7 chapters across the catalog
A wedge has formed between Black Democratic leaders and activists over the administration's handling of voting rights and the filibuster. Representative Joyce Beatty defends Biden's efforts, while critics view the actions as symbolic rather than substantive. The hosts discuss the evolution of movements like ADOS and FBA in response to perceived betrayals by the Democratic Party.
The hosts open the show discussing the cold weather in Austin and Northern Virginia just before the 2020 election, jokingly comparing the conditions to a weather machine used for voter suppression. They reflect on the 2000 election's delayed results and express hope that the public will begin to scrutinize how news media provides information.
The segment critiques the Black Male Voter Project's approach, which uses behavioral psychology and Maslow's hierarchy of needs to "change the psyche" of Black men regarding voting. The hosts argue that political consultants are out of touch, and that Donald Trump's "What do you have to lose?" pitch effectively reframed the choice for those who felt ignored by the Democratic establishment.
An analysis of Magic Johnson's ad for Joe Biden in Detroit reveals a contradiction in the Democratic narrative. While the party frequently claims widespread voter suppression, Johnson's ad touts that voting has "never been easier" with centers open seven days a week, which the hosts argue undermines the suppression argument.
Jason Johnson of The Root discusses Joe Biden’s popularity with older black voters who prioritize removing Trump from office. The hosts pivot to a critique of the "voter suppression" narrative, specifically the claim that black people struggle to obtain IDs. They argue that equating modern ID laws with Jim Crow-era violence is insulting to the history of the civil rights struggle.
The New York Times article's comparison of ADOS tactics to those of Donald Trump is discussed. The hosts reject the claim that urging black voters to demand a specific economic plan before voting constitutes "voter suppression," arguing instead that it is a legitimate form of political leverage.
Adrienne Shropshire of Black PAC outlines the Democratic formula for winning the South by concentrating on the African American and youth vote. The segment critiques the lack of a specific "black agenda" despite high voter turnout. The reliance on non-black funders is characterized as a legal and cynical form of voter suppression that ignores the ADOS movement.
