Media Contact: Micki Leventhal 312-369-7383
WHAT: Chicago’s Anti Apartheid Movement: An Archival Exhibition
A driving force in this city’s anti apartheid movement, Lisa Brock – now chair of Columbia’s Humanities, History and Social Sciences Department – worked with the college library to mount this visual history of Chicago’s role in the activism that changed the course of world events.
Artifacts and ephemera, including posters, photos, tee-shirts and historic documents tell the story of a pivotal era. An interactive digital exhibition enhances the display of physical artifacts.
WHEN: Now through February 28
Library/gallery hours: Mon-Thurs 9am – 9pm; Friday 9am – 6pm; Sat/Sun noon – 5pm
WHERE: Columbia College Chicago Library, 624 S. Michigan
HOW MUCH: Free and open to the public
MORE INFO: 312-369-8788
FURTHER DETAILS:
The Chicago Anti Apartheid Movement Collection, 1977-2000
Apartheid, the system of government-sponsored racism in South Africa, ended in 1990 with the prohibition against the African National Congress lifted and the release of all political prisoners, In 1994, after intense negotiations and escalating local violence, South Africa held its first free democratic elections, voting in Nelson Mandela as President of South Africa and putting his party, the African National Congress, in control. The anti apartheid struggle was not limited to South Africa; Angola, Namibia, and Mozambique were also under their own systems of institutionalized racism and the victory of Nelson Mandela paved the way for future stabilization across Southern Africa.
Governments and non-profit organizations across the world worked with South and Southern Africa to end apartheid and educate others about the situation in Southern Africa.
Chicago held an active role in the anti apartheid movement, passing sanctions, divesting holdings from South Africa and South African banks, and encouraging other local governments to do the same. In 1990, Chicago was proclaimed a Sister Community to Alexandra Township, the largest township of Johannesburg.
This work would not have been possible without the efforts of local social justice, clerical, and activist groups who came together to pass legislation, raise awareness, and assist South African organizations in the struggle to end apartheid.
The Chicago Anti Apartheid Movement Collection represents the work of such local groups. Each organization sponsored and cosponsored events, speakers, committees, and protests. Local organizations collaborated to end racism on a global scale and enact legislation on a local scale, with a focus on Southern Africa and Central America.
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