Tar Baby

An original piece written by Yannick Giovanni Marshall and narrated by Mutanda Kwesele describes the essence of our struggle in modern times. Challenging what it means to enact change in our society, this passage is from the point of view of a father in conversation with their child.

Teona Williams moderates a conversation between Aby Sène and J.T. Roane as they discuss the role of African, Indigenous, and African/Black-American people in regards to ecology, environmentalism, and conservation.

Sahra reads a deeply, riveting passage from Texaco by Patrick Chamoiseau.

Aby Sène reads Tar Baby by Toni Morrison and translates the passage into Wolof.

Sahra reads the poem, “Maandeeq,” by Abdullahi Suldaan Timacadde. Aby and Sahra continue their conversation by emphasizing that conservation is an extractive process.

Sahra reads the poem, “A Message to the Ogaadeen,” by Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan. Aby and Sahra continue their conversation as they break down why conservation is a form of propaganda in western media.

Sahra reads the poem, “Black Mountains” by Xaaji Aadan Afqalooc. Aby Sène and Sahra continue their conversation discussing the 150-year long history of national parks as a motif for the displacement of Indigenous people.

Sahra reads an excerpt from “A Hoopoe Rebuked” by Ismail Mire. Aby Sène, in conversation with Sahra, discusses the meaning of fortress conservation.

Sahra reads an excerpt from A Hoopoe Rebuked by Ismail Mire. This episode delves into the effects of a western model of conservation featuring Aby Sène.

Rene Odanga reads a passage from A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid.