Lecture Notes: Intergenerational Conversation on Climate Justice

Introduction

• Presenter: City Blancaflor, undergraduate junior, board co-chair for PowerShift Network.
• Panelists: Angela Davis, Jamie Marglin, Destiny Hodges.

Angela Davis

• Background: Feminist, writer, and activist involved in global social justice movements.
• Teaching: Educator at various universities including UC Berkeley, UCLA, and University of Santa Cruz.
• Publications: Author of 10 books, focusing on incarceration and racial discrimination.
• Activism: Founding member of Critical Resistance; advocates for prison abolition.

Destiny Hodges

• Role: Environmental liberation organizer, filmmaker, and communications major at Howard University.
• Work: Co-founder of Generation Green, focuses on climate and environmental justice.
• Initiatives: Founded Howard University Student Sustainability Committee.

Jamie Marglin

• Background: 19-year-old organizer, activist, author, public speaker.
• Organizations: Co-founder of Zero Hour, an international youth climate justice movement.
• Publications: Author of "Youth to Power".
• Activism: Involved in legal actions for environmental justice, and political campaign support.

Key Discussion Points

Angela Davis' Perspective on Movement Work

• Experience: In activism since age 11, emphasizes collective struggle.
• Philosophy: Activism is not a sacrifice but a source of joy and learning.
• Historical Context: Black liberation movements, collective joy amidst struggle.

Challenges in Climate Activism

• Burnout: Jamie shares struggles with hopelessness and burnout.
• Intersectionality: Climate justice interlinked with racial, gender, and economic justice.
• Global Perspective: Recognition of worldwide movements and challenges.

Intersectionality in Activism

• Angela Davis: Importance of recognizing interconnected struggles (racism, capitalism, patriarchy).
• Destiny Hodges: Environmental justice as intertwined with black liberation and systemic change.
• Social Media's Role: Performative activism versus genuine organizing work.

Funding and Resources

• Challenges: Difficulty in securing funding for grassroots movements.
• Philanthropy: Critiques of philanthropy reflecting capitalist structures.
• Advocacy: Encourage governmental funding for social justice with no strings attached.

Internationalism and Global Solidarity

• Climate Justice: As the foundational struggle for all social justice movements.
• Global Connections: Importance of international solidarity and learning from diverse movements.

Closing Remarks

• Panelists' Reflections: Emphasis on community, intersectionality, and the importance of diverse voices in activism.
• Future Outlook: Encouragement for continued activism and global solidarity in climate justice work.