Politically Re-Active with W. Kamau Bell & Hari Ko

It’s the end of season 2 already? We close strong with messages from our listeners and conversations with #BlackLivesMatter co-founder Alicia Garza, and comedian Wyatt Cenac. Garza is an Oakland-based organizer who is currently the Special Projects Director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance. She describes her lasting impressions from the 2016 election cycle and gives advice for those hoping to be “allies.” Cenac opens up about his experiences on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and explains why his new TOPIC produced series “aka Wyatt Cenac” focuses on a superhero fighting gentrification in Brooklyn.  Follow our guests! Wyatt Cenac (@wyattcenac) https://www.wyattcenac.com Alicia Garza (@aliciagarza) https://www.facebook.com/the.one.and.only.aliciagarza While we’re away, keep our #politicallyreactive hashtag strong. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

Season 2 is almost over! This week Kamau and Hari are joined by Damon Young (Co-founder of VerySmartBrothas.theroot.com) and David Litt (author of "Thanks, Obama: My Hopey, Changey White House Years") to discuss the power of the pen. Young explains Pittsburg culture and headline structure. Litt lets us in on the challenges and triumphs of writing for President Barack Hussein Obama. If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, call in and tell us what YOU'VE learned this season by dialing 646-389-3721. Your voice may appear in next week’s finale episode. Follow our guests! Damon Young (@VerySmartBros) David Litt (https://www.thanksobamabook.com) Resource: Hurricane Maria Community Recovery Fund (www.mariafund.org) Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson joins W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu to discuss the politics of space exploration, people's fear of artificial intelligence, and even tell some jokes. Tyson is Director of the Hayden Planetarium. In his latest book, “Astrophysics for People in a Hurry,” he breaks down the basics of the Big Bang theory and quantum mechanics, among other essentials we should understand about the universe. Follow Neil deGrasse Tyson! (@neiltyson) http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/ Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

W. Kamau Bell won an Emmy!!! And while he was on the red carpet, Hari was able to interview legendary feminist and author bell hooks about love, labels, and her views on the current administration. Kamau and Hari also gain understanding on DACA from Luis Fernando Macías (assistant professor in Chicano and Latin American Studies at Fresno State) and Elizabeth Perez (the first DREAMer to work for the City of Phoenix). Follow our guests! bell hooks (@bellhooks): http://www.bellhooksinstitute.com Luis Fernando Macías (@macias_lf) Elizabeth Perez aka Elle ( @EllePerezPerez) For updates on us, follow Politically Re-Active on Facebook and Twitter (@PoliticReActive). Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.comand for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

Kamau and Hari dive into the impact of structural and environmental racism with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor (professor of African American Studies at Princeton University) and Mustafa Santiago Ali (environmental justice leader with Hip Hop Caucus). Taylor advocates for building a unified movement against racism and economic inequality. Ali explains how disasters such as Hurricane Harvey amplify injustices evident in our society. They both share what can be done about it. Listeners also tell us how they are staying politically active. Follow our guests! Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor (@KeeangaYamahtta) http://aas.princeton.edu/blog/author/kytaylor/ Mustafa Santiago Ali (@EJinAction) HipHopCaucus.Org For updates on us, follow Politically Re-Active on Facebook and Twitter (@PoliticReActive). Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

How does social commentary and comedy mix? W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu are joined with guests Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show with Trevor Noah) and Franchesca Ramsey (MTV’s Decoded) to explore the power of humor in today’s polarizing political era. Roy talks about the new sense of diversity on 'The Daily Show' and dissects a rising style of comedy where comedians get audiences to clap in agreement rather than laugh at jokes. Franchesca describes her balancing act with social media and how she avoids sexist and racist trolls online while maintaining her popular presence and personal life. Follow our guests! Roy Wood Jr. (@RoyWoodJr) www.roywoodjr.com Franchesca Ramsey (@Chescaleigh) www.franchesca.net For updates on us, follow Politically Re-Active on Facebook and Twitter (@PoliticReActive.) Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

The ACLU got a lot of heat last week when their neutral free speech stance had them defending the alt right in Charlottesville. We talk to ACLU Senior Staff Attorney Lee Rowland about the organization’s decision to change course and not defend groups that protest with firearms and the effect that will have on their methods going forward. Historian Mark Bray teaches Kamau and Hari how to pronounce Antifa and what the group is all about. And April Reign, a co-creator of trending hashtag #NoConfederate, talks about why the 'Game of Thrones' producers should think twice about creating a TV show where black people are enslaved again. Follow our guests! Lee Rowland: https://www.aclu.org/bio/lee-rowland Mark Bray (@Mark_Bray): https://markmbray.wordpress.com April Reign (@ReignOfApril): http://www.reignofapril.com For updates on us, follow Politically Re-Active on Facebook and Twitter (@PoliticReActive.) Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

This week on Politically Re-Active we dedicated a full episode to the events that stirred the nation last weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. We asked our listeners to call in and share their thoughts. And they sure did show up! We received more than 50 powerful messages centering on love, education, and perseverance. Thank you for inspiring us. For updates on us, follow Politically Re-Active on Facebook (@politicallyreactive) and Twitter (@PoliticReActive.) Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

Kamau and Hari dive deep into the events that stirred the nation this past weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. One of the largest white supremacist demonstrations in recent US history led to the death of anti-racist protester Heather Heyer and injured many others. Journalist/activist Spencer Sunshine explains the historical background of white supremacy groups in America and how they organize themselves today. We also hear from Media Matters senior fellow Matthew Gertz, community organizer Rosa Clemente, Pastor Michael McBride, and OUR LISTENERS. They all share how they’re processing this moment and taking action. Follow our guests: Spencer Sunshine (@transform6789) https://spencersunshine.com/publications/ Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) https://www.mediamatters.org/authors/matt-gertz/51 Rosa Clemente (@rosaclemente) http://rosaclemente.net Pastor Michael McBride (@pastormykmac) http://www.livefreeusa.org For updates on us, follow Politically Re-Active on Facebook and Twitter (@PoliticReActive.) Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

This week, Kamau and Hari cope with possible nuclear threat, learn how Jessica Byrd helps underrepresented communities engage in the political process, and “bravely” release the interview with Jake Tapper. How has the Trump administration affected Tapper’s reporting style? Why hasn’t Byrd given up all hope on the Democratic party? ALL OF THIS IS ANSWERED HERE. Find Jessica Byrd on Twitter at @JessicaLBYRD and at http://threepointstrategies.org Follow Jake Tapper on Twitter at @jaketapper and on CNN as host of 'The Lead’ (4pm ET) and ‘State of the Union’ (9am and 12pm ET) For updates about us, follow Politically Re-Active on Facebook and Twitter (@PoliticReActive) and send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

This week’s Politically Re-Active finds our hosts meeting up with legendary political comedian Lewis Black, and getting some important questions answered. How did he become “The King of Rant”? What’s making him rant right now? From his early days yelling at walls, to his current “fan rant” driven tour, Black let’s us in on his creative process. Black has been making regular appearances on The Daily Show since the show began over two decades ago, and he weighs in with a unique perspective on each host. Of course, with three political comedians in the kitchen, the conversation simmers around the many recent blunders from the current administration, and one lost opportunity for Mario Cantone. The icing on this conversational cake? Lewis Black is a socialist. This episode has lots to unpack, but again, we not only have two, but three political comedians to doing the unpacking. If you’re feeling the love (or even if you’re angry) then catch Lewis on his fall Rant, White and Blue tour. Grab your tickets at www.lewisblack.com. You can also follow Lewis on Twitter at @TheLewisBlack   And don’t forget we have new t-shirts! Visit podswag.com/pr or podswag.com/politicallyreactive. Both work! To get the latest updates on us follow us on Facebook at Politically Re-Active and Twitter @PoliticReActive and send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s project check out wkamaubell.com.

You’re going to walk away from this week’s Politically Re-Active, happier and smarter after listening to our conversation with Killer Mike of Run the Jewels. From equity, to allyship and building political power, Killer Mike rallies us to think big and do better. This may take learning how to survive the zombie apocalypse, which Killer Mike shares some insights on too. And in this week’s episode we yet again gain a new term to add to our vocabulary, “the big three.” So get ready to learn and laugh a whole lot. But it’s not all politics, we also talk to Killer Mike about his new album with El-P, “Run the Jewels 3.” To check-out their albums and tour dates visit  www.runthejewels.com. You can also follow them on Twitter @Run Jewels, @Killer Mike, and @The Real El P. And don’t forget we have new t-shirts! Visit podswag.com/pr or podswag.com/politicallyreactive. Both work! To get the latest updates on us follow us on Facebook at Politically Re-Active and Twitter @PoliticReActive and send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s project check out wkamaubell.com.

What do you do when a Twitter beef disrupts your plans? That’s what happened to this week’s Politically Re-Active. But don’t you worry. We’re picking up the pieces and bringing you the good, bad, and ugly of today’s digital age. We’re speaking with Jessie Daniels about how anything can turn into a shitstorm in a matter of seconds on Twitter. She’s a Professor of Sociology at Hunter College and The Graduate Center, CUNY. She is also among the founders of the emerging field of digital sociology. We’ll also speak to cyber security expert Nicholas Weaver about whether or not we need to worry about anyone spying on our boring lives and if so, who that might be. He’s a researcher focusing on computer security at the International Computer Science Institute in Berkeley, California. You can follow CUNY Professor Jessie Daniels at @JessieNYC. Also check out her books  “White Lies” and “Cyber Racism.” She is currently working on a new book, “Tweetstorm: The Rise of the “Alt-Right” and the Mainstreaming of White Nationalism.” To keep up with Nicholas Weaver follow him on twitter at at @ncweaver. If you haven’t heard, we have new t-shirts! Visit podswag.com/pr or podswag.com/politicallyreactive. Both work! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter too @PoliticReActive and send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s project check out wkamaubell.com.

We’re back with a powerhouse episode! California Congresswoman Barbara Lee and National Women’s March Co-Chair Linda Sarsour breakdown the reality of fighting for social, racial, and economic justice. We learn about how Congresswoman Lee’s political career was shaped by working with the Black Panthers and on Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm's historical presidential campaign. We learn about how Linda Sarsour fought to disband the NYPD’s unwarranted surveillance of the American Muslim community after 9/11. Congresswoman Lee says if you want to see change you’ve got to keep up the “street heat.” And Sarsour says it’s time for us to be louder than the haters, who are so dang loud. Prepared to be inspired! To keep up with Representative Barbara Lee’s work follow her on Twitter at @RepBarbaraLee. And you can find Linda Sarsour @Lsarsour If you haven’t heard, we have new t-shirts! Visit podswag.com/pr or podswag.com/politicallyreactive. Both work! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter too @PoliticReActive and send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s project check out wkamaubell.com.

Coming to you LIVE from San Francisco, it’s Politically Re-Active at Comedy Central’s Clusterfest! Joining your favorite hosts on stage are comedian and podcast queen Phoebe Robinson, the brilliantly witty writer (and This American Life favorite) Lindy West, and our favorite undercover investigative journalist, Shane Bauer! We talk about white nationalists taking over Berkeley, the danger of buying into Ivanka Trump’s beauty, and of course, Bill Maher. And for the comedy nerds, a surprise guest shows up on stage… so hit “play” already! Phoebe Robinson’s got a book and hella podcasts! Read _You Can’t Touch My Hair_ and listen to her shows 2 Dope Queens and Sooo Many White Guys wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And follow her on Twitter, boo boos!: @dopequeenpheebs. Lindy West isn’t on Twitter, but you can read her musings and analysis at The Guardian and find her tour dates at http://www.lindywest.net/. And like Phoebe, she’s got a New York Times bestselling book! Pick up _Shrill_ ASAP! Private prisons, border militia, and white nationalists – Shane Bauer’s incredible reporting can be found at www.motherjones.com. In the meantime, keep up with him on Twitter: @shane_bauer. Kamau and Hari have missed you! So listen to their standup, read their books, watch them on CNN, and find them in person at http://www.wkamaubell.com/ and http://www.harikondabolu.com/. Thanks, and be back soon! 

She’s spoken at the Women’s March on Washington, hosted a show for MSNBC, edited for Allure and Marie Claire, and written a New York Times bestselling memoir – and that’s not even half of the revolutionary work that trans writer and activist Janet Mock has done in her young career. In this episode, we talk with Janet about the writing process for her latest memoir “Surpassing Certainty,” the strong history and community of trans people in her native Hawaii, why the term “passing” is problematic for her, and why we should complicate our language when we use the word “woman”. For those of you who don’t know Janet: You’re about to become fans! Find Janet’s books, podcast (Never Before), and speaking events at www.janetmock.com. And follow Janet on Twitter!: @janetmock We’re going on break for TWO WEEKS! Kamau and Hari are going to miss you. So listen to their standup, read their books, watch them on CNN, and find them in person at http://www.wkamaubell.com/ and http://www.harikondabolu.com/. Thanks, and be back soon!

It usually takes Naomi Klein five years to write a book. This time, it took her less than five months. The journalist, author, and activist’s latest work _No Is Not Enough_ is all about Trump, the dark trends that have led to his presidency, and the urgent need for intersectional action right now – not later. In this episode of Politically Re-Active, we dig into the “capitalist burlesque” that has taken over the White House and explain how Trump’s scandals only reinforce his corporate brand (“impunity through wealth”). With so many crises unfolding around the globe, Naomi says, it’s time to band together to revive our own idea of utopia. So tweet us yours: @politicreactive. Learn more about _No Is Not Enough_ at https://www.noisnotenough.org/ and follow Naomi Klein on Twitter: @NaomiAKlein. Kamau’s on TV! And on stage! And so is Hari! Find their tour dates, albums, and latest works at http://www.wkamaubell.com/ and http://www.harikondabolu.com/. Thanks!

Live from Limestone! Professor Jeffrey C. Isaac, Karinda Dobbins, Arish Singh, Sophie Hughes, and Janet Cheatham Bell! For the first time ever, it’s Politically Re-Active LIVE! Kamau and Hari take the show on the road to Bloomington, Indiana, for the Limestone Comedy Festival (AKA, “THE GREATEST WEEKEND OF YOUR LIFE VOL V.”). Your favorite hosts talk with Indiana University Political Science Professor Jeffrey C. Isaac about rating Trump’s performance, the Paris Climate Agreement, and why Trump probably won’t ever be impeached. Then, not one, not two, but THREE amazing comedians in the form of Karinda Dobbins, Arish Singh, and Sophie Hughes share what it’s like to tell jokes in the Trump Era. Finally, Kamau’s mom Janet Cheatham Bell joins the hosts to put all of our current political nonsense into perspective. It’s our most jampacked show ever – join us and feel like you were there! Learn more about Indiana University’s Jeffrey C. Issac’s work here: http://polisci.indiana.edu/faculty/profiles/isaac.shtml Follow Karinda and Arish on Twitter! @arishish and @KarindaDobbins Find Sophie on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ComicSophieHughes/ And read more about Kamau’s awesome mom Janet Cheetam Bell at her website: http://www.janetcheathambell.com/index.htm Kamau and Hari are on TV! And they’re doing other podcasts! And standup! Find out more at http://www.wkamaubell.com/ and http://www.harikondabolu.com/

Writer Jill Filipovic on the feminist pursuit of happiness Imagine a world in which women weren’t forced to struggle for equality in a system rigged against them. Imagine instead, the ideal world of journalist and author Jill Filipovic – one in which happiness for women is the driving force behind policies like fair pay and legal recognition of best friendships. In that world, Jill says, not only are women happier and healthier, but most everyone else (read: people who aren’t white men) are better off, too. In this episode of Politically Re-Active, your favorite hosts sit down with Jill to talk about her policy ideas as well as Ivanka Trump’s brand of “empowerment”, white lady feminism, and the evil of the all-male photo op. Follow Jill on Twitter!: @JillFilipovic. And read more about _The H-Spot_ here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jill-filipovic/the-h-spot/9781568585482/ We have TWO live shows this week! Join us in-person at the Limestone Comedy Festival in Bloomington, Indiana, this Friday, June 2nd: http://www.limestonefest.com/. Or if you’re in San Francisco, head over to the Comedy Central Colossal Clusterfest on Sunday, June 4th: https://www.clusterfest.com/. Send us your comments and suggestions at politicallyreactive@firstlook.org. Or follow us on Twitter at @politicreactive. Thanks!

Rashad Robinson has done battle with Bill O’Reilly and won – twice. He’s taken on the shady, corporate-driven conservative operation ALEC and gotten companies like Coca Cola and Walmart to back down from supporting stand-your-ground laws. And now, after successfully campaigning to remove O’Reilly from Fox News - along with great work from UltraViolet, the Women's March, NOW-New York, CREDO, Sleeping Giants, and MoveOn - he’s taking on the prison-profiteering bail bond industry – and it’s not even June. As executive director of Color of Change, the nation's largest online racial justice organization, Rashad is at the forefront of the strategic campaigns that transform lives and movements. In this episode of Politically Re-Active, he shares the backstories behind these campaigns, the role of entertainment in the resistance, and more. Trust us – you won’t want to miss it! Please visit Color of Change to learn how you can support their campaigns, especially their current campaign to reform the bail bond industry: https://www.colorofchange.org/. And follow Rashad on Twitter: @rashadrobinson. Get in the head of one of your favorite hosts! Kamau’s book “The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell” is available on Amazon. You can find a link as well as dates for his book tour at http://www.wkamaubell.com/. Hari also really, really wants you to listen to his albums and come to his shows. Do it! Find more info at http://www.harikondabolu.com/. We love your comments and suggestions! So email us at politicallyreactive@firstlook.org or follow us on Twitter at @politicreactive. Thanks!