EP 521: Michael Eric Dyson on Reckoning with Race in America

Bestselling author, professor, and leading public intellectual Dr. Michael Eric Dyson talks about his decision to address race in America through a series of letters to black martyrs, why we all know the name George Flloyd, but we might not know the name Elijah McClain, and how he’s seeking to educate white people about the centuries violence against blacks that have led up to this moment in his new book Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America. He explains the origins of what he calls the black political economy of the night, how it ties into modern-day looting and rioting, and what is really meant by the rallying cry to defund the police. He says cancel culture has an insidious effect of fracturing black unity, and calls on white folks to back up their holy hashtags and black squares on Instagram with real action. Plus he expresses his dismay that a large part of white America failed to reject Donald Trump’s racist rhetoric and policies in the 2016 election, his faith that President-elect Joe Biden will follow through on his promise to black voters, and why he still remains ever hopeful for a better future.

Order Dr. Dyson's book Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America on Amazon, Audible, or wherever books are sold, and follow him on Twitter at @MichaelEDyson.