April 13, 2024 • 22 mins
In the second half of today’s show, we discuss some of the voter suppression initiatives enacted by governments across the country, as well as other attacks on our democracy. Shavon Arline-Bradley also shares with us some best practices for fighting for a more equitable future for us all.
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 Information Network Daily Podcast www.binnews.com
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=search
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Keep on riding with us as we continue to broadcast
to balance and defend the discourse from the Hip Hop
Weekly Studios.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Welcome back to Civic Cycher. I'm your host, Ramsy's Jah.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
He is Rams's Jah, and I am at least for
now steal If you war well.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
We'll keep on keeping on cue. And for those who
have been listening, we are still joined by the lovely
Chavon Arline Bradley, President and CEO of the National Council
of Negro Women. For those just tuning in, I promise
you are in for a treat. We have been having
some very important conversations about not only this organization, but
(00:37):
about black women, black women's role in society, how black
women have been and continue to be the backbone the
backbone of our democracy, and I think cultivating a deeper
level of respect for black women. On the show, often
we say that being close to a black woman is
about as close to God as you'll ever be on
(00:57):
PLAYE and I think that you're making our case for
us today. So we again thank you for your time.
But before we get back to the conversation, let's discuss Baba.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Becoming a better ally.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Baba and Today's BABA is sponsored by Friends of the
Movement and you can sign up for the free voter
wallet from fotmglobal dot com to support black businesses and
allied businesses as well as make an impact with your spending. Again,
that's Fotmglobal dot com. And today, if you wish to
become a better ally, we are asking you to donate
money to the National Council of Negro Women and you
(01:30):
can do that at NCNW dot org. Every donation makes
an impact on the lives of women of African descent,
their families, and their communities around the world. Donors like
you can join the ranks of the President's Circle today
with an annual gift of one thousand dollars or more,
or of an eighty three dollars pledge per month. But
I promise you don't need to spend that much money
(01:52):
to donate to make an impact and to make a difference.
Your generosity, no matter the amount, allows NCNW to continue
to grow the scope and impact of their programs and
their advocacy. So we are going to thank you in
advance for your generosity and giving to this dynamic organization.
And just so you know, some of their programs or programs.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
That we.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Feel very strongly about on this show. Those programs include
economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. The Black Women Again, a mantra,
a motif on this show is listen to black women,
support black women.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
We feel that black women are our heroes, or rather
our heroes, and your support of black women certainly goes
a long way, and it is consistent with the spirit
and intentionality and the thrust of this show. Other initiatives
include health equity and social justice programs as well. And
(02:49):
so again we employ you to check out nc ANDW
dot org and make a donation to the National Council
of Negro Women again NCNW dot org.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
All right, are Line Bradley. Let's get back to our
convers Did you like that? Okay, that's a thumbs up
for those that can't see.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Loved it. Loved it? How are you guys?
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Okay? All right?
Speaker 1 (03:12):
So I wanted to talk a bit about voter suppression initiatives. Now,
to be fair, we haven't discussed voter suppression initiatives on
this show in sometime, and I think it's about time
that we get back on that, identifying how it could
look and things that people can do to push back
(03:36):
at those those who are a little bit more cut
from the activist cloth. Not everybody's going to be able
to push back against voter suppression initiatives, but everybody should
know about it so that they can.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Navigate these waters.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
So would you, for our audience define in your own
words what voter suppression initiatives are or otherwise how they
could look.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
So voter suppression it self we need to also, I
think sometimes folks don't really understand what that means. Those
are concerted efforts, sometimes by way of the law in
some way, sometimes by way of civilian action that prohibited
individual from accessing their right to vote, whether it be
(04:18):
physical barriers, whether it be For example, there were tactics
that used to be used back in the day where
they would use voter intimidation by intimidating people to not
show up. Some tactics that are still used are by
putting out false announcements about the location of voter sites,
so they'll send out one location when you're actual precinct
(04:41):
is in another location. Those are specific tactics when it's
by law. Though I think about the states of like
Georgia and Texas right now Georgia is one of those
states that has voter suppression laws that have actually put
barriers towards supporting voter access for persons that may you know,
(05:02):
have one big one that it was a big one
for everybody, was you could not serve water to people
in line, or you cannot provide food for those that
have long line. Think about the lines in Georgia twenty
twenty for six seven hours, anything about seniors who have
to stand in line for hours. So there were specific
suppression laws that stated that any entity or organization that
(05:27):
provide that kind of support would actually be in violation
of the law. I think some of the other tactics
that we have seen that have been really kind of
scary has been, you know, changing or early voting dates,
removing Sunday voting, which was major for black communities. These
are tactics that people use and sometimes lawmakers use to
(05:48):
suppress votes. In response to that, many organizations have partnered.
I'm a member of another number of organizations that have
provided the kind of on the line targets where we
will provide food and the right amount of space between
the pre saint and a location people can come and
get their snaps and then go stand in line. Whole
workers have been a part of our voter suppression response
(06:13):
where we're getting more black women, black men, persons of
color to actually serve as po workers to watch the
election processes. Again, that's non partisan. It's an opportunity for
individuals to serve their country by being someone that visually
looks at the way that people are scanning to make
(06:33):
sure that there's no any challenges that are happening behind
the scenes. One other real big one has been voter
protection where there's the one eight sixty six by my vote.
That is where we have a lot of folks that
can actually call a hotline to say if you are
in the middle of your voting process, someone stands in
(06:54):
the way of that, someone says they need a ID.
You know they don't need it, you are able to call.
And we we have literally one hundreds of thousand lawyers
and leaders that have been on tap on election day
to ensure their responses to those precincts and they are
submitted to their Secretary of State. And we are really
looking for organizations and folks on the ground to be
(07:16):
able to follow up all those kinds of opportunities.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
So There's another thing that I think exists in this
space too, and you can help me, because again we
haven't really covered it recently enough, but I feel like
you might have a little bit more on it. I
remember coming across some information, and this might not be
in every state, but I do remember coming across some information,
(07:41):
and I believe Georgia was one of those places, and
I feel like Texas was too, where depending on the
distribution of the population, the racial makeup of the population
of a certain part of town, there was greater access
to polling places in neighborhoods and districts where the population
(08:04):
skewed a little bit more white, and there was less access,
and indeed there was efforts to close additional polling places
in neighborhoods where the browner skinned people lived, and that
felt like it might qualify Maybe that's not voter suppression,
or maybe that's a higher level, higher level.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Okay, so please, yeah, please.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
So it is voter suppression. Tho are the tackers that
we're talking about. I mean, what happens is, let's be honest,
they're all lawmakers that saw and have seen or to
turnout increase in places that did not wanted to increase.
You say the name or name state of Georgia, and
you know democracy shifted in twenty twenty, right, And that's
(08:49):
because of those long lines. That's because of the commitment
of the people that were on the ground. But then
immediately following you saw some of those same laws that
were in place for orly voting, for opportunities to ensure
that there were appropriate messaging being put out. Now you
have the counter to that. So these are very clear
(09:09):
intended tactics where they say, well, look redlining and looking
at redistricting where people are voting, how districts changed, Well,
guess what they'll change the precinct locations in those spaces,
or close polls or close them early. Right. You think
about it like every worker does not have the election
day off, right, So within those timeframes of people voting,
(09:34):
these are ways that people actually get pulled from having
the ability to vote. And I want you to understand
this is not a made up thing. We're not paranoid here.
This has been happening for decades in this country and
we're seeing it now as we're preparing for twenty twenty four.
That's why we have to have a massive amount of
leaders in place for voter protection.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
I'm so glad you said that we are not paranoid.
It is not, this is real.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
Earlier in our conversation, you did this and we all
went back to church. We all it felt like Sunday
Morning service all over again. Uh, tell us a little
bit about the way that your ministry has influenced you
as a leader in your role with n CNW.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
Wow. You may me cry, you may me cry on
the on the show. You know what, it has, quite frankly,
for me, been the reason why I am who I am.
I believe that everyone has called for everything, right. I
think we're all called to an assignment. No matter of
religious persuasion, you can't get me to not believe that
(10:44):
there's something greater than all of us that has put
us on this earth. Like you too are called assigned
and it comes out in very different forms. I believe
that I'm called to be a voice of reason for
multiple generations. Like I'm a gen xer. Right, so you know,
I grew up born in late seventies, grew up in
(11:04):
the eighties and nineties, college in the nineties. Hip hop girl. Well,
I can speak to a millennial, I can speak to
a gen z. But I'm also was raised by the
Old school, right, the Boomers and our grandparents, my parents
who were in that generation of grind and grit and
get it done and fight and be the first so
that you can have this runway. So I have such
(11:28):
a reverence for the way that faith traditions have taught
us stuff like old school, a lot of it that
our first speeches in church, Yes, indeed, who you're right?
You had to learn how to memorize. And I mean
this was the way that they built intellect, and that
is through the faith tradition. I just don't happen to
be a preacher, go figure, but that is a part
of what I believe God called me to be. And
(11:48):
I think the other thing about my faith is that
my faith does not allow me to have a lot
of fear. But I'll share like a real thing with you.
We really have dealt with the reality of what it
means to be in social justice right security issues. People
calling your name is places that you never thought you'd
be called in. Uh, the anger, the hate that comes away.
It takes your faith to keep you going. It takes
(12:12):
your faith to not knock somebody out right, come on,
you're like, won't even know it's a real thing, and
I and I just honestly, I want to thank God
because one, I'm still living too, are in a seat
that's a heavy seat, but also that I'm relevant enough
(12:32):
in this moment to help bring people together and bring
generations together because I know Black people in a generationally
literally aligned there's no fight we haven't won. Like I'm
committed to that, and I believe that's why the grace
of God.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Literally before the Rams jumps back in, I just want
you to know your crown is on straight. You're sitting
in that seat, you're owning that role, and you got
some brothers all day.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
It takes a brother to tell you sometimes and thank you, brother.
I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Yes, indeed.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
So you know, for our listeners that may not know this,
and I certainly appreciate you bringing that to this conversation
because you know, I mentioned to you that my father
and his father were ministers, we're both preachers' kids.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Q's has the same story.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
And for our listeners, I know that a lot of
people are listening to our show on hip hop stations,
so these conversations don't come up all that often. But
for Black people. Faith tradition also is almost a one
to one.
Speaker 5 (13:35):
Overlap of our political tradition, our political alignment. The grios,
the great speakers, the intellectual minds of our community. Often
times it goes right into the pulpit of a church.
These are the people that organize and galvanize the Black
(13:55):
communities around the country. And it's very important for our
listeners to know that the connection there is that we
go to church not just to get you know, spirituality
and fellowship and so forth, but to be informed. Politicians
that are worth their weight in that arena will go
if they want the black vote. You'll see them all
(14:17):
in a pulpit of a black church at some point.
And and there's no two ways about it, right, And
so it's it's really important to to make sure that
I'm glad you brought that up.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
That that that.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
That connective tissue is now pronounced for the benefit of
our listeners. That you are not only a leader you
know of this incredible UH organization.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
This is a part of our culture.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
This was a part of my culture before I was born,
and you're the president of it.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
It's crazy, right and and honestly, what what blows my mind.
I'm going to cut you off, but I got to
put this love in this moment. Darky Height was the
only woman in the Big Six. Okay, so you think
about the Big Six for people that are listening, that's
the NAACP, the Earthly Right. These leaders that were named leaders,
(15:10):
they were all men. And what makes this moment beautiful
between us is that there is an acknowledgment of the
beauty of leading in this moment, but also leading in
a place also that's been oppressed inside of our own culture.
And let's not act like black women have been at
the forefront. Even in church. There's still places where I
(15:30):
got to wear a skirt, there's still places that I
can't go on the pulpit. And I'm more dained and
have more degrees than the men that are standing. And
I think that that is the beauty of the platform
that you yield, because for me, it's bigger than the place.
It's about the calling. So I just want to honor
that moment.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Yeah, I'm listening to you say that.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
And my mother ordained as well associate pastor in my
church growing up, and we still go places where they
don't want to call her reverend.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
No, they don't they call a sister.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
Yeah, so it's yeah, I'm listening to your it's hidden
home in a very personal way.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Well, I think it's important for you to know.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
And our longtime listeners may know this, but you know,
newer listeners, it's important for them to know as well
that this show was founded on amplifying voices.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
We are very we we all.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
One thing you'll never get from us is we think like, yeah,
we're special, you know, No, we just happen to have
the stage. Yeah, and there are people that are more
qualified to have conversations and invite people into an emotional
space than we are. And so we kind of look
at it like stewardship. We of course we built this
brick by brick, but it was never we built it
(16:50):
for us. That's why it's not the Q word and
Ramsay's Jash show or any whatever. And you know that's
not what it is. It's it's a it's a place
to engage people. And again, coming from the tradition that
we came from, we were very much shaped by powerful
black women.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Yeah, and we know that.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Our job now and forever is to empower those people.
Like I said, we look up to black women, you know, again,
as close to God as will ever be on planet Earth,
you know. And so when I look at this organization,
you know, all these organizations, like we work very closely
with the NAACP. In fact, we have to go and
do a panel in New Orleans for the Urban League
(17:33):
a couple of months, right, So we work with all
these organizations, but there will never be a reverence that
is more pronounced than this type of reverence that we
have for the work that you do. We recognize and
it's our honor to amplify your messaging because we firmly,
firmly believe that by following, by speaking to by protecting,
(17:56):
by uplifting black women, that everybody wins. And we want everybody.
So I just wanted you to know that there is
a soft place for that to land ten times out
of ten on this show, love that I do want
to make sure that we get some actionable elements into
the conversation for the benefit of our listeners.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Allies would be allies, et cetera. So if you could.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Move everyone listening to your voice today to do a thing,
one thing, and it can be a hard thing, but
let's not make it ten. Let's not make it twenty
because you know it might overwhelm people, certainly in this format.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
But if you could move everybody to do one thing,
what would that be?
Speaker 4 (18:40):
And why do not stay on your couch on election?
Then I just got to say it, right, I got
to say the elephant in the room there are We
talked about it, and I don't want to miss the
moment here. There are justifiable concerns across the board from
every generation about where we see our country going. The
(19:01):
challenge that I have with this attitude of well, I'm
gonna stand down because my vote counsel, I'm gonna stand
down in protest, is that you're protesting your own interests.
You're protesting your own opportunities to have voice in place
in space, and that vote not voting is actually counter
(19:21):
to what can bring liberation to us as a people.
And let me be clear, this is not just a
presidential election year. The entire US House representatives is up
for election. Like I just I don't think people are
really thinking about what this means. So not showing up
(19:42):
means you're not only gonna not vote for a president,
but you're also going to not voting for the people
that are actually voting for the actual allocations of dollars
and appropriations that go to your state, and then you're
gonna not go vote for the people on the ground
who are responsible for putting money, putting programs, putting access
into your backyards. You're losing your power when you stay
(20:05):
on the couch. It's a loss of power, and it's
a disgrace and a spit in the face of the
ancestors that took the blood, took the hits for us
to even be in this moment like we are in
a time that we have so much, so much access,
but yet it still don't realize how far away from
the power base that we really need to be. Your
power isn't your clique, And then your power is after
(20:27):
you click, who do you hold accountable to be able
to do what we need to do to ensure our
people are going to be well. So that's in every space.
Don't ever turn down your voice because that, for me,
that's the ultimate disconnect from who we are as a country.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Sure, sure, So.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
That's about as good of advice as people can get.
I don't think that. I don't think we could say
it any better than that. I do know that there
is as it's a troubling time. There are a couple
of candidates both that are exceptionally unpopular in certain pockets.
But I think you couldn't have said it better. You know,
(21:09):
even if, even if morally you cannot vote for a president,
everybody can get it in this election cycle. So let
your voice be heard, shape your reality the way that
you want and the way that you engage and the
way that you take action toward that end is by voting.
So yeah, let's get off the couch now. I want
(21:29):
to make sure that this is my ask. If I
could compel our listeners to do one thing, I'm going
to go back up to our baba. Okay, donate money
shapes outcomes. Okay, donate to the National Council of Negro Women. Okay,
that's NCNW dot org. Obviously you've been able to articulate
(21:50):
the type of work that you're doing.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
We salute you, We commend you for that.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
And again, if you're hearing the sound of my voice,
please consider making a donation. Again, that's NCNW dot org.
With that in mind, we are going to leave it
right here. I'd like to thank you again. Shavan our
Line Bradley, the President and CEO of the National Council
of Negro Women for taking the time and honoring us
on our little show. With your presence, it is definitely
(22:15):
a This will be a jewel in our crown.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
I'm grateful and I hope to see you guys come
join us at convention, So get ready for the invite.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
I'll help.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
We're there, We're there, and for everyone else, if you
missed any part of this show, do us a favor.
Hit the website Civiccipher dot com. You can download this
programmer any previous episode. You can also follow us on
all social media at Civic Cipher. Be sure to hit
us on YouTube follow us there because we're trying to
grow that space as well. You can follow me on
all social media at rams this joh.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
I am q Ward.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
You can also get the podcast on Apple Podcast and
iHeart Podcast.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
Anywhere you want and we're going to keep it moving again.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Do us a favorite, donate NCNW dot orgon until next week.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
Peace
Keep on riding with us as we continue to broadcast
to balance and defend the discourse from the Hip Hop
Weekly Studios.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Welcome back to Civic Cycher. I'm your host, Ramsy's Jah.
Speaker 3 (00:07):
He is Rams's Jah, and I am at least for
now steal If you war well.
Speaker 1 (00:12):
We'll keep on keeping on cue. And for those who
have been listening, we are still joined by the lovely
Chavon Arline Bradley, President and CEO of the National Council
of Negro Women. For those just tuning in, I promise
you are in for a treat. We have been having
some very important conversations about not only this organization, but
(00:37):
about black women, black women's role in society, how black
women have been and continue to be the backbone the
backbone of our democracy, and I think cultivating a deeper
level of respect for black women. On the show, often
we say that being close to a black woman is
about as close to God as you'll ever be on
(00:57):
PLAYE and I think that you're making our case for
us today. So we again thank you for your time.
But before we get back to the conversation, let's discuss Baba.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Becoming a better ally.
Speaker 1 (01:08):
Baba and Today's BABA is sponsored by Friends of the
Movement and you can sign up for the free voter
wallet from fotmglobal dot com to support black businesses and
allied businesses as well as make an impact with your spending. Again,
that's Fotmglobal dot com. And today, if you wish to
become a better ally, we are asking you to donate
money to the National Council of Negro Women and you
(01:30):
can do that at NCNW dot org. Every donation makes
an impact on the lives of women of African descent,
their families, and their communities around the world. Donors like
you can join the ranks of the President's Circle today
with an annual gift of one thousand dollars or more,
or of an eighty three dollars pledge per month. But
I promise you don't need to spend that much money
(01:52):
to donate to make an impact and to make a difference.
Your generosity, no matter the amount, allows NCNW to continue
to grow the scope and impact of their programs and
their advocacy. So we are going to thank you in
advance for your generosity and giving to this dynamic organization.
And just so you know, some of their programs or programs.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
That we.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Feel very strongly about on this show. Those programs include
economic empowerment and entrepreneurship. The Black Women Again, a mantra,
a motif on this show is listen to black women,
support black women.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
Right.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
We feel that black women are our heroes, or rather
our heroes, and your support of black women certainly goes
a long way, and it is consistent with the spirit
and intentionality and the thrust of this show. Other initiatives
include health equity and social justice programs as well. And
(02:49):
so again we employ you to check out nc ANDW
dot org and make a donation to the National Council
of Negro Women again NCNW dot org.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
All right, are Line Bradley. Let's get back to our
convers Did you like that? Okay, that's a thumbs up
for those that can't see.
Speaker 4 (03:08):
Loved it. Loved it? How are you guys?
Speaker 2 (03:11):
Okay? All right?
Speaker 1 (03:12):
So I wanted to talk a bit about voter suppression initiatives. Now,
to be fair, we haven't discussed voter suppression initiatives on
this show in sometime, and I think it's about time
that we get back on that, identifying how it could
look and things that people can do to push back
(03:36):
at those those who are a little bit more cut
from the activist cloth. Not everybody's going to be able
to push back against voter suppression initiatives, but everybody should
know about it so that they can.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
Navigate these waters.
Speaker 1 (03:46):
So would you, for our audience define in your own
words what voter suppression initiatives are or otherwise how they
could look.
Speaker 4 (03:57):
So voter suppression it self we need to also, I
think sometimes folks don't really understand what that means. Those
are concerted efforts, sometimes by way of the law in
some way, sometimes by way of civilian action that prohibited
individual from accessing their right to vote, whether it be
(04:18):
physical barriers, whether it be For example, there were tactics
that used to be used back in the day where
they would use voter intimidation by intimidating people to not
show up. Some tactics that are still used are by
putting out false announcements about the location of voter sites,
so they'll send out one location when you're actual precinct
(04:41):
is in another location. Those are specific tactics when it's
by law. Though I think about the states of like
Georgia and Texas right now Georgia is one of those
states that has voter suppression laws that have actually put
barriers towards supporting voter access for persons that may you know,
(05:02):
have one big one that it was a big one
for everybody, was you could not serve water to people
in line, or you cannot provide food for those that
have long line. Think about the lines in Georgia twenty
twenty for six seven hours, anything about seniors who have
to stand in line for hours. So there were specific
suppression laws that stated that any entity or organization that
(05:27):
provide that kind of support would actually be in violation
of the law. I think some of the other tactics
that we have seen that have been really kind of
scary has been, you know, changing or early voting dates,
removing Sunday voting, which was major for black communities. These
are tactics that people use and sometimes lawmakers use to
(05:48):
suppress votes. In response to that, many organizations have partnered.
I'm a member of another number of organizations that have
provided the kind of on the line targets where we
will provide food and the right amount of space between
the pre saint and a location people can come and
get their snaps and then go stand in line. Whole
workers have been a part of our voter suppression response
(06:13):
where we're getting more black women, black men, persons of
color to actually serve as po workers to watch the
election processes. Again, that's non partisan. It's an opportunity for
individuals to serve their country by being someone that visually
looks at the way that people are scanning to make
(06:33):
sure that there's no any challenges that are happening behind
the scenes. One other real big one has been voter
protection where there's the one eight sixty six by my vote.
That is where we have a lot of folks that
can actually call a hotline to say if you are
in the middle of your voting process, someone stands in
(06:54):
the way of that, someone says they need a ID.
You know they don't need it, you are able to call.
And we we have literally one hundreds of thousand lawyers
and leaders that have been on tap on election day
to ensure their responses to those precincts and they are
submitted to their Secretary of State. And we are really
looking for organizations and folks on the ground to be
(07:16):
able to follow up all those kinds of opportunities.
Speaker 1 (07:19):
So There's another thing that I think exists in this
space too, and you can help me, because again we
haven't really covered it recently enough, but I feel like
you might have a little bit more on it. I
remember coming across some information, and this might not be
in every state, but I do remember coming across some information,
(07:41):
and I believe Georgia was one of those places, and
I feel like Texas was too, where depending on the
distribution of the population, the racial makeup of the population
of a certain part of town, there was greater access
to polling places in neighborhoods and districts where the population
(08:04):
skewed a little bit more white, and there was less access,
and indeed there was efforts to close additional polling places
in neighborhoods where the browner skinned people lived, and that
felt like it might qualify Maybe that's not voter suppression,
or maybe that's a higher level, higher level.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Okay, so please, yeah, please.
Speaker 4 (08:27):
So it is voter suppression. Tho are the tackers that
we're talking about. I mean, what happens is, let's be honest,
they're all lawmakers that saw and have seen or to
turnout increase in places that did not wanted to increase.
You say the name or name state of Georgia, and
you know democracy shifted in twenty twenty, right, And that's
(08:49):
because of those long lines. That's because of the commitment
of the people that were on the ground. But then
immediately following you saw some of those same laws that
were in place for orly voting, for opportunities to ensure
that there were appropriate messaging being put out. Now you
have the counter to that. So these are very clear
(09:09):
intended tactics where they say, well, look redlining and looking
at redistricting where people are voting, how districts changed, Well,
guess what they'll change the precinct locations in those spaces,
or close polls or close them early. Right. You think
about it like every worker does not have the election
day off, right, So within those timeframes of people voting,
(09:34):
these are ways that people actually get pulled from having
the ability to vote. And I want you to understand
this is not a made up thing. We're not paranoid here.
This has been happening for decades in this country and
we're seeing it now as we're preparing for twenty twenty four.
That's why we have to have a massive amount of
leaders in place for voter protection.
Speaker 2 (09:56):
I'm so glad you said that we are not paranoid.
It is not, this is real.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
Earlier in our conversation, you did this and we all
went back to church. We all it felt like Sunday
Morning service all over again. Uh, tell us a little
bit about the way that your ministry has influenced you
as a leader in your role with n CNW.
Speaker 4 (10:22):
Wow. You may me cry, you may me cry on
the on the show. You know what, it has, quite frankly,
for me, been the reason why I am who I am.
I believe that everyone has called for everything, right. I
think we're all called to an assignment. No matter of
religious persuasion, you can't get me to not believe that
(10:44):
there's something greater than all of us that has put
us on this earth. Like you too are called assigned
and it comes out in very different forms. I believe
that I'm called to be a voice of reason for
multiple generations. Like I'm a gen xer. Right, so you know,
I grew up born in late seventies, grew up in
(11:04):
the eighties and nineties, college in the nineties. Hip hop girl. Well,
I can speak to a millennial, I can speak to
a gen z. But I'm also was raised by the
Old school, right, the Boomers and our grandparents, my parents
who were in that generation of grind and grit and
get it done and fight and be the first so
that you can have this runway. So I have such
(11:28):
a reverence for the way that faith traditions have taught
us stuff like old school, a lot of it that
our first speeches in church, Yes, indeed, who you're right?
You had to learn how to memorize. And I mean
this was the way that they built intellect, and that
is through the faith tradition. I just don't happen to
be a preacher, go figure, but that is a part
of what I believe God called me to be. And
(11:48):
I think the other thing about my faith is that
my faith does not allow me to have a lot
of fear. But I'll share like a real thing with you.
We really have dealt with the reality of what it
means to be in social justice right security issues. People
calling your name is places that you never thought you'd
be called in. Uh, the anger, the hate that comes away.
It takes your faith to keep you going. It takes
(12:12):
your faith to not knock somebody out right, come on,
you're like, won't even know it's a real thing, and
I and I just honestly, I want to thank God
because one, I'm still living too, are in a seat
that's a heavy seat, but also that I'm relevant enough
(12:32):
in this moment to help bring people together and bring
generations together because I know Black people in a generationally
literally aligned there's no fight we haven't won. Like I'm
committed to that, and I believe that's why the grace
of God.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Literally before the Rams jumps back in, I just want
you to know your crown is on straight. You're sitting
in that seat, you're owning that role, and you got
some brothers all day.
Speaker 4 (12:56):
It takes a brother to tell you sometimes and thank you, brother.
I appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (13:00):
Yes, indeed.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
So you know, for our listeners that may not know this,
and I certainly appreciate you bringing that to this conversation
because you know, I mentioned to you that my father
and his father were ministers, we're both preachers' kids.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
Q's has the same story.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
And for our listeners, I know that a lot of
people are listening to our show on hip hop stations,
so these conversations don't come up all that often. But
for Black people. Faith tradition also is almost a one
to one.
Speaker 5 (13:35):
Overlap of our political tradition, our political alignment. The grios,
the great speakers, the intellectual minds of our community. Often
times it goes right into the pulpit of a church.
These are the people that organize and galvanize the Black
(13:55):
communities around the country. And it's very important for our
listeners to know that the connection there is that we
go to church not just to get you know, spirituality
and fellowship and so forth, but to be informed. Politicians
that are worth their weight in that arena will go
if they want the black vote. You'll see them all
(14:17):
in a pulpit of a black church at some point.
And and there's no two ways about it, right, And
so it's it's really important to to make sure that
I'm glad you brought that up.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
That that that.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
That connective tissue is now pronounced for the benefit of
our listeners. That you are not only a leader you
know of this incredible UH organization.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
This is a part of our culture.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
This was a part of my culture before I was born,
and you're the president of it.
Speaker 4 (14:49):
It's crazy, right and and honestly, what what blows my mind.
I'm going to cut you off, but I got to
put this love in this moment. Darky Height was the
only woman in the Big Six. Okay, so you think
about the Big Six for people that are listening, that's
the NAACP, the Earthly Right. These leaders that were named leaders,
(15:10):
they were all men. And what makes this moment beautiful
between us is that there is an acknowledgment of the
beauty of leading in this moment, but also leading in
a place also that's been oppressed inside of our own culture.
And let's not act like black women have been at
the forefront. Even in church. There's still places where I
(15:30):
got to wear a skirt, there's still places that I
can't go on the pulpit. And I'm more dained and
have more degrees than the men that are standing. And
I think that that is the beauty of the platform
that you yield, because for me, it's bigger than the place.
It's about the calling. So I just want to honor
that moment.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Yeah, I'm listening to you say that.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
And my mother ordained as well associate pastor in my
church growing up, and we still go places where they
don't want to call her reverend.
Speaker 4 (15:56):
No, they don't they call a sister.
Speaker 3 (15:57):
Yeah, so it's yeah, I'm listening to your it's hidden
home in a very personal way.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Well, I think it's important for you to know.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
And our longtime listeners may know this, but you know,
newer listeners, it's important for them to know as well
that this show was founded on amplifying voices.
Speaker 2 (16:25):
We are very we we all.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
One thing you'll never get from us is we think like, yeah,
we're special, you know, No, we just happen to have
the stage. Yeah, and there are people that are more
qualified to have conversations and invite people into an emotional
space than we are. And so we kind of look
at it like stewardship. We of course we built this
brick by brick, but it was never we built it
(16:50):
for us. That's why it's not the Q word and
Ramsay's Jash show or any whatever. And you know that's
not what it is. It's it's a it's a place
to engage people. And again, coming from the tradition that
we came from, we were very much shaped by powerful
black women.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Yeah, and we know that.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
Our job now and forever is to empower those people.
Like I said, we look up to black women, you know, again,
as close to God as will ever be on planet Earth,
you know. And so when I look at this organization,
you know, all these organizations, like we work very closely
with the NAACP. In fact, we have to go and
do a panel in New Orleans for the Urban League
(17:33):
a couple of months, right, So we work with all
these organizations, but there will never be a reverence that
is more pronounced than this type of reverence that we
have for the work that you do. We recognize and
it's our honor to amplify your messaging because we firmly,
firmly believe that by following, by speaking to by protecting,
(17:56):
by uplifting black women, that everybody wins. And we want everybody.
So I just wanted you to know that there is
a soft place for that to land ten times out
of ten on this show, love that I do want
to make sure that we get some actionable elements into
the conversation for the benefit of our listeners.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Allies would be allies, et cetera. So if you could.
Speaker 1 (18:23):
Move everyone listening to your voice today to do a thing,
one thing, and it can be a hard thing, but
let's not make it ten. Let's not make it twenty
because you know it might overwhelm people, certainly in this format.
Speaker 2 (18:36):
But if you could move everybody to do one thing,
what would that be?
Speaker 4 (18:40):
And why do not stay on your couch on election?
Then I just got to say it, right, I got
to say the elephant in the room there are We
talked about it, and I don't want to miss the
moment here. There are justifiable concerns across the board from
every generation about where we see our country going. The
(19:01):
challenge that I have with this attitude of well, I'm
gonna stand down because my vote counsel, I'm gonna stand
down in protest, is that you're protesting your own interests.
You're protesting your own opportunities to have voice in place
in space, and that vote not voting is actually counter
(19:21):
to what can bring liberation to us as a people.
And let me be clear, this is not just a
presidential election year. The entire US House representatives is up
for election. Like I just I don't think people are
really thinking about what this means. So not showing up
(19:42):
means you're not only gonna not vote for a president,
but you're also going to not voting for the people
that are actually voting for the actual allocations of dollars
and appropriations that go to your state, and then you're
gonna not go vote for the people on the ground
who are responsible for putting money, putting programs, putting access
into your backyards. You're losing your power when you stay
(20:05):
on the couch. It's a loss of power, and it's
a disgrace and a spit in the face of the
ancestors that took the blood, took the hits for us
to even be in this moment like we are in
a time that we have so much, so much access,
but yet it still don't realize how far away from
the power base that we really need to be. Your
power isn't your clique, And then your power is after
(20:27):
you click, who do you hold accountable to be able
to do what we need to do to ensure our
people are going to be well. So that's in every space.
Don't ever turn down your voice because that, for me,
that's the ultimate disconnect from who we are as a country.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
Sure, sure, So.
Speaker 1 (20:48):
That's about as good of advice as people can get.
I don't think that. I don't think we could say
it any better than that. I do know that there
is as it's a troubling time. There are a couple
of candidates both that are exceptionally unpopular in certain pockets.
But I think you couldn't have said it better. You know,
(21:09):
even if, even if morally you cannot vote for a president,
everybody can get it in this election cycle. So let
your voice be heard, shape your reality the way that
you want and the way that you engage and the
way that you take action toward that end is by voting.
So yeah, let's get off the couch now. I want
(21:29):
to make sure that this is my ask. If I
could compel our listeners to do one thing, I'm going
to go back up to our baba. Okay, donate money
shapes outcomes. Okay, donate to the National Council of Negro Women. Okay,
that's NCNW dot org. Obviously you've been able to articulate
(21:50):
the type of work that you're doing.
Speaker 2 (21:52):
We salute you, We commend you for that.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
And again, if you're hearing the sound of my voice,
please consider making a donation. Again, that's NCNW dot org.
With that in mind, we are going to leave it
right here. I'd like to thank you again. Shavan our
Line Bradley, the President and CEO of the National Council
of Negro Women for taking the time and honoring us
on our little show. With your presence, it is definitely
(22:15):
a This will be a jewel in our crown.
Speaker 4 (22:19):
I'm grateful and I hope to see you guys come
join us at convention, So get ready for the invite.
Speaker 2 (22:24):
I'll help.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
We're there, We're there, and for everyone else, if you
missed any part of this show, do us a favor.
Hit the website Civiccipher dot com. You can download this
programmer any previous episode. You can also follow us on
all social media at Civic Cipher. Be sure to hit
us on YouTube follow us there because we're trying to
grow that space as well. You can follow me on
all social media at rams this joh.
Speaker 2 (22:46):
I am q Ward.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
You can also get the podcast on Apple Podcast and
iHeart Podcast.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
Anywhere you want and we're going to keep it moving again.
Speaker 1 (22:55):
Do us a favorite, donate NCNW dot orgon until next week.
Speaker 4 (22:58):
Peace
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.