119: The Importance of Art-tism in the Fight for Gun Violence Prevention

As gun violence has risen across the US, so too has art dedicated to ending gun violence. In this space are art-activists, who combine the creative power of artistic expression (be it dance, music, theater, painting, etc.) with the strategic planning of activism that is necessary to spark, and then shepherd, social change. Today, hosts Kelly and JJ are joined by two art-activists that detail just how important that intersection of art and activism is: Farooq Al- Said and Jason Sole. Farooq is the Director of Operations and an emcee at 1HOOD; Jason is an abolitionist and the co-founder of the Humanize My Hoodie Movement. And more than that, both men are tireless advocates nationally and in their communities for racial justice, the rights of marginalized communities, and to end violence.

Together, all four of us discuss everything from performative allyship to code switching, to police violence being gun violence to restorative justice, to the role of art in revolutionary spaces and the risk of white supremacy.

Mentioned in this podcast:
Why the NRA Stands Up for Some Black Gun Owners, But Not Others (the Trace)
This Week In White Supremacy: the Clear and Present Danger of The Capitol Riots (1Hood)
Born in St. Paul, Humanize My Hoodie takes fashion activism to New York Fashion Week (Twin Cities Pioneer Press)
Antwon Rose's* Case Is Bigger Than East Pittsburgh (Bloomberg)
N-word: The troubled history of the racial slur (BBC)

*Antwon's full name was Antwon Rose the 2nd, and that is how his family prefers him be referred to.