Jim Crow

Between growing public interest in the racial justice movement, a polarizing political landscape and folks trapped indoors for nearly nine months now, online activism is at an all time high. Accordingly, white supremacists who spew vitriolic and violent language and ideas also abound across social media platforms. This week Ron Dawson joins us to discuss his recent essay, "There’s a Jim Crow Mentality on Social Media,” which outlines his experiences combating racist trolls and threats of violence online. Later, diversity trainer Risha Grant joins us to discuss her idea that "radical acceptance" of our diverse selves makes us more valuable personally and professionally. 

Between growing public interest in the racial justice movement, a polarizing political landscape and folks trapped indoors for nearly nine months now, online activism is at an all time high. Accordingly, white supremacists who spew vitriolic and violent language and ideas also abound across social media platforms. This week Ron Dawson joins us to discuss his recent essay, "<a href="https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/thers-a-jim-crow-mentality-on-social-media-e9ea2bdffd5c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">There’s a Jim Crow Mentality on Social Media</a>,” which outlines his experiences combating racist trolls and threats of violence online. Later, diversity trainer Risha Grant joins us to discuss her idea that "radical acceptance" of our diverse selves makes us more valuable personally and professionally.

The 'Jim Crow Mentality' Of Social Media Trolls

The body positivity movement has been extremely important in combatting our country's fatphobia and teaching us all to love our bodies just as they are. Kelsey Miller, founder of "The Anti-Diet Project," is this week's guest and joins us to explain “How Whiteness Killed the Body Positive Movement.” Miller shares her learning journey about white privilege and intersectionality and she says the body positivity movement must heed the work and labor of Black fat positive activists in order to keep the movement growing. We also chat with Elijah Li, founder of SOULE magazine and the SOULE Foundation about why it's important for Black LGBTQ+ folks to see reflections of themselves in a world that is both anti-Black and anti-queer. 

The body positivity movement has been extremely important in combatting our country's fatphobia and teaching us all to love our bodies just as they are. Kelsey Miller, founder of "The Anti-Diet Project," is this week's guest and joins us to explain “<a href="https://elemental.medium.com/how-whiteness-killed-the-body-positive-movement-4c185773101e" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How Whiteness Killed the Body Positive Movement</a>.” Miller shares her learning journey about white privilege and intersectionality and she says the body positivity movement must heed the work and labor of Black fat positive activists in order to keep the movement growing. We also chat with Elijah Li, founder of <a href="https://www.soule.lgbt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SOULE</a> magazine and the <a href="https://soulefoundation.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SOULE Foundation</a> about why it's important for Black LGBTQ+ folks to see reflections of themselves in a world that is both anti-Black and anti-queer.

Why Body Positivity Must Include Black Bodies

This week writer Leigh Green discusses her compelling op-ed, "White Supremacy in Me: Light-skinned and part of the problem," where she acknowledges the privileges associated with her skin tone, and challenges other light skin folk to begin the work of using their proximity to whiteness to disrupt an unjust system and spark a revolution. Later, we speak with Peter Mercurio and Danny Stewart, who adopted their son after finding him abandoned in a New York City subway. They join us to tell their story and talk about Peter's heartwarming book "Our Subway Baby," which details their family's journey.

This week writer Leigh Green discusses her compelling op-ed, "<a href="https://humanparts.medium.com/me-and-white-supremacy-a85c76875349" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">White Supremacy in Me: Light-skinned and part of the problem</a>," where she acknowledges the privileges associated with her skin tone, and challenges other light skin folk to begin the work of using their proximity to whiteness to disrupt an unjust system and spark a revolution. Later, we speak with Peter Mercurio and Danny Stewart, who adopted their son after finding him abandoned in a New York City subway. They join us to tell their story and talk about Peter's heartwarming book "<a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/317018/our-subway-baby-by-peter-mercurio-illustrated-by-leo-espinosa/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Our Subway Baby</a>," which details their family's journey.

Using Light-Skin Privilege To Disrupt An Unjust System

Nefertiti Austin was adopted by her grandparents when she was a kid because her parents struggled with addiction. She joins us this week, as a single parent of two adopted children, to discuss her book, "Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting." And we talk about her New York Times piece, "Grandparents, Kin and Play Cousins: The Soul and Survival of Black Families," which explores how African American families' use of fictive kinship ties and multigenerational structures have helped families survive through generations of violence, struggle and oppression. Later in the show, award-winning poet and Louisville native Joy Priest joins us to discuss her new book of poetry, "Horsepower," which was awarded the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry.

Nefertiti Austin was adopted by her grandparents when she was a kid because her parents struggled with addiction. She joins us this week, as a single parent of two adopted children, to discuss her book, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Motherhood-So-White-Parenting-America/dp/1492679011" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting</a>." And we talk about her New York Times piece, "<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/07/parenting/black-families-children-kin-grandparents.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grandparents, Kin and Play Cousins: The Soul and Survival of Black Families</a>," which explores how African American families' use of fictive kinship ties and multigenerational structures have helped families survive through generations of violence, struggle and oppression. Later in the show, award-winning poet and Louisville native Joy Priest joins us to discuss her new book of poetry, "<a href="https://upittpress.org/books/9780822966197/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Horsepower</a>," which was awarded the Donald Hall Prize for Poetry.

Strength, Survival, And Black Families

Abby Johnson, the anti-abortion activist who recently spoke at the Republican National Convention, found herself at the center of controversy after a video of her went viral. In it, she said her adopted Black son was "statistically" more likely to grow up to be a criminal than her white sons who would likely grow up to be innocent nerds -- and thus police would be right to racially profile and stop him. Her racist comments sparked conversations about transracial adoptions (adoptions where the adoptive parents/guardians are white and the adoptees are BIPOC).Transracial adoptee author Melissa Guida-Richards joins us this week to talk about her essay, “Abby Johnson’s Video Shows the Problem With White Parents Adopting Children of Color,” and she joins us to offer advice for white parents who adopt child of color.Later, we speak with Graham Ambrose of the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting for an update on the recent financial settlement in the Breonna Taylor case.

Abby Johnson, the anti-abortion activist who recently spoke at the Republican National Convention, found herself at the center of controversy after a video of her went viral. In it, she said her adopted Black son was "statistically" more likely to grow up to be a criminal than her white sons who would likely grow up to be innocent nerds -- and thus police would be right to racially profile and stop him. Her racist comments sparked conversations about transracial adoptions (adoptions where the adoptive parents/guardians are white and the adoptees are BIPOC). Transracial adoptee author Melissa Guida-Richards joins us this week to talk about her essay, “<a href="https://zora.medium.com/abby-johnsons-video-shows-the-problem-with-white-parents-adopting-children-of-color-949b602e1328" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abby Johnson’s Video Shows the Problem With White Parents Adopting Children of Color,</a>” and she joins us to offer advice for white parents who adopt child of color. Later, we speak with Graham Ambrose of the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting for an update on the recent <a href="https://wfpl.org/louisville-to-pay-12-million-adopt-police-reforms-in-breonna-taylor-death-settlement/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">financial settlement</a> in the Breonna Taylor case.

What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption

Navigating life as gay man in a homophobic and heteronormative society can be emotionally and spiritually taxing. This week author Britt East joins us to discuss his insightful new book, "A Gay Man’s Guide to Life," full of what he calls “kitchen table wisdom” to help gay men endure and thrive in an anti-queer world, by loving themselves more and by loving others as well. Later in the show, speculative fiction author and publisher Olivia Raymond joins us to discuss the creation of her Black publishing house, Aurelia Leo, her new anthology, "Dominion," and why Black characters in speculative fiction works are vital for all communities. 

Navigating life as gay man in a homophobic and heteronormative society can be emotionally and spiritually taxing. This week author Britt East joins us to discuss his insightful new book, "A Gay Man’s Guide to Life," full of what he calls “kitchen table wisdom” to help gay men endure and thrive in an anti-queer world, by loving themselves more and by loving others as well. Later in the show, speculative fiction author and publisher Olivia Raymond joins us to discuss the creation of her Black publishing house, Aurelia Leo, her new anthology, "Dominion," and why Black characters in speculative fiction works are vital for all communities.

'Kitchen Table Wisdom' For And From Gay Men

As a historian of environmental justice and African American history, writer Faith Ann –- who is a white woman in an interracial marriage -– says she possesses the academic and intellectual knowledge to contribute to conversations about recent police killings with her Black husband but not the emotional knowledge. This week we discuss "What An Interracial Household Looks Like After George Floyd’s Murder.” Later, we speak to writer Allison Gaines about recent commemorations of the 19th amendment and how not everyone got to cast a ballot when women were granted the right to vote.

As a historian of environmental justice and African American history, writer Faith Ann –- who is a white woman in an interracial marriage -– says she possesses the academic and intellectual knowledge to contribute to conversations about recent police killings with her Black husband but not the emotional knowledge. This week we discuss "What An Interracial Household Looks Like After George Floyd’s Murder.” Later, we speak to writer Allison Gaines about recent commemorations of the 19th amendment and how not everyone got to cast a ballot when women were granted the right to vote.

Interracial Household Dynamics In 2020

Arvin Ahmadi

Young Adult (YA) fiction is a literary tradition that has largely lacked diversity when it comes to the race and sexuality of its main characters. Author Arvin Ahmadi's new book, "How It All Blew Up," has a queer Iranian American teenager protagonist. He joins us this week to talk about how other authors of YA novels can be more inclusive of diverse communities and identities. 

Young Adult (YA) fiction is a literary tradition that has largely lacked diversity when it comes to the race and sexuality of its main characters. Author Arvin Ahmadi's new book, "How It All Blew Up," has a queer Iranian American teenager protagonist. He joins us this week to talk about how other authors of YA novels can be more inclusive of diverse communities and identities.

Young Adult Fiction Author Arvin Ahmadi

Jasmine Davis

Lena Waithe’s dramatic television series "The Chi" has garnered a strong following and has received critical praise since premiering on the Showtime network three years ago. Its season finale aired last week.This week we have a lively and insightful conversation with actress and model Jasmine Davis, who joined the cast of The Chi this season, to discuss her character Imani who is a multi-layered Black trans woman that is tender, loving and all kinds of fierce. 

Lena Waithe’s dramatic television series "The Chi" has garnered a strong following and has received critical praise since premiering on the Showtime network three years ago. Its season finale aired last week. This week we have a lively and insightful conversation with actress and model Jasmine Davis, who joined the cast of The Chi this season, to discuss her character Imani who is a multi-layered Black trans woman that is tender, loving and all kinds of fierce.

'The Chi' Star Jasmine Davis

The word "ally" is frequently heard in the fight for racial justice, usually used by a white person seeking to declare just how "not racist" they are. This week, our guest Bridgette L. Hylton joins us to explain why she says “If You’re a Real Ally, You’ll Keep It to Yourself,” which she recently wrote about for Medium. 

The word "ally" is frequently heard in the fight for racial justice, usually used by a white person seeking to declare just how "not racist" they are. This week, our guest Bridgette L. Hylton joins us to explain why she says <a href="https://humanparts.medium.com/stop-self-proclaiming-your-allyship-to-black-people-674f94a5172c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“If You’re a Real Ally, You’ll Keep It to Yourself,”</a> which she recently wrote about for Medium.

In Praise Of Quiet Allies

Jaison Gardner and Dr. Kaila Story talk race, gender, and LGBTQ issues, from politics to pop culture. A new episode every week, from Louisville Public Media.

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Strange Fruit

Stephen Jimenez

Stephen Jimenez went to Laramie, Wyoming in 2000, to write a screenplay about the murder of Matthew Shepard. He expected to be researching fairly open-and-shut case which had almost immediately become the national symbol for anti-gay hate crime. What he found, tucked away among the files, was an anonymous letter that would change the course of his work completely. "I was shocked to hear that Aaron McKinney's attorneys claimed gay panic in their defense," the letter began. "Aaron and Russ were quite familiar with gay guys and had frequented gay bars. They became aware of the fact that they had a valuable asset in their pants, and that gay guys would give them shelter, food, and money in return for a few minutes pleasure." The letter also named some mutual acquaintances of Matthew and Aaron, suggesting the two had known each other before the night of the crime, and casting doubt on the pickup-gone-wrong narrative that had been presented in court. Jimenez spent the next thirteen years researching the case and speaking to more than a hundred witnesses. What he ended up with was The Book of Matt - a portrait of the crime that's been met with controversy and has, in fact, been condemned by the Matthew Shepard Foundation and other critics in the media. We sat down with Jimenez this week at an event at Carmichael's Bookstore to ask him about his work, and get his response to some specific criticisms of his conclusions. On this week's episode, we bring you that conversation so you can draw your own conclusions about what's undoubtedly a complex situation._Note: Because Stephen Jimenez was intentionally precise with many of his answers, and due to the controversy surrounding the book, we've decided to run this interview unedited. It's been altered for volume levels only._In our Juicy Fruit segment this week, WFPL's Joseph Lord fills us in on the local case of an Audubon Park police officer who lost his job after complaining about anti-gay harassment. And we reflect on the sad story of Nathan Verhelst, the Belgian trans man who chose doctor-assisted suicide after his body rejected his reassignment surgery.

Stephen Jimenez went to Laramie, Wyoming in 2000, to write a screenplay about the murder of Matthew Shepard. He expected to be researching fairly open-and-shut case which had almost immediately become the national symbol for anti-gay hate crime. What he found, tucked away among the files, was an anonymous letter that would change the course of his work completely. "I was shocked to hear that Aaron McKinney's attorneys claimed gay panic in their defense," the letter began. "Aaron and Russ were quite familiar with gay guys and had frequented gay bars. They became aware of the fact that they had a valuable asset in their pants, and that gay guys would give them shelter, food, and money in return for a few minutes pleasure." The letter also named some mutual acquaintances of Matthew and Aaron, suggesting the two had known each other before the night of the crime, and casting doubt on the pickup-gone-wrong narrative that had been presented in court. Jimenez spent the next thirteen years researching the case and speaking to more than a hundred witnesses. What he ended up with was <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/book/226504/the-book-of-matt-by-stephen-jimenz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Book of Matt</a> - a portrait of the crime that's been met with controversy and has, in fact, been condemned by the Matthew Shepard Foundation and other critics in the media. We sat down with Jimenez this week at an event at Carmichael's Bookstore to ask him about his work, and get his response to some specific criticisms of his conclusions. On this week's episode, we bring you that conversation so you can draw your own conclusions about what's undoubtedly a complex situation._Note: Because Stephen Jimenez was intentionally precise with many of his answers, and due to the controversy surrounding the book, we've decided to run this interview unedited. It's been altered for volume levels only._In our Juicy Fruit segment this week, WFPL's Joseph Lord fills us in on <a href="http://wfpl.org/post/audubon-park-improperly-fired-police-sergeant-who-complained-about-gay-slurs-commission-says" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the local case of an Audubon Park police officer</a> who lost his job after complaining about anti-gay harassment. And we reflect on the sad story of <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/05/nathan-verhelst-euthanasia-belgium_n_4046106.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nathan Verhelst</a>, the Belgian trans man who chose doctor-assisted suicide after his body rejected his reassignment surgery.

Strange Fruit #49: "The Book of Matt" author Stephen Jimenez

Yasss, kween! Werq. Slay. What do these phrases have in common? They come from the gay black community — specifically drag and the house ball scene — and have since been co-opted by mainstream culture, with little credit to their originators. Jefferey Spivey writes the blog "Uptown Bourgeois," and recently wrote a piece about this phenomenon for the LGBTQ website SOULE, In it, he calls out Elle magazine for publishing a photo gallery from this year's Latex Ball without including any of the performers' names (just captions like "Sickening," and "You betta work.") Spivey joins us this week to talk about appropriation and erasure.

Yasss, kween! Werq. Slay. What do these phrases have in common? They come from the gay black community — specifically drag and the house ball scene — and have since been co-opted by mainstream culture, with little credit to their originators. Jefferey Spivey writes the blog "Uptown Bourgeois," and recently wrote a piece about this phenomenon for the LGBTQ website SOULE, In it, he calls out Elle magazine for publishing a photo gallery from this year's Latex Ball without including any of the performers' names (just captions like "Sickening," and "You betta work.") Spivey joins us this week to talk about appropriation and erasure.

Strange Fruit #210: Tea AND Shade To Those Who Co-Opt Black Gay Culture

Last Saturday, Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson shot an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown, multiple times, killing him. Since then, the situation in Ferguson has been ever changing. Protests and vigils were initially met with a heavy-handed response from the police, who were outfitted with paramilitary equipment that seemed disproportionate to the situation. Eventually, Missouri Governor Jay Dixon relieved the Ferguson PD of policing the situation, placing the town under control of the Missouri Highway Patrol. While all eyes are on Ferguson, the shooting of an unarmed black man by law enforcement is, sadly, a phenomenon that happens with alarming frequency all across the country. USA Today reported that on average there were 96 cases of a white police officer killing a black person each year between 2006 and 2012, based on justifiable homicides reported to the FBI by local police, and that number only includes convicted felons—not people like Mike Brown and Eric Garner, with no felony convictions. (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/14/police-killings-data/14060357/) A report by Mother Jones breaks the situation down by state, and includes the low rate of conviction for these officers: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men This week on Strange Fruit, St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann, and Bridjes O'Neil of the St. Louis American join us from Ferguson to explain what happened there, and talk about the community's history of tension with its police force. Here at home, we speak with Councilwoman Attica Scott, whose op-ed in the Courier-Journal this week described the fear involved in raising black sons. (http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2014/08/11/mothers-fear-black-son/13905957/) "People need to understand that police officers are paid by taxpayer dollars," she said. "The budget is reviewed and approved by some local government to then pay these individuals to kill our babies. And that's not okay." The Ferguson aftermath and investigation continues to develop, so watch our twitter for updates: @strangefruitpod. Plus, we remembered comedian Robin Williams, who played what might be considered "queer" roles, like Mrs. Doubtfire, and the Birdcage's Armand Goldman, before LGBTQ characters had the pop culture visibility they do today. We promised to share some of our own favorite Robin Williams moments, so here they are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veYR3ZC9wMQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db5ukd6020Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_lbK_6n5eY And we also welcome our new radio listeners this week! Strange Fruit can now be heard on 89.3 WFPL in Louisville (and live streaming at wfpl.org) on Saturday nights at 10pm, just after The Tavis Smiley Show.

Last Saturday, Ferguson, Missouri police officer Darren Wilson shot an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown, multiple times, killing him. Since then, the situation in Ferguson has been ever changing. Protests and vigils were initially met with a heavy-handed response from the police, who were outfitted with paramilitary equipment that seemed disproportionate to the situation. Eventually, Missouri Governor Jay Dixon relieved the Ferguson PD of policing the situation, placing the town under control of the Missouri Highway Patrol. While all eyes are on Ferguson, the shooting of an unarmed black man by law enforcement is, sadly, a phenomenon that happens with alarming frequency all across the country. USA Today reported that on average there were 96 cases of a white police officer killing a black person each year between 2006 and 2012, based on justifiable homicides reported to the FBI by local police, and that number only includes convicted felons—not people like Mike Brown and Eric Garner, with no felony convictions. (<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/14/police-killings-data/14060357/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/14/police-killings-data/14060357/</a>) A report by Mother Jones breaks the situation down by state, and includes the low rate of conviction for these officers: <a href="http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/08/police-shootings-michael-brown-ferguson-black-men</a> This week on Strange Fruit, St. Louis Public Radio's Rachel Lippmann, and Bridjes O'Neil of the St. Louis American join us from Ferguson to explain what happened there, and talk about the community's history of tension with its police force. Here at home, we speak with Councilwoman Attica Scott, whose op-ed in the Courier-Journal this week described the fear involved in raising black sons. (<a href="http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2014/08/11/mothers-fear-black-son/13905957/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2014/08/11/mothers-fear-black-son/13905957/</a>) "People need to understand that police officers are paid by taxpayer dollars," she said. "The budget is reviewed and approved by some local government to then pay these individuals to kill our babies. And that's not okay." The Ferguson aftermath and investigation continues to develop, so watch our twitter for updates: @strangefruitpod. Plus, we remembered comedian Robin Williams, who played what might be considered "queer" roles, like Mrs. Doubtfire, and the Birdcage's Armand Goldman, before LGBTQ characters had the pop culture visibility they do today. We promised to share some of our own favorite Robin Williams moments, so here they are: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veYR3ZC9wMQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veYR3ZC9wMQ</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db5ukd6020Y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db5ukd6020Y</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_lbK_6n5eY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_lbK_6n5eY</a> And we also welcome our new radio listeners this week! Strange Fruit can now be heard on 89.3 WFPL in Louisville (and live streaming at <a href="http://wfpl.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wfpl.org</a>) on Saturday nights at 10pm, just after The Tavis Smiley Show.

Strange Fruit #80: Hands Up Don't Shoot: Fear in Ferguson, and at Home

Have you ever joked with a little boy about whether he has a girlfriend? Did your birds-and-bees talk include the words, "a mommy and a daddy?" The way we talk to kids can reinforce gender binaries, stereotypes, and heteronormativity. And of course, "having the talk" means something else entirely for black parents. That's why journalist Jenn Jackson calls parenting as a black queer person an inherently political act. She joins us this week to talk about how she teaches her kids to think critically about social norms, gender performance, and the expectations people have of them based on their gender and race.

Have you ever joked with a little boy about whether he has a girlfriend? Did your birds-and-bees talk include the words, "a mommy and a daddy?" The way we talk to kids can reinforce gender binaries, stereotypes, and heteronormativity. And of course, "having the talk" means something else entirely for black parents. That's why journalist Jenn Jackson calls parenting as a black queer person an inherently political act. She joins us this week to talk about how she teaches her kids to think critically about social norms, gender performance, and the expectations people have of them based on their gender and race.

Strange Fruit #212: Parenting While Black and Queer

It isn't unusual to see homoeroticism in hypermasculine spaces - like the locker room, the wrestling ring, or the military barracks. But what about the barbershop? It's a social and community hub and where black masculinity is centered. But you''ll also encounter homophobia there, and for many queer black men, it doesn't feel like a safe space. So where does that leave LGBTQ black men who need that sense of community (or just a haircut)? We talk about the black barbershop - good and bad - on this week's show. Our guest is Da'Shaun Harrison, who recently tackled the subject in an essay for the Black Youth Project. Plus, actor Lee Doud joins us to talk about anti-Asian bias in the gay community, particularly when it comes to dating and desire.

It isn't unusual to see homoeroticism in hypermasculine spaces - like the locker room, the wrestling ring, or the military barracks. But what about the barbershop? It's a social and community hub and where black masculinity is centered. But you''ll also encounter homophobia there, and for many queer black men, it doesn't feel like a safe space. So where does that leave LGBTQ black men who need that sense of community (or just a haircut)? We talk about the black barbershop - good and bad - on this week's show. Our guest is Da'Shaun Harrison, who recently tackled the subject in an essay for the Black Youth Project. Plus, actor Lee Doud joins us to talk about anti-Asian bias in the gay community, particularly when it comes to dating and desire.

Strange Fruit #234: Is The Black Barbershop A Safe Space For Queer Men?

What does it mean to be bisexual? That you're attracted to both men and women? What about gender non-conforming people? Intersex people? When it comes to human identity and desire, things can get complicated. Educator and activist Robyn Ochs crafted this definition of bisexuality: “I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge in myself the potential to be attracted — romantically and/or sexually — to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way, or to the same degree.” She'll be in Louisville next week to present her program, Beyond Binaries: Identity and Sexuality, at Spalding University and the University of Louisville. She joins us on this week's show to talk about her decades of work in bi visibility, and the challenges involved in being bi in a non-binary world.

What does it mean to be bisexual? That you're attracted to both men and women? What about gender non-conforming people? Intersex people? When it comes to human identity and desire, things can get complicated. Educator and activist Robyn Ochs crafted this definition of bisexuality: “I call myself bisexual because I acknowledge in myself the potential to be attracted — romantically and/or sexually — to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way, or to the same degree.” She'll be in Louisville next week to present her program, Beyond Binaries: Identity and Sexuality, at Spalding University and the University of Louisville. She joins us on this week's show to talk about her decades of work in bi visibility, and the challenges involved in being bi in a non-binary world.

Strange Fruit #217: Bisexual Visibility In A Non-Binary World

Coming out isn't what it used to be. These days, even the most sheltered people generally have at least some basic understanding of what it means to be gay. But for people living in certain communities, in certain countries, and with certain identities, coming out can still be dangerous - or even life-threatening. And, of course, no one just comes out once. In many ways, we're all coming out all the time. October 11 was National Coming Out Day, so in this week's episode, we talk about what it means to be out - for queer folks, trans folks, and especially people of color. Our guest is Aaron Weathers, who was on our very first episode in 2012, when we talked about coming out to our mamas.

Coming out isn't what it used to be. These days, even the most sheltered people generally have at least some basic understanding of what it means to be gay. But for people living in certain communities, in certain countries, and with certain identities, coming out can still be dangerous - or even life-threatening. And, of course, no one just comes out once. In many ways, we're all coming out all the time. October 11 was National Coming Out Day, so in this week's episode, we talk about what it means to be out - for queer folks, trans folks, and especially people of color. Our guest is Aaron Weathers, who was on our very first episode in 2012, when we talked about coming out to our mamas.

Strange Fruit #214: What It Means To Be Out In 2017

Our celebration of Black History Month continues and we begin by speaking with Baltimore-area educator Brittany Willis about the perilous plight of Black youth in the American education system - and how she came to realize that in order to save Black children she had to stop being their teacher.  Next up, we talk about the relationship between Black fathers and their sons, as Chicago-based tech and political writer Keith Reid-Cleveland reveals how it took years to learn to love and forgive the father he didn’t meet for the first time until he was twelve years old.  For Juicy Fruit, we’re joined again by linguist Grant Barrett of the American Dialect Society to discuss 2019’s Word of the Year and all the words and phrases that had everybody talking for the last decade. Donate to support this and future seasons of Strange Fruit.

Our celebration of Black History Month continues and we begin by speaking with Baltimore-area educator Brittany Willis about the perilous plight of Black youth in the American education system - and how she came to realize that in order to save Black children she had to stop being their teacher. Next up, we talk about the relationship between Black fathers and their sons, as Chicago-based tech and political writer Keith Reid-Cleveland reveals how it took years to learn to love and forgive the father he didn’t meet for the first time until he was twelve years old. For Juicy Fruit, we’re joined again by linguist Grant Barrett of the American Dialect Society to discuss 2019’s Word of the Year and all the words and phrases that had everybody talking for the last decade. <a href="http://donate.strangefruitpod.org" rel="payment nofollow" target="_blank"> Donate to support this and future seasons of Strange Fruit.</a>

Teaching Black Students Within Racist School Systems

Louisville photographer Sowande Malone joins us this week, because he doesn't just take pictures - he's also a huge comic book fan. Together we unpack all things "Black Panther," including how gender and sexuality play out in the movie. And since it's the movie that launched a thousand think pieces, we talk about those too - even the ones we don't agree with.

Louisville photographer Sowande Malone joins us this week, because he doesn't just take pictures - he's also a huge comic book fan. Together we unpack all things "Black Panther," including how gender and sexuality play out in the movie. And since it's the movie that launched a thousand think pieces, we talk about those too - even the ones we don't agree with.

Strange Fruit #233: DO NOT LISTEN UNTIL YOU'VE SEEN 'BLACK PANTHER'

It happens, to some extent, every single day. People of color are exposed to racism in many ways -- from watching footage of police shootings, to experiencing racism in our own communities. Psychologists call it "racial trauma," and it can change the way our brains and bodies relate to, and process, the world around us. Psychologist Dr. Carlton Green joins us on this week's show to tell us more about racial trauma, how to cope with it. and how mental health professionals are learning to treat it.

It happens, to some extent, every single day. People of color are exposed to racism in many ways -- from watching footage of police shootings, to experiencing racism in our own communities. Psychologists call it "racial trauma," and it can change the way our brains and bodies relate to, and process, the world around us. Psychologist Dr. Carlton Green joins us on this week's show to tell us more about racial trauma, how to cope with it. and how mental health professionals are learning to treat it.

Strange Fruit #229: Racial Trauma And Mental Health

This week we talk with Tabais Olajuawon about his recent essay, "We Are Not Yours: I’m tired of white women’s racial-sexual terrorism of my BlaQueer body" (https://blackyouthproject.com/im-tired-of-white-womens-racial-sexual-terrorism-of-my-blaqueer/) And we meet Phillipe Cunningham, a special education teacher and black trans man who was just elected to the city council in Minneapolis. (https://www.advocate.com/politics/2017/11/08/trans-man-has-also-been-elected-minneapolis-city-council)

This week we talk with Tabais Olajuawon about his recent essay, "We Are Not Yours: I’m tired of white women’s racial-sexual terrorism of my BlaQueer body" (<a href="https://blackyouthproject.com/im-tired-of-white-womens-racial-sexual-terrorism-of-my-blaqueer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://blackyouthproject.com/im-tired-of-white-womens-racial-sexual-terrorism-of-my-blaqueer/</a>) And we meet Phillipe Cunningham, a special education teacher and black trans man who was just elected to the city council in Minneapolis. (<a href="https://www.advocate.com/politics/2017/11/08/trans-man-has-also-been-elected-minneapolis-city-council" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.advocate.com/politics/2017/11/08/trans-man-has-also-been-elected-minneapolis-city-council</a>)

Strange Fruit #223: Black Queer Bodies Are Not For White Consumption

Our bodies are labelled from the moment we're born, when we're assigned a sex and gender. From that point on, a million stereotypes and expectations are projected on to them. Even in the gay community, where we might not expect heteronormative gender roles to be re-enforced, sometimes our body type determines what "type" of lover people expect us to be. Slender and femme? She probably dates butch women. Tall and muscular? He must be a top. Why is it that we expect people who look a certain way to take on a certain role in the relationship, and in bed? We talk about it this week with Sieta Saudades, who recently wrote a piece for the Black Youth Project called, "We need to talk about gay men using body types to conform to heteronormative gender roles." You can read it here: https://blackyouthproject.com/we-need-to-talk-about-gay-men-using-body-types-conform-heteronormativity/ Also this week, Jai insinuates that Doc likes pumpkin pie better than sweet potato pie because she's from Michigan. Chaos ensues. And Intern Brandon leaves the nest! Find out what grade we gave him and what his plans are after graduation.

Our bodies are labelled from the moment we're born, when we're assigned a sex and gender. From that point on, a million stereotypes and expectations are projected on to them. Even in the gay community, where we might not expect heteronormative gender roles to be re-enforced, sometimes our body type determines what "type" of lover people expect us to be. Slender and femme? She probably dates butch women. Tall and muscular? He must be a top. Why is it that we expect people who look a certain way to take on a certain role in the relationship, and in bed? We talk about it this week with Sieta Saudades, who recently wrote a piece for the Black Youth Project called, "We need to talk about gay men using body types to conform to heteronormative gender roles." You can read it here: <a href="https://blackyouthproject.com/we-need-to-talk-about-gay-men-using-body-types-conform-heteronormativity/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://blackyouthproject.com/we-need-to-talk-about-gay-men-using-body-types-conform-heteronormativity/</a> Also this week, Jai insinuates that Doc likes pumpkin pie better than sweet potato pie because she's from Michigan. Chaos ensues. And Intern Brandon leaves the nest! Find out what grade we gave him and what his plans are after graduation.

Strange Fruit #220: Your Body Type Does Not Determine Your Gender Role

Telling the histories and lived experiences of Black LGBTQ+ people is beneficial not only for the future generations who hear or read these stories, but is vital to our own survival as well.This week, professor and author Dr. E. Patrick Johnson returns to the show to discuss his new book, "Honeypot: Black Southern Women Who Love Women," which introduces readers to a variety of Black Southern queer women who shared with Johnson the stories of the joy, pain, terror and triumphs that have colored their lives.Later, Jordan Williams stops by the studio to talk about his compelling short feature on the online platform Queer Kentucky. Williams discusses his journey to self-love and self-acceptance as a queer Black man and talks about how he coped with the lack of racial diversity while growing up in Hardin County, Kentucky.

Telling the histories and lived experiences of Black LGBTQ+ people is beneficial not only for the future generations who hear or read these stories, but is vital to our own survival as well. This week, professor and author Dr. E. Patrick Johnson returns to the show to discuss his new book, "Honeypot: Black Southern Women Who Love Women," which introduces readers to a variety of Black Southern queer women who shared with Johnson the stories of the joy, pain, terror and triumphs that have colored their lives. Later, Jordan Williams stops by the studio to talk about his compelling short feature on the online platform Queer Kentucky. Williams discusses his journey to self-love and self-acceptance as a queer Black man and talks about how he coped with the lack of racial diversity while growing up in Hardin County, Kentucky.

The Importance Of Telling LGBTQ+ Stories

This week, Frankfort became the fifth Kentucky city to pass a fairness ordinance, protecting LGBTQ folks from discrimination! We talk about it in our Juicy Fruit segment, along with the strange case of Tyler Perry laying hands on T.D. Jakes, and what #DonLemonLooksLike with his new haircut. In our feature interview this week, we spoke with sex therapist Dr. Joe Kort, who got our attention with his recent article, Why Some Straight Men Are Romantically or Sexually Attracted to Other Men. In it, he shares a whole list of reasons why this phenomenon might happen. These reasons are by turns predictable (they're in prison with no access to women), poignant (they seek to replace the affection they didn't get from their fathers), hilarious (narcissism!) and taboo (we're pretty sure this is the first time the word cuckholding has been uttered on Strange Fruit). It was a fascinating conversation and Dr. Kort shed some light on a lot of things. Let us know what you think, Fruitcakes. Have you encountered straight men like this?

This week, Frankfort became the fifth Kentucky city to <a href="http://wfpl.org/post/frankfort-becomes-fifth-kentucky-city-pass-fairness-ordinance" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pass a fairness ordinance</a>, protecting LGBTQ folks from discrimination! We talk about it in our Juicy Fruit segment, along with the strange case of Tyler Perry <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/03/tyler-perry-lays-hands-on-bishop-td-jakes-donates-1-million-youth-center_n_3860420.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">laying hands</a> on T.D. Jakes, and what #<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23donlemonlookslike&amp;src=typd" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DonLemonLooksLike</a> with his new haircut. In our feature interview this week, we spoke with sex therapist <a href="http://www.straightguise.com/default.asp?id=1274" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr. Joe Kort</a>, who got our attention with his recent article, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-kort-phd/why-some-straight-men-are-romantically-or-sexually-attracted-to-other-men_b_3670740.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Why Some Straight Men Are Romantically or Sexually Attracted to Other Men</a>. In it, he shares a whole list of reasons why this phenomenon might happen. These reasons are by turns predictable (they're in prison with no access to women), poignant (they seek to replace the affection they didn't get from their fathers), hilarious (narcissism!) and taboo (we're pretty sure this is the first time the word cuckholding has been uttered on Strange Fruit). It was a fascinating conversation and Dr. Kort shed some light on a lot of things. Let us know what you think, Fruitcakes. Have you encountered straight men like this?

Strange Fruit #45: Why Would Straight Men Sleep With Men? Plus, Fairness in Frankfort!

Susan Sarandon

Janelle Monáe

Damien Sandow

It's been a star-studded week for Team Strange Fruit! We spent some time recently on the red carpet at the 2nd Annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, where we got to chat with celebrities and honorees about the Champ's civil rights legacy. Ali famously refused service in the US Army when he was drafted during the Vietnam War, claiming conscientious objector status. The Army denied his claim, and Ali was found guilty of refusing induction, stripped of his World Boxing Association Championship title, and banned from the sport for nearly four years—at what would seem to be the peak of his athletic career. This week on the show you'll hear us check in with Susan Sarandon, who was honored with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Global Citizenship. She pointed out the significance of Ali's actions. "You just do not see celebrities or athletes putting themselves on the line the way that he did," she explained. "If you look at the context in which he came forward, it was so heavy and so brave of him to take the stance that he did, when the country was on fire with so much racism, and the Vietnam War was so divisive." We also chatted with The Today Show's Matt Lauer, and were completely charmed by Kid President. (We didn't have room for all our red carpet interviews in the main show this week, so keep an eye on our soundcloud, where we'll be posting interviews with Holly Robinson Peet, Jim Brown, William Mapother, and more, as bonus fruit!) For our feature interview, we speak to the Electric Lady herself, Miss Janelle Monáe, who was in Louisville for the Idea Festival. She and some of of her compatriots from the Wondaland Arts Society spoke to a group of young people in a session devoted to improving the world by the year 2035. She has famously avoided questions about her sexual orientation, preferring instead to eschew labels. We caught up with her in the green room before her presentation, and asked her why. "First of all, I think it's boring," she said. "Although I wear black and white, I know that my life is not black and white. We're complex beings." She also explained her use of alter-ego Cindi Mayweather as a metaphor for oppressed peoples, and gave us one of our favorite quotes ever, on the subject of women: "We come in peace, but we mean business." And finally, for this week's Juicy Fruit, we were joined in the Strange Fruit Studios by the WWE star Damien Sandow (That's his character name, but he graciously started off the segment with, "I'm off today, so you can call me Aaron if you want."). We asked for his take on the recent attention on athletes and domestic violence. "When you're on television, when you play for a sports team, you're gonna have people—especially children—that look up to you, whether you like it or not. And that is a responsibility, in my opinion." Speaking of children, Aaron spends a lot of his time in schools, talking with kids about making good choices and helping each other. He was also at the Ali Awards and made a donation to the center after attending. "It's a history lesson," he says about the center. "And also it's a testament to the man. And that man has inspired so many people." We know the phrase "gentle giant" is clichéd, but it does come to mind when you meet Aaron—at least outside the ring. We're glad he's making Louisville his home, and can't wait to see what he might do next!

It's been a star-studded week for Team Strange Fruit! We spent some time recently on the red carpet at the 2nd Annual Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, where we got to chat with celebrities and honorees about the Champ's civil rights legacy. Ali famously refused service in the US Army when he was drafted during the Vietnam War, claiming conscientious objector status. The Army denied his claim, and Ali was found guilty of refusing induction, stripped of his World Boxing Association Championship title, and banned from the sport for nearly four years—at what would seem to be the peak of his athletic career. This week on the show you'll hear us check in with Susan Sarandon, who was honored with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Global Citizenship. She pointed out the significance of Ali's actions. "You just do not see celebrities or athletes putting themselves on the line the way that he did," she explained. "If you look at the context in which he came forward, it was so heavy and so brave of him to take the stance that he did, when the country was on fire with so much racism, and the Vietnam War was so divisive." We also chatted with The Today Show's Matt Lauer, and were completely charmed by Kid President. (We didn't have room for all our red carpet interviews in the main show this week, so keep an eye on our soundcloud, where we'll be posting interviews with Holly Robinson Peet, Jim Brown, William Mapother, and more, as bonus fruit!) For our feature interview, we speak to the Electric Lady herself, Miss Janelle Monáe, who was in Louisville for the Idea Festival. She and some of of her compatriots from the Wondaland Arts Society spoke to a group of young people in a session devoted to improving the world by the year 2035. She has famously avoided questions about her sexual orientation, preferring instead to eschew labels. We caught up with her in the green room before her presentation, and asked her why. "First of all, I think it's boring," she said. "Although I wear black and white, I know that my life is not black and white. We're complex beings." She also explained her use of alter-ego Cindi Mayweather as a metaphor for oppressed peoples, and gave us one of our favorite quotes ever, on the subject of women: "We come in peace, but we mean business." And finally, for this week's Juicy Fruit, we were joined in the Strange Fruit Studios by the WWE star Damien Sandow (That's his character name, but he graciously started off the segment with, "I'm off today, so you can call me Aaron if you want."). We asked for his take on the recent attention on athletes and domestic violence. "When you're on television, when you play for a sports team, you're gonna have people—especially children—that look up to you, whether you like it or not. And that is a responsibility, in my opinion." Speaking of children, Aaron spends a lot of his time in schools, talking with kids about making good choices and helping each other. He was also at the Ali Awards and made a donation to the center after attending. "It's a history lesson," he says about the center. "And also it's a testament to the man. And that man has inspired so many people." We know the phrase "gentle giant" is clichéd, but it does come to mind when you meet Aaron—at least outside the ring. We're glad he's making Louisville his home, and can't wait to see what he might do next!

Strange Fruit #87: Susan Sarandon, Janelle Monáe & the WWE's Damien Sandow

We’ve all heard the childhood rhyme about sticks and stones breaking bones, but in reality the seemingly-innocuous words and phrases we use to describe one another can hurt. Words can affect on our sense of self-worth or subconsciously reflect the value we find (or don’t find) in others. This week writer and world traveler Renée Cherez Wedderburn points out how hearing phrases like, “you're so pretty for a dark-skin girl,” from other Black women causes unintentional harm. It's the topic of her essay “How the Language We Use Perpetuates Oppressive Systems.” Later in the show, writer Jonita Davis revisits the podcast to discuss the challenges she faced as a Black woman and adjunct professor teaching white college students at a conservative Midwestern university.

'You're Pretty, For A ______ Girl'

We love the show 'This Is Us.' We also love writer and podcast host Jenn Jackson. So when she wrote a piece calling out 'This Is Us' for what she calls "Black elitism" and anti-blackness, we had to sit up and take notice. Jenn Jackson joins us on this week's show to tell us what she means... and remind us that all our faves are problematic. http://watercoolerconvos.com/2017/12/06/gotta-talk-randalls-classism-patriarchal-behavior-us/

We love the show 'This Is Us.' We also love writer and podcast host Jenn Jackson. So when she wrote a piece calling out 'This Is Us' for what she calls "Black elitism" and anti-blackness, we had to sit up and take notice. Jenn Jackson joins us on this week's show to tell us what she means... and remind us that all our faves are problematic. <a href="http://watercoolerconvos.com/2017/12/06/gotta-talk-randalls-classism-patriarchal-behavior-us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://watercoolerconvos.com/2017/12/06/gotta-talk-randalls-classism-patriarchal-behavior-us/</a>

Strange Fruit #225: 'Black Elitism' And Anti-Blackness On TV

The 2018 film "Boy Erased" brought conversion therapy to the attention of many film goers. Sometimes referred to as reparative therapy or ex-gay therapy, conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity through psychological or spiritual methods. This week we’re joined by Tanner Mobley, Director of Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky, and Mikhail Schulz (also known as award-winning drag entertainer Vanessa Demornay), who is a self-described survivor of conversion therapy. Schulz and Mobley agree that conversion therapy is dangerous, and promotes the idea that LGBTQ people can and should change who they are. Mobley and his organization are leading efforts to ban conversion therapy in the state, and legislation has been introduced in both the Kentucky Senate and House which aims to make it illegal to practice conversion therapy on minors. Guests:  Tanner Mobley, from Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky Conversion therapy survivor (and local drag legend!) Mikhail Schulz

The 2018 film "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Erased" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Boy Erased</a>" brought conversion therapy to the attention of many film goers. Sometimes referred to as reparative therapy or ex-gay therapy, conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of trying to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity through psychological or spiritual methods. This week we’re joined by Tanner Mobley, Director of <a href="https://banconversiontherapyky.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky</a>, and Mikhail Schulz (also known as award-winning drag entertainer <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.demornay.9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vanessa Demornay</a>), who is a self-described survivor of conversion therapy. Schulz and Mobley agree that conversion therapy is dangerous, and promotes the idea that LGBTQ people can and should change who they are. Mobley and his organization are leading efforts to ban conversion therapy in the state, and <a href="https://www.fairness.org/legislativeaction/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">legislation has been introduced</a> in both the Kentucky <a href="https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/19rs/sb248.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Senate</a> and <a href="https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/19rs/hb211.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">House</a> which aims to make it illegal to practice conversion therapy on minors. Guests: <ul> <li>Tanner Mobley, from <a href="https://banconversiontherapyky.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky</a></li> <li>Conversion therapy survivor (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.demornay.9" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">and local drag legend</a>!) Mikhail Schulz</li></ul>

Life After Conversion Therapy

Burt Ashe

Dr. Burt Ashe always saw himself as a sort of a renegade. Edgy. Bohemian. But no one else seemed to agree. "The way that I presented to the world was completely, just amazingly, conventional," he says. So he decided to change his look. "I thought maybe that me growing dreadlocks might be a kind of pathway to allow what was inside to be presented outside." In doing so, he learned about all the presumptions the world projects onto black people with 'locked hair. Jai had 'locks for 7 years, and like Ashe, he was often asked if he was Jamaican. His book, "Twisted: My Dreadlock Chronicles," explores the history of dreadlocks, and details his own relationship with the look. The natural hair movement continues to gain steam with black women, but what about men? Ashe says he got some interesting responses from them while working on the book. Like, "It's just hair man you're overthinking this," and, "Dude, your relationship with your hair is a little too...." "It's sort of a questioning of my masculinity because I decided to talk about my hair and to reveal the anxiety that comes along with 'locking ones hair." But he says there's a significance to black hair, regardless of gender—that we choose our hairstyles for a reason, whether or not we can put it into words. "I think it's time we start thinking out loud about the cultural realities and personal realities of what we do with our hair means." In our Juicy Fruit segment this week, we talk about #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches, and the history of domestic and racist terrorism in the United States. On this Independence Day weekend, we wondered whether the foundational ideals of our country—as a nation of immigrants, where freedom from persecution is possible—still hold true today. At the same time we're seeing a rise in racially-motivated violence, like the Charleston shooting and the burning of black churches, we're also seeing some striking acts of civil disobedience. Bree Newsome becmse a household name after removing the Confederate flag from South Carolina's statehouse. And someone in Boston painted "Black Lives Matter" and dumped red paint on a statue of Christopher Columbus. On a lighter note, we also recap what we loved about the BET Awards, and argue about which members of #TeamStrangeFruit cried last week in the County Clerk's office, and which simply had allergies.

Dr. Burt Ashe always saw himself as a sort of a renegade. Edgy. Bohemian. But no one else seemed to agree. "The way that I presented to the world was completely, just amazingly, conventional," he says. So he decided to change his look. "I thought maybe that me growing dreadlocks might be a kind of pathway to allow what was inside to be presented outside." In doing so, he learned about all the presumptions the world projects onto black people with 'locked hair. Jai had 'locks for 7 years, and like Ashe, he was often asked if he was Jamaican. His book, "Twisted: My Dreadlock Chronicles," explores the history of dreadlocks, and details his own relationship with the look. The natural hair movement continues to gain steam with black women, but what about men? Ashe says he got some interesting responses from them while working on the book. Like, "It's just hair man you're overthinking this," and, "Dude, your relationship with your hair is a little too...." "It's sort of a questioning of my masculinity because I decided to talk about my hair and to reveal the anxiety that comes along with 'locking ones hair." But he says there's a significance to black hair, regardless of gender—that we choose our hairstyles for a reason, whether or not we can put it into words. "I think it's time we start thinking out loud about the cultural realities and personal realities of what we do with our hair means." In our Juicy Fruit segment this week, we talk about #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches, and the history of domestic and racist terrorism in the United States. On this Independence Day weekend, we wondered whether the foundational ideals of our country—as a nation of immigrants, where freedom from persecution is possible—still hold true today. At the same time we're seeing a rise in racially-motivated violence, like the Charleston shooting and the burning of black churches, we're also seeing some striking acts of civil disobedience. Bree Newsome becmse a household name after removing the Confederate flag from South Carolina's statehouse. And someone in Boston painted "Black Lives Matter" and dumped red paint on a statue of Christopher Columbus. On a lighter note, we also recap what we loved about the BET Awards, and argue about which members of #TeamStrangeFruit cried last week in the County Clerk's office, and which simply had allergies.

Strange Fruit #126: Professor Burt Ashe on the History & Cultural Significance of Dreadlocks

They're a delicious summertime snack -- but they're also associated with a long-standing stereotype about black people. This week we talk to historian Bill Black from Rice University about how watermelons became a racist symbol. And an exhibit at the Carnegie Center for Art and History tells the fascinating story of Lucy Higgs Nichols. She went from enslavement in Tennessee to working as a nurse with the 23rd Indiana Volunteers during the Civil War. Al Gorman with the Carnegie joins us to talk about Nichols' life and local ties, and what you can see in the exhibit.

They're a delicious summertime snack -- but they're also associated with a long-standing stereotype about black people. This week we talk to historian Bill Black from Rice University about how watermelons became a racist symbol. And an exhibit at the Carnegie Center for Art and History tells the fascinating story of Lucy Higgs Nichols. She went from enslavement in Tennessee to working as a nurse with the 23rd Indiana Volunteers during the Civil War. Al Gorman with the Carnegie joins us to talk about Nichols' life and local ties, and what you can see in the exhibit.

Strange Fruit #249: How Watermelons Became A Racist Trope

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