“Racial Identity in Europe” with Thomas Chatterton Williams
Jul 23, 2024
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Thomas Chatterton Williams discusses racial identity in Europe, reflecting on experiences straddling both continents. Topics include Charlie Hebdo, Bataclan attacks, Islamism, George Floyd's murder, racial profiling, societal responses to political and racial issues, no-go zones, societal detachment, unity, divisions, inequalities, social justice movements, and evolution towards economic justice.
Thomas Chatterton Williams discusses straddling USA and Europe for insights on identity and diversity.
The conversation covers racial profiling, the impact of social media on polarization, and nuanced racial experiences.
Williams reflects on contrasting views and public reactions in France and the USA to political climates.
Deep dives
Introduction to Challenging Ideas
The podcast host, Josh Zeppes, introduces the episode by expressing his interest in controversial ideas and the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives outside our comfort zones.
Exploring Identity and Perspective
The guest, Thomas Chatterton Williams, shares his unique experiences straddling the USA and Europe, discussing racial, social justice, and cultural issues as a black American now living in Paris.
Navigating Sociopolitical Landscapes
Williams reflects on how his transatlantic lifestyle offers him different perspectives on political climates, such as living in France during the Bush and Trump administrations, highlighting contrasting views and public reactions.
Reflections on Social Media and Polarization
The conversation touches on the impact of social media on polarization, contrasting American and French responses to events like the Capitol riot and COVID-19, pointing out disparities in societal reactions and political engagements.
Complexity of Racial Dynamics
Williams delves into nuanced racial experiences, including being mistaken for Algerian in France, encountering racial profiling, sharing lessons from James Baldwin's experiences, and discussing the intersectionality of race and class dynamics in societal interactions.
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Thomas Chatterton Williams is a New Yorker who lives in Paris. He's the son of a Black father from the segregated South and a white mother from the West. He himself is the father of two white-looking children. Straddling the USA and Europe has given him a fascinating insight into identity, diversity and life as a Black man in America and in France. His memoir, Self–Portrait in Black and White, is a must-read.
As Thomas and Josh chat on a chilly but sunny New York day, they wrestle with the Charlie Hebdo and Bataclan attacks, Islamism, blood-and-soil right-wingers, George Floyd’s murder, racial profiling, and much more.