Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips: Recent Episodes
Democracy in Color
A color-conscious political podcast, hosted by Steve Phillips, that releases episodes every other Thursday. While grassroots organizations raised voters of color turnout to historic levels, securing Democratic victories in 2020 and 2021, there remain strong differences of opinion about the right strategy for winning in a racially-polarized electoral landscape.
“Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips” offers candid and data-driven analysis on how progressives can win. Join Steve for a conversation that is unafraid and unapologetic about grappling with some of the toughest issues in politics today.
Special guests have included: Stacey Abrams, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and Rep. Beto O’Rourke.
March Madness may be over but we’re gearing up for a…Narrow November with our very own set of 16 congressional districts that have the potential to flip the balance of power in the House of Representatives.
Data expert Dr. Julie Martínez Ortega joins Steve and Sharline to discuss the updated New Majority Index (NMI) and which districts they’ll be watching closely ahead of November elections.
References:New Majority Index
Top 16 Most Flippable House Seats for Democrats in 2024
Lateefah Simon—Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) board member, MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient, and Congressional candidate—shares her path to politics, including her work with Vice President Kamala Harris during Harris’ time as San Francisco Attorney General.
Lateefah shares why she decided to run for office and offers insight on how grief has been a catalyst for her political work and activism. She also courageously expresses her thoughts on the war in Gaza and says what few are willing to say.
References:Lateefah Simon - @lateefahsimon
Campaign Website
Sarah Alvarez, founder of Outlier Media, a Detroit-based service journalism organization, shares what she’s hearing on the ground in Michigan following the protest “uncommitted” vote by more than 100,000 people during the state’s recent Democratic presidential primary.
She shares what role today’s journalists must play in filling information gaps at the local level, and why nonprofit news organizations like the one she’s built are needed today.
Sarah, Steve, and Sharline discuss Michigan’s historical significance in the larger scheme of national politics. Sarah draws parallels between the ways politics and journalism-as-usual are failing those who need the most support and deserve the most attention.
REFERENCES:
Outlier Media - outliermedia.org
Steve and Sharline celebrate the release of the paperback edition of How We Win the Civil War, which comes out Tuesday, March 12. They discuss how the political landscape has changed since the first edition launched in 2022 and why How We Win is more pertinent now than ever.
They also discuss the book’s reception since its first release and the exciting partnerships that have developed with groups and organizations who resonate with How We Win’s message.
Steve shares his hope and vision for this new edition and the parts of the book that have become his favorite.
REFERENCES: Buy the second edition of How We Win the Civil War!
Podcast episode: "White People and the Fight for Racial Justice with SURJ's Erin Heaney"
Award-winning journalist and editor-at-large at The 19th News Errin Haines joins us to talk abouther game-changing work at the digital news startup centered on gender, politics, and policy.
She also talks about Breaking the News—a documentary that chronicles the origins of The 19th—which debuted on PBS this week.
Errin shares some of the publication’s history-making moments, including her early coverage of the Breonna Taylor killing that brought a gender perspective to the conversation of racism and police brutality. Errin also shared insight into how The 19th nailed the first sit-down interview with Kamala Harris after she made history as the first African American (and Asian American) vice presidential candidate.
Errin also dives into the current election cycle; The 19th’s new fellowship (a partnership with The 1619 Project’s Nikole Hannah Jones); and The 19th’s newest product—“The Amendment” podcast, which Errin hosts.
References:Errin Haines - @errinhaines
The 19th News
“The Amendment” Podcast
Solano Community College’s Vice President of Student Affairs Lisa Neeley discusses her work at Solano and the California college’s commitment to Black students and other students of color in the face of increasing backlash against DEI efforts.
Neeley talks about Solano’s programs and processes to ensure equity and inclusion such as the Black Falcons Success Program and her hopes for other higher education programs around the country.
REFERENCES:Lisa Neeley - @Lisamarieneeley
Back for a third episode, former mayor of Stockton, California and friend of our show Michael Tubbs returns to update Steve and Sharline on his inspiring and rapidly growing effort to end poverty in America and to help bring Dr. King’s vision for a just and equitable society to fruition.
Michael talks about his award-winning 2023 documentary “It’s Basic”, which follows several universal basic income (UBI) pilot programs around the country and the successes and challenges they’ve faced along the way. He also describes the growing popularity of UBI in political and pop culture circles, including on the award-winning television sitcom Abbott Elementary.
The founder of End Poverty in California (EPIC) and Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI), Michael also weighs on this week’s New Hampshire presidential primary results.
REFERENCES:
Michael D Tubbs
March 17, 2022 - "Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips" - Michael Tubbs is the Anti-Poverty Czar
July 23, 2020 - " Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips" - Passing the Baton
In the first of what will be several episodes throughout this year focused on the 2024 election cycle, Steve and Sharline frame up the Republican presidential primary calendar and what they’ll be watching as results roll in.
The New York Times’ Astead Herndon also phones in from Iowa where he’s preparing to cover the Republican Iowa Caucus and discusses the current state of the race, his analysis on the unwavering support of Trump’s base, and what to expect from a potential second Trump presidency.
He also shares his thoughts on Nikki Haley’s appeal with conservatives and the evolving role of race and ethnicity in both parties.
REFERENCES:Astead W. Herndon - @AsteadWH // NY Times
2023 has come and gone! If you missed any of our episodes this year, this is the one to tune into as Steve, Sharline, and Fola share highlights from some of their favorite episodes this year. The team also shares what’s on their minds and in their hearts as they look to 2024.
See you in the new year!
REFERENCES:
Episodes mentioned
- The 1619 Project’s Shoshana Guy Is On the Record
- Heather Booth: When We Organize, We Can Change the World
- Not Your Grandparents’ Greenpeace with ED Ebony Twilley Martin
- George Floyd’s America with Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa
- Newbery Medal Author Amina Luqman-Dawson on Freewater
- Steve to the Class of 2023: Rise and Take Control
- 40 Years of the Rainbow Coalition
- White People and the Fight for Racial Justice with SURJ’s Erin Heaney
- Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s Beth Broderick on the Power of Storytelling
- “Latinos = the X Factor” with EquisLabs’ Stephanie Valencia
Are you curious about what a truly powerful (and progressive) alternative political party could look like in the U.S?
National Director of the Working Families Party Maurice Mitchell returns to talk about what it means to create a multiracial and multicultural progressive, working-class party and what that looks like strategically within a two-party system.
He discusses WFP’s 25-year history, the inspiring slate of elected officials they’ve championed, and the party’s first national convention in Philadelphia back in October. Maurice shares his take on the connections between the movements of today and the Civil Rights Movement of 1965 and how he’s thinking about the upcoming election year.
He also shares how he stays connected to his love of music and the artist within.
REFERENCES:
Maurice Mitchell - @MauriceWFP
Working Families Party - @workingfamilies workingfamilies.org
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Washington Post opinion editor Alexi McCammond dives into the changing digital news landscape and the role of traditional, legacy news media in reaching newer, more diverse (and often, more progressive) audiences.
She sheds light on the disconnect she’s seeing between older left-leaning politicians and young people, and her expectations from a coalition of young voters and people of color as the 2024 election cycle draws closer.
REFERENCES:Alexi McCammond - @alexi
Steve Phillips // The Washington Post - California Senate race will prove whether Democrats care about diversity
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Former Obama staffer and founder of EquisLabs Stephanie Valencia discusses her path to politics and why Latino voters are the “X factor” in today’s political landscape. She explains how political strategists should think about the expansive and diverse Latino electorate, and what progressives are getting right and wrong about engaging with Latino voters.
She also explains the creation of the Latino Media Network and the targeted effort to reach Latinos where they are, including via radio and WhatsApp.
REFERENCES:Stephanie Valencia - @stephanievalenc
EquisLab / @EquisLab / @EquisResearch
Transcript (unedited)
Spooky season is upon us!
Actress and activist Beth Broderick, best known for her role as Aunt Zelda in the 1996 hit TV show Sabrina the Teenage Witch, joins Steve and Sharline to talk about the ongoing actors’ strike, the power of narrative, and her life’s journey at the intersection of politics and entertainment.
Beth discusses her decades-long involvement in progressive and social causes, the legacy of “Sabrina” and shares her thoughts on the future of Hollywood.
REFERENCES:Beth Broderick - @BethBroderick
Beth Broderick: Wit and Wisdom from a Woman of a Certain Age - Substack
Beth Broderick // The Huffington Post - Cavemen and Cashmere
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Steve takes the hot seat as a guest on his own show in this penultimate episode of our special podcast series! Steve and Sharline discuss his forthcoming book How We Win the Civil War and how the concept developed over the last few years.
Sharline shares how she and Steve came to be a book publishing power team, and Steve discusses the formative experiences that have shaped his work and his path to writing (Jesse Jackson quotes, included).
CW: Adult Language
REFERENCES:Steve Phillips - @StevePtweets
Steve Phillips // New Press - How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good
Isabel Wilkerson // Random House - Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents
The New York Amsterdam News
Transcript (unedited)
Rhiana Gunn-Wright, a key architect of the Green New Deal and one of our nation’s leading figures in the fight for climate justice, joins the podcast to talk about what a green transition can and should look like in the U.S.
Rhiana shares her path to the climate movement and how the Inflation Reduction Act leaves Black people behind. She also breaks down the importance of policy-making in the greater environmental justice movement.
REFERENCES:
Rhiana Gunn-Wright - @rgunns
Rhiana Gunn-Wright // Hammer & Hope - Our Green Transition May Leave Black People Behind
Transcript (unedited)
School is back in session!
Our in-house data expert, Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega, joins Steve and Sharline for a data deep dive into the electoral landscapes of Kentucky and Mississippi, two states in the heartland of America with unique opportunities for Democrats to lean in and win this November.
We also touch on Virginia for a quick discussion about the state legislature races also happening this fall. We wrap with an update on the current slate of Republican presidential candidates, and Steve shares who he thinks poses the biggest threat to Democrats if he or she were to win the Republican presidential primary.
It’s our 100th episode!
Erin Heaney, executive director of Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ), joins us to discuss the role of white allyship in the fight for justice and a multiracial democracy.
Erin shares her path to organizing, her hopes for SURJ, and details on the White Stripe Project—a new initiative between the Sandler Phillips Center, the Working Families Party and SURJ focused on increasing the number of white voters committed to progressive causes.
REFERENCES:
Erin Heaney, Executive Director, SURJ - @heaney_erin
SURJ - @showup4rj and surj.org
"Progressives want to grow the ‘White Stripe’ of a multiracial coalition" Politico
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition, Eddie Wong, former national field director for Jackson’s 1988 presidential campaign, joins Steve and Sharline to reminisce on the alliance that transcended boundaries of race, gender, and socio-economic status to create a powerful force for change.
Steve, Sharline, and Eddie delve into the strategies, challenges, and triumphs that marked the coalition's journey, as well as its influence on shaping today's movements for social justice and equity.
Original coalition members also share personal anecdotes, insights, and reflections on how the Rainbow Coalition ignited a transformative movement that redefined the landscape of social and political activism, and the impact of Reverend Jackson’s visionary leadership in their own lives.
REFERENCES:
Eddie Wong - https://newday.com/filmmakers/eddie-wong
Jesse Jackson 1984 Democratic National Convention Speech - https://c-span.org/video/?c4787461/user-clip-jesse-jackson-1984-democratic-national-convention-speech-complete
Rainbow Coalition Recordings: Dr. Amanda Kemp - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZHJ9qu8_-3gQjaJ_X5SyXk6duNaMjGd4/view?usp=drive_link Pierre Barolette - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TP5hgKZrWVIHJOkzN9y0SLfcieTp6niu/view?usp=drive_link Theresa Montaño - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fvpzpFZXkNKTCZek8GUF_mQ8ViWiHaAZ/view?usp=drive_link Ellen Spears - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ORKqlWd1IfIKwYkUehiZ-Eba-xM3biFy/view?usp=drive_link
Congressmember Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) joins Steve and Fola to talk about his time as an educator, from being a crisis intervention teacher to founding his own school.
He shares what he sees as the role of the Squad; how he got involved with Justice Democrats; and what led him to run for office in the first place. He shares his thoughts on the major issues we’re facing in K-12 education, from attacks on LGBTQ+ youth to the conservative backlash against so-called “critical race theory,” and Republicans’ refusal to take action on gun legislation.
Rep. Bowman also shares what’s giving him hope and answers a very important weight-lifting question.
REFERENCES: Representative Jamaal Bowman - @JamaalBowmanNY // IG: jamaalbowmanny
In a personal and moving conversation with Sharline, Steve shares the winding, yet connected roads that led to his first keynote speech at the City University of New York’s School of Labor and Urban Studies’ fifth commencement ceremony.
Steve discusses the art and poetry that inspired his speech and the childhood memories that resurfaced as he wrote. In his advice to the graduates entering the workforce at one of the most critical times in our country’s history, he shares key lessons from his time in political and labor movements to his time spent writing How We Win the Civil War. He also honors Susan’s legacy and the friends they gained in their joint effort to make a difference in the world.
REFERENCES:
CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies Commencement 2023 - https://slu.cuny.edu/current-students/commencement
Barbara James-Hogu - "Rise and Take Control" - https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/rise-and-take-control-117946
Margaret Walker - "For My People" - https://poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/21850/for-my-people
Sonia Sanchez - "Middle Passage" - https://youtube.com/watch?v=P98JZhWUijY
Ben Smith, author of the new book Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral, joins the podcast to discuss how the media revolution has changed the political landscape and the implications for the future.
Ben and Steve talk about his new book, the historical relationship between media and politics, and the transformation of Facebook from a social platform into a media juggernaut. Ben also shares details about Semafor, the news platform he’s building and who on the Left is actually doing media well.
REFERENCES:
Ben Smith - @semaforben https://twitter.com/semaforben Semafor - https://semafor.com Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral - https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678592/traffic-by-ben-smith
In honor of Juneteenth, New York Times bestselling author and winner of the 2023 Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award Amina Luqman-Dawson joins us to talk about her award-winning debut children’s novel Freewater.
Amina shares how she learned about the Great Dismal Swamp(where Freewater is set) in Virginia, the former home to the real-life maroon colony of thousands of formerly enslaved Africans who lived there in the 1700s and 1800s. She also explains why she chose to use fiction to tell the story about this important piece of American history. She and Steve reflect on the years leading up to Amina’s successful debut and Susan’s contribution to Freewater.
Amina reads a passage from Freewater and Sharline’s daughter shares her thoughts on the novel.
REFERENCES: Amina Luqman-Dawson - https://aminaluqman-dawson.com // https://twitter.com/AminaLuqman
Freewater - https://goodreads.com/en/book/show/58275990
The 19th News’ LGBTQ+ reporter Orion Rummler breaks down the scope of the attacks against the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of having trans journalists out in the field telling these stories. Orion shares his thoughts on the Biden administration’s response, the state legislators speaking truth to power, and what’s giving him hope despite the ongoing assaults on LGBTQ+ rights.REFERENCES:Orion Rummler - @i_oriion https://twitter.com/i_oriionThe 19th News - https://19thnews.org/author/orion-rummler
Greenpeace’s new executive director Ebony Twilley Martin shares her path to climate activism and the significance of her position as the first Black woman to lead a national legacy environmental organization. She discusses Greenpeace’s recent lawsuit victory and the legal strategies corporations use to silence environmental activists. She also shares her thoughts on President Biden’s response to the climate crisis, the proposed Cop City in Atlanta, and the role of young people in the fight for climate justice.REFERENCES:Ebony Twilley Martin - @Ebony_4_JusticeTo support Greenpeace:Text 86799 1-800-722-6995engage.us.greenpeace.org
The Washington Post’s White House Bureau Chief Toluse Olorunnipa and The New Yorker’s Robert Samuels join us to discuss their book, His Name Is George Floyd: One Man's Life and The Struggle for Racial Justice. The book was a finalist for the 2022 National Book Award for nonfiction.The writers discuss how the concept for the book came to be and why it was important to trace George Floyd’s ancestry as far back as the Civil War.They also share their outlooks on where we are as a country today and what they hope readers take away from their book.REFERENCES:Robert Samuels - @newsbysamuelsToluse Olorunnipa - @ToluseOHis Name Is George Floyd - https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/703358/his-name-is-george-floyd-by-robert-samuels-and-toluse-olorunnipa
Steve, Sharline, and Julie dive into the facts and data of the California Senate race ahead of the 2024 election to replace Senator Dianne Feinstein. They discuss current polling data related to the race, racial demographics underlying the state, including its growing Latino population, and Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2020 promise to appoint a Black woman to the seat.REFERENCES:CA-12 - Rep. Barbara Lee - https://barbaraleeforca.comCA-47 - Rep. Katie Porter - https://katieporter.comCA-30 - Rep. Adam Schiff - https://adamschiff.comThe Nation // Steve Phillips - “Don’t Count Barbara Lee Out of the California Senate Race” - https://thenation.com/article/politics/barbara-lee-ca-senate-race
NOTE: This episode was recorded a week before former President Trump was indicted by the state of New York on charges related to alleged hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels. We discuss the current state of the Republican Party and its continued devolvement into the party of white racial resentment. We examine four leading contenders for the party’s 2024 presidential nomination, including Trump, who despite his recent indictment could very well still be in the running. We analyze Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ attempts at fanning the flames of hatred and division and what makes him a modern-day George Wallace.We also look at two POC South Carolina Republicans—former governor Nikki Haley and Senator Tim Scott—and discuss whether their attempts to weave their backgrounds into a party that is hellbent on attacking people based on their identity can work.REFERENCESThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Mark Niesse – Ban on ‘Zuckerbucks’ election money in Georgia heads to final votes(https://www.ajc.com/politics/georgia-house-committee-passes-restriction-on-outside-election-funding/ZQWAHN2J3FCN7JLEN5OILYDNSM/)Growth and Opportunity Project Wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Growth_%26_Opportunity_Project)
Newly-elected Congressmember Jennifer McClellan just became the first Black woman representative from Virginia. She comes with a powerful slate of accomplishments dedicated to expanding and protecting our democracy. Rep. McClellan joins us to share how her love of history and her family’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement led her to politics; her proudest achievements during her time in the Virginia state legislature; and her goals as a new House member. She explains how the Voting Rights Act of Virginia came to be (she was one of the main architects behind the bill), and what it meant for her to see the monument honoring white supremacist Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, come down in 2021.REFERENCES:Rep. Jennifer McClellan - @JennMcClellanVA
Activist, strategist and organizer Heather Booth is a living legend. Booth—the founder of Jane, an underground abortion service she started in Chicago prior to Roe v. Wade—joins us to share how she got started in organizing and social justice work, the legacy of the Janes, and the lessons she’s learned for future generations of organizers and leaders.She recounts her early activist days as an organizer alongside Fannie Lou Hamer during Mississippi’s 1964 Freedom Summer to her founding of the Midwest Academy, the go-to training program for organizers in the progressive movement today.Heather also shares what it’s been like to be a woman leader in the movement and her advice for those who want to make a difference today.REFERENCES:Heather Booth - @hboothgoDocumentary - Heather Booth - Changing the World https://heatherbooththefilm.comDocumentary - The Janes - https://hbo.com/movies/the-janesFeature Film - Call Jane - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Call_JanePhoto - Heather Booth & Fannie Lou Hamer, 1964 https://jwa.org/media/image-of-heather-booth-and-fannie-lou-hamer
Shoshana Guy, the “sho”-runner (pun intended) of Hulu’s new docuseries The 1619 Project, joins the podcast to discuss the significance of the series and her career trajectory—from broadcast network news to leading the critically acclaimed Netflix series High on the Hog. She and Sharline also reminisce about how they met more than 15 years ago and Shoshana shares what’s next for her as a creative Black woman at the top of her game.REFERENCES:Shoshanna Guy - @Shoshana_GuyThe 1619 Project // Hulu - https://press.hulu.com/shows/the-1619-projectNikole Hannah-Jones - @nhannahjonesThe 1619 Project // The New York Times - https://nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html
Executive Director of Justice Democrats Alexandra Rojas joins us to talk about the organization’s instrumental role in recruiting and running young progressive candidates and how they’re rewriting the rules for what a political leader looks like. Justice Democrats is the group behind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ historic 2018 victory against 10-term Democratic incumbent Joseph Crowley, as well as freshman Representative Summer Lee’s historic 2022 victory to become the first Black Congresswoman from Pennsylvania. Alexandra recounts AOC’s political rise and the role Justice Democrats has been playing in revolutionizing U.S. electoral politics.Alexandra also shares her own story, including why she dropped out of community college to work on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign.REFERENCES:Alexandra Rojas - @alexandrasieraJustice Democrats - @justicedems - justicedemocrats.com
Emmy Ruiz, current Assistant to the President and White House Director of Political Strategy & Outreach and former campaign aide to President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and Vice President Kamala Harris, is an all-around rockstar.Emmy joins us to talk about her path to politics, the importance of building diverse campaign teams, and what she’s learned along the way from her time as a presidential campaign manager in Nevada and Colorado to what it’s like to be a mother in a high-pressure career. She also shares the powerful role her family played in helping her get to where she is today and she provides insight into what young people who are interested in politics can do to get involved.
Happy New Year! For our first episode of 2023, Steve and Sharline take a look at some of the key issues Democrats should pay attention to this year. From the upcoming Virginia elections to the Party’s new primary calendar and questions surrounding Biden’s reelection, they dive into the major themes that will define the year ahead. They also touch briefly on the chaos taking place within the Republican Party and what it means for the next two years.Steve also shares his thoughts on grief and Sharline pays a touching tribute to Susan Sandler, Steve’s partner in social change and life, who passed away on December 16, 2022, and who would have encouraged us all to keep doing the work and fighting the fight.
For our final episode of the year, Steve, Sharline, and Julie reflect on the past year as they highlight some of the major political victories and challenges of 2022. They also share their favorite pop culture moments from this year. And Steve makes a touching tribute to his wife Susan as they celebrate the 32nd anniversary of their first date. See you in 2023!REFERENCES:“Wednesday” - NetflixJenna Ortega - @jennaortega“Only Murders in the Building” - HULUSelena Gomez - @selenagomezWakanda Forever - MarvelTenoch Huerta - @tenochhuerta
Crystal Hayling, executive director of the Libra Foundation, joins us to discuss her path to philanthropy, how she’s helped center issues of social and racial justice, and what it’s going to take to make sure those at the forefront of change are able to get the resources they need.
Crystal also shares why and how she started the Democracy Frontlines Fund, which raised over $36 million to fund Black-led organizations fighting for democracy, following the police murder of George Floyd.
REFERENCES: Crystal Hayling - @CHayling
Libra Foundation - https://thelibrafoundation.org
Hosts of the “democracy-ish” podcast Wajahat Ali and Danielle Moodie join us for a special crossover episode to discuss 2022 midterm election results, the fragility of our democracy, the role youth voters played this cycle and what to expect in 2024.
Our guests share how their podcast came to be, how they’re feeling about last week’s elections, and their hope for a multiracial democracy in this country. This special episode is the first half of a larger conversation and you’ll be able to hear the other half of that conversation next week on the “democracy-ish” podcast.
REFERENCES: “Democracy-ish” Podcast - https://dcpofficial.com/democracy-ish
Danielle Moodie - @DeeTwoCents
Wajahat Ali - @WajahatAli
With important and history-making choices on ballots across the country this year, resident data expert Dr. Julie Martínez Ortega joins the podcast to help cut through the hazy 2022 midterm election predictions and offer an objective look at the final days leading up to November 8.
Spoiler alert: it all comes down to voter turnout. From Georgia to Florida and Arizona to Wisconsin, this year’s midterms will be decided by which side does a better job of motivating their supporters to hit the polls through Election Day.
We also list the groups and organizations doing this work across the country and explain how supporting them right now can help shape midterm outcomes.
REFERENCES:
Arizona - Arizona Wins https://secure.everyaction.com/nEWvcVbl2EioT4I6y_LmFw2
California - CHIRLA Action Fund - https://chirlafund.org/donate-now
California - Inland Empire Action Fund https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ieunitedactionfund
California - OC Action https://ocaction.org/give
Georgia - Stacey Abrams for Governor https://secure.actblue.com/donate/afg22-web
Wisconsin - PowerPAC https://secure.actblue.com/donate/powerpac-org-1
To celebrate the release of How We Win the Civil War, Steve joins Senator Cory Booker for a live, national virtual Town Hall, moderated by MoveOn Executive Director Rahna Epting, to discuss how we build majority support for a true multiracial democracy in the U.S.
This live recording was co-hosted by our national partners at Community Change Action, Justice Democrats, MoveOn, Netroots Nation, Voto Latino, and Working Families Party.
REFERENCES: Purchase your copy of "How We Win the Civil War" today: https://barnesandnoble.com/w/how-we-win-the-civil-war-steve-phillips/1140905279
Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey - @CoryBooker Rahna Epting, Executive Director, MoveOn - @rahnamepting https://front.moveon.org
Steve takes the hot seat as a guest on his own show in this penultimate episode of our special podcast series! Steve and Sharline discuss his forthcoming book How We Win the Civil War and how the concept developed over the last few years.
Sharline shares how she and Steve came to be a book publishing power team, and Steve discusses the formative experiences that have shaped his work and his path to writing (Jesse Jackson quotes, included). Steve and Sharline also explain when and how you can pre-order your copy of the How We Win the Civil War, out October 18!
CW: Adult Language
REFERENCES:
Steve Phillips - https://twitter.com/StevePtweets
Steve Phillips // New Press - How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good https://amazon.com/How-Win-Civil-War-Demographic/dp/1620976765/?maas=maas_adg_93B3BC931911EC8ED6FFABAE62AF7A37_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas&tag=maas
Isabel Wilkerson // Random House - Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents https://goodreads.com/book/show/51152447-caste
The New York Amsterdam News https://amsterdamnews.com/about/
Atlantic staff writer and CNN columnist Ron Brownstein joins us for Part 2 of our special How We Win series to discuss the coalitions competing to define the identity of this country and the historical context for this centuries-long existential battle.
Ron shares his analysis on why the 2020s could end up looking a lot like the 1850s, how he’s interpreting Biden’s changing rhetoric, and how he’s thinking about the upcoming midterms.
Ron also provides his expertise as we explore key themes in Steve’s forthcoming book How We Win the Civil War, out October 18.
REFERENCES: Ron Brownstein - @RonBrownstein
Books
Rock Me on the Water: 1974-The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television, and Politics by Ron Brownstein https://amazon.com/Rock-Water-1974-Transformed-Television/dp/006289921X
The Impending Crisis, 1848-1861 by David M. Potter https://amazon.com/Impending-Crisis-1848-1861-David-Potter/dp/0061319295
The South as a Conscious Minority, 1789-1861; a Study in Political Thought by Jesse T. Carpenter https://amazon.com/Conscious-Minority-1789-1861-Political-Thought/dp/1013813480
History Reference Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugitive_Slave_Act_of_1850
For the first episode of our special How We Win series, award-winning author and historian Mae Ngai places the existential crisis of our time into historical context as she highlights the pervasive nature of the question: who gets to be an American and who is deserving of dignity and equality?
Our conversation with Mae lays the foundation for our series’ deep dive into the parallels between our present moment and the not-so-distant past. She reveals the history of a partnership between the South and West to perpetuate white supremacy, and describes just how intertwined the “Chinese Question” and the “Negro Question” have been since the founding of America.
REFERENCES: Mae Ngai, Professor of History and Lung Family Professor of Asian American Studies, Columbia University - https://history.columbia.edu/person/ngai-mae
Lawyer and former federal prosecutor Subodh Chandra joins us to help wrap our minds around the myriad legal challenges Trump is currently facing, from the January 6 hearings to the multiple investigations taking place in several jurisdictions. Subodh breaks down what a federal search warrant signals, and how much leeway Trump has been given so far to comply with the rule of law (hint: a lot).
Subodh’s explanation of the current state of Trump’s criminal investigations—and his overall optimism that our nation’s justice system will prevail—left us feeling fairly hopeful that the former president will, in fact, be held accountable for his crimes, and that we can rest assured that the levers meant to protect and ensure a functioning democracy have not completely disappeared.
We discuss the political power of Black people and other people of color, who, when factored into the math, have the ability to tip the scale in this year’s midterms. Our resident data scientist Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega joins us to help explain some of the most significant takeaways that surface when we apply a race-conscious perspective to existing election analyses.
Former Ohio Democratic Party Chair David Pepper joins us to discuss the state of U.S. politics through the lens of Ohio. David shares the work he’s done to hold the line against the disturbing trend of autocracy emerging across the state and in national politics at large. He breaks down the role state houses play in either helping or hurting our democracy.
We also discuss David’s new book Laboratories of Autocracy, in which he outlines the dangerous strategic shift and development of white nationalism across the country—a backlash he attributes to the election of the first Black President.
REFERENCES: David Pepper - @DavidPepper - http://davidpepper.com Stacey Abrams - https://staceyabrams.com All In: Fight for Democracy - https://allinforvoting.com
David Pepper’s Books: The People’s House (2016) - https://bookshop.org/books/the-people-s-house/9781619845121 The Wingman (2018) - https://bookshop.org/books/the-wingman-9781619848719/9781619848719 The Voter File (2020) - https://bookshop.org/books/the-voter-file/9780593083956 The Laboratories of Autocracy (2021) - https://bookshop.org/books/laboratories-of-autocracy-a-wake-up-call-from-behind-the-lines/9781662919572 A Simple Choice (2022) - https://bookshop.org/books/a-simple-choice-9780593419731/9780593419731
LGBTQ+ rights activist Julie Dorf joins us to share how she and a coalition of ragtag organizers created the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in the 90s, her role in and lessons learned during the struggle for marriage equality, and why she’s listening to her own “queer spawn” and younger activists on how to move forward in these times.
References: Julie Dorf - @JulieDorf
Council for Global Equality - http://globalequality.org OutRight Action International - https://outrightinternational.org Act Up - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACT_UP Queer Nation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_Nation Roseanne episode - “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Ask,_Don%27t_Tell_(Roseanne)
Lt. Governor of Wisconsin Mandela Barnes joins us to discuss his bid to become the first Black Senator from Wisconsin. He shares his working class roots as the son of union members and why the Senate needs more leaders who aren’t afraid to do what’s right and fight for social justice.
We discuss his 2018 race in which he became the first African American lieutenant governor in the state. We also find out how he came to have such a powerful name.
REFERENCES:
Mandela Barnes - @TheOtherMandela - Mandela Barnes for Senate https://mandelabarnes.com
Donate to Mandela Here - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/demco-barnes
Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan - https://osce.wi.gov/pages/cleanenergyplan.aspx
Nelson Mandela - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela
To close out Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, San Francisco-based saxophonist and longtime activist Francis Wong joins us to talk about the revolutionary power of music and art. He shares how he came to pick up a saxophone in the first place and how music, especially jazz, has played an important role in his activist work.
We discuss the role of multiracial unity and collective power in art and the ongoing fight for social justice in this country. Francis shares about his album with legendary drummer Max Roach and the record label he founded with composer and pianist Jon Jang, Asian Improv Arts. We also play excerpts from Francis’ extensive musical works.
REFERENCES: Francis Wong - @franciswongsf
Asian Improv aRts - https://asianimprov.org
SONGS "Prayers for Melvin Truss" - https://asianamsmakingmusic.tumblr.com/post/55447694876/jon-jang-4-in-one-quartet-prayer-for-melvin “Pie Jesu" from Gabriel Faure's "Requiem" - https://youtube.com/watch?v=rnCKf1--leM "Meditation on Integration" - https://youtube.com/watch?v=rnCKf1--leM "Miyoshi Sketches" - https://youtube.com/watch?v=iBKV-B8Nf0c
BACKGROUND INFO Chinese Exclusion Act - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Exclusion_Act Joseph Pierce, Union Army Soldier - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joseph_Pierce_Chinese_Union_Army_Soldier_In_14th_Connecticut_Infantry_Regiment.jpg Black Arts Movement - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Arts_Movement Erhu instrument - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erhu
Pennsylvania State Representative Summer Lee joins us to talk about her race to become the first Black woman representing western Pennsylvania in the U.S. House; why her race is significant to the national progressive movement as a whole; and how she continues to overcome obstacles thrown at her from Republicans and mainstream Democrats alike.
REFERENCES: Donate to Summer Lee Directly Here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/demcosummerlee
Summer Lee - https://twitter.com/SummerForPA
Summer Lee for Congress (watch campaign ad here) - https://summerforpa.com
Braddock, PA Wiki - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braddock,_Pennsylvania
You want to contribute and we want to help you do it wisely. We explain why donating to Stacey Abrams’s campaign is the most significant way to help Democrats transform the balance of power in this country this midterm cycle. We explain how her campaign can change Georgia (and the country) forever and shine a light on the groundwork being laid in Arizona to make it true Blue, and why you should be supporting the efforts there as well. We also highlight some vulnerable Republican incumbents in California who should be worried about holding their House seat come this fall.
Q2 is underway and you know what that means…prom season! Julie also joins the pod to give an inside scoop into high school “prama” (prom trauma and prom drama) before we dive into how to spend your political contributions this quarter.
REFERENCES: Where to Give: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/demcoq2pod
Greg Bluestein, Atlanta-Journal Constitution’s political reporter, joins us to break down Georgia’s political landscape from the Shakespearean-style drama that is GA’s Republican Party right now to Stacey Abrams’ gubernatorial campaign centered around expanding Medicaid.
Greg also shares his view as a longtime reporter of Stacey’s trajectory from her start in the state legislature to 2018 and current campaign to her legacy as “President of United Earth” on Star Trek. We discuss how exactly Democrats won Georgia in 2020, and the hidden figures of Georgia state politics.
REFERENCES:
Greg Bluestein - @bluestein
Greg Bluestein – Flipped: How Georgia Turned Purple and Broke the Monopoly on Republican Power http://bookshop.org/books/flipped-how-georgia-turned-purple-and-broke-the-monopoly-on-republican-power/9780593489154
“Politically Georgia” - podcast https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vQ01HQTExNjQ0Njk5NzI
We’re keeping it in the family as Steve’s niece Courtney Teasley joins the podcast to talk politics and pop culture from Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings to last week’s drama at the Oscars. Courtney shares her experience of Jackson’s confirmation hearings and why Senator Cory Booker’s defense was so heartwarming. Uncle Steve breaks down his latest piece in The Guardian that grounds Republicans’ racist and misogynist attacks against Judge Jackson in historical facts.
We also discuss Courtney’s work as campaign manager for Khadija Babb who is running for judge in Davidson County, Tennessee.
REFERENCES: Courtney Teasley - @cteasleylawfirm - http://cteasleylaw.com
Khadija Babb - @BabbForJudge - https://babbforjudge.com
ARTICLE The Guardian // Steve Phillips – Ketanji Brown Jackson hearing reveals Republicans’ racist fears https://theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/25/ketanji-brown-jackson-hearing-reveals-republicans-racist-fears
BOOK Black Robes, White Justice by Bruce Wright https://goodreads.com/en/book/show/795527.Black_Robes_White_Justice
HISTORY Nathan Bedford Forrest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Bedford_Forrest
Forrest & Maples Slave Dealers Advertisement https://liveauctioneers.com/item/81539672_advertising-forrest-and-maples-slave-dealers-1859-4x8
Michael Tubbs, California Governor Newsom’s new “Anti-Poverty Czar” and former mayor of Stockton, CA, returns to our podcast to update us on his new book, The Deeper the Roots: A Memoir of Hope and Home, his growing family, and his latest venture, EPIC (End Poverty in California).
He and Steve discuss the false and harmful perceptions against poor people, creative solutions to building wealth for all Americans, and the disproportionate impact of poverty on foster youth.
Michael also provides an update on the network he founded a few years ago called Mayors for a Guaranteed Income and how ending poverty in California can provide a roadmap for the rest of the country.
REFERENCES: Michael Tubbs - @MichaelDTubbs
Organizations End Poverty in California (EPIC) https://endpovertyinca.org
Mayors for a Guaranteed Income https://mayorsforagi.org
The Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) https://stocktondemonstration.org
The Atlantic // Annie Lowrey – A Cheap, Race-Neutral Way to Close the Racial Wealth Gap https://theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/close-racial-wealth-gap-baby-bonds/613525
LA Times // Mackenzie Mays – Nearly a century after Upton Sinclair’s campaign, is California really ready to end poverty? https://latimes.com/california/story/2022-02-11/nearly-a-century-after-upton-sinclair-campaign-is-california-really-ready-to-end-poverty
Office of Governor Gavin Newsom // Press Release – Former Stockton Mayor Michael D. Tubbs Named Special Advisor for Economic Mobility and Opportunity https://gov.ca.gov/2021/03/11/former-stockton-mayor-michael-d-tubbs-named-special-advisor-for-economic-mobility-and-opportunity
Michael Tubbs – "The Deeper the Roots" https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250173447
Martin Luther King, Jr. – "Where Do We Go From Here" https://goodreads.com/book/show/211888.Where_Do_We_Go_from_Here
Lorraine Hansberry – "A Raisin in the Sun" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Raisin_in_the_Sun
Maid - Netflix Show https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maid_(miniseries)
It’s a family reunion! Aimee Allison, founder of She the People and Democracy in Color’s former president (and original founder and host of this podcast), returns to reminisce and reflect with Steve and Sharline.
Aimee shares how She the People—a national network of women of color dedicated to transforming our country’s democracy and elevating the political voice and leadership of women of color—has been strategizing with women of color candidates this midterm election cycle. She reminds us that Democrats cannot win without women of color, who make up 20% of our nation’s population.
Steve, Sharline, and Aimee discuss Biden’s historic nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson as our nation’s first Black woman Supreme Court justice and its significance during this year’s Women’s History Month.
Aimee also reflects on her time in the U.S. military and her choice to become a conscientious objector at the start of the Gulf War, and she offers her thoughts on the Russia-Ukraine war.
The first Black woman Supreme Court Justice is very likely somewhere prepping for her confirmation hearing right now. We discuss the news of Justice Stephen Breyer’s retirement and Biden’s promise to put a Black woman on the Supreme Court.
Steve, Sharline and Julie talk through the significance of this historic nomination, the potential candidates, and what Biden should take into consideration as he decides. Steve and Sharline also learn a lot about Julie, including finding out she was in the room where it happened while Anita Hill testified at Justice Clarence Thomas’ confirmation hearing in 1991.
REFERENCES:
Business Insider // Brent D. Griffiths – Reagan's White House made sure the president stuck by his promise to name a woman to the Supreme Court — they knew the politics would help too https://businessinsider.com/supreme-court-women-history-reagan-biden-nominees-2022-1
CNN // Ron Brownstein – The surprising liberal consensus emerging about Biden's Supreme Court decision https://cnn.com/2022/02/08/politics/supreme-court-nominee-qualities/index.html
Steve Phillips – Obama Should Nominate a Woman of Color to Replace Scalia on the Supreme Court https://stevepwrites.medium.com/obama-should-nominate-a-woman-of-color-to-the-supreme-court-aaea4cc9556f
Democracy in Color Podcast - Trump is in Trouble https://democracyincolor.com/podepisodes/2020/6/24/trump-is-in-trouble
History // Sarah Pruitt – How Anita Hill’s Testimony Made America Cringe—And Change https://history.com/news/anita-hill-confirmation-hearings-impact
SHOWS Eyes on the Prize documentary. Find it on HBO and PBS Summer of Soul. Find it on Hulu.
The Secretary of State race in Georgia will play a consequential role this election cycle and beyond. That’s why Rep. Bee Nguyen, Stacey Abrams’ successor and the first Asian American woman elected to the Georgia General Assembly, is running to fill that seat.
Bee joins us to discuss the Senate’s failure to pass comprehensive voting rights legislation, the history of voter suppression in Georgia, and why she’s running to be the first Asian American to hold statewide office in the Peach State. She also shares how she celebrated this Lunar New Year.
Happy Year of the Tiger! REFERENCES:
Representative Bee Nguyen - @BeeforGeorgia https://beeforgeorgia.com
Stacey Abrams - https://staceyabrams.com
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - @aaaj_atlanta - https://advancingjustice-atlanta.org/phi-nguyen
Tết - Lunar New Year https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%E1%BA%BFt
Articles
Atlanta Magazine // Kelsey Gee – “We cannot out organize a subversion of democracy”: Democratic rising star Bee Nguyen is vying to be Georgia’s next elections chief https://atlantamagazine.com/great-reads/democratic-rising-star-bee-nguyen-is-vying-to-be-georgias-next-elections-chief
Brennan Center for Justice – Voting Laws Roundup: October 2021 https://brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-laws-roundup-october-2021
MSNBC // Steve Benen – Trump-backed Republicans want to oversee upcoming state elections https://msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-backed-republicans-want-oversee-upcoming-state-elections-n1279934
NBCnews // Claire Wang – How Georgia's 1st Vietnamese American state rep is continuing Stacey Abrams' fight https://nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/how-georgia-s-1st-vietnamese-american-state-rep-continuing-stacey-n1252503
The Slate // Jeremy Stahl – The 2022 Races That Could Determine if Trump Steals the Election in 2024 https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/10/in-the-2022-midterms-election-integrity-is-at-stake.html
USA Today // Phillip M. Bailey – In 2022 midterms, a new 'Big Lie' battleground: secretary of state elections https://usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/10/11/secretary-state-races-emerge-new-big-lie-battleground-2022/5902346001/?gnt-cfr=1
As redistricting maps get finalized across the country, Democrats are in better shape than most pundits predicted following the 2020 election. Steve, Sharline and Julie share updates on the redistricting process and dive into the numbers to highlight how and where Democrats should focus their energy and investment to win this year.
We also discuss what’s wrong with the commonly held belief that the President’s party always suffers in the midterms. And Steve shares important takeaways from his latest article in The Guardian on the fight for voting rights.
REFERENCES: Martin Luther King quotes “So the great stumbling block and a stride toward freedom is not the white citizens counselor or the Ku Klux Klan or but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice, who prefers a negative peace, which is the absence of tension to a positive peace, which is the presence of justice who constantly says, I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can't agree with your methods of direct action.”
“The white backlash of today is rooted in the same problem that has characterized America ever since the black man landed in chains on the shores of this nation.”
Nikole Hannah-Jones – @nhannahjones Twitter Thread https://twitter.com/nhannahjones/status/1483187472276328449?s=20
The Cook Political Report // David Wasserman – Redistricting Snapshots: Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina https://cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/redistricting/redistricting-snapshots-kentucky-louisiana-missouri-new-hampshire
FiveThirtyEight // Geoffrey Skelley and Nathaniel Rakich – Why The President’s Party Almost Always Has A Bad Midterm https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-the-presidents-party-almost-always-has-a-bad-midterm/
Loyola Law School – What is Redistricting? https://redistricting.lls.edu/redistricting-101/what-is-redistricting/
NBCnews // Rebecca Shabad – Wave of retirements rocks Democrats' hopes of holding the House https://nbcnews.com/politics/congress/wave-retirements-rocks-democrats-hopes-holding-house-n1286398
NPR // Carol Ritchie, Rachel Treisman, Nell Clark and Chris Hopkins – Start your day here: Senate Democrats force a showdown over voting rights measures https://npr.org/live-updates/morning-edition-2022-01-18
The New York Times // Nick Corasaniti, Reid J. Epstein, Taylor Johnston, Rebecca Lieberman, and Eden Weingart – How Maps Reshape American Politics https://nytimes.com/interactive/2021/11/07/us/politics/redistricting-maps-explained.html
MSNBC // Jonathan Capehart – The Bye Line: Don’t Sit Out the Midterms https://msnbc.com/the-sunday-show/watch/the-bye-line-don-t-sit-out-the-midterms-120238149594
The Washington Post // Dan Balz – Ohio voters asked for fairness in redistricting. They didn’t get it. https://washingtonpost.com/politics/ohio-voters-asked-for-fairness-in-redistricting-they-didnt-get-it/2022/01/17/10bb1b8c-77a9-11ec-bf97-6eac6f77fba2_story.html
One year after the deadly insurrection that took place on January 6, 2021 in the U.S. Capitol, Steve, Sharline and Fola reflect on the failed attempted coup. Steve provides an update on his forthcoming book, How We Win the Civil War, and draws parallels between the Civil War era and this current moment in history. Fola also shares her view on the rise of Black women in politics and media, from Stacey Abrams to writer and director Issa Rae, and the significance of Black women’s visibility. CW: adult language.
REFERENCES: Baltimore Plot - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Plot
Vox // Zack Beauchamp – How does this end? Where the crisis in American democracy might be headed. https://vox.com/policy-and-politics/22814025/democracy-trump-january-6-capitol-riot-election-violence
The Undefeated // Evette Dionne – Black women are more visible than ever. Now what? https://theundefeated.com/features/black-women-are-more-visible-than-ever-now-what
The Lily // Sarah Fowler – The Capitol riot was uniquely traumatic for congresswomen of color: ‘We knew that we were targets’ https://thelily.com/the-capitol-riot-was-uniquely-traumatic-for-congresswomen-of-color-we-knew-that-we-were-targets
The Paris Review // David L. Uline – Claudia Rankine, The Art of Poetry No. 102 https://theparisreview.org/interviews/6905/the-art-of-poetry-no-102-claudia-rankine
The Nation // Steve Phillips – Texas Is Winnable. Beto’s the Candidate to Do It. https://thenation.com/article/politics/beto-texas-governor
HBO TV series – Insecure https://hbo.com/insecure HBO Documentary – Insecure the end https://hbo.com/movies/insecure-the-end
Stacey Abrams, Candidate for Governor, GA - https://staceyabrams.com Cheri Beasley, Candidate for Senate, NC - https://cheribeasley.com Val Demings, Candidate for Senate, FL - https://valdemings.com
Veteran journalist Suzanne Gamboa, of NBC.com, joins us on our last podcast episode of the year to discuss immigration and U.S.-Mexico relations, Texas’ growing status as a political battleground especially in the upcoming midterms, and the importance of the Latino vote.
We also discuss her path to journalism and how and why she helped create the race and ethnicity beat at the Associated Press during her time there. She also shares what shows she’s watching as she winds down the year.
REFERENCES: Suzanne Gamboa - @SuzGamboa
Articles NBCnews.com // Suzanne Gamboa and Nicole Acevedo – Where do Latinos live? The census shows population growth where you least expect it https://nbcnews.com/news/latino/new-latino-landscape-these-are-stories-behind-decade-change-n1279242 The New York Times // Simon Romero, Manny Fernandez and Mariel Padilla – Massacre at a Crowded Walmart in Texas Leaves 20 Dead https://nytimes.com/2019/08/03/us/el-paso-shooting.html NBCnews.com // Suzanne Gamboa – El Paso, grieving after the Walmart massacre targeting Latinos, now battles coronavirus https://nbcnews.com/news/latino/el-paso-grieving-after-walmart-massacre-targeting-latinos-now-battles-n1234653
TV Series Netflix - “Gentefied” https://netflix.com/title/80198208
You asked, we answered. From the increasing weaponization of “critical race theory” to the ongoing discrepancy between what Democrats say about turnout vs. what they actually do, Steve, Sharline and Julie answer your questions on air and attempt to make sense of the latest in political news including last week’s election day results.
Also, our podcast turned two! The team reflects on the last two years of producing the “Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips” podcast and we catch you up on Steve’s latest writing across the web.
REFERENCES: Jesse Jackson 1988 Democratic National Convention - Speech https://americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jessejackson1988dnc.htm
Justin Bibb, Cleveland Mayor-Elect - @BibbForCLE
Michelle Wu 吳弭, Boston Mayor-Elect - @wutrain
Articles
The Guardian // Steve Phillips – Democratic strategists are embracing ‘popularism’. But they’ve got it wrong https://theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/04/democratic-strategists-are-embracing-popularism-but-theyve-got-it-wrong
The Guardian // Steve Phillips – How big a deal is Biden’s infrastructure bill? Our panel responds https://theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/nov/10/how-big-a-deal-is-bidens-infrastructure-bill-our-panel-responds
The U.S. is “not a nation of immigrants” despite popular opinion, especially among many Democrats. In this episode, we speak with acclaimed historian and activist Roxanne-Dunbar Ortiz about her newest book Not A Nation of Immigrants: Settler Colonialism, White Supremacy, and a History of Erasure and Exclusion. Founder of Advance Native Political Leadership Anathea Chino also joins us to discuss the growing political power of Indigenous people across the country.
Roxanne and Anathea share their own politicization stories and their opinions on the growing trend of land acknowledgments. We also discuss the increased representation of Native people in shows like FX’s Reservation Dogs and Peacock TV’s Rutherford Falls.
References:
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz - @rdunbaro Not "A Nation of Immigrants": Settler Colonialism, White Supremacy, and a History of Erasure and Exclusion - http://reddirtsite.com
Anathea Chino - @anatheabc Advance Native Political Leadership - @AdvanceNativePL
FX on Hulu - Reservation Dogs
Peacock - Ruthorford Falls
Ahead of the 2022 midterms, we survey the landscape of key races in battleground states and discuss why they matter, as well as which exciting candidates to watch. We explain how Democrats can break the “midterm curse” and why investing in voters of color across the South and Southwest is the way to win next year.
We also dive into a brief commentary on sports and racial justice as we discuss the recent resignation of former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden. Turns out you can’t “End racism” with a backlog of racist emails.
REFERENCES:
One Arizona - @OneArizona Montserrat Arrendondo - @Montsevida8
LUCHA Arizona - @LUCHA_AZ Alex Gomez - @Gomez_Alex07 Tomas Robles - @TomasRobles14
Stacey Abrams - @staceyabrams Rafael Warnock - @SenatorWarnock Bee Nguyen - @BeeForGeorgia
Cheryl Beasley @CherylBeasleyNC
Val Demings - @valdemings
Lina Hidalgo - @LinaHidalgoTX
Mandela Barnes - @TheOtherMandela
Articles The Nation // Steve Phillips – Primary Krysten Sinema - She’s Actively Alienationg the Very Voters that Make Up the Coalition that Elected Her https://thenation.com/article/politics/primary-kyrsten-sinema/
Democracy in Color // Fola Onifade – Black Candidates Will Help Democrats Win These 4 Swing Senate Seats in 2022 https://democracyincolor.com/blog/2021/7/28/black-candidates-will-help-democrats-win-these-4-senate-seats-in-2022
The New York Times // Ken Belson and Katherine Rosman - Raiders Coach Resigns After Homophobic and Misogynistic Emails https://nytimes.com/2021/10/11/sports/football/what-did-jon-gruden-say.html
CNN // Steve Almasy with contributions from Jill Martin and Jason Hanna – Jon Gruden has resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after reports of homophobic, racist and misogynistic emails https://cnn.com/2021/10/11/us/nfl-jon-gruden-homophobic-misogynistic-emails-spt/index.html
“SNL” - White Like Me with Eddie Murphy https://youtube.com/watch?v=l_LeJfn_qW0
Executive Director of Somos Votantes Melissa Morales joins us to share her view on the current debate over Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month and why she thinks Latinos working together is more important than choosing any one name.
She also shares how she came to understand that the challenges in her childhood were the result of bad policy and not “bad luck,” the role Latinos played in Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory, and the secret power of Latina women in helping to drive voter turnout in each election cycle, including the upcoming ones in 2022.
REFERENCES: Melissa Morales – @Melissa_In_DC - Vice President of Civix Strategy Group, Executive Director, Somos Votantes & Founder, Somos Pac https://twitter.com/Melissa_In_DC https://civixstrategygroup.com https://somosvotantes.org https://somospac.org
Hispanic Heritage Month Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Hispanic_Heritage_Month
Articles
History Channel // Yara Simón – Latino, Hispanic, Latinx, Chicano: The History Behind the Terms https://history.com/news/hispanic-latino-latinx-chicano-background
Democracy Journal // Stephanie Valencia – Latina Voters: Why Excitement Matters https://democracyjournal.org/magazine/57/latina-voters-why-excitement-matters
Pew Research // Ruth Igielnik and Abby Budiman – The Changing Racial and Ethnic Composition of the U.S. Electorate https://pewresearch.org/2020/09/23/the-changing-racial-and-ethnic-composition-of-the-u-s-electorate
Sharline and Julie share their personal reflections on the Texas abortion ban and what it means to them, especially as women of color. We also provide updates around COVID and President Biden’s latest federal vaccine mandate, and we break down the irony of states like Mississippi opposing the mandate.
We also shine a light on the stories that are giving us hope, from Senate candidate for Wisconsin Mandela Barnes’ poll performance to Virginia’s leadership in protecting voting rights. We close out with a gut check on the California recall and thankfully we can all stop holding our breath as Governor Gavin Newsom holds onto his seat!
REFERENCES:
Take our Survey: https://forms.gle/o5zQDdaK3MsdJpReA
Democracy in Color // Fola Onifade – What the Texas Abortion Ban Means to me as a Black Woman https://democracyincolor.com/blog/2021/9/10/what-the-texas-abortion-ban-means-to-me-as-a-black-woman
19th News // Shefali Luthra and Candace Norwood – Inside the Republican strategy for rolling out abortion bans in more states https://19thnews.org/2021/09/inside-the-republican-strategy-for-rolling-out-abortion-bans-in-more-states/
19th News // Chabeli Charrazana – How abortion restrictions like Texas’ push pregnant people into poverty https://19thnews.org/2021/09/abortion-economy-poverty-texas-law/
19th News // Candance Norwood – Department of Justice sues Texas over abortion ban https://19thnews.org/2021/09/department-of-justice-sues-texas-over-abortion-ban/
The New York Times // Roni Caryn Rabin – Answers to Questions about the Texas Abortion Ban https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/health/texas-abortion-law-facts.html
Texas Tribune // Alexa Ura, Jason Kao, Carla Astudillo and Chris Essig – People of color make up 95% of Texas’ population growth, and cities and suburbs are booming, 2020 census shows https://texastribune.org/2021/08/12/texas-2020-census/
The New York Times // Sheryl Gay Stolberg – G.O.P. Seethes at Biden Mandate, Even in States Requiring Other Vaccines https://nytimes.com/2021/09/12/us/politics/vaccine-mandates-republicans.html
The New York Times // Jack Healy, Richard Fausset and J. David Goodman – Biden’s Sweeping Vaccine Mandates Infuriate Republican Governors https://nytimes.com/2021/09/10/us/republicans-biden-covid.html
The New York Times // Tracking Coronavirus in Mississippi: Latest Map and Case Count https://nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/mississippi-covid-cases.html
The New York Times // Tracking Coronavirus in Texas: Latest Map and Case Count https://nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/texas-covid-cases.html
FiveThirtyEight // Latest Polls Of The California Recall Election https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/california-recall-polls/?cid=rrpromo
The California gubernatorial recall election is just two weeks away and stakes are high for Democrats and progressives across the country. California Donor Table Executive Director Ludovic Blain joins us to discuss the racist roots of this Republican-led recall effort against Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom.
We point out where Governor Newsom’s campaign has gone wrong in fighting the recall effort, what he should be doing instead to hold onto his seat, and how our listeners can help.
We also travel down memory lane to reflect on California’s first successful gubernatorial recall effort in 2003 (against former Democratic Governor Gray Davis), and explain why the entire recall process in the state is in dire need of reform. Additionally, we break down why people of color are the key to winning this, and all elections, in the Golden State for Democrats.
REFERENCES:
Ludovic Blain, Executive Director, California Donor Table - @LudovicSpeaks
Gavin Newsom - @GavinNewsom
Articles
Democracy in Color // Ludovic Blain – Newsom Taking Black and Brown Voters for Granted May Cost Him Recall Election https://democracyincolor.com/blog/2021/8/10/newsom-taking-black-and-brown-voters-for-granted-may-cost-him-recall-election
CNN // Harry Enten – Why the California recall is within the margin of error and what that means for Gavin Newsom https://cnn.com/2021/08/29/politics/newsom-margin-of-error-recall/index.html
Calmatters // Laurel Rosenhall – Could Latino voters make the difference in whether Newsom survives California’s recall election? https://calmatters.org/projects/newsom-recall-latino-voters/
The 2020 Census data is out and we dig into some of the key findings and what they mean for the future of the country. Our favorite data expert, Dr. Julie Martinez-Ortega joins us to discuss the changing demographics of young people of color and how a structural change to the survey helped people better self-identify their race and ethnicity.
We challenge mainstream Democrats’ beloved white data geeks and their failure to understand the voting behavior of people of color. We also touch briefly on Afghanistan and the lesson of American hubris.
REFERENCES: Brookings // William H. Frey - New 2020 census results show increased diversity countering decade-long declines in America’s white and youth populations https://brookings.edu/research/new-2020-census-results-show-increased-diversity-countering-decade-long-declines-in-americas-white-and-youth-populations
CNN // Ron Brownstein – This may be the Democrats' last chance to recover working-class Whites https://cnn.com/2021/08/10/politics/democrats-blue-collar-voters/index.html
US Census // Rachel Marks – Improvements to the 2020 Census Race and Hispanic Origin Question Designs, Data Processing, and Coding Procedures https://census.gov/newsroom/blogs/random-samplings/2021/08/improvements-to-2020-census-race-hispanic-origin-question-designs.html
US Census // Nicholas Jones, Rachel Marks, Roberto Ramirez, Merarys Rîos-Vargas – 2020 Census Illuminates Racial and Ethnic Composition of the Country https://census.gov/library/stories/2021/08/improved-race-ethnicity-measures-reveal-united-states-population-much-more-multiracial.html
Pew Research Center // Carroll Doherty, Scott Keeter, Rachel Weisel – The Party of Nonvoters Younger, More Racially Diverse, More Financially Strapped https://pewresearch.org/politics/2014/10/31/the-party-of-nonvoters-2/
On this episode, The Washington Post columnist and former senior writer at FiveThirtyEight Perry Bacon Jr. joins us for a lively discussion about the state of politics and political journalism today, from the burgeoning uncivil war being waged by Republicans to Democrats’ timidity and inability to address the root causes of social and political tension head on.
Perry explains why words like “polarization” don’t accurately capture what’s happening in American politics, the pitfalls of “objectivity” when a journalist’s identity and humanity becomes inseparable from the national political debate, and a different type of swing voter that doesn’t get enough attention.
He also shares why Democrats are afraid of seeming too friendly to Black people, his hopes for his platform at The Washington Post, and how social media is reshaping journalism.
REFERENCES:
Perry Bacon Jr. – @perrybaconjr
Articles The Washington Post // Perry Bacon Jr. — Opinion: I live in a Democratic bubble, Here’s why that’s okay. https://washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/22/i-live-democratic-bubble-heres-why-thats-okay/
FiveThirtyEight // Perry Bacon Jr. — Five Questions The Political Media Is Wrestling With In Covering America’s ‘Uncivil War’ https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/five-questions-the-political-media-is-wrestling-with-in-covering-americas-uncivil-war/
CNN // Ronald Brownstein — Coronavirus is dividing blue cities from their red states https://cnn.com/2020/03/31/politics/red-states-blue-cities-coronavirus/index.html
Reparations Commission H.R. 40 — Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act https://congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/40
In this episode, former state senator and congressional hopeful Nina Turner joins us for a moving conversation about the legacy of civil rights leaders in Ohio and across the country and her goal to push their vision forward as a U.S. representative. She shares her political journey from the Ohio state legislature to her leadership at Our Revolution and her tenure as co-chair of Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign.
Turner discusses why this moment is ripe for bold, progressive change, her historical commitment to the Democratic Party as a fighter for working families in Ohio, and why arguments around “sloganeering” dismiss the importance of demanding better for the collective humanity, as many civil rights leaders have done in the past.
REFERENCES: Nina Turner – @ninaturner
“Hello Somebody with Nina Turner” – Podcast https://iheart.com/podcast/867-hello-somebody-64479986
Nina Turner for Congress – Website https://ninaturner.com
Democracy in Color Launch - Women of Color: Uniting the Party, Leading the Country – Video https://facebook.com/348839551906904/videos/366701406787385
Articles
Council on Foreign Relations // James M. Lindsay – The 2020 Election by the Numbers https://cfr.org/blog/2020-election-numbers
19th News // Amanda Becker – Exclusive: Ohio’s Nina Turner picks up Ocasio-Cortez endorsement in U.S. House race https://19thnews.org/2021/03/nina-turner-ocasio-cortez-endorsement
In this short-and-sweet episode, we take a break from talking politics to share what we’re reading and watching this summer to rest and unwind.
We talk Nikole Hannah-Jones’ 1619 Project and the latest news about her power move to Howard; we denounce any slander about NBC’s This Is Us, and we discuss the books on our list from James Patterson murder mysteries to Harvard professor Jesse McCarthy’s essay collection, Who Will Pay Reparations on My Soul?
REFERENCES:
Sharline Chiang’s Picks
Stream Disney+ — 101 Dalmatians - 1961 // 101 Dalmatians - 1996 // Cruella - 2021 Netflix — High on the Hog
Books Chenxing Han — Be the Refuge: Raising the Voices of Asian American Buddhists https://chenxinghan.com Nikole Hannah-Jones — The 1619 Project https://1619books.com Madeleine L’Engle — A Wrinkle In Time https://madeleinelengle.com/books/middle-grade-young-adult/a-wrinkle-in-time/
Fola Onifade’s Picks
Stream Starz — Run the World Hulu — Summer of Soul
Books Ashley Ford — Somebody’s Daughter https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/somebodys-daughter/ Jesse McCarthy — Who Will Pay Reparations On My Soul? https://goodreads.com/book/show/53404236-who-will-pay-reparations-on-my-soul-essays
Podcast Brené Brown — Unlocking Us Podcast https://brenebrown.com/podcast/introducing-unlocking-us/
Steve Phillip’s Picks Stream HBOMax — Hacks NBC — This is Us Amazon — Confederate States of America
Book James Patterson — Women’s Murder Club https://jamespatterson.com/landing-page/james-patterson-books-womens-murder-club/
Background Deadspin.com//Michael Harriot — The Caucasian's Guide To Black Barbecues https://deadspin.com/the-caucasians-guide-to-black-barbecues-1730865233 Huffpost.com//Leigh Blickley — The 'This Is Us' Writers Room Is Truly Reflective Of The Show's Story https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_59b94b29e4b0edff97186815/amp Gil Scott-Heron — Whitey On the Moon (Official Audio) https://youtube.com/watch?v=goh2x_G0ct4&feature=share Nikole Hannah-Jones Statement // NAACP LDF — Nikole Hannah-Jones Issues Statement on Decision to Decline Tenure Offer at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and to Accept Knight Chair Appointment at Howard University https://naacpldf.org/wp-content/uploads/NHJ-Statement-CBS-7.6.21-FINAL-8-am.pdf
In this episode, we ground Republican anti-LGBTQ+ attacks in history, including the historical trope of protecting cisgender White girls from perceived threats that have no basis in reality. Then we’re joined by Rebecca Marques, Texas State Director for the Human Rights Campaign to talk about the organization’s efforts to fight back against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in the state and across the country.
Rebecca explains why we need to pass the Equality Act and put civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people into law, the importance of intersectionality within the fight for equal rights, and what’s keeping her hopeful as these battles play out in statehouses.
REFERENCES:
Rebecca Marques - Texas State Director, One America, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) - @_RebeccaMarques
Organizations
Equality Texas - @EqualityTexas Texas Freedom Network - @TFN Texas Organizing Project - @OrganizeTexas
Articles
The Atlantic // Ronald Brownstein – Why the 2020s Could be as Dangerous as the 1850s https://theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/10/biden-2020-trump-election/616912/
GLAAD // Mary Emily O’Hara – Guide for Journalists: The Supreme Court’s Fulton v. Philadelphia Ruling This June https://glaad.org/blog/guide-journalists-supreme-courts-fulton-v-philadelphia-ruling-june-0
GLAAD // Ryan Roemerman – LGBTQ voters helped tip the 2020 election and we can do it again in Georgia https://glaad.org/blog/lgbtq-voters-helped-tip-2020-election-and-we-can-do-it-again-georgia
MAP (Movement Advancement Project) – New Report Highlights Unique LGBTQ Landscape and Advocacy in the U.S. South https://lgbtmap.org/release-2020-southern-broad-report
The New York Times // Kara Swisher – Inside the Republican Anti-Transgender MachinePew Forum – Attitudes on Same-Sex Marriage https://nytimes.com/2021/05/13/opinion/sway-kara-swisher-chase-strangio.html?showTranscript=1
19th News // Kate Sosin – The Supreme Court rules unanimously in LGBTQ+ rights vs. religious liberty case https://19thnews.org/2021/06/the-supreme-court-rules-unanimously-in-lgbtq-rights-vs-religious-liberty-case/
Background
Bostock vs. Clayton County - Supreme Court ruling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bostock_v._Clayton_County HERO - Houston Equal Rights Ordinance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Houston,_Texas_Proposition_1 Proposed Federal Protections for LGBTQ+ people: The Equality Act https://hrc.org/resources/the-equality-act Emmett Till - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmett_Till 1712 Slave Codes - https://books.google.com/books?id=ErPg7VegkcMC&pg=PA167&lpg=PA167&dq=preamble+1712+slave+code&source=bl&ots Juneteenth - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juneteenth Wendy Davis - Filibuster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Davis_(politician)#2013_filibuster
In this episode, we sit down with one of the brightest rising stars at the New York Times—political reporter Astead Herndon—for sharp conversation and analysis about the nature of the moment we’re in. Astead, 29, shares why he sees election reporting as culture reporting, how he helped make the reparations debate a litmus test for Democratic Presidential candidates back in early 2020, and why representation alone doesn’t chin the bar for younger voters of color.
We also discuss American journalism’s current gut check moment through the lens of Nikole Hannah-Jones’ recent denial of tenure at the University of North Carolina and how Astead shows up authentically at the Times (including getting paid to sing Beyoncé songs).
REFERENCES: Sign up for our newsletter here: https://democracyincolor.com/join-us
Astead W. Herndon, New York Times, National Politics Reporter – @AsteadWesley
New York Times - Outtake from “The Daily” https://nytimes.com/audio/2019/11/22/podcasts/22daily-newsletter-audio.html
Nikole Hannah-Jones - @nhannahjones
New York Times // Nikole Hannah-Jones - 1619 Project https://nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html
New York Times Articles by Astead W. Herndon
‘These People Aren’t Coming From Norway’: Refugees in a Minnesota City Face a Backlash https://nytimes.com/2019/06/20/us/politics/minnesota-refugees-trump.html
Progressive Victories Signal Staying Power for the Movement https://nytimes.com/2020/08/05/us/politics/election-primary-results.html
2020 Democrats Embrace Race-Conscious Policies, Including Reparations https://nytimes.com/2019/02/21/us/politics/2020-democrats-race-policy.html
Articles Forbes - 30 Under 30 - Astead Herndon https://forbes.com/profile/astead-herndon/
The Atlantic // Ta-Nehisi Coates – Why Precisely Is Bernie Sanders Against Reparations? https://theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/bernie-sanders-reparations/424602/
The Daily Princetonian // Marie-Rose Sheinermen – Times reporter Astead Herndon talks newsroom diversity, 2020 election coverage https://dailyprincetonian.com/article/2020/09/journalism-reporter-astead-herndon-newsroom-diversity-2020-election-new-york-times
The Root // Michael Harriot – It Turns Out, All Those 'Woke' White Allies Were Lying https://theroot.com/it-turns-out-all-those-woke-white-allies-were-lying-1846959017
Slate // Aymann Ismail – “I Don’t See the Last Four Years as This Journalistic Anomaly” https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2021/01/astead-herndon-interview-new-york-times-trump.html
NPR // Roberta Rampton – Trump Announces 'Patriotic Education' Commission, A Largely Political Move https://npr.org/2020/09/17/914127266/trump-announces-patriotic-education-commission-a-largely-political-move
Tram Nguyen, co-director of New Virginia Majority, talks with us about how her work with refugees and disaster survivors led her to electoral organizing, an effort that has transformed the former Confederate state of Virginia into a national leader in voting rights expansion and progressive ideals.
Tram also shares her family’s history of courage and resilience—from fleeing Vietnam to living in a refugee camp in Thailand to their early days as new immigrants facing racism in Virginia in the 1980s. We also discuss Virginia's upcoming gubernatorial election, who the New Virginia Majority is endorsing and why.
REFERENCES: Tram Nguyen, New Virginia Majority, Co-Executive Director - @tramNVM
New Virginia Majority - @NewVAMajority
Support New Virginia Majority - https://secure.actblue.com/donate/supportnvm
BPSOS - https://bpsos.org
Virginia’s Movers and Shakers
Jennifer McClellan - @JennMcClellanVA Marcia “Cia” Price - @PriceForDel95 Lashrecse Aird - @delegateaird Kathy Tran - @KathyKLTran
News Articles
NYT//Reid J. Epstein and Nick Corasaniti – Virginia, the Old Confederacy’s Heart, Becomes a Voting Rights Bastion Https://nytimes.com/2021/04/02/us/politics/virginia-voting-rights-northam.html
NYT//Tram Nguyen – Democrats Could Learn a Lot From What Happened In Virginia https://nytimes.com/2019/11/06/opinion/virginia-election-democrats.html
OZY//Sharline Chiang - I Tried It … Being White https://www.ozy.com/true-and-stories/i-tried-it-being-white/38961/
Background
Vietnamese Boat People - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_boat_people
VA State Legislature - SAVE Program https://legiscan.com/VA/bill/SB1077/2013
In one of the realest and most authentic interviews we’ve had with an elected official, we chat with St. Louis’ first Black woman mayor, Tishaura Jones. In this raw and honest conversation, Mayor Jones speaks straight from the heart about her path to politics; mental health and the dangerous myth of Black women’s “magical” resilience; her vision for public safety, and her love of good bourbon.
REFERENCES:
Tishaura O. Jones @tishaura
StuffAdenSays
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones @saintlouismayor
TikTok: https://twitter.com/tishaura/status/1237520256861646849?s=20
Articles
Stlmag.com // Power List 2012: 100 People Who Are Shaping St. Louis Today https://www.stlmag.com/news/Power-List-2012-100-People-Who-Are-Shaping-St-Louis-Today/
stlouis-mo.gov // Nick Dunne: – Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Signs Executive Order to Strengthen Police Accountability, Collect Corrections Complaints https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/news/jones-executive-order-police-202104.cfm
– Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Passes FY2022 Budget with Amendments, Redirects Excess Police Staffing Budget to Diversion and Support Programs https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/news/jones-passes-fy22-budget.cfm
– Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Signs Crown Act Into Law, Vetoes Two Tax Abatements https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/government/departments/mayor/news/mayor-jones-signs-crown-act-into-law.cfm
Stlamerican.com // Featured – Tishaura Jones slams Post editorial board while declining interview http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/tishaura-jones-slams-post-editorial-board-while-declining-interview/article_bf690c28-eee9-11e6-a351-1f4dd2a2e28d.html
The Nation // Jimmy Tobias – Can a Champion of Black Lives Matter Become Mayor of St. Louis? https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/can-a-champion-of-black-lives-matter-become-mayor-of-st-louis/
St. Louis Public Radio // By Rachel Lippmann, Maria Altman, Jo Mannies, Jason Rosenbaum – Alderman Krewson narrowly beats Treasurer Jones in St. Louis' Democratic mayoral primary https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-issues/2017-03-07/alderman-krewson-narrowly-beats-treasurer-jones-in-st-louis-democratic-mayoral-primary
St. Louis Public Radio // Ryan Delaney – Treasurer's College Savings Program Has Detractors, But Parents Like It https://news.stlpublicradio.org/education/2019-05-28/treasurers-college-savings-program-has-detractors-but-parents-like-it
LA Times // Stephen Caesar – L.A. schools police will return grenade launchers but keep rifles, armored vehicle https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-schools-weapons-20140917-story.html
Shooting of Michael Brown – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Michael_Brown
Books Walter Johnson – The Broken Heart of America: St. Louis and the Violent History of the United States https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51343985-the-broken-heart-of-america
Richard Rothstein – The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32191706-the-color-of-law?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=wkxpaUUGrT&rank=1
In this week’s episode, we review some of the most consequential news out of Washington D.C., from President Biden’s American Families Plan to the latest DOJ confirmation hearings and the House Judiciary Committee’s historic approval of H.R. 40 (a bill that would establish a commission to study reparations). It's safe to say we are pleasantly surprised with how well things are going.
REFERENCES: Joe Biden - @JoeBiden & @POTUS
Vanita Gupta - @vanitaguptaCR
Kristen Clarke - @KristenClarkeJD
Articles on Kristen Clarke and Vanita Gupta being tapped for the DOJ NYT // Katie Brenner – Senate Democrats joined by Lisa Murkowski, confirm Vanita Gupta for a top Justice Dept. job https://nytimes.com/2021/04/21/us/vanita-gupta-senate-confirmation.html
NPR.org // Jason Breslow – Civil Rights Attorney Vanita Gupta Confirmed As Associate Attorney General https://npr.org/sections/trial-over-killing-of-george-floyd/2021/04/21/989599055/civil-rights-attorney-vanita-gupta-confirmed-as-associate-attorney-general
Newsweek // Kristin Clarke – I Prosecuted Police Killings. Defund the Police—But Be Strategic https://newsweek.com/i-prosecuted-police-killings-defund-police-strategic-opinion-1510018
NPR.org // Carrie Johnson – Kristen Clarke's Civil Rights Record Led Her To Barrier-Breaking DOJ Nomination https://npr.org/2021/04/14/986851081/kristen-clarkes-civil-rights-record-led-her-to-barrier-breaking-doj-nomination
BuzzFeed News // Zoe Tillman – There Are 93 US Attorneys. Seven Are Women And Only Two Are Black. https://buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetillman/trump-us-attorneys-lack-diversity-justice-department
American Families Plan
WhiteHouse.gov // Fact Sheet: The American Families Plan https://whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/04/28/fact-sheet-the-american-families-plan/
Washington Post // Jeff Stein – White House’s new 1.8 Trillion ’families plan’ reflects ambitions – and limits – of Biden presidency https://washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2021/04/24/biden-families-plan-tax/
NYT // Jim Tankersley – Biden Will Seek Tax Increase on Rich to Fund Child Care and Education https://nytimes.com/2021/04/22/business/biden-taxes.html
H.R. 40 Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips - Reparations 101 https://democracyincolor.com/podepisodes/2020/7/9/reparations-101 Congress.gov // Sponsor Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee – H.R. 40 - The Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act https://congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/40/cosponsors
Associated Press // Kevin Freking – House panel poised to advance bill on slavery reparations https://local21news.com/news/nation-world/house-panel-poised-to-advance-bill-on-slavery-reparations
Aljazeera // William Roberts – Reparations for US slave descendants gains momentum https://aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/15/reparations-for-us-slave-descendants-gains-momentum
NYT // Angela Glover Blackwell and Michael McAfee – Banks Should Face History and Pay Reparations https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/opinion/sunday/banks-reparations-racism-inequality.html
In this episode, we take stock of major news headlines from the latest police violence in Minnesota to the onslaught of voter suppression in Georgia and around the country. We also discuss Republican attacks on transgender rights as a part of their strategy to instill fear among their constituents by “othering” trans youth.
We end with a song called “A Prayer for Melvin Truss” by Jon Jang and Francis Wong and we offer it as a prayer for Daunte Wright, George Floyd and the countless others killed by police violence.
References: Melvin Truss public outcry: https://www.queersiliconvalley.org/melvin-truss-story/
"Prayer for Melvin Truss": https://myspace.com/francis.wong/music/song/prayer-for-melvin-truss-107352505-120817040 George Floyd: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_George_Floyd Daunte Wright: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Daunte_Wright
Virginia Delegate Marcia Price: http://www.delegatemarciaprice.com @PriceforDel95
StopJimCrow2: https://www.stopjimcrow2.com
Film HBO Documentary Exterminate All The Brutes: https://www.hbo.com/exterminate-all-the-brutes Will Smith And Antoine Fuqua Explain Why They're Pulling Emancipation Movie Out Of Georgia In New Statement: https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2565716/will-smith-antoine-fuqua-explain-pulling-emancipation-movie-out-georgia-statement
Articles Vox.com // German Lopez – Police officers are prosecuted for murder in less than 2 percent of fatal shootings: https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/21497089/derek-chauvin-george-floyd-trial-police-prosecutions-black-lives-matter
Brennan Center for Justice State Voting Bills Tracker 2021: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/state-voting-bills-tracker-2021 Congress Must Pass the ‘For the People Act’: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/policy-solutions/congress-must-pass-people-act#s1-sf
Politico.com // Nolan D. McCaskill and Zach Montellaro – All Eyes On Georgia. Again.: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/04/georgia-voting-law-479002
NYT// Nick Corasaniti and Reid J. Epstein – What Georgia’s Voting Law Really Does: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/us/politics/georgia-voting-law-annotated.html
NYT// Reid J. Epstein and Nick Corasaniti – Virginia, the Old Confederacy’s Heart, Becomes a Voting Rights Bastion: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/us/politics/virginia-voting-rights-northam.html
Opinion: Roll Call // Sylvia Albert – Why Congress must pass HR1 and the John R. Lewis Rights Act: https://www.rollcall.com/2021/03/02/why-congress-must-pass-hr-1-and-the-john-r-lewis-voting-rights-act/
Washington Post // Michael Scherer – Zuckerberg and Chan to give another $100 million for local election administrators despite conservative pushback: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/zuckerberg-chan-elections-facebook/2020/10/12/0e07de94-0cba-11eb-8074-0e943a91bf08_story.html
Washington Post // Todd C. Frankel – More than 100 corporate executives hold call to discuss halting donations and investments to fight controversial voting bills: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/04/11/companies-voting-bills-states/
Anti-Trans News
19thnews.org // Kate Sosin – Arkansas lawmakers override governor’s veto of youth gender-affirming care: https://19thnews.org/2021/04/arkansas-governor-vetoes-ban-on-gender-affirming-medical-care-for-youth/ Senior White House official: Any attempt to discriminate against trans kids is ‘against the law’: https://19thnews.org/2021/03/reggie-greer-transgender-day-of-visibility/
Advocate.com // Trudy Ring – Reggie Greer Named White House Senior Adviser on LGBTQ+ Issues: https://www.advocate.com/politics/2021/3/05/reggie-greer-named-white-house-senior-adviser-lgbtq-issues
Racist violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders isn’t new but neither is the community’s history of resistance.
In this episode, we speak with Professor Judy Tzu-Chun Wu, a national expert on Asian American history, about the rise in anti-Asian American racism and violence and how it fits into the larger historical and political context of white supremacy in the United States.
Judy, Steve and Sharline discuss the roots of their activism, the historical resilience of oppressed people in the face of white violence, and the enduring resolve of communities of color to establish justice and equality for all.
REFERENCES: Judy Tzu-Chun Wu https://faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=6123 // UCI Humanities Center https://www.humanities.uci.edu/humanitiescenter UnLadylike2020 https://unladylike2020.com/board/judy-tzu-chun-wu Judy Tzu-Chun Wu // A Trip Down Immigration Lane https://www.facebook.com/judy.t.wu.3/videos/457086952835 Asian American Studies Irvine - https://twitter.com/uciasianam Sharline Chiang // OZY - Reclaiming 5 Ugly Letters https://ozy.com/true-and-stories/reclaiming-5-ugly-letters/39905/ Atlanta Spa Shootings https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Atlanta_spa_shootings Who Killed Vincent Chin? https://imdb.com/title/tt0096440/ The Great Battlefield: Investing in Communities of Color to Make Progressive Change w/ New Virginia Majority's Tram Nguyen Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-great-battlefield/id1243705071?i=1000422012791 Fresh Off the Boat https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresh_Off_the_Boat Margaret Cho’s All-American Girl https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-American_Girl_(TV_series)
Organizations
Stop AAPI Hate Website - https://twitter.com/stopaapihate
Historical background
1882 Chinese Exclusion Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_Exclusion_Act Japanese Internment in the United States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internment_of_Japanese_Americans Murder of Vincent Chin https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Vincent_Chin 1922 Ozawa vs. United States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozawa_v._United_States 1923 United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Bhagat_Singh_Thind
Texas might not be blue yet, but it’s getting there, and several leaders across the state are laying the foundation for a political transformation that’ll change the future of American politics.
In this episode, we speak with former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who’s following in the footsteps of former Georgia Rep. Stacey Abrams and doing the work to expand democracy across the Lone Star State. Beto joins us to talk about his innovative, historic 2018 Senate campaign, radical empathy as a framework for white progressives, and what the future of Texas politics means to the rest of the nation.
We discuss how he learned to be a white ally and his efforts to help seniors in Texas during last month’s devastating winter storm. He also talks about his future plans and shares the top three artists he would include on a road trip playlist! Spoiler alert: the Texas pride is real.
REFERENCES: Beto O’Rourke - https://twitter.com/BetoORourke 'I can think of nothing more American': Beto O’Rourke responds to question on NFL protests - https://youtube.com/watch?v=lAw9eXXVwfM Colin Kaepernick - https://twitter.com/Kaepernick7 Steve Phillips / The Nation - This Is Why Texas Is the Next Georgia https://thenation.com/article/politics/texas-georgia-elections-democrats/ Powered by People - https://twitter.com/poweredxpeople Texas Organizing Project - https://twitter.com/OrganizeTexas H.R.1 - For the People Act of 2019 https://congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1 Isabel Wilkerson - https://twitter.com/isabelwilkerson Beyoncé - https://twitter.com/Beyonce Joe Ely - http://ely.com Willie Nelson - https://twitter.com/WillieNelson
Following the lead of Georgia, a wave of new, fearless progressive leaders has been laying the groundwork for a political revolution in Texas. They’re changing the state's white cowboy narrative and with their leadership, the Lone Star State is poised to upend the political balance of power in America.
In this episode, Texas State Rep. Mary González joins us just mere hours after presiding over an appropriations subcommittee for the state, the 9th largest economy in the world. We discuss the political implications of the 2021 historic winter storm, the progressive power building movement happening in Texas, and the significance of her role as an openly queer woman of color in a historically conservative state.
And you heard it here first: Mary’s story will be a movie one day, starring Salma Hayek!
REFERENCES: Texas State Representative Mary González - @RepMaryGonzalez Julián Castro - @JulianCastro Colonia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonia_(United_States) 2019 El Paso mass shooting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_El_Paso_shooting 1835 Texas Revolution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Revolution
Media References The Hurricane - 1999 Film with Denzel Washington https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hurricane_(1999_film) Lonesome Dove - 1989 Mini Series with Robert Duvall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonesome_Dove_(miniseries) Salma Hayek https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salma_Hayek
It’s Black History Month (don’t tell Steve). While he may not be a fan of our very short month of Black history reflection, we can all agree that every month is a good month to highlight Black people leading the charge towards a better future for all of us.
In this episode, we chat with Jessica Byrd—one of those dynamic Black leaders—about the “political renaissance” she’s witnessing in this country. One of the most important political strategists in the country, she’s the founder of the political consulting firm, Three Point Strategies, and was one of the co-founders of the Electoral Justice Project of the Black Lives Matter movement. She was just named to Time magazine’s Time100 Next list.
As we make our way into this new era in America, we will need the energy, insight, and drive of the next generation of leaders. We think that Jessica Byrd is among the most promising of that generation, and we hope you get to know her a bit better in our podcast.
References: Jessica Byrd - @JessicaLBYRD, Founding Partner, Three Point Strategies https://threepointstrategies.org Time // Alicia Garza - Time100 Next - Jessica Byrd https://time.com/collection/time100-next-2021/5937626/jessica-byrd National Black Political Convention or the Gary Convention (1972)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Black_Political_Convention Black National Convention (2020)https://m4bl.org/black-national-convention The Movement for Black Lives https://blacknovember.org Electoral Justice Project - @m4blEJP https://twitter.com/m4blejp Black Futures: An Ode to Freedom Summer https://vimeo.com/507147022
ICYMI, Joe Biden and his administration hit the ground running since his first official day in office. After four years of, well, you know, we like our White House this way: boring and efficient. Light on drama, heavy on getting stuff done. From COVID relief to immigration reform, Biden has signed a slate of executive actions signaling a surprisingly impressive understanding of what it will take to advance equity for millions of Americans.
In this episode, we take a high level overview of what Biden’s executive actions mean for the New American Majority. And we also introduce a new segment called “How We Win the Civil War” where Steve grounds our current political climate in the historical context of the U.S. Civil War that never ended.
REFERENCES: Alida Garcia, Esq. - @leedsgarcia - VP of Advocacy, FWD.us & Founder, Inclusv Susan Rice - @AmbassadorRice - Director, US Domestic Policy Council
Executive Actions CNN.com // Kate Sullivan - Here are the executive actions Biden has signed so far https://cnn.com/interactive/2021/politics/biden-executive-orders/index.html
Articles NYT Opinion Editorial // Ease Up on the Executive Actions, Joe! https://nytimes.com/2021/01/27/opinion/biden-executive-orders.html
New York Times // Jim Rutenberg, Jo Becker, Eric Lipton, Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Martin, Matthew Rosenberg, and Michael S. Schmidt - 77 Days: Trump’s Campaign to Subvert the Election https://nytimes.com/2021/01/31/us/trump-election-lie.html
The Root // Stephen A. Crockett Jr. - The Return to Boredom America Deserves https://theroot.com/the-return-to-boredom-america-deserves-1846092852
Newsweek // Jacob Jarvis - Joe Biden Signed More Executive Orders Than Trump, Obama Combined in Their First 12 Days https://newsweek.com/joe-biden-executive-orders-more-donald-trump-barack-obama-first-12-days-1565795
Newsweek // Aimee Allison - The Women Behind Biden’s Executive Orders I Opinion https://newsweek.com/women-behind-bidens-executive-orders-opinion-1565510
Ms. Magazine // Carrie N. Baker - “Uplifting the Rights of Girls and Women in the U.S. and Around the World”: Biden and Harris Announce New White House Gender Policy Council https://msmagazine.com/2021/01/26/white-house-gender-policy-council-biden-harris-tina-tchen/
NPR.org // Barbara Sprunt - Biden Picks Susan Rice For Top Domestic Policy Position https://npr.org/sections/biden-transition-updates/2020/12/10/944997218/biden-picks-susan-rice-for-top-domestic-policy-position
Book Jean Guerrero // Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump, and the White Nationalist Agenda https://harpercollins.com/products/hatemonger-jean-guerrero?variant=32999929610274
Pop Culture Reference YouTube.com // Schoolhouse Rock - I’m Just a Bill https://youtube.com/watch?v=OgVKvqTItto
We’re not crying, you are (okay, we’re crying). On January 20th, we watched history unfold as President Joe Biden and Madam Vice President Kamala Harris took their oaths of office.
In our newest episode we pause to appreciate the historic moment of a new administration and then turn our attention to discussing the top priorities for the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration. For the first time since 2010, with control of the executive and legislative branches, the Democrats are poised to deliver sweeping change for the American people. We reminisce on Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration and point to the successes and missteps of his, and his administration's, first few months in office.
We also share our feelings at the end of the dark era of the past four years as we enter this new, long-anticipated era.
References:
Joe Biden - @JoeBiden & @POTUS Kamala Harris - @KamalaHarris & @VP The White House - @WhiteHouse
Biden Inaugural Committee - @BidenInaugural – Watch the 59th Presidential Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris https://bideninaugural.org/watch/
Articles/Polls CNN.com//Ron Brownstein – Trump leaves America at its most divided since the Civil War https://cnn.com/2021/01/19/politics/trump-divided-america-civil-war/index.html
Gallup.com // Jeffrey M. Jones – Last Trump Job Approval 34%; Average Is Record-Low 41% https://news.gallup.com/poll/328637/last-trump-job-approval-average-record-low.aspx
NPR.org // Franco Ordoñez – On Immigration, Biden Goes Big In Opening Bid to Congress https://npr.org/sections/inauguration-day-live-updates/2021/01/20/958626092/on-immigration-biden-goes-big-in-opening-bid-to-congress
It’s a new year indeed. We’re just seven days into 2021 and the country’s New American Majority has wasted no time flexing its political muscle. While Republicans and Trump supporters make dangerous and desperate last-ditch efforts to overturn the will of the people, Georgia voters clapped back with a resounding “time’s up” and handed Democrats the reins to the U.S. Senate by electing Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.
Their victory is the result of a 10-year effort led by Stacey Abrams, the first guest on our “Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips” podcast. To kick off this episode, we reflect on how Steve and Stacey met and how her vision transformed the state, and the country.
But we also remind folks that the New American Majority is just getting started, and there are so many “Staceys” leading the way to turn the country’s demographic revolution into a political and electoral revolution. In this episode, we highlight seven people who are leading the way to real, systemic change in racial equity, immigration, and voter rights. [17:55]
References: 7 People to Watch
Jessica Byrd, @JessicaLBYRD, Founding Partner, Three Point Strategies https://threepointstrategies.org
Anathea Chino, @anatheabc, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Advanced Native Political Leadership https://advancenativepl.org
Maurice Mitchell, @MauriceWFP, National Director, Working Families Party https://workingfamilies.org
Alejandra Gomez, @Gomez_Alex07, Co-Executive Director, Lucha Arizona https://luchaaz.org
Andrea Guerrero, @guerreroandi, Executive Director, Alliance San Diego https://alliancesd.org
Vanita Gupta, @vanitaguptaCR, President and CEO, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights https://civilrights.org, and United States Associate Attorney General Nominee
Michelle Tremillo, @MtremilloT, Executive Director, Texas Organizing Project https://organizetexas.org
Other References
Stacey Abrams, @staceyabrams, Founder, Fair Fight
Ayanna Pressley, @AyannaPressley, Massachusetts Congresswoman
Nse Ufot, @nseufot, CEO, The New Georgia Project
“Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips” Podcast - Georgia: What Winning Looks Like https://democracyincolor.com/podepisodes/2020/12/9/georgia-what-winning-looks-like
Tweet - Stacey Abrams on Election Night https://twitter.com/staceyabrams/status/1346668456675061760
In this year’s final episode, we look back at the last 12 months to find the silver linings of a rough year. Turns out, there’s still a lot to smile about.
Steve and Sharline share their gratitude for the new COVID vaccine and reflect on how basketball both modeled how to safely navigate the pandemic and also brought a lot of people joy in quarantine. We also point to some major victories in a fraught election year, from Trump’s impeachment in Season 1 of 2020 to the poetic justice of Georgia’s national significance.
We’ll see you back in 2021!
REFERENCES:
Barry Manilow - Song “Looks like we made it” https://youtube.com/watch?v=dSyB-OIRtR0 Ed Yong // The Atlantic - How Science Beat the Virus and what it lost in the process https://theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/01/science-covid-19-manhattan-project/617262/ Kizzmekia Corbett, PhD - @KizzyPhD - a Black woman who is among the National Institutes of Health scientists working directly to develop and produce the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. https://twitter.com/KizzyPhD Aaron Gould Sheinin // Webmed.com - Black Scientist Plays Key Role in Covid Vaccine https://webmd.com/lung/news/20201214/black-scientist-plays-key-role-in-covid-vaccine
The Late, Greats John Lewis, congressman and civil rights activist, one of the “Big Six” leaders who organized the 1963 march on Washington. C.T. Vivian, minister, author, and close friend of Martin Luther King, Jr. Reverend Joseph Lowery, minister, civil rights leader and founder of the SCLC—Southern Christian Leadership Conference—with Martin Luther King, Jr.
Journalist of Color Jonathan Capehart @CapehartJ of The Sunday Show , MSNBC https://twitter.com/CapehartJ Tiffany Cross @TiffanyDCross of The Cross Connection, MSNBC https://twitter.com/TiffanyDCross Rashida Jones @RJonesNews , incoming President, MSNBC https://twitter.com/RJonesNews Michelle Ye Hee Lee @myhlee, reporter, Washington Post https://twitter.com/myhlee Ahiza García-Hodges // NBC News - Rashida Jones named next president of MSNBC https://nbcnews.com/news/all/rashida-jones-named-next-president-msnbc-n1250296 April Ryan @AprilDRyan white house correspondent, theGrio.com; political analyst, CNN https://twitter.com/AprilDRyan
Donate to Raphael Warnock & Jon Ossoff for U.S. Senate, and to Fair Fight https://secure.actblue.com/donate/warnock-ossoff?refcode=podcast
It’s definitely December because holiday movies are streaming everywhere. But it feels like we’re in the middle of election season with the flurry of energy surrounding the upcoming Georgia U.S. Senate runoffs. In this week’s episode, we’re joined by one of the architects of the political transformation of the Peach State—New Georgia Project Action Fund CEO Nse Ufot.
We introduce a new segment called “Don’t Get Me Started.” In this inaugural take, we sound off on the Democratic hand-wringing about the purported negative electoral impact of activist calls to defund the police. [4:26]
We talk to Nse about how community organizers won Georgia for Biden, what it’s going to take to make it happen again in January, and the multiracial coalition that’s putting in the work(we also learn about Nse’s long-standing relationship with Oprah!)[14:45]
References
Nse Ufot - @nseufot - CEO of The New Georgia Project, a nonpartisan effort to register and civically engage Georgians. https://ngpaf.org
And She Could Be Next - Documentary https://andshecouldbenext.com
Emily Badger // The New York Times - How Atlanta’s Politics Overtook the Suburbs, Too https://nytimes.com/2020/12/09/upshot/atlanta-suburbs-democratic-shift.html
Carlos Granda // abc7news - LA school district returns grenade launchers; keeps armored vehicle, M16s https://abc7news.com/lausd-los-angeles-unified-school-district-grenade-launchers-department-of-defense-weapons-program/314715
Rashawn Ray // Brookings - What Does Defund the Police Mean and Does It Have Merit? https://brookings.edu/blog/fixgov/2020/06/19/what-does-defund-the-police-mean-and-does-it-have-merit
Donate or Volunteer
Donate - The New Georgia Project Action Fund https://secure.actblue.com/donate/new-georgia-project-action-fund-1
Volunteer - The New Georgia Project https://mobilize.us/thenewgeorgiaproject
Thanksgiving is different this year, but it could’ve looked even more terrifying if not for the millions of people who persisted in myriad ways to forestall fascism, kick Trump out of the White House and reclaim our country for the multi-racial majority.
To celebrate, Steve, Sharline, and Julie gather around a virtual table for a little fun Thanksgiving dinner game of “This or That.” [5:43]
We then take time to reflect and thank all the people who helped us get through 2020 in our personal lives and in the political sphere as well. [13:01]
Thank you to all our listeners and Happy Thanksgiving!
REFERENCES: Nse Ufot - @nseufot, CEO of The New Georgia Project, a nonpartisan effort to register and civically engage Georgians. @NewGAProject
Stacey Abrams - @staceyabrams - https://fairfight.com
Aimee Allison - @aimeeallison, founder and president of She the People, a national network elevating the voice and power of women of color. @_shethepeople
Susan Sandler - When I First Found Out I Had Cancer, a book which chronicles her journey with cancer and provides resources for survivors and their loved ones. https://braincancerandme.com
Clint Smith // The Atlantic - In 1864, Like in 2020, America Just Got Lucky https://theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/11/election-when-america-narrowly-avoided-disaster/617176/
Sweet Honey in the Rock - Ella’s Song https://youtube.com/watch?v=U6Uus--gFrc
With the defeat of Trump, we managed to forestall fascism for the moment, and the entire world is taking a collective sigh of relief. Over the course of Election Week, we flipped Arizona and Georgia blue, witnessed record turnout across the country, and propelled Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to the White House. In this episode, we revel in the victory just a little longer before honing in on what’s next—winning two Senate runoff races in Georgia in January so Democrats can take control of the U.S. Senate.
We also talk with our data expert, Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega, and Arizona strategist John Loredo, founder of Arizona Wins, about what the election results reveal about the American character and what we have to do to build lasting progressive power in the coming years. John also shares how Biden winning Arizona is the culmination of a sustained 10-year effort to turn the state blue, and he offers important lessons learned for the future of Democratic politics.
REFERENCES: John Loredo - former member of the Arizona House of Representatives (1997-2005), Founder Arizona Wins! http://az-wins.org/ Donate to Raphael Warnock & Jon Ossoff for U.S. Senate, and to Fair Fight https://secure.actblue.com/donate/warnock-ossoff?refcode=podcast Democratic Party of Georgia - Georgia Runoff Strike Team Sign Up https://mobilize.us/democracyincolor/event/362551/ America Votes Georgia Volunteer Sign Up https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdfKPID0RoAGR2KUsg1sWHioMFVKfk0lTSUzQ-xVWElv1pjOg/viewform Edison Research // New York Times - Election Exit Polls https://nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/exit-polls-president.html Roxane Gay // The New York Times - I Am Shattered but Ready to Fight https://nytimes.com/2020/11/05/opinion/trump-supporters-election-2020.html Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Election Results 2020 (23:22 - 23:55) https://youtube.com/watch?v=LyC855KdBKo 11Alive - Atlanta takes to the streets to celebrate the Biden and Harris win https://youtube.com/watch?v=C7p94KMgITk
One Arizona https://onearizona.org/ Lucha https://luchaaz.org Our Voice, Our Vote https://ourvoiceourvote.us Mi Familia Vota https://mifamiliavota.org Chispa Arizona https://chispaaz.org Unite Here http://unitehere11.org Central Arizonans for a Sustainable Economy: CASE http://case-az.org/
Steve, Sharline and data scientist Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega give us a post-Election Day update of everything that went down last night. They talk about what surprised them, what gives them hope for the future of the New American Majority, and what to expect over the next several hours and days.
REFERENCES: Scott Walker - @scottwalker - 45 Governor of Wisconsin (2011-2019)
John Loredo - former member of the Arizona House of Representatives (1997-2005), Founder Arizona Wins! @JohnLoredo10 http://az-wins.org/
Ron Brownstein - @RonBrownstein - senior editor at The Atlantic and senior political analyst for CNN - Twitter thread https://twitter.com/RonBrownstein/status/1323644768807628802
Excerpt from thread: An E-day thread: For 4 years, Trump has governed as a wartime president for red America, w/blue America, not any foreign adversary as the target. That's provoked an enormous reaction from the diverse, well-educated urban centers & inner suburbs driving eco growth & innovation
Ronald Brownstein // The Atlantic - The GOP’s Demographic Doom Millenials and Gen Z are only a few years away from dominating the electorate https://theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/10/millennials-and-gen-z-will-soon-dominate-us-elections/616818/
Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips podcast with special guest Ron Brownstein - One Virus, Two Americas https://democracyincolor.com/podepisodes/2020/4/2/one-virus-two-americas
Tram Nguyen // The New York Times - Democrats Could Learn A Lot from What Happened in Virginia https://nytimes.com/2019/11/06/opinion/virginia-election-democrats.html
With just five days left before Election Day, we offer a How-To guide of what to watch for as election results unfold on November 3rd. We hone in on the top four signs to watch for to get a sense of who is going to win. Our favorite data scientist, Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega, breaks down which states and counties to keep an eye on—and at what time of the night. Also, Steve and Dr. Julie give us their quick gut-check: whether they think certain swing states will end up going for Biden or Trump.
REFERENCES: Election Night 2020 - Follow Along At Home With Democracy in Color on Election Night http://democracyincolor.com/election
Dave Wasserman // NBC News - Will Trump Win Again? Watch Florida’s Sumter County for first election night clue. https://nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/will-trump-win-again-watch-florida-s-sumter-county-first-n1243497
Allen Smith // NBC News - 'Nothing happening': Third-party candidacies appear less a factor in 2020 https://nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/nothing-happening-third-party-candidacies-appear-less-factor-2020-n1240433
Protect the Results - https://protecttheresults.com
Trump didn't believe in COVID; then he got COVID. Then he got better (or so it is seeming, at least for now). Schadenfreude abounded especially when the news that he had tested positive for the virus was first announced. In this episode, we talk about why our country, this election, and Democrats’ prospects for taking back the White House and Senate are better off if No. 45’s health stays steady/doesn't take a nosedive.
Our special guest Dr. Bob Wachter, chair of the department of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and Twitter celeb for his insightful posts on Trump’s health, shares with us his thoughts on the president’s medical outlook. [17:22]
And data scientist extraordinaire Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega joins us to explain why the top two Senate races that progressives should be supporting in these final weeks before Election Day are those in Georgia and Texas. [37:21]
Also this episode—our 30th—marks the one-year anniversary of this podcast! Thank you to all of our listeners!
REFERENCES:
Dr. Bob Wachter - @Bob_Wachter Steve Phillips // The Nation - These Are the States to Focus on to Flip the Senate https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/elections-senate-texas-georgia/ The New York Times // Tram Nguyen - Democrats Could Learn a Lot From What Happened in Virginia States Don’t Become Battlegrounds Overnight https://nytimes.com/2019/11/06/opinion/virginia-election-democrats.html Megan Thee Stallion - @theestallion Megan Thee Stallion // The New York Times - Why I Speak Up for Black Women https://nytimes.com/2020/10/13/opinion/megan-thee-stallion-black-women.html Susan Sandler - Series of Essays: When I First Found Out I had Cancer - Website http://Braincancerandme.com
Senate Candidates Raphael Warnock for GA - https://warnockforgeorgia.com Jon Ossof for GA - https://electjon.com MJ Hagar for TX - https://mjfortexas.com Sara Gideon for ME - https://saragideon.com Jamie Harrison for SC - https://jaimeharrison.com
Organizations New Virginia Majority - https://newvirginiamajority.org New Georgia Project Action Fund - https://www.ngpaf.org Texas Organizing Project Website - https://organizetexas.org
With Election Day only 33 days away, we answer a question on everyone’s mind—What more can I do in these final few weeks? In this episode, we offer suggestions on top actions you can take right now to make a difference before November 3rd. We also sit down with Krystal Ortiz, a director of NEWCO Strategies, who shares insight about strategic election-related volunteering options. Steve describes NEWCO, a political consulting firm, as “a quiet, behind-the-scenes force supporting a lot of the most important work happening in progressive politics and social change in this country.”
Steve also discusses what recent developments since RBG’s death have revealed about the exact nature of the fight we are currently in as a nation and why Democrats and progressives need to get clear on this, and fast.
REFERENCES:
Krystal Ortiz, Director at NEWCO Strategies - https://newcostrategies.com/krystal-ortiz - @klortiz14 Campaign Healthy Website - @EatReal2Win - https://healthycampaign.org The New York Times // Lisa Lerer - ‘Election Stress Disorder,’ the Sequel https://nytimes.com/2020/09/24/us/politics/election-stress-disorder.html Bobby Seale Founder of the Black Panthers - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Seale Nse Ufot @NseUfot - Clip - Q&A: And She Could Be Next https://youtube.com/watch?v=rvcURUQhK0s And She Could Be Next - https://andshecouldbenext.com
Where to Donate:
Arizona Wins - http://az-wins.org New Georgia Project Action Fund Website - @ngpaction - https://ngpaf.org New Florida Majority Website - @NewFLMajority - https://newfloridamajority.org One Pennsylvania Website - @OnePennsylvania - https://onepa.org/vote Casa in Action Website - @CASAinAction - https://casainaction.org/pennsylvania
Where to Volunteer if you have Time and Energy:
Swing Left’s The Last Weekends - https://thelastweekends.org/democracyincolor Vote Forward Website - @votefwd - https://votefwd.org/democracyincolor
Protecting Voting Results:
Protect the Results - https://protecttheresults.com Power the Polls - @PowerThePolls - https://powerthepolls.org
Television Show Choices:
Krystal: Schitt’s Creek, CBC/Netflix Sharline: Avatar The Last Airbender, Nickelodeon/Netflix Steve: Ted Lasso, Apple+; The Bridge, BBC; Trapped, BBC
We are here for you. In this episode, we offer insight and analysis to help talk you and your friends off the ledge as we all anxiously wait and work towards the November elections, which is less than 50 days away.
We offer facts and information to back up our assertion that we truly believe Democrats have—in a fair election—an electoral advantage, even in a number of swing states. We hope this episode will sustain you and help you focus your energy and efforts in these final weeks before Election Day.
REFERENCES: Ron Brownstein - @RonBrownstein Joy Reid - @JoyAnnReid // TheReidOut https://msnbc.com/reidout
POLLS Voter Doubt of 2020 Outcome Possible - Monmouth University Poll https://monmouth.edu/polling-institute/documents/monmouthpoll_us_091020.pdf/ The New York Times/Siena College National Poll https://scri.siena.edu/2020/06/24/biden-leads-trump-50-36-in-national-poll/
ORGANIZATIONS Fairfight https://fairfight.com PCUN (Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste) https://pcun.org Vote Save America https://votesaveamerica.com Plant Based Fitness Oakland https://plantbfitness.com/
MEDIA The New York Times // Astead W. Herndon Minnesota Seemed Ripe for a Trump Breakout. It Has Not Arrived. https://nytimes.com/2020/09/13/us/politics/Minnesota-poll-Biden-Trump.html NPR Politics Podcast with Domenico Montanaro https://npr.org/podcasts/510310/npr-politics-podcast Brown is the New White // Steve Phillips https://thenewpress.com/books/brown-new-white
GENERAL FiveThirtyEight Presidential Forecast https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/ Nixon’s campaign and “law and order” position https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon_1968_presidential_campaign Voting Right Act of 1965 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voting_Rights_Act_of_1965
Hot off the press! Democracy in Color just released our 2020 Report Cards on the Democratic Party SuperPACs—the organizations that raise and spend hundreds of millions of dollars to elect Democratic candidates. These SuperPACs have already raised more than $600 million. We issue these Report Cards to reveal how these organizations are performing so far this cycle, whether they are on track in terms of spending and strategizing to win on Election Day. Spoiler alert: Most of them are barely getting passing grades.
We also take a moment to remember actor Chadwick Boseman, who starred in Black Panther and other movies, and who recently passed away at the age of 43.
References:
Democratic SuperPACs 2020 Report Cards: The Good, The Bad, and The Wasteful https://democracyincolor.com/2020overview Ludovic Blain - @LudovicSpeaks // California Donor Table https://californiadonortable.org Stacey Abrams - @staceyabrams // Fair Fight https://fairfight.com Tram Nguyen - @TramNVM // New Virginia Majority https://newvirginiamajority.org Tom Steyer - @TomSteyer // NextGen America https://nextgenamerica.org Chadwick Boseman - @chadwickbosman // Black Panther - https://marvel.com/movies/black-panther
Few people know Kamala Harris like we in the Bay Area do. We discuss Joe Biden’s selection of the former San Francisco district attorney and Oakland native as his running mate. We also hear from one of Kamala’s long-time mentees—another Bay Area political star—Lateefah Simon, who was hired by Kamala 20 years ago despite not having a college degree at the time. Simon, an award-winning nonprofit leader and elected official who is currently president of the Akonadi Foundation where she runs one of the leading racial justice foundations in the country, talks about what it’s like when your mentor becomes the Democratic vice presidential candidate. She also shares how Kamala’s belief in the potential of and encouragement of young women like herself is just one example of her commitment to improving society and the lives of others.
References: Lateefah Simon - @lateefahsimon // Lateefah for BART https://www.lateefahforbart.com Kamala Harris - @KamalaHarris 2009 Bart shooting - Oscar Grant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Oscar_Grant
Organizations Akonadi Foundation Website https://akonadi.org Bart Board Website https://bart.gov/about/bod MacArthur Fellows Program - Website https://macfound.org Young Women’s Freedom Center Website https://youngwomenfree.org
Videos Joe Biden Introduces Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) As Running Mate Clip https://youtube.com/watch?v=ymyY7jez0rM Kamala Harris on George Floyd Clip https://youtube.com/watch?v=d_2KIrsaddA Kamala Harris on her mother Clip https://twitter.com/mayaharris_/status/1293342255089168390
A vice presidential candidate will be chosen by Joe Biden any day now. The top six finalists are Kamala Harris, Susan Rice, Karen Bass, Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Duckworth and Val Demings. We discuss the historic significance of this year's vice presidential selection process. We also dive into factors Biden is likely weighing before making his decision, and the maddening critique of some Black women contenders as being “too ambitious.” And lastly, Steve, who is friends with four of the people Biden has considered, offers his prediction—who he thinks the winner of the 2020 Veepstakes will be!
References:
Democracy in Color - The White List https://democracyincolor.com/signhr40
Potential VP Picks Stacey Abrams - @staceyabrams Karen Bass - @RepKarenBass Val Demings - @RepValDemings Tammy Duckworth - @SenDuckworth Kamala Harris - @KamalaHarris Susan Rice - @AmbassadorRice Elizabeth Warren - @SenWarren
Book Richard Ben Cramer // What It Takes: The Way to the White House https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/380057.What_It_Takes
Scholarship Cecil Rhodes Scholarship https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Rhodes
Organization Venceremos Brigade - Website https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venceremos_Brigade
Audio Clip C-SPAN - John McCain Speech 2008 Republican Convention https://www.c-span.org/video/?280812-2/open-phones
With the recent passing of Civil Rights legends Congressman John Lewis and Reverend C.T. Vivian, many people are focusing on who will take the baton of leadership and carry it forward. In today’s episode, we are joined by two of the country’s most inspirational young leaders — Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs and Stockton First Partner Anna Malaika Nti-Asare-Tubbs whose work will be featured in a new HBO documentary, “Stockton On My Mind,” which debuts July 28th. From Universal Basic Income to fighting for gender justice to being new parents, Michael and Anna discuss their respective and collective work to carry on the struggle for justice and equality.
References:
Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs - @MichaelDTubbs Stockton 1st Partner Anna Malaika Nti-Asare-Tubbs - @annas_tea_
Video Clips
Washington University in St. Louis - U.S. Rep John Lewis on Bloody in Selma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjZZ3r7Nuuk Visionary Project - C.T. Vivian: Freedom Rides https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zTjNKLVLO4 The Obama White House - President Obama Delivers Remarks on the 50th Anniversary of the Selma Marches https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvAIvauhQGQ The Obama White House - The Benediction at the Inauguration of Obama by Reverend Dr. Joseph Lowery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb2UJ6r1A3E
Michael Tubbs HBO Documentary - Stockton on my Mind - Television Tues, July 28, 9:00PM PT; On Demand Available Wed, July 29 https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/stockton-on-my-mind
Books
Anna Malaika Nti-Asare-Tubbs - The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20202078.Anna_Nti_Asare_Tubbs Martin Luther King Jr. - Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211888.Where_Do_We_Go_from_Here Connie Schultz - . . . and His Lovely Wife: A Memoir from the Woman Beside the Man https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10928._and_His_Lovely_Wife
Reports
San Joaquin Community Data Co-op in partnership with Anna Nti-Asare-Tubbs and Sukhi Samra // Report on the Status of Women 2018 https://www.michaeldtubbs.com/stockton-womens-report
Organizations:
Economic Security Project https://www.economicsecurityproject.org/ Mayors for a Guaranteed Income https://www.mayorsforagi.org/ Stockton Strong https://www.stocktonstrong.org/ Stockton Scholars https://www.stocktonscholars.org/
Other Authors and Writings
Steve Phillips - Justice and Hope: Past Reflections and Future Visions of the Stanford Black Student Union, 1967-1989 https://exhibits.stanford.edu/stanford-pubs/catalog/pw849rd2893 Prof. Clayborne Carson - Martin Luther King Papers Project https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/about-papers-project Author Paulo Freire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_Freire
School is not back in session yet but clearly there are a lot of people who need schooling, especially when it comes to understanding reparations. In this episode, "Professor” Steve Phillips breaks down the history of slavery and its legacy in this country and answers the question: Does the U.S. government owe anything to Black Americans? We also talk about why it's so important for Congress to act now and pass HR 40, the bill to establish a commission to study the legacy of slavery and to make recommendations about possible remedies, including reparations.
References:
Sign our Petition: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/sign-the-petition-black-americans-deserve-reparations-demand-congress-commission-a-reparations-study-now?source=direct_link&referrer=group-democracy-in-color
H.R. 40 is a bill that would create a commission to study the effects of slavery on African Americans and explore possible remedies—including reparations Congress.gov - https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/40
Other Reparations Resources
NJ-S322 - New Jersey Reparations Task Force https://www.billtrack50.com/BillDetail/1169949 Forbes // Rachel Sandler - California Assembly Passes Reparations Bill https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2020/06/13/california-assembly-passes-reparations-bill/ Reparations to Japanese Americans - Civil Liberties Act of 1988 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Liberties_Act_of_1988
Video and Audio clips
Martin Luther King Jr. I Have a Dream Speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARvrvJV4th4 Trevor Noah on the Daily Show - The Reparations Debate Should America Compensate the Descendants of Slaves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uf_XDFXvzU Beverly Hillbillies - Opening and Closing Theme Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvE9zJgm8OY Daily News Post Reports Podcast, hosted by Martine Powers - Why Americans Don’t Learn About Tulsa, or Junteenth https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/post-reports/why-americans-dont-learn-about-tulsa-or-juneteenth/ TIME - Mitch McConnell Says Reparations for Slavery Are Not a ‘Good Idea’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQz7kL_qrE4 PBS News Hour - Ta-Nehisi Coates Full Opening Statement on Reparations at House Hearing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcCnQ3iRkys
Books
Sven Beckert - Empire of Cotton https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20758057-empire-of-cotton
Articles
The Nation // Steve Phillips - This is the Perfect Moment to Push for Reparations https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/black-reparations-hr40-congress/ The New York Times // Angela Glover Blackwell and Michael McAfee - Banks Should Face History and Pay Reparations https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/opinion/sunday/banks-reparations-racism-inequality.html The New York Times // Nikole Hannah-Jones - What is Owed https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/06/24/magazine/reparations-slavery.html
Study
National Bureau of Economic Research - “Are Emily and Greg More Employable than Lakisha and Jamal?” https://www.nber.org/papers/w9873
From failed political rallies to plummeting poll numbers to big losses in the Supreme Court, Trump is descending rapidly toward the nadir of his presidency. We discuss how the political tide is turning in America and why this is happening. In addition, our special guest—“Super Lawyer" and former Supreme Court clerk Stacey Leyton—offers insight into last week's major decisions and a “behind the scenes” look at how the Supreme Court functions.
References: Stacey Leyton is a partner at the San Francisco law firm Altshuler Berzon where she practices constitutional and labor law. - @Stacemundo // https://altshulerberzon.com
Ruth Bader Ginsburg - @scotusginsburg
Civil Rights Act - Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Rights_Act_of_1964
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deferred_Action_for_Childhood_Arrivals
Book: Bruce Wright - Black Robes, White Justice https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/795527.Black_Robes_White_Justice
Court cases: Dred Scot v. Stanford - In 1857, right before the Civil War, in the Dred Scot case, the Court held descendants of Africa, “had no rights which the white man was bound to respect” and could not become U.S. citizens https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dred_Scott_v._Sandford
Plessy v. Ferguson - In 1896, after the destruction of Reconstruction, the court ruled in Plessy v. Ferguson, the separate but equal case, they wrote, “The white race deems itself to be the dominant race in this country. And so it is in prestige, in achievements, in education, in wealth and in power. So, I doubt not, it will continue to be for all time if it remains true to its great heritage and holds fast to the principles of constitutional liberty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plessy_v._Ferguson
Ozawa v. United States - In 1922, the court ruled in the Ozawa vs United States case that Asians could not become U.S. citizens because they were not white (citing the original immigration law restricting immigration to “free white persons.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozawa_v._United_States
Video Clips: ABC13 Houston - Houston members of FIEL, Dreamers React to DACA vote https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uxi0NIDpD74
Bostock vs. Clayton County oral arguments US Supreme Court - Stanford Professor Pam Karlan making her case last October in court https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO81baYrWPk
As the nation continues to protest anti-Black police violence, including the recent killing of Rayshard Brooks, we sit down with Sen. Elizabeth Warren for a special episode to discuss the Black Lives Matter movement, the potential for reparations, and what white allies should do in this moment.
“White progressives need to be active, anti-racist allies in this moment and beyond,” Warren says. “Being anti-racist means fighting for anti-racist public policy. Being race neutral just won't work.”
Our wide-ranging conversation begins with Sen. Warren’s response to the police killing of George Floyd, the ongoing global and national protests and how Congress is responding. We also discuss the prevalence of racism in virtually every American institution.
References: Senator Warren - @SenWarren
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau The CFPB is committed to providing consumers with up-to-date information and resources to protect and manage their finances. https://www.consumerfinance.gov
Author Ta-Nehisi Coates - https://ta-nehisicoates.com
Press Releases:
Warren to Introduce Legislation to Investigate and Hold Police Officers and Departments Accountable for Discriminatory Practices https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-to-introduce-legislation-to-investigate-and-hold-police-officers-and-departments-accountable-for-discriminatory-practices
Booker Reparations Bill Reaches 12 Senate Cosponsors https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/booker-reparations-bill-reaches-12-senate-cosponsors
Elizabeth Warren and Ro Khanna Unveil Essential Workers Bill of Rights https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/elizabeth-warren-and-ro-khanna-unveil-essential-workers-bill-of-rights
In the wake of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of the Minneapolis police, an historic nationwide and global movement has emerged in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, calling for the end of anti-black racism and police brutality, and defunding the police.
Demonstrations have been held in all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 800 cities on six continents across the world.
In this episode, we discuss how we’re processing all this through our respective cultural lenses and then we dive into how we, as a nation, got here and what should happen next to ensure that this moment brings about lasting meaningful change.
In addition, we discuss what this moment means in terms of growing support for Black equality and what that means for this November's elections and beyond.
References:
James Baldwin Quote - To Be Black and Conscious in America https://quotefancy.com/quote/963966/James-Baldwin-To-be-black-and-conscious-in-America-is-to-be-in-a-constant-state-of-rage Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison - @AGEllison Jessica Byrd, Electoral Justice Project - @JessicaLBYRD Simone Jacques - a 17-year-old Mission District teen leads protest of thousands in San Francisco // video clip by Jay Jaspar Pugao https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=11&v=lUqXhM6rwgQ BBC news clip - Slave trader’s statue toppled in Bristol as thousands join antiracist protest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs36SAytfuE&feature=youtu.be CBS This Morning news clip - Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones on protesting and democracy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpHhQgZSJ9s Movie trailer // Ava DuVernay - 13th https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krfcq5pF8u8 The New York Times // Michelle Alexander - America, This Is Your Chance https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/08/opinion/george-floyd-protests-race.html Robin DiAngelo - White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43708708-white-fragility Erica Armstrong Dunbar - Never Caught: The Washington's Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30753748-never-caught Ibram X. Kendi - How to Be an Antiracist https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40265832-how-to-be-an-antiracist and Stamped From the Beginning https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25898216-stamped-from-the-beginning Dr. Monica Muñoz Martinez - The Injustice Never Leaves You: Anti-Mexican Violence in Texas https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38240526-the-injustice-never-leaves-you Andrea J. Ritchie - Invisible, No More Urgent Police Violence Against Black Women and Women of Color https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32026054-invisible-no-more Doug J. Swanson - Cult of Glory: The Bold and Brutal History of the Texas Rangers https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48812040-cult-of-glory
The enormity of this crisis has revealed the ugly underpinnings of our public assistance system — both in terms of how we think about people who are struggling financially and also about the systems designed to help those people.
Unemployment figures in the U.S. are at their highest since the Great Depression—nearly 40 million people have filed for unemployment since the pandemic began. (That's greater than the combined population of 21 states, according to Forbes.)
In this episode, we talk about why we have a system that is so adversarial to people in dire economic straits and how this crisis also presents an opportunity for rethinking and redesigning these systems for the coming era.
Namely, what can we do from here on out to shape U.S policy and politics for decades to come in terms of how we treat and perceive the poor?
We also talk about two recent law enforcement shootings of innocent men and one “Karen, Please” incident in the news that have further cemented the fact that to be African American in this country means to have your every move in your everyday life be regarded as a potential threat to white existence.
REFERENCES:
The New York Times front page // Sunday, May 24, 2020 - An Incalculable Loss https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/05/24/us/us-coronavirus-deaths-100000.html
The Washington Post // Stephanie McCrummen - ‘This feels great’: A preview from Georgia about how America might reemerge from the coronavirus https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/17/coronavirus-reopening-shopping-mall-georgia/?arc404=true
PBS Newshour clip - How missed rent payments spark a ‘cascade’ of financial hardship https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvyazdooRgA
PBS Newshour clip - The true story behind the ‘welfare queen’ stereotype https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr_8B1IzFFY
The Nation // James Baldwin - Notes on the House of Bondage https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/notes-house-bondage/
Fox News clip - McConnell slams Dems for trying to ‘incentivize’ unemployment in new bill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8JHzE-sR3A
The New York Times // Nikole Hannah Jones - 1619 Project https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html
NPR // Barbara Sprunt - Biden And Sanders Announce Task Forces To Find Party Unity Over Policy https://www.npr.org/2020/05/13/855203151/biden-and-sanders-announce-task-forces-to-find-party-unity-over-policy
Garlin Gilchrist, Michigan's lieutenant governor, talks to us about life on the frontlines in a battleground state that is dealing all at once with the COVID-19 crisis, armed protesters storming the Capitol demanding the lifting of stay-at-home orders, and ensuring a safe and fair Fall election in a state Trump won by just 10,704 votes. [8:15]
Gilchrist, a 38 year-old political rising star, also shares with us the story behind his unlikely path from Microsoft software engineer to second-in-command state leader, the first African American to ever hold the position. Gilchrist is chair of the recently created Michigan Coronavirus Taskforce on Racial Disparities, one of the first taskforces of its kind in the country.
We also talk about how the indifference coming from the White House in the face of catastrophic human suffering reveals the lack of a shared “social contract” when it’s the lives of people of color that are being disproportionately affected, and we discuss the implications for progressive politics and policy.
References: Garlin Gilchrist - @Garlin and @LtGovGilchrist Gretchen Whitmer - @GovWhitmer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun - @DrKhaldun Ron Meloni - Audio Clip https://twitter.com/RodMeloni/status/1255901755474403328?s=20 Michigan Coronavirus Taskforce on Racial Disparities - Executive Order 2020-55 (Covid-19)https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90705-526476--,00.html The Atlantic Monthly // Adam Serwer - The Coronavirus Was an Emergency Until Trump Found Out Who Was Dying https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/05/americas-racial-contract-showing/611389/ The Washington Post // Meryl Kornfield and Hannah Knowles - Michigan lawmaker denies wearing Confederate flag mask, calls it history, then apologizes https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/04/25/dale-zorn-confederate-flag-mask/
Nikema Williams, chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, talks to us about both her personal experience as a COVID-19 survivor and her continued efforts as a State Senator to keep her constituents healthy and safe in a state that is one of the first in the nation to lift its shelter-in-place order, according to Governor Brian Kemp’s plans. Williams shares valuable lessons for states across the country debating when and how to reopen.
References: Nikema Williams - @NikemaWilliams Georgia Democratic Party - @DPGChair
The Washington Post // Reis Thebault, Andrew Ba Tran and Vanessa Williams - For black folks, it’s like a setup: Are you trying to kill us? https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/04/26/coronavirus-southwest-georgia
CBS’s American legal web TV series - The Good Fight Hulu TV drama series - Little Fires Everywhere Celeste Ng - Little Fires Everywhere novel Director David Yates and Writer J.K. Rowling - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
The French Georgia Choir message to Kemp: No Sir Kemp. Stay Home! #StayHomeGeorgia https://www.facebook.com/khristie.french/videos/3162915557073885/UzpfSTYzNTg5NTIzMDoxMDE2MzMxNjg4MjgwNTIzMQ/
Stacey Abrams, Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, and Catherine Cortez Masto are the six women most often mentioned as Biden's possible choice for running mate. We analyze each person's strengths and weaknesses in terms of what Biden and the Democrats most need in order to win in November.
References:
New York Times Op Ed // Steve Phillips - It’s Obvious Whom Joe Biden Should Pick as Vice President https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/14/opinion/joe-biden-running-mate-stacey-abrams.html Donors of Color Action - http://www.donorsofcolor.org
We sit down with Ron Brownstein, senior editor at The Atlantic and senior political analyst for CNN to talk about how responses and attitudes towards the coronavirus differ along the same lines that divide the country politically. What does this divide mean for how this pandemic unfolds? How will it all play out politically, and what does it mean for November?
Brownstein is one of the nation’s top political journalists. He’s a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He has written six books, including The Second Civil War: How Extreme Partisanship Has Paralyzed Washington and Polarized America
His analysis that America is in the midst of a battle between the Coalition of Transformation and the Coalition of Restoration is one of the most illuminating frameworks for understanding U.S. politics presented by any analyst.
Ron Brownstein - @RonBrownstein
The Atlantic // Ron Brownstein - Red and Blue America Aren’t Experiencing the Same Pandemic https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/03/how-republicans-and-democrats-think-about-coronavirus/608395/
Ron Brownstein - The Second Civil War: How Extreme Partisanship has Paralyzed Washington and Polarized America https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/299750/the-second-civil-war-by-ronald-brownstein/
Jonathan Metzl - Dying of Whiteness https://www.dyingofwhiteness.com
Frank Chin (Editor), Jeffery Paul Chan (Editor), Lawson Fusao Inada (Editor), Shawn Wong (Editor) - AIIIEEEEE!: An Anthology of Asian American Writers https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16042534-aiiieeeee
Ralph Waldo Emerson - Self Reliance https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1760630.Self_Reliance?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=85rsAPMuDz&rank=1
Homer // Translated by Robert Fitzgerald - The Odyssey https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48643953-the-odyssey?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=F3tJFLCcVw&rank=2
Manuel Pastore - USC https://socialinnovation.usc.edu/staff/manuel-pastor/
Coronavirus has upended life across the country and the world. We talk about how it’s been affecting us, how we’re coping, and what the future looks like. We’re joined by special guest Stephanie Douglass, human resources director for a global company with offices in Beijing, on how China flattened the curve and lessons we can learn from China and other Asian countries. [4:10] Also, what’s happening in politics and public policy in light of COVID-19.
References: Democracy in Color & She the People - Open Letter to Democratic Presidential Candidates: A Call for Committing to Choosing a Woman of Color as Candidate for Vice President http://democracyincolor.com/wocvp The Nation // Steve Phillips - The Vice Presidential Nominee Should be a Woman of Color https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/biden-sanders-vp-of-color/ The Washington Post // Vanessa Williams - Groups call on Biden, Sanders to choose a woman of color for vice president https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/03/17/groups-call-biden-sanders-choose-woman-color-vice-president/ The Washington Post // Harry Stevens - Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve” https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/corona-simulator/
Post-Super Tuesday: What happened, why, and what’s next? After a dizzying week in national politics, we try to make sense of it all by discussing why Biden bounced back, what it means for Bernie, and what the data says about how it’ll all end up.
References: Democracy in Color - How to Help https://www.democracyincolor.com/howtohelp Rolling Stones // Tessa Stuart - Stacey Abrams Is Building a New Kind of Political Machine in the Deep South https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/stacey-abrams-census-voting-rights-vice-president-953173/ New York Times // Steve Phillips - Bernie Sanders Can Beat Trump. Here’s the Math. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/28/opinion/bernie-sanders-polls.html C-SPAN - Joe Biden Remarks in Los Angeles https://www.c-span.org/video/?469947-1/joe-biden-addresses-supporters-los-angeles
We talk about how the Left is missing the mark at this moment with its troubling silence on Trump’s white nationalism, which is the key to and cornerstone of his continued power. By failing to make this their top priority issue—and keep it front and center—the Left, including all current Democratic primary candidates, risks throwing away their best chance at winning this November. We also hear what our special guest, Maurice Mitchell, formerly a key leader in the Black Lives Matter movement and now National Director of the Working Families Party, has to say on this topic, the party’s support of Elizabeth Warren, and much more. [11:21]
Maurice Mitchell - https://twitter.com/mauricewfp Working Families Party - https://twitter.com/workingfamilies
Iowa Caucus 2020 will be one for the books. We talk about what happened and what it means as the nomination race heads to another nearly-all-white state—New Hampshire—and then, finally, on to the diverse states of Nevada and South Carolina, where voters of color will help decide who becomes the eventual winner. Steve breaks down the interplay of Momentum and Math (accumulating delegates) in determining the Democratic nominee. Also get great insight on what’s ahead from Emmy Ruiz, one of the nation’s foremost political strategists who worked on Hillary Clinton’s campaign in Nevada in 2016 and was most recently a senior advisor to Kamala Harris’ campaign. [12:54]
With the impeachment trial underway in the U.S. Senate and the Republicans doing everything in their power to cover up Trump’s corruption, we unveil an innovative new formula for ranking winnability of 2020 Senate elections and look at what it will take for Democrats to flip control of what’s supposed to be “the world's greatest deliberative body.,” [09:16], Plus, we sit down with one of the year’s most inspiring Senate candidates in the country, Texas’s Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez as she explains why Trump’s team is “deeply afraid of people like me.” [21:23].
References: The Nation Magazine: 12 States Where Democrats Could Flip the Senate
Are white male presidential candidates receiving preferential treatment from the Democratic Party? As the Democratic presidential primary field grows whiter and more male, we discuss how the Party and its rigid reliance on polling and fundraising numbers in its debate qualification rules give white men an advantage. We also explain what the Party should be doing to change this fact.
Also in this episode: Reflections on Julian Castro and the ending of his campaign; spotlight on Hidden Figure Maya Rupert, Castro's campaign manager, and what we did over the holidays.
Since so much of the news is alarming and frequently depressing, we wanted to close out the year with a more inspiring and hopeful episode by sharing the Top 10 Stories to Give Us Hope Heading into 2020. In this episode, we count down the top victories, trends, and developments that should allow us to enter the new year with the energy and optimism we’re all going to need!
We delve into Pete Buttigieg’s Black problem and the underlying causes. What are the real reasons why he is polling at 0% with Black voters? And why does it matter to all Democratic voters?
Ricky Klee, a college instructor from South Bend, Indiana who has carefully followed and written about Buttigieg’s administration for several years, shares his insights. We also preview a new report from Democracy in Color looking at Mayor Pete’s record on racial issues in South Bend.
Also, some reflections on Kamala Harris suspending her campaign and what it says about the Democratic Party and African American political trends.
It’s a very special Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips Thanksgiving episode!
Where else can you get caught up on the latest in presidential politics (Bloomberg, Buttigieg, Biden and more!) and also hear Thanksgiving stories from listeners who span the cultural spectrum of the rainbow? And speaking of the Rainbow, we share a special story of Steve’s recent encounter with Jesse Jackson at Washington’s National Airport.
All of that, plus a Hidden Figures segment on an inspiring Native American leader who has helped elect Congresspeople, advise major donors, and parlay her experience working at Nordstrom into a “styling” business for women leaders.
Neera Tanden, who has been called one of our nation’s most powerful women in politics by Fortune magazine, is the president of Center for American Progress, the nation’s largest progressive think tank.
She sheds light on the impeachment hearings and what Democrats and progressives need to keep in mind at this moment.
We also find out how Neera, an immigrant whose family was on food stamps when she was a child, arrived to where she is today. We also learn about her favorite childhood dish!
Tim Wise, one of the most prominent anti-racism writers and educators in the country, offers insight to what we can learn from his experience working on a campaign to defeat an actual former member of the KKK, David Duke, in the 1990s (during Duke’s run for U.S. Senate and the governor’s seat in Louisiana), and what that experience can teach us today as we work to oust Trump.
Wise also weighs in on this current impeachment moment and the dynamics of patriotism versus white supremacy.
Earlier this year he wrote a Twitter thread about how Democrats fail to understand how to confront an opinion who openly fans the flames of racism. That thread was retweeted 21k times.
Wise is the host of the podcast Speak Out with Tim Wise. He is the author of more than seven books, including White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son.
The Washington Post recently wrote that Stacey Abrams is the most impressive Democrat in the country. Abrams, the first Black woman gubernatorial nominee in U.S. history, spoke for all Democrats in America when she delivered the Response to the State of the Union Address in February 2019, and she could be our nation’s next V.P.
Iowa, the state that launched Barack Obama’s campaign, is arguably the single most important state in this current Democratic nomination contest. It’s also the quintessential swing state. Two Iowa experts discuss what it takes to win and where things stand in the race.
Trump’s power has always been grounded in fanning the flames of white racial resentment, and it’s no accident that the most racially diverse Congress in history is now holding him accountable.
The Brown Girls Guide to Politics Podcast is all about amplifying the voices of women who are too often forgotten in media coverage. Host A’shanti Gholar leads conversations with women changing the face of politics. In this episode, A'shanti sits down with Democracy in Color Podcast host Aimee Allison. Listen and enjoy!
Aimee sits down with political insider Tim Molina and Democracy in Color founder Steve Phillips to debrief on the wins and losses of this historic election. Women of color were the indisputable winners, with many becoming firsts, unseating incumbents, flipping state and Congressional seats, and generally announcing their political ascension. But there was also widespread voter suppression, overt racism, and a stark distance between white voters and everyone else up and down the ballot. This episode will break down what it all means and what happens next.
Nse Ufot calls in from one of the political hot zones leading up to the elections. She leads the New Georgia Project, in a state where a contentious gubernatorial race has raised the stakes and deepened awareness about voter suppression, electoral misinformation, and other tactics to deplete black and brown voter rolls.
By acting locally with purpose and resolve, the millennial black mayor and first lady of Stockton, CA, are leading the nation by example in their own backyard. He was endorsed by Oprah and President Obama, and mentored by Valerie Jarrett. She’s a brilliant scholar at the University of Cambridge studying the lives of women who shaped iconic men. Stockton, which he calls a “Microcosm of race and ideology,” is proving to be fertile ground for this rising political couple.
She the People is a national movement to elect more women of color, spearheaded by our very own Aimee Allison, who, with her two guests, provides insights into how to harness the power of voters of color throughout the South and the rest of the country. Political strategists LaTosha Brown and Tory Gavito dissect the organizational errors that have mired Democrats for decades, explain why “the South eats strategy for breakfast,” and how women of color are redefining what makes a winning strategy one House seat at a time.
Writer and political analyst Julie Kohler has a message for other white women about how to be better progressive and intersectional allies.
The California State Senator is in the race for his political life against a 20-year incumbent. But this son of an immigrant single mother says he's overcome bigger odds and is ready for this challenge. He's also not holding back on the failure of fellow Democrats to lead their party and the country.
The Detroit native is running to fill a key Democratic House seat in Michigan, one already mired in controversy. But the outspoken candidate has already taken on billionaires in defense of her constituents, thrice beating recall efforts. Simply put, Tlaib stands up no matter the size of the challenge.
The gubernatorial candidate and fourth-generation Arizonan is campaigning on the premise that for his state to live up to its promise, it must elect someone who represents the state's population more accurately.
The Congressman is in charge of getting more Democrats get elected and “flipping the House,” and he’s got his work cut out for him. He talks to Aimee about rethinking traditional campaigning, the challenge of defeating a party headed by pathological liar, and what the rising majority needs to do to assert its political power.
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum is running for governor of Florida, and has a strong chance of flipping the high-stakes red state—but he’ll have to overcome legacy issues like voter suppression and the NRA first. The stakes are high: if a progressive Democrat can win Florida in a gubernatorial race, they could effectively turn it blue for 2020.
The political game is changing and we will get you ready as the November elections approach. In our third season, host Aimee Allison elevates the national conversation about a post-Trump electorate, the ascension of voters of color, and the surge in political leaders of all stripes. Aimee's guests are strategists, thinkers, candidates and power players who speak candidly about the the emergence of a new political era thanks in large part to the New American Majority. Our political insider, Tim Molina from Courage Campaign, provides timely analysis on local shifts and national movements. (Music provided by Otis McDonald.)
Vien Truong is one of the country’s foremost policy experts and strategists on building an equitable green economy. She leads Green For All, a national initiative that puts communities of color at the forefront of the climate movement and equality at the center of environmental solutions.
Ian Danley is the Governing Board President of Phoenix Union High School District and the Executive Director of One Arizona, from the White House as a Champion of Change.
Color of Change, and one of its top leaders Arisha Hatch has emerged as one of the sharpest and powerful advocates for the justice and rights for African Americans in this country. They have been behind some tremendous campaigns -- including one that led to Bill O’Reilly being fired from FOX News. Stay tuned for Arisha Hatch.
I’ve been thinking about the term “citizenship” differently after talking with my latest guest, Eric Liu, an author, educator, and civic entrepreneur. He spoke at length about the concept of “powerful citizenship,” the central theme of his new book, You’re More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen. He describes his book as: “strategies for average Americans to go from the primal scream of ‘I’m not going to take it anymore!’ to actually being literate in power and understanding how you change the game to change the system.”
Jelani Cobb is one of the sharpest, brightest, most poignant writers and observers of the moment that we’re in. Cobb is a staff writer for The New Yorker, where he writes about race, politics, history, and culture. He is also an author and professor of journalism at Columbia University. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Cobb is a graduate of Howard University and Rutgers University, where he received his doctorate in American history. In 2015, Cobb won the Sidney Hillman Prize for Opinion and Analysis Journalism for his columns on race, law enforcement, and racial injustice. He is author of the 2010 book, The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress.
Tanzila “Taz” Ahmed, co-host of the popular podcast #GoodMuslimBadMuslim (which has been described by Oprah Magazine as a “a savvy mash-up of pop culture and politics…frankness — on sex, feminism, Islamophobia”), is an activist, poet, writer, and politico based in Los Angeles. (She is also a visual artist/designer. Check out her awesome — and witty — MuslimVDay cards on Etsy.) Ahmed, Campaign Strategist for 18MillionRising.org — one of the nation’s largest organizations promoting online AAPI civic engagement — is a leading voice in her generation on issues that matter to South Asian American women and Asian American Muslim women like herself.
She’s been called the “Anti-Trump.” Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, U.S. Representative for Washington’s 7th congressional district is a true changemaker. She embodies intersectional, fierce, progressive and inclusive politics. As a longtime organizer, especially for immigration rights, women’s issues, civil rights and access to education, Jayapal is organizing these days from within Congress. She offers a perspective that is not often heard in Congress and she is pushing legislative conversations to be more inclusive by training others on intersectional politics.
First-time political candidate, Wendy Carrillo, 36, went from fleeing war in El Salvador to campaigning for Congressional office. She is running to represent California’s 34th Congressional District (which is almost entirely within the City of LA) in a highly contested race to replace former Rep. Xavier Becerra, who is now California’s attorney general.
Michael Tubbs is the first African-American Mayor of Stockton, CA as well as the youngest ever elected to that office. He graduated from Stanford, completed internships at the White House and Google, and came back home to create opportunities for other residents of Stockton. In this first episode of our second season, we talk federalism, political landscapes and staying grounded as new mayor.
For our season finale host Aimee Allison sits down with New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and Steve Phillips, author of New York Times bestseller Brown Is the New White and founder of Democracy in Color. A week before this historic election, they discuss how Democrats can win big up and down the ballot, our opportunity to fix the criminal justice system, and what we can do to heal the racial divide.
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In this second part of a two-part episode, Aimee continues her conversation with: Jeff Chang, Executive Director of the Institute for Diversity in the Arts at Stanford and author of the newly launched book We Gon’ Be Alright; David Kyuman Kim, professor of religious studies and American studies at Connecticut College and author of Melancholic Freedom, and historian and activist Rebecca Solnit, author of Hope in the Dark and Men Explain Things to Me. During this second session, they examine how to move from fear to love, including loving our country’s Trump supporters, developing empathy in the face of our lack of imagination, and how communities really do take care of one another.
In the first part of a two-part episode, Aimee Allison sits down with three of America's top writers and social justice advocates: Jeff Chang, author of the newly launched book “We Gon’ Be Alright”; David Kyuman Kim, professor of Religious Studies and American Studies at Connecticut College and author of Melancholic Freedom, and Rebecca Solnit, author of Hope in the Dark and Men Explain Things to Me riff of the themes of police violence, this generation's quest for self-care, and why there is reason to hope for healing and progressive progress despite the present difficulties.
San Francisco Supervisor Jane Kim is a true fighter. While serving on the Board of Supervisors, she has been fighting for affordable housing, for a $15 an hour minimum wage and to make community college free again. Now, Jane's taking the fight to Sacramento, one of the most important legislative bodies in the country today. In this episode, Aimee and Jane talk about her journey into politics, pressing political issues and her mean flying roundhouse taekwondo kick.
In this episode, Aimee talks with Matt Nelson about the unrest in Milwaukee following the recent police killing of Sylville Smith. Matt Nelson is the Executive Director of Presente.org. Presente is the nation’s largest online Latinx organizing group; advancing social justice with technology, media, and culture.
For 20 years Lateefah Simon has led community organizations and expanded economic opportunities for thousands of low-income families in the Bay Area. Now she is running for District 7 BART Board Director. In this episode Lateefah and Aimee talk about her beautiful struggle, sister-friends and her vision for a better BART system and Bay Area.
Lucy Flores served two terms in the Nevada House, making her the first Latina member of Nevada's legislature. She then ran as the Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor, and later for Congress. In this episode, Lucy shares her story of growing up in poverty, overcoming adversity and fighting for the rights of underrepresented communities.
Democracy in Color made history at the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. We kicked off the week by hosting a luncheon celebrating the political power of women of color, the first event of its kind in the history of the convention. Titled, “Women of Color: Uniting the Party, Leading the Country,” the event drew more than 300 attendees and featured the rising stars of the Democratic party. Our panelists shared personal stories about their struggles and successes as women of color in politics. Featuring: Stacey Abrams; House Minority Leader for the Georgia General Assembly, Nina Turner; former state Ohio state senator, Lucy Flores; former member of the Nevada State Assembly, Jane Kim; assembly member of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors, Alida Garcia; Executive Director of Inclusv and Rida Hamida, president of the Arab American Chamber of California.
Before opening fire on police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, shooters Micah Johnson and Gaving Long served in the U.S. military. We cannot overlook the importance of their shared experience. Their military service is not a tangential issue; it is the issue. In this personal essay, Aimee offers her thoughts on the police shootings, and recounts her journey as an Army medic and direct witness to the moral injury and damage inflicted on our military personnel who have been dispatched to war.
It is clear that we are at a turning point. Last week we were reminded that we, as a nation, still have so much work to do to make true racial justice a reality, that the movement for Civil Rights continues and must continue. We are faced with two existential questions: “Who are we becoming as a country? Who do we want to become?”
The upcoming elections will be pivotal to answering these questions.
During this episode, Steve Phillips addresses: the legal history that supported an understanding of the United States as a white country; whether American systems will maintain an apartheid-like structure; how to sustain political activists and organizers between election cycles; the need to shift national focus from income inequality to wealth inequality, and Democratic campaign finance/spending.
Nina Turner in a candid conversation about life after Bernie, uniting the party, and leading with the heart even when it hurts.
Most electoral campaigns underinvest in voters of color and often take them for granted. Campaigns assume voters of color will vote for Democrats no matter what, and some campaigns dismiss voters of color because they assume low income people won’t turn up on election day. Truth is, Democrats cannot win without large turnouts of voters of color, in 2016, and in the foreseeable future. Did the bellwether state - the swing state of swing states - get the memo?
Congresswoman Donna Edwards ran to be the only Black woman in the U.S. Senate during Maryland's 2016 primary. She's a strong progressive and a real champion of social justice who ran to represent the 4th Blackest state in the country. Why then, did the Democratic Party - the party of inclusion and diversity - fail to support her? How much longer until we have a truly reflective democracy?
American demographics have changed drastically, but politicians are still obsessed with chasing white swing voters. How come? What’s to be done? In this inaugural episode of Democracy in Color Aimee Allison is joined by New York Times Bestselling author of Brown is the New White, Steve Phillips and former Deputy Chief of Staff to Bill Clinton, Maria Echaveste. Steve and Maria discuss what it takes for the Democratic party and progressives to truly engage and mobilize New American Majority voters.