Who Knows, It's Just Life

As we close out 2020, I talk with my long time friend Jazz Lewis, State Delegate of the 24th District in Maryland. We discuss the Maryland Legislature, recap 2020 and look towards 2021.  We also reflect on life post kid and our love for music.

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In today's episode, I speak about two major events that took place December 4th 1969: the assassination of Fred Hampton at the hands of Chicago Police and the birth of Jay-Z in New York City.  The importance and legacies of these two men are simultaneously in sync and at odds with each other. In this episode I reflect on what these events meant to the Black Community and what it says about racial and economic justice in America today.

References:

Dr. Jared Ball - The Myth of Black Buying Power

Chicago Tribune - December 3rd 2019 Article

Song I'm Rocking To:

Michael Kiwanuka - Hero

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On today's episode, I go "behind the music" on the Raceisms Mixtape: Season 1.  This is a collection of original music inspired by the first season of the Raceisms Podcast.  You can hear the entire mixtape on bandcamp.  There, you can also purchase the downloadable album to support the production of the Raceisms Podcast.  Season 2 of Raceisms is coming soon!

References:

https://freequensee1.bandcamp.com/releases

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On today's episode, I am joined by Vickie Ramirez, Stina Hamlin and Barrie Adleberg.  I was humbled to be welcomed into the ongoing conversation about Thanksgiving.  The team offered great insight on how to reframe Thanksgiving by considering Native perspectives on gratitude, food and the truth of U.S. history.

Song

Lyla June - All Nations Rise

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On today's episode I welcome my long time friend Mai Spann-Wilson to get his perspective on the state of Philadelphia.  We discuss the killing of Walter Wallace Jr., the people's reaction and the tone of Philly after the election.  Mai is a Professor of conflict resolution at Temple University, President and CEO of Kofa Kicks, LLC, diversity facilitator and therapist specializing in working with men who have committed domestic abuse.  He is also a musician/MC/producer and the artist from the song I was rocking to for Episode 1.

Mai - @maimusic5

Me - @RealDadult

References:

NPR - Philadelphia Police Release 'Traumatic' Bodycam Video Of Walter Wallace Jr. Shooting (References no tasers)

Billy Penn - Philly police rebuffed offers from crisis response center to work together, director says

Billy Penn - How mental health pros intervene on a 911 call — what didn’t happen for Walter Wallace Jr.

Songs Mai is Rocking To:

Busta Rhymes, Anderson .Paak - YUUUU

H.E.R. - Damage

H.E.R. - I Can't Breathe

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I cover my thoughts and reactions to the 2020 election.  I mention the need to make Election Day a holiday, protest voting, parallels to the 1920 Ocoee Massacre and the need to push Bidden/Harris to do even more than they promised.

Song I'm Rocking To: Mixed Messages by Big KRIT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIHJyDY-nC0 

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This is the first episode of Who Knows, It's Just Life the podcast,  hosted by Kyle. This episode includes a brief introduction to Kyle and the podcast.  As a big baseball fan, the conclusion of the World Series was a good time to reflect on Major League Baseball's frustrating reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement and its lukewarm legacy of racial issues in the U.S.  Should I stop supporting MLB the way I did the NFL?

You can comment on the episode on SoundCloud or reply to me via IG @realdadult, Twitter @RDadult or email at [email protected].

References:

Raceisms Podcast - anchor.fm/raceismspodcast

MLB Black Players Roundtable - www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVLFnDpz-ao&t=2034s

Stand Up by Mai Spann - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKSxySFYMNY

Trigger Warning by Killer Mike

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