Tom Weiner and Dr. Amilcar Shabazz begin their presentation with an explanation of the title, the motivation for writing the book, and our partnership’s origins. The talk focuses on several abolitionists – white and Black, male and female – who epitomize the spirit of DEFIANCE.

Throughout, we seek to make connections to the current repression and the need for on-going defiance to withstand the onslaught to our rights being abridged and denied. For example, there are forty-four states with legislation – either pending or passed – to prevent “divisiveness”, stifle speech and whitewash history. Our Abolitionists sought to do the very opposite. We emphasize the need to honor and celebrate their accomplishments as well as the courage and determination their efforts required. Our goal is to inform and to inspire.

Tom Weiner is a Northampton-based writer, educator, and anti-racism activist who taught for 40 years at Smith College Campus School and co-facilitated workshops on
developing healthy boys. He also initiated efforts for a Reparations Commission in
Northampton, MA.

Dr. Amilcar Shabazz is a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and
former president of the National Council for Black Studies. A renowned scholar and
commentator, he has worked internationally and guided Amherst’s African Heritage Reparations Assembly in establishing one of the U.S.’s first funded reparative justice processes.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Registration for ZOOM meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eZUtaZBLQdinoQvuFZ51Fw#/registration