Podcast Summary: "Anime Atrophied Our Extra Leg Muscle (with Che Durena)"

Podcast Information:

• Title: My Momma Told Me
• Hosts: Langston Kerman and David Borey (Big Money Players Network and iHeartPodcasts)
• Guest: Che Durena
• Episode: Anime Atrophied Our Extra Leg Muscle
• Release Date: December 10, 2024

1. Introduction to the Conspiracy Theory

In this episode of "My Momma Told Me," hosts Langston Kerman and David Borey welcome comedian and podcast host Che Durena to discuss a provocative Black conspiracy theory: that the rise of anime, particularly through programming blocks like Toonami, was intentionally designed to distract Black youth from pursuing athletic excellence. This, they argue, allowed white demographics to bridge the athletic performance gap.

• Che Durena [10:07]: “I think I said something like, he understood the assignment.”

2. Anime as a Strategic Diversion

Che Durena introduces the central theory by sharing insights from her father, who believed that networks like Toonami targeted Black youth to divert their focus from sports to entertainment, thereby weakening their athletic pursuits.

• Che Durena [10:58]: “They are trying to suck your athletic ability out of you by getting you addicted to Goku.”

David Borey elaborates on how anime like Dragon Ball Z became a compelling distraction, making youth prioritize watching anime over engaging in sports activities.

• David Borey [10:20]: “You could see it as distracting...if you want to make the full Drake empire, you gotta destroy Filipino Drake.”

3. Personal Experiences and Cultural Impact

The discussion delves into Che’s personal experiences growing up with anime and confronting the societal expectations placed upon her. She recounts feeling ashamed of her anime interests during her youth, only to later embrace them as they became culturally mainstream.

• Che Durena [27:11]: “I was deeply, deeply ashamed of it. I never thought it was cool until it started to resonate in the culture.”

She contrasts this with her father’s perspective, who viewed anime as a negative influence that hindered academic and athletic success.

• Che Durena [43:38]: “It was more of an insecurity about watching it. It wasn’t like, I thought that I’m letting my race down or something.”

4. The Role of Toonami and Media Strategies

The hosts and Che analyze the strategic timing and cultural adaptations of Toonami, suggesting that it was designed to align with the interests of Black youth by incorporating hip-hop elements and urban culture, thereby making anime more appealing to this demographic.

• David Borey [46:39]: “They timed it in a way where it was respectful of you saying goodbye to your friends, but as soon as you get home, do you know what I mean?”

Che highlights how Toonami’s programming blocks were tailored to maintain high engagement levels, effectively keeping youth indoors and diverting their attention from athletic and academic pursuits.

• Che Durena [46:29]: “With the way they did the intros that were like hip hop focused. And I think they knew that they were tapping into a new audience.”

5. Impact on Athleticism and Community

The conversation explores the broader implications of this alleged strategy on Black athleticism. Che and David discuss how diverting youth from sports could have long-term impacts on community strength and representation in athletics.

• Che Durena [54:32]: “They're trying to suck your athletic ability out of you by getting you addicted to Goku.”

David reflects on his own experiences, feeling torn between his passion for basketball and the compelling allure of anime.

• David Borey [48:31]: “They want you addicted to Goku... they're trying to suck your athletic ability out of you.”

6. Evolution of Toonami and Media Influence

The hosts trace the evolution of Toonami from its inception in 1997 to its eventual shutdown in 2008, analyzing how its focus shifted over time and how it began to incorporate more mature and diverse content, potentially reinforcing the distraction theory.

• Che Durena [52:12]: “There was a clear pivot to being like, no, this is... we're going to make this a little bit more black.”

David adds that Toonami’s success was not necessarily due to a grand conspiracy but rather a strategic response to audience preferences and market demands.

• David Borey [48:31]: “You put some shit out and you see who's biting, and then you really start fishing for that.”

7. Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

As the episode wraps up, the hosts and Che reflect on the interplay between media influence and youth behavior. They ponder whether such strategies, if they exist, are intentional or merely the result of market dynamics and cultural shifts.

• Che Durena [72:53]: “They put a bunch of cash in his pocket, too, like being on the WWE... He was raking it in.”

• David Borey [76:43]: “Che, as it relates to your dad presenting this conspiracy, this is nonsense, but it does live in your head a little bit.”

Notable Quotes:

• Che Durena [10:58]: “They are trying to suck your athletic ability out of you by getting you addicted to Goku.”
• David Borey [46:39]: “They timed it in a way where it was respectful of you saying goodbye to your friends, but as soon as you get home, do you know what I mean?”
• Che Durena [54:32]: “They’re trying to suck your athletic ability out of you by getting you addicted to Goku.”
• David Borey [48:31]: “They want you addicted to Goku... they're trying to suck your athletic ability out of you.”
• Che Durena [72:53]: “They put a bunch of cash in his pocket, too, like being on the WWE... He was raking it in.”

Conclusion

This episode of "My Momma Told Me" offers an intriguing exploration of how media, particularly anime through Toonami, might intersect with cultural and athletic dynamics within the Black community. Through personal anecdotes and analytical discussions, hosts Langston Kerman and David Borey, alongside guest Che Durena, examine the potential implications of media influence on youth behavior and community strength. While blending humor with serious contemplation, the episode encourages listeners to critically evaluate the cultural forces shaping their lives.

Note: This summary deliberately omits advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions of the episode.