Turning to History This is how NICHOLAS "NIKO" CENTINO, Assistant Professor of Chicana/o Studies at California State University, answered the complex questions brought up in an American background steeped in different cultures. In this conversation we discuss his own experiences as a Person of Color, as well as zoot suits, the Neo Swing era, and his new book, "Razabilly." 0:00 Razabilly 6:30 Wherever there's oppression, there's resistance 13:30 The Niko origin story 26:00 A Brief Deconstruction of "Zoot Suit Riot" 36:30 On Zoot Suits and how badass they are 43:30 The interplay of all that is Niko 48:00 "I can't take my presence as a Man of Color in the scene for granted." ----------------------------------------- Welcome to Integrated Rhythm! Two Swing Dancing besties (Chisomo Selemani & Bobby White) navigate race and the Black Experience in the world of Jazz Dance and other Afro-centric social dancing. Our goal is comfortable conversations about uncomfortable things. Our podcast music is by Laurel Ryan & Michelle Stokes, our intro and ad music this week is by Barron Ryan, Laurel Ryan's brother (check out firstofitskind.net, and www.barronryan.com.) And, the background drumming is by Bobby White. Find us at your local podcast app, or at: https://anchor.fm/integratedrhythm Please donate to help keep us in business: Patreon: patreoncom/integratedrhythm PayPal: [email protected] Venmo: @bobbyswungover (Where applicable, lease put the note "IR" in it, so that we know it's for the podcast.)