Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History

Arguably, best investigative journalist of her time, 19th-century trailblazer,  anti lynching champion and a force to be reckoned with. From her days in the Deep South to her fearless exposés, we’re bringing you into the battle rap ring with the one and only Ida B. Wells! Drapetomaniax is created by Michael Harriot in collaboration between OtherTone, Sony Music Entertainment and Queer Media This e...

In this episode before the season finalé… Join Michael as he goes behind the scenes to meet the people who make the Drapetomaniax: Unshackled History podcast at the cast’s wrap party. Drapetomaniax is created by Michael Harriot in collaboration between OtherTone, Sony Music Entertainment and Queer Media. This episode features: Pharrell Williams John Legend Michael   Michael Harriot Rod          Ro...

Can you name the 19th century Black woman entrepreneur who funded hundreds of Black people to flee from slavery?  Mary Ellen Pleasant reported in 1875 a net worth of 30 million US dollars. Which today would be worth just shy of one billion dollars.  Join the students at Drapetomaniax Agricultural and Technical State University School as they learn all about this self-made millionaire abolitionist....

Who really invented rock n roll? The facts are clear—it was Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Black queer gospel-influenced rock and roll Beyoncé of the 1930s and ‘40s. Music legends like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash stole her musical style without proper acknowledgement or credit. In a renaissance of sound, celebrity and high drama we salute the legend Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Drapetomaniax is created by...

Have you heard about Boley, Oklahoma - the town that wished a motherfucker would? Boley was a thriving, black town founded by Abigail McCormick who had inherited the land where Boley was founded from her grandfather, a Creek Freedmen. This episode tells the story of how, in 1932, the entire town came together when a gang of white men decided to rob the bank because they thought it’d be easy. But t...

In this special behind the scenes episode, Drapetomaniax producers Gillianne, Janicia and Noleca answer some of our biggest listener questions, and discuss the politics behind making this groundbreaking Black History concept show. Drapetomaniax is created by Michael Harriot in collaboration between OtherTone, Sony Music Entertainment and Queer Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast...

In the midst of the Black Power movement of the 1960’s, the US government launched a campaign of terror against the Black Panther Party. In 1969, the NYPD raided the homes of multiple members. Twenty-one people (The Panther 21) were arrested, including Afeni Shakur. The young, expectant mother with no formal legal background, decided to act as her own counsel and represent herself during trial. Ou...

Live from the Drapetomaniax Library of Black History, in a special storytime episode, Michael is joined by Bob the Drag Queen to shed light on the harrowing tale of how civil rights leader and founder of the Black Armed Guard, Robert F. Williams, organized his city and galvanized the world to save two innocent children from a twenty-two year prison sentence. Drapetomaniax is created by Michael Har...

After the Civil War, so many newly freed African Americans registered to vote that Georgia elected 3 Black state senators and 30 Black state representatives. They were known as The Original 33. Southern white supremacists were so afraid when Black people exercised their right to vote that they started a race war. Representative Henry McNeal Turner aka DJ Freedman hosts this week's show live from t...

In the midst of disease and death in the colonies, an enslaved man named Onesimus introduces America to the smallpox vaccine. But much like today, the concept of a vaccine sparked skepticism, concern, counter protests and rumors that the enslaved were trying to kill off white people. Drapetomaniax is created by Michael Harriot in collaboration between OtherTone, Sony Music Entertainment and Queer...

What is Drapetomania??? In a conversation with writer, comedian Roderick Morrow & Karen Morrow of ‘The Black Guy Who Tips’, Michael defines ‘drapetomania’ and explains how this subversive and comedic history podcast came to be. Together they discuss the importance of telling Black history through an inclusive Black lens and challenge the concept of ‘shame’ in both knowing and not knowing your hist...

Last week we heard from the enslaved Louisiana rebels who secretly organized the largest revolt in U.S. history. In this episode Michael enlists the help of Investigator Helena Crane to cut through history's white lies and get to the Black ass truth of the rebellion. They discover how the plan was enacted, who else was there, and why violence was the goal of that bloody German Coast uprising of 18...

In 1811 after Haiti achieved the most successful slave revolt in history, the French were shook and their former colony of New Orleans was facing its own uprising. On the mainline with Black Heaven, Michael gets to the bottom of how a diverse population of Haitians, West Africans, and generational African-Americans secretly plotted and organized nearly 500 enslaved people to escape and kill their...

Last week, Conquistador Juan Garrido helped Michael establish that Africans arrived in America as early as the 1500’s. But who was the first African American? This week we meet explorer Esteban The Moor (aka Black Steve), and a representative for The Collective of enslaved Africans who arrived and resisted. Drapetomaniax is created by Michael Harriot in collaboration between OtherTone, Sony Music...

Africans set foot on “American soil” as early as the 1500’s. But who was the first African American? In this historical game show episode Michael Harriot hears out Conquistador Juan Garrido, Esteban the Moor, and a group of enslaved Africans who found themselves in South Carolina. Thanks to our special guests, Angelica Ross, Brandon Victor Dixon, Panama Jackson and Charlamagne tha God Drapetomania...

Humor in live performance has been around since the beginning of time. In the 1800s this kind of entertainment mostly showed up as live theater and minstrel shows filled with skits, costumes, singing, dancing, and yes, blackface. But performer Charley Case dared to do things differently. Without costume or props Charley Case simply stood there telling jokes and funny stories in the repeated cadenc...

EP 1 - The Outlandish Forest Joe featuring Roy Wood Jr. and Joy Reid The concept/definition of Drapetomania is introduced, which is a fictitious disease—devised by Dr. Samuel Adolphus Cartwright—that causes slaves to run away. We learn about Forest Joe, who escapes and gains a legendary reputation for evading capture. Joe creates the first known bullet proof vest. A group of vigilantes is created...

A cure for those suffering from Drapetomania... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices