Fighting Back (Feat Janai Nelson)

Summary

Gettin' Grown – "Fighting Back" (feat. Janai Nelson)

Podcast: Gettin' Grown
Hosts: Jade and Keia (Takiya)
Guest: Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Network: Loud Speakers Network

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Episode Overview

In this vital episode of Gettin' Grown, Jade and Keia bring powerhouse guest Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF), to the kitchen table. The conversation dives deep into fighting for civil rights, understanding the legal system in times of chaos, and what it looks like for everyday people—especially Black women and young people—to protect their rights and leverage their power amid rampant attacks on democracy, racial equity, and civil protections. The tone is warm, blunt, hopeful, and pragmatic, mixing laughter and cultural nods with the seriousness of the moment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The State of Civil Rights & the LDF’s Mission

• Janai Nelson’s Background

  • Passion for Black people and justice since childhood, early radicalization, influenced by readings (Malcolm X, Assata Shakur) and involvement in social clubs.
  • Found her calling in law after exposure to legal students at NYU discussing constitutional and human rights (12:02).
  • “I've always been very much in love with black people, warts and all.” – Janai Nelson [11:21]

• Independent Role of LDF

  • LDF is not directly part of the NAACP since 1957 but shares the mission of advancing civil rights, founded in 1940 by Thurgood Marshall (09:41).
  • LDF uses legal action and other tools—celebrated its 85th anniversary just weeks before this recording.

Why the Current Moment Feels Unique (and Unsettling)

• Historic Regression of Rights

  • The US had been progressing toward expanding rights, inclusivity, and protections for over 60 years, but has now hit a “brick wall” and faces deliberate backlash.

  • Roots of regression traced back to post-emancipation “redemption” eras, through civil rights advancements and targeted rollbacks, especially post-1980s and the election of a Black president (16:15 - 19:00).

    “...We've been able to somehow drag this country, you know, against its will, forward. Maybe not as quickly as we want, but we've been able to drag it forward, and I believe we will continue to be able to do that.” – Janai Nelson [16:37]

    “By the time we got to a Black president, they had had enough.” – Janai Nelson [18:55]

• Systemic Attacks Are Not New, but the Intensity Is

  • Every time Black America has advanced, a backlash has followed, but this moment is marked by the speed and breadth of erosion of rights and norms—especially under Trump administrations.

LDF’s Active Litigation and Executive Overreach

• Fighting Trump’s Unlawful Executive Orders

  • LDF has consistently litigated against both Trump administrations. Current efforts include:

    • Orders attacking birthright citizenship (a right established post-emancipation)
    • Attacks on diversity/equity/inclusion initiatives, including lawsuits over funding and program access
    • Orders threatening historical institutions like the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
    • Measures designed to undermine or restrict voting rights for millions (21:05 - 24:35)

    “He truly is trying to act like a king, like an oligarch, like someone who has no constraints on his power.” – Janai Nelson [23:00]

• How Emergency Relief Works in the Courts

  • LDF seeks emergency court intervention to pause these orders, explains that real-life impacts are immediate and severe when federal funding is cut for community organizations, housing, education, and health (25:47).

    “There are real harms happening right now... literal lives are on the line.” – Janai Nelson [25:47]

Everyday Power: What Ordinary People Can Do

• Local Power > Just Federal Attention

  • Know your local elected officials—city council, state senator, sheriff, coroner, school board—because local governance and budgets directly impact daily life (29:35 - 36:53).

    • Practical advice: After this episode, spend 15 minutes finding out who rep’s you locally; save their numbers.
    • Participate in school board meetings, budget hearings, and raise community concerns.

    “People feel that there's so much distance between themselves and their representatives, and there really isn't.” – Janai Nelson [30:00]

• Protecting Yourself & Each Other

  • Assert your rights (the right to remain silent, right to counsel) but recognize these are effective only if respected—so community intervention is often needed (33:05).

    • Encourage community to record police encounters, support each other in public, refuse to be passive witnesses.

    "If more of us are involved…they can't grab everybody up at once." – Takiya [34:11]

• Participatory Budgeting and Knowing the System

  • Engage in government budgeting processes (“participatory budgeting”) which can shift priorities from policing and incarceration to education and healthcare (42:11 - 44:56).

    • Janai promises resources on how to get involved.

    “A budget is the clearest reflection of your priorities.” – Janai Nelson [43:21]

Advice for Youth & Burned-Out Adults

• Messages to Young People

  • Young people have inherited a tough fight, but history shows Black communities have always made change against the odds.

    • Find your “frontlash”—get involved in organizations, bring new energy and ideas, run for office (45:56).
    • All gifts matter, from art to organizing.

    “Everybody has some gift to contribute, and you just need to figure out what yours is.” – Janai Nelson [59:00]

• To the Tired, Overwhelmed, or Disengaged

  • Everyone’s capacity is different—some may march, some may organize, some may boycott companies, some may sign petitions.

  • None are exempt: “Complacency is the last thing,” and “That’s what they count on.” – Janai Nelson [53:47]

  • Even small acts (calls, emails, consumer choices) matter.

    “Our ancestors didn’t say, you know what, I’m just gonna sit there and take the lash...We don’t have that luxury.” – Janai Nelson [51:21]

Building for the Future & Final Words of Encouragement

• Even in the darkest moments, Black organizers have transformed society.

• Now is a chance to "make it what it should have always been.”

  • Stay engaged, learn the history, join one relevant action or organization, and use your individual strengths.
  • “We are the authors of our future. We have got to keep writing it.” – Janai Nelson [55:14]

• Where to Start?

  • Read, watch documentaries (ex: "13th"), follow changemakers, or attach to one issue you care about (57:54 - 59:00).
  • Visit LDF’s website, follow on social for updates and resources.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Always Loving Black People

  "I've always been very much in love with black people, warts and all."
  – Janai Nelson [11:21]

• On Current Lawlessness

  “You said it appears like a lot of laws are being broken and norms and rules, because they are.”
  – Janai Nelson [14:07]

• On Complacency

  “Complacency is the last thing... That’s what they count on.”
  – Janai Nelson [53:47]

• On Contribution

  “Everybody has some gift to contribute, and you just need to figure out what yours is.”
  – Janai Nelson [59:00]

• On Hope

  “We have been able to transform the very worst conditions into something beyond imagination...Does this give us an opportunity to say, while this country is, is on its last leg, can we swoop in and make it what it should have always been?”
  – Janai Nelson [55:14, 56:49]

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Key Timestamps

• 01:47 – 04:45: Opening banter, music, and Toni Braxton love
• 05:13 – 07:33: Commentary on global crises and community reminders (Sudan, Gaza, Yemen)
• 08:52 – 10:50: Introduction of Janai Nelson & LDF
• 11:08 – 12:46: Janai’s personal story and radicalization
• 14:07 – 19:10: Legal regression, systemic backlash, and historical context
• 21:05 – 24:35: LDF's current lawsuits against executive overreach
• 29:35 – 36:53: How local politics, school boards, and budgets impact us
• 45:56 – 48:52: Advice for young people and generational struggle
• 50:02 – 54:38: Finding balance between self-care and activism
• 57:54 – 59:34: How to start if you feel inexperienced or disconnected
• 61:17 – 62:44: How to support LDF and Janai, and encouragement to get involved

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Community Resources Mentioned

• LDF Website: naacpldf.org
• Local official directories ("take 15 minutes and plug them into your phone")
• Participatory budgeting links (to be shared in show notes)
• Visual and print resources for those learning legal basics (“13th” documentary)
• Organizations to follow for global and US news (Sarah BS On Blast for Sudan)
• AbortionFinder.org (mentioned multiple times as resource for reproductive rights nationwide)

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Tone, Approach & Unique Episode Elements

• Tone: Warm, unapologetically Black, honest, balancing humor and urgency.
• The hosts ground the hard topics in solidarity, history, and culture (singing “Unbreak My Heart,” referencing Toni Braxton, talking about fitness and self-care).
• Listeners are reminded some days will feel overwhelming, but Black women’s resilience and history are living proof survival isn’t just possible—Black communities can thrive and change the arc of history.
• Personal anecdotes, humor, and pop culture keep the episode real and relatable, never losing sight of joy and community.

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Summary for New Listeners

If you missed this episode, here’s what matters:

• Yes, things are hard, and attacks on rights are very real—but there is both a legacy and strategy for fighting back.
• You have more power than you think, especially locally.
• Find your lane—small actions, creative skills, calls, economic choices, or joining organizations—all matter.
• The Legal Defense Fund and others are fighting in the courts, but need communities awake, informed, and participating at every level.
• None of us are exempt from this fight, but self-care and capacity matter.
• History shows oppressed people have always bent the world toward justice—but only because they chose action over apathy.

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Resources & Further Information

• NAACP Legal Defense Fund: naacpldf.org
• LDF on social media (links in show notes)
• Community/local political involvement resources (participatory budgeting guides)
• Learn your rights & legal basics (“13th” documentary, state ACLU chapters)
• Abortion access: abortionfinder.org
• World news on Sudan, Gaza, Yemen: links in the show notes and at Sarah BS On Blast

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"We are the authors of our future. We have got to keep writing it." – Janai Nelson [55:14]

Transcript

[Takiya]

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[Janae Nelson]

Oh Gecko. I just love being able to file a claim in under two minutes with a GEICO app. Could you sign a.

[Takiya]

Sign what?

[Janae Nelson]

The app. Yeah, sure. Oh, it rubbed off the screen when I touched it. Could you sign it again?

[Takiya]

Anything to help I suppose.

[Jade]

Get more than just savings. Get more with geico.

[Takiya]

Should I even listen? Should I even try? Well I just be hearing the same old baby See it doesn't matter what you say this time. Cuz our relationship was built on one line. You say things on the way they seem stuck still you can come straight with me. How can you think that you're in love when you don't know the meaning of Take it Kia.

[Jade]

I'm sorry. No. Because you became Tony Michelle in this moment. You had the posture, you had the had the face, you had the facial expressions. Tony Michelle Braxton.

[Takiya]

Everyone should have run you you home last night. Should have been riding by my side baby if you can.

[Jade]

My favorite part.

[Takiya]

Like you didn't know you should have been with me. With me. I love Lord knows with her chest. Okay. Nothing slaps more than Tony ad libs.

[Jade]

Nothing. Nothing. Tony Michelle Bradley, ladies and gentlemen.

[Takiya]

They're very important. Yes. Yes. Grammy award winning the Grammys are upstairs.

[Jade]

She gave me everything to every ad lib. Okay.

[Takiya]

She did she every time. And memorable ad libs at that. Let's be clear. Legendary.

[Jade]

And oh, you can't tell me that Tony's toes is not crunched up in.

[Takiya]

Her shoes when she is singing. She is committed. Absolutely is. I love it now have you ever seen the video where it's just. It's a white lady. But it's funny where she did a voice. A voice and sound over of she does it of different people's performances and she did one of Tony's. He. Hold on.

[Jade]

Oh God.

[Takiya]

Patreon. Sorry. Tony reposted it. Yes, because it was that good. So funny.

[Jade]

Okay.

[Takiya]

Oh it was so funny. Hold on. Where's this at? Because she did the jingle jingles of Tony's dress moving and like she was at every like movie. She was like, who wasn't that? And it'll be like, jiggle, tickle, tickle.

[Jade]

I love that she's a good sport about it. I love that she's.

[Takiya]

Oh, she was a great sport about. She's like, now, come on, y'.

[Jade]

All.

[Takiya]

And it was. Is this it right here? No, it was. That was in it. But she was like, what were you thinking, girl? My man.

[Jade]

Listen.

[Takiya]

It's so funny.

[Jade]

It just makes your day better.

[Takiya]

Praise the Lord, niggas.

[Jade]

Praise the Lord, niggas.

[Takiya]

It does.

[Jade]

I mean, if you're just walking around your house and you're feeling down, just hit him with the.

[Takiya]

God knows. Should have been with me and see that.

[Jade]

That don't do something for your spirit.

[Takiya]

Oh, baby, baby, baby, baby.

[Jade]

Yeah.

[Takiya]

Oh, let me plug this computer up before it shuts off on us. Bad business, cuz.

[Jade]

You know my camera, but, yes.

[Takiya]

How are you doing, sister?

[Jade]

I'm blessed.

[Takiya]

You already know. I know it's coming.

[Janae Nelson]

Okay.

[Jade]

My camera, so shady. But I got something for her. I'm blessed.

[Takiya]

I don't.

[Jade]

I'm safe. I have what I need. You know, we're just taking it one day at a time these days. Okay? That's all to do.

[Takiya]

That's it.

[Jade]

How are you doing?

[Takiya]

That's it right there. You know, I'm not going to complain out here. I could, but I won't.

[Jade]

Ain't nobody.

[Takiya]

You know, I want to wish. Ain't nobody listening. And honestly, everybody's like, I can complain, too. You want to know? So speaking of which, I want to wish an Eid Muak a blessing to our Muslim brothers and sisters. You know what I'm saying? Especially those who cannot observe. I know we've said it before at the top. Those who cannot observe, we said it for Ramadan. But those who cannot observe in the way that they should be able to observe. Yeah, very much so. And so we want to wish you a blessed Eid here from getting grown. Especially those who are in really tough spaces. Again, make sure you're checking out everything that's happening on the ground in Sudan and Gaza as well as Yemen. You know, just because I may not be going into the. The step by steps doesn't mean the information stops or the atrocities have stopped and aren't still happening. So we want to make sure that we are paying very close attention to what's happening. I'm always going to redirect you all in that. In that place. I updated those links. I know that I had fallen off a bit. I'd done some support links, but I updated some informational links for you all this week. So you do have some comprehensive breakdowns as to where you can see what is still going on on the ground in Gaza as well as what's going on in Sudan. And as always, you can always check out Sarah BS On Blast page for Sudan as well. She's a, an incredible, incredible resource doing very challenging work in keeping us all informed. And so I know these are very layered, layered genocides and understandings and there's a lot to it, but there are resources so that we can at least get the, the base understanding of how we can support our larger global community. But with that being said, speaking of our community, we have an incredible guest at the Kitchen Table who is going to help us to discuss some very necessary tips and tools and things that we need in a disgusting climate, I mean, just riddled with pollution of horrible humanness. So, so stay tuned. Come sit with us at the kitchen table. This is information that you're going to want to hear. And grab your notebooks and your pins too.

[Jade]

Yeah.

[Takiya]

And we'll see you all there in just a moment.

[Jade]

McDonald's has entered a Minecraft movie universe. And Grimace, Birdie and Hamburglar just spawned.

[Takiya]

As new collectibles in the overworld.

[Jade]

Now, for a limited time, you can.

[Takiya]

Get one of six McDonald's collectibles when.

[Jade]

You order a Minecra movie meal with your choice of big Mac or 10 piece chicken McNuggets with spicy nether Flame.

[Takiya]

Sauce, available now in a biome near you.

[Jade]

Oh, and at your local McDonald's. I participate in McDonald's for a limited time, a Minecraft movie only in theaters. Welcome back to the Kitchen Table and we're excited because we have a really important and special guest joining us today. I'm especially excited for this conversation given the dumpster fire that we are all currently living within. We are very excited, Jade and I, to welcome Janae Nelson, who was the sitting president and direct counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which is our nation's premier civil rights law organization fighting for racial justice and equality. I don't want to read your. Please don't your bio verbatim, but just know that the receipts have been present. Okay.

[Takiya]

CVS length. Honestly. Okay.

[Jade]

CVS length receipts that really detail the breadth of expertise and experience that you have, Janae. And we're really excited to have you here and to learn more about the great work that the LDF is doing. So just welcome to the show. Janae, how are you?

[Janae Nelson]

I am as good as I can Possibly be in this moment, honey.

[Takiya]

Yes.

[Jade]

Okay.

[Takiya]

You're safe, and you have what you need.

[Jade]

Exactly. My answer has always been, I'm doing the best that I can. Okay. That's all that we can do. But we're really excited to have you here. I want to give you the opportunity to tell our audience who you are, because you know, you can do that better than no one else. So, please.

[Janae Nelson]

Sure. Well, first of all, thank you so much for having me. I'm a fan, and I'm so honored to be here. I am Janae Nelson. I am the eighth president and director counsel of the Legal Defense Fund. We are the only other organization in the world that shares that NAACP moniker. We're separate from the naacp, although we do, you know, lots of work together trying to fight for the civil rights of black people. But we've been a wholly separate organization since 1957. We were founded in 1940 by Thurgood Marshall, who went on to become. Yeah, the first black Supreme Court justice. And for 85 years, literally, we turned 85 two weeks ago. For 85 years, we have been fighting to advance racial justice on behalf of black people in this country. We've been fighting for our multiracial democracy. We've been fighting for full dignity and citizenship and humanity for black people, all of it. So. And we use the law. We use the law as our primary tool, but we also have a lot of other tools and resources that we bring to the fight.

[Takiya]

I have a very specific question around you all using the law, but I will come back to that in a moment. I first want to know, Janae, a little bit about your background, like, what got you to this work? Has this always been your path? Tell us about your journey a little bit.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah. You know, it's funny. I feel like I've always been about this work, but didn't know that it would involve the law. So as. For as long as I can remember, I've always been very much in love with black people, warts and all.

[Jade]

Just period.

[Janae Nelson]

Loved it. Loved the culture, love all of it. Love everything about us. And I've also always been someone who did not like injustice and unfairness. And. And I knew from a pretty early age that something in the world just was not right, was kind of off balance when it came to the conditions of black people vis a vis everyone else in this country. And I didn't really know how to name it. I didn't really know how to make full sense of it. But, you know, as you. As you grow, you. You learn and I was able to, you know, read. You know, everybody read Malcolm X and Assada and all that.

[Takiya]

Yes.

[Janae Nelson]

You know, that their radicalization joined all the clubs in high school, college. But it was when I was in college that I met law students and, you know, who were also. I went to nyu, who were also at nyu, but in the law school, and they just had a different language for this stuff. You know, they could just explain it. They were talking about constitutional principles, they were talking about human rights. They were talking about things in ways that really resonated for me. And I was like, oh, okay, this is how you actually can attack some of these systems and some of these issues that have been, frankly, you know, plaguing me for as long as I can remember. And that's really what turned me on to law.

[Jade]

I'm so grateful that you're here, Janae, because, I mean, the moment that we're given, that we're in. You know, folks keep saying that it's unprecedented, but, you know, there is a familiarity that comes with the times that we are negotiating. And I know for me, what seems to give me the most dis. Ease. Right. Is the way in which it appears that laws are being broken, rules are being changed, and now more than ever, I am interested in understanding the law. Like, you know, like, I just.

[Takiya]

That was. That was where I was going.

[Jade]

Just as an everyday, civically minded adult, I feel a priority, a strong compulsion right now to understand and have an understanding for myself about what the law is and how it functions and what my rights are under the law, because there's so much misinformation out there. Can you speak a little to that? And I imagine, given the role of the LDF and the particular seat that you sit in, you're probably getting a lot of calls right now from people who are just trying to understand just what in the hell is happening here. No, truly.

[Janae Nelson]

Exactly. Exactly. No. So you said it appears like a lot of laws are being broken and norms and rules, because they are.

[Jade]

It is not appearance.

[Janae Nelson]

It is really happening, and it's happening at warp speed, and it is happening in an unprecedented way, although the lawlessness and the attacks on vulnerable communities is not new. But the reason why this feels different and the reason why I think everyone is still so unsettled and everyone hasn't really found their footing is because we have been on a trajectory as a country. Of course, we've looped backwards many times before, but for the most part, certainly for the past 60 years or so, we've been heading in a Direction where we've been expanding rights. We have been identifying new protections for us as citizens of this country and human beings generally. Just the way in which everyone's been evolving in their thinking has been to be more protective, to be more inclusive, to be more understanding of difference and all of that. And now we just ran into a brick wall. And not just a brick wall. They're trying to actually suck this whole thing backwards. And so while we have definitely been through periods of regression before, you know, we think about after we formerly enslaved Africans were emancipated, you know, in 1865, and we think about, you know, the Reconstruction amendments, you know, the 13th Amendment, which gave us, you know, the clear understanding that we can no longer be enslaved, and there's no. There's no basis for slavery in this country. The 14th amendment. Everyone has equal protection under the law. We all have a right to some due process before anything bad can happen to us. You know, in the 15th amendment, we have the right not to be discriminated against when it comes to voting on the count of our race. Right after that, because those were three powerful amendments to our Constitution. Right after that, we saw a period of about eight years of black flourishing. We were on the way to really gaining some control. And then there was this period of redemption where white people sucked it all back and they couldn't enslave everyone again, but they could create sharecropping. They could have, you know, prison systems that still.

[Takiya]

Legal systems.

[Janae Nelson]

Exactly. Where there's forced labor, all the things. And so we've seen this happen and then. And then the retrenchment. But nonetheless, especially those of us who've been fighting this force have been able to somehow drag this country, you know, against its will, forward. Maybe not as quickly as we want, but we've been able to drag it forward, and I believe we will continue to be able to do that. But we have to recognize the threat. And there's really no sugar coating it. It's a. It's a. It's an enormous one, for sure.

[Takiya]

I have a theory, but I just would be curious to hear yours. Where do you think that Snatchback came? Right, because the ideology and the. The foundation of the hate, that's. That's never changed. Right. But where do you personally think. I'm curious to know where you think that snatchback happened.

[Janae Nelson]

So I. Well, to be clear, it happens every time we try to do something. So, yeah, we had the Civil Rights Act. They were like, oh, y'.

[Jade]

All.

[Janae Nelson]

Y' all are favorites of the law. Even Though we had only been free less than 50 years, it was like, okay, yeah, civil rights, you're the favorites of the law. So they've been saying this forever. So every time there's been advancement, there's always been some backlash. But I would say the most recent iteration really probably, I want to say the 80s, honestly, because that's when there was the beginnings of the roots of really trying to peel back affirmative action. In the 60s is when we got affirmative action, we got a recognition that we had been at a structural disadvantage. Black people had been at a structural disadvantage in this country. And so there was some recognition in the law. You get to have some opportunities to, to recognize that you are not playing on a level playing field anyway. So there was already that. And then we started to become corporate leaders, become leaders in every industry. And not a whole lot of us, just enough of us to make people feel uncomfortable. And not only were we leaders, but we were also kind of changing the temperature in the room. And I would say by the time we got to a black president, they had had enough.

[Takiya]

Okay, I was, I, that was my theory.

[Janae Nelson]

I wanted to take it all the way Back to the 80s is like it wasn't like 2008, Barack Obama disappeared.

[Jade]

Right. It was a slow, it was a slow burn for sure.

[Janae Nelson]

That's right.

[Takiya]

Even with Ronald Reagan and, and a lot of his. I know we always attribute the crack epidemic to him, which, yes, you deserve that, you rotten piece of shit. And I hope you are resting horribly wherever you are. But also, sorry, it's, it's been a great effect on a large part of our community. But also all of his peel backs and education at the time as well. And so I was. That's actually a really good point and I'm glad that you brought that up. They are always trying to undo some with us all the time. It's not like we even have much, but they're like, let's take back this little bit that you do, you do have. But that's a good point that it was in the 80s.

[Jade]

I don't want to interrupt your question, but to me it sort of points out the systemic nature of all of it. Right. And I think that's something we got to continue to elevate because you know, the, the misinformation and disinformation is trying to change the narrative, to make it personal. But this has been a system, the cogs and the wheels are turning in this direction for, for centuries. And so we have to think about all of the ways that that is taking shape. But you're going to ask a question.

[Takiya]

Keep going. I'm sorry. Also, it's getting nasty over here.

[Jade]

Yes, thank you, Brooklyn. Brooklyn is always our third host of the show, but I was going to say, so given all of that, it's easy to feel like we're powerless or nothing is happening or the things that are coming against us are greater than our defenses. And I know that there are some things that LDF is doing right now, some active irons in the fire, some. Some areas where you guys are literally fighting back in current litigation. Wanted to give you an opportunity to just give our listeners an update on what some of those. Some of those things are.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah, I'm glad you asked that question, because we have been suing the Trump administration from the first Trump administration to now. We literally had a lawsuit when this man was elected, and that was from the first administration because we were pushing back, and sometimes that's how long a court case can last. But we have filed some new ones, and we're very excited about them. We are pushing back against his many unlawful executive orders. And I can just say, you know, it's hard for me to even think of one that is legitimate and within the scope of his power. You know, people have to understand that an executive order is usually if there's an emergency circumstance or there's something that, you know, the president needs to order that falls outside of Congress's powers and outside of the courts. You know, there's like a narrow little bit of power, there's a narrow lane where the president, who already has a lot of power. Right, right. That can then just say, okay, well, this needs a little intervention here. And I'm going to. I'm going to tell the country what it should do, but it can't do that if the power belongs to somebody else. And much of what Trump has done up to this point has belonged to Congress. And the reason it belongs to Congress is because Congress has to answer to us. Those representatives there are elected, they're up for election. We can call them up and say, do this, do that. We can put some pressure on them. They have to go home to their home districts. And here, you know, all the dissatisfaction, if they do something wrong, there's a reason we want Congress to pass laws, and there's a reason we want process because we want it to go through hearings and all the. All that stuff. So by him issuing executive orders, he is really, I know we, you know, you hear a lot, but he truly is trying to act like a king like an oligarch, like someone who has no constraints on his power. So we have sued his executive order on birthright citizenship, which, again, harkens all the way back to emancipation and was created for black people. We are suing all his orders against diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, which he's trying to say is pretty much anything that gives black people a equal opportunity to access wealth and jobs and education. Everything is. Is diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, according to him. And everything about it is unlawful, which is completely wrong. And he also just recently issued two orders that deal with our museums and our historical institutions, like the Smithsonian, the National Museum on African American History and Culture. So this is a literal erasure of all of our contributions, acknowledging our heroes and the work that we've done to build this country. And then, of course, as always, he's tried to attack the right to vote. He's tried to say that you need to show a particular type of documentation in order to register or maintain your registration to vote, which is going to make it difficult for millions of people to cast a ballot. And so we're challenging all of that. Yeah, we're challenging all of them.

[Jade]

Thank you.

[Takiya]

How does that work when the person who's at the top of this chain. I'm very grateful. Yes, I agree with Kia first and foremost.

[Jade]

I think I just want acknowledgement, because in so many ways, it feels like nobody is doing anything. At least that's how I feel. The gaslighting of it, it's like, you know, they're just the. The zone. You're right. The zone is being flooded. And some. It feels like we are being flooded. Right. And I just want to acknowledge that. You know, I appreciate.

[Takiya]

Yeah.

[Jade]

All that you are doing, but I'm sorry.

[Takiya]

Absolutely. No, I just don't. I also. I echo those sentiments times a million. We're very grateful. And I don't even think it feels to me like nobody's doing anything. I think it's just feeling very. Like, what can be done when somebody is basically taking laws and saying, well, fuck all that, like, I'm doing what I want. So while you all are filing all these lawsuits and you are taking steps to make sure our democracy has some kind of democracy. How does that work with. With such a monster at the top of this?

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah, it's not easy. Right. So we filed these lawsuits. In almost all of them, we are seeking emergency relief. So we're trying to get the court to stop the order, at least temporarily, until we can point out all the reasons that it's wrong. All the reasons why it needs to be struck down and permanently removed. So we just argued against the anti equity orders and explained that the clients we represent, we represent the National Urban League, we represent the National Fair Housing alliance, we're representing the AIDS foundation in Chicago. And we were explaining that there are real harms happening right now when, when people who are being serviced by the AIDS foundation of Chicago, largely black and brown people, often trans people, who are trying to manage their viral load, who are trying to make sure that they have the medication needed because the AIDS foundation is taking account of the fact that we are disproportionately harmed and that they help our communities in particular, if they're not able to do what they do, if they're not able to get the federal funding that was helping them to do that, literal lives are on the line, right? When the National Fair Housing alliance can't ensure that unhoused people get homes, that they're treated fairly, that their identity is encountered against them when they're trying to access shelter, then there are people who are going to be unhoused and who are going to suffer those consequences. And of course, the National Urban League, you know, they have job training programs, they're trying to counter unemployment, they're trying to counter, you know, the effects on our communities where so many of our young people, you know, are idling and don't have the activities that can engage them intellectually, socially, ensuring that they then are diverted from a criminal legal system that is designed to capture them. So when we don't have the federal funding to do all that, the consequences are manifold. The consequences are real and sprawling. So we made that argument to a judge. We're waiting that, you know, awaiting that decision. And that's what we do in all of these cases of this type. We try to stop it as quickly as we can. And then we go on to build the record to prove, based on law and fact why these executive orders are A beyond this person's power and B, violate many other laws and protections under our Constitution.

[Jade]

I appreciate the, the explanation, right, Because I think it's easy to sort of. I think another thing that contributes to that feeling that nobody's doing anything is just though failing to recognize all of the moving parts and how complicated or how complex a process this is. So thanks for explaining all of the ways in which the LDF is responding to what is happening and leveraging the levers that we have access to in real time. That does sort of give clarity to this because in the vacuum, it just feels like what is there to do. It's easy to feel like nothing. So to that effect, though, understanding that LDF is helping in this way to sort of protect some of our rights and needs through the legal system, what are the ways in which those of us who are just regular dead people trying to negotiate this flood zone, what are some of the things that we can do or know to protect our rights during this crazy time?

[Janae Nelson]

Well, there's a lot we can do. I mean, we should first of all know that we have power at the local, state and federal level. A lot of attention, understandably so, is focusing on the president and focusing on Congress. But to be honest, a lot of the things that affect our lives on a regular basis, on a daily basis, are right here in our communities. You know, it's our local elected officials, it's our city council, it's who the judges are locally, because most of us, most black people are incarcerated in state prisons across the country. Right? You know, whether people get bail or not, whether, you know, there's. There's a crisis in unhoused people, quality of life issues, so much of that is actually local. So we should all know our local elected officials. We should have their numbers plugged into our telephones. Right? We should just take 15 minutes after this podcast and just look up your person, find out who they are, get their number, put it in your phone. People feel that there's so much distance between themselves and their representatives, and there really isn't. Most people don't really call their representative and say, hey, you know what? I'm really concerned about trash collection. Or I'm concerned that my playground has not been updated in X number of years and therefore the kids are, you know, doing something else which isn't really benefiting them. What can you do? What grants are available? I want you to know this is important to me. Or, or let me tell you this one. Getting involved in your school board because they're trying to, okay, yeah, the next generation, that our history doesn't matter. They may not be providing a challenging curriculum. And if you get involved with your school board and say, listen, we can do better, or I actually want to know how we're meeting certain standards and what type of history are we teaching our children? What after school programs are available? Do we have arts and music in the classroom? Are our children learning more than one language? What can we do about that? Because I see this community over here is able to do it. So that is a degree of power that we are not leaning into because we often don't Know that it exists and that we have a connection to it. Just finding out your representatives, getting engaged in your school board meetings. Yes, it does take time, but it could not be any easier now than it has been in the past. You can email people, you can engage. Virtually everybody's on virtual forums now in so many ways. So there are ways to get engaged. That's one thing. Of course, knowing your rights, if you do wind up engaged with a government entity and having to assert your rights, that you have the right to be silent. And you need to say that, I know that I have the right to be silent. I have the right to an attorney. And that is whether you are engaged. Engaged with law enforcement on a general basis or if it's in connection with, you know, the immigration issue.

[Takiya]

Yeah, that was my question to you.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah. Because we got to know what you see.

[Takiya]

They're. They're. They're. They're snatching people up, you know what I'm saying, on the way to lunch and all kinds, like in schools, on campuses. Yeah. So how do we. How do we protect, you know, our own of our vulnerable ones in those types of situations? Out. Is there anything additional to just knowing your rights?

[Janae Nelson]

Well, I mean, it's. It's tough because on some level, asserting your rights matters. If only if people respect those rights. Right, Right. Only if they. Actually, we're talking about being in a law, a law, a system where laws and rights and protections matter. That's not always the case. In which case we then have to be our own. We have to be our own protectors. Right. So whether that's making sure that you're filming something at an appropriate distance to make sure that there's a record of what happened. If that's a matter of you see someone on the street and something's happening. Tell me your name. Who can I call for you? Tell me the number. I'll call him right now. You know, it's those types of things that we can do as everyday citizens to protect one another. And that is that. That's the least we can do as human beings, because we'd want that done for us. So some of it is just getting engaged. Like, don't just turn the other way. If you see something wrong happening, it's everybody's duty to get engaged.

[Takiya]

Absolutely. And they can't get everybody. That's the thing. So if more of us are involved, even if we think we're to have a large role, they. They can't grab everybody up at once.

[Jade]

That's right.

[Janae Nelson]

Right.

[Takiya]

Some level Exact. Exactly. And there has to be some discomfort on our sides if we want to see some sort of shift. I'm like, we can't just sit back and videotape somebody doing some in the train station. You know what I'm saying?

[Jade]

30.

[Takiya]

30 people got to scream out that this is up. You know what I mean?

[Janae Nelson]

That's right.

[Takiya]

Excuse me.

[Jade]

So.

[Takiya]

So.

[Janae Nelson]

Thank you.

[Takiya]

Thank you for that. I. I ask you specifically, Janae, you say, to call our representatives and to know who our representatives are. That's actually really important, especially when it comes to our local elections and so forth. Are there any? Because oftentimes in the same way that we think about president, you know, grand scheme of things, it's almost the same things on a local. On a local level. Like, we're so busy paying attention to Eric Adams and all of his ass that we don't. You know what I'm saying? So are there space specific representatives that we really do need to know for our communities that you think we should pay extra attention to? Because sometimes those ballots and things get overwhelming.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah. I mean, know your city council representative, know your state senator. Right. Because those people determine the laws from the state, but they come, right. You know, they come from your borough or your town or your, you know, whatever your local community is, your. Your ward, and know them, know who they are because they, like I said, they are impacting everyday life issues. I mean, if you think about even something as simple as, like, a sheriff's election, if you live in a town with the sheriff, the sheriff has an enormous amount of power right. Over the types of crimes that are going to be pursued about the deployment of other law enforcement and which communities might be targeted, which are going to be saturated with law enforcement, how traffic violations are dealt with. You know, they. Pulling people over and just saying, okay, I'm giving you a warning, don't do this again. Are they. Are they confiscating vehicles and. And what's inside? Like, there's such a range of power, and if people know that you're watching, if people know that they are not just, you know, with. With unfettered power that can. That can make a real difference. So that's important. So knowing the people who control your law enforcement, even things as. As mundane as your coroner, sometimes the county coroner can decide whether the video footage from a police violent act.

[Jade]

Yes.

[Janae Nelson]

Is released to the community or not. You know, whether the family gets access to it or not. You know, that's all control. And they need to understand that we are engaged.

[Jade]

Yes.

[Janae Nelson]

That we Understand our power. And, and you can, you know, you can look it up online and you can even call, you know, your local elected officials and be like, hey, how can I, how can I better understand how you are helping this community? You know?

[Jade]

Yeah.

[Janae Nelson]

Asking questions.

[Takiya]

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[Jade]

I've been doing a deep dive. I live in the dmv. Been doing a deep dive in understanding. One of the ways I'm trying to understand sort of the ripple effects of what's happening right now at the federal level is really understanding how money moves. So we understand federal funding is one thing, but like state appropriation. And I've been doing a deep dive in understanding sort of what your county is responsible for managing as it relates to our everyday sort of existence. Well, being thinking about budgets, school boards, you know, those sort of things. And, and I'm gonna be honest, like for a long time, you know, I've been, now I've been adulting for a good amount of time. Right. But for a long time it was just like not something I paid careful attention to.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah.

[Jade]

And I'm, I'm owning that and trying to, to do better. But just curious, is LDF or any other organization that you know of, where can we sort of get that one on one basic understanding of how the law works or how these things work. And I know there is variance from state to state, but just generally is there a website, is there a book, is there a seminar series that we might understand like go to and really sink our teeth in to try to get, get our bearings around what's happening here?

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah, I love that question. I'm going to, I'm going to send you a link to post to your listeners. What is you're referring to is what we call participatory budgeting. And it can feel intimidating. Right. Because many of us don't even have a household budget, let alone thinking about a Budget. Exactly.

[Jade]

Doing the best I can for your home.

[Janae Nelson]

Yes, exactly. But we have found, because we've done this in New York and we've done this in a number of other cities, working with communities in participatory budgeting, which just means the community gets to participate in the budget process. And it has yielded really profound results where, you know, the shift between how much money we're investing in law enforcement versus education or healthcare. Right. Or youth programs or all sorts of things can. Can actually shift and change when you are involved and you have vocal people saying, actually, this is not what we need. And, you know, a budget is the clearest reflection of your priorities.

[Jade]

Right.

[Janae Nelson]

What are you willing to throw money at?

[Jade]

Right.

[Janae Nelson]

If you're throwing more and more money at incarceration, what is that about? Is that solving a problem or not? Are you throwing more money at education, which has been proven to make communities safer, to create pathways to opportunity for employment, to a better intergenerational wealth, to just a better livelihood, to better families? All of the things that stem from that. Same with healthcare. If we're really trying to invest in the future of our communities, we would be investing in those things, not investing in punishment and retribution. And frankly, what is a job program for so many law enforcement officers? Right.

[Takiya]

And barbed wire in the train stations and removing trans rights. NYU Lingon, you know what I mean? Like that. That's what they're. They're focused on the wrong thing always. The NYPD has so much money, it's disgusting.

[Jade]

Every. All, all police departments across states are literally. I mean, even federally, the Department of Defense has the lion's share of the budget.

[Janae Nelson]

That's right. Yes. Who we are, who we want to be.

[Jade]

Exactly.

[Janae Nelson]

What we want to invest.

[Jade]

Yeah, exactly.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah. And we can help shift that. We can help shift that. It's, you know, and not every budget process is open to community input. That's why if you happen to live in a city where there is a opportunity for you to participate, please take advantage of it because you really can make a difference. So I'll try to get you some resources.

[Jade]

Appreciate that.

[Takiya]

Yes. Thank you very much. We'll be sure to have that in our description box and also under the resource links that are there every week, just in case you all haven't looked. It's the resource links for your. How you all can go look into your world news, how you can support, and then also what we can do here on the ground and information that we need. So we appreciate that very, very much. You gave us some really, really Wonderful tools. And I, and, and, and we'd love to hear more on those, but I'd love for you to talk to our youth maybe for a second, who might feel like I'm young and I don't, I don't know what I can do or how I can contribute to my community in this change. What would you talk to our youth about in regards to. Not only because you, you brought up the shift in the 80s, which I think is very important. So linking our past to our future, which is literally them and ways that they can be useful. What would you say to our young ones?

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah, well, first I want to say sorry real y' all have been through a lot and yeah, we, we should, we should have done better by you. I don't mean the we on this call because I know that we've all been fighting for the right things, but we as a society should have done much better by you. That as Coretta Scott King said, every generation must, must win its own freedom. And as we were saying from the very beginning, in this country where the entire premise of it is meant to have a hierarchy where black folks are at the bottom, we have to constantly be pushing against that. And we have done it successfully and we have been winning at it, which is in part why we're facing this backlash. And so it is your time to partner up with us and create the frontlash, right. To say, you know what, this is my future that I'm going to fight for. I'm not going to yield it. And I'm going to do that by linking arms with other people who have a similar common interest. I'm going to join organizations that have lessons that I can build on. And I'm going to contribute my new ideas to those organizations too, because it's a two way street. And I'm going to make sure I get involved in some way. I mean, what gives me some of the greatest hope is when I look at some of the young people who've run for office. There is a young man in Alabama who, who is, I guess by now he's in his early 20s, but was like 18 jalen, when he became a mayor of his small town in Alabama. Come on and listen. Sometimes young people have better ideas than those most times. Yeah, exactly. Because also sometimes you're closest to the challenges you're thinking about. You know, how am I going to get a job, how am I going to find housing, how am I going to have a government that respects all of my many identities, whatever they are. Right. The complexity of Who I am and how do I have a bright future, who's going to address climate change so that we even have a future. Right. Get engaged. Figure out a way either if you don't want to work through the political system and the electricity toro process. There are so many wonderful community organizations that can help empower other young people where you can be a mentor, where you can educate, where you can, you know, get engaged in a hands on way. But every single one of us has something we can do. We have some value to contribute to this, to this challenge that we're all facing.

[Jade]

I'm so glad you said that. I think I will say, I will admit that particularly after the presidential election and those of us who are part of the 92% who are on the right side of history, I think in, in the spirit of self preservation, so many of us have decided, you know, that we are not going to invest as much energy and attention in driving, you know, this work, you know, because we've been doing it and therefore for that we have so much to do and it's so easy for us to think. I'm just going to keep my head down, ride this all now. I'm just going.

[Takiya]

Let'S just keep it.

[Jade]

A buck and I'm going to be somewhere being quiet and doing my line dances until this passes over. You know, what advice do you have for those people? Because I'm a little torn. Right. Because I too was very much like, I'm going to be quiet because I've been running my mouth.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah.

[Jade]

And ain't nobody listening to me. You know what I'm saying?

[Takiya]

I've been screaming about genocide for two years and then this happens here and I'm like, oh my God, how do.

[Jade]

We find the balance of self preservation, self care.

[Takiya]

Yeah.

[Jade]

Self advocacy. Operating in our own interests and also contributing to, to moving things forward.

[Takiya]

Right.

[Janae Nelson]

Oh, I love this question. So everybody's got to figure out what their capacity is. So there's, there are those of us like me. I get energized by a fight. Like I get, I, you know, like that just, it gets me going. Not to say I don't get tired. Not to say that I don't get dismayed. We all do. Not to say that I wasn't, you know, also laid out me rightfully so just to keep it real. Right. Because we all poured so much into trying to save this democracy. So I just think you have to know what your capacity is. But I'm not exempting anybody because you know what? Our ancestors didn't say, you know what, I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna sit there and take the lash and see if I survive this thing. And, you know, I'm not, I'm not gonna consider the fact that we are a people that come from strength and resilience and it's not gonna die on my watch.

[Jade]

Right.

[Janae Nelson]

We don't, we don't have that luxury, or I think really that we should not take it upon ourselves to say, this is how we're going to decide this for our entire race of people. We have a baton that we need to carry forward, but how you do it is up to you and your capacity. So there are some people who want to be on the front lines, who want to march, who want to organize. I love that. There are some people who want to sit and say, I'm going to have a routine where, you know, three times a week I'm going to send an email, I'm going to pick up my phone, call my senator, call my state and local. I'm going to do a federal, state and local call every week. There are other people who are going to say, you know what I'm going to do? I'm not going to lift a finger and I'm literally not going to swipe my credit card or use my Apple pay for any company that doesn't believe in me, that doesn't believe in diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility. If you want to come out and say that you don't stand for this and I'm going to abandon this and I'm going to retreat, guess what? I'm just going to, very casually, not breaking a sweat. But you're not going to get any of my money. Right? And that's it. Easy. That's the least we can do. That's. The resistance is to say, you know what? Yes, I do love that, you know, immediate next day delivery, but I think I could wait a couple days for it and.

[Takiya]

Or I can go find a local shop.

[Janae Nelson]

Thank you.

[Takiya]

You know what I'm saying? To go support that hopefully has something along the lines of what I need.

[Janae Nelson]

That's right. That's right. So just find your, find your role. Figure out, you know, whether it's economic, you know, intentionality, whether it's the power of the person, power of your pocketbook, because that is the power. And let me just say this. Yes, you may not want to organize a whole big thing, but you can say family or group chat or neighbors or church or mosque or whatever your community is. How about we all do this Together for this month, for this occasion, for whatever it is. You know, there's some small things that we can do, and they can actually have a significant impact. And then you can also get involved with an organization. You can, you know, you can ratchet it on up. There's so much to be done. But I really want to say that none of us are exempt from this call in this moment. Everybody's got to find a way to act. Everybody's got to figure out their role.

[Takiya]

Yeah. You're not wrong, actually, because complacency is the last thing.

[Janae Nelson]

That's what they count on.

[Takiya]

Exactly. Exactly. I thank you for that because we need some. We. You know, you need a boot in your ass. If you're not going to do anything. The least you can do is not go to the store or not shop off at Amazon or whatever the case is. Damn. I just lost my question to you.

[Jade]

Damn.

[Takiya]

And all of my rant. That's what I get. Do you have anything else that you want to share? Jana, you just gave us some really good tools and tips and things that we can do, even just to get started. Is there anything that you would love to offer to the community? Just unsolicited, but solicited. Because we're asking you.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah.

[Takiya]

Of viewpoints and just things to keep in mind in the midst of all of this chaos.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah. The reason that I think. Not only do I think we have an obligation to future generations to do our part and to ourselves. Right. I'm not trying to live in a chaotic world. If we think it's bad now, sitting it out is not. It's not going to get any better.

[Takiya]

For us out of the picture. Hello.

[Janae Nelson]

Black women make everything better. We make better. So we take ourselves. If we take ourselves out of this, how. How are we gonna get better? It's not.

[Jade]

I don't want to be a part of nothing. So.

[Janae Nelson]

Yes.

[Jade]

Correct.

[Janae Nelson]

Hello.

[Jade]

Hello.

[Janae Nelson]

All right. So we. We are the authors of Our future. We have got to. We've got to keep writing it. But the other thing is, and. And this is what drives me, is we have been able to transform the very worst conditions into something beyond imagination. Right. When I think back 85 years ago, when my organization was founded, the Law of the Land was literal racial apartheid. Black people had to be, by law, separate from white people. Not because we wanted to be, because that's one thing, but no, because we had to be. And we were separated, with substandard conditions, with no access to real upward mobility or anything along those lines. And a bunch of fearless lawyers and clients and other people came together and said, you know what, we're going to change this, we're going to challenge this, we're going to make the arguments, we're going to build the resistance to change things. And no one thought that could be possible. So right now, in this moment, I think that there is something on the other side of this, you know, so it is, it's rare that you build something tremendously powerful and durable, you know, just by adding on. You know, sometimes you gotta, you gotta deconstruct the stuff that, you know, wasn't working for you from, you know, in the first place. I mean, we were fighting before, you know, November, we were fighting before January 20th. We were not satisfied with how things were for the last, you know, insert number of years. So truly the question is, does this give us, afford us an opportunity to say, while this country is, is on its last leg, can we swoop in and make it what it should have always been? Can we make it in an image of ourselves? Can we bring all the learning and all the wisdom, all the strength, all the lessons that we've acquired? Can we amass that power and do something transformative? And that's, that's what I'm trying to do.

[Takiya]

Thank you for that. I think my last question to you personally and then, Kia, if you have anything, please round out. But I. For somebody who has, who has had no resources, no background, no. They just may have had run ins, but they don't really have a true knowledge and understanding. Where would you tell them to just start? Just to start.

[Janae Nelson]

That's a good question. I would say, you know, find, you know, I'm a big fan of reading. Right. So reading things can sometimes unlock. There. There's a lot of. But everyone's not a reader. There's a lot of visual history. There are a lot of programs like, you know, 13th and, and others that, that can tell you the history of this country. I think having that anchor and then also, you know, find somebody else who's doing the change that you seek. Right. Whether, like I said, that's any community organization or outlet for you and start to understand. Take one issue that you care about, just take one. You know, like it's education, whether it's, it's, it's criminal justice, whether it's economics or, or just one issue, whether it's, you know, the issue around transportation. You know, you mentioned the subways a couple times. Like if that really is making you.

[Jade]

Yeah.

[Janae Nelson]

Upset.

[Takiya]

Clearly you can see it is.

[Janae Nelson]

You know, just Find out who's doing that and say, let me just at least attach myself to that one, one issue. And also just think about what your strengths are. Some people are excellent graphic artists, and they could create something that is going to speak to someone where a million words could not convince them, but they see that. They see that representation, that artistic representation, and it just speaks to their soul. Everybody has some gift to contribute, and you just need to figure out what yours is, and it doesn't have to be the traditional one.

[Takiya]

That's a really good point, actually.

[Jade]

So good, because so many of us feel like, you know, I'm not. I'm not good with words or I'm not a good writer, or, you know, I'm just this or I'm just that. But that's so true. Wherever you are and whatever is in your hands is what you supposed to be using in this fight. And so that's just an awesome reminder. And, Janae, I just want to, you know, thank you again so much for being here. You said earlier that you are, you know, a regular at the kitchen table. We appreciate you and thank you so much for being a part of our community. It just, you know, it does my heart good to know that, you know, our little show is, you know, reaching people who are doing amazing work, like the work that you're doing. Ldf. I mean, to my shocks. But we're. We're grateful to have you here. And I just want to close out by asking you, Janae, how are you doing? Is there anything that Jade and I, or any member of our Getting Grown community can do to support you? Because we. We appreciate you and the contribution that you're making. Being out in front of this. This work is not a small thing. So I want to formally acknowledge that and to say that we see you and we. And we love you and we honor you so much. We appreciate.

[Takiya]

Yeah.

[Jade]

All we know, the sacrifice that comes within and the way that you stand up for us is not something that I. I want to fail to acknowledge. So, you know, we have your back. Let us know. Is there something that we can do to help you, Janae? Not just the ldf, but what can we do for you?

[Takiya]

Yeah, to support you.

[Janae Nelson]

Yeah, I appreciate that. I just, you know, I will say again, do something you start off saying. Sometimes it feels like, you know, nothing's happening. I think we all can feel that way. Even I can feel that way. But I love it when I'm talking to people and they tell me, you know what I just did? I just did X and I had never done that before, but I tried. You know, I signed a petition. I, you know, I went to this meeting. I called so and so up or I'm now volunteering here. That gives me strength and inspiration to know that we're not in it alone. Everybody's doing their, doing their part. And then of course, you know, come to our website and learn as much as you can. You know, we, we and, and, and, and reach out because if it's, if there's information you want and you need, we want to be responsive to that too. So we're at NAACP ldf.org NAACP l d f.org follow us on social. Yeah, follow me on social media.

[Takiya]

I just did.

[Janae Nelson]

Follow me on social media. All, all the handles. I'll make sure you have them to link, but just keep up the fight. Keep.

[Takiya]

And they'll be in the description box. Yes, please. Yes, please.

[Janae Nelson]

And thank you too for doing what you're doing. It's, we need real conversations like, like this and the ones you bring all the time. We need a space for this and, and what you're providing is, it's a respite from all the chaos and the crazy. So thank you for building this community.

[Takiya]

Oh, thank you, Janae. We're so grateful for you. Ikea said we're so grateful for the work you do for our community, for just being a black woman who gives a. Enough to do something, honestly, you know what I'm saying? Do really hard things for the community. Like we, it's, it's no small feat and we definitely recognize that. So you please let us know anytime. Getting grown can be a tool to help to amplify anything that needs to be amplified for us because it's going to be the only thing that sustains us. Make sure you all check out the description box wherever you're listening. We will have all the resources that Janae mentioned. Resources to the ldf so you can get your, your own resources for what you need. If you need to understand the legal system even better from people that can be trusted. And we'll explain it to you from a vantage point that will actually be helpful. But we are very thankful for you, Janae, and we will see you all in just a a moment.

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[Janae Nelson]

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[Takiya]

I deserve a.

[Jade]

Shout out to Janae. Okay, just got us together at the kitchen table. I'm just so grateful that she thought enough to come kick it with us, but also just that she's a part of our community.

[Takiya]

Yeah.

[Jade]

Just in acknowledgment of all that she's doing, her organization is doing on the front lines of this fight. You know, just much respect and I.

[Takiya]

Hope very necessary work.

[Jade]

Yes. So self care this week. My self care is pretty straightforward, as you all know, steadily, you know, leveling up or attempting to level up my, you know, commitment to fitness and healthcare. You know, my own self care, like my own wellness, health and well being. Y' all know, I've been, you know, focusing not only on strength training, but on cardio. I've added something that I've been seeing a little while, for a little while on the clock app and you know, in some of the fitness influencer spaces that I follow, something that's very important for women, particularly that are in our late 30s, early 40s, you know, you know, I think around, I think it's right around 35, and the closer we get to 40, we start losing muscle mass as, as women. I guess it's just a part of sort of, you know, our, how our bodies typically develop.

[Takiya]

And one of the things, the breakdown of your body.

[Jade]

Yes. One of the things that I have been seeing to combat that or that can help in addressing that is very. Adding a very small but critical element or piece to your hot girl walk. So if those of us who are out here trying to get our steps in, I purchased a weighted vest to wear. Yes, I purchased a weighted vest. I was able to pick one up from the Dicks. I'm Childish Dick's Sporting Goods. Yes, I order weighted vest. And it is, it is, you know, I'm told that you are just to wear. You can wear it around your house as you're doing your errands or if you're, you know, just on your walks. You know, it adds a little bit more resistance to your cardio and it also helps in you know, improving bone density for, for women. You know, that's something that I'm particularly concerned with, you know, given my rheumatoid arthritis. So I did not go crazy. You know, I'm told that you have to sort of ease into this game. So you don't just run out and buy a 25 pound vest. They say to start with.

[Takiya]

Because I was definitely going to.

[Jade]

No, no, no. You're supposed to start within 5 to 5 to 10% of your body weight. And they say when you start out, so you start at like closer to 5% and then you ease on up toward the 10 because listen. And they say like, you know, you get a 10 pound, 10 pound vest, like I can surely carry that. It's like, no, that ten pounds ain't no hope. So I bought it. Yeah, so I bought a ten pound vest. We're gonna just start off there and see where that takes us. I'm going to wear it on the tread for a little while and just add that in and hopefully that will add a little bit more resistance and I'll get a better payoff for my cardio. And yeah, we're just adding on, not a diet but a lifestyle change. I got a weighted vest. Yeah, I'm really in this middle aged.

[Janae Nelson]

I just got one.

[Jade]

Yeah, in this middle aged thing. Hot and heavy. Okay, thank you, thank you. We're out here.

[Takiya]

Literally.

[Jade]

Literally.

[Takiya]

How exciting is that? I also purchased, I got a waiting vest and I'm like, oh, I need one. Yeah, I need to have a weighted vest, especially for as much as I'd be shuffling around this house. Yeah, make it useful.

[Jade]

It improves your posture. It also helps with your bone density and it helps with your core strength. So I'm just like, let's give it a go.

[Takiya]

I mean, you know, why not? Let's see how I go. I got a 12 pound.

[Jade]

Okay. I got 10, you know, my joints, I didn't want to do too much, you know.

[Takiya]

Yeah.

[Jade]

So I, I got a 10.

[Takiya]

That's real.

[Jade]

And if it, if I, you know, if I eat that up, I'll move up to 12, 12 and a half. I didn't want to go too far too fast.

[Takiya]

Now will they can, will they just send you more weights? Like, don't make me buy a whole new vest.

[Jade]

I feel like the one that I bought, like the weights itself are like inserts into the vest. So I'm hoping I should have done more investigation before purchasing, but I feel like maybe you can just buy the weight, like the added weight and Just like add it to the vest. But I'll report back. Okay, I'll report back.

[Takiya]

Yeah, let me know. Do you do ankle weights, too?

[Jade]

I have, but, you know, given, you know, my ankles and feet are sort of. That's one of the active sites for my radio. So I didn't, I don't, I don't wear those as much.

[Takiya]

Okay.

[Jade]

Because it's just that I don't, you know, I can't go too, too heavy on those joints because they're the. Yeah, the tender ones anyway.

[Takiya]

Okay.

[Jade]

But I, but, you know, for those, for those of y' all out here with healthy joints, I'm hearing that ankle weights are also, you know, very helpful, very useful. There are some benefits to that as well. It's all about. It's not just cardio. It's all about like, you know, supplementing your cardio with strength training, doing so in ways that, you know, just bake your body more acclimated, you know, building to building muscle mass. That's what helps us in sort of countering the, the degenerative nature of our bone density, sba of our bodies.

[Takiya]

The inevitable.

[Jade]

Yeah. So it helps to combat that. It gives us, you know, what puts us in a better position. You know, these things happen naturally, but if we prepare in our younger years, we will fare better bow, better boat, you know, over time. So it'll bode well for us over time. Okay. So, yeah, hot girl vest, y'. All. I mean, am I the only one in the way?

[Janae Nelson]

The best.

[Jade]

Gang, let's start, let's start. Let's start a club.

[Takiya]

Okay. All right, all right, we're about to do this. I'm going to buy some 10 pound ankle weight period. And I'm a buy this vest and. And I'm about to be on my Dr. Kia.

[Jade]

I feel like I've done that. I've been traveling so much that I missed like a week's worth of classes at the gym and I just feel like a blob of nothing. But I'm. I'm back at it. I'm back at it.

[Takiya]

First of all, the blob of nothing is in the White House. But anyway, so that is. So there's that. So I'm not going to do a self care this week. I'm going to do an. I know that's right. I know that's right. Because I sold out my very first solo dinner party.

[Janae Nelson]

I know that's right.

[Takiya]

Sunday on a Monday shout out to you all.

[Jade]

Oh, I'm excited.

[Takiya]

I'm so excited to get my gum. I, I. Well, sister, listen, I just had to, you know, I had to get past my, you know, I'm still getting past it.

[Jade]

It's so good.

[Takiya]

But it is, it's an exciting thing. And, you know, this is what I've been wanting to do in different iterations. Yes, it's a good feet wetter. You know what I'm saying? And it's a little feet wetter, so I'm happy. Thank you all. I'm very grateful to everybody who has supported and bought tickets, and it's coming out and, and, yeah, we're gonna have us a good time. Stay tuned for some confirmation emails coming your way and speaking, and I will be bringing it to other places. So for those who are like, what about. Don't worry, I've already thought.

[Jade]

Yeah, the girls are already. I'm just telling you.

[Takiya]

Yeah, don't worry. I'm working on it. Like, there's an app for that, and it's coming to a city near you.

[Jade]

Mm.

[Takiya]

Speaking of which.

[Jade]

Okay.

[Takiya]

Also coming to a city near you is a Getting Grown live tour.

[Jade]

You asked, we answered. We know that we have been promising for a long time, but it takes a lot of work to sort of get this together. But we're finally in the position to share that. You know, we got dates, we got locations, and there will be a flyer, a save the date sort of flyer forthcoming down to the socials to let you know when we will be where that you might get.

[Takiya]

Yes.

[Jade]

You and your girls information to purchase these tickets and things of that nature. Amen.

[Takiya]

Yes, amen. So the first city you all we'll see, obviously, is home. New York City, May 21, will be held at the City Winery. So I believe, as you are listening to this, that the tickets are on sale hopefully for met for. For New York. And then please stay tuned because after that, we're coming to Seattle.

[Jade]

Oh, boy.

[Takiya]

We're coming to Memphis, Tennessee, and we're coming to Chicago.

[Jade]

I'm very excited.

[Takiya]

So we're really excited to see you all. Chicago will be there in August. I mean, I'm sorry. In September. Memphis will be there in August. Seattle will be there in June. Juneteenth in Chicago. Juneteenth in Seattle. Excuse me. And then May 21st, we're here at home, so make sure you all check out the link in the description box on where you can stay tuned for all of the upcoming dates. If your city is not on there, don't worry. Again, this is a lot of planning, so we got to start out with the first for and then we come back with the next. So. But please chime in and let us know where you want us to come so that we can absolutely assess that and make sure that it makes sense. And we can't wait to see all of your beautiful faces and. And for you all to engage with us. We are excited to actually be in person, in community, in the way that we've been talking about for so, so, so very long. And I'm really excited that we're doing this.

[Jade]

Me too. Long time coming.

[Takiya]

It's long over.

[Jade]

Yes, we had a long time. Yeah, we were. We had a good run and then Covid sort of knocked everybody on our collective asses and now we are finding our way back to our feet again and excited to find our way back. Exactly. Excited to come back and be in space and community with our awesome community here around the kitchen table. So you'll be able to join Jade and I live at the kitchen table in, in one or more of these cities coming very, very, very soon.

[Takiya]

Absolutely. So we can't wait to see you all, please, again. Check out the description box, check out the socials, all links attached to wherever you're listening to this and we will be back with the petty peeves. Close this thing out, Roy.

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[Takiya]

And I want to be very responsible of the things I say to my sister because everybody know I can be real petty pe to the tty honey. All right, it is time for the petty peeves and I am more than ready. All right, so you know how do I want to word this? I think I make he a privy to it. So. So I'm on my flight back from Cleveland.

[Janae Nelson]

Cleveland.

[Takiya]

Yes, I'm on my flight back. Shout out, shout out. Shout out to the Coyohoga.

[Jade]

Yeah.

[Takiya]

Juvenile detention center. But not shout out to the detention center but you know the.

[Jade]

Yeah.

[Takiya]

Anyway, so I'm on my way back and on my way back I'm at the airport and you know there is a large group of people who know one another.

[Jade]

Okay.

[Takiya]

In this airport. Okay. They Know one another. They were apparently all there for an event.

[Jade]

Okay.

[Takiya]

And for a wedding is what I learned it was. So, you know, they're very loud and annoying, but I'm trying to mind my business. And then I get on the plane, and here they come as soon as they get on the plane to the flight attendant, I'm gonna need to put this in your closet.

[Jade]

Whoa.

[Takiya]

Because. Exactly. I need to put this in your closet. I was able to hang this on the way here. So I don't understand what the problem is. And the flight attendant, I'm like, damn, you just came out the gate. If this lady like this. Huh? So then what was it? Was it a wedding dress or something? No, these were their coats and things that they did not feel like checking.

[Jade]

Interesting.

[Takiya]

Because they didn't think that they had to check their luggage. Finally, she gets fed up because of. It's a large group of people who feel like they do whatever they want to do. And she's like, you all are gonna have to gate check your bags. Like, we are on a smaller plane. And unfortunately, the overhead compartments do not hold all of these things. And so you're gonna have to gate check. Does. Do we have to pay for gate check? If you were traveling for a wedding and you. You should have minimized the. That you brought if you didn't want to have a carry on bag. Furthermore, they're complaining about the size of the plane. They're like, I don't understand why the plane doesn't accommodate our things. The plane on the way here accommodated all of our things.

[Jade]

Where are these complaints?

[Takiya]

Like, girl, what?

[Jade]

I can't do a thing about it.

[Takiya]

You know what those complaints were? They were an egregious level of entitlement.

[Janae Nelson]

And.

[Takiya]

I just. You people are taking their own community trauma and using it as leverage to be entitled and to be nasty to the rest of everybody else. And that. That's not how that works. Because if we did that, it would be a huge problem. It'd be a huge problem. And getting on this airplane.

[Jade]

What you mean community trauma? What you talking about? Like, the trauma that they. What trauma? The.

[Takiya]

The. The. The. The very real trauma that they once upon a time encountered as a people is, you know, I am trying to be.

[Jade]

So I'm like, okay, okay, I'm gonna let y' all go ahead.

[Takiya]

You know how we as a people. You know how we as a people dealt with slavery, right?

[Jade]

Oh, okay. Okay.

[Takiya]

Huge, big thing. Yeah. So along those lines, you know, but like, you know, and different iterations. Real, real Hateful. You know what I'm saying? That, like, you would never want for your people to ever happen ever again. You know what I mean? All right, so I was confused.

[Jade]

I wasn't sure who you're talking about exactly.

[Takiya]

Yeah, I know, because I was being. Yeah, I was. I was playing hot potato with the way I was delivering this information to you. But now that you are picking up what I'm putting down, you don't get to use all of that to just be like, out here in this way, in this. And then claim that people are being hateful to you for calling out the ways in which you don't care how you inconvenience anybody else in this society, including shoving 30 coats into the flight attendant's closet on the plane. And that's my petty peeve. Well, also, I hate those half glass showers in hotels. They're terrible. Whoever designed that you are a rotten minister society. The water does not stay in the shower. What was the goddamn purpose? And I don't get it either.

[Jade]

I don't understand. Yeah, I worship any. I would say.

[Takiya]

Still trying to.

[Jade]

Okay, I. Mine is very. Listen, I know that this is not. I feel like, you know, there are people who for a long time have been back in the office five days a week. I know that there are people, lots of people who are never, ever afforded the opportunity to work from home and have never really sort of, you know, lived outside of that reality. And I am not dismissing that at all. But I will say that as an individual who has been working from home for a long time and slowly integrating back into the office, last week I had to go in the office all five days. And if you guys would just allow me to be. Just allow me to be very petty and complain about that very real first world problem. I mean, I just cannot imagine. I mean, when I think about when I consider how we used to have to do that every day, like every week, how, like, how I am so I'm just amazed. I don't even recall that time in my life. But I will say having to engage with people in the office and having to deal with the commute every day in traffic. And on top of, you know, I did to commute into the office three days a week here and then travel to a meeting in St. Louis, was there for Thursday and Friday and traveled home late Friday night. So it was just a really intense week. And again, you know, shout out to everyone who has been doing this all along. I acknowledge and I speak your name in honor all the ways down to the farmers? Yes. All the ways that you, you know, contribute and the. In the utility and value of your work. I don't. I don't belittle that. I'm just saying, like, for me, I don't. I feel like my battery. Like, it's like my batteries are drained. I don't know how to recharge them. I've been struggling for the last several days. I overslept. I've been oversleeping. Like I was supposed to go to the gym Sunday morning. I had a class at 11am and usually, you know, I usually don't need an alarm clock on weekends and can still get up at a fairly decent hour. And when I tell you that opened my eyes at 10:55 on Sunday, like, what?

[Janae Nelson]

How?

[Takiya]

I don't know. Yeah, it's like because you were tired and your body needed.

[Jade]

I told you, sister, that I got in the shower after I came home Friday night. I took a shower and I was on my bed with my towel and my moisturizer and I was lotioning my body and I somehow must have passed out because I woke up Saturday morning with all the lights on. I mean, every light in this house, the tv. I just passed out. It was like my body said, bitch, you made it to the bed and.

[Takiya]

All and slept hard.

[Jade]

All bets are off. Bitch, you going to sleep right now?

[Takiya]

Right now.

[Jade]

And it's like, whoa, when do I. When did I start, like, collapsing like this?

[Takiya]

I don't know.

[Jade]

But all of that to say as you get older. Dr. Fries were told me this, you know, during one of our chats, she said, takiya, don't ever forget that as you get older, your body needs more rest, not less. You'll never ever. You'll never ever, you know, be able to relive your 20s and that. You can just sort of go and make up for rest like that. That, that. That's not how this aging thing works. And I can just remember a time where, you know, travel and work and all of these things, you know, it was not easy, but I was able to take it in stride and do what I got to do. But it's feeling like, dang, you know what I'm saying? Like here lately, it's feeling like, yeah, I feel that in my body, you.

[Takiya]

Once upon a time did not exactly.

[Jade]

So I need to think about, you know, sort of what things I need to put in place moving forward so I can better manage my energy. But, like, you know, my petty peeve is exhaustion this week and really dealing with all of the ways in that exhaustion can show up mentally, physically, emotionally.

[Takiya]

Right on out when it's.

[Jade]

Yeah, all of that. All of that. So I need to get it. I need to get it together.

[Takiya]

I know. I feel the same way. I'm like, when I don't get a good night's sleep, I can't function well yesterday, and that's not good. I can't afford to not function.

[Jade]

So it's a thing.

[Takiya]

It's. It's. It's. It's a tricky. It's a tricky place, and it's a slippery slope. And now we have to be super intentional about the way that we perform our bedtime hygiene.

[Jade]

Seriously.

[Takiya]

Or focus on our bedtime hygiene. Oh, God, that's. This is nasty work. Well, thank you all so much for listening to another episode of Getting Grown. Thank you so much to Janae for coming through and so much blessing. The people with so much knowledge and information for. With things that we need to navigate the world that we're living in. We're so grateful for you and the work that you do and all of those out there who are doing, you know, work for our community. It's very, very, very much needed. Thank you to everybody in advance who is getting ready to come out and support the live shows. Okay. We cannot wait to sniff your necks. I like to do that. Make sure they're. And there's several other things that you need to make sure that you do.

[Jade]

Sister.

[Takiya]

Take them out and tell them what to do.

[Jade]

Make sure that you are drinking just as much water as your body can sustain. That's how you keep your insides moisturized. You also want to keep your mind and your emotions and your soul moisturized. You do that by attending to your business. That's how you mind your business. You mind your business, and that's what keeps your mind moisturized. Okay. Very important. Do not fail to do that. And finally, you want to moisturize your largest organ, which is your second skin, because your black will crack if it's dry. What was that?

[Takiya]

Yes, it will crash and burn like this country. Tata.

[Janae Nelson]

Oh, Gecko. I just love being able to file a claim in under two minutes with the Geico app. Could you sign up?

[Takiya]

Sign what?

[Janae Nelson]

The app. Yeah, sure. Oh, it rubbed off the screen when I touched it. Could you sign it again?

[Takiya]

Anything to help, I suppose.

[Jade]

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