Thread by @blkwomenradical

Starting in less than 30 minutes: Our event on "Radical African Feminist Movement Building" with host @NanaYBrantuo and panelists @stillSHErises, @wunpini_fm, @RosebellK, @kinnareads & Gathoni Blessol!

We're already filled to capacity for the event but we will be livestreaming!

The first question for this event is: "What is a radical African feminism mean to you?"

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@stillSHErises states that a key part of radical African feminisms is recognizing bodily, sexual, and political autonomy and that means trans and queer people are included and must be centered.

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@kinnareads says that being a "radical African feminist is freedom––freedom in body, freedom in land, freedom in sexuality, freedom from oppression, complete freedom and justice. We have to be free."

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@wunpini_fm "A radical African feminist focuses on dismantling oppressive systems and includes freedom and liberation."

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Gathoni Blessol says that in discussing radical African feminisms, we need to dissect and interrogate ideologies on what is "human" & what is not.

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@RosebellK "Radical African feminism is unrooting fear because it oppresses and restricts imagination. We have to eliminate fear so we can reimagine new systems."

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Second question: Who are historical and contemporary African women activists and African women-led social movements that inspire you? What are your hopes for the future of African feminist movement building?

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@kinnareads speaks about the importance of reaching more African women for the future of African feminist movement building. "Feminists need to be expansive. We need to work on our issue. We need to challenge ourselves."

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@Kinnareads "We need for middle-class feminists to challenge and address how they are treating other feminists who are not in the same class. We should not be oppressing other women."

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@stillSHErises reinforces the importance of true change occurring as collective action. Jessica shares that African women in the HIV/AIDS movement inspires her movement building as well as African women revolutionaries in de-colonial struggles.

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@RosebellK cites Ugandan women revolutionaries who used African religious spiritualities to challenge colonialism, patriarchy, and oppressive systems. She uplifts the leadership of Alice Lakwena, a Ugandan revolutionary, as a source of this activism.

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@wunpini_fm states that we need to challenge the borders and binaries in African feminist movement building.

"We need to reimagine how we relate to other Africans as it relates to sisterhood & as feminism is concerned."

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@wunpini_fm is inspired by everyday African women dismantling oppressions. She reiterates the importance of oral histories of African women leaders as integral to our feminist praxis.

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"I am inspired by women who refused to be contained, who embody their sexuality, and tell other people to dissent and push back against systems that are trying to push you into places you don't like." –– Gathoni Blessol

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Gathoni Blessol says she is inspired by so many African women including @shailjapatel, @drstellanyanzi, @hystericalblkns, and more.

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Third Questions: Can you recall a moment or moments that radicalized your political consciousness? How do you stay committed to your feminist praxis and what are you most proud of in your work? What are the positives and difficulties in catalyzing radical community building?

"We need to practice our work. You cannot be a feminist and the center of society. It does not jive. This is not about popularity. We don't do popularity. We live our lives." –– @kinnareads

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"If you don't want to change, you don't want to be a feminist." –– @kinnareads

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@kinnareads says she is what is most proud of is from learning from young, queer African feminists.

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@wunpini_fm says she "is proud of challenging people to work towards a radical feminist politic and praxis."

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Gathoni Blessol says that this current moment we are in is important and it is imperative to use our feminist tools and tactics to remain dedicated to our work.

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"There is no singular narrative of understanding African existence or an African woman."

–– Gathoni Blessol

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@stillSHErises says she is grounded by the resistance and "naughtiness" of African women who refused to be boxed in or contained.

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"We have a lot to learn about the LGBT+ movement on the continent...How does society position you as a person & how do those privileges strain your understanding of the world?" –– @RosebellK

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@RosebellK discusses how the international development sector and systems are white-washed and how racism is manifested in those systems. "These systems have subjugated us."

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"The UN is not going to save us. Everything that the UN gets right and wrong is on the backs of Palestinian women." –– @kinnareads

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Last Question: How do you center self-care and rest? What does that look like for you? What advice would you give to African women activists who want to be activists and who are interested in doing similar work you are doing?

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@kinnareads says that African women need to reassess and re-evaluate their labor and the importance of saying "no" as a part of their self-care.

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"Do little things. Whatever it brings you joy. The point is to find little things that replenish you. You cannot give what you don't have." –– @stillSHErises

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"If you want to give longevity to the movement, you need life to give." –– @stillSHErises

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"We need to stop giving labor to people who do not care about us...How do we create these systems of collective care?" –– @Blessol

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"We must remember the work we are doing is deeply spiritual." –– @Blessol

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"We cannot let the work overcome your purpose or your praxis." –– @Blessol

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"There is wisdom in our African cultures that allow us to take care of ourselves and each other." –– @Blessol

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"I don't apologize for blocking people...We need to make more online conversations healthier." –– @RosebellK

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"What I have learned throughout the years is to say 'no' and not feel bad about it." –– @wunpini_fm

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