Ep7: From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation

Dr. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor writes on Black politics, social movements, and racial inequality in the United States. Earlier this year, she was targeted by online threats and abuse after Fox News and other outlets waged a campaign in response to a commencement speech in which she made the (uncontroversial) statement that Donald Trump is a "racist, sexist megalomaniac." Due to the serious threats against her, Dr. Taylor was forced to cancel several speaking events. In solidarity with Dr. Taylor, Charlie and Derrick decided to add her book, "From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation," to our summer schedule. After the horrifying events in Charlottesville in early August and the counter-protests that followed, it couldn't have been a more timely read. Joining our discussion this month is Dr. Ian Rocksborough-Smith, a scholar of U.S. and African American history and a former graduate school colleague of Dr. Taylor's. Ian and Charlie go way back. In fact, they grew up together in Burnaby, British Columbia, and they once even competed for the presidency of their elementary school class.