An esteemed scholar, activist, and leader in the Black Lives Matter movement, Melina Abdullah has dedicated her life to challenging systemic oppression.
Melina Abdullah
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‘White supremacy’
via KCAL News
A professor at Cal State University known for her involvement in Black Lives Matter criticized the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory and Taylor Swift fandom as examples of “white supremacy.”
Co-founded the LA BLM chapter
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
Melina Abdullah, who teaches Pan-African Studies and co-founded the LA BLM chapter, posted on social media that the Super Bowl result was a “right-wing, white supremacist conspiracy.”
Feeling uncomfortable
via PVAMU
She said feeling uncomfortable with too many American flags or being a Taylor Swift fan stems from similar “feelings.”
‘Too many American flags’
via PVAMU
“Why do I feel like it’s slightly racist to be a Taylor Swift fan?” Abdullah wrote on X. “Kind of like that feeling I get when there are too many American flags,” she wrote.
‘I’m not offended’
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“Folks think they’re attacking me by asking why I think everything is racist…I’m not offended. Virtually everything is racist,” she wrote separately.
No stranger to controversy
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
Abdullah is no stranger to controversy, having tweeted that white people shouldn’t ask to attend “Juneteenth cookouts” as it should be a “reparations day.”
Changed her surname
via KCAL News
Abdullah changed her surname after marriage but kept it following divorce. She describes herself as a Black Lives Matter organizer and believes “virtually everything is racist.”
Unwavering commitment to justice
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
Melina Abdullah has dedicated her life to challenging systemic oppression and advocating for the rights and empowerment of marginalized communities. With her unwavering commitment to justice and her fearless advocacy for change, Abdullah has emerged as a beacon of hope and inspiration for activists around the world.
Deep sense of social consciousness
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
Born and raised in East Oakland, California, Abdullah’s upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of social consciousness and a passion for activism.
Activism and advocacy work
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
After earning her Bachelor’s degree in History from Howard University, Abdullah went on to pursue graduate studies, eventually obtaining a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Southern California (USC). Her academic background provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the complex intersections of race, class, and gender, which would later inform her activism and advocacy work.
Community organizing
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
Abdullah’s journey as an activist began in earnest during her time at USC, where she became involved in community organizing efforts aimed at addressing issues of police brutality, racial profiling, and economic inequality.
Combating anti-Black racism
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
In 2013, she co-founded the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter (BLM), a grassroots movement dedicated to combating anti-Black racism and advocating for systemic change. As a co-founder and leader of BLM-LA, Abdullah has played a pivotal role in organizing protests, demonstrations, and direct actions to demand accountability and justice for victims of police violence.
Systems of oppression
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
Central to Abdullah’s activism is her commitment to intersectionality, the understanding that systems of oppression are interconnected and must be addressed holistically. She has been a vocal advocate for the inclusion of all marginalized voices in the fight for justice, highlighting the experiences of Black women, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and other marginalized communities that are often overlooked or sidelined in mainstream discussions of social justice.
Respected scholar and educator
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
In addition to her activism with BLM-LA, Abdullah is also a respected scholar and educator, having served as a professor of Pan-African Studies at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). Through her teaching and research, Abdullah seeks to empower the next generation of activists and critical thinkers, equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to effect meaningful change in their communities and beyond.
Remains undeterred
via PVAMU
Despite facing criticism, harassment, and even threats to her safety, Abdullah remains undeterred in her pursuit of justice. She continues to speak truth to power, amplifying the voices of the voiceless and challenging the status quo with courage and conviction. Her tireless advocacy has earned her widespread respect and admiration, solidifying her status as a trailblazer in the fight for social justice.
The power of collective action
via Fox 11 Los Angeles
As the struggle for racial equity and liberation continues, Melina Abdullah stands as a guiding light, reminding us of the power of collective action, solidarity, and resilience in the face of injustice. Her work serves as a testament to the transformative potential of grassroots organizing and community mobilization, inspiring countless individuals to join the fight for a more just, equitable, and inclusive world.
