Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

With historic job losses from coronavirus, the gap has never been wider between the rich and the poor. The Poor People's Campaign is holding a Mass Poor People's Assembly and Moral March on Washington on June 20th; every day leading up to that day of action, we'll be featuring real stories of struggle and poverty to raise awareness and make the subject a priority, and that's what you'll find at the top of today's episode. After that, you'll hear Mark's conversation with Leigh Chapman, Director of Voting Rights Program for the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. In this unprecedented moment in history, do you feel democracy has failed you? Do you wonder if there's actually any point in voting? Leigh wants to reaffirm your power as a voter and remind you that showing up to the ballot box to cast a vote is also a form of protest. More info on the Poor People's Campaign March here: june2020.org Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distrib

"We cannot turn to a new chapter until we have political change and change of law," says Joe Sanberg, entrepreneur and Co-Founder of Aspiration. And in the midst of coronavirus, as we are finally getting a collective grasp on how essential workers are grossly underpaid, Joe is focusing on changing something specific: the minimum wage. And forget about $15 dollars--he says businesses across the country should be paying employees a minimum of $25 dollars an hour. He didn't pick this number out of a hat, though, and in today's episode you'll get to hear his strategic insight and how companies of all sizes can work to implement this necessary standard. For more on Joe, check him out on Twitter @JosephNSanberg Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/pri

The jobs report is never as simple as some headlines make it seem; yes, unemployment dropped by just over 1-percent, but it went UP for African-Americans, explains Chad Stone, Chief Economist for the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. There's other details to consider too, like the fact that the additional unemployment insurance of $600 dollars per week is set to end on July 31st, and we have yet to see what reopening the economy does to the coronavirus case numbers. Mark and Chad unpack this and more in today's essential episode. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's episode we travel down to Alabama, where there is a gubernatorial candidate who is currently running on a platform to pubicly lynch convicted drug dealers. "He's throwing red meat to his base," says Benard Simelton, President of the Alabama State Conference of the NAACP. Meanwhile, the state is starting to reopen and coronavirus is still a major concern for residents. Another pressing matter in Alabama: the 2020 Senate race, which could potentially see the infamous Jeff Sessions running against Senator Doug Jones. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The work on the ground is not near done, says Irna Landrum, Campaigns Manager DailyKos, as activists in Minneapolis are trying to find a balance in demonstrating and caring for the community. She and other reporters and activists have found accelerants hidden in alleyways and on private property, gasoline in water bottles, and are wary of any sudden and explosive sounds resembling gunfire. But listen to this episode to find why she sees this time as both scary and hopeful. And with Markos’ polling knowledge, the three of them circle around the question that remains at the back of our minds: what could all of this potentially mean for Trump, Biden, and the 2020 election? Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As our country remains in a state of unrest, Congressman Don Beyer of Virginia's 8th District is not shying away from calling George Floyd's death what it was: murder. In today's episode, he reflects on that as well as his discomfort with the fact that some people seem more upset about property damage than what is happening to human lives. You'll also hear why he calls Trump a modern-day George Wallace, his thoughts on re-opening states (remember coronavirus?), and why he's confident in Joe Biden's campaign for president. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Conrad Worril, Chairman Emeritus of the National Black United Front, renowned Pan-Africanist, reparationist and mentor to a generation of activists, once minimized the importance of elections in achieving freedom for African Americans. But as he battles COVID-19 and cancer, he says that we have no choice in 2020 but to vote Trump out. Roland Martin co-hosts this important interview with a movement OG. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What do you think Malcolm X and Dr. King would be doing right now in response to the murder of George Floyd? Organize, educate, and agitate, says Dr. Peniel Joseph, author of "The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr." Today's episode gives historical context for understanding how the dangers of being black in the 1960s are not different from today, as white privilege and white fragility continue to destroy American democracy. Listen to the episode then hit the link below to get his book. BUY "The Sword and the Sheild: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.": https://www.basicbooks.com/titles/peniel-e-joseph/the-sword-and-the-shield/9781549156434/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://red

Today we're giving you ANOTHER special double episode starting off with Rep. Eric Swalwell on his Twitter takedown of former acting DNI Richard Grenell and whether Russia will exploit the tension over #GeorgeFloyd. Then comes more Russia talk with Max Bergmann, Director of The Moscow Project, on Trump's desperate grab for a scandal with "Obamagate," the detail you might have missed in the first phase of the FBI's investigation of Russian collusion in 2016, and why Max thinks Democrats need to revisit how everything was handled. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As our country is faced with yet another senseless murder of an innocent black man, we feel it deeper than ever that we must elect officials who understand what it means to protect and serve constituents; that kind of support is what you get with Sybrina Fulton. You may know her as the mother of Trayvon Martin, but you might also know her for her more than 20 years of service to Miami-Dade County, where she is a lifelong resident. Now she's running for Miami-Dade County District 1 Commissioner, and in today's episode she talks about her campaign and why she's tired of a country that's comfortable watching the murders of innocent black men, women, and children. Today's special double episode also features reporting from Irna Landrum, Campaigns Director for DailyKos, who lives just a few blocks from where George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police. Learn about the community that is both grieving and rising up. And if you stick around 'til the end, you'll hear a special message a

Globally, the number of coronavirus cases has started to rise again. And with 31-percent of all cases occurring in the United States, that's concerning to Sam Smith, Publisher of Prorev.com. He gets into the problematic ways some states are reopening, as well as some talk on Biden--why he thinks Elizabeth Warren is not a strategic pick for VP, and how his "you ain't black" comment serves as a reminder that we're voting for so much more than a president. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Defying science and not wearing a mask are actions not just synonymous with support for Trump, but also express a specific worldview even bigger than the Donald, says Michael Tomasky, Special Correspondent for The Daily Beast in today's episode. Aside from that, Michael tells us how he thinks the country has transitioned into a "competitive authoritarianism," defined as a country that has the trappings of a democracy, but one party continues to control both elections and the country. You NEED to hear today's episode, then check out Michael's latest writing here: https://www.thedailybeast.com/author/michael-tomasky Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Trump is attacking vote-by-mail and early voting, and Senator Amy Klobuchar wants you to stay ahead of the curve, and she lets us know what you can do to ensure your vote is cast in November. She's also been working on quite a bit of legislation, including a bill she authored that will get new types of job training for people who are out of work due to coronavirus, as well as a bill to help struggling non-profits. She also has some questions about why Trump's henchmen are getting released from prison but others are being left to die. All that and more in today's episode with the senator from Minnesota. Producer's note: this interview was conducted just before Joe Biden's "you ain't black" comment was made public. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https

60-percent of black women over the age of 65 live 200% below the poverty line. More than half of black women over 65 live with food insecurity. That's what's on Rep. Stacey Plaskett's mind right now, as she fears those vulnerable populations are falling through the cracks during this pandemic. In today's episode, she discusses this concern as well as overall food insecurity for Americans, and why Dems aren't waiting on Mitch McConnell to supply the kind of aid this country actually needs in the next stimulus package. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Stacey Abrams or Elizabeth Warren -- which one should be Joe Biden's VP pick? Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs, thinks he knows which way Biden is leaning, and he shares that insight on each with us in today's episode. Markos also brings to our attention something else Dems should be aware of--polling shows our party is less unified behind Biden than we were during Hilary's 2016 run. Listen to the episode then head to YouTube for Markos' new show "The Brief." Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In North Carolina, an armed militia of stay-at-home protestors, complete with what appeared to be a bazooka, first harassed a black family walking outside, then entered a Subway for some sandwiches. Igor Volsky, Executive Director of Guns Down America, wants to know why Subway has remained silent in condemning the group who have direct ties to white nationalism and a specific group that is working to start a race war. Get into the details in today's episode then head to SubwayMustAct.org to get involved. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Catherine Herridge was the "face of Benghazi" for Fox News, says Eric Boehlert, Publisher of pressrun.media, and now she's leading the "Obamagate" charge from her position as National Security Reporter at CBS. But that's not all she's been up to, and Mark gets into it with Eric in today's episode, as well as some other news network behavior that is blatantly wasting opportunities to hold Trump directly accountable for his failed coronavirus response. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The conversation around gun ownership is changing after our nation experienced the horrific murder of Ahmaud Arbery--black families are now considering what their options are to protect themselves, but also recognizing the double standard. Josh Horwitz is the Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and Kayla Hicks is the Director of African-American and Community Outreach, and they join Mark today to discuss the potentially deadly challenges of black gun ownership and tackling the complicated question, where do we go from here? Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Are you or someone you know struggling to afford food during this pandemic? There's a map for that, says Lorrie Clevenger, Director of US Programs for the Grassroots Action Network. She and Alison Cohen, Senior Director of Programs at WhyHunger, join today's episode to tell us about the Find Food COVID Map (link and phone number below), the change in eligibility requirements, and how their organizations are adapting and expanding to meet the rise in demand during coronavirus. Looking for a way to give back? VOLUNTEER! You can do it from anywhere in the country, from the comfort of your home, for however much time you can offer. Download today's episode then head to the link below. FIND FOOD COVID MAP: whyhunger.org/findfood OR, CALL: 1-800-5-HUNGRY VOLUNTEER: https://bit.ly/WHVol Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Advertising Inquiries: https://

Brandon Gassaway, National Press Secretary of the DNC, joins the show to discuss tonight's FREE virtual forum, "Making The American Dream Accessible and Affordable to Black Men" (registration link below). They also talk New Orleans experiencing Hurricane Katrina déjà vu, DNC convention plans, and some thoughts on the Michael Jordan miniseries "The Last Dance." We then hear from Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos, Civiqs, and Host of the daily YouTube show "The Brief," for the latest on what's happening in the polls. Do you know what a "double hater" is? Well, it's a voting bloc that helped Trump win in 2016, but now, they're leaning to Biden. Find out the story behind that and more in today's episode. REGISTER for the DNC forum here: https://www.mobilize.us/chop-it-up/event/272290/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.com  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-ou