Civic Cipher

Send us a Text Message. In the first half of today’s show, we look at some recent instances of police violence and try to identify how ‘reform’ never seems to work. One instance of an officer punching a Black woman in the face at a McDonalds, and another where 5 Black officers needlessly ended the life of a young Black man gives us a framework to ask this critically important question. Support the...

Send us a Text Message. In the second half of the show, we discuss the response from the Florida Board of Education / Ron DeSantis after examining a potential AP course on Black history in the United States. Their response stating that the course “lacks educational value” provoked a strong reaction from Black people, educators, and us too. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCip...

Send us a Text Message. Today we look back on last week's holiday for Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and cite several examples of conservative hypocrisy. Many on the right use bits and pieces of Dr. King's legacy and quotes to gain clout and give the appearance of brother/sisterhood when, in fact their policies stand in direct contrast to what Dr. King stood for.  Support the Show....

Send us a Text Message. In the second half of the show, we discuss the viral interaction of police and Keenan Anderson which led to his death. We describe the video, the triggers, and naturally, the aftermath. We also spend some time reviewing one of Dr. Martin Luther King's letters and charge everyone with doing more research into the great reverend.  Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Fo...

Send us a Text Message. Today’s episode we discuss the bias that is found in some far-right conservative circles and pockets of the internet that suggest that White people are intellectually superior to Black people. We examine the origins of this myth, explain how dangerous and divisive it can be, and remind you to look beyond the numbers published in reports. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.co...

Send us a Text Message. The second half we discuss code-switching or ‘talking White” as well as why Black people will sometimes switch up their dialect, cadence, tone, and even posture when interacting with White people or people in positions of authority. We give insight into this phenomenon and why it’s necessary for Black people to essentially be bilingual in America.  Support the Show. www.civ...

Send us a Text Message. Today’s episode we discuss the history of certain foods that have been negatively associated with Black people and the impact that it can have. We share some personal stories and provide some historical context and examples to flesh out the roots of this form of ignorance. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for to...

Send us a Text Message. The second half of today's show, we discuss how segregated churches can be on Sunday mornings. We look into the roots of this segregation, challenge it, and identify ways race-relations could improve if this were ever remedied. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for today's show was provided by: Major Th...

Send us a Text Message. Today’s episode sees us reviewing the major topics we have discussed this year on Civic Cipher. Some of the subjects we revisit for the first half include an episode from January where we ask Why Black People vote Democrat, as well as the Will Smith and Chris Rock Oscars slap from April, plus a topic from May where we ask the question, Do Police Make us Safer? Support the S...

Send us a Text Message. The second half we review episodes from the latter part of 2022 including a discussion about Uvalde, Reparations, Midterm elections, and voter suppression. We also spotlight the Bank Black initiative. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for today's show was provided by: Major Threads menswear www. MajorThreads...

Send us a Text Message. Today's episode begins with us discussing the death of Ronald Greene—the 49-year old who was killed by police 3 years ago. We discuss the delay in releasing the footage and the further delay in having charges filed. We also break down his arrest and the brutality of the officers involved.  Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesj...

Send us a Text Message. The second half of the program deals with the weaponization of police, how the presence of officers affects non-criminal issues, and how Black women often suffer the most under the current law enforcement system. Our Way Black History Fact is dedicated to Lunsford Richardson…the pharmacist behind Vicks Vaporub. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @...

Send us a Text Message. Today's episode begins with us going through the many things that have made headlines in the past year regarding the former president and how none of it seems to significantly quell the enthusiasm behind his movement. While we appreciate that some right-wing leaders have finally decided to acknowledge his toxicity, it is simply too little and too late. Furthermore, it...

Send us a Text Message. The second half of the program deals with one elected official's plan to remove American History (rebranded as CRT by conservatives) from classrooms.  We discuss his (Tom Horne) delusions and fears with respect to the traditional teaching of American history and give insight into how one might approach an individual who feels this way. Support the Show. www.civiccipher...

Send us a Text Message. The second half of the show is dedicated to discussing mental health and more specifically, forgiveness. We use the recent interview Will Smith had with Trevor Noah to approach the subject of conflict resolution and identify the value in seeking and granting forgiveness.  Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for tod...

Send us a Text Message. Today's episode starts off with our discussion on Black White supremacists. There are folks who are Black who go well beyond the conservative label...and they can be dangerous and confusing to the masses. We discuss some of the more prominent names and identify common characteristics with this type of individual. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicC...

Send us a Text Message. Today's episode is a Way Black History Episode...lol! We discuss the uniqueness of American slavery and contrast it with slavery around the world. This conversation allows us to more directly deal with the implications and legacy of slavery in the United States. Consideration for today's show was provided by Major Threads menswear www. MajorThreads.com, and Hip Ho...

Send us a Text Message. We spend the second half of the show familiarizing you with some key takeaways from the Willie Lynch letter which we often refer to on the show. This gives insight into the ripple effects of the chattel slavery system from the United States. Consideration for today's show was provided by Major Threads menswear www. MajorThreads.com, and Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiph...

Send us a Text Message. On today's show, we talk about the viral video of a Black man named Jarrett Hobbs being beaten in a jail cell. We break down the facts surrounding the police violence as we know them so far, and try to provide a glimpse into how the criminal justice system interacts with Black bodies. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Con...

Send us a Text Message. In the second half of the show, we talk about our current political climate after the midterm elections. We discuss the divide we are witnessing in this country and offer some ideas on what to do about it. Consideration for today's show was provided by Major Threads menswear www. MajorThreads.com, and Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com Support the Show. www.c...

Send us a Text Message. In the second half of the show, we talk about social media and Black culture with Fanbase creator Isaac Hayes III. This conversation gives insight into why control of our narratives is so important and what options we have for owning our platforms.  Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramsesja Consideration for today's show was prov...

Send us a Text Message. On today's show, we adopt a slightly different format. We share the audio from an interview with LA's Big Boy...for those who have noticed, we had a busy couple of weeks. It all started with this conversation and we hope you enjoy it and gain some additional insight into who we are and what we are trying to do with this platform! Support the Show. www.civiccipher....

Send us a Text Message. On today's show, we are joined by Dr. Camilla Westenberg on behalf of the NAACP discussing midterm elections, their importance, and what outcomes they shape. She shares a story of the importance of voting according to her elders, and also discusses what is at stake for this midterm election. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @iamqward @ramse...

Send us a Text Message. In the second half of the show, we discuss voter suppression initiatives across the country. We discuss ways to identify and combat these actions that seek to weaken the voting power of the historically disenfranchised. Consideration for today's show was provided by Major Threads menswear www. MajorThreads.com, and Hip Hop Weekly Magazine www.hiphopweekly.com Support t...

Send us a Text Message. On today's show, we spend the first half discussing a distressing and upsetting example of the consequences of failing to listen to Black women. We turn to a friend of the show and another Black media outlet called The Kansas City Defender for the story they broke nationally regarding missing Black women. Support the Show. www.civiccipher.com Follow us: @CivicCipher @i...