Culture critic Sheri Parks joins Tom in the studio to talk about the role race is playing at the Olympics. Black athletes have had prominent story lines at this year’s games including Simone Biles’ record-tying four gold medals in gymnastics and Simone Manuel’s precedent-breaking gold and silver medals in swimming. How will their wins change the narrative around sports and race?
Plus, they discuss Comedy Central's cancellation of Larry Wilmore's short-lived late-night TV show, and the challenge he faced conducting conversations about race as satirical entertainment.
Sheri Parks is an Associate Dean for Research, Interdisciplinary Scholarship and Programming at the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of MD College Park, where she is also an Associate Professor in the Department of American Studies. She’s the author of Fierce Angels: Living with a Legacy from the Sacred Dark Feminine to the Strong Black Woman.
