Ahead of her commission as part of ‘anywhere in the universe’, Rabiya Choudhry shares her recommendations for our Room for Reading.
Choudhry’s new commission of illuminated signage for three East-End libraries, will bear the words “give light and people will find the way”, spoken by African-American civil rights activist and organiser, Ella Baker (1903–1986).
Choudhry recommends further reading on the life of Ella Baker – ‘Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision’ (2003) by Barbara Ransby.
Barbara Ransby, ‘Ella Baker & the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision’
Choudhry says, “Ella Baker (1903-1986) was one of the most significant grassroots organisers and intellectuals behind the civil rights movement that transformed the United States in the latter half of the 20th century. Baker championed a philosophy of spreading leadership throughout a community from the grassroots upwards. Give light and people will find the way was the title that Ella Baker gave to leadership conferences and the essence of what her inspirational work achieved.
Baker came to me through light. Her quote, "Give light, and people will find the way," found its way to me after many months of searching. Her words felt like a special gift after years of contemplating life, loss, and light during one of the most difficult times. Her life, actions, and words are hugely inspiring and articulate what I wanted to echo in the public artworks that I'm making for a selection of Glasgow libraries at a time where light comes at some cost and hope is hard to put into words.
I found the following quote to be inspiring when thinking about how libraries, as philanthropic offerings from the world's wealthiest benefactors, could become a space for building societal change at a grassroots level:
“In order for us as poor and oppressed people to become part of a society that is meaningful, the system under which we now exist has to be radically changed. This means that we are going to have to learn to think in radical terms. I use the term radical in its original meaning–getting down to and understanding the root cause. It means facing a system that does not lend itself to your needs and devising means by which you change that system.”
Ella Baker, 1969, quoted in Barbara Ransby,
‘Ella Baker & The Black Freedom Movement’ (2003)
Read ‘Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision’ here via Internet archive, a non-profit, digital library of free and borrowable books, movies, software, music and websites.
And listen to “Ella’s Song” by Sweet Honey in the Rock, a moving tribute inspired by Ella Baker.
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In conjunction with our projects, exhibitions and events, Room for Reading offers artists we work with an opportunity to contribute to The Common Guild library and share the books and resources that have influenced their artistic practice.
Every artist’s selection is added to The Common Guild’s expansive reference library of artist books, catalogues, and cultural and critical theory.
