Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 108

Robert Smalls: The Enslaved Black Man Who Became a Civil War Hero

'Charleston Harbour, South Carolina, 1862. A man named Robert Smalls is staging a daring escape from slavery. Smalls had been forced to work as pilot on a prized confederate navy ship called the CSS Plater. That night, all of the white officers on the ship had decided to spend the night on shore with their families. This created an enticing and dangerous opportunity for escape. This daring plan not only turned Robert Smalls into a Civil War hero, but also set him on a path to becoming one of America's first African American politicians, whose influence can still be felt today.'

How NYC Mayor Eric Adams's Criticism of Drill Rap Echoes Past Attacks on Hip Hop

'Following the killings of New York City based rappers Chii Wvttz and TDott Woo, Mayor Eric Adams said he was going to meet with social media companies to discuss removing drill rap videos featuring “guns” and “violence.” Members of the drill scene and fans of the genre have criticized Adams for looking at drill as the problem, rather than the much more systemic issues that lead to gun violence. Mayor Adams has since met with several drill rappers in an attempt to focus on potential solutions but his initial criticism is reminiscent of a long line of attempts by politicians to criminalize rap rather than understand it. The Takeaway speaks with Michael Jeffries, dean of academic affairs and professor of American Studies at Wellesley College and also author of “Thug Life: Race, Gender, and the Meaning of Hip-Hop,” about the history of political attacks on hip hop.'

A New Documentary on the Life of Jazz Pianist Oscar Peterson

'A new documentary shines a light on a virtuosic jazz pianist and beloved Canadian. "Oscar Peterson: Black + White" features archival footage alongside tribute performances and interviews with admirers like Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel, Ramsey Lewis, and Jon Batiste. Director Barry Avrich and producer Mark Selby join All Of It to discuss.'

ew World Coming: Afro-Venezuelans In The Bolivarian Process

'For this episode of New World Coming, James Counts Early is joined by historian, activist, and former diplomat, Jesus “Chucho” Garcia to discuss the complexities of the state, social and civil organizations, and the people working together to deepen the principles of the Bolivarian Revolution. They also discuss the power relations of developing democracy, the struggle for reparations in Latin America, and his career work of studying African history. Jesus “Chucho” Garcia is the founder of Fundación AfroAmérica Y Diáspora Africana and former Venezuelan Ambassador to Angola.'

When the Government Tried—and Failed—to Silence Catwoman

'In the documentary Catwoman vs. the White House, the director Scott Calonico brings to life a time when the actress Eartha Kitt was retaliated against by President Lyndon B. Johnson—but persisted in spite of it.'

BOOK TALK: The History of Black Studies with Abdul Alkalimat

'The People's Forum NYC hosted a book talk on The History of Black Studies with author Abdul Alkalimat. In this book, Black Studies founder and movement veteran Abdul Alkalimat offers a comprehensive history of the discipline that examines Black Studies as intellectual history; as social movement; and as academic profession. The book also demonstrates how Black people themselves established the field long before its institutionalization in university programs. At its heart, Black Studies is profoundly political. Black Power, the New Communist Movement, the Black women’s and students’ movements – each step in the journey for Black liberation influenced and was influenced by this revolutionary discipline. Abdul will be joined in-conversation by Bill Sales, Rosemari Mealy, and Sam Anderson.'

Meet the Makers: Finding Your Voice Through Fannie Lou Hamer

'Fannie Lou Hamer’s legacy of activism lives on. So what can young activists learn from her? In a Meet the Makers panel, Aunjanue Ellis, Oscar®-nominated actress & activist; Dr. Keisha N. Blain, historian & author of Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer's Enduring Message to America; and the makers of Fannie Lou Hamer's America - Monica Land, executive producer & Mrs. Hamer's great-niece, and director & editor Joy Davenport - discuss Hamer's influence and impact in today's society. Moderated by Erika Dilday, executive producer of America ReFramed.'

Brendan Slocumb on Racism in the World of Classical Music

'Can an author write a novel about a classical musician and get all the details right? And can he make that world the backdrop for a gripping contemporary thriller? If the author is Brendan Slocumb, then the answer is a resounding yes. In this episode of Book Dreams, Brendan joins Eve and Julie to talk about his debut novel, The Violin Conspiracy, about a concert violinist whose Stradivarius is stolen while he's preparing for one of the most important classical music competitions in the world. A concert violinist himself, as well as a novelist, Brendan describes how his instrument feels “like a piece of my soul,” the joy and discipline of lifelong practice, teachers like the J.K. Simmons character in the movie Whiplash, and what it felt like when his own violin was stolen. Brendan also discusses his experience with racism in the classical music world. As he says in his book, “Here's what you do if you're a Black guy, trying to make it work in an unfamiliar world, you just put your head down and you do the work. You do twice as much work as the white guy sitting next to you. And you do it twice as often, and you get half as far, but you do it. … And all of those extra hours of practice, they build themselves into the marrow of your bones. They electrify the nerve endings on the tips of your fingers until they become habit”.'

Nishani Frazier: The Making and Unmaking of One America

'At this Wednesdays at the Center talk at Duke University, Professor Nishani Frazier, Associate Professor of History and American Studies at the University of Kansas,  spoke about the flaws and fallout of President's Initiative on Race, launched by Bill Clinton in 1997. The initiative, titled One America, promised to "help educate Americans about the facts surrounding issues of race, to promote a dialogue in every community of the land to confront and work through these issues, to recruit and encourage leadership at all levels to help breach racial divides, and to find, develop and recommend how to implement concrete solutions to our problems -- solutions that will involve all of us in government, business, communities, and as individual citizens.  Professor Frazier focuses on the President's Initiative on Race, to learn all the lessons it has to teach. In what way can America retool PIR to force a reckoning with American politics and history.'

Anxiety and Depression Among Kids of Color Surging During Pandemic, New Study Shows

'As the pandemic heads into year three, we're finding out more about the toll it's taking on mental health. We look at how it's affecting children, and more specifically, children of color. One new study out of Boston reveals a surge in depression and anxiety in Black and Brown kids between the ages of 5 and 11. The study by a team at Boston Medical Center is published in the journal "Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health," and lead author Andrea Spencer joins Here & Now host Scott Tong to discuss the findings.'