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Centered around the work of Orisanmi Burton, author of Tip of the Spear, this discussion explores the 1970s Attica Uprising as a pivotal moment in both the history of prison resistance and the broader Black radical tradition.

In this conversation, Orisanmi Burton will explore the legacy of the Attica Uprising as part of a broader history of Black resistance to state violence and oppression. Drawing on his book, Burton challenges conventional narratives by highlighting the intellectual and political goals of incarcerated leaders and their contributions to critical thought on justice and liberation. The discussion will examine how these uprisings exposed the brutal realities of the prison system and catalyzed revolutionary consciousness, influencing contemporary movements for racial justice and prison reform. Burton will also discuss how the state's response to these uprisings continues to shape resistance strategies today, offering insights into the ongoing fight against mass incarceration.

About the Speaker:

 Orisanmi Burton (he/him) is an assistant professor of anthropology at American University. His research employs ethnographic and archival methods to examine historical collisions between Black radical organizations and state repression in the United States. Dr. Burton received his B.A. in interdisciplinary social inquiry from Hampshire College, a master’s in library and information science from Long Island University, and a Ph. D. in sociocultural anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Burton’s work has been published in North American Dialogue, The Black Scholar, Radical History Review, American Anthropologist, among other outlets and has received support from the Wenner-Gren Foundation, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, and The Margarite Casey Foundation, which selected him as a 2021 Freedom Scholar. Dr. Burton’s first book, entitled Tip of the Spear: Black Radicalism, Prison Repression, and the Long Attica Revolt was published by the University of California Press in 2023.

Justice 101 is a discussion series examining the history of the justice system in America, from its founding to today, and the impact it has on society, citizens, and the world. Justice 101 programs are free and take place monthly. You can join us live at the times listed, or watch the discussions back anytime on YouTube. Justice 101 is designed for learners of all ages.