Jesus Hakeem Christ

It's Speed Dial's first annual Christmas episode! There are two kinds of Christmases in America, and this week Ira and Doreen investigate them both. Celebrated by black people and a select group of discerning others, Black Christmas is a joyous occasion, which usually ends with family members, full of collards, lounging happily on a couch. First, a rundown of the iconic Black Christmas film canon: we're talking A Diva's Christmas Carol, The Best Man Holiday, The Preacher's Wife. Next, the music, both the corny (Chris Brown) and the sublime (Nat King Cole, Donny Hathaway and of course, Mariah Carey). Because Speed Dial is an equal opportunity podcast, your hosts also try to understand White Christmas. This holiday, as its defenders like Megyn Kelly and Bill O'Reilly show, is a very angry time, one where people feel that there traditions are threatened. Ira and Doreen attempt to understand the rage of their fellow Americans. That is, of course, the spirit of Black Christmas.  Call in to “Feedback,” Speed Dial’s advice hotline! Have a question you want Ira and Doreen to answer? Leave them a voicemail at 424-354-9335.