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Pull Up, Speak Up: Decoding the Election-Truth, Lies and Fallout.
Episode 195 • 10th December 2024 • TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective • TonyTidbit ™
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Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/Pull Up, Speak Up: Decoding the Election-Truth, Lies and Fallout.

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In this episode of 'Pull Up, Speak Up' from the Black Executive Perspective podcast, hosts Tony Tidbit and Chris P. Reed, along with a dynamic panel including Iris Ivana Grant, Courtney Mitchell, and Brad Bowling, dive into the emotional and societal aftermath of the 2024 election. They explore topics ranging from community building, political fatigue, and cultural divides to the critical need for grassroots activism and respectful dialogues. The discussion encapsulates contrasting perspectives on the impact of political leaders, voter sentiment, and strategies for fostering unity and understanding amid an increasingly polarized America.


▶︎ In This Episode

00:00: Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:05: Meet the Hosts and Partners

01:24 Round Table Introduction

01:51: Panelist Introductions

02:48: Discussion on the 2024 Election

03:34: Panelists' Reflections

06:18: Rules for Constructive Dialogue

07:49: Initial Thoughts on Election Results

13:25: Impact of Immigration and the Democratic Party

18:38: Cultural and Political Reflections

26:07: Trump's Influence and Future Politics

34:41: Economic and Cultural Election Analysis

37:54 Cultural Issues and Fear Mongering

38:27 : Transgender Rights and Social Acceptance

40:13: Economic Implications and Corporate Profits

41:09: Political Divisiveness and Hope

41:58: Election Analysis and Voter Behavior

45:56: Grassroots Movements and Community Engagement

56:51: Empathy and Bridging Divides

01:00:19: Final Thoughts and Call to Action

🔗 Resources

Links and resources mentioned in this episode:


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Transcripts

Courteney Mitchell:

What my approach is to trying to, you know, make those

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connections and, and try to create that

sense of community as Americans, you know,

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not just sitting in my, you know, echo

chamber here in Boston, but you know,

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when I've traveled to Ohio or I travel to

Texas or Florida, like being just open and

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receptive to what people have to say while

still holding my own morals and beliefs.

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It's true, but trying to like sort of

just bridge that gap and make people

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feel like I, I hear you, I get it.

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And I, I don't, I don't hate you for that.

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BEP Narrator: The award winning a

black executive perspective podcast

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presents pull up, speak up where

meaningful conversations, drive progress.

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And every voice makes a difference.

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So what's on the table

for discussion today?

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Tony Tidbit: It's time to show

up, speak up and get real.

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Welcome to pull up, speak up the

new series from a black executive

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perspective podcast, your safe

space for raw unfiltered and honest

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discussions on the tough issues.

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Many shy away from.

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I'm your host, Tony Tidbit,

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Chris P. Reed: and I'm

your cohost, Chris P.

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Reed.

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As we like to do at this time,

we'd like to shout out our

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partners at Code M Magazine.

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Remember to check out Code M Magazine,

where the mission is saving the black

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family by first saving the black man.

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That is Code M Magazine's 2 Ms.

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Check them out.

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Tony Tidbit: Yeah,

definitely check them out.

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And today check out our round

table as they return to dive into

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the truth, lies and fallout of

the:

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emotional and social reactions and

the broader impact on our nation.

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Chris P. Reed: Before we go too far, let

me introduce this dynamic round table

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panel featuring three remarkable voices

together:

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First.

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We have Iris Ivana Grant, CEO

of Genesi Group and a visionary

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leader known for driving impactful

change through innovation and

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community focused solutions.

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Iris Ivana Grant, welcome

to Pull Up, Speak Up.

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Iris Ivana Grant: Glad to be here.

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Chris P. Reed: Cool.

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Next, we have the incomparable Courtney

Mitchell, a seasoned advertising executive

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whose insights and intersection of

media, culture, and messaging bring

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a fresh perspective to the table.

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Courtney Mitchell, welcome

to Pull Up, Speak Up.

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Courteney Mitchell: Thanks, Chris.

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Happy to be here.

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Chris P. Reed: And of course,

rounding out the panel is our man,

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Brad Bowling, uh, president of

CodeM Magazine, an influential voice

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in media, fostering conversations

that evaluate and elevate diverse

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narratives and spark cultural progress.

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Brad Bowling.

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Welcome to Pull Up, Speak Up.

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Brad Bowling: Thank you, sir.

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I'm excited to be back.

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And, uh, hello to everyone.

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Chris P. Reed: So I'm gonna

start with you, Brad, and then

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I'll come back around the room.

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Let us know kind of where you

are and what's going on in your

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world nowadays, where your family

is and things of that nature.

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Brad Bowling: Well, I'm

based in Cleveland, Ohio.

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We just celebrated our man of the

year with George Frazier on the cover.

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And so December is a

fantastic month for us.

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Last night, we had the ceremony.

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And it was a fantastic event and,

you know, we exist because of people

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like George, who's been in a game for

over 50 years, teaching, networking,

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uh, loving on his fellow black man.

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And he's just, uh, you

know, we are heroes.

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We don't get the chance to touch

and feel our heroes anymore,

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but George is still here.

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He's alive.

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And it was just a fantastic night

to celebrate him and, uh, share

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his tutelage with our audience.

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Chris P. Reed: Always

good to give flowers.

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Courtney, tell us a little bit about

where you are and where your family is.

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Courteney Mitchell: I am

in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Um, I, uh, am the proud cat mom of, uh,

two cats shout out childless cat ladies.

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Uh, but my family, I

grew up in Western Mass.

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So, um, lifelong asshole,

as, as we went say.

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Good

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Chris P. Reed: business, good business.

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Home is where the heart is,

that's where the family, you know.

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Yeah.

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So, and then, and then Iris Ivana

Grant, let us know where you are

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and, and where your family is.

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Iris Ivana Grant: So, I am currently

residing in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Um, I'm a native New Yorker

raised in Baltimore and I've got

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family a little bit of everywhere.

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So, we're all over the place.

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Chris P. Reed: I, I knew you were

a transplant because when I lived

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in Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.

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We only pronounce the T, the people

that live there say Atlanta with no T.

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Tony Tidbit: well, more importantly,

welcome to the round table.

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And obviously I want to ask you

guys all the questions because

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you guys got busy careers.

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You're doing a lot of stuff.

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You're traveling.

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I know Courtney, you and I talked a little

bit earlier before we started the show.

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So the question I'm going to start

off with Iris and then I'll go around.

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What inspired you guys to join Pull Up,

Speak Up round table to discuss this?

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These topics that we're going

to talk about today, Iris.

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Iris Ivana Grant: I think it's

the opportunity to engage in

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really raw conversation, uh,

with people that have passion.

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And it doesn't mean that they have

the same answer or perspective that

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I do, but they have passion, right?

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And they're able to express it.

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And so, um, that's what I, I really

enjoy about this opportunity.

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Um, it's, it's phenomenal

to be able to have fun.

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Real conversation about

things and really engage.

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Tony Tidbit: Awesome.

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Courtney, same question.

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Courteney Mitchell: Uh, similar to Iris, I

love having these types of conversations.

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Um, your old conversations on race

when we used to work together were

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like the highlight of my week.

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And I think I really took a lot away

from that in terms of how to have

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conversations respectfully with people

that you don't necessarily agree with.

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And I think, um, that.

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Opportunity to come back and do

that here today was I can't say no.

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Tony Tidbit: All right.

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Well, I'm glad you're here.

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And Brad again, buddy, we love you.

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We always want to have you at the

bottom or at the back, but at the

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end of the day, talk, talk to us.

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Why did you want to come on my friend?

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Brad Bowling: Well, I mean, you

know, the election taught us

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that nobody's coming to save us.

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And as black people, we need to start

to have these kinds of conversations

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to make sure that we understand

the challenge in front of us.

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And so, you know, you can't

understand where you're going unless

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you understand where you've been.

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And so these conversations are meaningful,

uh, if Blacks are going to pick up the

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reins and start to take care of ourselves.

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Tony Tidbit: Thanks, my friend.

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Chris P. Reed: One of the things

that, that was brought up by

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Iris a few times was the passion.

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And so what we'd like to do here for

the audience and for the panelists is

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make sure that we employ 10 rules to

having safe and constructive dialogue.

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And I'll read off those 10 rules.

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Rule number one, respect all voices.

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Rule number two, listen actively.

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Rule number three, no

personal attacks, please.

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Rule number four, avoid

interrupting with the passion.

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Sometimes we can get a little anxious.

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It'll show up on your face and that's good

for the camera, but hold off, hold off.

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It'll get, you'll get a turn.

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We'll give everybody a turn.

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Rule number five, stay open minded.

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Rule number six, speak

from your own experiences.

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It's not a situation where you heard

from somebody that heard from somebody

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else that they seen it somewhere.

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Try to stay poignant in your experiences.

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Rule number seven, stay on topic.

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We don't need to Kareen off into different

avenues because we got a lot to discuss.

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We got a little bit of time, which

brings us to rule number eight.

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Follow the time limits, please.

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You know, think about it like a funeral.

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You get two minutes, get yours

off and then we can move on.

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Rule number nine, challenge

ideas and not people.

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None of this is.

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You know, personal, even

though we're passionate.

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And then the last rule, rule number 10, no

butts, you know, everything that someone

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says, if you put a butt in there, it tends

to disqualify what they just spoke about.

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So we want to make sure that

we can, you know, not have that

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inserted into our dialogue.

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Tony Tidbit: All right, guys.

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So Chris, thanks for the ground rules.

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So if you guys agree with the ground

rules, I need to see a thumbs up.

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All right, this is now a safe

space and let's talk about it.

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Chris P. Reed: So I'm actually

going to throw you a bone, Brad,

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and let you, you know, bad lead off.

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What was your initial thoughts during

the election cycle and how did they align

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with your impression of the results?

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After everything was over,

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Brad Bowling: you know, I

wasn't surprised by the win.

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If you take a look at the last four

elections, you know, before Obama got into

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office, things were normal after Obama

took office there, the pendulum swung the

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other way and there was an overcorrection

for having a black man in office.

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And so we saw Trump come in the first

time after that, uh, you know, uh,

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the pendulum swung back the other way

when people realized the threat of

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having somebody like him in office.

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And then it went to bite.

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And so after Biden got in office,

the pendulum swung back to Trump.

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And so, well, it'd be interesting to

see what he does with these four years.

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And if the pendulum swings back

to the democratic rule, I'm a

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little worried though, because they

failed to identify future leaders.

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And so, you know, this is the first

time I think after Trump, we don't

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know what American politics looks like.

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Absolutely.

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And so Courtney, same thing

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Chris P. Reed: for you during the

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cycle.

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Was there anything different that

you felt then after the cycle had

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concluded and Trump was reelected?

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Courteney Mitchell: I mean, I

feel like the whole election cycle

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was an emotional roller coaster.

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Um, you know, it was at first I felt

really energy when, when she came into

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the race, I felt really energized.

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Um, I'm a registered

independent by the way.

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So I, I actually dislike both political

parties, but I'm also someone that

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loves democracy and, um, didn't really

didn't want to see someone who tried to

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overthrow the government and subvert the

peaceful transfer of power be reelected.

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Um, but it became clear, I think,

during the cycle where it, it, it just

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felt like he had a lot of momentum

and that, um, one of the things I

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did, uh, I went out and knocked on

doors and canvas in Pennsylvania a

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couple of weeks before the election.

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And based on some of the conversations

I had with people in Pennsylvania,

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which was the absolute must

win state in this whole thing.

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It made me very nervous.

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So when Trump won, I wasn't

surprised, but I was kind of sad.

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Um, and I, we can get into

the postmortem of like what

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the Democrats could have done.

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I really agree with Brad is that we've

been saying since:

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need to find like young leadership to

come up and take control of the party.

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Um, and we haven't seen any of that.

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Um, so it's, I think I agree with Brad

also that it's going to be interesting

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to see what happens after these four

years that the pendulum goes back.

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To the Democrats, or if we

continue down this Trump Ian path,

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Chris P. Reed: and so Iris, how did

you feel or what was your response?

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How did it align with your

impressions throughout the cycle?

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And then, of course, at the end,

the results came out on Tuesday.

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Didn't take all week like we thought.

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But how did you feel when

the results finally hit you?

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Iris Ivana Grant: I mean, like my my,

um, My counterparts and colleagues here.

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I had a lot of the same sentiment.

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Um, I kind of knew like, maybe I would

say three weeks before the election.

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I just had a feeling, you know, um, I

had a sense of urgency that we needed

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to look beyond the election that either

way, whoever won, there was, there were

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things were going to pop off, right?

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There will be things that we

weren't going to like, um, and it

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was the first time I will say that.

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And all the years of me following and

watching election night that I signed

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off about 1030 that night, you know,

um, with disappointment of, and a

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little bit of disbelief, like belief,

but disbelief, like I was, I was done,

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I was like, I just can't tonight.

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I got to deal with moving forward.

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And I think that if I had not have

had that mindset three weeks prior,

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three or four weeks prior of just

being like, you know what, this is

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not going to be what we want it to be.

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Um, from all the little signs, because it

was even hard to share that people were

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very anti, you know, Oh, you're being

anti, I'm, I'm not, I'm being realistic.

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And we need to think, Clearly about

what's about to happen, right?

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Um, as much as possible.

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So I had some disappointments.

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Um, a little disbelief in terms

of not it happening, but in time,

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in terms of just feeling like

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I want to say a level of stupidity.

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It's how we're really doing this.

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We're just looking at the moment and

we're not looking beyond, like Brad said,

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what's going to happen in the next four

years after that year five, six and seven.

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We don't know what that looks like.

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So that's where I landed on that.

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Tony Tidbit: You know, so number one,

thanks for sharing all you guys, Courtney,

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I want to back up to you because you said

you were volunteering in Pennsylvania

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and you were knocking on doors, right?

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And obviously.

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Thank you.

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Uh, swing state, the biggest swing state.

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And you said, as you started

hearing what you were hearing,

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it started making you nervous.

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So what was you, what were

you hearing from people at the

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doors you were knocking on?

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Courteney Mitchell: The number one issue

that people brought up was immigration.

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Um, Kamala was the border czar

and people were really unhappy

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with, uh, the immigration.

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some of the immigration

policy or lack thereof.

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And I think that there was a lot of

fear mongering on the part of the

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Republican part in terms of these

illegal immigrants are getting paid

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money to like sit home, which I think

is not really a fact, but I think that

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a lot of the messaging was geared to

create fear of that sort of situation.

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And I also think that people

were not enthused by Harris.

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I heard a lot of anger that there

wasn't a real primary process.

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And I think that people A lot

of things that I heard were

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people were really frustrated and

angry at the Democratic Party.

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They felt left behind.

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Tony Tidbit: You know, it's one of

the things though, I, I, I've heard

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that and you know, Brad, I'm going

to shift to you on this, right?

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Cause you and I had a conversation,

you know, after the election, if it

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wasn't right the next day or a few

days after, and you were talking

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about how, uh, you were at an event,

um, and this brother was next to you.

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And he talked about

how he voted for Trump.

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And that, you know, he thought

the Democratic Party was raggedy

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or didn't, and I'm, I don't

want to put words in your mouth.

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I'm, I'm just paraphrasing.

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Right.

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Yes.

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Um, but I want you to speak on what

Courtney just got finished saying, right?

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Uh, the Democrat people feel that the

Democratic Party left them behind.

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What does that mean?

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Brad Bowling: Well, I

didn't get the sense.

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Uh,

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Tony Tidbit: maybe you

didn't from your friend.

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Right.

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But I just hear that a lot.

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Right.

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Brad Bowling: Well, I participated in

the, uh, get out the vote campaign, not

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necessarily for Democrats or Republicans,

but just for black people to get out

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and use the process, use the right

that they've earned a vote to vote.

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And so, you know, we went door to

door and we tried to get a thousand

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men to register to vote and I

did not necessarily hear that.

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I don't know if blacks felt left

out of the Democratic Party.

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I just know that they don't feel

served by the Democratic Party.

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And so from, from my perspective,

it's a little different.

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And the other thing is, is that, yes, I

was at a Cavs game and I, you know, was

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sitting with somebody, a black person

who, uh, very fluential, but he's a

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registered Republican and his points that

the Republicans were making about the

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democratic platform was a problem for him.

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Uh, you know, uh, the, uh, transgender.

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Uh campaign that democrats were on

sanctuary cities, uh, you know, uh

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men playing in women's sports Uh,

these are problematic for people and

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it seemed to be that that And i'm

not saying that with the democratic

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platform that they ran on right, right,

but they're not running away from it.

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Right, right most of us believe

In in god most of us believe in

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two sexes Most of us believe that

immigration should be controlled.

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And so you have to wonder, you know, as

a black person right now, black people

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don't have a party because, you know,

I'm not a Democrat or Republican, but I

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don't believe in a lot of the platforms

that the Democrats were running on.

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And so where do I go?

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Right.

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And so, you know, if you take a look

at Columbus, Ohio, a couple weeks

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ago, we had the neo Nazis running

up and down the street yelling, you

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know, the N word and stuff like that.

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And I'm like, what do we do to y'all?

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I thought y'all hated Jews.

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But, you know, we're very similar, uh,

with Jewish people in our belief systems.

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And so, you know, we had to figure

out as black people who should we vote

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for we got to vote for the person Not

the party at this point going forward,

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Chris P. Reed: right?

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Let me ask this though before you move on.

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Um It sounds like that you've

reserved yourself and this can be

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expanded to each of the panelists.

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You've reserved yourself That

the most powerful country in

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the world has been relegated to

choose the lesser of two evils.

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Tony Tidbit: And exactly.

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That's what I'm hearing here.

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All right.

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I don't want to put

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Chris P. Reed: words in your mouth.

344

:

Like Tony said, I don't want to, I

don't want to, you know, infer on your

345

:

behalf, but really the sentiment of

your words cobbled together is like, I

346

:

mean, what the hell are we going to do?

347

:

Brad Bowling: Sherrod Brown, who was

running for reelection here in Ohio, uh,

348

:

came to ask for, you know, it was about

a hundred of us to get together and he.

349

:

pled for our vote and, uh, said that

he was supportive of everything that

350

:

blacks were running for and then did

not come to CODE M Magazine to support.

351

:

And so, you know, there's a lot of words

with politicians, but there's no action.

352

:

And so I think people, we're,

we're smarter than ever before.

353

:

You know, the internet, you

can go and self educate, right?

354

:

And so people just are not.

355

:

Falling for the smoke and mirrors

anymore of, Hey, every four years,

356

:

I'm a pop up and ask for your vote.

357

:

And then over the next three

years, nothing happened.

358

:

And so I think people are wiser.

359

:

Uh, life has never been more serious

than it is right now with inflation, uh,

360

:

macro factors, micro factors of survival.

361

:

And, uh, people are kind of fed

up with politics in general.

362

:

Tony Tidbit: Right.

363

:

Right.

364

:

Let me, so here's the thing though, brah.

365

:

And Iris, I'm going to

come to you on this, right?

366

:

And again, I don't want to parse

words, um, because You know,

367

:

there's a lot of misinformation,

disinformation out there, right?

368

:

And, you know, they're eating the dogs.

369

:

They're eating the cats.

370

:

Right, Courtney?

371

:

Right, right.

372

:

And so we, so when I hear that people are

more wiser, I don't really believe that.

373

:

Okay.

374

:

I believe, you know, and again, but

let me hear, Iris, jump in here.

375

:

Let's hear your thoughts about

what Brad and Courtney stated.

376

:

Iris Ivana Grant: Yeah, I

was thinking the same thing.

377

:

I, I wouldn't use the word wiser.

378

:

I think that because people have

access to information, I wouldn't

379

:

even necessarily say it's good

information or it's truthful knowledge.

380

:

Um, it's based on perspective if

they don't really do their research.

381

:

And I don't think people do that.

382

:

They have 30 seconds worth of attention.

383

:

They have seven seconds to hurry up

and read something or be entertained.

384

:

And then they're back to

their independent brand.

385

:

I think wisdom looks at the,

this is my moral compass.

386

:

This is where I stand and I'm a

registered Democrat in Georgia

387

:

because you can only pick two.

388

:

I prefer to be independent, but

if you want to be able to vote in

389

:

Georgia, You have to choose a side.

390

:

So I chose to be independent.

391

:

Um, because I do believe in, although my

moral compass may say certain things and

392

:

my faith base may feel a certain way.

393

:

Um, I also look with depth to have

the ability to allow My choice is

394

:

to look out for everybody's humanity

and everybody's opportunity to live

395

:

their life to make decisions freely,

um, without the taxation of my

396

:

personal opinion or my moral compass.

397

:

And so I struggle with.

398

:

Um, people of color in general, not even

just black people, but people in color

399

:

of color in general right now who are

making or have made a decision based on

400

:

it was better to choose an individual

that would give you freedoms as a

401

:

person versus an individual that would

like to make America great again based

402

:

on where we have already been, right?

403

:

And where his base is.

404

:

So for me, there's a problem there in,

Choosing, um, certain discriminatory

405

:

statements, ignoring how somebody feels

and makes comments about women and women's

406

:

bodies and women's thoughts, um, and

does not see people of color, period, as

407

:

a part of making decisions Uh, America

great, but we have these wonderful black

408

:

jobs like I have a problem with when

it comes down to it, selecting someone,

409

:

um, who is not for anyone that does not

look like them and putting economics

410

:

or faith or personal perspectives over

what is good for all of us as Americans.

411

:

I struggle with that.

412

:

I don't call that wisdom.

413

:

Um, I, I think that's everybody having.

414

:

Their own grasp on something and, and

not really being, and not being really

415

:

paying attention to the reality of

what we might, what we really face

416

:

right now, which is dangerous to me.

417

:

Tony Tidbit: Right, right, right.

418

:

Courtney, thoughts on that?

419

:

Courteney Mitchell: I, I basically agree

with everything that, uh, Iris just said.

420

:

Um, I think that we're

at an inflection point.

421

:

in America and societally.

422

:

I mean, I believe in the

separation of church and state.

423

:

I don't think that I think that's a

pillar of American democracy, and I don't

424

:

think that religion should play any role

in determining the laws in our country.

425

:

Um, I think that a lot of

people who backed Trump.

426

:

I don't agree with that and want there to

be more, you know, want Christianity to be

427

:

the national religion, um, which troubles

me greatly because freedom of religion

428

:

is again one of those constitutional

pillars, a backbone of American democracy

429

:

when the founding fathers set everything

up, um, that was, that was something

430

:

that was very important to them.

431

:

Um, yeah.

432

:

I think that the quality of the media that

people are consuming like we've talked

433

:

about people can go on the internet and

find anything but whether that's true or

434

:

not, they really, a lot of people can't

discern what's false and what is not.

435

:

And I think that there is a huge distrust

of the mainstream media right now.

436

:

And I think that the way that people

consume news and information as we move

437

:

towards more of a creator economy in

media, I think it's going to be really

438

:

interesting to see how that impacts

the mainstream media and the news

439

:

sources that those of us who are of a

certain generation, we only know those.

440

:

I don't get my news on tick tock.

441

:

Um, I do follow, there are certain

news creators that I, I do follow who I

442

:

trust And who if I read something that

or if I watch something that they've

443

:

produced, I trust that it's factual.

444

:

Um, but I think that what I think

really bothers me about the election

445

:

is how much, how much lying happened

that like, he would just say whatever.

446

:

And people take that as gospel.

447

:

Um, and with the transgender stuff,

like I was, when I was knocking

448

:

on doors in Pennsylvania, I, I

saw an ad that I was like, there's

449

:

like big hairy guy on a slide.

450

:

Soccer, soccer field with little girls

and he is for you and she is for they.

451

:

And I think that again,

like there was a lot of fear

452

:

mongering on the Republican side.

453

:

And I think that because the Democrats

were just like, Hey, we're better

454

:

than he is, but they didn't really

say what they were going to do

455

:

or how they were going to do it.

456

:

They really missed an opportunity

to, you know, um, win the election.

457

:

Tony Tidbit: Right, right, right, right.

458

:

Brad Bowling: Go ahead.

459

:

Can I jump in?

460

:

No,

461

:

Tony Tidbit: buddy.

462

:

Rebut.

463

:

Rebut.

464

:

Yeah.

465

:

So I think I think

466

:

Brad Bowling: you guys are

confusing wise for knowledge.

467

:

And when I say wiser, people are more

wise that nobody's coming to save them.

468

:

Correct.

469

:

People are wiser that if I call the

police, there's a likelihood that The

470

:

burglar will survive and I'll get shot.

471

:

People are wiser that if Obama's in

office, Biden's in office, Trump is

472

:

in office, nothing changes for me.

473

:

I got to hustle.

474

:

My bills are due on the first.

475

:

And so whoever's in office

doesn't impact me personally.

476

:

And so people are wiser that

they, there's a game in politics.

477

:

That they're not playing anymore.

478

:

I'm not saying they're not more

knowledgeable about candidates.

479

:

They don't care because at a

visceral level, at a personal

480

:

level, nothing changes for me.

481

:

And so people are wiser that wasting

my time, looking at a debate, wasting

482

:

their time, going to a rally doesn't

change anything in their lives.

483

:

And so they're not choosing to

participate anymore because they're just

484

:

trying to keep a roof over their head.

485

:

And figure out how the 100 that

they used to spend on groceries

486

:

went from 80 bags to now four bags.

487

:

And so they're wiser to the political

process that it doesn't have any

488

:

influence on their daily lives.

489

:

Now we can argue if that's true or not.

490

:

But that's how most people feel.

491

:

And the less you make,

the more you feel it.

492

:

Chris P. Reed: I think the tough part

about that is we can, we don't want to

493

:

go down the road of semantics, but what

we talk about as democracy is now evolved

494

:

to the American political process, right?

495

:

Because from everybody's

testimony here, even, even.

496

:

You know, Courtney has a couple of pockets

of trust here and there, but it seems

497

:

as if, it seems as if you guys have,

you know, and you, and, and battle me on

498

:

this, you guys have devolved my country

into the greatest heist movie ever trust.

499

:

No one trust.

500

:

No trust where you tell you what

501

:

Tony Tidbit: you

502

:

Chris P. Reed: want to hear.

503

:

That's the premise of every, that's the

premise of every great heist movie, right?

504

:

Like trust no one, right?

505

:

But in that regard, there was a portion.

506

:

Of the population, a large portion, in

fact, that Trump's message resonated with.

507

:

So my question to you, Courtney is.

508

:

Why do you believe that that

message resonated with such a large

509

:

portion of the electorate in 2024?

510

:

Courteney Mitchell: I mean, he's,

say what you want about the guy,

511

:

for whatever reason, he's like

Teflon, nothing sticks to him.

512

:

People seem to have forgotten January

6th, like that, I thought after Jan

513

:

6th, he was going to have to like,

leave the country in shame and that.

514

:

This would be the end of him.

515

:

But he just kept quiet

and like it went away.

516

:

And I don't think I've ever seen

anything like that in American politics

517

:

where like people have a really

short memory when it comes to him.

518

:

And he could like when he says

he could shoot somebody on

519

:

the street on Fifth Avenue.

520

:

I think that's correct.

521

:

And and people would be

like, Yeah, it's fine.

522

:

Um, and I don't know.

523

:

I think that for why he resonates

with people, because I think

524

:

people are very resentful of it.

525

:

People that are not like them.

526

:

And I think that he comes in and

these people who are resentful

527

:

are like, Oh, great, he's going to

hurt the people that I don't like.

528

:

And I'm going to vote.

529

:

I'm going to get on board with that.

530

:

And I think that's why he

resonates so much is because he,

531

:

they all hate the same people.

532

:

And it's like, if we can take

that stuff away from, you know,

533

:

we can roll back women's rights,

we can, you know, deport people.

534

:

People get excited about that stuff.

535

:

It's like the if he's running, he runs

the government like it's a reality show,

536

:

Chris P. Reed: you're going to

say the word, but I got you iris.

537

:

Why do you believe it resonated with it?

538

:

Because keep in mind, this

is the first time that he

539

:

actually got the popular vote.

540

:

And so, um, and I know there was a

visceral reaction of shock and awe In

541

:

the Clinton election where she lost.

542

:

And we were like, what the hell happened

because of the polls and blah, blah, blah.

543

:

This one, you guys seem to have taken

a little bit better, but in the idea of

544

:

so many people actually voted for this

guy, why do you believe that happened?

545

:

Iris Ivana Grant: I mean, I agree

with Courtney and kind of like

546

:

in the, in the words of Kendrick

Lamar, They're not like us.

547

:

I think that was people's perspective.

548

:

Like, Oh, this is me.

549

:

And that's you.

550

:

That's them.

551

:

Um, and when you talk about the

way Brad was, was sharing with it,

552

:

I think he's correct in a way of

people looking at like, what happens

553

:

to me and my hundred dollars.

554

:

And so then you start

classifying yourself, right?

555

:

Another form of classification of,

Oh, it's, it's us over here in.

556

:

And you guys over there, and it

does come out into what people's

557

:

personal perspectives are, right?

558

:

It brings out, maybe they

may not want to admit it.

559

:

It brings out the ugly, right?

560

:

And where I identify and how I identify.

561

:

And then all of my anger comes

out or all of my frustration comes

562

:

out and whatever that looks like.

563

:

And I, and I think too, there's a cultural

perspective too, because in this country,

564

:

we have so many, uh, different cultural.

565

:

I don't, I don't even want to say,

you know, we have a first, first,

566

:

first generation, second generation,

third generation immigrants here,

567

:

um, American citizens, um, we have

dreamers and everybody's coming from a

568

:

different cultural perspective, right?

569

:

We have people in this country that have.

570

:

had to flee their country.

571

:

There's a different perspective

on what democracy looks like

572

:

because there's a much larger

population now of mixed cultures.

573

:

And I think that that has a perspective

too of when American language is so vested

574

:

and tied up in the slang of it all and

the kind of the double entendre of it all.

575

:

Like I say this, but it really means that.

576

:

And I think that there's a

lot of that that plays into.

577

:

The advertisement, the, the, um, the whole

ad perspective of politics and what you

578

:

see and how that translates from your

various cultural perspectives, right?

579

:

Of what you don't want to go back to

what does democracy mean to you and

580

:

look like to you as an American citizen

or as a participant in this democracy.

581

:

And I think it does

bring out us in a them.

582

:

And unfortunately it does bring out.

583

:

a fear factor, I think, and some of

the most primal, primary fear factors

584

:

that we may not want to look at, but

we're, we're, we're really forced to

585

:

look at it now in a different way.

586

:

Right.

587

:

Tony Tidbit: Right.

588

:

Chris P. Reed: And Brad, would

you be in one of the reigning

589

:

members that are woke mob?

590

:

Um, how do you think that his message

resonated so well with his constituents

591

:

or with the electorate in 2024?

592

:

Brad Bowling: So you have to take

a look at, What he's saying, uh,

593

:

is he a reflection of society

or is he influencing society?

594

:

Uh, when a young man, uh, that they hired

to change the campaign for Budweiser,

595

:

I think that's the beer company.

596

:

There was a backlash

from, uh, that campaign.

597

:

Target had a backlash when they put gay

products at the front of their store.

598

:

Uh, and then you take a look at everything

that is happening in our country.

599

:

Again, if you take a look at You know,

pronouns, uh, being, you know, forced

600

:

down our throat, uh, you know, mixed

use bathrooms, uh, men being able to

601

:

go in girls bathrooms, uh, the young

lady that was beat up in the Olympics

602

:

by a man pretending to be a woman.

603

:

So you have to take a look

at what society is choosing.

604

:

Is trump going along with

that or is he influencing it?

605

:

So again, you know, I I personally believe

that You know in god we trust I don't

606

:

necessarily believe in a separation of

church and state when brown versus board

607

:

of education was announced You saw the

the beginning of the fall of our country.

608

:

And so there's nothing holding us

together There are no principles

609

:

holding us together anymore.

610

:

It's the lowest class wins And so if you

don't stand for something you'll fall for

611

:

anything and you're watching that happen

right in front of us So I don't know if

612

:

I'm surprised at the response that he got.

613

:

Most Americans feel like we

want to protect the border.

614

:

Most Americans feel like they're losing

their little piece of their happiness.

615

:

And so we're all clinging to our,

you know, and defending our, our

616

:

right to our little piece of pie.

617

:

And so, you know, it's just very

interesting what's happening.

618

:

And I'm gonna tell you, I really don't

know, you know, over the next four

619

:

years, I can tell you over the next

four years what's going to happen.

620

:

I just can't tell you over

:

621

:

I don't see the Democrats having a

candidate strong enough to compete with

622

:

whoever the republicans come in next with

because they don't plan for the future.

623

:

Their platform is weak.

624

:

Uh, their empty promises are tired.

625

:

And so who else are we voting for I mean

like right it's a one party system at this

626

:

point Did you did you guys take a look

at the country how much red was around

627

:

the country got little pockets of blue?

628

:

Detroit, Cleveland, Atlanta,

the bigger cities and

629

:

Tony Tidbit: stuff to that nature, right?

630

:

Yeah, the whole country's red.

631

:

Well, here's uh, Go ahead

finish your thought.

632

:

That's

633

:

Brad Bowling: it.

634

:

That's it.

635

:

Tony Tidbit: Here's the thing though

So, you know, i'm not gonna say

636

:

I don't disagree with some of the

stuff that you said I think that

637

:

all of us on here Probably agree

to some of it or majority of it.

638

:

My challenge, and this is a

question I want to ask you guys,

639

:

because I don't believe the

election was about the economy.

640

:

Okay.

641

:

I just don't, I believe exactly.

642

:

It was a cultural election.

643

:

It was about all the other things that

you just got finished talking about

644

:

Brad and Irish, you talked about,

that's what it was about, right.

645

:

And it's about an underbelly.

646

:

That in 20, 30 years, minorities

will be the number one, they would

647

:

be the, they will be the most

populous people in the United States.

648

:

And there is a fear for white people.

649

:

Okay.

650

:

And Trump speaks to that fear.

651

:

Okay.

652

:

And I'm not saying everybody

voted for him because of that, but

653

:

what I'm saying is those are the

things, because here's the thing.

654

:

This is the point I want to get to.

655

:

And I want to ask you

guys questions on this.

656

:

So I don't disagree my

challenge where I struggle.

657

:

Is looking at him as being

the savior in terms of making

658

:

America, uh, uh, wholesome again.

659

:

Okay.

660

:

Well, you know, you can't have a gangster.

661

:

Okay.

662

:

That's somebody that's all for themself.

663

:

That's all that has done nothing in terms

of talking about a rooted foundation in

664

:

terms of the right moral things to do.

665

:

He doesn't even have that

track record, but he got voted.

666

:

That's where I struggle.

667

:

That so that tells you right there.

668

:

It wasn't in my opinion.

669

:

I want to hear you guys thoughts.

670

:

It's had nothing to do with the economy.

671

:

Nothing.

672

:

Yes.

673

:

Groceries were a little bit.

674

:

Groceries were expensive.

675

:

Yes.

676

:

I can hear that.

677

:

But let's back up, you know,

, in:

678

:

Took over in a, a, a,

what do they call it?

679

:

A financial collapse.

680

:

Businesses were going out.

681

:

Lehman Brothers, Bear Stern,

financial businesses collapse.

682

:

The real estate market went upside down

because they were, they were managing

683

:

and, and, and packaging fake real

estate deals into the, these companies.

684

:

So people were losing their houses.

685

:

The, The auto industry came to the,

came to the White House with their hats

686

:

in their hand looking for a bailout

because they didn't get a bailout.

687

:

They would have went under.

688

:

So when we talk about economy, that was

way worse than what we're dealing with

689

:

today when we have inflation, right?

690

:

That had a lot to do with the pandemic.

691

:

All right.

692

:

People were saying, oh, I had more

money when Trump was president.

693

:

Well, guess what?

694

:

You were in your house for a year or two.

695

:

Okay.

696

:

You wasn't spending no money.

697

:

Okay.

698

:

We were locked down.

699

:

So of course you had more money.

700

:

Number two, the prices

came down lower, right?

701

:

And then once we started coming

back out, people, not the government

702

:

people, businesses said, guess what?

703

:

We want to make our money back.

704

:

So they started inflating the prices.

705

:

Okay.

706

:

That's the deal.

707

:

Okay.

708

:

Now.

709

:

Can did the Democrats do a

rotten job in explaining that?

710

:

Absolutely.

711

:

Okay, absolutely.

712

:

But at the end of the day, don't tell me

it was on the economy because it wasn't.

713

:

It was cultural issues

that you brought up.

714

:

Brad Courtney, you stated Iris.

715

:

You talked to that's just now.

716

:

People won't say that.

717

:

They'll say it was this, they'll say,

uh, a traditional hot, a traditional

718

:

button that why they voted, but

deep under, that's what it was.

719

:

And he was able to stop fear

to make those things happen.

720

:

All right.

721

:

To get people out of their seats.

722

:

Let me hear you guys's thoughts on that.

723

:

Courteney Mitchell: Absolutely right.

724

:

Tony Tidbit: Go ahead.

725

:

Go ahead.

726

:

Courtney.

727

:

Courteney Mitchell: Well, I think that.

728

:

When Brad talked about the pronouns

and the transgender stuff, I used

729

:

to be very much in that boat.

730

:

And then I actually met and talked to

and got to know transgender individuals.

731

:

And the pronouns are such a light lift.

732

:

Like, I get it.

733

:

It's like she, her, he, him, they, them.

734

:

I get it.

735

:

And so I mess them up too sometimes,

but like, it's such a low lift to

736

:

make people, people feel included

that I don't have a problem with it.

737

:

Um, and I think that with regards to

like the bathroom stuff that, um, I mean,

738

:

there was a man at the museum of science

in Boston, an old man, not transgender,

739

:

just an old creepy guy who followed a

teenage girl into a bathroom at the museum

740

:

of science and tried to assault her.

741

:

And she screamed and people

came and he got arrested.

742

:

So I think that these people

are going to go into bathrooms.

743

:

Regardless, and if someone is transgender,

a lot of times you can't even tell,

744

:

but I do agree that the fear there was

so much fear mongering around that.

745

:

And I think that if half the country who

has this hate in their heart for people

746

:

who are different would actually meet

a transgender person and interact with

747

:

them, they might change their minds.

748

:

And I think it's very similar

growing up in the nineties.

749

:

You were either straight or

closeted because gay people were not

750

:

socially acceptable in the nineties.

751

:

And I feel like that's the same kind

of thing that's happening right now

752

:

with transgender people and that once

people meet them and have them in their

753

:

circles and realize they're just regular

people who want to live as themselves.

754

:

And I, I think that that's, you know,

that's the beautiful thing about

755

:

America is we are supposed to all be

able to live as who we were, have the

756

:

freedom of speech and the freedom of

choice and the freedom of religion.

757

:

And I shouldn't be able to tell you, you

have to live your life in a certain box.

758

:

When that's not who you are.

759

:

Um, so I do agree that there was a lot

of fear mongering around that and I

760

:

think that ignorance certainly won out.

761

:

But I think that people will, will

say, Tony, like you said, that this

762

:

election was about the economy.

763

:

But if you actually thought about it and

the Democrats really missed the mark on

764

:

not communicating the fact that like if

you deport all the illegal immigrants.

765

:

You know how much the price of

groceries is going to go up?

766

:

Because there's nobody

to pick the produce.

767

:

And if you deport the people who work in

the factories, prices are going to go up.

768

:

And the corporations, you're right,

had inflated everything under the

769

:

guise of like, Oh, prices have gone up.

770

:

So we're going to improve, you

know, Make our prices higher.

771

:

There's record corporate profits,

and you think he's the one

772

:

that's going to reign that in.

773

:

I mean, it's not about the economy.

774

:

If you're thinking about any of

those things, and I don't know, it's

775

:

I agree that a lot of the societal

issues that Brad mentioned are

776

:

exactly why he won the election.

777

:

Chris P. Reed: I'll say this, Courtney.

778

:

An argument is always easier to win

when you only are arguing one side.

779

:

Courteney Mitchell: Yeah.

780

:

Chris P. Reed: And so what the Democrats

were trying to do with split hairs.

781

:

And cater to both bases to some

degree, and that's just not the

782

:

nature of our country because of the

divisiveness that has been elicited by

783

:

the people that have been in charge.

784

:

And if we think about it, collectively,

the last election, or the only election in

785

:

my lifetime that I cared about that I can

remember, that was one off the platform

786

:

of hope was the first Obama election.

787

:

The others have been

mudslinging, fear mongering.

788

:

Election cycles, right?

789

:

And that's just the way politics works

in in our ecosystem, unfortunately.

790

:

So, but Iris, you know, same question

that Tony posed, you know, with Courtney.

791

:

You know, do you think

that it was the economy?

792

:

Do you think it was the xenophobia?

793

:

Do you think it was racial sex, sexism?

794

:

What do you believe?

795

:

You know,

796

:

Iris Ivana Grant: uh, I think, I think

there is a little truth to some of

797

:

the economy perspectives, because of

course people are going to be concerned

798

:

about their finances, but I don't

think that was the final decision.

799

:

I think you had a woman that was

placed in a nomination period.

800

:

You had a.

801

:

Um, a black woman who also

is mixed cultured, period.

802

:

Um, and she's very liberal, period.

803

:

And I think that everybody

looked at their own perspectives.

804

:

You know, um, I'm a PK,

I'm a preacher's kid.

805

:

So I didn't hear one person on

Trump's side talk about love.

806

:

I didn't hear them crossing the

line, have dinner with anybody

807

:

that was different from them.

808

:

So, you know, we throw in these, These

moral codes, we throw in these, um,

809

:

faith based codes and I am a Christian.

810

:

Um, but I think there has to be a

space where you do have to look at

811

:

like we're American and so what's

good for people and humanity.

812

:

Um, and I didn't see anybody

on that side mentioned hope.

813

:

I, I heard mudslinging.

814

:

I had name calling.

815

:

I heard, oh, she's as dumb as a rock.

816

:

People cheer, people loved it.

817

:

I have a problem with that, right?

818

:

How are we really, there was no issues.

819

:

There was, there was not,

that's not about economics.

820

:

I do believe we need to

tighten up our border.

821

:

Making everyone a mass murderer,

a killer, a criminal, and then

822

:

they're eating dogs and cats.

823

:

That just, that just to me is just.

824

:

It's just not logical.

825

:

It's not plausible.

826

:

And so when we throw in all these

other little personal innuendos,

827

:

I think at the same time, we don't

do it with a broad stroke of, these

828

:

are people that we're talking about.

829

:

And we're choosing a person who does not

give reverence for human life, right?

830

:

He gives reverence to my kind,

my people, like the Proud Boys.

831

:

I don't, I, I, um, Don't understand how

you can side with a group, especially

832

:

a person of color, whatever nationality

you are, whatever culture you're from.

833

:

We are talking about people

really choosing you because

834

:

of the color of your skin.

835

:

And so if you have been in any place

in, on this planet, that that is the

836

:

target and that makes you a target.

837

:

I just don't understand

how you could choose him.

838

:

Even in using the base of.

839

:

Faith or economics.

840

:

I just don't see how

you could choose that.

841

:

And I do believe that this, this,

um, election came down to just that.

842

:

Chris P. Reed: Brad, I'm going to

ask you to educate me and possibly

843

:

the majority of the audience.

844

:

Courtney has intimated such terms

as liberty, justice, Freedom

845

:

and, and everything except

the land of the brave, right?

846

:

Right?

847

:

Uh, why, why is she so, so, why is

she so doggone patriotic in these

848

:

times and believes that that's still

emblematic of this United States of

849

:

BEP Narrator: America?

850

:

If you like what you hear and

want to join us on this journey of

851

:

making uncomfortable conversations

comfortable, please subscribe.

852

:

Please subscribe to a Black

Executive Perspective podcast on

853

:

YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify,

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854

:

Hit subscribe now to stay connected

for more episodes that challenge,

855

:

inspire, and lead the change.

856

:

Brad Bowling: I, I think we all believe

in freedom, uh, in, in every adjective

857

:

you just said or every word you just said.

858

:

And I think that, you know, I'm,

I'm a diehard, I love America.

859

:

And so I still believe in

the principles of America.

860

:

And, uh, even though You

know, I love my country.

861

:

Sometimes I wonder if my country loves me.

862

:

And so that's, that's the problem.

863

:

I think that black Americans are facing.

864

:

And I think what we have to understand,

especially on this panel, is that,

865

:

you know, when black people choose to

stay at home and don't vote, what are

866

:

they voting for with their non vote?

867

:

Right, right, right, right.

868

:

And so I think we need to take

a look at that and start talking

869

:

about that because, okay, Trump won.

870

:

I have a lot of friends

who had high anxiety.

871

:

I'm, I'm leaving, you know, uh,

dad helped me get a passport.

872

:

You know, friends are

like, I'm going to Belize.

873

:

And so, you know, you have to wonder what

are they leaving and why are they leaving?

874

:

So Trump is in office for four more years.

875

:

He may get two more Supreme court picks.

876

:

He may appoint some more federal judges.

877

:

So, I'm looking at that and I'm thinking

to myself, how does that change my life?

878

:

Because right now, if I call 9

1 1, they're gonna come kill me.

879

:

I'm thinking, are any more black

men gonna be prosecuted more or

880

:

less because of these changes?

881

:

We're already being prosecuted

at a high rate, right?

882

:

Uh, we're already the court system, you

know, the rule of law doesn't apply to

883

:

black people Uh, dei is being killed.

884

:

Well, does that change under trump

or does it get better under trump?

885

:

So, you know when I look at what's going

on It was already a crappy deal for me

886

:

before he got in the office so We have

to pick ourselves up by our bootstraps.

887

:

I recommend every black person go join

a local organization Start picking

888

:

your mayors, pick your police chief.

889

:

You know, if you live in a neighborhood

where they don't want you leave

890

:

and go where they do want you, um,

it's time for us to save ourselves.

891

:

So I'm not saying that I

don't care who's president.

892

:

I'm just saying that I can't care

anymore of how my vote counts.

893

:

And I can't be the, no, I

still voted and I voted for Ms.

894

:

Harris, but at the same time, I wasn't

surprised that Trump won because

895

:

I wasn't upset at his platform.

896

:

I wasn't, I just, I got to

tell you, I wasn't upset.

897

:

And I understand that transgenders

have a right and they want to be her.

898

:

I get all of that.

899

:

I just don't want it

forced down my throat.

900

:

And so.

901

:

Uh, I want my Children to have the

ability to decide what they want to be.

902

:

I don't want somebody telling me,

well, gender affirming drugs should

903

:

be given without parent consent.

904

:

Are you crazy?

905

:

So when you take a look at the

Democratic platform and some

906

:

of the stuff that they're going

for, I disagree wholeheartedly

907

:

at the core of my belief system.

908

:

Because how can you be an American

and then look at the Democratic

909

:

platform and believe in that too?

910

:

So I'm in, I have an internal conflict

of what they're, what they're Preaching

911

:

and what their platform is versus

what my personal belief systems are.

912

:

Tony Tidbit: Right?

913

:

Brad Bowling: So, you know going

forward We have to figure out as

914

:

a black people You know, do we

come up with the fourth party?

915

:

Do we have our own party?

916

:

Do we forget the parties we

have to do something here?

917

:

We need to start to have

that conversation now

918

:

Chris P. Reed: Where I challenge you

on this Brad and tony just give me

919

:

a moment Um the liberties and the

freedoms that you're saying you're not

920

:

expressing in the rhetoric that you're

presenting Because I was raised under

921

:

the auspices if I made enough money I

can live here next to these white folks.

922

:

I was raised that if I, if I could

afford to get into the restaurant,

923

:

if I could, there came a time after

Jim Crow and all this other stuff.

924

:

If I had the money, we were

predicated on a financial.

925

:

Economic striation, right?

926

:

Like the country, we are capital of

country and if I can afford it, damn it.

927

:

It's mine because of these liberties

and these freedoms and all that.

928

:

Now we don't want to get into the

moral aspects of paying for stuff

929

:

and into the OJ trial and all that.

930

:

But the more, but the premise is if I

can afford it, I should be afforded it.

931

:

And you're saying.

932

:

Even if you can't afford it.

933

:

If they don't want you don't consume it.

934

:

Don't embrace it.

935

:

I don't like that Brad.

936

:

I'm

937

:

Brad Bowling: sorry But that's okay You

can be a black man driving a late model

938

:

vehicle in a freaking Military uniform

and get pepper sprayed because they can't

939

:

see the tag on your car Okay, you can

be living in a white community and be a

940

:

part of the military and they still come

to your home From a noise complaint and

941

:

shoot you as soon as you open the door.

942

:

Well, yep.

943

:

Tony Tidbit: We know that.

944

:

Brad Bowling: So when you say we

should be able to afford certain

945

:

things, we're no longer safe, bro.

946

:

We can't jog down the street.

947

:

They're, they killed

affirmative action, right?

948

:

You can't, you can't use race to

decide who gets into college anymore.

949

:

DEI is being killed.

950

:

DEI is what?

951

:

10, 12 years old.

952

:

Is it gone already, bro?

953

:

I think it didn't even survive the

954

:

Tony Tidbit: four years

955

:

Brad Bowling: old.

956

:

Yeah, bro.

957

:

It was shorter than freaking

blockbuster lasted longer than DEI.

958

:

But here's the thing though,

959

:

Tony Tidbit: bro, just real quick, not

to interrupt, but here's the thing.

960

:

So I see that, but that's why.

961

:

So, see, this is why I'm

struggling a little bit is because

962

:

what you're saying is true.

963

:

This is why you, so it does matter

in a way who's running stuff.

964

:

Okay.

965

:

Because that situation is

only going to get worse.

966

:

All right.

967

:

So when you don't vote.

968

:

You just basically what you said.

969

:

And again, I don't want to, I don't like

generalizing, but at the end of the day,

970

:

knowing the circumstances that people of

color deal with, knowing the circumstances

971

:

of people that are different deal with,

okay, that ain't going to get better.

972

:

So if they killed affirmative

action, that's That affects you.

973

:

That affects us.

974

:

That does affect your daily life.

975

:

Okay.

976

:

If they kill DEI, that affects you.

977

:

That does affect our daily life.

978

:

Brad Bowling: I don't know

if you're hearing me though.

979

:

I didn't say don't vote for your mayor.

980

:

Go vote for your police chief.

981

:

Go join an organization where see

what you have to understand is I can't

982

:

worry about what I can't control.

983

:

And until white people decide

they want better for everybody,

984

:

they want better for nobody.

985

:

And that's what they're

voting for is nobody, right?

986

:

They're voting for themselves.

987

:

Okay.

988

:

They think they are, but they're not.

989

:

Right, right, right.

990

:

Tony Tidbit: But here's

the thing though, buddy.

991

:

So I, I got your point.

992

:

What, uh, the point I was trying to

make is, is that earlier you were

993

:

saying, Hey, I don't Who's in the

white house doesn't really affect me.

994

:

Okay.

995

:

And what I'm saying is it kind of

does because those people that's

996

:

in there are the ones spearheading.

997

:

The affirmative action eradication, the D.

998

:

E.

999

:

I.

:

00:52:44,785 --> 00:52:47,365

Eradication all these other things.

:

00:52:47,515 --> 00:52:49,655

The stuff at the local level.

:

00:52:49,704 --> 00:52:50,925

You're 100 percent right.

:

00:52:50,925 --> 00:52:52,364

We have more control there.

:

00:52:52,364 --> 00:52:53,365

We should be voting.

:

00:52:53,545 --> 00:52:58,635

But my bigger point was just

more of the lack of activism

:

00:52:58,864 --> 00:53:00,885

in terms of what's going on.

:

00:53:01,335 --> 00:53:05,975

We all as citizens have to be

more aware of what's going on.

:

00:53:05,975 --> 00:53:07,245

That's my point, right?

:

00:53:07,365 --> 00:53:10,114

I get macro and micro, macro and micro.

:

00:53:10,115 --> 00:53:11,105

Brad Bowling: This is the

thing that we have to.

:

00:53:11,105 --> 00:53:11,775

And I would agree with

:

00:53:11,785 --> 00:53:12,525

Iris Ivana Grant: Brad on that.

:

00:53:12,775 --> 00:53:13,205

Brad Bowling: I'm sorry.

:

00:53:13,245 --> 00:53:13,644

I'm sorry.

:

00:53:13,905 --> 00:53:15,075

Just let me say this real quick.

:

00:53:15,325 --> 00:53:21,104

We got to go back to what Martin Luther

King, uh, the process he used because

:

00:53:21,104 --> 00:53:25,465

we had a grassroots campaign that

changed the world from the bottom up.

:

00:53:25,515 --> 00:53:28,485

I'm not saying that the

top doesn't impact us.

:

00:53:29,040 --> 00:53:31,690

I'm saying that we have to

change our strategy and we have

:

00:53:31,690 --> 00:53:33,130

to go back to rooting for us.

:

00:53:33,200 --> 00:53:33,630

That's true.

:

00:53:33,690 --> 00:53:34,430

That's all I'm saying.

:

00:53:34,640 --> 00:53:38,539

And so I'm not saying that Trump

being in office doesn't impact us.

:

00:53:38,709 --> 00:53:43,249

My children, my future grand, my

grandchildren, I'm saying that the

:

00:53:43,250 --> 00:53:46,900

playbook has changed to the point to

where we have to go back to grassroots.

:

00:53:47,639 --> 00:53:52,030

And so if, because if we're not winning

at the top, so we got to go back to the

:

00:53:52,030 --> 00:53:53,360

bottom and start winning from the bottom.

:

00:53:54,050 --> 00:53:55,000

I'm sorry, let's grant.

:

00:53:55,000 --> 00:53:55,240

Go ahead.

:

00:53:55,250 --> 00:53:55,930

You were going to say something.

:

00:53:55,960 --> 00:53:56,520

Chris P. Reed: Yeah, go ahead.

:

00:53:56,520 --> 00:53:57,520

Iris and then I'll come in.

:

00:53:57,570 --> 00:54:00,770

Iris Ivana Grant: Yeah, I was going to say

there was a, there was a point that Brad

:

00:54:00,770 --> 00:54:06,249

made that I did agree with in terms of if

people are looking at what do I do now?

:

00:54:06,440 --> 00:54:11,130

I think this is the wake up

call for communities, right?

:

00:54:11,910 --> 00:54:14,909

Just communities that

are different, right?

:

00:54:14,989 --> 00:54:17,049

Um, because I think we missed the mark.

:

00:54:17,089 --> 00:54:22,515

We got so, um, overwhelmed and

comfortable coming out of COVID and

:

00:54:22,545 --> 00:54:26,625

out of the murder of George Floyd that

there was so much, I will speak from

:

00:54:26,625 --> 00:54:30,985

a philanthropic perspective, um, and

industry, there was so much money coming

:

00:54:30,995 --> 00:54:37,985

into the nonprofit industry from, um,

gifts and contributions and at, um,

:

00:54:38,025 --> 00:54:46,035

and advocacy that I think there was

also a, a, uh, a false, um, comfort

:

00:54:47,475 --> 00:54:49,089

that we're on the other side of this.

:

00:54:49,720 --> 00:54:53,530

Right where some of that was a lot of

marketing and PR and a lot of people

:

00:54:53,530 --> 00:54:58,130

just jumping in and there were some

things that were very authentic and I

:

00:54:58,250 --> 00:55:04,259

think that what we lacked in terms of

communities and diverse communities was

:

00:55:04,259 --> 00:55:09,720

continually to try to drive forward and

to seeing what this meant for us, right?

:

00:55:09,790 --> 00:55:17,390

Um, and what it meant for us, continuing

a civil rights or civil movement.

:

00:55:17,390 --> 00:55:17,510

Right.

:

00:55:18,405 --> 00:55:20,935

Right for for everybody that is different.

:

00:55:21,005 --> 00:55:26,125

And I think, um, to Brad's point, what it

has done has caused people to rethink now,

:

00:55:26,445 --> 00:55:28,845

unfortunately, at a very dangerous influx.

:

00:55:29,335 --> 00:55:31,624

But to rethink of how do I engage?

:

00:55:31,685 --> 00:55:32,734

How do I activate?

:

00:55:33,764 --> 00:55:36,384

How do I, um, what does this mean for me?

:

00:55:36,405 --> 00:55:37,674

Do I leave the country or not?

:

00:55:37,674 --> 00:55:40,764

I mean, I'm never I got my

back, my passport ready.

:

00:55:41,114 --> 00:55:41,564

You know what I'm saying?

:

00:55:41,574 --> 00:55:43,095

It's been ready for a couple of years now.

:

00:55:43,475 --> 00:55:47,154

Um, but I think that there was

this level of comfort for me.

:

00:55:47,155 --> 00:55:49,935

Oh, I think we, we might be okay.

:

00:55:50,095 --> 00:55:52,815

And that bottom crashed out.

:

00:55:52,885 --> 00:55:55,075

And so now we're talking about grassroots.

:

00:55:55,075 --> 00:55:56,665

Well, we should have

never left the grassroots.

:

00:55:56,665 --> 00:55:57,910

Tony Tidbit: Right.

:

00:55:57,910 --> 00:56:01,415

Iris Ivana Grant: So I do

agree with him in that space.

:

00:56:01,804 --> 00:56:03,635

I don't know that we're

going to get there.

:

00:56:03,655 --> 00:56:05,114

It is going to take community.

:

00:56:05,165 --> 00:56:08,565

I think community is going to look

very different because I do think

:

00:56:08,945 --> 00:56:12,985

that what the divide has based on

who you voted for and who you did not

:

00:56:12,985 --> 00:56:17,245

vote for, I think that's put another

divide in the seam of conversation.

:

00:56:17,654 --> 00:56:22,830

Um, I have people that I know who

were friends who no longer are

:

00:56:22,830 --> 00:56:27,980

friends because of this election,

because they can't come to a moral

:

00:56:28,029 --> 00:56:31,399

agreement, um, of, of where they are.

:

00:56:31,420 --> 00:56:35,010

So I think community is

going to look very different.

:

00:56:35,020 --> 00:56:38,520

And I think that we have to be

very cautious about how we draw

:

00:56:38,560 --> 00:56:43,530

those lines, those lines of

community, um, and commonness.

:

00:56:44,575 --> 00:56:44,965

Right.

:

00:56:44,965 --> 00:56:46,145

What we have in common.

:

00:56:46,265 --> 00:56:49,305

Um, cause I think we are at a

very dangerous influx of even what

:

00:56:49,305 --> 00:56:50,655

community looks like right now.

:

00:56:51,205 --> 00:56:53,444

Chris P. Reed: Let me ask you this

though, Courtney, I'll pose this to

:

00:56:53,444 --> 00:56:57,485

you because what they're saying was a

playbook that I feel like can no longer

:

00:56:57,495 --> 00:57:01,695

be run because there's no such thing

as good faith negotiation any longer.

:

00:57:01,924 --> 00:57:05,405

I don't, once again, the trust

is eroded in such a way that I

:

00:57:05,405 --> 00:57:07,885

don't believe anything you're

telling me or signing off on.

:

00:57:08,315 --> 00:57:10,455

And so therefore without

good faith negotiation.

:

00:57:10,455 --> 00:57:12,175

So we think about the King movement.

:

00:57:12,650 --> 00:57:15,700

It was based off of, it

just like abolition, right?

:

00:57:16,155 --> 00:57:22,215

It was based off of a very kind

hearted, civil, interested, white folks,

:

00:57:22,215 --> 00:57:24,574

Tony Tidbit: collectively

:

00:57:24,575 --> 00:57:25,375

Chris P. Reed: collaborating.

:

00:57:25,394 --> 00:57:25,904

Absolutely.

:

00:57:25,935 --> 00:57:27,825

It was a sense of collaboration.

:

00:57:28,045 --> 00:57:31,234

But what has happened is, we've

seen the rise of, and I'll call it

:

00:57:31,234 --> 00:57:35,714

domestic terrorism, in the Proud Boys

or in these other groups, to where

:

00:57:36,045 --> 00:57:39,535

They're being allowed to express

their freedoms while our freedoms

:

00:57:39,535 --> 00:57:40,905

and liberties are being suppressed.

:

00:57:41,135 --> 00:57:42,625

So what am I to believe in?

:

00:57:42,635 --> 00:57:46,155

Or as Brad said, tell my children

or my children's children, when we

:

00:57:46,155 --> 00:57:50,935

are not who we, who we presented

ourselves to be for the last 150 years.

:

00:57:51,305 --> 00:57:53,645

Courteney Mitchell: No, I

totally agree with that.

:

00:57:53,675 --> 00:57:59,685

I think that, um, the election of this

man now twice is only emboldening those

:

00:57:59,695 --> 00:58:03,665

types of people, the proud boys, the

neo Nazis, like the hateful people.

:

00:58:03,694 --> 00:58:07,015

But like, if we go back to Martin

Luther King, the only thing

:

00:58:07,015 --> 00:58:08,815

that can drive out hate is love.

:

00:58:09,185 --> 00:58:14,855

So how do we cross the aisle and work

with people that we disagree with

:

00:58:14,885 --> 00:58:17,445

and have conversations respectfully

with people we disagree with?

:

00:58:17,485 --> 00:58:21,935

And for me, like I made a lot of

political posts on Facebook in the

:

00:58:21,935 --> 00:58:25,115

run up to this election because

I was very again, patriotic.

:

00:58:25,175 --> 00:58:26,105

I love America.

:

00:58:26,135 --> 00:58:29,585

I don't I was really nervous that

this man was gonna get elected again.

:

00:58:30,135 --> 00:58:33,244

And I had a really good friend of

mine, one of the best people I know

:

00:58:33,245 --> 00:58:38,094

in my life, reach out to me and and

tell me, I don't agree with you.

:

00:58:38,094 --> 00:58:39,345

And I'm going to vote for him.

:

00:58:39,345 --> 00:58:40,955

And I hope we can still be friends.

:

00:58:41,455 --> 00:58:46,215

And I said to him, I'm like, this,

The problem with with culture right

:

00:58:46,215 --> 00:58:49,565

now is that if we don't agree with

somebody, we cut them out entirely.

:

00:58:49,565 --> 00:58:52,674

And then we create these echo

chambers where I'm only going to

:

00:58:52,675 --> 00:58:55,855

talk to or socialize with people

that agree with me politically.

:

00:58:56,274 --> 00:58:58,375

And I know like, we're not

supposed to talk about politics

:

00:58:58,465 --> 00:58:59,795

that I mean, I'm terrible at that.

:

00:59:00,155 --> 00:59:03,690

Um, but we can't do that

for this to get better.

:

00:59:03,690 --> 00:59:07,550

We have to like bridge those gaps and have

conversations even if they're difficult,

:

00:59:07,990 --> 00:59:12,660

and reach out with love to people

that we don't necessarily agree with.

:

00:59:12,660 --> 00:59:14,020

I mean, do I?

:

00:59:14,410 --> 00:59:16,809

Am I going to like be best friends

with someone in the proud boys?

:

00:59:16,809 --> 00:59:17,279

No.

:

00:59:17,290 --> 00:59:21,090

But if someone you know, if I have to

interact with somebody who has those

:

00:59:21,090 --> 00:59:24,750

beliefs, I'm going to try to approach

it with empathy and compassion and love.

:

00:59:25,100 --> 00:59:27,950

Because if I approach it,

and I'm combative and hate.

:

00:59:27,995 --> 00:59:28,845

full right back.

:

00:59:29,115 --> 00:59:30,885

It's only going to feed the hate beast.

:

00:59:31,235 --> 00:59:35,255

And I think the hate beast is already

so freaking big that like, how can

:

00:59:35,255 --> 00:59:37,085

we have more love in our society?

:

00:59:37,495 --> 00:59:40,825

And Tony, you and I talked about this

the first time I came on like, yeah,

:

00:59:40,825 --> 00:59:44,985

sometimes I think about the people that

like the mega people and I get really

:

00:59:44,985 --> 00:59:46,654

cranky, but I'm like, they're Americans.

:

00:59:46,655 --> 00:59:49,604

Like, that's the beautiful thing about

America is that we all get one vote.

:

00:59:49,994 --> 00:59:51,435

We all get to have our own opinion.

:

00:59:51,765 --> 00:59:55,805

And I think what social media has done

is like really drive that wedge in,

:

00:59:55,805 --> 01:00:00,100

ike, And the way it worked in:

with now the parties don't want to work

:

01:00:00,100 --> 01:00:03,910

together and, you know, I'm in charge

of the Senate, so I'm not going to hear,

:

01:00:03,940 --> 01:00:07,130

I'm not going to even consider your

judicial nominee because I don't have to.

:

01:00:07,560 --> 01:00:11,180

And that stuff has to go away

and we have to, we have to work

:

01:00:11,180 --> 01:00:13,059

for America and for people.

:

01:00:13,070 --> 01:00:13,570

Tony Tidbit: Right.

:

01:00:13,710 --> 01:00:15,699

Courteney Mitchell: Versus like,

well, I don't agree with them,

:

01:00:15,720 --> 01:00:18,590

so they're wrong and everything

is going to have to be our way.

:

01:00:19,010 --> 01:00:20,860

Tony Tidbit: So let me ask

you guys this final question.

:

01:00:20,900 --> 01:00:21,910

So that was an excellent point.

:

01:00:21,910 --> 01:00:25,500

And that's going to dovetail

into that because look.

:

01:00:26,225 --> 01:00:29,195

Brad, you said this earlier,

he's elected, right?

:

01:00:29,475 --> 01:00:31,665

The past is the past, okay?

:

01:00:31,915 --> 01:00:33,665

Nothing we can do to change it, right?

:

01:00:33,665 --> 01:00:36,754

We can be upset all day

long, but it is what it is.

:

01:00:37,254 --> 01:00:41,785

And then all you guys made excellent

points in terms of moving forward,

:

01:00:41,805 --> 01:00:45,895

grassroots, um, you know, what

Courtney talked about, you know,

:

01:00:46,225 --> 01:00:49,865

all the stuff in terms of the

division, you know, I have neighbors

:

01:00:49,885 --> 01:00:52,185

that live right next to me, right?

:

01:00:52,525 --> 01:00:53,945

Who I know for a fact.

:

01:00:54,100 --> 01:00:57,430

If something happened with me and

my wife or the kids and we hit a

:

01:00:57,430 --> 01:01:00,370

button, they would be here in a

minute, but they voted for Trump.

:

01:01:00,920 --> 01:01:01,570

Okay.

:

01:01:01,800 --> 01:01:06,020

So let me ask you guys this final

question based on what Courtney

:

01:01:06,020 --> 01:01:07,060

just got finished talking about.

:

01:01:07,430 --> 01:01:15,800

How are you going to move forward and

create, uh, uh, uh, Uh, create a, uh,

:

01:01:15,870 --> 01:01:23,450

a circle of love with people that,

you know, disagree with your thoughts.

:

01:01:24,030 --> 01:01:25,829

Just, they voted for the man.

:

01:01:26,209 --> 01:01:30,720

Um, I love to hear that because

at the end of the day, nothing

:

01:01:30,720 --> 01:01:32,300

happens unless we start doing that.

:

01:01:32,460 --> 01:01:34,590

So Brad, you, I'm going to

start with you, my brother.

:

01:01:35,969 --> 01:01:38,120

Brad Bowling: You know, some

of my best friends are white.

:

01:01:38,230 --> 01:01:40,050

Some of my best friends are Republicans.

:

01:01:40,480 --> 01:01:44,190

And in everyday life, you know,

the vitriol that we think we

:

01:01:44,199 --> 01:01:45,610

have for each other, I don't see.

:

01:01:46,389 --> 01:01:47,679

Um, my neighbors.

:

01:01:48,040 --> 01:01:48,550

Love me.

:

01:01:48,550 --> 01:01:49,240

I love them.

:

01:01:49,740 --> 01:01:52,000

Uh, you know, I own a business.

:

01:01:52,080 --> 01:01:53,810

I deal with white advertisers.

:

01:01:54,340 --> 01:01:56,570

Uh, white people read our publication.

:

01:01:57,120 --> 01:01:59,459

I think we're a lot closer than you think.

:

01:02:00,410 --> 01:02:04,070

What I hope and pray for though, is

that we want the same for everybody.

:

01:02:04,070 --> 01:02:05,349

We all want to be in love.

:

01:02:05,789 --> 01:02:07,290

We all want the best for our kids.

:

01:02:07,630 --> 01:02:11,350

We all want to create an income that

will allow us to be happy, pay our

:

01:02:11,350 --> 01:02:13,240

bills, travel a little bit, right?

:

01:02:13,820 --> 01:02:16,960

And so we all essentially

want the same things.

:

01:02:17,010 --> 01:02:18,699

I think where we fall apart.

:

01:02:19,365 --> 01:02:24,105

Is that, you know, on a national

level, it becomes combative.

:

01:02:24,575 --> 01:02:30,544

And I think if we stay grassroots and

you stay committed to becoming a better

:

01:02:30,544 --> 01:02:36,194

person, I think that we can get the kind

of effect that we're looking for, um,

:

01:02:36,214 --> 01:02:37,974

from ourselves and from our counterparts.

:

01:02:37,975 --> 01:02:42,345

And so I, I just pray and I hope that

we continue to underneath it all.

:

01:02:42,345 --> 01:02:43,275

We stay Americans.

:

01:02:43,275 --> 01:02:47,125

We believe that we're one

country under God, right?

:

01:02:47,125 --> 01:02:48,185

And I don't want to go through the rest.

:

01:02:48,680 --> 01:02:51,910

But we all understand what's

at stake because the entire

:

01:02:51,910 --> 01:02:53,110

country is at stake right now.

:

01:02:53,110 --> 01:02:54,710

We're in a global economy, right?

:

01:02:55,310 --> 01:02:59,090

And so, you know at some point

Uh, we're going to continue

:

01:02:59,090 --> 01:03:02,650

to fall in world rankings We

don't lead in anything anymore.

:

01:03:03,460 --> 01:03:05,970

And so we have to start

paying attention to that.

:

01:03:06,400 --> 01:03:10,970

And, you know, do I want the, uh,

education department dissolved?

:

01:03:11,700 --> 01:03:14,369

Well, you know, has it worked for blacks?

:

01:03:14,849 --> 01:03:19,130

You know, so I don't know, you know, let's

see what happens over the next four years.

:

01:03:19,640 --> 01:03:23,340

I'm not as gun shy as most people

think that they need to be.

:

01:03:24,000 --> 01:03:30,570

Uh, you know, presidencies tend to move

like, you know, glaciers and continents.

:

01:03:32,120 --> 01:03:35,210

You feel the earthquake, but did

you see the ground move right?

:

01:03:35,210 --> 01:03:37,560

It's going to take 100 years

for us to get further away from

:

01:03:37,560 --> 01:03:38,980

Africa or closer to Africa.

:

01:03:39,410 --> 01:03:41,210

So what can he do in four years?

:

01:03:41,240 --> 01:03:47,360

Really go love on your family, stay

committed to your children, work harder,

:

01:03:48,019 --> 01:03:53,060

you know, uh, make more money, love

your kids more, love yourself more.

:

01:03:53,060 --> 01:03:55,022

And I think we'll be okay.

:

01:03:55,022 --> 01:03:56,983

Iris man, I think it's tough.

:

01:03:56,983 --> 01:03:57,310

Um,

:

01:03:57,310 --> 01:04:00,579

Iris Ivana Grant: I think he

can do a lot in four years.

:

01:04:03,660 --> 01:04:07,810

Because he had four years to make

adjustments and plan and have

:

01:04:07,810 --> 01:04:11,930

a strategy and:

:

01:04:12,840 --> 01:04:14,130

It's, it's not a thought.

:

01:04:14,139 --> 01:04:19,900

He's, he's not even in office yet and

he's already, um, showing himself to

:

01:04:19,900 --> 01:04:23,840

be more organized and strengthened and

empowered than he was four years ago.

:

01:04:24,409 --> 01:04:29,895

So I think that he can do a lot because

this is not four years, from now is

:

01:04:29,895 --> 01:04:34,335

definitely not going to regress and

look like four years did four years ago.

:

01:04:34,915 --> 01:04:41,895

Um, in my heart as to who I am, I come

from a very diverse background and family.

:

01:04:42,295 --> 01:04:48,965

I have very diverse friends,

um, culture, race, faith base.

:

01:04:49,355 --> 01:04:51,555

I, I work in philanthropy.

:

01:04:51,605 --> 01:04:53,195

I have to cross the aisles.

:

01:04:53,654 --> 01:04:59,015

Um, I will say that I am going to

continue to do the work and I have

:

01:04:59,015 --> 01:05:04,544

been looking very differently about

who really is about the work and

:

01:05:04,544 --> 01:05:05,945

who says they're about the work.

:

01:05:06,305 --> 01:05:12,055

And for me, if your comfort level is that

you still, um, after the election are

:

01:05:12,055 --> 01:05:16,075

still only really in your same circles.

:

01:05:17,660 --> 01:05:21,010

You're, you're not really about the

work because you should be strategizing

:

01:05:21,010 --> 01:05:26,260

about how you can cross the aisle, how

you can talk to the Native Americans

:

01:05:26,290 --> 01:05:30,259

in this country, how you can talk to

the Jewish people and the Palestinian

:

01:05:30,259 --> 01:05:35,119

people in this country, um, how you can

talk to the Mexican and you can talk

:

01:05:35,119 --> 01:05:39,540

to the Caucasian and the black, um,

black female, the black, the black male.

:

01:05:39,870 --> 01:05:44,270

Um, everybody has a different perspective

and they have a different need.

:

01:05:44,870 --> 01:05:50,870

Um, and so for me, I need to figure out

where the lines have been crossed for

:

01:05:50,880 --> 01:05:56,150

me so that I can keep the purity of my

heart and work because I love people

:

01:05:56,150 --> 01:06:00,119

and I love being an American and it

matters to me that you're comfortable

:

01:06:00,610 --> 01:06:02,740

because I want to be comfortable, right?

:

01:06:02,760 --> 01:06:03,419

It matters.

:

01:06:03,420 --> 01:06:06,870

We, we may need to have to make

some adjustments and I may have

:

01:06:06,870 --> 01:06:08,350

to make some personal adjustments.

:

01:06:08,410 --> 01:06:10,060

Um, but.

:

01:06:10,390 --> 01:06:11,390

It matters to me.

:

01:06:11,430 --> 01:06:14,720

And so, um, for me, I'm going to

continue to do the work and the

:

01:06:14,720 --> 01:06:16,050

work may look a little different.

:

01:06:16,070 --> 01:06:19,199

I may have to make some

adjustments because the needs

:

01:06:19,200 --> 01:06:20,290

of the people that I serve.

:

01:06:21,005 --> 01:06:21,845

Making adjustment.

:

01:06:21,895 --> 01:06:25,225

And when you are a servant

leader, you have to do that.

:

01:06:25,555 --> 01:06:26,675

There's not a question.

:

01:06:26,675 --> 01:06:31,824

It doesn't become just about me

and my space and who I work with

:

01:06:31,835 --> 01:06:34,144

or live with or who are my friends.

:

01:06:34,495 --> 01:06:36,565

It's about us as Americans.

:

01:06:36,634 --> 01:06:41,365

And so, um, we need to be able to find

that empathy button and find the common

:

01:06:41,365 --> 01:06:48,195

ground that's way beyond political

party and way beyond, um, um, Our moral

:

01:06:48,205 --> 01:06:53,615

compass and our personal faith walks

and really look at this is a country

:

01:06:53,625 --> 01:06:55,595

in need where people are in need.

:

01:06:55,645 --> 01:06:56,585

Right, right.

:

01:06:56,755 --> 01:06:58,685

Um, and what does that look like?

:

01:06:58,714 --> 01:06:58,964

Right.

:

01:06:59,600 --> 01:06:59,720

Right.

:

01:06:59,760 --> 01:07:06,220

And having those conversations, um,

without any hindrance of being able to

:

01:07:06,220 --> 01:07:10,310

express what you think and feel, because

everybody's feelings are important.

:

01:07:10,310 --> 01:07:11,939

Everybody's needs are important.

:

01:07:12,270 --> 01:07:15,999

Um, but then how do we come together

and really move forward in the

:

01:07:15,999 --> 01:07:20,429

next four years so that we do have

impact on some things that might.

:

01:07:20,430 --> 01:07:23,980

That should not happen, not that

we don't want them to happen.

:

01:07:23,980 --> 01:07:26,320

They should not happen in this country.

:

01:07:26,420 --> 01:07:27,720

Courteney Mitchell: Courtney,

you have the final word.

:

01:07:28,490 --> 01:07:32,930

Well, when we say talking about the

country coming together, I always

:

01:07:32,930 --> 01:07:37,119

think back the, the, the most unified

I think I've ever felt as an American

:

01:07:37,119 --> 01:07:41,500

was after nine 11 and I don't know that.

:

01:07:41,930 --> 01:07:44,610

If something like that happened

today, it would be very interesting,

:

01:07:44,610 --> 01:07:47,710

like, like sociologically from a

sociological experiment perspective

:

01:07:47,710 --> 01:07:49,350

to see how the country reacted.

:

01:07:49,900 --> 01:07:54,650

Um, but my, my own personal ethos

is just, you know, I'm not a, I'm

:

01:07:54,650 --> 01:07:57,470

not, I don't, I don't subscribe

to organized religion, but I do.

:

01:07:57,569 --> 01:08:00,180

I like to say that I practice

the religion of kindness.

:

01:08:00,580 --> 01:08:04,279

So I treat everybody with kindness

and love and I lead with love.

:

01:08:04,404 --> 01:08:09,475

And I think that having these

types of conversations with people

:

01:08:09,625 --> 01:08:12,985

from all kinds of walks of life

and not discounting people because

:

01:08:12,985 --> 01:08:14,955

they voted for a certain way.

:

01:08:14,965 --> 01:08:19,613

That's how my, what my approach is

to trying to, you know, make those

:

01:08:19,613 --> 01:08:24,894

connections and, and try to create that

sense of community as Americans, you know,

:

01:08:24,895 --> 01:08:28,734

not just sitting in my, you know, echo

chamber here in Boston, but you know, when

:

01:08:28,734 --> 01:08:33,710

I've traveled to Ohio or I travel to Texas

or Florida, like, you know, I'm being just

:

01:08:33,720 --> 01:08:38,460

open and receptive to what people have

to say, while still holding my own morals

:

01:08:38,460 --> 01:08:43,080

and beliefs true, but trying to like,

sort of just bridge that gap and make

:

01:08:43,080 --> 01:08:45,859

people feel like I, I hear you, I get it.

:

01:08:46,260 --> 01:08:48,279

And I don't, I don't hate you for that.

:

01:08:48,944 --> 01:08:53,265

So, um, it's an interesting

spot we're in right now.

:

01:08:53,315 --> 01:08:56,365

And I think you're, I agree with

Iris that there's, uh, the, the

:

01:08:56,365 --> 01:08:59,484

judiciary is what makes me the most

nervous about the next four years.

:

01:08:59,515 --> 01:08:59,854

Right.

:

01:08:59,904 --> 01:09:00,175

So,

:

01:09:00,205 --> 01:09:00,625

Tony Tidbit: right.

:

01:09:01,245 --> 01:09:05,315

Well, look, at the end of the day,

um, I'm excited about you guys, Chris

:

01:09:05,315 --> 01:09:10,654

and I, because you guys are, you

know, solid human beings who love,

:

01:09:11,124 --> 01:09:13,703

you know, not just themselves and

their family, but there are other

:

01:09:13,703 --> 01:09:18,635

Americans, obviously we have different,

uh, diverse opinions, which is cool.

:

01:09:18,635 --> 01:09:18,755

Yeah.

:

01:09:18,880 --> 01:09:22,200

You know, because I mean, I was with you

just sitting on this call, you know, on

:

01:09:22,200 --> 01:09:24,859

this show with you guys, I've learned,

I took a couple of little nuggets.

:

01:09:24,859 --> 01:09:26,350

I got a little notepad right here.

:

01:09:26,350 --> 01:09:28,819

I wrote, I didn't even think of that.

:

01:09:29,190 --> 01:09:29,580

Right.

:

01:09:29,590 --> 01:09:32,720

So I think that's very

important that we do that.

:

01:09:33,050 --> 01:09:37,210

Um, but I want to thank you guys

for coming on, pull up and speak

:

01:09:37,210 --> 01:09:39,529

up and sharing your perspectives.

:

01:09:39,529 --> 01:09:42,649

And I love that there was

obviously some disagreements,

:

01:09:42,740 --> 01:09:44,040

but that's the only way we learn.

:

01:09:44,590 --> 01:09:46,180

That's the only way we move forward.

:

01:09:46,479 --> 01:09:48,799

But at the end of the day, I

love each and every one of you.

:

01:09:50,090 --> 01:09:50,729

Brad Bowling: You too, buddy.

:

01:09:50,840 --> 01:09:51,550

Tony Tidbit: We love you too.

:

01:09:52,490 --> 01:09:55,550

Chris P. Reed: I absolutely, you

know, I echo that and thank you guest.

:

01:09:55,559 --> 01:10:00,220

I would like to say, Courtney, just

for my edification, the 2nd largest

:

01:10:00,220 --> 01:10:05,420

religion in the world would disagree

to a post 9 11 view of, uh, Camaraderie

:

01:10:05,420 --> 01:10:06,930

and togetherness, the Muslims,

:

01:10:06,930 --> 01:10:10,439

Courteney Mitchell: but

:

01:10:10,520 --> 01:10:14,100

Chris P. Reed: the idea of, I will

be, and I'm telling the audience now,

:

01:10:14,120 --> 01:10:17,439

Courtney has already copyrighted the

black, uh, the red, white, and blue shirts

:

01:10:17,460 --> 01:10:19,400

that say, uh, starved to hate beast.

:

01:10:19,920 --> 01:10:20,740

It's already done.

:

01:10:21,110 --> 01:10:24,619

And so I will be purchasing the starved to

hate me shirt from you when it comes out.

:

01:10:25,020 --> 01:10:27,450

And I appreciate that so

much, but thank you guys.

:

01:10:27,450 --> 01:10:29,590

Thank you audience for tuning in to this.

:

01:10:29,945 --> 01:10:34,434

This has been a wonderful dialogue as

Tony intimated different perspectives,

:

01:10:34,434 --> 01:10:39,145

different, uh, areas of interest, uh,

from a, uh, cultural seat, but we all

:

01:10:39,145 --> 01:10:40,795

have the same thing that was resonated.

:

01:10:40,835 --> 01:10:42,115

We all love America.

:

01:10:42,540 --> 01:10:46,190

We love this country and we're going,

we're going to fight for it and willing to

:

01:10:46,460 --> 01:10:48,980

make adjustments to make this thing work.

:

01:10:49,300 --> 01:10:50,559

And so we definitely appreciate it.

:

01:10:50,600 --> 01:10:51,250

Tony Tidbit: Absolutely.

:

01:10:51,250 --> 01:10:54,740

So I think it's now

time for Tony's tidbit.

:

01:10:55,130 --> 01:10:55,539

All right.

:

01:10:55,540 --> 01:11:00,500

So the tidbit today is this, and I quote,

the strength of a nation lies in this

:

01:11:00,510 --> 01:11:07,040

willingness to confront its truths, no

matter how uncomfortable and to find

:

01:11:07,040 --> 01:11:09,430

common ground for the greater good.

:

01:11:10,335 --> 01:11:13,225

And that's how we ended

on this today, my friend.

:

01:11:13,225 --> 01:11:14,575

So really, really appreciate it.

:

01:11:14,745 --> 01:11:15,785

Everybody sit tight.

:

01:11:15,995 --> 01:11:18,215

Cause you're going to help

us with BEP's call to action.

:

01:11:18,705 --> 01:11:21,324

Chris P. Reed: At this point in time,

we want to remind you and employ

:

01:11:21,324 --> 01:11:25,364

you to tune in to our weekly segment

on Black Executive Perspective

:

01:11:25,364 --> 01:11:27,514

podcast called Need to Know with Dr.

:

01:11:27,514 --> 01:11:28,284

Nsenga Burton.

:

01:11:28,874 --> 01:11:29,693

Each week, Dr.

:

01:11:29,693 --> 01:11:32,665

Nsenga Burton dives into timely

and crucial topics that shape

:

01:11:32,665 --> 01:11:33,955

our community and our world.

:

01:11:34,295 --> 01:11:37,565

Make sure that you tune in for

insights or education or information.

:

01:11:37,990 --> 01:11:38,960

Because you don't want to miss it.

:

01:11:39,020 --> 01:11:39,690

Tony Tidbit: Absolutely.

:

01:11:39,690 --> 01:11:40,830

Definitely check her out.

:

01:11:41,040 --> 01:11:45,510

And I hope you enjoy today's

Pull Up, Speak Up episode post

:

01:11:45,510 --> 01:11:48,160

election truth lies and fallout.

:

01:11:48,469 --> 01:11:51,770

We always have to end with something

that we're very passionate about here.

:

01:11:52,040 --> 01:11:53,360

And that is our call to action.

:

01:11:53,809 --> 01:11:55,670

Remember to incorporate L.

:

01:11:55,730 --> 01:11:56,160

E.

:

01:11:56,280 --> 01:11:56,510

S.

:

01:11:56,540 --> 01:11:56,910

S.

:

01:11:57,170 --> 01:12:01,030

Our goal is to eliminate all forms of

discrimination and to achieve this,

:

01:12:01,120 --> 01:12:03,500

we're asking everyone to embrace less.

:

01:12:03,920 --> 01:12:08,100

Courtney, kick us off with your

understanding of that action.

:

01:12:08,750 --> 01:12:10,850

Courteney Mitchell:

The L stands for learn.

:

01:12:11,559 --> 01:12:15,160

Educate yourself on racial

and cultural nuances.

:

01:12:15,940 --> 01:12:17,470

Brad Bowling: The E stands for empathy.

:

01:12:17,530 --> 01:12:19,450

Be open to understanding diverse views.

:

01:12:19,980 --> 01:12:21,900

Iris Ivana Grant: The S stands for share.

:

01:12:22,100 --> 01:12:24,710

Share your insights to enlighten others.

:

01:12:24,750 --> 01:12:25,380

Tony Tidbit: Thanks, Iris.

:

01:12:25,400 --> 01:12:27,130

And the final S stands for stop.

:

01:12:27,360 --> 01:12:31,440

We want to actively stop discrimination

as it walks in our paths.

:

01:12:31,680 --> 01:12:34,519

So if Aunt Jenny says something

at the Thanksgiving table or the

:

01:12:34,519 --> 01:12:39,568

Christmas table or Sunday dinner that's

inappropriate, you say, Aunt Jenny, we

:

01:12:39,568 --> 01:12:41,839

don't believe that and we don't do that.

:

01:12:41,869 --> 01:12:43,479

And you stop it right there.

:

01:12:43,769 --> 01:12:48,855

So if everyone can incorporate

less, L E S S will build a more

:

01:12:48,855 --> 01:12:51,315

fair, more understanding world.

:

01:12:51,625 --> 01:12:54,815

And more importantly, we'll all

see the change that we want to

:

01:12:54,815 --> 01:12:57,395

see because less will become more.

:

01:12:58,075 --> 01:13:01,724

Chris P. Reed: And we're incorporating

this idea of growth collectively with you.

:

01:13:01,724 --> 01:13:03,895

So make sure you tune in

to our future episodes.

:

01:13:04,210 --> 01:13:07,270

Check out our past episodes,

pull up, speak up is taken off.

:

01:13:07,290 --> 01:13:08,370

It's a wonderful thing.

:

01:13:08,490 --> 01:13:11,040

We have other episodes that are

coming to the platform as well.

:

01:13:11,300 --> 01:13:15,380

Go to our website, sign up for the

newsletter, leave us reviews, subscribe,

:

01:13:15,580 --> 01:13:17,279

comment, let us know where to meet you.

:

01:13:17,440 --> 01:13:18,439

Tony, where can they follow us?

:

01:13:19,210 --> 01:13:21,899

Tony Tidbit: Buddy, they can follow

a black executive perspective

:

01:13:21,940 --> 01:13:27,100

podcast on YouTube, Apple, Spotify,

or wherever you get your podcast.

:

01:13:27,290 --> 01:13:30,000

And you can follow us on our

socials of TikTok, Instagram,

:

01:13:30,210 --> 01:13:32,220

Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube.

:

01:13:34,015 --> 01:13:39,845

And, uh, X for our fabulous panel,

Iris, Ivana, Grant, Courtney,

:

01:13:39,845 --> 01:13:44,595

Mitchell, and the, my, the baddest

dude in Cleveland, Brad Bowling.

:

01:13:44,765 --> 01:13:47,555

We want to thank them for

the co host with the most, my

:

01:13:47,555 --> 01:13:49,565

brother down in Dallas, Chris P.

:

01:13:49,585 --> 01:13:50,045

Reed.

:

01:13:50,235 --> 01:13:51,445

I'm Tony tidbit.

:

01:13:51,665 --> 01:13:52,824

We talked about it.

:

01:13:52,835 --> 01:13:53,964

We learned about it.

:

01:13:54,014 --> 01:13:57,024

We even disagreed about

it, but guess what?

:

01:13:57,024 --> 01:13:57,884

We love you.

:

01:13:58,120 --> 01:13:58,860

And we're out

:

01:14:02,800 --> 01:14:05,240

Courteney Mitchell: a black

executive perspective.

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