Mark Christian Thompson
Krieger-Eisenhower Professor and English professor at Johns Hopkins University, scholar of African American literature and philosophy and author of Phenomenal Blackness: Black Power, Philosophy, and Theory.
Best podcasts with Mark Christian Thompson
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Jan 17, 2026 • 1h 2min
Mark Christian Thompson, "Phenomenal Blackness: Black Power, Philosophy, and Theory" (U Chicago Press, 2022)
Mark Christian Thompson, Krieger-Eisenhower Professor of English at Johns Hopkins University, delves into his book, Phenomenal Blackness. He explores the evolution from sociological to phenomenological perspectives in African American thought, highlighting figures like James Baldwin and Amiri Baraka. Thompson emphasizes the importance of language in cultural expression and critiques essentialism through Malcolm X's strategies. He discusses how thinkers like Angela Davis merge philosophy with activism, showcasing the need for criticisms that drive political change.
Jan 18, 2026 • 1h 2min
Mark Christian Thompson, "Phenomenal Blackness: Black Power, Philosophy, and Theory" (U Chicago Press, 2022)
In this discussion, Mark Christian Thompson, a professor at Johns Hopkins University and author of Phenomenal Blackness, delves into the transformative journey of mid-century African American thinkers. He highlights the shift from sociology to German philosophy, emphasizing how figures like James Baldwin and Amiri Baraka redefined Black expression through literature and aesthetics. Thompson also explores Malcolm X's use of language to challenge white supremacy and Angela Davis's intersection of aesthetics with political activism, positioning her as a leading voice in Black critical theory.
