Ideas Matter: ‘The Birth of a Nation’

Sixth podcast in the series on Race and Racism, theme of BoI
charity’s event The Academy, held online in late 2020.


In this episode we feature the talk ‘The Birth of a Nation’.


‘The Birth of a Nation’, the controversial  film by DW
Griffith from 1915 is renowned for its racist portrayal of black
people and celebration of the Klu Klux Klan. More than a century
after its release it continues to excite huge controversy. But
how has the interpretation and imputed meaning of the film
shifted and changed over that period.  


Lecturer: Kunle Olulode, director, Voice4Change England; former
creative director, Rebop Productions; member, African Odyssey
programming board, BFI


THE ACADEMY ONLINE II: RACE AND RACISM The Academy II was a half
day online event via zoom that took place in November 2020. 


To view the full programme and some suggested background reading
to the talks, please visit 
https://theboi.co.uk/the-academy-online-ii-race-and-racism


For this lecture on civil rights, we you may wish to read:-


‘No place for the real Hollywood story’ by Kunle Olulode,
Index on Censorship, 12 October 2015 https://bit.ly/2NTtORG

‘D.W. Griffith's the Birth of a Nation: A History of the Most
Controversial Motion Picture of All Time’ by Melvyn Stokes;
Oxford University Press (2008) https://amzn.to/2NwFDxg  



THE ACADEMY In the context of today’s instrumental approaches to
knowledge, The Academy summer school is a modest attempt to
demonstrate the value of scholarship, and of the worth of the
university as a place of free enquiry dedicated to the pursuit of
truth.


DONATING TO THE BOI CHARITY The BOI charity is committed to
continuing to host discussion and debates throughout this period
when society is restricted by measures to tackle coronavirus. In
order to realise events such as the Academy Online, none of our
staff are furloughed and instead remain working. If you can, then
please consider a donation, small or large.
Visit: https://theboi.co.uk/donate


IDEAS MATTER PODCAST Ideas Matter is a podcast that takes the
most important issues of our times and explores the ideas and
intellectual trends that have shaped where we are today.


You can subscribe and listen to Ideas Matter on iTunes, Podbean,
Spotify or SoundCloud. For full details of all episodes, visit
the podcast page on our website


Keep up-to-date with Ideas Matter and all the initiatives
organised by the Battle of Ideas charity by following us on
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