How History Books and Monuments Shape our National Narrative, Preparing for the Next Pandemic, and Practical Advice on Staying Safe During Police Encounters

This week Farai Chideya looks at what makes it into our history books—and why—with New York Times investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project. Then she talks with poet and philanthropist Elizabeth Alexander about how monuments and public spaces also shape our historical narrative. Dr. Mary Bassett of Harvard University shares what she thinks it will take to truly address healthcare inequities laid bare by Covid-19, and how that would prepare us for the next epidemic. And the weekly roundtable Sippin’ the Political Tea welcomes special guests Kyhisha Zebley, a police sergeant in Philadelphia, and Gabriela Mejia, an anti-harassment advocate at the organization Hollaback!, to talk about how to be a safe and effective bystander during encounters with police.

1:05 Nikole Hannah-Jones on why teaching the 1619 Project is a free speech issue

12:41 Poet Elizabeth Alexander on the role of public spaces in teaching history

20:59 Dr. Mary Bassett talks about lessons learned from Zimbabwe’s healthcare system

29:15 Sippin’ the Political Tea: how to be a safe witness to police brutality with a law enforcement officer and an anti-harassment advocate