The Rising Influence of the HBCU Vote, SCOTUS and Healthcare Access, and Dolores Huerta, Still Fighting for All of Us

This week Farai Chideya dives into how federal judges are central in the fight to protect reproductive health with Alexis McGill Johnson of Planned Parenthood. We break down the steps in creating more inclusive representation with the cofounders of Women of Color for Progress. Also, understanding how students of HBCUs are mobilizing for the upcoming election, and lifetime activist Dolores Huerta reminisces about her advocacy over the years. 

Correction:  We incorrectly stated that Dolores Huerta was awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2000. She was a 2011 Medal of Freedom recipient; the honor was delivered by President Obama in 2012.

Episode Rundown

1:11 Alexis McGill Johnson, CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, talks about how the new Supreme Court appointment could impact Americans’ reproductive rights.

5:28 How the upcoming election will affect access to healthcare for all Americans. 

8:36 Women of Color for Progress cofounders Amanda Farías and Karen Coronel talk about running for local office and motivating more women to represent their communities. 

11:27 Farías explains how to take the plunge into politics, even if you have no prior experience. 

13:31 Errin Haines details her four-hour journey to cast an early vote.

15:13 Haines breaks down voter suppression and voter depression. 

17:10 Our SPEAK segment explores the top issues that our listeners are sharing with us.  

18:22 Delece Smith-Barrow talks about the importance of this election to students at HBCUs. 

22:03 Ruth Umoh dives into how Black business women have been affected by the pandemic. 

23:48 Umoh describes how the business and finance community has responded to the call for action after the death of Geroge Floyd.

27:47 Our weekly Covid update talks about the record number of coronavirus cases, why more white Americans are getting sick, and how masks are stopping the spread of the virus.

31:31 Dr. Ijeoma Nnodim Opara describes a recent encounter with a police officer who was not wearing a mask. 

33:18 “I recognized that the environments that we're in right now, politically, socially, culturally, economically as well, and that this will not be about public health. The most important thing was for me to get home safe to my babies right now.” Dr. Nnodim Opara reflecting on her identity and having to weigh the risks of an encounter with police.

35:55 Alice Wong, founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, talks about #CripTheVote and raising awareness for voters with disabilities. 

39:25 Wong explains her fear of losing the Affordable Care Act and what it would mean for people with disabilities. 

42:55 Dolores Huerta and her legacy of “Si se puede.”

46:30 Huerta talks about her history with police violence and why she’d be at the protests happening right now if it wasn’t for Covid-19.

47:56 Huerta talks about her experiences on the Playa at Burning Man, and why she thinks it should be a model for society at large.