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Race Episodes

11
Oct. 11, 2025

Cracking the Caste Code

In this episode of 'Ayana Explains It All,' host Ayana Fakhir delves into the concept of caste in the United States, drawing from Isabel Wilkerson's book 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.' Ayana discusses how caste, unlike race and gender, forms a hidden hierarchy that influences American society, politics, economics, and public policies. She examines the implications of caste on education, healthcare, criminal justice, and political ideologies, while also addressing the urgent need to ack...
12
Sept. 4, 2024

Pandermonium: Why Nobody Is Wooing the Black Male Voter

The podcast episode discusses a viral tweet by comedian Lil Duval concerning the lack of political outreach to black men in the presidential election. Ayana delves into the varied reactions to the tweet and addresses the broader issue of low voter turnout among black men. The episode highlights systemic barriers such as voter suppression and mass incarceration that hinder black men's participation in elections. Ayana also criticizes the lack of understanding of policy impact among black voters and emphasizes the importance of local and state elections. She urges black men to actively engage in the political process to address issues like child support, healthcare, and systemic racism. The episode concludes with a call to action for increased civic participation and awareness of how laws and policies directly affect daily life.
8
June 17, 2024

Color Me Skeptical: The Fool's Gold of Race Neutral Policies

In this riveting episode, we delve into the resurgence of racial injustices in the U.S. through legal channels, opinions and public policy, critiquing the belief in a post-racial society and emphasizing White Supremacy's lingering influence. We highlight significant legal and historical contexts, and also address recent lawsuits targeting programs designed to support racial minorities, arguing against the so-called colorblind policies and advocating for race-conscious measures to achieve true equality. Sources used in the making of this episode: "The New Jim Crow." Michelle Alexander. "Stamped From The Beginning." Ibram X. Kendi. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/13/magazine/civil-rights-affirmative-action-colorblind.html https://19thnews.org/2023/11/affirmative-action-backlash-maternal-health-program-black-women/ https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/06/affirmative-action-killer-ed-blum-supreme-court-strategy.html https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/conserv…
3
Feb. 20, 2024

Rosa Parks' Husband had a Car and Frederick Douglass had a White Wife, Still I Rise

Black Excellence is a sign on a t-shirt and I'm buying two of them but not before I school you on why excellence is a double-edged sword in the Black community. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ayana-fakhir6/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ayana-fakhir6/support
1
Jan. 14, 2024

Dr. King's NIGHTMARE

In this episode, Ayana explores Dr. King's "dream" and goes beyond the historical narrative to examine the principles that fueled King's activism and hypothesizes his reaction to today's world. by drawing connections to current events. Ayana discusses how King's vision for a just and equitable society continues to be ignored while people purport to respect and follow his teachings. Listeners will gain insights into the intersectionality of King's legacy and the broader antiracism and peace movements. The episode aims to inspire reflection on personal responsibility, allyship, and the ongoing work required to create a society where justice and equality prevail. Join Ayana in this exploration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring impact and the crucial role each individual plays in fostering an antiracist and peaceful world.
19
July 16, 2023

On Respectability Politics

Is that time again! That time of year when children are out of school, beaches are full and Black Women have to defend our choices. Works used in the making of this episode: "Beyoncé and the End of Respectability Politics." By Myles E. Johnson. The New York Times. April 16, 2018. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/16/opinion/beyonce-coachella-blackness.html. "Respectability Politics Won't Save Black Americans." By Zach Stafford. The Guardian. October 12, 2015. Available at: ...
18
July 2, 2023

On Protecting Black Women

In this crucial episode, Ayana tells the story of Carlisha Hood as a segue into a discussion on the urgent need to protect and uplift Black women. Black Women have long been at the forefront of social change and resilience despite facing unique and intersecting challenges. Join Ayana examines the historical context and explores misogynoir as she discusses the importance of centering intersectional justice, dismantling stereotypes, and amplifying the voices of Black women to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
17
June 20, 2023

Tori Bowie and The Epidemic of US Black Maternal Mortality and Morbidity

US Olympic Gold Medalist Tori Bowie died during childbirth but what is not talked about is the epidemic that consumed her and her fetus--the epidemic of Black maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States. What killed her is killing more Black pregnant women than any other women in this country. It is a complex problem that requires all hands on deck to solve. Sources used in the making of this episode: "Olympian Tori Bowie's Death Reflects The Black Maternal Mortality Crisis."...
15
May 29, 2023

Ayana Explains Florida's Race Problem

Summertime, summertime, sum-sum-sum of the time you should skip traveling to places where your race is an indignity to the state. I'm talking about Florida, a usual suspect in the denial of basic human rights, but the entire United States is guilty of denying that there's a "race problem" in the country of Washington and Lincoln, and then with a stubborn attitude, refusing to ameliorate the societal ills created by our "race problem." If there's one thing we're gonna do, it's get in our own way....
4
Feb. 1, 2023

Ayana Explains The Racial Bias in Crime Reporting

It's time we clear the air about the racial bias in crime reporting and the media's hyper focus on police violence in the Black American Community. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ayana-fakhir6/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ayana-fakhir6/support
35
Dec. 7, 2022

Ayana Explains the Dangers of Hate Speech

Freedom of speech is a fine concept, in a democratic republic, it is guaranteed. However, some speech is loud and wrong and dangerous. and the consequences of allowing it to flourish, history shows, are not favorable. Warning: This episode describes first-hand accounts of views from inside WWII-era concentration camps. Works used in this podcast: Atlanta Daily World "WWII Veteran Remembers The Horror of the Holocaust." April 22, 2013. Available at: https://atlantadailyworld.com/2013/04/22/wwi...