The Mix-Up: Recent Episodes
Earl and Nicole Poyser
A mash up of national history, pertinent current events, and family affairs with a breakdown of how and why they connect.
Ketanji Brown Jackson's qualifications are beyond reproach, but still in these confrontational and partisan times that very fact had no bearing on the Congressional proceedings to pick her as the seceding Supreme Court Justice. The dynamics of race, gender, and education converged under the probing lights of media coverage, both acknowledged and willfully denied. Displays of grace from one side and derision on the other became the circle of focus within the grasp of historical precedence of the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in the land.
We get into how this moment ties inextricably to America's larger landscape of race and the burden of expectations from some much more than others, and how it still undergirds our society even under presumably the most dignified of circumstances.
America's courthouses are no strangers to controversy and national attention. They have been the barometer for where society lands within the landscape of race, justice, authority, and constitutional integrity. It's no different with the latest cases involving Kyle Rittenhouse, Kim Potter, and the McMichaels/William "Roddy" Bryant. These cases had the dynamics of race, social hierarchy and class be the connective force that drove and commanded the narrative. It's one that is inescapable in its ubiquity and historic relevance even in our advanced years of the millennia. Regardless of the outcomes of each case, the lines have been aggressively drawn and the scales of justice have been shaken. We take time to discuss the ongoing chase for actual justice and accountability that lawmakers and power brokers claim to hold to the highest degree in America.
The 1973 seminal ruling that is Roe vs. Wade has faced many challenges and attempts at invalidation in the U.S. It has survived, but that trend may be in serious peril with the latest "heartbeat bill" law in Texas that has the dubious distinction of being the most restrictive deterrent to a woman's constitutional rights to abortion. It does not make an exception for rape or incest, makes it illegal to terminate pregnancies at 6 weeks even as many women aren't aware that they are carrying, and creates a financial reward for citizens who want to be an extension of this law. In addition, the worry for pro-choice advocates is that many other states will use these new restrictions as precedent for how they proceed with the chipping away of Roe vs. Wade. The stakes are especially high while both sides are dug in and it seems that the perennial battleground will be a woman's body.
Come join us as we get into the crux of this latest controversy.
As the Covid-19 pandemic rages on and impacts virtually every aspect of American life the biggest trigger point for many are the vaccines that were engineered to stem the tide of this awful virus. Science is in a continual battle with the distributors of disinformation, politicians who gain relevance from the peddling of doubt, and contrarians who profit not just in money but notoriety. The lines have been drawn and we try our best to go into the trenches of thought, motivation, and straight up facts to understand how we got here all while entertaining the hopes of engaging our better selves and being done with the worst of our circumstances.
Plus we briefly discuss the controversial Summer Games in Tokyo, namely American gymnast Simone Biles and her unprecedented act of courage with a decision to briefly sit on the sidelines for a mental break. Also we get into New York governor Andrew Cuomo's fall from grace amidst a sexual harassment scandal and what precedent this may set moving forward.
The factory that is American pop culture has historically manufactured its product off the backs and creative hub of Black people. It has come in the musical forms of blues, jazz, gospel, rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll, hip-hop, etc. Inextricably tied to these traditions is dance all the way from the Lindy Hop to breakdancing to the Nene. However, what is not attached to the contributions of Black artistry is compensation and mainstream credit. There is nothing new under the sun; so the co-opting of this unique fabric of our society is just manifested within the modern realm called TikTok.
Currently there are Black creators who are actively taking agency of their hard work and boycotting this social media platform for the negligence by others who have tried to take undeserved credit for popular dance moves and choreography. As it continues, we break down the connection between the past and present in relation to how America may utilize fragments of Black culture with little recognition of a people's actual humanity.
The 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics are around the corner. Obviously with the backdrop of Covid-19 and the regulations surrounding it this worldwide event will be very different from times past. What may contribute to its distinction is potential protest from more than a select few athletes in response to social and national discord.
The exercise of First Amendment rights expressed by a Black female hammer thrower through silent protest has been vociferously met with backlash from conservatives here in the States. Controversy and friction has already been a connective part of the Olympics with the suspension of an elite track runner in the pre-trials under dubious circumstances; and we're just getting started. It will be interesting to see what develops in those few weeks of athletic prowess and elite competition possibly in the name of not only national pride but as a platform for global awareness and positive change. We get into with only speculation and history as our guide.
Controversy and philosophical differences are nothing new to America. Consistent with this fact is a new tinder box of conflict in the form of an old idea known as critical race theory. It is centered on the idea that racism is systemic, and not just demonstrated by individual people with prejudices. This academic framework and progressive way of looking at race's role in society has been reinvigorated into our political and educational landscapes. The mere mention of CRT triggers and offends some while encouraging others to amplify their voices in the arena of a racial awakening they see as long overdue. The lines are being drawn in the sand with hardly anyone giving an inch but the question is will critical race theory be marginalized or actually go the extra mile in relevance?
It is often said that remembering the past gives power to the present. This resonates more significantly this year especially for the long time residents of Greenwood in Tulsa, OK. During this Memorial Day weekend we take time to remember and pay homage to the Black victims of the most devastating race massacre in American history, which took place on the soil of what was affectionately called Black Wall Street. The fate of this affluent community was tragically sewn on May 30, 1921 and ultimately fomented by hate and racial resentment from a white mob during the ensuing days. Heartache, humiliation, degradation, and a forced diaspora were the new burdens thrust upon them.
One hundred years later, many are still desperately searching for acknowledgment, justice, and financial restitution. Today the fight continues against political mire and an urban renewal plan that has become a surreptitious detachment process for the new generation of Black Tulsa. Now the soul and status of Greenwood is at stake.
The CDC has been an essential guide for many American governing bodies, business establishments, and individuals in making socially responsible choices to combat Covid-19. From the beginning, controversy has seeped its way into the national discourse with disinformation and fake news as the driving force. Despite such bumps in the road it appears as if there's a steady tapering off of infections and deaths in part because of an aggressive vaccine operation. However, now with the abrupt shift in mask guidelines heralded by that same CDC it seems that controversy has been reinforced with mass confusion. Where do we go from here?
The adage goes, "silence is golden." However, in these turbulent times that is not an option. The killing of unarmed Black citizens in America's streets by the police is nothing new, but with the proliferation of technology and social media feeds it gets even more magnified. The path towards accountability is littered with obstacles and as we acknowledge that, it finally showed its face with the Chauvin verdict. We still recognize there is a long way to go. We also continue to ask, "where do we go from here," while weighing police reform vs abolition, and pushing for the passage of much needed and long overdue legislation. Although this conversation must be absolute, broad, and continual it is time for meaningful action to be our standard.
Former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin currently stands on trial for the murder of George Floyd in 2020. He notoriously dug his knee into the neck of a prostrated and handcuffed Mr. Floyd for over nine minutes as the incident was being recorded. The fallout and reckoning has been instant and has hit critical mass on a worldwide scale. Race and the systems historically built around it have since been catapulted to the forefronts of minds, conversations, and industries. This trial is an extension of that spotlight leaving parts of America on edge as we wait to see if the systems that be will stick to the status quo or perhaps open up the gateways of justice.
With the huge event that is March Madness the spotlight is once again shining bright on collegiate basketball despite a life altering pandemic. The NCAA's treatment of its female athletes during the Final Four has been a focus in 2021. Women's sports have always played second fiddle to men's and it has become abundantly clear this year just how large these disparities are. From lack of support - financially and otherwise - inadequate training facilities, differences in food and even COVID testing, the NCAA has again proven it has a lot of work to do. As the NCAA continues to struggle with handling the star power of their athletes, will there also be a reckoning along gender lines?
The scourge of racism, xenophobia, and misogyny have been allowed to fester within the fabric of America's proceedings. Now most recently in Atlanta they have intertwined to demonstrate the staying power of these evils even with the passage of time and so-called progression. We delve into how this tragedy and age old sickness are connected, and its recent effects on the Asian-American community is actually nothing new under the sun.
Implementation of America's 14th and 15th Amendments and the fight for their genuine application has never ceased. From Reconstruction to the Voting Rights Bill of 1965 within the scope of the Civil Rights struggle the promises of irreproachable rights tied to citizenship have rarely been applied to persons of color. In line with that, Republicans are seemingly looking to use their Jim Crow lifeline to make restitution for losing recent elections fair and square under the auspices of "integrity".
Keeping it real with the prevailing dichotomy of Black and White parentage and how that is incorporated into the every day raising and cultivation of the beautiful offspring that is our son. It's a deep dive into the origins of what defines us within the scope of a nation bridled by the terms of race and how we can use it to prepare a mixed child for the challenges that lie ahead.
With renewed interest in legislation H.R. 40, we get to the crux of both contention and appraisal for reparations and how America's past (even beyond the reaches of slavery) has dictated the need for this formal path to reconciliation.
Is the lack of accountability and the fallout from the impeachment a reflection of the American standard or is it an aberration not likely to be repeated?
The prevailing issues that have not yet been addressed by a league calling for racial unity and the contradiction between their public relations pitch and what is actually being done.
Meet Earl & Nicole Poyser. Learn who we are, why we decided to do a podcast and what our goals are for The Mix-Up.