What Does It Mean To Be Radicalized?

Featuring activist and writer Brea Baker

What moment(s) radicalized you?

I had a few thinks about this question—first spurred by a trending Twitter thread or two—and found myself feeling inadequate. I could think of so many instances, but I wondered if they qualified. It made me question how one should define the term “radical.” It’s a word naturally associated with extremity, with loudness, with revolution. Which is accurate—and needed, especially in the unprecedented times we’re living in. 

But radicalization can also be personal. Sometimes it’s marked by stepping into your power as an individual and realizing you can take a stance on something you care about. It can often be introspective. Contemplative. Meditative. Quiet. At times, confusing. For some, it takes a second to internally process things before stepping outwards for collective discourse and activity. For some, it remains internal—channeled through personal action. For others, like my dear friend Asia Stewart whose poignant performance Fabric Softener (a theatrical interpretation of Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon) debuts this week at The Shed, it’s conveyed through art and work.

In other words, don’t feel bad if your version isn’t like the next person’s. There’s no right way to be radical.

These days, perhaps you’re feeling radicalized from the news of yet another Black woman, this time Sonya Massey, being fatally shot by law enforcement in her own home. Perhaps it’s driven by this upcoming election and the absolute dystopian series of events leading up to it. Yep, I meant to say dystopian: The Hunger Games doesn’t have anything on this 2024 reality. May the odds be ever in our favor. 

And as I write this from across the pond, the state of the U.S. is feeling particularly dystopian. I’ll be back in the states for a bit this upcoming fall, just in time for the election. I’ll be exercising my right to have a say in the fate of this country. I’m not in the business of telling anyone how they should exercise their power, but I am in the business of amplifying the powerful platforms of people who have something important to contribute. Platforms like activist and writer Brea Baker’s, whose pen power is palpable. Her portfolio of writing in the past year alone is loaded with important work. To name a few: She’s chronicled the history and ongoing movement of Black feminist support for Palestine, rounded up a list of necessary pre-election reads, and, last month, she released her debut book Rooted, which breaks down the intersections that have shaped the history of Black land ownership.

Activist and writer Brea Baker

One of Brea’s latest pieces centers Kamala Harris and why, as the prospective Democratic nominee, people shouldn’t be counting her out of the race (and how harmful doing so is). Brea writes, “People should spend a lot less time fixating on whether Kamala Harris’ Black womanhood is a liability, and instead focus on what her campaign promises and platform messaging need to be to win.” 

Here’s a sneak peek of my chat with Brea (conducted back in May), during which we talk about why Brea’s not interested in toning down her voice and views to pander to the masses—and why she doesn’t think that makes her any less of a credible journalist:

Brea’s also acutely aware that radical activism requires radical rest. That’s why, as we discuss in our conversation, she doesn’t play about taking care of herself and doing things that bring her genuine joy. Here’s hoping you’re doing the same.

Stay In The Groove

Upcoming events for your calendar:

• NABJ Convention (July 31-Aug 4, Chicago)

• The Black Business Month Experience/Marketplace (August 6-7, New York City)

• ENVSN Festival (August 10-11, Brooklyn)

• Sip N’ Slay’s Summer Fest (August 17, New York City)

• Invest Fest (August 23-25, Atlanta)

• Black Girls in Media Conference (August 24, New York City)

• Black Food and Wine Experience (September 12-14, Detroit)

• Black Eats Fest (September 14-15, London)

• Pretty Girls Sweat Fest (September 20-22, Atlanta)

• CultureCon (October 5-6, Brooklyn)

• Black Love Summit (October 12, Los Angeles)

• EatOkra’s inaugural Culinary Creatives Conference (October 13, New York City)

Some job opportunities I’m seeing:

• Axios is hiring a Director of Event Operations

• Apple’s Internal Communications team is looking for an Editorial Lead

• EBONY Media is seeking a Freelance Editorial Coordinator

• Marie Claire is hiring a Staff Writer

• Apple’s Events team is hiring an Event Strategy Lead

• Her Campus has an open application for a Fall 2024 Wellness Editorial Intern

• The Hollywood Reporter is filling a Newswriter position

• Hinge is hiring a Senior Public Relations Manager

• Eater is hungry for a Commerce Writer

This read from Yamily Habib explores why women are much more likely to develop autoimmune disorders, and links the data to self-silencing tendencies, especially among women of color.

As an avid watcher of Love Island (both USA and UK), I can admit that it isn’t a perfect show (like most reality TV shows, it has its fair share of ethical problems.) But this latest Love Island USA season was refreshing—as Taylor Crumpton writes in her TIME essay—for the way it better centers Black women love stories. (If you’re like me and you’re somehow always behind on shows, good luck dodging spoilers…)

I was happy to learn of a very cool (and hopeful!) update from The Cut: The digital brand is getting into standalone print for the first time.

As a fan of the sport myself, I’m familiar with the abundant, often racially-laced aggression of football (soccer) fans in London, the UK, and across Europe. After venturing to a London pub to watch the big Euro Final (it was Spain against England—England lost), I was particularly drawn to this Refinery29 piece from Beauty Dhlamini: “I Am A Black Woman Who Loves Football. But Does It Love Me Back?”

My current read: Still diving into Everything’s Fine by Cecilia Rabess.