Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 68

Into America: “The Sun Rises in The East”

'In 1969, a group of young Black educators and students in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn founded a pan-African organization called The East. They wanted to take control of their community but knew the only way to do that was to create businesses and institutions founded by, run by, and made for them.  The East became a mecca of Black pride and celebration. They created schools centered around African teachings, a food cooperative, a publishing house, music and dance programs, and a world-famous jazz club. Even though the organization no longer exists, many can still feel the spirit of The Eastin Central Brooklyn today. So, when Black-Owned Brooklyn founders, Tayo Giwa and Cynthia Gordy Giwa heard about The East through word of mouth at Brooklyn’s Annual African Arts Festival, they knew it was a story that needed to be told to the masses. On this episode of Into America, host Trymaine Lee speaks with Tayo and Cynthia about their upcoming documentary, “The Sun Rises in The East”, which tells the story of this self-sufficient community.'

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn: Alan Alda

'Alan Alda has been acting for over six decades. He played the iconic role of Hawkeye in M*A*S*H, was Arnold Vinnick on The West Wing and starred in several other memorable roles over the years. He's a six-time Emmy winner and has been nominated for an Academy Award, three Tony's and a Grammy. Alda is also an almost-journalist, a communicator and an interviewer. For almost thirty years now it has been his second career. First on television in the PBS series Scientific American Encounters and now on his podcast, Clear+Vivid. Alan Alda joins Bullseye with Jesse Thorn to talk about Clear+Vivid and dives into some of the different guests he's had on the show. He also shares what it was like when M*A*S*H, the television show that gave him his big break came to an end. Plus, he talks about his years performing improv.'

The Pioneering Techno of the Carl Craig Synthesizer Ensemble

'Composer, DJ, and techno pioneer Carl Craig joins Soundcheck with the Carl Craig Synthesizer Ensemble. Lately, Carl Craig has been venturing beyond the usual techno venues through his work with chamber ensembles and orchestras, including the Chineke! Orchestra. Recently, the Carl Craig Synthesizer Ensemble played at Carnegie Hall, as part of its Afrofuturism series. The Carl Craig Synthesizer Ensemble recorded live tracks at Spot Lite in Detroit for this podcast.'

'Decolonizing Wellness' and the Insidious 'Beach Body'

'Diet culture is pervasive and sometimes sneaky. As we enter into the unofficial start of summer, you will no doubt start to hear words like "beach body." You'll hear about diets wrapped in packages described as "wellness" and "health." Studies have shown that people in bigger bodies often don’t receive the healthcare they need because when they get in front of some healthcare professionals, their weight becomes the focus; on top of that, people of color also contend with racial bias and women face gender bias. Dalia Kinsey, author of Decolonizing Wellness: A QTBIPOC-Centered Guide to Escape the Diet Trap, Heal Your Self-Image, and Achieve Body Liberation, joins All Of It.'

Gun Violence is a Public Health Crisis

'In 2016, the American Medical Association declared that gun violence in the U.S. is a public health crisis. It's compounding another national crisis, that of adolescent mental health.  The CDC estimated that in 2020, the proportion of emergency room visits by adolescents seeking mental health care increased by 31 percent. But because of a lack of residential program beds, young patients are left to become “boarders” in emergency departments—kept in small, bare rooms or even in hospital hallways. The Takeaway speaks with Dr. Megan Ranney, Academic Dean at the School of Public Health and a Professor of Emergency Medicine at Brown University, about how we got here and how a public health perspective on gun violence can help us find solutions.'

Assata Taught Me: Donna Murch and Barbara Ransby

'Historians Donna Murch and Barbara Ransby discuss state violence, racial capitalism, and the Movement for Black Lives. Murch is the author of Assata Taught Me: State Violence, Racial Capitalism, and the Movement for Black Lives, published by Haymarket Books'.

How Queens Became Segregated: Welcome to the Northside

'In the early 1970s, Forest Hills, Queens, became a national symbol of white, middle class resistance to integration. Instead of public schools, this fight was over public housing. It was a fight that got so intense the press called it "The Battle of Forest Hills." How did a famously liberal neighborhood become a hotbed of reaction and backlash? And how did a small group of angry homeowners change housing policy for the entire country?'

It's Been a Minute: Danyel Smith On Black Women Who Defined Pop In 'Shine Bright'

'In this episode of It's Been a Minute, guest host Juana Summers talks with Danyel Smith about her new memoir, Shine Bright: A Personal History of Black Women in Pop. As a previous editor-in-chief for both Billboard and Vibe magazines, host of the Black Girl Songbook podcast, and longtime music reporter, she uses her expertise to spotlight the stories of pop powerhouses like Gladys Knight, Mahalia Jackson, Whitney Houston, and more. In her book, Smith crafts a love letter to Black women in pop, capturing the intimate details of who they were, their influence on her, and how their music changed pop forever.'

Creator Michael R. Jackson and Director Stephen Brackett On 'A Strange Loop'

 'The meta musical, A Strange Loop, is nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 2022. All Of It speaks with creator Michael R. Jackson and director Stephen Brackett about the show that has been called "dazzling," "thrilling" and "one of a kind".'

What Our Teachers Are Carrying

'At the beginning of the calendar year, when Omicron was surging across much of the country, Death, Sex & Money asked those of you that are educators to tell us what led to your profession in the midst of another difficult pandemic school year, and how you were coping with it all. You told us about burnout, navigating confusing and changing rules about safety and politics in the classroom, feeling undervalued as workers, and why some of you were leaving education altogether. As the end of the school year approached, host Anna Sale followed up with four teachers in school districts across the country, from a middle school librarian in rural Wyoming, to a teacher navigating their first year of in-person teaching in New York. They told her bout how the year has gone, the effects on their personal life, and what they're most excited about for this summer.'