Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 114

The 'Double-edged Sword' of Being a Black First

'Code Switch talks about Constance Baker Motley — a trailblazing civil rights judge who paved the way for many to come after her (including, perhaps, the next Supreme Court justice?) But, as we learned, Motley's life was full of contradictions, and her many achievements also came with many costs.'

Analog Players Society - Home In America (feat. Masta Ace)

'“What is Home?” is the enormous question legendary Brooklyn rapper Masta Ace poses on “Home in America”. In this music video by director Olise Forel, Masta Ace skillfully exposes through verse and animation the devastating multi-generational impact of systemic racism on Black Americans and proposes a “what-if?” counterfactual history of the January 6, 2021 Capitol Insurrection.'

Enslaved People Imagine Freedom and Beyond in Jabari Asim's 'Yonder'

'Author Jabari Asim's novel called Yonder follows a group of enslaved men and women who are forced to work on a plantation by day but dream together about freedom – and what's beyond the world they know – at night. Asim told NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer that he always writes with his ancestors looking over his shoulder: "I feel like I have a responsibility to honor that legacy of labor and sacrifice by doing the best I can and to take what it is that I do very seriously".'

Rep. Barbara Lee Isn't Done Speaking Truth to Power

'The documentary Barbara Lee: Speaking Truth to Power premiered on Starz. The film profiles Congresswoman Barbara Lee, representative for California’s 13th Congressional district, and her iconoclastic political career. Rep. Lee joined The Takeaway to speak about her life-long commitment to activism and the new film.'

Beyond Black History Month Podcast: The Legacy and Future of Black Comedy

'The history of black comedy, albeit complex, is both important and often overlooked. From the painful days of blackface to the storied styles of Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, and even Kevin Hart, black comedians have had an undeniable impact on humor as a whole. In this episode of  the Beyond Black History Month Podcast, listen as we unpack all the hurt and humor with both the assistance of stand-up comedienne Christiana Jackson and Dr. Mark Anthony Neal, the James B. Duke Professor of African & African-American at Duke University.'

Conversations in Atlantic Theory: Aram Goudsouzian and Charles McKinney on An Unseen Light: Black Struggles for Freedom in Memphis, Tennessee

'A discussion with Aram Goudsouzian, Professor of History at University of Memphis.Together, Goudsouzian and McKinney edited the 2018 collection An Unseen Light: Black Struggles for Freedom in Memphis, Tennessee, published by University of Kentucky Press, which we discuss in this podcast.'

The Silencing of Black & Queer Voices: George M. Johnson on 15-State Ban of “All Boys Aren’t Blue

'School districts and Republican-controlled state legislatures are rapidly intensifying efforts to ban certain books about race, colonialism, sex and gender identity from public classrooms and libraries. The wave of book bans — with more than 70 educational gag order bills being introduced in legislatures over the past month alone — have been largely led by right-wing groups funded by Charles Koch. Democracy Now! is joined by author George M. Johnson to talk about their award-winning memoir-manifesto All Boys Aren't Blue, which deals with homophobia, transphobia and racism and has been targeted for removal in at least 15 states. "Black storytelling has often been banned," says Johnson. "My book is a tool so that Black queer kids and LGBTQ teens can see themselves and read about themselves and learn about themselves." Johnson also says the bans have only given youth more access points to their book and argues the recent bills imposed by conservatives are "all about the fear of losing the control of the minds that they have had in this country since its early foundings".'

“Consecrate the Obscene… Condemn The Sacred” O'ahu Water Protectors on US Military, Water Contamination and Colonialism

'In this conversation Mikey Inouye and Shelley Muneoka discuss the crisis posed by the decrepit fuel tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, above the Pearl Harbor Naval Base. They sit just 100 feet above the aquifer which provides the water supply for the island of O’ahu, the most populous island in Hawaii. Just a few months ago, the drinking water of 93,000 residents was contaminated by fuel from these tanks, closing down two wells. Organizers and residents have fought to shut down Red Hill.'

Edge of Sports: Talking ’90s Knicks With Chris Herring

'On this episode of Edge of Sports, host Dave Zirin talks with to Chris Herring, New York Times best-selling author of Blood in the Garden: The Flagrant History of the 1990s New York Knicks. They talk about the interesting personalities on the team, Pat Riley’s decision to stick with John Starks during a crucial postseason stretch, and pose some probing hypothetical questions.'

Larry Irvin: A Program to Empower Black Teachers in the US

'TED Fellow and education innovator Larry Irvin envisions a world where every child can see themselves reflected in their teachers. With his team at Brothers Empowered to Teach, Irvin is providing pathways to careers in education for Black men, who currently make up less than three percent of all teachers in the US -- offering training, personal and professional development and job placement. He shares how their holistic, people-centered approach is changing education.'