Black Material Geographies
With the growing awareness around how our food and clothing are made and where it comes from, our curiosity and desire to deepen our understanding of the fiber systems that undergird our lives and the communities impacted by them grow with it.
Black Material Geographies is a collection of conversations and stories using Blackness and textile material culture to explore how we can create more sustainable systems and processes amid global climate crises and lifestyles deeply entrenched in global capitalism. This show projects “Blackness” into the past to understand the material cultures of our present and the possibilities for a more sustainable future. We will explore what Black futures could be made of and who gets to make them.
Black Material Geographies is part of Whetstone Radio Collective. Whetstone Radio Collective creates storytelling dedicated to food origins and culture, with original content centering the perspectives of global majority populations and diasporas.
You can learn more about this podcast at whetstoneradio.com, on Twitter @whetstoneradio, on TikTok and Instagram @whetstonemedia and subscribe to our Spotify and YouTube channel, Whetstone Media, for more podcast content. You can learn more about all things happening at Whetstone at WhetstoneMedia.com.
Our Editor's Take
Black Material Geographies is a fascinating podcast that explores a very educational subject. Host Teju Adisa-Farrar uses the show to talk about the idea of material geography. Where do the everyday materials we use, eat, and wear come from? What do the origin stories about things like textiles say about community and culture? Adisa-Farrar uses the podcast to talk about materials that relate to Black culture. It's a podcast with a global angle that anyone can learn from.
The host grew up in an academic household, thanks to her parents. She is a Jamaican-American writer from Oakland, California. She learned early on about the ideas she discusses in Black Material Geographies. She has always been passionate about saving the world. She became interested in global systems and how the climate impacts entire cultures. Her academic background and years of research make her qualified to lead the podcast.
Podcast listeners get to hear talks of fibers like cotton and learn about the rich history of using dye. Adisa-Farrar then investigates their use and effect on communities. She interviews other academics, scholars, and entrepreneurs to lend their perspectives.
The program examines the harm colonialism causes to Black cultures. Adisa-Farrar also analyzes how the harvesting of materials influences the planet. She doesn't think a sustainable world is possible if communities are exploited for materials. The show's global focus introduces listeners to many exciting places. Those places include Jamaica, California, and Africa.
Black Material Geographies discusses the concept of textiles as art. Adisa-Farrar researches agricultural and environmental systems that change entire communities. The result is a podcast that aims to teach listeners about many subjects. That includes history, economics, archaeology, and other engaging topics. It's a celebration of Black heritage. The Black Material Geographies podcast produces episodes packed with interesting content. Each episode lasts between 30 to 45 minutes.
Episodes