The Dig From Rebellion to Reaction w/ Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor & Asha Ransby-Sporn
Jun 8, 2025
Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, an African American Studies professor and author, joins Asha Ransby-Sporn, a Chicago-based organizer and columnist, to discuss the implications of the 2020 protests following George Floyd's death. They analyze the shift from mass mobilization to political stagnation, emphasizing the need for sustained activism and accountability within Black movements. The conversation explores the evolution of Black Lives Matter, the influence of philanthropy on activism, and the challenges posed by partisan politics, calling for a more integrated approach to social and economic justice.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Exhaustion Hampers Sustained Activism
- The 2020 protests were fueled by exhaustion and frustration after a decade of struggle with little systemic change.
- Activism cannot be turned on and off like a faucet; sustained effort is necessary to maintain movement energy.
Absorb Protest Energy Strategically
- Build organizations that can absorb people mobilized during mass protests for sustained engagement.
- Invest in power-building infrastructure to convert protest energy into lasting political influence.
Elite Capture Shapes Movement Focus
- Elite capture shifted movement focus towards issues favoring Black middle class over working class needs.
- Corporations supported symbolic anti-racist gestures without structural change, sidelining demands for living wages and healthcare.
