April 2021 is the 40th anniversary of the Brixton uprisings.
On this date an ambitious cultural programme of events and activities will kick-off across Brixton.
It will be a culturally democratic programme…
Anyone can get involved!
INTRO
In 1981, Black communities in Brixton first rose up in a bloody confrontation with the Metropolitan Police against a backdrop of racism, severe economic recession and high unemployment. For the first time since the uprisings in 1981, we will tell the unheard stories of this exuberantly defiant act of rebellion that fundamentally changed Britain.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the 81 Uprising, individuals, community groups and organisations are coming together to create 81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance.
This process has been built from the ground up with over 300 people giving their time and energy for free to make it possible. They have fed the process with open hearts and relentless optimism for what might be possible…
WHY
MAKING US WISER.
MAKING US TOGETHER.
We believe that this is an important moment and a huge opportunity for the communities of Brixton to come together to connect, learn, share and dream together – building new strategies of resistance and resilience for the future.
MAKING US STRONGER.
We think that telling the stories of this heritage from the ground-up and examining whether lessons have been learned will inspire community ownership and activism in what happens next.
MAKING US THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT WHAT’S POSSIBLE.
HUMANiFESTO
Our Humanifesto guides us
HUMANiFESTO
Our Humanifesto guides us
ABOUT
Beginning with creative Calls To Action in April 2021, we will infuse the streets of Brixton with this history. From the front line, radiating out across the city and the country, 81 Acts of Exuberant Defiance will be a radical reclaiming of heritage – to imagine, experiment and create new futures.
Rethinking the community’s strategies of resistance and resilience currently being employed, 81 Acts brings together the EXUBERANT diaspora of Brixton to share the historical context that led to the uprising by highlighting the voices of those who were there.
By examining the racial, financial and political issues, 81 Acts asks how, or if, these have changed in the last 40 years.
What is an Act?
An Act of Exuberant Defiance can be whatever you want it to be – all we ask is it seeks to honour the principles of our Humanifesto, and attempts to:
1.
Connect, collaborate, interrupt and surprise
2.
Invite pause and reflection, seeing old stories through new eyes
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Pull back the curtain
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10.
HOW TO
GET INVOLVED
This project is grounded in collaboration: Bringing people together to strengthen the community. Themes that will guide the Acts of Exuberant Defiance.
There are 2 ways you can join in:
1. BE A PART OF IT
An Act of Exuberant Defiance follows these themes and values:
RESPECT. a tribute to fallen and future activists.
RESIST.
exploring strategies of resistance.
REFORM. calls to Action.
REGROUP & RENEW. exploring collective agency and the subversive act of togetherness.
INSIGHT / INCITE. gaining insight into the events of 81 and exploring the action that this incites.
Acts of Exuberant Defiance are:
Creatively bold and daring, risk-taking in concept, and resourceful in pushing at the boundaries of ‘official’ narratives and disrupting complacent systems.
Without:
Risking tangible or intangible damage to persons or property either in making the act itself or repercussions afterwards e.g. legal
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