This is part II of my conversation with Bethany, Janelle and Vonetta. Tune in to hear about how I'm coping with working and parenting a toddler (with no daycare). We also discuss COVID conspiracy theories, multi generational families, and why the earth is FINALLY happy with us.

On this episode I’m joined by Bethany, Janelle and Vonetta to talk about how we’re coping with this new world we live in. We talk about the local government responses in NYC, ATL, Los Angeles and Maryland, about how Joe Biden and Bill DeBlasio are missing (someone send a search team), Fauci’s roadshow and how Black people went from “We can’t get it!” to being disproportionately impacted by this public health pandemic.

This is only part I of the interview. We talked for over an hour. Stay tuned next week for Part 2.

Sources:

Albany, GA story: https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/us/albany-georgia-coronavirus/index.html

This past week, the President signed a $2T relief bill to offer assistance to Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode explains a few of the provisions of the bill: direct payment eligibility, impact on student loan payments, retirement accounts and expanded unemployment benefits.

Full text of CARES Act

Sources:

https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-03-26/coronavirus-stimulus-package-versus-recovery-act

https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html

https://www.npr.org/2020/03/26/821457551/whats-inside-the-senate-s-2-trillion-coronavirus-aid-package

Can law enforcement compel you to unlock your phone? Well, it depends? Do you use a passcode, your face or your fingerprint?

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The 25th day of April marked five years since the residents of Flint, Michigan were forced to consume hazardous waste (in the form of water coming from their faucets).  Flint residents have been fighting hard for justice. This past week, a federal judge ruled that residents can proceed with their lawsuits against the federal government. 

In this episode, I discuss the courts that will preside over their case… Trump's federal courts.  As of April 2019,  92 judges selected by Trump have been confirmed: two for the Supreme Court, 37 for the Circuit Courts of Appeal, and 53 for the District Courts. Thanks to the Senate invoking the nuclear option, more judges will be confirmed at a faster rate.  Trump promised his base he would change the federal courts.  Trump didn't fulfill many campaign promises. Unfortunately, this is one he kept.

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Sources:

https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_federal_courts

 https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_federal_courts

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/03/trump-capturing-judiciary-alarming-rate

https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/04/us/flint-water-crisis-fast-facts/index.html

In this episode, I discuss a First Amendment case out of Pennsylvania involving a rapper, Jamal Knox (aka Mayhem Mal), and a song he and a friend recorded entitled "F*ck the Police." Jamal was charged with making terroristic threats although this song isn't the first of its kind. Recently, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld his conviction. Numerous rappers filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to provide historical context of this song and rap music in general. On this episode, I discuss what a true threat is and how PA's highest court fell short in giving this song its proper context.

UPDATE: On April 15, 2019, the Supreme Court declined to review this case. For more info: https://www.thefader.com/2019/04/15/jamal-knox-supreme-court-case-mayhem-mal-update-pittsburgh

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Sources:

https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/knox-v-pennsylvania/

https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zma8ax/rappers-are-defending-their-right-to-anti-cop-lyrics-in-the-supreme-court

https://harvardlawreview.org/2019/03/commonwealth-v-knox/

Early this year I had the opportunity to attend Data for Black Lives II Conference. Data for Black Lives is a group of activists, organizers, and mathematicians committed to the mission of using data science to create concrete and measurable change in the lives of Black people. The conference focused on the role that data and technology have played in Black communities. You do not want to miss this episode!

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Sources:

Meredith Broussard's Book: Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World.

Yeshimabeit’s open letter to Facebook: https://medium.com/@YESHICAN/an-open-letter-to-facebook-from-the-data-for-black-lives-movement-81e693c6b46c

Article about Ring's Neighborhood App: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/evkgpw/smart-doorbell-company-ring-is-working-with-cops-to-report-suspicious-people-and-activities

Chicago Gang Database:  https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/chicago-police-gang-database-toni-preckwinkle-macarthur-justice-center/

Georgetown's Center on Privacy and Technology Perpetual Lineup report: https://www.perpetuallineup.org/ 

Not Ready for Takeoff: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/privacy-technology-center/publications/not-ready-for-takeoff/

Real ID Database: https://www.eff.org/issues/real-id

Buzzfeed article on Scanning Your Face At 20 Top Airports: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/daveyalba/these-documents-reveal-the-governments-detailed-plan-for

Algorithmic Justice League: https://www.ajlunited.org/

BONUS episode to explain why certain federal employees are working and getting paid, while others are working and don’t know when they will receive a paycheck. I also talk about why the workers that process income tax refunds should NOT be called back into work and if this shutdown continues, families may not receive their SNAP benefits.

Sources:

https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/266/IRS-Lapse-in-Appropriations-Contingency-Plan_Nonfiling-Season_2018-12-03.pdf

http://www.crfb.org/blogs/appropriations-watch-fy-2019

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This episode focuses on DC and NYC's recent decision to decriminalize subway fare evasion. I talk about the broader theory that started the criminalization of minor acts, the Broken Window Theory of Policing and why it is administered unfairly. Finally, why intrusive policing DOES NOT WORK! (I said it loud for the people in the back.)

Sources: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/the-problem-with-broken-windows-policing/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/30/nyregion/subway-fare-beating-new-york.html?module=inline

https://www.washlaw.org/pdf/2018_09_13_unfair_disparity_fair_evasion_enforcement_report.PDF

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/03/broken-windows/304465/

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Quickie Bonus Episode covering updates to Episdoes 4 and 7/9. The Senate FINALLY passes the Anti-Lynching bill and Stacey Abrams files suit in District Court to rectify Georgia's horrible electoral process.

To download the guide and my reflections on 2018, visit: https://www.rtbpodcast.com/bar-raising-memos/2018/12/30/taking-a-look-back-on-2018-getting-ready-for-2019