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🏫 Today, June 16 1976, young people in South Africa organized a peaceful march against a 1974 decree that made it mandatory for Black highschools to use the Afrikaans language–‘language of the oppressor’–as the medium of instruction. This is known as the #Soweto uprising
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Agitated by Black Consciousness, growing economic & political injustice, 30,000 youth–as young as 12 yrsold–took to the streets.
When the students were met w/ violent state repression, they stood firm and fought back. Some estimate that there were 700 fatalities that year.
When the students were met w/ violent state repression, they stood firm and fought back. Some estimate that there were 700 fatalities that year.
Later, students shifted to more sophisticated tactics in organized units, such as ambush, barricade, subterfuge & the destruction of symbols of racist oppression
In solidarity, Black communities & over 250,000 workers went on strikes, inflicting significant damage on the economy
In solidarity, Black communities & over 250,000 workers went on strikes, inflicting significant damage on the economy
Starting in Soweto before spreading to urban centers nationwide, this youth-led revolt had a huge socio-political impact in South Africa as it reinvigorated mass-based, militant resistance not only against racist education policies, but against the Apartheid system as a whole.
In post-Apartheid South Africa, June 16th is commemorated as Youth Day in memory of those who rose up against oppression.
Hear the poem “Song For Soweto” by June Jordan composed into music, collab with Adrienne Torf.
📚 To learn more, register for our Revolutionary Summer School! Deadline is June 20 so make sure to submit your application today: peoplesforum.org/events/revolut…
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