Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we conduct a critical examination of some of the myths purported to be statistics by many right-wing media outlets in this country. This includes the 13/50 rule...a falsehood that suggests that Black people are responsible for 50% of all violent crime in the U.S. We also examine the relationships that retail stores have with their Black customer base. This includes Target developing surveillance programs with local police departments that ultimately fu...
Sep 04, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss cancel culture and its efficacy in our quest to create a more equitable country for all of us citizens. We spend some time telling a story about Dog the Bounty Hunter and how it's possible for some people to make mistakes, learn, grow, and become better people. We also discuss how the Feds were deliberately targeting BLM protesters to disrupt the movement of 2020. Our Way Black History Fact is about Mexico serving as a safe haven for runaway...
Aug 28, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss the results of the 2020 Census and the population shift away from a majority-White America. We also discuss a shooting in San Bernadino County where an officer executed Daverion Deauntre Kinard after a suspected robbery while he was in a port-a-potty holding a lighter. Our Ebony Excellence is dedicated to Ava DuVernay for creating an opportunity for Levar Burton after he was snubbed as the replacement host for Jeopardy. Finally our B.A.B.A. ...
Aug 21, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss an instance in Michigan where officers pulled guns on and subsequently handcuffed a Black realtor, homebuyer, and his son after mistaking them for trespassers. We also discuss an Ohio court that sentenced two women (one White and one Black) to very different punishments one day apart from each other for essentially the same crime. We reflect again on how policing and the criminal justice system favors White criminals over all others--especia...
Aug 14, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. On today's show, we have special guest Hon. Judge Cody Williams--the longest-serving African American elected official in Arizona. We discuss ways he has seen Black representation increase in the civic arena, how to empower future generations to pursue elected office, and shares his thoughts on a viral video of a Texas officer pinning a young lady to the ground while she pleads that she can't breathe. Judge Williams also shares his thoughts on the push for defunding the p...
Aug 07, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we own up to a journalistic misstep where we shared a video with our social media followers and subsequently needed to set the record straight after seeing the same incident from another perspective and in longer format. We also review an incident of an officer kicking a handcuffed woman in the face in Atlanta. Our Way Black History Fact highlights the life and legacy of the recently departed Bob Moses, and our Ebony Excellence is dedicated to the movi...
Jul 31, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In this week's episode, we coin a new term "Black Guilt' and cite real-life examples of instances when we as Black people feel guilty for making White folks feel guilty. We recognize that we all need each other and that we have to account for how a changing world must feel for our White brothers and sisters. Later in the show, we discuss a study by the American Psychological Association which found that Police officers on average speak more respectfully to White drivers t...
Jul 24, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss the viral footage of two police officers in Toledo, OH running bravely into a gang shootout and give credit where it is due. It's rare on the program where we discuss instances of heroism, but in our efforts to have a balanced journalistic approach to the program, we felt it was important to highlight this. We also discuss Al Sharpton and Ben Crump's decision to take a case where the victim of a police shooting was White. We explore the reas...
Jul 14, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discussed some of the issues pertaining to Black athletes. We take the time to discuss the optics (and provide some nuance) of the Sha'Carri Richardson situation and how fair or unfair it was that she was disqualified from participating in the Olympics. We also took the time to discuss the possibility of anti-Black sentiment coming from Black allies by citing the situation with Rachel Nichols and ESPN. Trysta Krick hosts Barstool Sports and gave us ...
Jul 10, 2021•58 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss the disparities in sentencing in the criminal justice system as illustrated by a "generous plea deal" offered to a Trump supporter who shot a Black girl at a rally. We also talk more about the passing of a law in Texas limiting the teaching of Critical Race Theory. Our B.A.B.A. segment highlights Rep. James Talarico...a White state senator from Texas who is challenging this new law and is the epitome of an ally. Our Ebony excellence segment ...
Jul 03, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss some of the troubles that exist between different communities of color. Often times when we find ourselves at odds, we don't take much time to examine how to grow from the experience...so this is what we are trying to do today. We discuss a deadly incident in Hawaii where an Asian couple called the police on a Black man who entered their home mistaking it for a temple. The man was executed by the police after having left and apologizing prof...
Jun 26, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss Critical Race Theory and how it's being challenged in places like Texas and Florida. We also make sure to talk about Juneteenth, its journey to becoming a national holiday, and its history in our Way Black History Fact. Q had the pleasure of reviewing some footage of some instances of police brutality in Maryland as officers were enforcing their new anti-vaping laws. Our Ebony Excellence spotlight was on Motown and Michael Jackson. Happy Jun...
Jun 19, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we are examining an incident of police brutality involving a K-9 attack on an unarmed Black man Robert Gillian in Washington after he surrendered. We also discuss a sheriff's department in Florida that is tracking, watching, and harassing children they think are likely to grow up and become criminals. This "intelligence-based policing" has already led to much criticism and has resulted in harassment suits. Our Way Black History Fact is about negro-skin...
Jun 12, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss the backlash on Black athletes for demanding dignity and setting boundaries. Naomi Osaka and Kyrie Irving are both in the news for different reasons but certainly are helping establish a new narrative for Black people. We discuss the Tulsa Race Massacre and reflect on a parallel in Boston. We also highlighted Vanessa Carlton as an ally and the story behind it is pretty funny! Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iam...
Jun 05, 2021•1 hr
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, broadcasting veteran Corina comes up to share an experience that is all too common in Black life. She was confronted by a Karen, and subsequently attacked. She takes us through the thought process that many POC experience when deciding whether to defend themselves or to abandon their dignity. She is joined by her daughter Aria who what present during the encounter. We also take some time to discuss the allies who were present and how we all can learn h...
May 29, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. Our guests on today's show are three of the more visible leaders in the southwest for Black Lives Matter. We discuss an incident where a George Floyd memorial was destroyed by a White man in Minnesota. The conversation takes us to dealing with how many White men feel like they are under attack and how we can account for that while trying to battle White supremacy. We also discuss the ruling from the Andrew Brown case where the judge ruled that the officers had reason to b...
May 22, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we start off by discussing how racism encompasses more than just the n-word. We discuss a viral video from North Carolina where an elderly Karen uses the word freely to describe a group of Black women she believed were laughing too loudly, and how most folks see that as racist behavior but not the behaviors (or lack thereof) that actually cause harm to Black and Brown communities. We also spend some time discussing the BLM apparel/salute ban from the T...
May 15, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we answer a listener's question pertaining to the often muted response from the Black community when the victim of police brutality is White. We also spend time discussing comments from rapper G-Herbo where he stated that he needed to bring a gun to school every day. Finally, we go through a few videos that we hadn't been able to get to where police are abusing their power and further harming Black and Brown bodies and communities. Support the Show. ww...
May 08, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we are joined by three members of Our Arizona. Asr, Chad, and Nydia discuss the fight to keep the legislative language protecting the interests of Black and Brown communities in Arizona. They help identify ways to support their efforts, and finally they help describe the outcomes if the profits from the sale of Cannabis are used to fortify communities that have been historically damaged by the war on drugs. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow ...
May 01, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss the verdict in the Derek Chauvin (George Floyd) case. We also have the unfortunate responsibility of responding to the death of Makiyah Bryant on the same day at the hands of the Columbus, OH police department. We take the time to review some of the viral police interactions of the last week including the New Jersey video of the police confiscating bicycles and arresting kids, the shooting of Adam Toledo in Chicago, and a few others. Support...
Apr 24, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. Today, we are joined by Shela Yu of the AAPI Democratic Caucus to discuss the increase in violence against Asian Americans, and what steps we can take to support the AAPI Community. We also spend time discussing the week's events including the death of Daunte Wright and the assault of Lieutenant Caron Nazario in Virginia. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for today's show was provided by: Major Threads menswear...
Apr 17, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we are joined by Dianne Post who is an activist, lawyer, and curator of the Action Alerts that are responsible for circulating legislative information to constituents and voters throughout Arizona. We begin the show by trying to explore police interactions when the officers approach a suspect with the firm assumption that they are guilty versus the assumption that they may possibly be innocent. We then explore some of the bills that are being voted on ...
Apr 10, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss the optics surrounding the trial of Derek Chauvin...the officer who knelt on the neck of George Floyd. We examine how rather than defending the officer, the defense has opted to villainize Floyd and how unfair that is. We also discuss the interaction of an officer in Arkansas who pulled over a Black man driving a U-Haul truck and was arrested so the officers could search the back. Finally, Patrick C. Brown from the NAACP Political Action Com...
Apr 03, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss the mass shootings that have taken place in recent days. We also discuss our views on gun ownership as Black men in America. Beyond that, we take some time to establish exactly what qualifies as "Black" or "real" behavior. Finally we discuss the racist origins of the SATs and other standardized testing. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for today's show was provided by: Major Thre...
Mar 27, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. Dr. Camilla Westenberg from the NAACP joins us today to discuss the many voter suppression initiatives that are being championed across the country. We spend some time peeling back the layers of the Souls to the Polls campaign that has received much media attention as well. Finally, we discuss the shootings in Atlanta at the massage parlors and offer support to our Asian brothers and sisters. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesj...
Mar 20, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode, we discuss the result of the Scottsdale Karen and the difference that privilege makes. We also spend some time discussing the royal family and their how their beliefs border on White supremacy. We end the show discussing a few more examples of voter suppression legislation and what action you can take to fight back! Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for today's show was provided by: Major Th...
Mar 13, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In this episode, we have a bit of a therapy session. We debate the prospects for this country and discuss the history of White supremacy. We spend a good time analyzing the conflicted feelings of being from this great nation while wearing Black skin. Furthermore, we briefly touch on some of the more visible aspects of systemic racism. After sprinkling in a few of our own personal experiences, we feel like this was a great discussion. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com ...
Mar 06, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In this episode, we have special guests Jesse McQuary and Shansan Chambers from the Arizona Black Cannabis Trade Association. We discuss the way the War on Drugs has disproportionately affected Black people and what the ABCTA and current legislation is doing to offset those injustices. We also discuss the Last Prisoner Project and explore what "social equity' means. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for today's...
Feb 27, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In today's episode we discuss the lack of leadership in Texas and the resulting damage. We discuss whether or not cancel-culture has a place in today's society. We also take the time to discuss the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccination and why it's a great idea to get vaccinated. Finally, we discuss the real-world psychological implications of privilege through an experiment with Monopoly. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesj...
Feb 20, 2021•59 min
Send us a Text Message. In this week's episode, Q. Ward interviews Michael Malone Jr. and discusses the Diversity and Inclusion Group (DIG) from Natera. Natera is a global leader in cell-free DNA testing with a focus on women's health, oncology, and organ health. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for today's show was provided by: Major Threads menswear www.MajorThreads.com Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com The Black Informa...
Feb 13, 2021•59 min
