Disrespectability Politics

In a #disspod first, Wagatwe and Irna respond directly to people who had a problem with their love and adoration of Maxine Waters. She, in fact, has not been calling for violence. They unpack a few reactions about the call for civility connect it to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, who actually abhorred white moderates. Calls for "civility" are telling Black people that enduring violence them is the only form of "proper" resistance. Oh, and we talk about how AFRICA WON THE WORLD CUP! Related reading: White America's Age-Old, Misguided Obsession with Civility Protest isn't civil The real Mahatma Gandhi  Debunking the need for a "Palestinian Gandhi" Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Use the hashtag #disspod to share your thoughts! Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum Creator: Monique Teal Sound and editing: Aaron Rand Freeman of Unreasonable Fridays

Maxine Waters is officially done with playing nice. So why are so many of her colleagues and "allies" throwing her under the bus? The #Disspod team take a few moments before the holiday to explore why the Left is spending more energy tone policing an 80-year old Black woman than pushing back against an increasingly fascist regime. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Use the hashtag #disspod to share your thoughts! Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum Creator: Monique Teal Sound and editing: Aaron Rand Freeman of Unreasonable Fridays

Sabrina Butler-Smith was a Mississippi teen mom wrongfully convicted of killing her nine-month-old child in 1990 and sentenced to death. Five years later, she became the first American woman ever exonerated from Death Row. The #DissPod team interviews Sabrina Butler-Smith to hear her story of injustice, solitude, and redemption, which has been featured on CNN's "Death Row Stories." Today she uses her experience to change the world—with an awe-inspiring level of compassion and resilience. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram! Related reading: Learn more about Sabrina on her website. "I Spent More Than Six Years as an Innocent Woman on Death Row" TIME op-ed by Ms. Butler-Smith Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum Creator: Monique Teal Sound and editing: Aaron Rand Freeman of Unreasonable Fridays

Wagatwe and Irna reflect on the deaths of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain and what they personally mean to them. They also discuss the big question: What *does* helping someone in need look like? True suicide prevention is more than posting a hotline number. How do we make care more easily accessible? Irna and Wagatwe share from their experiences in how much America is failing to provide robust access to care. Related reading: Why “You are loved” & “please reach out” are crappy things to post after someone has died by suicide by Deanna Zandt  Physiological & Psychological Impact of Racism and Discrimination for African-Americans by the American Psychological Association Institutional betrayal in the medical field from University of Oregon #Disspod Badasses of the Week: Lulabel Seitz, sexual assault survivor silenced during her valedictorian speech at Petaluma High School Mariah Parker, whose swearing in as a commissioner in Georgia was Black AF.  

Wagatwe and Irna sit down with Daily Kos staff writer Dr. Kelly Macías to discuss Stacey Abrams in her journey to become the first Black woman to become governor in US History. Related reading: Daily Kos' endorsement of Stacey Abrams, written by Dr. Kelly Macías. Initial governor race ratings by Daily Kos Elections. Read more of Kelly's writing at Daily Kos. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum Creator: Monique Teal Sound and editing: Aaron Rand Freeman of Unreasonable Fridays

In a previously recorded episode, Wagatwe and Irna discuss some of the life lessons they learned growing up while watching Degrassi: The Next Generation. The show did not shy away from serious topics from cancer to abuse. What did Degrassi teach us about gun control? Wagatwe and Irna unpack the shooting of Degrassi character student Jimmy Brooks compared to the threat of gun violence in the more recent Degrassi: Next Class. How did the different generation of writers handle it? References and reading   Degrassi: The Next Generation on IMDb "Time Stands Still" episode on Wikipedia Degrassi: Next Class on IMDb "#SorryNotSorry" episode on Degrassi Wiki Connect with us on social media! https://www.instagram.com/disrespectability/  http://twitter.com/disrespectcast https://www.facebook.com/disrespectability/  Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum Creator: Monique Teal Sound and editing: Aaron Rand Freeman of Unreasonable Fridays

Why are people defending Bill Cosby? How trash was R. Kelly response to #MuteRKelly? Who told Kanye West the lie that slavery is a choice? Monique joins hosts Wagatwe and Irna as they break down the stories behind the headlines. References and reading Camille Cosby's bizarre statement says her husband is the real victim It's not #metoo: Bill Cosby sealed his own fate with his quaaludes talk Interview with TMZ's Van Lathan after Kanye's comments Introduction to DARVO by Jennifer J. Freyd of the University of Oregon Follow us! https://www.instagram.com/disrespectability/  http://twitter.com/disrespectcast https://www.facebook.com/disrespectability/  Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum Creator: Monique Teal Sound and editing: Aaron Rand Freeman of Unreasonable Fridays

The DissPod returns with a discussion about how the gun control debate affects police action which in turn affects how we view mental illness. Its a complex web that effects the most vulnerable and least visible.. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum

Black Panther is a phenomenal film. Made even more special by the discussions born from such a landmark cinematic event. Wagatwe Wanjuki, Irna Landrum, and Monique Teal discuss the film including the cathartic freedom of Black women onscreen, the many stages of reconciling with Erik Killmonger, and how the movie spoke to each of their unique perspectives. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum

Public reception to the past season of Black Mirror has been nothing but receptive. Wagatwe and Irna are sure there are a few details you've missed. We also discuss the Superbowl in Minnesota, how little Irna cares about football, and how little the police care about rioters as long as they are acting in the name of sports. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum

It is Black History Month. Which means that African-Americans will be forced to deal with some disingenuous pandering. Wagatwe and Irna team up with Monique to help process all of the nonsense starting with Trump's first State of the Union and with a look at some notable African-Americans NOT on the Black History Month calendar. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum Guest: Monique Teal

Last week the government shutdown in a battle over brown lives. Host Wagatwe and Irna attempt to unpack all of the moving parts with producer Monique Teal. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum Guest: Monique Teal

Wagatwe and Irna discuss the Aziz Ansari situation, the normalcy of his "date", the pain many felt when seeing their own dating experiences in this story, and proudly introduce Overturning Common Rape Culture Tropes: The Game. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum

Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum discuss the Golden Globes, the moving speech from Oprah Winfrey, the assertion that she should run for President, the massive wave of counterarguments, and why are not allowed to enjoy Black people for too many consecutive seconds. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum

Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum discuss the many definitions of "winter", the origins of Kwanzaa, how poverty in the US is framed, and why poverty is a social issue as much as an economic issue. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum

Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum discuss Black Women saving the day again, the emotional affect of the news cycle, and specifically the horse Roy Moore rode in on. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum

Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum discuss the bail app, John Conyers' busy hands, the cost of ignoring abusive men in the name of politics, and the Alt-Right has a misogyny issue. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum

Hosts Wagatwe Wanjuki, Irna Landrum, and Monique Teal discuss how to deflect street harassment, Meghan Markle and colorism, and the GOP tax scam. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum

Welcome to the first episode of Disrespectability Politics! Hosts Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum explain what respectability politics IS, how they put marginalized people in danger, and how to be better. They also discuss Drake's hoarding problem and the male Hollywood elite keeping their hands to themselves. Hosts: Wagatwe Wanjuki and Irna Landrum