Pushback — Episode 2: Defining Black Intellectualism

The 2017 movie “I Am Not Your Negro,” about the life and times of James Baldwin, received nationwide acclaim. But it was hardly an anomaly in its presentation of black intellectualism to a mainstream audience. From the memoirs of Barack Obama to the essays of Ta-Nehisi Coates, there’s been a renaissance of popular interest in black thought. But how do we define a “black intellectual”? How does 21st-century media help or hurt black thought leaders? And how do we fix the problematic tendency to think of black intellectualism as a male-dominated sport?

Guests (in order of appearance):

Gregory Walker, First Vice Chair, Fifth Ward Democratic Executive Committee, and Managing Executive Director, The Brothers Network

Shahmar Beasley, president of the Drexel College Democrats

Carlo Campbell, actor/musician/performer

Dr. Nyasha Junior, professor of religion at Temple University

Andrea Lawful-Sanders, CEO of C.A.P.E.S

Ernest Owens, award-winning journalist and columnist