Basic Black

May 8, 2015 This week Basic Black opens with a follow-up look at the events in Baltimore with a conversation about black leadership and variations on the “blue wall of silence.” Later in the show: as tensions in Baltimore increased, it was the White House Correspondents Dinner which included a few jokes on the state of race relations, that took center stage in many media outlets; and just after the state of emergency in Baltimore was lifted, the comedy duo Key and Peele premiered a sketch called “Negrotown”… we ask, when is the right time for satire? Panelists: - Latoyia Edwards, Anchor, New England Cable News - Phillip Martin, Senior Reporter, WGBH News - Kim McLarin, Associate Professor of Writing, Literature, and Publishing, Emerson College - Peniel Joseph, Professor of History, Tufts University - Emmett G. Price III, Associate Professor of Music, Northeastern University and author of The Black Church and Hip Hop Culture Photo: (Left) Scene from “Negrotown” Key & Peele, Comedy Central. (Right) Protesters demonstrate as a curfew imposed in the aftermath of rioting following Monday's funeral for Freddie Gray goes into effect Friday, May 1, 2015, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

May 10, 2013 Earlier this week, Charles Ramsey of Cleveland, Ohio rescued three women and a six year old who had been held captive by his neighbor for a decade. But it was the interview Ramsey gave to a reporter on the scene that day that made him an internet sensation. Within hours, he was trending on Twitter and the subject of numerous autotune creations. But Ramsey's two minute interview (and the later released call he placed to 911) grew into a larger examination of race, class and the media. The stories of the abducted women have rightfully taken center stage, but questions about Ramsey's introduction to the world media remain. This week on Basic Black, what can we learn from Charles Ramsey? Our panel: - Callie Crossley, host of Under The Radar, 89.7 WGBH Radio - Peniel Joseph, professor of history, Tufts University - Phillip Martin, senior reporter, WGBH Radio - Kim McLarin, author, Divorce Dog: Men, Motherhood, and Midlife - Michael Jeffries, assistant professor of American Studies, Wellesley College

May 3, 2013 Tonight on Basic Black history in the headlines: a report this week concluded that for the first time ever, black voter turnout surpassed that of white voters. We'll look at the national and local implications. And in sports, NBA player Jason Collins revealed he is gay; as the first professional athlete to do so, it's history, but is it news? The panel: - Callie Crossley, host of Under the Radar, 89.7 WGBH Radio - Peniel Joseph, professor of history, Tufts University - Kim McLarin, author, Divorce Dog: Motherhood, Men and Midlife; asst. prof. of writing, Emerson College - Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio - Michael Jeffries, assistant professor of American Studies, Wellesley College (Photo: Jason Collins. Kwaku Alston for Sports Illustrated.) (Photo: Jason Collins. Kwaku Alston for Sports Illustrated.)

April 5, 2013: With Mayor Menino's announcement that he would not seek a sixth term, the race for the next mayor of Boston has officially begun. Even as the slate of candidates takes shape, questions are emerging, among them: what is the opportunity for emerging leaders of color; what are the benefits to the city of Boston of new leadership, regardless of race; has the Menino administration left anything undone in communities of color that can now be addressed? Our panel: - Callie Crossley, host, Under The Radar, WGBH - Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio - Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature, and publishing, Emerson College - Kevin C. Peterson, founder/director, New Democracy Coalition - John Barros, executive director, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (Photo source: FreeFoto.com)

February 22, 2013: Is the context for the murderous rampage of Christopher Dorner one that people of color recognize? Tonight on Basic Black – anatomy of a killer’s racial experience… what happens at the intersection of racism, rage and mental illness? Our panel: - Callie Crossley, host and moderator, Boston Public Radio, WGBH - Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio - Peniel Joseph, professor of history, Tufts University - Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature, and publishing, Emerson College - Dr. Chidi Achebe, President & CEO, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center (Photo: War, Maria Gertsovskaya/Flickr.)