Reves Center for International Studies Events
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Reves Center for International Studies
[PAST EVENT] Africana First Friday with Travis Harris
October 2, 2015
12pm - 1pm
Police officer Darren Wilson's killing of Michael Brown on August 9, 2014 is part of an endemic system of structural racism against Blacks in St. Louis, Missouri. This interconnected system entails racialized spaces with low rated air quality, disparate health care, unfair housing practices, failing schools, commercial redlining, over -policing and an unjust justice system. Three emcees from St. Louis: Kareem Jackson (Tef Poe), Travis Tyler (Thi'sl) and Marcus Gray (Flame) have responded. They uniquely understand the effects of racialized oppression in St. Louis. Several modes of activism are necessary to fight the interconnected system of institutional racism.
Using a performance studies theoretical framework, this paper will analyze the repertoires of Tef Poe's, Flame's and Thi'sl's performances and their activism. Tef Poe does not identify as a "conscious rapper" or a Christian but asserts he is religious. He led protests, performed during Ferguson October and testified before the United Nations Committee Against Torture. Flame and Thi'sl are overtly Christian. Flame held Hope for Ferguson which was a "buycott" and included a live concert. Thi'sl organized Hope for the City which involved a prayer meeting under the Arch in St. Louis and a concert. Hip Hop, as a form of protest, has responded in St. Louis and provided illustrations for combating the evils of racism.
Using a performance studies theoretical framework, this paper will analyze the repertoires of Tef Poe's, Flame's and Thi'sl's performances and their activism. Tef Poe does not identify as a "conscious rapper" or a Christian but asserts he is religious. He led protests, performed during Ferguson October and testified before the United Nations Committee Against Torture. Flame and Thi'sl are overtly Christian. Flame held Hope for Ferguson which was a "buycott" and included a live concert. Thi'sl organized Hope for the City which involved a prayer meeting under the Arch in St. Louis and a concert. Hip Hop, as a form of protest, has responded in St. Louis and provided illustrations for combating the evils of racism.