The Takeaway

The Toll of Covering Police Brutality as a Black Journalist

For black journalists, this moment is especially complex, with the weight of having to cover the brutality they’re seeing while also being black in America.

The Lack of Attention for Violence Against Black Trans People

As people around the country protest the killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, another case of alleged police brutality is emerging in Tallahassee, Florida.

Are Corporate Statements of Solidarity More Than Just PR?

There has been an outpouring of corporate support for Black Lives Matter and racial equality, but are any of these companies actually helping to institute change?

How Police Are Responding to Uprisings Across the Country

For the past week, protests against police violence following the killing of George Floyd have been taking place around the country. 

Why Police Unions Have So Much Power

In some cases, these unions have pushed back against reforms meant to increase transparency.

Momentum Builds in New York to Overhaul One of the Nation's Strictest Police Privacy Laws

In New York, state legislators appear to have the votes to overhaul one of the strictest police privacy laws in the country, a decades-old statute known as 50-A. 

Despite Rising Death Toll, Mexico is Beginning to Reopen, Placing Workers at Risk

In the north of the country, Mexican factory workers are dying at a disproportionate rate.

Hundreds of Minor League Baseball Players Released Amid Pandemic

COVID-19 could alter baseball for years to come. 

President Trump Deflects Attention from Racial Justice Demonstrations by Invoking Far Left Groups 

President Trump has pushed the inaccurate message that far left activists are leading demonstrations around the country to distract from the real issues behind the uprisings.

How QAnon Conspiracy Theorists Are Influencing U.S. Politics

On May 19th, Jo Rae Perkins, an avowed supporter of the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory, won the Republican primary race for U.S. Senate in Oregon, with nearly 50 percent of the vote. 

Former Felons in Florida May Finally Have Their Voting Rights Restored

A recent ruling by a federal judge declared a Florida law restricting former felons from registering unconstitutional.

After Nearly Three Decades, a Florida Man's Voting Rights Will Be Restored

Eugene Williams was released from prison in 2011 after serving 18 years in Florida’s Department of Corrections for armed robbery.

What Does White Allyship Look Like at this Moment?

As uprisings spread across the U.S, white people are trying to figure out their role in the fight against police brutality and racism more broadly.

Understanding the Pain Fueling Nationwide Demonstrations

While George Floyd’s killing galvanized many of this weekend's protests, his death was the latest in a series of events that make this such a painful moment for black Americans.

How Do We Mourn as a Nation?

President Trump has yet to suggest any kind of official collective grieving or day of remembrance. 

The Future of the Democratic Primary

At the beginning of the Democratic nominating contests, the party faced a number of challenges. The field being crowded with candidates with such varied politics demonstrated that there were different visions for the future of the party. And today, while Joe Biden is the presumed nominee, there is concern that he won't drive excitement and turnout in the way a candidate like Senator Bernie Sanders might've been able to.

The Democratic Party's foremost goal is to remove President Donald Trump from office, but they'll need to respond sufficiently to questions surrounding racial and economic inequality in addition to the fault lines exposed by the coronavirus pandemic. A roundtable discussion about the future of the Democratic Party and the role progressive candidates will play within the larger institution. 

Also, a conversation about the killing of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis and how Trump's response demonstrates his need to exploit division.

Guests:

Joel Payne, former aide to Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign and host of "Here Comes the Payne"

Maya King, Campaign 2020 Reporting Fellow at Politico

Dave Weigel, National Political Reporter at The Washington Post

Jamaal Bowman, Democratic Primary Candidate for New York’s 16th Congressional District 

The Legacy of Larry Kramer with Dr. Anthony S. Fauci

This week, activist and playwright Larry Kramer died at age 84. He devoted his life to advocating for the gay community during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Kramer was an outspoken critic of the government's response to the crisis and famously criticized Dr. Anthony Fauci, who at the time was the face of the federal government's response, in the pages of the San Francisco Examiner.

Dr. Fauci reflects on his friendship with Larry Kramer and how their bond influenced the rest of his career in public health. 

Guest:

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

"Quarantine Fatigue" and Navigating the Risks of Expanding Our Bubbles

Lockdown measures are becoming harder to follow as the weather warms up and people are increasingly feeling the mental and emotional strain of isolation.

Justice Department Drops Charges on Three Senators Who Allegedly Violated Insider Trading Rules

Investigations on three senators were dropped, but Sen. Burr will continue to be investigated.

Birdwatching While Black

Earlier this week, a viral video showed Christian Cooper, a black man, being threatened by a white woman, Amy Cooper, while he was birdwatching in Central Park.

What the Viral Video in Central Park Says About White Privilege

The viral video raises questions about who can or cannot weaponize the police in the U.S.  

Comedian Tawny Newsome Enlists in Netflix's 'Space Force'

Comedian Tawny Newsome joins The Takeaway to discuss her role on the Netflix's 'Space Force,' and what the pandemic means for her comedy going forward.

His Name is George Floyd

A deadly Minneapolis encounter between a police officer and an unarmed black person sparks calls for justice.

Meat Plant Workers Are Falling Ill with Coronavirus — But We Don't Know the Scale

Meat plants around the country rely on immigrant labor in their facilities.

The Present and Future of Air Travel

The Takeaway talks to air travel experts about how the airline industry is changing due to the pandemic.

Thousands of Cruise Crew Members Stuck at Sea Because of COVID-19 Pandemic

Some workers aren’t being paid, and in many cases, they don’t yet know when they can go home. 

What to Read for a Great Escape This Summer

With travel plans foiled for the summer because of COVID-19, many of us will be turning to novels for an escape. Vox's Constance Grady joins The Takeaway with her recommendations. 

Coastal Communities Weigh Health Risks as Public Beaches Open

As beaches and other outdoor spaces around the country open to the public, it's worth asking: is there a way to enjoy these spaces responsibly during a pandemic?

What COVID-19 Looks Like in Indonesia

We head over to Indonesia, where the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has been steadily growing, while cases in other parts of Southeast Asia have been decreasing.  

COVID-19 Gives New Urgency to Doctors Running for Office

COVID-19 has given us all a newfound appreciation for health care workers. But could that kind of enthusiasm translate into votes?

The Military's Role During COVID-19

Can the Department of Defense effectively battle a virus while maintaining U.S combat capabilities? 

How We Remember Those We've Lost

The Takeaway, along with Death, Sex & Money, asked for listener memories and stories about the people they’ve lost during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Art of the Obituary in the Age of COVID-19

In the absence of traditional mourning rituals like funerals, the obituary pages are becoming a communal space for us to grieve together in this moment. 

If you are a veteran and you need help, you can call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone.

How Political Identities Have Become About What We Hate Instead of What We Love

Individual reactions to the coronavirus pandemic and the public health restrictions that have accompanied it have underscored how powerful negative partisanship can be in the formation of political opinions. In past crises, national shocks have urged partisans to put aside their personal grievances in pursuit of the greater good, but today, that doesn't seem to be the case. 

A look at how the perception of risk influences our political behavior and the impact it has on public opinion.

Guests:

- Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School

- Lynn Vavreck, Hoffenberg Professor of American Politics and Public Policy at UCLA and contributor to The Upshot at The New York Times

Georgia's Reopening

Last month, Georgia became one of the first states to begin easing restrictions associated with COVID-19. The decision was criticized by health officials as moving too quickly and risking a potential surge in cases.

Across the state, citizens, business owners, and mayors hold mixed feelings regarding how Governor Brian Kemp has approached the public health crisis. While many governors across the U.S. have seen a bump in approval for their handling of the crisis, just 39% approved of Governor Kemp's handling of the pandemic. 

A look at how Georgia residents and business owners are navigating the reopening and what they need to see before they decide to participate. 

Guests:

- Andra Gillespie, Associate Professor of Political Science at Emory University and Director of the James Weldon Johnson Institute

- David Bradley, President and CEO of the Athens Chamber of Commerce 

Back to School

Parents can't go back to work if they're also responsible for co-teaching and childcare throughout the day. Any return to normalcy for families across the U.S. will be impossible without schools reopening. And while online learning has become the norm, it's exacerbated inequality as having a computer and reliable internet access have become precursors to learning from home. 

A look at how schools in Colorado are approaching what a return might look like and the steps that would be necessary to get students back in the classroom. 

Guest:

Katy Anthes, Commissioner of Education for the State of Colorado