Episode 136: Community Organizing

For this episode, Tyrell and Daphne are joined by Augustus Wood, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Professor at the University of Illinois. His research focuses on 20th Century African American Urban History with a specialization in race, political economy, social movements, and gentrification. They begin the episode by learning more about his educational journey and the motivation behind his research interests (01:27). They then discuss his perspective on the recent uprisings in Atlanta (06:35) and his research on the relationship between policing and gentrification (12:35). Next, they have a conversation about how he balances academia and activism (17:50), how scholars can become engaged in the community (23:15), and the importance of unions and unionization (29:45). They also explore his work as a community activist (38:11), provide insight into how YOU can become engaged in your community (44:26), and discuss resources to build your social organizing journey (56:33). Ty and Daphne close the episode by reflecting on the interview (1:10:05).
Resources
August Wood - https://www.facebook.com/augustus.wood.90 and https://history.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/cv/Curriculum%20Vitae-Augustus%20Wood-November%202019.pdf
The Wretched of the Earth - http://abahlali.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Frantz-Fanon-The-Wretched-of-the-Earth-1965.pdf
Sundiata Cha-Jua - https://afro.illinois.edu/directory/profile/schajua
Black Agenda Report - https://www.blackagendareport.com
Du Bois - Black Reconstruction in America - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Black-Reconstruction-in-America-1860-1880/David-Levering-Lewis/9780684856575