Loyola Hosts Speaker on Racial Justice in Honor of Black History Month

Loyola’s Institute for Racial Justice hosted speaker Kellie Carter Jackson Feb. 6 for its third annual Black History Month event to discuss civil rights and political violence. 

Jackson was joined by Assistant Professor of History Tikia K. Hamilton in the Damen Cinema to discuss the history of black resistance in America, focusing on the Abolitionist Movement, the Civil Rights Movement, violence vs. non-violence and current issues faced by minorities in the U.S. 

Jackson is an associate professor in the Department of Africana Studies at Wellesley College and the author of “We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance” and “Force and Freedom: Black Abolitionists and the Politics of Violence.” 

Jackson began the event by addressing the “fraught political moment” America is currently experiencing, referencing attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion measures and an “assault on Black History Month” by the federal government and other prominent public figures.

Throughout the talk, Jackson raised questions regarding the effectiveness of non-violent forms of protest. She said violence and non-violence acts shouldn’t be seen as a binary good and bad, but instead should be judged by their ability to make change. 

She also said “vengeance in white,” and explained how most violence is directed at Black people by white people.

Jackson included examples of violence leading to positive changes, citing historical and political figures like Malcolm X and Harriet Tubman. 

Jackson also said she associates violence with capitalism, as she said the economic system is used as a tool by the powerful to maintain power over the oppressed.

“For the master’s tool will never dismantle the master’s house,” Jackson said, quoting civil rights activist Audre Lorde to illustrate how political action prescribed by rulers will never topple those rulers. 

Jackson said most political action is performance of passive power that won’t result in political change. “Marches don’t save people, they mourn,” Jackson said. 

Kristina Cazares, a second-year biology major and previous student of Hamilton’s African American History class, said she was inspired to attend the event after reading passages from Jackson’s book “Force and Freedom: Black Abolitionists and the Politics of Violence” in Hamilton’s class.

She said she especially enjoyed Jackson’s writings on violence and resistance to enslavement.

“I find it very important to share Black stories and Black victories,” Cazares said. “And I really love the part where she mentioned that the opposite of violence is joy.” 

Cazares also said she liked Jackson’s writing about how rest is vital to an individual’s ability to wage a prolonged fight against injustice.

The second half of the event was reserved for a Q&A. Though the event encompassed difficult subjects, the Q&A was filled with laughter as attendees posed questions about what they could do to make changes and asked Jackson to clarify the finer points of her argument. 

Reagan Heard, a second-year forensics major, said she found Jackson’s responses to students’ questions “vital” because of the uncertainty the Trump Administration has ignited regarding the future of racial justice.

“Just having a space where you’re able to freely express your emotions and ask questions – there’s not going to be a solid answer – but coming together and having those feelings out in the open is the most important part,” Heard said.