Roland Martin Unfiltered
Roland Martin Unfiltered
June 18, 2026

Fla. Fake Voters & Black Voter Purges. Ma. Cop Kills Black Toddler. Black Farmland Under Siege.

YouTube · CpCTiUM0wzE

Quick Read

This episode exposes alleged voter manipulation in Florida, dissects Georgia's runoff elections, highlights the ongoing crisis for Black farmers, and condemns a police shooting of a Black toddler in Mississippi, all while advocating for Black civic engagement and historical recognition.
Florida's election systems are compromised, with evidence of 25,000 purged voters and 'ghost voters' in St. Lucie County, disproportionately affecting Black residents.
Georgia's runoff elections signal a demand for 'generational change,' with Democrats outperforming Republicans and controversial MAGA-aligned candidates losing.
Black-owned farmland has plummeted by 80% since 1910, highlighting a critical threat to food security and generational wealth, necessitating new business models and community support.

Summary

Roland Martin Unfiltered investigates multiple critical issues impacting Black communities and American democracy. The Election Truth Alliance details alleged voter purging and 'ghost voters' in Florida, particularly affecting St. Lucie County, and links these issues to vulnerable voting systems. Georgia's primary runoffs reveal a shift towards 'generational change' in Democratic politics, with key wins for candidates like Mo Ivory and Keisha Lance Bottoms, and a significant loss for controversial figure Vernon Jones. The episode also addresses the severe decline of Black-owned farmland in the U.S., with farmer Wayne Swanson Jr. discussing economic challenges and innovative solutions like direct-to-consumer models. A tragic police shooting in Mississippi, where a 1-year-old Black child was killed over an alleged shoplifting incident, sparks outrage and demands for transparency. Finally, the segment on Juneteenth emphasizes its historical significance as a federal holiday and a tool for civic education and engagement, honoring the legacy of Al Edwards Sr.
This episode provides a critical look at systemic challenges facing Black Americans, from voting rights and political representation to economic stability and police brutality. It underscores the importance of local elections, community organizing, and independent media in combating disinformation and advocating for justice. The insights into voter suppression tactics and the plight of Black farmers reveal deep-seated issues that threaten both democratic integrity and generational wealth within Black communities, making the call for active civic participation and historical awareness more urgent than ever.

Takeaways

  • Florida's voter registration database and vote counting systems were allegedly compromised in the 2024 election, leading to targeted purging of Black voters and the presence of 'ghost voters'.
  • Georgia's recent primary runoffs saw Democrats gaining momentum and a significant defeat for Vernon Jones, indicating a desire for new leadership and ideas.
  • Black farmers have lost over 80% of their land since 1910, representing a $326 billion loss in wealth, exacerbated by rising input costs and corporate interests.
  • A 1-year-old Black child was fatally shot by police in Mississippi during an alleged shoplifting incident, sparking protests and calls for bodycam footage release.
  • Juneteenth, established as a federal holiday due to decades of advocacy, serves as a crucial annual moment to educate America on the history of slavery and promote civic engagement.

Insights

1Florida's Election Systems Compromised by Purges and 'Ghost Voters'

The Election Truth Alliance (ETA) report indicates that Florida's voter registration database and vote counting systems were compromised in the 2024 election. Investigations in St. Lucie County, a significant Black-populated area, revealed approximately 25,000 active registered voters (about 10% of the county's total) were purged without documentation. Furthermore, the ETA found 'ghost voters' registered at non-residential addresses like UPS stores and boat marinas, and even at an address under construction where the listed voter claimed to have voted in a different county. This follows a 2016 incident where Russian-designed malware, capable of targeting and purging minority voters, was detected in St. Lucie County's voter registration database.

Nathan Taylor, Executive Director of the Election Truth Alliance, detailed findings of 25,000 purged voters in St. Lucie County (), 'ghost voters' at UPS stores and boat marinas (), and the 2016 malware detection ().

2Georgia Runoffs Signal Democratic Momentum and Generational Shift

Georgia's primary runoffs demonstrated strong Democratic turnout and a preference for 'generational change.' Rick Jackson, a self-funding billionaire, advanced to the general election for Governor against Keisha Lance Bottoms, despite Donald Trump and Brian Kemp backing his opponent. Hard-right Congressman Mike Collins, endorsed by Trump, won his Senate primary to face Jon Ossoff. Notably, Mo Ivory defeated an incumbent for Fulton County Chair, and Vernon Jones, a former Democrat who 'kissed tons of MAGA ass,' lost the Secretary of State race significantly to an unknown candidate, Tim Fleming, highlighting a rejection of Trump-aligned figures even within the Republican primary.

Robert Patillo noted Democrats outpacing Republicans by nearly a million votes in runoffs () and the defeat of Vernon Jones (). Roland Martin highlighted Mo Ivory's win () and the Ossoff campaign's immediate attack ad on Mike Collins ().

3Black Farmland Under Siege: Economic Decline and Regenerative Solutions

Black farmers have experienced a drastic decline in land ownership, from 16-19 million acres at the turn of the 20th century to less than 3 million acres today, resulting in over $326 billion in lost wealth. This crisis is driven by rising fertilizer prices, tariffs, and corporate interests. Wayne Swanson Jr. of Swanson Family Farms advocates for a shift to regenerative farming practices (e.g., cover crops) to reduce costs and create value-added products. He emphasizes direct-to-consumer models and community aggregation to bypass middlemen and ensure market access, recognizing that traditional farming subsidies have led to stagnation.

Farm Aid statistics cited a drop from 16-19 million acres to less than 3 million () and a $326 billion wealth loss (). Wayne Swanson Jr. discussed input crises (), regenerative farming (), and direct-to-consumer strategies ().

4Police Fatally Shoot 1-Year-Old Black Child in Mississippi

In Senatobia, Mississippi, a 1-year-old Black boy, La'Damien Wiley, was fatally shot by a police officer during an alleged shoplifting incident at Walmart. The mother claims she showed officers her baby was in the car before they fired, and disputes the police narrative that the car drove towards officers. Protests have erupted, and the family, represented by Ben Crump, is demanding the release of bodycam and Walmart surveillance footage. Critics argue that deadly force was unjustified for a minor alleged offense, especially with a child present, and highlight systemic issues in policing Black communities.

The mother, Alicia Wiley, recounted showing her baby to officers before shots were fired (). Ben Crump emphasized the alleged shoplifting was for Pampers () and questioned the lack of video release ().

5Juneteenth: A Federal Holiday for Education and Civic Engagement

Juneteenth, commemorating the enforcement of General Order Number 3 in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865, officially freeing enslaved people in Texas, is now a federal holiday. Jason Edwards, son of the late Texas State Representative Al Edwards Sr., highlights his father's decades-long work in getting 45 states to recognize Juneteenth before it became a federal holiday. The holiday is framed not just as a celebration, but as a critical annual opportunity to educate Americans about the history of slavery, its impact, and to promote civic engagement, voter registration, and community building, pushing back against efforts to erase Black history.

Jason Edwards discussed his father Al Edwards Sr.'s role in establishing Juneteenth as a Texas state holiday in 1979 () and his subsequent work to get 45 states to adopt it (). Roland Martin stressed its importance in forcing America to confront slavery's history ().

Bottom Line

The vulnerability of voting systems and voter registration databases to manipulation (e.g., malware, 'ghost voters') poses a significant threat to democratic integrity, particularly in states with critical swing votes and high minority populations.

So What?

This suggests that election integrity concerns are valid, but often misdirected by partisan narratives. The real threat may come from sophisticated digital compromises and targeted purges, rather than individual voter fraud, disproportionately impacting minority voters.

Impact

There is an urgent need for non-partisan, expert-led forensic analysis of election systems, robust cybersecurity measures, and public education campaigns for voters to regularly check their registration status and report anomalies. Litigation and legislative action are crucial to force states to patch vulnerabilities.

The combination of high turnout in local elections and a desire for 'generational change' can lead to significant political shifts at the state and county levels, even against well-funded or incumbent candidates.

So What?

This indicates that national political narratives (e.g., 'Trumpism') may not always translate to local success, and that grassroots organizing and appealing to a desire for fresh leadership can be highly effective. It challenges the notion that national party structures dictate all electoral outcomes.

Impact

Democratic donors and strategists should invest heavily in local community organizers and down-ballot candidates, especially Black women, who can energize local bases and build political power from the ground up, rather than solely focusing on national races or relying on traditional (often white male) consultants.

Black farmers are innovating with regenerative agriculture and direct-to-consumer models to survive economic pressures and systemic disadvantages, bypassing traditional, often discriminatory, agricultural systems.

So What?

This highlights a resilient, entrepreneurial spirit within the Black farming community that is creating sustainable economic pathways and addressing food deserts, despite historical land loss and lack of institutional support. It reframes farming as a business requiring modern financial literacy and market access.

Impact

Support for Black-owned farms should focus on facilitating aggregation, providing business training (spreadsheets, marketing), and investing in local processing and distribution infrastructure (e.g., small grocery stores, farmers' markets). Consumers and community organizations can play a direct role by actively seeking out and purchasing from these farms.

Opportunities

Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) for Black-Owned Farms

Develop and promote CSA programs that directly connect urban consumers in food deserts with Black-owned regenerative farms. This model ensures consistent income for farmers and provides fresh, nutrient-dense food to communities, cutting out middlemen.

Source: Wayne Swanson Jr.'s discussion on direct-to-consumer models and the need for regular intervals of farm products to market.

Black Farmer Aggregation and Processing Hubs

Establish regional hubs for Black farmers to aggregate their produce and livestock, offering shared processing facilities, cold storage, and logistics. This would increase efficiency, reduce individual farmer costs, and enable larger-scale market access.

Source: Wayne Swanson Jr.'s emphasis on aggregation (01:14:53) and the need for realistic processing solutions for Black farmers (01:11:58).

Educational Programs for Modern Farming Business Skills

Offer training programs for Black farmers focused on business management, financial literacy (balance sheets, cost of goods sold), marketing, and food safety certifications, moving beyond traditional farming methods.

Source: Wayne Swanson Jr.'s point that farmers need to learn balance sheets, marketing, and operate 'as a business' (01:07:11).

Key Concepts

Generational Change in Politics

The idea that electorates, particularly in the Democratic party, are increasingly seeking new faces, new ideas, and new energy over long-standing incumbents, as evidenced by Georgia's runoff results and the defeat of veteran politicians by fresh candidates.

Food as Medicine

The concept that access to nutrient-dense, real food from local farms is essential for community health and well-being, directly combating chronic health conditions prevalent in food deserts, and emphasizing the role of farmers in public health.

Lessons

  • Regularly check your voter registration status, especially before major elections, as voter purging is an ongoing issue, and encourage others in your community to do the same.
  • Actively support and invest in Black-owned media platforms, farms, and businesses to ensure diverse voices are heard, economic stability is fostered, and community-specific needs are addressed.
  • Engage in local politics by supporting down-ballot candidates, attending community meetings, and holding elected officials accountable, recognizing that local actions can drive significant state and national change.

Empowering Black Political and Economic Influence

1

**Voter Protection & Engagement**: Advocate for election integrity by demanding transparency in voting systems and challenging voter purges. Educate communities on how to check voter registration and report anomalies. Mobilize voters for every election, emphasizing local races.

2

**Strategic Political Investment**: Direct financial and grassroots support to local community organizers and down-ballot candidates, particularly Black women, who are deeply connected to their communities and can drive 'generational change.' Prioritize on-the-ground campaigning over expensive traditional media buys.

3

**Economic Self-Sufficiency**: Support Black-owned farms and businesses through direct purchasing, investing in local processing and distribution infrastructure, and promoting innovative models like regenerative agriculture and direct-to-consumer sales. Advocate for policies that address historical land loss and provide equitable resources.

Notable Moments

The host's strong rebuke of those who dismiss Juneteenth's significance or complain about its federal recognition.

This moment highlights the ongoing struggle for historical accuracy and the importance of the holiday as a tool for education and leverage, rather than just a celebration, especially against internal and external criticisms.

The discussion about the need for Democratic donors to invest in local, grassroots efforts and 'down ticket' candidates, rather than just national races or white consultants.

This emphasizes a critical strategic shift needed for the Democratic party to build sustainable power and address community needs effectively, recognizing the importance of local leadership and diverse voices.

Quotes

"

"This malware was designed to, and I quote, allow the targeting and purging of voters based on key demographics, such as being minority voters. and could purge up to say 10% of the active registered voters in a county."

Nathan Taylor
"

"Donald Trump, when it comes time to return the favor to actually stand up and say he supports you, he never shows up for black folks who put their necks on the line for Donald Trump. And I think it should be instructive to black folks coming forward who may think maybe I'll get onto the Maga team. Just look at Vernon Jones as a cautionary tale."

Robert Patillo
"

"If you are a community member, if you are church or civic organization, if you own a big shop shopping center where you have a big empty parking lot, what can those people do to connect with black farmers in their area to create things such as weekend farmers markets or co-ops or opportunities where folks from the rural communities come to sell their products and folks from the urban environment be able to buy?"

Robert Patillo
"

"We're selling legacy. We're selling medicine. And we're selling history."

Wayne Swanson Jr.
"

"You can kill a baby because somebody took a box of Pampers. You can kill a 14-year-old black boy because you believe he took a bottle of water."

Ben Crump
"

"If you forget it, and then it didn't happen. We have people in this country right now... who genuinely might be confused, or unsure, or unclear because they're not getting the right information. So, we have to tell we have to have moments where we can tell the true history of America, which has some good things, but also some very dark things. And slavery was one of those dark things. It is fundamental. It is our original sin. It's from which everything else flows in this country."

Joy Cheney

Q&A

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