Basic Black

Basic Black Live: President Barack Obama Re-Elected

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST

Originally broadcast November 9, 2012.

November 9, 2012: Election 2012 came to a close on November 6 as President Barack Obama was elected for a second term. The turnout numbers rivaled those of 2008, despite long lines at the polls and court cases challenging early voting rules. In addition to the huge percentage of African Americans who voted for him, Obama was swept to victory by the youth and Latino votes, as well as large contingents of women, working class, and educated white voters.

Our panel:
- Callie Crossley, host and moderator, Boston Public Radio, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history, Tufts University
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Robert Fortes, Republican strategist

Related links:
Transcript of President Obama's acceptance speech

Transcript of Mitt Romney's concession speech

(Photo: President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden acknowledge the crowd at his election night party on Wednesday, November 7, 2012. Source: Associated Press.)

Basic Black: Polls and Predictions Going Into November 6

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST

Originally broadcast on November 2, 2012.

As the nation heads into election day on November 6, Basic Black considers the relevance of polls and the persistence of predictions. And what does it say about the candidates and this country that the race is so close?

In conversation:
- Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history Tufts University; Du Bois Fellow, Harvard University
- Robert Fortes, Republican strategist

(Photo: Early voting, Ohio 2012. Source: Associated Press.)

Basic Black: The Battle for the Redistricting of Boston

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EST

Originally broadcast on October 26, 2012:

The deadline is fast approaching on a federal mandate for the Boston City Council to pass a plan that reorganizes the city’s voting districts. But there seems to be no clear consensus among council members, nor among many in Boston’s communities of color, on how to do it. The mayor has already vetoed two maps. A coalition representing African American, Asian, and Latino voters has vowed to sue if they are unsatisfied with the council's solution. Emotions are running high, and only ten days remain.

Our panelists:
- Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Kevin C. Peterson, executive director, New Democracy Coalition
- Alejandra St. Guillen, executive director, Oiste
- Sean Daughtry, political action chair, Boston branch, NAACP

Relevant links:
As deadline looms, state of play in redistricting
Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter, October 26, 2012

Group pitches alternative voting maps to city council
Jeremy Fox, Boston Globe, September 29, 2012

More city council redistricting maps with Consalvo and Yancey verbal sparring
David Ertischek, Roslindale Patch, October 4, 2012

Redistricting map passes despite objections form Communities of Color Coalition and councilors of color
Mark Liu, Chinese Progressive Association, MySouthEnd.com, August 29, 2012

Boston City Council Census and Redistricting Committee

(Image source: FreeFoto.com)

Basic Black Live: Looking Ahead to Election 2012

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

Originally broadcast on July 6, 2012

July 6 marks four months to the day that the country will elect the president of the United States. We close this season of Basic Black with an exploration of questions going into the 2012 presidential election including:
Has African American support diminished for President Obama? How strongly has opposition to an Obama second term grown in light of the Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act? What will be the impact of recent decisions (President Obama and Supreme Court) concerning immigration? Is Michelle Obama a secret weapon in the president’s re-election campaign arsenal? Will there be any surprises from the upcoming conventions?

Our panel:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, WGBH Radio
- Kim McLarin, cultural commentator and assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history and founder of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, Tufts University

Basic Black: The New Black Politics in Massachusetts

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

(June 8, 2012)

The recently published Trotter Review examines political gains made by African American politicians at the beginning of the 21st century. Also, specific essays on why Boston has not elected a black mayor while the city of Denver has done so twice, and how Deval Patrick has served the interests of black communities while not alienating the larger population.

Our panelists:
- Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature and publishing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Ravi Perry, political science professor
- Kenneth Cooper, editor, The Trotter Review

Basic Black Live: The Black Church, Hip Hop and Gay Marriage

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast on June 1, 2012)

From President Obama’s support of same sex marriage to the dominating influence of hip hop culture, the black church finds itself on the front page of a national conversation about its identity, relevance, and impact. Will support for Obama's presidential bid fade in the upcoming election? Has the church adequately addressed the needs of a younger generation? Is this an opportunity for new voices to emerge in the evolution of the black church?

Our panelists:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature and publishing, Emerson College
- Emmett Price III, author, The Black Church and Hip Hop Culture, assistant professor of music and - African American Studies, Northeastern University
- Rev. Paul Robeson Ford, Senior Pastor, Union Baptist Church, Cambridge, MA
- Michael Curry, president, Boston chapter of the NAACP

Basic Black LIVE: President Obama, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Black Vote

Sat, 12 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast May 11, 2012)

President Obama surprised the world yesterday when his stance on same-sex marriage finished "evolving" and he came out in support of it. Will his position hurt or help his chances at re-election? How will it affect his relationship with black clergy? Will it alter his support in the black community?

Our panelists:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
- Kim McLarin, author and assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Lionel McPherson, associate professor of philosophy, Tufts University

Basic Black Live: What is "hipster racism?"

Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast May 4, 2012)

Conversations about “hipster racism” are drawing heated commentary across the internet, including questions about who gets to use the n-word and why is there a dearth of black storylines in contemporary television programs – but what is “hipster racism?”

In conversation:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor of The Callie Crossley Show, WGBH Radio
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history and co-founder, Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, Tufts University
- Latoya Peterson, owner and editor of Racialicious.com

Basic Black and Boston Institutions: The MBTA and The Boston Bruins

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

Originally broadcast on April 27, 2012

Tonight, with "Riding The T," we continue WGBH News' weeklong focus on the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. Our discussion explores the significance of the MBTA in communities of color. Later in the show, our conversation digs deep into the deluge of racist tweets from Bruins fans towards Joel Ward, the black player from the Washington Capitals who scored the winning goal, thus ending the Bruins march towards the Stanley Cup.

In conversation:
- Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Marvin Venay, co-founder of Think Politics and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus

Basic Black Live: The Luck Of The Irish

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast April 20, 2012)
The Basic Black panelists sit down with playwright Kirsten Greenidge to discuss her new play The Luck of the Irish, currently playing at the Huntington Theatre through May 6. When an upwardly mobile African-American family wants to buy a house in an all-white neighborhood of 1950s Boston, they pay a struggling Irish family to act as their front. Fifty years later, the Irish family asks for "their" house back. Moving across the two eras, The Luck of the Irish explores the complex impact of racial integration in Boston and the universal longing for home.

In conversation:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Kirsten Greenidge, playwright, The Luck of the Irish

Basic Black: Trayvon Martin and A Country Divided

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast on April 13, 2012)

In a country where an African American boy can grow up to be president, the tragedy of Trayvon Martin's death is one in a continuum in the stories of young black men whose lives end at the intersection of race and violence. The facts of the case in the fatal shooting death of Trayvon Martin continue to be debated, but in addition to the headlines and specific events of that night, our Basic Black conversation focuses on the myriad of themes and persistent questions about what it means to grow up black and male in America.

Panel:
- Latoyia Edwards, lead anchor, New England Cable News
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, WGBH Radio
- Kim McLarin, author and assistant professor of writing, Emerson College
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history and founding director of the Center for the Study of Race & Democracy, Tufts University
- Laurence Ralph, assistant professor of African American History & Anthropology, Harvard University

Basic Black Live: "Stand your ground" in Massachusetts? Also, the Supreme Court and the Affordable Care Act

Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

This week on Basic Black: In the wake of the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, a look at Massachusetts' "stand your ground" proposal and recent efforts to pass or block the legislation. Also, the pending Supreme Court decision on the Obama administration's health care reform legislation: however they decide, what are the political ramifications for President Obama's re-election campaign and the impact on communities of color.

Our panel:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
- Kim McLarin, author and assistant professor of writing, literature, and publishing, Emerson College
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history, Tufts University
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, WGBH Radio

(Image source via Creative Commons: xtopalopaquetl)

Basic Black Live: Are women of color left out the "women's agenda"?

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

In acknowledgment of Women’s History Month Basic Black presents a Women’s Roundtable. This special presentation will be a conversation on the issues and concerns of women of color coming out of the political landscape in this presidential election year. In addition to the wealth income gap and health care reform, we’ll dig deep on issues such as reproductive rights, women of color in political life, and setting the "women's agenda.'"

Our panel this week:

Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
Anita Hill, Professor of Social Policy, Law and Women's Studies, Brandeis University
Lani Guinier, Bennett Boskey Professor of Law, Harvard Law School
Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (MA-2nd Suffolk)
Kim McLarin, Assistant Professor of Writing, Literature and Publishing, Emerson College

Monday March 19th, Professor Anita Hill co-hosts "Disrupting The Script: Raising To Legal Consciousness Sexual Assaults On Black Women." Click on the image to learn more.

Basic Black Live: Headlines From the "Culture Wars" and Beyond

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

This week we take a look a headlines from the "culture wars" and beyond including: the rise of Jeremy Lin, the birth control controversy, The Help actresses in contention for Academy Awards, and Chris Brown and Rihanna back together performing at the Grammys.

Our panel: Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show; Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Km McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature and publishing, Emerson College; Peniel Joseph, professor of history, Tufts University.

Basic Black Live: A Conversation with Governor Deval Patrick

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast February 3, 2012)
Massachusetts' first African American Governor, Deval Patrick, sat down with Callie Crossley and Phillip Martin for a conversation on his autobiography, election 2012, community colleges, and more.

Basic Black Live: New Protests, New Leadership

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast January 13, 2012)

As we head towards the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, we look back at the past year of protest at home and abroad. In the era of the civil rights movement, much of the attention focused on the leadership; but in this new era of protests, the focus has shifted to the masses. Have leaders become obsolete? Our conversation this week on Basic Black looks at the new role of leadership in grassroots movements, from the Tea Party to the Arab Spring to Occupy.

Our panel tonight: Callie Crossley, Host of The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Kim McLarin, Cultural commentator and Assistant Professor of Writing, Literature and Publishing, Emerson College; Phillip Martin, Senior Reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio; and Ravi Perry, Professor of Political Science, Clark University.

Basic Black: The "School-To-Prison" Pipeline; Black Buying Power

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast on December 9, 2011)

Recent headlines across the nation have highlighted stories of children of color (some as young as five) being arrested for “acting out” in school. Basic Black discusses the impact of “zero-tolerance” behavior policies and the “school to prison pipeline.” Also, as we head into the Christmas season, a conversation about the economics of black buying power.

Our panel tonight: Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Rep. Carlos Henriquez, 5th Suffolk District; Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News; Earl Martin Phalen, CEO, Reach Out and Read; and Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature, and publishing, Emerson College.

Basic Black Live: Michelle Obama and Election 2012

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast on November 18, 2011)

This Basic Black conversation is a focus on First Lady Michelle Obama, (and the significance of having a woman of color in that role), as well as what we can expect in regards to her participation in the 2012 election. Related to the 2012 election, we'll also take a look at African Americans and the use of social media.

Our panel: Callie Crossley, host of The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature and publishing, Emerson College; Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Peniel Joseph, professor of history, Tufts University; and Mark Anthony Neal, professor of African and African American studies, Duke University and co-editor of That's The Joint: The Hip Hop Studies Reader, 2nd edition.

Basic Black Live: Revisiting a "High-Tech" Lynching and The Politics of Language

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

Recently, conservative pundits have characterized the mainstream media’s treatment of Herman Cain as racist, even invoking the “high-tech lynching” image from the Thomas hearings. The left wing responded with charges of hypocrisy.

Do black conservatives really receive different treatment in the media than black liberals? Are liberals no more post-racial than the conservatives, but more subtle about showing it?

Our panel this week: Callie Crossley, Host of The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Kim McLarin, Assistant Professor of Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Emerson College; Phillip Martin, reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Ulli K. Ryder, Visiting Professor at Brown and Lecturer in Africana Studies, Simmons College; and Lionel McPherson, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Tufts University.

Basic Black: Occupy The Hood and Redistricting

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast November 4, 2011)

This week on Basic Black we take a look at recent local headlines. We start with Occupy The Hood: what makes it different than the larger Occupy Movement? Later in the show we turn our attention to the subject of redistricting and how it will change Massachusetts political landscape.

Our panel this week: Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News; Phillip Martin, senior investigative reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Kevin Peterson, director of the New Democracy Coalition; Jamarhl Crawford, editor The Blackstonian and organizer of Occupy The Hood; and Meghan Irons, reporter, The Boston Globe.

Basic Black: Homosexuality and the Black Community

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast on July 1, 2011)

After a profanity-laced performance earlier this month, comedian Tracy Morgan came under fire for his provocative (some would say hateful) remarks regarding homosexuality. But June 2011 has been a particularly newsworthy month in regards to similar episodes which have prompted a discussion about homophobia in the black community.

Our panel: Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News; Kim McLarin, Assistant Professor of Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Emerson College; Phillip Martin, Senior Investigative Reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Rev. Dr. Evan Hines, Eliot Congregational Church of Roxbury, and Rev. Irene Monroe, Syndicated Columnist.

Basic Black Live: A New Look At the Life of Malcolm X

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast June 24, 2011) A conversation on the recently released biography, Malcolm X: A Life Of Reinvention by Manning Marable. The biography was two decades in the making, but sadly, Marable passed away the weekend before the book's publication. However, provocative revelations about Malcolm X including his early criminal career, his encounters with homosexuality, and his relationship with his wife Betty Shabazz have stirred quite a controversy.

Our panel: Callie Crossley, host of The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Kim McLarin, Assistant Professor of Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Emerson College; Phillip Martin, senior investigative reporter, 89.7 WGBH radio; and Peniel Joseph, professor of history, Tufts University.

Basic Black Live: The Link Between Poverty and Crime; Criticizing Obama

Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast May 27, 2011)

Is there a link between poverty and prison? Also, criticism of President Obama comes from unexpected quarters, prompting the question, "How should people of color hold President Obama accountable?" In our online conversation after the broadcast, we discuss the end of an era and the cultural impact of Oprah Winfrey.

Our panel tonight: Latoyia Edwards, Anchor, New England Cable News; Kim McLarin, Assistant Professor of Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Emerson College; Jamarhl Crawford, Editor and Publisher, Blackstonian.com; Omar Wasow, Fellow, W.E.B. Du Bois Institute, Harvard University; and Emmett G. Price, Chair, African American Studies Department, Northeastern University.

Basic Black: Local News Headlines

Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast on May 13, 2011)
This week a discussion on headlines in the local news including the growth of Dorchester, the return of the gambling issue, the call for tougher gun laws, redistricting, and a renewed push for immigration reform.

Our panel tonight: Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England News; Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature, and publishing, Emerson College; Representative Linda Dorcena Forry (MA-12th Suffolk Dist.); Alejandra St. Guillen, executive director, Oiste; and Representative Carlos Henriquez (MA-5th Suffolk Dist.)

Basic Black Live: The Death of Osama Bin Laden

Sat, 07 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast on May 6, 2011) This week: a discussion the death of Osama bin Laden and whether it has changed the conversation about Barack Obama’s foreign policy and military leadership, as well as his standing in the 2012 election.

Our panel tonight: Callie Crossley, host of The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature, and publishing, Emerson College; Jeffrey Taliaferro, associate professor of political science at Tufts University; and Melissa Nobles, professor of political science, MIT.

Basic Black Live: The War Between the States and Sharpton v. West

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast on April 15, 2011)

This week marks the official beginning of ceremonies marking the 150th Anniversary of The Civil War. How should African Americans look at the commemorations and historical re-tellings to come? Also, we'll examine the heated exchange between Rev. Al Sharpton and Cornel West over Barack Obama's leadership and whether he's done enough for communities of color.

Our panel tonight: Callie Crossley, host of The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature, and publishing, Emerson College; Phillip Martin, senior investigative reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Ravi Perry, assistant professor of political science at Clark University; and Meghan Irons, reporter, The Boston Globe.

Basic Black Live: Navigating The Afrosphere

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast on April 8, 2011)
This week on Basic Black: The National Conference for Media Reform is being held in Boston this week so we turn our attention to people of color and social media. We’ll discuss how digital media has replaced or enhanced the work of traditional institutions such as churches or civil rights organizations in encouraging/organizing social activism; we’ll also look at recent trends in how African Americans in particular are using social media.

Our panel tonight: Callie Crossley, host of The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature, and publishing, Emerson College; Phillip Martin, senior investigative reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio; Leutisha Stills, political blogger for Jack and Jill Politics and Black Agenda Report; and Jamilah King, news editor for Colorlines.com.

Basic Black ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: The Future of Black Print Media

Sat, 26 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally broadcast March 25, 2010) After the broadcast, our panelists turned their attention to a recent article about the troubles facing the iconic magazine, Ebony, and whether it signals a crisis for African American print publications. Our panelists: Latoyia Edwards, NECN; Phillip Martin, journalist, WGBH Radio; Callie Crossley, host of The Callie Crossley Show on WGBH radio; Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, chief medical officer, The Dimock Center; and Robert Fortes, political consultant.

Basic Black ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: African American Muslims in Contemporary Times

Sat, 19 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally streamed March 18, 2011) After the broadcast, the conversation continued to explore the fulfillment and challenges of being an African American Muslim in the United States.

Our panel: Phillip Martin, senior investigative reporter, WGBH Radio, 89.7; Imam Taalib Mahdee, Masjid al-Quran, Dorchester, MA; Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News; Latifa Turner Ziyad, board president, Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries; and Kim McLarin, assistant professor of literature, writing, and publishing, Emerson College.

Basic Black ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Boston City Council District 7

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

(Originally streamed February 18, 2011) After the broadcast the conversation with the candidates for Boston City Council District 7 continued to include issues of public safety and job creation.

Our panel: Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News; Phillip Martin, senior investigative reporter, 89.7, WGBH Radio; Manolia Charlotin, editor, The Boston Haitian Reporter; Tito Jackson, candidate for Boston City Council District 7; and Cornell Mills, candidate for Boston City Council District 7.