AG Tish James Seeks Accountability for President Trump, the “Black Cassandra” Syndrome, and Why Journalists of Color Need to Be Heard

Our Body Politic

This week, Farai Chideya and her guests dissect the aftermath of the January 6th coup attempt at the Capitol. New York AG Letitia James shares the values that guide her work, which includes investigating President Trump. Boston Globe reporter Jazmine Ulloa reflects on her first-hand experience of the Capitol siege. As transition director of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris’ team, political strategist Minyon Moore expands on Harris’ role in uniting the country. Plus, a new extended segment of “Sippin’ the Political Tea” with contributors Errin Haines and Jess Morales Rocketto.

EPISODE RUNDOWN

0:51 Farai Chideya breaks down what she calls the “Black Cassandra Syndrome” and why she thinks more people should listen to journalists of color.

2:34 New York Attorney General Letiticia James talks about her goal to uphold an equal application of the law, regardless of social status.

5:50 James explains that her humble upbringing and daily interactions with her community encourage her to seek justice for all.

7:55 Lawmakers’ priorities tend to neglect the needs of average Americans, especially minority communities, James explains.

13:12 Journalist Jazmine Ulloa describes what the siege on the Capitol looked like, on the ground.

14:56 Many journalists in the Senate press gallery doubted that rioters could break into the building, Ulloa explains.

17:40 Ulloa has had a career in crime reporting and describes the impact her work has on her community.

21:48 The Covid Update looks at the uptick in daily deaths and the effects of the illness on “long-haulers.”

24:04 Political strategist Minyon Moore gives her insight on the upcoming Biden-Harris Administration.

24:47 Moore’s political career began with the campaign to elect Chicago’s first Black mayor.

28:17 Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris uplifts the voices of everyday Americans and “represents the people,” Moore explains.

29:42 The SPEAK platform takes in input from callers all across the country. This week, one caller shares what they’d do if they were President, on their first day in the Oval Office.

32:31 Our Body Politic’s extended roundtable “Sipping the Political Tea” covers all things news and politics with contributors Jess Morales Rocketto and Errin Haines.

34:03 Chideya breaks down her blog post from four years ago, “The Call to Whiteness,” which dissects and predicts the patterns that result from white supremacy in politics.

37:16 Haines expresses the frustration that her and other Black journalists have experienced over the years when they try to talk about racism and white supremacy.

39:17 Morales Rocketto looks into the motives behind President Trump’s supporters in the Capitol, Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, and their future roles in the Republican Party.

43:19 Haines, Morales Rocketto, and Chideya talk about what in politics has most surprised them most in the last week.