August 9th, 2025
This week, we will explore history to gain clarity and chart a path forward. We will focus on understanding the contradictions within historical narratives, challenging ourselves to view figures not as flawless icons but as complex individuals whose actions and ideals were not always aligned. Often, these complexities are used to dismiss an entire body of work; we will address this tendency and learn to hold historical figures—and ourselves—as human beings.
This critical examination of history will equip us to be more effective leaders. We will learn to embrace complexity, learn from imperfections, and build movements rooted in a realistic understanding of our origins. Past leaders, particularly Gandhi, frequently spoke of their flaws, emphasizing their humanity and relatability.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by historical accounts and documentaries, leading to a sense of inadequacy. This week aims to dispel such notions, helping you realize your inherent capabilities. Additionally, we will uncover powerful, often-forgotten stories of nonviolent resistance, demonstrating the breadth of what is achievable. The history of strategic nonviolence is often misrepresented and lost in history to prioritize other means of engagement. We’ll interrogate this contradiction as well and use it to understand what’s possible even in the harshest of circumstances.
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Willow (she/her, they/them) is an almost-30 Black transfemme artist, organizer, and community hottie. Willow is a second-generation Great Migration baby, born and raised in the unceded territory of the Kaskaskia, Mississaugua, and Erie peoples, also known as so-called Cleveland, Ohio. Her special interests include animism and the exploration of sentient life amongst the plants, rocks, and critters; kitchen chemistry; glamour and adornment; and indigenous conceptions of gender, sexuality, kinship, and community formation.
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Dr. Sekou Franklin is the new Executive Director of the John Lewis Center for Social Justice at Fisk University. He was previously a Professor of Political Science at Middle Tennessee State University from 2003-2025. He is the author/co-author of several works including After the Rebellion: Social Movement Activism and Popular Mobilization among the Post-Civil Rights Generation, Losing Power: African Americans and Racial Polarization in Tennessee Politics, State of Blacks in Middle Tennessee,Dallas County Area Study: An Analysis of Selma-Dallas County and the Alabama Black Belt, and Coming Home to Roost: The Hidden Impacts of a Powerful Poultry Industry on Middle Georgia Residents.He served as President of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists from 2019-2021 andhas authored expert reports for voting rights cases in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Louisiana.He also has worked closely with the late Rev. James Lawson, one of the world’s foremost nonviolent theoreticians. In 2019, he participated in the South Asian Regional Institute on the Study and Practice of Strategic Nonviolent Action in Nepal.
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In this session, we will take a moment to reflect on the contradictions that may arise during this journey and consider how we might relate to historical figures and their work. As we progress through the curriculum, we will encounter influential individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of Strategic Nonviolence. However, it is also important to recognize that their actions may not always align with their public statements or the dominant narratives presented by traditional historical analysis. The key question we face is: how can we learn from these individuals—both from the past and the present—while also acknowledging their humanity and imperfections?
In this session, we’ll examine some historical figures, exploring the gaps between their aspirations and their everyday behaviors. Our goal is to engage in a thoughtful process of learning—not only about these figures but also about ourselves—as we navigate the complexities and contradictions inherent in their stories and in our own journeys.
Participants will be able to critically analyze historical and contemporary figures, acknowledging their complexities and contradictions, and apply this nuanced understanding to inform their own learning journeys and engagements with influential individuals
This session delves into the often-overlooked role of nonviolent civil resistance in national liberation struggles throughout history. Participants will explore various cases in the United States. The session will highlight the strategies and tactics used by ordinary people to challenge oppression and achieve liberation without resorting to violence.
Through a combination of historical analysis and contemporary reflections, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how nonviolent resistance has shaped national identities and influenced socioeconomic and political institutions. The session aims to inspire participants to recognize the power of nonviolent action in their own contexts and to apply these lessons to current and future movements for justice and freedom.
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