Using his emotionally raw reaction to Amy Cooper calling the police on a birdwatcher and his powerful TED talk on diagramming sentences to better articulate abuse at the hands of police, Baratunde reveals how the rise of the COVID pandemic exposed the racial pandemic that’s stunted this country since it’s foundation. Derek Chauvin killing George Floyd was appalling, but it took a pandemic for the entire country to notice.
Baratunde speaks about the stark difference between the protests again public health precautions and the Black Lives Matter protests. In discussion with actor and activist, Kendrick Sampson, and North Minneapolis resident, Gunnar Carlson, Baratunde explores the way two Americas have diverged under the dual pandemics.
Baratunde explains what "defund the police" means to him then takes you to the room where it happens as the Los Angeles City Council hears directly from Black Lives Matter activists presenting their case to reimagine public safety and the city budget.
"Derek Chauvin killed George Floyd" is more accurate and accountable than "George Floyd was killed by Derek Chauvin." If you've heard or said phrases like the latter or "Justice for Breonna" or "You're racist," you need to listen to this episode in which Baratunde talks with educator, writer, and editor Yahdon Israel about how we often and easily embed oppression right into our language.
Baratunde acknowledges the increased (and sometimes awkward) efforts of white Americans standing in solidarity with Black lives at this moment. Then he explores the global reach of this moment through an in-depth conversation with Diana Arce, a Black Lives Matter organizer in Berlin, Germany. Yep, you’re going to hear a Black person speak German! Combined, both the domestic and international solidarity have helped this moment feel far less lonely than similar moments in the past.
In the final episode, Baratunde recaps what he learned over the duration of the series, and details what comes next as the nation stares down a historic election and a growing movement.
It's true. We all feel it in the United States. We are having some kind of moment. Where it goes, we can't say, but right here, right now, something significant is happening involving race and in particular, policing. In this limited run series, Baratunde Thurston explains and explores what feels like a defining moment in American history.
