Higher Learning – Episode Summary

Podcast: Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay
Episode: Bad Bunny’s Halftime, Trump’s Racist Post, and Activism in Sports With Jemele Hill
Release Date: February 10, 2026

Episode Overview

In this rich episode, Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay delve into three major current events at the intersection of Black culture, politics, and sports:

• Bad Bunny’s historic Super Bowl halftime show
• Trump’s latest racist social media controversy
• The ongoing challenges and roles of activism in sports, featuring an in-depth interview with journalist and commentator Jemele Hill

They explore the cultural and political significance of the Super Bowl performance, analyze the implications of Trump's actions amid an election year, and discuss athlete activism, sports betting, and the personal/professional cost of speaking out. Jemele Hill, known for her outspoken commentary and new projects, brings unique perspectives to each discussion.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show

[06:26–19:41]

• Historic Numbers & Cultural Impact:

  • Bad Bunny’s performance reportedly became the most-watched halftime show ever, celebrating Puerto Rican and broader Latin identity on a massive stage.
    • Van: “I thought as a piece of culture, it was phenomenal.” [06:51]
    • Rachel: “If you were hating on what you saw, you really are just in denial of your own racism against Puerto Rico Latinos.” [07:20]

• Rebellion Through Representation:

  • The hosts agree that the show was revolutionary—not through protest signs but in centering Latino, queer, and other often excluded identities unapologetically.
    • Van: “There was not one thing in the performance meant to be accessible… This is who we are. On the biggest stage… this is us. We are you.” [13:12]
  • Unity and cultural pride were central, with an explicit message against gentrification and Americanization of Puerto Rican culture.

• Reactions & Backlash:

  • Some viewed the show as "un-American," prompting Jake Paul to tweet about turning off the performance, calling Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen.”
    • Rachel: “Puerto Ricans are Americans, and I’m happy that they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.” [21:36, quoting Logan Paul’s reply]
    • Van: “There is nothing more un-American… than saying that because you are from here, you should not be critical of your government…” [26:04]

• Conservative Counter-Programming:

  • Rachel reviews Turning Point USA's attempt to host a “real American” halftime show as a reactionary event, describing it as lacking in substance and inclusivity.
    • Van: “If I'm picking parties… the other shit looks popping, especially in comparison.” [29:44]
  • Zach Bryan’s quote sums up the sentiment:
    • “A bunch of adults throwing temper tantrums and their own halftime show is embarrassing as hell.” [29:44]

2. Trump's Racist Post and GOP Response

[34:33–49:07]

• Incident & Excuses:

  • Trump reposted a video depicting the Obamas as apes, sparking outrage across the spectrum. Though deleted, neither Trump nor his White House offered an apology.
    • Rachel: “What do you mean, what's the deal? What's the thing that Trump is a full-blown racist? … He does not give a fuck about Black people and who he offended.” [37:07]
    • Van: “The depiction of Black people as apes… is the fundamental western mythology that Black people are subhuman.” [41:16]

• Larger Context and Patterns:

  • The hosts underline Trump’s history of racist rhetoric and policies, cataloging a pattern of anti-Black and anti-immigrant statements and governance.
  • They explore why these “dog whistles” aren’t accidental and theorize the political calculus at play.
    • Van: “The GOP as we know it… exists so that niggas can’t have nothing... They are so dedicated to that.” [45:24]

• Silence Among Black Conservatives:

  • They highlight how even rare pushback, like Senator Tim Scott’s tepid criticism, is quickly neutralized by the Trump camp.
    • Rachel, quoting Tim Scott: “Praying it was fake… because it's the most racist thing I've seen out of this White House.” [48:01]

• Why We Must Still Care:

  • Van: “President posts Black people as monkeys—matters. And… it is some people's job to care and to call that out.” [48:59]

3. The Epstein Discussion (Brief)

[50:34–60:35]

• The hosts touch on conspiracy theories peaking after new revelations about Jeffrey Epstein's death, connecting themes of institutional unaccountability and elite corruption.

4. Jemele Hill on Activism, Compromise, and Sports

[61:06–119:36]

Jemele’s Career and Role

• Jemele Hill introduces her new projects (Flagrant & Funny podcast with Cari Champion, Vice TV’s Out of Bounds).
  • She offers candid insights into what it's like to exist as an outspoken Black woman in media and her resistance to being labeled an “activist”:
    • Jemele: “I hate when people call me an activist… I respect [activists] so greatly that calling me that is disrespectful to them. They are putting it on the line.” [63:08]
    • On optimism in activism: “Despite being branded as angry, these are some of the most optimistic people… They wouldn't do what they do if they didn't actually believe change was possible.” [64:39]

Compromise and Integrity in Media

• The mental toll of being a disruptor and the constant negotiations between integrity and survival in corporate media.

  • Jemele: “Media has changed so much… people like me who are unwilling to compromise about certain things: it's a tough landscape.” [72:53]
  • Van: “You seem to love a good fight… Is that not you?”
    • Jemele: “I do what's necessary… But it does come at a price, and I don't think that's particularly unique to me.” [75:15]

• On her famous Trump tweet:

  • Jemele: “I think I'd be unhappy [if I never sent that tweet]… I was already unhappy at ESPN before that tweet got sent.” [76:38]
  • She details how ESPN tried to “de-blackify” her show and the broader issue of Black visibility being recast as “too political.” [78:02]

Athlete Activism, Power, and Complicity

• Lack of Athlete Solidarity:

  • The group laments how modern athletes don't leverage their power to force social change—contrasting with the activism of the ‘60s/‘70s and even Muhammad Ali:
    • Jemele: “There's not anything I could think of that could happen in this country that would cause [a mass athlete protest]… They actually have the power to change people's wealth status. Instead, they get sanitized by deals and brands.” [84:34]

• Fans’ Responsibility:

  • Jemele: “Fans can't sit up there and demand athletes sacrifice everything while you do nothing… If you were that upset… you could literally stop watching [the NFL], but nobody wants to do that.” [94:44]

• Systemic Issues in Hiring:

  • Rigid nepotism and racial discrimination in NFL and college coaching persists because no top athletes have demanded change. She calls out silence despite glaring inequity:
    • “We just had a record ten head coaching jobs open—nobody Black got hired. You ain’t heard one of them say anything about this?” [88:39]

• Cultural Indoctrination of Athletes:

  • From youth, Black athletes are separated, sheltered, and discouraged from radical or activist engagement.
    • Jemele: "The indoctrination with them happens so early... when they start having a sense of identity or thinking about identity, it's very late." [99:04]

• Missed Moment (NBA 2020 Boycott):

  • Van: “That’s horseshit, man… That is an opportunity to say, guess what? We can stop the show.”
  • Jemele: “Obama was the one that talked them out of boycotting… That was a missed opportunity.” [101:22]

On Sports Betting & New Vices

• Sports Gambling as the ‘New Tobacco’:

  • Jemele: “Gambling is basically the new tobacco. It’s been normalized. The danger… we won’t know until 10 years from now when it's a bunch of Netflix documentaries about how it ruined people's lives.” [104:05]

• Addiction and Cultural Desensitization:

  • Sports culture now shrugs off match-fixing rumors; fans and players have become numb due to constant exposure and shifting norms.

Quick Hits with Jemele

• Deion Sanders & Trump:

  • Discussion on whether Deion Sanders' support for Trump should matter to the public, considering communal/fan expectations tied to race, cultural loyalty, and the Black community’s embrace of Deion’s journey.
    • “If you found out that he's sitting up there, that is a Trump supporter… I mean, I think people have the right to [wonder]..." [115:13]

• Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Brand “Misstep”:

  • Jemele: “It felt out of place. It felt kind of beneath him, you know, to do something like that…” [117:10]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Rachel: “He does not give a fuck about black people and who he offended. He is not sorry.” [37:07]
• Van: “The depiction of Black people as apes… is the fundamental western mythology that Black people are subhuman.” [41:16]
• Jemele: “Calling me an activist is disrespectful to [real activists]… they are putting it on the line.” [63:08]
• Jemele: “Media has changed so much… people like me who are unwilling to compromise about certain things: it's a tough landscape.” [72:53]
• Jemele: “As much as gross capitalism is… I’ve got to live in it and get this money. We're all compromised. I just have my limits.” [71:41]
• Jemele: “We have more black quarterbacks than ever. So how powerful would it have been if… just the black quarterbacks came together and said something?” [93:14]
• Jemele: “They know the NFL’s never had a majority black owner. They know as a player, there’s certain discrimination… But as soon as they exhibit this level of skill, they get treated differently… the indoctrination happens so early.” [97:28, 99:04]

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Segment Topic | Timestamps | |----------------------------------------------------|----------------------| | Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show | 06:26–19:41 | | Jake Paul, Logan Paul, and Puerto Rico controversy | 20:02–27:24 | | Turning Point USA’s "Real American" Halftime | 27:24–31:59 | | Trump’s Racist Post, GOP response & implications | 34:33–49:07 | | Epstein Theories (brief segment) | 50:34–60:35 | | Jemele Hill interview intro and career | 61:06–72:53 | | Black Women in Media, Compromises and Capitalism | 72:54–76:37 | | Jemele’s Trump tweet fallout and ESPN experience | 76:38–82:09 | | Athlete Power and Activism | 82:39–101:59 | | Sports Gambling and its dangers | 104:05–111:09 | | Deion Sanders, Trump & Black fans | 111:09–116:50 | | Giannis & Brand Legacy | 117:10–119:36 |

Closing Thoughts

The episode is an insightful, sometimes raw examination of how American identity, race, and power play out in sports and politics. The hosts and guest Jemele Hill blend humor, critical analysis, and deeply personal perspective, making this a must-listen or essential recap for anyone following the culture and conversations shaping America today.

Listen for:

• Deep, accessible analysis of the politics of representation
• Unflinching conversations about race and racism in culture and politics
• Personal reflections on activism and the cost of truth-telling in sports media

Guest:
Jemele Hill – award-winning journalist, podcast host, and commentator

Signature moment:
“There was not one thing in the performance meant to be accessible. This is who we are… On the biggest stage, the biggest celebration that America has, this is us. We are you.”
—Van Lathan [13:12]

Advert breaks and extraneous intros/outros have been omitted for clarity.