Interdependent Study

Our education on and discussions about police and government surveillance of journalists, activists, and organizers in this country continues. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss an article by Wendi C. Thomas called “Police have been spying on Black reporters and activists for years. I know because I’m one of them.” This article reports on both the history and present day efforts of the Memphis Police Department to surveil and spy on journalists and activists and to infiltrate activist organizations, and what this means for the future of investigative journalism and the fight for social justice. 

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White supremacy is powerful, pervasive, and affects all of us. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss an article by Tema Okun called “White Supremacy Culture - Still Here”, which defines white supremacy and white supremacy culture, and describes the various characteristics of white supremacy culture and the potential antidotes for the characteristics as we all engage in the work to recognize and dismantle white supremacy. 

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One of the many lessons that Ta-Nehisi Coates has given us is the importance of listening with an open mind and an open heart. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss "Between the World and Me", the HBO adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ bestselling book by the same name, and what this dynamic and incredible film teaches us about humanity and the Black experience in this country. 

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We are collectively organizing and building a vision for our North Star. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the Movement for Black Lives' takeover issue of In These Times magazine which chronicles the work currently going on across the movement, and the many lessons we have learned and are taking away from it in our continued pursuit of social justice and collective liberation. 

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There is clear evidence and examples of government surveillance of organizers and activists in this country throughout history. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary "MLK/FBI", which exposes new information about the US government and the FBI's surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the 1960s, and the significant campaign they engaged in to discredit him and the work he was doing for civil rights in this country. 

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“I think if you care about someone and you got a little love in your heart, there ain’t nothin' you can’t get through together.” Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the television comedy Ted Lasso, which features an American college football coach who is unexpectedly recruited to coach an English Premier League team despite having no experience in association football, and the many themes from the show that connect to social justice. 

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#SayHerName is a social movement that highlights the Black Women who have been victims of police brutality and anti-Black violence in the United States. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary "Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland", which shares the story of Sandra Bland’s tragic death in police custody back in July 2015 and the local and national protests and activism that followed her death, and what her story has meant in the context of social justice in this country. 

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It’s important to think about the ways in which our so-called universal rights in this country aren’t distributed equally. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss an article by Carol Anderson in The Guardian called "America’s Gun Obsession is Rooted in Slavery" and an interview featuring Carol Anderson on NPR's Fresh Air called "The Racist Roots Of The 2nd Amendment", and examine the connections that exist between this country's history and present day struggles with gun ownership and violence, the 2nd Amendment, white supremacy, and anti-Blackness. 

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The race riots and massacres in the early 20th century did not happen in a vacuum and teach us a lot about our country's history and present day. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss the documentary "Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer", which follows Washington Post reporter Deneen Brown and her efforts to investigate the discovery of a mass grave site made after the 1921 Tulsa race massacre, as well as the broader history and context of the violence and atrocities committed against Black communities throughout the country during the “Red Summer” and beyond.  

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The rise in conservative attacks on Critical Race Theory in our society is astounding and troubling. Listen as Aaron and Damien discuss a number of articles and media responding to the mounting attacks and critiques of Critical Race Theory, and the real and present dangers of these misguided efforts to social justice and our collective liberation. 

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