The acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Black Florida teenager, Trayvon Martin, has ignited protests and triggered debates about the nature of race, class, gender, violence and power in this country. There have been a flood of emotions surrounding this case, all of which is understandable, but this teach-in is an opportunity to delve into the underlying issues that surround this case and what it represents. It is a point of departure for a discussion of a whole range of pressing issues. We will also explore the implications of the Martin murder and Zimmerman acquittal in light of the ongoing crises of violence, school closings and deteriorating life chances for Black and Brown youth in Chicago.

  • How do we analyze the significance of this case?
  • What has been the role of mainstream media in framing or distorting the case?
  • How does this case fit into the larger frame of the growing prison industry, criminalization of Black and Brown youth, and the escalating problem of gun violence?
  • What are the lessons about the mechanisms of change or the limits of certain mechanisms for change – how effective are mass pressure/ mobilization? Petitions? Art? The court system? Social Media?
  • What would “justice” look like in this case, especially given there is such widespread criticism of incarceration as a solution? How do prison abolitionists respond to the George Zimmerman trial?
  • Pulling back for the minutiae of the case and trial, what are the larger social justice issues represented by this case and what insight do we draw from them?

 

Two of a number of speakers include:  Gary Younge, author and writer for The Guardian and  Malcolm X College Professor Abra Johnson, Truth and Trauma activist Danton Floyd, as well as Chicago youth organizers.

THIS WILL BE AN INTERACTIVE TEACH IN FORMAT WITH RESOURCES AND INFO PROVIDED IN MULTIPLE FORMS.

 

“Without struggle there is no progress.” – Frederick Douglass

 

ARTS INCUBATOR

301 EAST GARFIELD BLVD.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013. 7:00 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.

 

Co-conveners: Prudence Browne, Charity Tolliver, Lisa Brock, Tracye Matthews, Cathy Cohen, Jasson Perez, David Stovall, Barbara Ransby, Danton Floyd, Mia Henry, Asha Ransby-Sporn, Mariame Kaba, FM Supreme, Alice Kim, Rev. Janette Wilson, Kevin Coval, Isis Ferguson, Lisa Yun Lee, Touissaint Losier, Deana Lewis, Lynette Jackson, James Thindwa, Martha Biondi, Fresco Steez.