Roots, Race & Culture

Colorism, known as the prejudice or discrimination against those with lighter or darker skin tones, even among people belonging to a shared racial or ethnic group, has been the subject of ongoing debate among communities of color. We’ll explore the history of colorism in America and its lasting implications with University of Utah professor Edmund Fong and current student Darienne Debrule.

Long before Bob Marley, Buffalo Soldiers — Black Americans who served on the Western frontier during the Civil War — were changing the face of the American West. We explore the uplifting, courageous, and inspiring story of Utah’s Buffalo Soldiers. Historians Fiona Robinson and Robert Burch shed light on this misunderstood group of men who helped transform the state of Utah into what it is today.

Black conservatives are often considered an enigma by those on either side of the political spectrum. But pundits expect a record number of Black Republican candidates this year. We speak with prominent Utah Black conservatives Cari Bartholomew and James Evans about their political beliefs, their experiences in the Utah GOP, and their vision for a new Black America.

Can depictions of religious icons in art & architecture have an impact on the deepness of one’s connection to their faith? We speak with Laura Hurtado, Director of the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, about the history of Eurocentric images in Christian art, and Black artist Melissa Tshikamba, whose works diversify religious images, about growing up feeling unrepresented in her own faith.

Is there a “right” or “wrong” way to borrow from other cultures? What does cultural appropriation mean, anyway? We break down the terminology — and the differences between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation — with guests Paisley Rekdal, Utah Poet Laureate and author of the book “Appropriation,” and Erika George, the first African American law professor at the University of Utah.

What is it like being an adopted child with parents of another race? What should parents know before adopting a child of another race? Guests Jennica Galloway, an Indian adoptee raised in Utah, and Jeff Mann, a Black adoptee from Boise, share their stories of growing up, connecting to their cultural heritage, and finding a sense of belonging in a community where very few people look like them.

Roots, Race & Culture invites viewers into bold and honest conversations on identity and culture, centered around the experiences of Black and POC communities in Utah. Hosts Lonzo Liggins and Danor Gerald are joined by newsmakers, change makers, experts, and entrepreneurs from Utah’s communities of color to discuss shared experiences with a healthy dose of humor, empathy, and candor.