The famously known Montgomery Bus Boycott was likely the pioneer of many of its kind to come. From Amazon to Target to Bud Light to many, many more in recent days; financial boycotts have taken storm. The effectiveness of boycotts depends on various factors; but, at the end of the day, our power also lies within how we spend our dollars.

Have you participated in a boycott of a company or establishment? Let us know which in the comments.

Resources:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dei-boycott-played-a-role-in-targets-q1-sales-slump-as-foot-traffic-declined-183135827.html

https://youtu.be/UVPifPRUd8Q

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

#target #boycott

For the first time in Now We Know's history, Donna & Jonathan have a two-peat guest: Thomas Polk.

In March 2023, Donna & Jonathan interviewed Thomas (who happens to be Donna's dad) about his affiliation with Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Incorporated. This episode is a continuation of that telling as the origin story.

What prompted the discussion was the untimely passing of Caleb Wilson, a pledge of Omega Psi Phi, in Louisiana in February as a direct result of hazing. Hazing, a practice long withstanding time, has resulted in the tragic ending of too many young lives and negatively affected those around them.

Does the potential cost of entry outweigh the benefits? Listen for more.

Sources:

https://www.netflix.com/title/80097003

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2yd0el491o

Bonus Source:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qT2RYDAuW4

Flashback Episode:

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/SSjWDlPcySb

#burningsands #greeklife #fraternity #sorority #hazing

On March 7, 1942, a pivotal moment in history occurred as the first Black pilots joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. At the height of World War II, these brave men, fighting for both freedom abroad and racial equality at home, displayed extraordinary courage, belief in the greater good, and unwavering determination. These qualities defined the 992 black pilots, including the 450 who served overseas.

Known as the Red Tails, they earned the respect of fellow servicemen through their valor, unmatched skills, and relentless dedication, both on the battlefield and beyond. While the fight for racial equality was no different on base, in the US or overseas, the Tuskegee Airmen charged forward. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and celebrate Tuskegee Airmen Day on March 7th, Donna & Jonathan honor their legacy and the profound impact they had on changing hearts and minds near and far.

Resources:

https://play.history.com/specials/tuskegee-airmen-legacy-of-courage/full-special

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmcpILi1Rxc

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74e175p40qo

Now You Know:

https://www.thewarandtreaty.com/

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

#airforce #military #worldwar2 #tuskegee #tuskegeeairmen

"I'm Penny Proud, I'm Cute and I'm Loud, And I Got It Going on!"

Our commitment to ourselves, which subsequently is a commitment to you all listening, is to incorporate some lighter focuses on the show - bring the levity! We’re of course not going to stop doing the history dives, but we’ll aim to bring out the joy while recognizing and honoring the fight to get it.

This episode Donna & Jonathan highlight a few of their favorite childhood stars, relishing in the theme songs and nostalgia of the 90s and early 2000s.

What favorite shows or actors come to mind from these eras?

Resources:

https://girlsunited.essence.com/feedback/news/all-grown-up-your-favorite-black-child-stars-then-and-now/

https://www.history.com/news/black-tv-shows-culture

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0695497/?ref_=nmawd_ov

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0722647/?ref_=nmawd_ov

https://people.com/parents/all-about-kyla-pratt-kids/

https://one-on-one.fandom.com/wiki/Arnaz_Ballard

https://www.ebony.com/raven-symone-doesnt-like-black-names-forgot-her-name-is-raven-symone/#.VhkpM2bh_bo.twitter

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Call it a coincidence, call it kismet: the release of Wicked and Six Triple Eight. The true story of the first all women, all black army unit in 6888 and the fictional story of Wicked, the all green Wicked Witch of the West, coincided with the determination against the odds, the societal othering, and the plight of black women.

Listen along as Donna & Jonathan dissect the stories and uncover the additional messaging of heroism, colorism, and the portrayal of black women through film.

Did you see the correlation between the two stories? Were you inspired by any parts?

Resources:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Wicked

https://www.theroot.com/black-people-know-the-real-truth-about-glinda-and-elpha-1851715763

https://newsroom.woundedwarriorproject.org/The-Six-Triple-Eight-Proved-That-No-Role-Was-Too-Small-During-World-War-II

https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2024/12/20/the-inspiring-true-story-behind-netflixs-the-six-triple-eight/

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Less than 90 years ago, 18 Black American athletes defied the odds being the first black athletes to compete in the Olympic Games. Of all to be the first competition, they went to Berlin, Germany in 1936: a time riddled with the racist and anti-Semitic indoctrinations of Hitler.

We know black people have had to endure a lot in this country, come learn about the trials and tribulations they experienced here and abroad. Does this only scratch the surface? Yes. But the discussion of Donna & Jonathan continues to unveil the ugly underbelly of issues we continue to see in this country.

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

Resources:

https://www.pbs.org/video/olympic-pride-american-prejudice-lx0WCn/

https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/berlin-1936

https://www.ushmm.org/exhibition/olympics/?content=aa_athletes_medals&lang=en

https://freedomcenter.org/voice/reveal-stories-the-18-black-american-athletes-of-the-1936-olympic-games/

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/goebbels-olympics/#:~:text=With%20construction%20of%20an%20impressive,and%20called%20for%20a%20boycott.

https://www.ushmm.org/exhibition/olympics/?content=jewish_athletes_more

https://www.ushmm.org/exhibition/olympics/?content=aa_athletes&lang=en

We can often turn to music for inspiration, a lyrical expression and auditory stimulation to help us through certain times. Donna & Jonathan felt it apt in the current time to dive into protest songs of years past through present.

Resource:

https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/4/12/14462948/protest-music-history-america-trump-beyonce-dylan-misty

Cameron Forbes - If I Was White

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwnj3q-p4ho

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen

The consideration of interracial marriage vs interracial sex comes down to one thing: property. Donna & Jonathan have discussed it before, and here they’ll discuss it in more depth; the intersectionalities of morality and laws and their consequences on simply getting to exist as a full person while black in America.

Resources:

https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/388/1/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QQRe2M96jw

Book to read:

White Fright The Sexual Panic at the Heart of America’s Racist History

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/jane-dailey/white-fright/9781541646544/?lens=basic-books#:~:text=In%20this%20urgent%20investigation%2C%20Dailey,War%20II%2C%20in%20the%20violent

Instagram:

@DonnaJaneen