Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 314

Delroy Lindo on Starring in Spike Lee's 'Da 5 Bloods' and Engaging with Today's Racial Justice Uprising

'Spike Lee’s new Netflix film, Da 5 Bloods, follows a group of Black Vietnam War veterans who return to present-day Vietnam to find the body of their Squad Leader, Stormin Norm, who died in combat. Through archival clips and flashbacks, the film highlights the complicated position that many Black soldiers found themselves in during the Vietnam War, fighting for a cause they didn’t necessarily believe in, on the side of a country that frequently disrespected them. Returning to Vietnam brings back some uncomfortable memories for all of the characters, particularly Paul, played by actor Delroy Lindo. The Takeaway spoke with Lindo about the film, as well as how he’s engaging with today’s racial justice uprising.' 

Music and Vision: Leon Bridges—"Sweeter" feat Terrace Martin

Official visuals for "Sweeter" by Leon Bridges featuring Terrace Martin. 

Jaki Shelton Green — "Oh My Brother"

With George Floyd as muse, Jaki Shelton Green offers a tribute to Black lives, befitting the master poet that she is.  "Oh My Brother" is featured on her new recording The River Speaks of Thirst.

40 Acres And A Mule: How Post Civil War Policy Kicked Off Racial Wealth Inequality

'The destruction of Black property, combined with policies designed to keep Black Americans behind their white counterparts, resulted in the racial wealth gap this country is still facing today, says William Darity, a professor of public policy, African and African American studies and economics, and director of the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University. This is attributed to the economic racial divide that was kicked off after the Civil War, Darity says, when Black Americans who were formerly enslaved were promised 40 acres of land and a mule. But the vast majority didn’t get the land they were promised.' -- Here & Now

Music and Vision: "Oh, What a Beautiful City"—Dr. Guy's Musiqology featuring Bridget Ramsey

Music and vision for "Oh, What a Beautiful City" from Dr. Guy's Musiqology's latest recording A Spiritual Vibe, Vol. 1. The song features vocals from Bridget Ramsey.

Alicia Keys: Tiny Desk Concert

'The pop superstar Alicia Keys premiered a new song, "Gramercy Park," and revisited a classic during her Tiny Desk performance.'

Spike Lee: Black People Have 'Been Fighting For This Country From Day One'

'Spike Lee's film, Da 5 Bloods, follows four black veterans who go back to present day Vietnam to bring home the remains of their beloved former squad leader who was killed in combat.' -- Morning Edition 

Gabrielle Union is Raising Black Daughters and Learning As She Goes

'Gabrielle Union is a force. But before she became an actress, activist, and businesswoman, Gabrielle was a Black girl from Omaha trying to find Black community, belonging, and love in a largely white suburb in California. After years of difficult relationships and trying to fit the standards other people had set for her, she finally feels like she’s come into her own. And now, she's trying to instill that confidence in her daughters. That requires "being super conscious," she tells host Rebecca Carroll, and "really questioning every single thing that we've been taught about skin color and body type." It's all a work-in-progress.' -- WNYC Studios





 

How A White Woman Named Grace Halsell 'Became Black' In 'Soul Sister'

'There's a long tradition of white people trying to understand what it would be like to step into black people's shoes. But the journalist Grace Halsell went one step further: She attempted to step into black people's skin. Code Switch spoke to  professors—Alisha Gaines and Robin D. G. Kelley—who have spent a lot of time thinking about Halsell's experiment. Gaines is an English professor at Florida State University and author of Black for a Day: White Fantasies of Race and Empathy. Kelley is an American history professor at UCLA and author of a forthcoming biography of Halsell. Gaines and Kelley talked to us about Grace Halsell, the ideas she came to about blackness, and why empathy alone is an incomplete tool for achieving racial justice.'

Delroy Lindo: I Think Of 'Da 5 Bloods' As 'A Love Story'

'Da 5 Bloods, Spike Lee's new film, follows five friends who shed blood, sweat, and tears together in the 1st Infantry Division during the Vietnam War — and who return, after 50 years, to bring home the body of a fallen friend, and perhaps a treasure buried with him.  Actor Delroy Lindo stars in Da 5 Bloods. He says it was a tough film to make. "When we wrapped in Saigon. I was aware of being quite fatigued emotionally, psychologically, somewhat physically, but I was not necessarily aware of that while we were filming".' -- Weekend Edition Saturday