Episode 123 - Farewell, Season 11!
Broke-ish®
They say, “all good things must come to an end”! On this episode, Amber and Erika bid farewell to Season 11. We start by reflecting on the last seven years and Broke-ish’s journey to 11 seasons, including Delina’s departure and Amber’s journey from guest to co-host. Next, we discuss the looming government shutdown and the Democratic Party’s decision to strike a deal with Republicans to seemingly end it. We then pivot into how Minister Malcolm’s teachings offer insight into this situation and our current political climate. His work and pedagogy served as the inspiration for this...
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The U.S. and Facism: As American as Apple Pie - Part 2
Broke-ish®
On this episode of Broke-ish, Amber and Erika continue their discussion on the signs and implications of fascism and authoritarianism in the U.S., particularly its impact on Black people. Through current events such as Trump’s unilateral decision to initiate renovations to the White House, the targeting and criminal prosecution of Black politicians, and the government shut down’s disproportionate impact on Black people. We finish out the conversation with the reminder that, although the current political climate lacks civility and refinement, it is very much a continuation of...
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The U.S. and Facism: As American as Apple Pie - Part 1
Broke-ish®
On this episode of Broke-ish, the discussion centers on the signs and implications of fascism and authoritarianism in the U.S., particularly its impact on Black people. Amber and Erika explore the cultural shifts towards nationalism, the politicization of institutions, and the removal of neutral bureaucrats. They highlight the recent death of Assata Shakur, the controversial speech by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and the introduction of legislation targeting political dissidents. The conversation emphasizes the historical and contemporary manifestations of fascism, the role of patriarchy,...
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In God We Trust?: Race and Religious Extremism
Broke-ish®
This payday, Amber and Erika are joined by their guest, Pastor Kristian A. Smith, a pastor and public theologian, to discuss the rise of radical American religiopolitics and the insidious racism that fuels it. Malcolm X once said, “The greatest single reason for the Christian church’s failure . . . is its failure to combat racism.” This episode explores the racist roots of the most prominent American denominations and their long complicity with racism. Pastor Kristian helps us identify the ways that White Evangelicals have weaponized the Bible to advance a political agenda filled with...
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Chickens Coming Home to Roost: Lessons on Political Violence from Malcolm X
Broke-ish®
This payday, Erika and her guest, Dr. Kehinde Andrews, discuss political violence and the political theory of Malcolm X. We use the death of Ch@rlie K1rk as a springboard to interrogate the role liberals and Black leaders play in stifling political organization and outrage to ultimately act as tools of counterinsurgency. We grapple with what it means to be political and who qualifies. Because Kehinde literally wrote a book on Malcolm X, we dive into what Brother Malcolm said on the topic of political violence and intuit what he might have thought about this political moment. Tune in to see...
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The Pitfalls of Black Capitalism: Lessons from Uncle Nearest and Target
Broke-ish®
This payday Amber and Erika are discussing Black capitalism and why money isn’t enough to save us from the pitfalls of the system. Using two hot-button current events - the Uncle Nearest lawsuit and receivership and Target boycott - we breakdown why capitalism is inherently anti-black and an ineffective liberatory tool. Both examples point to the limitations of capitalism and why Black people’s lack of ownership of the means of production prevents the independence necessary to generate capitalistic gain. Gleaning wisdom from Malcolm X’s evolving beliefs on Black economics and capitalism,...
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The Ugly Truth About Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill
Broke-ish®
On this episode, Amber and Erika are unpacking the details of the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, the legislative centerpiece of President Trump’s presidential agenda. We take a deep dive into who the tax cuts and who benefits from them, and we also explore the areas, such as military and immigration enforcement, where the bill has increased spending. But most importantly, we delve into the largest cuts to social safety net programs in American history. Cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and student loan funding are all existential threats to all working class people, but especially Black...
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Community Conversation: The Brokers’ Comment on the ADOS Debate
Broke-ish®
On this episode—a Broke-ish first—Amber and Erika are diving into the comments and responding directly to what the Brokers have to say. Many of you had strong opinions about Episode 114, where we did a deep dive into the ADOS movement and Black unity across the diaspora. Community accountability is essential to liberation, and this episode was our attempt to pause and listen to our community’s opinions, concerns, and constructive criticism about our discussion on unity and Black freedom. Press play to join the conversation!
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Make it Make (Dollars and) Sense: What Malcolm X Taught Us About Money
Broke-ish®
On this episode, Amber and Erika are joined by Dr. Calvin Schermerhorn, author of “The Plunder of Black America: How the Racial Wealth Gap Was Made”, to discuss the economic status of Black Americans. Despite the propaganda that Black people have less wealth due to poor choices, laziness, and missed opportunities, Dr. Schermerhorn points us to the historical data that clearly demonstrating that Black Americans have been continuously and systematically exploited and de-capitalized through racist laws, racial violence, and outright theft. We also examine Malcolm X’s vision for economically...
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U.N.I.T.Y. - Black Politics Beyond America
Broke-ish®
On this episode, Amber and Erika are discussing Black politics and how the fight for liberation of descendants of enslaved people here in the United States is connected to the fight of other African people in the diaspora. We are joined by journalist and teacher, Salifu Mack, and Broke-ish all-star, Dr. Kehinde Andrews, to examine black liberation politics in America and the degree to which those movements see themselves connected to broader Pan-Africanism. Finally, we look at what we can learn about the fight for freedom from Minister Malcolm X’s teachings and political philosophy. Tune in...
info_outlineOn this New Year’s Payday, Amber and Erika are busting another myth from our interview with John Hope Bryant. Bryant casually remarked, “If you go to the computer at midnight, the computer doesn’t know what race you are.” The evidence, however, suggests that that is false, and technology and AI is laden with the same biases and racism present within our society. Our guest, Memme Onwudiwe, a Harvard trained space lawyer and EVP of AI company Evisort, breaks down the basics of emerging AI and explains how bias can creep into seemingly neutral technology. We also discuss real examples of how technology bias has caused harm to people and the resistance of some developers to acknowledge the problems. Finally, we discuss whether AI can be used as a tool of resistance to remediate racism and human bias. Press play and join the conversation!