The New Yorker Radio Hour: How Alpha Kappa Alpha Shaped Kamala Harris; Plus, Bill T. Jones

Release Date: October 29, 2024

Hosted By: David Remnick
Produced By: WNYC Studios and The New Yorker
Description: Profiles, storytelling, and insightful conversations exploring pivotal influences shaping prominent figures and groundbreaking works.

1. The Influence of Alpha Kappa Alpha on Kamala Harris

Introduction to Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) and Its Impact

David Remnick opens the episode by highlighting Kamala Harris's well-documented narratives about her middle-class upbringing, single motherhood, and early career as a prosecutor. However, he points out a less discussed yet crucial aspect of her background: her membership in the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA).

Jasmine Hughes on AKA's Significance
Timestamp: [02:12]

Jasmine Hughes, author of the featured New Yorker article, delves into the multifaceted identity that AKA represents for its members. She states:

“It is an identity, I would say probably as important to them or you know, on the same list as their race, their gender, political affiliations, religion, what have you. It is a lifetime commitment. It is a community service organization. It is a secret society. It is Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated.”
[02:12]

Historical Context and Mission of AKA

Founded in 1908 during a tumultuous period for African Americans, AKA emerged as a self-reliant organization in response to the exclusion of Black students from white fraternities and sororities. Jasmine Hughes connects this history to the broader concept of the "Talented Tenth," a term coined by W.E.B. Du Bois, emphasizing the role of educated Black individuals in uplifting their communities.

“The mission of the organization among many is to uplift the social status of the Negro… if Kamala Harris does win the presidency, that is sort of literally what AKA was created to do.”
[03:33]

Personal Testimonials and the AKA Network

Latifah Simon, a congressional candidate and longtime friend of Harris, shares her experiences working under Harris's mentorship:

“When I get an unknown call on my phone, I know it's either student loans or Kamala Harris calling me.”
[05:29]

Simon recounts how Harris instilled a sense of professionalism and excellence, exemplified by moments like Harris insisting Simon attend college while working for her, emphasizing AKA's role in personal and professional development.

AKA's Role in the 2024 Campaign

Despite being a nonprofit organization that traditionally does not endorse candidates, AKA has been instrumental in mobilizing voters through grassroots efforts:

“They're really pounding the pavement and getting people to register to vote, to know the issues, to be able to get to the polls.”
[09:38]

Jasmine Hughes underscores the organization's impact on voter turnout, particularly within Black communities, which are crucial for Democratic success in national elections.

Comparative Analysis: Kamala Harris vs. Barack Obama

Hughes contrasts Harris's deep-rooted Black American experience with Barack Obama's more geographically and culturally diverse upbringing:

“Kamala at Howard University at age 18, that's like as black as black can be… versus Barack Obama, which is just sort of a different sort of blackness.”
[08:11]

This distinction highlights why certain segments of the Black vote may feel a stronger connection to Harris, perceiving her identity as more authentically tied to the Black American experience.

Challenges and Reflections on Identity Politics

Addressing current polling trends, Hughes speculates that Harris's approach to identity politics might be affecting voter enthusiasm:

“Kamala Harris's reluctance to embrace that, at least so far, is causing people not to [be as excited].”
[11:40]

She reflects on the balance between appealing to broader, independent voters and galvanizing the core Black electorate, suggesting that embracing her identity more openly could resonate better with her base.

2. Bill T. Jones and the Dance Piece "Still Here"

Introduction to Bill T. Jones and "Still Here"

David Remnick transitions to the second segment, focusing on Bill T. Jones, a renowned dancer and choreographer. He introduces Jones's seminal work, "Still Here," which debuted at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) 30 years prior and is being restaged.

Exploring "Still Here"

Kamala Harris narrates the essence of "Still Here," emphasizing its roots in personal loss and the quest to find meaning amidst mortality:

“After his partner Arne Zane's death and after the loss of so many young gay men to HIV and AIDS, Bill T. Jones went in search of a choreography that spoke to our mortality, but also to the meaning of our lives.”
[18:10]

Workshops and Creative Process

Jones describes the workshops that formed the backbone of "Still Here," where participants facing terminal illnesses contributed their movements and narratives:

“He would start asking questions like, 'How do you get up every day? How do you love your children? What have you learned about life? What are you afraid of?'"
[20:02]

These interactions fueled the choreography, making the piece a profound exploration of life, death, and resilience.

Reception and Legacy

Originally met with mixed reactions, including criticism labeling it as "victim art," "Still Here" has since been recognized as a landmark in contemporary performance art. Jones reflects on the evolving perception of his work:

“No one's having that argument. No one would call it victim art in 2024. That's such a foreign concept.”
[36:42]

He acknowledges the initial controversies but asserts that the art world's acceptance signals a triumph over past prejudices.

Intergenerational Dialogue and Modern Relevance

When restaging "Still Here," Jones engages with a younger generation unfamiliar with the socio-political climate of the original workshops. He poses contemporary questions about identity and mortality, bridging past and present:

“Do you think your sexuality is just next door to being the kiss of death?”
[32:08]

The young performers embrace the challenge, eager to contribute to a piece that intertwines meaning with artistic expression.

Artistic Philosophy and Personal Reflections

Jones shares his philosophy on art's role in addressing profound human experiences:

“Show me one feed after another on Instagram in terms of virtuosity… What is that thing called meaning?”
[31:17]

He emphasizes the necessity of art to grapple with mortality and meaning, transcending mere aesthetic appeal to touch the human spirit.

Closing Thoughts on "Still Here"

Jones and Harris conclude their conversation by affirming the piece's enduring relevance and its ability to foster dialogue about life and death:

“As people, we're always grappling with mortality, whether we're running from it or not.”
[37:10]

Jones expresses hope that "Still Here" continues to resonate, offering both generations a space to reflect on their existence and connections.

Conclusion

David Remnick wraps up the episode by reaffirming the significance of both discussions—AKA's profound influence on a political leader and "Still Here" as a transformative work of art. The episode underscores the intertwined nature of personal identity, community, and artistic expression in shaping societal narratives.

Notable Quotes:

• Jasmine Hughes on AKA's Identity:

  “It is a lifetime commitment. It is a community service organization. It is a secret society.”
  [02:12]

• Latifah Simon on Kamala Harris's Mentorship:

  “When I get an unknown call on my phone, I know it's either student loans or Kamala Harris calling me.”
  [05:29]

• Jasmine Hughes on Voter Mobilization:

  “They're really pounding the pavement and getting people to register to vote, to know the issues, to be able to get to the polls.”
  [09:38]

• Bill T. Jones on Art and Mortality:

  “Bill's art was turning what happened in the survivor workshops into the dance. Still Here.”
  [23:08]

• Bill T. Jones on Overcoming Criticism:

  “Now, they say it starts there, but it's got to climb to the Apollonian heights to earn its place as great.”
  [28:56]

For more insightful stories and conversations, tune into future episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.