Superlawyer Lisa E. Davis Blacksplains How Black Genius Was Stolen, Exploited and Erased

Each week, host Michael Harriot will pick one question about history, politics, science, culture or anything else worth talking about. But instead of giving his opinion or sharing his feelings on the subject, he’ll bring in a scholar, expert or professional who actually knows what they’re talking about. But these discussions won’t be neutral, performatively palatable or sterilized to make people comfortable. Instead of using “objectivity” as a standard (pronounced “Hoo why itt”), we’ll dive into each subject from an unapologetically Black perspective, grounded in real expertise and delivered with the wit, candor and cultural fluency that informs our ways of knowing. The result is a show that doesn’t just inform you; it will recontextualize what you thought you knew, give you new insight and make you realize that you aren’t going crazy. We’ll have real experts like today’s guest, attorney Lisa E. Davis Besides being one of the foremost entertainment and sports attorneys in the country, Davis is a certified “Super Lawyer” and the author of the new book: Our Minds Were Always Free: A History of How Black Brilliance Was Exploited—and the Fight to Retake Control. Today, she will help us answer the question: Can you steal Black genius? Let’s find out.One question. Actual experts. Real answers.Welcome to Blacksplained.TakeawaysTheft of intellectual property has had a profound impact on the Black communityThe limitations of the law in addressing intellectual property theft are evident Ownership and control are critical in the music industryThe role of record companies in curation and marketing is still significant in the digital ageChapters00:00 Theft of Intellectual Property01:12 Blacksplained: A New Perspective02:12 The Exploitation of Black Brilliance03:31 The Impact of Intellectual Property Theft06:44 The Legacy of Intellectual Property Theft08:37 Intellectual Property and Capitalism11:24 The Limitations of the Law16:03 The Impact on Music and Art20:15 Ownership and Exploitation27:41 The Difference in Cover Versions30:05 Theft and Responsibility32:44 Ownership and Control35:31 Masters and Catalog Leasing41:09 Intellectual Property and Creativity47:11 Record Companies and Curation49:14 The Role of Algorithms52:28 Black Creativity and American Culture