11 chapters across the catalog
Mo deconstructs the Disney movie "Zootopia," focusing on the villain Dawn Bellwether, a "lamb in sheep's clothing" who rises to power by manipulating fear between predators and prey. Mo draws a parallel between Bellwether's unassuming, "overworked" persona and the public image of Ketanji Brown Jackson. He suggests that Disney movies often contain deep political archetypes that influence both children and parents.
A 2018 clip features prosecutor Kristen Gibbons Feden discussing the conviction of Bill Cosby and the influence of the Me Too movement on the trial. The hosts criticize the prosecutor's approach, questioning how a fair trial was possible during the height of the Me Too cultural shift. They also note that the prosecution actively sought out the victim, Andrea Constand, after she had already settled a civil case.
The hosts critique the Smithsonian's website for labeling traits like the scientific method, rational thinking, and the nuclear family as aspects of "whiteness." Mo argues that these are universal tools for success and that labeling them as white is destructive to Black progress. They revisit the "super predator" scare of the 1990s as an example of how academic "experts" use flawed data to create harmful social narratives.
The hosts discuss why celebrities like Jay-Z and Beyonce have been less visible in the 2020 cycle compared to 2016. They also recount a social media interaction regarding Joe Biden's "predator" comments, criticizing the tendency to label counter-narratives as "Russian misinformation."
The hosts compare current crime rates to the 1980s and 90s, noting that violence was statistically higher during the era of Bill Bratton and Rudy Giuliani. They critique the "super predator" narrative popularized in the 1990s, which led to the 1994 Crime Bill. Curry suggests that modern media and political figures are attempting to revive this debunked sociological model to justify current policy shifts.
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.
The "super predator" rhetoric used by Hillary Clinton in the 1990s is compared to Joe Biden's 1993 floor speeches. Both politicians advocated for "taking back the streets" and bringing young offenders "to heel," a strategy designed to out-flank Republicans on crime issues regardless of the social cost.
Hillary Clinton's infamous 1996 "super predators" speech is analyzed, where she called for bringing youth gangs "to heel." The discussion points out the irony of her accusing others of being "without conscience" while her own administration's policies were devastating those same communities. The term is framed as a racially coded label used to justify aggressive FBI intervention.
The discussion shifts to a critique of Hillary Clinton's relationship with the black community, referencing her "super predator" comments from the 1990s. Her perceived pandering, such as claiming to carry hot sauce in her purse, is contrasted with Kanye West's blunt political shift. The hosts argue that West's rejection of the Democratic party was a response to years of perceived exploitation.
The Iran-Contra affair is linked to the domestic crack cocaine epidemic, with the hosts alleging the government facilitated the drug trade to fund covert operations. Jay-Z is criticized for his past as a drug dealer and his later support for Hillary Clinton, the woman who labeled his demographic "super predators." This alliance is framed as a betrayal of the community compared to Kanye West's independent stance.
The "super predator" label used by Hillary Clinton in the 1990s to support the 1994 Crime Bill is revisited as a point of political betrayal. Although progressive media outlets like The Young Turks used this history to support Bernie Sanders in the primaries, they eventually pivoted to supporting Clinton in the general election. This cycle of criticism followed by forced party loyalty is cited as a reason for the current ADOS pushback against the Democratic establishment.
