3 chapters across the catalog
The hosts examine the psychological impact of the 1960s assassinations, noting the strategic order in which Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. were killed. They play clips of King's reaction to Malcolm's death and the subsequent news reports of King's own murder in 1968. Dr. Cornel West comments on how "something died" in the black community following these events, leading to a shift toward more radicalized anger among the youth.
Tavis Smiley reports that Black America lost ground in every major economic category during the decade spanning Barack Obama's presidency. Smiley argues that black leadership was sidelined by the symbolism of the first black president, leading to a lack of substantive policy pressure. He contrasts this with the gains made by the LGBT and environmental movements during the same period, suggesting black voters were too deferential to the administration.
During Barack Obama's presidency, many black voters expected significant policy changes in his second term, but felt let down by the lack of progress on issues like mass incarceration. The administration's focus on transgender bathroom access was perceived by some in the black community as a misplaced priority. This dissatisfaction created a political vacuum that allowed for the emergence of movements like ADOS, which mirrors the energy of the MAGA movement.
