Black History Matters

Series produced by c j armentano

Caption: Harvard Professor Emeritus Alvin Poussaint
Harvard Professor Emeritus Alvin Poussaint 

Black History Matters, a highly relevant series of short pieces, was created in the belief that for many African Americans, the past is still present: a condition that has profound implications for all Americans, regardless of race. Segments shed new light on contemporary problems with origins in slave times such as racial profiling, stereotype threat and the American mythology of black inferiority. As Maxie Jackson, station manager at Cleveland's WCPN has said "I'm in love with the subject matter. Bringing these issues up from a historical perspective is on point and consistent with my personal beliefs." We think you will agree with the public radio program director who said: “Compelling and powerful. Unlike anything I’ve heard before.”

“Black History Matters” originated with the observation that the two groups (black descendants of enslaved persons and Native Americans) that have had the most difficulty achieving the full benefits of American life are the same two that throughout US history have been treated most violently by government and society. How this history affects the lives of African Americans has not been fully examined. As a result there remains little understanding of the black experience as a consequence of the physical, psychological and social maltreatment that originated in the earliest days of colonial America and continued through the Jim Crow era. Perhaps it is because “Black History Matters” discusses current social struggles with this history in mind that it has received high praise from African Americans including Maxie Jackson, station manager at Cleveland’s public radio station 90.3 WCPN who said “I’m in love with the subject matter. The fact that you bring these issues up from a historical perspective is on-point and consistent with my personal beliefs.” And from Wisconsin physician Dr. Eugene Pruitt who wrote to the series producer “I just wanted to thank you and God bless you. These four segments are beautiful, so factual and presented in such a humane manner. They definitely need to be heard throughout the African-American Community so that we can begin to understand how the vestiges of slavery still affect us. And from University of Florida associate professor Dr. Michael Leslie who wrote “These belong on NPR.”

The series begins with Harvard Medical School Professor Emeritus Dr. Alvin Poussaint speaking on historical efforts, beginning in the 17th century in colonial America, to undermine the self-respect and psychological well being of African Americans through indoctrination of black inferiority.

Also speaking from personal or professional experience are Dr. Eugene Pruitt, Milwaukee, Dr. Marvin Dunn, Miami, Dr. Marva Lewis, New Orleans, Kenon Walker, Memphis, and Robert Jones, Birmingham.

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“Black History Matters” originated with the observation that the two groups (black descendants of enslaved persons and Native Americans) that have had the most difficulty achieving the full benefits of American life are the same two that throughout US history have been treated most violently by government and society. How this history affects the lives of African Americans has not been fully examined. As a result there remains little understanding of the black experience as a consequence of the physical, psychological and social maltreatment that originated in the earliest days of colonial America and continued through the Jim Crow era. Perhaps it is because “Black History Matters” discusses current social struggles with this history in mind that it has received high praise from... Show full description


8 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Harvard Professor Emeritus Alvin Poussaint
This piece features the voices of black Americans who came of age during the civil rights era: an era that lives with a mix of pain and pride in th...

Bought by WXDU


  • Added: Jan 26, 2017
  • Length: 30:00
  • Purchases: 1
Caption: Harvard Professor Emeritus Alvin Poussaint
"Never Their Shame" explores one of the most troubling legacies of the past for African Americans that continues to be a problem in the black comm...

Bought by WBST, RadioStPete Florida, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, and WAMC Northeast Public Radio


  • Added: Jan 26, 2017
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Harvard Professor Emeritus Alvin Poussaint
Black and Proud explores the era when African Americans began to aggressively challenge myths of inferiority. As Martha Bouyer, a participant in th...

Bought by WBST, RadioStPete Florida, KISU, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KPIP-LP and more


  • Added: Jan 26, 2017
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Harvard Professor Emeritus Alvin Poussaint
Three veterans of the Civil Rights Movement share recollections of violence in Birmingham Alabama during the 1960s, including the bombing of the 16...

Bought by WBST, RadioStPete Florida, and KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio


  • Added: Jan 26, 2017
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 3
Caption: Harvard Professor Emeritus Alvin Poussaint MD
Racial profiling has a little understood yet profound impact on race relations, and remains a source of fear and humiliation for blacks and other p...

Bought by WBST, RadioStPete Florida, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, and KPIP-LP


  • Added: Jul 16, 2016
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Harvard Professor Emeritus Alvin Poussaint MD
Racial profiling has a little understood yet profound impact on race relations, and remains a source of fear and humiliation for blacks and other p...

Bought by KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio and KPIP-LP


  • Added: Jul 16, 2016
  • Length: 05:46
  • Purchases: 2
Caption: Emmett Till and mother Mamie
Professors Marva Lewis and Marvin Dunn discuss "stereotype threat" and its effect on African Americans sense of safety when interacting with police...

Bought by WBST, RadioStPete Florida, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, and KPIP-LP


  • Added: Jul 16, 2016
  • Length: 03:59
  • Purchases: 4
Piece image
Harvard Professor Emertus, Psychiatrist Alvin Poussaint discusses the long history of efforts to undermine the self-esteem and well-being of black ...

Bought by WBST, RadioStPete Florida, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, and KPIP-LP


  • Added: Jan 26, 2017
  • Length: 03:58
  • Purchases: 4