ALL OF IT Podcast Summary

Episode: Imani Perry's New Book 'Black in Blues' (A Get Lit Preview)
Host: Alison Stewart
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Host Station: WNYC
Duration: Approx. 10 minutes

Introduction

In this episode of ALL OF IT, hosted by Alison Stewart, the spotlight is on Imani Perry’s latest work, "Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People." The discussion serves as a preview for the upcoming Get Lit with All Of It book club event, delving into the themes, inspirations, and research behind Perry’s exploration of the color blue and its profound significance in Black American culture.

Guest Introduction and Book Overview

Alison Stewart introduces the event and Perry’s book:

“This month we're reading the latest book from National Book Award winner Imani Perry. It is titled Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People. The book is an exploration of the relationship between Black Americans and the color blue, from the role of indigo dye in the slave trade to rhythm and blues.”
[00:47]

Perry is also noted to be joining both in-person and virtually for an event on February 26th, alongside special musical performances by Grammy-winning artists Esperanza Spalding and Bilal.

Inspiration Behind "Black in Blues"

Alison Stewart begins the conversation by inquiring about Perry’s inspiration to focus on the color blue.

Imani Perry responds:

“Well, it was, it sort of seemed like it was this recurring theme in my life. My grandmother's bedroom, which was the first home that I lived in, was blue with blue drapes and blue prayers in the corners of the mirror. And so I think maybe that was a portal. And then, of course, you know, the blues and the kind of recurrence of blue and Black folk culture and hate blue porches in South Carolina and so on and so forth. So it was, it just sort of was present in a way that appeared to me and I just, you know, had a passion for telling the story. And here we are.”
[01:52]

Perry highlights the personal significance of blue in her life and its broader cultural implications within Black communities.

The Duality of Blue: Sadness and Joy

Alison Stewart probes further into why blue is cherished despite its association with sadness.

Imani Perry elaborates:

“Well, I think because it, it's contrapuntal, that is, it, it can capture both sadness and joy. It's the color of the waters and the skies. And so it has, and it's, it's both a color for cold and hot, you know, blue flames and, and the coldness of... blue ice.”
[02:41]

She reflects on blue’s versatility and its capacity to embody a spectrum of emotions and elements, calling it:

“I think of it as the world's favorite color.”
[03:12]

Excerpts from "Black in Blues": Writing in Color

Alison Stewart invites Perry to read a section titled "Writing in Color."

Imani Perry reads and summarizes:

“In the beginning, when I was just calling this my blue book, I read books and essays about colors. I loved how the writers ran through the signs, symbols, and feelings associated with various hues... I didn't want to write an exegesis on blue. I realized I wanted to write toward the mystery of blue and its alchemy in the lives of Black folk... Academic descriptions of blackness fail to explain how at the heart of being black is a testimony about the universal power of existence... I wanted to offer truth with a heartbeat.”

She emphasizes her desire to transcend academic analysis and capture the lived experiences and emotional resonance of blue within Black culture.

“In it, loose threads and frayed patches are as important as seamless compositions and straight stitched stories. Perhaps more so because life is neither tidy nor done, it is doing that.”
[05:45]

Research Process for "Black in Blues"

Alison Stewart inquires about Perry’s research methodology for writing about a color.

Imani Perry explains:

“It had a variety of different approaches, you know, so I would, I would come upon a story... archival records and also to physical locations... archaeological research or when I was reading about haunt blue porches in South Carolina... personal narratives, stories, newspapers... It's like quilting. You pull these pieces together and you shape the story you want to tell...”
[06:26]

Perry likens her research to quilting, assembling diverse threads of history, culture, and personal narratives to weave a cohesive and multifaceted narrative.

“But the research was delightful. It was really, really interesting.”
[07:00]

Pivotal Elements in the Book

Alison Stewart asks if there's a particular aspect of the book she wants readers to focus on.

Imani Perry highlights:

“I really hope people pay closer attention to perhaps the way in which Congo culture is threaded through the Kingdom of Congo and then... how Congo culture shaped African American culture in the South. It really is an important element and it's a thread that gets sort of retied in the 20th century as African American organizers and activists are paying attention to what's happening in Congo...”
[08:02]

She underscores the historical and cultural connections between African and African American communities, emphasizing the enduring influence of Congo’s culture.

Upcoming Events and Conclusion

Alison Stewart wraps up by reminding listeners of the upcoming Get Lit event featuring Imani Perry and encouraging participation.

“It's our February Get Lit with All Of It book club selection. To find out more, head to wnyc.org.”
[06:08]

She also teases future episodes, including discussions on a documentary about Art Spiegelman and live performances from War and Treaty.

“I'm Alison Stewart. I appreciate you listening and I appreciate you. I will meet you back here tomorrow.”
[09:03]

Key Takeaways

• Imani Perry’s book, "Black in Blues," explores the multifaceted significance of the color blue in Black American history and culture.
• The color blue serves as a symbol encompassing both sorrow and joy, the natural elements, and cultural expressions such as music and architecture.
• Perry employs a rich, quilt-like research methodology, integrating historical records, personal narratives, and cultural studies to present a deeply resonant narrative.
• A pivotal focus of the book is the influence of Congo’s culture on African American traditions, highlighting historical connections and their lasting impact.
• The Get Lit with All Of It event offers an interactive platform for community engagement, featuring live musical performances and discussions with the author.

Notable Quotes

• Imani Perry on Blue’s Duality:
  “It’s contrapuntal, that is, it can capture both sadness and joy. It’s the color of the waters and the skies... I think of it as the world’s favorite color.”
  [02:41 – 03:12]

• Imani Perry on Her Writing Approach:
  “I wanted to offer truth with a heartbeat... Perhaps more so because life is neither tidy nor done, it is doing that.”
  [05:45 – 06:08]

• Imani Perry on Congo’s Influence:
  “These threads of connection are really important to me, both the history and other parts of the African and African American worlds.”
  [08:02 – 08:52]

Conclusion

This episode of ALL OF IT provides an insightful preview into Imani Perry's "Black in Blues," offering listeners a compelling look at how a single color can encapsulate complex cultural narratives and historical connections. Perry's nuanced exploration invites audiences to engage deeply with the subtleties of color symbolism within the Black American experience, making it a standout selection for the Get Lit with All Of It book club.