Topic: Colored

A 1967 report features the Lovings discussing their upbringing in a pocket of Virginia where racial prejudice seemed less prevalent. The hosts contrast colorism with "culturalism," arguing that social friction often stems from cultural differences rather than skin tone alone. Personal anecdotes illustrate how black families historically viewed interracial dating as a safety concern regarding potential false accusations.

Neely Fuller Jr. describes white supremacy as a "royalist system" based on phenotype rather than just bloodline. He argues that the system designates white individuals as "born better" and non-white individuals as eligible for domination. The hosts discuss the inherent confusion in the "color system," where individuals are categorized as black or brown regardless of their actual skin tone or ancestry.

The discussion turns to colorism within the Black community, referencing the "paper bag test" used by elite social groups. Mo explains how lighter skin has historically been associated with higher status and "privilege" in rooms where darker-skinned individuals might be excluded. They note that colorism is a global phenomenon present in India and Latin America as well.

A listener named "Mama B" shares a story about growing up in a diverse neighborhood and making a "pact" with a Black friend not to date across racial lines out of mutual respect. She describes the complexities of being called a "racist" for her choices and expresses her appreciation for the intellectual level of the show's racial deconstructions.

Mo observes that Judge Jackson's appearance during the hearings seemed "darker" and more "natural" than in previous photos, comparing it to Kamala Harris's aesthetic shifts. He explains this as a trend within a specific "sisterhood" where darker skin and natural hair are used to signal authenticity and belonging. They discuss how these visual cues are used to shape public perception of political figures.

The hosts revisit the claim that George Soros provided significant funding to groups instrumental in creating the Black Lives Matter movement. They reference a clip from David Pakman and discuss the media's sensitivity to mentioning Soros, noting an incident on Fox News where Newt Gingrich was silenced for bringing up the billionaire's name.

The hosts compare the current social climate to the 1920s "Roaring Twenties," suggesting a "100-year fold" in history. They use the character of "My Dear" from "Black Girl" to represent the flapper archetype—women who flaunted disdain for acceptable behavior. This era is linked to the character Suge Avery from "The Color Purple," representing women who prioritized sex appeal and independence over traditional family structures.

The hosts analyze the plot of "The Color Purple," focusing on the relationship between Celie and Suge Avery. They discuss how the proliferation of VCR technology in the 1980s allowed this film to become a permanent meme in black society, shaping perceptions of the "bad black man" and the "sisterhood." This cinematic narrative is linked back to the modern alliance between Megan Thee Stallion and Maxine Waters.

The hosts discuss the revelation that members of the royal family had "concerns" about the skin color of Harry and Meghan's son, Archie. They compare this to the "paper bag test" historically used in some African American communities and question the hypocrisy of the public outcry. The discussion notes that Harry and Meghan refused to name the individual who made the comments, which the hosts view as a strategic move to maintain leverage while appearing as victims.

Mo discusses activist Shaun King's call to tear down statues of "White Jesus," labeling them as tools of white supremacy. The hosts debate the "shorting" of white value and the "going long" on brown value in a metaphorical "color revolution." Mo expresses skepticism toward Marxism as a solution for Black Americans, noting that it often leads to everyone being "equally poor."

The hosts revisit a clip from Nellie Fuller defining "White Supremacy" as a global system of management rather than simple pigment-based racism. They discuss how the system picks winners and losers, using the changing classification of Asian Americans as an example of how arbitrary these labels are in the pursuit of a "New World Order."

Don Lemon criticizes the ADOS (African Descendants of Slaves) movement, suggesting it is influenced by Russian bots and is "discriminatory" for seeking specific benefits for slave descendants. He argues for the "power in numbers" found in the broader "people of color" designation. The hosts accuse Lemon of selling out his own lineage to satisfy corporate and political interests, noting that the distinction of lineage is a common topic in black families.

Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law, explains how the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Public Works Administration (PWA) intentionally created racial segregation in American cities. Rothstein details how the government demolished integrated neighborhoods to build separate housing projects for whites and Blacks, eventually pushing white families into subsidized suburbs while leaving Black families in deteriorating urban centers. This systemic movement of jobs and resources created the modern "urban" landscape.

Liberal commentator Dave Pakman is featured discussing the $30 million George Soros reportedly spent bankrolling Ferguson demonstrators and related groups. The segment lists organizations like Color Lines and the Drug Policy Alliance as recipients of Soros funding used to push "Black Lives Matter" as a political buzzword. Moe notes that Soros has publicly denied these claims despite the documented money trail.

Dame Jennifer reads an article on the color psychology of yellow, noting it can cause frustration, anger, and visual fatigue. The hosts discuss how the specific yellow paint used for the D.C. mural matches the branding of "Defund the Police" and ActBlue donation pages, suggesting a highly coordinated psychological operation.

The hosts critique the term "People of Color" as a modern linguistic softening of "Colored" and a potential "dog whistle" for those seeking to distance themselves from Black identity. They compare American colorism to the South African "pencil test" used to distinguish between Black and Colored individuals. Kamala Harris is cited as an example of a politician using "woman of color" as a safe, ambiguous identity.

A clip featuring Matthew Knowles, father of Beyoncé, details the "brown paper bag test" formerly used at Fisk University to determine admission based on skin tone. The hosts express shock that such practices continued into the 1970s at historically Black colleges. They discuss how successful Black men like O.J. Simpson or Tiger Woods are sometimes "grafted" into white society, effectively bypassing traditional racial barriers.

Oprah Winfrey shares a personal anecdote about being forced to sleep on a porch in Milwaukee because a light-skinned relative did not want a "brown-skinned child" in the house. The hosts discuss how this internalized racism is a tragic byproduct of the broader white supremacy system. They clarify that while many great Black leaders like Malcolm X were fair-skinned, a specific segment of those who "pass" do so out of self-hatred.

Adam Curry draws a parallel between racial passing and the term "passing" used in the LGBTQ community for transgender individuals. Mo shares a personal story about a surrogate grandfather, Bill Williams, who looked white but would "fight you" if you called him anything but Black. They also note the specific historical use of "Colored" to denote mixed-race individuals as distinct from "Black."

Rashad Robinson, president of Color of Change, discusses Bernie Sanders' historical weakness with Black voters. Robinson suggests that Sanders' failure was not necessarily his platform, but his lack of engagement and his failure to hire diverse leadership within his campaign. The hosts analyze Robinson's background as an activist who rose to prominence following Hurricane Katrina.