With the Arcus Center staff out of the office, we missed having morning chats around the kitchen island and getting each others' opinions on current events. Given the upcoming elections, in this series, we chat about our hot takes on the two party system, voter suppression, and inevitable dissatisfaction talking about U.S. electoral politics. Catch us in our two-part series with our guest Tamara Morrison, and Arcus Center Staff: Rhiki Swinton, Tirrea Billings, Trevor Loudem-Jackson, and Paige Ch
Movement Reflections and Pan-African from a Black Panther with Charlotte Hill O'Neil/ Mama C
As the Black Lives Matter uprisings continue, we look back at our history and invite Charlotte Hill O’neil Mama “C” to speak on her triumphs and journey as a former Black Panther. Currently at the United African Alliance Community Center in Tanzania, where Covid19 is not prevalent, Mama C is living her best life: writing her memoir Hard Head and spending time with the community. She shares her insights on the parallels between the Black Panther movement and Black Lives Matter movement today.Chec
Emergent Strategies and Pleasure Activism with Adrienne Maree Brown
With American current socio-political climate, The Radical Zone podcast team had a conversation with Adrienne Maree Brown to discuss emergent strategies and pleasure activism. In this episode, Adrienne breaks down their life's work in activism with various communitiesAdrienne Maree Brown is the author of Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good,Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds and the co-editor of Octavia’s Brood: | Science Fiction from Social Justice Movements. She i
Defunding Police & Black Lives Matter Organizing in Canada by Sandy Hudson
With everything on right during this pandemic of covid19, black people and people of color have to continue to fight for their rights and systemic injustice especially in America. In this BLM Mini series, we got a rare opportunity to talk with Toronto-based organizer of Black Lives Matter movement to share her thoughts about the contrast and similarities between Canada and United States Of America with regards to black people and systemic relations with the state. Sandy Hudson is a Toronto-ba
Grassroots Organizing & Student Activism with Majyck D
This time around, we take time out to focus on localized grass root organizing & activism. we talked to Majyck D in our #BLM mini series to understand how what has been happening in Kalamazoo Michigan lately. The Killing of George Floyd resulted in protests and demonstrations in cities across the nation, with Kalamazoo Michigan being one of those cities. We also learned about the relationship between Kalamazoo Public Schools and the community? Discussed what measures are being considered to end
Electoral Politics & Immigration Rights with Jason De Leon
The COVID-19 pandemic has made things complicated around the world, and America has been equally affected by this global health crisis and the impact it has had on society. The radical Zone Podcast brought back professor Jason De Leon to help us understand and decipher immigration rights and electoral politics in America.In this episode, we dive deep into issues of diversity and differences between various minority groups in America in context of the political build up towards the upcoming nat
Prison Resistance & Narrative Change with Amani Sawari
The Radical Zone Podcast team got an opportunity to have a conversation with a special guest Amani Sawari to participate in our Black Lives Matter mini series and discuss the recent Uprising and its relation to Mass Incarceration in America. Amani Sawari is a writer, founder of the site sawarimi.org, coordinator for the Right2Vote Campaign, the Good Time Campaign to Repeal Truth In Sentencing and a 2019 Civil Rights Fellow with the Roddenberry Foundation. She graduated from the University of Was
Indigenous Uprisings and Cross Movement Building with Holly Bird
The Radical Zone team had the pleasure to speak with Holly Bird to bring us to speed on critical issues facing Ingenious Movements parallels to Black movements, COVID-19 and its impact on the Indigenous Community in America. Hon. Bird graduated from DePaul University College of Law, where she served as the Native American Representative and President of the Latino Law Students Association. Most notably, however, Hon. Bird founded and served as Vice-President, President, and President-Emeritus o
Movements & Master Narratives with Lisa Brock. BLM Series #1
In this special Black Lives Matter mini series, we brought back one of our favorite radical intellectuals, activists and the acting Executive Director of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership at Kalamazoo College, Dr. Lisa Brock to help us decipher the following questions/comments:1. What’s currently happening on the ground in Chicago?2. Discuss current brutal killings Black people like George Floyd, Ahmad Arbury, Breonna Taylor, and countless others.3. Shed light on the current racial
Migration & US/Mexico Border conversations with Jason De Leon
In this Episode, TRZ is so excited to tap into great wisdom of Jason De Leon on issues Immigration and Migration.Jason De León is Professor of Anthropology and Chicana, Chicano, and Central American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is Executive Director of the Undocumented Migration Project, a 501 (c)(3) committed to documenting and raising awareness about the violent social process of clandestine migration through a combination of anthropological research, education, art
Babaluku in Conversation with The Radical Zone
In our second episode, The Radical Zone had a social distancing conversation with a Hip Hop movement builder Babaluku to decipher the effect of Covid19 in Africa as well the creatives around the world.Silas Babaluku is the founder and executive director of The Foundation, creator of the Dynasty as well as an award-winning musician, producer, community youth activist and social entrepreneur. Being raised in Uganda and living in Canada during his late teens and early twenties has given Silas a u
Lisa Brock in conversation with TRZ
Radical Zone Podcast got in a social distancing sit down with Lisa Brock & now we bring you full conversation with; Dr. Lisa Brock is currently the Academic Director of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, at Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is the senior editor of the Praxis Center, an online resource center for Scholars, Activists and Artists. She serves as a Trustee on the Davis Putter Scholarship fund for radical student activists. Since the early 1990s, Brock has bee
The Radical Zone Podcast
The Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership (ACSJL) is an initiative of Kalamazoo College whose mission is to develop and sustain leaders in human rights and social justice through education and capacity-building.We envision a world where:every person's life is equally valued,the inherent dignity of all people is recognized,the opportunity to develop one’s full potential is available to every person, andsystematic discrimination and structural inequities have been eradicated