#TalkRadio – August 1 – Supreme Disappointment

SPEAKERS:

James Gilmore, Esq.: 12:00 PM – 12:57 PM ET
Litigation Associate at Baker McKenzie; 2023-24 Fellow for the National Bar Association’s Associates’ Advancement Program

Mary “Mazzi’ Ingram: 12:30 PM – 12:57 PM ET
Junior at Brandeis University, studying Environmental Studies and has a strong interest in social and economic; Policy intern with the Afterschool Alliance in Washington, DC; has worked in nonprofits, public, and private sectors; TJC Voting Rights Advocate and Alumni; is planning to pursue a masters or higher in public policy.

INTRODUCTION:

The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, August 1st, 2023, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time, entitled, “Supreme Disappointment: An Overview of the 2022-2023 Nefarious SCOTUS Term”, will be broadcasting live from the National Bar Association’s (NBA) 98th Annual Convention in Minneapolis with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. and guests James Gilmore, Esq. and Mary “Mazzi’ Ingram.

On Tuesday, August 1st, the Civil Rights section of the NBA is sponsoring its annual John C. Brittain Supreme Court Review which will be moderated by Igniting Change guest John Gilmore with panelists Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. This panel will 1 over 6 major cases decided by the Court, including Alan vs. Milligan, Moore v. Harper, Students For Fair Admissions vs. President and Fellow of Harvard College/SFSA vs. University of North Carolina, Biden vs Nebrasksa, 303 Creative, LLC vs. Elenis, and Groff vs DeJoy. This radio show will reprise the panel discussion with highlights of the questions and reactions from the audience. These cases have caused considerable reaction in the public sphere. In particular, the Milligan case is prominently being discussed in the news right now because of the Alabama State Legislature’s refusal to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive to create a second minority-majority Congressional district. The panel will discuss the implications of this refusal and open defiance and likely next steps. Likewise, the Affirmative Action case has resulted in mass confusion as to its reach and impact on any race-conscious policies and actions beyond college admissions. A number of GOP Attorney Generals and other State Officials have sought to dismantle minority scholarships,  affirmative action in employment, and other policies that weren’t discussed at all in the Court’s decision. Last week, UNC announced that it was abandoning all affirmative action in admissions, including any essay submissions, and employment. The implications of the Elenis case in particular has been widely discussed in its likely impact in other civil rights areas in addition to LGBTQIA. The panel will also discuss the impact the Supreme Court’s scandals are having on the Court and the public’s confidence in the Court?

Following the issuance of the Affirmative Action decision, a number of TJC Fellows formed an action group to discuss the case and form their own statement. Our guest, Mary “Mazzi’ Ingram, is currently a student at a primarily White institution and can speak to how the affirmative action decision is affecting her campus.

TJC Weekly Announcement:

• The Black Farmer’s Fund— More info: https://thegrio.com/2023/07/07/black-farmers-usda-discrimination-financial-assistance-program/ 

This show will discuss Black farmers and the Black farmers fund, from the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program which is being funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. The Inflation Reduction Act contains an assistance fund for farmers who were discriminated against. This fund has $2.2b to cover 75 million applicants and covers anyone who can provide proof that they were discriminated against by the federal government. You can only apply up to October through the 40 page application which started on July 7th. How do we best outreach to all of these farmers, particularly, Black farmers who are eligible? 

QUESTIONS:

• What is the NBA’s Civil Rights’ Section?
• What was it like for you to moderate the panel this morning?
• Out of the numerous cases that the Court decided, why did the NBA panel focus on these 6 cases?
• Which cases did the audience seem the most concerned about?
• What were some of the Supreme Court trendlines that were mentioned during the panel presentations?
• What were some of the most poignant questions received from the audience?
• What were some of the other important cases during the United States’ Supreme Court’s term besides the 6 that were highlighted during the session, including immigration and Native American rights?
• What were some of the audience’s thoughts on how to discuss the pervasiveness of the scandals on this Court, specifically what do people think about Alito’s public statement that Congress has no authority to regulate the Supreme Court.
• Mazzi, how did you feel when you first heard about the Supreme Court case on Affirmative Action?
• Why did the TJC Fellows decide to form their group?
• What were some of the topics that were discussed during their meetings?
• What was the essence of the group’s statement?
• How did they feel about the student loan case?
• What are we looking at next from the this Court’s upcoming decisions?
• What do we anticipate will be the ongoing impact of this Court’s term?

Barbara, Daryl, and guests will discuss major developments in the news, including the upcoming 58th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act National Broadcast on August 5th, live from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Final Questions to guests:

• What is the major work that you’re pursuing right now?
• What do you think is the most important grassroots organizing that you think needs to happen in order to ensure strong voter protection and engagement in November 2023 and 2024?
• What are your final thoughts to our listeners?
• Thank you for all of your hard work. How do our listeners get in contact with you?
• [Questions for USDA about the Black Farmers’ Fund]
• On Friday, July 7th, the USDA announced this $2.2 billion fund for Black Farmers. What is this fund?
• Let’s talk about some specifics of this fund. Who is eligible?
• Let’s discuss who can apply and how can they apply to this new fund
• How do we best outreach to all of these farmers, particularly Black farmers, who are eligible?
• How can our diverse audience of racial justice activists from around the country, and many of our audience has family members who are farmers. What can our listeners do to help right now to outreach to the farmers and help them?