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'Two Wings: The Music Of Black America In Migration' Celebrates Journey Millions Took

Jason Moran and Alicia Hall Moran think deeply about how the past is preserved and kept vital through music and culture. Dawound Bey/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Dawound Bey/Courtesy of the artist

Music Interviews

'Two Wings: The Music Of Black America In Migration' Celebrates Journey Millions Took

Singer Alicia Hall Moran and pianist Jason Moran mix original music works with 20th century spoken word to reflect on The Great Migration, when African Americans moved from the South to the North.

'Two Wings: The Music Of Black America In Migration' Celebrates Journey Millions Took

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'Green Book' Is About Race — And Also Friendship, Class And Masculinity

Mahershala Ali as musician Donald Shirley in Green Book, directed by Peter Farrelly. Universal Pictures, Participant, and DreamWorks hide caption

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Universal Pictures, Participant, and DreamWorks

Movie Interviews

'Green Book' Is About Race — And Also Friendship, Class And Masculinity

In the film Green Book, a black pianist on a 1962 concert tour in the Deep South hires a tough-talking bouncer from the Bronx. Rachel Martin talks to Mahershala Ali, who plays pianist Don Shirley.

'Green Book' Is About Race — And Also Friendship, Class And Masculinity

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Ta-Nehisi Coates On The Fight Over 'Nina Simone's Face'

This still is from the first trailer for Nina, starring Zoe Saldana as singer Nina Simone. This image of Saldana in dark makeup and with a prosthetic nose helped reignite a controversy over skin color and casting. Nina (2016) Trailer, IMDb hide caption

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Nina (2016) Trailer, IMDb

Code Switch

Ta-Nehisi Coates On The Fight Over 'Nina Simone's Face'

Many people have decried the casting of Zoe Saldana in upcoming biopic Nina, but Ta-Nehisi Coates digs deep into why this choice struck a nerve.

Saldana As Simone Resurfaces A Debate Beyond Black And White

In this composite image, a comparison has been made between Nina Simone and actress Zoe Saldana. David Redfern/Frazer Harrison/Redferns/Getty Images for Relativity Media hide caption

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David Redfern/Frazer Harrison/Redferns/Getty Images for Relativity Media

Opinion

Saldana As Simone Resurfaces A Debate Beyond Black And White

NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro reflects on the debate over the casting of Zoe Saldana in the role of iconic jazz singer Nina Simone. Saldana wore makeup to darken her skin and look more like Simone.

Saldana As Simone Resurfaces A Debate Beyond Black And White

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