Basic Black Live: Uncle Tom in the 21st Century

Arts & Culture | Education | Politics

(Originally broadcast on March 25, 2011) 
Our topic this week: black “authenticity.” Grant Hill of the Phoenix Suns wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times in response to Jalen Rose, who accused him of being an Uncle Tom when Hill played for the basketball team at Duke University. This episode sparked a heated debate all across the internet; but in a deeper and more important sense, it also touched upon a familiar theme in African American life in regards to the question – what does it mean to be authentically black? And how do class distinctions contribute to the notion of black authenticity? more

Basic Black Live: Uncle Tom in the 21st Century

Arts & Culture | Education | Politics

(Originally broadcast on March 25, 2011) 
Our topic this week: black “authenticity.” Grant Hill of the Phoenix Suns wrote an op-ed piece in the New York Times in response to Jalen Rose, who accused him of being an Uncle Tom when Hill played for the basketball team at Duke University. This episode sparked a heated debate all across the internet; but in a deeper and more important sense, it also touched upon a familiar theme in African American life in regards to the question – what does it mean to be authentically black? And how do class distinctions contribute to the notion of black authenticity? more

The Boston NAACP Opens Its New Doors

Black Boston | Politics

The Boston branch of the NAACP reopened its offices in the Mall of Roxbury May 19, 2012 before a crowd of elected officials and longtime supporters.
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Blogging While Brown

Arts & Culture | Politics | Science & Technology

 Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte reports on the second annual Blogging While Brown conference held in Chicago last June.

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The Casino Debate & Communities of Color

Arts & Culture | Black Boston | Health | Politics

The recent controversy around NFL player Michael Vick's participation in dog fighting put a spotlight on the many gambling habits happening within high risk communities around the country. According to those who are against the Massachusetts casino proposal, they say casinos would only exacerbate problem gambling among those mostly affected, namely people of color and low income communities.

 

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