RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Podcasted process pieces from my course Black Existentialism. The course introduces one of the most important and potent mid-century intellectual movements - the existentialist movement - through a series of black Atlantic thinkers. Our keystone will be Frantz Fanon’s Black Skin, White Masks, which is arguably the most important work of Black existentialism from this period. Across the semester we will see why existentialism, with its focus on the ambiguities and ambivalences of lived-experience, had such a deep impact on Black thinkers across the diaspora. We will see these existentialist insights register in literature, philosophy, and film. Old and new.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Black existentialism • Racism and cultural identity • Masculinity and violence • Antiblackness and freedom • Philosophical and literary analysis • Historical context • Race and identity in art and filmThis podcast, titled "Black Existentialism," explores a diverse array of themes, primarily focusing on existentialist ideas through the lens of Black Atlantic thinkers. The episodes delve into significant concepts such as masculinity, race, visibility, invisibility, guilt, and liberation, highlighting their complexities within the context of Black existential thought. Key figures discussed include Frantz Fanon, Richard Wright, Angela Davis, and W.E.B. Du Bois, among others. The podcast examines how these thinkers engage with existentialism's attention to the ambiguities and contradictions of lived experience, specifically in relation to Black identity and antiblack racism.
Many episodes analyze the intersection of race and masculinity, exploring how cultural works reimagine or challenge traditional notions of manhood. The impact of social constructs such as visibility and invisibility is frequently addressed, often through literary and cinematic works that critique racial identity and the dynamics of racialized power. The concept of the "zone of non-being," as articulated by Fanon, recurs as a space full of revolutionary potential and identity transformation.
The podcast also examines the role of culture, language, and history in shaping racial identity and resistance. Themes of cultural struggle and the quest for an authentic sense of self within an antiblack world are prominent, reflecting the broader existentialist concern with identity formation in oppressive sociopolitical landscapes. Additionally, the interplay between individual and collective liberation, as well as the transformative potential of struggle and confrontation, are discussed as vital components in the journey toward a new understanding of humanity. Overall, this podcast offers a thoughtful examination of Black existentialism, blending philosophical inquiry with cultural critique.
