It's Not About Right and Wrong When It's About Survival with Maleek Jackson
Whatsjust presents Critical ConversationsShow Notes
Send a text In this episode, I speak with Maleek Jackson, owner of Maleek Jackson Fitness Boxing Gym in Philadelphia. Maleek spent 10 years in prison from ages 16-26 and in our conversation, we contextualize criminal behavior, interrogating how, for those in the streets, it is not about “right” or “wrong” but about doing what you need to do to survive with the limited opportunities available. We discuss how chaotic environments, resulting from racist systems and structures, tend to muffle pos...
More from Whatsjust presents Critical Conversations
Send a text In this episode, I’m joined by Lourdes A. Rivera, President of Pregnancy Justice and a leading voice in the fight to ensure that no one loses their rights because of pregnancy. Lourdes has spent over three decades advancing reproductive freedom, gender justice, and human rights through her work in law, philanthropy, and advocacy. Together, we unpack what it means to live in a country where pregnancy itself can lead to punishment, and what that reveals about our broader criminal an...
Send a text In this episode, I’m joined by Alec Karakatsanis, a trailblazing civil rights lawyer, Founder and Executive Director of Civil Rights Corps, and author of Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our News. Together, we pull back the curtain on how everyday headlines shape what we believe about crime, safety, and justice, and how those beliefs serve the powerful and not necessarily the public. We dive into: How to spot propaganda hiding in plain sightReal, non-punitive approac...
Send a text This episode features Dr. Jane Ward, professor and chair of Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of the recent book, The Tragedy of Heterosexuality. In this conversation, we explore the complexities of heterosexuality, its historical context, and the implications of gender dynamics in relationships. We discuss The evolution of marriage Exploring sexualityThe commodification of relationship adviceHow to be a feministI would love to ...
Send a text This episode features a live-recorded critical conversation between Abbie and Prentice Hemphill, a therapist, somatic educator, political organizer, founder of the Embodiment Institute, and writer of the recent book, What It Takes To Heal. In this conversation, we explore the intricate relationship between healing, justice, and the body, and discuss: Conflict as a catalyst for growthThe fallacy of the mind-body splitHealing as relational rather than individual Visioning as a ...
Send a text This episode is step ten in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Steven Windisch, the Director of the Crime and Security Data Analytics Lab in the Terrorism Research Center at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Windisch's research breaks away from approaches limited to specific phases of the extremist’s life course, such as their period of incarceration. Instead, his research emphasizes the accumulation of risk factors (e.g., physical abuse) and life events ...