In this episode, we illustrate the importance of a global and connected approach to African Studies by digging into a key moment in both African and American history: the Italian Occupation of Ethiopia. In October 1935, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini launched an invasion of Ethiopia that would last until 1941. Although this action violated international law and global opinion, Western powers, including the US, refused to become directly involved in the conflict. We approach this tumultuous period from a unique vantage point by asking ourselves: What were the connections between black Americans and Ethiopians in the 1930s? 

To answer this question, Charlotte sat down with Ms. Amy Alemu, a Ph.D. Candidate in African and African American Studies at Harvard. Ms. Alemu earned her master’s in History from Harvard University and her BA honors degree in History and Economics from Harvard College. Her research focuses are Black transnationalism, history of political thought, integrative approaches to African and African American studies, and digital and multimedia scholarship.