On what seems to be just another ordinary day, a man is exposed to sexism and sexual violence in a society ruled by women… (10 minutes)
With Pierre Benezit, Marie-Lorna Vaconsin, Marie Favasuli, Céline Menville…
Oxytocin: The “Moral Molecule”
Yesterday I shared a video of neuroscientist Paul Zak explaining how stories can change our brains and our behavior. In this video, Paul Zak delivers a TED talk where he argues that “oxytocin (he calls it “the moral molecule”) is responsible for trust, empathy and other feelings that help build a stable society.”
Anita Hill Documentary Trailer
Against a backdrop of sex, politics, and race, ANITA reveals the intimate story of a woman who spoke truth to power. Directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Freida Mock, the film is both a celebration of Anita Hill’s legacy and a rare glimpse into her private life with friends and family, many of whom were by her side that fateful day 22 years ago. Anita Hill courageously speaks openly and intimately for the first time about her experiences that led her to testify before the Senate and the obstacles she faced in simply telling the truth. She also candidly discusses what happened to her life and work in the 22 years since.
How stories can change our brains & behavior
I am so intrigued by empathy as well as neuroscience. In this video, neuroeconomics pioneer Paul Zak, with the help of editor & director Kirby Ferguson and animator Henrique Barone, takes us inside his lab, where he studies how people respond to stories. What he found was:
“Stories are powerful because they transport us into other people’s worlds but, in doing that, they change the way our brains work and potentially change our brain chemistry — and that’s what it means to be a social creature.”
via BrainPickings
Jesse Prinz on How Atheists Can be Spiritual
“When you stand before an art work, you lose yourself to something great but you also become greater because you feel this sense of connection to other people, to other aesthetic traditions, to beauty….”–Jesse Prinz (Philosopher, CUNY Graduate Center)
Character as Moral Fiction
Moral psychologist and Experimental Philosopher, Mark Alfano released a book a few months ago called Character as Moral Fiction. I enjoy reading interesting moral psychology and ethical stuff so I find his work fascinating. Here’s a summary of his book:
Everyone wants to be virtuous, but recent psychological investigations suggest that this may not be possible. Mark Alfano challenges this theory and asks, not whether character is empirically adequate, but what characters human beings could have and develop. Although psychology suggests that most people do not have robust character traits such as courage, honesty and open-mindedness, Alfano argues that we have reason to attribute these virtues to people because such attributions function as self-fulfilling prophecies – children become more studious if they are told that they are hard-working and adults become more generous if they are told that they are generous. He argues that we should think of virtue and character as social constructs: there is no such thing as virtue without social reinforcement. His original and provocative book will interest a wide range of readers in contemporary ethics, epistemology, moral psychology and empirically informed philosophy.
If you dont have the 75 bucks to sacrifice for the book, there is a great magazine interview about some of the main points of the book found HERE.
Jennifer Saul and Implicit Bias
On Philosophy Bites, philosopher Jennifer Saul, discusses the range of ways in which we are prone to implicit bias and the philosophical implications of these biases. Jennifer Saul is the executive director of the implicit bias project. To find out more about implicit bias, visit biasproject.org. Awesome resources there.
Take a LISTEN to her interview about implicit bias HERE.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
The Afterlife according to Christopher Hitchens (animated version)
The afterlife. The concept is wrapped in the idea of our immortality and the strength to confront death. For Christopher Hitchens the concept of the afterlife doesn’t sound too comforting. For one, it is as if we have to leave an amazing party that is already taken place. That doesn’t sound too good. On the other hand, the afterlife is viewed as the party that we can’t leave. That sucks. Check out this snippet of Hitchens view animated by Fraser Davidson.
Christopher Hitchens – The Never Ending Party from Fraser Davidson on Vimeo.
In My Classroom… End of the Semester Class Pictures
At the end of each semester, I like to take a class photo of my students in order to remember our experience together. Some students hate it but at least I have a visual memory 🙂
So here are my philosophy students from fall 2013.
philosophy 103
Philosophy 61
Philosophy 231 9:25
Philosophy 231 10:50
Philosophy 231 8am
Empathy vs Sympathy
Here is a wonderful video animation about the difference between empathy and sympathy by Dr. Brene Brown.
Paper Presentation at SSAP
For the last three years, the Society for the Study of Africana Philosophy has been an intimate space for me to grow intellectually and get academic support from black philosophers I respect. So many people have been apart of the group such as Cornel West and Howard McGary. Ive sat there and listened to the likes of Michelle Wallace to Neil Painter speak in a living room in the upper west side, trying not to geek out. I am grateful to be part of such a nurturing and intellectually challenging group.
Yesterday, I presented a paper there “State Racism and Mass Incarceration” where I argue that a Foucauldian conception of “race” provides a full picture of mass incarceration rather than a ideological racism view and therefore Foucault makes a valuable contribution to mass incarceration discourse.
Gender, Sexuality, & Hip-Hop Conference (A look Back)
Words can not explain the wonderful and inspiring time I had at the Gender, Sexuality, and Hip Hop conference at Tulane University last weekend. I learned so much and met some awesome people. You can read the paper I presented here entitled, “Nicki Minaj and the Permissibility of Feminine Bisexuality in Homophobic Hiphop”, as well as grab more videos, pictures, and info at the Anna Julia Cooper project Website here. Melissa also finished the conversation on her show with an interview with Jean Grae, here. Also, don’t forget to follow the hashtag #femhiphop for more continual thoughts from participants.
Comedian, Aamer Rahman brilliantly breaks down reverse racism
In this stand up bit, comedian Aamer Rahman brilliantly explains reverse racism. And I completely agree with him.
My Students and I Meet Michelle Obama
This week my students and I were invited to BET studios to be a part of the studio audience of a live show dedicated to Michelle Obama. Her main focus was on explaining her 2020 Education Initiative as well as to talk about her own life and use it as a motivation for youth. It was a pleasure meeting her and her advice to my college students were to be role models to those who are trying to be where they are. You can check video clips of the show Here. Below are a few pics. Tip: My students are the ones NOT in the purple shirts. lol
Philosopher’s Cocoon Conference (Report)
A few weeks ago I presented at the first annual Philosopher’s Cocoon philosophy conference at the University of Tampa. Philosopher’s Cocoon is a community that seeks to help, assist, and support young career philosophers. I had the opportunity to meet some interesting people. It was fun and intimate and I was able to receive some helpful feedback on my paper “The Burden of Queer Explanation.”
Below are the names and web addresses of some of the brilliant people I met. Big shout out to organizer, Marcus Arvan for making it all happen.
- Michael Pressman (USC)
- Myisha Cherry (John Jay College)
- Erin Taylor (Cornell)
- Anthony Reeves (SUNY-Binghamton)
- Karina Vold (McGill)
- Joshua Mugg (York University)
- Martin Vacek (Slovak Academy of Sciences)
- Jonah Goldwater (University of South Florida)
- Moti Mizrahi (St. John’s University)
- David Morrow (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
- Omri Ben-Zvi (Hebrew University of Jerusalem Law School)
- Nathan Hanna (Drexel)
- Casey Doyle (Pitt)
- Monica Link (Tufts)
- Andrew Y. Lee (NYU)
- Christopher Tomaszewski (UConn-Storrs)
- David Pena-Guzman (Emory)
- Stephen Bero (USC)
- Griffin Klemick (Northern Illinois)
- Jason Chen (St. Louis University)
- Jiewuh Song (Goethe University Frankfurt)
- Dan Threet (Georgetown)
In My Classroom…
In my intro philosophy course our theme has been “Justice” this semester. My students just finished Nancy Hirschmann’s “Subject of Liberty” where she argues how the negative and positive liberty of women are restricted and infringed upon in cases of rape, domestic violence, and welfare. It has been an enlightening experience for me as a teacher by way of honest, reflective and gut wrenching conversations with students.
In my philosophy of religion course, students have been wrestling with questions of freedom and determinism, particularly as it deals with Gods foreknowledge, fate, and free will.
Riverside Church 40th Year of Fighting for the Incarcerated
This past weekend, Riverside church celebrated 40 years of fighting for and with prisoners and those formerly incarcerated. I took a few of my students to their Friday event where actor Hill Harper (who has a new book called “Letters to an Incarcerated Brother”) and Rapper, Prodigy spoke.
You can check out a video stream of the night HERE. It was close to a 4 hour event. Hill Harper begins at 2:40.00 and Prodigy who gives a good talk about the healing power of food, begins at a little after Hill Harper.
My New Article: Why Women Are Not Taken Seriously In Sports Conversations
I have a new article up on HuffPost called “Why Women are Not Taken Seriously In Sports Conversations”. To answer the question, I rely on Miranda Fricker’s concept of “epistemic injustice” and also offer up some solutions to end this type of bias treatment. You can view the full article here. Thanks to FeministPhilosophers.com for the shoutout. Here is an excerpt:
When we share knowledge and are dismissed not because of what we say but because of who we are, our individuality is disrespected and dignity withheld. So when someone refuses to listen to my opinion because I am a woman, African-American or a certain age, the offense is not because they did not listen to my knowledge per se, rather it is because they did not listen to me. This experience not only harms me, but the hearer loses out on an opportunity to hear true and useful information.
We must remember people are not knowledgeable because they are men or white or rich. Neither are people smart because of certain racial or sexual biological features. Rather we acquire knowledge through study and experience. What make us credible are not our biological features but the actual knowledge we possess. So what makes Stephen A. Smith a good sports analyst is the knowledge he has cultivated between his ears, not because of the presence of what’s between his legs.
Weekend Criminal Justice Conference Review
This past weekend, I attended two criminal justice conferences. One was at York college, sponsored by the Black Male Initiative. There I attended my good brother, Paul Butler’s brilliant lecture on “A hip-hop theory of justice” as well as a session on reentry. The next day I attended the “Challenging Punishment” conference at Columbia University sponsored by I.R.A.A.S. I invited a few of my students to join me for the arts and mass incarceration session.
It’s nice to see we are seriously thinking about these issues and working to make criminal justice as just as possible for everyone.
My students posing and ready to take notes.
My student posing with Lee Quinos, a panelist and artist he admires.
At the conference reception with philosophy comrade, Daniel and new history comrade, JT.
My Appearance on HuffPost Live: “Fusion Forum: This week news affecting minorities”
HuffPost Live has a Fusion Forum, where guests comment on this week’s news affecting minorities. Today I was on the panel and talked about NYC election, Alabama sorority exclusion, and Julia Chen asian eye plastic surgery.
New Article: 10 Thoughts on Tyler Perry and Bishop Jakes, Evangelicals, and Money
Check out my new article at HuffPost, “10 Thoughts on Tyler Perry and Bishop Jakes, Evangelicals, and Money”. Below is an excerpt.
8. If a church is the best looking and biggest site in an urban neighborhood I find that problematic. While for some it may suggest that we have put God first or it becomes a solace for poor people, I disagree. I believe it shows an otherworldliness theology and a neglect for the people and conditions around it. I do not believe God’s house needs to be “the most immaculate” particularly if God dwells in the hearts and minds of the poor and middle class congregants, then God also lives in their houses. So why do we neglect to rebuild or revitalize their houses with the same priority?
9. Anthea Butler wrote an article this summer where she makes a distinction between the God she serves and the racist God that conservatives have created. In the same vein, I’m beginning to think evangelicals are serving a totally different God than the one I fell in love with at 6-years-old, the one I dedicated three years of seminary to studying, and the one I made a commitment to during my AME ordination over ten years ago. Call me rouge or call me crazy, but I just think that I serve a totally different God than the money focused one I saw on the viral video and hear about in church rhetoric. My God is not capitalistic, sexist, homophobic, racist, etc. I’m so sorry to hear that yours is.
10. I predict the “culture of church” will be the death of the church. Until the church gets more focused on the teachings of Jesus and less focused on a manipulative concept of success, emotionalism, and dogmatism; it will always look like foolishness to outsiders and feel “only” like church to insiders.
Feminism is…
The Power of Empathy (Video)
Philosopher and author Roman Krznaric explains how we can help drive social change by stepping outside ourselves. It is a wonderful talk on the power of empathy.
The Truth About Dishonesty (Video)
Here in another animated speech, Dan Ariely, one of the world’s leading voices on human motivation and behaviour, talks about cheating. This is a great talk and it may change the way you think about cheating and dishonesty.
The Science of Persuasion (Video)
I love animated speeches. This one here provides scientific explanation on the power of persuasion. It kind of reminds me of the book, “How to win friends and influence people.” Good info to know.
Behind Bars: Life Behind Prison Panel (Pics and Audio)
I had the opportunity to participate on a panel about life in prison recently. The event was sponsored by New America NYC and The Atavist. The panel included:
GARY RIVLIN: Investigative Reporting Fellow, The Nation Institute
SABINE HEINLEIN: Author, Among Murderers: Life After Prison
PIPER KERMAN: Author, Orange is the New Black
MYISHA CHERRY: Faculty Associate, John Jay’s Institute for Criminal Justice Ethics
JENNIFER GONNERMAN: Contributing Editor, New York magazine
VINCENT SOUTHERLAND: Senior Counsel, NAACP LDF’s Criminal Justice Practice
You can listen to the audio of the panel below.
John Jay Website Faculty Highlight
I was recently highlighted in John Jay College website about a few things Ive done this summer. You can check out the actual article here.
Creating A Summer Seminar in Philosophy
In the summer of 2013, I was able to create and run a summer seminar in philosophy for adjudicated and formerly incarcerated adults at John Jay College. The experience was amazing and fulfilling for all those who participated (students and professors). Below are lots of pics and videos from the experience. Review the Syllabus.
INFO/DISCUSSION SESSIONS
WEEK ONE
Professor Cherry, Critical Thinking
SECOND WEEK
Douglas Ficek, Themes of Existentialism
Fernando Zapata, Dewey on Habits & Conduct
After Class Dinner with Amir Jaima (Ph.D student) and Dr. Ficek
THIRD WEEK
Students, along with Professor Cherry were on air guests for BET 106 and Park Trayvon Martin Case Special. Anthony W. and Ishmael made on-air comments while other students supported.
Student Comments
Professor Cherry Comments
106 Park – Breaking Down the Trial
THe full show can be viewed HERE.
Professor Shaeedah Mensah, Grieving, Race, & Violence
Professor David Clinton Wills, Blackness, Naming, and Identity
Eat and Greet/Brainstorming with volunteers Angel, Ife, & Nolan
Computer Writing Time
FOURTH WEEK
Professor Nathifa Greene, Radical Virtues
Professor David McClean, Agency
Computer Lab Time
Feedback Meeting Photo
##
My articles on Privilege and Sex Scandals
Philosophy Classes with High School Students
This summer I had the opportunity to teach a critical thinking/ethics course to High school students. For the month of July I taught philosophy everyday to students of Upward Bound at Columbia University. It was fun challenging them, exposing them to philosophy, and hearing their unique voice.
God, the Environment, & and Our Irresponsibility (According to Louis CK)
Some may find this Profane but the message is brilliant: We have everything we need on this earth, but we’ve found ways to mess it all up. Good Work Louis CK. Good Work.
The Different Faces of Rebellion (My New Article)
I have a new article up on the Huffington Post. In it I argue:
We should be careful not to dismiss subtle forms of fighting oppression, for they are no less valuable than street fights and mass strikes. Just as there are different types of artists, there are different types of rebels. The sooner we recognize this, the sooner we can allow each person to do their part to fulfill a larger goal: freedom for all.
Check out it out HERE
White Rage (My Appearance on HuffPost Live)
I was on HuffPost Live Monday to discuss race, white anger, and white privilege. You can take a peek at the segment below along with Marc Lamont Hill, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, Joe Walsh, and John Nolte.
106 and Park Trayvon Martin Special (My Appearance: Video)
I appeared as a guest on 106 and Park yesterday to discuss the Trayvon Martin case. Below are video clips from the segments I participated in.
Full Show
106 and Park Trayvon Martin Special Pics
I appeared as a guest on BET 106 and Park Trayvon Martin Special this week. Below are pics. We had an insightful dialogue. Hoping nothing like this happens again and moral & public change soon come.
Paula Deen and Racism: Some Questions
After hearing all the intricacies tied up in the whole Paula Deen Fiasco, my mind didn’t really start thinking about the case deeply until news reported yesterday that the Food Network dropped her. I began to think about some of the same questions Bill Maher raises in the video below.
1. Should one’s livelihood be effected by one’s beliefs or statements?
2. Is an apology enough for redemption?
3. Is what’s revealed in a disposition allowed to be used as public proof of one’s character?
4. Does saying words make one racist or is racism more discriminatory and brute actions and attitude?
5. Do we really know what we are saying when we call someone racist?
6. How do we distinguish between cultural beliefs and racist beliefs?
7. Are we too focused on Paula Deen’s words when we should be focused on Politicians’ racist policies?
7. Or as the daily show satirically implies, maybe instead of treating Paula like a villian, should she be a victim in need of a cure?
I admit I do not have all the answers. But I also must admit that Im not too sure that this situation is black and white (no pun intended) either.
Separate Church and State: The Hit Song (Video)
There is no doubt in my mind that church and state need to separate. There is good rationale behind it. Plus isn’t it written in our constitution? Well not exactly, argues Garrett Epps in the Atlantic but the idea of separation is in the constitution. At times it seems hypocritical when the phrase is thrown around. When the contraception part of Obama care was being fought against by the catholic church, they argued for “separation”, but while arguing against gay marriage they employ separation. How odd and dishonest. I believe our nation will be much more democratic if the separation truly happened. As Epps writes:
The current right-wing drive to harness the power of government to bring souls to Christ is dangerous and un-American. As no less conservative a figure than Sandra Day O’Connor wrote in 2005: “Those who would renegotiate the boundaries between church and state must therefore answer a difficult question: why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly?”
Check out Jane Lynch and Jordan Peele Church-State Breakup song and put your lighters up in the air, sing along, and fight to make separation of church and state happen.
And if you are still stuck on what seperation of church and state really means, you must check this out. Its pretty awesome!
Why I Need Feminism? Cambridge Students (and Myself) Respond
This post comes directly from Life Neurotic, where Cambridge University students were asked why they need Feminism. In what follows are a few of my favorites and also a few of my own responses.
TEXTnology In The Classroom
I had the opportunity to participate and present at the Teaching Technology Institute at Long Island University last week. My presentation was entitled “TEXTnology In The Classroom” and I shared how I use texting to enhance learning in my philosophy courses. I had a blast! (Go to the teaching menu above for ways to make this happen in your course)
I also visited some other sessions on TED talks and new technologies. I left renewed and focused on bringing different literacys to my courses and fun ways to motivate learning. Bring it on Fall semester!
Fun at Free University
I had a great time at Free University this weekend. Free university is an organization committed to offering free and open education in parks and public spaces. Sessions are taught by activists, experts, and professors. Saturday’s event was held in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem on the theme “Assata Shakur’s Legacy & Lives of Resistance”. I met some great people and I look forward to the next one this summer.
