Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 470

Soul of a Nation at Crystal Bridges: The Legacy of AfriCOBRA

'Founding AfriCOBRA artists Jae Jarrell, Wadsworth Jarrell, Carolyn Lawrence, and Gerald Williams discuss the formation of the 1968 artist collective in Chicago, share their artistic philosophy of the Black aesthetic, and talk about the artworks included in the exhibition. Moderated by Romi Crawford.' -- Crystal Bridges

Historian Ashley D. Farmer on Women and the Work of building Black Power

'Historian Ashley D. Farmer examines the radical work of women in the Black Power movement - as a multigenerational effort to redefine and reclaim Blackness, and as a challenge to Eurocentric gender politics, imperialism and the supremacy of capital, within Black political movements, and across society at large. Farmer is author of Remaking Black Power: How Black Women Transformed an Era from UNC Press.

Why Athlete Activists Matter: A Conversation with 10-Year NBA Veteran Etan Thomas

On this episode of Edge of Sports with Dave Zirin, 10 year NBA veteran Etan Thomas discusses his new book We Matter: Athletes and Activism.

The FBI's New Identity Weapon is Aimed Straight at Black Activists

'Journalist Candice Bernd explains how the FBI's use of the "Black Identity Extremist" classification is being used to monitor and prosecute Black activists involved with self-defense and anti-police movements, starting with surveillance triggered by First Amendment protected speech, and echoing the racial and political bias of COINTELPRO. Bernd wrote the article "As Case Against So-Called "Black Identity Extremist" Proceeds, Emails Reveal Dallas FBI's Surveillance of First Amendment Activity" for Truthout.

In Junot Diaz's 'Islandborn,' A Curious Child Re-Creates Her Dominican Roots

'The Pulitzer Prize-winning Junot Diaz's new children's book follows Lola, a young Dominican-American who is "haunted by the fact that she was born on an island that she can't remember.' -- NPR

'Public Art Fund Talks' at The New School: Yinka Shonibare MBE

'Yinka Shonibare’s work explores race, class, cultural identity, and colonialism, primarily through use of brightly colored “African” batik fabric. The British-Nigerian artist has utilized these patterns in many forms and mediums to mine their history and associations with the European colonization of West Africa, and to question the meaning of cultural and national definitions. Shonibare’s talk at The New School accompanies Public Art Fund’s upcoming exhibition, Wind Sculpture (SG) I, a new sculpture commissioned for Doris C. Freedman Plaza at the southeast entrance to Central Park.' -- The New School

Tiny Desk Concert: Jamila Woods

'Singer, songwriter, poet, educator and community organizer Jamila Woods is also a freedom fighter: a voice that celebrates black ancestry, black feminism and black identity. "Look at what they did to my sisters last century, last week," goes a line from "Blk Girl Soldier," her powerful opening number at the Tiny Desk.' -- Suraya Mohamed

Soul of a Nation at Crystal Bridges: Artists Betye Saar and Alison Saar in Conversation

'In this conversation, artist Betye Saar discusses her life, work, and legacy with her daughter, artist Alison Saar. The discussion spotlights Saar’s works included in the show, such as The Liberation of Aunt Jemima, as well as touch on the relationship of mother and daughter artists and two generations of work.' -- Crystal Bridges

TimesTalks | Patrisse Cullors and Angela Davis in Conversation with Melissa Harris-Perry

'Join Patrisse Khan-Cullors, artist, freedom fighter and Co-Founder of Black Lives Matter, and Angela Davis, world-renowned activist, academic, and author, for an important and timely conversation about survival, strength, and seeking justice for those victimized by the powerful with Melissa Harris-Perry, professor, television host, political commentator and contributing writer for The New York Times. In honor of Black History Month, and the release of Cullors' latest book "When They Call You a Terrorist, A Black Lives Matter Memoir," they will discuss the continuing violence and racial uprisings currently plaguing our country, how we change the culture that declares innocent black life expendable, and how protest in the interest of the most vulnerable comes from love. In collaboration with Kaufman Music Center.'

Tomi Adeyemi's 'Children of Blood and Bone': The New Fantasy Series Taking the Book World by Storm

'Children of Blood and Bone is the new novel taking the book world by storm. The young adult fantasy features a cast of all black characters who journey on an epic adventure to restore magic to their African land.  It is the first in a series of young adult books by up-and-coming Nigerian-American author Tomi Adeyemi . At 24 years old, she obtained a whopping six figure advance for her West African-inspired story, which draws on the modern day parallels of police brutality and empowerment of women and girls, and dissects them in the fantasy world of "Orisha."' -- The Takeaway