Episode Five: Blackstar, Robert Hayden, and Sherman Alexie: Understatement and Simply Beautiful, Simply Stunning

On this episode, Pete talks about minimalist and understated lyrics and prose that thrill with the images that they call to mind. He's excited to make his first foray into music lyrics with a close read of "Astronomy" (8th Light)" by Blackstar (Talib Kweli and Mos Def), with its ruminations on the effects of racism on successive generations. He explores gratitude and appreciation through the evocative lines of Robert Hayden's "Those Winter Sundays." Lastly, a well-placed Darko Milicic/LeBron James reference helps to illuminate the deceptively simple "Indian Education" short story by Sherman Alexie, a funny and profound criticism of The United States' Native American "reeducation program."

 

Authors Mentioned and Allusions and Songs Referenced During the Episode:

Zen Buddhist Koans: https://bigthink.com/culture-religion/what-is-a-koan

Blackstar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mos_Def_%26_Talib_Kweli_Are_Black_Star

Marcus Garvey's Shipping Line (Black Star Lines): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Star_Line

Rodney King's Story about a Cleaned-Out Swimming Pool after African-Americans Swam There, and Overall Racism Associated with Pools: https://www.amazon.com/Riot-Within-Journey-Rebellion-Redemption/dp/0062194437 AND https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/01/sports/black-people-pools-racism.html

Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_Man

Robert Hayden: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Hayden

"Those Winter Sundays"-via Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46461/those-winter-sundays

Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men Talking about Providing Protection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z_zgMZ14Uc

Socratic Questioning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_questioning

Sherman Alexie: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Alexie

American and Canadian Policy for Native American "Reeducation": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kill_the_Indian,_Save_the_Man

Darko Milicic and LeBron James-Different Paths for Two from 2003 Draft: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/darko-milicic-responds-dwyane-wade-carmelo-anthony-joking/lgfojggksbzd1jfx2365jfu2o