'Left of Black': Episode #4 featuring Shayne Lee and Treva Lindsey

Host and Duke University Professor Mark Anthony Neal Discusses Sex-Positive Black Sexuality, Black Women and Popular Culture, Black Respectability and Bishop Eddie Long with Tulane University Sociologist Shayne Lee and University of Missouri Women's Studies Professor Treva Lindsey.

Professor Lee is the author of three books including Erotic Revolutionaries: Black Women, Sexuality and Popular Culture.

Professor Lindsey's research and teaching interests include U.S. women's history, black popular culture, black feminism, critical race and gender theory, and African diaspora studies. She blogs at The Diva Feminist.

Venus and Serena? Whose Expectations?

from Critical Noir @ Vibe.com

Great Expectations? Venus and Serena Set Their Own Bar
by Mark Anthony Neal

NBC's annual Breakfast @ Wimbledon broadcast was recently transformed into Breakfast with The Williams, as sisters Venus and Serena held center court. On the line, the Wimbledon Singles Championship at the All-England Club. Though the Williams sisters have long proven their abilities as elite tennis professionals, their presence at center court on a championship day at a Grand Slam event always generates interests--as much for the tennis as for the on-air commentary about their outfits, athleticism and general demeanor.

Venus and Serena Williams have won 14 Grand Slam events between them, including the championship Venus just won against her sister at Wimbledon. Venus's victory--her 5th at Wimbledon, trailing only the legendary Billie Jean King (6), Steffi Graf (7) and Martina Navratilova (9) in number--establishes her as the best grass player of her generation. As for Serena, she has won at the All-England Club twice in her own right, to go with her six other Grand Slam championships. The sisters Williams are by far, the most recognizable current American tennis players. Nevertheless, on-air affirmation of the genius the Williams have displayed throughout their careers has been grudging.

Read the Full Essay @