A Word … with Jason Johnson
America doesn’t need another conversation about race. At least, not the kind we’ve been having ... the ones that are sparked by a crisis and move quickly from shock, to empty promises, to forgetting. No. What America needs are REAL conversations about race … ones that shine a light on the facts, the history, and the reality of how race plays out in our politics and society. That’s what Slate offers each week on A Word With Jason Johnson. A veteran political commentator, Johnson will bring his incisive wit to thoughtful discussions with leaders, journalists and other change-makers who will tell the truth about America’s challenges around race, and ideas on the way forward.
151
Biden: Fighting or Failing on Voting Rights?
Why exasperated organizers skipped Biden’s “photo op” on voting rights in Georgia.
22 min
152
One Year: Ann Arbor's DNA Dragnet
A controversy over genetic testing ripped a college town apart, and put 160 innocent Black men under suspicion.
47 min
153
Get Facts, Get Free: The Emancipator
American media has messed up race coverage for decades. Can The Emancipator change that?
24 min
154
Black Christmas Movie Bonanza
Streaming services are bringing new audiences to Black holiday classics.
18 min
155
Black and Missing: Finding Our Own
An HBO documentary highlights the racial disparities in how missing persons cases are handled, and how the Black and Missing Foundation is making a difference.
22 min
156
Abbott Elementary’s Top Teacher
Comedian Quinta Brunson gives lessons in laughs on ABC’s Abbott Elementary.
22 min
157
Planes, Trains and Pandemic Travel Plans
A travel expert explains how to avoid COVID --and racist microaggressions-- while traveling abroad.
22 min
158
Cooking for the Culture
Chef Vallery Lomas baked her way out of an unhappy law career, and into reality show stardom.
21 min
159
Colorism, Cluelessness, and Carefree Black Girls
Writer Zeba Blay on how Black women writers are flipping the script in pop culture criticism.
24 min
160
Lights, Camera, Revolution
The Black Film Archive turns a spotlight on decades of cinematic innovation from African American artists.
23 min
161
Legacy of Fire: The L.A. Riots
Decades after fury exploded across L.A., how much has changed?
26 min
162
From Schoolyards to Prisonyards
Too many school policies criminalize Black students for just being kids.
23 min
163
Uneven Playing Field
Why does Black activism look so different in the NBA and the NFL?
25 min
164
Black to the Land
Will the reversal of the racist land grab at Bruce’s Beach spark a trend?
26 min
165
Supreme Injustice
The conservative Supreme Court majority could super-charge gun rights and wreck Roe v. Wade.
19 min
166
Las Vidas Negras Importan
From the streets to the big screen, Afro-Latinos are fighting for visibility and respect.
23 min
167
Texas Political Power Twins
Democratic stars Julian and Joaquin Castro are fighting to turn their red state blue.
19 min
168
Cancelling the “Black Friend” Excuse
Joe Biden is wrong. Interracial relationships don’t prove racial progress.
23 min
169
Is Larry Elder the Best of Black Republicans?
How did the Black GOP standard bearer go from Colin Powell to conservative provocateur Larry Elder?
23 min
170
Haiti’s DIY Recovery
An earthquake. An assassination. An uncertain future. What’s next for Haiti?
24 min
171
The Color of Climate Change
Environmentalism isn’t just a white issue. Black grassroots activists have been leading from the start.
20 min
172
Black to School, At Home
Between COVID and racism, will Black homeschooling rates keep rising?
18 min
173
Tuskegee’s Ghosts Haunt COVID Fight
The Black Coalition Against COVID is battling the virus, disinformation, and historic distrust in the Black community.
22 min
174
Eviction Restriction Showdown
Ex HUD chief Julian Castro wonders why the White House dropped the ball on evictions before reviving the moratorium this week.
25 min
175
Black Man With a Gun
Are growing gun sales to Black Americans about freedom, fear, or both?
21 min