Continuing the "Block" series. Chris and Tyler take a look at ways to financially help out the block. As always we would like to thank our main supporter of the show, Oakbrook Brewing Company.

Below are links to articles used in this episode:

• 5 Things to Enhance Equity in State Funding Systems
• What Does Defund the Police Mean and Does It Have Merit
• Reading, Pa 2020 Adopted Budget
• Philly We Rise Mutual Aid Resources
• Washington Post - Racial Funding Gap for Schools

Follow us on Instagram: @alternativeblackspod

Support our Kickstarter

Can Black people be racist in a society rooted in systematic oppression? On this week’s bonus episode of the Alternative Blacks Podcast, Chris and Tyler discuss the nuances of what it means to be racist in America and how that differs from prejudice in today’s reality.

Chris and Tyler agree, Black people in America do not have access to the established power capable of swaying the institution of racism. However, Black voices can contribute to systematic racism with their own self-hatred and internalized racism. Ultimately, we question how racism is perpetuated through the power structure, and further, what does it mean to be racist? 

Special Thank you to Oakbrook Brewing Company located at 628 Park Ave in Reading Pa for being a day one supporter. 

For more information on the role of power in racism check out this article by James Wood.

Educate The Block is a continuation of the Buy Back the Block Series.

As always we would like to thank Oakbrook Brewing for being a consistent supporter of the show!

Chris and Tyler discuss the  shortcomings of the education system in general and then pivot to the even greater shortcomings as it pertains to underprivileged communities. They discuss why education is important when it comes to lifting the community up and the damage No Child Left Behind has dealt to these communities.

For additional information:

• Quality of Education
• No Child Left Behind Pros and Cons

To support the Alternative Blacks Kickstarter to help enhance your listening experience, click here!

Follow us on Instagram

In this episode of the Alternative Blacks podcast, Chris and Tyler take another look at gentrification and the many nuances of buying back the block.

First and foremost, shoutout to Oakbrook Brewing Company for being a day-1 supporter of the show!

Secondly, we are running a Kickstarter Campaign to help enhance your listening experience! Click the link to learn more!

Earlier this year Chris and Tyler discussed the issues with gentrification. Now the conversation is being re-examined for the...good?...elements of gentrification and the many elements that are directly, or indirectly, affected by changes in a neighborhood.

The articles mentioned during the show are linked below:

• Friends Save $50/week
• Blavity - Buy Back the Block
• Yes You Can Gentrify a Neighborhood Without Pushing Poor People Out

In this episode of the ABP, hosts Chris & Tyler have a discussion surrounding mental health awareness and the importance of mental health services in underprivileged areas.

As always shout out to Oakbrook Brewing Company for making this show possible!

Articles Discussed:

• Addressing Mental Health in the Black Community - Columbia Psychiatry
• Why Mental Health Care is Stigmatized in Black Communities - USC
• Call 911 for a Counselor? - The Oaklandside

Resources:

• ADAA - Finding Help - Black Community Mental Health
• National Suicide Prevention Line
  • 24/7 Phoneline:  1-800-273-8255

Alternative Blacks

• Website
• Instagram
• Patreon

Chris and Tyler try and take a look at how the Italian Mafia, Irish Mob, and Black gangs are portrayed and looked at in Pop Culture

Surprisingly this was a tough episode to research so the articles that were found and discussed are listed below.

As always we would like to thank our sponsor Oakbrook Brewing Company for supporting us and believing in our mission.

Also a special shout out to Jacky for helping come up with this week's topic!

Articles:

New Yorker - Why do we Admire Mobsters?

Race and Punishment: Racial Perceptions of Crime and Support for Punitive Policies

Washington Post: Brock Turner Headline

New York Post: Kyle Rittenhouse Headline

Miami Herald: Trayvon Martin Headline

Instagram

Website

Being an Alternative Black sometimes comes with shame for liking certain things. In this episode of ABP Chris and Tyler take a look at the shame of liking craft beer.

After listening to an episode of Lovecraft Country Radio, watch the HBO show and listen to the podcast, please!  Tyler wanted to discuss the shame of liking something not stereotypically "Black". 

This episode is NOT note heavy and is primarily a deep dive on our introduction to craft beer as well as the shame associated within and outside the craft beer community.

As always we would like to shoutout Oakbrook Brewing company for their continued support.

If you would like to support the podcast please subscribe to our Patreon account. By doing so you can feature your business on the episode and/or voice your opinion on the many topics discussed on the show.

Make sure to follow us on Instagram so you can stay up to date on the happenings of the show as well as catch us every other Thursday at 7 pm ET as we go live!

If you would like to join the team as a producer, editor, social media manager, anything really, email us at [email protected]

Chris and Tyler look at the shortcomings of the American education curriculum when it comes to Black history.

Pulling mainly from a CBS article, Chris and Tyler take a look at how the United States approaches teaching about Black history in the current school system.

The dynamic-duo begin by trying another Black is Beautiful beer from Lickinghole Creek and by playing another round of the sample game.

We would like to thank Oakbrook Brewing company for their continued support! If you are in the Reading/Berks region and are looking for great beer, great food, and a great environment please make sure to check them out!

To support our show you can support us on Patreon or reach out directly through Instagram.

If you are interested in reading any of the works cited for this episode feel free to check out the links below!

US History: How teaching America's past varies... (CBS article)

The Humanity of Blackness

How to Improve How Black History is Taught in America

To read even further on the topic here are some articles provided by Annadore!

Texas State Monopoly Over School Approved Texts

White Children Show Signs of Implicit Racial Bias by Age Five

If you are interested in joining the team as a producer, intern, videographer, editor, etc, please contact us at [email protected]

Back from their Instagram Live COVID series, Chris and Tyler take a look at cancel culture.

In the aftermath of the Nick Cannon cancel, Chris, Tyler, and their resident Minister of Old-Headery, Stephan, take a look at Cancel Culture.

As always we would like to thank Oakbrook Brewing Company for being a day one supporter of the podcast! Make sure to check out all of the great beer they have and to sit down and enjoy some amazing food!

Chris and Tyler tackle the issue of getting into the craft beer scene and the many barriers Black people face even before walking through the doors.

On this episode of the Alternative Blacks podcast, Chris and Tyler discuss the following and more.

Simcoe Hops

• Created by Charles E. Zimmermann, developed by Select Botanicals Group, and released in 2000 by Yakima Chief Ranches.
• Patent was applied for in 1999, making it a trademarked variety of hops.
• Stats:
  • Characteristics: Often compared to Cascade and referred to as “Cascade on steroids”.
    • Aroma: Berry, apricot, passion fruit, and citrus, and pronounced aromas of pine and woodsy earth.
    • Complex and unique.
  • Purpose: Bittering and Aroma
    • Creates a clean, smooth bitterness similar to magnum hops. Has more utility than magnum as it can impart some spicy, fruity and earthy notes through its aroma and by dry hopping it.
  • Oil Composition:
    • Total Oils: 2.0-2.5 mL/100g
      • Alpha Acid: 11.5-15%
      • Beta Acid: 3-4.5%
      • Humulene: 15-20%
  • Substitutes: No real consensus on a proper substitute. Mostly compared to Cascade, but not enough. Most believe there is no substitute for this variety.
    • These are nowhere close but are listed:
      • Magnum - Similar bittering effect.
      • Summit - Similar bittering potential higher cohumulone (not as smooth). Some comparable aroma qualities.
  • Common Beer Styles:
    • IPAs & DIPAs
    • Red IPAs & Black IPAs
    • American Barley Wine
    • American Amber Ales
    • American Porters & Stouts
    • Red Ales, Brown Ales, Pale Ales
    • Wild Ales
    • Lagers
  • Beers with Simcoe Only:
    • Double Simcoe IPA - Weyerbacher
    • Hoppyum IPA - Foothills Brewing
    • Count Hopula - Santan Brewing
    • Kermit the Hop - Bison Brewing
    • Simcoe Spring Ale - Peak Organic
    • IPX Simcoe - Hopworks Urban Brewery
  • Beers with Simcoe and Other Varieties:
    • Ranger IPA - New Belgium (Chinook, Cascade)
    • Stealing Time - Magic Hat (Apollo)
    • Megared - Sebago Brewing (Amarillo, El Dorado, Citra)
    • Drop Top - Widmer Brothers Brewing (Alchemy)
    • Imperial Red - Marble Brewing (Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo, Chinook)
    • Wild Rice Double IPA - Flying Fish (Citra, Columbus, Centennial)
    • Dead Pony Club - BrewDog Brewing (Citra, Mosaic)

Sample Game

Recap Barriers to Entry.

• Last week we discussed why it's important for the inclusion if black ppl in craft beer, as it related to society at large.
  • Economic
  • Thoughts of not belonging
    • Scared or disinterested to step out of comfort zone.
  • Token black person
  • Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of beer.
• This week we discuss what it actually looks like to be in these places as it stands now.

Discuss Our Personal Experiences

How Can We Overcome These

• Touch on how to get into craft beer without going into those spaces.
• Mention how to feel comfortable going into those spaces.
• Accessible craft beer?

Touch on:

• Supporting Local Minority Business
• Overcoming fear of being the only black person
• Tyler's point on black/latinx/"ethnic" foods being so rich and complex in flavor really flashes with the idea of "these people just aren't interested."

Extrapolate to the big picture. Can we draw from our craft beer experience to address inclusion in other fields? 

What do other fields teach us about craft beer?

Bringing Change to the Diversity in Craft Beer

• Four City Brewing, Roger Apollon Jr, Co-Owner
• “Breweries might set up in a city or an urban area, and they think that just because they are there, the local folks wi