2021-02-10 17:53:26

“Four Hundred Souls”: Ibram X. Kendi & Keisha Blain on History of African America from 1619 to Now

As the U.S. deals with the aftermath of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, we speak with Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha Blain, co-editors of a new book that situates the white supremacists who rallied around Trump in the longer arc of U.S. history.

Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 brings together prominent Black writers to collaborate on what they call a “choral history” of Black American life in 80 short essays, including by the renowned scholar and activist Angela Davis, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and others.

“We wanted to bring together so many different voices from so many different backgrounds within the Black community to really share the history of this incredibly diverse and complex community,” says Kendi, director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research.

Blain, associate professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh, says despite the mammoth undertaking in the midst of the pandemic, all the contributors were excited to take part. “They shared our enthusiasm,” she says.

“They recognized the significance of this project as a work of history — being history in and of itself.”

Democracy Now! produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. lOur reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues. 

On DN!, you’ll hear a diversity of voices speaking for themselves, providing a unique and sometimes provocative perspective on global events.

Missed an episode?  Check out DN on FSTV VOD anytime or visit the show page for the latest clips.

#FreeSpeechTV is one of the last standing national, independent news networks committed to advancing progressive social change. 

#FSTV is available on Dish, DirectTV, AppleTV, Roku, Sling, and online at freespeech.org.

1619 Amy Goodman Black Rights Civil Rights Democracy Now! Free Speech TV Ibram X. Kendi Keisha Blain United States US Slavery

Human Rights and Equality

FSTV Speaks

The Fight for Civil Rights Isn’t Over | FSTV SPEAKS

The Fight for Civil Rights Isn’t Over | FSTV SPEAKS

KICK OUT THE CLOWNS - Watch on VOD Soon!

KICK OUT THE CLOWNS - Watch on VOD Soon!

How The Pink Tax Affects You! | Generation Girl Code

How The Pink Tax Affects You! | Generation Girl Code

Don’t Shop There: Hit Back Where It Hurts—Their Profits

Don’t Shop There: Hit Back Where It Hurts—Their Profits

Related

FSTV Speaks

Join the Movement, Grow the Resistance | FSTV Speaks

Join the Movement, Grow the Resistance | FSTV Speaks

Democracy Now!

Texas Flood Tragedy: 82 Dead, More Missing | Democracy Now!

Texas Flood Tragedy: 82 Dead, More Missing | Democracy Now!

Eye-Opening Truths About Cuba | What People Say About Belly of the Beast on FSTV

Eye-Opening Truths About Cuba | What People Say About Belly of the Beast on FSTV

FSTV Speaks

The Fight for Civil Rights Isn’t Over | FSTV SPEAKS

The Fight for Civil Rights Isn’t Over | FSTV SPEAKS

Proud Partners