Jamala Rogers
A Room of One's Own 2717 Atwood Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53704
A Room of One's Own welcomes author and activist Jamala Rogers for a reading and book signing of her book Ferguson is America: Roots of Rebellion.
On August 9, 2014, Ferguson, St. Louis County, MO became the epicenter of a major political earthquake, shaking the core of how we see Black America, police and policing—jolting us into a new political normal. The reverberations are still happening, connecting with other waves of resistance to police occupation and violence across the U.S. It is our challenge and responsibility to seize this transformational moment to advance our movement for liberation.
"This book is my best attempt to answer the question, “Why Ferguson”. It explores the roots of the Ferguson Rebellion as I see it. I encourage you to join in this growing movement to challenge racism in the streets, in police departments and in the courts. One day the simmering cauldron of racism, economic exploitation and police violence bubbles over. And if we work together in a respectful and disciplined way, a new Ferguson, St. Louis, and USA, is possible." - Jamala Rogers
Jamala Rogers came into her political awakening in the late 1960's--a period of massive civil unrest, when hundreds of cities engaged in open rebellion—leading to significant political and cultural shifts nationwide. In 1998, she, along with Angela Davis, Danny Glover and many others, hosted thousands at the founding convening of the Black Radical Congress (BRC) in Chicago, IL. Prior to the BRC Jamala co-founded the St. Louis-based Organization for Black Struggle (OBS) in 1980 and 37 years later continues to provide the organization with leadership and mentoring. Jamala's deep insight, experience, and continued activism help us navigate critical questions of race, justice, hope, and political struggle for ourselves and our country.