All Rev'd Up

On June 24, 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. The landmark 1973 case granting women the legal right to an abortion was struck down in Dobbs v. Jackson case originating in Mississippi. Now without federal protections, many states have placed severe restrictions or outright banned abortions and the hardest to be hit by these laws will be the poor and Black and brown women.

In this episode of the All Rev’d Up podcast, The Revs discuss the impact overturning Roe will have on Black folks.

As February winds down, The Revs reconvene for a special episode dedicated to Black History: beyond the month. The month, used by some to complain about being the shortest month to celebrate Black History, but nonetheless is still used to celebrate pillars that came before those today; and The Revs discuss celebrating not only Black History, but the present of Black Americana, as well.

In the season 4 finale, The Rev’s discuss the latest trend on “Black Twitter,” which discussed Black slang, phrases and colloquialisms. The viral topic lead with, “the African American urge…” From “gone with your bad self,” to “my bad,” The Rev’s go tit-for-tat with their favorite sayings and may have introduced the audience to a few new ones; now, give us the 411…what’s your go-to “urge?”

After Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William "Roddie" Bryan Jr. were found guilty on multiple counts, but specifically in the murder of 25-year-old Amaud Arbery, many ask if the unarmed Black jogger truly received justice. From Black pastors’ presence in the courtroom being questioned, to a defense attorney inhumanely discussing Arbery’s alleged “long, dirty toenails,” The Revs weigh in on their thoughts on the trial, the outcome, and the future of America’s justice system regarding Black lives.

Kyle Rittenhouse was recently acquitted for two murders and one attempted murder during the Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin following the August 2020 shooting of Jacob Black, an unarmed Black man. Rittenhouse’s defense pled not guilty on all counts, saying that the then 17-year-old’s yielding and firing of an AR-15 rifle was actually self defense. For this reason, some are calling him a hero and vigilante. Others are calling him a white supremacist and villian. Hear the Revs’ out on their thoughts on the nationally-criticized trial, and what they predict to happen next.

Inspired by the new Netflix film starring Tessa Thompson, “Passing,” The Revs discuss the various ways in life where people potentially “pass” as other things, from race and beyond. Listen, analyze, dissect and ask yourself if you pass as anything.

As an “out” member of the LGBTQ+ community, Lil Nas X has recently been extremely upfront and personal about his life in his music and in his social media posts, which has upset folks like DaBaby and Boosie Badazz. Could it be that Lil Nas and others are defining the holistic view of Black manhood in the 21st Century?

On July 10, 2020 Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith took to the Red Table to share about her “entanglement” with songwriter, singer and rapper, August Alsina, who is 20 years her junior. The Red Table created dialogue about relationships, healing and in many ways, hope for the future. The Revs break down marriage, gender roles, boundaries, and what marriage really is.

On October 5, 2021 Dave Chapelle’s final Netflix comedy special, “The Closer,” dropped. The comedian cracks on the COVID vaccines, DaBaby and feminism but his regular – and controversial – stand-up topic stirred up more drama. Jokes about the LGBTQ+ community yielded social media debates, discussions and debacles about if Chapelle went too far, this time. The Revs discuss their opinion on the topic, holding space for those impacted by the special.

On September 22, 2021, Black cinema lost a legend. Melvin Van Peebles was an unrecognized genius and Renaissance Man. MVP’s “Sweetback” was one the first films about black people that unapologetically and unabashedly to turn away from the white gaze. Case in point: When "Sweetback" drew an X rating from the MPAA (The Motion Picture Association (MPA), MVP used to his benefit. In this episdoe, The Revs remember MVP’s legacy and his beginning with “Sweetback.”