Six podcasts to listen to during Black History Month
By Ornella Joaquim
A podcast is a great way to learn something and be entertained at the same time — while still going on with your life! I decided to swap music for podcasting when I started radio class during my masters studies.
There are so many options out there, from relationship advice podcasts to book reviews, murder cases to the news. I love reading but to read you need to sit still and pay attention. A podcast gives you the option to be able to do something else while listening to something informative. When it comes to information and knowledge, podcasts can be very handy to learn a thing or two. This means there is really no excuse when it comes to learning about things that matter, such as black history.
Black History Month was first proposed by black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970. It is the celebration of the African diaspora, including African American History.
So, if you want to learn about black history, here are a list of six podcasts you should listen to this month:
1) The Color of Law is a review podcast by the collective ‘Noire Histoir’. This episode covers the book “The Color of Law” by Richard Rothstein which starts the history of how local, state, and federal government policies and programs segregated cities across the US. I mentioned reading before, I think a podcast book review is a great combination of the two.
2) The N-Word by Black History for White People is an episode about empowering people through taking difficult or intimidating information and making it accessible, enjoyable, and understandable. The podcast dives into the past and present history of the N-Word.
3) Tulsa Race Massacre by GirlTrek’s History Bootcamp. Monday, May 31st will mark the 100th anniversary of one of the worst incidents of mass racial violence in the history of the US, the Tulsa Race Massacre. Over the course of two days, more than 100 residents of one of the most thriving and prosperous Black neighbourhoods in the country were massacred by a violent white mob. This is believed to be one of the worst incidents of racial violence in American history. This place was also called Black Wall Street, I only heard of this terrible incident a couple of months ago and I don’t think enough people know about it.
There wouldn’t be black history without the people who made history. I thought I would bring to the list two important figures to remember.
4) Martin Luther King Junior by Black History Month moments Leader and political activist for the rights of black people.
5) Rosa Parks by Black History Month moments A Civil Rights icon, need I say more?
Finally, let’s look to both the future and representation in science.
6) Joan’s Ideal: One real story-and advice-on conclusion in the sciences. The BSCP is working towards greater diversity and opportunities for people of colour and disadvantaged individuals within the biomedical and life sciences. A great episode on how the industry can further diversity and inclusion.
Black History Month happens annually in February in the United States and Canada and in October in Europe.
Let me know which ones you listen to and if you learn a thing or two!