#260: Raising A Black Family In White America

Don’t worry, loyal readers: This isn’t an apocalyptic look at climate change and how we’re all doomed. Rather, it’s one of the best articles that I’ve read on the history of humans and our remarkable success as a species. If you’re a novice scientist, like I am, you’ll love Charles Mann’s clear explanation of how Homo sapiens prospered, despite many challenges (e.g., body lice, supervolcanic eruptions), because of its unparalleled ability to adapt. We’re very good at keeping on going. The only problem? Most successful species kill themselves off. Will we be next? (37 min)

Two years ago, Florida passed Amendment 4, which reinstated voting rights for ex-felons, who the state had previously disenfranchised for life. Soon after, however, the state legislature passed a law requiring ex-felons to pay outstanding fees and fines, thereby suppressing 750,000 potential voters, about half of whom are Black. “I want them to fight for it,” state senator Mike Bennett said. “Do you ever read the stories about the people in Africa — the people in the desert, who literally walk two and three hundred miles so they can have an opportunity to do what we do?” Potential voter Betty Riddle said, “Not all the Republicans are bad. But they don’t want us to vote. Because they think they’re going to lose.” (41 min)

+ For more on voting rights and voter suppression, check out Issues #3, #26, #61, #63, and #137.

Always thoughtful, Ta-Nehisi Coates is outstanding in this conversation with Evan Ratliff, in which he discusses guest editing the September edition of Vanity Fair and centering the words of Tamika Palmer, the mother of Breonna Taylor, in the cover story, “A Beautiful Life.” “Good things take time,” Mr. Coates said, explaining his contribution to protest the killing of George Floyd. “You gotta let things cook. You can’t insta-bake something like this.” (49 min)