Now We Know

Black Greek Organizations have been around since the early 1900s; created out of the difficulty of the times to establish collegiate camaraderie, forward advancement and philanthropy in the black community. 

For the first time in Now We Know history, Donna & Jonathan have a guest join the podcast to talk about their experience and how transformational being part of the first black fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha, was for their life.

Resources:

ttps://www.learningtogive.org/resources/african-american-sororities#:~:text=There%20are%20four%20major%20sororities,(Butler%20University%2C%201922) 

https://www.naacpconnect.org/blog/entry/from-the-burning-sands-of-the-divine-nine

https://www.watchtheyard.com/history/revisiting-midwest-black-fraternity-and-sorority-history/ 

https://youtu.be/nx0bpj99oDs 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoWmUTq1Fm0 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnnmHb5QROE

Instagram:

@ThomasPolk.net

@DonnaJaneen

#blackgreekorganizations #bgo #divine9 #fraternity #sorority #blackhistory

Often times it's noted how black women really come through to help save us all; Dorothy Height was no exception. Walking alongside the likes of the big Civil Rights names we all know, Dorothy was the true voice of reason to help propel some of the most monumental times of the movement. 

Now You Know:

WC Handy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSuTTSOctGw 

Jake Blount

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHwFaa1WZnA

https://www.nps.gov/people/dorothy-i-height.htm#:~:text=Dorothy%20Height%20is%20recognized%20as,York%20School%20of%20Social%20Work.

Black Panther leader, Fred Hampton's, downfall was one that shook the party in the 1960s. How William O'Neal infiltrated the Party in Chicago from FBI funding was absolutely astonishing on so many fronts. Donna & Jonathan dissect Judas and the Black Messiah, the movie based on this historical event, bringing in clarifying facts and speak more on the overall mission of the Black Panther Party. 

Did you know how many people infiltrated the organization? Where would we be on social justice issues if Fred Hampton were still alive today?

Resources:

https://www.nytimes.com/1982/10/26/us/settlement-near-in-a-panther-suit.html

https://shec.ashp.cuny.edu/items/show/1254

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fred-Hampton

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Black-Panther-Party

https://www.britannica.com/topic/COINTELPRO

Now You Know:

FLO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nr30aGYi--g

British Girl Group

Instagram:

Donna & Jonathan are keeping it light this episode. Reclaiming their Black Card from the likings of Paramore to not knowing the Electric Slide to not knowing all quintessentially black movies that ever existed. They know the Card can never be taken but, for funsies, are there any reasons you may have lost yours?

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Fun TikToks:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRVbGDsC/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRVb3mEW/

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRVbpWag/

#blackcard #happyholidays #blackculture

Is Black Panther hot right now? Yes. Does this episode container spoilers? Absolutely, yes.

Before you listen, watch the film! Better yet: go back and watch the first then the second right after, it won’t disappoint.

Donna & Jonathan relish how Black Panther is an incredibly beautiful, story telling film that encompasses much of how the darkest parts of history continue to permeate the today of the world. In a sense, you have to understand history to understand how well it’s tied into the film.

Grab your tissues along with some popcorn; the odes to Chadwick Boseman, the character developments, the joys, the triumphs, the anguish. It’s all in Black Panther 2 and we’re definitely here for it. What historical continuities did you notice from the films?

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Source:

Black Panther 2018

Black Panther - Wakanda Forever 2022

#blackpanther #wakandaforever #film

It’s still rather unclear how Donna and Jonathan endured the preparation of this episode. Nonetheless, if they’re going to better understand propaganda films, they have to experience, firsthand, the foolery behind the biggest one of them all: Birth of a Nation.

It was, undoubtedly, a painful experience. However, somehow, they made it through the 3 hour drama film to tell the tale. How has Birth of a Nation perpetuated the gross, inaccurate, and absurd narrative of black people in America? What effects do we still see today, in film or otherwise?

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Sources:

https://youtu.be/rfpFHAGI2Ig

https://www.filmsite.org/birt3.html

https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Birth-of-a-Nation

Now You Know:

Issa Rae https://www.issarae.com/

Angelique Kidjo https://youtu.be/dlgESq5FAx4

#propaganda #birthofanation #film

Welcome to Hispanic Heritage month! Little did Donna know, the preparation of this episode would come with a feeling of soul fulfillment and a (highly possible) life-changing revelation. The similarities between black Americans and AfroLatinos in history is giving fraternal twins: so so much alike, but each has their own individual flavor.

From the joys to the wows to the disappointments, join Donna & Jonathan on this roller coaster ride of an episode of Now We Know.

Resource:

AfroLatino the Documentary https://vimeo.com/ondemand/afrolatinosdocumentary#:~:text=%22AfroLatinos%22%20is%20a%20documentary%20television,in%20the%20Hispanic%20community%20today

Recommended Short Films:

https://remezcla.com/lists/film/you-should-stream-10-afro-latino-shorts/

Now You Know:

https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2021/02/afro-latinos-shaping-the-american-story/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/afro-latino-redefined-black-history-remembered-rcna16652

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

#AfroLatino #hispanicheritagemonth #blacklatino

Mary McLeod Bethune paved the way for education in the black community. How do we receive and spread the knowledge throughout the community today? From childhood education to adults, like Donna and Jonathan, learning and diving deeper, how do we retain it all? What’s the best format in which you learn? How do we help educate those whose hearts and minds are the hardest to change without bearing the burden ourselves?

Resources:

https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-mcleod-bethune

https://www.cookman.edu/history/our-founder.html

https://www.britannica.com/story/why-was-frederick-douglasss-marriage-to-helen-pitts-controversial

Now You Know:

Yara Zayed

FD Signifier

Nibs Stroupe

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Fredrick Douglass - we all (most of us) know the name. But, do we really know the gravity to which he changed not only his life but those that were enslaved and for generations to come? Douglass’ incredibly powerful speeches has resonated through history and will continue to do so for millennia to come.

In this episode of Now We Know, Donna & Jonathan get into one of Douglass’ famous speeches, “What, to the Slave, is the Fourth of July?” A compelling HBO documentary based on the life of Frederick Douglass and his impact. What would Douglass' feel/say about the state of our country today?

Sources:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frederick-Douglass

Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches

https://www.hbo.com/movies/frederick-douglass-in-five-speeches

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/speeches-african-american-history/1852-frederick-douglass-what-slave-fourth-july/

Now You Know:

We are the world song - https://explorethearchive.com/black-history-month-facts

Book

The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity and Love

https://www.left-bank.com/book/9780743456081

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AjkUyX0rVw

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

#fourthofjuly #independence #juneteenth

Happy Pride! In this episode of Now We Know, Donna & Jonathan dive into the Netflix documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. As a trailblazer for the movement, Marsha's legacy has been underrepresented. She was extremely influential for LGBTQ rights and loved by many. Why is her death still a mystery 30 years later? Let's celebrate the life she lived and impact she had, she touched the lives of innumerable people of the time and certainly for generations to come.

Sources:

https://www.sageusa.org/honoring-our-black-and-lgbt-veterans/

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

https://www.netflix.com/title/80189623

Suggested Watch:

Pay it No Mind

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjN9W2KstqE 

Lindsay Ellis Tracing the Roots of Pop Culture Transphobia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHTMidTLO60 

#pridemonth #lgbtqrights #marshapjohnson