Truth Time with Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner

While praying and drawing attention to the Trump administrations cuts to social safety net programs, Dr. William Barber and Rev. Johnathan William-Hartgrove, and Steve Swayne were arrested at the Capitol Rotunda. In the wake of those arrest, Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss and wrestle with the concepts of power, how it is used and whether the power of love is stronger than the love of power. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the recent fire that engulfed the historic Clayborn Temple Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Clayborn Temple was the staging site for the Sanitation Workers’ Strike in 1968.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s historic win as mayor-elect of Oakland and what it could mean for progressive politics and policies in California and beyond.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the four years since the passing of Dr. West’s incredible mother, Irene B. West and the passing of Pope Francis.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the speech Dr. West gave at Howard University and his analysis about staying quiet and complicit in a moment like this. Also, what is the vision for this moment to lift poor and working people? Could the Freedom Budget for All Americans as envisioned by Asa Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr be the economic plan needed right now?

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the contours of movement building and the connection to mass protest like the Hands Off protest.

Dr. West and Nina Turner unpack the multi-layered life of Marcus Garvey. He was an unapologetic Black Nationalist who loved and sacrificed for Black people in the United States and the Black diaspora. 

Dr. Cornell West and Nina Turner discuss Harvard University striking back against the defunding threats of the Trump Administration. Also, six women orbited space on Blue Origin. Is this a giant leap for womankind?

LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy is reported to have committed suicide. He was only 24 years old. Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss this tragedy in the context of a broader epidemic facing our Black youth, especially our Black boys.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the incredible life of civil rights activist and icon—Fannie Lou Hamer. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss President Trump’s tariff war and how it is a form of economic oppression. Plus, why is this administration so afraid of diversity? 

On April 4, 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated while in Memphis, TN supporting striking sanitation workers. Dr. West and Nina Turner will discuss this earth-shattering occurrence and the social and political implications. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner analyze the impact of Senator Cory Booker’s 25-hour floor speech. Was this the breakthrough Democrats needed or just a blip on the screen? Is this the best strategy during the Trump era.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the corrupting force of big money and dark money on elections. The race for the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court has drawn $100 million. It is the most expensive state supreme court race in history and is a glaring example of why Citizens United must be overturned.

Dr. West and Nina Turner explore the courageous life of Mary Harris Jones who used her incredible skills to advocate for coal miners and children during the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Trump administration’s “DEI” overreach by removing the military records of Jackie Robinson from the Department of Defense’s website?

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the moral and economic impact of the United States support of Israel’s war on Gaza and the mass killing of Palestinian civilians. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the leadership vacuum within the Democratic Party and the fallout over Senator Schumer’s decision to back the GOP Continuing Resolution.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the extraordinary work of Grammy Award winning singer and pianists Roberta Flack. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the impact gutting the Department of Education may have on the state and local levels. How will this affect the quality of education moving forward? 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the case of Mahmoud Khalil, an activist for Palestinian rights who has been targeted by the Trump administration. How does this impact the right to Freedom of Speech and other civil liberties.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the disconnect between the symbol of Bloody Sunday 60 years later and the lack of substance or commitment to build on the work of the generation that made social and political sacrifices.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the courage and tenacity of activist, artist and thought leader Bree Newsome Bass. In 2015, Newsome Bass climbed the flag pole at the South Carolina state house and took down the Confederate flag.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the after effects of President Trump’s Joint Session Address as well as the fight back being displayed by the federal workers.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the possible framework of President Trumps joint address to Congress compared to what is happening in the lives of everyday people.