5 chapters across the catalog
A heated exchange between Don Lemon and April Ryan explores whether Kamala Harris should be classified as African American. While Ryan argues that Harris's "blackness" is sufficient, Lemon insists there is a meaningful distinction in lineage that should not be ignored, a stance the hosts find surprisingly authentic for the CNN anchor.
A throwback clip from 2019 features Don Lemon and April Ryan debating whether Kamala Harris is "black enough" or specifically "African American." In the older clip, Lemon emphasizes her South Asian and Jamaican heritage, whereas the hosts note he has since pivoted to a more unified "black woman" narrative. They suggest Lemon received a "call from Oprah" to align his rhetoric with the party line.
A past clip shows Don Lemon arguing with April Ryan, where he previously acknowledged a distinction between being "Black" and "African American." In that instance, Lemon noted that Kamala Harris is a woman of color but questioned if she fits the "African American" lineage. The hosts highlight the contradiction between this past stance and his current dismissal of ADOS identity as a "Russian bot" talking point.
A debate between Don Lemon and April Ryan highlights the distinction between being "black" and "African American" in the context of lineage. Lemon argues that while Harris is a black woman, her Jamaican and Indian heritage means she does not share the specific "African American" experience of descendants of U.S. slaves.
The hosts reveal that April Ryan was recently inducted as an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta, suggesting her defense of Harris is tied to her new status within the "Boule" network. They praise Don Lemon for maintaining integrity by challenging Ryan's narrative on Harris's identity.
