Now We Know

Join co-hosts Donna Polk & Jonathan Stokes on Now We Know, the monthly podcast that encourages learning and relearning black history in a fun yet educational way. Together, they unpack and repack our history from the lens of two people simply trying to figure it out and spread the word. Reading between the lines of what we learned and what we need to learn, we're here to bridge the gap.

Now We Know is a society podcast hosted by Donna Polk and Jonathan Stokes, with 65 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Donna Polk and Jonathan Stokes hosts Now We Know, a society show with 65 episodes published.

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  Now We Know

  Bayard Rustin & the Worst Kept Secret of Pride in Politics

  Jun 9, 202648 minS0

  <p>Bayard Rustin may likely not ring a bell. If not, that's ok. We didn't know until later years also.</p><p><br></p><p>Bayard Rustin was the mastermind behind may of the civil rights activists and their non-violent approach to protests in the fight for justice. As a gay black man, raised in Pennsylvania by Quaker grandparents, the philosophy of non-violence permeated Rustin's personal and professional life - despite the injustices he often faced. </p><p>To Rustin's work and perseverance, we say thank you. To his character and who is as a person, we say slay...

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  Episode #5

  The Michael Movie

  May 7, 202652 minS6

  <p>Donna & Jonathan can't be the only ones pining for more than the Michael Jackson movie gave. Did they love it? Of course! Did Jaafar do an incredible job portraying his uncle? Absolutely!</p><p>Most of the message was there, the songs didn't disappoint - but Donna & Jonathan were left wanting and needing more story to be told, behind the scenes to be shown, and answers to questions that remain explained. </p><p><br /></p><p>Have you seen the Michael Jackson movie? What did you walk away feeling and thinking? 🤔 Will you tune in to part 2 when it com...

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  Episode #4

  Henrietta Lack's Immortal Life

  Apr 10, 202654 minS6

  <p>Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman whose cervical cancer cells were taken without her knowledge or consent, became the source of one of the most important medical findings in history. Her cells, HeLa, were used to develop numerous vaccines and scientific breakthroughs, yet her family remained unaware of her contribution for nearly 25 years after her passing.</p><p><br></p><p>To watch the full episode, check out our YouTube Channel for go-live at 2pm CST. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgTz_qo0OVWxo46Tb-x-BEA</p><p><br></p><p>Resources:</p><p>https://www.msm.edu/the-immortal-life-of-henrietta-lacks/index...

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  Episode #3

  Currencies of Cruelty with Author Danielle Bainbridge, PhD

  Mar 5, 202654 minS6

  <p>This women's history month, Donna & Jonathan are graced with the presence, knowledge and insight of Danielle Bainbridge - Assistant Professor of Theatre at Northwestern University, where she also holds courtesy appointments in Performance Studies and African American Studies. Her writing has been featured in Killens Review of Arts & Letters, Moko Magazine, and The Mechanics’ Institute Review Online.</p><p><br></p><p>Discovering the journey Danielle took from adolescence to adulthood, we come to the writing of her most recent book debut CURRENCIES OF CRUELTY: Slavery, Freak Shows, and the Performance Archive that explores how formerly enslaved people and di...

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  Episode #2

  Modern Internalized Racism: When the Call is Coming from Inside the House

  Feb 25, 202638 minS6

  <p>Historically, the word coon has been used in (you guessed it) a derogatory way against black people. As we do, the word has been remixed and refashioned to describe what we know as those who...speak unfavorably against their own people. Channel Devonta from Love is Blind 😅 </p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Donna & Jonathan discuss modern-day "coons" to the liking of Terry Crews, Nicki Minaj, and others. How did we get here?</p><p><br></p><p>Also! We have started a YouTube channel, so you can put our glowing faces to the names of your fav...

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