My guest today is Merawi Gerima who released his debut film Residue to critical acclaim in 2020, and he has gone on to direct episodes for shows like Ava DuVernay’s Cherish The Day and the Black girl superhero show Naomi. His parents are the legendary filmmakers Haile Gerima & Shirikiana Aina, and he grew up in Washington, DC before relocating to his current home in Chicago. These days Merawi has been outspoken, consistent, and clear about the need for solidarity between the Black & Palestinian liberation struggles, and he’ll be the first to let you know that he is an “organizer first, filmmaker second.” We get into all this and more on today’s episode of the Worldwide Underground.
…and speaking of Chicago!
Ijeoma Oluo and myself will both be appearing at The People For Gaza, a daylong festival in Orland Park, IL on New Years Day, with all proceeds going to Pious Projects and their on the ground teams in Palestine. You can find more information about the event, and put up on the campaign at piousprojects.org/peopleforgaza
See y’all soon.
Merawi Gerima on solidarity with Palestine and destroying the wall between artist and organizer