2k25 Black Power Writing Prompt

OVERVIEW:

At the Chairs Retreat that took place August 10-12, 2018, the Afrikan Black Coalition Central Committee, comprised of all member-campus Presidents, unanimously decided to have a reading and response requirement for all Afrikan Black Coalition Conference attendees that year and in the future. The goal is to ensure all attendees of the conference have a foundational understanding of at least one aspect of Afrikan/Black politics. When we convene 800+ Afrikan/Black people annually, this foundational political education helps to ensure that we are productive in our engagement with all components of the conference, have a good time building community with one another.

 

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Deadline: Friday - December 13, 2024 at 11:59 PM (PST)

  • Saving Document: Save your document as your first name, last name, underscore, and the initials of your school (only include your school’s initials if you currently attend a college) 

    • Example: 

      • Student Name: Ella Baker

      • School: Cal State Los Angeles

      • Document Saved As: ELLABAKER_CSULA

  • Submission: Upload and submit this document via the Black Power Writing Prompt Online Submission Form (*Must sign-in to a GMAIL account in order to access the submission form*)

  • IMPORTANT: Failure to follow these formatting directions can impact your ability to attend the conference. These important steps allow for the 800+ submissions to be reviewed and entered into our database without any complications. If you have questions, email us: politicaleducation@ablackcoalition.org 

  • The submission format can be viewed here.

  • All submissions must be the original work of the submitter. Plagiarism is unacceptable.

  • Every submission will be read in its entirety, so please do not attempt to cheat the system and use someone else’s work.

WRITING PROMPT (PARTS 1-3):

Part 1: Required Length - 50-100 Words

  • This year’s conference theme is The Power to Imagine, The Strength to Build Black Power. What does this theme mean to you?

 

Part 2: Critical Topic Response - Answer All Questions for One Topic in Complete Sentences

  • DIRECTIONS: Read one of the articles below and answer the assigned questions in complete sentences.

    • Note: Below, you will also find Additional Recommended Educational Materials which you do not have to read/watch to complete the Black Power Writing Prompt, but will provide you greater understanding of the featured topics.

  • Topic 1:  BLACK LIBERALISM, IMPERIALISM, & U.S. POLITICS

    • Article: Black, Too. (2024, August 22). Unburdened by Palestine: Shedding Black Liberalism for anti-imperialism. Mondoweiss. https://mondoweiss.net/2024/08/unburdened-by-palestine-shedding-black-liberalism-for-anti-imperialism/

    • Questions:

      • What impact does symbolism potentially have on harmonious struggles? 

      • As it concerns Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people, is the position of the Harris campaign similar to or different from that of President Biden? What are their positions?

      • During U.S. elections, what are the impacts of hope and fear? 

      • What do Republicans and Democrats rely on to explain the suffering of U.S. citizens?

      • What is the dominant cause of Black suffering in the U.S.? 

      • What is the relationship between Black class antagonisms and U.S. imperialism?

      • What does imperialism require? 

      • In the 1951 "We Charge Genocide" petition by the Civil Rights Congress, which entities were accused of committing genocide against Black Americans?

      • What were the goals of the Black Cold War liberals? 

      • The movement to #FreePalestine offers Black people what?

      • Why is a free Palestine fundamental to Black liberation?

      Additional Recommended Educational Material:

Topic 2:  U.S. CRIMINALIZATION OF STUDENT PROTEST

Additional Recommended Educational Material:

 

Part 3: Institution/Program Development - 100-200 Word Requirement

Directions: Considering different social justice issues impacting Black communities, describe an institution/program you would support ABC in developing to address a particular issue of your choosing. Some potential topics to consider are: Policing & Mass Incarceration, Economic Disparities, Educational Inequities,  Environmental Racism, Voter Suppression, Housing Discrimination and Gentrification, Healthcare Racism/Access, Reparations, Lack of Access to Healthy Food, Immigration and Deportation.

Questions you can consider for your response. You do not have to answer these specific questions; they are only to kick-start your thinking:

  • What would the name of your institution/program be?

  • What would the institution/program objectives be?

  • How would those objectives be accomplished? 

  • Is there a target age range you intend to serve?

  • Where would the institution/program be located?

Deadline: Friday - December 13, 2024 at 11:59 PM (PST)

Questions, Comments, Concerns:

1st: Ask your Delegation Liaison

2nd: Ask your Black Student Union President(s)

3rd: Ask the ABC Political Education Director - politicaleducation@ablackcoalition.org 

4th: Ask the ABC Conference Planning Committee - conference@ablackcoalition.org