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In this episode of From Where to Here, Alexandra sits down with Dr. John Maddox, a professor of Spanish and Portuguese at UAB, to explore the intersections of language, culture, history, and identity. Dr. Maddox shares how an inspiring Spanish teacher set him on a lifelong path in languages, how games and stories made learning accessible, and why perfection in language learning is a myth. The conversation spans from classrooms in Georgia to study abroad in Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, weaving in insights about colonialism, race, and the African diaspora. Together, they uncover the untold stories of Brazilian history, especially the overlooked role of Black women in shaping culture, language, and resilience, and reflect on how embracing mistakes, differences, and shared humanity can connect us more deeply across borders.

Takeaways

1. The spark of a teacher matters. A high school Spanish teacher using games, stories, and immersion inspired Dr. Maddox’s lifelong passion for languages.
2. Language learning thrives on imperfection. Mistakes aren’t failures — they are stepping stones to fluency and connection.
3. Portuguese and Spanish are sibling languages. Though often seen as rivals, their shared histories shaped cultures on both sides of the Atlantic.
4. Brazil’s history is inseparable from slavery. It was the largest slave-based society in the Americas, and its cultural fabric still carries this legacy.
5. Black women shaped Brazilian culture in profound ways. From domestic and community roles to preserving oral traditions and influencing literature, their impact endures.
6. Colonial myths still echo today. Narratives like Brazil being a “racial democracy” obscure ongoing inequalities tied to race and history.
7. Puerto Rican identity offers parallels. Like Quebec, Puerto Rico maintains strong cultural pride through language and resilience despite political and colonial complexities.
8. Shared humanity is the antidote to division. Dr. Maddox emphasizes empathy, curiosity, and seeing cultural diversity as a source of growth, not separation.

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🔗 Links & How to Connect with Dr. John Maddox
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📍Get in Touch with Dr. John Maddox:
- https://ua-birmingham.academia.edu/Maddox
📍Links:
- Puerto Rico - zafacón (Instagram post): https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIqv1i6xVne/?igsh=ZzRkYzN3MzNkanJo
- Slavery and the Portuguese Language (podcast): https://tinyurl.com/bdx73kt7
📍Book Recommendations
- Black Notebooks, Niyi Afolabi - https://tinyurl.com/ppfmyjdu
- Machado de Assis, Blackness and the Americas - https://www.amazon.com/Machado-Blackness-Americas-Afro-Latinx-Futures/dp/1438498810
- Child of the Dark, Carolina Maria de Jesus - https://www.amazon.com/Child-Dark-Diary-Carolina-Maria/dp/0451529103
- Africans in Brazil, a Pan-African Perspective, Abdi

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