Background of the Event
The Southern Vision Alliance organized the conference to gather organizations and people from the U.S. South to work collectively for identifying the ever increasing fascism in different forms and devise a collective strategy to defeat this immense threat from engulfing the future of coming generations of less privileged and deprived masses not only in the USA but across the globe. There were activists, advocates, leaders and organizers who enlightened each other through their participation in different discourses organized during the summit.
The Venue was Durham Convention Centre where various conference rooms were arranged to allow an opportunity for the conduct of different sessions at the same time.
It was my first ever experience to attend any activity related to social justice or progressive democratic movements. It was a great experience and heartening to know that there are people who are working selflessly to defeat exponential fascism taking different forms and shapes.
Black, Brown, Muslim Organizing session at the Southern Summit
Attending Plenary on the Landscape of the South:
In this session speakers shed light on the significance the south has in the course of movement for democracy, social justice and economic equality. The speakers were leaders, activists and organizers who shed light on the hidden claws of fascism and emphasized on the need to devise a counter strategy for saving the democracy preceding into darkness. Speakers highlighted the contributions people have made in the South to keep the movement alive and kindled. The speakers reiterate the importance of the South as the center of every progressive movement. The South has always taken the lead in steering progressive movements due to its inherent landscape and resilient nature. Speakers also urged audience to realize the gravity of the situation where fascist forces are active in dehumanizing the humanity and the dire need to figure out the collective strategy to expose the evils of fascism and counter the rise of modern fascism in the form of corporate culture crippling economy where common man is being exploited by these modern forces of imperialism. There was also a Q & A session in which participants asked questions to further make their concepts and ideas clear and coherent.
Session on Alternative to Policing:
The sessions were conducted to enlighten the participant about alternatives to policing as the police is used by the state to coerce the people and terrify the people which is a tangible tactic of fascism. Speakers narrated various events where the community played a better role than police in handling and tackling the situation. Speakers emphasize the role of community as an alternative to policing. The alternative of community is more human and pragmatic than the option of policing. The alternative of community is far more helpful in improving the conduct of people by treating them with affection and tenderness. The community also works as a better deterrence for human rights violations as they know that transgression will be dealt with by the community. The policing is a stop gap arrangement but community services are the real and permanent answer to the rise in crimes and offenses. One of the speakers also shed light how the positioning of police officers at the district schools leave an indelible impression on the young minds as they start taking policing as a necessity by seeing them around, when the are not around they start feeling insecure this is a how young minds are being indoctrinated about the necessity of policing. The session for me was the opening of a new window in the horizon of imagination thus thinking of the society taking care of people through community services rather than by having a concept of policing. I have also started thinking that the need for police is related to inequality. The greater the inequality the greater the need to have police to secure interests of the privileged class or help them in exploiting the under privileged class. The other lesson I have understood is that while deliberating on alternatives of policing makes you understand the true causes of crimes and gives you better understanding of the people thus making you more humane. I learnt a lesson that policing is not a solution but a tool of fascist forces to continue with oppression and exploitation.
Participants of the plenary titled "Landscape of the South"
Muslims for Social Justice:
The other session I attended on that day was about the Black and Brown Muslims for social justice. Speaker enlightened the participant about the plight of refugee Muslims who are the most deprived strata of Muslim community in the USA. Speakers also discussed the challenges being faced by the Muslims in the USA. One speaker highlighted that there is a great need to mobilize and educate Muslims to become a political force in local and state level elections through their active participation and making the right choice in electing the candidate as due to their non-participation conservatives make their way to public office and continue their policies of oppression and exploitation. One speaker told the house about the training of law enforcement agencies by Israeli forces which is an evil in the bud as this is how fascist forces operate hiddenly because the records are not available about the details of this program called G.I.L.E.E Georgia International. Law Enforcement Exchange. Speakers also discussed in detail how in history Muslims have been victimized as being minority and children of a lesser god. The Israel’s genocide of Palestinians has been one of the greatest sufferings of the Muslims as every protest or movement falls on deaf ears and there has been no pause in support for Israel. However, speakers told the house how some city council members and public office holders have been persuaded to write letters and support a resolution calling for a cease fire. Therefore, there is a need to gather Muslims under one platform and become a united political force for better advancement of their agenda for the welfare and protection of their rights. I realized the sacrifices few Muslims have made during this movement for the rights of the Muslims. Especially the contribution of Muslim Black women is highly commendable. The attendees also agreed to form an Assembly for the Muslims of the South to forge a better and united strategy in future. Speakers also urged to help refugee Muslims as they are very low income and do not have skills to earn. Speakers also highlighted the importance of capacity building of Muslims in terms of skills and communications which is the main cause of their deprivations. I have learnt alot and realized that Muslims especially from Pakistan are totally oblivious of the political situation that exists in the USA and do not know the role they can play in their local politics which is highly essential for becoming a political force to exert their influence being a community.
Plenary on the Fight Against Fascism and Democracy (Globally):
Speakers exposed the tantrums of fascism in modern day democracy ridden with money invested by fascist forces and the need to formulate a joint strategy to counter this menace. The representative of Beloved Community Rev. Nelson Johnson, the survivor of “Greensboro Massacre” having first hand experience told participants about the fascist forces and he urged the house that a united strategy is the need of the hour as he said again and again “ walk together”. Rania Masri spoke about the atrocities being committed by the fascist forces which is evident from genocide in Gaza. She told the house that a two party system is like choosing between the lesser evil as both are puppets in the hands of fascist forces. Manzoor Cheema from Southern Vision Alliance highlighted that how different economic, humans services and other policies are creating genocide-like conditions for Black and working class community members, as also exclaimed by the former Black revolutionary Paul Robeson. One speaker also spoke how even the Supreme Court is supporting these fascist forces through false interpretation of the constitution and laws. The supreme court is also penalizing “children of the lesser gods'' in tandem with state agencies which are furthering the interests of fascist forces. Speakers also answered different questions asked by the participant. Speakers agreed on the need to formulate a long term strategy to defeat fascist forces and unity will be a linchpin in this course of struggle. Rev. Nesonl Johnson again and again said”walk together”.
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| Participants of the session titled "Power: What Does it Mean for Liberation?" |
Shared Strategy Sessions:
It was the tail-piece session in which questionnaire was distributed amongst to single out the greatest threats, hopes and strategies in the aftermath of this fascism flexing its muscle not only in the political system of the USA but also in the world. One questionnaire was given to each table occupied by different participants. The answers were read aloud so that each participant came to know the vision of others which was a great learning experience for every participant. There were different expressions based on their experiences and unique understanding of the concepts. The diversity of thought was the ultimate beauty of the summit inspiring all to reach to one goal of defeating fascism by devising shared strategies in their spheres of struggles.
Conclusion:
Attending the summit was a great learning experience especially for a novice like me. The interaction with seasoned and experienced participants enlightened me about the struggle for real democracy. The summit provided an opportunity for participants to realize the need of the hour to forge a united strategy for taking the movement a step ahead. Participants while recognizing the need of the hour agreed to benefit from each other and develop more coherence for betterment of the “children of the lesser god”. Participants agreed on the concept of “walk together”.
*Arif Sharif is a social justice organizer based in the Triangle Area of North Carolina.
