Our #MCM today is Charles Mudede, a prominent Zimbabwean-American writer, filmmaker, and cultural critic known for his left-wing perspectives. Born on February 8, 1969, in Kwekwe, Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, Mudede spent much of his early years in the United States before returning to Zimbabwe after the country gained independence. His parents, Tracy and Ebenezer Mudede, were both academics and economists who worked in Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Mudede moved back to the US in 1989 to pursue studies in literature, art history, and political philosophy. His parents later joined him in the US for medical reasons in 2002. The Mudede family has historical ties to Bishop Abel Tendekayi Muzorewa, the former prime minister of Zimbabwe Rhodesia.
Currently, Mudede serves as an Associate Editor for The Stranger, a Seattle-based weekly publication, and teaches at Cornish College of the Arts. He gained recognition for his column “Police Beat,” which was adapted into a film that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2005. Mudede has also collaborated on various film projects, including “Thin Skin” in 2019, which he directed and co-wrote.
In addition to his work in journalism and filmmaking, Mudede is a member of the now-defunct Seattle Research Institute, a Marxist group that published works on political theory. He has also contributed essays to publications such as The New York Times, The Village Voice, and LA Weekly, covering topics ranging from hip hop culture to architectural theory.
Mudede’s diverse body of work reflects his intellectual curiosity and commitment to exploring social and political issues through different mediums. His contributions to film, literature, and cultural criticism have established him as a thought-provoking voice in contemporary discourse.
