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    Episode 1: Uprising: A Guide From Portland: Why Portland?

    enNovember 30, 2020

    Podcast Summary

    • Connecting with community and finding joyNeighbor to Neighbor fosters connections, Chumba Casino offers enjoyment, Amy Winehouse's music brings comfort, NFL app and podcast cater to football fans, Paris Hilton's podcast helps understand men, and social justice causes require solidarity.

      Building connections in your community and finding sources of joy and relaxation are important for navigating the uncertainties of life. Neighbor to Neighbor is an organization that encourages community building and mutual support, while Chumba Casino offers a way to find enjoyment through social casino games. Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" and Keebler Sandy's provide moments of comfort and self-care. The NFL app and Move the Sticks podcast cater to football fans, while Paris Hilton's "How Men Think" podcast aims to help people understand men better. Amidst the challenges and complexities of life, these offerings provide valuable resources and distractions. Additionally, the Portland Police Bureau's declaration of a riot serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up for social justice causes and seeking solidarity with others.

    • A small gathering grows into a massive Black Lives Matter protest in PortlandThe killing of George Floyd ignited a powerful movement for racial justice in Portland, growing from a small group to a large, united crowd, inspiring community support and clashes with law enforcement.

      The Black Lives Matter protests in Portland in 2020, sparked by the killing of George Floyd, began as a small gathering and grew into a massive event. The initial group of activists, led by Tracy Molina and Danielle James, occupied the Justice Center steps and inspired larger crowds to join them. The energy was palpable when the two groups merged, leading to a powerful moment of unity. The protests, which started several days earlier, gained momentum and intensity, resulting in clashes with law enforcement and widespread community support. The moment served as a reminder of the ongoing fight for racial justice and the need to make every moment count.

    • Was the first night of Portland protests a riot?The first night of Portland protests in 2020 is debated as a riot or a political protest with limited intent to cause extensive destruction. A local lawyer argued for the latter, emphasizing symbolic actions and political context.

      The definition and perception of the first night of protests in Portland during the summer of 2020 as a "riot" is subjective and debatable. While some saw it as a night of property damage and disorder, others, including a local lawyer, argued that it was a political protest with limited intent to cause extensive destruction. The lawyer, Alan Kessler, emphasized that the actions of the crowd seemed more symbolic than violent, and that the context of the event was political rather than a breakdown in civilization. Despite the disagreement over the label, the events of that night marked the beginning of over 100 consecutive nights of protests and tear gas in Portland.

    • Activists view property damage differently than harm to humans during protestsActivists prioritize standing up against injustice, even if it involves property destruction, and emphasize the importance of community and connection.

      Activists view property damage differently than harm to human beings during protests. Mac Smith, an activist, described the Portland protests as a "riot lite," acknowledging the property destruction but emphasizing the importance of standing up against injustice. The incident that inspired Smith to protest was not even in Portland but in San Jose, California, where a man was shot with a rubber bullet during a George Floyd protest. The community response and potential changes following the protests were seen as progress, even if it hasn't been substantial. In another context, the discussion touched on the fun and excitement of mobile games, specifically Monopoly Go. The game offers various features and rewards, making it an enjoyable and constantly evolving experience. Lastly, Neighbor to Neighbor, a California volunteer network, encourages building stronger community bonds to help each other in times of need. The importance of community and connection was emphasized in both contexts.

    • A conversation about affordable wireless plans, personal experiences, and current eventsDiscussed affordable wireless plans from Mint Mobile and shared personal stories, debated Portland riots, and recommended podcasts Earn Your Leisure and Roxanne Gay Agenda

      Mint Mobile offers affordable wireless plans with high-speed data, unlimited talk, and text on the largest 5G network. The speaker shares a personal story about a man who could have been him but was unfortunately involved in a controversial incident with the police. Meanwhile, the Portland riots of summer 2020 were a topic of debate, with some arguing that the police were the instigators rather than the protesters. The discussion then shifted to podcast recommendations, with Rashaad Bilal promoting the Earn Your Leisure podcast, where they discuss business models and trends with industry leaders, and Roxanne Gay presenting the Roxanne Gay Agenda, where she shares her thoughts on various topics including feminism, race, and pop culture. Overall, the conversation touched on a range of topics, from personal experiences to current events and entertainment.

    • Protests in Portland from May to SeptemberPortland protests lasted from May to September, marked by intense clashes, curfew defiance, and widespread use of tear gas. Thousands continued to protest daily, leading to a fence and federal involvement.

      Portland's BLM protests, which began in late May and lasted until September, were marked by intense clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. The night of May 29th set the tone for the following months with large crowds gathering, curfews being ignored, and widespread use of tear gas and other crowd control measures. Inspired by the unrest, activists saw the potential for a larger movement, with thousands continuing to protest daily. The protests eventually split between peaceful marches and confrontational groups, leading to a fence being built around the Justice Center and the involvement of federal agents in July. The use of force by law enforcement against demonstrators and bystanders, including the homeless, sparked controversy and escalated tensions.

    • Clashes between federal agents and local protesters in Portland, OregonFederal involvement and escalating violence marked Portland's Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, resulting in intense clashes and large gatherings.

      The summer of 2020 in Portland, Oregon, saw intense clashes between federal agents and local protesters. The situation escalated with the use of tear gas, less lethal rounds, and experimental weapons. The mainstream media took notice, and the protests grew in size, with thousands gathering nightly. Protesters formed shield walls to protect against tear gas and other projectiles. Federal presence lingered even after the visible withdrawal, and counter-protests from right-wing groups led to violent clashes. The protests halted due to wildfires but resumed, with regular occurrences since. The events in Portland stood out among the Black Lives Matter protests in other cities due to the involvement of federal agents and the escalating violence.

    • Portland's racist past fueled its unrest during BLM protestsFounded as a white utopia, Portland's history of exclusionary laws and practices set the stage for persistent racial disparities, making it a major site of unrest during the Black Lives Matter protests.

      Portland, Oregon's history of racism and exclusionary practices, rooted in its founding as a white utopia, contributed to it becoming a hotbed of unrest during the Black Lives Matter protests. Despite its founders' claimed abolitionist stance, they only opposed slavery due to their dislike of living near Black people. Oregon's laws, such as Burnett's Lash Law and the ban on Black people from living in the state, set a clear tone for the state's exclusionary culture. Today, Portland remains the whitest major metropolitan area in the US, with persistent racial disparities in education, wealth, and housing. The city's history provides crucial context to understanding its role in the national battle for racial justice.

    • Experience of racism in the Pacific NorthwestDespite a welcoming and progressive image, the Pacific Northwest can reveal underlying white supremacist power structures through covert racism and lack of diversity, impacting people of color's experiences.

      The Pacific Northwest, specifically Oregon, presents a complex and nuanced issue with racism. While the region may initially appear welcoming and progressive, the longer-term experience for people of color can be a culture shock and reveal underlying white supremacist power structures. This racism often takes a covert form, with residents being unaware of microaggressions or their impact. The lack of diversity in the region contributes to this issue, as many residents have little exposure to people of color. Tristan, an activist, described his experience of being one of the few people of color in his school and community, and the subtle yet pervasive racism he encountered. Courtney, an indigenous Hawaiian person, also shared her experience of feeling isolated and shocked by the lack of diversity in Oregon. These stories highlight the importance of challenging and addressing the subtle yet damaging effects of racism in the Pacific Northwest.

    • Portland's history of racism against black community and policeDespite making up less than 6% of Portland's population, black people are disproportionately affected by police use of force and arrests, with a history of police targeting black-led events and collaborating with hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan.

      Portland's history and present day relations between its black community and the Portland Police Bureau have been marked by systemic racism. Despite black people making up less than 6% of the population, they are disproportionately affected by police use of force and arrests. This issue has a long history, with police targeting black-led events and even collaborating with hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Mac Smith shares his personal experiences of police interference in hip hop events, and lawyer Allen Kessler's research reveals a century-long history of police involvement with hate groups. The community's fight against this racist violence has been ongoing for decades. It's important to note that this is not an exhaustive list, but a snapshot of the issues faced by Portland's black community in relation to the police.

    • Portland's long history of protecting officers with questionable actionsThe Portland Police Association's pattern of impunity for officers' misconduct, dating back to the 1920s, has led to a deep distrust between the community, particularly the Black community, and the police force.

      The Portland Police Association's history of protecting officers, even those with questionable actions, has contributed to a long-standing distrust between the community, particularly the Black community, and the police force. This issue traces back to the 1920s when the Portland Police Bureau deputized Klansmen, and it continues today with officers being reinstated after being fired for misconduct, including murder and rape. This pattern of impunity has led to frustration and anger within the community, as seen in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder when the third precinct in Minneapolis was burnt to the ground due to the belief that the officers involved would likely be reinstated. This history and its impact on the community's relationship with the police force is a significant issue that requires attention and change.

    • Power and Influence: Complex ConsequencesPower and influence can lead to controversial decisions and outcomes, as seen in Kanye West's return to music and the Portland Police Association's 'possum incident'.

      Power and influence can lead to controversial decisions and outcomes. In the first part of the discussion, Kanye West's return to the music scene after his controversial behavior was compared to Thanos, a villain from Marvel. However, his actions showed the power he held in the industry. In the second part, the podcast "The Shadow Girls" explored the mind of a serial killer and how the focus was on the victims rather than the perpetrator. The Portland Police Association was highlighted for its historical significance in police unions and its innovation of protecting officers' identities during disciplinary proceedings. This led to a controversial decision in the "possum incident" where two officers involved were rehired despite dumping dead possums at a black-owned business. These examples illustrate how power and influence can lead to complex situations with far-reaching consequences. Listen to Drink Champs, The Shadow Girls, and The Black Effect Presents for more thought-provoking conversations on various topics.

    • Decades of racial tensions in Portland lead to prolonged protestsPortland's long-standing racial issues came to a head during summer 2020 protests, revealing the need for ongoing efforts to address systemic racism and build a more equitable society

      The unrest in Portland, Oregon, which gained international attention during the summer of 2020, was not a new phenomenon. For decades, Portland has been grappling with racial tensions and violent clashes between white supremacist groups and counter-protesters. The murder of George Floyd and the resulting Black Lives Matter protests brought these issues to the forefront, leading to over 100 days of protests against a corrupt police force, federal agents, and right-wing vigilantes. Despite the challenges, the community came together to support each other and build a stronger infrastructure for future activism. It's important to remember that these issues have deep roots and require ongoing efforts to address them. As Roxanne Gay, the host of the Roxanne Gay Agenda podcast, often discusses, we must confront systemic issues related to race, feminism, and politics. Through podcasts, community engagement, and volunteer networks like Neighbor to Neighbor, we can start to build a more connected and equitable society.

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    Part Two: How the British Empire and U.S. Department of Defense Murdered an Island Paradise

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    Robert killed a man in Reno, just to watch him die. Also he concludes the story of the murder of the Chagos Islands by the U.S. and the ailing British Empire. With bonus Dog Genocide!

     

    Behind the Bastards is doing it's annual fundraiser for the Portland Diaper Bank! We had a soft start a week or so ago but will actually be plugging it this week and next. Please help if you can!

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/btb-fundraiser-pdx-diaper-bank?attribution_id=sl:a1a2d058-9511-435e-ab61-93bc1252ffa5&utm_campaign=pd_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=twitter 

    Sources:

    https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/02/15/thats-when-nightmare-started/uk-and-us-forced-displacement-chagossians-and

    https://archive.is/KvGqw#selection-1769.0-1781.535

    Vine, David. Island of Shame: The Secret History of the U.S. Military Base on Diego Garcia (p. 18). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/2/25/how-britain-forcefully-depopulated-a-whole-archipelago/

    https://archive.org/details/webofdeceitbrita0000curt/page/432/mode/2up?q=chagos

    https://journals.openedition.org/oceanindien/2003

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Behind the Bastards
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    Part One: How the British Empire and U.S. Department of Defense Murdered an Island Paradise

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    Robert welcomes Andrew Ti back to the show to tell the story of the Chagos Islands, a paradise founded by former slaves that was wiped out by the British empire so they could lease it to the U.S. as an air base.

    (2 Part Series)

    Behind the Bastards is doing it's annual fundraiser for the Portland Diaper Bank! We had a soft start a week or so ago but will actually be plugging it this week and next. Please help if you can!

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/btb-fundraiser-pdx-diaper-bank?attribution_id=sl:a1a2d058-9511-435e-ab61-93bc1252ffa5&utm_campaign=pd_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=twitter 

    Sources:

    https://www.hrw.org/report/2023/02/15/thats-when-nightmare-started/uk-and-us-forced-displacement-chagossians-and

    https://archive.is/KvGqw#selection-1769.0-1781.535

    Vine, David. Island of Shame: The Secret History of the U.S. Military Base on Diego Garcia (p. 18). Princeton University Press. Kindle Edition.

    https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/2/25/how-britain-forcefully-depopulated-a-whole-archipelago/

    https://archive.org/details/webofdeceitbrita0000curt/page/432/mode/2up?q=chagos

    https://journals.openedition.org/oceanindien/2003

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Behind the Bastards
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