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In this Episode:

Newly-elected Congressmember Jennifer McClellan just became the first Black woman representative from Virginia. She comes with a powerful slate of accomplishments dedicated to expanding and protecting our democracy. 

Rep. McClellan joins us to share how her love of history and her family’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement led her to politics; her proudest achievements during her time in the Virginia state legislature; and her goals as a new House member. 

She explains how the Voting Rights Act of Virginia came to be (she was one of the main architects behind the bill), and what it meant for her to see the monument honoring white supremacist Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, come down in 2021.

REFERENCES:

Rep. Jennifer McClellan - @JennMcClellanVA

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In this Episode:

Activist, strategist and organizer Heather Booth is a living legend. Booth—the founder of Jane, an underground abortion service she started in Chicago prior to Roe v. Wade—joins us to share how she got started in organizing and social justice work, the legacy of the Janes, and the lessons she’s learned for future generations of organizers and leaders.

She recounts her early activist days as an organizer alongside Fannie Lou Hamer during Mississippi’s 1964 Freedom Summer to her founding of the Midwest Academy, the go-to training program for organizers in the progressive movement today.

Heather also shares what it’s been like to be a woman leader in the movement and her advice for those who want to make a difference today. 

References:

Heather Booth - @hboothgo

Heather Booth - Changing the World - Documentary

The Janes - Documentary

Call Jane - Feature Film

Heather Booth & Fannie Lou Hamer 1964 - Photo

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In this Episode:

Shoshana Guy, the “sho”-runner (pun intended) of Hulu’s new docuseries The 1619 Project, joins the podcast to discuss the significance of the series and her career trajectory—from broadcast network news to leading the critically acclaimed Netflix series High on the Hog.

She and Sharline also reminisce about how they met more than 15 years ago and Shoshana shares what’s next for her as a creative Black woman at the top of her game.

REFERENCES:

Shoshana Guy - @Shoshana_Guy

The 1619 Project // Hulu

Nikole Hannah-Jones - @nhannahjones

The 1619 Project // The New York Times

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In This Episode:

Executive Director of Justice Democrats Alexandra Rojas joins us to talk about the organization’s instrumental role in recruiting and running young progressive candidates and how they’re rewriting the rules for what a political leader looks like. 

Justice Democrats is the group behind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’ historic 2018 victory against 10-term Democratic incumbent Joseph Crowley, as well as freshman Representative Summer Lee’s historic 2022 victory to become the first Black Congresswoman from Pennsylvania. Alexandra recounts AOC’s political rise and the role Justice Democrats has been playing in revolutionizing U.S. electoral politics.

Alexandra also shares her own story, including why she dropped out of community college to work on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign. 

References:

Alexandra Rojas - @alexandrasiera

Justice Democrats - @justicedems - Website

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In this Episode:

Emmy Ruiz, current Assistant to the President and White House Director of Political Strategy & Outreach and former campaign aide to President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and Vice President Kamala Harris, is an all-around rockstar.

Emmy joins us to talk about her path to politics, the importance of building diverse campaign teams, and what she’s learned along the way from her time as a presidential campaign manager in Nevada and Colorado to what it’s like to be a mother in a high-pressure career. 

She also shares the powerful role her family played in helping her get to where she is today and she provides insight into what young people who are interested in politics can do to get involved.

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IN THIS EPISODE:

Happy New Year! 

For our first episode of 2023, Steve and Sharline take a look at some of the key issues Democrats should pay attention to this year. From the upcoming Virginia elections to the Party’s new primary calendar and questions surrounding Biden’s reelection, they dive into the major themes that will define the year ahead. They also touch briefly on the chaos taking place within the Republican Party and what it means for the next two years.

Steve also shares his thoughts on grief and Sharline pays a touching tribute to Susan Sandler, Steve’s partner in social change and life, who passed away on December 16, 2022, and who would have encouraged us all to keep doing the work and fighting the fight.

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · 2022: A Year in Review

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IN THIS EPISODE:

For our final episode of the year, Steve, Sharline, and Julie reflect on the past year as they highlight some of the major political victories and challenges of 2022. They also share their favorite pop culture moments from this year. 

And Steve makes a touching tribute to his wife Susan as they celebrate the 32nd anniversary of their first date. 

See you in 2023! 

REFERENCES:

“Wednesday” - Netflix

Jenna Ortega - @jennaortega

“Only Murders in the Building” - HULU

Selena Gomez - @selenagomez

Wakanda Forever - Marvel

Tenoch Huerta - @tenochhuerta

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Giving in Color with Crystal Hayling

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In this Episode:

Crystal Hayling, executive director of the Libra Foundation, joins us to discuss her path to philanthropy, how she’s helped center issues of social and racial justice, and what it’s going to take to make sure those at the forefront of change are able to get the resources they need. 

Crystal also shares why and how she started the Democracy Frontlines Fund, which raised over $36 million to fund Black-led organizations fighting for democracy, following the police murder of George Floyd.

REFERENCES:

Crystal Hayling - @CHayling

Libra Foundation

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · 2022 Post-Game with Danielle Moodie and Wajahat Ali

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IN THIS EPISODE:

Hosts of the “democracy-ish” podcast Danielle Moodie and Wajahat Ali join us for a special crossover episode to discuss 2022 midterm election results, the fragility of our democracy, the role youth voters played this cycle and what to expect in 2024. 

Our guests share how their podcast came to be, how they’re feeling about last week’s elections, and their hope for a multiracial democracy in this country. This special episode is the first half of a larger conversation and you’ll be able to hear the other half of that conversation next week on the “democracy-ish” podcast. 

REFERENCES:

“Democracy-ish” Podcast

Danielle Moodie - @DeeTwoCents

Wajahat Ali - @WajahatAli

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Midterms 2022: It’s All About Voter Turnout

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In this Episode:

With important and history-making choices on ballots across the country this year, resident data expert Dr. Julie Martínez Ortega joins the podcast to help cut through the hazy 2022 midterm election predictions and offer an objective look at the final days leading up to November 8. 

Spoiler alert: it all comes down to voter turnout. From Georgia to Florida and Arizona to Wisconsin, this year’s midterms will be decided by which side does a better job of motivating their supporters to hit the polls through Election Day.

We also list the groups and organizations doing this work across the country and explain how supporting them right now can help shape midterm outcomes.

REFERENCES:

Arizona - Arizona Wins

California - CHIRLA Action Fund

California - Inland Empire Action Fund

California - OC Action

Georgia - Stacey Abrams for Governor

Wisconsin - PowerPAC

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Live With Senator Cory Booker And Steve Phillips

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In this Episode:

To celebrate the release of How We Win the Civil War, Steve joins Senator Cory Booker for a live, national virtual Town Hall, moderated by MoveOn Executive Director Rahna Epting, to discuss how we build majority support for a true multiracial democracy in the U.S.

This live recording was co-hosted by our national partners at Community Change Action, Justice Democrats, MoveOn, Netroots Nation, Voto Latino, and Working Families Party.

REFERENCES:

Purchase your copy of How We Win the Civil War today!

Sen. Cory Booker, D-New Jersey - @CoryBooker
Rahna Epting, Executive Director, MoveOn - @rahnamepting moveon.org

How We Win 4 Part Special Series

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Why I Wrote “How We Win The Civil War”

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In this Episode:

Steve takes the hot seat as a guest on his own show in this penultimate episode of our special podcast series! Steve and Sharline discuss his forthcoming book How We Win the Civil War and how the concept developed over the last few years. 

Sharline shares how she and Steve came to be a book publishing power team, and Steve discusses the formative experiences that have shaped his work and his path to writing (Jesse Jackson quotes, included). Steve and Sharline also explain when and how you can pre-order your copy of the How We Win the Civil War, out October 18!

CW: Adult Language

REFERENCES:

Steve Phillips - @StevePtweets

Steve Phillips // New Press - How We Win the Civil War: Securing a Multiracial Democracy and Ending White Supremacy for Good

Isabel Wilkerson // Random House - Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

The New York Amsterdam News

How We Win 4 Part Special Series

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Sounding the Alarm with Ron Brownstein

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IN THIS EPISODE:

Atlantic staff writer and CNN columnist Ron Brownstein joins us for Part 2 of our special How We Win series to discuss the coalitions competing to define the identity of this country and the historical context for this centuries-long existential battle. 

Ron shares his analysis on why the 2020s could end up looking a lot like the 1850s, how he’s interpreting Biden’s changing rhetoric, and how he’s thinking about the upcoming midterms.

Ron also provides his expertise as we explore key themes in Steve’s forthcoming book How We Win the Civil War, out October 18.

REFERENCES:

Ron Brownstein- @RonBrownstein

Books

Rock Me on the Water: 1974-The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television, and Politics by Ron Brownstein

The Impending Crisis, 1848-1861 by David M. Potter

The South as a Conscious Minority, 1789-1861; a Study in Political Thought by Jesse T. Carpenter

History Reference

Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

How We Win 4 Part Special Series

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Who Gets to Be an American with Historian Mae Ngai

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In This Episode:

For the first episode of our special How We Win series, award-winning author and historian Mae Ngai places the existential crisis of our time into historical context as she highlights the pervasive nature of the question: who gets to be an American and who is deserving of dignity and equality? 

Our conversation with Mae lays the foundation for our series’ deep dive into the parallels between our present moment and the not-so-distant past. She reveals the history of a partnership between the South and West to perpetuate white supremacy, and describes just how intertwined the “Chinese Question” and the “Negro Question” have been since the founding of America.

How We Win 4 Part Special Series

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Trump’s Ticking Time Bomb

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In this Episode:

Lawyer and former federal prosecutor Subodh Chandra joins us to help wrap our minds around the myriad legal challenges Trump is currently facing, from the January 6 hearings to the multiple investigations taking place in several jurisdictions. Subodh breaks down what a federal search warrant signals, and how much leeway Trump has been given so far to comply with the rule of law (hint: a lot). 

Subodh’s explanation of the current state of Trump’s criminal investigations—and his overall optimism that our nation’s justice system will prevail—left us feeling fairly hopeful that the former president will, in fact, be held accountable for his crimes, and that we can rest assured that the levers meant to protect and ensure a functioning democracy have not completely disappeared.

REFERENCES:

Subodh Chandra - @SubodhChandra

Chandra Law

Documentary

137 Shots  2021, TV-MA

In this documentary, law enforcement faces scrutiny as Americans demand justice after police violence claims multiple Black lives in Cleveland.

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Analyzing Elections in Living Color

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In This Episode:

We discuss the political power of Black people and other people of color, who, when factored into the math, have the ability to tip the scale in this year’s midterms. Our resident data scientist Dr. Julie Martinez Ortega joins us to help explain some of the most significant takeaways that surface when we apply a race-conscious perspective to existing election analyses.

References:

Equis Research - 2020 Post-Mortem

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Why Ohio Is Trending Red: Conversation with David Pepper

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In This Episode:

Former Ohio Democratic Party Chair David Pepper joins us to discuss the state of U.S. politics through the lens of Ohio. David shares the work he’s done to hold the line against the disturbing trend of autocracy emerging across the state and in national politics at large. He breaks down the role state houses play in either helping or hurting our democracy. 

We also discuss David’s new book Laboratories of Autocracy, in which he outlines the dangerous strategic shift and development of white nationalism across the country—a backlash he attributes to the election of the first Black President.

REFERENCES:

David Pepper - @DavidPepper

Stacey Abrams

All In: Fight for Democracy

David Pepper’s Books

The People’s House (2016)

The Wingman (2018)

The Voter File (2020)

The Laboratories of Autocracy (2021)

A Simple Choice (2022)

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Lessons from the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement

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In this episode:

LGBTQ+ rights activist Julie Dorf joins us to share how she and a coalition of ragtag organizers created the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission in the 90s, her role in and lessons learned during the struggle for marriage equality, and why she’s listening to her own “queer spawn” and younger activists on how to move forward in these times.

References:

Julie Dorf - @JulieDorf

Council for Global Equality

OutRight Action International

Act Up

Queer Nation

Roseanne episode - “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Mandela Barnes Final

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In this episode:

Lt. Governor of Wisconsin Mandela Barnes joins us to discuss his bid to become the first Black Senator from Wisconsin. He shares his working class roots as the son of union members and why the Senate needs more leaders who aren’t afraid to do what’s right and fight for social justice.

We discuss his 2018 race in which he became the first African American lieutenant governor in the state. We also find out how he came to have such a powerful name.

References:

Mandela Barnes - @TheOtherMandela - Mandela Barnes for Senate

Donate to Mandela Here

Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan

Nelson Mandela Wiki

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Democracy in Color with Steve Phillips · Art & Activism With Saxophonist Francis Wong

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IN THIS EPISODE:

To close out Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, San Francisco-based saxophonist and longtime activist Francis Wong joins us to talk about the revolutionary power of music and art. He shares how he came to pick up a saxophone in the first place and how music, especially jazz,  has played an important role in his activist work.

We discuss the role of multiracial unity and collective power in art and the ongoing fight for social justice in this country. Francis shares about his album with legendary drummer Max Roach and the record label he founded with composer and pianist Jon Jang, Asian Improv Arts. We also play excerpts from Francis’ extensive musical works.

REFERENCES:

Francis Wong - @franciswongsf

Asian Improv aRts 

Songs

Prayers for Melvin Truss

“Pie Jesu" from Gabriel Faure's "Requiem" 

Meditation on Integration

Miyoshi Sketches

Background Info

Chinese Exclusion Act 

Joseph Pierce, Union Army Soldier

Black Arts Movement 

Erhu instrument 

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