so of course we’ve all been inundated – last couple of days with these images of
last couple of days with these images of
last couple of days with these images of black men being killed by police and
black men being killed by police and
black men being killed by police and though my talk was well planned before
though my talk was well planned before
though my talk was well planned before this particular moment what we’re going
this particular moment what we’re going
this particular moment what we’re going to talk about today are these
to talk about today are these
to talk about today are these connections between the historical
connections between the historical
connections between the historical images of black men that inspire fear
images of black men that inspire fear
images of black men that inspire fear not just in police officers but
not just in police officers but
not just in police officers but Americans alike Todd of my talk is devil
Americans alike Todd of my talk is devil
Americans alike Todd of my talk is devil want to put me in a bowtie it of course
want to put me in a bowtie it of course
want to put me in a bowtie it of course is a lyric from Kendrick Lamar from his
is a lyric from Kendrick Lamar from his
is a lyric from Kendrick Lamar from his 2015 song I in the lyric Kendrick writes
2015 song I in the lyric Kendrick writes
2015 song I in the lyric Kendrick writes I’ve been through a whole lot trials and
I’ve been through a whole lot trials and
I’ve been through a whole lot trials and tribulations but I know God the devil
tribulations but I know God the devil
tribulations but I know God the devil want to put me in a bowtie the chorus
want to put me in a bowtie the chorus
want to put me in a bowtie the chorus and I love myself when you’re looking at
and I love myself when you’re looking at
and I love myself when you’re looking at me tell me what you see
me tell me what you see
me tell me what you see I love myself and I was struck by that
I love myself and I was struck by that
I love myself and I was struck by that idea of wearing a bowtie because we’re
idea of wearing a bowtie because we’re
idea of wearing a bowtie because we’re in a particular historical moment now
in a particular historical moment now
in a particular historical moment now where there seems to be a proliferation
where there seems to be a proliferation
where there seems to be a proliferation of Negroes with bow ties we have the
of Negroes with bow ties we have the
of Negroes with bow ties we have the gentleman on the top right who is a
gentleman on the top right who is a
gentleman on the top right who is a British businessman we have a brother on
British businessman we have a brother on
British businessman we have a brother on the bottom who we know as if you watch
the bottom who we know as if you watch
the bottom who we know as if you watch The Wire brother who’s owned and we’ll
The Wire brother who’s owned and we’ll
The Wire brother who’s owned and we’ll talk about brother moves on in a second
talk about brother moves on in a second
talk about brother moves on in a second and we have young men from an academy in
and we have young men from an academy in
and we have young men from an academy in Chicago which purports to be able to
Chicago which purports to be able to
Chicago which purports to be able to graduate a hundred percent of their
graduate a hundred percent of their
graduate a hundred percent of their students every year what has occurred in
students every year what has occurred in
students every year what has occurred in the context of these moments
the context of these moments
the context of these moments particularly since the election of
particularly since the election of
particularly since the election of Barack Obama in 2008 is that there is a
Barack Obama in 2008 is that there is a
Barack Obama in 2008 is that there is a movement within black America they’ve
movement within black America they’ve
movement within black America they’ve somehow if you have the first black
somehow if you have the first black
somehow if you have the first black president somehow that young black
president somehow that young black
president somehow that young black people need to dress the part that if we
people need to dress the part that if we
people need to dress the part that if we wear bowties if we stop sagging if we
wear bowties if we stop sagging if we
wear bowties if we stop sagging if we buy into what we might think of as a
buy into what we might think of as a
buy into what we might think of as a politics of respectability now of course
politics of respectability now of course
politics of respectability now of course black folks have always worn bowties
black folks have always worn bowties
black folks have always worn bowties black men have always worn bowties I
black men have always worn bowties I
black men have always worn bowties I wore a bow tie when I was four haven’t
wore a bow tie when I was four haven’t
wore a bow tie when I was four haven’t worn a bow tie as an adult the gentlemen
worn a bow tie as an adult the gentlemen
worn a bow tie as an adult the gentlemen in the bottom brotherhood zone and for
in the bottom brotherhood zone and for
in the bottom brotherhood zone and for those who who watch the wire you know
those who who watch the wire you know
those who who watch the wire you know that he was a bit of an enforcer but
that he was a bit of an enforcer but
that he was a bit of an enforcer but those of us who watched the wire for so
those of us who watched the wire for so
those of us who watched the wire for so many years when we first saw brother
many years when we first saw brother
many years when we first saw brother what we saw was a member of the Fuda
what we saw was a member of the Fuda
what we saw was a member of the Fuda Islam which of course is the
Islam which of course is the
Islam which of course is the paramilitary wing of the nation Islam
paramilitary wing of the nation Islam
paramilitary wing of the nation Islam who always wear bowties right and
who always wear bowties right and
who always wear bowties right and provide security not just for the nation
provide security not just for the nation
provide security not just for the nation Islam but also very well known black
Islam but also very well known black
Islam but also very well known black celebrities and we think about where
celebrities and we think about where
celebrities and we think about where this goes fully this idea of a politics
this goes fully this idea of a politics
this goes fully this idea of a politics of black respectability considering this
of black respectability considering this
of black respectability considering this tweet from dr. Steve Perry who was a
tweet from dr. Steve Perry who was a
tweet from dr. Steve Perry who was a well-known educator who tweets I witness
well-known educator who tweets I witness
well-known educator who tweets I witness 200 boys voluntarily cut dreads braids
200 boys voluntarily cut dreads braids
200 boys voluntarily cut dreads braids unkept frosh because I am Steve Harvey
unkept frosh because I am Steve Harvey
unkept frosh because I am Steve Harvey Steve Harvey the US Army connected
Steve Harvey the US Army connected
Steve Harvey the US Army connected aesthetics to success and this is where
aesthetics to success and this is where
aesthetics to success and this is where this bowtie narrative is problematic
this bowtie narrative is problematic
this bowtie narrative is problematic that somehow they the young black people
that somehow they the young black people
that somehow they the young black people not dress the part not only will they be
not dress the part not only will they be
not dress the part not only will they be successful in school that somehow it
successful in school that somehow it
successful in school that somehow it would also save their lives
would also save their lives
would also save their lives now of course I’m a professor at Duke
now of course I’m a professor at Duke
now of course I’m a professor at Duke University if I teach a class that’s
University if I teach a class that’s
University if I teach a class that’s 8:30 in the morning
8:30 in the morning
8:30 in the morning three-quarters those students are white
three-quarters those students are white
three-quarters those students are white students who shuffle into my class
students who shuffle into my class
students who shuffle into my class wearing pajamas and flip-flops uncombed
wearing pajamas and flip-flops uncombed
wearing pajamas and flip-flops uncombed hair and baseball caps and none of them
hair and baseball caps and none of them
hair and baseball caps and none of them are of the belief that there’s a
are of the belief that there’s a
are of the belief that there’s a connection between their intellectual
connection between their intellectual
connection between their intellectual capabilities and how they chose to roll
capabilities and how they chose to roll
capabilities and how they chose to roll out of bed that morning when they came
out of bed that morning when they came
out of bed that morning when they came to my class so we’re wondering where
to my class so we’re wondering where
to my class so we’re wondering where this is coming from and of course we
this is coming from and of course we
this is coming from and of course we might argue that this in politics of
might argue that this in politics of
might argue that this in politics of black respectability is a response to
black respectability is a response to
black respectability is a response to the violence that historically has been
the violence that historically has been
the violence that historically has been directed at black bodies in general in
directed at black bodies in general in
directed at black bodies in general in this case specifically black male bodies
this case specifically black male bodies
this case specifically black male bodies in 2011 the good folks at the
in 2011 the good folks at the
in 2011 the good folks at the opportunity agenda issued a report this
opportunity agenda issued a report this
opportunity agenda issued a report this is November 2011 this is important
is November 2011 this is important
is November 2011 this is important because it is literally a few months
because it is literally a few months
because it is literally a few months before the killing of Trayvon Martin and
before the killing of Trayvon Martin and
before the killing of Trayvon Martin and what the opportunity agenda did is they
what the opportunity agenda did is they
what the opportunity agenda did is they did a study of how images of black men
did a study of how images of black men
did a study of how images of black men and boys circulate in American culture
and boys circulate in American culture
and boys circulate in American culture what they said is that they were
what they said is that they were
what they said is that they were distorted patterns of portrayal under
distorted patterns of portrayal under
distorted patterns of portrayal under representation of black men and boys and
representation of black men and boys and
representation of black men and boys and of course that might sound a little
of course that might sound a little
of course that might sound a little strange but for a moment if you factor
strange but for a moment if you factor
strange but for a moment if you factor LeBron James and Barack Obama and Kanye
LeBron James and Barack Obama and Kanye
LeBron James and Barack Obama and Kanye West and jay-z out of the equation there
West and jay-z out of the equation there
West and jay-z out of the equation there is exactly very few representations or
is exactly very few representations or
is exactly very few representations or diverse representations of black men and
diverse representations of black men and
diverse representations of black men and boys in mainstream culture you also said
boys in mainstream culture you also said
boys in mainstream culture you also said that whenever
that whenever
that whenever there were presentations of black men
there were presentations of black men
there were presentations of black men and boys it was always with a negative
and boys it was always with a negative
and boys it was always with a negative association limited positive association
association limited positive association
association limited positive association and more importantly when black men and
and more importantly when black men and
and more importantly when black men and boys were presented in mainstream
boys were presented in mainstream
boys were presented in mainstream culture was always within the context of
culture was always within the context of
culture was always within the context of a problem frame what do we do with these
a problem frame what do we do with these
a problem frame what do we do with these black men and boys they’re going to say
black men and boys they’re going to say
black men and boys they’re going to say that these images in fact create casual
that these images in fact create casual
that these images in fact create casual links to mediate and public policy
links to mediate and public policy
links to mediate and public policy creating general antagonism exaggerated
creating general antagonism exaggerated
creating general antagonism exaggerated viewers of criminality and violence
viewers of criminality and violence
viewers of criminality and violence think about the ways that we talk about
think about the ways that we talk about
think about the ways that we talk about young black men smoking weed who play
young black men smoking weed who play
young black men smoking weed who play college football as a criminal act
college football as a criminal act
college football as a criminal act Francis even though the smoking of
Francis even though the smoking of
Francis even though the smoking of marijuana is likely on a bunch of states
marijuana is likely on a bunch of states
marijuana is likely on a bunch of states exaggerated views of criminality and
exaggerated views of criminality and
exaggerated views of criminality and violence lack of identification and
violence lack of identification and
violence lack of identification and sympathy and support for punitive
sympathy and support for punitive
sympathy and support for punitive responses to black men and boys so we
responses to black men and boys so we
responses to black men and boys so we might want to ask where some of this
might want to ask where some of this
might want to ask where some of this might come from so the great scholar
might come from so the great scholar
might come from so the great scholar Clyde teller wrote in 2000 black men are
Clyde teller wrote in 2000 black men are
Clyde teller wrote in 2000 black men are densely mytho genic the objects of
densely mytho genic the objects of
densely mytho genic the objects of layered fictions produced by others what
layered fictions produced by others what
layered fictions produced by others what does it feel like to be a myth Du Bois
does it feel like to be a myth Du Bois
does it feel like to be a myth Du Bois might have asked instead of to be a
might have asked instead of to be a
might have asked instead of to be a problem
problem
problem and then of course we get officer Darren
and then of course we get officer Darren
and then of course we get officer Darren Wilson from just two years ago at this
Wilson from just two years ago at this
Wilson from just two years ago at this point it looked though he was almost
point it looked though he was almost
point it looked though he was almost bulking up to run through the shots like
bulking up to run through the shots like
bulking up to run through the shots like it was making him mad that I’m shooting
it was making him mad that I’m shooting
it was making him mad that I’m shooting at him and that face that he had was
at him and that face that he had was
at him and that face that he had was looking straight through me like I
looking straight through me like I
looking straight through me like I wasn’t even there I wasn’t anything in
wasn’t even there I wasn’t anything in
wasn’t even there I wasn’t anything in his way confirming the very thing that
his way confirming the very thing that
his way confirming the very thing that Clyde Taylor talked about in the first
Clyde Taylor talked about in the first
Clyde Taylor talked about in the first place and you might ask where might some
place and you might ask where might some
place and you might ask where might some of this fear come from so somebody who
of this fear come from so somebody who
of this fear come from so somebody who should know the gentleman behind me Jack
should know the gentleman behind me Jack
should know the gentleman behind me Jack Johnson the first black heavyweight
Johnson the first black heavyweight
Johnson the first black heavyweight champion of the 20th century because
champion of the 20th century because
champion of the 20th century because there was one in 19th century and the
there was one in 19th century and the
there was one in 19th century and the foot Jack in some sort of context this
foot Jack in some sort of context this
foot Jack in some sort of context this is an era of race in America that’s
is an era of race in America that’s
is an era of race in America that’s defined by Jim Crow that’s defined by
defined by Jim Crow that’s defined by
defined by Jim Crow that’s defined by high instances of lynchings and in this
high instances of lynchings and in this
high instances of lynchings and in this context what was Jack Johnson’s job I
context what was Jack Johnson’s job I
context what was Jack Johnson’s job I always get a kick asking students about
always get a kick asking students about
always get a kick asking students about this I always a boxer is a pugilist
this I always a boxer is a pugilist
this I always a boxer is a pugilist Sanja to let you and all that right but
Sanja to let you and all that right but
Sanja to let you and all that right but if we get to the nuts and bolts of what
if we get to the nuts and bolts of what
if we get to the nuts and bolts of what Jack Johnson’s job was Jack Johnson’s
Jack Johnson’s job was Jack Johnson’s
Jack Johnson’s job was Jack Johnson’s job was to put white men on their asses
job was to put white men on their asses
job was to put white men on their asses in an error in which black men were
in an error in which black men were
in an error in which black men were killed for even enacting what we call
killed for even enacting what we call
killed for even enacting what we call reckless eyeballing that’s the act of a
reckless eyeballing that’s the act of a
reckless eyeballing that’s the act of a black person looking a white person in
black person looking a white person in
black person looking a white person in the face if a black person didn’t cross
the face if a black person didn’t cross
the face if a black person didn’t cross the street when a white person was
the street when a white person was
the street when a white person was coming their way it might have gotten
coming their way it might have gotten
coming their way it might have gotten them killed in this era Jack Johnson his
them killed in this era Jack Johnson his
them killed in this era Jack Johnson his job was to put these white men on their
job was to put these white men on their
job was to put these white men on their asses but you know Jack couldn’t be cool
asses but you know Jack couldn’t be cool
asses but you know Jack couldn’t be cool Jack in some ways define early of mid
Jack in some ways define early of mid
Jack in some ways define early of mid you know turning the twentieth century
you know turning the twentieth century
you know turning the twentieth century blacks whack so you see Jack on the one
blacks whack so you see Jack on the one
blacks whack so you see Jack on the one hand as if you listen didn’t you see
hand as if you listen didn’t you see
hand as if you listen didn’t you see Jack with the fur coat and the Model T
Jack with the fur coat and the Model T
Jack with the fur coat and the Model T and this is important because Jack
and this is important because Jack
and this is important because Jack driving around in his Model T where most
driving around in his Model T where most
driving around in his Model T where most white Americans were not driving Model
white Americans were not driving Model
white Americans were not driving Model T’s so he’s what we call the uppity
T’s so he’s what we call the uppity
T’s so he’s what we call the uppity Negro he also had this other little
Negro he also had this other little
Negro he also had this other little habit that folks were barred the bible
habit that folks were barred the bible
habit that folks were barred the bible black and white folks he liked to put it
black and white folks he liked to put it
black and white folks he liked to put it nicely he liked to love across the color
nicely he liked to love across the color
nicely he liked to love across the color line right Jack loved himself some white
line right Jack loved himself some white
line right Jack loved himself some white women and of course in 1904 1906 1909
women and of course in 1904 1906 1909
women and of course in 1904 1906 1909 that may create a problem
that may create a problem
that may create a problem which explains why Jack Johnson was the
which explains why Jack Johnson was the
which explains why Jack Johnson was the first American ever indicted on the Mann
first American ever indicted on the Mann
first American ever indicted on the Mann Act the Mann Act which made it illegal
Act the Mann Act which made it illegal
Act the Mann Act which made it illegal to transport underage women in
to transport underage women in
to transport underage women in parentheses white women of course state
parentheses white women of course state
parentheses white women of course state lines for purposes of prostitution Jack
lines for purposes of prostitution Jack
lines for purposes of prostitution Jack Johnson was the first person in America
Johnson was the first person in America
Johnson was the first person in America indicted on the Mann Act you might argue
indicted on the Mann Act you might argue
indicted on the Mann Act you might argue that the Mann Act was it created for him
that the Mann Act was it created for him
that the Mann Act was it created for him he represented a kind of threat because
he represented a kind of threat because
he represented a kind of threat because what Jack Johnson represented was
what Jack Johnson represented was
what Jack Johnson represented was progress and very often progress will
progress and very often progress will
progress and very often progress will generate as a response white rage so if
generate as a response white rage so if
generate as a response white rage so if you have this black man that represents
you have this black man that represents
you have this black man that represents a certain kind of progress and let’s be
a certain kind of progress and let’s be
a certain kind of progress and let’s be clear he also made black people
clear he also made black people
clear he also made black people uncomfortable
uncomfortable
uncomfortable you need an antidote of course you might
you need an antidote of course you might
you need an antidote of course you might need a few antidotes at the same time
need a few antidotes at the same time
need a few antidotes at the same time that Jack Johnson becomes the
that Jack Johnson becomes the
that Jack Johnson becomes the heavyweight boxing champion the
heavyweight boxing champion the
heavyweight boxing champion the gentleman on the
gentleman on the
gentleman on the Bert Williams becomes the most well
Bert Williams becomes the most well
Bert Williams becomes the most well known black entertainer in the country
known black entertainer in the country
known black entertainer in the country in fact he’s black America’s first
in fact he’s black America’s first
in fact he’s black America’s first crossover success he was not born the
crossover success he was not born the
crossover success he was not born the United States he was light-skinned which
United States he was light-skinned which
United States he was light-skinned which is why when he appeared on stage he
is why when he appeared on stage he
is why when he appeared on stage he appeared on stage as a blackface
appeared on stage as a blackface
appeared on stage as a blackface minstrel and then you look nexted to mr.
minstrel and then you look nexted to mr.
minstrel and then you look nexted to mr. Williams you have a gentleman whose
Williams you have a gentleman whose
Williams you have a gentleman whose birth name was Lincoln Perry but if you
birth name was Lincoln Perry but if you
birth name was Lincoln Perry but if you are a historian of early 20th century
are a historian of early 20th century
are a historian of early 20th century American film you know him as step-in
American film you know him as step-in
American film you know him as step-in Fetchit as in step and go fetch it so
Fetchit as in step and go fetch it so
Fetchit as in step and go fetch it so you had images that were construed to
you had images that were construed to
you had images that were construed to counter the representations of progress
counter the representations of progress
counter the representations of progress at someone like Jack Johnson represented
at someone like Jack Johnson represented
at someone like Jack Johnson represented but of course there are always responses
but of course there are always responses
but of course there are always responses in this context so by the time we get to
in this context so by the time we get to
in this context so by the time we get to the night 1940s and 1950s and I put
the night 1940s and 1950s and I put
the night 1940s and 1950s and I put these particular figures importantly
these particular figures importantly
these particular figures importantly because they were not necessarily
because they were not necessarily
because they were not necessarily political figures but figures who came
political figures but figures who came
political figures but figures who came out of the entertainment industry so we
out of the entertainment industry so we
out of the entertainment industry so we have Paul Robeson right who of course is
have Paul Robeson right who of course is
have Paul Robeson right who of course is not only an all-american football player
not only an all-american football player
not only an all-american football player graduating from Rutgers at the beginning
graduating from Rutgers at the beginning
graduating from Rutgers at the beginning of the 20th century he’s also a
of the 20th century he’s also a
of the 20th century he’s also a well-known orator he’s also an actor
well-known orator he’s also an actor
well-known orator he’s also an actor right he’s also a columnist right and so
right he’s also a columnist right and so
right he’s also a columnist right and so he becomes the embodiment of a
he becomes the embodiment of a
he becomes the embodiment of a generation of young black entertainers
generation of young black entertainers
generation of young black entertainers and actors and athletes who become
and actors and athletes who become
and actors and athletes who become politicized in the mid twentieth century
politicized in the mid twentieth century
politicized in the mid twentieth century one of the people that he most
one of the people that he most
one of the people that he most politicized is the gentleman who was
politicized is the gentleman who was
politicized is the gentleman who was simply known as a Calypso singer in the
simply known as a Calypso singer in the
simply known as a Calypso singer in the 1950s Harry Belafonte right and of
1950s Harry Belafonte right and of
1950s Harry Belafonte right and of course Halle Berry in front if we go
course Halle Berry in front if we go
course Halle Berry in front if we go forward to 2016 is mentoring a
forward to 2016 is mentoring a
forward to 2016 is mentoring a generation of black actors and actresses
generation of black actors and actresses
generation of black actors and actresses and entertainers about being politically
and entertainers about being politically
and entertainers about being politically committed what that generation creates
committed what that generation creates
committed what that generation creates is a particular generation of athletes
is a particular generation of athletes
is a particular generation of athletes that emerge in the 1960s the late
that emerge in the 1960s the late
that emerge in the 1960s the late Muhammad Ali that’s his famous photo on
Muhammad Ali that’s his famous photo on
Muhammad Ali that’s his famous photo on the cover Esquire magazine 1966 he was
the cover Esquire magazine 1966 he was
the cover Esquire magazine 1966 he was very good friends with Malcolm X
very good friends with Malcolm X
very good friends with Malcolm X happened to be a photographer and
happened to be a photographer and
happened to be a photographer and archivists himself Muhammad Ali might
archivists himself Muhammad Ali might
archivists himself Muhammad Ali might have been the most photographed athlete
have been the most photographed athlete
have been the most photographed athlete of the 20th century right and very
of the 20th century right and very
of the 20th century right and very consciously staged his own images right
consciously staged his own images right
consciously staged his own images right this is a photo of Malcolm X taking a
this is a photo of Malcolm X taking a
this is a photo of Malcolm X taking a photo of Muhammad Ali
photo of Muhammad Ali
photo of Muhammad Ali well I below them you have a picture of
well I below them you have a picture of
well I below them you have a picture of Muhammad Ali and Sam cooked the great
Muhammad Ali and Sam cooked the great
Muhammad Ali and Sam cooked the great vocalist because Sam Cooke
vocalist because Sam Cooke
vocalist because Sam Cooke Muhammad Ali Malcolm X and Jim Brown who
Muhammad Ali Malcolm X and Jim Brown who
Muhammad Ali Malcolm X and Jim Brown who was in that fourth photo were in fact
was in that fourth photo were in fact
was in that fourth photo were in fact close friends for an 18-month period
close friends for an 18-month period
close friends for an 18-month period until the death of Sam Cooke in December
until the death of Sam Cooke in December
until the death of Sam Cooke in December of 1964 and Malcolm X in February of
of 1964 and Malcolm X in February of
of 1964 and Malcolm X in February of 1965 they represented the coming
1965 they represented the coming
1965 they represented the coming together of a particular generation of
together of a particular generation of
together of a particular generation of athletes and entertainers that
athletes and entertainers that
athletes and entertainers that represented a certain notion of progress
represented a certain notion of progress
represented a certain notion of progress but we know whenever progress emerges it
but we know whenever progress emerges it
but we know whenever progress emerges it has to be an antidote and the antidote
has to be an antidote and the antidote
has to be an antidote and the antidote was a transcended Negro the person that
was a transcended Negro the person that
was a transcended Negro the person that you might argue might be the only black
you might argue might be the only black
you might argue might be the only black man of the 20th century to ever
man of the 20th century to ever
man of the 20th century to ever transcend race that would be mr.
transcend race that would be mr.
transcend race that would be mr. Orenthal James Simpson to fully
Orenthal James Simpson to fully
Orenthal James Simpson to fully understand who LJ Simpson was as a
understand who LJ Simpson was as a
understand who LJ Simpson was as a football player at USC in the late 1960s
football player at USC in the late 1960s
football player at USC in the late 1960s you have to look at someone like Jim
you have to look at someone like Jim
you have to look at someone like Jim Brown Jim Brown who was an all-american
Brown Jim Brown who was an all-american
Brown Jim Brown who was an all-american football player who was an all-american
football player who was an all-american
football player who was an all-american lacrosse player famous story about Jim
lacrosse player famous story about Jim
lacrosse player famous story about Jim Brown showing up on the cross field with
Brown showing up on the cross field with
Brown showing up on the cross field with his lacrosse stick and the white coach
his lacrosse stick and the white coach
his lacrosse stick and the white coach going who gave that Negro a stick but he
going who gave that Negro a stick but he
going who gave that Negro a stick but he also was politically engaged so they
also was politically engaged so they
also was politically engaged so they needed an antidote the antidote was
needed an antidote the antidote was
needed an antidote the antidote was aren’t all who one time was asked how do
aren’t all who one time was asked how do
aren’t all who one time was asked how do you feel about being a black athlete and
you feel about being a black athlete and
you feel about being a black athlete and he goes I’m not black I’m old J and when
he goes I’m not black I’m old J and when
he goes I’m not black I’m old J and when I say that he’s a nigger of the
I say that he’s a nigger of the
I say that he’s a nigger of the transcended race he was to do that when
transcended race he was to do that when
transcended race he was to do that when you saw Oh J great football player bad
you saw Oh J great football player bad
you saw Oh J great football player bad actor somebody who I might want to have
actor somebody who I might want to have
actor somebody who I might want to have a beer with right
a beer with right
a beer with right you wouldn’t name six or seven things
you wouldn’t name six or seven things
you wouldn’t name six or seven things before you got to the points like oh
before you got to the points like oh
before you got to the points like oh yeah no J sense as a black dude so much
yeah no J sense as a black dude so much
yeah no J sense as a black dude so much he transcended race it he was a
he transcended race it he was a
he transcended race it he was a spokesperson for mange
spokesperson for mange
spokesperson for mange a company like Hertz if you got a chance
a company like Hertz if you got a chance
a company like Hertz if you got a chance to see Oh J made in America they talked
to see Oh J made in America they talked
to see Oh J made in America they talked about him doing the commercials with him
about him doing the commercials with him
about him doing the commercials with him and they’re saying to themselves okay we
and they’re saying to themselves okay we
and they’re saying to themselves okay we just can’t have one singular Negro
just can’t have one singular Negro
just can’t have one singular Negro running through the airport that might
running through the airport that might
running through the airport that might create some concerns Wright said they
create some concerns Wright said they
create some concerns Wright said they would always have a white person in the
would always have a white person in the
would always have a white person in the commercial that could cosign if he was
commercial that could cosign if he was
commercial that could cosign if he was somebody significant ohayo J he was that
somebody significant ohayo J he was that
somebody significant ohayo J he was that me grow and again to put this in some
me grow and again to put this in some
me grow and again to put this in some sort of context when we talk about
sort of context when we talk about
sort of context when we talk about antidotes to progress Mohammed Ali who
antidotes to progress Mohammed Ali who
antidotes to progress Mohammed Ali who was infinitely a much more visible and
was infinitely a much more visible and
was infinitely a much more visible and popular athlete at the time that owed J
popular athlete at the time that owed J
popular athlete at the time that owed J Simpson was Hawking for Hertz Muhammad
Simpson was Hawking for Hertz Muhammad
Simpson was Hawking for Hertz Muhammad Ali was a pitch person for Roach spring
Ali was a pitch person for Roach spring
Ali was a pitch person for Roach spring think about that for a second and of
think about that for a second and of
think about that for a second and of course all of that leads to 1994 how
course all of that leads to 1994 how
course all of that leads to 1994 how quickly they slide down and this is a
quickly they slide down and this is a
quickly they slide down and this is a particular photo for Time magazine that
particular photo for Time magazine that
particular photo for Time magazine that is also mediated by the artist Hank
is also mediated by the artist Hank
is also mediated by the artist Hank Willis Thomas the idea of the fall of
Willis Thomas the idea of the fall of
Willis Thomas the idea of the fall of the proper nigga where by the time we
the proper nigga where by the time we
the proper nigga where by the time we get to the 1990s and 2000 we see a
get to the 1990s and 2000 we see a
get to the 1990s and 2000 we see a certain kind of remixes of these images
certain kind of remixes of these images
certain kind of remixes of these images so you could see someone like LeBron
so you could see someone like LeBron
so you could see someone like LeBron James on a cover of a mainstream
James on a cover of a mainstream
James on a cover of a mainstream magazine with a white fashion model but
magazine with a white fashion model but
magazine with a white fashion model but somehow that photograph looks something
somehow that photograph looks something
somehow that photograph looks something straight out of 1930s newspapers and
straight out of 1930s newspapers and
straight out of 1930s newspapers and magazines where the Nazis are depicted
magazines where the Nazis are depicted
magazines where the Nazis are depicted as King Kong and King Kong is running
as King Kong and King Kong is running
as King Kong and King Kong is running away with American white women and
away with American white women and
away with American white women and somehow that is LeBron James seventy
somehow that is LeBron James seventy
somehow that is LeBron James seventy years later we look at the two photos on
years later we look at the two photos on
years later we look at the two photos on the right the two photos at the bottom
the right the two photos at the bottom
the right the two photos at the bottom Eldred Tiger Woods the golfer who kind
Eldred Tiger Woods the golfer who kind
Eldred Tiger Woods the golfer who kind of transcended race and Shawn Carter the
of transcended race and Shawn Carter the
of transcended race and Shawn Carter the hustler the drug dealer from Brooklyn
hustler the drug dealer from Brooklyn
hustler the drug dealer from Brooklyn which one of them is the rapper and
which one of them is the rapper and
which one of them is the rapper and which one of them is the golfer if you
which one of them is the golfer if you
which one of them is the golfer if you look at these photos interesting kind of
look at these photos interesting kind of
look at these photos interesting kind of mix there right as the images of
mix there right as the images of
mix there right as the images of Gress and non progress get a little
Gress and non progress get a little
Gress and non progress get a little complicated
complicated
complicated and while elite black men have the
and while elite black men have the
and while elite black men have the ability to wear whatever uniforms they
ability to wear whatever uniforms they
ability to wear whatever uniforms they wear are things that look a little
wear are things that look a little
wear are things that look a little different for everyday black men when
different for everyday black men when
different for everyday black men when Mike Brown was killed in August of 2014
Mike Brown was killed in August of 2014
Mike Brown was killed in August of 2014 there were immediately these photos of
there were immediately these photos of
there were immediately these photos of Mike Brown that depicted him in his less
Mike Brown that depicted him in his less
Mike Brown that depicted him in his less humane humanity if you will and of
humane humanity if you will and of
humane humanity if you will and of course black Twitter got on and they
course black Twitter got on and they
course black Twitter got on and they begin to address that to mainstream
begin to address that to mainstream
begin to address that to mainstream media if you’re going to depict him
media if you’re going to depict him
media if you’re going to depict him how about depicting him in a way that
how about depicting him in a way that
how about depicting him in a way that highlights his humanity but doesn’t just
highlights his humanity but doesn’t just
highlights his humanity but doesn’t just simply connect to the narrative that’s
simply connect to the narrative that’s
simply connect to the narrative that’s being told to folks from law enforcement
being told to folks from law enforcement
being told to folks from law enforcement so he had young black people cognizant
so he had young black people cognizant
so he had young black people cognizant of what was happening what we mean said
of what was happening what we mean said
of what was happening what we mean said if I got killed how would the media
if I got killed how would the media
if I got killed how would the media choose to depict me so they shot selfies
choose to depict me so they shot selfies
choose to depict me so they shot selfies of themselves in ways that they know the
of themselves in ways that they know the
of themselves in ways that they know the meteor would depict them versus how they
meteor would depict them versus how they
meteor would depict them versus how they are in everyday life right so much so
are in everyday life right so much so
are in everyday life right so much so that they force in New York Times
that they force in New York Times
that they force in New York Times actually write an article to respond to
actually write an article to respond to
actually write an article to respond to the type of visual biases that corporate
the type of visual biases that corporate
the type of visual biases that corporate news in fact engage in in the context of
news in fact engage in in the context of
news in fact engage in in the context of these situations what you have is the
these situations what you have is the
these situations what you have is the musician and you have a student you have
musician and you have a student you have
musician and you have a student you have someone who served in law enforcement
someone who served in law enforcement
someone who served in law enforcement right recognizing that at the time came
right recognizing that at the time came
right recognizing that at the time came very rarely were they actually depicted
very rarely were they actually depicted
very rarely were they actually depicted in those kind of contexts of course that
in those kind of contexts of course that
in those kind of contexts of course that brings us to this particular historical
brings us to this particular historical
brings us to this particular historical moment gentleman from Baton Rouge
moment gentleman from Baton Rouge
moment gentleman from Baton Rouge Louisiana a family man
Louisiana a family man
Louisiana a family man another gentleman from Minneapolis
another gentleman from Minneapolis
another gentleman from Minneapolis another family man right this idea of
another family man right this idea of
another family man right this idea of Blackman is an endangered species and
Blackman is an endangered species and
Blackman is an endangered species and when we think about a society that’s
when we think about a society that’s
when we think about a society that’s afraid and fearful these black men wear
afraid and fearful these black men wear
afraid and fearful these black men wear these narratives coming from and we
these narratives coming from and we
these narratives coming from and we realize that in many ways they are
realize that in many ways they are
realize that in many ways they are historicized this last photo the art of
historicized this last photo the art of
historicized this last photo the art of Hank Willis Thomas a piece simply call
Hank Willis Thomas a piece simply call
Hank Willis Thomas a piece simply call strange fruit
strange fruit
strange fruit what are the kinds of emotions that are
what are the kinds of emotions that are
what are the kinds of emotions that are generated when you see a photo like this
generated when you see a photo like this
generated when you see a photo like this right this is a contemporary photo this
right this is a contemporary photo this
right this is a contemporary photo this is a piece of art that’s been done in
is a piece of art that’s been done in
is a piece of art that’s been done in the last five years the great poet in a
the last five years the great poet in a
the last five years the great poet in a statistician
statistician
statistician amiri baraka talked about the changing
amiri baraka talked about the changing
amiri baraka talked about the changing Seine and what we see in terms of the
Seine and what we see in terms of the
Seine and what we see in terms of the presentation of black masculinity in
presentation of black masculinity in
presentation of black masculinity in American culture despite young black men
American culture despite young black men
American culture despite young black men pulling up their pared pants and wearing
pulling up their pared pants and wearing
pulling up their pared pants and wearing bowties
bowties
bowties it’s a continued circulation of them as
it’s a continued circulation of them as
it’s a continued circulation of them as strange fruit thank you very much
strange fruit thank you very much
strange fruit thank you very much [Applause]
”
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