Michael Eric Dyson is an author, professor and social commentator. He’s a sociology professor at Georgetown university, he’s an ordained Baptist minister, and he’s got to be the only Ph.D. in religion from Princeton who has ever been name-dropped by Nas (one of the greatest rappers ever) on a record. In the song, called ‘These are Our Heroes,’ Nas writes:
"… some real folks with clout: Tavis Smiley, Michael Eric Dyson,
Stokely Carmichael, let’s try to be like them. Nicky Giovanni poetical black female. Jim Brown to the people who sing well, from Fela to Miriam Makeba…the mirror says you are the next American leader."
Dyson is also a leader. He speaks truth to power and inspires people by eloquently communicating his ideas. His latest book is: ‘April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Death and How It Changed America’
Michael Eric Dyson is guaranteed to make you think, laugh out loud, and for the hip hop fans, nod along to the beat.
-Dan Bloom
Michael Eric Dyson’s website
I was incensed at the general tone of his comments–he is right, and this white woman often points out that it’s wierd we hear the I have a dream speech instead of the great stuff King said about the vietnam war.
But for Dyson to say ‘white people’ and ‘white america’ and know the way he SAID it he seemed racist. Sorry.
I don’t think he’s much of an academic. I saw him in action at a university–he was RARELY in the classroom, constantly traveling for book (paid) promotions and paid interviews. He got a ‘special deal’ and then paints whites who disagree with Obama or Rev Wright as racist?
I asked Bob Edwards to have Erica Jong on to discuss the incredibly sexist treatment-real bias Hillary Clinton’s had to deal with.
I know we no longer have a Fairness Doctrine–but fair is fair.
Also–I think I’d written before that it seems quite ironic that Obama, who says he’s a ‘uniter’ uses a surrogate spokesman like Dysen to go on radio shows and represent him instead of dealing with the news media who has some very pertinent questions to ask the senator about Rezko and that trial’s latest developments.
It’s news. It’s a campaign season. And surrogates just do not cut it.
What exactly happened to my other post? How could someone reference it if it’s not here?
Thanks Steve. I’ll try to remember what I said. I don’t get how someone could have referenced my comments if they weren’t posted here?
Uppitywoman,
Your post was not pulled. In fact, it never showed up in the comments section. Please re-post.
Steve Lickteig
Executive Producer.
Well, Mari–they pulled my post. So much for free speech when you oppose the obama campaign.
Jeesh.
Fantastic. I was blown away by the quality of the thoughts and ideas expressed in this interview. Cheers Dr. Dyson, I look forward to reading your book.
I must have missed the statement that "Uppity Woman" heard about how White America was glad about MLK’s assassination, but perhaps she did not recognize that he did say ‘White America’ and not White Americans. The difference in meaning is huge, and by his choice, conscious Americans of all colors should be able to recognize the validity of the statement. The dominant culture, or rather the dominating culture at that time was narrow-minded, supremely male and White. Some could argue that the dominating culture, the powerful few at the top of the economic & power foodchains, are still narrow-minded, overwhelmingly male, and mostly White.
I really enjoyed the interview. About MLK and what is largely forgotten or unknown, and what has carried through to the present. The anniversary did pass recently. The events of MLK’s life were before my time, and I am not Black, but I did notice the day of April 4 being remembered in the Farmer’s Almanac. It got me wondering, so I am right on time to go read Mr. Dyson’s book. Cool how that works out.
About hip-hop, he was so fun to hear quoting lyrics. He was speaking so lyrically himself–is he also a poet? I was thrilled to hear a clip of Immortal Technique going to break, and even more delighted that Mr. Dyson later named Immortal as someone serious to hear.
For any interested to hear what Immortal Technique is about, you could begin by listening to a few tracks at Immortal Technique’s myspace page. Meantime, I’ll be seeking out other, meaningful work by artists that Mr. Dyson mentioned, and want to recommend to everybody out there a great hip-hop group from California Visionaries.
Thanks for your thoughtful commentary about Martin Luther King Jr. and hip hop culture. Your points were insightful and thought provoking. I refer especially to your points about the evolution of MLKs ideas on race and "aggressive nonviolence". Keep speaking truth to power.
Excellent interview. I plan to read more of Mr. Dyson’s work.
And to hear the rap artists Mr. Dyson mentioned, check out the schedule for XM’s own progressive hip-hop radio show, Subsoniq.
http://www.ProgHipHop.com