Transcripts For CSPAN2 Tiffany Cross Say It Louder 20240712

This program is part of the Commonwealth Club virtual series. We like to thank our members and sponsors and supporters for making this and all of the other programs possible. We are grateful for your support and hope that others will follow examples to support the club during these uncertain times. Today im excited to be talking with Tiffani Cross longtime analyst and author of a brand new book, say it louder tiffani has spent years in politics and the media where she has witnessed the ways in which black voters are minimized and suppressed through both policy and media coverage. Say it louder builds on the work and explains the ways in which black voters have been crucial in the same political system that were often dismissed from and although Voter Suppression is not new, Tiffani Cross asserts that the changes coming by way of political activism in this country and a demographic shift. If you are watching along with this and have a question you would like to ask tiffani later in the program please put in the chat box and youtube are the comments on facebook. And the question will get to me to it post a tiffani a little bit later. I want to thank you, Tiffani Cross for joining us today. Guest thank you amy for being in this conversation with me im especially excited to have it with you and looking forward to this. Host totally and i wanted to congratulate you also on your role on an ms nbc was on her show and you stepped into that role very happy to have you there. Whats it like to have a regular outlet like the saturday shows on ns nbc to address some of the issues . Guest let me say im just a guest hosting the official announcement is made. You will see some other people in the host chair for the next month or so. Ill be the house this weekend and a few other times this month. I enjoy, i enjoy contributing my thoughts to ns nbc. And then enjoyed creating such an amazing platform. A lot of what i write about is the lack of diversity in broadcast journalism at all levels pretty want to take this opportunity to say what we went to get a primetime spot and having supporters elevate her and cheer her on. And what msnbc platform, what she gave them was 2. 6 million viewers. So i just think diversity wins. And it feels like an era of black women taking the helm in so many areas. The work you are doing it she the people, even in the executive ranks they recently promoted a woman, to lead all weekend in daytime programming. It is our time. I feel very excited to be a part of this and live at this moment. See what yes. Its our time and its your time. I think about your book, coming out in the midst of a pandemic in which black and brown communities are disproportionately affected with covid19 and hospitalize in dying at higher rates. Unemployment is hitting our committees hard. Based of historic protests in every state across the country demanding more from that america deal with this racism, not the past but the racist president. What is the journey that started you writing the book and the first place . And what does it mean for it to come out in this moment . Guest first to come come out right now is really interesting amy. I wrote the book before brown and taylor, before george floyd. It really shows you how timeless brutality against black people is in this country. Its historic and american tradition at this point. The fact that a detail some of the historic murders dating back to the last century, even the last president ial election cycle i see this wrinkle in time. The time that thats timeless really shows how black people have always been in spectacular fashion for the white narrative of what happens to us. As we sit at this time a racial reckoning as they say from very excited about the cultural shift, amy. Ensuring that on for sure. But i wont be satisfied until it accompanies a cultural shift. He think as long as the narrative is that white people should allow black People Freedom the white nfl owners should allow black players. And the narrative is so oppressed that the power rests solely with white decisionmakers. I dont support that. I think we have to disrupt power at every level. To the powerbrokers look like america. Literally look at your book. You got this on the cover. But it talks about black voters and white narratives. Give us some examples from your book about the white narratives that have limited the political power invoices of black people. Guest and the media landscape thats pretty much run by white men. Every political conversation is about white peoples history white peoples finances people white peoples employment prejust talked about the unemployment inequality is a Global Pandemic. Really it will meet at labor stats they typically have white americans desperately look at black american theyre often very much higher. You dont hear a lot of that in the immediate landscape. He always heard terms like nascar dads, soccer moms, these cute nicknames for voters and especially to white voters. Black voters get that same when you hear white women or nondedicated men. The same thing can apply to black voters. But you dont hear that. What you hear people on broadcast news people go to diners. Or apparently no black or brown people ever eat. But these are the voters of the heartland. This is meant to represent with the Political Landscape once what the landscape looks like. And i know that if you go to birmingham, alabama, and go to corral after Baptist Church lets out those are certainly boaters of the heartland to pretty go to ohio firmly those are voters from the heartland. But you dont often see that. One example i talked about in the book, amy, there was a segment that a network did. It was meant to be a feelgood segment. There were a bunch of groomsmen dancing in a parking lot. Summary the hotel called the police were there making noise. Cop shows up on this at ohe were in a wedding tomorrow were practicing our routine all black guys. The coxes had kind like to see that. The guys. Internetwork shows us like this is the good stuff look at this great example. And this is at the height of 2015, 2016 where black men were target practice at this point. I just thought, i know is not their intention to be insensitive, but how utterly ridiculous that the suggestion is all youve got to give the cop show up to not get shot as though your five heartbeats routine in front of the officer to get go home safely that night. Now that maybe if they had a black producer or host of the show someone could have pointed out how offensive the segment was. So we cant be so defensive in the media that we are not willing to say you know what, i just missed that one. So from a very political perspective suggests some very basic humane perspective. Marketing creates a better political and media landscape that directly impacts democracy. And should inform people. Stuart will we talk about your journey and how your Life Experience has taken not only into newsrooms but also political activism, it did that with the beach in d. C. . Where did the journey up to this book start . Guest i started journalism for sure. I got my start in radio then i was hired at cnn i work to the World Headquarters in atlanta and they relocated me to capitol hill as part of the coverage duppercaseletter when bob novak some of our viewers right now could do that themselves as a weekday host 20 years ago he was hosting the sunday talk show that nick now has. In that space a really just felt like the only i was bad i felt very, very ostracized and not very welcomed by my peers preside write about what that was like. Navigating the newsroom and feeling like maybe the space was not for me. Maybe i didnt belong in broadcast news. I put a lot of different times i was a producer i was a field producer i was an executive producer and running the d. C. Bureau. I found my new platform i worked with investors built up investment and navigated the capitalists. I taught a class on diversity in broadcast journalism at harvard. And still to this day people will ask but does she have a newscast . Can she hold her own on an anchor desk . You just wonder man if i were aye woman or aye man, people will be tripping over themselves to give me a platform. I have worked so hard and earned it. It just shows there has to be a more diverse way of decisionmakers. Through the frustration of navigating this 20 year career of news and politics. I worked on campaigns of the federal, state, local level when i get frustrated with journalism and i take a break every couple of years. Unlike a crappy exboyfriend would call me back and i would go running back to the news. It was in that space i was preparing to tell the story. And it was a story that needed to be told. And in 2016 thats when i started doing research. I will tell you 18 months of solid writing. It was torture. I wrote every single word in this book. I wrote every single sentence. And i wrote it in every way could be written. So it flowed. I did that because i was weaned on like Toni Morrison who did the same thing and a member her saying you write a sentence in every form until it sounds righ right. And that is a mental torture. But after 18 months i was finally done. Im really proud of this body of work. See what this is beautifully written book. Im supplies a political powerhouse journalist like yourself is inspired by Toni Morrison. That surprises me. But maybe not. Guest i love your writing. I love the art of the written language. I think at the end of the day we in journalism do is tell storie stories. So he is very much a storyteller. Even though her stories are based infection she drew on real Life Experience. She drew on systems of White Supremacy. She drew on an imagination where there could be some sort of reckoning. I was heartbroken when she passed away with the world would be if she were live to see this. I love writing, i love having written. I hate writing. [laughter] i do love the art of it. And i love reading pretty think if you want to be a great writer you have to first be a great reader. She was definitely someone who i read. I member oprah said you have to read over and over to understan understand. Tony marbury coleman looked at her and said my dear thats called reading. [laughter] she just tell it like it is. Something about the blatant bold straight truth telling. So inspiring part of never forget i saw a video of her in an interview with aye journalist who sang what you think about the racism in the country . And she said thats a good question. I think white people should ask what they are going to do about it, it has nothing to do with m me. Powerful exchanger she did not give an inch. Have the protest in the wake of the killing of george floyd and all of the other black people who lost their lives which built up to this moment, have those protests change the National Narrative . Have they changed the way black people expressed or received . Have they changed the way of the world of journalism shapes the narrative about black people . Guest i think so but not enough. I think we are in this moment or its a cool thing and its trendy to talk about it. At some point, this racial reckoning is going to hit because a lot of people reporting on White Supremacy are essentially unintentionally still practicing it. In areas where they work which directly impacts the narrative. I think one example is you have a lot of reporters get an interview with mike pentz. Or peter navarro. Or even donald trump or bill barr. And they will ask is there systemic racism in the United States . Is there systemic racism in Law Enforcement . The question itself is so disrespectful. Its racist. Yeses disrespectful put we would not ask people if women are. [inaudible] thats an obvious statement. Right we know systemic racism exists hows your your administration going to address it . To the Given Administration out because they posted an asinine question. Some of this in a chattering class is a blanketed in privilege. But for the rising majority of this country, the people of color crosses country we know the answer. As long as youre talking to in about each other we are never having real conversations. That is all we have to continue to fight for power, and taking up space as our full offensive cells bridge showing up in a space we are comfortable at making people uncomfortable. Asking questions were speaking or truth. Until i have tried to do that in my capacity for it and please to be joined by other people who are increasingly more bold and audacious. While they are on air theres a lot older white men and they are appealing to viewers who average between 62 and 65yearold men. You have to keep reminding that beat a mortal. So i speak to the rising and missouri if youre trying to cater to the shrinking missouri the bottom line helps give megaphones to me and other folks who are speaking the bold truth. We wont be the norm anymore. The fact that there used to be a colored water fountain and a Drinking Water fountain. Not that long ago that was the norm. We consider normalcy. Its interesting its not a blackandwhite issue. In the Los Angeles Times a of latin acts people who work for the company in various reporters and roles signed a letter demanding more from that the Los Angeles Times hire more people from the Community Given how many people in california art latin xp are in the community. So i think what youre talking about is how inspiring other people were saying reflection of this in other communities. Guest kai talked talk to about 2020 . Lets get into it. Listen just as were talking we are just over a little more than a hundred days most important election of our lifetime. I will just say we dont even have to argue. Things were not that great for black people before trump took office. Although we put it all in there, the highest educated group in the country and really highest turnout group of voters. Joint economic possibilities and dispiriting things like that. I guess my question 100 days out is how are you assessing the political voice in the political power of black people in this moment . I will just say for the people who are watching so there is no question, black people are 25 of Democratic Party voters. And we are the most loyal as a group, Democratic Party voters. When your introduction starts out with clyburn statement about joe biden that really catapulted the front of the pack becomes the nominee for the Democrat Party ran for president except the political power invoice of black voters in this moment. [inaudible] im the president of her fan club im happy to share with you that so amazing. And we talked about the role that black voters have played. Not just now but throughout democracy. We werent trying to punctuate how we resurrect campaigns highly decide campaigns. To celebrate black people as a superhero they are in this country. So even now what we see a lot of stories about people standing in these long lines in wisconsin. How awful it is, and now all descend people are interested in Voter Suppression even though this has been something something weve been impacted by for years. Until as people are just now starting to Pay Attention to our reality. I think have black voters are with their life and livelihood on the line every civil time we cast a ballot. The wealth that black people have created for this country never been acknowledged. That kind of resentment has rippled in time. And so in this moment we are reimagining america, we are reimagining a government that is not only of the people, by the people, for the people but would for the people includes us. And it baffles me that so many people still maintain loyalty to this president. They look at him as if hes protecting things he can avoid. We say we still show up we are demanding more from Something Better from a country that we have long served. We are going to be facing an unholy trinity this election cycle. We will have election interferes that specifically targets us. Gop Voter Suppression and the follett of covid19. But black voters will seek democracy just as we did during democracy. Just as we did in 2016 despite the political narrative we didnt show up because as you know not only showed up there were a lot of white people who were very excited about the presidency of donald trump who overwhelmed and over indexed at voting booths. They did not have the hurdles that black voters face. Steve let me just ask you right there, one thing that i have heard as part of the narrative that still shapes the way people talk about and understand donald trump. Particularly from white women. Surprised that the majority of white women are republican. Surprise that for decades majority of white voters have been conservative and increasingly so as well as you mention a shrinking part. How does that serve a particular narrative . I am curious about that. As your talk about the loyalty with god understand in the context of race. There isnt another way to understand it with his base being overwhelmingly white. Is an acacia for my book that specifically focus on the role white women have played. White men represent i think a small member of society. The overwhelmingly over indexed. They feel cheated and elected as a ruling class in our politics. White women have been their biggest enablers. So i think we have to have conversations about this. After 2016, a friend of mine sent out an email that all of the white women she knew purchase of ladies the conversation needs to happen. And they all run her back is a great when you want to have this conversation . I said not with me with each other. We do our work. We are accountable for all of our community. So we sank guess we need to respond to each other. Since contributions in trying to be an ally and thats great we do need it takes an effort. However, confront her with that support confront her with the truth, confront her with facts and reality. Dont just ignore your racist uncle at thanksgiving sit were responsive for our communities time for everyone to be accountable for their community. Songs people are looking at this like you are taking something away for me. That is going to be a problem. Seems to be a problem some people think theyre losing will some people are winning. Its enough to make me burst into laughter and then into tears. I havent seen the overwhelming gains watch yourself in a Steep Mountain with ankle weights on. A lot of times our issues, amy, as you know a line. Align. But the fact the people dont want a government to serve, people who dont look like them. There with corporate welfare but not with a government that serves often doesnt kill us. Its a problem and i havent figure out the reason im not going to try to figure out the reason for i try to focus my energy on people who can be informed and inspired. I has been a challenge to try to bring back thats not my ministry that somebody else. Mine either. [laughter] right should the comment, i may ask you about this. Because a couple of days ago it was announced as. Now those who understand that politician and you have tweeted about this recently. His role in ohio has been to enable Voter Suppression. One specific thing i know he was involved in because i was paying attention to it when it happened the polls sunday Early Voting Program that help particularly pastors and churches organize in the pews to get people to actually vote people black people to vote he was resulted and in that program in ohio. How do you assess what he speaking to the dnc given that black women are six times more likely to vote for a democrat than white men. Was it saying something about who is important . Who the Democratic Partys going for . Could they think they can win over . I met. [inaudible] guest i appreciate how it was phrased, thank you for that. Not only with that with the dnc but he up space on a Network Every night and is never even been asked about his role Voter Suppression. Never been confronted about his role and delivering him directly down 1600 insane avenue. I dont understand it. I thank you so much of what we know about politics is filtered through our media landscape sometimes is a tendency of the Democratic Party to make their appeal to people who appealed to these voters are swing voters uneven notice when butter is at this time and im consistently during the democratic primary saying hey youre running out of democrats. Talks about how you can win some blue states. And then to the ones who run into many people are so involved about winning somebody who doesnt want them. I am like are you an insecure teenage girl . The last time the Democratic Party won the majority of white but was in 1964. The last time the american electorate was predominately white was 1976 when is it 89 white electric. So where they are now is out of step with the rising majority of this country and the changing demographic. So i am baffled that hes invited. I am curious to see how Many Democrats will be asked to speak. It does send a message. I understand people are nervous about black voters making this aptly been historically brutalized. But people get scared i know we have to get this white supremacist out of office. But i would say evangelicals get to make their demands. Gun lobbyists make their demand demands. Why can we not as black people make demands of our government . To make demands of a party we disproportionally uphold. Now you can see they are valuing someone who has been the antithesis of a lot of what weve been fighting for. I just have to tell people dont at me anymore. Dont comment anymore when im advocating we should have the epicenter of political power in this power has leapfrogged to give a huge platform. What a slap in the face but because its time black women are used to it. But we will continue to try to disrupt that system and that way of thinking. And until there is a true reckoning. Not just culturally bit in terms of power, in terms of political party, i dont see this boding well for democrats. Host i could not agree more. But let me one thing he said. Its fine that black women are used to. Is it find the 30s took . I meant to put this in the same category. It happened in 2016 we saw hillary clinton, a lot of her campaign and messaging. Even centered around people saying its wondered years of suffrage great not for us. Black women, Asian American womens, latin text in those is after 1965. So its not 100 years for us. But to center a Campaign Messaging and narrative around that. Goodness. So what happened in 2016 coupled with investments of some swing states not speaking to black men or women that couldve made the difference in states like georgia and michigan and wisconsin. I guess the question is, is this why people are excited about the Lincoln Project . Thinking that trump republican can find a home that will come in in droves i will help to win the battleground States Parties at the belief are operating off of to prioritize ovary black women . Guest let me clarify when i say its fine. My dog is here making noise. [laughter] host we can hear dog youre okay. Everybodys at home. Speedily sitting here whining. Anyway i say is fine i dont mean its finis and its okay its fine that black women will still shot because we vote in our self interest and we vote for interest of the greater goo good. We dont just organize ourselves we organize community. You even had a beautiful former black women and all women of color were censored in the conversation. Kudos to that. Thats what it meant when i say fight not that its accessible because it is unacceptable. Also 1920s when white women got the right to vote. You will hear time and again we come up on the hundred Year Anniversary people repeatedly, mistakenly celebrate this as an opportunity for all women which we know is not true. So as i see the party overlook black women, its kind of in the same way as some of the media landscape media efforts with more diverse still treats us as though we are the main dish up the side dish. As long as you have these powerful entities treating us is that we cant be roped into the main part of this conversation going to really uncomfortable me stop asking for and we sit at the helm of the table. Thats coming other people like it or not. I think right now we are in a revolution where you can agree or disagree on the revolution. You pick one side or another. There really in an evolution. An evolution you get left behind. I think an evolution on america were black women again said the epicenter of political power. There too many of us saying we are not going back. It is not the time american body politic its not the time to appeal to the people who are really political at this point. So we will see what happens. I dont black womens always show up during the political season. I think after this it is the last time that white people will be centered at everything. I think this is a point in time where we have to share in the power structure. That is going to be uncomfortable for some people. I am excited i know rick wilson and all those guys over there the conversation i want to have is hopefully will see me have at msnbc at some point is the never trumpeters. You know a lot of these people are allies now. But what does it look like when a democrat is in office . I used my enemy or my friend . A lot of these folks helped create the path for this man to get right to the white house. And now, frankenstein was a doctor not a monster. This is the monster you all created. Now that the monsters turned on you you want to scurry over here and be bffs with us. Thats fine but i got one eye on you. I say look im not sleeping on it. Dont you know all of 2020 what it looks like. What lessons have you learned . And how will you confront and disrupt the system of White Supremacy that you not only benefited on but perpetuated . Stu and i love this. In a moment were going to go to some the questions folks have been asking questions on facebook and youtube. Listen, i am transparent. I called for a woman of color with the Vice President ticket. Im doing that for months thats transparent to me. How important is that issue for you . Calling for black woman Vice President for their cell lot of women were excited about the 2000 ho biden versus the 2020 job biden paired he needs 70 could be exciting. And if we were dealing with the Global Pandemic who can attack and be thrilled to see and get a peace of . This is where ego has to be set aside. We have to think congress and the senate. We have to think second term. As long as you are operating for a white man ego you may have a tendency to make a misstep. When youre saying things lik like fat in a sign that you need a black woman to take your hand as you cross the finish line because right now he has all these female amazing people, youve got people around department comes the top of the ticket to cast about he needs a woman whos going to really dance him across the finish line. Because right now i think theres a lot of people with concern and i am one that has concern. See when there are a lot of concerns out there. We just did a series of listening questions of women of color battleground states. With enthusiasm gap. Weve seen that having a black woman at the top of the ticket could really, really help. You said it earlier. Black women are going to turn out for the democrat or the most loyal democratic voters. But it is the number. Are we going to close the gap in pennsylvania . What about houston . What about miami . What about phoenix . I think its literally the number of turnouts that i am also interested in. Uncomfortable couple of questions for it heres one. What is it feel like democrats exist to use their leverage that is our base in the book of the country that weve seen so far behind this reality . I interpret this to mean why does the base not see a reality of the policymaking coming from the Democratic Party . But just pick something, Defund Police are in the other issues you see coming from the black community right now. Sweetie im confused with the question. She saying c1 the way im interpreting that is wise and the Democratic Party utilizing the base, black voters translating that into policy. That people want as opposed to going off to the side . Speech at something seen at the highest level of government and in our candidate. Joe bidens response to this as i meant to give more money to the police prayed Law Enforcement eight with you holy. I was a not everybody but many solidified themselves to be members of backup. You know i think thats not necessarily true in every part of the government. I think even if joe biden is elected and till be facing a very progressive congress. The most diverse congresses countries ever seen. Its only gotten more so. So we have people like ricky torres and they unseated an incompetent, i think its going to be really hard to legislate. And though its 1994 prayed thats not going to happen. When you see people winning these elections based on progressive policies, deep in black lives matter mantra. Im not too concerned at least on a legislative perspective that this will be a problem. If voters are able to help as well. I think you look at the feet of road about legislation that was really speaking to the majority and really reflective of what america will look like. But all these amazing bills that were very comprehensive felt flat at a republican turned controlled senate, the Upper Chamber print of the president ial election takes up all the action in the room, but there really is a lot that happened at the legislative branch. You think the senate would have a different landscape than the government. how it affects black voter turnout and compound the problem thats already in place particularly in battleground states where high voter turnout amongst black voters is really going to make the difference for democrats . I think this is going to be a major issue as we thought in wisconsin. Its not just the fallout of covid its for election interference that specifically targets us in gop voter land suppression. We ask people to hurtle these three major challenges i think we have to give them something to vote for and or Election Protection is down we already have seen we know russia is already been proved that they try to infiltrate our election. I dont imagine china will sit this out. Donald trump has already tried to sold doubts in the election results. I dont think we will know who our president is on the barber third. Even then i suspect he might try to challenge it. Hes already attacked male in ballot even though he vote by mail and ballot. I think the suppression issue is not getting enough attention. Voter suppression i wrote about in my but, in georgia black people are running for office in winning. A lot of people think this jim crow era of Voter Suppression is long gone but the fact is, its still thriving. Eric holder is suing the state of mississippi right now for jim crow era that keeps the a arrested with predominately conservative white men in this state. Mike espy, run it for senate in mississippi out raise the incumbent senator Cindy Hyde Smith who loves to tell winching jokes. He outraised her. I think that says something that at first it says the self is read only until it aint and that victory is possible. That people are just ready to disrupt all these efforts to keep us out of the ballot box. It makes me nervous because i think the discord we will see in november, i dont want to be hyperbolic but i think things could be violent when you see some of the megasupporters selling guns, on peaceful protesters, cbs news that they called Trump Supporters sharing their thoughts. It was a ton of people, one guy actually said that trump wont be removed from office, i have a 357 magnum that says otherwise. When you have people like this in the state who are voters, im concerned about peaceful transition of power thats kept this country functioning for so long flex the greatest modern challenge to democracy, what does your research, your writing, your work, tell you about the best way, i would start with the black community, the multiracial folks who live in communities across the country to prepare for the possibility of there being a trump not leaving peacefully or contesting the election. Im thinking about al gore, there is a lot of evidence there had been something happening in ohio and hanging chads in florida. The cheating that happened. He withdrew his claim and there was a peaceful transfer of power. How do we prepare for that threat . The times actually did a great piece on this about the legality of it. This is another discussion that i hope to have in the near future but there actually is a Law Enforcement issues and constitutional issues in place that no member of his cabinet can aid him legally and trying to keep them in power. But the challenge is, why did he make jeron abjared kushner or ivanka trump but weve seen him do these things. Weve seen him below the court pillars of democracy. What is it will quickly start to do that now . I think we have a Young Country that is never been tested like this. Never been tested to this degree. If that happens, again, i anticipate there will be a disruption. What i want to ask some of the election analysts who i will be talking to and some nationals a ahow far down the line we have to go . If he literally does not exit . Thats not an area of expertise i have but its a question on the minds of a lot of voters. I think we have to consider that. I heard it and i heard a lot of people bringing up the military, Paramilitary Force still in Portland Oregon the report Homeland Security director to the president. I heard a lot of concern about that role too. Legitimate concerns. These are things we were saying in 2016 and i have to tell you, amy, they say you just have to move forward but i am petty enough that every day i want to shout from the top of my lungs, we tried to tell you. We tried to tell you and here we are. Look where White Supremacy gets us. This president was elected on White Supremacy. This is always been americas greatest weakness. Its very concerning. I think we will be tested in ways weve never been tested before. I dont feel optimistic about the outcome but what i do feel optimistic about is being united with people, i know this is my experience, i would rather fight to the death before i lay down and die. Not let White Supremacy had the last word. Thats right. The democracy and the future of the country is about more than vote. What do you want people to do besides vote . Whats your goal youre trying to create in this lifetime and can you share what you are hopeful vision of the future of america looks like . Yes. I think besides vote is inspire people who dont feel inspired. I certainly understand people, latasha brown, who does great work talk me through this in such a great way. Theres so many black people who dont trust the system. This is a system that kept their families in redlined communities that keep their children in dilapidated schools. That imprisons their sons, that kills their brothers, that beat their mothers. All the things, all the ways that the system has failed us. We have to ask people, dont believe in the system, believe in you. Get a sense of agency about you and how you envision this country to be. What if you get to be the architect of the next phase of democracy . What is that look like . I hope that people can help have those conversations because while there are some people who are talking to the midwestern west belt working class, i think there needs to be just as many if not more people talking to the dudes on the block. The chicks in the nail salon. Because these are voters as well and if theyre not voters, they are potential voters. And people who will potential political power. My hopeful vision for america is that people commit this dog. [laughter] my hopeful vision is for america is for that everybody participates in this democracy because thats what democracy is. And that everybody gets a voice and what this country looks like. When i hear some of these Trump Supporters comments sometimes i do the radio shows i call in they say oh my gosh this persons vote counts just as much is mine. Another thing people can do because i focus on media. People abi challenge the media landscape all the time. Other people are always echoing my thoughts and telling me how much that means, right now we have a black woman in prime time and how you let people know you appreciate that is by tuning in, by delivering those ratings by elevating by posting by tweeting by sharing your enthusiasm about the program because then that sends a message that we ought to do more of that. We ought to have more on every platform. When one of us wins we all win. How i see amy sitting at the top of the political power went out to my right i want to see joey taking enemies were getting millions of euros because the energy is contagious. By osmosis we all elevate that way. As long as we can do that with and for each other that gives me the one sliver of hope and optimism. You are giving me hope and optimism because the last thing you said was you have to listen to trump people spew the things they are saying on the other hand your cheerleading black people, women you want everyone to take their place, its beautiful. I just wonder on a personal note, youve been in this game for a while. How do you stay so positive . Im not always positive. I have my days and my frustration sometimes i have my hours. Earlier today i had my hour i was literally losing my breath try to breathe. My anger, to be honest, drives me sometimes. Im so angry at what i see the first time i sat in the host chair for joy was july 1 weekend in donald trump i thought i would be nervous in the chair but donald trump ab and i didnt watch it the night before, i watched it saturday morning and i was so angry. I was walking like im ready i was walking like i was in malcom x about to get johnson out of jail. I wanted to respond. I wanted to respond to this blatantly racist bigoted tone and i watched native americans there get arrested on their land, on their land. It was heartbreaking and frustrating and so typically when i feel that way unlike lets go. I want to write a book i want to write an oped i want to get on somebodys television. And just in that space very comfortable making whoever the hell feels uncomfortable, uncomfortable. Because they have to ask, why do i feel uncomfortable speaking this solid truth about who this country is. I think thats what it takes. And honestly, i mean this from the bottom my heart, people like you, i know theres been times youve had to be frustrated at things you saw in this Political Landscape. The amazing work in the uphill battles that you find and i know of today i had a negative thought i would take a bit amy had some hard times and she still there she is pleasant and smiling. Joy, a mutual friend of ours what she has to go through. I think of the lineage become some, why do i ever have to be tired or complain or give up or even at rest sometimes even though selfcare matters but i feel like the blood of the enslaved runs through me in the spirit of my sisters and my brother abrother ren and my countrymen, i feel like we were made, you, me, other people in this space made for a moment such as this. I have to become equal to that moment even in my darkest days, even in my most tireless times. My mother went to the hospital the day i was on the air. She broke her ankle. The next day i was told hosting hannah chair and im trying to deal with her ab i inspired by everything around me. This is speaking to me too and so many of us doing our best come up putting it all out there, doing it from our houses with the dogs in our lab so the kids in school worried about our work or rent and still doing it. I think thats where the inspiration for your book really shines through, your spirit really shines through, its beautiful. And its a miracle that you could work in politics and still have that love and that sense of courage and i admire that so much and also inspires me so much. Think you. I have some questions in our last couple minutes. This is from another one of our audience members. How do you think joe biden is going to do in the debate . Trump is gonna fight dirty . Not sure . The question continues, not sure if joe biden will go as low as trump will. And actually, do debates really matter . I also want to know from your perspective . I think they matter. Im very concerned about joe biden in debate i almost wish he could take out his running mate and let them debate. I think joe biden has suffered so much. He lost children, i pain i cant even imagine. Dealing with someone who has no morals and he really just doesnt care who will do whatever to win im afraid of what he might bring up because his base doesnt care. He wont lose any points by bringing up someones deceased wife or children or even his living son and just diverging. I dont trust we will have moderators that will be able to keep this in order. I dont know where physically how it takes place during a pandemic. I will say im very happy i dont think there will be an audience. I think something is lost when you have people working for applause line. The fact that you will just hear substance from these people i think will be helpful. But these are two older men who, i think it could go either way. I hope abthe thing that gives me faith with him as he has an amazing team around him. I hope that he is mentally and emotionally prepared to square off with someone who has no moral compass whatsoever. Who could bring his behavior during his debates with hillary was so distasteful. Him walking behind her on the stage and the combination of creepy and threatening. Ridiculous. I think in this moment i wish at the time that hilary would say, back to hell up, dont get near me. All the old playbook of politics is thrown out. In this space there still dignity to this process, which we should maintain but a little knock if you book that never hurt anybody. You have to give this image like im not the one. Dont do that. I might swing on you. Dont do that. I dont think that trumps behavior has just opened up so much terrible abusive behavior. Look at the congressman who called a [multiple speakers] dear colleagues in congress and for him to accost her that way. His nonapology justified his behavior. He really does not fear any consequence. Thats what scares me. Im gonna geek out and talk about game of thrones. There was a season, are you game of thrones person . I may not be as deep of a geek but i did watch the whole thing. Searcy got in trouble she had a child she never showed up to trial. Everybody said, why isnt she here . We should leave. Everyone said, no, she knows the consequences of her actions, shell show up. The woman said, she knows the consequences of her actions, she understands them and she still not here. Which means she has no intentions of suffering those consequences. Thats how i look at this trump residency. He operates as though he has certain assurances that there is no consequence to his actions and that is what we all have the question. Particularly those in the media landscape instead of worrying about access to the white house they ought to be worried about covering who else has access to the white house that we dont know about. I was talking to my 84yearold dad i said dad, im really worried. Im worried about trump becoming a dictator. Becoming . I think we are here. I think thats part of the narrative. Someday it might be. I think we are here. I agree. My dad said, dont worry, you know what happens to dictators. I was like what did he just tell me . There is something because i remember in circes case, remember the story. Given that, you kind of laid out some pretty scary scenarios happening in 2020, something positive, something powerful could happen in this transformational moment. Kind of lay that out for us. We talked about the possibility to shift where people participate more expansively, powerfully, deeply and democracy as voters. Talk to me about what the transformational moment might mean for this country. It depends on what we are transforming from and what we are transforming to. Donald trump did not invent White Supremacy and it wont end with his departure. Should that happen. I think i would go back to the revolution versus the evolution. Whatever this next phase of democracy looks like i certainly plan on being one of the architects of it. I think other people have to be prepared for that as well. Donald trump has reshaped our judiciary. When he leaves office the remnants of him will feel very much be felt by an unforgiving criminal Justice System that is disproportionate impact and adverse impact on black and brown communities. Policies that he set in place still exist. The judiciary of lifetime appointment i dont even know how you undo that. Should he get another Supreme Court vacancy Mitch Mcconnell has already said they will fill the seat despite him distracting obamas chances. The programs he got rid of what he did to the doj. He reshaped the department of justice. And reshaped to the department of justice aims to serve. I think theres gonna be a lot of work to be done and everybody has to be prepared to do a little bit of that work because, like you said, even at a local level. I know because ive not always voted or participate at the minutia level of government but people often use the school board as an entrce. The state legislatures that our gop control. The control how your local elections are run. This is going to be a complete overhaul of what the government affect. Particularly as people are Reimagining Public Safety and what that looks like. A lot of this will be left at the local level to happen, which is great because i think more people need to participate in that. Everybody was really excited about the First Step Act but its called the First Step Act because their necks need to be a second and third step. I think there is so much in every area of our government that will need to be transformed, quite frankly. And we need everyone. Thats right. I guess the last question and this is kind of combining and just our last couple minutes. Theres questions about the role that way people can play in this moment. We talked in the last hour a lot about the black community black voters, black women. When we look out beyond two white voters, white community, white people and their responsibility in this moment. Get a couple words to people who are wondering, youve got a system that does everything it can to say black lives dont matter. Who want to say black lives matter what is the role for white people . I find the data really interesting around us. There are so many people who support black lives matter but they dont support tearing down the Confederate Monument or they dont support defunding the police. Which people need to understand what that means that the mean the donald trump commuter shows have made it look like there is no 911, thats not what it is. Its rethinking Public Safety and allocating those funds to other people. I think people have to ask themselves what is black lives matter mean to you . Its kinda like the way people say they think racism is showing up and planted or Walking Around in skinhead attire, we know thats not all that it means. I think one way people show up as allies its not just showing up to the march. Its not just putting a blm sticker in your window. Sorry, hes chewing something that will kill him. Its a more comprehensive effort than that. And even the term karen and people think, the karen somebody who calls the cops on somebody. No, this care is in your office, this karen is one of your neighbors, constantly has superiority. Its an overhauling way of thinking about life where you are not centered. Where someone else might take up space, even gentoo fires. Moving into a neighborhood and walking past people who been there for years and not speaking or engaging. Those black lives matters, those are not your neighbors, i dont care if its Public Housing or somebody who bought a house just like you, they been living there a long time. Those black lives matter. It such a comprehensive discussion, i feel like it could be a whole another hour. I do too. Everyone across the racial spectrum, including white people, are being called to be multiracial and thinking ab multiracial in thinking, to learn what it is to be an advocate for anti racist and part of the new multiracial justice, you are one of the architects of the future. Im so grateful for you. For your book, your beautiful book. And for your words and your super spirit and sharing this time with us today. Thank you so much amy. I cannot imagine a better person to have this conversation with. When the Global Pandemic is passed, we will do this over cocktail glasses i hope. 100 agreed. Thank you so much. Thank you. Let me say our thanks to Tiffany Cross author of the new book say it louder, we would also like to thank the audience, you, who are watching and participating and asking your questions. If youd like to watch more programs or support the Commonwealth Club effort in making virtual programming just visit Commonwealth Club. Org online. Im amy ellis and cofounder of she the people and everyone, stay safe. See you next time. During a Virtual Event hosted by politics and prose bookstore in washington dc Time Magazine National Political correspondent molly ball discussed the career of House Speaker nancy pelosi. Heres a portion of the program. Its just really interesting because so much of politics is about communication. I dont think she will ever be considered one of the great political oratorys of our age. Thats not to say shes not bright and articulate and awful. She isnt one of these robotic politicians that so stiff because theyre terrified of saying the wrong thing that they just repeat themselves over and over and wont answer any questions. But she isnt someone who engages in really public introspection. Shes not gonna tell you all the things shes been thinking about herself. You have to figure her out. And shes not a natural storyteller. A lot of really compelling political anaturallyspeaking stories always reeling off personal anecdotes. And theres a pretty conspicuous absence of that in most of her public speaking. He was really kind of an occasion for me to root abto reflect on the role of studying about the relationship between how politicians perceive and what they actually do. How much of that are they responsible for and how much is that our society is responsible for. How much does it say about the person being perceived. I want to get too deconstructionist on you but we hear about this all the time with the president for example. A lot of the president s defenders will say, people get mad at his tweets but get what he does. A lot of his critics will say, no, what he says matters just as much as what he does. I dont think theres quite fast disjunction in nancy pelosi but the other thing is as a communicator i think the thing that you really get to understand about her is that everything is about results. Everything is about what shes gonna get out of whatever the interaction is. Whether interview or being on television, shes much more interested in driving her message home that she is in making you like her or making herself feel good or even making it audience applauded. Its about what is it im trying to communicate here and how many times do i have to repeat it to for you to get the message. Welcome to another abi marked absent from the freedom center, this week we are pleased to feature David Horowitz himself discussing his new book blitz trump will smash the left and win. Just a moment i will turn things over to david after he speaks he will take some questions from those of you viewing and i will come back to help facilitate that. David is the founder of the freedom center, former radical leftist whose abbecame an intellectual battering ram for conservatism. He knows the left better than they know themse