1 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,440 Speaker 1: Good morning, peep Sin. Welcome to Bokay, a daily with 2 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:19,000 Speaker 1: Meet your Girl Danielle Moody recording from the home Bunker, Folks, 3 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:27,000 Speaker 1: I cannot express on this good, good Friday, what a 4 00:00:27,120 --> 00:00:32,480 Speaker 1: fantastic fucking week America has had. And I say that 5 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:36,760 Speaker 1: knowing that there are too many times when I come 6 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:40,800 Speaker 1: on air where it is to share yet another disappointment, 7 00:00:40,880 --> 00:00:48,080 Speaker 1: another devastation and try to muster the strength to provide 8 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:52,159 Speaker 1: you with some level of hopefulness. But on this good Friday, 9 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: waking up to the news that Britney Griner is free, 10 00:00:58,000 --> 00:01:02,440 Speaker 1: that after ten months in Russia in captivity, after being 11 00:01:02,480 --> 00:01:08,040 Speaker 1: sentenced to nine years for empty vape cartridges found in 12 00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:13,000 Speaker 1: her suitcase as she was working in Russia, because we 13 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 1: don't pay female athletes anything on par with male athletes 14 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:20,240 Speaker 1: in this country, let alone just you know, women in general, 15 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:24,120 Speaker 1: that required her to be in Russia on the offseason, 16 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:30,319 Speaker 1: is finally released. President Biden. The Biden administration had been 17 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:34,119 Speaker 1: working behind the scenes, as we know, to negotiate an 18 00:01:34,160 --> 00:01:37,440 Speaker 1: exchange and it was a one on one exchange with 19 00:01:37,560 --> 00:01:42,479 Speaker 1: a notorious arms dealer that had been in prison convicted 20 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:45,559 Speaker 1: in New York and it was serving out a twelve 21 00:01:45,640 --> 00:01:49,160 Speaker 1: year prison sentence to be released in twenty twenty eight 22 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:54,640 Speaker 1: has been swapped for Brittany Griner. Now, folks, do not 23 00:01:54,760 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 1: trouble yourselves with the bullshit that is going to be 24 00:01:57,560 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: coming out and that has already started spewing out from 25 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: the right about how this was a terrible decision on 26 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 1: Biden's part. And yes, of course, because we don't get 27 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:08,679 Speaker 1: they don't give a fuck about black people, they don't 28 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:11,200 Speaker 1: give a fuck about queer people, and they just want 29 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: to uphold Putin, you know, as their savior. Do not 30 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 1: let that news take away from what an incredible story 31 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:25,480 Speaker 1: this is. Now we have no idea what kind of 32 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:29,600 Speaker 1: condition Brittany Grinder is in, but we do know that 33 00:02:29,639 --> 00:02:34,320 Speaker 1: her healing process can begin now that she is finally 34 00:02:34,360 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 1: on her way home to her wife, to her family, 35 00:02:36,919 --> 00:02:41,720 Speaker 1: to her friends, to her teammates, to her community. This 36 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:47,080 Speaker 1: comes on top of Georgia once again showing up and 37 00:02:47,280 --> 00:02:50,960 Speaker 1: showing out and denying white supremacy in the face of 38 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:53,960 Speaker 1: voters suppression, in the face of all that is evil 39 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:58,399 Speaker 1: that was propping up herschel Walker, the most unqualified man 40 00:02:58,480 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 1: to do mostly anything, but damn sure unqualified to be 41 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:06,080 Speaker 1: a Senator of the United States. Defeating him at the 42 00:03:06,200 --> 00:03:14,600 Speaker 1: ballot and electing Reverend Warnock for a six year term 43 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:18,600 Speaker 1: as a US Senator. To be the first black man 44 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:23,640 Speaker 1: elected in Georgia for a six year term is nothing 45 00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 1: short of herkey Land, and so I tweeted this earlier today. 46 00:03:28,840 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 1: It is not often that we get to celebrate victories 47 00:03:31,880 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 1: these days. It feels like we are always hanging on 48 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: by a thread. And so when victories do find themselves 49 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:43,880 Speaker 1: at our doorstep, folks, embrace them, embody them, celebrate them, 50 00:03:44,120 --> 00:03:47,960 Speaker 1: uplift them, and hold them close to your heart, because 51 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:51,480 Speaker 1: we will need that as energy to keep going, to 52 00:03:51,600 --> 00:03:57,000 Speaker 1: keep fighting, to keep persevering. This was an incredible week 53 00:03:57,040 --> 00:04:00,600 Speaker 1: for democracy, an incredible week for justice, and an incredible 54 00:04:00,640 --> 00:04:03,640 Speaker 1: week for freedom. And I can think of no one 55 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: better to join me in conversation with regard to how 56 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:11,800 Speaker 1: we are closing out this midterm election and how we 57 00:04:11,880 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: are closing out this horrific traumatic experience for Britney Griner. 58 00:04:16,480 --> 00:04:19,680 Speaker 1: Then my friend the host of Make It Plane, the 59 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 1: Reverend Mark Thompson, that conversation is coming up next. Folks. 60 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,919 Speaker 1: You know, for the entire year we have been doing 61 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 1: a countdown to the midterm elections with our good good 62 00:04:35,480 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 1: friend the Reverend Mark Thompson, host of Make It Plane, 63 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 1: and you know we were able to talk. Mark, I 64 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,159 Speaker 1: believe it was the day, the day of the final 65 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 1: day to vote for midterm elections. Now the results are in, 66 00:04:51,279 --> 00:04:55,040 Speaker 1: and not only are the results in general of where 67 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,040 Speaker 1: we stand as Democrats in both the House and the Senate, 68 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:02,600 Speaker 1: but we have just completed what feels like Georgia's seventeen 69 00:05:02,760 --> 00:05:07,440 Speaker 1: thousandth election that it has had over the course of 70 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 1: this year. So I just want to get your initial 71 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 1: thoughts on, you know, based on all of our conversations 72 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:17,239 Speaker 1: that we have had, how you think things have turned 73 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:20,160 Speaker 1: out and how you feel about it. Well, first of all, 74 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:22,800 Speaker 1: as always a pleasure to be here with you. And yes, 75 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: first you have to congratulate Georgia voters for once again 76 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:34,560 Speaker 1: black voters in the South and some white voters even 77 00:05:35,040 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: for saving America. I went over the course of the 78 00:05:41,839 --> 00:05:47,120 Speaker 1: past weeks and several days in Georgia canvassing with black 79 00:05:47,200 --> 00:05:51,240 Speaker 1: voters matter, and I felt as though I had to 80 00:05:51,279 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 1: do it. My conscience would not allow me to sit 81 00:06:00,520 --> 00:06:03,719 Speaker 1: idly by with the risk of my people waking up 82 00:06:03,760 --> 00:06:06,159 Speaker 1: Wednesday morning and herschel Walker being in the Senate, I 83 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:08,359 Speaker 1: just could not live with myself. So I had to 84 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 1: do something, as others did. As a matter of fact, 85 00:06:12,560 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 1: my contribution to what Black Voters Matter had already been 86 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: doing in Georgia was just a drop in the ocean. 87 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:24,360 Speaker 1: But I was thankful that they allowed me to participate 88 00:06:24,440 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 1: with them and go out and meet voters and talk 89 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 1: to people and encourage people to get out to vote. Now, 90 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:38,839 Speaker 1: to be clear, we operated under nonpartisan auspices. But when 91 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:42,400 Speaker 1: you get people to vote, when you save the people, 92 00:06:42,880 --> 00:06:48,640 Speaker 1: this is your sacred, blood stained obligation to do this. 93 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:54,679 Speaker 1: They tend to vote the right way. One woman, even 94 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 1: on Tuesday we engaged. She kept asking me, well, who 95 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:00,599 Speaker 1: do you want me to vote for. I can't really 96 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,440 Speaker 1: tell you that in this capacity, but I don't know 97 00:07:03,440 --> 00:07:06,160 Speaker 1: who to vote for. I said, we'll just vote, and 98 00:07:06,200 --> 00:07:07,720 Speaker 1: then I said, you don't know who to vote for? 99 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 1: And then she looked at me and she says, well, 100 00:07:11,720 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: I know who I don't want to vote for. I said, well, 101 00:07:13,440 --> 00:07:15,160 Speaker 1: then you need to act on that. You need to vote. 102 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: The fact of the matter is, and I don't think 103 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 1: we say this enough, So I'm going to say it 104 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 1: as much as I can, Ladies and gentlemen, when one 105 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 1: doesn't vote, you are still voting because you're helping the 106 00:07:31,520 --> 00:07:36,239 Speaker 1: person whom you might not want to see in office 107 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:40,080 Speaker 1: get in office, because you haven't cast your vote for 108 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: the other person, the right person, the person you've chosen. 109 00:07:44,040 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 1: So when that young woman said to me, I don't 110 00:07:47,000 --> 00:07:48,520 Speaker 1: know who to vote for, but she knew who she 111 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 1: didn't want to vote for, That's when I explained to 112 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 1: her how important it is to vote. And I've been 113 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:59,360 Speaker 1: saying that to everyone. When you don't vote, you are 114 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:06,760 Speaker 1: actually really voting. When people don't vote for Joe Biden 115 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 1: and they just assume he's gonna win, you're casting a 116 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 1: vote for Trump. Objectively, those of us who represent the 117 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 1: progressive community, whom also intersectionally represent what doctor King called 118 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:28,320 Speaker 1: the beloved community before he died, the the the assignment, 119 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 1: the moniker, the designation that got him killed. We are 120 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 1: in the majority in America, African Americans and Latinos, all 121 00:08:37,920 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: people of color, Indigenous people, lgbt qia, the working class, 122 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:48,720 Speaker 1: youth women. Obviously, we are in the majority voter. So 123 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:53,439 Speaker 1: if we all vote, then we win. When we don't vote, 124 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 1: we don't and those non votes go to the benefit 125 00:08:56,080 --> 00:09:00,840 Speaker 1: of other people. So I was thankful to be a 126 00:09:00,840 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 1: part of that. It was exhilarating, although in exhaustive experience, 127 00:09:04,640 --> 00:09:06,400 Speaker 1: I still have not caught up on sleep. I was 128 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:08,880 Speaker 1: on a zoom when I got back home, flew flew 129 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 1: back in the six am flight Wednesday morning. By four 130 00:09:12,040 --> 00:09:15,280 Speaker 1: o'clock Wednesday afternoon, I'm on a zoom and I literally 131 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 1: fell asleep on a zoom and everybody felt so sorry 132 00:09:17,800 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 1: for me. They just left me on his zoom. See 133 00:09:20,280 --> 00:09:22,319 Speaker 1: I'm not literally crashed out in the zoom all the 134 00:09:22,360 --> 00:09:24,640 Speaker 1: way back like this in the chair, just gone, and 135 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:27,199 Speaker 1: everybody just you know, prayed over me and they understood, 136 00:09:27,200 --> 00:09:31,720 Speaker 1: and I had everybody's forgiveness later in today. But this 137 00:09:31,880 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 1: was important, and you're right, seventeen thousand times to be specific, 138 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:41,480 Speaker 1: people had to vote five times in two years for 139 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:46,760 Speaker 1: Raphael Warnock. Georgians are thankful they get to exhale from 140 00:09:46,840 --> 00:09:50,840 Speaker 1: voting every year for something. They get a little break now, 141 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 1: thank goodness, and they've earned it. But but God bless Georgia, 142 00:09:56,040 --> 00:09:57,920 Speaker 1: God bless all the voters, and God bless all of 143 00:09:57,960 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 1: you who contacted your friends and family and Georgia and 144 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:03,360 Speaker 1: got them to get out to vote. You know, I 145 00:10:03,480 --> 00:10:09,560 Speaker 1: have to tell you that I had uh Latasha James 146 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:17,080 Speaker 1: on another show, um to to talk about the vote, 147 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:19,600 Speaker 1: to talk about the energy on the ground. And that's 148 00:10:19,679 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 1: kind of what I want to talk about because I 149 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:25,000 Speaker 1: think that we take for granted those of us who 150 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:28,400 Speaker 1: live in quote unquote blue States, those of us who 151 00:10:28,520 --> 00:10:33,079 Speaker 1: live um in you know, in kind of democratic le 152 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:38,240 Speaker 1: protected or so we think, protected areas and regions of 153 00:10:38,240 --> 00:10:42,720 Speaker 1: the country. We take for granted the exhaustion right to 154 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: your point about this, about the zoom, the exhaustion that 155 00:10:48,160 --> 00:10:51,559 Speaker 1: people of Georgia have faced over the last five years, 156 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:54,920 Speaker 1: and how the policies have been in put in place 157 00:10:55,080 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: purposefully to exhaust the voters. And I just wanted you 158 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:03,920 Speaker 1: to be able to, you know, share a little bit 159 00:11:03,960 --> 00:11:08,000 Speaker 1: more about what you heard from people on the ground, 160 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:14,920 Speaker 1: about the things, the ways that they have been you know, targeted, right, Like, 161 00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,560 Speaker 1: I can't imagine what it must have been like to 162 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:22,240 Speaker 1: watch television in Georgia for the last like for the 163 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:27,280 Speaker 1: last five years. I mean, this senatorial race, I believe 164 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:31,000 Speaker 1: was historic in the amount of money that was spent 165 00:11:32,440 --> 00:11:36,840 Speaker 1: on advertising on targeting the people of Georgia. So I 166 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:39,959 Speaker 1: just want to get a sense from you Mark about 167 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: you know, the energy of the people there, right, the 168 00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:49,199 Speaker 1: resolve and the perseverance of the people of Georgia when 169 00:11:49,280 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 1: they are inundated with vote of suppression, when they continue 170 00:11:52,880 --> 00:12:00,000 Speaker 1: to be taxed year after year. Well, I was there 171 00:12:00,040 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 1: weekend and watching TV was not a pleasant experience, So 172 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:08,840 Speaker 1: there is an inundation. Although I do think Ralphael Warnock 173 00:12:08,920 --> 00:12:13,280 Speaker 1: had the most effective commercials. Oh yes, I mean they 174 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:17,080 Speaker 1: were clear, they were cutting people of all racest talking 175 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:20,800 Speaker 1: about what was important in the election, and I think 176 00:12:20,800 --> 00:12:24,520 Speaker 1: that helped him. I mean it. Georgia showed out again 177 00:12:24,640 --> 00:12:31,840 Speaker 1: even on Tuesday in very respectable numbers. You talked about, 178 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:37,400 Speaker 1: you know, the fatigue. I've never really bought into fatigue 179 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:41,120 Speaker 1: and politics, but I have now because of Georgia. I mean, 180 00:12:41,400 --> 00:12:44,080 Speaker 1: you know, and people imber with two people we talk 181 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:49,000 Speaker 1: about Clinton fatigue. Wow, I mean it's a blessing. People 182 00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:50,920 Speaker 1: didn't get Warnock fatigue having to go out and do 183 00:12:51,000 --> 00:12:55,240 Speaker 1: this all the time every year for the past five years, 184 00:12:55,240 --> 00:12:58,360 Speaker 1: practically for the past two years. Five times in the 185 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:02,680 Speaker 1: past two years. I should say so, But I think 186 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:06,280 Speaker 1: the commercials got over on people. I think that now 187 00:13:06,320 --> 00:13:10,000 Speaker 1: it's time for Georgia. So these need need to be 188 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:12,600 Speaker 1: the next commercials. Now it's time for Georgia to get 189 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:18,200 Speaker 1: rid of this primary system. It no longer serves the 190 00:13:18,360 --> 00:13:22,480 Speaker 1: purpose that the white supremacists who set it up wanted 191 00:13:22,520 --> 00:13:25,360 Speaker 1: it to serve, because we are now empowered to vote. 192 00:13:25,360 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 1: It was originally meant to dilute our voting power, but 193 00:13:29,400 --> 00:13:33,679 Speaker 1: now that we've shown the discipline that we have, it's 194 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:36,760 Speaker 1: made a difference. A matter of fact, Republicans are so stupid. 195 00:13:37,679 --> 00:13:44,320 Speaker 1: If the if there had been no runoff in the 196 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 1: first election with us Off, then us Off would not 197 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:56,439 Speaker 1: be in the Senate and the Republicans would have a majority, 198 00:13:57,720 --> 00:14:01,240 Speaker 1: see because he lost it anyone to run. Yeah, but 199 00:14:01,320 --> 00:14:04,760 Speaker 1: they're so stupid they set themselves up for that failure. 200 00:14:05,200 --> 00:14:08,040 Speaker 1: So so again, these are decisions. They make all decisions. 201 00:14:08,040 --> 00:14:11,160 Speaker 1: They may end up causing losses for them, So maybe 202 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 1: we shouldn't complain. Um, we beat back the red wave, 203 00:14:15,760 --> 00:14:21,000 Speaker 1: the so called tsunonymy tsunami, the tsunami, let forgive me 204 00:14:21,040 --> 00:14:26,520 Speaker 1: for and that never happening. So you know, I think 205 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:32,080 Speaker 1: that this is this is a turning point and a 206 00:14:32,120 --> 00:14:34,680 Speaker 1: major one. And let me just also say this, if 207 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:36,600 Speaker 1: I could Danielle and feel free coming out because I 208 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,800 Speaker 1: know I'm talking too much, um um, but I don't 209 00:14:39,800 --> 00:14:42,080 Speaker 1: get talking my own show. So when i'm against I 210 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:43,720 Speaker 1: try to. You know what I'm saying. When you talk, 211 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 1: when you're host, you don't talk. You guests talk. So 212 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:47,880 Speaker 1: I'm a guest. I get talked. I'm saying stuff, do 213 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 1: you I don't even get time to say on my 214 00:14:49,320 --> 00:14:55,880 Speaker 1: own show. Um in. This is the week, the week 215 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 1: of the runoff was the week of the anniversion of 216 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: my gummy best boy Cat. When was the last time 217 00:15:02,840 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 1: we as a people, or any people in America was 218 00:15:05,920 --> 00:15:08,640 Speaker 1: so disciplined as they were in nineteen fifty five to 219 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 1: not take the buses for over a year and walk 220 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:16,080 Speaker 1: to work. Who Who's going to do that today? What? What? 221 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:20,160 Speaker 1: What Americans are gonna do something like that? So selfless 222 00:15:20,160 --> 00:15:23,600 Speaker 1: and self sacrificing for the good of all today, that's 223 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 1: a lot to walk to work every day for three days. 224 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:33,200 Speaker 1: So to put it in a relative context, going back 225 00:15:33,200 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 1: out and voting in numbers like this five times to 226 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,920 Speaker 1: ensure that crazy people aren't seated in the Senate, especially 227 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:48,000 Speaker 1: herschel Walker. It to me is reminiscent of the discipline 228 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 1: it took. It's not quite the same, but I think 229 00:15:50,440 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 1: in the same objective context, it is folking going to 230 00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:55,360 Speaker 1: walk to work every day for over a year now. People, 231 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:57,800 Speaker 1: we're not made like that anymore. People aren't built that way. 232 00:15:57,800 --> 00:15:59,800 Speaker 1: We aren't built for that. But if we can go 233 00:15:59,800 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 1: out out in all these consecutive times to vote, then 234 00:16:06,400 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 1: that's that's an important thing. And frankly, everyone will say 235 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 1: that Jesus suffered and Dad, so we don't have to. 236 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:17,080 Speaker 1: Those who who suffered during the Montgomery bus boycott, those 237 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 1: who died in Selma did so that so we wouldn't 238 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:22,400 Speaker 1: have to. So the least we can do is do 239 00:16:22,440 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 1: what we did and vote as we did in Georgia 240 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:32,000 Speaker 1: during the runoff. Yeah, I mean amen to that in 241 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:35,000 Speaker 1: so many different ways, because when people say, you know 242 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,800 Speaker 1: that I don't vote, or one side is just as 243 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: bad as the other, you know, I get a sick 244 00:16:41,160 --> 00:16:47,160 Speaker 1: pit in my stomach because I do believe right, and 245 00:16:47,280 --> 00:16:50,880 Speaker 1: remember every time I vote, who died so that I 246 00:16:50,920 --> 00:16:55,040 Speaker 1: could be able to press that button, right like I 247 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:57,760 Speaker 1: I think about that all the time, And that is 248 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 1: you know, that that's the problem with teaching history, right, 249 00:17:02,000 --> 00:17:07,400 Speaker 1: with not reminding, having constant reminders, having constant anniversaries that 250 00:17:07,480 --> 00:17:10,399 Speaker 1: lift up the people who did sacrifice their own lives 251 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 1: so that yours could be better. So I appreciate you 252 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:16,640 Speaker 1: Mark for lifting that up. The last thing I want 253 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:22,240 Speaker 1: to say on Georgia is herschel Walker was an embarrassment, 254 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:29,640 Speaker 1: was an embarrassment of a candidate, was an embarrassment of 255 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:34,639 Speaker 1: so many different things. And I just wanted to ask 256 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:41,080 Speaker 1: you if you think at all at all if Republicans 257 00:17:41,119 --> 00:17:47,840 Speaker 1: will learn anything from trying to prop up literally prop 258 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:50,560 Speaker 1: up this man because he went on he by himself, 259 00:17:50,920 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 1: always had his white handlers with him. If they will 260 00:17:54,560 --> 00:17:59,920 Speaker 1: have learned anything from this loss and the kind of 261 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:08,320 Speaker 1: candidates that they should be running moving forward. Well, see, 262 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:11,880 Speaker 1: even when they lose, they win because I think they 263 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:17,919 Speaker 1: actually get off on demoralizing us and putting people like 264 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,879 Speaker 1: that up, so to some extent, you know, they still 265 00:18:20,920 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 1: got something out of that. They are probably more interested 266 00:18:26,600 --> 00:18:28,320 Speaker 1: at this point because they know it's going to be 267 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:30,879 Speaker 1: challenging and continue to win elections with the changing demographics 268 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:35,480 Speaker 1: in this country, So they're still interested in demoralization and 269 00:18:35,720 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 1: cultural attack and the preservation of white supremacy. So they 270 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:44,600 Speaker 1: still got something out of that. They got a black 271 00:18:44,680 --> 00:18:49,800 Speaker 1: man to say out loud, he doesn't mind being called 272 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:52,720 Speaker 1: a coon. Now, I had some white friends call me 273 00:18:53,440 --> 00:18:56,919 Speaker 1: and so, man, we don't know what to say. This 274 00:18:57,080 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 1: is just saying, you know, we don't want to speak 275 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:01,840 Speaker 1: out about I'm saying you're just said on man, I'm 276 00:19:01,880 --> 00:19:05,480 Speaker 1: giving all white folks permission. Then whenever you see somebody 277 00:19:05,520 --> 00:19:08,880 Speaker 1: call themselves a coon, you have permission to call them out. 278 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:10,600 Speaker 1: You know what I say, it's one of my friends. 279 00:19:10,760 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 1: What do you mean you don't know what to say? 280 00:19:11,840 --> 00:19:13,919 Speaker 1: You know what that is. You know what a coon is, 281 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:15,920 Speaker 1: and how disgraceful that is? Say it, say something about 282 00:19:15,920 --> 00:19:19,320 Speaker 1: it called out? Well, I don't know because I'm not black. No, no, no, 283 00:19:19,359 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 1: you don't have to be black to say that an 284 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:25,480 Speaker 1: African American referring to himself and embracing himself as a 285 00:19:25,560 --> 00:19:31,880 Speaker 1: coon is a setback and and something wrong there. Yeah, 286 00:19:31,920 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 1: so you want to debate. You wanted to call me 287 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:37,239 Speaker 1: and ask my permission. You know we're not Hey, let 288 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 1: me say this carefully. Were not like other folks who 289 00:19:40,440 --> 00:19:44,119 Speaker 1: don't allow others to speak about our experience. Hello, I 290 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:46,680 Speaker 1: think you know y'all get that later, h and when 291 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:51,960 Speaker 1: they're no consequences for its standing with us, in solidarity 292 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:54,800 Speaker 1: with us to say, you don't need to call somebody 293 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:56,439 Speaker 1: a coon, or you don't need to refer yourself as 294 00:19:56,480 --> 00:20:03,760 Speaker 1: a coon. So I don't know that they learn anything, Danielle. 295 00:20:04,880 --> 00:20:09,480 Speaker 1: There's there's a sickness that they still get off on 296 00:20:10,040 --> 00:20:13,320 Speaker 1: saying these things, doing these things, projecting these and having 297 00:20:13,400 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: him running around and saying those types of things. I 298 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:18,159 Speaker 1: don't they they're not. I don't think for one minute 299 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:21,920 Speaker 1: they're finished. They may ultimately be finished politically, they may 300 00:20:22,000 --> 00:20:24,280 Speaker 1: ultimately and they may know that, I mean sooner later 301 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:26,160 Speaker 1: numbers are gonna bear that out. There is no way 302 00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:28,679 Speaker 1: that this is going to continue. So let you know 303 00:20:28,720 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 1: they're gonna you know, grasp, you know, hold on. What 304 00:20:32,720 --> 00:20:35,800 Speaker 1: did Charlton Heston say that those who will take a 305 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:38,919 Speaker 1: gun from me, mister n ra A here, they have 306 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:41,360 Speaker 1: to pride from my cold dead hands. You know, we're 307 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:43,479 Speaker 1: gonna have to pride whatever, We're gonna have to pride 308 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 1: from those who ultimately will go to the grave because 309 00:20:47,840 --> 00:20:51,679 Speaker 1: Father Time is undefeated. But um, I don't know that 310 00:20:51,720 --> 00:20:56,840 Speaker 1: they learned a dog on thing, switching gears with the 311 00:20:57,040 --> 00:20:59,760 Speaker 1: with the time that we have left. Um, you know, 312 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:05,360 Speaker 1: it isn't often that I say I tweeted this as 313 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 1: that platform still stands, but on you know, it's like 314 00:21:08,320 --> 00:21:16,720 Speaker 1: a three legged stool that our celebrations are very far 315 00:21:16,800 --> 00:21:22,360 Speaker 1: and few between these days. Georgia being a major victory 316 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:29,720 Speaker 1: for the Senate for democracy, for true leadership. Right. Brittany Griner, 317 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:38,440 Speaker 1: after ten months in a Russian prison, after being sentenced 318 00:21:38,480 --> 00:21:42,800 Speaker 1: to nine years of hard labor in a Russian penal 319 00:21:42,880 --> 00:21:49,560 Speaker 1: colony for having empty vape cartridges that other people, mind 320 00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:55,160 Speaker 1: you in Russia, have just been deported for right, used 321 00:21:55,240 --> 00:21:59,280 Speaker 1: as a political tool in this geopolitical warfare that has 322 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:01,800 Speaker 1: been going on between the United States and Russia for 323 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: quite some time. As Russia is in the midst of 324 00:22:04,760 --> 00:22:10,600 Speaker 1: war in Ukraine, has finally been released and been traded 325 00:22:10,920 --> 00:22:16,359 Speaker 1: for a Russian prisoner. I woke up to that news 326 00:22:16,400 --> 00:22:21,040 Speaker 1: Mark and was in tears because as a black queer woman, 327 00:22:22,119 --> 00:22:26,280 Speaker 1: my heart was breaking for Brittany to be held prisoner 328 00:22:26,600 --> 00:22:33,480 Speaker 1: in a known homophobic, abusive country. We know how little 329 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:36,399 Speaker 1: we think about black people in this country and their worth. 330 00:22:36,960 --> 00:22:40,480 Speaker 1: So the idea that our government would actually fight for 331 00:22:41,119 --> 00:22:45,760 Speaker 1: her release. I want to get your reactions to this news. 332 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,600 Speaker 1: It is great news. In fact, I'll put it this way, 333 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 1: hang all the missile too. Brittany Ground is coming home 334 00:22:55,160 --> 00:23:02,520 Speaker 1: this Christmas. It's it's beautiful, it's touching. Um. And a 335 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:05,880 Speaker 1: lot of hard work went into this. And I'm gonna 336 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:08,520 Speaker 1: say something else that might sound controversially some people are 337 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:11,760 Speaker 1: getting credit and taking credit for this, but it was 338 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:14,280 Speaker 1: a lot of folk, including some of you who are 339 00:23:14,280 --> 00:23:20,000 Speaker 1: our listeners, who join us in these prayervisials to to 340 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:28,679 Speaker 1: bring her home. Um. Some represented that some of the 341 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:31,919 Speaker 1: things we were preparing to do, go out in the streets, 342 00:23:32,000 --> 00:23:34,320 Speaker 1: have more privilege, which really always was a plan which 343 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:37,720 Speaker 1: we were planning to be in the streets more, to 344 00:23:37,760 --> 00:23:39,960 Speaker 1: be at the we we had provisions at the Russian 345 00:23:39,960 --> 00:23:43,240 Speaker 1: Embassy and the Russian Consulate. We were going to do more. 346 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:48,400 Speaker 1: And then some folks, well, don't do that, because that's 347 00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:50,000 Speaker 1: gonna upset the White House, and the White House is 348 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,600 Speaker 1: gonna look bad and the Russians. But Malcolm said, bandon 349 00:23:53,640 --> 00:23:59,879 Speaker 1: means necessary. The very assertion that there were those of 350 00:24:00,080 --> 00:24:03,080 Speaker 1: us who might do that made the White House get 351 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:08,359 Speaker 1: up an act. So it worked. So I want to 352 00:24:08,359 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 1: commend those who involved in all those all those efforts. 353 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:18,560 Speaker 1: Victoria Kirby York at the National Black Justice Coalition, one 354 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:23,800 Speaker 1: of our LGBATS, great LGBT organizations, Angela Rye, Tamika Mallory, 355 00:24:25,160 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 1: rem doctor Barber, so many who were involved in that 356 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:33,159 Speaker 1: process that that kind of moved the White House to 357 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:38,160 Speaker 1: do something. It's high time she come home. Um, I'm 358 00:24:38,400 --> 00:24:41,560 Speaker 1: I'm I'm grateful. I'm overjoyed as well. It makes me 359 00:24:41,600 --> 00:24:46,159 Speaker 1: emotional too because the thought of that sister in that 360 00:24:46,280 --> 00:24:52,560 Speaker 1: condition was absolutely horrifying, and we've yet to learn exactly 361 00:24:52,560 --> 00:24:55,120 Speaker 1: how she was treated. I was on a call earlier 362 00:24:55,160 --> 00:24:58,159 Speaker 1: today and even some of the government officials are going 363 00:24:58,200 --> 00:25:01,960 Speaker 1: to give her the send the support to decide when 364 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:09,680 Speaker 1: she wants to share, Yeah, what her experience was. So, Um, 365 00:25:11,560 --> 00:25:15,480 Speaker 1: I'm I'm glad that she's home and we all should 366 00:25:15,480 --> 00:25:18,199 Speaker 1: celebrate this. It's it's been from the run off to 367 00:25:18,240 --> 00:25:21,879 Speaker 1: Brittany Grinder, Well, we'll remember the week when all of 368 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:27,760 Speaker 1: that happened as one of the greatest weeks in our time. Yeah, 369 00:25:27,800 --> 00:25:32,840 Speaker 1: and you know, and I will say that I cannot imagine, um, 370 00:25:33,880 --> 00:25:38,600 Speaker 1: what she was put through for those ten long months. 371 00:25:38,680 --> 00:25:43,080 Speaker 1: But my heart rests easy that her healing, which will 372 00:25:43,119 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 1: probably be lifelong UM emotional, mental, physical healing UM, can 373 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:56,000 Speaker 1: begin as as as she makes her way back home 374 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:59,440 Speaker 1: to her wife and to her family, to her friends, 375 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:04,359 Speaker 1: to her team mates, and to the community. As you said, Mark, 376 00:26:04,480 --> 00:26:08,480 Speaker 1: that has lifted her up in prayer, in coverage for 377 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:13,640 Speaker 1: the last ten months brought attention where without that attention, 378 00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:18,879 Speaker 1: who knows what her fate UM would have been. And 379 00:26:18,920 --> 00:26:21,200 Speaker 1: I think that it's really important for people to recognize. 380 00:26:21,200 --> 00:26:24,879 Speaker 1: You know, sometimes we say that if the only action 381 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:27,160 Speaker 1: that you can do is to share something, to share 382 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:30,399 Speaker 1: a photo, to share some information, that all of us 383 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:32,560 Speaker 1: have a voice and have a platform, whether it's for 384 00:26:32,680 --> 00:26:36,359 Speaker 1: five people or five million people. And I don't want 385 00:26:36,359 --> 00:26:40,640 Speaker 1: to downplay the fact that you know, images of her, 386 00:26:40,880 --> 00:26:44,440 Speaker 1: articles of her you know, t shirts, all of these 387 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:48,160 Speaker 1: things were made and done to continue to have her 388 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:51,679 Speaker 1: name be said so that she wouldn't be erased and 389 00:26:51,720 --> 00:26:55,720 Speaker 1: that she wouldn't be forgotten. That those things are powerful. 390 00:26:56,119 --> 00:27:00,320 Speaker 1: You know, we we we all don't um march y'all 391 00:27:00,359 --> 00:27:05,080 Speaker 1: can't afford to give money, UM, but understand that lifting 392 00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:08,879 Speaker 1: her name up and her presence up is what also 393 00:27:08,960 --> 00:27:14,399 Speaker 1: played a part um in in having her en route home. Um. 394 00:27:14,440 --> 00:27:17,400 Speaker 1: Mark last question for you, you know, as we get 395 00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:21,040 Speaker 1: ready to turn the page on this year and go 396 00:27:21,119 --> 00:27:26,440 Speaker 1: into twenty twenty three, Um, you know what what what 397 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:30,479 Speaker 1: message do do you want to send to people who again, 398 00:27:31,160 --> 00:27:35,160 Speaker 1: this has been a weary year. Right, we're we're hopefully 399 00:27:35,200 --> 00:27:37,680 Speaker 1: going to be ending on these on these high notes, 400 00:27:37,680 --> 00:27:41,600 Speaker 1: but it's been a weary, long year that has tested 401 00:27:42,359 --> 00:27:45,760 Speaker 1: uh so many parts of our country, our democracy, our 402 00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:49,119 Speaker 1: wherewithal um and so what do what do you what 403 00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:51,159 Speaker 1: message do you want to leave for folks as they 404 00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:55,000 Speaker 1: prepare to close out this year and begin anew in 405 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:58,639 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three? What, as the scripture says, let us 406 00:27:58,800 --> 00:28:03,960 Speaker 1: not grow weary in well doing Danielle for in due 407 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:07,760 Speaker 1: season season we shall reap if we don't lose heart. 408 00:28:09,080 --> 00:28:14,360 Speaker 1: That has borne true in our experience in twenty twenty two. 409 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 1: We didn't give up. We didn't give up, and we 410 00:28:19,720 --> 00:28:25,440 Speaker 1: stopped the juggernaut that was predicted from the right wing. 411 00:28:25,480 --> 00:28:29,440 Speaker 1: We stopped it. And they may have a majority air 412 00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:33,280 Speaker 1: quote in the House, but it's a very slim one. 413 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:37,200 Speaker 1: And if someone sneezes that majority might be gone overnight. 414 00:28:38,600 --> 00:28:41,680 Speaker 1: We've held the Senate, we gained governorships. None of this 415 00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:51,880 Speaker 1: has happened. No incumbent has held President has held the 416 00:28:51,960 --> 00:28:55,480 Speaker 1: Senate in the midterms this way since nineteen sixty two. 417 00:28:56,120 --> 00:28:59,440 Speaker 1: No incombent president has gained governorships this way since the 418 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:07,240 Speaker 1: thirty since Roosevelt. So this is the reward, folks, for 419 00:29:07,320 --> 00:29:13,000 Speaker 1: eternal vigilance, for not growing weary. We have reaped the harvest, 420 00:29:13,080 --> 00:29:15,560 Speaker 1: and so we should use this and be energized by 421 00:29:15,600 --> 00:29:21,320 Speaker 1: this to go forward. Let's make voting up and down 422 00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:26,600 Speaker 1: the ballot, throughout the ballot second nature, just second nature. 423 00:29:26,960 --> 00:29:29,200 Speaker 1: Just make that the absolute priority. And all were doing 424 00:29:29,240 --> 00:29:31,160 Speaker 1: once has become second nature. We won't even realize. There's 425 00:29:31,400 --> 00:29:34,400 Speaker 1: like blinking our eyes. We won't even realize we're doing it. 426 00:29:34,440 --> 00:29:39,560 Speaker 1: And we will vanquish those who would continue to disenfranchise us, 427 00:29:39,560 --> 00:29:43,120 Speaker 1: that would continue to take away our bodily autonomy, that 428 00:29:43,160 --> 00:29:46,200 Speaker 1: would continue to discriminate against us on the basis of 429 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:51,160 Speaker 1: race or gender or sexual orientation, that would bring harm 430 00:29:51,760 --> 00:29:55,280 Speaker 1: to our loved ones, that would that would allow those 431 00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:59,200 Speaker 1: who are law enforcement officers to continue to lynch us 432 00:29:59,240 --> 00:30:01,959 Speaker 1: and to subjugate those who are immigrants to all types 433 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:07,120 Speaker 1: of harsh treatment. When we do that, we will continue 434 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:11,040 Speaker 1: to win. So, folks, celebrate now what we've done, but 435 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:14,760 Speaker 1: remind yourselves that it happened because of you and because 436 00:30:15,720 --> 00:30:20,360 Speaker 1: none of us grew weary. Reverend Mark Thompson, thank you 437 00:30:20,440 --> 00:30:23,360 Speaker 1: so much for making time for us all year long 438 00:30:23,560 --> 00:30:26,080 Speaker 1: in our in our monthly conversations. I tell you that 439 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:30,440 Speaker 1: I have deeply appreciate appreciated them. I look forward to 440 00:30:30,480 --> 00:30:34,240 Speaker 1: continued conversations into twenty twenty three, and I wish you 441 00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:37,960 Speaker 1: a happy, healthy New Year. If I don't get to 442 00:30:38,000 --> 00:30:41,880 Speaker 1: speak to you on air before them, well all of 443 00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:45,080 Speaker 1: you and your entire audience, that woke air audience, may 444 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:49,480 Speaker 1: God bless you all. Merry Christmas, Happy Kuanza, happy honek 445 00:30:49,560 --> 00:30:53,080 Speaker 1: or whatever holiday you celebrate. Me me, all the peace 446 00:30:53,080 --> 00:31:01,280 Speaker 1: and joy be yours. That is it for me today, 447 00:31:01,400 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 1: dear friends, on this good, great Friday. As always, power 448 00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:10,120 Speaker 1: to the people and to all the people. Power, get 449 00:31:10,200 --> 00:31:12,400 Speaker 1: woke and stay woke as fuck.