What Does It Mean To Be Free?

What Does It Mean To Be Free?

Author Ayana Mathis' new novel, The Unsettled, is an intergenerational story centered around one Black family’s struggle to find freedom in the 1980s. Like her previous work, migration and movement are major themes in the book. But this time, her characters are at a crossroads, unsure of their next step in search of self-determination. Mathis joins host Kai Wright to reveal the questions that torment the characters in her gripping novel, and discuss her own journey grappling with those themes.

During this episode, Kai refers to a previous episode about our Future of Black History series featuring Saidiya Hartman, which can be found here.

This episode was originally published September 25, 2023.

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)

The Joy and Pain of Little Richard

The Joy and Pain of Little Richard

Filmmaker Lisa Cortés tells the inspiring and painful story of the Black, queer inventor of rock and roll–Little Richard. Richard Wayne Penniman launched rock and roll into pop culture and wrote a new...

20 Apr 202318min

Tell Me Your Politics–But Do It In Verse

Tell Me Your Politics–But Do It In Verse

In a world that feels divided, two storytellers invite people to share what shapes their politics through poetry, using the prompt “Where I’m From.” Host Kai Wright–inspired by a listener voicemail–co...

17 Apr 202332min

The Week That Changed America’s Cities

The Week That Changed America’s Cities

On the 55th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, one journalist examines the 1968 Holy Week which he calls one of the most consequential weeks in U.S. history.  Martin Luther King wa...

13 Apr 202319min

How a Young, Black Progressive Won in Chicago

How a Young, Black Progressive Won in Chicago

Brandon Johnson's mayoral election could change the national conversation about crime, schools -- and an aging Black establishment in big city politics. Chicago’s recent mayoral election saw two Democ...

10 Apr 202332min

Grieving Loss From Gun Violence

Grieving Loss From Gun Violence

A recent mass shooting at a school in Nashville added to the toll of death and injuries from the nation’s gun violence crisis. A reporter wonders if we’re grieving properly – or at all. Two mothers lo...

6 Apr 202319min

Of Tech Moguls and Gold Miners: A Capitalist History

Of Tech Moguls and Gold Miners: A Capitalist History

In Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse, one writer sees a model for amassing obscene wealth, pioneered in 19th century California, finally nearing its limits.  Silicon Valley is notorious in the global eco...

3 Apr 202332min

Trump, the GOP, and a New Confederacy

Trump, the GOP, and a New Confederacy

White supremacist myths turn defeated leaders into heroic victors. Are Donald Trump and the MAGA movement the next Lost cause?  Donald Trump is the lead contender for the Republican nomination for Pre...

30 Mar 202328min

Ramadan: A Month About Much More Than Fasting

Ramadan: A Month About Much More Than Fasting

Ramadan Mubarak! We check in with people of the Muslim community, their intentions, traditions and plans for making the most of this holy month.  Ramadan has begun, which means that close to two billi...

27 Mar 202349min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

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