7 chapters across the catalog
The hosts draw a parallel between Duke University and Johns Hopkins University, referencing a previous episode about the latter's "plantation" relationship with Baltimore. They discuss the history of Henrietta Lacks and the displacement of black residents for university expansion. Mo argues that these large institutions create a dependency that fuels local resentment.
The story of Henrietta Lacks is introduced, a Black woman whose cancer cells were taken without her consent at Johns Hopkins in 1951. These "HeLa" cells became the first human cell line to thrive in a lab, doubling every 24 hours and contributing to breakthroughs in polio vaccines, IVF, and COVID-19 research. Despite her massive contribution to science, her family remained unaware of the cell line's existence for decades while the medical industry profited.
Ben Crump, Johns Hopkins, and the Henrietta Lacks Legal Battle
Attorney Ben Crump is now representing the family of Henrietta Lacks in a legal battle against Johns Hopkins, seeking compensation for the unauthorized use of her genetic material. While the university claims it never profited from the cells, the family points to the billions of dollars generated by the global biotech industry using HeLa cells. The hosts discuss the "Crump effect," where high-profile civil rights attorneys step in to secure large settlements for historical or systemic tragedies.
Rebecca Skloot and the History of Medical Exploitation in Baltimore
Author Rebecca Skloot discusses her book "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" on Democracy Now, explaining how she discovered the story as a teenager. She details the history of "colored wards" in segregated hospitals like Johns Hopkins, where poor Black patients were often used for research in exchange for "free" care. This history of exploitation, including grave robbing and unethical experiments, created a deep-seated distrust of medical institutions in East Baltimore.
Johns Hopkins Bloodlines and the Battle of Hastings Connection
An investigation into the genealogy of Johns Hopkins reveals he was a direct descendant of William the Conqueror, the Norman Duke who invaded England in 1066. The hosts draw parallels between the "new order" established by William through massive stone fortifications and the dominant presence of Johns Hopkins Hospital in the middle of poor Baltimore neighborhoods. They argue that while the man Johns Hopkins may have had philanthropic intentions, the institution eventually embraced segregation and elite control.
Cori Bush, Black Birthing People, and the Two-Tiered Medical System
Congresswoman Cori Bush testifies about her personal experience with preterm labor and the "harsh and racist treatment" Black women face in the medical system. The hosts discuss her use of the term "Black birthing people," arguing that while the underlying issue of maternal mortality is serious, the inclusion of gender-neutral language may be a political strategy to lump disparate issues together. They link this back to the historical distrust of hospitals like Johns Hopkins.
The role of black leadership in the Tuskegee experiment is scrutinized, specifically Dr. Eugene Dibble and Tuskegee Institute President R.R. Moten. The hosts highlight how these leaders cooperated with the government to maintain white philanthropic funding, and they note Moten's history as an undercover intelligence officer.
