The World We Inherit

Most of us are guilty of chalking up the position of the opposing political party to sheer stupidity. Yet, as confounding as it is, they do have a method to their madness. Social psychologists have pinpointed why some people don't see the world as we do. And, from that, they developed a persuasive tool called moral reframing, that allows you to effectively communicate your position to people with opposing political views.  On this episode, we will be joined by Jan Voelkel, a PhD candidate at the Department of Sociology at Stanford, who has authored multiple papers on political ideology, to discuss moral reframing. 

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A secondary mental health pandemic is being left in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health experts fear that prolonged periods of uncertainty, stress, and grief will leave many with post traumatic stress disorder. This episode explores Post Traumatic Growth, a process of facilitating personal growth after trauma. An interview with Dr. Tedeschi, one of the founders of the concept, explores how to apply this concept to pandemic-related trauma and discusses the scope of the mental health crisis that is developing.  

• Resource for first responders & veterans: Boulder Crest Foundation 
• Evaluate your progress with this questionnaire:  Post Traumatic Growth Inventory
• A more in-depth look into Post Traumatic Growth:  Review of Post Traumatic Growth by the American Psychology Association

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What does Trump mean to the future of the Republican party? 

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The United States is more equipped than ever before to tackle a pandemic, yet, with only 4% of the world' population, the US makes up 20% of COVID-19 deaths in the world. We know that tools like distancing and mask-wearing can control the spread, while we create a vaccination. But just as scientists learned of the power of masks against infection spread, many Americans began to reject them.  Why would Americans actively work against controlling the death toll of COVID-19? The answer is the most American thing ever. 

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Color-blind racism seems to be the most insidious strain of white supremacy to have taken hold in America. It is a reincarnation of the the same idea that brought slavery and Jim Crow —  but this time it's called "law and order". The rhetorical strategy (now heavily used in the Trump 2020 re-election campaign) is weaponized through the criminal justice system to take the lives of thousands of Black people; all while making sure politicians and the white middle class never get their hands dirty. But, now, America is taking a closer look at the white-fear mongering that justified 'The New Jim Crow'. Restructuring the criminal justice system and police brutality is a start, but without addressing color-blind racism, we will be back here in 40 years fighting against another brand of white supremacy.

Alexander, Michelle, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. New York: New Press, 2012.

Bonilla-Silva, Eduardo. Racism without Racists (4th Edition). Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2013.

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In a ‘post-racial America’, color-blind rhetoric is crafted to continue white supremacy. And is used to create the current incarceration system through the War On Drugs in the 80s and 90s. This episode follows how politicians, media, and white resentment work together to put millions of Black people in the incarceration system. Hint: It's all in what's left unsaid.

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The Black Lives Matter movement has consumed mainstream consciousness; bringing on a reckoning with police brutality. News outlets and social media have barraged the public with information, which only presents pieces of the bigger picture. So, while most agree that police brutality should end, the 'how' is not as clear. To answer that, we need to start at the beginning. This episode will lay out the historical context of police brutality; starting from America's original sin.

Resources Mentioned:

• The New Jim Crow (book)
• Slavery By Another Name (book)
• Policing the Black Man (book)

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