EP 1 - The Outlandish Forest Joe featuring Roy Wood Jr. and Joy Reid

The concept/definition of Drapetomania is introduced, which is a fictitious disease—devised by Dr. Samuel Adolphus Cartwright—that causes slaves to run away. We learn about Forest Joe, who escapes and gains a legendary reputation for evading capture. Joe creates the first known bullet proof vest. A group of vigilantes is created to hunt him and other escaped slaves, which evolves into modern day police associations.

Drapetomaniax is created by me, THE Michael Harriot. Drapetomaniax is a collaboration between OTHERtone, Sony Music Entertainment and Queer Media. This podcast is produced by Noleca Radway and Moses Soyoola with support from Senior Producer Janicia Francis, Managing Producer JoAnn DeLuna and Production Coordinator Homero Radway. Executive producers for this show are Pharrell Williams and Scott Vener. Our team includes Silas Miami, Dallas Rico, Roderick Morrow and Danielle Solomon. Special thanks to voice actors Glory Radway, Andrea O’Brien Vives, Jason Vives, and David Easton. Our sound engineer is Sam Bair. Our fact checker is LaPorsche Thomas. Music supervisor is Timmhotep Aku. The theme song is Freedom by Pharrell Williams. This episode features Knuck If You Buck by Crime Mob, and music by Humphrey Dennis.

This episode featured Roy Wood Jr. and Joy Reid.

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