The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Tamika D. Mallory & Angelo Pinto Talk 'Project Freedom', DNC Takeaways, Kamala Harris More

Episode Date: August 28, 2024

The Breakfast Club sits down with Tamika D. Mallory & Angelo Pinto to discuss 'Project Freedom', their takeaway from the DNC, and Kamala Harris. Listen for More!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a kid, I really do remember having these dreams and visions, but you just don't know what is going to come for you. Alicia shares her wisdom on growth, gratitude, and the power of love. I forgive myself. It's okay. Have grace with yourself. You're trying your best. And you're going to figure out the rhythm of this thing.

Alicia Keys, like you've never heard her before. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, everyone. This is Courtney Thorne-Smith, Laura Layton, and Daphne Zuniga. On July 8th, 1992, apartment buildings with pools were never quite the same as Melrose Place was introduced to the world. We are going to be reliving every hookup, every scandal, and every single wig removal together. So listen to Still

the Place on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hey guys, I'm Kate Max. You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hello, my undeadly darlings. It's Teresa, your resident ghost host. And do I have a treat for you. Haunting is crawling out from the shadows, and it's going to be devilishly good. We've got chills, thrills, and stories that'll make you wish the lights stayed on. So join me, won't you?

Let's dive into the eerie unknown together. Sleep tight, if you can. Listen to Haunting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, five-year-old Cuban boy, Elian Gonzalez, was found off the coast of Florida. And the question was, should the boy go back to his father in Cuba? Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home, and he wanted to take his son with him. Or stay with his relatives in Miami? Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom.

Listen to Chess Peace, the Elian Gonzalez story, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Wake that ass up. In the morning. The Breakfast Club. Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God. We are The Breakfast Club.

Lauren LaRosa's filling in for Jess. And we got some special guests joining us this morning. We have Tamika D. Mallory. Welcome back. What's good, family? And Angelo Pinto. Welcome. Thank you for having us. Now, how you guys feeling feeling how y'all feeling good you know ready for the

fight every day we're feeling good I mean we're in a poor and political moment trying to keep our eyes focused on election and just you know be present for our folks I saw you at the DNC last week Tamika as an activist uh what did you see at the DNC that you liked what did you see that you didn't like I mean you know I thought the DNC that you liked? What did you see that you didn't like? I mean, you know, I thought the DNC was important. I've been doing this for a long time, as you know. So I have been to a number of conventions and I get the importance of bringing the base together. And that was certainly the case.

I think Chicago also did a really good job of moving people around, by the way. And so I thought that was good it was an opportunity to see a lot of political operatives and have an opportunity to talk to them directly about issues and you know people walk in the halls they didn't have a million security folks around them stopping them from talking to the people so i thought that was good um you know obviously michelle obama was the the highlight i think they gave her enough time and space, it seemed, because it's no way that she articulated her speech the way that she did without it to her. And so she really did her thing. I thought that, you know, the president, the former president, Barack Obama, should have had her speak after him. He should have opened for her. I agree.

She was a closer. Absolutely. You know, she was incredible. I mean, he's I went back and I listened to his speech as well, because I think being in the space with all the people screaming and everything that was happening from Michelle's speech that I didn't hear him well enough. So I went back to really listen to what he said. They was both out there like they were firing for real.

He still sounded like a politician. He still sounded like he was running. He is. She didn't sound like that. She has made it very clear that she's not running for anything, period. So he is a politician, and he's going to be, you know, more safe or whatever. But if you listen to what he said and really just kind of unpack some of his statements, you can tell that one, they just tired.

So they're just at the point now where it's like, we don't need nothing for you. We don't need a job. We don't need money. We don't need anything. So we're just saying how we feel. So I thought it was good for that. There were other speeches. I thought aoc was great i thought um you know obviously uh jasmine crockett she always i love the way that sister is just real she's just herself um i thought that

rafael warnock you know speaking on the children of gaza was important um so there were you know a number of of highlights. But of course what I didn't like is I don't feel like enough people including, well I'll get to that in a moment, but I didn't feel enough folks were talking about police accountability. I thought Sonia

Massey's name should have come up many times because, you know, this is a sister that just recently was shot by that officer in her face. And so I thought that someone should repeat more people should have been talking about that. You know, I noticed that they brought out the officer with the weapon on the stage.

There was a lot of like military kind of, you know, even the vice president saying that we're going to make sure we have like a lethal military, that type of language is triggering particularly to, you know, our communities because we're already dealing with militarized policing and we're looking to find ways to reduce it versus, you know, more. But I do also understand that she has to be very clear that she's able to run the most powerful nation, as they say, in the world. Because the world is volatile right now, so she got to put all the other countries on alert, the Russians, the Chinese, the North Koreans.

And we about the business. It's bigger, you know, it's a macro and a micro, but I still think that a part of the micro that we as black people are living under this military or militarized government. I think that, you know, if we could fix that, we might be able to deal with some of the external stuff that's happening around us. So it's a big political discussion that, you know, hopefully we will continue to have what we will,

cause you know, we're going to push the issues. And so, you know, but let me ask now, so, you know, this conversation has been a conversation we've been having for a while now. And it's recently reunited the last couple of days, especially with Plies, that people feel like they shouldn't question the vice president. Right. What are your thoughts on that? You know, I think we all feel up here that you question any politician. It doesn't matter if they black, white, green or yellow. If you have a problem or you want to know about your interests, there's no problem with questioning them.

Well, first of all, shout out to my brother, Plies. I love him. And like this brother over here, I debate with both of them back and forth on issues all the time. That's what we do. Charlamagne is the only boss I ever had that I could go, I could debate with all the time, right? About, I just hit him up. You know, I don't agree. You know, I think I see both points. On one hand, what I believe and I'm not going to speak for Plies, but I do see him online and some of the traction and traffic that he gets. And what I think he is leaning into is the idea that people are questioning her for the wrong reasons. It's the intention behind the way in which they're pressing the vice president. And they did the same thing to Barack Obama and then trying to, you know, of course, they're not black enough.

They're you know, they they're not qualified and all of that. So I think that that's part of the statement that he made. But at the same time, I come from the idea that we can never, ever stop putting pressure on elected officials. We have to be questioning them at all points. But we also have to be very genuine about what we're questioning, why we're questioning it. And is it leading to an end or are we just doing it to find ways to discredit someone who is in a position of leadership? So I see both sides of it. And I think, you know, I think either way you go.

And I understand the point is that at this moment, she is talking about policy. I hate to hear people say that the vice president is not speaking on policy because when you're listening to her, I heard her talk about priorities. And priorities are supposed to equal policy. Right. It doesn't always happen that way. That's why the people have to continue to put pressure on these folks, because you can't let them talk about one thing and not do anything about it. But I've heard her talk about a number of issues that in my I think you would say the same, that these things are priorities of hers.

Rebuilding the middle class. Absolutely. The opportunity for everybody to own a home, own a business. Talking about economic issues, talking about women's right to choose, talking about things happening overseas, talking about Israel, Palestine. I mean, we hear those things coming from her. Now, over time, she's going to have to break it down, and there's going to be interviews and debates and all of that.

But I also went back and listened to other speeches because I was like, let me see if I'm missing that these other presidential candidates have just been talking about all this policy stuff on the acceptance night of the nomination and it hasn't been there.

That's not what they do. I think the other piece too that applies and other... This is Angelo Pinto, by the way. Yes, are talking about is this idea that if you're going to question her, question everybody. Yeah, keep the same energy. Exactly. But we do know. I was going to say, do y'all feel like it's happening? I don't think Trump is getting the same kind of energy. I don't know about Trump.

Especially from black folks. But here's the thing. Most black people I know aren't supporting Trump. We're supporting the Democrats. Right. So we pressure the party that we support the most. And that's been going on since 2016, as far as at least I see. We made these people step up and have to come with black agendas, which they never had before, because we started asking questions and pressuring them. I think it's a two-way street. I think because it's a black presidential candidate, she's going to have a particular kind of scrutiny that they should have.

But I think there's scrutiny that comes to her just because she's a black woman that I think in many ways is misplaced. And I think what some folks are saying, be honorable in your questioning, right? And don't let your questioning come from a place of gender or race-based bias because white candidates, even though they may be questioned, they're not going to get that. And I think that's what some folks are saying. And I think that's what some folks are saying. And I think that's why Michelle Obama was important. She's saying her and her husband have been here before. They've seen not just the political components of what's going to happen,

but they've seen some of the hate components that she's going to have to endure that make her political trajectory harder and more difficult. But also the American public's perspective is going to be skewed because of race this isn't simply looking at a political candidate and saying what are their policies we're saying this is a black woman okay and what does that mean for us and should we trust a black woman can a black woman lead and I think that's some of the questioning that we're seeing that we're saying we don't know if you should ask those questions

at this point. With Joe Biden, we asked questions that people were upset that we asked. They hated that too? I get it. When we asked about early signs of dementia, whoa, you shouldn't be asking that. But I'm like, it shows that he doesn't look as well as he did three years ago.

I think some of it is how you ask the questions too. Because I think sometimes it's an attack. It's the intention behind it. And you can tell. I mean, come on. Like, we listen to people and we know that part of the questioning is really for them to say, we don't like you, Kamala Harris, period. So nothing that you do will we ever be okay with because we don't like you. There are people, both black, white, all kinds of folks who don't want women to be in positions of power.

They don't want a woman president, a female president. And that's it. So, again, I get the balance of both. But I also understand that we have to always, always question and demand. And it's the way that it's done in an organized fashion is what makes it real. Right. Like because you just being on social media talking about the woman ain't black, that's not, you know what I'm saying?

That's not your head. Now, Angelo, for people that don't know who you are, break down who you are. Tamika's been here many times, so if they don't know, people listening. Angelo Benito? I've been here before with Maison and ATV talking about gun violence.

But I'm one of the four co-founders of Until Freedom, an attorney by trade, and I'm also the activist in residence at Yale University, but do a lot of work around policy and political change. He's smart. He's smart. That's why I have him with me. That's why I have him with you. He's smart. Another thing I wanted to talk about, too, in regards to voting,

I always feel like they end up pointing the finger at black men, right? Because that was the other thing I had the problem I had with Flyer's statement. He said black men. He started with black men who look like me are quick to ask if Kamala wants my vote, she needs to explain herself to me what she's going to do for black people. Number one, I don't understand why black men are always getting the finger pointing at us. We're the second largest voting bloc of Democrats.

I don't understand why all of a sudden it's black men are the problem. Well, I would hope that Ply's would come up here and y'all would have this conversation directly because, you know, I'm sure again, I've been on his page a lot and I see the feedback. And my son is kind of in the same boat, if you will, because he's been communicating a lot with black men. And there's a different energy around kamala harris that they both are experiencing right like just dealing with you don't go on the internet arguing with johnny and and tutu all day that's not your thing well some of them are actually not bots because i've been i've seen some several of my son's friends questioning why are you supporting her blah blah blah so there is there is and i'm not saying that the issue is what the media

and others are trying to put forward that black men or just this overwhelming number of black men won't support her or are with Trump, right? I don't believe that that's true, but the numbers are increasing. Their numbers are increasing, and there are and there are reasons. Well, I mean, I can tell because in my own family, I know what I know, the difference between the way black women and black men in my family are speaking. I can see my cousin starting to be like, well, you know, Trump and I have more money in my pocket. And, you know, it's a it's a different feeling so i can see it on a real level and and and by the

way let's just put this on the table i will not sit here and blame black men for that i blame the democratic party just as much as i do anybody any other part all the people everybody in charge of anything is responsible are responsible for how black men feel because they ignore that particular voting base, right? Black women, absolutely. We have organized ourselves to be able to fight for what we want. We fought to make sure that Ketanji Brown was selected to the Supreme Court. It's not really selected because they Supreme Court, is selected.

Well, it's not really selected because they eventually appointed, but they do kind of- They go through a process. They go through a process. So they're going to see me smart. Y'all let on that. We were, you know, in the trenches

ensuring that black women are not overlooked, right? And I want to see my brothers be more organized the way that black women have organized ourselves nonetheless when i go and read the platform of all these different candidates you see a void in how they speak to and address the needs of black men i heard someone say last night that black men don't only care about criminal justice and like you know you're mad at trump on one hand because he's sitting up here saying that his legal issues is what black men are attracted to but then on the other side when you hear uh

these candidates who are supposed to be more liberal and progressive speaking to black or to black people it seems like they're directing the criminal justice police reform conversation only to black men and so that that there's an imbalance there. And if we want to see black men back into the big tent that we're supposed to have, we have to actually have a program and platform that focuses on black male concerns. I think it's the type of black men, too, because I think black men who are traditionally engaged politically, who are somewhat sophisticated in political process have not moved a lot. But those who are new to the political process, black men who are older, have certainly shifted more towards Trump. I have a son and a bonus son who are both voting age and

they both were talking about voting for Trump. I'm like, what? What is we talking about? So we had to have real conversations about what does a Trump presidency mean? Why are you aligned with this individual? So I think there are shifts happening, but it's not with the black men who are traditionally connected to the political process, because there's a lot of black men who don't see themselves when they're watching the political conversations happening. And that's something we've been talking about for weeks. How do black men become a part of these conversations, but not just become a part of the conversations, but have just become a part of the conversations, but have real decision-making authority in the political process

because black women have found their way to doing that, and black men haven't, even though, to your point earlier, we're right behind them. So we haven't gotten the kind of political benefit from our political investment, and that at some point makes black men shift in another political direction, and we, at some points, makes black men shift in another political direction. And we're watching some of that happen.

But the other piece is that that can be a very slippery slope and an avalanche could come. While it's only a few percentage points, it could increase quickly if something doesn't happen. I also don't have a problem with people asking me why I choose to support the vice president.

I don't know if y'all know this. Every day on this radio, somebody calls in and it's always asking me why I choose to support the Vice President. I don't know if y'all know this, every day on this radio, somebody calls in, and it's always the brother asking me, Charlamagne, why are you supporting the Vice President? But it's the same question and the same answer every day. I feel like people don't listen. Because I ask, when a brother tells me they support Trump, or even a sister, I ask, why? Because I

really want to know. So I don't think that's a bad question to ask. But people don't listen, though. Like you said, and you said too, you said people always say Trump put money in my pocket, right? Now people have confirmed said it a million times. That money didn't come from Trump. He just signed his name on it. Everybody explained it a million and one times, but people hear what they want to hear. Well, not only did he not sign it, he tried not to give it to folks. His entire party was trying to block it. If you really really going to get to the bottom line, and

I'm not even like a huge nancy i'm not a nancy pelosi person i got my reasons for that but i can tell you that she was really leading the charge to move the entire congress to vote for the stimulus package that's it that's what happened so we can you know we could throw all these other theories and conspiracies out there and concepts that are not facts. The facts are the Republicans did not want to give the stimulus money to y'all ass. OK. And there were other folks who had to fight to make it happen. So it's when it happened, though. So when people think about how they feel. That's right. That's right. That's right.

It's so good to see people being able to travel, being able to eat. You remember how somebody made you feel. Even if it wasn't them, they were just in proximity to that moment. But can I just say, I hope that we also recognize that grandmamas had to die. Grandfathers, families, 10, 20 people had to die in order for that money to make it into your pocket. Right. people had to die in order for that money to make it into your pocket right it's not like and i could see if trump had a policy where they just decided we're about to give american citizens money that

is not connected to a pandemic then you might have a different type of point but that is not exactly that is not what happened the money came because families and particularly our people were dying in the midst of a pandemic. Now you can say whatever you want, how you feel about the pandemic and vaccines and all of that. That's cool. But the reality is that people were dying. Hospitals were full, morgues were full, and that's why they had to find a way to put money into the pockets of American citizens. So, you know, as long as we talk about the facts, I'm cool with whatever decision you make in terms of who you want to vote for, because certainly no one will tell me who I should vote for, who I should support. But let's just make sure it's based in fact and not something that you just made up. And let me

tell you, Trump is very, very good at at marketing that's why he held those checks so you could have had them a few weeks earlier but you got them later because he wanted his name on those checks so when you open it up you could look at it and say donald trump is responsible and you still think that now so the strategy worked well you said you guys were having conversations with men like i feel like people are not listening to kamala it's like the people that I talked to they say they're voting for Trump the stuff that they're saying I'm like she literally she's speaking to that so why don't you see it or hear from her what can she do better strategy wise or marketing wise to kind of make black men be like hold on Democrats do a terrible

job at marketing themselves I mean it's really bad like you know it's just you know they have to do a better job of putting out there the things that they've been able to do. I was just looking, you know, before coming here at the Safers Community Act, right? This is billions of dollars that they have allocated to grassroots organizations and others that are in the gun violence prevention space and in the community safety space, right? You would never know that right you would never know that you would never know that it happened because they do a terrible job but also they just do a messaging and by the way let me just be honest I do a terrible job at it as well we do a lot of work and we hardly tell people about all the things that we're involved in people say to me all the

time like why because sometimes when your head is down and you're doing the work you forget about the marketing component and a lot of us don't even want the clickbait of it all like nobody wants to sit there and man sometimes i get so frustrated because i'm like damn i left my comment section open and it's going wow it's 2 000 comments in there and the trump trolls and or trump people supporters they're in my comments. Whatever their talking points, they they in on it. But looking for out for the people who are supposed to be on the more liberal, progressive side to come in there is very difficult. Like it's always imbalanced. So we have to find a better way to get the information out about what is happening. But I would say that trust and believe, as I left the house this morning,

they were on CNN talking about the vice president sitting down for interviews. This is something that she's going to have to do, which I'm sure they're working on. And she's going to have to break down because they are going to question her like they have never questioned a presidential candidate before in life.

And she's going to have to answer the question. And it's not just because she you know, she's a woman. It's really because of the way she got the nomination. That's the other thing that's very unprecedented that people are not factoring in. Like, 70 days to an election, she became the candidate with 100 days? Or 90 days?

I saw someone write, a loved one wrote a post saying we didn't get to vote because of course there was no primary and they said you know i i this is unfair they just appointed her and there was no process and i'm like a lot of it is misinformation right or just lack of information because there is a process and the process is that if you're running for president right now and you decide you're too sick too old too or just don't want to do it anymore, and you decide to step away,

there are what you call delegates. And this is why we have to vote in every election because when you turn that ballot over, there's a bunch of stuff on there that is not just the president or your congressional members or whatever. They have things on the ballot that apply to your everyday life.

We vote to send delegates to the convention to represent us and the delegates had the people are also dj mv anybody in here could have said in this process i want to be i want to be i want to go i have my delegate count i got enough to get on the nomination list. Right. And then they would have had to vote on those individuals. The delegates didn't do so. They decided to support Kamala Harris, of course, because President Biden had already endorsed her. And so many people got behind. I get it. Now, you can say I don't like that process. I don't like the way and just like we don't like the fact that this two party process is the only way that we can vote and decide on democracy or not. Like we don't like that. We know that there needs to be other avenues and other individuals that are seriously like they have the ability to win that we can choose from.

But if you don't like the process, you have to participate in it. So you have to show up and be like, who is this delegate? Because I want you to represent me and I didn't want you to vote for Kamala Harris. So now, what's your name? One of the biggest things that happened to us while we were in Kentucky with Breonna Taylor is people walking up to us going,

or for Breonna Taylor, excuse me, people were walking around saying, well, who is Daniel Cameron? He's the attorney general. They were like, I didn't vote for him. Trying to be governor. When is that election? And we transformed. We helped people along with the local community to transform the minds of our people to pay attention.

So by the time he ran for governor, black folks was like, oh, wait, oh, that's that dude. We on his head. Oh, okay. You're not getting appointed to a new position and getting a promotion. We're shutting you down. But you're saying something important about the political education. Going to the DNC, which some of us had the ability to do,

you learn so much about the process. And going for many years, you understand how the process works. You know the people. Most Americans have no access to that. So because of that, they become disenchanted with the political process. They feel like they don't have any say in it. We didn't participate. And they don't realize there's a way for you to be engaged. And that's why even going to the DNC this year, while I don't agree with many things, I understand it's an important part of political education. And I would like more people to see that, be a part of it, watch it in a more intimate way, because that will enhance civic

engagement, which just isn't voting, but it's this piece. How do I get involved in who the delegates are who make important decisions for the party? I think that's a huge piece missing from the American political experience. But part of that is on purpose, because parties know if you keep people politically uneducated, you will keep them not civically engaged and then they won't vote and others could win. So I think we have to shift and do a better job of that. But we're also in a moment where people are very politically distant. As a kid, I really do remember having these dreams and visions, but you just don't know what is going to come for you. Alicia Keys opens up about conquering doubt, learning to trust herself and leaning into her dreams.

I think a lot of times we are built to doubt the possibilities for ourselves. For self-preservation and protection, it was literally that step by step. And so I discovered that that is how we get where we're going. This increment of small, determined moments. Alicia shares her wisdom on growth, gratitude, and the power of love. I forgive myself. It's okay.

Like grace. Have grace with yourself It's okay. Like grace. Have grace with yourself. You're trying your best. And you're going to figure out the rhythm of this thing. Alicia Keys, like you've never heard her before. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey guys, I'm Kate Max.

You might know me from my popular online series, The Running Interview Show, where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast, Post Run High, is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. You know that rush of endorphins you feel after a great workout? Well, that's when the real magic happens. So if you love hearing real, inspiring stories from the people you know, follow, and admire, join me every week for post run high it's where we take the conversation beyond the run and get into the heart of it all it's light-hearted pretty crazy and very fun

listen to post run high on the iheart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, a five-year-old boy floated alone in the ocean. He had lost his mother trying to reach Florida from Cuba. He looked like a little angel. I mean, he looked so fresh. And his name, Elian Gonzalez, will make headlines everywhere. Elian Gonzalez. Elian Gonzalez. Elian. Elian.

Elian Gonzalez. everywhere. At the heart of the story is a young boy and the question of who he belongs with. His father in Cuba. Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or his relatives in Miami. Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. At the heart of it all is still this painful family separation. Something that as a Cuban, I know all too well. Listen to Chess Peace, the Elian Gonzalez story as part of the My Cultura podcast network available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. unsettling stories. Well, wonder no more, because we've got a ghoulishly good lineup ready for you. Let's just say things get a bit extra. We're talking spirits, demons, and the kind of

supernatural chaos that'll make your spooky season complete. You know how much I love this time of year. It's the one time I'm actually on trend. So grab your pumpkin spice, dust off that Ouija board, just don't call me unless it's urgent. And tune in for new episodes every week. Remember, the veils are thin, the stories are spooky, and your favorite ghost host is back and badder than ever. Listen to Haunting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jack Peace Thomas, the host of a brand new Black Effect original series, Black Lit,

the podcast for diving deep into the rich world of Black literature. I'm Jack Peace Thomas, and I'm inviting you to join me and a vibrant community of literary enthusiasts dedicated to protecting and celebrating our stories. Black Lit is for the page turners, for those who listen to audiobooks while commuting or running errands, for those who find themselves seeking solace, wisdom, and refuge between the chapters. From thought-provoking novels to powerful poetry, we'll explore the stories that shape our culture.

Together, we'll dissect classics and contemporary works while uncovering the stories of the brilliant writers behind them. Black Lit is here to amplify the voices of Black writers and to bring their words to life. Listen to Black Lit on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Enchanted, where they feel like the political process doesn't serve them, doesn't work for them, people don't care about them. And I think that's the issue that the vice president is running into and why Michelle Obama resonated so much with people. Because she's not a political person, but she's talking to people's values and the realities they experience. So I think she has to pivot and do that more. And I think she'll reach a wider cross section of America.

But I think democracy in America has to change where more people can be politically engaged to understand what the process is and not to feel left out. And if your political education is coming from Instagram, it could be kind of dangerous. Or your homies getting in from Instagram. Oh man, I mean, it could be dangerous. So, you know, unfortunately, I mean, fortunately for someone like me, I grew up in a household that was all about black empowerment.

It was about learning the process, going to the precinct council meetings to see who the police officers were. But my neighbors, people who live right there in the building, they didn't get to do that. They didn't get those same experiences. And can see the difference you know so it's our job to teach um and which we are doing with our project freedom which we want to talk about um you know making sure because i one thing i will say is i want to give our people credit for the fact that even though we may not have been properly educated folks are trying to find out so whatever way wherever they're going whether they're getting the right information or not they're like something is not right like there's a fly in the buttermilk i we gotta this is not i'm not feeling this and and that's partially because i don't care how many times the the biden administration says, well, we've cut child poverty in half and we did.

We bought down prices. If that's fine. But the people that we work with. Yeah, yeah, yeah. They still in poverty. They don't feel right. They're not feeling they have to feel it. They have to be able to feel it. So however, they're getting educated. At least they are coming to the process. And I think it's our responsibility because I hear people saying, well, what's our agenda? And we want to make sure, which we have done by putting together Project Freedom, which is a growing living document that really kind of looks at many of the legislative items that have been hanging out there for years. Like people have been putting forth bills and letters. In fact, one of the reasons why I support kamala harris is because i know about the things that she was doing while she was in the senate and you know before she became president i know about bills that she co-sponsored bills that she signed or that she helped write uh the george

floyd justice and policing act when it included ending qualified immunity which means that you could go after an officer directly like these are things that she's been involved in, supporting the study for reparations. I don't know why people keep saying that the woman is not for reparations. I have heard her say over and over again. She said it here on Breakfast Club. I don't understand. She said she supports it. The thing is, there are many different people out here that see reparations differently.

Right. There are people you got the the Adels, which is the American descendants of slaves. They have their concept of the fact that reparations should only be going to people who come who are American citizens. Then you have people who come from a more of a mindset of the diaspora, which includes people from all over the world globally who are black or African receiving reparations. I fall in that category because this is how I was raised. Dr. Benjamin Johaka and others who taught us about reparations from a global perspective that we must see Africans around the world as part of, you know, our liberation. And so there are different people who have different concepts. And in her mind, she said, you know, something about like checks. She didn't think that you could just give people cash and let that be the end.

There has to be a study that you could, you can. Some people feel that's all it should be so there's what you call a meeting of the minds but just because i might be in the ados back uh pot or this or that that doesn't mean i don't support reparations how we do it what it looks like is what we think that's the other thing i'm gonna post that clip today what people also want to see there's another piece and we see this all the time when you do policy there's an implementation piece right so people like to hear you care about an issue but how are you going to make an issue happen because we care about many things but what are you going to make

actually happen and how are you going to do so as part of what's behind i don't know if you support it because it's like saying in your household, I support my children eating right, but you buy junk food. It's like your actions have to show how you actually support it. And a lot of people's questioning is coming from a place that says you're saying this, but you're doing that. You're not prioritizing the things you say you support. So that's another, I think, level of political accountability. And people may not be asking the right question, but they're really saying, so you say you support reparations. Tell me how. And now show me how in a timeline in which you're going to implement it.

And I think that's what folks want to see. So talk about Project Freedom. Well, Duvall said Kamala just need to tell these niggas what they want to hear. Say anything. No. Well, that works for some people politically. You can do it for everybody else. Anybody else can just tell you anything. But the Democrats

traditionally, and I think some of us politically, try to have a standard where we don't just lie. Because we could say we're going to do all the things you want and say all the right things, but on the back end, you'll suffer because you don't really deliver that. Well, if you don't have a Congress that supports you, then you definitely can't get deliver that. Well, if you don't have a Congress that supports you,

then you definitely can't get it done. Now what's our Project Freedom? So I'm going to read a few of the things on Project Freedom. And one of the things I'll say before I even do that is Project Freedom on some level was a response to Project 2025. So folks started to hear a lot about this plan to roll back rights, to attack particular groups. And part of what we said is that we wanted to respond to that

because we're in an important political moment. But also Project Freedom is a political platform or policy that we said we would like to see whoever comes into office adopt because there are certain things that we know are important that should happen. Some of those things are an end to gun violence end to mass incarceration end of police brutality strengthening and pass the george floyd justice and policing act providing a pathway to citizenship ending the war in palestine and sudan protecting black history provide a reparations for slavery offer free

college and trade school cancel student debt pass the pass the John Lewis Voter Rights Act, launch automatic voter registration, restore individuals voting rights, reform the Supreme Court, expand child tax credits and provide guaranteed annual income. But part of what we're trying to convey to folks is that it isn't enough to just have one policy, but you must really have a political platform that someone can adopt that creates wide and sweeping changes. The other piece is that we know a lot of these issues are connected. And how you spend your money in one place will tell us how you can spend or can't spend money in other places. So we're trying to provide a comprehensive platform that one, creates political education, but also a standard that we can hold folks who come into office. I love that. I was talking to my guy, Gary Chambers Jr. yesterday, and he was saying, you know, one of the mistakes that folks

make, they'll ask questions like, what have you done over the last three and a half years, four years? He said, instead of asking those questions, you should be just going to them saying, hey, this is what you should be doing. Here's the agenda that we want you to implement. Yeah, and Project Freedom is important to us because we know as we travel this country, we're going to be out there knocking on doors. We knock on doors all year round. So this is not like a thing that happens when it's a presidential election or some political person that we want to get in or take out.

We do it all the time. We are always engaged in our people. And when we do we do it all the time we we are always engaging our people and when we're knocking on doors people i want they hear you they know project 2025 is bad they understand it they've seen on the news their grandmama's talking about it people what do they call it it's called you know black folks gonna shorten something project 25 we don't say 2025 that project 2020 20, excuse me, Project 25. And so people know that, but they are going to ask you, and they should, what do we have? You're in the room with these people, Tameka Mallory, Angelo Pinto, my son, Linda.

Y'all are talking to these people. What are you offering? What are you demanding? What are you asking for? And we wanted to make sure, along with our partners, I have to mention Michael Blake, Reverend Stephen Green, Pastor Michael McBride, DeJuana Thompson, of course, our sister Linda Sarsour. This platform is something that all of us have worked on because we've been doing this work and we know the legislative items that are already out there that could help to alleviate some of the suffering that our communities are talking about. We know how they can be strengthened. We understand that passing the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act as it currently stands will not work because, one,

it has been watered down so much in order to appease the Republicans who never signed it anyway. So I have no idea. Cory Booker, Senator Cory Booker was working with Senator Tim Scott. And every day we were all, you know, advocating for what we wanted to be in the bill. And they kept saying that Tim Scott had this idea or he, you know, he's trying to, you know, make the bill this way or that way in order to appease the Republican leadership. And I kept saying, Tim Scott cannot get anything done if white people don't tell him what to do. So let's stop. Like, it's a game that's being played. And of course, the bill fell through and it has sort of been dead since, you know,

you know, since we were out there in 2021. Now, President Biden did sign an executive order. But what we know about executive orders, they only last to the extent that the next administration wants to keep that legislation. And it only focused on federal legislation. We need to get things happening in these states. And we have to be able to hold these these police departments accountable. Let me just say this last thing. You know, last week, people were heartbroken to see that there has been yet another setback in the case of the killing of Breonna Taylor. And so there was two charges,

two federal charges that the judge dismissed. And of course, they continuously blamed Kenny Walker, which is disrespectful and disingenuous because nobody in that building heard the police officers announced themselves and to say who they were at the door. And I don't know where these other people live, but I know in black people's homes, if you knock on the door and don't say who you are, we say who it is we're not opening the door for you in fact we're gonna get quiet move around try to make sure we're out the way of the door that's what we do that's what they did but also in the state of Kentucky these people pass laws and then they get mad at you for following it you are allowed to fire a warning shot inside of your home if you feel in danger.

That is what Kenny Walker did. He did nothing wrong. So we saw the setback where this 80-year-old conservative judge dismissed these two charges, which are, again, the federal charges, which would have been felonies, right? There's still charges that those officers are facing. But it took him two years. And for whatever reason, they decide to announce this the day after the DNC. There are still charges that those officers are facing, but it took him two years. And for whatever reason, they decide to announce this the day after the DNC.

Maybe it's conspiracy. I don't know. But it's just very interesting. It took him two years. What I want people to understand while we sit up here and debate whether or not it's Trump and this and that. The reason why there are even charges against these officers at all is because President Biden also selected Kristen Clark, who is the head of the Civil Rights Division within the Department of Justice. And because of her work, we have seen a number of officers tried and prosecuted and convicted. it will not happen under a Trump presidency. Not because I think that. Right. Because this new this new thing online is that anybody who supports the Democrats or supports Kamala Harris or, you know, even when at the point that people were saying we were potentially voting for Joe Biden, which God bless, I don't have to do that. Thank God. Thank God I don't have to do that.

God bless America. But even during that time, one of the things that I keep hearing, and it has been said to me by a number of black men, Charlemagne, oh, you guys don't think critically and objectively. You can't think for yourself. No, I'm thinking for myself. You know how many times I've heard that? They say it all the time, and it's very disrespectful.

He just said earlier we can't drive, too. Oh for myself. You know how many times I've heard that? They say it all the time, and it's very disrespectful. He just said earlier, we can't drive, too. Oh, wow. Damn. Charlotte, man, I'll put you. So you wanted the black man. How could you say such a thing? I specifically said Mack Trucks. Whatever.

I've been sitting here waiting. You might be right. I've been sitting here waiting to ask you about Breonna Taylor, because for me, I've been reporting on this case since it first, like, started having a conversation. And people have continuously said if there were a video, things would be different. And now we're here, right, where the charges are being dropped and, like, there probably have to be an appeal, which is going to stretch things out, which is, like, heartbreaking for the family. I feel like it's a public trust thing now. Like, do you feel like this is going to shake public trust, even when it comes to like Kamala?

Because people are going to be looking at her like, I mean, you're a black woman now. Like we don't have the luxury to say, well, Biden, he's there, but he kind of, he does what he can do, but he doesn't get it. Well, I mean, by the way, it is. And I think that was one of the things that was missing from her speech. Again, I feel like she should have named Breonna Taylor, Sonia Massey, you know, on other issues. She was very,

very strong. And I would like to see the same energy around police accountability. And I know there are some of my people, especially my elders, who will be like, well, you know, that may not have been the time or place. And we debate that, but they always say it's not the time or place and we have to wait until and it's going to happen later. They said that in 2020 at her debate. Cause I was listening to an old podcast, me Bakari and Ebony K Williams did. And that's one of the things that Ebony brought up.

She wished she had spoken to Breonna Taylor more. Cause I guess it came up during the Mike Pence debate. I forgot what the context was. Absolutely. So I think that that should have happened. But I just want to say to drill down this point, I don't it's not that I'm not thinking objectively about what Trump can do or that I'm listening to some, you know, misinformation on the Internet.

I'm telling you about what was happening when he was president. When he was president, what's his name? Barr, the former attorney. William Barr, the attorney general at the time. Not only did he dismantle all the work that President Obama was doing to put these police departments under fire for violating the civil rights of citizens, because the consent decrees and the work that they were doing, they were seriously challenging police departments. And Christian Clark has started that back again.

She's doing that work around the country. I think Kansas. I mean, it's a bunch of places. A lot of consent decrees. Yeah, a lot of consent decrees, which is very important because it puts us as citizens on notice and the police department. And we want to see it strengthened more because we want it to be tied to federal funding. There is some of that now,

but it could be more, but not only did he dismantle all of that work, he also created the black identity extremist list, right? Which many of us are pretty sure we were on, which they were pretty much targeting and surveilling activists and people who talk black and speak truth to power. So it's not that I'm not smart enough to understand or I can't think objectively. Nah, I can see what you did. And I know there is a difference between a president

who I may disagree with on a number of things who decided to put black women in positions where they are actually getting things done. Kataji Brown. She unfortunately is outnumbered in the Supreme court, but she and Sonia Sotomayor, these people are voting in the opposite direction to try to protect American citizens. Okay. The people that Trump appointed to the court are voting in the opposite

direction to take away our rights and our freedoms. So please stop trying to diminish our understanding of this political moment to us just being Democratic shills and we just have drunk the Kool-Aid. No, I'm paying attention to what's happening. And for people like Angelo and me, if under a Trump presidency, especially in this moment, knowing that he has this venom in him, and he has this venom in him also because he has to face a black woman on a stage, and you see him trying to wiggle out of that.

He don't want that. They will put us in jail. Can you speak to Donald Trump saying he pledges to give cops immunity from prosecution? I mean, these are the things. This is the thing. And they already got it. They already have damn near immunity.

And you said, you asked about, you know, what happens now and if there was a video. But there's actual admission. One of the officers, she said,

we met in the garage and we made up a story. And this happened and that happened. This case was so crazy. I remember when I was reporting this

because the newsroom, I used to work at TMZ so that newsroom is like, it was just me on the news desk, right? And they couldn't believe that police would falsify a document.

And like, I remember the day when that came out that it happened. I swear, we had a very long conversation and I'm like, I don't know where y'all from

but where I'm from, that's normal. Like, it's very normal. It's a famous quote. To Americans. The ones that write the reports, I have to go look it up. Because it basically is saying that the same people who write the reports are doing the killing.

That's right. And they're the ones that they're supposed to police themselves. And so, I mean, the immunity thing. Oh, those who commit the murders write the reports. There you go. That's right. We live in a cause and effect society. But I feel like in this case, it's like they're missing.

Like, that doesn't matter. It's like, oh, well, we're going to blame it over here. But it's like, you guys wouldn't even have been in the house had you not done everything you did to illegally enter the home. Absolutely. So immunity is already there. But when he says full immunity from prosecution, I don't know if you watched it in a BJ interview. So there's a moment when he's asked about Sonia Massey.

And he does this physical thing. I'm telling you, Trump is a very, very dangerous man. He does this thing with his hands. He says, oh, you're talking about the case with the water? Like he does this in other words to signal to people he was gonna she was gonna throw the water he did that intentionally because it puts a message into people's minds that maybe she was threatening to the officer which we know did not happen these are the excuses that they come up with and then it was days later that the officers started saying well well, I felt like her words and the water.

So these people, I'm not here. Actually, I wish that for me personally, if I could make a decision, I would vote for Cornel West. That's just me. I would absolutely be with Cornel because Cornel has been with us in the trenches. Vote with Cornel over Kamala. Absolutely.

I would vote for Cornel West. I think you're saying substantively he been with us in the trenches. Vote with Cornell over Kamala. Absolutely. I would vote for Cornell. I think you're saying substantively he stands with us. He's more aligned with us. Yeah, I would vote for him if I had an opportunity. And I'm not talking about race. I mean, excuse me, gender. Let's take away whether they're female, male, or any of that. Because obviously, first of all, Kamala Harris is my sorority sister.

We're both AKAs. And I'm definitely, that is one motivating factor for me. And I don't care who doesn't like it because that's what we do. And the Divine Nine. Standing on that business. I am standing. We support one another. And then we take you to the side and pull your coat tail when we feel that something ain't.

But we support one another first. So absolutely. From a female, from a gender perspective, absolutely. However, if we're talking about just looking at platforms and understanding people's political courage, what they will do and say, we know who Cornel West is.

So if I had to make a decision today and I could really, really ensure that Cornel West wins, of course I would support him. But we know good and well that this country is not set up for a third party to really ascend and win. I don't have time. My black son and my granddaughter being able to make decisions on behalf of her body. Unfortunately, in these 70 days, I don't have time to go messing around saying I'm

going to vote with somebody who I know does not have the ability to win. I have to block Trump from becoming president. What I will say, though, is that I will make sure that I continue to work beginning November 6th. So after the election, when other people go home, we stay on the battlefield. Now, if we want to organize ourselves to have a real serious third party situation, I'm down. Let's do it. But if I come out and tell y'all we don't wear Gucci no more because they came out with the blackface sweater, or we don't support Nike anymore because they just canceled Kyrie's contract for nothing after the man agreed. American Airlines threw me off the plane and that every week is a different situation and people just, black people just went back on the plane.

Black people still wearing Nike. If we're going to be serious and disciplined, don't come at me because I'm making a decision on behalf of my family, my body, my ability to choose for myself what to do with my health, me personally knowing that I am on the black identity extremist list and I could be in jail under a Trump presidency. Let's get organized. Let's stop using social media to fight and harm one another and sit down at the table and have somebody like Cornel West who can help us. Do I think that Kamala Harris could be a great president? I truly believe that, and I'm going to be there every day.

If I got to use my Divine Nine hat to get in, if I got to beg to get in because I'm going to Charlemagne to say, give me a ticket so I can embarrass you and go in there and start yelling. You're going to be in the middle of the street screaming, girl. You're going to be in the middle of the street getting thrown out. I'm going to do that. I think there is going to be a seat at the table

for activists like yourself in the Kamala Harris administration. I think so. I truly believe that. I know Kamala Harris and I have had conversation with her. I truly do believe that within her

is something different and that's what people are afraid of. And we know that because again, we know where she was and who she aligned with. I can remember the great. Beautiful, intelligent, brilliant congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee speaking to Kamala's support of the reparations bill. Right. Yes, it is a study. It is not yet actual reparations, but we know the process is what it is. And I don't like the process, but we got to be involved in it. So somebody like Sheila Jackson Lee, if she comes to me and says, well, you know, Kamala Harris is with us and she gives

me a list of people who are supporting and then the list of folks who are not, that to me means something, right? Because I trust her. I believe her. I believe someone who says as a prosecutor, I am still willing to say that police officers need to be on their own, challenged and prosecuted and sued financially if they are going to violate the civil rights of citizens. I believe in that. So I want to see more. I did wish that she would speak to the issue of police accountability, particularly around women. And also, I'm hoping, I'm praying that she really means and will do something to deal with the conflict of Israel-Palestine

and the war on the Palestinian people. I think it was a misstep. Well, you ask your question, and then I'll say what I'm saying. Well, I was going to say, you know, from an activist standpoint, how much of an issue is Israel and Gaza going to be in this year's election? Because we saw all the uncommitted votes in the primary. So what are the activists and pro-Palestinian people going to do in November? And I was going to ask, how have you liked the VP's messaging thus far about it?

Well, I've been down the road of, you know, dealing with the issue of Israel-Palestine. As a kid, I really do remember having these dreams and visions, but you just don't know what is going to come for you. Alicia Keys opens up about conquering doubt, learning to trust herself and leaning into her dreams. I think a lot of times we are built to doubt the possibilities for ourselves. For self-preservation and protection, it was literally that step by step. And so I discovered that that is how we get where we're going. This increment of small, determined moments.

Alicia shares her wisdom on growth, gratitude, and the power of love. I forgive myself. It's okay. Like grace. Have grace with yourself. You're trying your best. And you're going to figure out the rhythm of this thing. Alicia Keys, like you've never heard her before. is that you're trying your best and you're gonna figure out the rhythm of this thing alicia keys

like you've never heard her before listen to on purpose with jay shetty on the iheart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts hey guys i'm kate max you might know me from my popular online series the running interview show where where I run with celebrities, athletes, entrepreneurs, and more. After those runs, the conversations keep going. That's what my podcast Post Run High is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. You know that rush of endorphins you feel after a great workout? Well, that's when the real magic happens. So if you love hearing real,

inspiring stories from the people you know, follow, and admire, join me every week for Post Run High. It's where we take the conversation beyond the run and get into the heart of it all. It's lighthearted, pretty crazy, and very fun. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, a five-year-old boy floated alone in the ocean. He had lost his mother trying to reach Florida from Cuba. He looked like a little angel. I mean, he looked so fresh. And his name, Elian Gonzalez, will make headlines everywhere. Elian Gonzalez.

Elian. Elian. Elian. Elian. Elian. Elian Gonzalez. At the heart of the story is a young boy and the question of who he belongs with. His father in Cuba. Mr. Gonzales wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or his relatives in Miami. Imagine that

your mother died trying to get you to freedom. At the heart of it all is still this painful family separation. Something that as a Cuban, I know all too well. Listen to Chess Piece, the Elian Gonzalez story, as part of the My Cultura podcast network, available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey there, my little creeps. It's your favorite ghost host, Teresa. And guess what? Haunting is back, dropping just in time for spooky season. Now, I know you've probably been wandering the mortal plane, wondering when I'd be back to fill your ears with deliciously unsettling stories. Well, wonder no more, because we've got a ghoulishly good lineup ready for you.

Let's just say things get a bit extra. We're talking spirits, demons demons and the kind of supernatural chaos that'll make your spooky season complete you know how much i love this time of year it's the one time i'm actually on trend so grab your pumpkin spice dust off that ouija board just don't call me unless it's urgent and tune in for new episodes every week remember Remember, the veils are thin, the stories are spooky, and your favorite ghost host is back and badder than ever. Listen to Haunting on the iHeartRadio

app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Jacqueline Thomas, the host of a brand new Black Effect original series, Black Lit. the podcast for diving deep into the rich world of Black literature. I'm Jack Peace Thomas, and I'm inviting you to join me and a vibrant community of literary enthusiasts dedicated to protecting and celebrating our stories. Black Lit is for the page turners, for those who listen to audio books while commuting or running errands, for those who find themselves seeking solace, wisdom, and refuge between the chapters. From thought-provoking novels to powerful poetry, we'll explore the stories that shape our culture.

Together, we'll dissect classics and contemporary works while uncovering the stories of the brilliant writers behind them. Black Lit is here to amplify the voices of Black writers and to bring their words to life. Listen to Black Lit on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Lots of different reasons. My proximity to, our proximity to Linda Sarsour, who is our sister, our dear friend, who we pray for every day because what she has experienced over the last year is unthinkable.

Unthinkable. Watching her people perish and be starved to death. Children, people calling her from, like I'm sitting with her, and they're calling from Gaza like, help us do something. Because they believe in her she's a leader so why can't you fix this you over there in America her tax I imagine that that your tax

dollars as an American citizen is going to the death and and destruction of your own people it is terrible um and so you know I I I know about this. I understand the APAC, you know, the influence that they have on our government officials. I understand the ADL and the influence that they have. I get all of these things. So I know that for her to say what she's saying, it takes political courage. It is no joke for her to even speak in the ways in which she's speaking. And, you know, you and I debated the Josh Shapiro pick. You said that, you know, you know him well enough to know that he's a good guy. And I believe that because I heard that from a lot of people. You know, a lot of people talk about the things that he's doing there in Pennsylvania. But I think that his statements around that issue is something that doesn't it can't align and and of course we do not know why she decided to pick Tim Walls although I believe it was a brilliant decision

which gives me already an idea of the way that she's thinking and her instincts because there were a lot of people pushing for Shapiro but the the attitude that he had and the words that he said about the war, and some people don't like to use the word war, so I would say the attack on the Gazas, the people of Gaza, the way in which he spoke about protesters and the students on the campuses let me know or at least made me feel that it would be very difficult for her to have this particular concept for ceasefire and the direction that she wants to take and then him really having a Zionist mindset that those two things will be very difficult to work together because she already has to deal with within the administration the

people who are going to be pulling in the direction of continuing to support Israel no matter how it is operating and the illegal activities that they are involved in right because we know it as I listened to her speak she said well you know it is horrible what's happening to them and so many lives lost no there are lives being taken they are people being killed and we can't and it's hard to even be able to speak to it in that way and i have to be honest if you listen to what she said she spoke to exactly what is happening to the israeli citizens or what happened to them murder there's a lot of debate around rape. We won't get into that today. But murder. She talked about, you know, all of those things, the horrific actions

of Hamas. But then when it comes to the conversation around the Palestinians, it's almost like there's an earthquake that happened or it's like, you know, it's so horrible what they are experiencing. So I understand the nuances of how difficult it is to talk about this. But the mere fact that she's saying anything at all and she had a very strong posture, like you could hear the tone and the way in which she delivered that particular portion of her speech. You know that she also cannot stand to see children, innocent people dying the way that they are. And I believe that if we continue to push, the uncommitted folks are not going to

stop organizing. People asking the question, why at the DNC and not the RNC, it's precisely for what you said. These are generally Democratic voters. They are pressing their particular party that they were once or are a part of to do something about genocide. So, you know, so I know about that pressure. I know about it because I experienced it in the Women's March. I still experience

it today. And look at Cori Bush and Jamal Bowman. These are two people who just lost their elections because of AI APAC and the organizing that they did. And let me say on this show publicly, there are black people who are a part of APAC's operation and younger black people. Some of them we know. So do not sit there and get in your mind that this is some group of white men that are some evil white men. No, there are black people on Apex payroll who are part of organizing to take out people who are speaking truth to power.

It is no way that Cori Bush should have lost her election as important as that woman is. Jamal Bowman, somebody who has been speaking truth to power, you know, Jamal out there fighting in Washington, DC for us. And they have been taken

out by people who will absolutely go along to get along within the system. And that's because and it's so important to connect all the dots of what we've been saying, because even Project 2025, there was a plan. Right. There's a plan to do these things. There's a plan to attack political folks who stand up for important issues. There's a plan to attack education. There's a plan to attack political folks who stand up for important issues. There's a plan to attack education. There's a plan to attack activists who hold politicians accountable. There's a plan to do these things. So if we don't have a plan to counteract them, we find ourselves in a lot of trouble. And part of what's important for us, and it's what we do, I think people see us sometimes at the DNC, and I got a lot of people say, oh, you support the Democrats. I say, I'm here working. We're doing what we do, which is holding

these folks accountable. And I think one of the things we want to see in others, particularly the Palestinian delegation, is they want to see, and we have to make this happen, they want to see Kamala Harris become more activist in how she moves in her political stance. She can't do that. She's a politician. I think politicians got to be politicians. Activists got to be activists. Well, I think politicians can take stances that become active in how they move politically.

I was watching a documentary on Jimmy Carter and how activist he was around the environment, brokering peace across the world. I think politicians get to decide who they are. Donald Trump is a great example of a politician who decided, I'm going to be completely unorthodox. You think he decided to do that when he became a politician? Well, he's an unorthodox individual. But I'm saying that resonated with people.

And he has the ability to decide how he shows up. And I think people want her and i think the excitement around her is that people believe she will show up differently but it's our responsibility people who care about progressive issues to make her show up in a way that's different than every president before because i think if she doesn't she will have a hard future right we want her to to succeed but we want her to be different. We don't want the same kind of politician. We're not looking for a black woman to show up how white men show up. If that happens, we've done ourselves a disservice.

I'll tell you one reason I feel like she's different. I feel like for me personally, maybe because I know her as well, this is the first time in a long time that I feel like I'm not voting for the lesser of two evils. I don't feel like I'm voting for evil at all. Yeah. No, I don't think she's voting for the lesser of two evils. Right. I don't feel like I'm voting for evil at all. Yeah. No, I don't think she's evil. A lot of people aren't there yet. But I just would like to say, when you say that she has to be a politician and an activist,

have to do one thing, just do for us what you say you're going to do for Israel. You speak activist-y. Because I swear, when they get, not just her, when these elected officials get up and talk about Israel, they are strong on it. They say, I, you know, Israel has the right to defend itself and we will support. Speak

like that about black people. When it comes to the innocent women and men and children. Absolutely. Speak like that about the Palestinians. What do y'all think the Democrats need to do to win this election in November? Oh, they got to. Let me tell you, do not translate excitement at a convention or even excitement about, you know, her ascension to the top of the ticket to vote because you got to knock on

doors. You have to go out and educate people and you have to make sure that there is that there is resources on the ground. Right. And sure that there is resources on the ground. Come on now. Right? And we're not talking about on the ground. Like, there's some people that claim they're on the ground. No, like tangible.

But we're talking about under the root. They say there's the grass root, and then there's under the root. And the dirt. People, right. Those people have to have the resources that they need to be able to knock on doors. You need credible messengers. This whole process of we got to vet everything and everybody

and, you know, if you had this issue or that, we got to stay away from you and we have to do that. You know, one day I'll tell my story about what happened to me during the Stacey Abrams campaign. In fact, it's in my book. The new book? In the new book. The new book is coming out. How about that? What's the date of the new book? Might as well plug it right now.

The new book comes out when? It's called I Live to Tell This Story and it's going to be released in the new book. The new book is coming out. How about that? What's the date of the new book? Might as well plug it right now. The new book comes out when? It's called I Live to Tell This Story and it's going to be released in the winter. And, you know, and by the way, Stacey Abrams had nothing to do with this,

but I talk about me being held or told not to come to Georgia at all. Don't even step foot in the state during the time in the last few days

of her election. And the folks saying it to me, they really did have good intention. You know what I mean? So I'll tell y'all. Can they pre-order now or not yet? Not yet. Not yet. But soon come now.

That'll be in there. But the reason why I brought that up is because, you know, oftentimes we sacrifice some of our people because we're so busy trying to appease these other folks. That's never going to be with you. I don't think we have that luxury. We don't have the luxury. We don't have the luxury of cutting any of our people because we're so busy trying to appease these other folks that's never going to be with you. I don't think we have that luxury. We don't have the luxury of cutting any of our people off. We can't. We got to bring everybody along. We got to bring Pookie, Ray Ray, TT.

We always say, if you're not at the strip club, right? I remember one night I was in the strip club and I think I may have told you this before. I might have said it on this. Don't let's not do that. I was in the strip club one I might have said it on this. Don't, let's not do that. Not too much. I was in a strip club one night, and this young sister was like, you know what?

I know you. She went to her locker and came back with a folder, and the folder had all the information in it on the union that they are working to establish for strippers. Oh, wow. Like, these are educated people, right? That's right. So you can't leave them behind because you don't like the way they look. Right, now you're right. educated people right so you can't leave them behind because you don't like the way they look and you don't want to go to uh the corners where our brothers might be because those ain't your

people and those are not the type of people if you're only talking to my mama and people who are in the churches and people who maybe you can knock on they're doing their home some of our people don't even have an address right so you don't even know where to find them at which means you got to engage them on the street. That's what's going to help the Democrats win this election. So hopefully they do that. Hopefully they don't give the money to the same people that they always give money to.

And instead, flip this thing. If we're going to be different, let's invest in people who never, I know organizations that never get a dime and they go out and do more work than these big organizations that get get a dime and they go out and do more work than these big organizations that get millions of dollars to go out and knock on doors and engage voters that's not but the reason why these other folks miss suzy who lives in the project somewhere in louisiana the reason

why she knocks on the entire community's door is because she understands her social security the insulin how much she got to pay for that, her grandchildren, their survival, safety, public safety, policing. She understands those issues. So in spite of the Democratic Party, she goes out and does work that she should be getting paid for. She should have resources in her community to do, but she does it out of necessity. And they keep allowing that to be like, they keep relying on that. And it is a dangerous thing, especially in this moment where misinformation is at an all-time high.

So Miss Susie might be listening to them say, you know, she don't support reparations. Right. And then what? You know what I'm saying? We don't want to allow people to fall into this place of feeling hopeless. That's right. We need people to feel like, you know what place of feeling hopeless that's right we need people to feel like you know what we can continue to fight because we all got to live here together so

regardless of what it doesn't matter who becomes president you are going to live under their policies and some people are excited now i had a conversation with someone the other day talking about the difference between excitement and commitment and a lot of folks are in some folks are excited about a kamala harris presidency but a lot of folks are, some folks are excited about a Kamala Harris presidency, but a lot of folks are not even excited yet. So I think part of the work is getting to all the places

to raise excitement, that this is something important. And not only that, that it will make a difference in your life. I think it's three, Angelo. I agree with you. I think it's excitement,

enthusiasm, and contentment. Because I was talking to one of my young homegirls and I asked her, I said, are you excited or enthused? And she said, I'm content with voting

for Vice President Kamala Harris. I think that's a good place to be. She was one of those three, I believe. I think being content, though, you're on the line. And you could easily swing to, I don't know about if I'm going to do this. And we were talking about this, I think when we were in Chicago at Rainbow Push Coalition office, that

not only do you need to vote, you need a voting plan. Because some people will say they're going to vote or they've been encouraged to vote, but they don't have a voting plan. And a lack of excitement will make them go in another direction on that day. So we have to be, and we know this, very granular about how we make these things happen. And oftentimes you don't get to support from the big tent party to fund this work because we know we got to knock on doors. We have to talk to the folks nobody cares about, the individuals who are on the fence

or who are behind the fence and got no fence. We have to talk to all those folks to move them in a direction, not just because we want to see someone elected, but because we know it will change their life. And if they don't do this, folks will die. And she has to go out there and explain herself to everybody.

She can't leave no stone unturned because the reality is they're going to need the largest voter turnout possible to try to defeat voter suppression. Because you know these motherfuckers are going to try to steal the election. They already trying to steal it. What are you talking about?

Listen, look at that Dred Scott thing. What is it? One of the Republican factions, which is a group within the Republican Party, saying that the Dred Scott decision would make her not able to, eligible to run for president because she wouldn't be a human.

Like, three-fifths human, basically, is still what the Constitution says about us. So it's a lot of things that need to be worked on because that's a real, like, part of why we have so much mass incarceration is because we are seen as three-fifths human. And the election is interesting. Elections in America get stolen.

Absolutely. This is voter suppression. Absolutely. This is a key tactic for some folks to win. It's his Supreme Court. Yeah. That too. His Supreme Court is in his back pocket.

You have all of these elected officials that's going to refuse to certify the results of the election. It's going to be crazy. Which means the odds are stacked against us to get what we need. It means we have to be on the ground in ways that we never have before. But the other piece is this. The party is going to over rely on black folks. Absolutely.

Because black folks, black men and women come out. When women come out when we come out we come out in numbers that change the election it's happened with obama and i think that was a reason why they pivoted to kamala now because they know without black folks they can't get it done yeah so they're hoping that happens now i believe well you you still have i mean and i think they're going to try their best to appeal to white women who are concerned about their reproductive rights. You know, this is very Handmaid's Tale-ish, right? I mean, it is. If you watched Handmaid's Tale, if you haven't, you should check it out. That's what

we're really looking at. Project 2025, the feel of it is very Project 2025. I mean, excuse me, the feel of it is very Handmaid's Tale-ish, right? Like we're going to have white men basically making decisions on behalf of all women and the white women in many times vote and help it happen because that's how Handmaid's Tale went down. husbands in taking over the nation and creating a space where basically there was the the slaves the enslaved individuals who were white brown and otherwise to these white men they became rulers and that's what i hear when i'm reading project 2025 when they start talking about restoring the family it's like which family which kind of family are you speaking about, you know, being able to fire thousands of civil service employees who don't support the MAGA agenda? Like this is very, they're very specific. People better read that Project 2025 document. And so there are white women who understand when the president says a lot of folks keep saying, well, he's saying the states have the power to make the decision on abortion.

That is the most dangerous proposition ever. Because if you have a Ron DeSantis governor, imagine what will happen to women in those states. You think these white women are not sitting around like, uh-uh, we ain't doing that. I might not even like Kamala Harris. But I'm going to be able to go on and slip to the abortion clinic if I need to or go get my IVF. Right. Which is important for them, because if you're not ready to have children, you need another option. I have a lot of people who have used as I'm you know, now we 40 years old, 44. I hear about IVF all the time from women across the spectrum. And Donald Trump would say, well, he doesn't support ending IVF or blocking women from having that option.

The problem, though, is that when you hear the Project 2025 coordinators, they are saying quietly. Remember last week they put out an interview where these two students went and they changed their identity and they snuck in to get an interview with one of the Project 2025 creators. And he basically was saying, you know, they got to distance themselves from us right now, but we're not worried about it because we have people around him who are working to make these things a reality. And we know we're going to push the plan. I don't want to

be i don't even want the president where those are your friends i don't even want your friends to be the type if all the people that work for you are folks that are part of writing a document like project 2025 it's something wrong with you and your people i don't even want to have it i don't want to take the chance that's's okay. Come back with some new friends. That's right. And the fact that that could be a political document in 2024 is outrageous.

Crazy. Right? And I was talking to somebody and they were explaining it or comparing it to the 2024 Willie Lynch papers because it's an agenda or a plan to really attack

black folks, brown folks, indigenous folks, and democracy as a whole. That's really what the document seeks to do. It's like it's a political document that says we're going to dismantle democracy. And that's okay. That should be mind-blowing to us, but so much of us don't know exactly what's in the document and the attack on us.

Well, how can people follow you and support you if need be? Well, first let me just say shout-out to, you said Willie Lynch. Yes. Well, how can people follow you and support you if need be? Well, first, let me just say shout out to you said Willie Lynch. And so shout out to my son who just did a response letter to the Willie Lynch letter. And so it's on his page. You can listen to it. It's obviously him speaking. And, you know, I think that in this particular moment, it's going to take all different types of people to really help make the case for why it's not even about people and personalities but the fact that we really do have to protect ourselves in this country and that's what i'm all about and so if you want to follow me and by the way let me go back and say my book name is i live to tell this story the cover is amazing it's about to drop i'm

really excited about it. You put it in the video. I'm about to turn the computer around. This book is not political. Uh-oh. This book is not a political book. It is, I mean, there is some political commentary in there.

But this book is my memoir. It's about my life. And that's why I say I live to tell this story. And I hope that people will pick it up so that you can learn more about me outside of what you read online. Or even when you see me in the street, there's there's a lot of stuff about imposter syndrome and other things that I have been through in my life that have helped me come to this point. So make sure you guys stay with the journey for the new book. You can go to add Tamika D. Mallory on Instagram.

Follow us, Until Freedom. We're on untilfreedom.com. We're at Until Freedom. And unfortunately, I'm one of those people that gets in the comments to cuss your ass back out.

Someone might talk about your mama if you talk about her. I said it the other day. The man said, you are airhead. I said, me and your mama. We two of a kind. That's one. All right. Well, it's Tamika D. Mallory, Angelo Pinto. It man said, you are airhead. I said, me and your mama. We two of a kind. He's never asked one.

All right. Well, it's Tamika D. Mallory, Angelo Pinto. It's The Breakfast Club. Good morning. Wake that ass up early in the morning. The Breakfast Club. As a kid, I really do remember having these dreams and visions, but you just don't know what is going to come for you.

Alicia shares her wisdom on growth, gratitude and the power of love. I forgive myself. It's OK. Have grace with yourself. You're trying your best and you're going to figure out the rhythm of this thing. Alicia Keys, like you've never heard her before. Listen to On Purpose with Jay Shetty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast High, is all about. It's a chance to sit down with my guests and dive even deeper into their stories, their journeys, and the thoughts that arise once we've hit the pavement together. Listen to Post Run High on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey everyone, this is Courtney Thorne-Smith, Laura Layton, and Daphne Zuniga. On July 8th,

1992, apartment buildings with pools were never quite the same as Melrose Place was introduced to the world. We are going to be reliving every hookup, every scandal, and every single wig removal together. So listen to Still the Place on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Hello, my undeadly darlings. It's Teresa, your resident ghost host. And do I have a treat for you. Haunting is crawling out from the shadows, and it's going to be devilishly good. We've got chills, thrills, and stories that'll make you wish the lights stayed on.

So join me, won't you? Let's dive into the eerie unknown together. Sleep tight, if you can. Listen to Haunting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On Thanksgiving Day, 1999, five-year-old Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez

was found off the coast of Florida. And the question was, should the boy go back to his father in Cuba? Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or stay with his relatives in Cuba. Mr. Gonzalez wanted to go home and he wanted to take his son with him. Or stay with his relatives in Miami. Imagine that your mother died trying to get you to freedom. Listen to Chess Peace, the Elian Gonzalez story on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.