March 7, 2025 • 31 mins
News anchors Teri McCready and Kevin Brown join Host Ramses Ja on today's podcast to recap the major news stories of the week.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
It's been another busy news week and we like to
review the major stories of the week here on the
Black Information Network. Today, we are joined by Black Information
Network news anchors Terry McCready and Kevin Brown to discuss
this week's major stories. This is the Black Information Network
Daily Podcast and I'm your host, ramsyst Jah. All Right,
Terry and Kevin, welcome back to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
First off, I need to say that Q is out
of town.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
He is taking care of some family business on a
personal matter, so he will be back with us next week.
But have no fear because, as I mentioned, we are
in the good hands of Terry and Kevin. Terry, what's
the latest with you? Have you been since we last spoke?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Well, just caught up in a whirlwind of this new
landscape that we're all managing. So it's been baby steps
day by day, taking it as it comes and keeping
the faith alive.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
All Right, I like to hear that, Kevin, what's the
latest with you?
Speaker 4 (00:57):
My man? Yeah, more of the same. I don't think
that you can wake up every day now. What's wrong?
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Well, we've been through something like this before. I think
I know what you're talking about. And it was a
four year, march through day and day and day of
what do you do now? But you know we'll get
through it.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
We always do.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So first up, let's talk about you know, the man
you know that we're referring to right now. Amidst mixed
poll reviews and highly partisan support, Donald Trump delivered his
joint address to Congress Tuesday night, and many folks felt
his speech was more theatrical than factual. Terry, let's start
with you for those that didn't see the address, give
(01:46):
a few highlights from the event, and then Kevin will
come to you next.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Okay, Just so, from my perspective, this was a glorified magarelly.
I mean, honest to goodness, I've heard that. Yeah, when
will the campaign ever stop? And whether anyone in his
orbit truly has his ear vigorously enough just to remind
him you won. Okay, let's move this along. This was
(02:12):
about as partisan and address as we have ever seen,
drilling down on the slaughtering of DEI, describing a justice
system torn asunder by radical left, in his words, lunatics.
He had the temerity to say the administration was restoring
equal and impartial justice under the Constitution. The President namechecked
(02:33):
his predecessor, saying that he was left with the gift
of inflation, and at this point Elon Musk stands a
pretty decent chance of receiving the Nobel Prize. Trump credited
Doge with unearthing some two hundred year old Americans who've
been receiving Social Security benefits. Trump said under his administration
(02:55):
border crackdown, the border crackdown is netting the lowest illegal
crossings in a mar and history ever. And the case
there is a stalls five million dollars and welcome to
America with that gold card. So that's pretty much where
we stand.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Well, Kevin, let's get your thoughts here too.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Well, if his lips are moving, he's lying. That should
be the undercurrent of everything that you experience with this president.
But what is interesting to me is that I don't
believe that the Democrats have fully embraced This is the
(03:35):
Jerry Springer of government in terms of presentation. You remember
the old Jerry Springer show where he would talk to
the contestants and just before the fight would begin, which
was presented as spontaneous, Jerry would slip away off stage
(03:57):
to the side, and then the fireworks would begin, right
and the audience loved it, ate it up. Well, this
is what's happening in politics now. It's all about show.
It's not about legislation, it's about show to the base.
And Republicans do this very very well. If you just
(04:18):
fact checked the speech, it's it's pages and pages of
distortions and they're all directed toward the base. The base
and Democrats could use a marketing and positioning reminder on
what's important and how to position for the public low
(04:40):
information voters the message they need to get across.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
You know, this, this address, I think carror to your point.
You know, I've heard people say the same thing. It
was basically a televised MAGA rally. It has very little
in the way of basis in.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Share a shared reality.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
It lacks critical context, and that's putting it at best.
At worst, it's just outright lies, falsehoods. Of course, there
are exaggerated claims, exaggerations across the board. And again that
their reliance on low information voters to your point, Kevin,
(05:34):
their reliance on people hearing the talking points that make
them feel good rather than hearing the talking points that
are based in fact has worked for them, and so
why stop now, right, you know, one of the things
that we know is that you know, these people are
(05:58):
Donald Trump especially will protect stock prices as often as
he can and real estate. You know, that's those are
two industries that he is you know, well invested in.
And one thing about the stock market is that it's
largely based on how people feel and it doesn't necessarily
(06:21):
need to be based in fact. And so again this
seems to be working. And the strange part about it
is that, you know, there there typically has to be
some checks and balances in order for there to be
at least some adherents to a shared reality. But again,
with all the levers of government, Republicans don't really need
(06:44):
those checks, and so again they can run away with
this fabricated version of reality until you know, they reach
that cliff. And I know that that's that's kind of
me leaning into an analogy, so to speak. But to
make that breathe a little bit more, let's take you know,
climate change for instance. You know, this is the party
(07:06):
that denies the existence of climate change, and perhaps they
will continue to do so because their donors, you know,
the big oils and all that sort of stuff, are
keeping them elected, or because it's something that the Democrats say,
so they just simply need to say the opposite of that.
(07:27):
But in either case, you know, there is a scientific
basis for a climate change affecting all of us, all
human beings on the planet, and you know, they can
deny it as much as they want. You know, Trump
famously bragged about pulling out of you know, the World
Health Organization crazily enough, but also the Paris Climate Accord,
(07:48):
and to brag about that again to applause from his
you know, Republican constituents, and indeed, you know, peddling that
stuff to his base. That shows the cliff that eventually
these folks run into if left unchecked for too long,
you know what I mean. And so there are a
(08:09):
lot of people that love this government because it makes
them feel better. It makes them feel more secure in
the fact that you know, the white the percentage of
white people they populate this country is diminishing. It makes
them feel good that opportunities are being more shared with
(08:30):
with other people. And so, you know, Donald Trump protecting
this country is really in their minds, Donald Trump protecting them.
And by that often enough, we mean you know, mediocre
white Christian, heterosexual, healthy males, and so you know, if
(08:51):
he's playing the hits and they want the hits, then
you know that's what they got.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
But the low, the low.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Polling numbers, I think that's more reflective of the reality
that we live in. Moving on, another headline from this
week involves Elon Musk, aka the co President, and his
comments regarding the former police officer responsible for the murder
of George Floyd. So Kevin, this time we're going to
start with you. Tell us more about this story and
the TERI we're gonna get your thoughts next.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Yeah, this is a full endorsement of racism and political violence.
That's what this really is. They are now arguing, at
least some of the Republican talking heads that the conviction
was woke, and that is the term that has was
(09:44):
introduced to the culture by the governor in Florida. Attacking
woke pays dividends for the low information voters. And this
is a warning. This is a shot over the of
the democracy because the president has already pardoned January sixth
(10:10):
criminals convicted in a court of law, and Elon Musk
this is a hot button now for conservative It's a
conservative talking point that to take the judiciary now and
to make it bend to the will of what the
(10:33):
administration wants is a warning sign for the democracy for
the rest of us.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Sure Terry.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
So, conservative black analyst Shermichael Singleton was saying that this
story is a nothing burger. This seed was actually planted
by another conservative pundit, and that's Ben Shapiro, who said,
ostensibly George Floyd had a pre existing heart condition and
he was high on ventanyl at the time of this incident.
(11:05):
Shapiro has begun circulating a petition and he also argues
that Chauvin's knee was actually not on George Floyd's neck
was more like a shoulder. He says this was really
just a tragedy, just a tragic traffic stop that ultimately
led to an unjust conviction. So hopefully we aren't looking
(11:28):
at a trend. Kevin mentioned some pardons that have already
taken place. There were two officers in Washington, d c.
Who were convicted of killing a black man there in
twenty twenty. So you know, we're looking at those pardons
that are taking place for now. Musk who, in my opinion,
and I'm sure the opinion of many others wields considerable
(11:48):
influence over the president, and so I says, I say
that this says something about what we need to be
thinking about. We shouldn't believe our ears and eyes now
because Elon Musk is posting content on social media. Are
we supposed to believe that? You know, Emmett Hill slipped
and fell into that news in nineteen fifty five. So
(12:10):
that's kind of where the logic lies right now.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Yeah, yeah, I think you make a good point there too,
because regardless of what Ben Shapiro says, regardless of how
he tries to spin it, you know, Fenton al in
his system, his shoulder was on or his knee was
on his shoulder for part of the video. He had
(12:34):
a heart condition. Regardless, even if all of that was
one hundred thousand percent true, George Floyd would be alive
and well today if not for what we saw on
the video.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
What all of us saw it was.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
A grown man putting all of his weight onto a
singular point in another person's back, all of that weight
onto the knee, and then the knee tin answering that
weight until the back that doesn't happen. George Floyd is
alive and well, and we don't know his name. So
to try to suggest somehow that George Floyd is the
(13:10):
cause of his own death when we saw what killed
him is crazy. And if you think that this whole
thing is crazy, you're the one who is not crazy. Okay,
So we're here to remind you to believe your eye,
believe what you see.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
You saw the video, you saw the last moments of
that man's life, and you saw what killed him. Don't
let these people do what they do to the low
information voters. Don't let them spin the truth chronicle a
separate narrative.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Do not do that. Okay.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
They are lying to you because they want that version
of the truth to be chronicled because it makes them
feel better, even if it's not based in fact. Derek
Chauvin killed George Floyd and we saw it happen.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
That's it. Piece of the planet.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
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Speaker 2 (14:19):
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Speaker 4 (14:45):
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Speaker 1 (14:57):
Black Information Network News achors Terry McCready and Kevin Browner
here with us discussing this week's major stories.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
All right.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
Next up is news out of the Nation's Capital regarding
upcoming changes to DC's Black Lives Matter Plaza due to
mounting pressure from the Trump administration. Terry, let's go back
to you again, bring our listeners up to date on
this story, and then Kevin, we're going to get your
thoughts next.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
So with the removal of this mural, Mayor Muriel Bowser
posted on x that the mural incidentally it reads Black
Lives Matter. She says it's been a source of inspiration
for the city. But she's also now advising against distractions,
which I think is very important. She says, the recent
and ongoing general job cuts are devastating. That should be
(15:41):
our number one priority right now. And so there really
are two schools of thought. Obviously, yes, this mural still matters,
and so now she's getting pushed back by some who
accuse her of using performative language and words and not
really caring at all, which is really not surprising. However,
what we do know is that blooding the that is
an effective technique that the GOP is using, because the
(16:04):
tension goes where energy flows, and if we're consumed with
just an assortment, just a menagerie of things that are
going on, somewhat rudimentary issues, we lose the big picture.
So the singular message that is voluminous and under threat
right now is democracy and every iteration that we have
ever known. So that's what is at stake right now.
(16:25):
The Democrats have to take a moment to refine that narrative,
boil down the facts, and emerge as a powerful, unified movement.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
Kevin, When I read about this story, it just confirms
something I'd always believed that Washington DC and Washington d C.
(16:56):
That territory is under pressure because Republicans want that land back.
They want to take DC and drastically remake that city.
Mayor Bowser and Ukrainian President Vi Lensky are dealing with
(17:23):
the same kind of issue. I'm not trying to throw
parallels between the two, because one is war and one
is not. But they're dealing with a person who is
has incredible influence over their futures, and what they are
both trying to do is to navigate the ego and
(17:51):
the institutional power pushing them. Mayor Bowser part of this
the layoffs and federal workers. Where does that affect primarily
in and around DC. All you have to do is
go on Zillow and see how many houses are for
sale now versus you know two months ago. And the
(18:18):
prices are dropping, which is fertile ground for corporate ownership
of those homes as those layoffs take place. And Muriel
Mayor Bowser is doing the best so she can under
very difficult circumstances. If she loses local support, that won't
(18:46):
be helpful. But she also is dependent upon the federal
government for so much of what makes the city viable.
It is a difficult position to be in. Yeah, And
when I saw may Abouser, you know, suggests that they're
going to switch the plaza to the two hundred and
(19:09):
fiftieth birthday, I was like, she's in a Zelensky hold basically.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Yeah, you're not wrong. That is a tough position to
be in.
Speaker 4 (19:21):
You know.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
I actually famously have a photo in DC at you know,
the Black Lives Matter plaza with the big, bold yellow
letters in the street.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
It's it's very powerful.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
And to reach this point where it's like, okay, well
they can hold funds hostage to shape the culture of
a city that that mural that you know plaza is welcoming.
It's an interesting place to be and you know, I
(20:05):
Democrats have not yet I think, found the thing that
makes them band together and fight in the way that
we've seen Republicans ban together and fight, with some notable exceptions.
Jasmine Crockett comes to mind. Al Green comes to mind.
(20:28):
You know, Democrats are not fighting back, and so indeed
the mayor of d C very well could feel alone
in having to make this decision and again just being
left to Okay, So what is the most pragmatic choice
that I can make? Either choice will be unpopular, but
what is the most pragmatic thing that I can do?
(20:51):
And you know, to your point, Kevin, how can I
focus on a bigger picture and until such a time
as you know, more liberal minds gain some control, some
control somewhere of something. This is kind of the state
(21:13):
of play, you know. Imagine again, being that straight, Christian, heterosexual,
white male, born healthy and indeed still healthy, being able
to shape the entire country in your image to your benefit.
(21:34):
This is what it looks like. And we can't even
have some paint on the street. For our final story
this week, it involves the use of a controversial AI
tool at the Los Angeles Times that had to be
nicked just days before or just days after, Sorry, it
was launched, Kevin, We're gonna go back to you to
(21:55):
get some more details on this, and then Terry, we're
gonna close out with you.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
This technology has a troubled history, and in a couple
of cities around the country where it's been used, it
has a disproportionate effect on how justice is served in
(22:24):
those cities, and that is that people of color are
being picked up, being misidentified by this technology. And apparently,
you know, some have speculated when you don't have a
diversity at the very start of when this technology is
(22:45):
being introduced, this is the kind of thing that happens,
is that it is not sensitive to the identities of
people of color, and as a result, in many instances
around the country, that is the only piece of evidence
that's used to convict black people. So it does not
surprise me that there is at least at least a
(23:13):
few people in a position to put a stop to this,
at least temporarily. But I have no doubt that in
the bread box of crime in Los Angeles, this is
a chrome or a few other issues in LA that
need to be addressed before they get to this. But
this is a this was a good move to stop it. Yeah,
(23:35):
there are your thoughts.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
So, yes, this is a pretty appalling look for the newspaper,
particularly one that is attempting to court new subscribers, and
went over some of the old ones. The CEO did
say that, you know, look, I wasn't really privy to
the tools arguments in favor of the KKK after it
was launched, and so he's chalking it up to you
(23:58):
know how, any new technoic invariably needs checks and balances. However,
the worrisome part in this case was they really turn
this into a puff piece examination of the KKK, turning
it into this pastel portrait of what they called white
Protestant culture responding to societal change. If that isn't an euphemism,
(24:20):
I don't know what is. And so they conveniently omitted that, Look,
this is actually an odious, hateful, violent buelds above contingent
of murderers. And on the subject of technology, remember the
facial recognition software. You know how that was used. Oh oopsie,
it's going to target mostly black and brown people, so
(24:42):
it typically does not land in our favor.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
Yeah, this one is.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
I did a little bit of a dive a few
times on the show talking to people who kind of
work in this space. Having being able to to either
provide some input in shaping AI tools or people who have.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
Had conversations with me about the lack of.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
Diverse voices of being able to have their own input
into how these tools come together. And so again, I
have a little bit of perspective when it comes to
these but you know, one of the things that kind
of stands out of my mind is that all of
these artificial intelligence tools are a reflection of.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Our culture.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
At best and at worst their reflection of the people
who design and program them and their sensibilities and their
vantage points. And for most I would argue that you know,
it lies somewhere in the middle.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
They are not always based in truth. They are only
based in the truth as we've come to know it,
you know, culturally speaking. Again, when they're working at their best,
which often enough is the truth, okay, but at their worst,
things like this can happen.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
You know.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
My understanding of how this came together, this particular story
is that.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
It had to draw from like historical.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Articles and information and data which historically speaking, this country
had a.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Softer view of the ku klux Klan.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
Now that we've evolved as a country, we have a
very negative view culturally speaking at large of the ku
Klux Klan. But this computer system doesn't know that. This
artificial intelligence doesn't know that, and so it's compiling data
and if indeed it is a large language model type
(27:03):
of artificial intelligence, it is simply putting the next word
in order that is consistent with what it has sampled
to give this response. And so I think that your
point is well made, Terry, that checks and balances do
need to happen. And to your earlier point, Kevin, that
(27:24):
it's a good thing that they stepped in and kind
of tried to, you know.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
Unring this bell.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Because computers in and of themselves are ones and zeros. Yes,
that's fair, but those ones and zeros are put there
by us. And if the computer knows that, hey, this
is not something this is something that needs to be
you know, relative, it has to have some sort of
(27:53):
basis in a historical timeline where we've evolved from this
point to this point, and it doesn't know that, then
a person should step in and correct that. I don't
think that AI is going anywhere. I think this is
with us and the fact that people are willing to
not just let it go and end up becoming what
it's going to become. People are actually stopping and stepping
(28:16):
in to say, hey, look, this is right, this is wrong.
You know, that's not nothing. And so we'll take that
and we'll see what happens next. Before we go, though,
I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the passing
of a black congressman and the former Houston mayor, Sylvester Turner.
He passed away this week at the age of seventy.
(28:37):
Kevin and Terry, any thoughts you want to share, We'll
go with you first.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
Terry, Yes, what a maverick. You know. He was unwavering,
stood by his convictions. For example, state leaders locked their
horns over federal dollars. This happened after Hurricane Harvey. He
was very, very vocal about this sort of drip, drip, slow,
just of aid. He was indefatigable. He was known for
(29:03):
toting around in abacus just so he could keep score
of these of his tax cut opposition to the GOP.
So he was really a true warrior for communities in
the middle class. During his final council meeting, and that
was in twenty twenty three, he talked about how he
faced seven federal disasters on top of civil unrest, pension issues,
(29:28):
social issues, and he faced them all either consecutively or simultaneously.
And he said, you know, you should always know your
value so you can move forward with assurance. And I
like that.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
Sure, yeah, absolutely, Kevin, your thoughts here.
Speaker 4 (29:43):
Oh, A drum major for justice, Sylvester Turner, a Harvard
grad by the way, but he didn't have any Harvard
dust on him. He was a true man of the people.
He fought so many battles with a glint in his eye,
(30:08):
sure of his and navigated through a very, very difficult
environment in the South. But he was an effective A
drum major for justice, Sylvester Attorney. They don't make them
like that anymore, unfortunately.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
I love it. We need some of that, so we'll
leave it right there. Thank you both, as always for
your time and your insight.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
Once again.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Today's guests are Black Information Network news anchors Terry McCready
and Kevin Brown. This has been a production of the
Black Information Network. Today's show is produced by Chris Thompson.
Have some thoughts you'd like to share? Use the red
microphone talkback beature on the iHeartRadio app while you're there,
be sure to hit subscribe and download all of our episodes.
I am your host, Ramsey's job on all social media,
(30:56):
and I'll be hosting another episode of Civic Cipher this
weekend on a station near you. For stations, show times,
and podcast info, check Civiccipher dot com and join us
Monday as we share our news with our voice from
our perspective right here on the Black Information Network Daily
podcast
It's been another busy news week and we like to
review the major stories of the week here on the
Black Information Network. Today, we are joined by Black Information
Network news anchors Terry McCready and Kevin Brown to discuss
this week's major stories. This is the Black Information Network
Daily Podcast and I'm your host, ramsyst Jah. All Right,
Terry and Kevin, welcome back to the show.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
First off, I need to say that Q is out
of town.
Speaker 1 (00:27):
He is taking care of some family business on a
personal matter, so he will be back with us next week.
But have no fear because, as I mentioned, we are
in the good hands of Terry and Kevin. Terry, what's
the latest with you? Have you been since we last spoke?
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Well, just caught up in a whirlwind of this new
landscape that we're all managing. So it's been baby steps
day by day, taking it as it comes and keeping
the faith alive.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
All Right, I like to hear that, Kevin, what's the
latest with you?
Speaker 4 (00:57):
My man? Yeah, more of the same. I don't think
that you can wake up every day now. What's wrong?
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Well, we've been through something like this before. I think
I know what you're talking about. And it was a
four year, march through day and day and day of
what do you do now? But you know we'll get
through it.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
We always do.
Speaker 1 (01:24):
So first up, let's talk about you know, the man
you know that we're referring to right now. Amidst mixed
poll reviews and highly partisan support, Donald Trump delivered his
joint address to Congress Tuesday night, and many folks felt
his speech was more theatrical than factual. Terry, let's start
with you for those that didn't see the address, give
(01:46):
a few highlights from the event, and then Kevin will
come to you next.
Speaker 3 (01:50):
Okay, Just so, from my perspective, this was a glorified magarelly.
I mean, honest to goodness, I've heard that. Yeah, when
will the campaign ever stop? And whether anyone in his
orbit truly has his ear vigorously enough just to remind
him you won. Okay, let's move this along. This was
(02:12):
about as partisan and address as we have ever seen,
drilling down on the slaughtering of DEI, describing a justice
system torn asunder by radical left, in his words, lunatics.
He had the temerity to say the administration was restoring
equal and impartial justice under the Constitution. The President namechecked
(02:33):
his predecessor, saying that he was left with the gift
of inflation, and at this point Elon Musk stands a
pretty decent chance of receiving the Nobel Prize. Trump credited
Doge with unearthing some two hundred year old Americans who've
been receiving Social Security benefits. Trump said under his administration
(02:55):
border crackdown, the border crackdown is netting the lowest illegal
crossings in a mar and history ever. And the case
there is a stalls five million dollars and welcome to
America with that gold card. So that's pretty much where
we stand.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Well, Kevin, let's get your thoughts here too.
Speaker 4 (03:13):
Well, if his lips are moving, he's lying. That should
be the undercurrent of everything that you experience with this president.
But what is interesting to me is that I don't
believe that the Democrats have fully embraced This is the
(03:35):
Jerry Springer of government in terms of presentation. You remember
the old Jerry Springer show where he would talk to
the contestants and just before the fight would begin, which
was presented as spontaneous, Jerry would slip away off stage
(03:57):
to the side, and then the fireworks would begin, right
and the audience loved it, ate it up. Well, this
is what's happening in politics now. It's all about show.
It's not about legislation, it's about show to the base.
And Republicans do this very very well. If you just
(04:18):
fact checked the speech, it's it's pages and pages of
distortions and they're all directed toward the base. The base
and Democrats could use a marketing and positioning reminder on
what's important and how to position for the public low
(04:40):
information voters the message they need to get across.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
You know, this, this address, I think carror to your point.
You know, I've heard people say the same thing. It
was basically a televised MAGA rally. It has very little
in the way of basis in.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Share a shared reality.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
It lacks critical context, and that's putting it at best.
At worst, it's just outright lies, falsehoods. Of course, there
are exaggerated claims, exaggerations across the board. And again that
their reliance on low information voters to your point, Kevin,
(05:34):
their reliance on people hearing the talking points that make
them feel good rather than hearing the talking points that
are based in fact has worked for them, and so
why stop now, right, you know, one of the things
that we know is that you know, these people are
(05:58):
Donald Trump especially will protect stock prices as often as
he can and real estate. You know, that's those are
two industries that he is you know, well invested in.
And one thing about the stock market is that it's
largely based on how people feel and it doesn't necessarily
(06:21):
need to be based in fact. And so again this
seems to be working. And the strange part about it
is that, you know, there there typically has to be
some checks and balances in order for there to be
at least some adherents to a shared reality. But again,
with all the levers of government, Republicans don't really need
(06:44):
those checks, and so again they can run away with
this fabricated version of reality until you know, they reach
that cliff. And I know that that's that's kind of
me leaning into an analogy, so to speak. But to
make that breathe a little bit more, let's take you know,
climate change for instance. You know, this is the party
(07:06):
that denies the existence of climate change, and perhaps they
will continue to do so because their donors, you know,
the big oils and all that sort of stuff, are
keeping them elected, or because it's something that the Democrats say,
so they just simply need to say the opposite of that.
(07:27):
But in either case, you know, there is a scientific
basis for a climate change affecting all of us, all
human beings on the planet, and you know, they can
deny it as much as they want. You know, Trump
famously bragged about pulling out of you know, the World
Health Organization crazily enough, but also the Paris Climate Accord,
(07:48):
and to brag about that again to applause from his
you know, Republican constituents, and indeed, you know, peddling that
stuff to his base. That shows the cliff that eventually
these folks run into if left unchecked for too long,
you know what I mean. And so there are a
(08:09):
lot of people that love this government because it makes
them feel better. It makes them feel more secure in
the fact that you know, the white the percentage of
white people they populate this country is diminishing. It makes
them feel good that opportunities are being more shared with
(08:30):
with other people. And so, you know, Donald Trump protecting
this country is really in their minds, Donald Trump protecting them.
And by that often enough, we mean you know, mediocre
white Christian, heterosexual, healthy males, and so you know, if
(08:51):
he's playing the hits and they want the hits, then
you know that's what they got.
Speaker 2 (08:55):
But the low, the low.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Polling numbers, I think that's more reflective of the reality
that we live in. Moving on, another headline from this
week involves Elon Musk, aka the co President, and his
comments regarding the former police officer responsible for the murder
of George Floyd. So Kevin, this time we're going to
start with you. Tell us more about this story and
the TERI we're gonna get your thoughts next.
Speaker 4 (09:20):
Yeah, this is a full endorsement of racism and political violence.
That's what this really is. They are now arguing, at
least some of the Republican talking heads that the conviction
was woke, and that is the term that has was
(09:44):
introduced to the culture by the governor in Florida. Attacking
woke pays dividends for the low information voters. And this
is a warning. This is a shot over the of
the democracy because the president has already pardoned January sixth
(10:10):
criminals convicted in a court of law, and Elon Musk
this is a hot button now for conservative It's a
conservative talking point that to take the judiciary now and
to make it bend to the will of what the
(10:33):
administration wants is a warning sign for the democracy for
the rest of us.
Speaker 2 (10:41):
Sure Terry.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
So, conservative black analyst Shermichael Singleton was saying that this
story is a nothing burger. This seed was actually planted
by another conservative pundit, and that's Ben Shapiro, who said,
ostensibly George Floyd had a pre existing heart condition and
he was high on ventanyl at the time of this incident.
(11:05):
Shapiro has begun circulating a petition and he also argues
that Chauvin's knee was actually not on George Floyd's neck
was more like a shoulder. He says this was really
just a tragedy, just a tragic traffic stop that ultimately
led to an unjust conviction. So hopefully we aren't looking
(11:28):
at a trend. Kevin mentioned some pardons that have already
taken place. There were two officers in Washington, d c.
Who were convicted of killing a black man there in
twenty twenty. So you know, we're looking at those pardons
that are taking place for now. Musk who, in my opinion,
and I'm sure the opinion of many others wields considerable
(11:48):
influence over the president, and so I says, I say
that this says something about what we need to be
thinking about. We shouldn't believe our ears and eyes now
because Elon Musk is posting content on social media. Are
we supposed to believe that? You know, Emmett Hill slipped
and fell into that news in nineteen fifty five. So
(12:10):
that's kind of where the logic lies right now.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Yeah, yeah, I think you make a good point there too,
because regardless of what Ben Shapiro says, regardless of how
he tries to spin it, you know, Fenton al in
his system, his shoulder was on or his knee was
on his shoulder for part of the video. He had
(12:34):
a heart condition. Regardless, even if all of that was
one hundred thousand percent true, George Floyd would be alive
and well today if not for what we saw on
the video.
Speaker 2 (12:47):
What all of us saw it was.
Speaker 1 (12:49):
A grown man putting all of his weight onto a
singular point in another person's back, all of that weight
onto the knee, and then the knee tin answering that
weight until the back that doesn't happen. George Floyd is
alive and well, and we don't know his name. So
to try to suggest somehow that George Floyd is the
(13:10):
cause of his own death when we saw what killed
him is crazy. And if you think that this whole
thing is crazy, you're the one who is not crazy. Okay,
So we're here to remind you to believe your eye,
believe what you see.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
You saw the video, you saw the last moments of
that man's life, and you saw what killed him. Don't
let these people do what they do to the low
information voters. Don't let them spin the truth chronicle a
separate narrative.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Do not do that. Okay.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
They are lying to you because they want that version
of the truth to be chronicled because it makes them
feel better, even if it's not based in fact. Derek
Chauvin killed George Floyd and we saw it happen.
Speaker 2 (13:53):
That's it. Piece of the planet.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
I'll go by the name of Charlamagne of God, and
I can't wait to see y'all at the third Annual
Black Effect Podcast Festival. That's right, Yeah, number three, Baby
Black called Black Rose More Black CEO. We're coming back
to Pullman Yard Saturday for twenty six in Atlanta, hosted
by none other than Mandy B and Weeezy. That's Right, Decisions, Decisions.
The Black Effect is bringing some of the biggest and
best podcasts in the world to the stage.
Speaker 2 (14:19):
For one day only.
Speaker 5 (14:20):
Get ready, we got the R and B Money Podcast
with Tanking Jay Valentine. We got the Women of All
Podcasts with Saray Jay Roberts, Good Mom's Bad Choices, neckd
Sports with Carrie Champion, and the Trap Nerds podcast with
more to be announced. And of course it's bigger than podcasts.
We're bringing the Black Effect Marketplace with black owned businesses,
plus the food truck court to keep you fed while
(14:41):
you visit us. All right, and for all my aspiring podcasters,
we got something for you too.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
You know.
Speaker 5 (14:45):
We got informative panels and you can go to the
career corners for exclusive one on one time with industry leaders.
Tickets on sell now, tap in at Black Effect dot Com,
Flash Podcast Festival.
Speaker 1 (14:57):
Black Information Network News achors Terry McCready and Kevin Browner
here with us discussing this week's major stories.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
All right.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
Next up is news out of the Nation's Capital regarding
upcoming changes to DC's Black Lives Matter Plaza due to
mounting pressure from the Trump administration. Terry, let's go back
to you again, bring our listeners up to date on
this story, and then Kevin, we're going to get your
thoughts next.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
So with the removal of this mural, Mayor Muriel Bowser
posted on x that the mural incidentally it reads Black
Lives Matter. She says it's been a source of inspiration
for the city. But she's also now advising against distractions,
which I think is very important. She says, the recent
and ongoing general job cuts are devastating. That should be
(15:41):
our number one priority right now. And so there really
are two schools of thought. Obviously, yes, this mural still matters,
and so now she's getting pushed back by some who
accuse her of using performative language and words and not
really caring at all, which is really not surprising. However,
what we do know is that blooding the that is
an effective technique that the GOP is using, because the
(16:04):
tension goes where energy flows, and if we're consumed with
just an assortment, just a menagerie of things that are
going on, somewhat rudimentary issues, we lose the big picture.
So the singular message that is voluminous and under threat
right now is democracy and every iteration that we have
ever known. So that's what is at stake right now.
(16:25):
The Democrats have to take a moment to refine that narrative,
boil down the facts, and emerge as a powerful, unified movement.
Speaker 4 (16:34):
Kevin, When I read about this story, it just confirms
something I'd always believed that Washington DC and Washington d C.
(16:56):
That territory is under pressure because Republicans want that land back.
They want to take DC and drastically remake that city.
Mayor Bowser and Ukrainian President Vi Lensky are dealing with
(17:23):
the same kind of issue. I'm not trying to throw
parallels between the two, because one is war and one
is not. But they're dealing with a person who is
has incredible influence over their futures, and what they are
both trying to do is to navigate the ego and
(17:51):
the institutional power pushing them. Mayor Bowser part of this
the layoffs and federal workers. Where does that affect primarily
in and around DC. All you have to do is
go on Zillow and see how many houses are for
sale now versus you know two months ago. And the
(18:18):
prices are dropping, which is fertile ground for corporate ownership
of those homes as those layoffs take place. And Muriel
Mayor Bowser is doing the best so she can under
very difficult circumstances. If she loses local support, that won't
(18:46):
be helpful. But she also is dependent upon the federal
government for so much of what makes the city viable.
It is a difficult position to be in. Yeah, And
when I saw may Abouser, you know, suggests that they're
going to switch the plaza to the two hundred and
(19:09):
fiftieth birthday, I was like, she's in a Zelensky hold basically.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Yeah, you're not wrong. That is a tough position to
be in.
Speaker 4 (19:21):
You know.
Speaker 1 (19:21):
I actually famously have a photo in DC at you know,
the Black Lives Matter plaza with the big, bold yellow
letters in the street.
Speaker 2 (19:35):
It's it's very powerful.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
And to reach this point where it's like, okay, well
they can hold funds hostage to shape the culture of
a city that that mural that you know plaza is welcoming.
It's an interesting place to be and you know, I
(20:05):
Democrats have not yet I think, found the thing that
makes them band together and fight in the way that
we've seen Republicans ban together and fight, with some notable exceptions.
Jasmine Crockett comes to mind. Al Green comes to mind.
(20:28):
You know, Democrats are not fighting back, and so indeed
the mayor of d C very well could feel alone
in having to make this decision and again just being
left to Okay, So what is the most pragmatic choice
that I can make? Either choice will be unpopular, but
what is the most pragmatic thing that I can do?
(20:51):
And you know, to your point, Kevin, how can I
focus on a bigger picture and until such a time
as you know, more liberal minds gain some control, some
control somewhere of something. This is kind of the state
(21:13):
of play, you know. Imagine again, being that straight, Christian, heterosexual,
white male, born healthy and indeed still healthy, being able
to shape the entire country in your image to your benefit.
(21:34):
This is what it looks like. And we can't even
have some paint on the street. For our final story
this week, it involves the use of a controversial AI
tool at the Los Angeles Times that had to be
nicked just days before or just days after, Sorry, it
was launched, Kevin, We're gonna go back to you to
(21:55):
get some more details on this, and then Terry, we're
gonna close out with you.
Speaker 4 (22:00):
This technology has a troubled history, and in a couple
of cities around the country where it's been used, it
has a disproportionate effect on how justice is served in
(22:24):
those cities, and that is that people of color are
being picked up, being misidentified by this technology. And apparently,
you know, some have speculated when you don't have a
diversity at the very start of when this technology is
(22:45):
being introduced, this is the kind of thing that happens,
is that it is not sensitive to the identities of
people of color, and as a result, in many instances
around the country, that is the only piece of evidence
that's used to convict black people. So it does not
surprise me that there is at least at least a
(23:13):
few people in a position to put a stop to this,
at least temporarily. But I have no doubt that in
the bread box of crime in Los Angeles, this is
a chrome or a few other issues in LA that
need to be addressed before they get to this. But
this is a this was a good move to stop it. Yeah,
(23:35):
there are your thoughts.
Speaker 3 (23:36):
So, yes, this is a pretty appalling look for the newspaper,
particularly one that is attempting to court new subscribers, and
went over some of the old ones. The CEO did
say that, you know, look, I wasn't really privy to
the tools arguments in favor of the KKK after it
was launched, and so he's chalking it up to you
(23:58):
know how, any new technoic invariably needs checks and balances. However,
the worrisome part in this case was they really turn
this into a puff piece examination of the KKK, turning
it into this pastel portrait of what they called white
Protestant culture responding to societal change. If that isn't an euphemism,
(24:20):
I don't know what is. And so they conveniently omitted that, Look,
this is actually an odious, hateful, violent buelds above contingent
of murderers. And on the subject of technology, remember the
facial recognition software. You know how that was used. Oh oopsie,
it's going to target mostly black and brown people, so
(24:42):
it typically does not land in our favor.
Speaker 2 (24:45):
Yeah, this one is.
Speaker 1 (24:51):
I did a little bit of a dive a few
times on the show talking to people who kind of
work in this space. Having being able to to either
provide some input in shaping AI tools or people who have.
Speaker 2 (25:10):
Had conversations with me about the lack of.
Speaker 1 (25:14):
Diverse voices of being able to have their own input
into how these tools come together. And so again, I
have a little bit of perspective when it comes to
these but you know, one of the things that kind
of stands out of my mind is that all of
these artificial intelligence tools are a reflection of.
Speaker 2 (25:37):
Our culture.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
At best and at worst their reflection of the people
who design and program them and their sensibilities and their
vantage points. And for most I would argue that you know,
it lies somewhere in the middle.
Speaker 4 (25:58):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
They are not always based in truth. They are only
based in the truth as we've come to know it,
you know, culturally speaking. Again, when they're working at their best,
which often enough is the truth, okay, but at their worst,
things like this can happen.
Speaker 5 (26:18):
You know.
Speaker 1 (26:20):
My understanding of how this came together, this particular story
is that.
Speaker 2 (26:28):
It had to draw from like historical.
Speaker 1 (26:32):
Articles and information and data which historically speaking, this country
had a.
Speaker 2 (26:38):
Softer view of the ku klux Klan.
Speaker 1 (26:41):
Now that we've evolved as a country, we have a
very negative view culturally speaking at large of the ku
Klux Klan. But this computer system doesn't know that. This
artificial intelligence doesn't know that, and so it's compiling data
and if indeed it is a large language model type
(27:03):
of artificial intelligence, it is simply putting the next word
in order that is consistent with what it has sampled
to give this response. And so I think that your
point is well made, Terry, that checks and balances do
need to happen. And to your earlier point, Kevin, that
(27:24):
it's a good thing that they stepped in and kind
of tried to, you know.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
Unring this bell.
Speaker 1 (27:30):
Because computers in and of themselves are ones and zeros. Yes,
that's fair, but those ones and zeros are put there
by us. And if the computer knows that, hey, this
is not something this is something that needs to be
you know, relative, it has to have some sort of
(27:53):
basis in a historical timeline where we've evolved from this
point to this point, and it doesn't know that, then
a person should step in and correct that. I don't
think that AI is going anywhere. I think this is
with us and the fact that people are willing to
not just let it go and end up becoming what
it's going to become. People are actually stopping and stepping
(28:16):
in to say, hey, look, this is right, this is wrong.
You know, that's not nothing. And so we'll take that
and we'll see what happens next. Before we go, though,
I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the passing
of a black congressman and the former Houston mayor, Sylvester Turner.
He passed away this week at the age of seventy.
(28:37):
Kevin and Terry, any thoughts you want to share, We'll
go with you first.
Speaker 3 (28:40):
Terry, Yes, what a maverick. You know. He was unwavering,
stood by his convictions. For example, state leaders locked their
horns over federal dollars. This happened after Hurricane Harvey. He
was very, very vocal about this sort of drip, drip, slow,
just of aid. He was indefatigable. He was known for
(29:03):
toting around in abacus just so he could keep score
of these of his tax cut opposition to the GOP.
So he was really a true warrior for communities in
the middle class. During his final council meeting, and that
was in twenty twenty three, he talked about how he
faced seven federal disasters on top of civil unrest, pension issues,
(29:28):
social issues, and he faced them all either consecutively or simultaneously.
And he said, you know, you should always know your
value so you can move forward with assurance. And I
like that.
Speaker 2 (29:40):
Sure, yeah, absolutely, Kevin, your thoughts here.
Speaker 4 (29:43):
Oh, A drum major for justice, Sylvester Turner, a Harvard
grad by the way, but he didn't have any Harvard
dust on him. He was a true man of the people.
He fought so many battles with a glint in his eye,
(30:08):
sure of his and navigated through a very, very difficult
environment in the South. But he was an effective A
drum major for justice, Sylvester Attorney. They don't make them
like that anymore, unfortunately.
Speaker 2 (30:25):
I love it.
Speaker 1 (30:26):
I love it. We need some of that, so we'll
leave it right there. Thank you both, as always for
your time and your insight.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
Once again.
Speaker 1 (30:33):
Today's guests are Black Information Network news anchors Terry McCready
and Kevin Brown. This has been a production of the
Black Information Network. Today's show is produced by Chris Thompson.
Have some thoughts you'd like to share? Use the red
microphone talkback beature on the iHeartRadio app while you're there,
be sure to hit subscribe and download all of our episodes.
I am your host, Ramsey's job on all social media,
(30:56):
and I'll be hosting another episode of Civic Cipher this
weekend on a station near you. For stations, show times,
and podcast info, check Civiccipher dot com and join us
Monday as we share our news with our voice from
our perspective right here on the Black Information Network Daily
podcast
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