Chaperoning freedom: histopoetics, #hashtag activism, and the ongoing struggle for liberation

This paper explores the intersections of historical and contemporary struggles for Black freedom in the United States through the construct of chaperoning freedom. By demonstrating how Black freedoms have been historically disciplined, the author uses Black feminist autoethnography, and histopoetics, to navigate the tension between past injustices and present-day political policies. By revisiting landmark legal cases and examining contemporary legislative measures, the author highlights the persistent and evolving nature of systemic racism and its impact on marginalized communities. This paper underscores an urgency in understanding freedom, proposing that these narratives serve as a bridge to more equitable futures.