Revising History, One Monument at a Time

Revising History, One Monument at a Time

Artist Michelle Browder lives in a city that is increasingly being altered by monumental works…including one she created herself.

More than 30 years ago, as an 18-year-old art student in Atlanta, Michelle Browder came across a work of art that haunted her. The picture was meant as a tribute to Dr. J. Marion Sims, a 19th century doctor long known as the 'Father of Gynecology.’ His discoveries, only made possible by his experimentation on enslaved women, endowed his legacy in U.S. history, yet erased the victims of this research. Armed with this knowledge, she set out to create a monument in Montgomery, Alabama, where a statue of Sims still stands in front of the state capitol building.

Michelle Browder joins the show to share the story behind her creation called “the Mothers of Gynecology,” in tribute to Anarcha, Lucy & Betsey, three of Dr. Sims’ victims.

Companion listening for this episode:

The Battle Over Black Studies (2/21/2023)

Black studies is not about inclusion. It’s about disruption – which is why some fear it.

“The United States of Anxiety” airs live on Sunday evenings at 6pm ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts. To catch all the action, tune into the show on Sunday nights via the stream on WNYC.org/anxiety or tell your smart speakers to play WNYC.

We want to hear from you! Connect with us on Twitter @WNYC using the hashtag #USofAnxiety or email us at anxiety@wnyc.org.

Tell us what you think. We're @noteswithkai on Instagram and X (Twitter). Email us at notes@wnyc.org. Send us a voice message by recording yourself on your phone and emailing us, or record one here.

Notes from America airs live on Sundays at 6 p.m. ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts.

Episoder(424)

A Year of Performing Humanity, Reviewed

A Year of Performing Humanity, Reviewed

A.O. Scott, co-chief film critic of the New York Times, helps us review the year in culture. What can we learn about our struggling effort to live together from this year’s art? Then, a conversation w...

13 Des 202150min

The Supreme Court v. Our Rights

The Supreme Court v. Our Rights

Another year of The Supreme Court of the United States is coming to a close. But can we still trust our nine appointed justices to be the final arbiters of the law?. Co-hosts of the Boom! Lawyered pod...

6 Des 202150min

An Anti-Racism Refresher

An Anti-Racism Refresher

Anti-racist work snuck into the mainstream last year. But ever since, it’s received a huge backlash. Why, and what did right-wing media have to gain? This week, Kai revisits two conversations: First, ...

29 Nov 202151min

The Myth of a ‘United’ States

The Myth of a ‘United’ States

History shows that our country’s actually been divided from the start. If secession is in our DNA, what’s keeping us together? Should we just break up already? Kai talks with author Richard Kreitner a...

22 Nov 202150min

Promises to Help the Climate Keep Breaking

Promises to Help the Climate Keep Breaking

Who’s breaking them, and why? Coming off of COP26, we talk to journalists Elizabeth Kolbert and David Wallace-Wells about the real cost of the climate crisis and who is paying the price. Learn about c...

15 Nov 202149min

Fired at 59: Lessons on Job Insecurity in the U.S.

Fired at 59: Lessons on Job Insecurity in the U.S.

Broadcast journalist Ray Suarez was 59 when he lost a dream job that took decades to reach. What he did next reveals a harsh reality of class blindness and the consequences of job insecurity in the U....

8 Nov 202150min

How the Dead Still Speak to Us

How the Dead Still Speak to Us

This Halloween, we reveal the holiday’s often untold history and why connecting to the dead is important to so many people, from Ireland, to Mexico, to NYC. What about this time of year lowers the vei...

1 Nov 20211h

Making it in New York: The Eric Adams Story

Making it in New York: The Eric Adams Story

In just two weeks, New Yorkers could elect Eric Adams, making him the city’s second-ever Black mayor. What does his rise through civil service tell us about the ways race and power have evolved in the...

25 Okt 202151min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
forklart
popradet
stopp-verden
det-store-bildet
fotballpodden-2
rss-gukild-johaug
nokon-ma-ga
dine-penger-pengeradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
hanna-de-heldige
rss-ness
aftenbla-bla
rss-dannet-uten-piano
e24-podden
rss-utenrikskomiteen-med-bogen-og-grasvik
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
chit-chat-med-helle