Slate Race and Identity

Southern California’s gang violence has made national headlines for decades. Less well known are allegations of violent gangs within the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by journalist Cerise Castle, host and executive producer of A Tradition of Violence. This new podcast probes charges that the L.A. County Sheriff's Department tolerates violent gangs within its ranks, and has done so since the 1960s. 

Guest: Journalist Cerise Castle, host and executive producer of A Tradition of Violence. 

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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For every civil rights martyr like Emmett Till, there were many other Black Americans who were brutalized or killed by racist violence in the early 20th century and remain largely unknown. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by Professor Margaret Burnham, author of By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow’s Legal Executioners. This new book unravels many of the lesser known stories of racist violence, the perpetrators, victims, and survivors. It’s also offering descendants of victims a platform, and an opportunity to fill in the blanks of their family history.

Guest: Professor Margaret Burnham, author of By Hands Now Known: Jim Crow’s Legal Executioners

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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In 2020, the Black vote proved critical for Joe Biden in key states, and helped win the Senate for the Democrats. But in the years since, Republican leaders have pushed through laws aimed at discouraging and diluting the power of the Black vote. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson speaks with Cliff Albright, executive director of the Black Voters Matter Fund, about why fighting for ballot access remains essential, even in the face of violence. 

Podcast production by Kristie Taiwo-Makanjuola

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From Ferguson to Minneapolis, protests against racist policing have been catalyzed by videos of the brutality being spread on social media. On today’s A Word, Jason Johnson sits down with Dr. Ruha Benjamin to talk about her book, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want, and where social sciences and technology intersect. 

Guest: Ruha Benjamin

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The new Interview With the Vampire television series is giving life to a whole new generation of fans who love the human monsters created by the late Anne Rice. On today’s episode of A Word, actor Jacob Anderson talks with Jason Johnson about his role as the reimagined blood sucker, and his career as a singer and sci-fi screen star.

Guest: Jacob Anderson

Podcast production by Yanii Evans

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For decades, critical race theory was something discussed almost exclusively by scholars and academics. That was before conservatives turned it into a political football, even though most couldn’t define it properly. On today’s episode of A Word, Jason Johnson is joined by UCLA Law Professor LaToya Baldwin Clark, a leader of CRT Forward. That’s a project that tracks attacks on CRT, and works to reframe the public policy discussion around it. She and her colleagues say CRT could play a vital role in preparing American students to live cooperatively in our increasingly diverse nation.

Guest: UCLA Law Professor LaToya Baldwin Clark

Podcast production by Yanii Evans

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When Dana and Luke first started dating at the office they kept their relationship a secret. Most of their colleagues didn’t know they were a couple until they got engaged. They didn’t want any undue pressure or outside judgment. That’s because Dana is a proud Black, Ghanaian woman from central Florida and Luke is a white man from Kansas. Dana’s wondering how she can preserve her identity while they absorb each others’ family traditions. On this episode of How To!, guest host Hélène Biandudi Hofer brings on Karyn Langhorne Folan, author of Don't Bring Home a White Boy: And Other Notions that Keep Black Women From Dating Out. All three discuss the struggles and joys in their respective interracial marriages. 

If you want to learn more about Dana’s work, check out AfroLA. 

If you liked this episode, check out: “How To Beat Your Hidden Biases.”

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Black residents of Indianola, Mississippi, were fed up with decades of separate-and-unequal classrooms. When a white outsider got hired as school superintendent, they decided to take a stand. This week, Joel Anderson tells the story of how their boycott of white businesses transformed the community and captivated the nation.

One Year is produced by Evan Chung, Sophie Summergrad, Sam Kim, Madeline Ducharme, and Josh Levin. Mixing by Merritt Jacob.

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It really is hard, but Aisha, Veralyn, and Marissa say goodbye. Aisha talks to her dad, Hartford Courant columnist Frank Harris III, there is a final quiz and the Represent team reminisce.

For links on what we discuss check out our show page.

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Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Slate Represent

Twitter: @SlateRepresent, @craftingmystyle

Production by Veralyn Williams

Social media: Marissa Martinelli

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Aisha Harris talks to two black female filmmakers at different points in their careers: veteran director Leslie Harris, who helmed the cult classic Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. and up-and-coming filmmaker Nikyatu Jusu.

For links on what we discuss check out our show page.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Represent and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Represent show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/representplus to get access wherever you listen.

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Slate Represent

Twitter: @SlateRepresent, @craftingmystyle

Production by Veralyn Williams

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