"Academia is a site of resistance, not liberation" w/ Mohamed Abdou
May 6, 2024
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Dr. Mohamed Abdou discusses academia as a site of resistance, exploring topics like universities' support for capitalism, intersections of faith and anti-colonial struggles, challenges for indigenous sovereignty, and strategies for disrupting settler colonialism. They also talk about student activism, historical ties to indigenous land, and the importance of creating alternative liberation strategies.
Decolonization in education is crucial, focusing on Indigenous land education and feminist studies.
Historical events like the Morrill Act exposed settler colonialism's violent impact on Indigenous communities.
Standing against academic repression, solidarity is essential for resistance and liberation within educational institutions.
Deep dives
Dr. Mohammed Abdu: Identity and Activism
Dr. Mohammed Abdu, an interdisciplinary intellectual organizer and settler of color, emphasizes the importance of decolonization in education, addressing various subjects like Indigenous land education, feminist studies, and decolonization. He navigates complexities of settler colonialism in Turtle Island and the intertwined struggles of various marginalized communities.
Understanding Historical Context: Land Grants and Settler Colonialism
The discussion delves into historical events like the Morrill Act and its role in advancing settler colonialism during the 1860s. It exposes how land grant universities were established amid violent contradictions and displacement of native territories, reflecting the ongoing impact on Indigenous peoples today.
Challenges of Anti-Zionist Activism in Academia
Dr. Abdu faces professional challenges due to his anti-Zionist stance, highlighted during congressional hearings. He addresses the misrepresentation of his views, the reality of academic repression targeting faculty like Joseph Massad and others, and the ethically significant need for defense and solidarity amidst personal and professional threats.
Encampment Movement and Pathways to Liberation
The conversation explores the Encampment Movement's potential for resistance and liberation within educational institutions. It advocates for standing with students facing repression, creating alternative educational spaces, and recognizing the interconnectedness of struggles against settler colonialism and state violence.
Dreaming Dangerously and Collective Struggle
Dr. Abdu's call for dreaming dangerously offers a vision of collective liberation. Encouraging solidarity and activism against systemic injustices, he emphasizes the need to amplify marginalized voices, support ongoing struggles in Gaza and Palestine, while reimagining pluralistic worlds rooted in justice and equality.