5 Videos of Social Justice Leaders That Will Spark the Changemaker In You
Over the course of 30 years, Bioneers has witnessed the progress of social justice movements around the world and amplified the voices of incredible movement leaders. These are thought leaders, innovators and passionate speakers who are often willing to risk a great deal in the pursuit of what they know is right.
In honor of the advancements made over three decades, and in recognition of how much work we still have ahead of us in order to achieve an equitable, just and loving society, we’re shining a spotlight on five social justice leaders, movers and shakers who have spoken from the Bioneers stage.
1. Fania Davis — Justice that Heals
Drawing on a lifetime of social justice activism, Fania Davis depicts the essence of Restorative Justice, an emerging approach that seeks to move us from an ethic of separation, domination and extreme individualism to one of collaboration, partnership and interrelatedness. Rooted in Indigenous views of justice and healing, this rapidly expanding global movement invites us to make a radical shift from either-or, right-wrong, and us-versus-them ways of thinking. It seeks to midwife an evolutionary shift beyond domination, discord and devastation toward healing, wholeness and holiness with one another and all creation.
Learn more about Davis’ work at Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth.
2. john a. powell — Overcoming Our Fear of the “Other”
As humanity faces global environmental and social collapse, our fear of the “Other” can be magnified by unstable contracting economies, radically shifting demographics, and new social norms. Can humanity overcome these divisions and come together to protect our common home? john a. powell, a nationally respected voice on race and ethnicity, leads UC Berkeley’s Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society, holds the Robert D. Haas Chancellor’s Chair in Equity and Inclusion, serves on the UC Berkeley School of Law faculty, and is author of Racing to Justice.
3. Rinku Sen — The Intersection of Environmental and Racial Justice
Rinku Sen is one of the most dynamic and influential social, racial and gender justice activists of our time, and among the nation’s most effective voices for inclusion and human rights. She’s also a cutting-edge journalist, author and researcher. She shares her vision of how we must urgently learn to face and address our completely intertwined ecological and social justice crises, while we learn how to do it without losing our minds, our friends…or our fights.
Learn more about Sen’s work at Race Forward.
4. Edna Chavez — Youth Activism, Today and Tomorrow
This inspiring 18-year old activist from South Central Los Angeles, who has lost many friends and family members to gun violence, was a key participant in the March for Our Lives event and has become a leading gun control advocate and voter registration organizer.
Learn more about Chavez’s work at March For Our Lives.
5. Climbing PoeTree — Intrinsic
Climbing PoeTree (Alixa Garcia and Naima Penniman) are award-winning multimedia artists, organizers, educators and a spoken word duo. They may be the most brilliant socially engaged spoken word duo in the known universe. Enjoy this performance from Bioneers 2018.
