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This episode is hosted by Vida and Trevor. In today's episode, we have returning guest Jason England and Bertrand Cooper to talk about their recent articles. Severe poverty was the backdrop to most of Bertrand's life; today, he looks for avenues in education, research, and writing where he can either assist the poor directly or help others reflect upon that perspective. Jason England is an assistant professor of creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University. Today, the Sharks and guests discuss Black representation in pop culture. This topic goes so deep we had to drop the bit rate of the audio file just to fit it all in! This is a conversation you do not want to miss.

You can learn more about this episodes guests as well as read the articles discussed at:

https://www.chronicle.com/article/the-pernicious-fantasy-of-the-nikole-hannah-jones-saga

https://www.chronicle.com/article/why-was-it-so-easy-for-jessica-krug-to-fool-everyone

https://www.currentaffairs.org/2021/07/who-actually-gets-to-create-black-pop-culture

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/ijeoma-oluo-why-it-s-time-white-male-mediocrity-lose-n1251948

https://twitter.com/glorygirllici/status/1384374502419750914?s=20

Co-produced & edited by Aaron C. Schroeder / Pierced Ears Recording Co, Seattle WA (piercedearsrec.com). Opening theme composed by T. Beaulieu. Closing theme composed by Dustfingaz (https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRazhu_)