October 15, 2024 • 39 mins
In the latest episode of Black Girls Eating, hosts Candace and Tanorria welcome a special guest, Alex Burton, Councilman for the Fourth Ward in Evansville, Indiana, and a state representative candidate. This episode is a rich tapestry of conversations that weave through topics such as justice, education, community, and the importance of self-care. As the leaves begin to fall and the air turns crisp, Candace and Tanorria set the scene with a cozy discussion about fall decorations and the seasonal shift. But the conversation quickly deepens as they introduce Alex Burton, a passionate advocate for change in his community.
Alex shares his journey into politics, emphasizing that while he never truly "fell in love" with politics, he felt a compelling need to fill a void and be a voice for progress. One of the central themes of the episode is the educational challenges faced by many communities, particularly the school-to-prison pipeline and literacy issues. Alex highlights the importance of engaging children in meaningful ways and advocating for educational policies that go beyond mere test scores. He stresses the need for summer programs that keep children engaged and prevent learning loss, which is especially crucial for marginalized communities.
The conversation takes a poignant turn as Alex discusses the political climate and its implications for education and healthcare. He warns of the potential dismantling of the Department of Education and its adverse effects on students of color. The discussion also touches on healthcare disparities, particularly the alarming statistics around prostate cancer in Black men and the importance of early detection. Throughout the episode, Alex's dedication to his community shines through. He speaks candidly about the issues facing Black men today and the critical need for informed voting and civic engagement. He also shares his personal journey towards self-care, finding solace in playing video games as a way to unwind and recharge.
This episode is a call to action for listeners to not only vote but to stay engaged and advocate for change. It's a reminder of the power of community and the importance of lifting each other up. Tune in to this enlightening conversation and be inspired to make a difference in your own community. Listen to the full episode to hear more from Alex Burton and learn how you can get involved in advocating for justice and education reform. This is a conversation you won't want to miss!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Candace (00:07):
Welcome to black girls eating, a conversation about
justice, black girl magic, and well
seasoned food. We are black girls eating
and welcome to our podcast.
Hey, girl. Hey.
Tanorria (00:19):
Hi, friend. How are you today?
Candace (00:21):
I'm good. How are you, girl?
Tanorria (00:23):
I need a dozen naps.
Candace (00:25):
It's the weather.
Tanorria (00:27):
Is it?
Candace (00:28):
Yeah. I could have just stayed in bed all day
today. Really?
Tanorria (00:32):
I'm happy about this weather, though. Like, I know
you've probably already decorated for fall, haven't you?
I already know I haven't
yet. I just got my mom's over
the weekend. I'm the totes now.
My neighbor owns horses. So I'm like, can
I get a couple hay bales for my front porch, please?
Candace (00:54):
Listen, listen. Yes. You already
know. As soon as the weather got below
85, I was like, I'm getting my mom's. I can't
wait any longer.
Tanorria (01:04):
See, you fall in line with Starbucks and pumpkin spice and
you know I have to boycott that a little bit.
Candace (01:09):
Yeah, yeah. But, but I don't actually drink the
pumpkin spice situation.
Tanorria (01:14):
I like the vibe Starbucks brings about.
Candace (01:17):
Right?
Tanorria (01:17):
Yes, right. I understand. I'm
ready now. I'm, um, focused on
closing out the garden a little bit and.
Candace (01:27):
Yeah, but, you know, like, it's when you come to my house, it's fall
on the outside and then once October 1,
it's Christmas on the inside. You know that. You know
that. So October 1, you already
know, like, yeah, I have to do it. I have to.
It literally keeps me, it keeps my
spirits up, uh, going through the Christmas season. So I have
(01:48):
to do that.
Tanorria (01:48):
I know Christmas is your joy and, uh,
uh, I have to wait until November 1 because
our anniversary is Halloween.
Candace (01:56):
Right, right.
Tanorria (01:57):
So we have to stay in fall vibes
until we hit October 31 and then
I consider switching.
Candace (02:05):
Yeah, I've already started looking at had.
Tanorria (02:08):
One happy belated anniversary.
Candace (02:10):
Thank you. Thank you.
We were so being hot. Girls, um,
the best part of our anniversary weekend is that we took so many
naps. Like, we had such an extended time. We were like, I
was like, you want to go take a nap? She's like, yeah, I want to take a nap. I was like, and
of course she's not ever going to turn down the naps, right? Yeah, it was
just a really good time. Went up to Michigan and hung out,
(02:32):
ate really, really good, and it was a concert
and shop. It was just fun. It was so much fun.
Yeah.
Tanorria (02:40):
That's awesome.
Candace (02:42):
Well, y'all, it's black girl.
Tanorria (02:43):
ZD.
Candace (02:43):
We're back. I'm Candace.
Tanorria (02:45):
I'm Tanoria.
Candace (02:47):
And y'all we have an amazing guest today on our
show. Um, let me just. First, um,
by just let me just clear the air. I
called in a favor to one of my sisters, and
I said, hey, I need you to make sure this person remembers
me because I would have him on my podcast. She was like, absolutely.
I will make the connection.
Tanorria (03:05):
They remember me.
Candace (03:09):
Yeah. I was like. She was like, it's fine. I got you.
She did the connect via, via text. And
here we are, you guys. I get to welcome,
um, a friend to us all. Uh,
Alex Burton, councilman, fourth ward,
Evansville, Indiana and state rep, candidate to black girls
eating. So excited.
(03:29):
Yes, y'all, thank you so much for having me.
We're so excited you're here, you guys. He was elected to
the fourth ward in Evansville in 2019, and he has been a
consistent, consistent voice for progress, y'all. He
is determined to shake some things up and really advocate
for change. He has a vision for
Evansville that really is going to not only change
Evansville, but sweep through the entire region, y'all. He
(03:52):
has just been working his tail off for several,
several years. He's married. He's a dad. He's a pet
lover. Welcome, Alex, to the show.
Speaker D (04:01):
Thank you so much.
Tanorria (04:02):
Yes.
Candace (04:03):
M so here at black girls eating,
we start our show out with
a warm question. We like to, you know, warm things
up, and I want to know. We
want to know, when did you fall in
love with politics?
Speaker D (04:19):
M uh,
I don't think I've ever fallen in love with it.
That's the reality. Like, you know, it's one of those things
that has to get done. And,
um, I was much, rather, much
rather be in this, in the background, just, you know, looking
(04:40):
at policy, okay, seeing how
a affects b impacts c.
Um, but at the same time, I also
saw that a voice was missing, a
void was there. Um, and so one thing led to
another, and now I am elected,
which ten years ago, I would have never
saw myself in a position I'm in now.
(05:03):
But, um, here we are. And, um,
you know, currently on city council, but it's
guaranteed I'll be a state representative, um,
as soon as the election happens, because I am
running unopposed.
Candace (05:15):
Nice.
Tanorria (05:16):
That is fantastic.
Candace (05:17):
That's fantastic. M
we're super excited to, number one, share
our support for you, but just so that you can lend a voice
to the issues and what's going on
specifically, um, in a place that is near and
dear to my heart. I spent several years in Evansville and
undergrad, and I've got family still there. So
I understand, um, what's going on down there. And so thank
(05:39):
you for lending a voice and your hard work to
that region. Thank you for that.
Speaker D (05:44):
Yeah, absolutely.
Candace (05:45):
Thank you for that.
Tanorria (05:46):
I'm curious, you said you noticed a void. Can you
talk more about that?
Speaker D (05:52):
Yes, um,
so, uh, I'm trying to not be
all over the place in talking about it. And so,
um, I'll start at a very, very high level and then I'll
work my way down to the week.
Um, so when I first
realized that I was going to go down this pathway,
(06:13):
uh, I'm not one of those people to just like, talk
about things. Like, I actually want to get stuff done.
And, um, while I was in grad school,
I went way into the weeds in educational
policy and it became my
mission to, um, bust the school
to prison pipeline. Uh, for me, it was
(06:33):
like, it made no sense. Like, how do we identify
this issue? And it was identified in the early
two thousands, but here we are. And
arguably it's worse than what it was
in the early two thousands. And
for me it was like, okay, well, let's solve the problem.
And I got involved seeing
(06:55):
things at a, uh, federal level, working with
educational policy, and realized like,
okay, federal policy is kind of like that blanket, but
then it really fosters down to the state and what local
policy, uh, how that factors
in.
Candace (07:09):
Mhm.
Speaker D (07:11):
Then I went on the local end and just saw things where,
okay, our kids are not enjoying school. They
don't like the food. They literally don't like being there. That
is a problem.
Candace (07:20):
Wow.
Speaker D (07:21):
And now I would say it's
even worse because since COVID
kids aren't going to school like they used to, even
before COVID and it's become more of an option
and missing out on that much school.
Um, the data shows that especially
our kids aren't reading at the level that they
(07:41):
should. Well, if you're not reading at the level that you
should, and years go by,
come high school, if you ain't paying attention to that, you're going to be
disinterested in school. And before you know it, if you're not going
to school every day, you're not interested, you're going to find other things
to get into. And the chances of something positive coming from
that is highly unlikely.
(08:02):
So here we just talking about this
issue. Here we are. So that is a very
real issue, um, and something that's near and dear to my
heart, um, because unfortunately,
many of us in the black community are
a person or two away from
incarceration or the system, so it
(08:23):
impacts us directly. So that is something very
much as to my why and why I'm
engaged.
Candace (08:29):
Yeah, I love that. I mean, I
love the reasons why. I hate why it has to
be, you know, there's so many issues that we're facing.
Um, you touched on something that's near and dear to my heart. Um,
education, reading. Um,
is that one of the issues that you're seeing that is
just continually just families
(08:51):
and teachers and educators are just
battling the levels of reading and
literacy?
Speaker D (08:57):
Oh, for sure. Um, and, you
know, it starts at the fundamental piece of the
family, right. No one wants to see their child
grandchild not being able to read.
Um, but it takes intentionality,
and the intentionality isn't always
there. Um, but then also at
the same time, instead of focusing on
(09:20):
reading, and I'll use myself as an example,
um, I used to hate when someone would give me
a book about dragons or monsters or
something, like I didn't enjoy it and I hated reading from that
lens. Um, and it wasn't until I was
in college until I found out, like, give me something
historical, something of real substance, and I'll
(09:41):
read it, I'm interested, I'm all the way in.
But it took me that long to find out what
my niche was and what engaged me into the reading. And, you
know, in school, you know, yeah, I read the overriding
magazines, the East Bay magazines, which wasn't a
whole lot of reading, it was just more so looking at
pictures and everything else. Um, but trying to
find that balance. And the answer can't be,
(10:03):
we're going to continue to test, test, test, and,
um, see and really show the score,
because at some point, if your scores aren't where there should be, you're going to feel
defeated.
Tanorria (10:13):
Ah, uh, I love
that you're bringing this up. My best
friend, who's from Minnesota, was just in
town recently, and that was one of the topics of
conversation that we had was
the age and
the reading level and how so far behind,
how big of a gap there is.
(10:35):
And, you know, we talked a lot
about family dynamic and access
and things like that, but we also talked about technology
playing a part and so
doing the work that you do and paying very,
very close attention to how it impacts
families and families who
(10:56):
may not have as m much. Does
technology play as, uh, strong a force
in that case? Or is it more about,
I don't like school, I don't have anyone at
home supporting me in reading. I don't
have access to quality books, I don't even
know what my interests are? You know, we grew up
(11:18):
in households where my niece is, uh, at
the stage right now, she's almost five, where she likes to say
things are boring. And my brother will say, do
you know what happened when we said things were boring?
Candace (11:29):
Come on.
Tanorria (11:29):
The Bible or write book reports or.
Candace (11:32):
Get the encyclopedia, because we had a set of encyclopedias
in the house, and.
Tanorria (11:36):
We had to write a book report.
Candace (11:37):
Based on what we read.
Tanorria (11:39):
And that was our summer. Like, dad, come on.
Candace (11:42):
Yep.
Tanorria (11:43):
Were just forced to read stuff. Like you said, you didn't
know what you were interested in. You just read what you were
told. And so how much of
you know, how much would you say that kind
of, um, data weighs
on it compared to. Kids would just rather
be on their tablet, not reading, but playing
(12:03):
games or. Kids aren't interested in books
anymore because they have technology. Where
is the. The issue
between those?
Speaker D (12:13):
Yeah, I think it's a little bit of all
of that from the technology piece.
Right. These
professionals have designed games and everything
else to appeal to what kids
want to do and be interested in, and
engage in how they engage with them. And
so that's hard to break. Like,
(12:35):
it's hard to break, but it's also that balance.
And maybe I'm, um, young into
the parental game, but one of the things that
we've talked about is, like, all right, when we got family time, everybody's putting
all technology aside. We're going to have our
time.
Tanorria (12:50):
Um.
Speaker D (12:52):
You can't mandate that for all families, but
it's important that everything isn't right there on
the phone. And yes, I know life is
happening. And adults, we got the
Snapchat, we got Instagram, Facebook.
Things are always happening. So
it's easy to get caught up into what's
happening right now. But at that
(13:15):
same time, we're sacrificing that time that kids
see us, uh, in that already short amount of
time. And the interactions that we have. They
see if kids see adults
facing phone all the time, they're going to be facing
tablet doing all the things. Um, you
also mentioned on something else that, um,
was something like, that's incredibly high on my priority
(13:37):
list is the fact of summers and you
doing the book reports and all the things. Um.
I get it. School is not necessarily
exciting, but I always.
And I'm gonna bring it back to the current. I'm a big fan
of power ghosts, book two.
Um, and the reason for it is
they show the glimpses of Stansfield preponderance of
(14:00):
what and how a classroom can be engaged Tariq
is doing all these things outside of the classroom, but
he's always prepared in the classroom, and that's
something that should be highlighted a whole lot more than what it is, in my
opinion. But also encouraging our
kids to then think critically and be able to
share their perspective beyond saying, that's boring, that's
(14:20):
dumb, I don't like it. Well, why explain. Help me out.
Um, and it's also, for me, from a
state educational perspective, it's important
that the, um, state encourages that.
Right now, our kids, I know specifically in Evansville, our kids
have nothing to do in the summer of substance. Like,
why is that? Why can't we create a summer
(14:40):
camp? Maybe they're working part of the day, then the other half
is making sure they're doing up on their reading so we don't
have so many kids that are falling behind, um,
identifying what it is that they like. If it's history, great. If
it's English, if it's poetry, whatever. Identify
that thing that they like and let the kids lean into it,
um, so that when school comes back, not only are they
prepared, the teachers can beyond, go beyond
(15:03):
just trying to make sure that the basic fundamentals are taken care
of. Right now, I feel like a lot of teachers on that
hamster wheel saying, all right, we got to get through all this content,
and it's not allowing for a healthy learning environment.
Candace (15:15):
Mhm m. I mean, I know just as a parent
of a fifth grader, my daughter, she just
said, we did this last year because, you know, the first
half of the school year they spent in review.
And she's like, I already know this. And I'm like,
yeah, I know you do. And she's like, if you just let
me skip fifth grade. Like, that was our argument all summer, if I could just skip
(15:35):
fifth grade, I could just skip fifth grade. Academically, she probably
could.
Tanorria (15:38):
Absolutely.
Candace (15:39):
But her maturity level. I'm like, you're a Covid, baby.
So you missed out on the social part of
being in school, so you kind of still need those chops, right?
So that's why we have her involved in extracurricular activities. But
in the. People tease me about this, but in my house, you don't get
to just sit up on your tablet on your phone. You have to read.
Tanorria (15:57):
You have to read for ten summer camps.
Candace (15:59):
Yeah, like, you're busy, but you're also, like, you're
reading. And before you can even touch your tablet, you have to read
for 30 minutes. Your tablet will not unlock, uh,
until you read for 30 minutes, you don't get to just be on
tv watching YouTube, all that,
especially during the school year. Like, you're just not going to do that, because I
know all it takes is one week of that and their
brain just turns to mush.
Tanorria (16:20):
Yeah.
Candace (16:21):
You know, and by the time you get back in school, that's. I was talking to
her principal, and she's like, so many of our kids who are
even in the high ability program have fallen
behind because they spend the entire summer
not catching up, which, in my house, yes,
it's summer, but you're going to do a worksheet. You're going to read. Like,
we're not going to lose that because our
(16:41):
kids are already far behind.
Tanorria (16:43):
Yeah.
Candace (16:44):
The american education system is so far
behind, and we, as, uh, parents, I
mean, I'm not thinking about ten year old M. I mean, I
am, but I'm thinking about 35 year old Maddie to make
sure that she can comprehend, hold a conversation, write a check.
I mean, there are people that we know that can't do any of those
things, and I think that's so important.
And school was one of those places where school used to be
(17:06):
fun. You used to be able to explore
and write out your dreams
and build and have amazing
conversations with your teachers, but now they are literally just
teaching to the test.
Speaker D (17:19):
Yep.
Candace (17:19):
And it's heartbreaking because you lose really good readers and
leaders and learners because of that.
Tanorria (17:24):
You lose the kids ability to express
creativity.
Candace (17:27):
Exactly.
Tanorria (17:28):
Which that could. That could be what charts their path is
their creativity, not that test.
Candace (17:34):
Right. And Maddie will tell me. Maddie is a excellent
student. Um, she's like, mom, I don't like taking tests. She's like,
I don't like them. She's an excellent student.
She's been in high ability since she was in kindergarten. And she's like,
I don't like taking tests. She goes, they make me nervous. Oh,
of course. And she can pass the test, but she's
like, it's just the whole idea that I know what I'm doing, and I
(17:54):
know that it's gonna matter with iready
and iread and all that. She's like, but it's already stuff that
I already know. She goes, and it doesn't even make sense. So if the
kids realize it doesn't make sense, like, why is it as adults
that we're continually making this benchmark that they have
to hit? It's very frustrating.
Very frustrating.
Tanorria (18:13):
We all three have expressed how
important education is just in this short conversation.
Um, Alex, I
would love for you to tell us
what this year's political
climate means for our
education system.
Speaker D (18:33):
Uh, I'll sum it up. Uh, project
2025.
Tanorria (18:39):
I'm glad you said it.
Candace (18:40):
I am too. I am, too.
Speaker D (18:43):
And it's one of those things that
our cousins who aren't understanding the
importance of this election,
seeing him versus her and not
looking about what that brings to the table and what
that's going to bring mean to us specifically
as a race. Um,
(19:03):
it is very much real.
Um, dismantling the department of
Education will have a direct impact on
students of color. Black, brown,
light brown, you name it, is going to directly impact
us. We're already
struggling in the current system that exists.
So to dismantle the
(19:26):
table of, uh, education
means, uh, that it's going to be left up
to state and local governments or entities
to figure this thing out. Our state
government and those who are in control
live in the backwoods. Uh, just call it for what it is.
(19:46):
They cannot relate to what's happened in Gary,
Evansville, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South
Bend, Charlehold, Bloomington. They can't fathom
it. And to put them in control,
we already see what a bad. I read,
or, uh, all. Everything what the state testing
does that's going to serve as the basis of
education. It's going to serve
(20:08):
backwards before it serves the urban core.
Tanorria (20:11):
Um.
Speaker D (20:13):
Which put already, uh, a crazy
amount of even more pressure on our
communities to figure it out. And
we're not in a position where we. We don't have
the resources, time, any of it, or the network to
figure this thing out. And so,
um, yeah, that's what this
(20:33):
election means to me. I mean, if it's not already
clear, without. I'll
just go back to it. Um, without a,
uh, standard at the federal
government level when it comes to education, that
directly means that more people that look like us are going to
be going to end up incarcerated. M
(20:53):
and all of that. That's the conversation that's
not happening. But at the same time, it's the conversation
to me that seems so obvious, like, yeah, you're,
you know, you caught up in the. Well, I don't really like her,
and her policies are this or that.
No, I ain't got nothing to do with that. It does, but
you, you looking at. Looking at the person
(21:14):
instead of the network. Um,
and for me, that's what's on the
line in this election.
Tanorria (21:22):
Hey, friends, it's Tanoria, my
first ever cookbook at Staples. Plus five is available
wherever cookbooks are sold. It was voted one of the best
cookbooks in 2020 by glamourmagazine.com.
you can purchase it@tanoriastable.com
books. And make sure to tell me what your favorite
recipe.
Candace (21:40):
Hey, y'all, it's Candace the spice slinger. Here
is your food. Bland, unseasoned.
Let's spice it up with seasonings from foodlove talk.
Catch me
online@foodlovetalk.com.
be seasoned, y'all.
I want to know, what are some of the
issues that are really
important for black men to pay attention
(22:03):
to right now?
Speaker D (22:05):
Yeah. So my answer
now is different than what it would have been if you asked me this question
yesterday. And it's only because I saw this
morning, I was listening to Ricky Smiley, and he was talking
about healthcare. And this election,
a lot is talking about healthcare, but from the
woman perspective. And I have never
(22:25):
looked at healthcare as an issue,
being one of the issues that I would be into the
weeds talking about from a male perspective.
But
basically, one in six black men have
a chance of having prostate cancer in their
life.
Candace (22:44):
Wow.
Speaker D (22:45):
What the healthcare system has
promoted or is advocating for is to
take the prostate, um, exam
out of being the
things that's done unless it's asked for.
So I go ask for
the prostate, uh, exam, but it's not going to
necessarily be given to me. And
(23:07):
for me, that sends another level
of, uh,
uh, scare for me, because
black men are the
leading
prostate cancer patients. But
now, if a black man has opportunity to
get out of a prostate exam, they will. And this
(23:28):
now puts this on the table as.
As something that they will not.
Tanorria (23:35):
Have.
Speaker D (23:35):
Um, done as a. As a. As a part of
a normal health exam.
You pair that with
the prison, prison,
incarceration. And you pair that with,
um, just the health. Gun violence
and just other health concerns.
That is how they're going to
(23:58):
eradicate and or reduce the population size
that are black men. That right there
from prostate cancer, already
incarceration, already gun violence. You take
those three things, it makes it
incredibly hard for a black man to survive.
Um, and so now I'm
(24:18):
at the very forefront of, um, um, now
researching from the male healthcare
perspective, but how many other things like that are
happening? And while we caught up in all
the wrong things, they are
intentionally using a scaffold to cut and cut and
cut. And we caught up on
who went live yesterday, or
(24:40):
what's the latest with Diddy? Like, we caught up on that,
and they are going crazy in the
background, and
we're. It's, uh, all that's on the line in this
election.
Tanorria (24:51):
Yeah, it is hard enough to get black
men into the doctor's office for regular checkups.
There has to be a problem, right. And even when there's
a problem with excruciating pain, they will
still avoid it if they can.
Candace (25:05):
Mhm. Mhm.
Tanorria (25:07):
And to give them the option to avoid one of
the most uncomfortable exams.
Candace (25:11):
Out there, but necessary. I
wish delicious. Could have seen my face when Alex said that. Like,
instant red flag. Instant red flag.
Tanorria (25:20):
Oh, my. That is brand new information to me.
Candace (25:23):
Holy. Didn't know that either. That's scary. That's
scary.
Tanorria (25:27):
Wow.
Candace (25:27):
Wow. I mean, as if we didn't have so many
other issues that we're thinking about. You just added that
one. That's top of my list right now. I've
got my grandfather had prostate cancer
and absolutely, um, beat it. And
so. But again, early detection is key. And like, I know
several. I know several black men who have been able to beat it.
(25:47):
And, you know, but not having that detection, I
mean, it's just like how we. We talk about breast cancer, right?
Early detection is key, but if you're going to just
automatically take it off of, um, the docket,
that should be a part of every physical for every man over the age
of 30. Yes. It should just automatic,
automatically happen.
Tanorria (26:06):
My uncle is going through treatments right now.
Candace (26:10):
Yeah.
Tanorria (26:11):
And the fact that he even cared, like, I was
honestly, not only was I surprised that he had it,
but I was like, oh, wait, he goes to the doctor, too.
Okay, good. Like, it had to sink in that,
like, I'm so grateful that
he went and got checked. Wow.
Candace (26:27):
Wow. Thank you for calling that out, Alex, because we
wouldn't have known.
Speaker D (26:31):
Yeah, it's real.
Tanorria (26:33):
There are, um.
I don't know if handful is the right description, but that's
what I'm going to use for lack of better words, because I don't
know the facts or the details of this, but there
are a handful of black men
who, um, are choosing
to look at issues a completely different
(26:53):
way. And
either because of
a particular candidate being a woman,
or because I've heard,
because, um, a particular candidate, which
this is. I know this is not true, gave them a stimulus,
although that candidate did not, um,
(27:17):
that their votes are leaning
one way to another. How do we reach those
people to help them have
a better educated
vote?
Speaker D (27:33):
Yeah.
Um, in
my conversations, you know, it's, uh,
with people specifically on this,
it's calling it out. Number one.
Um, you know, on one hand, I'm
go back to the, uh, incarceration piece.
Don't celebrate what Meek Mill has
(27:55):
been advocating for in Pennsylvania, for
probation reform and all of that.
That wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Commonwealth.
She has literally laid the groundwork for every
state in the country to do exactly what
Pennsylvania did.
Tanorria (28:11):
Mhm.
Speaker D (28:12):
She did all of that through her, um,
lens in the attorney general's office.
Tanorria (28:17):
Right, right.
Speaker D (28:18):
And so that's
one, but then two. Um, if
you're skeptical of the presidential race, also, look at
it this way. When Kamala wins,
and she will win, she's gonna bring Congress right there with
her. We're gonna have a black male speaker of the House,
breaking history, leading all policy that
(28:39):
comes before Congress. First time in history.
And this is a Hakeem Jefferies
literally quotes biggie on the House floor.
Like, you can't get
more culture in the seat of power.
Um, and I just. We getting
caught up in all this what if. And I know there's attempts from,
(29:01):
um, you know, outside entities from the United
States who want to see black men go down this rabbit
hole. But all the
luxuries and the life that we all
live right now would not happen if it wasn't through
fighting and advocating for not
only our right to vote, but
(29:21):
for just moving beyond three fifths
of a person and
to willingly lay that all down
because of one's
gender or because who they may be married to.
That's insane. Um,
and it really is
problematic. And I don't want to use the
(29:43):
term uneducated, but it's just
a focus is on the wrong things right now in this
moment. And I
understand, uh, there are black
men out there who also see, um,
immigration and all things happening
that, okay, everybody else is getting something but me.
(30:05):
It also goes off to offer the data. If
black men are only showing up, uh, once every four years,
twice every eight, does it
really make sense for a lot of energy to be focused in on
a black male
as a voting block? And so
it has to move beyond where we are right
(30:25):
now. But, you know,
it only happens once you active and engage. You
can't just vote and then sit back, you know.
I know, uh, especially there are males out there
that hate the child support system in Indiana. But
guess what? If you're not talking to anybody about those issues, who
have the opportunity to address it, then
(30:46):
you just venting on Facebook, which might as well just
be talking to yourself.
Candace (30:51):
Mhm.
Speaker D (30:52):
These are issues that have to be
addressed, should be addressed. But if you're not
talking about it, not showing up to
NAACP, whatever, local
neighborhood, if you're not bringing that
up, then the issue's going
to be looked over. Um,
yeah, m, I probably been talking too long on that.
Tanorria (31:14):
No, this is great because I think
oftentimes, I think Candace and I have both said it in
some capacity where if you don't
vote, then you don't get to complain, but you're taking it
a step further and you're saying if you only
vote and then sit back, you don't get to
complain. And that is quality.
Candace (31:35):
Mhm.
Tanorria (31:35):
I think that is what, um,
is. That is what can help maintain
momentum to make sure that Kamala does
win is to say, don't just vote and sit
back. You need to get out and vote. You need to be
prepared to vote. Um, and then
after you vote, then what are we going
to do to ensure that she is able to do
(31:57):
her job at the best ability that she can?
Candace (32:01):
Uh, and alongside that,
it's also being
able to lend an ear for
the younger generation and a hand for them and
to show them that voting is important.
My daughter's ten and she has not missed an election.
Uh, she has, uh, voted with me in every single election
(32:22):
that I voted in and I haven't missed one. I haven't missed an election since I
was 18 and. But she knows.
She's like, we're going to vote. Like, she's been asking me all day, when are we going again?
Okay, when? What's the countdown? Like? She knows because we
early vote, we go in, she gets her sticker.
She, like, one year she was like, I'm just going to write meemal in because I don't want you
to vote for Donald Trump. I was like, of course we're not. But, like,
(32:42):
kids know. You know, like, kids know. So, like, making sure that you're
sharing, like, why the electoral process is so
important and vital. It really, it really is
important. And again, you can vote, but if you're just going to
vote and just still complain, but not actually make steps to make
change. You doing?
Tanorria (32:58):
Yeah.
Candace (32:59):
What are you doing? This has been good.
Tanorria (33:01):
That is great.
Candace (33:03):
This is real good. So, Alex,
we have two more questions for you, and then we will, um, give
you back to the community because we know you're a busy man.
Um, one of my last questions is,
what do you want? Um, our
listeners, we've got several listeners in Evansville. What do you
want them to know about you
(33:23):
and your run and how you are
looking to help and build back up
Evansville?
Speaker D (33:29):
Yeah. So, so, so now,
looking at things from a, from a state's perspective,
it's not just about Evansville no more. It's it's
Evansville, it's Indianapolis, it's Gary, it's Fort Wayne,
it's south Bend. And the
crazy thing is, we're all dealing with the very
similar issues. Food access, gun
violence, youth, um, streets,
(33:52):
all those things. We all dealing with that right now. And
so to lend voice to that and now be more of a
block, um,
to addressing the issues, um, that's
what I'm looking to bring to the table. Uh,
we got to do something. We got to do something here. And, I
mean, I don't know if that's going city to city, block by
(34:13):
block. Like, look, just having a conversation. I don't
mind. Um, so I'm really looking forward to doing the
work. And I also know that there are a lot of issues facing
Indiana, so it's not going to be something that,
um, you know, happens overnight, but
I'm committed to it, and I'm like, I'm not going
nowhere. I, uh, don't plan on leaving state legislature no
time soon, so I'm in for.
Candace (34:37):
That's good. Thank you for that.
Tanorria (34:41):
Um, I have one additional
question outside of our very last question, just because I want
people to know,
um, Councilman Burton, on a little bit more
personal level, because I think that matters.
Um, your job is not easy,
and you have a family
(35:02):
and a life outside
of doing your job, what do you
do to care for yourself? And another reason why
I'm asking this question is because oftentimes, black men
can't answer this question.
Speaker D (35:17):
That's great. So before COVID I wouldn't have been able to answer that
question.
Candace (35:22):
Wow.
Speaker D (35:22):
But now PlayStation five.
Tanorria (35:26):
Have you met my husband?
Speaker D (35:30):
I bought an Xbox one. So I was working
for the school system at the time. They said, hey,
um, we're going on spring break, and we're probably not
going to come back. So I said, I bet.
Okay, let me go grab this fifth of Henny. Let me go
grab an Xbox. Madden. And I think I grabbed,
like, a pizza or something. I was like, I'm at the crib, I'm
(35:50):
chilling. Uh,
and me, plus, me getting that
Xbox really started me, like, having
self care. Like, they didn't involve
me doing anything else. Just,
I can focus, play online, do what I want.
This is my moment. Um, and so
now it's a PlayStation five. And I
(36:13):
played college, NCAA, uh, college
football, and that is my
getaway.
Candace (36:19):
I love it.
Tanorria (36:20):
Yep.
Candace (36:21):
You deserve.
Tanorria (36:22):
Yeah. My husband's the same way. It took
me letting go of my abandonment issues to
understand that that was his self care. Because I'm like, you're playing the
game, you're not talking to me. And my therapist was like, girl, sit
down. We're in a good place
now. But yes, I understand
the need for PlayStation five specifically.
In a man's life, it's almost like you get to become someone
(36:45):
you're not in a good way. It's like a
fantasy, creative way. So,
uh, we celebrate that for you.
Candace (36:53):
I love it. Yeah, I love that.
Well, Alex, this is our last
question. We ask it of every guest because
we do talk about the hard things on black girls eating.
We want to know what would you
tell six year old Alex today?
Speaker D (37:12):
Six year old Alex?
Um, I would
say it's
all right to be yourself.
Candace (37:23):
M yeah,
uh.
Speaker D (37:27):
M now. All right,
now. So I 100% was
thinking that I was at least going to be asked what
my favorite meal was.
Tanorria (37:37):
Uh, or we
get that a lot.
Speaker D (37:41):
Meal I was going to eat. I was
expecting that.
Tanorria (37:45):
We get that a lot. We get. Why didn't you ask a food
question? Or why aren't you eating on the
podcast? If you want an ASMR
podcast, go listen to something different. Yeah.
Candace (37:57):
Yeah.
Tanorria (37:58):
Um, you know, Candace and I
are united and we have a
sisterhood through food. But
as black women being so
multidimensional and recognizing that and
celebrating that between each other, our
platform just goes beyond food.
Candace (38:17):
Yeah, I mean. I mean, and we talked about food in a
roundabout way today because you brought up the issue of food justice, which
is absolutely near and dear to my heart. It's part of my
life's work. So, um, yeah, we talk
about food in a roundabout way here. On black girls dating. We give you soul
food first. Right? We give you soul food
first.
Tanorria (38:35):
Yeah.
Candace (38:36):
Well, you guys, we're just so thankful that Alex took
time out of his busy schedule to talk to Black Rose. Ed, we, um,
wanted to make sure that we gave you a black male perspective
here. Um, but also that you can know what the issues
are surrounding our state and our country
and our world. Y'all give some major
love to Alex. We'll drop all of his information in the show notes where you
(38:56):
can find him and support him and get some more information. You
know, we're going to tell you where to register to vote. As
always, um, make sure these. You only got a few more days before
the deadline is up. Get registered to vote. So
definitely do that. So thank you, Alex. We really appreciate
you. No problem.
Speaker D (39:12):
Thank you for having me. I enjoyed it.
Candace (39:14):
All right, guys, bye
bye.
Black girls eating. The podcast is
sound engineered and produced by David McKissick.
It's recorded at Nexus Impact
Center Creative suite.
Follow black girls eating the podcast on Instagram
at girlseating. Follow sonoria at
(39:35):
Tanoria's table. Follow
candaceoodlovetalk thank you for listening.
Welcome to black girls eating, a conversation about
justice, black girl magic, and well
seasoned food. We are black girls eating
and welcome to our podcast.
Hey, girl. Hey.
Tanorria (00:19):
Hi, friend. How are you today?
Candace (00:21):
I'm good. How are you, girl?
Tanorria (00:23):
I need a dozen naps.
Candace (00:25):
It's the weather.
Tanorria (00:27):
Is it?
Candace (00:28):
Yeah. I could have just stayed in bed all day
today. Really?
Tanorria (00:32):
I'm happy about this weather, though. Like, I know
you've probably already decorated for fall, haven't you?
I already know I haven't
yet. I just got my mom's over
the weekend. I'm the totes now.
My neighbor owns horses. So I'm like, can
I get a couple hay bales for my front porch, please?
Candace (00:54):
Listen, listen. Yes. You already
know. As soon as the weather got below
85, I was like, I'm getting my mom's. I can't
wait any longer.
Tanorria (01:04):
See, you fall in line with Starbucks and pumpkin spice and
you know I have to boycott that a little bit.
Candace (01:09):
Yeah, yeah. But, but I don't actually drink the
pumpkin spice situation.
Tanorria (01:14):
I like the vibe Starbucks brings about.
Candace (01:17):
Right?
Tanorria (01:17):
Yes, right. I understand. I'm
ready now. I'm, um, focused on
closing out the garden a little bit and.
Candace (01:27):
Yeah, but, you know, like, it's when you come to my house, it's fall
on the outside and then once October 1,
it's Christmas on the inside. You know that. You know
that. So October 1, you already
know, like, yeah, I have to do it. I have to.
It literally keeps me, it keeps my
spirits up, uh, going through the Christmas season. So I have
(01:48):
to do that.
Tanorria (01:48):
I know Christmas is your joy and, uh,
uh, I have to wait until November 1 because
our anniversary is Halloween.
Candace (01:56):
Right, right.
Tanorria (01:57):
So we have to stay in fall vibes
until we hit October 31 and then
I consider switching.
Candace (02:05):
Yeah, I've already started looking at had.
Tanorria (02:08):
One happy belated anniversary.
Candace (02:10):
Thank you. Thank you.
We were so being hot. Girls, um,
the best part of our anniversary weekend is that we took so many
naps. Like, we had such an extended time. We were like, I
was like, you want to go take a nap? She's like, yeah, I want to take a nap. I was like, and
of course she's not ever going to turn down the naps, right? Yeah, it was
just a really good time. Went up to Michigan and hung out,
(02:32):
ate really, really good, and it was a concert
and shop. It was just fun. It was so much fun.
Yeah.
Tanorria (02:40):
That's awesome.
Candace (02:42):
Well, y'all, it's black girl.
Tanorria (02:43):
ZD.
Candace (02:43):
We're back. I'm Candace.
Tanorria (02:45):
I'm Tanoria.
Candace (02:47):
And y'all we have an amazing guest today on our
show. Um, let me just. First, um,
by just let me just clear the air. I
called in a favor to one of my sisters, and
I said, hey, I need you to make sure this person remembers
me because I would have him on my podcast. She was like, absolutely.
I will make the connection.
Tanorria (03:05):
They remember me.
Candace (03:09):
Yeah. I was like. She was like, it's fine. I got you.
She did the connect via, via text. And
here we are, you guys. I get to welcome,
um, a friend to us all. Uh,
Alex Burton, councilman, fourth ward,
Evansville, Indiana and state rep, candidate to black girls
eating. So excited.
(03:29):
Yes, y'all, thank you so much for having me.
We're so excited you're here, you guys. He was elected to
the fourth ward in Evansville in 2019, and he has been a
consistent, consistent voice for progress, y'all. He
is determined to shake some things up and really advocate
for change. He has a vision for
Evansville that really is going to not only change
Evansville, but sweep through the entire region, y'all. He
(03:52):
has just been working his tail off for several,
several years. He's married. He's a dad. He's a pet
lover. Welcome, Alex, to the show.
Speaker D (04:01):
Thank you so much.
Tanorria (04:02):
Yes.
Candace (04:03):
M so here at black girls eating,
we start our show out with
a warm question. We like to, you know, warm things
up, and I want to know. We
want to know, when did you fall in
love with politics?
Speaker D (04:19):
M uh,
I don't think I've ever fallen in love with it.
That's the reality. Like, you know, it's one of those things
that has to get done. And,
um, I was much, rather, much
rather be in this, in the background, just, you know, looking
(04:40):
at policy, okay, seeing how
a affects b impacts c.
Um, but at the same time, I also
saw that a voice was missing, a
void was there. Um, and so one thing led to
another, and now I am elected,
which ten years ago, I would have never
saw myself in a position I'm in now.
(05:03):
But, um, here we are. And, um,
you know, currently on city council, but it's
guaranteed I'll be a state representative, um,
as soon as the election happens, because I am
running unopposed.
Candace (05:15):
Nice.
Tanorria (05:16):
That is fantastic.
Candace (05:17):
That's fantastic. M
we're super excited to, number one, share
our support for you, but just so that you can lend a voice
to the issues and what's going on
specifically, um, in a place that is near and
dear to my heart. I spent several years in Evansville and
undergrad, and I've got family still there. So
I understand, um, what's going on down there. And so thank
(05:39):
you for lending a voice and your hard work to
that region. Thank you for that.
Speaker D (05:44):
Yeah, absolutely.
Candace (05:45):
Thank you for that.
Tanorria (05:46):
I'm curious, you said you noticed a void. Can you
talk more about that?
Speaker D (05:52):
Yes, um,
so, uh, I'm trying to not be
all over the place in talking about it. And so,
um, I'll start at a very, very high level and then I'll
work my way down to the week.
Um, so when I first
realized that I was going to go down this pathway,
(06:13):
uh, I'm not one of those people to just like, talk
about things. Like, I actually want to get stuff done.
And, um, while I was in grad school,
I went way into the weeds in educational
policy and it became my
mission to, um, bust the school
to prison pipeline. Uh, for me, it was
(06:33):
like, it made no sense. Like, how do we identify
this issue? And it was identified in the early
two thousands, but here we are. And
arguably it's worse than what it was
in the early two thousands. And
for me it was like, okay, well, let's solve the problem.
And I got involved seeing
(06:55):
things at a, uh, federal level, working with
educational policy, and realized like,
okay, federal policy is kind of like that blanket, but
then it really fosters down to the state and what local
policy, uh, how that factors
in.
Candace (07:09):
Mhm.
Speaker D (07:11):
Then I went on the local end and just saw things where,
okay, our kids are not enjoying school. They
don't like the food. They literally don't like being there. That
is a problem.
Candace (07:20):
Wow.
Speaker D (07:21):
And now I would say it's
even worse because since COVID
kids aren't going to school like they used to, even
before COVID and it's become more of an option
and missing out on that much school.
Um, the data shows that especially
our kids aren't reading at the level that they
(07:41):
should. Well, if you're not reading at the level that you
should, and years go by,
come high school, if you ain't paying attention to that, you're going to be
disinterested in school. And before you know it, if you're not going
to school every day, you're not interested, you're going to find other things
to get into. And the chances of something positive coming from
that is highly unlikely.
(08:02):
So here we just talking about this
issue. Here we are. So that is a very
real issue, um, and something that's near and dear to my
heart, um, because unfortunately,
many of us in the black community are
a person or two away from
incarceration or the system, so it
(08:23):
impacts us directly. So that is something very
much as to my why and why I'm
engaged.
Candace (08:29):
Yeah, I love that. I mean, I
love the reasons why. I hate why it has to
be, you know, there's so many issues that we're facing.
Um, you touched on something that's near and dear to my heart. Um,
education, reading. Um,
is that one of the issues that you're seeing that is
just continually just families
(08:51):
and teachers and educators are just
battling the levels of reading and
literacy?
Speaker D (08:57):
Oh, for sure. Um, and, you
know, it starts at the fundamental piece of the
family, right. No one wants to see their child
grandchild not being able to read.
Um, but it takes intentionality,
and the intentionality isn't always
there. Um, but then also at
the same time, instead of focusing on
(09:20):
reading, and I'll use myself as an example,
um, I used to hate when someone would give me
a book about dragons or monsters or
something, like I didn't enjoy it and I hated reading from that
lens. Um, and it wasn't until I was
in college until I found out, like, give me something
historical, something of real substance, and I'll
(09:41):
read it, I'm interested, I'm all the way in.
But it took me that long to find out what
my niche was and what engaged me into the reading. And, you
know, in school, you know, yeah, I read the overriding
magazines, the East Bay magazines, which wasn't a
whole lot of reading, it was just more so looking at
pictures and everything else. Um, but trying to
find that balance. And the answer can't be,
(10:03):
we're going to continue to test, test, test, and,
um, see and really show the score,
because at some point, if your scores aren't where there should be, you're going to feel
defeated.
Tanorria (10:13):
Ah, uh, I love
that you're bringing this up. My best
friend, who's from Minnesota, was just in
town recently, and that was one of the topics of
conversation that we had was
the age and
the reading level and how so far behind,
how big of a gap there is.
(10:35):
And, you know, we talked a lot
about family dynamic and access
and things like that, but we also talked about technology
playing a part and so
doing the work that you do and paying very,
very close attention to how it impacts
families and families who
(10:56):
may not have as m much. Does
technology play as, uh, strong a force
in that case? Or is it more about,
I don't like school, I don't have anyone at
home supporting me in reading. I don't
have access to quality books, I don't even
know what my interests are? You know, we grew up
(11:18):
in households where my niece is, uh, at
the stage right now, she's almost five, where she likes to say
things are boring. And my brother will say, do
you know what happened when we said things were boring?
Candace (11:29):
Come on.
Tanorria (11:29):
The Bible or write book reports or.
Candace (11:32):
Get the encyclopedia, because we had a set of encyclopedias
in the house, and.
Tanorria (11:36):
We had to write a book report.
Candace (11:37):
Based on what we read.
Tanorria (11:39):
And that was our summer. Like, dad, come on.
Candace (11:42):
Yep.
Tanorria (11:43):
Were just forced to read stuff. Like you said, you didn't
know what you were interested in. You just read what you were
told. And so how much of
you know, how much would you say that kind
of, um, data weighs
on it compared to. Kids would just rather
be on their tablet, not reading, but playing
(12:03):
games or. Kids aren't interested in books
anymore because they have technology. Where
is the. The issue
between those?
Speaker D (12:13):
Yeah, I think it's a little bit of all
of that from the technology piece.
Right. These
professionals have designed games and everything
else to appeal to what kids
want to do and be interested in, and
engage in how they engage with them. And
so that's hard to break. Like,
(12:35):
it's hard to break, but it's also that balance.
And maybe I'm, um, young into
the parental game, but one of the things that
we've talked about is, like, all right, when we got family time, everybody's putting
all technology aside. We're going to have our
time.
Tanorria (12:50):
Um.
Speaker D (12:52):
You can't mandate that for all families, but
it's important that everything isn't right there on
the phone. And yes, I know life is
happening. And adults, we got the
Snapchat, we got Instagram, Facebook.
Things are always happening. So
it's easy to get caught up into what's
happening right now. But at that
(13:15):
same time, we're sacrificing that time that kids
see us, uh, in that already short amount of
time. And the interactions that we have. They
see if kids see adults
facing phone all the time, they're going to be facing
tablet doing all the things. Um, you
also mentioned on something else that, um,
was something like, that's incredibly high on my priority
(13:37):
list is the fact of summers and you
doing the book reports and all the things. Um.
I get it. School is not necessarily
exciting, but I always.
And I'm gonna bring it back to the current. I'm a big fan
of power ghosts, book two.
Um, and the reason for it is
they show the glimpses of Stansfield preponderance of
(14:00):
what and how a classroom can be engaged Tariq
is doing all these things outside of the classroom, but
he's always prepared in the classroom, and that's
something that should be highlighted a whole lot more than what it is, in my
opinion. But also encouraging our
kids to then think critically and be able to
share their perspective beyond saying, that's boring, that's
(14:20):
dumb, I don't like it. Well, why explain. Help me out.
Um, and it's also, for me, from a
state educational perspective, it's important
that the, um, state encourages that.
Right now, our kids, I know specifically in Evansville, our kids
have nothing to do in the summer of substance. Like,
why is that? Why can't we create a summer
(14:40):
camp? Maybe they're working part of the day, then the other half
is making sure they're doing up on their reading so we don't
have so many kids that are falling behind, um,
identifying what it is that they like. If it's history, great. If
it's English, if it's poetry, whatever. Identify
that thing that they like and let the kids lean into it,
um, so that when school comes back, not only are they
prepared, the teachers can beyond, go beyond
(15:03):
just trying to make sure that the basic fundamentals are taken care
of. Right now, I feel like a lot of teachers on that
hamster wheel saying, all right, we got to get through all this content,
and it's not allowing for a healthy learning environment.
Candace (15:15):
Mhm m. I mean, I know just as a parent
of a fifth grader, my daughter, she just
said, we did this last year because, you know, the first
half of the school year they spent in review.
And she's like, I already know this. And I'm like,
yeah, I know you do. And she's like, if you just let
me skip fifth grade. Like, that was our argument all summer, if I could just skip
(15:35):
fifth grade, I could just skip fifth grade. Academically, she probably
could.
Tanorria (15:38):
Absolutely.
Candace (15:39):
But her maturity level. I'm like, you're a Covid, baby.
So you missed out on the social part of
being in school, so you kind of still need those chops, right?
So that's why we have her involved in extracurricular activities. But
in the. People tease me about this, but in my house, you don't get
to just sit up on your tablet on your phone. You have to read.
Tanorria (15:57):
You have to read for ten summer camps.
Candace (15:59):
Yeah, like, you're busy, but you're also, like, you're
reading. And before you can even touch your tablet, you have to read
for 30 minutes. Your tablet will not unlock, uh,
until you read for 30 minutes, you don't get to just be on
tv watching YouTube, all that,
especially during the school year. Like, you're just not going to do that, because I
know all it takes is one week of that and their
brain just turns to mush.
Tanorria (16:20):
Yeah.
Candace (16:21):
You know, and by the time you get back in school, that's. I was talking to
her principal, and she's like, so many of our kids who are
even in the high ability program have fallen
behind because they spend the entire summer
not catching up, which, in my house, yes,
it's summer, but you're going to do a worksheet. You're going to read. Like,
we're not going to lose that because our
(16:41):
kids are already far behind.
Tanorria (16:43):
Yeah.
Candace (16:44):
The american education system is so far
behind, and we, as, uh, parents, I
mean, I'm not thinking about ten year old M. I mean, I
am, but I'm thinking about 35 year old Maddie to make
sure that she can comprehend, hold a conversation, write a check.
I mean, there are people that we know that can't do any of those
things, and I think that's so important.
And school was one of those places where school used to be
(17:06):
fun. You used to be able to explore
and write out your dreams
and build and have amazing
conversations with your teachers, but now they are literally just
teaching to the test.
Speaker D (17:19):
Yep.
Candace (17:19):
And it's heartbreaking because you lose really good readers and
leaders and learners because of that.
Tanorria (17:24):
You lose the kids ability to express
creativity.
Candace (17:27):
Exactly.
Tanorria (17:28):
Which that could. That could be what charts their path is
their creativity, not that test.
Candace (17:34):
Right. And Maddie will tell me. Maddie is a excellent
student. Um, she's like, mom, I don't like taking tests. She's like,
I don't like them. She's an excellent student.
She's been in high ability since she was in kindergarten. And she's like,
I don't like taking tests. She goes, they make me nervous. Oh,
of course. And she can pass the test, but she's
like, it's just the whole idea that I know what I'm doing, and I
(17:54):
know that it's gonna matter with iready
and iread and all that. She's like, but it's already stuff that
I already know. She goes, and it doesn't even make sense. So if the
kids realize it doesn't make sense, like, why is it as adults
that we're continually making this benchmark that they have
to hit? It's very frustrating.
Very frustrating.
Tanorria (18:13):
We all three have expressed how
important education is just in this short conversation.
Um, Alex, I
would love for you to tell us
what this year's political
climate means for our
education system.
Speaker D (18:33):
Uh, I'll sum it up. Uh, project
2025.
Tanorria (18:39):
I'm glad you said it.
Candace (18:40):
I am too. I am, too.
Speaker D (18:43):
And it's one of those things that
our cousins who aren't understanding the
importance of this election,
seeing him versus her and not
looking about what that brings to the table and what
that's going to bring mean to us specifically
as a race. Um,
(19:03):
it is very much real.
Um, dismantling the department of
Education will have a direct impact on
students of color. Black, brown,
light brown, you name it, is going to directly impact
us. We're already
struggling in the current system that exists.
So to dismantle the
(19:26):
table of, uh, education
means, uh, that it's going to be left up
to state and local governments or entities
to figure this thing out. Our state
government and those who are in control
live in the backwoods. Uh, just call it for what it is.
(19:46):
They cannot relate to what's happened in Gary,
Evansville, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South
Bend, Charlehold, Bloomington. They can't fathom
it. And to put them in control,
we already see what a bad. I read,
or, uh, all. Everything what the state testing
does that's going to serve as the basis of
education. It's going to serve
(20:08):
backwards before it serves the urban core.
Tanorria (20:11):
Um.
Speaker D (20:13):
Which put already, uh, a crazy
amount of even more pressure on our
communities to figure it out. And
we're not in a position where we. We don't have
the resources, time, any of it, or the network to
figure this thing out. And so,
um, yeah, that's what this
(20:33):
election means to me. I mean, if it's not already
clear, without. I'll
just go back to it. Um, without a,
uh, standard at the federal
government level when it comes to education, that
directly means that more people that look like us are going to
be going to end up incarcerated. M
(20:53):
and all of that. That's the conversation that's
not happening. But at the same time, it's the conversation
to me that seems so obvious, like, yeah, you're,
you know, you caught up in the. Well, I don't really like her,
and her policies are this or that.
No, I ain't got nothing to do with that. It does, but
you, you looking at. Looking at the person
(21:14):
instead of the network. Um,
and for me, that's what's on the
line in this election.
Tanorria (21:22):
Hey, friends, it's Tanoria, my
first ever cookbook at Staples. Plus five is available
wherever cookbooks are sold. It was voted one of the best
cookbooks in 2020 by glamourmagazine.com.
you can purchase it@tanoriastable.com
books. And make sure to tell me what your favorite
recipe.
Candace (21:40):
Hey, y'all, it's Candace the spice slinger. Here
is your food. Bland, unseasoned.
Let's spice it up with seasonings from foodlove talk.
Catch me
online@foodlovetalk.com.
be seasoned, y'all.
I want to know, what are some of the
issues that are really
important for black men to pay attention
(22:03):
to right now?
Speaker D (22:05):
Yeah. So my answer
now is different than what it would have been if you asked me this question
yesterday. And it's only because I saw this
morning, I was listening to Ricky Smiley, and he was talking
about healthcare. And this election,
a lot is talking about healthcare, but from the
woman perspective. And I have never
(22:25):
looked at healthcare as an issue,
being one of the issues that I would be into the
weeds talking about from a male perspective.
But
basically, one in six black men have
a chance of having prostate cancer in their
life.
Candace (22:44):
Wow.
Speaker D (22:45):
What the healthcare system has
promoted or is advocating for is to
take the prostate, um, exam
out of being the
things that's done unless it's asked for.
So I go ask for
the prostate, uh, exam, but it's not going to
necessarily be given to me. And
(23:07):
for me, that sends another level
of, uh,
uh, scare for me, because
black men are the
leading
prostate cancer patients. But
now, if a black man has opportunity to
get out of a prostate exam, they will. And this
(23:28):
now puts this on the table as.
As something that they will not.
Tanorria (23:35):
Have.
Speaker D (23:35):
Um, done as a. As a. As a part of
a normal health exam.
You pair that with
the prison, prison,
incarceration. And you pair that with,
um, just the health. Gun violence
and just other health concerns.
That is how they're going to
(23:58):
eradicate and or reduce the population size
that are black men. That right there
from prostate cancer, already
incarceration, already gun violence. You take
those three things, it makes it
incredibly hard for a black man to survive.
Um, and so now I'm
(24:18):
at the very forefront of, um, um, now
researching from the male healthcare
perspective, but how many other things like that are
happening? And while we caught up in all
the wrong things, they are
intentionally using a scaffold to cut and cut and
cut. And we caught up on
who went live yesterday, or
(24:40):
what's the latest with Diddy? Like, we caught up on that,
and they are going crazy in the
background, and
we're. It's, uh, all that's on the line in this
election.
Tanorria (24:51):
Yeah, it is hard enough to get black
men into the doctor's office for regular checkups.
There has to be a problem, right. And even when there's
a problem with excruciating pain, they will
still avoid it if they can.
Candace (25:05):
Mhm. Mhm.
Tanorria (25:07):
And to give them the option to avoid one of
the most uncomfortable exams.
Candace (25:11):
Out there, but necessary. I
wish delicious. Could have seen my face when Alex said that. Like,
instant red flag. Instant red flag.
Tanorria (25:20):
Oh, my. That is brand new information to me.
Candace (25:23):
Holy. Didn't know that either. That's scary. That's
scary.
Tanorria (25:27):
Wow.
Candace (25:27):
Wow. I mean, as if we didn't have so many
other issues that we're thinking about. You just added that
one. That's top of my list right now. I've
got my grandfather had prostate cancer
and absolutely, um, beat it. And
so. But again, early detection is key. And like, I know
several. I know several black men who have been able to beat it.
(25:47):
And, you know, but not having that detection, I
mean, it's just like how we. We talk about breast cancer, right?
Early detection is key, but if you're going to just
automatically take it off of, um, the docket,
that should be a part of every physical for every man over the age
of 30. Yes. It should just automatic,
automatically happen.
Tanorria (26:06):
My uncle is going through treatments right now.
Candace (26:10):
Yeah.
Tanorria (26:11):
And the fact that he even cared, like, I was
honestly, not only was I surprised that he had it,
but I was like, oh, wait, he goes to the doctor, too.
Okay, good. Like, it had to sink in that,
like, I'm so grateful that
he went and got checked. Wow.
Candace (26:27):
Wow. Thank you for calling that out, Alex, because we
wouldn't have known.
Speaker D (26:31):
Yeah, it's real.
Tanorria (26:33):
There are, um.
I don't know if handful is the right description, but that's
what I'm going to use for lack of better words, because I don't
know the facts or the details of this, but there
are a handful of black men
who, um, are choosing
to look at issues a completely different
(26:53):
way. And
either because of
a particular candidate being a woman,
or because I've heard,
because, um, a particular candidate, which
this is. I know this is not true, gave them a stimulus,
although that candidate did not, um,
(27:17):
that their votes are leaning
one way to another. How do we reach those
people to help them have
a better educated
vote?
Speaker D (27:33):
Yeah.
Um, in
my conversations, you know, it's, uh,
with people specifically on this,
it's calling it out. Number one.
Um, you know, on one hand, I'm
go back to the, uh, incarceration piece.
Don't celebrate what Meek Mill has
(27:55):
been advocating for in Pennsylvania, for
probation reform and all of that.
That wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Commonwealth.
She has literally laid the groundwork for every
state in the country to do exactly what
Pennsylvania did.
Tanorria (28:11):
Mhm.
Speaker D (28:12):
She did all of that through her, um,
lens in the attorney general's office.
Tanorria (28:17):
Right, right.
Speaker D (28:18):
And so that's
one, but then two. Um, if
you're skeptical of the presidential race, also, look at
it this way. When Kamala wins,
and she will win, she's gonna bring Congress right there with
her. We're gonna have a black male speaker of the House,
breaking history, leading all policy that
(28:39):
comes before Congress. First time in history.
And this is a Hakeem Jefferies
literally quotes biggie on the House floor.
Like, you can't get
more culture in the seat of power.
Um, and I just. We getting
caught up in all this what if. And I know there's attempts from,
(29:01):
um, you know, outside entities from the United
States who want to see black men go down this rabbit
hole. But all the
luxuries and the life that we all
live right now would not happen if it wasn't through
fighting and advocating for not
only our right to vote, but
(29:21):
for just moving beyond three fifths
of a person and
to willingly lay that all down
because of one's
gender or because who they may be married to.
That's insane. Um,
and it really is
problematic. And I don't want to use the
(29:43):
term uneducated, but it's just
a focus is on the wrong things right now in this
moment. And I
understand, uh, there are black
men out there who also see, um,
immigration and all things happening
that, okay, everybody else is getting something but me.
(30:05):
It also goes off to offer the data. If
black men are only showing up, uh, once every four years,
twice every eight, does it
really make sense for a lot of energy to be focused in on
a black male
as a voting block? And so
it has to move beyond where we are right
(30:25):
now. But, you know,
it only happens once you active and engage. You
can't just vote and then sit back, you know.
I know, uh, especially there are males out there
that hate the child support system in Indiana. But
guess what? If you're not talking to anybody about those issues, who
have the opportunity to address it, then
(30:46):
you just venting on Facebook, which might as well just
be talking to yourself.
Candace (30:51):
Mhm.
Speaker D (30:52):
These are issues that have to be
addressed, should be addressed. But if you're not
talking about it, not showing up to
NAACP, whatever, local
neighborhood, if you're not bringing that
up, then the issue's going
to be looked over. Um,
yeah, m, I probably been talking too long on that.
Tanorria (31:14):
No, this is great because I think
oftentimes, I think Candace and I have both said it in
some capacity where if you don't
vote, then you don't get to complain, but you're taking it
a step further and you're saying if you only
vote and then sit back, you don't get to
complain. And that is quality.
Candace (31:35):
Mhm.
Tanorria (31:35):
I think that is what, um,
is. That is what can help maintain
momentum to make sure that Kamala does
win is to say, don't just vote and sit
back. You need to get out and vote. You need to be
prepared to vote. Um, and then
after you vote, then what are we going
to do to ensure that she is able to do
(31:57):
her job at the best ability that she can?
Candace (32:01):
Uh, and alongside that,
it's also being
able to lend an ear for
the younger generation and a hand for them and
to show them that voting is important.
My daughter's ten and she has not missed an election.
Uh, she has, uh, voted with me in every single election
(32:22):
that I voted in and I haven't missed one. I haven't missed an election since I
was 18 and. But she knows.
She's like, we're going to vote. Like, she's been asking me all day, when are we going again?
Okay, when? What's the countdown? Like? She knows because we
early vote, we go in, she gets her sticker.
She, like, one year she was like, I'm just going to write meemal in because I don't want you
to vote for Donald Trump. I was like, of course we're not. But, like,
(32:42):
kids know. You know, like, kids know. So, like, making sure that you're
sharing, like, why the electoral process is so
important and vital. It really, it really is
important. And again, you can vote, but if you're just going to
vote and just still complain, but not actually make steps to make
change. You doing?
Tanorria (32:58):
Yeah.
Candace (32:59):
What are you doing? This has been good.
Tanorria (33:01):
That is great.
Candace (33:03):
This is real good. So, Alex,
we have two more questions for you, and then we will, um, give
you back to the community because we know you're a busy man.
Um, one of my last questions is,
what do you want? Um, our
listeners, we've got several listeners in Evansville. What do you
want them to know about you
(33:23):
and your run and how you are
looking to help and build back up
Evansville?
Speaker D (33:29):
Yeah. So, so, so now,
looking at things from a, from a state's perspective,
it's not just about Evansville no more. It's it's
Evansville, it's Indianapolis, it's Gary, it's Fort Wayne,
it's south Bend. And the
crazy thing is, we're all dealing with the very
similar issues. Food access, gun
violence, youth, um, streets,
(33:52):
all those things. We all dealing with that right now. And
so to lend voice to that and now be more of a
block, um,
to addressing the issues, um, that's
what I'm looking to bring to the table. Uh,
we got to do something. We got to do something here. And, I
mean, I don't know if that's going city to city, block by
(34:13):
block. Like, look, just having a conversation. I don't
mind. Um, so I'm really looking forward to doing the
work. And I also know that there are a lot of issues facing
Indiana, so it's not going to be something that,
um, you know, happens overnight, but
I'm committed to it, and I'm like, I'm not going
nowhere. I, uh, don't plan on leaving state legislature no
time soon, so I'm in for.
Candace (34:37):
That's good. Thank you for that.
Tanorria (34:41):
Um, I have one additional
question outside of our very last question, just because I want
people to know,
um, Councilman Burton, on a little bit more
personal level, because I think that matters.
Um, your job is not easy,
and you have a family
(35:02):
and a life outside
of doing your job, what do you
do to care for yourself? And another reason why
I'm asking this question is because oftentimes, black men
can't answer this question.
Speaker D (35:17):
That's great. So before COVID I wouldn't have been able to answer that
question.
Candace (35:22):
Wow.
Speaker D (35:22):
But now PlayStation five.
Tanorria (35:26):
Have you met my husband?
Speaker D (35:30):
I bought an Xbox one. So I was working
for the school system at the time. They said, hey,
um, we're going on spring break, and we're probably not
going to come back. So I said, I bet.
Okay, let me go grab this fifth of Henny. Let me go
grab an Xbox. Madden. And I think I grabbed,
like, a pizza or something. I was like, I'm at the crib, I'm
(35:50):
chilling. Uh,
and me, plus, me getting that
Xbox really started me, like, having
self care. Like, they didn't involve
me doing anything else. Just,
I can focus, play online, do what I want.
This is my moment. Um, and so
now it's a PlayStation five. And I
(36:13):
played college, NCAA, uh, college
football, and that is my
getaway.
Candace (36:19):
I love it.
Tanorria (36:20):
Yep.
Candace (36:21):
You deserve.
Tanorria (36:22):
Yeah. My husband's the same way. It took
me letting go of my abandonment issues to
understand that that was his self care. Because I'm like, you're playing the
game, you're not talking to me. And my therapist was like, girl, sit
down. We're in a good place
now. But yes, I understand
the need for PlayStation five specifically.
In a man's life, it's almost like you get to become someone
(36:45):
you're not in a good way. It's like a
fantasy, creative way. So,
uh, we celebrate that for you.
Candace (36:53):
I love it. Yeah, I love that.
Well, Alex, this is our last
question. We ask it of every guest because
we do talk about the hard things on black girls eating.
We want to know what would you
tell six year old Alex today?
Speaker D (37:12):
Six year old Alex?
Um, I would
say it's
all right to be yourself.
Candace (37:23):
M yeah,
uh.
Speaker D (37:27):
M now. All right,
now. So I 100% was
thinking that I was at least going to be asked what
my favorite meal was.
Tanorria (37:37):
Uh, or we
get that a lot.
Speaker D (37:41):
Meal I was going to eat. I was
expecting that.
Tanorria (37:45):
We get that a lot. We get. Why didn't you ask a food
question? Or why aren't you eating on the
podcast? If you want an ASMR
podcast, go listen to something different. Yeah.
Candace (37:57):
Yeah.
Tanorria (37:58):
Um, you know, Candace and I
are united and we have a
sisterhood through food. But
as black women being so
multidimensional and recognizing that and
celebrating that between each other, our
platform just goes beyond food.
Candace (38:17):
Yeah, I mean. I mean, and we talked about food in a
roundabout way today because you brought up the issue of food justice, which
is absolutely near and dear to my heart. It's part of my
life's work. So, um, yeah, we talk
about food in a roundabout way here. On black girls dating. We give you soul
food first. Right? We give you soul food
first.
Tanorria (38:35):
Yeah.
Candace (38:36):
Well, you guys, we're just so thankful that Alex took
time out of his busy schedule to talk to Black Rose. Ed, we, um,
wanted to make sure that we gave you a black male perspective
here. Um, but also that you can know what the issues
are surrounding our state and our country
and our world. Y'all give some major
love to Alex. We'll drop all of his information in the show notes where you
(38:56):
can find him and support him and get some more information. You
know, we're going to tell you where to register to vote. As
always, um, make sure these. You only got a few more days before
the deadline is up. Get registered to vote. So
definitely do that. So thank you, Alex. We really appreciate
you. No problem.
Speaker D (39:12):
Thank you for having me. I enjoyed it.
Candace (39:14):
All right, guys, bye
bye.
Black girls eating. The podcast is
sound engineered and produced by David McKissick.
It's recorded at Nexus Impact
Center Creative suite.
Follow black girls eating the podcast on Instagram
at girlseating. Follow sonoria at
(39:35):
Tanoria's table. Follow
candaceoodlovetalk thank you for listening.
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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.