Topic: South Africa

Elon Musk is characterized as a modern "Space Cowboy" who views Mars and AI as the new frontiers for exploitation, rooted in his South African upbringing. This puts him at odds with "Yankee" figures like Bill Gates, who represents the globalist, regulatory establishment. Their rivalry is framed as an ideological war between frontier expansionism and international management.

Following the Civil War, the "Cowboy" base—comprised of former Confederate forces—reconstituted its power by moving west and taking control of military institutions. This allowed them to lead the wars against indigenous populations. Elon Musk's role as a major military contractor is noted as a modern iteration of this cowboy-military alliance, despite his incubation in the "Yankee" environment of Silicon Valley.

Jurnee Smollett discussed her work with "Artists for a New South Africa" alongside mentors like Samuel L. Jackson. The hosts express skepticism about the nature of this activism, suggesting that South Africa is often used as a testing ground for radical or communist-leaning social policies that are later imported to the United States.

The hosts delve into the tragic story of Sarah Bartman, known as the "Hottentot Venus," who was exhibited as a freak show attraction in Europe. Mo Facts points out that Bartman's name was used as a derogatory term ("Hottentot") which some link to the origin of the word "thot." They note how modern celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Grace Jones have mimicked Bartman's iconic poses.

The term "people of color" is analyzed as a potential social dog whistle used by affluent individuals to distance themselves from the label "black." This terminology is compared to the South African apartheid-era caste system. Figures like Kamala Harris are mentioned as using the term to navigate diverse political identities.

In addition to the paper bag test in America, South Africa utilized the "pencil test" to determine racial classification based on hair texture. If a pencil stayed in a person's hair, they failed the test for whiteness. These practices are cited as examples of institutional racism that occurred even within all-black spaces, such as Fisk University in 1972, where wealth could sometimes bypass color requirements.

The segment examines the controversial early writings of Mahatma Gandhi during his time in South Africa, where he used derogatory slurs against Black Africans. Records indicate that Gandhi initially fought for separate post office entrances to keep Indians apart from Black people, whom he described as inferior. The hosts discuss how his later autobiography "tidied up" these views to create the global icon of justice recognized today.