19 chapters across the catalog
Andrew Gillum and advisor Sharon Letterman Hicks face a 21-count indictment involving mail fraud and conspiracy. The conversation highlights a pattern of recent legal actions against Black Democratic politicians, including James Clyburn and Maxine Waters, regarding the use of campaign funds. This trend is framed as a potential "purge" or warning to maintain party discipline as the political landscape shifts.
Charles Blow of the Black News Channel expresses frustration over Joe Biden's failure to explicitly mention Black Americans or racial justice issues during the State of the Union. The narrative suggests that Ukraine has replaced Black Lives Matter as the primary political focus for the administration. Skepticism remains regarding the impact of a potential Black female Supreme Court justice on the material conditions of Black voters.
Adam Curry and Mo Facts return for the second part of their discussion regarding the cultural intersection of Megan Thee Stallion and Maxine Waters. The hosts address technical and life delays that occurred since the previous episode, framing the current conversation as an exploration of the "educated side" of the WAP phenomenon. They prepare to unmask a third party involved in linking these two public figures.
Maxine Waters commends Megan Thee Stallion for pursuing a college degree, sparking a debate on the role of formal education in the Black community. The hosts discuss the meme that education "can't be taken out of your head," with Adam Curry suggesting that a Bitcoin seed phrase is a modern equivalent for financial sovereignty. The segment posits that degrees are often viewed as "freedom papers" to enter a system dominated by white supremacy, while also noting the debt trap of modern universities.
Adam Curry and Mo Facts introduce episode 63, focusing on the cultural impact of the song WAP and the surprising endorsement it received from Representative Maxine Waters. The hosts issue a trigger warning and parental guidance advisory due to the explicit nature of the subject matter. This segment establishes the "value for value" model and sets the stage for a two-part deep dive into the commoditization of women in hip-hop and politics.
Representative Maxine Waters praised Megan Thee Stallion during an interview for Harper's Bazaar, calling the song WAP an example of "audacity" and women taking charge of their own narrative. Mo Facts argues that this endorsement is a form of political pandering and commoditization of human beings. The discussion notes that the story was pushed on both hip-hop stations and older "black boomer" radio programs like the Ricky Smiley Morning Show to normalize "thot culture."
The discussion explores the shifting boundaries of acceptable content on television, comparing the 2004 Janet Jackson Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" to the current normalization of WAP. Mo Facts suggests society is undergoing a second sexual revolution that uses black women to push radical sexualization. The hosts argue that the "audacity" praised by Maxine Waters is actually a disregard for conventional thought and personal safety.
The hosts play the audio of Maxine Waters telling Megan Thee Stallion to ignore critics and be proud of her "audacity." Mo Facts argues that Megan is being "groomed" as a more articulate and intelligent version of Cardi B to better communicate political messages. They suggest that a "third party broker" in the room is orchestrating this alliance between the politician and the entertainer.
In the final part of the Harper's Bazaar interview, Maxine Waters encourages black women to build confidence and not seek approval from men. Adam Curry expresses skepticism, suggesting the 82-year-old Waters likely hasn't seen the WAP video and is being directed by handlers. Mo Facts asserts that Megan Thee Stallion is a "commodity" whose every move is decided by record executives and advertising agencies.
Maxine Waters discusses "building community" by accepting people where they are. Mo Facts interprets this as an attempt to "bury the hatchet" between educated, affluent black women (the "strollers") and the "ratchet" sexually free demographic for political gain. He argues that as black men move away from the Democratic party, these groups are being galvanized to maintain political power.
A clip from 2020 features Maxine Waters criticizing young black men who support Donald Trump, calling them "unconscionable" and "shameful." Mo Facts points out the hypocrisy in Waters' "meet them where they are" philosophy, noting she has no tolerance for independent political thought. He highlights her specific criticism of Ice Cube, despite her past support for his "gangster rap" career.
Maxine Waters commends Megan Thee Stallion for finishing her degree, though she initially suggests the star "doesn't have to" go to school anymore. Mo Facts interprets this as Waters realizing Megan is "one of us" (the elite) rather than just a sex worker. He concludes that many modern degrees have also moved from "commodity" to "fiat," serving as "clout" rather than representing actual skills.
Mo Facts uses the 1972 film "Black Girl" to provide historical context for Maxine Waters' generation. The clips illustrate the intense pressure on young black women of that era to get an education to avoid "washing dishes" or "popping their tail" (dancing/sex work). This segment highlights the traditional view of education as "freedom papers" from domestic labor.
In the final clips from "Black Girl," a mother discovers her daughter is dancing at a bar for $3 a night. The mother argues that men don't want to see "ballet," they want "striptease." Mo Facts uses this to show how Maxine Waters' generation viewed using the body for money as a loss of status, making her current endorsement of Megan Thee Stallion appear disingenuous.
The discussion turns to Congresswoman Maxine Waters' comments urging protesters to get "more confrontational." Mo and Adam suggest these statements were intentionally incendiary to provide grounds for a future appeal, ensuring the story remains in the news cycle through the midterms. Mo compares the current climate to his experiences with the Rodney King trial, predicting a cycle of appeals and further unrest.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters is heard criticizing black men who support Donald Trump, stating she will never forgive them for undermining their own people. The hosts discuss this as an example of the establishment's intolerance for diversity of thought within the black community. They warn that the crackdown on dissent will not stop with the right wing but will eventually target anyone who deviates from the prescribed political line.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters is featured calling young Black men who support Trump "crazy" and "shameful." The hosts criticize her for being condescending and for her long, arguably unproductive tenure in office, noting she has failed to deliver for her constituents despite decades in power.
The investigative work of Gary Webb is honored, focusing on his "Dark Alliance" series which exposed CIA involvement in cocaine trafficking to fund the Contras. The hosts discuss the suspicious circumstances of Webb's death and the subsequent "whitewashing" of his findings by mainstream media. The segment also mentions Maxine Waters' congressional hearings on the subject and the lack of long-term political accountability.
Investigative journalist Gary Webb's "Dark Alliance" series is highlighted, which exposed CIA involvement in trafficking cocaine to fund the Contra war in Central America. Mo notes that while Maxine Waters originally championed these claims, she stopped once she became part of the political establishment. The segment mentions Webb's suspicious death, officially ruled a suicide despite two gunshot wounds to the head.
