Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 420

When The 'White Tears' Just Keep Coming

'The phrase "White Tears" is meant as a gentle poke at White people who take offense at minor threats to their privilege. "Sometimes it feels good just to make fun of racism and of racists,"  humorist Damon Young says.' -- Code Switch

Regina King on Deciding to Work With Barry Jenkins on 'If Beale Street Could Talk'

'Regina King joins Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter to talk about her decision to work on 'If Beale Street Could Talk,' praise for director Barry Jenkins, and more.'

Left of Black: S9:E7: A Conversation with Fred Moten

Left of Black host Mark Anthony Neal is joined in the studio by Fred Moten, a Professor in the Department of Performance Studies at Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Professor Moten’s latest publications consent not to be a single being trilogy – Black and Blur, Stolen Life, and The Universal Machine – were published by Duke University Press.

'The Window' Showcases The Wide-Ranging Talent Of Singer Cécile McLorin Salvant

'Cécile McLorin Salvant's powerful voice takes center state on her new album, a duo with pianist Sullivan Fortner. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says the music on The Window is riveting.' -- Fresh Air

Ingrid LaFleur | From the Drexicya to Mars: An Interplanetary Water Mission

'With "From the Drexicya to Mars: An Interplanetary Water Mission," Ingrid Lafleur presented a multi-dimensional approach to one of the most important natural resources for humans, water. With Afrofuturism as guide Drexicya, Detroit, and Mars become portals through which to explore the historical and spiritual manifestations of water. How can the cultural movement Afrofuturism disrupt the capitalist narrative and extraction of water and heal our relationship with this life-giving substance?' -- Duke Franklin Humanities Institute

Leland Melvin: How I Overcame Disability to Become a NASA Astronaut

'Leland Melvin was told he'd never be an astronaut after he lost all his hearing. He got a chance to fly to space and honor the legacy of his friends after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Melvin worked on building the space station in an "amazing transformation" from the lowest point in his life.' --Big Think

Black Thought -- "Conception" feat. Reek Ruffin (Official Music Video)

Official music video for Black Thought's "Conception" featuring Reek Ruffin,  from Streams Of Thought Vol. 2.

Rick James & Prince -- Tales from the Tour Bus

New Biography Reveals The Life And Legacy Of Saxophonist Dexter Gordon

'Dexter Gordon started out as a bebop prodigy in the 1940s, and went on to star in the 1986 film 'Round Midnight. Maxine Gordon captures her late husband's voice and music in the book Sophisticated Giant.' -- Fresh Air

Expropriation, Exploitation, and the Neoliberal Racial Order

'In the first episode of Season 3 of #NewDawn, Nancy Fraser, Henry A. & Louise Loeb Professor of Political and Social Science at The New School, joins Michael Dawson in a moderated discussion on race, expropriation, and exploitation led by lawyer and doctoral student Mayra Cotta.'