Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay - Congressional Twerking and a Diaspora Discussion

Episode Date: July 8, 2022

Van and Rachel are joined by Rhode Island state Senator Tiara Mack to address "respectability politics" after going viral for twerking (8:49). Then, comedian and podcaster Marlon Palmer joins to discuss a recent tweet about the African diaspora (41:02). Plus, an update on the Brittney Griner situation (1:03:40). Host: Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Guests: Sen. Tiara Mack and Marlon Palmer Producer: Donnie Beacham Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yo, yo, yo, thought warriors. What is up? How to learn is on. It is I, Van Lathan Jr. And it's me, Rachel and Lindsay. Rachel, I'm in your hometown. I'm in Dallas. I know.

I'm jealous. I'm jealous. I don't see why. How's it treating you so far? I mean, I got family there, right? I got family. But how's it treating you? How's Dallas?

I haven't been outside. I landed this morning at 5. You know, me and P. Frank Williams on the flight from L.A. Short flight. I've always figured that. Short flight. Two hours, 30 minutes, you're on the ground.

So we landed this morning, got off the plane, it's 87 degrees, which is impressive. People think that I meant oppressive when I said the heat in Dallas is impressive. No, I meant impressive. That's impressive.

That's impressive for it to be dammed in 90 degrees at 5 a.m. It's impressive. Yeah, it's both. So I've been here. I slept. Okay. And then I woke up just to watch the new episode of the boys to cover that for Ring Reverse. Then I went back to sleep.

So I've been in the room all day here at the hotel. So I haven't really got a chance. There's something to cross the way from me. And I don't know what it is. It's a big, there's a big building with the kind of like half dome. And then there's like a park where they're like statues of cows. Cows. Yes.

What is that? I should probably know. But because because I know where you are, I just don't know what they represent. I can't remember what they represent. It's statues of cows. You got to know. I feel like that there,

if you, but you know what it is so you don't know what it signifies? No. And my dad used to, my dad, I was going to call the judge, but my dad used to work there. It's, that city hall,

the building is city hall across. That city hall. Okay. Like the, the built with like kind of like the, the slant slope. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah.

That's city hall and the, you've got the cattle, the statues of all the cattle out in front of whatever. There's like a half little waterfall like right there. It's like a little weird. And the convention center is right there too. That's where you are. So am I close to where JFK shit went down? No, but you're on that side of downtown.

You're on like the southern side. That's on the west side. You got to go to this area called the West End. to see the JFK shit. I've never seen it before. You're going to be unimpressed. You're going to be like,

yes, you're going to be like, this is where it's a whole thing. Like, get the sixth floor museum. And you'll remember, remember, Erica Badu did the video. The window seat. Walking down. Yeah.

So it's just, you'll see a bunch of people you know where you are, but you'll be like, oh. Yeah. Okay. I got to go see it. Because I've never seen it before

in all of my times in Dallas. I spent my time in Dallas. And Deep Ellum. That's where I like to go. Ooh. You know what I'm saying? It's totally different now. No, it's not different.

I was there in 2019. I know exactly how deep. So when we were growing up, Deep Ellum was bikers and tattoos and piercings. And it was completely abandoned buildings and dessert. Like you did not go to that south side town. Gentrification. It's a totally different place now. It's popping now.

Deep Ellum is one of the best places to hang out in all of, of the world. Okay, calm down. I love Deep Ellen. Yeah, it's great. But the world. Can I be honest with you? Why are you this way?

Like, I like to get excited about, I like to get excited about stuff. And I like to get excited about Deep Ellen. And I say that Deep Ellum is one of the best places to hang out in the world. And I stand by at Rage. I'm sorry.

Well, I'm happy that you're by one of the best places in the world and you're going to get to experience it. I'm thrilled for you, man. Thrilled. Truly. We have a guest. We have two guests on the podcast. We have Malin Palmer from the Extra Gravy Show who is responsible for the tweet that we discussed about the diaspora. My black is better than your black.

My black is better. My black is better. My black's better. And we also have Tara Mack, who is the twerking state senator from Rhode Island, who set the internet on fire with her cheeks out on the beach. Okay. We're going to talk to her and get a feel of how she's responding to her newfound celebrity based upon the fact that people think that she shouldn't have been twerking on the beach as a state senator. She's going to be here in a second.

What did you think about the twerking on the beach, Rachel, as a state senator? I thought it was hilarious. You liked it. I thought, I know. I'm sure people are kind of coming to this podcast. and think that I am going to condemn her, judge her, because I was thinking about this

in comparison to the substitute teacher that talked about with the tweet. The heavy dick. The heavy dick. Children. I don't know. To me, there's a difference. But I felt, I do.

Yeah, I get it. Yeah. It's a difference to me. I disagree. By the way, she's mad at you. Heavy dick substitute teacher. She doesn't like you. How do you know?

She DMed you? Yeah, so I was trying to get her on the podcast and she didn't respond. And then so after she didn't respond, like we did it. And then she responded after the podcast and I was like, we already did it. You know what I mean? And then go and then go listen to it. And then she went, she listened to it. And she's unimpressed by you.

She doesn't like. She doesn't like. Well, why would she? Of course. I said she should be gone. So why would she like that? Like, why would she? I said she should be suspended, I think I said.

Anyways, I don't know why I find this. I mean, I do know why. I just find this video so funny. But I also researched Tierra. So I'm like for what she stands for at the same time. But I just love that it has all the conservatives and the alt-right up in arms. I love that everybody's discussing it because now you do have to discuss her and what she stands for in her platform.

And it's giving her, like, it's giving her nationwide attention. And I like that it's causing this discourse and this discussion, which is why I'm glad we're talking about it on the podcast because it's not just white people. So that's why I wanted to talk about it because I didn't know if you and I had a differing of opinion. I didn't know. You never know. You never know. You never know.

But I will say this, we're going to make that the big thing. And I feel. Yes. wild conversation. I think she's a worthwhile person for people to get to know. You're right about that, Rachel. You're right. I think that it was, there's intention behind her, which is what, I don't know, is the difference between the substitute teacher. She's going to be mad

and me again. She's going to be back. Sometimes we make people mad who, like, like, you know, who bring her on? And I'm sorry, I keep calling her the substitute teacher. I should call her by name, but I forgive me, I cannot remember. I bring her on. You still, would you still be interested in having her on and like going back and forth something? Why not? Why not? Why not? Why not? right. I said it. I own it.

How'd you grow up in this place, Rachel? How'd you grow up in this place where it's 100 degrees? It's a hundred degrees. Are you hot right now sitting inside? You still hot? People are going to say, Van, you grew up in Louisiana. It's very hot. It is. But it's not, I've never been in Louisiana. And I can't remember being in Louisiana and having it hit triple digits. Our humidity makes it fucking unlivable. All right. But like, Dallas is that kind of hot where you touch something and it burns you. Like you touch a railing and you like, shit. You know what I mean?

But Louisiana, we don't have that fried egg on the sidewalk type shit. We don't do that. Yeah, but your heat is suffocating. I was just in New Orleans. It suffocates you. Like, I was at an event and I was wearing a wig and I was a little concerned because I had the wig on. And by the end of the event, my wig was sliding off.

That would never happen in Dallas. It's true. I mean, it's true. Wigs are not for the faint apart. So you visited Louisiana, you better make sure that things on tight. You do. All right. You guys, on the other side of this, we're going to have Tierra Mac, Torquist State Senator, State Senator from Rhode Island in a second. That's your big deal with today. Did you know about one in three people with plaques psoriasis may also develop psoriotic arthritis, which causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling? Does this sound like you?

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Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about Trimfaya. Tap this ad to learn more about Trimfaya, including important safety information. The playoffs are here, and you can predict the action all the way to the finals with Fandul Predicts. Predict the spread, total points, and even the game winner.

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story of the Rhode Island Senator who made waves. Made waves when her having a fun time on her vacation, shaking a little something, gripped the Internet and had everybody with an opinion. We wanted to talk about it, but we didn't just want to give our opinions. We wanted to talk directly to the young lady in question. So we have her on higher learning. Tierra Mack, Rhode Island State Senator is joining us on High Learning Day. How are you?

I am. I am doing well. It's been a wild couple of days. But whiteness is a hell of a drug. So it has been, it's been a trip. Now, you know what's crazy is you say that whiteness is a hell of a drug. But I've seen a significant amount of criticism about. this from the community as in black people.

Oh, you know, black people can have white supremacy embedded in their psyche. They can have white supremacy as the only framework in which they know how to think, act, and believe. And yes, I've seen it all. So the question is, you say whiteness is a hell of a jug. You say white supremacy is kind of the culprit here. Why do you feel that way? Why do you feel people's reaction to you twerking?

We should say you were you were twerking on a handstand on your vacation. The cheeks was out. All right. As they are in the bikini. Why do you feel like the reaction to that is white supremacy? Yeah. My body has never been able to be controlled by my opposition. As a seated state senator, the youngest queer,

a black senator that was elected in Rhode Island's General Assembly in 2020. My body has always, my existence has always been a source of conversation. And it's never been about me as a person. It has always been about you must conform. You must fit into this box. You must be quiet. You must not say the things on your mind. When I was elected, I was saying shit like fuck ice. And that was who my, that's who my constituency voted in. I never wanted to be a politician who once I got up there, I dressed in boring black and brown clothing. I didn't speak my opinion and I didn't uplift my community. And so when I continue to live my joyful free black self and folks don't know how to deal

with that and folks don't know how that can be, how that joy in the light of all of the oppression that we are experiencing, in light of all of the oppression that they have given me, in light of all the ways that they've tried to silence me, the fact that I can still show up for my community with joy, with love, compassion. and silliness, that is, that is everything that they hate. I should be ashamed of my body. I was called fat. I was called classless. I was called shameful. All of these things simply for having a body on a, on a beach, wearing what every single other person wears to the beach. But because I am black in doing it and because I'm empowered in doing it, that is what upset people. Because I shouldn't,

I shouldn't quote unquote, look like that and be acting like that. I shouldn't be a state Senator with an Ivy League degree and be able to turn up with my friends on a weekend. They wanted me silent and I didn't allow that. And because I didn't allow that, I didn't allow their narrative and I didn't allow their boxes, they lost their shit. Do you think that if a white woman was twerking on a handstand that it would have had a similar reaction? Absolutely not.

Because in Rhode Island, I have all my TikTok about Rhode Island is literally wild. double standard that I am held to is literally what I'm twerking about. The double standard of, I went against a 30-year incumbent who was anti-LGPDQ and was anti-abortion, had 21 DUIs. My current opponent was arrested for embezzling $6,000 in campaign funds. The Senate president in Rhode Island was arrested in 1990 for stealing condoms and he's still in office today. I was flipped upside down in a handstand in a headstand twerking. And yet my body should be shameful. My behavior was uncouth, the disgusting, et cetera. But I have men who are in the same position, be they white, be they black, who are free from criticism. We had a mayor in Rhode Island, Buddy Ciancy, who was arrested for

mob activity. And when he left jail, he was, he ran for re-election. And so this is the environment that I'm in where it's not about the policies. It's not about the issues. It's about We want people in power who will uphold the status quo. And because I came into Rhode Island politics, an outsider, not willing to conform, not willing to lend my platform to being quiet and acquiescing to the powers that be, that upsets them. And that disrupts white supremacy. It disrupts everything that they've been told I should be doing.

I shouldn't be liberated. I shouldn't be free. I should be falling in the footsteps of other people. But because I don't behave the way they want me to, I am, I am disgusting, I am, et cetera. Meanwhile, they are doing 10 times worse things and they're not showing up for their communities. They're not talking about the policies and they're not lending their platforms to uplifting people in a way that is loving and full of empathy and joy. And so to them I say, like, I'll twerk on your double standard.

I will literally twerk on your double standard because no matter what I do, they would criticize me regardless. No matter how I show up, no matter what I do, they would criticize me regardless. I had to turn off all my comments. I had to mail sent to my home, for advocating for a queer inclusive, age appropriate, comprehensive, pleasure-based sexual health education bill. People calling me a groomer and a pedophile. Mail sent to my home. And no one protected me. No one in Rhode Island. No one in the media said, we should protect this black one. My body was never mine. No one cared. No one cared about my body and my safety until it was twerking upside down. And even then,

they don't care about my safety. They care about what my body is doing. So to them, I say, I'll twerk on your double standard all day because y'all don't care about me and it was never about me and it was never about me as a person. It was never about me representing people. It was about this is a body that we can't control. And so again, I twerk on that double standard. So what I saw, because I like to watch the discourse in the comments, that's what I'm here

for it here. I'm here for the comments section. I know what I feel like. Everyone that listens to this podcast knows how I feel. Be free, be you, be expressive. I am against the prudest nation of society. We know this, okay? But in the comments section, there are a lot of people that are saying, hey, if you are an elected official, this is the way you should conduct yourself.

There were people that were saying classless, like you said. There were people that were saying, hey, you're embarrassing black people. you're embarrassing black women, you know, that there should be a decorum, a way that you act if you're an elected official. And a lot of those people, like I said, were black. Forget about the other white people because we talked about the framework of white supremacy that you said, what do you say to the black people that criticize you for twerking? Rihanna Taylor was sleeping in her bed and they killed her anyway.

Philando Castile told them that he had a registered gun in his car and they shot him anyway. Eric Gardner told them he could not breathe and they killed him anyway. Like these, Trayvon Martin had skittled in his hands and they killed him anyway. No matter how I behave, no matter how respectable I am, no matter the Ivy League degree, I am still a black body worthy of the violence that America can give me. And if we in our community think that that is the same, if we think that about ourselves, of course, people are going to say you should act classy. what does an elected official look like and act like? Because all I see performed in the state

house that I'm in and at the White House on the national level and the federal level is white people who are not connected to the issues. I see white people and I see old people who don't know how to connect connect to their constituents who are not talking about how $15 is not a living wage. That's $32,500 a year before taxes. I'm talking about a $25,000 living wage for everybody, which is $55,000 a year. I'm talking about housing for all, authentic pathways, black homeownership to decrease the wealth gap. Yet, folks want to say that I'm not behaving in the way that elected officials should behave. They're supposed to, what are they supposed to be doing? And obviously, that status quo has not worked. Their rules have never worked for me because I was

supposed to get into that room and I was supposed to be quiet. I was supposed to wear the correct clothes. I was supposed to do, perform the ways that they wanted me to perform. And because I didn't and because I couldn't, that is, that is seen as deviant to the nature, but to the nature of what it means to be an elected official. But I think we need more elected officials who are real people, because it is a part-time position. A lot of folks don't even know how state legislatures work. I had people like, you're a disgrace to the U.S. I can't believe you represent the United States. I'm like, honey, I am a Rhode Island state senator. They pay me $16,000 before taxes to represent their state for six months out of the year. After my full-time job, I got people calling me all kinds of

and sideways, staying in the building sometimes until midnight. I am a part-time state senator. I'm allowed to still have joy. I'm allowed to be a real person. I'm allowed to show up for my community in ways that are authentic to me. And the fact that people think they own me, the fact that they think that I have to behave in a way that is not authentic to me in order to lead, that is not how we show up for community. And so if we've only seen leaders who lead in ways at our performance, we've never had actual leaders. And that's why we're not used to leaders who are leading an unapologetic, black, queer, and joyful life out in the open because we need more real authentic people, showing our younger generation that you can be a queer, black twerking person and still show up

for your community every day. You can be a queer, black twerking person and show up every single day for the people and the causes that it matters. And you don't have to be the next AOC. You don't have to be the next Kamala Harris. You can be you in your community still showing up for change. Let me ask you this. I'm a devil's advocate question. Now, I'm known to be the prudish one on the podcast. But however, I have to say, I find this story quite captivating. I'm like, love this. I really do. Is it fair to say that people, because everything you're saying like in what you stand for is wonderful. But is it fair to say that the message could be lost in the twerk?

People can't hear what you have to say because they're so focused on what it is that you're doing. Is that fair? Is it fair to say that? No, it's not because listening to me before. It wasn't what my body was the conversation that now I have the platform to talk about abortion, to talk about living wage, to talk. about our criminal justice system, to talk about police accountability. Because I've been talking that shit. I've been talking about it. I have the policy background. I have the papers. And yet that

never got coverage in my local media and the national media. So no, they've already told me that sex sells. And so when I use that message that I received growing up as a black woman with my body always being objectified, when I take their tools and use it against them, they're like, oh, wait, no, you're not supposed to use our weapons against us. But honey, baby, like, you taught me that my body was a tool and so I used it. And when I didn't use it in the ways that you could shame me and you could belittle me and put me down, that is the danger and that is the power of blackness, of joy, of liberation. We can take their tools and literally flip it on top of their heads and twerk on it.

What has been to you the most shocking response? Has it been the way that people have called you out of your name? Has it been intercommunity criticism? Has it been people? What has been, were you surprised at any of the response you got to the video? Yeah, I wouldn't say that I am, I mean, I have heard it all. Like I said before, I went viral for twerking upside down. I went viral because the alt-right took a bill that I supported, literally, again, harassed

daily, receiving, like, threatening messages, being called the inward, disgusting, hundreds of thousands of messages calling me a pedophile and a groomer. I have literally heard every single thing that these people can throw at me before this happened. And so now that there's a platform, and now that there are more eyes on it, I'm just hearing it even more. And it's coming from the community. It's coming from people who don't understand. And I'm a former educator. I know that as a state center and as an educator, as a free and liberated black woman who's leading in new and different ways. And it's not for everybody. Everything that I do is not for everybody. But because I show up in these ways, I think it's important that, and I lost my train of thought,

but I think it is, it's important that I continue to show up in ways that are challenging people's perception of what leadership looks like. Because again, the status quo never worked for us. We're literally in the middle of a global pandemic, another recession. We are, we have thing after thing after thing. We have mass black death on the media. And yet people are focusing on my body. that is the most pressing thing in the United States right now. And so again, to lend that platform, they already told me the only way that I will be on the news is if I am shot by the police and my bill goes viral or if I'm working upside down. That is the message that United States gave me and that I've lived with my entire life.

And so when I take that message and use it to my own advantage, y'all are upset. But we've all been told the only way that you will get your name in the news is either when you die or you do something on World Star. And so, and so. Just to piggyback on what Van was saying, have you been surprised at maybe someone with like a political office or some type of platform has reached out to you in support for the video?

Or to like comment, have you, has that shocked you? Or have you been surprised by someone doing that? Yeah, I think I've been surprised by some of the support. Like I was out knocking doors today because I'm in the middle of my re-election. And I had constituents like, weren't you working on the news? And they're like, girl, like, I'm not concerned about that. So I think it, it's been really nice to have my community. I have a sign right outside my door. And there was a group of people who were outside twerking in front of it. And so it's been nice to see the actual 20,000 people who live in my community who now know the state senator, know that

there is an election coming up and know that their, their representation in the state who spends millions of dollars in their communities and makes decisions that will impact them for the next, like, 10, 20, 30 years is someone that they can approach. It's someone who has a real life and who knows the struggles of being low income, who knows what it's like to speak for the marginalized communities. And so I've been overwhelmed to see the joy and the response of liberation and the folks who are like, girl, we get it.

And again, message is not for everybody. It doesn't have to be. Never going to please everyone. And so the people who felt affirmed by that message, the people who felt seen and the people who felt, now I can engage in politics because I know that it's not, it's not hopeless. There are people like you who are real,

who are grounded, who look like me. That's the overwhelming sense of like joy and like and excitement that I get because there are people who finally see themselves in politics. You don't have to be buttoned up. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to be whole. you don't have to be complete in order to be a leader.

You don't have to be whole. You don't have to be complete in order to make a change in your community. And that is what has made me feel so affirmed and loved by this community of twerkers out there who are doing what they want in their free time, but also impacting their community. Could you see yourself, last question for me, could you see yourself twerking all the way to the Senate, twerking all the way to the White House, twerking all the way to, I don't know, know the cabinet. Where do you see your political career? So I don't see myself as a career politician, at least yet. I stumbled into politics.

That is disappointing, Tierra. That is another thing. I'll just be honest with you. You feel very sincere. You feel absolutely deadly, accurate and focused. It's disappointing. Yeah. Well, you know, things can change.

But right now, I'm 28 years old, and these people are already wearing me out. But I think. A lot of folks also failed to realize that there is so much power at the grassroots and local level. Many of the decisions that are being made happen at the state level and they happen at the city level. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade at the federal level, it is up to states to decide if someone will have access to abortion. There are already states that have said, no, you will not have that right to your body. There are states that are going to have to decide if they become sanctuary cities for our immigrant population and for undocumented folks. it's going to be up to the state to decide.

So there is so much more power at the grassroots level, at the state level. Everyone wants to be the big star. I don't want to be the big star. I want to create so many little stars that we light up all across the nation because all of our communities are cared for and affirmed by people who care about the niche intricacies of those communities. It's not about being a larger-than-life figure, which is what I think some of those bigger positions can be for.

But there's so much impact at the grassroots level that people failed to realize. So when someone's like, you're just a state senator, what are you doing? It's like, but there's real tangible impact for the 1.1 million people who live in my state by showing up every day as myself. My last question. Will there be another twerk video? Will we get a response twerk video a set around to? And then I'm also just curious if you either laughed at or seen some of the memes that are on social with the still shot of you like in the White House. or the Washington monument.

I like different things like that. I'm just wondering if you've seen all that. Yes. So will I be twerking again? Well, now I'm trying to get twerk for trending on TikTok, on Twitter. Like, what are you twerking for? We're going to lean into it. We've got a whole generation of new voters who can be engaged and know about their upcoming

election, know about their local elected officials and know about how to get engaged in some of the issues. So hashtag twerk floor. So I'll probably still be. twerking. Again, I twerking my free time. I go out to the clubs. And yes, I've been impressed with the memes. My favorite was the one that 50 cent reposted with like me in front of Joe Biden. I really appreciated the reflection in the in the memorial. Oh, you got the reflection. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A lot of people would say, a lot of people were saying, what would Dr. King

think about the twerking? And I was thinking, if you know anything about Dr. King, you know he'd enjoy it a lot. So, Tierra, thank you so much for joining us on higher learning. Yes. Number one, I think it's important to sort of challenge some of these long-held societal norms. But also, I don't think that people understood the depth of you as a politician. How could they have? They didn't know you and everything that you stand for.

And I'm glad that you've been given a platform and given the ability to kind of put your message out there. to everyone and we appreciate you joining us today on higher learning. This is only the beginning. There's only beginning of your movement. So whatever you want to do, we're right here to support you. We'd love to have you back sometime. Yes, thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it.

Thank you. No problem. Bye, bye, dear. Bye, take care. Did you know about one in three people with plaques psoriasis may also develop psoriotic arthritis, which causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling? Does this sound like you? Listen to what it sounds like to be a million.

miles away. Trimfaya, Gucocumab. Taken by injection is a prescription medicine for adults with moderate to severe plaques psoriasis,

who may benefit from taking injections or pills or phototherapy, and for adults with active psoriatic arthritis. Serious allergic reactions

and increased risk of infections and liver problems may occur. Before a treatment, your doctor should check you for infections and tuberculosis.

Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, or if you need a vaccine. Imagine being a million miles away. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about trim fire. Tap this ad to learn more about trimfaya, including important safety information. This episode is brought to you by WeatherTech. Everyone knows winter is the MVP and making a mess. You don't need WeatherTech floor liners in the summer,

unless you hit the beach or go camping. Then you'd want a cargo liner. Or road trip goes sideways, ketchup goes rogue, ice cream drips. Yeah, you'd be pretty happy about those WeatherTech seat protectors. So just to be clear as the mud, you're inevitably going to step into the summer. You don't need weather tech unless you plan on doing summer. Visit weathertech.com today. Tara Mac, she twirks, but she's also, she twerks and she saves. She saves people, but she also tors. What do you, what did you think about that?

I love that her twerking was intentional, right? There was a message behind it. Even if she was just twerking on vacation and she was like, vote for me. I still don't think I would have had a problem with it. But I loved it. I just loved hearing her talk about it even more. And I don't disagree with anything that she was saying. I did ask her if it was a white woman twerking, would there have been as big of a reaction?

I disagree with her on that. I do think it would have been a big reaction, a huge reaction of any woman, any race woman, twerking, that's a politician, it would have been a reaction. That I disagree. Let's move to New York now. Have you seen the video of the bodega owner? I have.

Stabbing up the guy. So this is what happened. And Madadden Bodega clerk was forced to grab a knife and fend off an attack. Now finds himself sitting behind bars at Riker Island, charged with murder and unable to post $250,000 a bond.

It was charged in the fatal stabbing. of Austin Simon, okay, 35, who can be seen on video storming behind the counter at the Hamilton Heights grocery store on Broadway and West 139th Street to attack the storework on Friday night. The incident followed an argument that the store owner had with Simon's girlfriend whose EBT card was declined when she tried to use it to buy chips for a 10-year-old daughter at the store. 32-year-old woman claimed that the store owner, whose name is Alba, grabbed the snack out of her daughter's hand

so she knocked over items on the corner and ran home to get Simon, who stormed into the bodega and attacked Alba about 10 minutes later. During the fight, Simon's girlfriend allegedly stabbed the worker in the shoulder with a knife. She had in her purse,

according to Alba's defense attorney, but she is not facing charges. Alba's been charged. with second degree murder, you can see the guy on video, walk into the store, and he's very upset. He's very upset because I guess of what he's been told precedes this incident. And at some point, the video gets bloody. And when the video gets bloody, this guy did not make it. He died.

A lot of people are talking about this video. Rachel, your thoughts. Yeah, there's a lot of, there's a lot of discourse on this. in regards to what happened. And it's complicated. And it's hard to talk about without knowing the intention of Alba, not knowing, you know,

like what he's felt in that moment, what he's been through, or even sadly, Austin, who's passed away now to this point. People are upset because he's being charged with second degree murder. People are also upset because he's being held in Rikers on a 250,

$50,000 bill when the DA has been vocal about the bell bonds and not having, you know, big amounts. And there have been other people who have been charged with something who've been let out for either a lesser amount of bail or none at all and who have gone out and done criminal acts after they were led out on bail. So there's a lot that people are saying in regards to this. this is I mean this is tough because I don't know what again I don't know what Alba was thinking and it's hard to say what you would have done in that moment if the girlfriend pulled out a knife and then left and this and Austin is coming back and from the cameras you can see that he's

visibly angry he pushed Alba down I don't know what's being said who knows if he was protecting himself in that moment now the alarming thing is is when he grabs the knife, he goes straight for his neck. He stabs him in the neck. Like, well, he stabs him. So he stabs him, we should say this is a, this is a tough one. He stabs him in the body first. And then after he stabs him in the body to kind of take his, his, his attention away,

then he goes for the neck. So it's like he was, he was working the knife. I mean, to be honest. No, he was absolutely working. And again, I don't know what Austin was saying. I don't know if he was saying, I'm going to come back. I'm going to kill you. I'm going to do.

We have no idea. And sadly, Austin's not here to tell his story. But it's a tough one. It's not a case that I would want to be involved in because, you know, what I have no idea what he felt in that moment. Because you can say certainly there were some. things that Austin should not have been doing, but did he deserve to be murdered? No. Yeah. So I understand the back and forth on social media. So I'm looking at the video right now.

The neck thing is what's getting to me on that side of it. This is, this is, I got to be honest with you. I find it hard to blame Jose Alba in this situation. It is, sir. I do. Like, I find it hard to blame in this situation. I'm watching the video right now. I'm not saying and this is this goes back to us finding ways to have non-violent conflict resolution and not

putting ourselves. It also goes back to like what we were talking about even at the Oscars. You just can't in any way you don't want to get into a position of justifying violence as conflict resolution because you never know when it's going to go completely bad. Neither one of these people is a police officer

and let me tell you what difference that makes. In a situation where this is a cop, the cop should be trained in de-escalation. The cop should have the cops armed, all of this stuff. Like, when we're asking for holding police to a different standard, we're asking that because of the money that we're pumping into police departments to train them how to

de-escalate situations and how to use non-lethale force in situations because they are powerful. What I'm looking at right now, if I'm being honest is a video of an angry man. And I'm not saying Austin didn't have a right to be angry. I don't know what precipitated is. He pushes the guy down. He stands in front of him. He stands in front of him. He's talking. He's talking. He's saying something. At this point, Jose Alba is not getting up. He's not getting up. I'm watching the video right now. He's still talking to him. He's not trying to beat him to death or anything like that. He's not trying to beat him to death. He's talking to him. Jose Alba tries to get up.

and when he when he when he gets up he grabs the knife now they're there there there he gets up and he goes to grab the knife and he stabs him right I guess the questions for me in this video are number one at the time that Jose alba grabs this knife is his life in immediate danger I can see an argument being made for no because he was sitting down where he had been pushed down he's almost being detained, right? And then he walks past Simon to get the knife and comes back. So I could see someone saying his life is not an immediate danger in this situation. I can also see somebody saying he doesn't know what's going to happen.

He has no clue what's going to happen. And this is a big knife. And he probably has that knife behind the store to protect himself against anybody that might try to come in there. Like there's a, there's glass there. I don't know. It's hard. I tell you what, in another situation,

I'm just to be honest with you. If that's a kindly old black shop owner, I'm not even thinking about it, to be honest with you. If that's a kindly old black shop owner and a guy with a shaved head, well, I'm not even thinking about it at that. point because my emotions are different there. I'm trying to de-emotionalize this situation as much as I possibly can,

but the reality of it is it's hard for me to see a situation to where someone, it's hard for me to agree with the fact that he should be in jail on $250,000 bond. And I could see I'm sure more information will come out. I'm sure that, again, we see him

yelling. We don't know what was said. You don't know if he's like, I'm calling people to come. up here. I'm going to go back to the, you have no idea what he was been said and what he felt in that moment. I see the charges probably being dropped. I really do. I really do. I think that the immediate response was to take action, especially because of the society that we're in right now, but I see the charges being dropped. From a legal standpoint basis of legal ego. I can't even, well, I can't give a legal analysis because I don't know all the evidence. I I'm just looking at that video.

And so I have to add in what I think was being said, what I think his intention was in that moment. So my point by saying this is why it's important and we're going to mourn and we're going to be upset about this, right? Because a life was lost. And Austin Simon was a 35 year old man. This is why it's incumbent upon us in our community to talk, to talk. to talk about the fact

that we may have to make sure we give our young boys different outlets for the understandable anger that they feel for the understandable hurt that they feel other than resorting to violence

and I didn't mean to bring up that incident from back but when I was talking about the incident I was like I don't want to normalize using violence as conflict resolution because you never know where violence is going to go.

That's true. You put you you never know when it's going to go. We can say what people deserve, but we can also create better outcomes by developing better options. And in this situation, we'll pay attention to this and see where it goes, but it's a sad one. I mean, they're all sad. This is, this is definitely sad. Okay, are you ready to talk to Marlon Palmer? Let's go. About this tweet. Let's talk to him. Bring him in. Bring him in, Marlon Paula right now. We got a bone to pick with our friend from the Great North.

All right, you guys, we talked about it on the podcast, the last podcast. It's been kind of a thing discussed. Chris Roussard said something that was people took it, people from Toronto that I know. They took it as an insult as he was talking about whether or not Kevin Durant would want to play in Toronto, whether or not black American NBA free agents were going to play there. And it drummed up a cultural discussion that got started, of course, on Twitter. Friend of the podcast, Marlon Palmer. Okay.

Hosted the extra extra gravy podcast there. He's from Toronto. He tweeted and we have the tweet. We talked about the tweet. And I'm not going to read the tweet again. Rachel has it. But the reality is, Marlon, won't you tell people what you tweeted since.

So I tweeted that American black people feel like their experience going out into the world is very unique specifically. to them. And we're all oppressed everywhere. We're all facing black issues everywhere. And I feel like it's more so a built up thing from years and years of this. It's not necessarily just targeted at what Chris Bussard said, even though he is probably a serial culprit at this. But it's a constant narrative that like black people here are different. First, when I first started coming to America, it was more so you guys have black people? Now, we're not. That was the narrative that we would hear, like going to AAU tournaments and things like that.

Do you live in an igloo? Do you speak French only, maple syrup, all these different things, right? And I understood it then. I understood it then. But now that we have social media, a lot of American people come to Carabana specifically, like you mentioned earlier, which is filled with millions of black people literally walking down the street. And yet we still get this narrative that it's weird to live here if you're black and American, which I have American friends that live here that are black and have never told me anything like that. So it's like a constant narrative not only against Toronto, but Canada in general. And I feel like it specifically hurts our sports teams a lot because of the media saying these things.

He's always got a source of somebody that said they hated here. And then Richard Jefferson and players like that will come out and say, I've played in this league for 17 years. Toronto is one of the top cities in the world. Marlon, why did you delete the tweet? I deleted because Tariq Nishit had his soldiers after me. And comment, tell me Jamaica's, nobody cares about Jamaica and commenting about my family, just different things.

So I was like, this isn't even worse. Gotcha. I just deleted the tweet just to calm down there. So you stand by it. I stand by what you said. I definitely stand by what I said. Should have left it up. So I feel like you conflated a couple of things in your response to that.

Number one, if people are asking you all of those questions about, like, black people ask each other that in the States. Like if you're from New York and I come to New York, I'm from Louisiana, you're from New York. I go, yo, B, like you're wearing your Tims in the summertime. Like, you're wearing your hat. you're doing these things like their cultural differences no matter where we are right it's not like if people are asking you if you live in the igloo and you drink maple syrup it's not

has nothing to do with being black it's because you're from Canada and they never been there before yeah i can understand if like if you're from louisiana and you're talking to somebody in los angeles it's just my opinion on it and somebody's like yo are you a crib are you a blood they're talking about the image and the perception of where it is where you live based upon what they see on TV. And so, like, that in and of itself to me is just you're from Toronto. I went to Toronto. I went to Toronto. I went to Humber College.

And when I went there, I was blown away at the diversity that I saw there, not just in terms of black people, in terms of all different types of people in the class of Humber College. Canada is culturally different than where I'm from, right? It is, right? It doesn't, it's not any better or any worse, but it's culturally different than where I'm from. What I don't understand is why it had to be a black American thing.

Like why it had to be, if Chris Broussard is talking about the fact that, because to be honest with you, if I'm being all the way real, I hear black Canadians criticize America all the time. Like all the time. America or black Americans? We don't criticize black Americans. We criticize America in general. And that's what, and so my thing is this, though. Like so criticizing America in general, right? So that's, and I don't give a fuck about whether or not people criticize America.

I don't. I don't. But to me, when you hear what Chris Brousard said, what he said was if you're a black dude from, from Maryland, it might be an adjustment living in trauma. That could be anywhere, though. He doesn't say that when a player's going from Chicago to New York. He doesn't say that. That's my point. New York is super diverse.

Is it not? Is it not very multicultural? Yes. But it is. Does it not get extremely cold? Do these things not all happen in America as well in certain parts? Let me. They do.

Absolutely. But what I would say is there are, as much as there are differences, which I've already acknowledged, there are common threads, right? Like there might be fast food places like where you're from. that you can't get up there. There might be all kinds of different things. The local music scene might sound different. It's going to be there.

And to be honest with you, I actually don't think that it was fair at all to make that a criticism coming from Black Americans. That's something that he said based upon whoever he had talked to. And I don't think it was fair at all to come back and talk about how black Americans look at Canada because be honest with you, I'm sick. I am sick and tired

of black Americans getting kicked in the ass. He said something about that. What the fuck that got to do with me? Then you would think that he's the only one saying that. Like I said before, this is not a new narrative

that us Canadians have heard. And when I tweeted that, there were black people from other parts of the world that were agreeing, not just Canada that feels this way. And so you've got to ask yourself, of why is it constantly a feeling that's coming from America

where we have to get our defenses up constantly? Because all of us here, we love America. We grew up wanting to move there. And especially if you're in entertainment industry, that's the mecca. You want to move there and live a fruitful life, but you feel like you're constantly looked at as like an alien and then described as such.

And Chris Bussard, if he had said little nuances like food places and little cultural things. Sure, nobody was going to dispute that. Obviously, you guys have different fast food, different games, all those different things. But the music sounds different. No, not necessarily. It doesn't sound different anywhere.

That's like saying, that's like going right back to the Miami and New York, L.A. argument. It's going to sound different anywhere. You can still hear American music because that's just dominating this field. So it's not like you're losing right. Right.

Well, I was going to say, but couldn't there just that just be understood that that's what Chris may have been talking about when he made that statement? And you can answer that. But then also, I think the part that triggered me about your tweet is that you said, y'all aren't special. And I think it's like, you know what I mean? Like, why is there this attack on black Americans? Because that's not necessarily what he was saying or what we say. or what we feel. And then that...

If we ain't special, stop rapping like us and dancing like us and wearing our fucking clothes. Like I said, if we ain't special, if we ain't special, then stop fucking.

I think you guys are some of the most special people in the world in terms of just everything. There's, you guys start a lot of this shit that we follow here in Canada. So I'm not ever

dissing America on that regard. Chris Broussard has a history specifically to what Rachel was saying, of saying things about Canada and Toronto specifically. This is not the first, second or third time that he's commented, and it's never about anything that actually makes sense, like you guys are talking about. It's always, it's too cold. Black people are going to find it weird there. It's a weird environment for any superstar to be in. And these things don't get said about anywhere else. And I'm like, New York is very cold.

That's not true. Marlon. Marlon. Marlon. Marlon. Marlon. What you just said is not true. Because there is talk in NBA circles about cities that players don't want to play in all the time. Dame Lillard can't get a second star to come to Portland. Like you can't get people to come to Sacramento. You can't, are you going to be able to get somebody to come to Milwaukee? Are you going to be able to get somebody to come like that is a common refrain when you're talking about where free agents want to go when you're talking about whether or not people want to play in cities other than Chicago or New York or L.A. or or Miami. They say that all the time. They talk about

that in Boston when Kevin, when Kevin Garnett and the rest of the guys were headed to Boston back in the day when you were still watching DeGrassey and there was a conversation. There was a conversation about whether or not black NBA players wanted to go to Boston because of Boston's history of race, whether or not you're going to be able to get a player to come down to New Orleans and play there. They say that all the time. And the reason why they say it is because of the cold, because of the small market, because of all of that stuff. Like that gets said about every city that's not in one of the preeminent destinations that free agents. want to go. It's a common conversation. I will agree that I've definitely heard that in NBA media

talk specifically. But I'll retort with that way that it's usually depending on what player they're specifically talking about. So if you have Colerite, they're talking about Milwaukee, which is a small town place. And there's not a lot of nightlife or whatever the case may be. They're going to talk to it as if Kobe is a nightlife person. Oh, not going to like it there. He's not going to like it here because of what this city has. They never say he's just not going to like it their period because that would be any player. They're talking specifically to their personality types. Now when it comes to Toronto, it doesn't matter. Every player is not going to like you here. That's the narrative. We've been hearing this year. But what you just said to me is really not true

because when they're talking about getting players to come to these places, they're not talking about specific players. They're talking about are you going to be able to get somebody to go to Portland? Are you going to be able to get somebody to go to Milwaukee? Like they drafted Janus. Are you going to get are you going to be able to keep Janus? Are you going to be able to get this? Are you going to be able to do these things? These are common things that they talk about. They're talking about it

with Toronto. Toronto has had big name players up there. They've had TMAC. They've had Vince Carter. They've had Kauai Leonard. And I'm just to be honest with you, the first chance that all of those guys got, they left. You know what I mean? That's not necessarily true. That's not necessarily true. He was a young superstar with this and the city never had that before.

So we fumbled it. The absolute, the relationship between Vince Carter and Toronto was huge about the time. Because we didn't know how to handle it. Remember we're an expansion team that went at that we were very young, inexperienced, didn't even have much playoffs experience. So that I understand. But with other superstars, we've not. ever really had any other superstar that we didn't draft.

And if they're drafted, usually they leave. That's just what the NBA is now. So that's out of it. Well, you did have a superstar. You had Kauai, that we drafted. You had, you had Kaua Leonard was a one-year thing.

And the only reason he left is because we didn't want to give a Pascal for Paul George. He would have stayed. Right. So, so, so like he was going back to, to L.A. number of whatever. Well, this is, this is what I'm, this is what I, this is how I feel about it. I personally feel I get what you're saying and I understand the defensiveness. What I don't understand is why all of black America got pulled into an NBA culture conversation.

Like, Marla, I'm going to be honest with you. You black, I'm black. I'm sick of that shit. That's essentially what my tweet is saying. We're all black. That's literally what my tweet is saying. Even though it's worded, like I said, I will take ownership first. It's worded incorrectly.

The y'all are not special probably wasn't necessary. but it's to say that we're all black. Why are we always separating each other with these things if we're all black? That's my point. Yeah, I think the defensiveness maybe came on our side because it brought up a different conversation where we were talking about, my black is better than you're black. And a lot of times as black Americans, we are told from blacks in different countries that they look down on us or they see us in a different way.

and you're, and I'm curious, I don't know if I never necessarily heard that in Canada, but I'm curious if that's a, if that's a school here. I did hear you say that on the line. Canada show love. I did hear you say that. And I've never, honestly, never been taught that at all. I feel like anybody that does feel a way about America,

they've gathered that based on their own life and lifestyle and things that have happened with them. But for me, I've never been taught to hate black Americans or think they're lesser than, like, never. I've actually been taught the opposite. So, like, I grew up, and a lot of my majority of my friends who are black, we all grew up wanting to be American, live in America. The Carabana weekend that Ban is talking about,

it's a running joke up here that before Drake gave us an identity, we used to pretend to be American when we'd go to Carabana. We'd put on fake accents and try to pretend like we're American because girls would want to talk to the black American guys. So that's just, it's never been a look down thing to me personally. And to any of my friend, we've always looked up. It's been the opposite. Yeah.

So why we expect it. I understand this. Look, look, I understand this. Look, this is the bottom line. No harm was meant, but emotions were had. I got, I got emotional. I'm getting the old one. and all I keep hearing is

and you know what? To be honest with you, when I came to Toronto, I was there with Matt Bable. When I came to Toronto, nothing but love. And if you are NBA free agent and you go to Toronto,

there will be nothing but love. Nothing but love and all types of different places. The fucking rub of this is I love Toronto. And they showed so much love and Marlon Paul. Right. But seriously, let me ask you a question.

How do we have this conversation in a better way? How do we have this conversation in a way? Not when it's about tweets. Not when I'm getting emotional. Not when Chris Broussard. Pops off. Who said a lot of pops off because he says other shit. Don't let this nigger come to me.

It's got damn, man. Like, you know what I'm saying? Of all. It's like, of all niggins. of all niggas. Don't let this nigga come between this. So, so, like, how do we have this conversation in a better way? I think just coming to the table with an open mind,

I think that's what I know that's what Canadians and Torontonians want is an open mind. Like, not to be already thought of and, like, you already know what we are or think you know what we are or how we're going to move. Especially when it comes to specifically the NBA stuff, like, we just, want a fair shake. We feel like if the, if the media, NBA media specifically is dominated in the American world, how are we ever going to have a real say when all of them, the figureheads are saying Canada's horrible. Stephen A. Smith is saying after we won a championship, I don't want to see another championship in Canada. I don't want to see another championship in Canada. Like these are the things we hear every year. You have to understand how frustrating it is.

And then just the wild takes After we won the championship, someone put together a compilation video of the media, literally just talking shit about Canada and talking shit about Toronto specifically. I never saw the video. I guess.

But I do, I do. Hold on. I'm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, though. It was only a matter of time before you said it. I'm from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. You know how many places I go?

and people are like, oh, you country, you fucking, you, it's like, it's like, I really feel like, like, I'm going to be honest with you, bro. Getting emotional about it was a little Canadian. I'm like, I'll lie, my. I'll be that. I'll be that. I feel you. I feel you. And by the way, this is a shout out to Massa, you Jerry.

This is a shout out to the culture that they've, the up there, the rappers. And the Raptors fans don't love me that much because I ask the pressure about. Yeah, yeah, that's what you did. It was a question. I asked a question about Pascal Seaccom. I asked a question about Pascal Seaccom. The Twitter, I asked a question about Toronto fans can't see it.

What was the question? Oh, the Raptors fans got in my motherfucking ass. What was the question, man? The question was, the question was, I can't remember now. What's the question like, are you guys happy with the way Pascal Seacom is playing? And when did you ask that? When did you ask that? What he wasn't playing with?

This was, this was, this was, wait, Ben, was this after they won a championship? No, no. Yeah, it was after. It was after. It was after. It was after. Yeah, he wasn't, he wasn't playing that. He wasn't playing that.

But look, guess what? Shout out to the Raptors fans. Your boy who was wrecked by my friend, who's, my friend is his marketing lady, Kyla Stewart. Your boy won. He got. all NBA, and now he's looking for houses in Brooklyn. So shout out to Pascal Ciacom.

I'm just joking. He's not about to leak. No, he's not. He's not looking for him. But look, but seriously, I do understand this. And I think the most important thing for me, seriously, especially knowing, God, like you and me and you've talked a lot, smart, funny, amazing guy that I know loves black culture.

I love black culture. I think it's just important that when we have the. disagreements that we are that we're able to discuss them because you told me some things that I hadn't really thought about and I hope that I did the same and also the Tariq Nishid part of it and all of that that part of it I'm fine with that I know the internet's going to do what it does I'm not at all worried about that just I didn't want my words to misconstrued with the emotion well then I'm glad you came on the podcast to clear it up yeah I'm glad that not even to clear it up because he didn't have any clear.

Well, explain, but explain like what, because we read it and we didn't really explain your side of it, right? We reacted to it. So I'm glad that you came on to talk about it because I was like, because that's exactly what to Van's last question. This is what we're supposed to be doing, right? We're supposed to be having these conversations. Exactly.

Exactly. I thank you guys for being open to having the conversation. Of course, man, whenever. And I'd love to come on your part too. Last thing I'll say, honestly, never mind. You like it or not. I do like it. Oh, get out.

Cut them off. Why don't you like it? Hold on. Why don't you like it? I thought it was cool. She didn't like it? I liked the last song on the album with 21 Savage. So you want rap Drake?

I don't know what Drake that was. Would you say that that was house or he was trying to do like Afro beats and failed? I'll say this. There's definitely a lot of house elements on there. But I do think in some of the songs, he's still rapping. and it's still Drake rapping. Like, it's what he usually talks about. Marlon, the album's missing something.

It's missing, it's missing a beat to be house. It's not quite Afro beats, which is what I really think he was trying to do and failed. I'm just not feeling it. I'm waiting for the next one. You're subjective. Right, it's not for everybody. It's not for everybody.

But it's not because I haven't been to South of France, like some people were saying, or whatever. That's not why I can't appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Marlon Palmer, the podcast, is extra gravy. Tell people else.

Yeah, man, extra gravy show each and every Wednesday. Also, you can find me on all socials at that dude McFly. All right. Peace, brother. See you another time. Bye. Thanks for coming on. This episode is brought to you by Spectrum Business.

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All over smooth, all-day comfort, Vanity Fair lingerie. Find yours at Target today. Yeah, what do you think about Marlon made some points? I'm not going to lie. He did. Look, we came together. We came together. We agreed, maybe agrees to disagree on certain things.

and we're better for it at the end of the day. Yeah, it's true. President Biden reached out, or excuse me, he's working to get Brittany Grinder released. He tells the wife of Britney Grinters that he's working to get her released. A president called her wife to reassure that he's working to secure Britney's release as soon as possible. as well as the release of Paul Weillan and other U.S. nationals

who were wrongfully detained or held hostage in Russia around the world. Paul Weland's sister was U.S. Marine. It's crushed by the fact that President Biden called Britney Greiner's wife. Still looking for the press relief

saying that the president has spoken to anyone in our family about Paul we're wrongfully detained and rushed for 3.5 years. I'm crushed. If you want to talk about securing Paul's release, he needs to be talking to the wheelings. What are we to think? She added.

So there's a lot of stuff going on here. There's an accusation that Britney is getting celebrity treatment. There's also a guy that they want to trade Britney for. His nickname is the merchant of death. Okay. I'm going to ask you, if you're the president and you have to trade a potentially dangerous man, like the merchant of death.

Let's talk about this merchant of death guy. All right. For Brittany Griner, at this point, would you make that train? I'm not answering that question. You should answer, right? I'm not,

I'm not, you right now. I'm not. I'm not answering that question. Could the U.S. are like, look, this is the guy. Victor, Victor Bout.

Give me, the merchant of death. So, you ever see that movie? Lord of War. No. With Nicholas Gage, this is a great movie.

It was loosely based on him. He is an arms dealer. Okay. Okay. He is an arms dealer. He was captured the elaborate option in 2008, one of the world's largest sellers of illicit arms. Moscow wants to exchange him for Brittany Griner.

It's not that complicated. says the guy who represents Victor Bout, the question is, should the United States be looking to make that exchange? Because the reality is the Russians do not have to let Britney Griner. No, they don't. And unless something like this happens, they're not going to. Well, what Brittany did is not a danger to society or to another country or citizens. He potentially, you called him the merchant of death.

is that person. So to me, if they're going to give up Brittany, Paul, and other American citizens that are detained, yeah,

I think it's worth it. Yeah, yeah. Absolutely. Let me tell you something about this issue. This issue to me encapsulates

why it's being the president as a shit job. There's absolutely zero way to win here. On this, absolutely. I'm going to be real with you. I'll keep it all the way real. Brittany Griner did something that she had no business doing.

And she's, and because she did something that she had no business doing, when I say she did something she had no business doing, I mean that where we're at right now in America, it's fine to do that, but in Russia they're not fucking around. So she should have never done that. However,

the punishment is so excessive and so ridiculous that there's no way that you could justify what's happening to her right now. Okay. Because of that, the Russians have a chip to play against President Biden. He has no way out of it. If he were to trade an arms dealer for an American basketball player, he's going to get his ass kicked politically by so many people that say,

hey, President Biden is trading an arms dealer for somebody who went over and got a drug charge in Russia. If he doesn't do it, part of the community here is going to be like, well, you know, he couldn't get Brinney Griner out. Like, he couldn't get Britney Griner out. President Trump was able to get Asap Rocky out. All of that stuff. What happened with LaBello Ball in China? Everybody was weaponizing all of that stuff.

So there's really no right move here for the president. And that's sad. And if he just does Brittany, like, one for one, he's still going to get it because Paul Whelan is over there who was, he's a, in the Marines? Is that what it? U.S. Marine, yeah. Who didn't break the law, right? He's a soldier.

Yeah. So. So, I mean, for my situation, this is, like, this whole thing is bad. And I also see a lot of false narratives going around about the fact that Brittany Griner has to, has to play for $220,000 here in America. And LeBron James wouldn't have to play for that much money. You guys don't watch the WNBA. I'm sick of that.

Y'all don't watch it. Y'all don't watch the WNBA. You guys don't know what Brittany Griner's number is. y'all don't watch the wnbba if you want to help the women in the wnbba secure more money you have to watch and support their sport she's going over there to make money in russia because they watch it over there so what i'm telling is everybody right now same thing i talk to like watch and support the w nba if not you're just blowing smoke the league is not really lucrative right now because it doesn't have the tv deal that it needs because the reality of the fact is it's not enough people to watch watching and pushing the ratings through the room.

That is the deal. If you want to help, don't tweet, tune in to what's going on. There's some amazing young players in WNBRA right now. The game is as good as it's ever been. Watch it. All of this shit. It's back to us. Donnie, give me the sound.

Wait a minute. This was not on the rundown. This was not on the rundown. Donnie, I do not like this conspiring. It's firing against me. This is not on the rundown. What is happening? This was not a segment for today.

Lion watch. A mountain lion spends 24 hours prowling in Assisi Valley's residence backyard. Oh, my God. A Simi Valley neighborhood is on high alert after several mountain lions have been spotted. Roaming throughout the area, a mountain lion is here. That's close to, that's not far from us. Oh, that's not, let me tell you, CB Valley's famous because during a Rodney King trial, they weren't to have the trial here in, like there in Los Angeles, they moved it out to Simi Valley. It's close enough where they can try.

See you Valley's close. We've seen footage on the camera in the back that showed up around seven. And my wife opened up the backslider and made eye contact with the cat. Oh, my God. And there's slowly closed doors and homo to John Klein, John Declined. My heart goes out to you and you're fighting against my lion. Klein told Eyewitness news

Mount Lyon stayed in their backyard for 24 hours. That's terrifying. That is absolutely terrifying. What? The couple said they couldn't do anything unless the Mount Lion, police told the couple they couldn't do anything to Mount Lion. Why can't they shoot them?

Unless he attacks. They're literally stalking them. That is, it's a mental attack. Can you imagine? 24 hours having them roaming around. It's a mental attack. Animal control. Animal control told ABC 7 it doesn't handle

Mount Lion sightings. And that state wildlife officials said they also couldn't do much. Just the cat didn't attack anyone or show any aggressive behavior for it. They sided with my lion. Oh my God. No.

People need to, last name. People need to know to be vigilant and just be on the lookout and be aware, which is all I said. What's our, what's our defense then against Mountain Lions? What's our defense? Nothing. There's no defense. You, by the way, don't hurt Mountain Lion.

Don't hurt them. Donnie, did you make the decision about the snake? I didn't. The snake continued. I'm out of town right now and I'll be out of town for a minute. So the snake is safe for now. I love that you said for now. That's it.

All right. It's Mel back time. Mailback time. Time to read your letters and then we'll reply to them. Oh, it's mailback time. Write us with your queries and we'll chime in. Why don't I feel like we haven't done this in a really long time? Yeah, just seven days.

All right, Gautis de Mae. Sass me? All right, Gautis Demet on Reddit asks, Van slash Rachel, if you could plan a vacation for the other to take, where would you send them and what is on their itinerary? That's a loaded question. It's true. Well, at the moment after this podcast, I'm sitting Van to Canada.

Whoa. Marlon will be your tour guide. Where would I send, Rachel? You know, I don't know. It's a good question. You know what I would do? I would send Rachel to Anguilla. You've never been.

I would send Rachel to Angola. Don't you feel like you? If you've been to one of those islands, you've been to all of them. See? That's what Marlon was talking about. Oh, it has nothing to do of black people. I'm talking about beaches. Beaches and water is what I'm talking about. You're right. I'm probably going to get in trouble for saying that because I'm sure they're all culturally different. I was more so referring to the beaches and the water. But you got to go to Angula. Got to go to Gwins. Anguilla. Shout out if you go to Anguilla. You got to go to Gwins. All right. Scott, go out there. You'll love it. All right. Next question. All right. Cap Surs on Reddit asks, what are you most proud of? nothing these days I'm not going to lie man

I really I don't think I'm proud of that many things I think I can tell you what I'm most disappointed okay we're not that's not the question I'll be I'll be a little bit more positive I am most proud of that I am living my life the way I want to because for so long I didn't so there you go it's amazing all right next question

all right OMG underscore LOL on Reddit asks do you feel older or younger than your age? Definitely younger. Definitely younger. I'm a middle-aged man. I'm a middle-aged man, but I feel, I don't feel it like I'm a middle-aged man. I look at lethal weapon and see Danny Glover and I'm like, yo, he was my same age when they made this. That's why.

Danny Glover's been looking to say for about 57 years. Yeah, I feel definitely younger, definitely younger. Last one. Slumped blueberry wants to know where is your favorite place to eat in L.A.? Y'all know me. I'm so basic when it comes to food. Try to find something. That's yours?

That's not mine at all. You pick that for me? Yeah, because you like a poor chop. I do love a good pork chop. No, what's yours? Mine is probably we jamming Caribbean cuisine on Pico or Redondo. What's it called? We jamming.

We jamming. Just some oxtails from Jamaican fried chicken. Caribbean fried chicken. Earls. Remember Earls. I remember Earls. From a place called Earls. Earls is good.

People fuck with her. Oh, no. It's really. good. Yeah, it's true. My was sweet chick. I love sweet chick. I miss sweet chick. I don't know if it's still there.

I've never heard of sweet chick. Nigger, it's on Fairfax. Niggas got sweet chick everywhere, nigga. Do they? I've never heard. I've never heard of it, Donnie. They got sweet chick in fucking Miami. They got sweet chick in Atlanta.

They got sweet chick and goddamn, they might not have one in Atlanta. They got one in New York. Sweet chick. Nass. Like, like, Nass, Nass owned sweet chicks. sweet chick. Sweet chick is a big deal. All right.

You got to unexpected ally the week? No. Didn't even cross my mind. Oh, the Las Vegas Raiders. Oh, yeah. Talk about it real quick.

Yeah, Las Vegas Raiders. Let me pull this up. Let me get this right. Las Vegas Raiders hired the first black woman as an NFL president. There have been women. There have been black. men, not many, but there's never been a black woman. Her name is Sandra Douglas Morgan. She was on the gaming board chair there in Vegas first, and now she is going to be the first black

female team president in NFL history. So congratulations to her. Congratulations to the Raiders. The Raiders have more diversity than most teams in their front office. So, you know, kudos to them for that. Kudos to them. Maybe they'll sign Colin Kaepernick as well. Maybe they will. But we'll take what we can get. Okay. Tell you, think caps off.

We do not stop learning. I am banned. Nathan Jr. And I'm Rachel and Lindsay. Bye guys.