Person
Every book Randall Kennedy recommended on podcasts
Randall Kennedy appears on the Lex Fridman Podcast to discuss the complex history, law, politics, and social power surrounding the n-word. Throughout the conversation, Kennedy references several influential books to contextualize his historical and legal analyses. He discusses Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, examining the controversies and challenges educators face when teaching a book where the offensive term appears over two hundred times. To illustrate the broader historical narrative of racism alongside the enduring struggle for freedom, Kennedy references John Hope Franklin's monumental history book, From Slavery to Freedom, highlighting how its very title encapsulates the dual stories of racial oppression and liberation. Additionally, Kennedy mentions Dick Gregory's memoir titled Nigger while exploring the various ways the word has been utilized and reclaimed in literature and public discourse. Through these discussions, Kennedy demonstrates a rigorous academic approach to literature, utilizing classic and historical texts to unpack the painful realities and linguistic complexities of race in America.
Books recommended by Randall Kennedy
-
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a classic American novel by Mark Twain that follows a young boy and an escaped slave as they journey down the Mississippi River, offering a profound critique of society, racism, and human morality.
Discussed“Let's imagine and this is not, I'm not imagining things this has happened, that's a teacher is teaching, for instance, the Mark Twain's, "Huckleberry Finn”
Where to get it
-
From slavery to freedom
Discussed“One is the continuing story of racism, which is an awful story; but the other story is encapsulated in the title of a great book of history by John Hope Franklin, From Slavery to Freedom.”
Where to get it
-
Nigger
Discussed“How does one explain the fact that he wrote several memoirs, but his first memoir is called "Nigger."”
Where to get it
Books Randall Kennedy wrote
- Nigger - The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word
- For Discrimination Race Affirmative Action And The Law
- Race, crime, and the law
- Say It Loud!
- For Discrimination
- Nigger
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| #379 – Randall Kennedy: The N-Word – History of Race, Law, Politics, and Power | Lex Fridman Podcast | 2023-05-24 | 4 |
Other mentions (3: passing, ad reads, own books)
“Brown versus Board of Education”
“The book that you're referring to is "Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word."”
“The book that you're referring to is 'Nigger: The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word.'”