On Thursday, Events Editor Alison Hog and Staff Writer Elisha Dura attended the Grace Lee Boggs ‘35 Lecture, “We Need More People: On Finding Common Ground In Our Work To Build The World We Want To Inhabit,” hosted by the Athena Center for Leadership.

Last Thursday, Barnumbia students, staff, and alumni gathered in the Barnard Event Oval to listen to the second annual Grace Lee Boggs ‘35 Lecture, “We Need More People: On Finding Common Ground In Our Work To Build The World We Want To Inhabit.” The event, hosted by the Athena Center for Leadership, featured a speech from Mariame Kaba, a longtime organizer, educator, archivist, and, most recently, co-author of Let This Radicalize You. After her speech, Kaba joined Emily Bach (BC ‘24) and Athena Center for Leadership Director Umbreen Bhatti (BC ‘00) for a conversation on work in activism. 

Throughout her speech and conversation with Bach and Bhatti, Kaba covered a wide range of topics within the realms of activism, prison abolition, current events, and organizing. Because of the breadth and depth of knowledge and experiences shared, we use Kaba’s empowering words to highlight the major points during the night’s discussion.

“Bad news is not the only news.”

Kaba began her speech by telling the crowd, “Bad news is not the only news.” In order to work in activism, one must believe that good news exists and can be created through the work of organizations. Bad news and good news are always occurring simultaneously, but Kaba argued that we must choose “where to center our energy” in order to prepare to do good work and to genuinely believe change is possible. 

“Look for ways to be as generous with others as you are with yourself.”

In response to Bach’s question on how to talk about sexual violence when you do not feel ready to have those conversations, Kaba explained that many people feel they need to present themselves as the “perfect victim” in order to gain others’ care and interest in their struggle as well as to feel as though they deserve kindness after surviving violence. Kaba suggested that instead of encouraging victims to hide their true reactions and feelings, friends should meet victims with the generosity and care they provide for themselves, supporting victims through their emotional struggles.

“The very systems we’re fighting against live within us.”

During the discussion, Bach brought up the difficulty of leading new people who join activist work because honest discussion about the hardships of activism can be daunting to newcomers. Bach asked Kaba to discuss how to balance “not closing doors” for people who want to join this line of work with the reality of its challenges.  

During her response, Kaba stated that feeling uncomfortable is inevitable under the US capitalist system because inequality will always persist. She explained that despite many Americans’ great efforts to fight for equality in various ways, growing up in a capitalist society means that its values still influence our own, regardless of whether or not we want them to. Thus, it’s up to us to work together to dismantle oppressive systems that unavoidably penetrate our own beliefs. 

“Activism is a lifelong commitment.”

For Kaba, Lee Boggs is the perfect encapsulation of activism being a lifelong commitment. Being in community with her, she cited how her positivity came through her actions, serving as an inspiration for her own work. Activism does not have to be loud or polarizing; Kaba believes “people who do work move in silence.” This method allows for a sustained way to create change and find common ground with other people.

“Circles can be a way of interrupting justice without mirroring it.” 

According to Kaba, circles facilitate listening by allowing us to shift to a type of storytelling that forces us to slow down. This, in turn, means real connections that can help us get over the fear of being misunderstood. 

The need for circles is best represented in college environments where in class discussions students are constantly trying to win an argument over and impress the rest rather than taking the storytelling route that allows for real, fruitful conversation where a “common ground,” or an understanding, is reached.

“Wars cannot be resolved through dialogue.”

Wars cannot be resolved through dialogue among strangers or even among people who know each other—storytelling through circles helps us fortify ourselves but cannot prevent or solve wars. Only sustained political struggle can do that.

In response to Bach’s question on how dialogue can work when violence has occurred but we’re not ready to have that conversation yet, Kaba highlighted the power of self-determination—the power to decide what to share and not. 

Kaba affirmed that “we are not going to solve war and genocides through dialogue.” Then, the question remains: how can war and genocides be solved? Kaba believes we are not even close to that conversation as it involves more conversations about violence and beyond. In the meantime, we need to find strength in numbers, people to hold the line in movements, and try to have these conversations. However, before holding this dialogue, it is first important to build relationships and the trust that comes with them.

“Accountability is not punishment.”

Kaba emphasized the need for spaces where people can just come and take breaks—we need to rethink what means to be productive and be a community. We should live in a world and connect to each other in a way that allows for mistakes, the next day being able to show up and come back. 

“Another world is possible.”

To close her speech, Kaba had the crowd repeat the words “Another world is possible.” As an activist, Kaba’s work relies upon this statement, or else her efforts and those of thousands of compatriots would be futile. 

This possibility, however, cannot be achieved without reciprocity and connection. Kaba had many important lessons to impart during the evening’s discussion, but her greatest demand for the crowd was to band together, as change cannot be enacted alone. “Another world is possible,” everyone chanted, but only if organizers and activists join forces and fight as one. 

Barnard Event Oval via Barnard College