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It Did Happen Here

An Antifascist People's History
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( 60 ratings, 14 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
It Did Happen Here explores the emergence of anti-racist activism in Portland, Oregon, during the late 20th century. It chronicles the efforts of individuals and groups who stood up against white supremacy and engaged in community-driven resistance. Through personal stories and historical analysis, the book highlights the impact of grassroots movements in confronting racial violence and injustice.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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You might enjoy this book if you are interested in exploring the history of anti-racist activism and community defence against far-right extremism in the United States. The authors provide a compelling narrative and analysis of grassroots efforts to counter hate group activities, offering insights into the power of collective action and resistance.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Portland, Oregon, 1988: the brutal murder of Ethiopian immigrant Mulugeta Seraw by racist skinheads shocked the city.

In response, disparate groups quickly came together to organise against white nationalist violence and right-wing organising throughout the Rose City and the Pacific Northwest.

It Did Happen Here compiles interviews with dozens of people who worked together during the waning decades of the twentieth century to reveal an inspiring collaboration between groups of immigrants, civil rights activists, militant youth, and queer organisers. This oral history focuses on participants in three core groups: the Portland chapters of Anti-Racist Action and Skinheads Against Racial Prejudice, and the Coalition for Human Dignity.

Using a diversity of tacticsβ€”from out-and-out brawls on the streets and at punk shows, to behind-the-scenes intelligence gatheringβ€”brave antiracists unified on their home ground over and over, directly attacking right-wing fascists and exposing white nationalist organisations and neo-Nazi skinheads. Embattled by police and unsupported by the city, these citizen activists eventually drove the boneheads out of the music scene and off the streets of Portland. This book shares their stories about what worked, what didn't, and ideas on how to continue the fight.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

It Did Happen Here is praised for its compelling exploration of Portland's antiracist history, highlighting the community's efforts against white supremacist groups in the '80s and '90s. Through vivid personal accounts, the book offers essential lessons on coalition-building and community defence against fascism, emphasising inventive, non-police strategies. It provides a rich narrative that not only documents past struggles but also inspires modern resistance efforts, making it an invaluable resource for understanding and confronting contemporary racial and social challenges.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781629633510

Publisher: PM Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 15 June 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: PM Press

Illustration: 144 Illustrations

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 228.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Moe Bowstern is an @-zone alum, writer, laborer, Fisher Poet, and DIY social practice artist. Moe is the longtime editor of many publications, including the commercial fishing zine Xtra Tuf. She was a writer on the podcast version of It Did Happen Here and lives in Portland, OR. Mic Crenshaw was born and raised in Chicago and Minneapolis and currently resides in Portland, Oregon. Crenshaw is an independent hip hop artist, respected emcee, poet, educator, and activist. Crenshaw is the lead US organizer for the Afrikan Hiphop Caravan and uses cultural activism as a means to develop international solidarity related to human rights and justice through hip hop and popular education. Crenshaw was a founding member of the Minneapolis Baldies and Anti Racist Action. He was a coproducer and narrator of the podcast version of It Did Happen Here. Alec Dunn is a printmaker and illustrator. He is a nurse who works in critical care, street medicine, and harm reduction. He is a member of the Justseeds Artists' Cooperative and coedits Signal: A Journal of International Political Graphics & Culture. He was a writer and an audio editor on the podcast version of It Did Happen Here. Celina Flores is an independent and multidisciplinary photographer and audio producer. She has volunteered as a sound engineer and producer at KBOO Community Radio in Portland, Oregon. She was a coproducer and narrator of the podcast version of It Did Happen Here. Julie Perini makes experimental and documentary films and teaches at Portland State University. Julie was a researcher and archivist on the podcast version of It Did Happen Here. Erin Yanke is a self-taught multimedia artist, podcast producer, radical documentarian, and a lifer. She is Operations Manager at Outside the Frame, an adjunct instructor of podcasting at Portland State University, and was the executive producer of It Did Happen Here.

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