The Moth Podcast: Black History Month Special Episode: Emily Richmond and Maxie Jones
Release Date: February 22, 2019
Host: R. Eric Thomas

Introduction

[02:18] R. Eric Thomas:
R. Eric Thomas opens the special Black History Month episode of The Moth Podcast from the Sundance TV Podcast studio at the Sundance Film Festival. He recalls his previous involvement with The Moth and introduces the two featured storytellers: Emily Richmond and Maxie Jones. Thomas emphasizes the episode’s focus on themes of identity and race, setting the stage for deeply personal narratives.

Story 1: Emily Richmond – Navigating Racial Identity in School Surveys

[03:09] Emily Richmond:
Emily Richmond shares a poignant story from her fourth-grade experience with racial identity surveys. She recounts the day she aced her spelling test but faced confusion and discomfort when asked to identify her race on a survey.

• Struggle with Racial Categorization:
  “I was the only kid in my class that got no words wrong... Just choose one. And so I answer it truthfully. And I feel like if I can't answer black, because that feels like a lie, I don't wanna deny my. I can't deny my parent. I can't choose white. That feels like a lie.” [04:45]

• Senselessness of Racial Stereotypes:
  Emily expresses frustration with the irrelevance of linking race to arbitrary survey questions:
  “It wants to know how many books I read... And I can't. It's fourth grade. I can't, like, connect these things back to race in any way.” [05:30]

• Rebellion Against Stereotypes:
  As she grows older, Emily begins to resist the imposed racial categories:
  “I think I know what you want me to say. So today I'm black and I only read books and I never watch tv and I don't eat junk food because fuck you.” [07:00]

• Embracing a Mixed Identity:
  Reflecting on her heritage, Emily celebrates her mixed-race identity:
  “I love being mixed. It's one occasion where one and one makes three.” [07:55]

• Conclusion and Insight:
  Ultimately, Emily realizes that repeatedly facing racial categorization helped her think beyond restrictive labels:
  “Having to face that box over and over and over again really helped me to think outside of it.” [08:00]

[08:06] R. Eric Thomas:
Thomas introduces Emily as a writer based in New Orleans, highlighting her regular participation in The Moth Story Slams and other local storytelling events.

Story 2: Maxie Jones – Witnessing a Historic Election in Harlem

[08:33] Maxie Jones:
Maxie Jones recounts his emotional journey during the 2008 U.S. presidential election, culminating in witnessing Barack Obama’s victory in Harlem, New York.

• Historical Context and Personal Connection:
  Maxie begins by sharing his father’s experiences with racism and political apathy:
  “My father never talked about politics to me... Everything he said, sh. It don’t matter who the president is. They ain't gonna do nothing for us, no way.” [09:15]

• First Foray into Voting:
  Despite his father’s cynicism, Maxie takes a significant step by voting in the 2008 election:
  “The year I turned 18 just happened to be an election year. And I voted that year because I was excited, even though my candidate didn't win.” [10:45]

• Election Day Experience:
  Maxie describes the palpable excitement and community spirit on election day:
  “I was shocked to find the place was crowded already... It was a historic moment.” [13:20]

• Shifting Hope During the Night:
  As the night progresses, Maxie observes a growing sense of possibility:
  “I started to feel some hope. I said, hmm, maybe this guy Obama could win this election.” [17:00]

• Witnessing the Victory:
  The climax of Maxie’s story occurs as he experiences the moment of Obama’s victory firsthand:
  “A total stranger just hugged me, saying, we did it, we did it, we did it... I said, dad, I'm sorry it didn't happen in your lifetime, but thank goodness it's happening in mine.” [19:45]

• Emotional Reflection:
  Maxie reflects on the significance of the event and its impact on his perception of possibility:
  “I said, yes, it has. Thank you.” [21:00]

[21:57] R. Eric Thomas:
Thomas shares insights into Maxie’s continued involvement with The Moth since moving to Michigan in 2012, and Maxie’s passion for storytelling stemming from his rich experiences in Harlem.

• Maxie’s Reflection:
  Maxie expresses his admiration for Harlem’s vibrant history and its role in shaping his stories:
  “Many of my fondest memories are of living in Harlem and being so close to all the action centering around African American people making history.” [21:57]

Conclusion

[22:30] Groons Representative:
An advertisement briefly interrupts, promoting Groons supplements.

[22:50] R. Eric Thomas:
Final acknowledgments are made to the production team and sponsors, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the episode.

Key Takeaways

• Racial Identity Challenges:
  Emily Richmond's story underscores the confusion and frustration that come with rigid racial categorizations, especially in formative years. Her journey from resistance to embracing a mixed identity highlights the complexities of navigating multiple racial identities in a predominantly single-race society.

• Historical Significance of Voting:
  Maxie Jones’ narrative illustrates the emotional and symbolic weight of Barack Obama’s election for the African American community. His personal encounter with the moment of victory reflects a broader sense of hope and possibility that transcends individual experiences.

• Impact of Storytelling:
  Both stories emphasize the power of personal narratives in understanding and challenging societal norms around race and identity. The Moth serves as a platform for sharing these impactful stories, fostering empathy and awareness among listeners.

Notable Quotes

• Emily Richmond:
  “I love being mixed. It's one occasion where one and one makes three.” [07:55]

• Maxie Jones:
  “I said, yes, it has. Thank you.” [21:00]

About the Speakers

• Emily Richmond:
  A writer based in New Orleans, Emily regularly participates in The Moth Story Slams and other storytelling events, bringing humor and insight to her narratives.

• Maxie Jones:
  Having moved from New York City to Michigan in 2012, Maxie has shared over 60 stories on The Moth stages across Detroit, Ann Arbor, and New York, drawing from his rich experiences growing up in Harlem.

For More Information:
Visit The Moth to explore more stories, attend live events, and listen to additional podcast episodes.