As a first-year student at Spelman College, Stacey Abrams helped lead a march from campus to Atlanta City Hall after the acquittal of four Los Angeles police officers—involved in the violent beating of Rodney King—sparked national protests across the country in 1992.
However, after misinformation was being spread about the students’ intentions, Abrams was forced to call television stations to dispel the false claims.
Now, there are more opportunities to share information at a faster rate, she told those who gathered virtually on Wednesday for the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) conference.
“All we had was those basic instruments and we were still able to make an impact,” said Abrams, voting rights activist and former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. “What I think is fantastic about today is the opportunity to share more broadly the truth of what’s happening to correct the record and to build coalition.”
Yet, as activism has evolved over the last 30 years, the United States is still “litigating, responding and protesting that same devastating illness of racism,” she said, adding that progress is taking place albeit slowly.
“Power has been built,” she added. “Young people have an extraordinary ability to continue to leverage that power. As we watch the aftermaths of so many other parts of injustices in our society, I hope young people understand and harness that power.”
During her keynote address, Abrams shifted the conversation to voter suppression, which some argue was a factor in her failed bid to become governor of Georgia in 2018.
