For this week’s episode, we continue our conversation on politics but shift the discussion away from the national landscape by focusing on minority representation in state politics. Specifically, we interview Dr. Christopher J. Clark, an Associate Professor of Political Science at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, about his book Gaining Voice: The Causes and Consequences of Black Representation in the American States. During our conversation, we discuss the importance of state legislative politics (29:30), the factors that shape black representation in politics (32:00), and the link between descriptive representation and policy outcomes (37:00). We then have a discussion about how partisanship impacts effective policy representation (39:12), backlash against Black policy interests (44:30), and the importance of leadership power in politics (47:46). We close by having a conversation about black political empowerment and public opinion on electoral reform (51:57), gerrymandering (58:55), and state vs. national congressional politics (1:03:00). 

Other Topics Include:

00:30 - Catch up with Ty and Daphne

2:49 - BhD “Oh Lawd” News

22:10 - Introduction of the Topic

25:00 - Learn more about Dr. Clark 

1:10:50 - Ty and Daphne Reflect on the Interview 

Resources: 

• Dr. Christopher J. Clark’s Website -  http://christopherjclark.sites.oasis.unc.edu/