Topic: Pan Africanism

Mo introduces Melville J. Herskovits, a Jewish-American anthropologist considered the "Elvis of African-American studies." Herskovits is credited with establishing the "Out of Africa" cultural continuity narrative in the 1940s. Mo questions why a white academic was allowed to define Black identity for the 20th century and how this "ownership" of the narrative persists in modern museums.

Laree Daniel Favors argues that Kamala Harris's Jamaican and Indian heritage does not disqualify her from the Black experience, claiming "the cops can't tell the difference." Moe Factz disputes this "Pan-African" narrative, asserting that the lineage and experience of ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) is distinct from that of Caribbean immigrants. He argues that lumping all Black people together ignores the specific claims ADOS have for reparations from the U.S. government.

Before his death, Micah Johnson reportedly wrote the letters "RB" in blood at the scene. While some theorized it stood for "robot bomb," news agencies claimed it referred to the Red, Black, and Green colors of Pan-Africanism, a connection used to link the shooter to broader black identity movements.

Writer Lena Waithe addresses the controversy of British actors in American roles during an interview on Hot 97, calling the argument "divisive." She claims that all black people share a common struggle and that their "ancestors helped build" America regardless of their specific origin. The hosts strongly disagree with this statement, arguing it erases the specific history of native black Americans and ADOS.

Radio host Ebro Darden argues for a Pan-Africanist view, suggesting that separating the American black experience from the broader transatlantic slave trade and colonialism is a result of "plantation programming." He asserts that unity across the diaspora is necessary for power. The hosts counter that this is a political tactic to maintain a "black monolith" for the 2020 election cycle.