In this personal essay, following in the footsteps of African Americans traveling to Denmark in the early 20th century, Ethelene Whitmire experiences a 21st century transatlantic crossing.
African Americans
Posted inBooks, Essays & Criticism, Fiction, Story
A Mysterious Crack Appears: Past Trauma and Future Doom Meet in “Friday Black”
In Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s fantastical short story collection, the strangest fantasy of all is that people try to act morally in a corrupt world.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books, Commentary, Culture, Current Events
Remembering Ntozake Shange
The poet, novelist, and playwright Ntozake Shange died Saturday, October 27.
Posted inBooks, Sports, Story
Ancestor Work In Street Basketball
The basketball court is a place where young black men feel comfortable mourning death, but are there crucial elements missing from their grieving practices?
Posted inEditor's Pick
‘Country Music … Was Anything BUT Pure’: An Interview with Bill Malone and Tracey Laird
The co-authors of ‘Country Music USA’ – a revised edition of the genre’s definitive history – talk with music writer Will Hermes about the music’s African-American tributaries, its unpredictable politics, country radio’s woman problem, and working on Ken Burns’ forthcoming doc.
Posted inArts & Culture, Nonfiction, Profiles & Interviews, Story
‘Country Music … Was Anything BUT Pure’: An Interview with Bill Malone and Tracey Laird
The co-authors of ‘Country Music USA’ – a revised edition of the genre’s definitive history – talk about the music’s African-American tributaries, its unpredictable politics, country radio’s woman problem, and working on Ken Burns’ forthcoming doc.
Posted inArts & Culture, Editor's Pick, Nonfiction, Profiles & Interviews
‘Country Music … Was Anything BUT Pure’: An Interview with Bill Malone and Tracey Laird
The co-authors of ‘Country Music USA’ – a revised edition of the genre’s definitive history – talk about the music’s African-American tributaries, its unpredictable politics, country radio’s woman problem, and working on Ken Burns’ forthcoming doc.
Posted inArts & Culture, Culture, Essays & Criticism, Highlight, Quotes
An Igbo Slaver’s Descendants Reckon With History
Adaobi Tricia Nwaumbani reveals her Igbo great-grandfather’s history with the transatlantic slave trade.
Posted inArts & Culture, Books, Culture, Highlight, Profiles & Interviews, Quotes
‘Wild With Love’: Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah on the Portraits of Henry Taylor
Henry Taylor’s portraits are sacred objects that lovingly center black subjects and black interiority.
Posted inArts & Culture, Nonfiction, Quote Posts, Quotes
Forced to Perform As Aretha Franklin
How soul singer Mary Jane Jones was forced to perform as Aretha Franklin before she took control of her life and career.