Political Science

From The Veil to The Earbud:

Limits of Black Representation in Music

 often struggle to focus during extended periods of conventional talking and listening conversation, so I wanted to do an out-of-the-box experimental essay. In class, we had a conversation with our hands, with water colors and colored pencils and markers and pens. I began by sharing my “essay,” a watercolor I painted that was inspired by DuBois. To get our minds going, I opened the space for us to share some texts from DuBois--anything that stood out to us or inspired us--and then make lists of the phrases and words that stuck with us from what our classmates shared. Mine are posted below. With the text rendering for inspiration, I offered art supplies, music by the Fisk Jubilee Singers (referenced by DuBois), and fifteen minutes to contemplate, write and/or do art.

I thought y'all might be interested in what prison education programs can achieve! http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/oct/07/harvards-prestigious-debate-team-loses-to-new-york-prison-inmates

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We had some terrific approaches to Du Bois's Souls as well as connections between Souls and Rankine and Tocqueville. I appreciated the creativity and artistry that Shirah and Sula brought as well as the passion and care that Farida and Han exhibited. All four experimental essays were successes as far as I am concerned -- and I look forward to seeing how they take shape in their next iterations.

We could have spent a little more time connecting Tocqueville in DuBois, I think. From my notes for that class, I would remind you of the following (with some more elaboration):

Experimental Essay: A Discussion on Freedom of Speech

        During the Friday class, one woman said “I can’t just move on. I can’t just let go. How can I move on if nothing has been changed and I still live in fear?” It was heartbroken to hear someone saying this in front of me, but still, I whispered to myself, “Don’t change your perspective entirely. Add this part to your perspective.” This is the mechanism I have developed through the interaction with underprivileged people. “They are so much more than that.” is the sentence I always keep in my mind. 

To read this essay in the original color, please see the attachment.

Silence, Dignity and Forgiveness

From The Veil to The Earbud:

Limits of Black Representation in Music

Double-Consciousness & The Veil

In framing The Souls of Black Folk, W. E. B. Du Bois introduces the notion of double-consciousness, what he describes to be “this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity” (Du Bois 8). This phenomenon, Du Bois argues, is majorly responsible for perpetuating internalized racism and the division of races he calls the “color-line,” the greatest issue we face today.

Free, but not Equal