Kandice Webber

Name, age, occupation:

Kandice Webber, 43, Registered Nurse

Social Media:

Facebook: Kandice Webber. Twitter: @kandice_webber

Why did you select Angela Davis as your social justice icon?

Angela Davis is unstoppable. She always has been. As a Black girl growing up in rural Texas, I was faced with more road blocks than bridges. There was always something to overcome or some reason I was told no. It was frustrating to feel so misunderstood and unvalued. Angela Davis was a light at a very dark time. She fought for Black people. She fought for Black women and she did it unapologetically. When I was surrounded by patriarchal beliefs and institutional oppression, she was the first Black woman I learned about that took on the system and won

Do you have a favorite Angela Davis quote?

“We have to talk about liberating minds as well as liberating society.”

If you were stranded on a desert island with Angela Davis, what is the one question you would ask? 

How do you do this work without it engulfing you?

Are there any books, documentaries, films, articles, etc that you would recommend for others to learn more about the work of Angela Davis?

Book: If They Come in the Morning: Voices of the Resistance and Freedom is a Constant Struggle

What social, racial, economic, or political justice issue does your work address? 

My work with Black Lives Matter:Houston focuses on all injustices Black people face. We have worked from a reactionary stand point by answering the needs of our community after we have suffered instances of police brutality, environmental racism, educational racism and systemic oppression. We also work from a proactive view point. We provide education and that takes on many forms. We connect needs with resources. We teach our community how to navigate through institutional policies that are in place to discriminate. We meet people where they are, with no judgement, to move them to a healthier existence.

When did you first become aware of/interested in working on your social justice issue?

I've always been aware of the injustices Black people encounter. I just didn't know what to do about it. I followed BLM closely after the death of Micheal Brown. Watching Black people take to the streets stirred the fight in me. I felt like our time had come. We were going to continue to movement our parents and grandparents started. I had no idea how hard or how long we would have to fight. I still don't know. I just know I'm not done fighting yet.

If you could have everyone in the world do one tangible thing to help advance the cause of the issue you work on, what would it be?

For BIPOC: Speak up and speak out when you encounter racism. Protect our children at all costs.
For white people: Read White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo and How to be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi Then change your ways.

Can you describe the biggest accomplishment/most gratifying moment you’ve had working on your issue to date?

Every year we host The March for Black Women. The march is a tribute to Black women and our contributions to society. For our first march, we had over 2k Black women and allies gathered at Emancipation Park. We marched down the streets together, in song, uplifting each other. It was a magical experience that I will forever be grateful for and will never forget.

 

 

Who or what gives you the hope and motivation to keep going when you feel fear or doubt about achieving justice?

Black children give me hope and motivate me to keep going. Our children are beautiful and resilient. They shouldn’t have to be so strong but they are. Even in the face of white supremacy, they remain hopeful. Black children are joy.

Who or what else inspires your work?

Toni Morrison inspires me. She was proof that one could focus on and love on Black people and Black culture without kneeling to the white gaze. She proved that the Black community was an audience that deserved to be captivated by rich stories and she spoke our truths without a need to be validated by others. 

What advice do you have for those who care about social justice but don't know how or where to begin? 

Angela Davis said, “You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.”  In word, thought and deed...that is the best advice I can share.

 

FUN FACTS

What are some of your favorite social justice related things? 

Book: Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes and Black Women in America by Melissa Harris Perry Podcast: On The Ground with Jitu Brown and Journey for Justice Alliance
Movie: What’s Love Got to Do With It

What do you do for fun?

Baking is one of my coping skills. I make a turtle cheesecake that will make you forget all about that restaurant.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I sing.