Jan. 6 Remembrance, LA Mayor Karen Bass, Richard Smallwood Talks
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Republicans on Capitol Hill largely boycotted a Democratic hearing commemorating the fifth anniversary of January 6th, downplaying the event as a 'walk in the park.'
- ❖A law passed to place a plaque honoring police who defended the Capitol on January 6th remains unfulfilled due to Republican obstruction, according to Congresswoman Norma Torres.
- ❖Donald Trump's administration is accused of rewriting the January 6th narrative, portraying rioters as 'peaceful grandmothers' and Ashley Babbitt as 'murdered in cold blood,' while ignoring the injuries to police.
- ❖LA Mayor Karen Bass described her experience during January 6th as one of 'outrage' rather than fear, believing the response would have been drastically different if the rioters were Black.
- ❖Richard Smallwood's autobiography, 'Total Praise,' transparently addresses his depression, childhood abuse, and the spiritual connection between personal pain and his songwriting.
- ❖Smallwood's hit song 'Total Praise' originated from a period of intense personal struggle, including his mother's illness and a foster brother's mental breakdown, illustrating 'valley praise' rather than 'mountaintop praise.'
Insights
1Republican Rewriting of January 6th History
The host and guests accuse Republicans of actively distorting the events of January 6th, 2021. This includes refusing to attend remembrance hearings, blocking the installation of a plaque honoring Capitol police, and promoting a narrative that describes the attack as a 'peaceful tour' or a 'one-night stand' of protest. They highlight statements from figures like Representative Mike Collins, who tweeted about 'peaceful grandmothers' taking a 'self-guided tour,' and the White House website's timeline framing Ashley Babbitt as 'murdered in cold blood' while denying law enforcement casualties.
Host Roland Martin's commentary (, , , , , ), Congresswoman Norma Torres (, ), Representative Mike Collins' tweet (), White House timeline ().
2LA Mayor Karen Bass's January 6th Experience and Current Challenges
Mayor Bass, then a Congresswoman, recounted her 'outrage' during the January 6th attack, contrasting the treatment of predominantly white rioters with how Black Lives Matter protestors would have been handled. She noted the rioters were 'hunting for us' (members of Congress). Bass also discussed current issues in Los Angeles, including the ongoing recovery from wildfires (Pacific Palisades area, 400+ homes under construction, 800 approved) and the humanitarian crisis of Venezuelan migrants, criticizing the Trump administration's approach to intervention in Venezuela and its impact on cities like New York.
Mayor Karen Bass's personal account (, , , ), discussion on Venezuela (, ), LA wildfire recovery (, ).
3Richard Smallwood's Transparent Autobiography and Musical Philosophy
Gospel maestro Richard Smallwood discussed his autobiography 'Total Praise,' revealing it took over six years to write due to the personal and painful nature of the content, including his struggles with depression, being illegitimate, and childhood abuse by his stepfather. He emphasized that his most impactful songs, like 'Total Praise,' were born from deep personal pain, serving as 'valley praise' rather than 'mountaintop praise.' Smallwood also shared his musical journey, influences from Howard University peers like Donnie Hathaway and Roberta Flack, and his belief in writing diverse music that transcends genres and provides solace.
Richard Smallwood's discussion of 'Total Praise' (), transparency about depression and illegitimacy (, ), stepfather's abuse (), musical influences (, ), origin of 'Total Praise' ().
4The Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem
Mark Morial, CEO of the National Urban League, announced the upcoming opening of the Urban Civil Rights Museum in Harlem, part of the new 17-story Urban League Empowerment Center. This museum aims to tell the often-overlooked story of the Black experience and civil rights struggles in the northern states, including the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance. Morial emphasized its independence from governmental censorship and its role in inspiring future generations through education and collective action.
Mark Morial's explanation of the museum (, , ), its purpose (, ).
Lessons
- Engage in civic participation by voting and staying informed, as highlighted by the speakers, to counter efforts to undermine democracy and voting rights.
- Support independent Black media, like the Black Star Network, to ensure diverse narratives and fact-based journalism that centers African-American issues are told.
- Seek professional mental health support if struggling with depression or trauma, as exemplified by Richard Smallwood's personal journey and advocacy for therapy.
Notable Moments
Compilation video of January 6th events, including Trump's speeches, police radio calls, and rioter actions.
Provides a stark visual and auditory reminder of the violence and chaos that occurred, directly contrasting later attempts to downplay or deny the severity of the event.
Clip of Senator Lindsey Graham's strong condemnation of Trump's actions on January 6th, contrasted with his later support.
Exposes perceived political hypocrisy and the shifting allegiances of politicians in the years following the insurrection.
Discussion of the 'Cheesy Dates' board game, designed by a mental health therapist to foster compatibility and communication in relationships.
Offers a unique, practical tool for improving interpersonal relationships by addressing tough topics in a structured, engaging way, drawing on the creator's personal and professional experience.
Quotes
"You can't be black-owned media and be scared. It's time to be smart. Bring your eyeballs home, you dig?"
"Donald Trump may have pardoned your crimes, but only God can pardon your sin."
"That's not ignorance, though. I mean, that is just outright lying."
"You will never find justice in a world where criminals set the rules."
"I'm always on the mountaintop screaming, 'Get help, get professional help. Reach out.'"
Q&A
Recent Questions
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