Episode 15: Black Arms to Hold You Up (w/Ben Passmore)

On this episode of Rough Drafts, L and M interview political cartoonist Ben Passmore about his newly released graphic novel Black Arms to Hold You Up, a book about Black armed struggle histories in the United States. L introduces Ben at the beginning of the episode and talks about his involvement as a researcher for the book. Ben talks about inserting himself into the novel (15:55) as a character in relation to Black radical histories. The conversation also touches on humor in the graphic novel when writing about Black radical histories with a respect and reverence (24:45). M asks Ben about his artistic process, panels and inspirations in regard to the graphic novel (30:30). Finally, Ben talks about white readership and career opportunities as a Black author (48:08). Ben has an upcoming release event on October 9th at Making Worlds in West Philadelphia. You can buy the book wherever books are sold. Follow him at @daygloayhole on Instagram and Patreon. 

 

Notes and Sources: 

Maus by Art Spiegelman (mentioned by Ben early in the episode)

Letter from a Stone Mountain Jail:

https://thenib.com/letter-from-a-stone-mountain-jail/

Your Black Friend: 

https://www.silversprocket.net/your-black-friend/