Make It Plain MIP with Rev. Mark Thompson

What if internet access were a utility we were guaranteed with housing, just like cable and electric? That's what Elandria Williams, Executive Director of PeoplesHub is thinking about lately, and strategizing the ways that could become a reality. And in a time where we are so disconnected, we need that access more than ever, especially in communities dominated by people of color who rely on personal connection to lift them up in trying times. Listen to today's episode and head to peopleshub.org to find out more. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Last week, armed civilians conducted their version of a protest at the Michigan capitol to demand the lock-down be lifted, a display to threaten both civilians and lawmakers, says Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Meanwhile, gun sales continue to surge--and all of this fuels the work that Moms Demand Action does every day. Shannon tell us that long after the coronavirus ends, Americans will still be suffering the consequences of the spike in gun ownership, resulting in increased domestic violence, accidental shootings, and gun suicide. In today's episode she also talks about the legislation Moms Demand Action is fighting for, all born out of online activism, staring with a Facebook page created right at her kitchen table. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Abortion access is under direct threat right now--with greater intensity than in the time before coronavirus--because states that were previously trying to ban the medical procedure are using COVID-19 as leverage to push their agenda. How, exactly, are lawmakers trying to sneak their revamped abortion ban in? Could Roe v. Wade actually be overturned in the midst of this pandemic? Mark talks with legal historian, FSU professor, and author of several books on abortion (her latest is "Abortion and the Law in America") Mary Ziegler, who shares her expert insight and analysis on what could happen to the historic ruling that protects women's rights and what can be done to save it. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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75-percent of coronavirus cases have no race and ethnicity data, despite the fact that it's a basic principle of public health. Dr. Judy Lubin, President of The Center For Urban and Racial Equity, explains that the data is critical in order to track the virus and target resources--and not having those numbers can creat a domino effect in unexpected ways. Dr. Lubin explores that and more in today's episode of MIP--be sure to catch her announcement for the upcoming webinar focusing on black public health and organizing around that. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Sen. Sherrod Brown is fighting for workers who didn't get the option to work from home during the pandemic, as their jobs became more essential than many of us ever realized--think bus drivers, grocery store workers, custodial workers, health care workers, etc.. In today's episode, he talks about his conversations with those essential employees and why they should receive a lump sum bonus for putting their lives at risk. Also in today's episode is an eye-opening conversation with Dr. James Hildreth, President of Meharry Medical College, where they recently rolled out Nashville's mobile testing, where they are up to 200+ people per day, and most are African-American. Aside from his insight on testing (and how there isn't enough happening nationally), but he has some harsh (and necessary) truths to share, and why you should plan on keeping your face masks at the ready for months to come. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand knows the importance of the United States Postal Service--especially in the upcoming presidential election--and she has a plan to save it. Did you ever consider the possibility of banking at the post office? Sen. Gillibrand has, and that is just one portion of her three-part plan to keep this crucial resource from sinking under the weight of coronavirus. ALSO in this episode is Eric Boehlert, Author and Publisher of pressrun.media, who refuses to sugarcoat Trump's misinformation campaigns OR how the press is covering him--and he is fed up with networks airing his daily "briefings." Listen to today's episode to learn about something Trump pulled straight from Putin's playbook: the fog of unknowability. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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The death toll from coronavirus in the United States has topped 50-thousand, and Sam Smith, Founder and Editor of prorev.com, let's us know that's more than we lose to suicide in an entire year. Another death that Sam and Mark discuss, is that of the United States Postal Service--its still standing now, but the future is uncertain, and it just might have something to do with Trump not wanting people to be able to vote by mail in November. That and more with Sam Smith on today's episode of Make It Plain. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Senator Kamala Harris knows the public health crisis comes first, and the economic crisis follows--because without healthy Americans, nothing else matters. And that's why she's fighting for items in the next coronavirus stimulus package like free medical treatment and data collection based on race, in order to better target resources based on need. It's also why she's worried about states reopening businesses too soon, and what the repercussions could look like. Mark covers this and so much more with the former presidential candidate in today's episode. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Did you know about the test before the test? It's the first step in the COVID-19 screening process that determines if you'll get the swab test--and it's linked to one of the reasons that African-Americans are disproportionately affected by coronavirus. Dr. Leon McDougle is the President Elect of the National Medical Association and he is on with Mark today to offer insight into the screening and testing process, how implicit racism could be a driving force, and why we're still missing crucial data. He also shares the details of the COVID-19 Health Manifesto collaboration with the National Medical Association and Rainbow PUSH. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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Many, if not most, religious communities in COVID-19 affected areas are reacting responsibly to the coronavirus and implementing practices to honor social distancing--but we can't discount the effect of far-right propaganda. Katherine Stewart is an investigative journalist, frequent New York Times op-ed contributor, and author of "The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism," and in today's episode she dives into what Religious Nationalism is, how it comes into play with the Trump administration, and how that ultimately affects our country's response to coronavirus (with bits of reproductive justice and voter suppression mixed in--after all, we're talking conservatives here). Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com 

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