Elwood Watson

Dr. Elwood Watson is a professor of history, African American Studies, and Gender Studies at East Tennessee State University. He is the author of several books and articles. His latest work Performing American Masculinities: The 21st Century Man in Popular Culture published by Indiana University Press.

African-American

Aretha Franklin: Entertainment Genius, Feminist and Social Activist

While not overtly political, Aretha Franklin was astute to the power of her platform and used her voice for more than just belting out songs and entertaining audiences. She was a proud and strong advocate for the Black community, in particular, Black women.

August 21, 2018

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Increase in American Suicides Has Historical Roots

Recent research indicates that the recent rise in suicides across the nation can be attributed partly to historical social and psychological issues, including rural isolation and high veteran populations, pressure to live up to stereotypes, disillusion with the American dream and racism.

June 15, 2018

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The Consequences of the Roseanne Fiasco

Roseanne Barr engaged in the most racially primitive language possible. Comparing Black people to apes, monkeys, animals and other non-human or less-than-human species is classic, primitive, racist rhetoric straight out of the pages of regressive, old-fashioned, eugenics-minded, racial stereotypes.

May 30, 2018

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Native Americans

Calling the Police on People of Color

Seemingly everywhere from department stores to college dorms, each week brings a new story of a White person who targets a non-White person for racial profiling and summons police because the complainant simply feels uncomfortable.

May 14, 2018

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Black Lives Continually Demeaned, Devalued, Dehumanized

Walking while Black. Sitting in a public space while Black. Asking for help while Black. Merely existing while Black. The cold, hard truth is that to be Black in America is to frequently endure an ongoing state of assaults and insults.

April 24, 2018

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Haters Can’t Dim This Star Student’s Shine

Many were impressed when Texas teen Micheal Brown made headlines by gaining acceptance and full scholarships to all 20 colleges he applied to, including four in the Ivy League. But some people tried to rain on the Black student’s parade.

April 11, 2018

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Refusing To Call a Terrorist a Terrorist

When serial bomber Mark Anthony Conditt blew himself up as police officers closed in on him, most if not all residents of Austin, Texas breathed a sigh of relief. But nobody in mainstream media seemed willing to call him a terrorist.

March 28, 2018

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A Teacher, a Double Identity, Hatred and Justice Advocacy

A recent exclusive story on Huffington Post.com was a detailed exposé about Dayanna Volitich, a 25-year-old social studies teacher at Crystal River Middle School in Florida who turns out to be a White supremacy advocate and has been removed from the classroom pending an investigation of radical views she has espoused.

March 12, 2018

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African-American

Black History Beyond One Month

Another year, another February, and we are deep into another Black History Month. Various institutions and individuals from all walks of life are celebrating the numerous milestones and accomplishments of people of African descent.

February 22, 2018

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Recent Trump Comments Smack of Racism

Last week, a number of journalists, radio hosts, pundits and ordinary folk have worked themselves into an understandable frenzy over President Donald Trump’s alleged reference to Haiti, Nigeria, El Salvador and other Third World countries as “shithole” nations. He did not stop there. He argued that the United States should make an effort to recruit immigrants from Norway. Just think about it! The statement alone speaks volumes. It is the most blatant and arrogant form of racism.

January 16, 2018

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