Davarian Baldwin, professor of American Studies at Trinity College, dissects the history of blackface in American culture and how it became a prevalent cultural phenomenon.

"The desires we had for Black people and our anxieties about their presence in this country were played out and expressed through blackface entertainment." 2/2 https://t.co/pFD6o9Gt8k
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) February 11, 2019


"You have these continual outings of blackface and then white individuals shift the performance as a way to maintain it…. It’s not required to black up in to offer a tribute to an African American performer or politician," says Prof Davarian Baldwin @trinitycollege.
— Brian Lehrer Show (@BrianLehrer) February 11, 2019

America's Blackface Obsession

Newsmakers meet New Yorkers as host Brian Lehrer and his guests take on the issues dominating conversation in New York and around the world. This daily program from WNYC Studios cuts through the usual talk radio punditry and brings a smart, humane approach to the day's events and what matters most in local and national politics, our own communities and our lives.  WNYC Studios is a listener-supported producer of other leading podcasts including Radiolab, On the Media, Death, Sex & Money, Nancy, and many others.

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Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, recaps what he talked about at this week's event.

Reporters Ask the Mayor: State Budget, Control Over NYC Schools and More

Kathy Hochul, governor of New York (D), talks about this year's just-about-done budget deal, which includes her priorities like housing, cannabis and more. Then, Jon Campbell, Albany reporter for WNYC/Gothamist, reacts to the governor's take on her wins in this year's budget.

Gov. Hochul's Take on the Budget Deal

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments concerning the law used to charge defendants for their actions on January 6th, and earlier in the week decided in favor of Idaho's ban on gender-affirming health care for transgender children. Kate Shaw, professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, co-host of the Supreme Court podcast Strict Scrutiny, a contributor with ABC News and a contributing opinion writer with The New York Times, offers analysis of both issues and previews what else the court is working on this spring.

Supreme Court: Considering Obstruction for Jan. 6 Rioters and a Decision on Transgender Health Care for Kids

In honor of National Arab American Heritage Month, Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a non-profit, nonpartisan, national civil rights advocacy organization, ticks through the long timeline of Arab-American immigration (and migration around the country), which shows the diversity of the community and where they landed throughout the country.

The History of Arab-American Immigration

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) talks about her work in Washington, including what may happen next after Iran's strike on Israel, her bill for child care for police officers and more.

America's Blackface Obsession

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