Secunda Joseph

Name, age, occupation:

Secunda Chante' Joseph

Social Media:

Facebook and Twitter: @BLMHTX  Instagram: @secundajoseph

Why did you select your social justice icon?

When I think of what it looks like to actually be a revolutionary, it’s her life’s story. Her choices. Her words of encouragement to us. I want to paraphrase a few of her words based on how I understand them. She says it's our duty to fight, our duty to win, and our duty to love. We are free to do all these things…. We have nothing to lose but oppression. Her revolutionary posture is the bar for me.

Do you have a favorite quote from your social justice icon?

“Part of being a revolutionary is creating a vision that is more humane. That is more fun, too. That is more loving. It's really working to create something beautiful.” - Assata Shakur

If you were stranded on a desert island with your social justice icon, what is the one question you would ask them?

How do we get from where we are to what you imagined for us?

Are there any books, documentaries, films, articles, etc that you would recommend for others to learn more about the work of your social justice icon?

Books: Assata: An Autobiography, Still Black Still Strong, The New Abolitionist; New Slave Narratives & Contemporary Prison Writings

Documentaries: Assata Shakur: Eyes of the Rainbow, The Assata Shakur Documentary

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

My work addresses issues that impact Black lives locally. That has looked like doing work around unjust bail practices, bailing Black women out of jail, organizing around the prevention of gang injunctions, mutual aid work, organizing around creating just & humane budgets where the needs of Black & Brown poor folks are addressed.

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

I first decided to dedicate my life to Black Liberation when Darren Wilson the officer who murdered Mike Brown was not indicted by a grand jury. I don't believe at any point that folks who fought for Black liberation worked toward a single issue. I think the easiest way to sum up my work now is as an abolitionist. The summer after Sandra Bland was found dead in jail, myself and my comrades and many others went to jail every day, every other day, every week & prayed and protested, & organized until our part of that work was done.

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?

In your place of influence; your neighborhood, church, place of employment, business, corporations & institutions, create equitable practices by first investigating to see where there is inequity & then fix it. It's not a check box, it takes being willing to change your posture and mindset. It takes being open. Many folks are willing to check a box and have a conversation. Less are willing to change their posture towards injustice & inequity.

 

 

 

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

Rooted In Abolition An Exhibit & Practice that brought together community artists, activists in the community. We have done most of our mutual aid work together to think about abolition in a Black Space where the artwork and the films spoke to abolition in ways panel discussions by themselves just can't do.

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

First Spirit, God continues to encourage me. Then the community of folks I work with because they haven't given up and I'm not alone in this work. Always my Mama Colette & Aunt Darlene. 

Who or what else inspires your work?

Love for Black people. Love for my community & family. Love for humanity. Love for me. Ida B Wells, Ruth Wilson Gilmore, Perry Marie Simmons, and my mama.

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

Start where you are. Show up at events or meetings. Presence is important. You won't know what to do if you don't show up. Also, there are so many needs, there is a place for everyone in the movement. The skills & the resources you have are needed. For example, do you have a car? Can you text or tweet or email? The work is plenty and the laborers are few. You do not need to be an expert, you just need to be willing.

 

FUN FACTS

What are some of your hobbies? What do you do for fun?

I teach Kemetic Yoga, love to dance, and zydeco. I am Black Art Head. I can go to exhibits all-day.

What are some of your favorite social justice-related things?

Books: Emergent Strategy by Adrienne Maree Brown.

Podcasts: How to Survive at the End of the World, The Relay. 

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I'm a hopeless romantic. All I watch are romance films. 70's romantic movies are my favorite.