6 chapters across the catalog
Analysis of the Jussie Smollett trial focuses on the testimony of the lone Black juror, Andre Hope, who found Smollett's claims nonsensical. A primary point of contention was Smollett's decision to keep a noose around his neck for police to see, an act the juror claimed no African American would voluntarily do given the symbol's history of trauma. The segment characterizes the event as a failed attempt to utilize historical symbolism for political gain.
The hosts discuss the strategy of "ignoring" drug corners to manipulate crime statistics. They argue that surrendering certain "fronts" in the war on drugs leads to increased violence within those designated areas, which is then reported as "Black on Black crime." They predict this model will soon expand from Baltimore and Chicago to cities like Austin and New York.
The hosts address the phrase "black-on-black crime," specifically how it is often used as a "non-starter" or a "cop-out" to deflect from conversations about police brutality. Mo Facts explains that while intra-community violence is a significant issue, bringing it up as a counterbalance to state violence is often disingenuous. They discuss the "Mo Facts Law," which posits that every racial conversation eventually devolves into a discussion about Chicago.
A report from The Guardian details a violent Fourth of July weekend in Chicago, prompting a discussion on the evolution of street violence. Mo Facts argues that the current uptick in crime is due to the "decentralization" of gangs, moving from a militaristic hierarchy to a flat, chaotic structure of small cliques. He suggests that "organized" crime is a necessary evil that historically protected civilians, whereas the current vacuum leads to random violence and the death of children.
Despite having strict gun laws, Chicago faces high rates of violence due to "straw purchases" where legal buyers provide weapons to criminals. Mo'fax argues that the city's handgun ban was a failure that only victimized law-abiding seniors. He suggests that instead of policing the streets, authorities should investigate gun shops that habitually sell weapons used in crimes.
The "super predator" narrative of the 1990s is examined through the lens of criminologists like John DiIulio and the tragic case of 11-year-old Robert "Yummy" Sandifer. Sandifer, a Chicago gang member, was murdered by his own associates, sparking national fear about a coming wave of "stone-cold predators." The segment explores how this terminology was used by politicians like Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden to justify aggressive crime legislation.
