Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

Happy Holidays MIP family! We're bringing you some of the year's most popular episodes while our team takes a break. Enjoy this throwback episode and a restful, joyful holiday season! Robert P. Jones is the author of “White Too Long” (which recently received the American Book Award), as well as a leading commentator on the crossroads of politics and religion. He brings us his expertise in data and theology with what he has titled the “racism index,” a scale used to examine the impact religion has had on a person’s potential racism through a series of racial attitude questions. His results were both affirming and surprising, and he explains them in today’s episode, as he and Mark question what a movement to integrate Sunday morning might look like. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Happy Holidays MIP family! We're bringing you some of the year's most popular episodes while our team takes a break. Enjoy this throwback episode and a restful, joyful holiday season! America is the wealthiest country in the world and yet our federal paid leave, or rather, lack thereof, comes up way short in comparison to other countries. Carol Joyner is the Director of Labor Project for Working Families and in today’s episode, she explains that we’re at a pivotal moment in our country’s history where we have the potential to pass the first federal paid leave mandate--but how likely is that to actually happen? She fills us in on the challenges the legislation faces, why she’s optimistic, and where there is still room for improvement on the granular details. She also details how Labor Project for Working Families, in conjunction with a nationwide network of unions, partners, and organizations, have worked to pass paid leave legislation in 9 states and Washington D.C. over the last 20 years. Executive

Happy Holidays MIP family! We're bringing you some of the year's most popular episodes while our team takes a break. Enjoy this throwback episode and a restful, joyful holiday season! You know Brittany Temple as the Producer behind the scenes of Make It Plain, but she’s also a writer and publisher of a bi-weekly newsletter, Write All Along. Her most recent issue was inspired by Bill Cosby’s release from jail--she wasn’t surprised it happened, and felt frustrated with the continued fixation on big headline stories, when sexual assault is happening in our communities every day. She chose to share her story in hopes of contributing to the collective strength of survivors who are standing up to say they won’t be silent about sexual abuse any longer. Brittany makes the point that, statistically speaking, we all know someone who has been sexually abused, and in order to create a supportive culture, we have to demand it by speaking up. Read her newsletter here: https://brittanytemple.substack.com/ Executi

Jen Miller is the Executive Director at the League of Women Voters Ohio, and she and her colleagues are working alongside the ACLU of Ohio and the A. Philip Randolph Institute to fight gerrymandering in the state. They recently filed a lawsuit in the Ohio Supreme Court to fight against the state’s new Congressional district map and prove the maps are extreme partisan gerrymandering. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Eric Boehlert of Pressrun.media is back for his biting analysis of what the mainstream media is flubbing these days: this time, they’re following along with Republicans who invented claims about Critical Race Theory. They’re happy to indulge the fabricated GOP fears but fail to mention that CRT is something that is only taught at the college level and higher, not in elementary school. But the Republicans dictate the public discourse based on what they’re angry about or what controversy they’d like to stir, and the Beltway press is happy to lap it up. On top of CRT, Eric has good news and bad news about the coverage of the January 6th committee. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On December 1st, the Supreme Court heard Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, one of the more troubling attacks on Roe v. Wade and women’s access to healthcare that is currently unfolding in America right now. Daniela Diaz is the Federal Strategies Manager at All* Above All, and she helps us understand what this case means in the grander scheme of protecting reproductive health care and access. The situation is dire, but she also details creative strategizing happening, including the EACH Act, which seeks to reverse the Hyde Amendment that blocks federal funds from going toward abortion. Daniela is also an abortion storyteller, meaning that she willingly shares her own experience with the medical procedure, and she talks to us about that decision and how it impacted her life for the better. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://

It’s #ThursdayKos and we’re back to strategizing for H.R. 40, the midterms, and democracy at large. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Sherice Janaye Nelson is an Assistant Professor at Southern University and A&M College. She’s from Oakland California and has only been educated at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Her research interests include Black political leadership, women as political agents, and the Black experience throughout the Diaspora. In her latest book, “The Congressional Black Caucus: 50 Years of Fighting for Equality,” she aims to make a clear statement on what the Congressional Black Caucus is, what it does, and correct the misinformation fueled by mainstream media that does not accurately convey how critical the Black Caucus is for democracy. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mike Elk was illegally fired from Politico for union organizing, and won a settlement in the aftermath. He used that money to invest in his labor news organization, Payday Report, where they cover the angle of labor unions and workers’ rights that traditional news organizations cannot. It’s through this lens that he examines the MLB owner lockout; Mike helps us understand what, exactly, is a lockout versus a strike, and how the owners are essentially manipulating players by shutting them out--and how a lockout makes the union a “hostage,” because owners get to decide when this charade will end. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We learned last week that the United States Department of Justice is closing the case on the murder of Emmett Till, and will no longer pursue an investigation into his horrific death, which sparked the modern Civil Rights Movement. Deborah Watts is Emmett’s cousin and Founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, and despite the DOJ’s disappointing decision, she is continuing to fight for justice and uphold the memory of Emmett Till. In today’s episode Deborah and Mark discuss the 2017 book by author Timothy Tyson, where he wrote about Carolyn Bryant (the accuser) confessing to lying about Emmett whistling at her--a claim that has since been debated, as her family stepped in to retract the statement. But after all this time, and the murky accusation and retraction, why hasn’t there been a closer investigation of Carolyn Bryant, who, as Deborah argues, is the original Karen? Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvert

Gun violence activists, survivors, organizers and advocates rallied in front of the White House yesterday, demanding President Biden finally take a different approach to the public health crisis that is gun violence. Igor Volsky is the Executive Director of Guns Down America, and in today’s episode, he tells us there's not a single staffer in the White House whose full-time job is to address this crisis, as gun violence continues to take lives. And since Biden pledged from the campaign trail, where’s the action to his proposed plan now? Guns Down America is also asking the White House to conduct a federal review of laws across the country, like open carry and stand-your-ground, to consider how they empower vigilantism like that of Kyle Rittenhouse. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A Politico headline went viral that read “Democrats fall flat with ‘Latinx’ language.” Markos Moulitsas, founder of DailyKos, Civiqs, and Host of “The Brief,” is weighing in with the consideration of his Latino roots (he is from El Salvador), as well as some polling data from within the Latino community, to consider what the best-used term might be, and how President Biden might want to be careful about who he trusts when it comes to the language he should be using. Mark and Markos discuss all angles of the situation, and how, ultimately, it should not be used to make a political point through language. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We know Donald Trump is corrupt, but how deep does it go? David Cay Johnston’s latest book “The Big Cheat: How Donald Trump Fleeced America and Enriched Himself and His Family” answers that question, detailing just how far the Trump family will go with their schemes to steal. David has been chronicling Donald Trump and his family for more than 33 years and dubs him a master con-artist, laying out in his book the ways Donald was America’s “beggar-in-chief.” Will he be indicted for the deeds he’s done? In today’s episode, David explains that it’s only a matter of time. BUY “The Big Cheat” here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Big-Cheat/David-Cay-Johnston/9781982178031 Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Senator Rand Paul’s days in the U.S. Senate are numbered, as far as Charles Booker is concerned: he’s running against Senator Paul in the 2022 midterm elections. Charles wants to make moves on the Hill that will serve ALL Kentuckians, as opposed to the wealthy few that Senator Paul is most concerned with. Charles comes from one of the poorest zip codes in Kentucky, and he realizes that the struggle cuts across party lines. That’s why he plans to build a sustainable future that gives access to prosperity, not just survival. And aside from his plans for prosperity, Charles shows us how Senator Paul is not just an “unserious politician,” but a literal danger to the people of Kentucky. MORE INFO: https://charlesbooker.org/meet-charles/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This month is special for our jobs report recap, as we have two experts on the subject. First up is Angela Hanks, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training at the Department of Labor. She details the work her department is doing to develop more efficient pathways to jobs for those who are looking. Next up is MIP’s resident economist, Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, who helps us understand how the jobs report is so much more than just jobs gained or lost, and he breaks it down in a way that is easily understood. This month is no different, as Chad explains why the November jobs number could potentially be revised substantially (did you know all the jobs reports get revised, anyway?). He also shows us how the virus is still driving our economy--but there is good news, if you’re someone who is still hunting for a job: this is your market, not the employers’. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainmen

Why do Mark and Danielle believe that December do-or-die for Democrats? We’re fighting to save Roe v. Wade, prevent gerrymandering, stop the disintegration of voting rights, and so much more. But that’s exactly why this is NOT the time to get jaded, and Danielle and Mark break down the realities of the moment in order to ignite the fight within each of us. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Tony Allen is the President of HBCU Delaware State University, as well as Chair of President Biden’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs. 65 HBCU Presidents have sent a letter to the Senate demanding action on President Biden’s historic funding to those universities, and Dr. Allen describes how beneficial that investment is and what needs to be done to make it all happen. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Do you consider education a human right? Kailee Scales is the CEO of Pencils of Promise and she explains in today’s episode that, as human beings, access to education is our birthright. And with Pencils of Promise, she’s leading an organization that is doing the hard work to expand that access, currently working in Laos, Guatemala and Ghana to build more than 500 schools and serve more than 1,000 students. In addition to that, Pencils of Promise seeks to improve and expand education on hygiene programming, clean water and ending menstrual poverty, as these factors all play a part in preventing children from focusing on learning and growing. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ever since Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted on charges of murdering two people and injuring another, hostility towards protestors is increasing. Scott Roberts is the Senior Director of Criminal Justice for Color of Change, and in today’s episode he explains that more than 100 bills have popped up in states across the country that seek to strip rights from protestors, and even give more freedom to those who wish to hurt protestors. This response is setting a dangerous precedent, and highlights what we’re already painfully aware of: our legal system has a double-standard problem, and systemic change is overdue. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Eric Boehlert of Pressrun.media says the media coverage of Vice President Kamala Harris is completely out of hand. In fact, their coverage of Democrats and their alleged troubles with “messaging” is an overall disaster, with seemingly no self-reflection of what role the reporters themselves play in demolishing the aforementioned Democratic messaging. There also wasn’t any reporting on the White House easing the supply chain jam--but at least we’re getting the most important news, which is the hot takes from America’s least favorite governor, the wishy-washy-Trump-lover-hater-maybe-supporter, Chris Christie. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy