As part of QCC’s Sankofa Lecture Series, historian and author Dr. Stefan Bradley visited QCC last month to discuss his book If We Don’t Get It: A People’s History of Ferguson, which centers the voices most often left out of traditional historical narratives. Bradley is a nationally recognized scholar whose work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, and more.
“I wanted to write about the people who normally wouldn’t make it into the history books,” Bradley explained, focusing on organizers, young people, and everyday residents who shaped the movement following the killing of Michael Brown in 2014.
Researching Ferguson required new methods for Bradley. Rather than relying solely on traditional archives, he analyzed thousands of social media posts, calling platforms like Twitter and Facebook a new, evolving archive that allowed low-income communities and young people to speak for themselves. He emphasized how this technology galvanized collective action and brought people into the streets.
Bradley challenged how events like Ferguson are framed, pushing back against the term “riot” and urging audiences to focus on the conditions that lead to an uprising of discontent people.
He also noted that the media didn't cover the organization of local citizens. Bradley's research found that many protesters who were previously disengaged from politics learned how power works and moved from protest to participation, running for office and shaping policy.
“Never underestimate your own power,” Bradley told attendees, underscoring the role of education, community, and collective action in strengthening democracy, even when it is imperfect. "Learning and understanding about how power and systems work is important."