We can scuttle or sail the seas

Why does America fall short of its democratic ideals? How do we responsibly acknowledge and honor the sacrifice of citizens, especially the most vulnerable? By combining poetry, readings of philosophy, and deep personal reflections on race, Bulelani argues that political friendship, an expansive welfare system, and the construction of the public space is a means of overcoming entrenched apartheid and distrust. Bulelani challenges post-racial narratives and attempts to awakens us to the reality of sacrifice and the inevitability of political loss. Sacrifice is a part of democracy, but its acknowledgement and honoring is a bridge towards trust and the healthy upkeep of democracy. We can Scuttle or Sail the Seas is a call to systemic change. It is a work of art that presses us to reimagine citizenship.

Autorentext
Born in South Africa, Bulelani Jili now lives in Beijing and is a Yenching Scholar, which is an elite global fellowship. In 2012, he was also awarded the Pfieffer scholarship, which is a $250 000 prize that is awarded to one Wesleyan student based on academic and leadership achievement. Bulelani has done research on democratic theory.