How do you make a America whiter without saying you're making it whiter?

In this first episode of 2025, during Black History Month, we dissect what does Trump's dismatling of DEI and the self-sabotaging deportation crusade, mean or businesses and media?And how much damage will be done to Blacks and Latinos before they get their way?

Then we discuss why the backlash to the 13-time Oscar-nominated Netflix musical "Emilia Perez" isn't about "foreigners stealing Latino stories." It's about the power to define, represent, and shape how a culture is perceived. Whoever controls the story, controls the power. We break down why "Emilia Perez" has ignited a battle for the soul of cultural storytelling.

Episode Summary

The Trump administration’s full-scale attack on DEI

Why companies like Target & McDonald's are retreating from diversity 

Can capitalism survive without Latino and Black labor?

The history of Mexican deportation: Why 1929 is repeating itself today

The dystopian reality of race in America

The impact of anti-DEI laws on education, media, and business

The Supreme Court's role in dismantling civil rights

Is DEI really gone, or is it evolving?

What’s the future of racial progress in America?

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In this special Thanksgiving episode, we’re sharing some of our favorite movies and TV shows we’re currently watching or bingeing. Hopefully, you’ll find something to add to your Thanksgiving watchlist.

From Black documentaries on 70s cinema and military-style action TV shows to a surreal film tackling female ageism, we’ve included a mix of Latino, Black, and mainstream selections that we enjoyed. We think that after watching these, you’ll have a lot to talk about over the holidays.

Episode Summary:

(00:00) - The power of movie escapism

(05:15) - Lioness: Military-style action with Zoe Saldana

(09:30) - The Piano Lesson: Black legacy meets supernatural themes

(14:00) - Pedro Páramo: Family and redemption through a Mexican lens

(16:45) - Is That Black Enough for You?: 70s Black cinema documentary

(20:00) - Blitz: WWII drama spotlighting resilience and untold stories

(23:30) - The Substance: A surreal exploration of female ageism

(30:00) - Captain America: Brave New World: Diversity in the Marvel universe

(30:30) - Emilia Pérez: A transformative Latino musical

(34:00) - Gladiator 2: Representation in historical epics

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It’s November 7, 2024. Latinos are clearly becoming the next ‘whites’ and represent what the Republican Party may look like in the future. This episode promises to challenge everything you thought you knew about Latino identity in the U.S.

Back in April 2024, we spoke to Political Psychologist Efren Perez, a UCLA Professor of Political Science and Psychology, who holds a PhD from Duke University, about his research on what are the true psychological and political factors that are driving many Latinos to "whiteness." Is it a survival mechanism or is it status-seeking? What are the long-term implications of this negotiation of identity and the Census?

Episode Summary:

• Perez on his recent Newsweek article and the concept of "ideological whiteness."

• Exploring Latino identity and the political landscape.

• Impact of personality traits on political ideology among Latinos.

• Latino Republicans and their alignment with conservative ideologies.

• Discussion on how historical shifts have redefined racial categories.

• Potential future of Latino identity and politics in the U.S.

Key Quotes: ❞

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

"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 Perez

“Quit focusing on the outliers 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." - Efren Perez

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What does responsible AI use look like in the music world? 

This week, we sit down with Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., the man at the helm of one of music's most revered institutions, to discuss AI’s current and future impact on the music industry - especially for creators of color - and how the Recording Academy is confronting this challenge head-on. Harvey reveals what’s at stake: artist rights, the moral challenges AI presents, and how the Grammys are preparing for the inevitable surge of AI-generated music.

If you're in the music industry, a fan of pop culture, or following the AI disruption drama, this eye-opening conversation will make you rethink the future of music and creativity in the digital age.

Episode Summary:

0:00 - The growing impact of AI on the music industry explained

1:40 - Exploring whether AI is a creative tool or disruptor in music

3:30 - Discussing AI’s role in the process of music creation

6:20 - The ethical use of AI is needed to protect human creativity

9:15 - How AI increases corporate profits but can harm artists

12:00 - Examining AI’s potential benefits for music industry revenue

14:45 - Questioning whether AI will ever have its own Grammy category

17:30 - The Grammys’ stance: no awards for AI-generated music

20:40 - Expanding access to music education for creators of color

24:15 - The Grammys use AI detection to protect artist rights

26:50 - Redefining what defines talent in an AI-driven music world

30:10 - Balancing AI innovation with human connection in music

32:45 - A preview of the 2025 Grammy nominations: diversity and creativity

Sources:

Recording Academy: https://www.recordingacademy.com/press-room/executives

Will. I. Am. FYI app: https://will.i.am/

Harvey Mason Jr. Quotes:

"The AI songs right now are generating a hundred songs per second. ... No one can tell me that AI is going to make Songs in the Key of Life or Nevermind, or Illmatic."

"But as it relates to the academy right now, we don’t reward or award AI in our process. So if you're AI vocal, you're not eligible for performance."

"AI is happening. There's no going back. ... Let’s make sure that it's done responsibly, ethically, maybe even morally."

"If you're Bad Bunny ... but if you're the purist who wants to have complete control over their voice ... then they should be able to do that as well."

"I do believe in the power of human creativity...but without some real advocating and without legislation... we would have the danger in my mind that we could slip into a place where we’re just listening to generated AI music."

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Land, land, land. What if your ancestors kept the land they were promised? How would your life be different? 

In this episode, we speak with Mother Jones Editorial Director, Jamilah King, about a story meant to be hidden in the annals of history. She and her investigative team used AI to unearth evidence that could force the nation into a reckoning with reparations and finally confront its buried truths. 

Episode Summary:

3:15 - Explosive findings from '40 Acres and a Lie' impacting African American descendants 

12:45 - Jamila King on AI's role in revealing hidden Freedman’s Bureau documents

18:20 - How this story reshapes reparations and America's broken promises

25:30 - Black and Mexican land losses post-Civil War and unjust government land grabs

37:00 - Storytelling, media literacy, and empowering the next generation for justice

45:15 - Reparations and the legal challenges ahead

Source:

Mother Jones article

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/06/40-acres-and-a-lie/

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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: 📝

• Revisiting La Bamba in 2024
• Ritchie Valens' Latino identity: Authenticity vs. Acceptance
• The upcoming La Bamba remake: Challenges and opportunities
• The paradox of Latino representation in mainstream media
• Mainstream media’s history and role in Latino erasure
• Time for a cultural reckoning

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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