Intelligentsia21c

Black History Month focuses attention on the journey of Blacks in America-events and people. It brings back reflection on the historical path Blacks have navigated through trying times for equity as citizens on American soil. Great was the fight for the 1964 Civil Rights Act. It gave Blacks the right to vote. However, it came with many restrictions. The 1965 Voting Rights Act was intended to provide stronger voter protections for Blacks. The legislation was challenged to the Supreme Court. Protections were invalidated. Voter protections for Blacks have eroded. No signs of needed legislation soon. Gains won...and lost. With voting, Blacks have regressed back in Black history. This Black History Month brief is about Black voter suppression.

Intelligentsia 21C returns in April. Relevant to today’s Society, Intelligentsia 21C is a deeply personal, original, and authentic podcast about building equitable communities; keeping you informed and connected to issues—political, social, economic, and justice—facing underinvested communities and the people that are a part of them.  

It’s telling stories that have yet to be told; asking questions to make us think and dig deeper for solutions to prevailing racial and equity challenges; and, too, giving us all hope and help to dream big and bold on how we can build more equitable urban communities, open the door to more opportunity, and foster better and more prosperous futures for those denied by systemic racism. 

Join Reginald Jones, host, for the informative Intelligentsia21C podcast.

The Voters Right Act of 1965 was hard won. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was at the forefront of the struggle. In a 2013 case before the U.S. Supreme Court - Shelby County v. Holder, key parts of the law were struck down. Voter justice escaped minorities - particularly Blacks. Restoring federal voter protections now rest in our Legislative branch of government. A body divided over doing the right thing. Our government must act to ensure full democracy for all. We must march on until victory is won. In hommage to the "Dreamer".

A Georgia jury, reminiscent of a Jim Crow Era panel - eleven Whites and one Black, found three white men guilty of murdering Ahmaud Arbery. He had done nothing wrong. Arbery was unarmed. He was just in a place where racism would rear its ugliness and cost the young Black man his life. A life gone too soon. Thank God there was justice for Arbery. A due verdict delivered. Rest in Peace, Brother Arbery.

Black-owned business statistics for 2021 from Fundera - a business financial resource, shows continuing challenges for Black businesses to start, grow, and be sustainable compared to white counterparts. Access to capital continues to be a major issue. The data indicates inequities in the financial system on loan approvals, amounts, and interest rates.

Nearly a year after George Floyd's life was taken by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, a jury found Chauvin guilty of killing Floyd.

The evidence was compelling. No doubt, the cell phone video of Chauvin's actions captured by 17-year old Darnella Frazier proved critical in the conviction. The video spread across the world. We could all witness the nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds Chauvin held his knee on Floyd's neck until he was dead.

This podcast recounts the verdict, captures reaction from the corner at 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis where Floyd was killed, and raises the urgency of the need for law enforcement reform.

America's hate trait was shown this past week with the killing of eight people in Atlanta-including six Asian American women. This tragedy comes on the heels of data released from the University of California's Center for Hate and Extremism that reports hate crimes against Asian Americans up by 150 percent across major U.S. cities.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s was pivotal in fostering equitable treatment for Black people. However, it did not bring enough to quash systemic inequities. The plight continues today. The Black Lives Matter Movement is at the forefront. This podcast looks at yesteryears Civil Rights Movement and considers today's continuing effort for racial equality.

Information just reported issues of access to the COVID-19 vaccine in communities hit worst by the pandemic; and reductions to U.S. life expectancy at birth caused by COVID-19. The highest being for Blacks.