Melissa Harris-Perry at Chicago Humanities Fest
by Tracy Baim, Windy City Times 2016-11-10
This article shared 982 times since Thu Nov 10, 2016
Political commentator, former MSNBC host and author Melissa Harris-Perry spoke in Chicago two days after the 2016 presidential election, bringing her unique brand of political expertise to an audience aching for an explanation of the results. The event was hosted by the
Chicago Humanities Festival at Northwestern University's Thorne Auditorium.
Harris-Perry did not disappoint in her deep analysis of the election results. Her focus was on slowing down the analysis and the search for solutions, not being focused on "speed." She said this was the "change election" that she predicted, and that the "shock" so many people felt on Tuesday was not was not echoed in many families of color.
Some people were saying "what will I tell my children?" on the election results. Black mothers and fathers have always feared for their children, she said, showing example after example of children murdered by racists and a racist system.
She began with the murder of Emmett Till, and showed the image of his gleeful murderers after they were found not guilty, pictured with their laughing wives. She also showed examples of sexism and violence toward women. Then she asked rhetorically, what have these same white parents been telling their children before Tuesday?
Responding to the outrage many white people expressed that a racist was elected president, she said that has often been a prerequisite to being president throughout U.S. history.
After a nuanced explanation of the presidential results, the main focus of the evening was a discussion of gun violence, including with U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Chicago's South Side and South Suburbs, plus advocates, journalists and mothers. The evening finished with a performance by FM Supreme.
See videos of the presentations below.
The video playlist below contains multiple videos. Choose Playlist in the top left hand corner to watch videos out of order, if preferred.
This article shared 982 times since Thu Nov 10, 2016
Biden declares March 31 as the Transgender Day of Visibility 2023-03-31 - President Joe Biden issued a statement proclaiming Friday, March 31, as the Transgender Day of Visibility. He said, "Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates the joy, strength, and absolute courage of some of the bravest people I ...
Knudsen looks ahead to April 4 runoff election 2023-03-30 - The following is part of Windy City Times' coverage of openly LGBTQ+ candidates in the 2023 municipal election. Ald. Timmy Knudsen narrowly came in first in the Feb. 28 general election, and is facing Brian Comer ...
Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson visits Sidetrack 2023-03-27 - Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson headlined a fundraiser for his campaign at Sidetrack Video Bar on March 25. The standing room only event drew a wide array of LGBTQ activists and community leaders, as well as supporters ...
Michaela Jae Rodriguez honored at HRC dinner 2023-03-26 - On March 25, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hosted its Los Angeles dinner at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVEand honored Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated trans actress Michaela Jae Rodriguez, per a press release. Human ...
ALA: 2022 saw record demand of censorship of library books 2023-03-25 - On March 22, the American Library Association (ALA) released new data documenting 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources in 2022—the highest number of attempted book bans since the ALA began compiling data about censorship ...
Utah bans conversion therapy 2023-03-23 - On March 22, Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill that bans licensed professionals from practicing conversion therapythe discredited practice that attempts to turn LGBTQ+ people heterosexualon minors, Q ...
Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.
All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transegender News and Feature Publication).
The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.