BLM Pratt 2021 Teach-In: Radical Spectacle and Joy featuring The Wide Awakes

<p>Wide Awakes: Radical Spectacle and Joy&nbsp;is a workshop to collectively envision and enact a liberated future through two consciousness and visibility-raising strategies used by the Wide Awakes: spectacle and joy. The Wide Awakes are a community of voices who aim to create a new culture together in pursuit of liberation of mind, body, and spirit. Using the power of joy and the act of spectacle– a rally, image, or commotion like a massive cape-wearing performance that cuts through the media noise– the Wide Awakes foster collective visions of Black liberation. Their methodology of joy is about redirecting negative energy and perceptions through positive connections, action, and resistance to oppression. As Wide Awakes’ member Tracey Ryans says, “We’ve always used joy. That’s how we got here. It’s been a survival technique for a long time. Jazz, blues, hip-hop all came out of Black pain — we always made time to dance and sing in our darkest days.” Using the Wide Awakes’ Disorientation format– a daily virtual participatory assembly open to anyone – this participatory workshop includes somatic exercises, presentations, and space for discussion. Capes on, eyes open. Join us in envisioning the future reality we want to see and making it happen starting today.</p><p>About the facilitators:&nbsp;The Wide Awakes&nbsp;are a community of voices who aim to create a new culture together in pursuit of liberation of mind, body, and spirit. Inspired by the Wide Awakes of 1860, a group of young abolitionists who banded together and devised a radical plan to support abolitionist efforts. The Wide Awakes emerge again in 2020 where justice, democracy and welfare for all people are threatened. Wide Awakes members leading this workshop include Niama Sandy, Autumn Breon, Helina Metaferia, Nour Batyne, Adelle Lin, Yvette Molina, and Amy Khoshbin.</p><div><br></div>