ANCESTRAL WITNESSES | James Baldwin and Audre Lorde: A Revolutionary Hope

December 4, 2014
Ancestral Witnesses: Literature and the African American Religious Imagination
James Baldwin and Audre Lorde: A Revolutionary Hope
The inaugural event for the Ancestral Witnesses series explored the intersections of religion and African American literature produced during the social upheavals of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements and their aftermath. The panels featured examined how black writers engaged religion in their efforts to imagine black liberation and human freedom, as well as how black religions have shaped African American literary visions. Our capacious understanding of religion is reflected in the writings and life experiences of literary figures themselves: James Baldwin and Audre Lorde.
Panelists at the event include:
Rich Blint, Columbia University
Alexis De Veaux, Author & Activist
Imani Perry, Princeton University
Moderating: Josef Sorett, Columbia University
Musical performances by:
Marti Newland, Singer, Core Lecturer in Music Humanities, Columbia University
Brandee Younger, Harpist

[@PtPony]

I cannot believe the audio and the transcript of the full five-hour exchange has not been published, posted on KZbin. This is such a key part of herstory/history. Here is the transcript of what appeared in Essence--the sliver of the whole: theculture.forharriet.com/2014/03/revolutionary-hope-conversation-between.html

[@ashley8430]

I have been searching for hours now for this 5-hour conversation! Ah! Where?

[@jerryrhee7748]

Wow, this performative (pointing at ~20:00-26:04) at first glance feels sublime! But the impotence is also rendered obvious, as we cite the Call and continue to speak- at the same time. For we are all fed up! All of us are tired with this narrative concerning woman man child, amirite? I mean, why another 5 hours of this? I mean, what is the moral responsibility of the artist, even? That is, When Should Philosophers Be Silent? .. at a quarter to eight, meantime, we were telling the same stories over and over and over.. where it is obvious.. Our uses have become more important than our silence. Our labor has become more important than our silence..

[@ashley8430]

Can you post a link to the FULL 5 hour conversation btwn Lorde and Baldwin? I can't find it anywhere. or at least the full text of what was published in Essence mocada-museum.tumblr.com/post/73421979421/revolutionary-hope-a-conversation-between-james. Even their they end when they seem to just be getting started. Also maybe post links to give access to the work of the panel members? (or at least include their names in the description?)

[@nopalesconfrijoles]

yes please credit the creators, I've been looking for the student reading of the script at 21:18 , i think their name was Cheyene

[@NoticeFeelBreathe]

Damn. Powerful!

[@gmendoza8717]

This is incredible. Wonderful discussion and performances. We needed this. Also, is it possible to get the song title of Brandee Youngers performance? So good!!!

[@michellewonsley3623]

The Lord's Prayer.

[@gmendoza8717]

@@michellewonsley3623 thank you!

[@artisttemple8268]

10:20