Podcast Summary

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Episode: Shirley Chisholm's Centennial
Air Date: September 20, 2024
Host: Alison Stewart (with guest host Kusha Navidar)
Guests: Dr. Zynga A. Fraser & Dr. Sarah Seidman (Co-curators, “Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100”)

Episode Overview

The episode honors the centennial of Shirley Chisholm’s birth (1924), celebrating her legacy as a pioneering civil rights advocate, the first Black woman elected to Congress, and the first Black major party presidential candidate. The show explores her life, influence, and the ongoing exhibit "Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100" at the Museum of the City of New York. The conversation touches on Chisholm’s roots, Brooklyn’s cultural context, her political strategy, intersectionality, and how her work resonates today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shirley Chisholm’s Political Significance

• Background: Born in Brooklyn to Barbadian parents; educated at Brooklyn Girls High, Brooklyn College, and Columbia (01:06).
• Political Milestones:
  • Second African American in the NY State Legislature.
  • First Black woman in Congress (1968).
  • First Black and first woman Democratic presidential candidate (1972).
• Context: Her candidacy and career forged a coalition-based model of politics, centered on marginalized voices.

Quote:
“A great deal of research work, a great deal of book work, but not actually a great deal of going out where the people are and listening and feeling so that you can really know what is happening in this land of ours.”
— Shirley Chisholm (02:12)

2. Chisholm’s 1969 Reflections on America

• WNYC Archival Tape: Chisholm speaks candidly about unrest in American society, the need to face societal truths, and structural inequality (02:12).
• Comments on the limitations of those in power, the importance of acknowledging unrest among youth, minorities, and women, and the nation’s “deep, deep trouble.”
• Memorable Analysis: Points out the superficiality of “Brotherhood Week,” highlighting the nation’s failed promises of equality (04:30).

Quote:
“We can no longer go around in America sticking our heads like auspices in the sand and believe that the problems are going to disappear. They're not going to disappear.”
— Shirley Chisholm (06:22)

3. Exhibit 'Changing the Face of Democracy'

Curatorial Intent:

• The exhibit reimagines what democracy could be by spotlighting Chisholm’s challenge to the status quo.
• The importance of showcasing not just her triumphs but also her struggles against established power (07:13).

Quote:
“She’s pushing a norm of saying, who should we think should be a part of representative democracy?... She tried her best to push a policy agenda that made democracy... really speak to the needs of marginalized people.”
— Dr. Zynga A. Fraser (07:34)

• Curators wanted visitors to understand Chisholm’s Brooklyn and Caribbean ties, and how those communities shaped her activism and outlook (09:59).

4. Roots: Caribbean Heritage and Brooklyn Upbringing

• Migration as Two-Way Street: The exhibit underscores that migration isn’t just toward the US; Chisholm’s early years in Barbados informed her identity (11:06).
• Cultural Legacy: Her father’s involvement in Marcus Garvey’s movement and her connection to Caribbean political traditions highlighted.
• Carnival and Community: The exhibit explores cultural elements—like her role in the West Indian Day Parade—that shape Brooklyn identity and African Diasporic politics (12:18).

Quote:
“It’s not just about gallivanting... it’s learning the traditions of Carnival... Those cultural kind of connections that connect people to the space and making sure that those connections are passed down into generations.”
— Dr. Zynga A. Fraser (13:30)

5. Identity, Accent, and Overcoming Barriers

• Archival audio: Chisholm recalls being mocked for her strong West Indian accent as a child and discusses how discrimination led her to reading and introversion, which, in turn, sharpened her intellect and debate skills (14:25).

Quote:
“When I came to this country because 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.”
— Shirley Chisholm (14:25)

6. Brooklyn’s Influence on Chisholm’s Politics

• Neighborhoods & Diversity: Her organizing work in places like Bushwick, and life in diverse Brooklyn neighborhoods, shaped her organizing style and identity as a quintessentially “Brooklyn” politician (15:43).

Quote:
“She talks about living in Brownsville surrounded by Jewish neighbors, when it was still largely a Jewish neighborhood... such a quintessential New York story for us.”
— Alison Stewart (15:43)

7. Exhibition Highlights: Audio, Strategy & The Voting Booth

• Audio Experience: Exhibit includes oral histories and recordings, signaling Chisholm’s fluency in Spanish and the polyglot, pluralistic Brooklyn context (16:35).
• Political Career Focus:
  • Founding member of Congressional Black Caucus & National Women's Political Caucus.
  • Advocacy for civil rights, abortion rights, ERA, and economic justice (17:35).
• Presidential Campaign: Features iconic “unbought and unbossed” campaign motto.

Quote:
“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 and I'm equally proud of that, I am not the candidate of any political bosses or fat cats or special interests.”
— Shirley Chisholm (18:22)

• Intersectionality: Chisholm practiced political coalition-building, articulating the intersecting nature of race and gender long before the concept of “intersectionality” was coined (20:09).

Quote:
“She’s also providing an analysis of intersectionality before Kimberlé Crenshaw comes up with the term... her belief was, if we had a coalition of marginalized people, if they see themselves through me... what does that mean for us?”
— Dr. Zynga A. Fraser (20:09)

• Longevity & Influence: Draws line from Chisholm’s coalition politics to later figures like Jesse Jackson and Barack Obama (21:30).

8. Making History Tangible: The Voting Booth

• Exhibit Feature: Real 1972 lever voting booth (borrowed from the Board of Elections), giving visitors a tactile sense of Chisholm’s era and the voting process.
• Interactive Element: Symbolic ballot includes rivals like Humphrey and Kennedy; includes QR to register to vote (23:34).

Quote:
“It does feel like you’re, I don’t know, accomplishing something with the pushing of the levers... fun as well as reminds people of like the acts of voting.”
— Alison Stewart (24:08)

9. Bilingualism and Community Connection

• Exhibit in Two Languages: Reflects Chisholm’s linguistic skills and accessibility, welcoming diverse audiences (25:08).

Quote:
“Chisholm was bilingual and she felt... the importance of speaking in a language to people that was other than English.”
— Dr. Zynga A. Fraser (25:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Societal Truth: “Our nation is in deep, deep trouble... we must take our heads out of the sand and begin to look at our society truthfully and objectively.” (Shirley Chisholm, 02:12–06:32)
• On Her Campaign: “Unbought and unbossed” and, “I am not the candidate of black America... women's movement... political bosses or fat cats or special interests.” (18:22)
• Intersectionality Foretold: “She’s saying, I’m actually all of those... She’s also providing an analysis of intersectionality… and she is engrossed in black feminism during this time.” (Dr. Zynga A. Fraser, 20:09)
• Curatorial Philosophy: “Everything I do for Chisholm is two words. Political strategist. Right. Because we place her as this first and symbolic person that erases all the kind of strategy and genius of her.” (Dr. Zynga A. Fraser, 22:43)

Key Timestamps

• [01:06] — Introduction to Shirley Chisholm’s life and political career
• [02:12] — Chisholm’s 1969 speech on America’s unrest and need for change
• [07:13] — Dr. Fraser on the exhibit’s timing and Chisholm’s lessons for today
• [09:59] — Dr. Seidman on New York’s influence on Chisholm
• [12:18] — Deep dive on Chisholm’s Caribbean heritage and Carnival
• [14:25] — Audio: Chisholm on her childhood accent and coping with discrimination
• [15:43] — Chisholm’s Brooklyn experiences shaping her approach to organizing
• [17:35] — Political career and cultural impact, including her historic campaign
• [18:22] — Audio: Chisholm’s presidential announcement (“I am not the candidate of black America…”)
• [20:09] — Dr. Fraser on Chisholm’s intersectional coalition-building
• [23:34] — Exhibit’s lever voting booth, the act of voting
• [25:08] — Exhibit’s bilingual approach echoing Chisholm’s legacy

Conclusion

This episode of All Of It presents a vibrant, multi-faceted celebration of Shirley Chisholm at her centennial, revealing her as not only a political first but an enduring strategist, coalition-builder, and trailblazer whose legacy continues to inspire and inform present discourses on democracy, inclusion, and cultural identity.