black trans lives matter

In this part of the conversation we talk to Gabriel Bryant and Abdul-Aliy Muhammad. These conversations were recorded separately, just due to availability, but are presented here as a unified whole. 

Gabriel Bryant is an organizer and youth advocate for groups that have included Sankofa Community Empowerment and Philadelphia Community Bail Fund. 

Abdul-Aliy Muhammad is a Philadelphia-born writer and organizer. They often write about Blackness, bodily autonomy and medical surveillance.

In this conversation both Gabe and Abdul-Aliy offer reflections on the Philly Black Radical Collective and on the long work of organizing outside of the spectacle of the mass mobilization. Gabe talks about some of the nuts and bolts of community organizing and building power as well as some recent developments in solidarity organizing for political prisoners including Mumia Abu Jamal’s latest campaign #LoveNotPhear.

Abdul-Aliy talks about their piece from How We Stay Free, which is titled “Black Trans Lives Matter.” They talk about organizing in defense of Black Trans and Black Queer lives and working with Dominque “Rem’mie” Fells’ family after Dominque was murdered in 2020.

Featured in this conversation are also two songs from Gabe, whose stage name is Gabriel Prosser, a nod to the enslaved abolitionist who planned a massive slave rebellion in Virginia at the turn of the 19th Century. We’ll include links to Gabe’s bandcamp in the show notes.

After the interviews with Abdul Aliy and Gabriel, How We Stay Free editors Christopher Rogers and Fajr Muhammad rejoin a discussion of other struggles ongoing in Philadelphia.

In the show notes, we’ll include links to buy How We Stay Free, and possibly get a solidarity copy for a student, elder, organizer or political prisoner.

And if you like what we do, we’re still trying to get our patreon back where it was a few months ago. We’re only down about $20 this month as we release this episode, so if a few of you can commit to $1 a month or more, or a small yearly pledge, we should be able to make that up.

Black Philly Radical Collective

Abdul-Aliy's piece "As Philadelphia mourns Dominique ‘Rem’mie’ Fells, Black trans lives still matter"

Our previous conversation with BPRC organizers Megan Malachi & Robert Saleem Holbrook

Abdul-Aliy Muhammad's latest on the struggle for MOVE family members to recover their children's remains

Gabriel Prosser Bandcamp

Songs featured in the episode:

“New Season” Gabriel Prosser featuring Verse Mega 

“F.U.T.U.R.E.” Gabriel Prosser featuring Blak Rapp Madusa - 

Dear Friends Family Revolutionaries, and the Uninitiated,

There is nothing routine about life. The fundamental fear of "who are we", haunts us from adolescence through pre-pubescence on into, our life adult life. The crisis of self is a shared experience we all go through, but fail to connect as we strive to find our best self.  From the first moments of self-realization, to the first exhaled breath; as your true self. What is it like to know from an early age exactly who you are, yet struggle to feel whole as you walk through life. How do we know when we have found ourselves, and how do we best express the voice of our soul.

Sitting with Gregory and Latiana, two sols that conquered self doubt, fear, and outside pressures of the world to conform. In spite of wanting to spread their wings and let their voices sing they describe the courage it took to endure abuse, targeting, rejection, attempts at conversion, and more...  The power and unwavering conviction of self knowledge bestows on the heart, and how the smallest touches of Humanity; save a life.

Teacher, wiccan, lover, friend, daughter, son, mother, student, artist, the trials and tribulations of transformation into life of individual expressive freedom. From the mouths of Marsha P. Johson's children, ensure you pay them a full mind; as they detail the path to find- yourself!

~Thoughts are free, Revolution takes actions; Be Revolutionary~

To my dearest of friends and new-found family, Gregory & Latiana; thank you for having the courage to share your voice and express in an uplifting light stories we all very much need to be aware of. Thank you an be blessed.

Thank you for the help to guide and give understanding for and from a real ambassador of the community, sol Josie Caballero, Director of US Transgender Survey for the National Center for Transgender Equality, whose words resonate with a firile ferocity.

Sonny having trouble getting your beats out of the noggin, so have to keep splicing and sharing them. Thanks again Music by Sonny - "sonn​.​e - down.town"  instagram.com/prodbysonny
https://themtrademark.bandcamp.com/track/sonn-e-down-town

Gregory Richardson for the cartoon portraits. We can't believe the ease you took to create it. So much better than a photo. Thank you!
instagram.com/deercube_art

Raquel Willis has found her lane as an advocate for Black trans people's lives. And it's not just about visibility or getting a seat at the table—it's about changing systems that do harm, regardless of who's in the White House. As Raquel explains, there's a whole menu of options beyond the electoral system, from direct action to workplace organizing, and it's time to get creative! Speaking of which, she updates us on her forthcoming book, a collection of personal essays about her experiences in activism. Plus: Breaking down misconceptions about the South, and the one thing Raquel wishes she could bring from Georgia to New York City.

You can find Raquel on Twitter: @RaquelWillis_ and Insta: @raquel_willis

Text SUNSTORM to 97779 for updates on how you can take action. Head to sunstormpod.com to learn, read and find out how you can get involved!

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Karen strikes again!!! 
On this weeks episode, we discuss Joe Biden's brain, Aging, how to properly deal with a "Karen" and wearing a mask in public places. We've taken a vote and its time for the Karen acts to retire.

Check it out!!!

www.Awkwardtpodcast.com

IG: AWKWARDTPODCAST
Twitter: @Awkwardtpod

We sit down with Trans model and Instagram influencer, Shawnda Brinks as she shares her perspectives on a range of topics impacting the Trans community. We discuss our opinions on Angela Stanton-King, Dwayne Wade's Trans daughter Zaya, Downlow men and sex work.

www.awkwardtpodcast.com
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Guests: Shawnda Brinks @Shawndabrinks
              Dorion Nowell @Dorionnowell