Ep. 77 | Blockchain Bussy, Bigotry & Bad Medicine

In this episode of Selective Ignorance, Mandii B is joined by super producer A-King and Jason “Jah” Lee for another unpredictable mix of current events, culture, crime, politics, technology, religion, and internet debates. After previewing the week’s biggest stories [ 00:45 ], the crew settles in with some signature banter about generational differences and everyday life [ 02:52 ], including the frustrations of Atlanta parking and navigating the city [ 07:27]. Things get even more personal when they debate airport pickup etiquette, friendship expectations, and exactly how much inconvenience a real friend should be willing to endure [ 14:53 ].

In “This Is America,” the conversation turns serious with the case of Memphis mother Kendra Scott, who was charged with first-degree murder and a firearm offense after 20-year-old Rodarius Morton was found in her 13-year-old daughter’s bedroom and fatally shot as he was leaving [ 20:21 ]. The crew examines the complicated circumstances surrounding the case, including reports concerning Morton’s learning disabilities and questions about Tennessee consent laws, culpability, parental protection, and legal nuance [ 21:43 ]. They then wrestle with the emotional aftermath, potential guilt, and the role of gun laws and split-second decision-making [ 32:27 ], before extending the debate to another scenario involving a porch shooting and the boundaries of self-defense [ 34:09 ].

The episode then shifts to healthcare after discussing Cassandra Barksdale, a Georgia woman who says she underwent an unnecessary hysterectomy after Kaiser Permanente mistakenly identified her biopsy as aggressive uterine cancer [ 34:34 ]. The hosts react to the devastating consequences of the reported medical mix-up [ 37:18 ] and emphasize the potentially life-changing importance of seeking second opinions when facing major diagnoses and irreversible procedures [ 41:33 ].

From healthcare, the crew moves into money and technology with a discussion about the federal push toward cryptocurrency regulation [ 42:45 ]. They debate the risks and usefulness of digital currencies, including how crypto can become an alternative when traditional banks and payment processors restrict transactions connected to sex work and other industries [ 48:18 ]. That leads into a broader—and characteristically heated—conversation about the service industry, consumer expectations, money, and the frustrations surrounding modern customer service [53:19 ].

The political conversation picks up with reactions to anti-Muslim backlash surrounding New York City Mayor Zalmay Mandami and his participation in 9/11 memorial events [ 01:01:39 ]. The crew examines rhetoric surrounding Muslim identity and so-called “foreign-sounding” names [ 01:07:34 ], before discussing how names can influence racial, religious, and cultural perceptions in political campaigns [ 01:09:36 ]. A conversation involving ChatGPT and perceptions of Muslim names follows [ 01:12:49 ], leading to a debate about whether changing or Americanizing names can alter how people are treated [ 01:15:32 ]. The hosts then react to Rep. Nancy Mace’s comments about Islam [ 01:16:50 ], broadening the conversation into what travel and exposure to different cultures can teach people about religion [ 01:20:19 ] and the shared Abrahamic roots of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam amid continuing racism and religious prejudice [ 01:23:41 ]. 

Closing out the episode, things get lighter—and considerably more provocative—when the crew reacts to Devin Walker’s “ethical wiggering” commentary, using the viral phrase to debate cultural appreciation, participation, authenticity, and the complicated history of white figures operating within Black cultural spaces [ 01:26:22 ]. They begin building their own tongue-in-cheek list of examples [ 01:27:57 ], discussing figures from entertainment, music, and sports before landing on Paul Wall and a conversation surrounding the Confederate flag [ 01:37:53 ]. A final detour into a Drake tour rumor brings the main episode toward its conclusion [ 01:40:54 ], before the crew previews what’s coming next on the bonus episode [ 01:41:51 ]. From crime and medical accountability to cryptocurrency, Islamophobia, cultural identity, and appropriation, Selective Ignorance once again finds humor, disagreement, and deeper questions inside some of the week’s most complicated conversations. 

No Holes Barred: A Dual Manifesto Of Sexual Exploration And Power” w/ Tempest X!

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