The Great American Game

Summary

Gettin' Grown – "The Great American Game"

Podcast: Gettin' Grown (Loud Speakers Network)
Airdate: February 18, 2025
Hosts: Jade and Dr. Keia

Episode Overview

In this vibrant and candid episode, Jade and Keia dissect the layered social commentary, cultural artistry, and unapologetic Blackness of Kendrick Lamar’s much-discussed "Great American Game" Super Bowl halftime show. The episode weaves in current news, themes of community resilience, Black self-care, and an unfiltered assessment of how Black history and culture persist—despite attempts to undermine, contain, or appropriate them. Listeners are treated to the hosts’ signature blend of deep analysis, playful banter, and memorable moments rooted in Black joy and survival.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Reflections & Black Self-Care (04:21–11:00)

• Finding Balance Amid Chaos:
  Jade and Keia open by discussing gratitude and the importance of emotional balance during hard times. They both express thankfulness for safety, sufficiency, and their ability to find small respites—“I am safe and I have what I need” (Jade, [04:25])—while acknowledging the ongoing turmoil Black communities face.

• Ancestral Resilience:
  Jade honors her ancestors’ endurance through even greater struggles like the Great Depression, reminding herself and listeners:

  "My grandmother did this through more and worse... They have lived through everything we've lived through, and they've lived through worse." ([06:04])

• Community Appreciation:
  Keia highlights a listener’s message expressing how the podcast serves as a weekly sanctuary, reaffirming their purpose:

  "...you and Jade are one of my weekly bowl of cherries. I wanted to tell her, thank you. High Quality Seven..." ([08:29])

2. Kitchen Table Talk: Global News & Perspective (11:14–19:30)

• Current Events Updates:
  Jade covers crucial news on Palestine, Sudan, and Congo, calling attention to ongoing violence, ceasefire violations, and civilian suffering.

  "I wanted to make sure we did some news this week because there are some developments... We want to be sure to continue to keep our eyes on what's happening in Sudan as well as in Congo." ([14:09])

• Emphasis on Awareness & Community Action:
  Listeners are encouraged to stay aware, keep their "eyes and ears on the ground," and be vigilant in both self-care and activism.

3. Super Bowl Halftime: “The Great American Game” (19:51–86:38)

A. Cultural Reprieve During Black History Month (19:51–25:04)

• Jade and Keia celebrate the Super Bowl as a rare moment of widespread Black joy and affirmation, especially poignant in Black History Month.

  "It gives like a reminder to the world that you cannot cancel us... you cannot cancel Black History Month." (Keia, [20:51])

• They critique the "one drop rule" and assert not all are invited into the fullness of Black culture:

  "What I would like to cancel is the one drop rule. Because, you know, some of you just can't come." (Jade, [21:11])

B. Halftime Show Deep Dive – Layers of Symbolism (25:04–85:12)

i. MC Lyte & Symbolic Staging

• Praise for MC Lyte’s narration:

  "MC Lyte is a fucking snuggie for my soul." (Jade, [42:44])

• Homage to protestor Zul Carne Nantambu, who waved the flag for Gaza and Sudan, and brilliantly connected Islamic tradition to social justice:

  "As a practicing Muslim, the prophet Muhammad teaches that if you see wrongdoing, stop it with your hands...I take those words very seriously..." (Jade, [27:34])

ii. Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam (36:41–42:21)

• Samuel L. Jackson’s role is unpacked as both actor and activist, giving weight to the metaphor.

  "...Samuel L. Jackson is not only an actor, but an activist and has been this person literally for most of his life." (Keia, [41:43])

iii. The Game Board & American Symbols

• The set was a giant tic-tac-toe board, symbolizing the “great American game” and the constructed, competitive nature of American society.

  "We got a zoom out of the stage that Kendrick designed... a tic tac toe game...one of the most classic games...I thought that to be really intentional." (Jade, [35:25])

iv. Costuming, Choreography, and Color

• Red, white, and blue dominated the sets—direct allusions to American identity but rooted in Black subcultural fashion (boot cuts, wide legs, Deion Sanders sneakers).

v. Musical and Political Narrative

Layered analysis of each segment and performance choice:

• Gil Scott-Heron Reference:

  "He quotes Gil Scott Heron—the revolution will be televised. The revolution’s about to be televised—you pick the right time, but the wrong guy." (Jade, [44:04])

• Be Humble / DNA / Flag Imagery:
  Kendrick (and dancers) forms the American flag, emphasizing Black bodies as the literal and figurative fabric of America:

  "Our bodies actually create this flag... And at the same time, y' all tell us to be humble and sit down, but end up emulating." (Keia, [50:01])

• Community as the Cheat Code:
  Samuel L. Jackson (as Uncle Sam) warns Kendrick for bringing his “homeboys”—symbolizing Black collectivity as the “cultural cheat code.”

  "Our culture is the cheat code. This is how we all advance and get further faster in the great American game." (Keia, [54:46])

• Peekaboo & Cultural Gatekeeping:
  Kendrick uses "peekaboo" to call out cultural tourists and the difference between proximity and true belonging:

  “You are a peekaboo ass person...They want the rhythm, but they don’t want the blues.” (Jade, [60:19])

• Beef, Petty, and "Not Like Us":
  The hosts clarify that the Kendrick/Drake “beef” operates as a metaphor for authenticity and resistance to appropriation.

  "Drake is a proxy...He represents a pattern of things that keep happening.” (Keia, [71:22]) “They tried to rig the game, but you can't fake influence.” (Kendrick, quoted by Jade, [71:05])

• Serena Williams’ Crip Walk:
  The powerful cameo by Serena Williams serves as a reclamation:

  “Watching Serena C. Walk...was a reclamation of authenticity...A lesson we can all take notes from, Wimbledon and America included.” (Keia quoting Popsugar, [76:53])

• TV Off & Closing Symbolism:
  The set’s concluding message—turning the TV off—signifies the power of unplugging, resisting mass distraction and manipulation:

  "I love that he closed the set with TV off...unplugging from the constant machine that is trying to instill fear into us." (Jade, [81:05])

• Notable Quote:

  “The messaging that was part of the set as well, which was lights in the crowd that read 'Warning: Wrong Way'...we are headed in a wrong direction.” (Jade, [82:43])

4. Lessons in Black Women Self-Care (87:48–92:28)

• Jade spotlights community self-defense as self-care:

  "They have set up their own militia points to make sure that the residents of a historically Black neighborhood are taken care of." (Jade, [88:50])

• Keia celebrates the D.C. church that took legal ownership of the “Proud Boys” trademark after winning a lawsuit, calling it:

  “...the kind of petty that I will always celebrate.” (Keia, [91:42])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Endurance:

  “We can't walk through every day with the heaviness. It's just not good for our nervous systems...” (Keia, [06:23])

• On Community as Survival:

  “Literally, that is all we are. All we are is each other.” (Jade, [08:55])

• On Black Joy & Culture:

  “You cannot cancel who we are and what we contribute. Good luck to you.” (Keia, [20:51])

• On White Consumption of Black Spaces:

  “They're adult podcasts...so it's not for you either.” (Jade, [03:15])

• On “Cheat Codes” of American Success:

  “We are the cheat code…and when they see that, they start to think about who they can pull down to divide us.” (Keia, [56:17])

• On Appropriation:

  “You want the rhythm, but you don't want the blues." (Keia, [60:19])

• On Petty and Black Excellence:

  “I'm waving the most giant of petty flags this week...” (Jade, [93:40])

• On DEI/Government Gaslighting:

  “Do you know how crazy it is to suggest that the people that cleaned your house and raised your kids and don't deserve care…” (Keia, [97:42])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | Notable moments | |-----------------------------------------------|----------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | Opening, Black Self-Care & Gratitude | 04:21 | “I am safe and I have what I need...” | | Gaza, Sudan, Congo News Update | 11:14 | “We want to be sure to continue to keep our eyes on...” | | Kitchen Table Talk – Super Bowl Reflection | 19:51 | “We had a high black...in Black History Month.” | | Halftime Show Deep Dive – Symbolism | 25:04 | “Just a host of meat and substance and content for us...” | | Samuel L. Jackson/Uncle Sam Analysis | 36:41 | “Samuel L. Jackson is not only an actor, but an activist...” | | DNA/Be Humble/Flag Imagery | 50:01 | “Our bodies actually create this flag...” | | "Not Like Us" Segment | 71:05 | “They tried to rig the game, but you can't fake influence.” | | Serena Williams & Black Women Joy | 76:54 | “Watching Serena C. Walk…was a reclamation of authenticity...” | | TV Off, Warning Messages, & Final Symbolism | 81:05 | “I love that he closed the set with TV off...” | | Black Self-Care – Community Militia | 87:48 | “...they have set up their own militia points...” | | Petty Peeves & DEI Gaslighting | 93:24 | “I am waving the most giant of petty flags this week...” | | Closing Affirmations & Self-Moisturizing | 107:32 | “Moisturize your mind...your black will crack if it’s dry.” |

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Episode Tone & Takeaways

Jade and Keia remain true to their signature blend of insightful analysis, humor, and radical honesty. Their language and tone are bold, joyful, grounding, and fiercely protective of Black culture. The conversation is both a celebration and a call to vigilance, reminding listeners of the necessity—and possibility—of joy, solidarity, and critical thinking even in turbulent times.

“You can try all day, but you can't [take our swag]. It's going to be sauceless.” (Jade, [106:59])

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For Further Conversation

• Join the Community: Share your thoughts on the episode’s themes, halftime symbolism, and how you’re caring for yourself and your community.
• Listen Ad-Free: Video version and additional content available on Patreon.

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“You can’t fake influence.” —Gettin’ Grown

Transcript

[A]

I don't mean to interrupt your meal, but I saw you from across a cafe, and you're the Geico Gecko, right? In the flesh. Oh, my goodness. This is huge. To finally meet you. I love Geico's fast and friendly claim service.

[B]

Well, that's how Geico gets 97% customer satisfaction.

[A]

Anyway, that's all. Enjoy the rest of your food.

[B]

No worries. So are you just gonna watch me eat?

[A]

Oh, sorry. Just a little starstruck. I'll be on my way.

[B]

If you're gonna stick around, just pull up a chair.

[A]

You're the best.

[B]

Get more than just savings.

[A]

Get more with Geico. I'm gonna put you on, Nephew.

[B]

Welcome to McDonald's.

[C]

Can I take your order, miss?

[A]

I've been hitting up McDonald's for years. Now it's back. We need snack wraps. What's a snack wrap? It's the return of something great. Snack wrap is back. I'm not sure anymore just how it happened before the places that I knew were sunny and blue I can feel it deep inside this black nigger's pride I have no fear when I say and I say it every day Every nigger is a star, every is a star thing. Who will deny that? You and I and every is a star. Yes.

[B]

Happy Black History Month.

[A]

That's Boris Garnett, ladies and gentlemen.

[B]

Yes. Jade's moment in black music history.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Thank you so much, sister. Praise the Lord.

[A]

Praise the Lord. You know, it's so interesting that this opened the way that it did, because, you know, so I. I just did. I just did Noah's Career Day.

[B]

Nice.

[A]

I was a career Day.

[B]

My mom's the chef.

[A]

I was a chef and podcaster.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

After 11 years, I think that it might be a real job, so.

[B]

Of course it is.

[A]

I was a chef and podcaster, and the kids got to ask a range of questions about both. But, you know, they put the parents or the volunteers in different classrooms, and then the kids rotated. And so I was with this other mom who was an attorney. She was cool, cool. And the kids kept asking, like, well, what's the name of your podcast? And I was like, the Black Kitchen series. I said, hines Presents the Black Kitchen Series. And they were like, but you have two more. So what are they called? And I was like, they're called not for you. And so the mom was like, they were like, why can't we know? I said, because they're. They're. They're. They're adult podcasts.

[B]

They're for adults. They're adult spaces.

[A]

So the mom was like, well, I want to know. I would like to give it a listen. And I was like, it's not for you either.

[B]

Why not?

[A]

Why not? As I open the show with every is a star.

[B]

Is she not a. Bless her heart.

[A]

No. No, she was not.

[B]

Okay, well, then it wasn't for her.

[A]

That's. No, it was not for her. No, it was a white lady. And, you know, sometimes the moms be. They'd be like, so what? And I'm like, sister, I don't think. Yeah, I don't know if you and I. I don't know. I don't think it's a maki. I don't know. I don't think it's a maki.

[B]

D. I've had a similar experience at work. And they were like, oh, do you want to put your podcast on the newsletter? I was like, no, absolutely.

[A]

TF Not.

[B]

I was like, how you can find illuminating intersectionality on YouTube.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

That would be exactly where you need to look for it. It's right there.

[A]

Our loopholes. I love our loopholes.

[B]

Grateful the Lord is kind.

[A]

How are you?

[B]

You're doing okay?

[A]

I'm. You know, I am. I am safe, and I have what I need, so I am grateful for that. You know what I'm saying? You know?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I am trying to find a place of. Of. Of balance in existence, and I think I'm. I'm finding a, you know, a. A nap somewhere. I'm finding a nap corner where I can take 30 minutes or whatever, mentally, so it's not feeling as overwhelming and heavy. That's not granted. I know we're on, you know, I know the roller coaster is just pulling off, bruh. And, like, we haven't started the incline yet. I don't know. But we just strapped in. We have so much. Not getting strapped in.

[B]

So much further to go.

[A]

You know, for my altar, I just bought me and I bought me some. I bought me a. A wooden tree for my altar. And, you know, in Gullagichi culture, blue bottles are representation within history. And so I got myself some blue glass bottles for my altar. So I feel good about that. You know what? I'm. I'm gonna. You know, water for my ancestors. You know, we're gonna talk about ancestors quite a bit in this episode. And so, yeah, I'm trying to find a place of levity. I think my reminder to myself that, besides, I'm safe and I have what I need. Yeah, that is a really, really big one. Is also, again, my grandmother did this and my grandmother did this through, like, more and worse, you know what I'm saying? Like, she was born in the Great Depression, right?

[B]

Big fat.

[A]

You know, and. And exactly, you know, did I still hear my grandma's still here. They have lived through more. They have lived through everything we've lived through, and they've lived through worse. And so, you know, it doesn't have to be. I'm. I'm really. I'm like, the heaviness. We can't walk. I can't walk through every day with the heaviness.

[B]

Yes. I mean, it's just not good for our nervous systems and our overall health and. No, you know, if we are being, like, real honest, this is a tactic designed to send us into chaos and panic and.

[A]

Yeah, exactly, exactly.

[B]

We have to be diligent about keeping our head because like you said, we have a long way to go. But, you know, this is not a road that we have not traveled before.

[A]

And keeping our head up a border, making our way where we can.

[B]

And I think, you know, there's something to be said for our DNA. Our. Our DNA equips us for such a time as this. This is not something that we are not built to. To manage and live through. Quite the opposite, actually. And so.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

You're right. You know, I'm also remaining mindful that through all of this change and chaos, I am safe. I have what I need. My needs are met. My needs are met. And I'm grateful. And I have enough for myself. I have enough to share. And I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful. So all of that, all of that. And I hope that y' all are also, you know, as you're listening. I'm grateful. I wanted to also sort of shout out a young lady on Instagram. High QualitySeven sent me a very, very kind DM today that I try to stay out of them DMs, but, you know, every now and then you gotta peek up there and see what's going on. So I found. And she said, hey, Dr. Kia. She listened to the episode that came out this week and said at the six minute mark, when we were talking about Anita Baker, she said, you updates prompted me to pause the pod and head over to YouTube. And I played Anita Baker's Giving youg the Best that I Got. And the lyrics, ok, okay. She said points were made. She said, you and Jade are one of my weekly bowl of cherries. So I wanted to tell her, thank you. High Quality seven. You know, we love that you are finding a Bit of respite at the kitchen table, because this is why we come together. So thank you so much for listening. Thank you so much for being a part of our community. All of y'.

[A]

All.

[B]

All of y'. All. It means a lot. And we are. Are, in fact, in this together, so very much.

[A]

Oh, that's. That's all we are.

[B]

That's all we are. That's all we are.

[A]

Literally.

[B]

Literally.

[A]

Not you. Not.

[B]

Not.

[A]

Not you. Others. I ain't got it for you now. I told my. I. You know what? Actually, I'll save that later. That's. I was about to have myself an intrusive thought.

[B]

Sometimes I am the intrusive thought.

[A]

I am a big, walking, talking, breathing, eating, intrusive thought. But also.

[B]

Good times.

[A]

I was like, you know, maybe not for the airwaves. Actually, you better go ahead.

[B]

I love these boundaries that you are setting for yourself.

[A]

You know, growth, man. I. You know, I'm feeling. I'm feeling real good about life. I. I'm feeling good in the midst of. Of, you know, trash, trash, trash. Like, I feel. I feel good. We do. We do. When you tap. When you tap into it. Hey, let it move you or whatever. So did I ask you? How you doing? How you doing? I'm.

[B]

I'm just like you, sis. I'm. I, too, am safe. I have what I need. I'm moving.

[A]

Oh, you did say that yesterday.

[B]

The best I can. And we're doing all right over here.

[A]

Yes. All right, well, we have much conversation before we do. You all know that I must do an update. I will be doing one this week so that we are on day 493 of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. And I wanted to make sure we did some news this week because, you know, there are some developments and things happening that I do think are noteworthy. So Hamas announced an indefinite pause on releasing Israeli hostages. But let's be very clear. I need you to listen to the. Why. This is due to repeated Israeli ceasefire violations. All right, so there have been. I want to say. I want to say 101. Let me. Let me clarify that. But I believe it's been 101 deaths post ceasefire phase one. And so, because they can't honor that. They're not. They've. They've. They've. They've paused on releasing hostages. Yeah, I'm sorry. I was mistaken. It's not 101. It's 110. So that have. There have been 110 Palestinians killed since the start of the ceasefire, despite Hamas meeting the obligations that were requested of them. They also emphasize it's open to resuming swaps if Israel complies. The next one is planned for Saturday of which would have been this past Saturday. If you all are listening meaning mediators have time to pressure the Israeli government to basically honor and do what they said they're going to do. This comes amid repeated Netanyahu comments to resume the genocide after phase one and Israeli sabotage of phase two talks. And so and also remember that they have the support of he wants to he is verbally speaking depopulizing Gaza. So while I don't generally want to pay attention to matter of fact Ty bleep his name because I don't even want it on here. But while I don't want to talk about every hateful move that is being made by our government, I do think that this is noteworthy to speak on right now instead of complying. Israel told its army to prepare for resuming the genocide. So he who shall not be named again called to end the ceasefire unless Hamas releases all the hostages by this past Saturday. So and that's not what the original ceasefire deal said. So we do want to keep our our eyes and our ears on what is continuing to happen in Gaza because it is not over. And now there are two hateful lunatics of two countries that have shaken hands long ago that are in power. And so that is that is frightening. We're also on day 668 of the ongoing genocide in Sudan. There's continued RSF attacks near the Zamzam IDP camp which is in El Fashir. A number of civilian casualties reported dead and injured. The RSF also attacked the Umdam Khartoum and which is in Khartoum killing four civilians as well as looting community kitchens and stores which is just so disgusting to me. You know that is like this is the the bare necessities. This is the basic things that human needs and you all are raiding and looting and taking while you're also imparting harm and turmoil. Civilians are all have also been killed in North Kordofan and North Darfur. So we want to be sure to continue to keep our eyes on what's happening in Sudan as well as in Congo. Remember that there's a war between Congo and Rwanda. And so there are just many things that we have links for you to go and continue to keep your eyes on the ground, ears to the streets and make sure you keep yourself updated and in the know. And with that being said, let's head on over to the kitchen table because we have some good conversation to get into. Let's do it. Please don't tell me you're holding back on travel plans this year because you're a little skilled of the language gap. No need to mind the gap baby if you have Babel. 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[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So you all know that super bowl just passed, and we'll talk a little bit about Super Bowl. Super bowl just passed. And, you know, there was a half. First of all, shout out to the Eagles. Okay. Congratulations. Congratulations. Jalen Hurts. Yeah, you, Jaylen Hurts, should have been cast member of the Best Man. I mean, you should have been cast member of Soul Food. He, his wife, young 90s gentlemen, all.

[B]

Four black grandparents that you have just wonderful. Oh, God, thank you so much for your service.

[A]

You give us so much black fiance. Oh, it just makes me so happy.

[B]

What a high black time we've had.

[A]

Oh, we had a high black. Oh. In Black History Month.

[B]

On Black History Month, I mean, it felt like. It felt like after 12 years of January, I do feel like we are.

[A]

Getting just a bit of a reprieve. You know what I'm saying? Just a little bit. And I think we deserve that.

[B]

It does. Yes. It gives like a reminder to the world that you cannot cancel. You cannot cancel us. You cannot cancel Black History Month. You cannot cancel who we are and what we contribute. Good luck to you, but okay, go ahead, sister. I'm sorry, I'm interjecting.

[A]

Oh, no, you're fine. What I would like to cancel is the one drop rule. Because, you know, some of you just can't come. You know what I'm saying?

[B]

It's not for everybody.

[A]

You know. What. What did. What did Nipsey say? He goes, circle got smaller. Did he say circle got smaller? Everybody can't go, so, you know, everybody can't come along. And you know, the young chicken tender of the. Of the opposing team. Kansas City Chiefs.

[B]

My word.

[A]

And the young chicken tender pile of metal.

[B]

A grilled one not even fried.

[A]

Not a grill. Can I just tell you? Blonde stain I have for a grilled chicken. Tenders were not meant to be grilled. I don't care what kind of grilled nugget. I don't give a fuck. I don't know. A grilled nugget is diabolical, okay? A nugget was only meant to be fried one way. You know what I'm saying? It is binary.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Nuggets and tenders are binary and they should only be fried. Nothing else feels countercultural.

[B]

It feels. There's a cultural dissonance that I experience when. When I happen stance upon a grilled chicken tenderloin, which is how I also feel.

[A]

Don't call. Don't call. Chicken strips. Chicken Tenders. If they're not chicken tenderloin.

[B]

There you go. All right, let's keep the terminology, okay? Clarify the terms.

[A]

But I have digressed. The light skin chicken strip. The grilled chicken strip of the Kansas City Chiefs. My Lord. You know that young man. Sorry to that young man. And you know. But shout out to the two black men who pulled the two touchdowns that you did get.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

You know, I'm going to give it to you all. You know what I'm saying? You all scored your only touchdowns and both of y' all was black. And I am grateful for that. But Jalen hurts and the Eagles. Congratulations. I hope we celebrate you all got the most abundant of head chicken, cake and weed or whatever it is that you partake in.

[B]

However you celebrate, I hope you had it in abundance.

[A]

You deserve to be loved. Come on. That lady whispered in his ear. Or then she said the gristle. I'm about to get to the gristle.

[B]

For such a time as this, I have been prepared.

[A]

Okay. Super bullhead. I have been practicing my whole life. No. For a moment like this. Like some people time.

[B]

Sakia, please. I'll be happy to get myself out of the girl. Come on, let's get.

[A]

I can't get myself together. Ziggy. Kelly Clarkson to head. It's crazy.

[B]

I'm gonna do better.

[A]

Wow. No, I don't. Actually. I don't want you to. I don't want you to do better. Like, do worse. Do your Dr. Kia. Okay, so this feels inappropriate, but I'm gonna show.

[B]

I'm so sorry.

[A]

So I wanted to start this conversation. No, I. We did that together. We walked into hell together. Hold together. Holding hands. Before we get into all of the ins and outs of the present, the halftime show.

[B]

Oh, yes.

[A]

Which was one giant symbol within. Symbols within.

[B]

I mean, an anthropological deep dive. Okay, first of all, deep dive there. I. I think that there could be books written, courses.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Taught seminars.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. Just.

[B]

Just a host of meat and substance and content for us to sort of digest and work through. I felt like this was our modern day episode of Schoolhouse Rock brought to you by Kendrick Lamar.

[A]

By Kendrick Lamar.

[B]

And I'm grateful. I'm grateful. I'm grateful to have been. Been alive and present, to have witnessed real time.

[A]

If there are seven haters in the room right now who are like, it wasn't all that, you can go.

[B]

I'm just.

[A]

Because we're about to be the episode that you'll enjoy.

[B]

And we love you and you're always welcome here. But that is a warning for you because. Yeah, you can not gonna be what you will align or resonate with, because it's not. We're gonna get deep down into this.

[A]

I want to actually start off, though, before we get into the Kendrick conversation.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I want to first and foremost give honor to the greatest narrator that we never knew would be MC Light. I just.

[B]

Oh, my God, Relish first of all.

[A]

In the fact I take personal joy.

[B]

And delight every time I hear her voice. I'm just like, get the checks. Get the checks.

[A]

MC Light a fucking. It's a snuggie for my soul. I'm like, oh, I love it. MC Light is still working.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I'm so happy about it. Yes. Celebrate. I love.

[B]

What a wonderful way.

[A]

So I want to make sure, you know, we. We honored. We honored her. And then next, I want to make sure that I shout it out. Zul Carne Nantambu. If you don't know who Zul Carne Nantambu is, he is the young man who waved the flag, the combined flag in solidarity with Palestine, with Gaza, and with Sudan. And I. You'd know that I was over the moon. I was like, I believe I was.

[B]

Not alone in immediately thinking of that. Jade was levitating at that moment. When I saw, you know, I. My phone was flooded. Sister is standing on her head right now. I know that I said, humanity.

[A]

I was like, here at this hateful ass event. You are here doing this. And I am. But what I really wanted to point out and really wanted to make sure that I highlighted was that, you know, he, first of all, remember, he was tackled, he was arrested, but he was. He has since been released and no files, no charges have been filed. So he's good to go. But I thought what he said was so poignant and so beautiful. When they asked him why he did it, he said, as a practicing Muslim, the prophet Muhammad teaches that if you see wrongdoing, stop it with your hands. And if you can't stop it with your hands, stop it with your voice with your tongue. And if you can't stop it with your tongue, stop it with your heart, you know, with your prayers. And so he said, you know, I. I take those words very seriously, very sincerely, and I walk with them like those words are in me. And so he said, if. If what I'm supposed. If I'm on a grand stage in this way, of course I am going to bring attention and show solidarity with those who have been afflicted with this pain for as long as we you know, longer than what we've been talking about it here on this platform.

[B]

Form.

[A]

And so I found that to be so beautiful. It really resonated. And. And I listen my friends and my. Some of my friends, not. Not everybody. Not Dr. Kia, y'.

[B]

All.

[A]

So am I in my family? They. They do they. They be poking fun at me. They'd be like, here comes sister soldier. Like, you know, it'd be okay.

[B]

You know what I think about?

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Okay. Exactly that. And also even my. Like, hell, my mother. But I also love. Because my sister Will. My sister sent. Was one of the people who was like, look. And I was like, yes, I threw up the watermelons. And she was like, what's that mean?

[B]

I was like, you know, I mean.

[A]

She'S trying to even. Yes, she's trying, though. She sent it to me, like, as soon. You know, and all I want is. Is. Is for one little spark to be sparked. You know what I'm saying? Just one little thing for. For folks to go off on their own, do their own research, get their own education and say, I want to speak up for some. That should not be flying either, you know, and that's literally it. I just. That's literally it because it just shouldn't be happening to anybody on this planet. And so it just really. That just really warmed me, and I wanted to make sure that I shouted him out. I think you're such a brave, beautiful, souled individual, and may you reach the highest levels of Jannah. I probably said that wrong. You know what I'm saying? Inshallah. My. So with that being said, let's get into this. Into this.

[B]

I don't know where to begin here. It's art. It's art. And it's so layered, and it's so complex. So beautifully complex. I feel like it so. So accurately depicts.

[A]

It was stem.

[B]

Beautiful. Complex.

[A]

This performance was stem.

[B]

Absolutely. It was so good in. So steam. Yes, absolutely. Yes, yes, yes. Science, technology, engineering, the art in math. Yes, that's right. So we live, and I don't know where to start. I feel like there's so much to unpack. Where do we start? So.

[A]

Well, I kind of. I kind of noted things just in the order.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

So that, you know, we at least had a guy, a guide, and then, you know, so we didn't forget things I want to shout out around the way curls. They have been praising bootcut kings, you know, for a very long time.

[B]

I. And you know that I got my life.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Something about that boot cut.

[A]

Something about it also sister thick thighs. Thick thighs save lives. Okay.

[B]

The body.

[A]

I said that. Okay. Body tea. I was Body movement has been down at the park doing pull ups on the light post.

[B]

This is what I'm listening to, the Commodore. And you know, shout out to Kelly Augustine, our good friend and stylist. Because I was like, this is the cut for the thick thighs. Yes, guys and gals, you see what I'm saying?

[A]

Hello.

[B]

It's so much.

[A]

Go back to a boot cut.

[B]

That's what I'm saying. I said, I am inspired to.

[A]

You know, I love a wide leg. I am, you know, I love a wide leg.

[B]

To revisit a boot cut. Jean, I'm going back. Hello, I'm going to back.

[A]

Let me tell you old, young and middle people something. Let me tell you what's never going to go out of style. Take it from Jade's mouth. A pair of clogs and a wide leg pair of pants, okay? It'll get you through every generation, decade known.

[B]

Jade has been wearing clogs and wide leg pants since she was eight years old.

[A]

Okay? Since I could. So I just want y' all to know, like, it'll never go wrong.

[B]

It'll never fail you. It will never fail you.

[A]

Never fail you.

[B]

Shout out me to the boot cut king.

[A]

It was a moment to start there.

[B]

Very striking moment.

[A]

You know what I'm saying? Outfit was very, you know, cutesy, very demure, not doing too much.

[B]

It was given like, you know, clean cut, well tailored.

[A]

And you know, he's like, I, I know he smelled good.

[B]

Yes. And he gave. This is my uniform. You know, it did, it wasn't too flashy, but it did what it needed to do. It was appropriate for the moment, but it wasn't a distraction. Okay, all the way down, all the way down to the Deion Sanders on the feet. Okay, let's not. Okay. Because a nod for the sneaker kid woke up.

[A]

Sister. You know that I love me a good Deion Sanders footwear. When are, when are they, when are they coming out? When do they come? Did it drop?

[B]

It came out. I, I have mine. I just got them today. I will send you the link because I still think they are available. But we'll do it, we'll do it unboxing.

[A]

Some children's size.

[B]

I feel like there will be. Okay, we'll do an unboxing. I didn't know, see, I would get my hair done and Tenia was like, they came out last Friday and I had almost.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

I was like, what how come nobody called me but I was.

[A]

Nobody told me nothing.

[B]

I was able to secure a pair and I have saved the link for you. I still think that they are available.

[A]

Send it to me right this very second.

[B]

I will send them immediately. I will do that.

[A]

But yeah, I said, as I said up here and said, I'm not buying anything in 2025, but I did tell you niggas last year I was getting those. Dion Sanders. And so it shall remain. But anyway, so let's. Let's start off with the tic tac. Let's start off with the set itself. Itself. Because we got a zoom out of the stage that Kendrick designed. We're just gonna go with Kendrick for all intents and purposes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Of a tic tac toe game.

[B]

It was a game. It was a gaming console.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

And it gave.

[A]

With a tic tac toe.

[B]

With tic tac toe. But it also gave, like PlayStation controller. There were lots of different elements.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And so. Yes, we.

[C]

We.

[A]

So I find tick tock to be tick tock. You look at me. Tic tac. Tic tac toe. God damn. To be one of the oldest games. That's one of. That's one of the. The most classic games. And so I found. I thought that to be really intentional of him to use that as the setting for. Okay, let me see these sneakers. Sorry, y'. All. I know. I'm all over the bus. He is pulling these.

[B]

Ah.

[A]

It's like 92 all over again. Like I need them in my life. Did you send me the link I'm.

[B]

Sending to you now? I have your name pulled up.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Thank you. I think they still have them in your size.

[A]

My size. And you can't wear them, Noah.

[B]

But you guys.

[A]

Okay, so we trying to put her.

[B]

Feet in your shoes now. What a time.

[A]

Okay. And she's about to be stretching my out with her big toe. So. So we got the tic tac, though.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Now, I love the fact that this entire performance was done at the super bowl, which is. They call it the great American game. They. First of all, the fact that America calls football the great American game. When football is soccer.

[B]

Well, we could. Yeah. We come out the gate with the metaphor. Right.

[A]

It's quite American.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Very much so.

[B]

Outrageous.

[A]

So we get. We get Samuel L. Jackson, who is.

[B]

Literally playing the character of Uncle Sam. Right. And so I just want to, like, let's. Let's quickly pause and recall.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

That, like.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

Uncle Sam is sort of an age old propaganda symbol that Originated around the time of the War of 1812. It became popularized in. In a poster that was published in 1917. That poster was used to recruit soldiers to war for World War II, World War I and World War II. It gives. Uncle Sam needs you. Uncle Sam. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. Since its origin, it's been widely recognized as a symbol for the federal government. Right. So the game, the Great American Game, narrated by Uncle Sam, which depicts the federal government and okay, Uncle Sam is played by the great, the brilliant Samuel Jackson. What? I love everybody. We as a people combine that Samuel and that middle initial.

[A]

Don't we, Samuel?

[B]

Samuel Jackson.

[A]

We must. Samuel Jackson, that is. I wish it was Samuel who came to the bar instead of Morpheus, because I.

[B]

We don't have to relive that.

[A]

I'll always relive it.

[B]

What do you mean?

[A]

Until we're old and gray. Until old and gray. So the kids are saying, who can't wait? But I. I love, love. Samuel L. Jackson is just. Yeah, he is like Denzel in the best way. He is always himself, fitting for every single role.

[B]

Just authentic. And the artistry and the excellence is undeniable. And so his career, his character, really makes him a actual living legend in the game. Right. And so, you know, to have his presence sort of walking us through this really sort of set the bar high.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

But what we. Also, I was digging around and just sort of remembering or like, you know, looking through TikTok, lots of great content is being created about this right now. And one of my favorite Gen Z historians, content creator, his name is Khalil Green. He makes all of the videos and TikToks about, like, you know, just sort of elevating and amplifying like, black stories and black culture. So he uploaded a story that told, like, some history and context about who Samuel L. Jackson is as a person that I felt like was really dope. And so let's see. He uploaded an amazing post on Substack and other socials sharing powerful stories from Samuel's life and some of his origins of activism dating back to his days as an undergraduate at Morehouse College. Samuel L. Was a student activist. He was a member of the Black Panther Party. He served. He and several other students famously held the board of trustees for morehouse hostage in 1969 until, you know, in protest of some of the deep racial inequities at the school. So we all know that Morehouse is in hbcu, but, you know, an important contextual fact that we have to remember is many of our HBCUs in their origin and earlier years, were run by white people and the federal government. And in his own words, Samuel L. Jackson said at the time that Morehouse was in the business of producing, quote, politically correct Negroes. And a lot of the curriculum and pedagogy and sort of culture of the institution at that time did not reflect the needs or the interests of his current students or the surrounding community. And so he and some other students got together, wanted to protest that, demanded some of the inequities be addressed at the structural level, at the level of leadership at the college, and demanded that Morehouse develop a black studies program. And so in order to get the attention of the administration, they literally held the board of trustees hostage. And who was on the board of trustees? Martin Luther King, Sr. So Martin Luther King father was one of those men. And, you know, ultimately they did get their voices heard. And, you know, eventually they were able to release those men and they were able to affect some change. They did start a black studies program. Unfortunately, Samuel Ellis, the other students that sort of staged the protest were suspended. But it was sort of a monumental moment in Morehouse history that Samuel L. Jackson was at the helm of. And so we. So that is just to sort of suggest that Samuel L. Jackson is not only an actor, but an activist and has been this person literally for most of his life. And so I just feel like, you know, to have him depict the character of Uncle Sam, of Uncle Sam, which to me, narrating and giving Kendrick advice about how to negotiate and play the great American game. Respectability, politics, behavior, you know, all of these things, it's like, woo. This is deep and heavy. Like we coming right out the gate with. With Uncle Sam, the government giving us the rules, us as black people, the rules of how to negotiate and play the great American game. So good.

[A]

And I love.

[B]

I love.

[A]

Because this was also theater, right? This was like in every way, so intention, intentionally, every designed and set and every single piece of it. So when we got the first intro of Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam, he said, it is your Uncle Sam. This is the great American game. And we immediately open with Kendrick rapping on the lowrider and then popping out the lowrider.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I love the. I love the setting. So then we go into the costuming, right? Because obviously we see that the entire costuming for the. For every set was red, white and blue, whether it had been predominantly one or all of them.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And if you could hear love, what.

[B]

Would it sound like, son?

[A]

Can we talk about your drinking. Yeah, Dad, I think we should. Helping those closest to you think about their excessive drinking. Maybe that's what love sounds like. More at Rethink the Drink dot com. An OHA initiative.

[B]

I'mma put you on, nephew.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Don't.

[A]

Welcome to McDonald's.

[C]

Can I take your order, miss?

[A]

I've been hitting up McDonald's for years now. It's back. We need snack wraps. What's a snack wrap? It's the return of something great. Snack wrap is back. And we get Kendrick quoting Gil Scott Heron. The revolution will be televised. Make sure you all go check. Listen to that song. You all need to just go make yourself a good Gil Scott Heron playlist.

[B]

A deep dive. And that would be good for you.

[A]

A deep dive into Gil Scott Heron. Yes, he's one of my absolute favorites. A poet, a singer, an activist, and a spokesperson for black people, Black joy, Black revolution. And so, yes, so he. So that is where the revolution is going to be televised comes from. And Kendrick tells us the revolution or tells them. Should I say the revolution's about to be televised? You pick the right time, but the wrong guy. Whoa.

[B]

I mean, because at.

[A]

At the start of this administration.

[B]

Listen.

[A]

And during Black History Month.

[B]

Well, arguably. No, no, no, no. You're right. I'm sorry I cut you off. During Black History Month, like you said. But on arguably the largest national stage.

[A]

Largest national stage on Black History Month.

[B]

You picked the right time and the wrong guy. Meaning if you thought I wasn't going to get up here and tell y' all what it is, this is what I was telling Jade as we were recording, like. And I've been. I've been paying attention and noticing some of the commentary and the criticism of this folks. White folks saying they didn't get it, they didn't understand, it was boring, all of these things. And I mean, I know that we are accustomed to. To, you know, a particular kind of carrying on, right? And I felt like these people thought that Kendrick was going to get up there and say, I love bad bitches. That's my problem. My effing problem. And, you know, if y' all wanted Sexy Red, y' all should have got sexy Red.

[A]

But you picked Justice.

[B]

You just picked Kendrick Lamar. And listen, you picked the. You picked the right nigga.

[A]

You picked. You picked the right nigga at the right time. I said I would challenge you to say you are actually the right guy. Not the wrong guy.

[B]

Right guy. The guy who can do this in a way that is so powerful. Like, because I feel like you know, this criticism or this critique is like calling out these. Using these powerful metaphors to point out the inherent flaws and inconsistencies and holes and a lot of the things that are typically used to depict American ideology, American values. Kendrick.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Made a lot of things apparent in terms of like, oh, no, that's what you said, but this is what you did. Okay.

[A]

Yeah, very much so. And all. And. And this was not, you know, I know people want to make this about the beef. And obviously there were moments where, yes, it is going to be poked at, you know what I'm saying? In the best of ways.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But it was so much bigger than that because again, remember, that beef is not just about Kendrick and Drake. That beef is about.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Culture versus culture. True culture, virtues, culture, vultures.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And those who try to profit and benefit off of. Exploit backs of what we have and exploit the backs of what we have naturally as a people and always have. And it's always been that. Right. Even in times where we were enslaved, we were used for entertainment value, you know, in certain ways, because we are just that naturally amazing.

[B]

And even, you know what I'm saying, we've always leveraged our artistry to inspire, to encourage, to catalyze change, to foster hope. And I feel like.

[A]

To communicate.

[B]

Communicate to uphold tradition. Exactly. And I feel like Kendrick understood that assignment because to your point, even that. That nod to Gil Scott Heron, as you know, not only the revolution being televised, I felt like, you know, the thread and what gave me energy watching this, because they were more than one sort of nod to Kill Scott Herring. But I felt like, absolutely, the images were more giving, like, change is coming. And I know y' all think that this is going to go one way, but keep playing, keep playing. Keep playing the game. Okay.

[A]

Which I'm going to talk about my black woman's self care, actually. That's a good reminder. Thank you. But yes, so then. So, you know, then we get. Also, I think it was beautiful the way that he highlighted. You know, we've all always been told that our culture, no matter where that culture comes from, whether is. Is east coast black culture, whether it's west coast black culture, whether it's Southern culture, that it is ghetto.

[B]

Huh?

[A]

That it is unsavory, even though it is the most sought after. And so I think it's beautiful the way that he was able to high to. To showcase in choreography and in movement and in synchronicity, the beauty of Crip culture. I thought that was lovely. You know what I'm Saying all of the things that have always been shamed and demonized. And I'm like, listen, there are certain elements of it that you. You all designed, you know what I'm saying, for us that are unsavory, but also there is a. A togetherness. There is a beauty and unify in the community that should be highlighted. And I think he was able to show that in a beautiful artistic way. So then we get Uncle Sam coming back. Oh, were you about to say no?

[B]

No, go ahead.

[A]

Uncle Sam comes back. You're too loud.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Too reckless. You're too ghetto.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Do you really know how to play the game?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Then you need to tighten up.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And Kendrick goes into Be humble. And with American flag imagery in the choreography, through the costuming of black men dancing as an American flag with him in the middle singing about being humble.

[B]

Listen.

[A]

Which could be many things.

[B]

I mean, it blew my muffin cat back. Blue for a number. Okay. Because there's, like, you know, there is the acknowledgement that black bodies and black intellect, black ideas are the very fabric and foundation of this country.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And so for many times, like, you know, I'm seeing, like, we make this flag. Okay. Y' all trying to take it away from us, but in so many ways, our bodies actually create this flag. Right. So. And then if you also paid attention into the way that the bodies, the. You know, first of all, how they were, what they. They were wearing red, white, and blue. But like you said, there were so many nods to subculture, you know, in the choice of the styling, you know, whether it be, like, kerchiefs, the dicky suit, you know, just our sort of the culture of hip hop and the way in which, no matter what we do, we do it our own way. Way. And at the same time, y' all tell us to be humble and sit down, but end up emulating. Emulating, you know, and. And. And doing the things that come to us naturally. We've always been sort of trendsetters, and, you know, that Fannie Lou Hammer quote has been sort of floating around socials where she's talking about, you know, how our blood is also represented in that flag and how so many black and brown people died in the name of that flag. And so, you know, we, too, are American. Our culture is also American, which I felt like was also, you know, for all of the people who are aiming to make America great again by erasing that. I felt like this was the way of saying, nuh. Not quite. Sit back now. And.

[A]

Which is multiple ways. Right. I know, I've had my, my, my criticisms, but also we've had that same conversation when it came to Cowboy Carter. You know, a lot of this, you and I especially, we can talk about this as black Americans. Like, this is our culture. We don't know nothing else. You want to deport us?

[B]

We don't know what we going to do in Nashville.

[A]

Like my great grandmother, my great, great grandmother. And as far as I'm concerned, maybe the great, great, great. I don't know, you know what I'm saying? But it has been here. And it's not to say I am a giant fan of what our government does. I am not at all. But we are the, the, the blood. We are the thread within this. And I found it as you brought that up, the next selection, which. This was another conversation of some discourse that I saw online. I tried not to engage in too much of it because, you know, it starts to get to be a lot of noise. I, When I start seeing people saying, oh, well, I don't even think he picked, like, the right songs. You actually were not paying attention because the next selection after that was DNA. And so it's, it's beautiful the way that we had this American flag imagery, all that we just talked about and what that symbolizes, using Be Humble as, as the, as the soundtrack to that and then going into DNA. Because it is our DNA. We are the thread of this that built this, that compiled this.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You know what I'm saying? And so I, I, I loved how intentional he was.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

With the, the, with the selections, but the way that he put those together.

[B]

As well, I also, just to add to that point, to me not only, you know, thinking about the flag as a symbol of American values and all of the ways in which we have been left out of that, despite, you know, the fact that we, in this sort of artistic representation literally comprise. We make up the flag. You know, our bodies are, you know, all the ways that we literally represent the fabric of this country. And yet there's so many inherent contradictions in what this flag espouses. And I think, you know, that set us up, because he's going to start to call out some of those contradictions, you know, later on in the, in the performance. And so, yeah, after, after DNA, Uncle Sam comes back, right?

[A]

Uncle Sam comes back with, I see you brought your homeboys with you. Culture, cheat code, score keeper, Deduct one life. Because.

[B]

This is this to me. And I want to shout out a content creator that I follow, Cindy Noir. She actually elevated this but, you know, she talked about how to her, what resonated was like, you know, that sort of made her think about there's so much strength and power in our connectivity, us coming together, literally our culture is the cheat code. This is how we all advance and get further faster in the great American game. And what happens when we all come together, you know, we are often under attack. And she called out, you know, sort of, you know, lives that have been lost, namely Martin Luther King Jr. Deduct one life. And, you know, she's talking about how powerful it was for Samuel L. Jackson to say that, acknowledging how closely related. So not only did Samuel L. Jackson hold MLK senior hostage. Right. It didn't make them fall out with the family because he. He went on to become a pallbearer at MLK Jr. S funeral.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

And so it was just like, whoa, okay. Like, you know, when we sit with the weight of that and all that it represents, you know, it. To me, it was sort of like, all right, pay attention. It is a fact that, you know, there is so much power in us coming together and us sort of cultivating that community. It is the cheat code that literally advances us in the game. And when they see that, they start to think about who they can pull down to.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Divide us.

[A]

So I'm like, yes, and always have and have done it in so many ways. And we talked about it even in illuminating intersectionality, where you spoke about it from an academic standpoint, Fran talked about it from a cultural standpoint, and I talked about it from a food standpoint. They do not want us to come together and unify in community, which is why there's so much red tape when it comes to us owning our own businesses, us getting grants for so many things. Like, they. There is a reason why they have made this intentionally difficult, and they foster.

[B]

That divisiveness within us, which. Which if we're not careful, we will start to judge one another by the things that.

[A]

Which we have done.

[B]

Oh, we have done. And so I felt like it was Kendrick saying, tighten up. Right? Like, tighten up. You know what I'm saying? Like, don't fall for what they're doing. What they're doing is literally intended to divide us because it's that divide and conquer. Because when we get together, it's the cultural cheat code, don't forget.

[A]

I also. I also like one of the. Not smaller things, but I. I found it poignant where it wasn't just the deduct one life, but even the precursor to that score keeper yeah. Because who is the score keeper?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know what I'm saying? Is it even. Is it fair? Like, who is actually doing this? And so I. I. I thought the intentionality in this was so powerful. Absolutely so, so powerful. And I do it. It speaks to us, talking about our. Our running theme of not only this show again, but what we really need to keep at the forefront. Like, we talk about every single episode at this point, and that's community. And what a beautiful reminder and what a. A way to do it, to thread it in music like we talked about. The same way that we've been doing all through history. History way that, like, this is how got to freedom.

[B]

This is the message. That's what I'm saying. Kendrick is sending a message. And literally, that's why I was so disappointed and disheartened for all of my people. My cousins, you know, the people. You know. I didn't get it. It was too deep. All of this is just like, y' all, come on. Like. And I'm not saying this from a place of judgment. I'm just like, no, come on. But we got, like, come on.

[A]

It's not a call out. It's a call in. Okay. Let me mother love you real quick. Like, come here. Beloved, let me tell you why this is so important, and let me break it down for you on why this is so important. It is not to. To. To call you dumb or. But you can think more critically, and that's what I'd be trying to. This is what I'll be talking. It is okay to think a little deeper about stuff. I had a friend ask me one time, why you always throw colonialism into everything? Like, why you. Like, why are you always so concerned with, like, who colonized who when we start talking? And I'm like, because. Because it happened.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And because I should be.

[B]

And that's the concept you should never sort of take for granted. No.

[A]

Literally, never.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's all.

[B]

And I'm all.

[A]

And it's gonna be a reminder until the end of days. Yes. I'm always gonna be curious. You bring up Portugal. I wonder who Portugal took over. I want to know. So. So I found this. I. I'm just. I was so happy. So then we go into peekaboo.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay. My gym. What they talking about? They're talking about nothing. What they talking. They talking about? It's my jam, first of all. And second of all, I love peekaboo because I loved where it was placed, and it could have been placed there for. For so Many reasons. Right? Not only could have been a. A fl. Flagrant jab at our current government and administration because they not talk about nothing, but also, to those who try to get inside the culture, even in the conversations around this performance, for those who want to be, you know, in proximity to the culture, you are a peekaboo ass.

[B]

That's what I'm saying.

[A]

You know what I'm saying?

[B]

And they want the rhythm, but they don't person. Yes. They want the rhythm, but they don't want the blues.

[A]

But don't want the blues. Okay, say it again.

[B]

You can't come through here and want Travis Kelce. You can't come through here and want to, you know what I'm saying, have the best of us without acknowledging what comes with that. The price that we had to pay for all of that. Okay, you want to get. You want to go to the barbershop and get a number one fade and think that you can sit at the table with us? And it's like. It's not giving that. It's not giving that.

[A]

Okay. Yeah, Sit down, John B. Okay. I still peep you on the inside. I know who you are. I know who you are. The haircut is not saving you. It's not. Okay, okay. I know y' all are getting period not. It's braids now. Talking about, I'm honoring my Viking ancestors. Girl, I see you. I see you deep irritate me. So peekaboo ass people. You. You will not be a part of the culture. Which is so funny, because then we get a very quick not like us teaser.

[B]

And it's so good because, listen, he said, you know, I want to do their favorite song, but. But, you know, they love to sue.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And that's the kind of petty. Right? Because we're deep down.

[A]

That's the kind of petty anthropological bag.

[B]

He is, helping us and calling attention to the systems and structures and the inherent contradictions in our society. But don't forget that I still don't fool with that. Okay? Period.

[A]

Hello.

[B]

Let's remind ourselves it's you forever today, okay?

[A]

Let us not forget.

[B]

Okay? Okay.

[A]

I could walk and you go. I can walk and you go.

[B]

I'm doing both of these things, okay? Because I know that you are on the. You are on the jack with your attorneys right now, and I know that.

[A]

You know, and there's nothing. There's nothing you can do. Which we will come back to that in just a moment. So he gives us a teaser, which, again, perfectly placed after we talked about peekaboo after we talked about community and coming together and then the not like.

[B]

Us teaser and Uncle Sam. Uncle Sam comes back and says, calm down. Right. You know, slow things down.

[A]

Oh, not yet. Not yet.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Not yet.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Because then Cesar comes in.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know what I'm saying? With. You know, first of all, let me give mama her praise. She floor work. Okay. You did your choreography, young lady. You did. You sang in that cursive. And when I tell you it was on point.

[B]

I enjoyed it.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And your toes. Pigeon. Okay. Loved it. Every bit of it. Okay. She was giving me drama. You know, she gave me a very demure, like, death drop. She came back.

[B]

I'm doing my part, and I'm going on out of here. Thank you so much. Yes. He gave the stage. She had her moment, and we were able to just sort of be in that with her. And so we did. We got Luther first, which we will always.

[A]

We did.

[B]

We will always honor the legendary. Okay.

[A]

Hello.

[B]

Ronzoni Vandross of the Bronx, New York. We will always speak that name.

[A]

Always.

[B]

And then we go into all the stars. Okay. From the Black Panther soundtrack, I'm like, it's not lost on me. Kendrick is like, let us not forget that I am the soundtrack for Wakanda. Hello. Hello.

[A]

The whole thing. Let's be very clear. This is the whole thing, okay? The fact that we got J Rock on a Disney soundtrack. Love it. Love that for everybody. But not only that, not only was it a flex that he did the Black Panther soundtrack. And remember what Black Panther was culturally for us within. Within this. This particular space, obviously, of entertainment, it still was a movement. Not only that, I. I feel like all the Stars might be his quote unquote, crossover song. And so, you know, culturally, and the thread of what we're talking about, I love the placement here, but also, you know, it was something palatable for them. People, they're like, I know that they play that on the 104.7. And then we get. Oh, go ahead.

[B]

Quick thing. Quick thing. That I noticed because I felt. I told Jay, every time I watch this, I catch something else. I feel like there's so much happening on the stage at once. Right. Given the cause, we have the video game console. We also have what appears to be a prison yard. I feel like you can't lose sight of the dancers. Right. And I'm still thinking about the dancers comprising the flag, and I'm still seeing the groups of people in red, white, and blue sort of depicting, you know, what constitutes America. And I Just love that the dancers. While all of this is happening, while SZA is performing, you have the dancers there. Some are divided, some are together. They are, you know, they're segregated. They unite and then they segregate again. And you can sort of see them interweaving. And, you know, there's just so much visualization that accompanies what you're hearing. And it's like all of that is connected to what we've been talking about from the beginning. And I just feel like it was such an awesome through line.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Through these different songs.

[A]

The choreography absolutely went along with it. Told the story lyrics all the way down very much.

[B]

Right before SZA came out, the dancers literally formed an egg.

[A]

We're like the. Yes. And it was.

[B]

They were.

[A]

They formed the S and they were body rolling, which is about. It is an S for your body. You know what I'm saying? It was. It was multiple.

[B]

We.

[A]

We talked about this, how this was theater, how this was art. And also if we. If we're going to be praising some of these things that weren't traditionally praised. Kendrick's breath work.

[C]

Vitamin water. Zero sugar. Has great taste. Zero bs and. And obviously zero sugar. For those with zero room in their calendar, Zero patience for slow walkers. Those who get zero hours of sleep on a Saturday night have zero filter. Zero F given and zero interest in grabbing a plain, boring water. Grab a delicious vitamin water. Zero sugar today.

[B]

Buying.

[C]

Buying a car in Carvana was so easy. I was able to finance it through them.

[A]

I just.

[C]

Whoa, wait, you mean finance? Yeah, finance. Got pre qualified for a Carvana auto loan, entered my terms and shot from thousands of great car options, all within my budget.

[A]

That's cool.

[C]

But financing through Carvana was so easy. Financed, done. And I get to pick up my car from their Carvana vending machine tomorrow. Financed.

[B]

Right.

[C]

That's what I said. You can spend time trying to pronounce financing, or you can actually finance and buy your car today on financing, subject to credit approval, additional terms and conditions may apply.

[A]

Because the way the. The E, first of all. The E first of all. But the control. Yes. Because, you know, Kendrick is one who is theatrical with his voice when he's rapping.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And so he uses dynamics, inflection, all kinds of things. You know what I'm saying? He does accents, he highlight, you know, so he knows, like, Kendrick is like a theater K with his all in his voice. And so the, The. The. The control that he had over that for a performance that you also have to have so much energy for I just want to make sure that that is.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Honored. But then we. So we go into what you're talking about with Uncle Sam.

[B]

Yes. He comes.

[A]

You know, America wants nice and calm.

[B]

Praising the quiet moment, respectability of sza.

[A]

You know what I'm saying? And also, you know, it's not lost on me that it came through the means of a lay day, you know what I'm saying? Because it always does.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

We always come through to cause hell or cause calm. And then we get our 40 acres and a mule reference.

[B]

He says there's a cultural divide. I'm a get it on the floor. 40 acres and a mule. This is bigger than the music, which to me, like, we could write a book on this old thing right here.

[A]

So, you know, 40 acres and a mule is a. Is the promise.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

To the formerly enslaved, you know, ancestors of ours after the Civil War, to provide land and resources for economic independence.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Howsomever, as we can see in 2025, as are paying 14 for a carton of eggs.

[B]

My lord.

[A]

And figuring out where they're gonna live.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know what I mean? That promise has never been honored.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Never been honored. It was false. It was empty.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which continues to be America's quote, unquote, promises at this point. Not even just to black people, but just generally to everybody at this point.

[B]

And it, like, it just signify the pattern. So I feel like this calls us attention to the. To also the. The inherent inconsistencies and some of the other values and ideologies of what Uncle Sam represents and what the flag represents.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And to me, I could be reaching, but, like, as you know, given the Gil Scott Heron, the call to action moment, I feel.

[A]

I want you to Stretch Armstrong. Please do.

[B]

I just feel like, to me, there was. I felt like there was. This was cautioning us to carefully consider the current and the future promises made by the government. And this is so much bigger. You know, again, this is so much bigger than an actual rat beef, right?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

This is so much, so bigger than that. And. And Kendrick is saying, I want y' all to pay attention to the patterns and the precedents of our history and learn. Learn the game. This is the great American game. Learn the game so that we can decide how we play it. It's not about playing it how they want us to, but we can decide how they play it. And not like us. You know, it's the.

[A]

It's the moment. So before we. So we get the beat, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We know it's coming.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

But I love the intro because Kendrick said they tried to rig the game, but. But you can't fake influence.

[B]

My God.

[A]

Can we just take a moment? Can we just take one quick. Just one moment? Y' all.

[B]

Sit with that for. Just.

[A]

Because that was not. That was not just the point at Drake. Let's be very clear.

[B]

Drake is a proxy. Shout out to Brittany Patnet Cunningham. Thank you for the show. Yes. Drake was a proxy. He represents a pattern of things that keep happening. Yes. Okay.

[A]

America.

[B]

And all the ways. In so many ways.

[A]

Which is the same thing. Even as we think about our 40 acres and a mule and how that was a false promise, along with our safety, along, you know, our economic safety and. And. And the building of our communities. And when we have built our communities, we've gotten things like the Tulsa fires and, you know, so forth and so on. Howsomever they have never been able to remove our resilience, our joy, our creativity. You know, Boris Gardner. Every is a star, and there is nothing that you all can do to remove that from us as a people. And so, like. Like Britney said, Drake is a proxy for that, because you cannot fake that influence. You cannot fake that culture. You cannot fake that inherent bloodline.

[B]

Right.

[A]

To be black and hilarious and funny and. And. And smart and witty and. And be able to balance and do all of the things and withstand all of the things, even though we shouldn't have to withstand all of the things.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And I don't. Just don't get me.

[B]

Which goes directly into a declaration that they are not like us, not like us. They are not like us. They're not like us.

[A]

Which it never will be.

[B]

Was about, like, reclaiming our power, reclaiming our moment, finding sort of, you know, inspiration in who we are despite what's going on around us. And to me, the thing that represents that so brilliantly is Serena Williams Crip walking.

[A]

Okay, hold on. Because there were many things in It's Not Like Us performance, right?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Not only just the choreography.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

But also we got us a good, solid, Petty moment.

[B]

Oh, yes.

[A]

Good, solid, petty moment. So many of Kendrick smiling in the camera. I mean, grinning with the Cedric. He said. And smiled in the camera. He said. He smiled in that camera and said, first of all, I'm at the Super Bowl.

[B]

Where are you at? You at home watching.

[A]

I'm on my solo set.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

At my super bowl, which I believe he is the first solo rapper they said who has performed at this at the super bowl. Because technically, Snoop's performance. Boo. Was Snoop. And Dr. Dre and I want to say it was the whole Eminem.

[B]

Yeah, it was a whole.

[A]

Yeah. In his vest. Oh, God. So Kendrick is also. That is also. He made history during black history. During a black history where they tried to remove black history federally, like so many things. Right? So then we also get that little poke at Drake, which I just found that to be fabulous, for sure.

[B]

And I thought it was not just the polka Drake, but all of the people, because we have to remember that we're. We are our administration. And there's so many leaders who have active sexual assault cases, you know, because.

[A]

He named them off.

[B]

He.

[A]

He said, I'm gonna edit myself all up and through this, but I also want y' all to know I'm calling each and every one of these out in this list. I'm still saying these verses.

[B]

You know what I'm saying? Like, I hear you. Like I'm young. That applied to quite a few people in the room in the stadium. Hello.

[A]

So did you hear the stadium? When a. My. When he rapped a minor. Did you hear the stadium? Did you hear the stadium? I mean, I don't think I've ever really heard the stadium sing along with a song and a suit. I don't know if I've never paid attention to it, but the fact that you could hear the entire crowd. A minor. I was like, do you. Your. Your impact, your influence, Kendrick, on top of the fact that I just want to celebrate and highlight that Kendrick is one of the sturdiest, blackest names.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[A]

So while he's doing all of this, I know we all got a cousin named Kendrick.

[B]

I have two.

[A]

You know what I'm saying? Kendrick, Earl, to be exact, is one of them.

[B]

Do we know?

[A]

Not a single one.

[B]

That's crazy.

[A]

I don't. And if you do, don't tell me, because I want to keep this gold star. Y' all have already ruined many others for me, and so do not ruin. They were like, I know a white demarcus.

[B]

Okay?

[A]

Do not message me, please. As far as I'm concerned, there are no white kindred.

[B]

We don't want to hear it.

[A]

But then we get to Serena, which was also layered in her. So for one, Serena is of the culture. Serena is from the exact same place that Kendrick is from. He's like, you cannot fake that. Okay? That's first and foremost. Second of all, Serena did a little light. A little light work. Sea walk at Wimbledon in 2020 at the Olympics and face repercussions.

[B]

I mean, they. They got. They fried her. They Accused her.

[A]

She was. They lost her mind.

[B]

She was heavily criticized. They said that she disrespected tennis as a sport. And, you know, it was just about, like. You know, I read this article on popsugar, and I thought this quote, like, really, like, captured it. Watching William C. Walk on one of the nation's largest stages was a reclamation of authenticity. Seeing her C Walk wasn't about Drake, but rather a moment to say, you will not define who I am and how I show up. A lesson we can all take notes from, Wimbledon and America included. So as people continue a myriad of breakdown on Lamar's halftime performance with Think pieces and future dissertations forthcoming, I want to reiterate that Serena Williams seawalking on the halftime stage is so much bigger than Drake. It's about a larger effort to push back against systems that seek to diminish your light and your joy. Being proud of who you are and standing in your authentic self is the essence of black culture.

[A]

That is so beautifully said and so perfectly said.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And the only thing that I would add to it, I know they said it's not about Drake, and it's not. But also, Drake being the proxy honey. A part of that in that statement is that that culture has built. Been built by misogyny. Misogyny is a huge backing point to that, and that includes the disrespect of women, but the ultra disrespect of black women. We have faced so much disrespect over the years from not only being tests. Use it. Use this test for. For.

[B]

For.

[A]

For gynecological research.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know what I'm saying? But also, we have been continued to be disrespected throughout history by white men, by white women, Ray. While raising their children, but also being disrespected by some of our own. And so to see her being put on a platform where one of our own said, I'm gonna be one to uplift you when everybody else tried to tear you down, but also when this. This came around here and tried to do the same thing that society tries to do to you all as a whole, it was such a representation, I thought. And I. I was. I thought it was so beautiful. I thought it was so beautiful.

[B]

Yes. Very well done.

[A]

DJ Mustard and his happy teletubby ass comes.

[B]

I was running out to the middle black boy joy. I said I loved his. So excited to be here, and he deserves this.

[A]

I loved it. I love that he got his moment. Because when I tell you your boy has been doing his Left heavy lifting on the pro tools when it comes to putting together these beats for not only this. This iconic moment in his. In hip hop beef history. You know, you can add that to many of the others now, but also in such a fabulous piece of work in this album. Not just the rap beef, but also the artistry that are in those songs that. That Kendrick put together. Kendrick's Pulitzer Prize lyricism mixed with DJ must and then the authenticity of the culture. He understood exactly what Kendrick wanted to convey musically along with the lyrics. I love that he got his moment. You know what I'm saying? And n are we. You know, y' all know we can't stop Mustarding all over the place right now, so.

[B]

But also, Kendrick knew that we needed that moment, but I felt like it was just like, wow. I thought it was dope that Kendrick did not have to share the stage with Mustard. He did not have to, but he did. It did not cost him anything to do it. And you could just tell that it did so much, not only for Mustard, but for all of us. And I'm like, that's.

[A]

That.

[B]

That's what I love. Right? It don't cost you nothing to bring somebody with you. You don't cost you nothing. Reach back and get your brother, especially if they helped you, especially if they contributed their talents to. To your art. I just was like, I just love this for us. This is just so good.

[A]

I do. I do. And he. I love that he closed the set with TV off. I just feel like it was. Because how many times have we been talking, especially recently, about needing to unplug when we need to unplug?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And also unplugging. Being unplugging from the constant machine.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

That is trying to instill fear into us. The system that is trying to instill fear into us into. And to keep us complacent and to keep us from. From being the resilient human beings that we have continued to be and to continue to press forward, no matter what kind of hateful that you all put in our way. You know what I'm saying? All kinds of nasty bananas and tortoise shells that you all throw in your nasty ass game of Mario Kart. But you. You. You will not prevail. You will not prevail. And I also want to highlight the. The messaging that was part of the set as well, which was lights in the crowd that. That read warning wrong way. And while that has not been explained, we know that. You know, I'm not calling it tangerine because tangerines are delicious. Not calling them orange because oranges are delicious. And I understand, yes, you can't be a pig, because I. I love pork on my fork. But whatever. I. Whatever little nasty master Splinter King Cooper ass, I don't know, but he set his hateful, greasy ass in the audience.

[B]

He did.

[A]

And we know that we are backsliding into a time that we should not be, which we also know that these are desperate grabs at a. At at last bits of it. Of. Of. Of power.

[B]

Throwing everything at the wall to see what's.

[A]

Everything that they possibly can. Exactly. And so we are headed in a wrong direction. But there is messaging that we can take from this even. Listen. And maybe we have stink pieced ourselves. Maybe Kendrick could come through and be like, I didn't mean nothing. It was red, white, and blue. But we know that's not what it was. What it was.

[B]

I mean, his. All of his music has always been sort of so rich with entendre and metaphor and just, you know, conceptual. Like, it's. It's just so rich. Right? It's not.

[A]

This gave a Schoolhouse Rock history lesson in a verse, in a diss track like, do not. That boy is good. And you cannot tell me otherwise.

[B]

He gonna make it.

[A]

He cannot tell me otherwise. He gonna make it. That boy good. That boy good. He gonna make it. So we just thought. We thought it important. We thought important to us. We can be the only two niggas listening to this conversation.

[B]

We thought it important. This was our. One of the ways we're celebrating our black history. I feel like Kendrick made a little black history this year. I feel like we'll be talking about this for a long time. And Jade and I just wanted to enter our thoughts into the chat. And if there are things that we. That we. Symbols that we missed or things that, you know, resonated with you, you know, chime in, let us know. Let's continue the conversation. I just feel like we don't often get. I don't shouldn't like that. Well, we don't often get the opportunity to celebrate in this way on. Celebrate our culture. Such a rich representation of our culture on such a large stage. And I feel like while the world is, you know, criticizing and, you know, shaming and, you know, trying to put it down, I wanted us to flood the chat with nothing but respect and admiration for all that this performance represented. And so I'm glad that we were able to process it through.

[A]

Yeah, it was really.

[B]

It really.

[A]

It really. It really did something. It really.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And listen, Kendrick did it. Like I said, like I said earlier. And, and I know I talked about last week and I've talked about before. I feel the same way about Cowboy Carter that I felt about this. I felt like there was a lot of intentionality weaved very much throughout that project, throughout this entire project. And my critiques came from a place of, of love. Honestly. They come from a place of like listen, I, you know, I love my community. I'm a part of this community. You know what I'm saying? And we, I just want us all to be able to partake and thrive even though I know that's not always the case. So anywho, I just wanted to throw that in there. But shout out to you Kendrick, for we appreciate you taking literally one of the largest stages in this particular in this country. Yeah, I mean you got people, we had people from all over the world. I found they were all up in their VPNs watching. So. And you know, and yeah, and this is in football in America is the only place where this football is played. It's not football, but football. And so, and so shout out to you for, for taking that stage and using it in the right way. We left the shout out to you for that. The ancestors are pleased. In the words of. Of our good sis again, Britney Pack.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

So let's move on to this self care though. Let's get into this self care.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

Yeah, I'll let you get back to your food.

[B]

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[A]

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[C]

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[A]

I deserve all right, it's Time for the self care. And my self care this week is a little bit, a little bit unconventional for our usual self cares because it's not really me taking care of myself. It is again with the threat of community, our community taking care of ourselves. And it just warmed my heart and I wanted to share it. So in Lincoln Heights, which is a historically black neighborhood in Cincinnati in Ohio, they have been, they've been terrorized by Ohio Nazis. They've been coming through and wreaking havoc.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

And so the residents have set up checkpoints. They've set up checkpoints. And in the words of awful ass Curtis Jackson, get the strap. You know what I'm saying? And have set up their own militia.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

Points to make sure that the residents of, of, of a historically black neighborhood are taken care of. And I just found that to be the. I said, you know what? We said it was coming and it's here, it's here. It may not be directly in your backyard. I don't know, maybe you are listening to this and you live in Lincoln Heights. And if you do, please chime in. I would love to hear about this on a firsthand experience because I like, I remember when, when Mike Brown was killed. When Mike Brown was killed. The. And then obviously we know when, you know, when George Floyd was killed, all of the unrest that happened in the country, there were, the proud boys were doing so much more than I even realized they were doing throughout and terrorizing people in different locations. So I say all that to say just because it may not be happening right in your back door doesn't mean it's not happening. The war is coming, it's here. And they have equipped themselves and they have been preparing themselves. And when we talk about leaning into community, that means every single form and facet of leaning into community. And so I, I saw that and I said while I, while it should not have to be where we have to set up a militia to protect ourselves in our neighborhoods. I'm glad that it's happening. I'm glad are banding together and, and using their powers for good. Okay. Earth, Rain, Wind, Water, Fire. With our powers combine, we are Captain Planet. And so that's my self care this week. What you got?

[B]

Similarly, I will leverage this black woman self care. I will do. I know that's right. Oh, similar story recent news here in the D.C. area. So I would say, let's see. According to this article, there was.

[A]

The.

[B]

Proud boys vandalized a Black church in D.C. in 2020. Metropolitan AME African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. and so the ownership of the Proud Boys trademark is now in the hands of that church.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

So they sued, I guess, you know, in litigation and ensuing the organization for the vandalism. You know, we, we learned, you know, the decision also gave the church a lien on the trademark and the power to block the Proud Boys from using the trademark or selling licensed goods like T shirts or hats without the church's approval.

[A]

And the proceeds of those cells, should they be. Should that go through. Go to the church.

[B]

Yeah, exactly. So, you know, this is the kind of petty that I will always celebrate. Yeah, but so the ruling, the incident happened like on December 12, 2020.

[A]

Members of the.

[B]

Of the Proud Boys group attended a Stop the Seal event and also attacked the church by climbing over the fence to get onto the church's property and destroy a Black Lives Matter sign, according to the court document. So the court ordered the Proud Boys to pay the church $2.8 million in damages, money that the group has failed to pay. And as a result, the court gave the church ownership of the trademark. So this is how you play the game. This is the great American game.

[A]

This is the great American game.

[B]

And this is how you play it. And so that's my. I know that's right. I know that's right for the week.

[A]

And ladies and gentlemen, that is why I'm going to archery classes. And you don't need no license for your bow and arrow. I'm just letting you know, you know what I'm saying? You don't have to go through all of that. And so I'm staying ready. I'm staying ready so I don't have to get. Get.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I love that. I love that we're keeping it very black history. And you know, and I love what we're doing as a community. You know what I'm saying? Banding together in using their against them in the best of ways. Stop. Stop with us. We are smart. We are always going to find a way through your red tape every single time. Well, it's time to take this show straight to hell and head on into the petty peeves. So let us do it.

[B]

I'm still out.

[A]

And I want to be very responsible of the things I say to my sister because everybody know I can be real, real petty. PE to the tty, honey. I am waving the most giant of petty flags this week.

[B]

Oh, boy.

[A]

Because this is. This. I don't know if this might be the pettiest of the petty peeves I've ever done. Maybe. Wow.

[B]

But I that is a tall order system.

[A]

I feasted my eyes on something today, and the minute that I look down, I said, hideous. That might be one of the ugliest creations I've ever seen in my life. And I present to you wedge rainboots.

[B]

Oh, what?

[A]

I saw somebody today. I don't know. It was a stranger on the train.

[B]

And okay.

[A]

It was wedge rain boots. And when I tell you, my body seized. I was incensed. I felt like you looking at a pair of white shoes.

[B]

Oh, I understand.

[A]

I was like, I am not a wedge girl. I can respect it. I understand why they must be, I guess. But I personally am averse to them. Howsomever. I have never in my life laid my eyes upon the. The hideous creations that I did today of those wedge rain boots. And I said, I have a new thing to add to my list of stuff that I absolutely hate. Maybe it was very comfortable to that lady. Listen, personal style is exactly that. But my personal opinion is that wedge rain boots are one of the. The worst creations that God did not give you free will to use it so willy nilly as to create something so atrocious and so.

[B]

Oh, whoa.

[A]

That I say, oh.

[B]

Oh, wow. A wedge. A rainboot. So it was like a galage. Like it would like a total, like. Yeah, up the.

[A]

I don't know how tall it was because she had on a skin.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Oh, actually, yes, I do. They were actually a wedge rain short boot.

[B]

Like an ankle boot.

[A]

Yeah, because I saw her socks. She had on very skinny jeans. Yes. And at one point when she got up off the seat. I shouldn't know all of this, but I. People watch. You know what I'm saying? I don't keep my head in my phone on the train. That's dangerous business. That's a choice.

[B]

So, yeah.

[A]

And people watching has always been one of my favorite pastimes. And so this lady gets up out of the seat and she, she, she. She pulls her pant leg down with her shoe. So my first, you know, thought was, yuck. Well, actually, that was my. That was my fifth thought because my first four thoughts were, what the are those boots? And then the fifth thought was, yucky. You used. You use those ugly fucking boots to push your jeans down. So you're yucky, you're yucky and yucky. What a choice. It was. So many choices made in that moment. And then she got off and I watched evil walk away in the form of shoes.

[B]

Yeah, my petty peeve. I have to just sort of say, just fully acknowledge how I have Been struggling. I know it. And I know that, you know, I know it's bull bullshit and we should not pay attention to it. But I can't tell you how, like, I have a visceral reaction every time someone gets in a microphone and sort of misuses or like we're trying to recharacterize what dei. And the one that really just sort of gets under my skin is the. Didn't earn it.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Because I just know that.

[A]

Oh. The way that they use affirmative action.

[B]

I just feel like affirmative action. Do you know how crazy, you know, how crazy it is to suggest that the people that cleaned your house and raised your kids and don't deserve care.

[A]

Of to be equal?

[B]

Or that we don't work hard? That we. The suggestion that we don't work hard.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

When literally everybody that I know, literally.

[A]

Your kids would be dead. You would be dead because you'd have no food, you'd have no nothing. You would be. You don't even know how to take care of your own children. You weren't producing your own breast milk. Like, get out of here. You'd be naked and unclothed and gross.

[B]

I am weary. I'm weary sick. The proving. And I know that, you know, there's so many of us who are putting that down and just sort of like, taking up space and walking in the truth of who we are, but the fact that we still have to deal with language and rhetoric that, you know, diminishes who we are and all that we've invested. You know, we are the most qualified, we are the most educated, we are the most. We have the most experience. We are called in to do the thing, fix the thing, run the thing, lead the thing, all while having to prove that we know what we're talking about and that we know what we're doing.

[A]

Yep. And I even think of just Toya, honestly, I'm sorry I cut you off.

[B]

No, go ahead.

[A]

Well, she's been. She's been very vocal about. She's been very.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Present about. But even, you know, Toya is speaking about her current struggles with employment because white men stole her ideas and executed them as if they're her own. And then said, okay, contract done. Like, you all use us for your advantage and then you call us T. I want you to echo the hard R on there in post production because that's what y' all do, and it's. It's fucking trash. I'm sorry I took over your petty peeve.

[B]

No, no, it's just. It's just Exhausting. It is exhaust. I feel like the. My work has been in trying to put that down. I feel like it's hard to carry that. And when you walking around in spaces and you are you. You are carrying the brunt of the labor. And people will say, you know, it would suggest that somebody gave you a handout to be where you are when you. I've been in school longer, I've done the work and nobody did it but me. I didn't have anybody to help me do it. So not to completely go off, but this is the part that has been like the gaslighting is the part that gets to me because I know what I know and I know what I've seen and I know what I've done and what I've seen my mama do and my best friend do and my sister and my grandma and my aunties and the lady down the street and the woman at the church and the lady at the grocery store. I've seen everyone. I don't know, you know that, that whole. All that, you know, welfare queen. Like that's baloney. Like I don't know any of those. No, everybody that I know has worked all of their. We all been working since we was 11 and 12 and 13.

[A]

And I don't know also be clear that, that you know, those family included, self included, who have been on government assistance before. That is not due to laziness, either.

[B]

A lack of effort or a lack.

[A]

Of effort that is due to you. Yes. Up nasty system that you have put in place and needing to find every single resource that they can to survive, including you all. Setting up housing projects just for you to come in and raid them and tell people if you have this as a two parent household, y' all can't be here. You all intentionally do things to up our communities, to divide our communities, to desecrate us, to disrespect us at every turn. And you would be the most bland. You, you stole pepper. You stole pepper and still seem to ruin food with just salt and pepper. And I'm not talking about a steak. You all stole pepper. You stole nutmeg. You stole for nutmeg, you stole for cinnamon. My Lord. But when it lays. I think you didn't know how you wouldn't have rice. You would still be eating barley or meal or whatever the y' all eat. You wouldn't even have rice. You stole for rice cause you couldn't grow rice.

[B]

I, I just, that's the part of this that I have to work to sort of sustain myself through because I can't continue to let. Let myself. You know, you can feel your feelings, but you cannot let them take you over.

[A]

No.

[B]

And. And, you know, I need to sort of conserve my energy for keeping myself and my family and my loved ones safe and the things that I've worked so hard to have safe.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And so that's my work and that's my hope and that's my prayer that I can find the perspective and the peace that I need and to rest in what I know and not worry about what people are saying about me and my people. But, yeah, I just wish. I just. Like, it's baseless, it is untrue, and I just wish that they would just stop saying it. But I know that. I know that it is all a game, and I know that it is by design. They're just flooding. Flooding us with that narrative in hopes that it would sort of take hold. But, you know, the more we resist, you know, the more that we ensure that it will never.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

So we'll continue to. We'll continue to have these conversations on this platform. We'll continue to lift and affirm each other. But yeah, that's my petty peeve, man. I just. That I'm just being honest at that right there is jamming my Glock.

[A]

No, I hear you. I hear you. You know, and I think. And I told you last week, like, I'm so tired of being sad. I told XD too. I was like, I'm sick of being sad. I'm sick of being heavy. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of it. And you liberal white people, I have a message for you. Listen to me. Come here real close. Come here. Slap, slap, dry your face. Clean it up and tighten the up. Now is not the time for your goddamn tears. Nobody needs it. It's not useful right now.

[B]

Cry at home. Cry at home.

[A]

Cry in your bathtub like a regular. But when you come out in these streets, tighten the up, because we don't have time for that right now. Now is the time for you to get it together. We don't need your liberal tears are gonna do nothing but. But suffocate everybody. Tighten up. We need you to also do what the you supposed to do. I had a man try me like that in the store today. Want some? Why are you reacting to me like that? Because it was one of those. He didn't see, not even just me, but another black lady who was the person in front of me. He walked right in the store and walked up to the counter. And he was one. He was like, I know, because I'm not even like that. And he was like, please, no, don't do that. I said, no, you don't do that. So I need you liberal white people. Don't you do that. Get yourselves together, tighten up. Dry your tears. I don't want to talk about how much this sucks. I know this sucks. I know that.

[B]

We've been in it. Yeah, we've been in it for a long time.

[A]

I don't want to hear no more. Can you believe this happened? Yes, the. I can. Cuz you will not. Dry your goddamn face. Put your vest on. Tighten the upper. So yes. I can't believe it's goddamn happening. Yes, I can.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Anyway, thank you so much for listening to this episode getting grow. We appreciate you all so much for coming.

[B]

Thank you for being our safe space.

[A]

Yeah. You know what I'm saying? And I mean every word. And, and I do agree with you, you know, say the whole thing. Diversity, equity and inclusion. Because they're trying to use it to spook Coon Moon Cricket and everything else. They're trying to make it mean everything but what it actually does and what in the. In the true meaning of what that actually means. And you're not going to take that from us. You just not. And this halftime show showed that you're also not going to take our joy. You know what I'm saying? And you're not going to take our community, you're not going to take our unity. You're not going to take anything in.

[B]

Our swag that make us us. Yeah, you can.

[A]

Can't. You can try all day, but you can't. It's going to be sauceless.

[B]

You can't fake influence.

[A]

You can't.

[B]

You can't do that.

[A]

So that's it. Thank you all for sitting with us at the kitchen table every single week. Make sure you all check out the. The. The video version of this entire podcast ad free on Patreon. We're coming back with more Patreon content. You know, now that we're climbing, we're climbing slowly out of the well of heaviness. So, you know, we're getting back to the get. So make sure you all join us there and says take them out and tell them what to do.

[B]

Make sure that you are taking care of yourselves by moisturizing your mind and that the. And I'm going to take my own medicine, right? Because I'm gonna mind my business. I'm gonna worry about myself. I'm gonna worry about what I say about myself, what God says about me, not what these other people are saying about me and my people. That's how you keep your mind moisturized, okay? You want to keep your mind lubricated, so ready to do all of the good thinking and strategizing and exercising of the good wisdom that. That we have to leverage in this time. We want to make sure that you are taking care of your insides, your body. You want to hydrate her and drink just as much water as your body can sustain every day. Every day. Don't let a day go by when you don't do that, okay? And finally, your largest organ is your skin. And you want to take care of her because she's going to tell all your business. She's going to tell if you've not been taking care of yourself, if you've not been treating people with kindness, if you've been not getting enough rest, if you've not been minding your business, your skin is going to tell that story, okay? And the only way that that's right. And you, you keep. You keep her happy and healthy when she is moist and supple. So moisturize your skin. Lotion up, okay? Get in between your toes and your fingers and things behind your ears and carrying on, do that because your black will crack if it's dry.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Love y'. All. Bye.

[A]

I know you all hate the three letters. Dei. I got three more for you. SMD Bye.