The Stream

What’s the global impact of the #RhodesMustFall movement?

In part two of this special show, the cast of “The Fall” discuss how the movement resonated with marginalised people worldwide.

On Thursday, 22 November at 19:30 GMT:

In March of 2015, students at the University of Cape Town launched #RhodesMustFall, a movement that not only brought down a statue but sparked a global campaign to “decolonise” education. They also hoped to start a broader discussion on how universities can better reflect a diverse student body.

 

Three years on, eight students who participated in the movement are sharing that experience with theatre audiences around the world. “The Fall” charts their experiences of activism while also tackling themes of race, class, gender and power.

 

The #RhodesMustFall movement was fueled by unrest in other parts of the world  and in turn impassioned and motivated marginalised people worldwide to push against injustice. “I hear the cameras buzz. I hear Eric Garner across the Atlantic,” a pivotal line in the play gives us that example. Garner was an African-American man killed by police in New York in 2014. His last words, “I can’t breathe” became a rallying cry seeking justice for his death.

 

In part two of our two-part series, the cast of “The Fall” discusses the global impact of not just the movement but the play as well.

 

Read more:

Why South African Students Say The Statue Of Rhodes Must Fall – NPR

Fight, prevail, repeat: a review of ‘The Fall’ – CGTN

 

What do you think? Record a video comment or leave your thoughts in the comments below.