Make It Plain with Mark Thompson

Arena’s mission is to convene, train, and support the next generation of candidates and campaign staff. The organization rose up after Donald Trump was elected in 2016, in an effort to put their frustration to good use, and they’ve now trained 5,500 people since the beginning of 2019. Lauren Baer is a Managing Partner with Arena, and today she explains how getting involved in local races is a game-changer, as the effects inevitably ripple out into national politics. And as a former Obama administration member and Florida congressional candidate, Lauren knows the importance of a good support staff; at Arena, you don’t have to train to run for office in order to get involved--you can learn how to participate in campaigning and supporting a candidate from behind the scenes. For more information: https://arena.run/ Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-

During the final stretch of the Black Voters Matter Freedom Ride, Mark checks in with LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright, Co-Founders of Black Voters Matter. The co-founders look back on their historic journey to do the hard work on the ground to fight voter suppression through strategic organization and awareness. They also look ahead, knowing the work is far from done but the network is expanding and there’s democracy to defend this summer. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

New movie “In the Heights” was initially considered an important step for more Latino representation in movies, but a controversy has risen regarding colorism and the film’s cast. The movie takes place in a New York neighborhood, Washington Heights, which is predominantly Afro-Dominican. But, as our guests explain today, the cast does not include dark-skinned Latinos. Yvette Modestin is a writer, poet and activist who focuses on shedding light on the Afro-descendant experience in Latin America, as well as the Founding Director of Encuentro Diaspora Afro; Anne Hernandez is a social worker and activist board member of Encuentro Diaspora Afro. Their expertise allows for a nuanced discussion on colorism, anti-blackness, and representation in the arts. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It’s the last leg of the Freedom Ride on the Black Voters Matter bus, and in today’s episode, we hear from constituents and politicians from North and South Carolina. Are they happy with their leaders? How have their local industries been impacted? The people have hit the streets to spill the tea while standing up for voting rights. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As the journey continues on the Black Voters Matter Freedom Ride, Mark talks to one of the original Freedom Riders, Dr. Mary Jean Smith. She shares the story of her early days of activism, joining up with John Lewis from Nashville, which led to her eventual arrest. These courageous humans risked their lives on a daily basis in the name of racial justice, and we must do our part to preserve their names and fortitude in history. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What would this country look like without racism? That's what LaTosha Brown wants you to envision today, as we hear from her and Cliff Albright, Co-Founders of Black Voters Matter, speaking to a crowd in Georgia about voting rights and fighting against racism, oppression, and suppression. Mark is participating in the Freedom Ride with Black Voters Matter, and he also lets us know where the bus is headed so you can join in on the events if they're hitting your city. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mark is on the road with Black Voters Matter, as they recreate the historic 1961 Freedom Rides and to fight for voting rights and against voter suppression. In today’s travels, Mark talks with Tennessee State Senator Brenda Gilmore on what they are doing in the state to protect voting rights, including restoring that right for convicted felons. But before we hear from Mark on the bus, we first get word from the CDC’s Director of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, Dr. Henry Walke. He fills us in on the major concerns with the coronavirus variant known as delta, including who is high risk for this highly transmissible strain. Mark also talks with Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on this week’s equity summit and reopening schools in a way that is safe and productive for teachers, students, and parents. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out:

It took 2 years and six months for slaves to learn of their freedom--because what we know all too well in this moment, is that passing legislation is often more symbolic than it is transformative. As Juneteenth is now recognized as a federal holiday, we must be reminded that actual justice does not come with the signing of a bill, it comes with persistent and strategic action by the people. In today’s episode, we get a world-class history lesson from Majority Whip James Clyburn, a former history teacher himself, who shares the story of the most significant person in South Carolina’s history: Robert Smalls. Smalls was a former enslaved person who recruited 40,000 African Americans into the Union Army and later became a congressman. Let us be reminded this Juneteenth that legislation is but a small step of many on the road to reparations. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com

21 House Republicans voted against awarding Congressional Gold Medal to all police officers who responded at the Capitol on January 6th, and Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett knows they did that because it would force them to admit there was an insurrection. Since they’re still denying that truth, Rep. Plaskett explains how things have changed on the hill between colleagues. She also discusses her legislation, H.R. 3434, which provides equity to people living in the territories, specifically seeking health insurance and Medicaid. And in honor of Caribbean American Heritage Month, she explores the topic of statehood for the British Virgin Islands and what independence means, and could look like, for the people she represents. And ahead of Juneteenth, Rep. Plaskett honors the importance of recognizing it as a federal holiday. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy &a

It’s #ThursdayKos and Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs, is back with a discussion on the takeaways from Biden’s meeting with Putin. On the topic of Senator Joe Manchin, Mark shares some of what he learned on the ground from locals while attending the March on Manchin, and voting rights are on their minds. Markos fills us in on the key details from Manchin’s proposed legislation on voting rights--his alternative to the For the People Act--and he’d also like to know what Manchin intends to do when Republicans use the filibuster against him. And by the way...what’s up with Kyrsten Sinema? Turns out there are more questions than answers with the incomprehensible senator from the increasingly-blue Arizona. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today you’ll hear a compilation of interviews Mark collected on the ground at the March on Manchin, led by the Poor People’s Campaign with Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis at the helm. He speaks with lifelong residents of the state who voted for Senator Joe Manchin and has left them angry and disappointed. And now, they’re on his doorstep, asking for answers. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Yesterday, Mark was on the ground in West Virginia, led by Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis of the Poor People’s Campaign, to march on the office of Senator Joe Manchin following his hypocrisy and lack of support for voting rights and access. Mark speaks with his constituents who are angry with the man they elected for failing to follow through on promises and support their basic civil rights. Tension was in the air as Manchin’s staff attempted to placate the crowd with comment cards, but the people who showed up to march were not having it. Today you’ll hear Mark talking to the people as well as march leaders Rev. Barber and Rev. Liz Theoharris, and tomorrow we have exclusive interviews to expand on the discussion of Senator Joe Manchin’s obstruction to voting rights. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com

The press coverage of Vice President Kamala Harris’s first trip overseas has been largely negative, which comes as no surprise to Eric Boehlert, Writer and Publisher of Pressrun.media. Not surprising but no less disappointing that they’re framing it as a failure without considering the larger picture, which he explains in today’s episode, and notes that it’s largely based on racism and sexism. This is all part of the press trying to drum up drama within the Biden administration, after they were spoiled for years with the chaos of Donald Trump’s tumult and intrigue. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

DeRay McKesson is an activist, organizer, former teacher, podcast host (Pod Save the People) and leading voice in the Black Lives Matter movement. In today’s episode, DeRay hits us with the data on police murdering civilians, and helps us understand what is actually collected and tracked--and, perhaps more importantly, what isn’t. DeRay also draws an undeniable connection between police and prison reform, explaining how it’s a disservice to discuss the former without the latter. *Producer's Note: this conversation was recorded in March 2020 Photo Credit: www.deray.com Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Senator Joe Manchin met with civil rights leaders to discuss the voting rights bill, but he remains opposed (despite the fact that he initially co-signed it). Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs and host of podcast “The Brief,” attempts to unpack Manchin’s recent hypocrisies. Markos also gets into the Wuhan lab leak and Biden’s call for an investigation, but ultimately points out how the virus’s origin doesn’t mean anything in the context of how Trump mishandled its outbreak in the U.S. and failed to protect Americans. And we finish off with some thoughts on Rep. Val Demings running against Marco Rubio for a Florida senate seat. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Randi Weingarten is President of the American Federation of Teachers, and she recently made an appearance on Fox News that got quite a bit of buzz. Fox News Host Martha MacCallum pressed Randi on the legitimacy of the 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Randi responded by saying she believes in the 1619 Project and also suggested that Fox has some reckoning to do with the legitimacy on their reporting regarding the 2020 election and Joe Biden winning the presidency. Randi unpacks her Fox moment as well as what it's going to take to safely open schools at full capacity in the fall on today's episode. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, and we’ve got our resident expert back on the show to honor the month and discuss where we’re at with congress and gun safety laws. Igor Volsky is Executive Director of Guns Down America and author of “Guns Down: How to Defeat the NRA and Build a Safer Future with Fewer Guns,” and he has a very specific challenge for Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who thinks she can changes the minds of GOP members with her powers of persuasion. Igor also fills us in on where the NRA stands after their failed attempt to file for bankruptcy and flee New York. By the way, did you hear that West Virginia is raffling off rifles in exchange for getting vaccinated? Igor fills us in on that strange program and more in today’s episode. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The May jobs report is here and Chad Stone, Chief Economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, is back for our monthly chat where he breaks it all down and explains exactly where we stand in our recovery since slipping into a recession in 2020. Chad says we are definitely heading in the right direction, but it’s not going to simply be a steady incline, and he explains that and more, including some insight on unemployment insurance, in today’s episode. Read Chad’s latest blog post here: https://www.cbpp.org/blog/may-job-growth-strong-but-unemployment-insurance-reform-still-needed Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The May jobs report is out today, and Mark is joined by Labor Secretary Marty Walsh to reflect on the disappointments from April and discuss where we stand now over a year since the pandemic began and our economy fell into recession. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Republicans used the filibuster to squash a bill that would have created a commission to investigate the deadly insurrection on January 6th. Now, Speaker Pelosi is floating the idea of an independent investigation--so what could happen next? Markos Moulitsas, Founder of DailyKos and Civiqs and host of podcast “The Brief,” explains that, while there are benefits, the outside commission would be without a crucial legal power. Markos also gets into some news out of Arizona, and an organization that is dedicated to candidate recruitment at the local level, helping people through the process of their first run for office. Executive Producer: Adell Coleman Producer: Brittany Temple Distributor: DCP Entertainment For additional content: makeitplain.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy