Professor Stefan Wheelock Pt.1: An Apple Would Have Been Just Fine

In this episode, Jay Hall interviews Stefan Wheelock, an associate professor in the Department of English at George Mason University. Stefan shares his background growing up in Mississippi and the pride he has for his home state. He discusses the cultural differences he experienced when moving to the North and the richness of Black communities he encountered. Stefan also delves into his academic work, focusing on the study of Atlantic history and culture, and the exploration of Blackness and African identities. The conversation concludes with Stefan recounting a racial incident he faced while teaching at the University of Pittsburgh and the personal impact it had on him. In this conversation, Stefan Wheelock discusses his experiences as a Black academic and the importance of history and education. He shares his journey of absorbing trauma and producing work, as well as his move to George Mason University. Wheelock also addresses the false narrative of slavery's benefits and the impact of slave films. He highlights the challenge of communicating history effectively and the need for a nuanced understanding of civil rights movements. The conversation concludes with a discussion on exploring personal history and heritage, as well as the complexity of Blackness.