James Baldwin's America

Jesse spends this week previewing the upcoming Presidential election in America and playing some clips of Baldwin talking about America, hope, and progress.

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Jesse talks about the upcoming presidential election in the United States and how the outcome needs to unify us regardless of who holds office. He then dives back into Baldwin's essay, 'A Talk to Teachers' and how and why it is still so relevant in 2020. 

Songs of the Week:

Public Enemy: Fight the Power 2020

Billie Holiday: Strange Fruit

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This week Jesse talks about Baldwin's essay, 'A Talk to Teachers' and the relevance it still holds to this day. He then uses his platform (microphone) to discuss the burden of being Black that children in this country face at far too young of an age. He also talks about the importance of the upcoming election in the United States.

Song of the Week:

Louis Armstrong: West End Blues

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Jesse is joined this week by dancer Solomon Roller. The two discuss The Fire Next Time, growing up in a bi-racial family, the importance of finding 'a tribe,' dancing as freedom, and happiness. Jesse then talks about a Baldwin passage from The Price of the Ticket and the difficulties Baldwin faced as he tried to bear witness to America.

Songs of the Week:

Michael Jackson: Remember the Time

Bruce Springsteen: Born in the U.S.A. - Acoustic version

Solomon Roller on Instagram

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Jesse is joined by writer and filmmaker, Bre Dioni. The two discuss how adversity affects creativity, being Black in Wisconsin, and film. Jesse then talks about his new Patreon Page for the podcast as well as the songs of the week and an important passage from No Name in the Street.

Songs of the Week:

Mary J. Blige: No More Drama

John Lennon: Instant Karma 

Bre Dioni Page

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Jesse drops in with a quick bonus episode to update you about some new features coming to the show soon.

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Jesse is joined this week by photographer RJ Page. The two discuss several of Baldwin's works including: Giovanni's Room, Another Country, and If Beale Street Could Talk. The two also discuss Page's work as a photographer, jazz music and artists, as well as the power of music in one's life.

Songs of the Week:

N.W.A.: F Tha Police

Ice Cube: It Was a Good Day

RJ Page's Photography Page

RJ Page's Instagram

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Jesse is joined by Professor Bill V. Mullen and talk about his Baldwin biography, Living In Fire. They discuss James Baldwin's role as an activist and agitator of the state in the 1960's and the toll that takes on a person mentally and spiritually. They talk about Baldwin works, Nobody Knows My Name, No Name in the Street, and Blue's for Mister Charlie. Jesse goes on to talk about the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and a recent talk he had with author and activist, Charles Reese.

Songs of the Week:

Janelle Monaé: Turntables

John Coltrane: Alabama

Bill V. Mullen Personal Page

James Baldwin 1963 Speech at New York Community Church

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Jesse is joined this week by Krump dancer, Traviance Witherspoon. The two discuss the origins of Krump, its popularity, and how creativity can be stifled in an oppressed system. Jesse then talks about Tupac Shakur and his lasting legacy on the anniversary of his murder.

Songs of the Week:

Tupac Shakur: Dear Mama, Brenda's Got a Baby

Women Krump Wednesday Youtube

Women Krump Wednesday IG Page

Traviance Witherspoon IG Page

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Jesse plays an excerpt from James Baldwin's talk about the artist's struggle for integrity. He then talks to poet, singer, and dancer, Jamie Dawson. Jamie discusses her struggle for integrity as an artist and how her life in Florida and schooling in Wisconsin affected her. She talks about her creative process, learning from White professors, and why The Bible is a banger!

James Baldwin: The Artist's Struggle for Integrity

Songs of the Week:

A Tribe Called Quest: We the People

Marvin Gaye: Can I Get a Witness

Jamie Dawson's artist page

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