Make It Plain MIP with Rev. Mark Thompson

The principle for Dec. 31 is Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Dr. Maulana Karenga is the creator of the PanAfrican cultural holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba--(The Seven Principles) and author of the authoritative text entitled Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.

He is professor and chair of department of Africana Studies at California State University—Long Beach. He is chair of the Organization Us and the National Association of Kawaida Organizations. He is Executive director of the African American Cultural Center and theKawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies. Dr. Karenga is co-chair of the Black Community, Clergy and Labor Alliance (BCCLA). Dr. Karenga is also the author of numerous scholarly articles and books including:

•Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle

• Maat, The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics

• Selections from the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt

• Introduction to Black Studies, 4th Edition

• Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings

Dr. Karenga s the subject of the book by Dr. Molefi Asante entitled: Maulana Karenga: An Intellectual Portrait.

Dr. Karenga he is currently writing a major work on Haji Malcolm X entitled: The Liberation Ethics of Haji Malcolm X: Critical Consciousness, Moral Grounding and Transformative Struggle.

The principle for Dec. 30 is Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Dr. Maulana Karenga is the creator of the PanAfrican cultural holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba--(The Seven Principles) and author of the authoritative text entitled Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.

He is professor and chair of department of Africana Studies at California State University—Long Beach. He is chair of the Organization Us and the National Association of Kawaida Organizations. He is Executive director of the African American Cultural Center and theKawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies. Dr. Karenga is co-chair of the Black Community, Clergy and Labor Alliance (BCCLA). Dr. Karenga is also the author of numerous scholarly articles and books including:

•Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle

• Maat, The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics

• Selections from the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt

• Introduction to Black Studies, 4th Edition

• Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings

Dr. Karenga s the subject of the book by Dr. Molefi Asante entitled: Maulana Karenga: An Intellectual Portrait.

Dr. Karenga he is currently writing a major work on Haji Malcolm X entitled: The Liberation Ethics of Haji Malcolm X: Critical Consciousness, Moral Grounding and Transformative Struggle.

The principle for Dec. 29 is Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Dr. Maulana Karenga is the creator of the PanAfrican cultural holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba--(The Seven Principles) and author of the authoritative text entitled Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.

He is professor and chair of department of Africana Studies at California State University—Long Beach. He is chair of the Organization Us and the National Association of Kawaida Organizations. He is Executive director of the African American Cultural Center and theKawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies. Dr. Karenga is co-chair of the Black Community, Clergy and Labor Alliance (BCCLA). Dr. Karenga is also the author of numerous scholarly articles and books including:

•Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle

• Maat, The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics

• Selections from the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt

• Introduction to Black Studies, 4th Edition

• Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings

Dr. Karenga s the subject of the book by Dr. Molefi Asante entitled: Maulana Karenga: An Intellectual Portrait.

Dr. Karenga he is currently writing a major work on Haji Malcolm X entitled: The Liberation Ethics of Haji Malcolm X: Critical Consciousness, Moral Grounding and Transformative Struggle.

The principle for Dec. 28 is Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.

Dr. Maulana Karenga is the creator of the PanAfrican cultural holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba--(The Seven Principles) and author of the authoritative text entitled Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.

He is professor and chair of department of Africana Studies at California State University—Long Beach. He is chair of the Organization Us and the National Association of Kawaida Organizations. He is Executive director of the African American Cultural Center and theKawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies. Dr. Karenga is co-chair of the Black Community, Clergy and Labor Alliance (BCCLA). Dr. Karenga is also the author of numerous scholarly articles and books including:

•Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle

• Maat, The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics

• Selections from the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt

• Introduction to Black Studies, 4th Edition

• Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings

Dr. Karenga s the subject of the book by Dr. Molefi Asante entitled: Maulana Karenga: An Intellectual Portrait.

Dr. Karenga he is currently writing a major work on Haji Malcolm X entitled: The Liberation Ethics of Haji Malcolm X: Critical Consciousness, Moral Grounding and Transformative Struggle

The principle for Dec. 27 is Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Dr. Maulana Karenga is the creator of the PanAfrican cultural holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba--(The Seven Principles) and author of the authoritative text entitled Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.

He is professor and chair of department of Africana Studies at California State University—Long Beach. He is chair of the Organization Us and the National Association of Kawaida Organizations. He is Executive director of the African American Cultural Center and theKawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies. Dr. Karenga is co-chair of the Black Community, Clergy and Labor Alliance (BCCLA). Dr. Karenga is also the author of numerous scholarly articles and books including:

•Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle

• Maat, The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics

• Selections from the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt

• Introduction to Black Studies, 4th Edition

• Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings

Dr. Karenga s the subject of the book by Dr. Molefi Asante entitled: Maulana Karenga: An Intellectual Portrait.

Dr. Karenga he is currently writing a major work on Haji Malcolm X entitled: The Liberation Ethics of Haji Malcolm X: Critical Consciousness, Moral Grounding and Transformative Struggle

The principle for Dec. 26 is Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Dr. Maulana Karenga is the creator of the PanAfrican cultural holiday Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba--(The Seven Principles) and author of the authoritative text entitled Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.

He is professor and chair of department of Africana Studies at California State University—Long Beach. He is chair of the Organization Us and the National Association of Kawaida Organizations. He is Executive director of the African American Cultural Center and theKawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies. Dr. Karenga is co-chair of the Black Community, Clergy and Labor Alliance (BCCLA). Dr. Karenga is also the author of numerous scholarly articles and books including:

•Kawaida and Questions of Life and Struggle

• Maat, The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics

• Selections from the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt

• Introduction to Black Studies, 4th Edition

• Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings

Dr. Karenga s the subject of the book by Dr. Molefi Asante entitled: Maulana Karenga: An Intellectual Portrait.

Dr. Karenga he is currently writing a major work on Haji Malcolm X entitled: The Liberation Ethics of Haji Malcolm X: Critical Consciousness, Moral Grounding and Transformative Struggle

On February 21, 2024, Joy Reid was honored by the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference for her bestselling book, and for her role in the Ceasefire music video.

Here is the conversation between Joy, Reena Evers, the daughter of Medgar and Myrlie Evers, and Rev. Mark.

Medgar & Myrlie is available wherever books are sold.

Markos and Rev. Mark examine the apparent slippage in numbers for the Democratic coalition that previously secured Biden's presidency. Despite the Democrats efforts, the nation experienced a conservative shift, with Trump gaining unexpected traction among low-propensity voters in rural areas.One revelation from the election is the curious shift in high voter turnout benefiting Republicans—a departure from historical trends favoring Democrats. Dramatically, Trump has managed to win over a significant portion of economically marginalized voters, taking 28 of the 30 poorest states. Republicans now align more with lower socioeconomic demographics, traditionally the Democratic stronghold.

And what about the influence of societal and gender dynamics on Nov. 5? With women advancing in educational and professional spheres, young men appear increasingly alienated and radicalized—a phenomenon with global echoes. This gender shift may underlie some of the support for Trump, whose rhetoric seems to galvanize men feeling disenfranchised by women’s progress.

Despite significant slippage of Latino support for Democrats, Markos cautions against viewing the situation through a panicked lens. Instead, he emphasizes understanding the existing fractures and addressing them head-on.

Should Democrats reevaluate their approach to voters, focusing on practical policy alignment over ideological purity? Should Democrats not just educate and uplift marginalized groups, but, also ensure their political strategies resonate with a broader audience, including those feeling sidelined by economic or societal changes?

Markos and Rev. Mark also discuss the necessity of leaving Elon Musk’s X platform for the bluer skies of Blue Sky.

Markos and Rev. Mark examine turnout among key Democratic demographics, despite unprecedented enthusiasm and fundraising efforts, and specifically, why Latinos and white women, did not vote as expected. Markos shares insights into cultural aspects that might influence voting behaviors, particularly within the Latino community. Drawing parallels with his home country of El Salvador, he suggests how issues of safety and conservatism could sway voter attitudes, noting that Trump's promises of economic and cultural security resonate deeply with culturally conservative segments.

The discussion also raises questions about gender dynamics in presidential politics. The decline in support among certain demographics suggests underlying biases, posing the question of whether America is truly ready for a woman president. 

What went wrong in the ground game that had been so promising? How can Democrats more effectively take credit for their accomplishments to clear through the fog of misinformation?

Despite the disappointment, Rev. Mark reaffirms his commitment to social justice, calling for continuous action and vigilance. He recounts the historical relationship between protest and progress, reminding us that staying vocal and visible is crucial to the advancement of democratic ideals.

Markos joins for a Special Edition of Thursday Kos to discuss the Presidential, House and Senate races on the last weekend before Election Day.