Topic: Racism

The hosts discuss the comedic legacy of Mel Brooks, specifically the films Blazing Saddles and Spaceballs. One host shares a theory that the racial equality message in Blazing Saddles was influenced by the cast's involvement in the Est personal development program, now known as the Landmark Forum. They criticize modern content warnings on classic films, arguing that the farce is intended to highlight the stupidity of racism.

The aftermath of the Euro 2020 final is marred by racist abuse directed at black England players on social media and the defacement of a Marcus Rashford mural. The hosts condemn the "racist scumbags" and "thugs" responsible, calling for better tracking of anonymous accounts and legal consequences. They express frustration that such tribalism and hatred still persist in 2021.

A host recounts a disturbing incident where an elderly neighbor told an Indian neighbor to "go back where he came from." The confrontation escalated when the Indian neighbor responded with a threat, leading to a police report and the neighbor being placed on a low-level watch list. The host expresses his struggle to remain silent when witnessing such xenophobic behavior.

The discussion shifts to Piers Morgan's controversial comments regarding the Royal interview and his subsequent departure from his show. The hosts debate the nuances of "curiosity" versus "racism" in generational conversations about skin tone. They conclude by praising Prince Harry for his work with the Invictus Games and naming him "Dad of the Week."

Jonnie Jensen introduces the second part of the "Waking Up to Racism" expert hangout, emphasizing the timeliness of discussing black lives and systemic inequality. He reflects on his own upbringing in areas with limited diversity and discusses how Team Superdad aims to be inclusive despite marketing strategies that typically target specific demographics. The segment invites listeners to engage with the community through fitness challenges, workshops, and social media channels like the F5 Crew.

The panel discusses the shift toward a multi-racial and multi-generational response to racism, moving away from historical expectations for black individuals to act as entertainers or "clowns." Referencing figures like Lenny Henry and Frank Bruno, the speakers advocate for a level playing field where individuals are respected for their humanity rather than judged by preconceived notions. A listener comment highlights the concept of "covert racism" as a silent killer that must be addressed through open dialogue.

Jonnie Jensen introduces a special "Expert Hangout" edition of the Team Superdad podcast focused on the global awakening to racism following the George Floyd incident. Jensen acknowledges his own lack of understanding regarding the black experience and the nuances of racial terminology. The episode features guests Errol Lawson and Tony Ashley, aiming to shift mindsets within the white community and encourage education through documentaries like The 13th and films like BlacKkKlansman.

Jonnie Jensen describes a recent Zoom call that highlighted his status as the only white participant and sparked a realization about his passive stance on racism. He references footballer Raheem Sterling's activism and the Netflix documentary The 13th as catalysts for his commitment to becoming actively anti-racist. Jensen expresses a desire to move past "turning a blind eye" to the different life experiences and concerns faced by black and Asian communities.

Errol Lawson recounts the culture shock of moving from a predominantly black and Asian primary school in Handsworth to a grammar school in Sutton Coldfield where he was the only black boy. He describes a formative experience at age 14 when he and his friends were wrongfully arrested for robbery in Coventry despite having evidence of their location in Birmingham. Lawson explains that his father's reaction was to punish him for being in a position to be targeted, reflecting a survivalist mindset of "playing small" to avoid injustice.

Tony Ashley reflects on the 1981 New Cross Fire, which killed 13 young black people, including his best friend. He describes the lack of counseling or support at school following the tragedy and the pain of being mocked by white classmates about the fire. Ashley emphasizes that there is no formal therapy for the trauma of racism, forcing individuals to "suck it up" and suppress their grief.

The discussion turns to the disproportionate use of stop and search and the inherent mistrust between police and black communities. Errol Lawson compares police deployment to the "Teach First" program, arguing that officers often enter unfamiliar environments with no cultural understanding or ability to relate. This lack of connection, combined with authority and fear, creates flashpoints of hostility and resentment.

Tony Ashley characterizes American racism as "overt" and British racism as "covert" and subtle. The discussion covers how media propaganda and organizations like ALEC in the US shape laws that negatively impact black communities. They highlight disparities in sentencing, noting that black individuals often receive harsher punishments than white individuals for the same crimes.

Jonnie Jensen concludes the first part of the "Waking Up To Racism" expert hangout, reflecting on the depth of the conversation with his long-time friends. He announces that Part Two will be released within 24 hours, featuring further questions from Errol Lawson. Jensen encourages listeners to subscribe to Team Superdad and participate in the community.