In response to the question “What can I do?” in these times of systemic injustice and pervasive unrest, the Race and the American Story project is launching a Book Club to help people explore the issues and empower participants to effect meaningful and sustainable change.
“Anthem: Social Movements and the Sound of Solidarity in the African Diaspora“
by Shana L. Redmond
About the Book
For people of African descent, music constitutes a unique domain of expression. From traditional West African drumming to South African kwaito, from spirituals to hip-hop, Black life and history has been dynamically displayed and contested through sound. Shana Redmond excavates the sonic histories of these communities through a genre emblematic of Black solidarity and citizenship: anthems. An interdisciplinary cultural history, Anthem reveals how this ‘sound franchise’ contributed to the growth and mobilization of the modern, Black citizen.
About the Author
Shana L. Redmond, an interdisciplinary scholar of music, race, and politics, is Professor of Musicology and African American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to receiving her combined Ph. D. in African American Studies and American Studies from Yale University, Redmond studied Music and African American Studies at Macalester College where she trained as a vocalist.
Hear from the author and ask questions:
Date: Friday, July 10, 2020
Time: 8pm EDT | 7pm CDT | 5pm Pacific (AZ)
Engage in a preliminary general discussion with RAS co-directors:
Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Time: 8pm EDT | 7pm CDT | 5pm Pacific (AZ)
Zoom connectivity details provided upon registration.
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The Project
Race and the American Story is a national educational movement dedicated to cultivating conversation, fostering understanding, broadening knowledge, and building community among people with very diverse personal stories.
Focusing on the case study of African-American history as an especially revealing one, Race and the American Story aims to learn from and engage deeply in the historic and ongoing struggle for racial justice by Black Americans. Our multifaceted project includes a signature undergraduate course, an annual symposium, and related initiatives both on college and university campuses and in communities.
The Symposium
Our annual symposium provides an opportunity for us to come together as a community and learn from each other as well as distinguished leaders of national conversations about race and difference in American society. The two-day symposium is held at a site of significance in the history of Black Americans’ struggle for justice.
For our students
Log in to the Race and the American Story student portal to see the syllabus, recommended reading, weekly tasks and the class discussion board.
Participate in the discussion.
We invite our students and the wider community to engage in this important ongoing discussion about race in the United States
- Submit a blog post for consideration
- Share your own story about your personal epiphanies with regard to race and identity
- Join the Book Club discussion
- Respond to discussion posts when they are posted
Join the Race & American Story Book Club
Each semester, as a collective community, we will be reading and discussing a book that focuses on the broad topic of “race and the American story.”
Learn more and join below.
Our Participating Locations
Race and the American Story was founded at the University of Missouri. It has since been developed at two other university campuses. We are actively looking for more universities to get involved in the project.
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Center for Political Thought and Leadership
Tempe, AZ
The Center for Political Thought and Leadership aims to further research in American political thought and to support civic education at all levels both within and beyond the classroom environment.
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
W. E. B. Du Bois Center
Amherst, MA
The W. E. B. Du Bois Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst was established in 2009 to engage the nation and the world in discussion and scholarship about the global issues involving race, labor and social justice.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy
Columbia, MO
The Kinder Institute is a vibrant, diverse community of scholars who share not only an academic interest in rigorously unpacking the complex history of constitutional democracy in the U.S. and around the globe but also a commitment to collective inquiry.
Get Involved
Race and the American Story is actively looking to grow our partnerships with other institutions of higher education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this project all about?
It is about understanding the American story in such a way that all Americans of every race, color, and creed can call it their own.
When is the annual symposium?
The annual symposium is held every spring at a site of significance for the Civil Rights Movement and the history of racial justice in America.
How can I get involved?
You can offer the course at your institution, participate in our annual symposium, join our book club, or make a donation to support the project.
Can I participate in the course?
The best way to participate in the course as a student is to work through the faculty members at your institution to offer the course on your campus.
