In this episode, we philosophically engage the myth of Trickle Down Blackness -- the concept that if a select group of Black people can gain access into elite spaces then the fruits of that access will magically trickle down to the masses of Black people. Joining us to discuss this phenomenon is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò. 

Also, we discuss how privilege discourse often centers Black elite priorities, how power creates incentive structures, and how organizing for transformative change sometimes requires moral compromises. 

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò Bio

His theoretical work draws liberally from the Black radical tradition, contemporary philosophy of language, contemporary social science, German transcendental philosophy, materialist thought, histories of activism, and activist thinkers.  He is currently writing a book entitled Reconsidering Reparations that considers a novel philosophical argument for reparations and explores links with environmental justice.  He also writes public philosophy, including articles exploring intersections of climate justice and colonialism. He has published the Nation, The New Republic, Al Jazeera, and the Boston review among plenty more. 

http://bostonreview.net/race/olufemi-o-taiwo-identity-politics-and-elite-capture

https://www.thephilosopher1923.org/essay-taiwo

https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/disp/ahead-of-print/article-10.2478-disp-2018-0007/article-10.2478-disp-2018-0007.xml