Topic: Johns Hopkins

The relationship between Duke University and the city of Durham is compared to Johns Hopkins University's presence in Baltimore. Both institutions are described as "plantations" that dominate the local economy while maintaining a contentious relationship with neighboring Black residents. The segment explores why Duke, despite its massive endowment and Rhodes Scholars, is often viewed differently than Northern Ivy League schools.

The story of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cervical cancer cells were taken without her consent in 1951, is introduced. These "HeLa" cells became the first immortal human cell line, capable of replicating every 24 hours outside the body. The cells have been fundamental to modern medical breakthroughs, including the polio vaccine, chemotherapy, and gene mapping, yet Lacks remained largely anonymous for decades.

Oprah Winfrey's 2017 HBO film "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" is discussed as a vehicle for publicizing the Lacks family's struggle for recognition. Attorney Ben Crump has recently become involved, representing the family in legal actions against Johns Hopkins and other entities that profited from the HeLa cell line. The hosts suggest that the family is seeking a much larger settlement than the "advisory board" positions previously offered.

Johns Hopkins University's public relations efforts regarding Henrietta Lacks are examined, including the naming of a building in her honor. Author Rebecca Skloot discusses the history of medical experimentation on Black Americans, linking the Lacks story to the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. The segment explores how these historical "crimes" have created a lasting legacy of distrust toward scientific institutions in cities like Baltimore.

A historical profile of Johns Hopkins reveals he was a direct descendant of William the Conqueror. While Hopkins initially intended his institutions to serve all people regardless of race, the boards that followed him implemented strict segregation policies in the late 19th century. The hosts discuss how the physical presence of the massive Johns Hopkins Hospital came to dominate the landscape of poor Baltimore neighborhoods.

Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announces that the city will permanently stop prosecuting low-level offenses like drug possession and prostitution, framing it as a matter of "equity" and "justice." Mo and Adam point out that this policy shift occurred while Mosby was under federal investigation for her own financial records. They suggest the move is a political tactic rather than a genuine community solution.