Journal Of Free Black Thought podcast

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Khadijah La Musa opens up about her unique upbringing, from growing up in a strict Muslim environment to experiencing life at a liberal university. She talks about the mental health struggles she faced during college, how social media and cancel culture impacted her, and her journey toward Buddhism. Khadijah shares her evolving views on feminism and gender ideology and expresses her hopes for a safer world for her daughter in today's complex society. Show notes: Khadijah’s Substack: Bush Tea Khadijah’s poetry book: Tasting Purple: a compilation of prose and poetry Spirit Hacking by Shaman Durek Khadijah’s essay for the Journal of Free Black Thought , “ On Leaving The Left and Finding My Center .” Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Ep. 95 - Free Thoughts with Bowen & Twyman, Ep. 17

9 days ago

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In this conversation, Michael DC Bowen and Winkfield Twyman Jr. discuss the varying perceptions of Black history, the importance of literature, and influential figures in Black history. They emphasize the need for curiosity and understanding of Black history as an integral part of American history, while also highlighting the impact of Black authors and their contributions to the narrative. Subscribe now…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Ep. 94 - DEI Pushes Untrue Caste Narratives (Pushpita Prasad)

10 days ago

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Pushpita Prasad discusses the complex interplay between caste, media representation, and policy-making in the context of Hindu identity in North America. Pushpita is a board member of the Coalition of Hindus of North America . Show notes: “ DEI Training Material Increases Perception of Nonexistent Prejudice, Agreement with Hitler Rhetoric, Study Finds ” by Abigail Anthony for National Review “ Caste Training Fuels Hate and Authoritarianism, Reveals New Study by Network Contagion Research Institute ” by Suresh Krishnamoorthy for American Kahani “ Racist Voters and Rising Hate Groups ” (A review of Isabel Wilkerson's Caste, Part 1 of 2) by Nandini Patwardhan for the Journal of Free Black Thought New Academic Research Proves Caste Narratives in DEI Create Bias Against Hindus “ Who is Milind Makwana? Indian-American Dalit rights activist dies ” in The Statesman Who is behind the caste legislation in the United State? What is their track record? on YouTube Subscribe now…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Ep. 93 - Don't Equate Victimhood with Goodness (Kayla)

17 days ago

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In this conversation, Kayla (who likes to go by just her first name publicly) shares her personal journey, touching on her upbringing, mental health struggles, and evolving political views. She discusses feeling alienated in her youth and her critiques of both political sides. Kayla also reflects on her love for goth fashion, the importance of empathy, and the challenges of forming connections. Show notes: Kayla’s “ Daniel Penny Is A Hero ” for the Journal of Free Black Thought Kayla on X Kayla on Instagram Kayla on TikTok Cartoons Hate Her on Substack Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Ep. 92 - An Interracial Love Story (Adam Gussow)

24 days ago

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Adam Gussow talks about his life growing up, his path into music and academia, and his thoughts on race in America. As a blues musician and scholar, Adam offers a unique take on culture and activism. He and host Connie Morgan also discuss the evolving dynamics of interracial relationships, focusing on black women and white men, and how marriage and dating have changed over time. They explore cultural influences, race perceptions, and how it all ties into Adam’s upcoming book . Show notes: My Family and I: A Mississippi Memoir by Adam Gussow Adam on YouTube: old channel and newer channel Adam’s Harmonica website: ModernBluesHarmonica.com satanandadamfilm.com The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride Love in Black and White: A Memoir of Race, Religion, and Romance by William S. Cohen and Janet Langhart Cohen Gabe and Babe Is Marriage for White People?: How the African American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone by Ralph Richard Banks Movie Trailer for Something New “ Vanilla Ice Cream ” by Stephen Lynch 'Til Death Or Distance Do Us Part: Love and Marriage in African America by Frances Smith Foster The Black Family in Slavery and Freedom, 1750-1925 by Herbert G. G. Gutman Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Ep. 91 - Free Thoughts with Bowen & Twyman, Ep. 16

25 days ago

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Michael DC Bowen and Wink Twyman discuss the impact of recent wildfires in California, particularly in Pacific Palisades and Altadena. They dive into the environmental and emotional challenges for residents, as well as the difficulties firefighters face. They also talk about the aftermath of a disaster in Pasadena, touching on housing, leadership, and community recovery. Finally, they explore issues around homelessness, public safety, and mental health, emphasizing the need for better solutions and a more balanced approach to public policy. Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Ep. 90 - Black British vs African American (Aaron Fenton-Hewitt)

4 weeks ago

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Aaron Fenton-Hewitt discusses the impact of his upbringing, the challenges of stereotypes, and the importance of community. The conversation also delves into the complexities of DEI initiatives and social engineering, exploring how these concepts relate to class and opportunity in the media industry. Show notes: Aaron’s “ DEI: The Arrogance of Social Engineering ” for the Journal of Free Black Thought Aaron’s “ The Economy of Victimhood ” for the Journal of Free Black Thought Aaron on X Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Bigger’s Dream: Killing and Self-Preservation

5 weeks ago

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American literature BIGGER’S DREAM: KILLING AND SELF-PRESERVATION An analysis of Richard Wright's Native Son Maximilian Werner Editors’ note: This is the second of two essays on African-American literature by Maximilian Werner that we are publishing in JFBT. The first essay , on Countee Cullen’s 1925 poem, “To John Keats, Poet. At Springtime,” appeared on January 20. Among readers of Richard Wright’s 1940 novel Native Son there has without doubt been some disagreement as to whether or not the poor, young, angry black main character, Bigger Thomas, actually meant to kill Mary, the progressive white woman who sees Bigger as symbolic of a “cause” and tries to befriend him. However, when we consider how Bigger changes once he has killed Mary, we begin to see that a more revealing question to ask would be what killing Mary meant for him. Wright provides us with a useful tool when, in reference to the slaying, he writes, “[Bigger] felt that he had been dreaming of something like this for a long time, and then, suddenly, it was true” (p. 88). Thus, Bigger's dream recalls Genesis 2:21-22, when “the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs[and] made he a woman.” Both Bigger and Adam, then, awoke to find their dreams realized. This being the case, strong parallels are not only created between Bigger and Adam, but between Mary and Eve as well. For Adam and Bigger, the introduction of Eve and Mary “meant death before death came” (p. 228) and, ultimately, the fall. When God asked Adam why he ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he replied, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Gen. 3:13). The transference of blame, however, is not quite as subtle for Bigger: “She made me do it! I couldn’t help it! She should have known better” (p. 108). 1 Thus, partaking of the fruit brought Adam knowledge and self-awareness, while committing murder brought Bigger knowledge as well. Both acts were extreme norm violations, and in both cases, “the eyes of them both were opened” (Gen. 3:7) as a result. When Bigger murdered Mary, just as when Adam had eaten, “he had created a new world for himself, and for that he was to die” (p.264), just as Adam and Eve were cursed by God to die for their transgression. As we might expect, with Bigger’s new world came a new understanding. “[T]hings were becoming very clear” (p. 102), and “he saw it all very sharply and simply” (p. 108). Here, we are again reminded of Adam when Wright writes, “Like a man reborn, [Bigger] wanted to test and taste each thing now to see how it went; like a man risen up from a long illness, he felt deep and wayward whims” (p. 106). Bigger’s perception of everything, whether it be his mother or friends, his little sister Vera or his little brother Buddy, had changed. “He could see it in the very way Vera moved her hand when she carried the fork to her mouth; she seemed to be shrinking from life in every gesture she made” (p. 104). After the murder, Bigger began to see and feel things for the first time: thus “it was the first time he had been in [his friends’] presence without feeling fearful” (p. 107), and “for the first time in his life he moved consciously between two sharply defined poles” (p. 141). “Never in all his life, with this black skin of his, had the two worlds, thought and feeling, will and mind, aspiration and satisfaction, been together; never had he felt a sense of wholeness” (p.225). Like Adam, he has attained knowledge. Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. It is important to remember that “under and above it all there was the fear of death before which [both Bigger and Adam were] naked and without defense” (p.256). It would, however, be inaccurate to say that Bigger had always felt defenseless against death. Because it is not until the end of the book that he realizes “he had reached out and killed and had not solved anything” (p. 255), we may assume that of the many ways Bigger “blotted” things out, and thus protected himself, killing was one. For “the thought of what he had done [to Mary], the awful horror of it, the daring associated with such actions, formed for him for the first time in his fear-ridden life a barrier of protection between him and a world he feared” (p. 101). What Wright calls a “barrier of protection,” Freud, according to Ernest Becker, calls the “death instinct” (98), which represents, to modify a quotation from Becker, “[Bigger’s] desire to die, but [he] can save [himself] from [his] own impulsion toward death by redirecting it outward. The desire to die, then, is replaced by the desire to kill, and [Bigger] defeats his own death instinct by killing others” ( ibid .) It is thus that Bigger “buys himself free from the penalty of dying, of being killed” ( ibid ., p. 99), at least symbolically. Bigger’s words support this theory when he notes, “Rape was what one felt when one’s back was against a wall and one had to strike out, whether one wanted to or not, to keep the pack from killing one” (p. 214). Similarly, when Bigger realized that his girlfriend Bessie could not be taken or left behind, and therefore resolved to kill her, “it was not with anger or regret that he thought this, but as a man seeing what he must do to save himself” (p. 216). After all, “It was his life against hers” (p. 222). Accordingly, he rapes her and then kills her. Thus, killing for Bigger meant both the knowledge and the emancipation of what he was, i.e., one among oppressed millions. “Never had he had the chance to live out the consequences of his actions; never had his will been so free as in this night and day of fear and murder and flight” (p. 225). Adam and Eve’s wills are free, too, as they live out the consequences of their actions, leaving Eden at God’s command, to begin a life of toil, suffering, and ultimately death. Works Cited: Wright, Richard. Native Son . Harper & Brothers, 1940. Becker, Ernest. The Denial of Death . 1st paperback edition. New York, Free Press, 1975. The Bible. New International Version, Zondervan, 2011. [1] In Genesis, Eve literally knew better than Adam insofar as she ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil before offering it to him. Maximilian Werner is an accomplished author and Professor in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric Studies at the University of Utah. With over two decades of teaching experience, he specializes in courses such as Intermediate Writing, Environmental Writing, and Writing about War. Werner holds an MFA from Arizona State University and has published seven books. His works include the novel Crooked Creek , the memoir Gravity Hill , and the essay collections Black River Dreams and The Bone Pile: Essays on Nature and Culture . His poetry collection, Cold Blessings , and his nonfiction work, Wolves, Grizzlies, and Greenhorns: Death and Coexistence in the American West , further showcase his diverse literary talent. His writing often explores themes of nature, culture, and the human experience, particularly in the context of the American West. Werner’s creative and scholarly work has been featured in numerous journals and magazines, including The Robert Frost Review , The Ecological Citizen , Times Higher Education , The Emerson Society Papers , Inside Higher Education , Counterpunch , and The North American Review . In addition to his literary achievements, Werner is recognized for his contributions to environmental and cultural discourse, making him a respected voice in both academic and literary communities. 1 In Genesis, Eve literally knew better than Adam insofar as she ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil before offering it to him.…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Ep. 89 - Family Structure Over Everything (Ian Rowe)

5 weeks ago

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Ian Rowe shares his journey from his upbringing in Jamaica to becoming a leader in education with host Connie Morgan. He discusses the importance of family structure, the impact of education on identity, and his commitment to improving educational opportunities for all children, particularly in underserved communities. Ian also introduces the 'success sequence' as a framework for young people to avoid poverty and achieve a fulfilling life. Show notes: Ian on X Ian’s book: Agency: The Four Point Plan (F.R.E.E.) for ALL Children to Overcome the Victimhood Narrative and Discover Their Pathway to Power (Volume 1) Ian’s website: thefreeframework.com Vertex Partnership Academies Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Ep. 88 - Free Thoughts with Bowen & Twyman, Ep. 15

6 weeks ago

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In this conversation, Michael DC Bowen and Winkfield Twyman Jr. discuss the significance of the New Year, their personal reflections on the holiday, and predictions for the future, particularly regarding the impact of AI on society. They delve into the concept of role models, exploring their influence on personal development and societal expectations, especially within the context of Black America. The dialogue emphasizes the necessity of recognizing authentic figures in history and the dangers of external locus of control, while advocating for a global perspective on identity and citizenship. Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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What Does Trump's Second Term Mean for Black America?

6 weeks ago

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Politics WHAT DOES TRUMP’S SECOND TERM MEAN FOR BLACK AMERICA? Promise and peril Michael Creswell In his inauguration speech yesterday, Trump thanked his black and Hispanic voters, saying, “ we set records, and I will not forget it ,” and promising, “ I look forward to working with you in the years to come .” These words aside, what does Trump’s second term mean for black America? What can we expect from a man claiming “I have been the best president for the black population since Abraham Lincoln”? We can say little with certainty; there are too many unknowns. But looking at Trump’s record, his campaign promises, and recent developments in the political world does provide a foundation for informed speculation. Trump’s second term begins with substantial institutional and political backing. Republicans will control the House of Representatives, albeit by a slim majority, the Senate , and have a solid conservative majority on the Supreme Court. Trump has named loyalists as Cabinet members and key advisers; they will be eager carry out his agenda. His MAGA base provides an additional source of wind at his back. Trump will also face fewer obstacles when he becomes president than he did in his first term. The disarray within the Democratic Party following its defeat in the election means Trump will face an opposition that is not united. There is currently no obvious leader of the Democrats. And many Trump critics have decided to mend fences with the president elect. Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, the co-hosts of “Morning Joe,” former Washington Post CEO Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Google leader Sundar Pichai, Senator John Fetterman (Democrat-Pennsylvania), and other former foes have recently made the trek to Mar-a-Lago, acknowledging that Trump won the election and now has the upper hand. Facing a weakened opposition will give him a significant advantage. But don’t expect most of the black political, economic, and cultural elite to make similar gestures. Despite Trump’s relative success with black voters in 2024, especially with black men, he remains toxic to much of the black elite. Relatively few of them will risk taking a big reputational hit by publicly supporting Trump. Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Trump will therefore face entrenched opposition in many segments of black America. Most of the black press and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will remain Trump antagonists. In July 2024 Trump met with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), which was divided over the wisdom of even asking him to speak to them. Trump’s remarks to the NABJ, such as comparing his record on race to that of Lincoln, and questioning whether Kamala Harris was truly black , caused controversy. Similar controversies are likely to occur in the future. For its part, the CBC has pledged to stand against Trump. According to Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), a senior CBC member and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, “This administration poses a danger, and we’re here to counter that.” Standing in contrast to this is the NAACP. Although the organization announced in May 2024 that “Donald Trump is unfit to represent American democracy,” it reacted moderately to Trump’s victory. A press statement said , “Where there is common ground, we will strive to collaborate with the President-elect and his administration. The NAACP is loyal not to politicians, but to policies that allow us to keep advancing, no matter what.” This latter statement is a wise strategy. Better to take gains that can be had rather than fight unwinnable fights. While the NAACP advocates for collaboration where possible, the Trump administration will shift away from identity-focused policies. Unlike Joe Biden, Trump has not promised to choose any members of his administration based on sex or race. So far, only one of Trump’s Cabinet picks, Texas state Rep. Scott Turner , who would lead Housing and Urban Development, is black. In any case, the number of black faces in any presidential administration means little for the prospects of black America. Having a handful of black faces in positions of power is more symbolism than substance. Promoting black elites does nothing for the millions of black Americans who face educational and financial deficits. Attending to black people’s material disadvantages is more important than the politics of representation. Trump will also talk about race much differently than Joe Biden. Trump will not say, as Biden did, that “white supremacy” is the greatest terrorist threat to the country. This is a good thing, because relatively few Americans believe that white supremacy is a bigger national threat than radical Islamists. Moreover, the demonization of whites can only worsen race relations in this country. DEI has long been one of Trump’s targets. It was already losing favor in higher education, even facing cutbacks at places like the University of Michigan, formerly a hotbed of political correctness, where internal surveys revealed its ineffectiveness . Corporations are similarly ending or scaling back DEI programs, driven by the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action and by political pressure. Critics argue that DEI policies, which limit hiring pools based on race or sex, are unworkable in competitive environments. And indeed Trump has already ended the federal government’s DEI initiatives in an Executive Order he rolled out yesterday. DEI is largely a symbolic gesture. It has done little to alter the material disadvantages of black Americans and, instead, has strained race relations further. Trump’s promise to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education raises questions about its impact on black students and broader educational outcomes. If successful, how will this affect the education of black students? Created in 1979, the department’s stated mission is to “promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for students of all ages.” There is little evidence that the department has improved the performance of black students, though abolishing it could prove difficult. In September 2023 Trump said : “We’re going to end education coming out of Washington, DC. We’re going to close it up – all those buildings all over the place and people that in many cases hate our children. We’re going to send it all back to the states.” In a characteristically confident statement, Trump stated “We’ll be able to cut [spending on] education in half and get much better education in some of the states. We’ll have the best education anywhere in the world.” Trump noted that the United States spends more “per pupil” than any other country, yet “we’re at the bottom of every list.” However, the link between increased spending and education and improved educational results is tenuous at best. As I have written , the home is a more important place for education than the classroom. Trump’s stance on policing, including support for stop-and-frisk , highlights his readiness to champion controversial policies in the name of law and order. This approach is likely to provoke significant debate, especially within the black community, as the policy has historically drawn criticism. While the ACLU argues that “stop-and-frisk is both unconstitutional and ineffective,” proponents within law enforcement view it as a necessary tool for reducing crime. Although research suggests that increased police presence in high-crime neighborhoods may be more effective than stop-and-frisk alone, Trump’s backing of such measures reflects his preference for controversial approaches to law enforcement, even at the risk of reigniting old tensions. While Trump’s domestic policies aim to restructure societal norms, his economic initiatives like tariffs signal a broader reshaping of American competitiveness. For black Americans in industries particularly vulnerable to economic shifts, these tariffs could exacerbate financial challenges, limiting opportunities for upward mobility. Trump has long sought to impose tariffs to protect American firms and workers from foreign competition. During his first term in office, Trump imposed billions of dollars in tariffs. But contrary to Trump, tariffs, which are taxes on imported goods, are costly for American consumers. The Tax Policy Center estimates that Trump’s proposal for a 20 percent worldwide tariff and a 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods would increase household costs by an average of nearly $3,000 in 2025. Black Americans, who as a demographic group rank dead last in income and wealth in this country, can ill-afford such an added expense. Moreover, the Tax Foundation expects that, if enacted, Trump’s tariff plan would shrink US employment by 684,000 full-time jobs. Given the overrepresentation of black Americans in low-income brackets and industries sensitive to economic shifts, these tariffs could disproportionately impact their employment and financial stability. Ultimately, Trump’s policies, whether in education, policing, or the economy, could shape the trajectory of black America in profound ways. The question remains whether these changes will result in greater material progress for the black community or widen existing inequities. If Trump can avoid embroiling the country in trade wars and shooting wars, continue to support the rollback of the excesses of wokeism, reduce crime, and secure the southern border, his second term could lay the groundwork for progress in black communities. Michael H. Creswell is Associate Professor of History at Florida State University, the author of A Question of Balance: How France and the United States Created Cold War Europe , and an executive editor at History: Reviews of New Books . A specialist on the Cold War, Creswell is currently writing a book that examines the increasing difficulties Americans have in communicating in socially and politically productive ways. He publishes regularly in the Journal of Free Black Thought , including “ Closing the Racial Academic Achievement Gap ,” “ Why Black Americans Should Care More About Foreign Affairs ,” “ How Would Black America Fare if Progressives Got Their Way? ,” “ The Price of the Game ,” “ The End of Affirmative Action is an Opportunity ,” “ To Forgive or Not to Forgive? ,” “ How to Prepare Your Child for College ,” “ How to Flourish in College ,” and “ How to Apply to Graduate and Professional School .” Journal of Free Black Thought is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.…

Journal of Free Black Thought

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Ep. 87 - "Never Stop Asking Why" (Kyle Jordan Maxwell)

6 weeks ago