This Is Hell! Building Community to Sustain Liberation in Atlanta / Kamau Franklin
Jul 17, 2025
In a thought-provoking discussion, Kamau Franklin, founder of Community Movement Builders, dives into the urgent fight against systemic racism in Atlanta. He critiques the gap between political leaders and the community's needs, shedding light on the illusion of progress amidst gentrification. Franklin emphasizes the significance of grassroots organizing in fostering resilience while discussing the transformation of sites of tragedy into spaces for activism. Listeners will gain insight into the historical lessons of the Black radical tradition and the necessity of sustained activism in confronting state violence.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Mass Organizing Powers Liberation
- Mass uprisings and collective organizing are necessary for Black survival and liberation.
- Rights and liberation are not given; they must be fought for through community power.
Limits of Electoral Politics
- Electoral politics rarely produce substantive change for Black communities.
- Relying on Democrats overlooks their capitalist and pro-police interests that hinder true liberation.
Antagonism Key to Liberation
- Community Movement Builders is antagonistic to the state to expose its failures.
- If the state ignores activists, they are not challenging it effectively enough.
