معرفی
Lester Spence is a Professor of Political Science and Africana Studies at Johns Hopkins University's Krieger School of Arts & Sciences. He specializes in black politics, urban politics, and the impact of neoliberalism on racial dynamics. His research spans American political behavior, public opinion, and race relations, with notable works analyzing hip-hop culture's role in political discourse.
Spence holds a PhD from the University of Michigan. His interdisciplinary approach bridges political science, cultural studies, and sociology. He has been recognized with the W.E.B. DuBois Distinguished Book Award (2013) for Stare in the Darkness and an Excellence in Teaching Award (2009). His scholarship frequently engages contemporary issues such as systemic racism, urban governance, and the intersection of media and politics.
His research outputs include analyses of film (e.g., Do the Right Thing), music (hip-hop's political potential), and historical figures like Ella Baker. He critiques neoliberal policies' effects on marginalized communities and explores alternative frameworks for Black political empowerment. Spence's work appears in top journals and media outlets, including NPR and the Marc Steiner Show.
Key themes in his writings include the crisis of democracy, racial representation in urban contexts, and the need for reimagining Black political agency beyond neoliberal constraints. His recent work (2020–2025) addresses contemporary challenges like racialized democracy crises and the role of the Black fantastic in international relations.
