So much has come to pass since Ferguson first erupted in the summer of 2014. California passed stricter limitations on the use of police force. Eric Garner’s killer was finally fired. Mothers of the movement have been publicly honored; some have run for office, and Tamir Rice’s mother even founded an Afrocentric Cultural Center in her son’s name. But what happened in Ferguson after the cameras left?

On this 5th year since the murder of Mike Brown and the resulting Ferguson Uprising, Colorlines explores the cost of being on the frontlines of the fight for liberation from police violence through a series of interviews with Ferguson families and activists. The first interview: Mike Brown’s dad reflecting on the 5 years since his son became a political symbol. 

In the second interview, Melissa McKinnies discusses the Mike Brown rebellion and the lynching of her own son, while the third interview features key Ferguson grassroots activists weighing in on the impact of their local movement. To share and engage in conversations about Colorlines’ coverage on the movement for justice and liberation from police violence, visit their Facebook or Twitter page. 

Check out our latest below!

Deepa Iyer on the significance of 'Blinded By The Light'

An immigrant story is at the center of the new Bruce Springsteen-tribute film

In an essay for Colorlines, Race Forward Senior Fellow Deepa Iyer writes about her personal connection to the new Gurinder Chadha-directed Bruce Springsteen homage film ‘Blinded By The Light’. Deepa talks about navigating her adolescence in Kentucky listening to songs like “The Promised Land” and “Growin’ Up”, and how the 2019 film is “big screen affirmation” that people of color are a part of The Boss’ fanbase. 

Deepa explores how the film’s titular character’s British Pakistani immigrant experience helps to anchor the theme of the universality of Bruce Springsteen’s music, as well as making connections between scenes in the film and today’s hostile political climate. You can read more about Deepa’s “Springsteen journey” in the forthcoming anthology, “Long Walk Home” from Rutgers University Press available September 23. 

Resisting and Defying Cruel Immigration Policies

New Mexico's Workforce Solutions Department on Saying "No" to ICE Data Requests

In this defiant Op-Ed by the secretary of the New Mexico Workforce Solutions Department, Bill McCamley argues that mass immigration raids like those in Mississippi endanger everyone in the community because they silence crime victims and witnesses. When ICE agents came calling for sensitive worker information, they simply said, “No”, and encourage other states to do the same. 

Race Forward rejects the Trump Administration’s fear-mongering and its white supremacist policies of hate, division, and mass deportation. Rather, we support immigrant communities and the people and families seeking refuge. We stand in solidarity with all who are mobilizing around the country. And, we applaud local governments and leaders, many of whom are members of the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, who are speaking out and resisting inhumane and unjust immigration enforcement.  

Staff Picks

FX Network

Find out what art & culture is attracting the attention of our staff! This month we hear from our Executive Assistant to the Office of the President, Travon Anderson!

"The show that has my attention right now is Pose, mainly because of the 80’s music! The series won my heart in the very first episode with Chaka Khan’s “Ain’t Nobody”. I love the character development as the seasons progress and how gay people of color and especially trans people of color are highlighted. The show has a great balance of serious content with humor, and I highly recommend it." 

What are you listening to, watching, or reading? Tell us on Twitter or Facebook!

In solidarity,

Team Race Forward