Who Am I? The Abolitionist Movement, Then and Now with Joseph Yannielli

WHO AM I?

This is a series of workshops using conversation, explorations of our history, creative art & writing, poetry and spoken word to explore our ever-changing identity.

We’re targeting young people, because, let’s face it, in an ever-changing and oft-times confusing world, where racism, sexism, homophobia, agism and disablism remain unchecked, is it any wonder that our young people, especially those straddling some of those challenging intersectionalities, are confused?

Well not anymore!

As well as a team of amazing broadcasters and historians, like Dr Robert Beckford and Dr Joseph Yannielli, we will be working with a range of exciting artists to explore this fascinating subject.

The abolitionist movement was the first diverse, multiracial, intersectional, international, grassroots mass movement, and it influenced or inspired generations of activists. The feminist movement, the peace movement, the environmental justice movement, socialist and communist movements, the gay liberation movement, movements to abolish prisons and the police, anti-apartheid, fair trade, human rights, #MeToo, Black Lives Matter – all can trace their origins to the campaign to abolish slavery. Who were the abolitionists, and what lessons can we learn from them today?

Joseph Yannielli is a lecturer in History at Aston University and a member of the Birmingham Race Impact Group. His research focuses on the transatlantic Mendi Mission established by abolitionists in the wake of the Amistad rebellion. He is also interested in digital history and has co-created several projects involving students, academics and community partners.

Host or Publisher BRIG