Black Perspectives Now:
Explore Black Perspectives Now for the stories, events, people and voices of black New England. Watch for new entries as our catalogue grows daily! Please visit our About page for information on our Contributors (Team) and to learn about becoming a contributor (FAQs).
Black Perspectives Now
Rev. Jonathan Walton on civil rights and social justice
by Talia WhyteDr. Jonathan L. Walton was the keynote speaker at the 43th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast on January 21. The holiday celebrating the life of the slain civil rights leader also just so happened to fall on the same day as the second inauguration of President Barack Obama. Walton was quick to point out this coincidence as well. However, he mentioned to the crowd that while Obama’s reelection demonstrates the racial progress made in America, he said there are still many other social and economic inequalities that need the same amount of attention.
Empowering Women & Girls: Nicole Roberts Jones
by Talia WhyteNicole Roberts Jones was the mistress of ceremonies at Boston's 43rd annual Martin Luther King Day Breakfast. As the old adage goes, behind every great man is an even greater woman. Coretta Scott King played a vital role as Dr. King’s wife and organizing partner. There were many other women who had participated in the civil rights movement, but unlike Mrs. King, Betty Shabazz and Rosa Parks, their accomplishments have been given little attention.
Ella Baker, Septima Poinsette Clark, Fannie Lou Hamer and Vivian Malone Jones are all unsung heroines from that era. Baker was a longtime organizer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) who worked behind the scenes. Because she was neither a man nor a minister, she was not seriously considered to become the head of the organization. Clark, better known as the “queen mother” of the civil rights movement, was an educator who played a role in a legal victory that would allow blacks to become principals in public schools in Charleston, South Carolina. Hamer was a Mississippi sharecropper, who was beaten and jailed in 1962 for trying to register to vote. She co-founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and spoke at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. Jones defied Gov. George Wallace by becoming one of the first black students to enroll at the University of Alabama in 1963.
And there were countless other women, who are unknown, but worked tirelessly cooking meals and cleaning up after rallies. These women should be the main role models for today’s black women, not stars on reality shows.
While no woman gave a speech at the 1963 March on Washington, it seems like their accomplishments are now being recognized. Myrlie Evers-Williams delivered the invocation at President Obama’s inauguration – the first ever done by a woman and layperson.
“There’s a Chinese saying, ’Women hold up half the world,” said former NAACP chairman Julian Bond. “In the case of the civil rights movement it’s probably three-quarters of the world.”
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A Conversation with James Rucker, Co-Founder of Color of Change
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The Boston NAACP Opens Its New Doors
The Boston branch of the NAACP reopened its offices in the Mall of Roxbury May 19, 2012 before a crowd of elected officials and longtime supporters.more
A Conversation with Issa Rae: The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl
Contributor Talia Whyte comments on the web series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl: "The sudden success of “Awkward Black Girl” says a lot about not only the potential of viral video and good old-fashioned word of mouth, but also a growing desire among people of color to see better portrayals of their communities in the media" She caught a few minutes with the series creator, Issa Rae.
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That's A Fact: Young, Gifted, and Black
Bunker Hill Community College held the opening reception Feb. 9 for its latest exhibit “That’s a Fact: Young, Gifted and Black.” Many of the area’s best and brightest artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers and photographers were invited to display and celebrate their art.more
Toure: Who's Afraid of Post-Blackness?
Touré, writer, cultural critic, and TV personality discussed his newest book Who's Afraid of Post-Blackness: What it Means to be Black Now, at the African Meeting House in Boston on January 26, 2012.
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Anonymous: When Words Become Weapons
Basic Black contributor Bridgit Brown spoke to families whose lives have been scarred by both violence and the careless language of the media.more
History Restored: The African Meeting House | Boston, MA (part 5)
The conclusion of a five part web series on the restoration of the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA.more
Revisiting Race at Emerson College
Black Perspectives Now contributor Talia Whyte visits her alma mater to investigate the climate of race relations on campus.more
History Restored: The African Meeting House | Boston, MA (part 4)
The fourth installment of a five part series on the restoration of the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA.more
History Restored: The African Meeting House | Boston, MA (part 3)
The third in a five part series on the restoration of the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA.more
History Restored: The African Meeting House | Boston, MA (part 2)
The second in a five part series on the restoration of the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA.more
History Restored: The African Meeting House | Boston, MA (part 1)
The first in a five part web series chronicling the restoration of The African Meeting House on Beacon Hill in Boston, MA.more
"We Saved A Community"
by Talia WhyteState Rep. Byron Rushing joined local community activists at Hibernian Hall Oct. 19 to discuss the history of the 45-year-old Madison Park Development Corporation, as well as highlight the roots of black activism in Boston.
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A Conversation with Roslyn Brock, Chairman of the Board, NAACP
Roslyn McCallister Brock is chairman of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) national board
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A Conversation with Randal Pinkett: Raising Black Boys
Dr. Randal Pinkett on the best way to prepare black boys for adulthood.more
A Boston Poet: Mignon Ariel King
An interview with Boston poet Mignon Ariel King.
A Conversation with Author and Activist Angela Davis
by Bridgit BrownOn February 16, 2011, Emerson College hosted activist and Civil Rights icon Angela Davis as part of February’s theme “Definition: BLACK” in celebration of African American Heritage Month. more
Boston: Perceptions Beyond Race (Nat’l Urban League 2011)
Talia Whyte spoke to out of town visitors at National Urban League conference about their perceptions of Boston.more
Voices From "The State of Black Boston"
Talia Whyte spoke to attendees at the release of "The State of Black Boston" report during the kickoff to the National Urban League Convention 2011.more
Hip Hop Activist Rosa Clemente
Rosa Clemente was one of many presenters at the 2011 National Conference on Media Reform (NCMR) held in Boston April 8-10. Clemente, who considers herself a proud “black Puerto Rican radical,” made it clear to other NCMR attendees that she dances to her own beat and doesn’t care who likes it.more
Elon James White at the 2011 National Conference on Media Reform
by Talia WhyteElon James White was a presenter on a panel on satire and its role in progressive media at the 2011 National Conference on Media Reform (NCMR) held in Boston April 8-10. He also spoke about the importance and responsibility of progressives and people of color to take control of their own messaging.
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Roxbury's "Living Legends": A Women's History Tour
Artist Susan Thompson participated as a “living legend” in a trolley tour March 19, examining the contributions of Roxbury women to Boston history. The tour was hosted by Discover Roxbury as part of their women’s history month celebrations.more
A Conversation with Environmental Activist Van Jones
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte talks with environmental activist Van Jones.more
Slideshow: A Candidate Forum for Boston City Council District 7
Photos by Phillip Martin, senior investigative reporter fro WGBH Radio, 89.7.more
Boston City Council and The Race For District 7
by Talia Whyte
A look at the candidates vying for the Boston City Council seat in District 7.
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Project 351: Answering The Call To Service
By Talia WhyteGov. Deval Patrick joined over 400 8th graders representing every city and town in Massachusetts Jan. 15 to commence his administration’s ambitious youth service day – Project 351.
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Basic Black Online Exclusive: Political Speech and The Tragedy in Arizona
(Originally streamed January 14, 2011) After the broadcast, our panel discussed whether political speech and rhetoric had any connection to the horrific shooting rampage in Tuscon, Arizona, leaving 6 dead and U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords fighting for her life.more
Voices From the Somalian Community in Boston
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte attended the 2010 Somali Youth Conference in Boston.more
A Decade of Daring: Access Strategies Fund Celebrates 10 Years
Access Strategies Fund celebrated its tenth anniversary at Villa Victoria in Boston's South End.more
Books Behind Bars: Literacy and Incarceration in Massachusetts
A look at an effort to combat illiteracy in America's prisons.more
Black Women Working Out: Being Fit and Fabulous
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Mass Decision 2010: Voter Expectations of Deval Patrick
What do voters expect from the governor of Massachusetts?more
Mass Decision 2010: The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization Hosts Massachusetts' Gubernatorial Candidates
In his opening remarks to audience, Rev. Hurmon Hamilton declared, "in God's political calculation, God takes the poor, those at the bottom, and raises them..."
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Mass Decision 2010: Jill Stein Supporters Speak Out
Supporters for Jill Stein on the problems with the Democrat and Republican parties.
moreMass Decision 2010: President Obama Rallies Massachusetts Voters
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte talks to voters attending a rally with President Obama.
moreMass Decision 2010: Voices From The Community
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte listens to voters in Massachusetts.
moreBeyond Measure Productions: Making Films in Boston
Basic Black contributor Alesha Gunn goes behind the scenes with Beyond Measure Productions. Their latest feature film, The Last Shot, explores the violence in Boston's urban communities.
moreContinuing A Season of Peace: The Unity March for Mattapan (conclusion)
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Continuing A Season of Peace: The Unity Walk for Mattapan
Rev. Jeffrey Brown leads a rally in support of the Mattapan community which was shocked by the brutal murders of four people including a toddler who died in his mother's arms.
moreTalking To Massachusetts Voters
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte speaks with Massachusetts voters.
moreA Solid Foundation for Building A Healthy Community
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte covered the groundbreaking for new health centers in Boston's Mattapan and Roxbury neighborhoods.
moreYouth Fighting Fat (Part Three): Empowered Youth, Empowered Communities
The last video of a three-part series by Talia Whyte
moreYouth Fighting Fat (Part Two): "Soda-Free Kids"
Part two of a three-part series by Talia Whyte
moreYouth Fighting Fat (Part One): Growing A Healthy Community
Part one of a three-part series by Talia Whyte
moreTransforming the Roxbury Community
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Open Call For Videos
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The World Cup and Soccer in the US
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte caught up with Alex Scott of the Boston Breakers to get a few thoughts on soccer in the US...
moreLooking at the 2010 World Cup from Boston
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A Conversation with Ayanna Pressley, Boston City Council At-Large
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The Casino Debate & Communities of Color
The recent controversy around NFL player Michael Vick's participation in dog fighting put a spotlight on the many gambling habits happening within high risk communities around the country. According to those who are against the Massachusetts casino proposal, they say casinos would only exacerbate problem gambling among those mostly affected, namely people of color and low income communities.
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Facing Africa, Facing Ourselves
Lou Jones: The Eye of the Photographer
Boston-based photographer Lou Jones has captured incredible images and historic events from all over the world.
moreA Conversation with Lee Daniels, Director of "Precious"
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Bruce George: A Poet For the Stage
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A Conversation with Tito Jackson
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte talks with community activist Tito Jackson.
moreA Boston Poet: Mignon Ariel King
An interview with Boston poet Mignon Ariel King.
Boston Responds To The Crisis in Haiti
Haiti Relief Efforts
By Talia Whyte
Hibernian Hall in Roxbury, MA served as the community's organizing platform for relief efforts in response to the earthquake in Haiti.
moreRolling With Nia, Chatting with Dana: Honoring a Friend, Colleague, and Mentor
A profile of activist and children's book author Dana Wright
moreA Conversation with Kai Wright
An interview with journalist and AIDS activist Kai Wright.
moreAdopt-A-School
A profile of Roxbury Presbyterian Church's Adopt-A-School program.
moreThe Food Problem (Eating Green - part 2 of 3)
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte delves into the mission of the Boston Collaborative on Food and Fitness.
moreBoston: Election Day 2009
Contributor Talia Whyte with a thoughtful essay on covering election day in Boston, MA.
moreArt For The People
Bridgit Brown talks with sculptor Fern Cunningham.
moreRoxbury Discovered
Tours of Roxbury reveal its front-row seat to history, from the Revolutionary War to Malcolm X.
moreKeith Morris Washington on Lynching
Artist Keith Morris Washington talks about his series of paintings on lynchings.
moreDon West, Boston's Photographer
Don West has documented some of the most signigicant events and people in Boston's black community for over 25 years.
moreBlogging While Brown
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte reports on the second annual Blogging While Brown conference held in Chicago last June.
moreHill Harper, Actor & Author
Equal Education was the topic when Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte spoke with actor and author Hill Harper at the recent town hall meeting celebrating the Lincoln Centennial.
moreReading Frederick Douglass
Basic Black contributor Bridgit Brown captured the importance of Frederick Douglass during a reading sponsored by Harvard's Charles Hamilton Houston Institute outside the Massachusetts state house.
moreRosalyn Elder, On Bookstores in the Age of the Internet
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Villages Without Walls
Basic Black contributor Alesha Gunn sat down with Talia Rivera, Executive Director of Villages Without Walls, for a very candid conversation about intervening in the lives of Boston's at-risk youth.
moreAfrican Liberation Day, 2009
Basic Black contributor Uchenna Ikonne took in the sights and sounds of African Liberation Day 2009, the first time the organizers have held the event in Boston since the conception of the celebration in 1963.
moreDenise Simmons, Mayor of Cambridge, MA
Before the controversial arrest of Henry Louis Gates, Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte sat down for a conversation with Mayor E. Denise Simmons about her thoughts on the gay rights movement. The former city council member is the first openly lesbian African American to serve as mayor of Cambridge. She recently married her long-time partner Mattie Hayes.
moreClose To Home
Basic Black contributor Sheena Quintyne sat down with Priscilla Rorie to talk about empowering young people to combat domestic violence.
moreKhalid Kodi - Artist
Khalid Kodi is an adjunct professor at Boston College. His art chronicles the people and culture of the Sudan; his work is on exhibit at the African American Master Artists-in-Residence Program at Northeastern University.
moreBarbara Lewis, Dir. of the William Monroe Trotter Institute on the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP
Barbara Lewis, the director of the William Monroe Trotter Institute at UMass Boston, talks about the 100th anniversary of the founding of the NAACP.
moreKeith Morris Washington on Iraq
In 2005, landscape painter Keith Morris Washington was inspired to paint flowers in a war zone as a metaphor for peace.
moreKaren B. McLean Dade
Author and educator Karen B. McLean Dade led a "call & response" during her book signing at Frugal's Bookstore in Roxbury (Massachusetts).
moreThe 11th Annual Roxbury Film Festival
Basic Black contributor Bridgit Brown attended the Roxbury Film festival, now in its 11th year.
moreA Conversation with Nelson George
An interview with author Nelson George.
moreRuggles Rising
In April of 2007, the Boston Redevelopment Authority approved a proposed plan to develop the space into a project that would house the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, a theater, a school, office space, shops, restaurants, a parking garage, and housing.
moreChez Vous
Basic Black contributor Alesha Gunn visits a neighborhood institution, the skating rink Chez Vous.
moreBlack and Meatless - sort of... (Eating Green - part 3 of 3)
Basic Black contributor Talia Whyte breaks down the differences between carnivores, and everyone else. This is the final installment of the three-part series, Eating Green: Food and Environmental Justice in Boston.
moreFood Justice (Eating Green - part 1 of 3)
Eating Green: Food and Environmental Justice in Boston (part 1 of a 3-part series)
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