Looking to the Past for the Present

The war against critical race theory is a hot issue that people want to bury out of shame and guilt which unfortunately has been done already in some states. As we now lack a proper education on Black history in our nation, the time for raising awareness and spreading knowledge on the past is as important as ever. When delving into the uncomfortable truth behind the Black history of our country, sometimes the best way to get people engaged in learning is through comedy! Throw in some drinks with our guest and it’ll be a good time with great conversations! We’re joined by comedian and one of the hosts of Drunk Black History, Gordon Baker-Bone to talk about some of the current events that are paralleling Black history and how they are disproportionately affecting Black communities around the country.

Our guests today:

• Gordon Baker-Bone

Mentioned on the air:

• President Biden, we need you to fight for medication abortion!
• Stop the attacks on trans people! Introduce and pass the EQUALITY Act now!
• Subscribe to ErinInTheMorning!
• Pass H.R.7647, the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2022!
• Vote No on the DATA Act & RESTRICT Act
• Text “RESIST” to 50409!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

When dealing with progressive policies that not everyone who votes blue can agree with, it can feel like a huge mountain to overcome. When dealing with one of the most protected groups in the entire country, that mountain just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Documentation of police brutality and the need for change is higher than ever, yet the leap of progress we were expecting never came. Organizing with conditions like these can seem like an intimidating jump to make with the issues that concern you the most, but our guest has a secret for you. It’s not a short battle, we’re in it for the long haul! For anyone starting their journey into organizing, our guest has you covered! We’re joined by DeRay McKesson from Campaign Zero to talk safety beyond policing, policing policies, and their story with approaching organizing.

Our guests today:

• DeRay McKesson

Mentioned on the air:

• Campaign Zero
• Eight Can’t Wait
• Text “RESIST” to 50409!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

Regardless of which state you live in, blue or red, what’s happening in other states around the country directly affects you and those who can’t fight by themselves. In an area where support for social justice issues isn’t as abundant as blue states, red states really need all the support possible. So instead of ushering people to leave red states, which isn’t realistic or an actual solution in the first place, let’s look towards the amazing organizers in those red states who are fighting relentlessly for those who need the help. In the red state of Louisiana where bodily autonomy is under attack, Lift Louisiana is stepping up to challenge the oppression against our rights. Michelle Erenberg, the co-founder and executive director of Lift Louisiana, joins us and shares the great work her organization is doing and how you can join the fight for our bodily autonomy wherever you are in the states! 

Our guests today:

• Michelle Erenberg

Mentioned on the air:

• Lift Louisiana 
• President Biden we need you to fight for medication abortion! 
• Tell Walgreens to Protect Abortion Pill Access!
• Text “RESIST” to 50409!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖With the endless onslaught against trans people accumulating more and more in our legislation, it can be difficult to keep up with what our trans friends are facing around the country. Distressingly, 440 active pieces of anti-trans legislation are currently targeting trans youth and adults. That overwhelming amount is enough to get people to check out, but with the relentless action our guest has for tracking LGBTQ+ legislation, you can keep up with ease. We are ecstatic to be joined by independent reporter and activist, Erin Reed! With an extensive and impressive track record, Erin has done so much for the LGBTQ+ community, specifically the trans community and continues to do so with her widespread reporting via social media and her newsletter Erin In The Morning. We dive into what drives Erin to do the work she does for the community and what you can do to get involved yourself!

Our guests today:

• Erin Reed

Mentioned on the air:

• Erin In The Morning
• Congress must urgently protect transition care
• Support Gender-Affirming Care in Missouri!
• Vote NO on SB 1029

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 When we open up our table for everyone to sit at, we must make sure that everyone can get to our table in the first place. There has been a quiet fight for accessibility happening all over the country for years, yet little to nothing has been done about it. As universities continue to dance around abiding by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the need for accessibility grows bigger and bigger. No matter where you land on the disability spectrum, our guest today shows us that there is always more to be learned and understood about disability rights. We are joined by Resistbot user and activist Megan Lynch of UC Access for an in-depth conversation on the University of California’s consistent ignorance of including accessibility for all and the demandifesto that has come out of this situation.

Our guests today:

• Megan Lynch

Mentioned on the air:

• UC Access Now: University of California Must Be Accessible To All!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

Creators & Guests

• Megan Lynch - Guest
• Melanie Dione - Host
• Angel Barrera - Producer

✊🤖 We’re back botters! Although we’re in the season of being grateful, it can be easy to take our basic freedoms for granted.  When we look to the news about the recent rising aggression from China towards their own citizens and Taiwan, we can be reminded of the privileges we have while living in our democracy. This is a topic that many may have trouble approaching and connecting with, but our guest breaks it down for you for easy understanding! We are happy to be joined by Resist Bot OG Christine Lu for an international perspective on the China and Taiwan conflicts, the protests happening in China, and how you can do your part in these discussions. We close this episode by tying these topics back to the current protests happening in the states for rail workers’ rights. Stick around until the end to learn how you can use the bot to take action in these fights!

Our guests today:

• Christine Lu

Mentioned on the air:

• Railroad workers deserve fair pay and time off!

Follow the thoughts of host Melanie Dione on her Twitter feed.
Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 The midterms are finally here! Tuesday, November 8th is election day which means high voter turnout, long lines, and possible voter intimidation. With our democracy at risk, we’re here to keep you prepared for the polls! We’re joined by Ría Thompson-Washington to discuss your voter rights and how to secure your vote for this midterm election. It’s not too late to learn about how you can turn out voters with Resistbot's new vote drives!

Our guests today:

• Ría Thompson-Washington

Mentioned on the air:

• The Redress Movement
• Text DRIVE to 50409

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 Tuesday, November 8th is Election Day across the country! Early voting has begun in many states, so this week we are revisiting some of the incredibly insightful conversations surrounding voting, bodily autonomy, housing insecurity, and issues you need to keep in mind when deciding how to vote. Stick around all the way to the end to learn about how you can turn out voters with your thumbs with Resistbot's new vote drives!

Mentioned on the air:

• Rashida Peterson
• Kia Smith
• Diondra Elan
• Lauren Rouse
• Bianca Mack
• Debra Cleaver

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 When there are endless issues our country and loved ones face, you probably feel compelled to help and get involved. Don’t know where to start? Our guest this week has you covered! Activist, organizer, and Resistbot user Jess Craven chats with us about what keeps her motivated, the midterms, and personal experiences with her work.

Our guests today:

Jess Craven

Mentioned on the air:

• Chop Wood, Carry Water
• Pass the 21st Century Courts Act (H.R.7426 / S.4010) to hold SCOTUS accountable!
• POTUS don't reappoint Moak for an additional 1 year term on the USPS board!
• Pass S 736, the Assault Weapons Ban, NOW!

Episode edited by Angel Barrera. If you need a show edited, you can find her on Twitter!

✊🤖 Wednesday, October 12, 2022 is National Farmer’s Day. Historically, through chattel enslavement and sharecropping, agriculture in the United States has relied heavily on the labor of Black people.  However, as of November 2021, less than 1.4% of farmers identify as Black, and those numbers continue to dwindle. Listen in as Kaleb J. Hill of Oko Vue Produce Co. explains the challenges that come with keeping Black farming alive in this country, why he is passionate about continuing his family legacy, and how he uses food as activism in the battle against food insecurity in Louisiana.

Our guests today:

• Kaleb J Hill

Mentioned on the air:

• OkoVue Produce