A review by moonyreadsbystarlight
It Did Happen Here: An Antifascist People's History by Alec Dunn, Moe Bowstern, Erin Yanke, Julie Perini, Mic Crenshaw, Celina Flores

hopeful

5.0

I have a huge soft spot for oral histories -- and have recently seen some really great and some not as successful ways people have put them together. It Did Happen Here is definitely the former! I've spent the bulk of my reading time this month focused on this and I'm really glad I did.

This is a history of antifascist activism in Portland, largely focused on subculture in the 1980's and 90's. This is full of input from people across these scenes at various points during this time. The chapters each focus on a different event, group, or issue that was big during its time including the murder of Mulugeta Seraw, outside communities organizing with Portland, and individual groups like Skinheads Against Racism and the Coalition for Human Dignity.

Going in, I had a vauge idea that Oregon had a racist past, but didn’t fully understand how intense it was in recent history. I had a much better understanding of racism and the radical right of the South, but clearly (as the title suggests) it definitely did happen here as well. It was really enlightening to see how people did react to that and seeing the reflection of what worked and what retrospectively was really missing. 

This is absolutely a book that remains relevent, especially with the political turmoil of today. The insights on organizing here is vital and can be translated in so many other areas and types of groups. 

This was a fascinating and well-done book. And to make things better, they have all of the interviews in full on a podcast! So, I have something to listen to as well that can add to what they were able to include here. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings