Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 444

What We Know of as Flesh: Black and Trans Identity in an Age of Exclusion

'Historian C. Riley Snorton explores the political dimensions of Black and trans identity - as twin subjects to the violence and dispossession of capitalism, as an intersecting lens to see beyond the rigid social hierarchies of White supremacy, and as a challenge to the way we understand ourselves, our genders, and one another. Snorton is author of the book Black on Both Sides: A Racial History of Trans Identity from University of Minnesota Press.' -- This is Hell! Radio

Screen Test: Letitia Wright on Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, and 'Family Matters'

'In this Screen Tests interview, British-Guyanese actress Letitia Wright talks about how she got the role of Shuri in Black Panther, falling in love with Chadwick Boseman, the power of 'Wakanda Forever', her first big break as Chantelle in Top Boy (which she compares to The Wire), her favorite TV shows, her favorite toy, the struggle of leaving her friends and family behind in London for America, and her secret skill.'

The Burden of Bail on Women of Color

"We have every right to be angry about a system that is predatory, a system that is coming for us and forcing us to choose between staying connected to our family and giving up the money that we work hard for." -- Jezebel

Barbara-Shae Jackson: The Color Line -- Black and White Aesthetic Values

'Do we all see art the same way? Have you ever considered not only how your race and culture are portrayed in art, but also the lens through which you perceive it? Barbara-Shae Jackson shares her experiences and research on aesthetic values among different races. Jackson is an accomplished writer and poet who was born in Montgomery, AL and spent her formative years, as a military child, in Naples, Italy.' -- TEDxTuscaloosa

Olympic Swimmer Simone Manuel On Breaking The Stereotype That Minorities Can’t Swim

'Sugar Land’s Simone Manuel capped off her collegiate swimming career by being named the 2018 Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Houston Matters producer Abner Fletcher talked with her about her career and her mission to encourage more minorities to take up competitive swimming.'

After the Storm: Marking 120 Years Since the U.S. Invasion of Puerto Rico

'To mark 120 years since the invasion of Puerto Rico by the United States army and navy, Esmeralda Santiago , author of When I was Puerto Rican, and Conquistadora, decided to write an essay documenting the invasion and its ongoing legacy. Santiago joined Tanzina Vega of The Takeaway to discuss her essay.'

Rhiannon Giddens: Songs That Bring History to Life

'Rhiannon Giddens pours the emotional weight of American history into her music. Listen as she performs traditional folk ballads — including "Waterboy," "Up Above My Head," and "Lonesome Road" by Sister Rosetta Tharp — and one glorious original song, "Come Love Come," inspired by Civil War-era slave narratives.' -- TED

Schomburg Center Purchases "Lost" Malcolm X Chapters

'Lost portions of The Autobiography of Malcolm X have found a new home in Harlem. The long rumored missing writings, along with a 241- page manuscript of the book, was acquired by The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The manuscript provides a window into the working relationship between Malcolm X and co-author Alex Haley. Schomburg Center director Kevin Young spoke with WNYC's Jami Floyd about "The Negro," a lost chapter from The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which unpacks how African Americans mentally navigate the complexities of American society.' -- WNYC News
         
        

What Happens When Black Athletes Stand Up: A Conversation with Howard Bryant

'Journalist Howard Bryant explores the protest politics of Black athletes in America - as a historical committment of the country's highest profile Black workers towards the communities that raised them, and the subject of intense backlash from an ownership class pushing sports, and culture at large, towards unquestioning authoritarianism. Bryant is the author of The Heritage: Black Athletes, a Divided America, and the Politics of Patriotism from Beacon Press.' -- This is Hell!

Ibtihaj Muhammad Discusses Her New Book "Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream

'Ibtihaj Muhammad's path to Olympic greatness has been marked with opposition and near-debilitating challenges because of her race, religion, and gender. As the only woman of color and the only religious minority on the U.S. women's saber team, once again Ibtihaj had to push past stereotypes, misconceptions, and negativity to find her own path to success and Olympic glory. Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream is the inspiring story of how Ibtihaj rose above it all with grace and compassion. She provides an unflinching and honest portrayal of how she managed to stay true to herself and still play by the rules.' -- BUILD Series