Grits and Eggs Podcast – Episode 61: The Proximity War

Release Date: April 15, 2025
Host: Deontay Kyle
Guest Co-Host: Big Ice Cup Cat

Merchandising and Community Support

In the early part of the episode, Deontay Kyle emphasizes the importance of supporting the podcast through merchandise purchases. He highlights that "100% of all the profits from the merch" go directly to supporting Suki, the mastermind behind their designs and an art teacher dedicated to at-risk youth in Minnesota.

Deontay Kyle [04:00]: "We just telling the people... you earn 100% of all the profits from the merch."

Deontay and Big Ice Cup Cat discuss the latest spring collection, including slogans like "Boredom is a blessing" and "You can't escape your skin," reinforcing the show's connection to its listeners.

Upcoming Events and Announcements

The hosts share exciting plans for upcoming events aimed at fostering community engagement:

• Grits and Eggs Day (July): Featuring bounce houses and collaborations at local parks, potentially Piedmont Park or Hunter Park in Douglasville.

  Deontay Kyle [05:47]: "We're gonna have bounce houses... Show them niggas how we get down out here."

• Memorial Day Meet and Greet (May 31): Hosted at Grits and Eggs Breakfast Kitchen in Atlanta's Summer Hill, offering exclusive merch and community bonding opportunities.

• Juneteenth United We Heal Film Festival (June 19-20): Deontay will host at the Philadelphia Underground Art Center, highlighting black and brown independent filmmakers.

• Atlantic Comic Con (August 23-24): Participation in one of six black-owned comic cons in the country, including a live show and meet and greet.

Additionally, the podcast announces its nomination for Podcast of the Year at the AAMBC and BIA Awards, encouraging listeners to vote.

Deontay Kyle [10:58]: "Podcast of the Year nominated coming soon. August 2nd is the AAMBC Awards..."

Main Discussion: The Proximity War

The core of the episode delves into what Deontay terms the "Proximity War," analyzing how close exposure to negative societal influences can obscure the underlying causes of issues within the black community.

• Systemic Issues and Media Influence:
  Deontay critiques how media perpetuates negative stereotypes, emphasizing crimes within the black community as “Black on Black crime,” which only represents a small fraction (<5%) of the population.

  Deontay Kyle [14:25]: "We're in proximity to the effects, so we don't see the causes nor think about the causes."

• Carmelo Anthony Case:
  Discussion centers on the legal challenges faced by 17-year-old Carmelo Anthony, highlighting issues of racial bias and misinformation online. The hosts urge community support and legal assistance.

  Deontay Kyle [14:29]: "The talks have came out, the eyewitnesses have came out... he's just a young black man. So let's keep supporting Carmelo Anthony."

• Capitalism and Consumerism Critique:
  A robust critique of overpriced luxury items, particularly Birkin bags, is presented as a symbol of American capitalist greed. Deontay questions the ethical implications of charging exorbitant prices for goods that cost significantly less to produce.

  Deontay Kyle [18:19]: "They go and they manufacture the bag, and except for the tagging and label apart... free to make multiple streams of income with this thing."

Global Pettiness and Overpriced Luxury Goods

The conversation shifts to global consumer practices, specifically targeting the inflated pricing of luxury goods produced by Chinese manufacturers. The hosts argue that these markups are unsustainable and highlight the disparity between production costs and retail prices.

Big Ice Cup Cat [20:11]: "That's the cost of it."

Deontay Kyle [20:13]: "Cause it's still good. Genuine leather, right? But it ain't that."

Listener Engagement: Voicemails and Emails

Several listener interactions are addressed, offering advice and support:

1. Career Advice for a Female Listener:
   A 26-year-old black woman seeks guidance on career direction after struggling to find fulfilling work in her science degree field. Deontay suggests leveraging community connections and considering further education if it aligns with her goals.

   Deontay Kyle [80:58]: "I could say this... look into what type of work you can do in your community."

2. Entering the Trades for a Male Listener:
   A 24-year-old man from South Carolina requests assistance in securing an apprenticeship in electrical or HVAC trades. Deontay provides resources like Roadtex.com and offers to connect him with potential mentors.

   Deontay Kyle [85:00]: "Roadtex.com road r o a d text t-e c-h/s dot com."

3. Legal Assistance for a Family Incident:
   A listener shares a distressing incident where her father slapped a racist individual at a Cracker Barrel in Florida, leading to legal troubles. The hosts commit to finding pro bono legal support and encourage community donations.

   Deontay Kyle [91:30]: "I'm gonna look into. I'm gonna keep this on the board so I can see if you said something later."

Themes and Insights

Throughout the episode, Deontay and Big Ice Cup Cat explore deep systemic issues affecting the black community, emphasizing the need to:

• Understand Root Causes: Rather than blaming each other, recognize the broader societal and systemic factors contributing to internal conflicts and negative behaviors.

• Combat Media Stereotypes: Challenge and resist the perpetuation of harmful narratives in media that unfairly depict the black community.

• Promote Community Support: Encourage listeners to support each other through merchandise purchases, event participation, and offering assistance in times of need.

• Reject Materialism as Status: Question the validity of equating high-priced luxury items with status and success, advocating instead for meaningful community upliftment.

Conclusion

Deontay Kyle wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of continuous effort and community support. He encourages listeners to stay engaged through purchasing merch, attending events, and participating in the conversation to collectively address and overcome systemic challenges.

Deontay Kyle [97:23]: "Everything you need is in the description... this is episode 61. I'm Deontay Kyle who's behind the camera. Big ice cupcat until episode 62. We will see you next time."

Notable Quotes:

• Deontay Kyle [14:25]: "We're in proximity to the effects, so we don't see the causes nor think about the causes."

• Deontay Kyle [20:13]: "Cause it's still good. Genuine leather, right? But it ain't that."

• Big Ice Cup Cat [20:11]: "That's the cost of it."

• Deontay Kyle [85:00]: "Roadtex.com road r o a d text t-e c-h/s dot com."

This episode of Grits and Eggs Podcast provides a raw and unfiltered exploration of the systemic issues within the black community, emphasizing the impact of proximity to negative influences and the importance of understanding and addressing root causes. Through community support, critical discussions, and listener engagement, Deontay Kyle and Big Ice Cup Cat encourage a collective effort towards meaningful change.