Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 439

From Attica to South Carolina: Heather Ann Thompson on the Roots of the Nationwide Prison Strike

'Prisoners in at least 17 states are expected to strike on August 21st in a mass mobilization demanding improved living conditions, sentencing reform, the right to vote and the end of “prison slave labor.” The weeks-long strike begins on the 47th anniversary of the killing of Black Panther George Jackson, who was shot and killed by guards during an escape attempt from San Quentin prison. It will end on September 9, the 47th anniversary of the deadly Attica prison uprising. Democracy Now! speaks with Heather Ann Thompson, American historian, author and activist. She is the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book Blood in the Water: The Attica Prison Uprising of 1971 and Its Legacy. She is a professor of history at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Also joined by prison strike organizers Amani Sawari and Cole Dorsey.'

Story+: The 'Left of Black' School Enrichment Project

For the summer 2018 edition of Story +, Left of Black enlisted the aid of graduate mentors and undergraduate students to create an online curriculum for high school students. As it approaches its 10th year, the Left of Black weekly webcast continues to grow and older episodes see less circulation. The team mined and re-engineered these conversations into lesson plans to make Black Studies more public facing and accessible to students with The Left of Black School Enrichment Project .

Angela Davis: Aretha Franklin Offered to Post Bail for Me, Saying “Black People Will Be Free”

'In 1970, Aretha Franklin offered to post bail for Angela Davis, who was jailed on trumped-up charges. Aretha Franklin told Jet magazine in 1970, “My daddy says I don’t know what I’m doing. Well, I respect him, of course, but I’m going to stick by my beliefs. Angela Davis must go free. Black people will be free. Amy Goodman of Democracy Now speak with activist and scholar Angela Davis about what Aretha Franklin meant to her.'

The Cipher (Episode 243): Joan Morgan on the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

'Joan Morgan is a writer who got her start in the 1990s, helping to create what came to be known as “hip-hop journalism” with her articles at places like Vibe and the Village Voice. Whether she was writing about the Mike Tyson trial, profiling TLC, or investigating the sex trade in Jamaica, Morgan brought her keen, Bronx-raised sensibility to everything she touched. Morgan pioneered hip-hop feminism—and came up with the phrase “black girl magic,” to boot—in her classic 1999 book When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist Breaks It Down . Now she has a brand new book, a reflection on Ms. Lauryn Hill’s classic debut album. It’s called She Begat This: 20 Years of the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill .' -- The Cipher with Shawn Setaro

The Cipher (Episode 243): Joan on the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

'Joan Morgan is a writer who got her start in the 1990s, helping to create what came to be known as “hip-hop journalism” with her articles at places like Vibe and the Village Voice. Whether she was writing about the Mike Tyson trial, profiling TLC, or investigating the sex trade in Jamaica, Morgan brought her keen, Bronx-raised sensibility to everything she touched. Morgan pioneered hip-hop feminism—and came up with the phrase “black girl magic,” to boot—in her classic 1999 book When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost: A Hip-Hop Feminist Breaks It Down . Now she has a brand new book, a reflection on Ms. Lauryn Hill’s classic debut album. It’s called She Begat This: 20 Years of the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill .' -- The Cipher with Shawn Setaro

Why the U.S. Should Provide Universal Basic Income

'America is the richest civilization in history. Why, then, are our living standards so low compared to those of other wealthy democracies? “There’s a big idea out there that could help solve this,” says The Atlantic writer Annie Lowrey. “It’s called a universal basic income.” In a new animated video, Lowrey argues that UBI—a concept that has existed for more than 500 years—would help close the income inequality gap, eliminating poverty and increasing mobility and opportunity for all American citizens.'

Identifying as Haitian and Afro-Latinx

Ayanna Jessica Legros and Wanda Tima discuss the challenges of identifying as Haitian and Afro-Latinx. 

 

"White Progressives cause the most daily damage to people of color": Robin DiAngelo On White People's 'Fragility'

'NPR's Jennifer Ludden talks to author Robin DiAngelo about her latest book, White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism.' -- Weekend Edition Saturday

"White Progresives cause the most daily damage to people of color": Robin DiAngelo On White People's 'Fragility'

'NPR's Jennifer Ludden talks to author Robin DiAngelo about her latest book, White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism.' -- Weekend Edition Saturday

A Ride Through Oakland with 'Sorry to Bother You' Director Boots Riley

'Take a ride through Oakland with Boots Riley, frontman of the politically-charged hip-hop group The Coup, as he reflects on his music, his future, and his relentless revolt against capitalism. Riley is director of the critically acclaimed film, Sorry to Bother You. Clip is part of The Boombox Collection, a shorts series featuring pioneers of hip-hop. Directed by Mohammad Gorjestani. Produced by Malcolm Pullinger.' -- Truly CA