S.4.2- Music and liberation politics in the African diaspora

S.4.2- Music and liberation politics in the African diaspora

Author: Global Campus of Human Rights March 18, 2026 Duration: 30:10

Music has been central to how people of African descent – in the United States and across the diaspora – have imagined and demanded justice . From Paul Robeson and Nina Simone to the present, this episode of Sounds of Justice listens in on iconic anthems that have carried, shaped and mobilized movements for Black lives.

* Shana L. Redmond

is a multimodal writer-creator and scholar. She is the author of Anthem: Social Movements and the Sound of Solidarity in the African Diaspora (NYU Press, 2014) and the award-winning Everything Man: The Form and Function of Paul Robeson (Duke UP, 2020). A Guggenheim Fellow and Grammy nominee, she is professor of English and Comparative Literature and Director of the Center for the Study of Ethnicity & Race at Columbia University in the City of New York.



Produced by the Global Campus of Human Rights, To the Righthouse is a podcast that navigates the complex and often turbulent waters where human rights meet the real world. The title itself is a guiding metaphor: just as a lighthouse warns ships of perilous coasts, this series aims to illuminate the risks and challenges facing fundamental freedoms today, while also pointing toward potential harbours of safer, more robust protection. Each episode grapples with the persistent gap between lofty ideals and ground-level realities, exploring that difficult space where theory confronts practice. You’ll hear from a range of voices-academics, advocates, and those directly affected-who bring multiple perspectives to these urgent discussions. The conversations aren't about easy answers; they delve into the nuanced, sometimes contentious work of seeking stability and just solutions in an unstable world. This isn't a lecture series, but a thoughtful exploration for anyone curious about the forces shaping dignity and justice globally. Tune in for a podcast that serves as both a beacon of critical thought and a forum for genuine, enlightening dialogue on the social scientific dimensions of our rights.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 23

To the Righthouse
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