Ar(c)tivism and Policing: Unveiling the Theatrics of Justice and Resistance in Nigeria’s S<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè Movement
The S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-fo...
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| author | Friday Gabriel Taiwo Afolabi |
| author_facet | Friday Gabriel Taiwo Afolabi |
| author_sort | Friday Gabriel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè movement, sparked by Nigeria’s 2020 #EndSARS protests, represents a pivotal stand against systemic injustice, with its Yoruba rallying cry “S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-sókè” (“Speak Up” or “Speak Louder”) capturing the collective demand to end police brutality, notably, by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). This study employs Digital Artivism as its theoretical lens to investigate the fusion of art and activism within the movement, analyzing how creative and performative expressions amplified its message and mobilized diverse populations. Applying Feldman’s Model of Art Criticism, it dissects the theatrical elements of selected protest artworks, revealing their role in inciting resistance and fostering solidarity in the pursuit of justice. By situating S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè within global discourses on art and social justice, this research underscores its significance as a model of artivism’s power to challenge oppressive systems and inspire collective action. The critique of these artworks illustrates their lasting influence on Nigeria’s socio-political landscape and their resonance with worldwide struggles against systemic violence and inequality. Highlighting the transformative potential of theatrical activism, this study advances understanding of how digital artivism can unite voices, elevate causes, and drive societal change. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c0abc05ab2934a34baacb440e4e77499 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-0752 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Arts |
| spelling | doaj-art-c0abc05ab2934a34baacb440e4e774992025-08-20T02:24:22ZengMDPI AGArts2076-07522025-04-011434610.3390/arts14030046Ar(c)tivism and Policing: Unveiling the Theatrics of Justice and Resistance in Nigeria’s S<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè MovementFriday Gabriel0Taiwo Afolabi1Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, CanadaCentre for Socially Engaged Theatre, University of Regina, Regina, SK S4S 0A2, CanadaThe S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè movement, sparked by Nigeria’s 2020 #EndSARS protests, represents a pivotal stand against systemic injustice, with its Yoruba rallying cry “S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-sókè” (“Speak Up” or “Speak Louder”) capturing the collective demand to end police brutality, notably, by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). This study employs Digital Artivism as its theoretical lens to investigate the fusion of art and activism within the movement, analyzing how creative and performative expressions amplified its message and mobilized diverse populations. Applying Feldman’s Model of Art Criticism, it dissects the theatrical elements of selected protest artworks, revealing their role in inciting resistance and fostering solidarity in the pursuit of justice. By situating S<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi>ọ</mi><mo>̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè within global discourses on art and social justice, this research underscores its significance as a model of artivism’s power to challenge oppressive systems and inspire collective action. The critique of these artworks illustrates their lasting influence on Nigeria’s socio-political landscape and their resonance with worldwide struggles against systemic violence and inequality. Highlighting the transformative potential of theatrical activism, this study advances understanding of how digital artivism can unite voices, elevate causes, and drive societal change.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/14/3/46social movementprotest artpolicingdigital artivismonline activismartistic resistance |
| spellingShingle | Friday Gabriel Taiwo Afolabi Ar(c)tivism and Policing: Unveiling the Theatrics of Justice and Resistance in Nigeria’s S<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè Movement Arts social movement protest art policing digital artivism online activism artistic resistance |
| title | Ar(c)tivism and Policing: Unveiling the Theatrics of Justice and Resistance in Nigeria’s S<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè Movement |
| title_full | Ar(c)tivism and Policing: Unveiling the Theatrics of Justice and Resistance in Nigeria’s S<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè Movement |
| title_fullStr | Ar(c)tivism and Policing: Unveiling the Theatrics of Justice and Resistance in Nigeria’s S<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè Movement |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ar(c)tivism and Policing: Unveiling the Theatrics of Justice and Resistance in Nigeria’s S<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè Movement |
| title_short | Ar(c)tivism and Policing: Unveiling the Theatrics of Justice and Resistance in Nigeria’s S<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>r<inline-formula><math display="inline"><semantics><mrow><mover><mi mathvariant="bold">ọ</mi><mo mathvariant="bold">̀</mo></mover></mrow></semantics></math></inline-formula>-Sókè Movement |
| title_sort | ar c tivism and policing unveiling the theatrics of justice and resistance in nigeria s s inline formula math display inline semantics mrow mover mi mathvariant bold o mi mo mathvariant bold ̀ mo mover mrow semantics math inline formula r inline formula math display inline semantics mrow mover mi mathvariant bold o mi mo mathvariant bold ̀ mo mover mrow semantics math inline formula soke movement |
| topic | social movement protest art policing digital artivism online activism artistic resistance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/14/3/46 |
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