The killing of George Floyd, who died after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for eight minutes and forty six seconds spurred a wave of anger and protests across America and the globe. These demonstrations were an expression of outrage for the blaring racial gap in America and the many ways in which it manifests today –– from housing discrimination to police brutality. In today’s episode, we speak to Breon Wells, the founder of the Daniel Initiative and presidential aide to former President Barack Obama. He talks about his work, the difference between equity and equality and the changes he would like to see going forward. This discussion is supplemented by the academic insight of Molly Ellenberg, a research fellow at the International Center for the Study of Violent Extremism, on how the ideology of white supremacy works today. 

Media Minded explores the bizarre world of misinformation and conspiracies. Following on from the success of the first season in 2019, each episode platforms a different subject who has previously been a victim of, or a willing participant in, a conspiracy theory… but these lines may be more blurred than you think. Ex-cultists, anti-vaxxers and more describe their slow descent into the untrue, and those who experience the brunt of the lies and hatred explain the effect that the proliferation of these ideas has. All the while, industry-leading academics and experts provide theoretical justifications for the actions taken by all parties.

Presented by Matteo Bergamini

Edited and recorded by Sabina Mckenzie Brown.

This podcast is made possible thanks to the kind support and sponsorship of the US embassy in London.