‘Star Wars’ robot the Walt Disneyland bear (profiles Ian Frazier)

http://nypost.com/2019/02/11/star-wars-robot-the-walt-disneyland-bear-diggs-featured-meme/

Ian Frazier, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Not That Kind of Negro”, a follow-up to “Luther: A Life,” joins Steve Doocy to discuss the latest in African culture.

“Not That Kind of Negro” is Frazier’s indictment of attempts to whitewash our understanding of the black experience. It is compelling, real, powerful and powerful – it sets the record straight, makes sense, and really makes Black History Month accessible in a powerful way. His poignant memoir “Not That Kind of Negro: A Memoir” includes stories and images of his life growing up in the city of Cleveland, in the family-run nickelodeon and a foster home, and his exposure to hip-hop, dope-boy movies, and prison life.

Is this concept of Black History Month unique to the U.S.?

“I think this idea that Black History Month was first suggested by black people around the world is absolutely true,” Frazier said. “Africa comes to mind, where a queen actually suggested it to her people in order to counter the celebration of Imperialism and to have a cultural observance that mirrored that. Black History Month was actually adopted by the people and the government of the United States. So this is something that is well developed from afar.”

Steve points out that African culture has very different ways of celebrating Black History Month, although Frazier points out that the data shows African-Americans like many others, to celebrate this month in a variety of ways.

“A lot of the celebrations I’ve seen are akin to last month. Some of the festivities in Africa are virtually the same as ours. African-Americans, in contrast, have adopted some very specific traditions,” Frazier said. “For example, the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the African-American, is the King Celebration in Atlanta. So of the numerous celebrations in Africa, there are hardly any occasions that are like ours.

“The other thing that makes me like last month,” Frazier said, “is that a majority of Americans embrace this history and remember our history. So we are taught our history in the classroom, and a significant number of Americans come to know about and celebrate African-American history, and that, to me, is the only true way to honor the memory of people that we have lost in our country.”

Watch below:

Is this concept of Black History Month unique to the U.S.? I think this idea that Black History Month was first suggested by black people around the world is absolutely true — Ian Frazier (@IanFrazier) February 9, 2019

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Ian Frazier, author of “Not That Kind of Negro”, appeared on “Fox & Friends” Monday. The New York Times Book Review has listed Frazier’s work “the best books of the week for the past five months,” and in 2018, he won the Pulitzer Prize for his memoir “Not That Kind of Negro”.He earned his Master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and currently serves as editorial and creative director of the Black Voice Quarterly. He also teaches at Hofstra University and Columbia University, and is a staff writer for the Columbia Journalism Review.Frazier’s book, “Not That Kind of Negro: A Memoir,” which has been listed as the best book of the week for the past five months, was released in February 2018 and won the Pulitzer Prize in Literature, the Trustee’s Book Award and the Samuel C. Warner Jr. Journalism Prize, among other honors. “Not That Kind of Negro” was also a finalist for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.An excerpt of Ian Frazier’s book “Not That Kind of Negro” appears below.

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