We Stand in Solidarity — Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate

Amidst the escalating violence in the United States against the Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities (specifically facing the elderly and women) co-occurring with the continued violence against Black-Americans (as police continue murdering POC) the Humanities Truck team stands in solidarity with AAPI and Black communities.

One community’s pain does not forgo the other, and neither of these forgo the unique and shared violence that other communities experience at the hands of patriarchal, capitalist, settler-colonial, imperial structures and actors. These acts of violence are heartbreaking and infuriating — it isn’t new nor will it stop any time soon. Many people and organizations are doing the work to challenge the systems, structures, institutions, and biases that violently harm the wellbeing of Black, Indigenous, AAPI, undocumented, LGBTQ+, and many other communities. 

This difficult work —to speak truth to power, object to state violence and police brutality, to challenge the systems and ideologies that perpetuate the patriarchal, settler-colonial, capitalistic and white supremacist values and realities in individual lives, communities, and institutions — is vital. We also find it necessary to highlight joy, resilience, and the dynamic breadth of humanity…all the moments that make targeted communities who they are outside of the violence they may face. All victims of white supremacy, state violence, and hate crimes are more than victims — they are whole people from vibrant communities who exist beyond the boundaries of hate. 

Our mission is to collect, exhibit, preserve, and expand dialogue around the humanities. Using the truck, we seek to democratize the sharing and production of knowledge. Community partnerships and collaborations are the core of our mission. With that in mind and in honor of our solidarity with AAPI, Black communities, and similarly affected groups, we’d like to highlight a few stories, joy, resilience, and culture from some of our community partners. Check out these organizations and groups to see the wonderful work they do to preserve their respective communities.

Please consider viewing the following oral histories, web exhibits, and reflections from projects with our community partners:

Click the title or names of community partners written in blue to be re-directed to the respective page

“We Blitzed the City: Africa in America” 

2020 practicum project archived with the Humanities Truck. 

Learn about the history of African Liberation Day (ALD) — a protest turned celebration that occurs yearly in Washington, D.C. and around the world on May 25th. 

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Lunar New Year at DC’s Chinatown

Collaboration with Jenn Low, the 1882 Foundation, and the Anacostia Community Museum

Listen to oral histories about D.C.’s Chinatown and check out Jenn Low’s “Dear Chinatown” project.

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“Downtown Displaced”

Partnership with Street Sense Media.

Learn about the origins, development, and now gentrification of Mt. Vernon Square. 

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Late Skate at Anacostia Park 

Collaboration with National Park Service (NPS) and the Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative.

Listen to event attendees and community members talk about Anacostia Park, go-go music, and hopes for the future.

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“Resistance and Revolution: The Struggle to End Homelessness in the Nation’s Capital”

Read about the Community For Creative Non-Violence who originally formed a group to protest the Vietnam War and then turned their attention and efforts to addressing the structural violence of poverty on the streets of Washington, D.C. 

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Invisible Hands: Jornaleros / Manos Invisibles: Day Laborers

Collaboration with Trabajadores Unidos de Washington DC (TUWDC).

Explore this group exhibit for, by, and about Day Laborers who photographed their lives as jornaleros using their cellphone cameras.  

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Rooting DC: Building Resilient Black Food Systems 

Invited to participate by Rooting DC Conference, Exhibit by Maisha-Atrice Ayodele and Dominique Hazzard.

Check out the exhibit, photos, and oral histories highlighting historical accounts and contemporary snapshots of food movements in the nation’s capital. 

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Indigenous Peoples Day 

Invited to participate by members of the All-African People’s Revolutionary Party (GC).

Learn more about the American Indian Movement (AIM), the trail to Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and listen to short-form oral histories for the 2020 Indigenous Peoples’ day celebration at Malcolm X Park.

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