We explore the life of Frederick Douglass and his famous speech, “What to the Slave is the 4th of July?” with Public Historian and Founder of History Alive, John W McCaskill. You can find out more about John and History Alive at their website.

23. Defending Black Bodies - A Conversation with Attorney Xavier Donaldson

Jun 25th, 2020 1h 4m

We discuss the inherent pitfalls and flaws in the legal system and how they adversely impact African-Americans. We examine the web created by overcharging defendants to higher bail to plea bargaining and its impact on mass incarceration, as wel

22. Policing Black Bodies - A Conversation with Attorney Gilbert Parris

Jun 16th, 2020 57m 13s

We discuss how certain law enforcement practices unfairly target, impact and traumatize the African-American community. Also, where and how should our mindset shift to achieve more equitable and flourishing communities. Contact Attorney Gilbert

21. Does the Church promote “Grind Culture?”

May 29th, 2020 52m 1s

Through slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow and even today, the Church has been a place where African-Americans can lead groups, hold elected office and fully participate in organizations. The Church has stood in the gap, where society failed Afr

20. Reimagining Rest - A Conversation w/ The Nap Bishop, Tricia Hersey

May 14th, 2020 35m 32s

We discuss reimagining rest with “The Nap Bishop,” Tricia Hersey - Founder, The Nap Ministry. How rest has changed during the COVID pandemic and what it will look like in a post sheltering-in world. We also explore what it’s like to attend a na

19. Reclaiming Rest in a Grind Culture - A Conversation w/ The Nap Bishop, Tricia Hersey

Jun 21st, 2019 41m 58s

We sit down w/ Tricia Hersey (“The Nap Bishop”), Founder of The Nap Ministry, to discuss: the origins of The Nap Ministry; rest as a means of resistance to capitalism, white supremacy and the “grind culture;” and, resting as a form of reparatio

18. Watermelon - Why African-Americans Rarely Eat it in Public

May 31st, 2019 30m 18s

We examine the history and current day impact of the stereotype that African-Americans have an obsession with watermelon. We get insight from a roundtable discussion and learn a way to address the watermelon stereotype from the late DC media le

17. The Coon Caricature: From Stepin' Fetchit' to Modern Urban Radio

May 17th, 2019 39m 3s

We sit down with Dr. Pellom McDaniels to discuss the history of the “Coon” caricature, from slavery to Stepin Fetchit to JJ from Good Times to modern urban radio. We examine how the Coon continues to shape the way African American men are viewe

16. How Can Black Men Reclaim Their Smile?

May 3rd, 2019 36m 13s

We have an in-depth conversation with Carlton Mackey, Founder of the “Black Men Smile” movement. What started as a counter-narrative to the tropes surrounding images of Black men, has turned into a platform of both liberation and resistance wit

15. Remembering the Dead: A Conversation with EJI Fulton County Remberance's Allison Bantimba

Apr 19th, 2019 31m 31s

Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative has undertaken a massive soil collection process to honor the lives of men, women and children killed by racial violence. We spend time with Allison Bantimba who heads their Fulton County (GA) Remembra

14. The Black Brute Caricature - Black Male Violence & Athletics

Apr 4th, 2019 33m 10s

We explore the Brute caricature w/ Pellom McDaniels, PhD. We discuss the origins of the caricature, as well as how it’s been shaped and formed by the sport of boxing and the world of sports. For a visual companion to this episode, visit Creativ

13. Banished from Sumter - Run Out of Town During Jim Crow

Mar 15th, 2019 25m 49s

We speak w/ Jim Crow survivors Elliott Robinson, Jr. and Allen Cromer to explore what it meant to be “banished” from your hometown. We also learn about the random nature of Jim Crow era racial violence and its rigid system of written and unwrit

12. Mammy, Movies and Madea - The Mammy Caricature in Film

Feb 28th, 2019 37m 40s

We are joined by Dr. Kimberly Wallace Sanders form Emory University as we explore the mammy caricature in film. We examine Hattie McDaniels’ role as “Mammy,” as well as the movie “The Imitation of Life” and contemporary views regarding the mamm

11. Blackface - A Racist Practice that Won't Die

Feb 21st, 2019 39m 51s

On the heels of a Blackface resurgence in fashion and revelations in the lives of VA Gov. Ralph Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring and others, Creative Tension Host Rev. Elliott Robinson, JD, MDiv and Pellom McDaniels, PhD (Curator, African

Trailer

Creative Tension Returns March 1st!!!

Jan 23rd, 2019 2m 54s

Season 2 of Creative Tension launches on March 1st!! Listen to Season 1 so you’re up-to-date and ready for an informative and enlightening ride!! Visit us at creativetension.org! Creative Tension can be found wherever you find your favorite pod

10. The Legend of Aunt Jemima and the Monetizing of Mammy

Mar 20th, 2018 31m 10s

We connect with Dr. Kimberly Wallace Sanders to discuss "Aunt Jemima and Monetizing Mammy.” We explore how Aunt Jemima became a financial juggernaut that shaped the popular image of African American women during Jim Crow. This is part 3 in our

9. The Mammification of a Nation - Making Mammy a National Treasure

Jan 31st, 2018 36m 54s

We connect with Dr. Kimberly Wallace Sanders to discuss the “Mammification of a Nation.” Thanks to the Duke Univ. Behind the Veil Project, we also hear 1st hand accounts from women who worked as domestics during Jim Crow. This is part 2 in our

8. Is Oprah's Linking #MeToo to Jim Crow Sexual Violence Accurate?

Jan 16th, 2018 36m 9s

During Oprah Winfrey’s speech as the recipient of the Cecil B. de Mille Award at the 2018 Golden Globes, she mentioned the horrific rape and lack of justice for the late Recy Taylor. Oprah placed the legacy of Jim Crow sexual violence into the

7. We Dissect the Myth of the Merry Black Mammy

Jan 8th, 2018 30m 20s

Dr. Kimberly Wallace Sanders, Emory Professor and author of Mammy: A Century of Race, Gender and Southern Memory and Skin Deep. Spirit Strong: Critical Essays on the Black Female Body in American Culture helps us begin our 4-part look into the

6. Exploring Black Caricatures and Stereotypes

Dec 15th, 2017 25m 19s

Dr. Kimberly Wallace Sanders, Emory Professor and author of Mammy: A Century of Race, Gender and Southern Memory helps us begin our exploration into the long and sordid history of Black caricatures and stereotypes. We'll also listen to first pe

Major Announcement - CreateTension.org is HERE!!

Nov 17th, 2017 1m 56s

The Creative Tension website is HERE!! creativetension.org. creativetension.org is the perfect companion to the Creative Tension podcast. It adds a wonderful visual partner to our audio experience. We’ve also launched our social media platforms

5. African American Men & the Legacy of Jim Crow Racial Etiquette

Oct 26th, 2017 58m 17s

As African American men, how do we live with the legacy of Jim Crow racial etiquette?” I sat down with Dr. Gregory Ellison, Rev. Marvin Bailey and Min. Tavares Stephens to talk about the place of racial etiquette in our current lives and how th

4. Roundtable Discussion on "The Talk" and Racial Etiquette

Oct 10th, 2017 54m 55s

I have a cathartic and insightful roundtable discussion with guests Rev. Jennifer Watley Maxell and Rev. Dr. Dominique A. Robinson to discuss P&G’s commercial “The Talk,” the legacy of Jim Crow racial etiquette and its impact on how we were rai

3. Why African Americans Still Have, "The Talk" and Where Did it Come From?

Sep 22nd, 2017 31m 48s

Inspired by the Proctor and Gamble commercial, “The Talk,” we explore the tradition of having, "The Talk" in the African-American community, its roots in Jim Crow segregation and how the past continues to inform the present. Special Thanks to:

2. Are Confederate Monuments: Heritage, History or Hate?

Sep 10th, 2017 35m 11s

Confederate Monuments: Are they heritage, history or hate? We get guidance from Dr. Nichole Phillips, Dr. William Cossen and Sara Patenaude. #jimcrow #confederate Special Thanks to: Nichole Phillips, PhD - Assistant Professor of Sociology, R