The Racial Geography Podcast

Early Black Activism at Rice and the Creation of the BSU

This episode—by Lynne Lee, a Ph.D. Student in Art History—explores how some of the first Black students admitted to Rice paved the way for transforming the university into a more inclusive and diversified institution through their unrelenting activism on campus in the years following its official desegregation in 1964. The Racial Geography Podcast features “New Freedom Remix,” an original sound composition and performance by Lisa E. Harris.

A Familiar Pendulum

This episode—by Venus Alemanji, majoring in Computer Science—spotlights two Black women athletes at Rice University: Regina Tippens, class of 1974, and Goya Qualls, class of 1982. The Racial Geography Podcast features “New Freedom Remix,” an original sound composition and performance by Lisa E. Harris.

The Unveiling of the William Marsh Rice Memorial, June 8, 1930

This episode—by James McCabe, a Ph.D. Student in Art History—spotlights the three speeches given at the unveiling ceremony of the William Marsh Rice Memorial in June of 1930, questioning the speakers’ uncritical portrayal of Rice as the benevolent founder of Rice University. The Racial Geography Podcast features “New Freedom Remix,” an original sound composition and performance by Lisa E. Harris.

Plantation to Segregation: Colonial Nostalgia at Rice

This episode—by Morgan Seay, majoring in Social Policy Analysis and French—traces racist nostalgia for the antebellum south that showed itself at Rice events during the 20th century. The Racial Geography Podcast features “New Freedom Remix,” an original sound composition and performance by Lisa E. Harris.

William Marsh Rice’s Trade Circuit

This episode—by Chaney Hill, a Ph.D. Student in English—spotlights many of the business contacts and associates of William Marsh Rice, the founder of Rice University, revealing not only his trade networks but also his participation in the plantation economy reliant on enslaved labor. The Racial Geography Podcast features “New Freedom Remix,” an original sound composition and performance by Lisa E. Harris.