54. #SayHerName: the Art of Bearing Witness on the Page and Stage

Dec 6, 2023

Kimberlé Crenshaw, co-author of the #SayHerName book, discusses the power of the book tour and the urgency of its message. Actors perform poignant pieces at each tour stop. The #SayHerName Mothers Network shares their experiences of losing loved ones to police violence. The book highlights black women's experiences and demands visibility. The fight for justice and the devaluation of black mothers are examined. Sisters of victims discuss trauma and erasure. A passionate call to action urges listeners to say the names of the victims and bear witness.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Gaining Strength and Support: A Dedication to Black Women Victims of Police Violence

02:27 • 4min

Black Women's Stories: Demanding Visibility and Recognition

06:02 • 13min

The Fight for Justice and Accountability

19:06 • 4min

The Devaluation of Black Mothers and the Need for Protective Policies

23:07 • 3min

Loss, Trauma, and Erasure

26:28 • 15min

Honoring and Remembering the Victims

41:29 • 23min

This episode highlights a new milestone for the #SayHerName campaign: a new book, entitled #SayHerName: Black Women’s Stories of Police Violence and Public Silence.

Co-authored by podcast host Kimberlé Crenshaw and the team at the African American Policy Forum, this book helps readers better understand Black women's susceptibility to police brutality and state-sanctioned violence. It explains —through Black feminist storytelling and ritual — how we can effectively mobilize various communities and empower them to advocate for racial justice for Black women, girls, and femmes.

In this podcast episode, you'll hear incredible performances from actors at each of our #SayHerName book tour stops in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Baltimore. You'll also hear from members from the #SayHerName Mothers Network, a sisterhood of women who have lost other women, girls and femmes in their family to police violence.

You'll also hear from Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead, Dr. Dorothy Roberts, and Kali Holloway, each of whom served as cohosts at book tour stops in their respective cities. They reflected with Dr. Crenshaw on the power of the tour, the calls to action from the book, and the urgency of the lessons the book contains.

Centering Black women’s experiences in police and gender violence discourses sends the powerful message that, in fact, all #BlackLivesMatter, and that the police cannot kill without consequence. Supporting AAPF ensures that this important research and testimony continues to inspire change.

To purchase your copy, click here. To learn more about the #SayHerName campaign and to register for the 9th annual ceremony of ritual and remembrance happening live in NYC on Dec 14th, go to https://www.aapf.org/sayhername

Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw (@sandylocks), with Dorothy Roberts @DorothyERoberts, Kaye Wise Whitehead @kayewhitehead, and Kali Holloway @kalihollowayftw.

Produced by Nicole Edwards and the team at the African American Policy Forum.

Mixing by Sean Dunnam

Music by Blue Dot Sessions