In August 2014, following the fatal shooting death of Michael Brown by a
white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, DeRay Mckesson took to the streets in
protest of police violence. He joined up with what went on to become the Black Lives
Matter movement. Since then, Mckesson - with his signature blue vest - became one of
the most recognizable faces of the growing movement against police brutality. He is
now a formidable civil rights activist, community organizer, and the host of Crooked
Media’s podcast Pod Save the People.
His first book, “On the Other Side of Freedom” is a timely exploration of social
justice, race, and politics, delivered by someone with an insider's point of view.
Jill Hopkins spoke with DeRay on The Morning AMp about his book, his views on hope
and fighting for a better world, the importance of storytelling in activism, as well
as activism "from the inside."