We recently had the opportunity to talk with Sule Anibaba and Kate Mellon-Anibaba, the creators of Solidarity Space in Central Park, Davis. Sule and Kate are amazing activists and are raising two young boys of their own as long-time residents of Davis.
It was truly illuminating to converse with Kate and Sule to learn more about their tireless efforts and experiences in fighting against racial injustice and the advice they have for those joining the fight. Read more below to learn about the great anti-racist work happening in Davis and how you can help in the Black Lives Matter movement.
How did you get started in the black lives matter movement?
Kate: Just a little back story, because we did not just pop into the Black Lives Matter movement because of George Floyd.
Racial injustice affects our family with two black sons and I’m trying to be a supportive partner to my husband who is in a predominately white space in Davis. He’s been profiled and he’s been harassed by police. He’s had experiences where I, as a white partner, can’t really understand. Since we’ve had our kids, about 6 years ago, I’ve been trying to do better and unlearn my privileges. It’s opening up my eyes, but learning that has been a journey and I’m still working on it. It was really important for me to understand the fact that I gave birth to my kids, and while they are half-black and half-white, they are still viewed by society as a threat as they enter public spaces.
While we were not necessarily a huge part of it in the beginning, we’ve been involved in the Black Lives Matter movement from the inception.
What inspired you to start Solidarity Space?
Kate: So I’m usually the one that is usually more emotional and spitfire. My husband, Sule, is trained in therapy. He always has his emotions in check, he’s really good at helping people process and is a really great listener. That being said, when George Floyd was murdered, I saw my husband emotionally react, but I didn’t think I was the right support system for him. He kept saying that he felt so isolated because of COVID-19 and that there wasn’t anything he could really do for his mental health. We had our kids to raise to begin with, and he was just so withdrawn and upset. And it’s traumatic for him. The scab forms after every one of these murders for black folks happens, and it keeps happening and this wound just reopens. This time, something just erupted in him and I kept hearing, “I need a space”. I talked to him about setting up a memorial that was visible, and he liked the idea and so we just kind of ran with it.
How did you develop Solidarity Space?
Kate: I’m an artivist. I did the Statement of Love that’s over on the Odd Fellows Hall with a group of artists. For Solidarity Space, I made these portraits and set up a Facebook event that said that it was a space for the community, to mourn, to process, to have those tough conversations. If you’re white folks, it’s to talk about racism and what you can do to make a commitment. For the black folks in our community: this is your space to find community, to process, and to grieve. And while I can’t tell you that it’s what you need right now, I hope that at least it’s there for you.
Solidarity Space is such a collaborative effort. They’re so many people that have so many amazing ideas and prolific things to say. I couldn’t do it without them, and I’m literally just using my privilege to hold that space so that folks can do what they do.
How has the davis community responded to solidarity space so far?
Kate: So far, the community response has been huge. I had a few portraits and a few candles, and people came out in droves to bring signs, art, and candles. We lined a huge extension cord and use power from the Jewish fraternity that supports us. The first night we did it, a good 200 people came out. We had a group that wanted to do a candlelight vigil and we had an amazing die-in that was really impactful. A few community members and my husband actually spoke as well. We really just wanted to make a space that was authentic that was made for the people by the people. It’s been a huge collaborative, public process that has just grown from there, and it kind of evolves. We’ve had a person that was upset by this space and ripped it down, but we all just put it back up and made new art and signs. The space has been there since the end of May, so it’s been a long time, but we’ve had great support in trying to make it permanent.
Why did you choose to have solidarity space at central park?
Kate: I placed the space very purposefully. Central Park is a place where people are usually affluent, can spend money, and can hang out there with their families. And it has been a point of contention within the community where the Davis Farmers Market just doesn’t feel like its for everybody (people of color, unhoused folks, food insecure students— essentially people that don’t fit the rich family that goes to the Farmers Market). I grew up in that rich, white family, so my experience with the Farmers Market has been wonderful. However, after talking to people of color in the community, I’ve learned how they feel watched or even ignored there. I really wanted to be intentional in choosing the space. That’s why I didn’t ask for permission, and just took over.
Also lot of the public art in Davis is white centered and literal. You can only have so many bikes, frogs, and tomatoes. Ultimately, we’re trying to speak out and not have a filter in calling out our community for engaging in racist behavior and microaggressions. I’ve seen some people care more about their pets than they care about black people in the community, despite how liberal Davis claims to be. It’s all great to talk about supporting diversity, but when it really comes down to it, we have to have those sticky, hard, and sometimes triggering conversations. However, it should be noted that the arts and cultural department is doing a better job now of including projects from people of color or messages that talk about the spaces we are occupying right now.
What do you think needs to be done particularly in Davis as individuals to fight against racial injustice?
Sule: It’s more awareness and more education. And it sounds very basic, but we’re lacking that. I went to school here in the early 2000s, and there was a huge lack of diversity here in our school systems. I also spoke to a high school student who is an immigrant from a South African country, and he’s complaining that the lack of diversity is still prevalent. So I think we need to shake things up a bit in diversity within schools. I think the school system has a long way to go as far as educating and being uncomfortable with the truth.
Be uncomfortable with the truth. People are used to doing what it takes to stay comfortable. So until we can shake things up and make things uncomfortable, we will not progress. For me, it was very powerful to have people come out after the George Floyd killing because I have never seen that amount of support. It was great to not only get that support, but have people be mindful and active in wanting to change our system for the better permanently. We don’t have anything in the system that’s meant to last very long, we just have this occasional event that makes them look good.
How has the city council been responding to the Solidarity Space?
Kate: Honestly, they have been fantastic. I took over the space without asking for their permission, and a lot of the city council members have been going out to support the space. The Phoenix Coalition headed by our new mayor, Gloria Partida, has been super supportive. We also organized an event for pride in the space. Davis Phoenix Coalition and Bike Party Davis decided to do an event in solidarity with black lives for pride. Mak did an amazing speech in which they talked about the intersectionalities of anti-police, how pride started with a riot and how the folks in the LGTBQIA+ community who started these changes were black. It was really cool to see all the different kinds of support and solidarity with the different groups in this town within the space. We also have a summer camp, and it’s called Sol Summer Camp. It explores what defunding the police looks like, what abolition looks like, and teaching the children the truth in our history while also incorporating fun activities such as chalking and learning how to strike. It’s focus is on how to keep our kids engaged in these conversations and inspire them to be better than our generation.
How can we make sure that this movement isn’t just a trend?
Kate: I can only speak from my perspective as white woman, and I think as a white person, it’s our job to be in our own spaces and create change. We need to understand that the movement will be by black people for black people. We, as the white people, have created racism, and if we want change, it starts with educating ourselves. We have google and all these social media platforms where you can follow black people speaking out. It’s important to take this information, go back to your circles, and educate others. We should also talk about the microaggressions and really calling out the folks that we love in a way to expose them to how it’s not okay anymore. It’s also about donating and make lasting donations if you have the means.
Don’t let it just be a square on Instagram. Critically think about what you can do in your circles that is anti-racist learning and teaching. Be about it, and don’t think of it as a fad. Black liberation is not a fad. Don’t let it be something that’s going away, even if it does feel like its going away. Find your lane and find something you can actively change especially in your own community for black folks and do it. There’s got to be a commitment to changing up that white supremacist routine that we do. There’s always intersections and always ways to support the movement for freedom.
What can we do to help the fatigue for those that are super active in the movement to allow them to take that break?
Kate: If you see something that you think you have skills to support— if you are a graphic designer, have a huge social media following, money, or make succulent arrangements, use these skills. You don’t have to be an organizer, but you can find the skills that you have, the status that you may have, and contribute to a movement in that way. Figure out ways to support, but don’t be too reliant on people of color to educate you. Educate yourself and be ready to navigate and change if someone from that community calls you out on it.
DO you have Any advice for those starting their own organizations in the community?
Kate: It’s scary and may be something that you’re not completely comfortable with. Educate yourself and critically think before you jump into things. The best you can do is just try. And when I say try, I mean if you make a mistake and if something happens, brush yourself off and say that this is part of the journey. Surround yourself with people that have the knowledge. Have a vision, have a goal, and have something you can contribute to their lives if you’re gonna bring those folks in.
What are your future plans for Solidarity Space?
Kate: We’re figuring out the funding and permanence of the space. A lot of this is online, and we’re working to engage the community in supporting black artists and thinkers. Solidarity Space has turned into more than just a place to go. With COVID-19, we use our Facebook page and Instagram to share anti-racist information. We have amazing people that are sharing content online that you don’t usually see. Our curators are people of color, which is important to keep those messages authentic.
We’re also hoping International House will be a fiscal sponsor to support the work were doing now. And it’s for creating art that will be representative of Solidarity Space and fund the moving parts and content online for future events and Facebook, Instagram, social media for the folks that can’t physically get out to the space. It’s in the works, but we’re trying to make it a permanent art installation. Something that is not just signs and portraits on wood, because those are not permanent. We need to think outside the box. Right now, we have an interest to do a mosaic on that bottom part that includes a lot of the signs, messaging that has been documented from the space, portraits, as well as have some historical black excellence involved. It’s for black lives, and that’s been a big thing that I think the city is finally ready for.
