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Blair ImaniAmerican writer, historian and equality activist
Date of Birth: 31.10.1993
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Origin and Upbringing
- Education and Career
- Literary Contributions
- Activism in Baton Rouge
- Personal Journey
Origin and Upbringing
Imani Perry, an American author, historian, and activist, is a multifaceted individual who identifies as queer, Black, bisexual, and Muslim. She is a vocal advocate for Black Lives Matter and gained recognition for her protests following the shootings of Alton Sterling and the implementation of Executive Order 13769.
Education and Career
Perry graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2015. While studying at LSU in 2014, she founded Equality for HER (Health Education Resources). Equality for HER is a non-profit organization that provides resources and a platform for women and non-binary individuals to empower themselves. In 2016, she served as a press officer for Planned Parenthood Action Fund. She also worked as the Civic Action and Campaigns Manager at DoSomething, a youth and social change technology company.
Literary Contributions
Perry is the author of "Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Non-Binary People Rewriting History," published by Ten Speed Press in October 2018. The book, illustrated by Monica Lê, "highlights 70 ignored but important people of color, queer people, transgender people, disabled people, and so many more who are changing the world right now."
She also authored the illustrated history book "South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation," published in January 2020. Illustrated by Rachel Baker, the book discusses the Great Migration, the history of Black resistance, and "how privilege shows up even in the way we depict Black stories."
In September 2020, Perry launched an informative video series on Instagram Reels and TikTok called "Smarter In Seconds," addressing topics like consent, discrimination, and environmentalism.
Activism in Baton Rouge
On July 10, 2016, following the police shooting of Alton Sterling, Perry participated in a protest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During the protest, she and her partner, Akeem Muhammad, were arrested. In an interview with The Intercept, Perry detailed her encounter with Baton Rouge SWAT officers. She alleged that she was trampled and subjected to verbal threats. She was photographed screaming as SWAT officers carried her away. According to Perry, during her arrest, one officer ordered, "Really give it to her," while another officer physically removed her hijab.
Less than a week after her arrest, Perry helped organize a candlelight vigil with the Louisiana State University Student Government Association in response to and in honor of the killing of three Baton Rouge police officers. She stated in an op-ed for The Advocate, "All violence is wrong," and that she opposed any and all violence, including violence against police officers.
Personal Journey
After feeling uncomfortable in Christian churches, Perry found solace and converted to Islam in 2015. During the 2015 Black Lives Matter protests following the Chapel Hill shooting, Perry decided to connect with local mosques to advocate for both Black lives and Muslim rights and safety in America, which eventually led to her conversion. She said she was drawn to the Quran, which helped her strengthen her connection to God.
She changed her surname to Imani, explaining that "Imani means 'my faith,' and it's a Kwanzaa day, it's also a Swahili word, and it's an Arabic word, and I felt like that was reflective of my journey to Islam." A year after her conversion, she began wearing the hijab but briefly stopped wearing it after the 2016 presidential election as a safety precaution.
Perry came out as queer in June 2017, while appearing on "Tucker Carlson Tonight." During the segment, she was discussing marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, but was interrupted. The host, Tucker Carlson, stated, "You're not here to speak on behalf of these communities." Perry responded, "Well, Tucker Carlson, I am not only a Muslim, but I am a queer Black person." Her announcement was met with both positive and negative reactions, including death threats and messages of support. Following her coming out, she said she received support "from queer Muslims and young people all over the world" and found comfort in Muslim and queer representation featured in "Bold."
