Control: Gary Stollman, J. Marion Sims, and the Harlem Six

In this extended episode of 10 Minute History Lessons, host Antonio Milian explores the unsettling theme of control—how it's taken, abused, and used to manipulate minds, bodies, and justice itself. Through three powerful, lesser-known stories, we uncover how control has shaped Black life in America in deeply disturbing ways.

🔍 First, we look at Gary Stollman, a man suffering from schizophrenia who held a news anchor hostage on live TV in 1987, demanding the public hear his fears about government mind control. What seemed like paranoia revealed deeper societal anxieties about media, surveillance, and mental autonomy.

🩺 Next, we examine the dark legacy of J. Marion Sims, the so-called “Father of Modern Gynecology,” who conducted surgeries on enslaved Black women without anesthesia. His tools and methods still influence modern medicine, but at what cost?

⚖️ Finally, we revisit the tragic case of the Harlem Six—six Black teenagers wrongfully arrested in 1964, beaten into confessions, and subjected to psychiatric abuse by the state. Their story exposes the Northern arm of America’s racial justice crisis and how the law can be used to control, not protect.

This episode blends historical analysis, storytelling, and sharp social commentary to help listeners connect the dots between past injustices and modern systems of control.

🎙️ Whether you're a student, teacher, or history lover, this episode is a must-listen.

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