Thomas Dabbs speaks with David Sterling Brown of Binghamton University. David is currently an ACLS/Mellon Scholars and Society Fellow in residence with The Racial Imaginary Institute, founded by Claudia Rankine, and in July 2022 he will join the faculty at Trinity College (USA), his undergraduate alma mater. This conversation includes a look at recent initiatives that explore whiteness and modern racial conflict through the performance and study of Shakespeare. It also focuses on such recent initiatives as The Racial Imaginary Institute, spearheaded by Claudia Rankine, and also on the progress of 'Untitled Othello,' an ensemble led by Keith Hamilton Cobb.  [SEGMENTS] 00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:00 - The Racial Imaginary Institute (TRII), Claudia Rankine 00:08:20 - American Moor, Untitled Othello, Keith Hamilton Cobb 00:28:50 - Cleopatra 00:33:10 - Whiteness and Color, the segregated South, Racialized Whiteness 00:39:40 - James Baldwin, African-American Lit and Shakespeare 00:44:50 - Challenging Shakespeare, ‘Titus Andronicus’ 00:47:08 - Tragedy vs Comedy, racial perspectives, dark comedy 00:52:24 - bell hooks’ passing and her contributions, reflections 00:59:03 - Redemption, mediating change, confronting the now 01:13:38 - Guys, folks, drag, and drag queen 01:15:40 - David’s editorial positions with journals.  01:16:26 - Social Justice in Contemporary Performance 01:19:28 - Shakespeare's Other Race Plays 01:21:00 - The Folger and Teaching Race Every Place, The First Folio 01:22:39 - Forthcoming books, Racialized Whiteness and Pedagogy/Scholarship 01:24:20 - The Sonic Color Line, Black Klansman, Sorry to Bother You 01:27:50 - Hood Feminism 01:30:55 - The Household and Mental Health 01:37:40 - Closing remarks