Podcast Summary: "Shirley Chisholm at 100"

Podcast: All Of It with WNYC
Host: Koosha Navadar (in for Alison Stewart)
Date: June 19, 2024
Guests: Dr. Zynga A. Frazier & Dr. Sarah Seidman (Co-curators, “Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100,” Museum of the City of New York)

Episode Theme & Purpose

This episode commemorates the centennial of Shirley Chisholm’s birth (1924–2024), focusing on her extraordinary impact as a political trailblazer and the ongoing resonance of her legacy. The discussion centers on the new exhibition "Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100" at the Museum of the City of New York, diving into Chisholm's Brooklyn roots, Caribbean heritage, political philosophy, and the contemporary relevance of her work. Through expert voices, the episode explores Chisholm’s audacious reimagining of democracy, the power and necessity of coalitions, and both the struggles and ongoing challenges for American democracy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage: Why Chisholm at 100?

[01:40–02:25]

• 2024 marks not only the centennials of various iconic NY institutions but also Shirley Chisholm’s 100th birthday.
• Chisholm: Born in Brooklyn (1924), educated at Girls High, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Brooklyn College; made history in 1968 as the first Black woman elected to Congress.

Chisholm’s Importance & Contemporary Resonance

[03:06–05:41]

• Dr. Frazier: Chisholm provides a roadmap for “reimagining democracy” by pushing norms about who belongs in government and what issues matter.
  • Quote: “She tried her best to push a policy agenda that made democracy and made government really speak to the need of marginalized people.” [03:30]
• Chisholm fought to make visible those who were “invisible and unheard,” encouraging coalition-building and challenging entrenched systems.

Representation, Identity, and Coalition

[05:41–07:40]

• Dr. Seidman: Hopes the exhibition sparks conversation on Chisholm’s emergence from unique NY communities, especially the Caribbean-American diaspora.
  • Quote: “The legacy there is really rich.” [07:02]
• Dr. Frazier: Chisholm’s consciousness of colonialism and immigrant experiences shaped her political sensibility and advocacy.

Early Years, Migration, and Identity

[07:40–09:46]

• Chisholm’s Barbadian roots and time spent in Barbados as a child deeply informed her politics and worldview.
  • Insight: Migration is “a two-way street” — not just to, but within and between nations.

The Joy and Struggle of Cultural Heritage

[09:13–09:46]

• Chisholm’s advocacy included supporting Caribbean traditions in New York, such as the West Indian Day Parade and Carnival, symbolizing the fight for space and joy among diasporic communities.
  • Quote (Dr. Frazier): “It’s not about just dancing and winding up. Right. It’s about learning the traditions of Carnival.” [09:14]

Audio Artifacts: Shirley in Her Own Words

[10:21–11:34]

• Clip: Chisholm describes facing ridicule for her strong West Indian accent, which fostered introversion but fueled her voracious reading and debate skills.
  • Quote (Chisholm): “I had a very, very marked West Indian accent… People would laugh or smile or snicker whenever I would speak. And I became quite conscious of it.” [10:21–10:49]
• Dr. Seidman: This honesty and directness in confronting discrimination is “very inspiring.” [10:54]

Brooklyn’s Impact on Her Political Ethos

[11:34–12:24]

• Chisholm’s organizing was infused with Brooklyn’s diversity, often bridging gaps between communities—Jewish neighbors, Caribbean, Hispanic, and more.

The Bilingual and Multi-Ethnic Brooklyn

[12:31–13:31]

• Dr. Frazier: Emphasizes Chisholm’s fluency in Spanish and the exhibit’s bilingual approach, reflecting multiethnic Brooklyn and Chisholm’s own ability to reach diverse people.

Chisholm’s Political Milestones ("Unbought and Unbossed")

[13:31–15:59]

• Clip: Iconic Presidential announcement:
  • Quote (Chisholm): “I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement ... although I am a woman. I am not the candidate of any political bosses or fat cats or special interests.” [14:18–14:45]
• Dr. Seidman: Notes Chisholm’s integrity and appropriateness of her “Unbought and Unbossed” motto—how it wasn’t just a slogan but her lived practice.
  • Quote (Dr. Seidman): “…a more perfect political motto … shows her independence … she was living those words.” [14:51–15:59]

Intersectionality and Lasting Influence

[16:05–18:28]

• Dr. Frazier: Chisholm analyzed intersectionality before the concept was formally articulated; she theorized coalition-building among marginalized groups (African Americans, women, etc.), foreshadowing both Jesse Jackson’s and Barack Obama’s coalition politics.
  • Quote (Dr. Frazier): “She’s also providing analysis of intersectionality before Kimberlé Crenshaw comes up with the term.” [16:05–16:39]

Political Strategy and Genius

[18:39–19:07]

• Dr. Frazier stresses Chisholm was not just a “first,” but a political strategist and genius, whose methods and insights have often been underappreciated.

Optimism, Melancholy, and Continuing Struggle

[19:07–20:56]

• Hosts and guests reflect that the “work is still undone.”
  • Quote (Dr. Frazier): “It actually feels sad and melancholy at the end to me … we did not heed … as a nation, we’re not heeding Chisholm. We do need Chisholm right now.” [19:34–20:53]
• Dr. Seidman: Finds hope in educating younger generations, creating a space for future activism and political participation.

Interactive Elements of the Exhibit

[21:35–23:08]

• The exhibit features a functioning 1972 voting booth, connecting visitors physically to history and providing a tangible reminder of democratic participation.
  • Quote (Dr. Seidman): “We invite people to vote often, you know, for once. So … it’s fun as well as reminds people of … the act of voting.” [22:32]
• Includes a QR code for voter registration, anchoring history in present civic engagement.

Multilingual Accessibility & Community Connection

[23:32–24:21]

• Exhibit is fully bilingual, echoing Chisholm’s own bilingualism and the city’s diverse linguistic heritage.
  • Quote (Dr. Frazier): “Chisholm was bilingual … the importance of speaking in a language to people that was other than English.” [23:32]
• The museum is committed to making exhibits accessible across languages, connecting community and culture.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Zynga Frazier on the Roadmap Chisholm Gave Us:
  “What does it mean to reimagine a democracy where an African American woman is at the head, reaching for the highest goal of the country?” [03:30]

• Chisholm on Her Accented Voice:
  “People would laugh or smile or snicker whenever I would speak. And I became quite conscious of it.” [10:24–10:49]

• Chisholm’s Iconic Presidential Declaration:
  “I am not the candidate of black America, although I am black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement of this country, although I am a woman… I am not the candidate of any political bosses or fat cats or special interests.” [14:18–14:45]

• Dr. Frazier on Intersectionality:
  “She’s also providing analysis of intersectionality before Kimberlé Crenshaw comes up with the term.” [16:05]

• On the Continuing Struggle:
  “We're in this moment where it's a sad moment that ... a woman still hasn't broken that ceiling... No one still has gotten to the convention floor that Chisolm got to in 72. And that's not a forward move, I don't think.” — Dr. Frazier [19:34–20:53]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening & Context on NY Centennials: [01:40–02:25]
• Chisholm as Political Pioneer & Exhibit Purpose: [03:06–05:41]
• Chisholm’s Caribbean & Colonial Roots: [07:02–09:46]
• Carnival, Culture, and Political Traditions: [09:13–09:46]
• Audio: Chisholm on Her Accent: [10:21–10:49]
• Chisholm’s Brooklyn Upbringing & Political Skills: [11:34–12:24]
• Bilingualism & Diversity in Exhibit: [12:31–13:31, 23:32–24:21]
• Audio: Presidential Candidacy Announcement: [14:18–14:45]
• Political Strategy, Intersectionality, and Enduring Influence: [16:05–18:39]
• Reflections on Hope and Melancholy: [19:34–20:56]
• Interactive Voting Booth Feature: [21:35–23:08]

Conclusion

The episode is a dynamic tribute to Shirley Chisholm on her centennial, framing her life as a mirror and guide for contemporary democracy. Through historical anecdotes, personal stories, curatorial insight, and audio from Chisholm herself, listeners leave with a nuanced understanding of a woman whose political vision, strategies, and insistence on broad, inclusive coalitions presaged essential shifts in American politics—many of which remain works in progress. The conversation affirms the power of cultural memory and education in forging the next generation of changemakers.

Exhibit Info:
Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100 is open at the Museum of the City of New York through July 2025. The exhibition is bilingual and features immersive interactive elements connecting past and present voters.

For More:
Visit the Museum of the City of New York’s website for details on field trips and special events through the exhibit’s run.