Our May Selection

Let This Radicalize You by Kelly Hayes & Mariame Kaba

Over the last several weeks, as we read our April selection, A Day in the Life of Abed Salama, we have been continuously watching the courageous students, faculty, and staff across university campuses calling for their universities to divest from the companies and institutions that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine. As data show, current investments total in the billions of dollars, making divestment a significant tool in dismantling Israel’s ongoing genocidal campaign.

Yet, even as we have been inspired by the wave of protests happening across the country, we have been equally horrified to see the violence perpetrated by the state against those calling for divestment and the liberation of the Palestinian people. In most cases, we have seen this violence initiated by institutions that have cowardly turned against their own students as a means of protecting the feelings of their complicit donor base, where we know the real power in academia lies. As many have pointed out recently, institutions of higher education care very little about the education or welfare of their students. These institutions are run as corporations for the purpose of generating wealth, and university presidents are beholden to the interests of their wealthiest donors. The violence and harm they are inflicting on their community are all to maintain this wealth, and they will continue to operate in this manner any time their wealth is threatened. 

“Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair.”

The oft-repeated phrase from Mariame Kaba is something I have turned to many times over my journey in becoming an abolitionist. I’m sure it has also been something that many others on this journey have also turned to. And if there has ever been a time to become radicalized or re-radicalized, that time is now. As we continue to witness the ongoing genocide of Palestinians and the daily horrors in Gaza and, increasingly, the West Bank, as we see the backlash, violence and brutality inflicted on those standing against this, as we watch the police take on their familiar role as purveyors of state violence, we should all be moved to act, perhaps more than we ever have before.

Let This Radicalize You is a resource for all of us as we collectively engage in the process of justice-making in the face of relentless state violence that exists seemingly everywhere we turn. We look forward to reading this with each of you and sharing the lessons we learn throughout the month and in our monthly conversation on Wednesday, May 29. For now, save the date, pick up your copy of Let This Radicalize You, and start reading along with us.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts throughout the month!

In solidarity always,

Alan & connease