Episode description

This week, Farai Chideya talks to Charles Blow, New York Times opinion columnist and author of “The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto,” about his proposal for building Black political power in the South. Dr. Ashish Jha of Brown University explains why vaccinating against Covid-19 must be a global effort, and Dr. Debra Furr-Holden of Michigan State University says getting Black Americans vaccinated is a key part of that effort. Our business of entertainment contributor Casey Mendoza breaks down who was nominated, who was snubbed, and who might be miscategorized at the Golden Globes. And political roundtable regulars Errin Haines and Jess Morales Rocketto explain why it’s important to keep trying to hold former President Trump accountable for his actions, despite his acquittal by the Senate.

EPISODE RUNDOWN

0:55 Writer and columnist Charles Blow explains how moving en masse can change the political dynamics of a state. 

7:04 A central argument in his book, Blow dispels the myth that racism only exists in the South.  

10:34 Blow says that because of implicit bias, multi-racial coalitions can be limiting for building Black power. 

14:16 Dr. Ashish Jha explains how herd immunity works in the vaccination process. 

16:26 Dr. Jha says there is promising research that current vaccines can fight against most variants of Covid-19. 

17:54 Dr. Jha says that vaccination efforts must be global in order to eliminate the threat of Covid-19 variants that prolong the pandemic.

19:58 Casey Mendoza looks at past controversies addressing the lack of diversity in entertainment awards shows.

22:38 Mendoza reflects on the role of white creators in the conversation about diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. 

24:38 Mendoza explains why the Golden Globes were highly criticized for the categorization of “Minari” as a foreign language film. 

25:53 Categorizing international or foreign-language films still proves to be problematic, Mendoza explains.

30:00 Errin Haines reflects on her interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. 

33:28 Farai Chideya discusses Charles Blow’s idea for obtaining Black political power with Errin Haines.  

36:02 After the impeachment acquittal of former President Donald Trump, Jess Morales Rocketto says that the threat of Trump and Trumpism is still very real. 

39:00 Chideya tries to make sense of the conflicting positions from Senator Mitch McConnell regarding Trump’s role in the January 6th insurrection.

41:27 Sippin’ the Political Tea’s experts discuss other ways people are trying to hold Trump accountable for the events of January 6th, and why voting to convict on an impeachment charge would have had different consequences.