Episode #148 with Mia Mask

On today's episode, I'm in conversation with Professor Mia Mask and talk about her book 'Black Rodeo: A History of the African American Western', and why she wrote this book.  We discuss the film genre of the Westerns and look at issues of whitewashing and changing narratives including revisionist Westerns and critiques. We also chat about the portrayal of masculinity in film, the female cowboy, Pam Grier, and of course, the quote that continually inspires her.

Mia Mask is a Professor of Film at Vassar College.  She is the author of Divas on Screens; Black Women in American Film.  She edited the anthology Contemporary Black American Cinema. And, she published the jointly edited collection, Poitier Revisited: Reconsidering a Black Icon in the Obama Age.  Her commentary has been featured on National Public Radio, the Criterion Channel and CNN’s The Movies.   In 2023, she published Black Rodeo: A History of the African American Western.  

Black Rodeo: A History of the African American Western takes place at BFI Southbank from 1 February – 18 March, including Mario Van Peebles in conversation on 9 February and the illustrated discussion Introduction to Black Rodeo on 10 February. For tickets visit whatson.bfi.org.uk

Thanks for listening to the episode. I'd like to thank my guest for their time, insight and being a great sport!

I would also like to thank my producer, Ashanti Omkar, for all her hard work.

If you'd like to be a guest, drop me a line at theswingingpalmtree@gmail.com.

Keep Rising & Thriving. Aṣẹ!