Brown & Black

What happens when a pandemic exposes the realities that wealth and privilege usually hide?

Author Regina Porter stops by our show to discuss her provocative new novel, "The Rich People Have Gone Away," a title that says it all. It's a book with sharp social commentary where characters are forced to confront their own moral complexities about privilege, race, and class, set against the backdrop of COVID-19 in New York City in 2020.

Porter also reveals how she builds complex characters, as well her curiousity to examine themes of personal value versus wealth. Hopefully, this episode can give you a deeper understanding of how literature, in particular this book, can help us process collective trauma and find our place in a time of crisis.

Episode Summary:

(2:15) - From Southern roots to New York stories: Porter's unique writing journey

(7:30) - Exploring race and privilege through white-presenting character Theo Harper

(14:45) - How Regina Porter brings time periods and characters to life

(20:30) - Cardi B's t-shirt: Pop culture's role in Porter's character development

(23:45) - Diversity in publishing: Porter shares industry trends for writers of color

(27:15) - WPorter's advice for aspiring diverse writers

Regina Porter Quotes:

"It's heartbreaking these stories. There's a reason why... we see these stories and people are not able to coexist with their wealth and their worthiness."

"Maybe my job is to pave the road for the next great writer and then my work might be rediscovered, you know, later."

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With the recent announcement of WB’s "La Bamba" remake, we ask: Did Hollywood whitewash Luis Valdez’s 1987 film classic, and will the remake do better? And how much of your identity would you sacrifice to be seen by mainstream media?

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Brown & Black, we use the announcement of the "La Bamba" remake to discuss identity, assimilation, and the paradox of Latino representation in mainstream media.

Episode Summary: 📝

Notable Quotes: ❞

"How white do you have to be to become mainstream?" — Mike Sargent

"You want to make a million people disappear? Here's how you do it. Don't cover them. Don't nominate them. Don't talk about them." – Jack Rico

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In this episode, we explore how pop culture and social media are driving Kamala Harris's potential presidential election and how her multicultural background (Black and Indian) is challenging the power structures in American politics.

We also examine the new lawsuit involving Flamin' Hot Cheetos creator Richard Montañez and PepsiCo for defamation as he fights for recognition as the product's creator. How significant is Montañez's potential court case win for Latino representation?

Episode Summary:

02:15 - Analyzing the cultural and political implications of Kamala Harris' candidacy

04:30 - The concept of "Brownification of America" and thoughts on Project 2025

07:45 - The role of pop culture and social media in shaping Kamala Harris' candidacy

11:20 - What is "Brat" and why is it associated with Kamala Harris

14:50 - Debate on the theory of Biden's strategic step-down

18:30 - The "DEI hire" accusation and its implications

25:40 - Discussion of the Flaming Hot Cheetos' Richard Montañez lawsuit with PepsiCo.

31:10 - Exploitation vs. recognition in corporate America

35:20 - Brief review of the Deadpool movie and the rise of influencers in film promotion

Quotes:❞

"Trump's advantage is shrinking because America is shrinking. America is Browning." - Mike Sargent

"This is the influencer presidency. This is the era where culture influencers in a digital world is what could elect the new president." - Jack Rico

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Kimberly Bryant, the founder of "Black Girls Code" and the "Black Innovation Lab," joins us for a can't-miss conversation about the real threat AI poses to people of color if we don't wake up now.

This episode is a wake-up call. We dissect the implications of the recent news headlines involving FKA Twigs and the misuse of Tupac's voice by Drake. Plus, how to design laws, ethics, that will not allow us to be left behind. Will we be able act with the urgency needed before it's too late?

Episode Summary:

- The Urgency of Regulation

- The Illusion of Tech Neutrality

- The Power of Awareness and Education

- The Importance of Collective Action

- Empowering the Next Generation

Sources:

FKA Twigs Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPflYreNdeU

Tupac Drake AI: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2024/05/14/1250578295/it-was-a-classic-rap-beef-then-drake-revived-tupac-with-ai-and-congress-got-invo

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Has white privilege sabotaged Beyoncé? In this episode, we analyze the recent revelation how AMC's CEO undermined Beyoncé's Renaissance concert film, costing her millions, while protecting Taylor Swift's release. Was this decision based on business or unconscious bias?

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Should race and ethnicity be combined in the next Census?

In this episode, we discuss the Census Bureau's recent announcement of their proposed changes to the race and ethnicity categories, particularly for Hispanics. What potential risks will that on the Afro-Latino community? Will 2030 see Hispanic/Latinos in the United States be pressured to conform to White or will they double down on Latino identity?

Episode Summary:

Discussion on combining race and ethnicity into one question

Robert Santos’ perspective and goals

Dr. Nancy Lopez’s opposing concerns about undercounting Afro Latinos

Implications of combining questions for resources

Debate on the best approach for Hispanics

Comedian Leighann Lord and the Black historical context of the Census

Potential outcomes of Census changes

Behavior and self-identification on Census forms

Discussion on mixed race and future Census considerations

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Are Latinos becoming the next whites, and what role does politics play in this ideological shift?

We talk to Political psychologist Efren Perez, a UCLA Professor of Political Science and Psychology, who holds a PhD from Duke University. His research focuses on race, ethnicity, politics, and society.

He recently wrote an article in Newsweek titled "Why the Politics of Republican Latinos Suggests They Want to be White." In it, he argues that some Latinos view whiteness not as a race but as an ideology associated with power, privilege, and dominance.

In this episode, Professor Perez uses data and scientific analysis to explore the psychological and political factors that drive some Latinos to aspire to "whiteness." Is it a survival mechanism or is it status-seeking? What are the long-term implications of this negotiation of identity?

This episode's discussion promises to challenge everything you thought you knew about Latino identity in the U.S.

Episode Summary:

Key Quotes: ❞

Efren on the potential transformation of Latino identity through political allegiances:

"Are you going to say, “I can acknowledge that's my social position, but in order for me to get something better, I got to distance myself from these other groups?”

Efren on the interplay between internal group dynamics and external political pressures:

"We've been talking about Latinos and African Americans and other groups as if they sort of naturally belong together. They don't."

Efren on the Political Shifts in Latino Identity

"The main point is that the category of white has expanded and narrowed across the centuries. And we are living in a moment, awash in data where we can show you that it's going through expansion right now."

Efren on Racial and Political Dynamics

“Quit focusing on the outliers, visible as they may be, tempting as it may be, and focus your energy on organizing, mobilizing the two-thirds that are already convinced, but don't have the time to vote, don't have the time or resources to make their perspective felt."

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Sheila E broke barriers as both a talented percussionist and an Afro-Latina artist. In this episode, she reveals the personal motivations behind creating her first salsa album now, "Bailar," and explores her relationship with Latin music and identity. Her answers offer a unique window into the challenges and triumphs of embracing heritage and language through music.

She also discusses how personal this salsa album was to her as a way to connect with her father, Latin jazz artist Pete Escovedo. This project was a challenge as she doesn't speak Spanish, but she was determined to share her passion for salsa with the world and inspire the younger generation to learn about this important genre in Latin music history.

Episode Summary:

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In tribute to the life and career of legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr., we are re-airing our 2020 interview with him regarding his role as Luis Garcia in 'The Cuban'. In this conversation, Mr. Gossett Jr. shared his insights on embracing international cultures and his love for Cuba.

'The Cuban', where Gossett plays a Cuban jazz musician in a nursing home with dementia. The episode explores the sensitivity around the importance of cultural representation in film, and the unification of Brown and Black communities in art and society.

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Mike and Jack have an in-depth discussion with a claimed Afro Cuban singer Daymé Arocena about her new album Alkemi, she opens up about her struggles as a black Latina woman in this industry, how we perceive black skin, how we perceive Latina women with black skin, body image in the pop music industry and how has that all impacted and Influenced the way she sees herself as an artist. What kind of reclamation does a black Latina woman in the music industry today have to go through?

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