15 chapters across the catalog
A poll from South Carolina shows high approval for Joe Biden's handling of the pandemic but lower marks for immigration and gun violence. Lawrence Nathaniel, founder of Black Lives Matter South Carolina, expresses a desire for more direct help for low-income neighborhoods. The segment questions the efficacy of the administration's promises to the voters who saved Biden's primary campaign.
Mayor Michael Butler of Orangeburg, South Carolina, describes Joe Biden as a "savior" who led his people through the "Red Sea." The hosts analyze this as a result of deep-seated political programming and fear of the "racist Republican" alternative. They argue that older voters who experienced state-sponsored segregation are more susceptible to this narrative.
The discussion moves to President Joe Biden's pledge to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court. Mo Facts posits that Jim Clyburn, the "kingmaker" of Biden's 2020 campaign, is the primary force behind this move and may be seeking a legacy-defining appointment for a South Carolina ally like Judge Michelle Childs.
Karen Hunter and Lori Daniels discussed Kamala Harris's Jamaican roots, arguing that her ancestry is inextricably linked to the transatlantic slave trade. They countered claims that Harris is "not Black enough" by asserting that the same ships delivering enslaved people to South Carolina also stopped in Jamaica. The conversation touches on the "mental gymnastics" used by media figures to validate Harris's identity to a Black American audience.
Political operative Antjuan Seawright, a protégé of Congressman Jim Clyburn, delivers an emotional plea on CBS News claiming the country "owes black people" for Biden's win. The hosts describe Seawright as part of the "Clyburn coaching tree" and criticize the performance as "wetworks" designed to create political leverage. They note Clyburn's own contradictory statements regarding whether Biden owes him anything.
Following the 2015 Charleston church shooting, some black churches have embraced parishioners "packing pistols in the pews." The discussion explores a theological view of God as a figure of war, vengeance, and protection, rather than just love, to justify the use of firearms for community defense.
Comedian Chris Rock shares a story about his mother in South Carolina being forced to go to a veterinarian for dental work because black people were denied access to white dentists. This extreme level of discrimination explains why some individuals sought to "pass" as white to receive humane treatment. The proximity of this history to the present day is emphasized as a reason for ongoing racial trauma.
A 1968 documentary clip features Norwood Hasty, an heir to a South Carolina plantation, discussing his views on slavery. Hasty argues that slavery was necessary because Africans were "untrained" for civilization and required 24-hour care. The hosts use this historical footage to draw parallels between the "slave master mindset" and modern paternalistic political attitudes.
Norwood Hasty describes his transition toward liberalism as a slow process, comparing the changing of white attitudes to "straightening teeth" with steady pressure rather than a hammer. The hosts analyze this "missing link" of liberal thought, where individuals claim to be progressive while maintaining a sense of superiority over those they claim to help.
During a discussion about the Democratic primary, one activist compared black women to "Jesus" for "resurrecting" Joe Biden's campaign in South Carolina. The hosts find the comparison blasphemous and desperate, highlighting the extreme rhetoric used by political agents to justify their continued support for the Democratic establishment.
Reverend Al Sharpton discusses Bernie Sanders' failure to connect with black voters, particularly in the South. Sharpton notes a cultural divide between Sanders’ intellectual socialism and the spiritual traditions of the black church. Joe Biden’s success in South Carolina is attributed to his perceived cultural alignment with these communities, despite political disagreements.
The 2020 New Hampshire primary results led media analysts like Joy Reed to suggest African American voters would shift support to Michael Bloomberg following Joe Biden's poor performance. Skepticism remains regarding Bloomberg's appeal to black voters due to his history with stop-and-frisk policies. Biden's immediate departure for South Carolina suggests a strategic retreat to a state where he maintains stronger polling among black constituents.
Despite being touted as the candidate of Silicon Valley, Kamala Harris's campaign suffered from severe financial depletion and internal mismanagement. Reports surfaced of staff members resigning due to a lack of leadership, with some defecting to Michael Bloomberg's campaign. Analysts suggest Harris failed to secure the essential "black vote" needed to sustain her momentum heading into the South Carolina primary.
South Carolina is identified as the critical litmus test for Democratic candidates due to its large African American population. Mo argues that the black vote is a valuable commodity that should be bartered for specific policy demands rather than given freely. Harris's inability to secure this base before the primary is cited as the primary reason for her campaign's collapse.
The segment explores the idea of black voters withholding their votes as a form of political leverage. Data from the 2016 election shows a 7% drop in black voter turnout, which the hosts argue is the only way to force the Democratic Party to take ADOS demands seriously. They discuss how the primary schedule, starting in the South, is designed to create early momentum for preferred candidates.
