Episode 4
In This Episode
April 21, 2021: Sundiata Cha-Jua on the "New Nadir"
In Episode 4, Professor Sundiata Cha-Jua and host Augustus Wood explore Cha-Jua's concept of the "New Nadir," examining the impact of global capitalism on Black socioeconomics and community building. The discussion ranges from Cha-Jua's articles and research to foundational works by Hal Baron, W.E.B. Du Bois, and C.L.R. James. Cha-Jua outlines key historical periods of transition, illustrating how these transitional moments are “...where we can really see the role of agency and resistance.”
- See more: Dr. Cha-Jua's Research Interests and Publications
- S1, Episode 4 Transcript (opens in PDF)
About the Guest: Sundiata Cha-Jua
Sundiata Keita Cha-Jua is an Associate Professor in the Department of History, from which he earned a Ph.D. in 1993, and in African American Studies. He previously taught in the History department and directed the Black Studies Program at the University of Missouri at Columbia, and taught history at Pennsylvania State University and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Dr. Cha-Jua received Advanced Certificates in Black Studies from Northeastern University in 1992 and from the National Council for Black Studies, Director’s Institute in 1992.
Dr. Cha-Jua's research agenda consists of explorations of Black racial formation and transformation theory, Urban histories/community studies, Radical Black Intellectual Traditions, and culturally relevant pedagogical practices. He is specifically interested in investigating African American community formation, lynching, historical materialism, African American historiography, social movement theory, and Black social movements.