I. Augustus Durham

I. Augustus Durham, an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Toronto, discusses his book 'Stay Black and Die: On Melancholy and Genius.' He explores the intertwined themes of melancholy and genius within Black culture, analyzing figures like Frederick Douglass, Ralph Ellison, and Marvin Gaye. Durham highlights the powerful role of the Black maternal figure in shaping cultural legacies. He also examines the intersection of psychoanalysis and blues music, addressing the objectification of women in Black aesthetics and the broader implications for identity and creativity.