The Incessant Negative Imagery of Black Lives with Martha Underwood

In this Candid Craic, we talk to Martha Underwood about the experience of being a black, female leader in the Deep South of the USA.

Having been presented with a Leadership in Diversity award by Birmingham, Alabama, Martha explains the role she and others are playing in changing perceptions of the city, and the increasingly integrated plurality of the community.

She talks about the origins of narrow perceptions about black Americans, highlighting the incessant negative imagery that has characterised the presentation of black lives in US print and media, from stupid illiterates in the 1930s to gang members, drug addicts and welfare queens in the late 20th Century. She goes on to outline numerous ways in which she helps young, black Americans overcome related perceptions of their abilities in contemporary society.

We explore even deeper roots of racism and how even Enlightened Abolitionists contributed to "scientific" denigrations of the character and ability of black Americans, before turning to the tactics, stories and discourses that are generating hope for a more pluralistic, egalitarian future.

We look at how grassroot change is developing better complexity of thinking in many young people of all races; how the emergence of female leaders can help shift outdated, narrow and problematic leadership discourses; and how the future might be so bright we'll need to wear shades.

We highly recommend you watch the video on EQ Lab's YouTube channel to check out Oscar's hair!