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The Court System
Donald Brown
Today, I’m going to be talking about the court system. My name is Don Brown, 468895 and I’m calling from Ohio. In America, over 95% of all convictions are acquired by plea bargains. The public… Full Transcript
During This Time
On Prison Reform
Donald Brown
My name is Don Brown, calling from Ohio. This thesis, what is prison reform? To me prison reform goes more than sentencing guidelines: how much a person is sentenced over what crime. Myself firstly, I… Full Transcript
Still Hope
Joadanus Olivas
I call this “Still Hope.” The common thing in prison is that it’s 90% mental and 10% physical. I’ve heard this a myriad of times, especially during exercise routines. The majority of my time spent… Full Transcript
The Summer of our Discontent
Mumia Abu-Jamal
“The Summer of our Discontent.” As the numbers of the dead inexorably rise from those who succumb to the rigors of COVID-19, so too does the social discontent with the state of governmental incompetence. As… Full Transcript
COVID-19 in California Prisons
Ivan Kilgore
My name’s Ivan Kilgore and I am the founder of the United Black Family Scholarship Foundation. And I’m calling you from Solano State Prison in Northern California. Let’s go back to March of 2020. What’s… Full Transcript
Fighting For An Out Date
COVID at Toledo, Ohio
A Literal Matter of History
Mumia Abu-Jamal
When I was a young man (a boy really), I found barber shops to be fascinating places, for there, men gathered in an air of relaxed familiarity, and discussed things they didn’t do elsewhere. I… Full Transcript
COVID-19 To Life
Joadanus Olivas
I call this “COVID-19 to Life.” I never believed that jailhouse rumor pertaining to a world catastrophe or an invasion on U.S. soil, which would prompt the correctional officers to go to each cell and… Full Transcript
John Lewis: No Longer In the House
Mumia Abu-Jamal
“John Lewis: No Longer in the House.” John Lewis, famed for his ungodly beating by state troopers at the Edmund Pettus Bridge during civil rights struggles of the 1950s and 60s, has moved on after… Full Transcript
The Situation in San Quentin
Lisa Strawn
This is Lisa Strawn. I’m a trans woman. And I recently was paroled after 25 years from San Quentin. I was one of fourteen, fifteen hundred people who tested positive. I can’t even begin to-… Full Transcript
My Ghetto Thesis On The N-Word
Joadanus Olivas
Joadanus Olivas, “My Ghetto Thesis On The Word Nigga.” There’s much controversy over the word “nigga.” As a black youth myself, I’m more than familiar with this word. Those from black conscious groups argue that… Full Transcript
Children Of The Corn
Mumia Abu-Jamal
When we think of politicians, we too often see them as great, even mighty figures, seemingly larger than life.That’s because of how the media projects them -and far too often, protects them.But in times like… Full Transcript
Response to Hospitalization After COVID-19
America: Rogue Nation
Mumia Abu-Jamal
Several days ago, the European Union announced that Americans were not welcome to visit any of the 28 member countries of the EU. Why? Because of the explosive expansion of the coronavirus among American states,… Full Transcript
Better Education in College Or Prison?
Joadanus Olivas
My name is Joandus Olivas, currently incarcerated. The question is whether you receive a better education in college or in prison. Which of the two ensures that for sure success later in life? Which of… Full Transcript
The Perils of Reform
Mumia Abu-Jamal
“The Perils of Reform.” For years, indeed for decades, we have seen the mirage of reform being presented by neoliberal leaders and their media tools only to awake too late to ghoulish nightmares of shattered… Full Transcript
The Other Women’s Movement
Mumia Abu-Jamal
“The Other Women’s Movement.” In the frenzied aftermath of the police killing asphyxiation of George Floyd, we have seen the emergence of a remarkable and sustained movement against racism and the state terror of police.… Full Transcript
“Between A Rock And A Hard Place.” As the nation’s two major political parties scramble for supremacy of this current political season, more is at stake than mere democracy. Black America faces inchoate choices which… Full Transcript