Memory is a Weapon — human rights defender hub

memory is a weapon - firdoze bulbulia, south africa

Memory is a Weapon was coined during the Apartheid era when activists would quote these words as their comrades were detained, disappeared or killed. Memory is a Weapon meant that the activists’ lives, activities, detention or death would not erase their memory. Responding to COVID-19 this project draws inspiration from the Adinkra symbol of the Sankofa bird, which means ‘reach back and get it’. Using this theme, the project will act as a catalyst for Black female artists from across the world to re-imagine new futures during and post-COVID-19. This epoch has been described as a critical juncture through which change can be brought about, for example, activists such as Naomi Klein, Angela Davis and Arundhati Roy have all claimed that this is a time to re-imagine a new future.

Through performances, spoken word and digital outputs we will draw together a series of powerful stories through which participating women will speak about their unique experiences, providing a space to share and reflect on the crisis, considering meaningful ways forward. The programme will cross generations, cultures and religions, using artistic practices to re-imagine a new world post COVID-19, emphasizing the central role Black women play in shaping this.

Memory is a Weapon is an ongoing initiative which acts as a platform to bring together real memoirs of women’s stories of resistance and reclamation