Abolition Today

We wrap up the year for our final live episode of 2023. We'll do a year in review, count our accomplishments, and look toward the New Breed with the class of 2024. The 16 states + DC who are set to shake the nation even more than we did in 2020, 2022, and 2023. We want you to call in and join us (515) 605-9814. Tell us about your favorite episodes and tracks. Let's talk about the work and how far we've come in so little time. How far we've got to go. Of course there's gonna be blazing hot music, amazing spoken word, and eye opening speeches. We're taking out the year with a big bang and a deep bow.  Be sure to tune in and call in for this powerful evening with Yusuf & Max!

If we had a nickle for every time someone told us that no one would argue in favor of slavery today, we'd be half rich. Good people often make the mistake of believing that if "you" can't think like that no-one else would either. Nah bruh. Let us tell you something. On this front line we've heard pro-slavery arguments from state reps and influencers all across this country. In Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, Vermont, New jersey, Oregon, California, and more. We're talking unbudging, shameless, hard core, feet planted firmly, arguments of all sorts. With nary a care that it was all said out loud in public. We've heard it and counter-argued in person as public testimony. We've heard it on zoom meetings of official congressional and senate hearings, and we've heard it from people with mass media platforms that reach millions. As a matter of fact, for this Sunday's episode of Abolition Today  we will present the 2023 pro-slavery perspective. Because there is one and it's hella loud and hella influential. The next time you hear someone say nobody would argue in favor of keeping slavery legal, tell them Abolition Today said YES, they have, and they will.

We are joined by New Hampshire activist, abolitionist, and Organizer Ophelia Healing Justice and N.H. State Representative Amanda Bouldin. Ophelia and Amanda represent the grass roots organizing and legislative efforts behind New Hampshire's push to create a constitutional amendment officially abolishing slavery in the state for the first time. It is said that N.H. abolished slavery in 1857. We'll show how that is not true at all. We've got the receipts. As always, we will tie it all together with great music, spoken word, and bring the voices of the abolitionist ancestors back to life for a new generation.

Yusuf, Max, and the ASNN Aboluminati are live on location from DC after the 52nd annual Congressional Black Caucus convention. We'll talk about our experiences with legislators in our efforts to amplify the slavery abolition movement and to garner legislative support for a momentous year in 2024. We'll be introducing 16 slavery abolition bills from 16 states to change 16 constitutions. All while support grows for the Abolition Amendment. A federal joint resolution to repeal the 13th amendment and replace it with a 28th amendment that abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude without exception as a punishment for crime or any other reason. Of course we'll tie it all together with music, spoken word, and the teachings of Slavery Abolitionist ancestors brought to life for a new generation.

Consider tonight as a follow up to last week's episode with a review of recent United States Supreme Court rulings on extreme sentences for juveniles: the death penalty, life without the possibility of parole, and 8th Amendment violations in sentencing juveniles.   Max has a much-deserved day off. Yusuf will be joined by guest co-host Curtis Davis, Co-Director of State Operations of the Abolish Slavery National Network, Executive Director of Decarcerate Louisiana, and author of "Slave State: Evidence of Apartheid in America" which was also made into a documentary.   We'll have music, insightful conversation, uplifting, educational, and inspirational discussions, and as always we'll bring the voices of the abolitionist ancestors back to life for a new generation with our Bridging The Gap segment.

Jaubrae Dixon is a 26-year-old advocate of rehabilitation. Using his personal experiences, insight, and determination towards being a part of the solution, Jaubrae has authored a self-help group - now turned Non-Profit organization - by the name of C.H.A.N.G.E.S, that was designed to assist other men searching for true change in their own life. Incarcerated at the age of 17 years old, Jaubrae’s life was abruptly flipped completely upside down. Faced with tragedies, the strain of everyday prison life, and his own internal struggle of searching for his true identity - through the grace of God - Jaubrae prevailed. After 9 years of incarceration, Jaubrae was finally freed, but his work towards helping others hasn’t stopped. Blessed with his first real chance at life, and driven by his purpose of cultivating generational change, Jaubrae has focused his attention towards continuing the same drive that he had while inside. Everything about his journey played a part in where he is now in his life, and with his whole new lease, Jaubrae intends to keep the same energy in advocating for the next brother, or sister, earning their freedom too!   Join us. Tune in, Tell a Friend, Things will never be the same again.  Tales From the Plantation Nation Podcast  Every Wednesday 4pm Pacific and 7 pm Eastern.  Abolitiontoday.org

The focus is often on adults. What they endure. What they are fighting. What horrors they must overcome. But what about our children? As a parent who has lost multiple sons to this system and decades of their lives I gotta tell you. This episode was difficult to produce. Nonetheless, the truth must be told. If you're ever going to join us to abolish legalized constitutional slavery in law and practice, all the reasons you need are in this episode. Bring plenty of kleenex, a punching bag, and some pom poms. It's gonna be an emotional roller coaster ride.

The focus is often on adults. What they endure. What they are fighting. What horrors they must overcome. But what about our children? As a parent who has lost multiple sons to this system and decades of their lives I gotta tell you. This episode was difficult to produce. Nonetheless, the truth must be told. If you're ever going to join us to abolish legalized constitutional slavery in law and practice, all the reasons you need are in this episode. Bring plenty of kleenex, a punching bag, and some pom poms. It's gonna be an emotional roller coaster ride.

It's been a rough two weeks as our co-host Yusuf Hassan dealt with the passing and internment of his father Joseph. A huge fan of the program and a slavery abolitionist. But, on August 27th we're back and broadcasting LIVE from Denver Colorado at the Abolish Slavery National Network Anniversary Event! We'll talk with ASNN organizers and recap the weekends events. We will discuss the future of slavery abolition and turn it all up with amazing music and spoken word. Then, we'll close it all out with an epic speech from Frederick Douglass read by Ossie Davis in our Bridging The Gap segment. We introduced all of it right here on Abolition Today when it began and we'll reintroduce it in 2023. Ladies and gentlemen. We Are The Abolish Slavery National Network and in only five short years 8 state constitutions no longer allow slavery as a punishment for crime because we exist. We are here. God willing, we'll be here till the job is done and the battle is won. Amen and amen.

Please keep our brother Yusuf Hassan and his family in your prayers as they are going through very troubled times. In his absence I'll be joined by multi published, multi recorded, Spoken Word legend, Tribal Raine. AKA Mrs Parthas. :) In this episode we're dropping mics and exploding truth bombs while amplifying voices that break the issues down so succinctly it should be considered an art form. Of course we've got powerful music and poetry lined up as well as bringing the voices of our abolitionist ancestors back to life for a new generation of slavery abolitionists.

We address the myths being perpetrated that in any way, shape, or form, that slavery was beneficial to black people, that there was such a creature as a good enslaver, or that slaves were happy and content with their oppressive conditions. It's a shame we even need to explain this in 2023 but who better than us right? As always, we'll share amazing music, poetry, and bring the voices of the abolitionist ancestors back to life for a new generation in our Bridging The gap Segment.

In this episode we're all black everything. We're play music about being black. We'll talk about black issues. Highlight systemic racism against black lives. We'll Discuss black history, and do it all unapologetically. In the past few months we've gotten some complaints that we focus too much on black people. On Social media I've been accused of conspiring to hide black criminality. Well, this episode is for you. If it pisses you off so be it. Blame Max. I chose to do this episode. In a nation where you can't even say the words Black People (choosing POC instead) or talk about issues exclusive to descendants of the Diaspora without showing an often nonexistent intersectionality in some kind of oppression Olympics, we're about to black out on your ass. Of course, we're going to bring the voice of a BLACK abolitionist back to life for a new generation in our bridging The Gap segment. I see you seething and it makes me smile.

Join us for this episode of Tales From the Plantation Nation as our host Samual Nathaniel Brown is joined by guest, Porshe Taylor. As the Founder and Executive Director of Prison From-TheInside-Out, she is making history. Tune in to learn how, why, and much more as we discuss this, current events and what makes Porshe go so hard in pursuit of her goals. Tune in. Tell a friend. Things will never be the same again.  Tales From the Plantation Nation Podcast  Every Wednesday 4pm Pacific and 7 pm Eastern.  Abolitiontoday.org

Louisiana has embarrassed itself and the entire nation once again by refusing to pass HB 211. The slavery abolition bill. In 2022 Louisiana became the face of national shame by being the only state of 5 who did not pass a slavery abolition bill. In S4-E16 Special Extended Broadcast - The Testimony of Angels and Devils HB211 LA you heard their wicked reasoning for not wanting to give up the criminal act of involuntary servitude AKA Forced/Slave labor in 2023. This Sunday, Fathers day, on the eve of Juneteenth, we're joined by LA Representative Edmond Jordan. Author of HB 211 to get the rundown on how in the confounding confederate slave state this happened again. We'll have music, insightful conversation, uplifting, educational, and inspirational discussions, and as always we'll bring the voices of the abolitionist ancestors back to life for a new generation with our Bridging The Gap segment.

This Sunday Max and Yusuf are joined by Chris Lodgson. A leading voice in slavery reparations. Chris Lodgson is the President and lead organizer/advocate for the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, as well as a Community Organizing and Policy Manager in the Sacramento Office of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC). Chris is also the 2022 recipient of the Fannie Lou Hamer Boots on the Ground Award for Community Organizing from the National Assembly of American Slavery Descendants (NAASD). In this pre-Juneteenth two episode set (Last week and this) we were joined by an organizer of National Juneteenth events ( Juneteenth Jamal Basill Bradley) and now, one of the leading voices in reparations. Chris Lodgson. Two topics that would normally indicate a post slavery society. And yet, both of these organizers are slavery abolitionists. We believe their unique perspectives will help others gain understanding of the issue surrounding modern legal slavery in a nation hell bent on pushing a false narrative of full emancipation and absolute abolition. Can we settle reparations while slavery is still legal and in practice? Tune in to find out.

Host Samual Nathaniel Brown is joined by guests Chris Lodgson and KJ Muhammad.   KJ Muhammad, better known as Friday Jones, is one of three Co-Chairs and a founding member of NAASD Los Angeles. KJ was recently appointed as a Commissioner to Mayor Garcetti’s Los Angeles Reparation Commission. KJ is the author and publisher of a self-help memoir “The Real Friday Jones.” KJ is a Budget Representative for Empowerment Congress West Area Neighborhood Council and served as a Budget Advocate for the City of Los Angeles for the fiscal year 2019/2020. KJ is also an active member of the New Frontier Democratic Club and Black Women’s Democratic Club in Los Angeles. KJ is a proud graduate of Howard University and most recently the Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Policy Institute 2020. In her mind’s eye, she is a dancer and occasional actress, in real life she does pretty good math!   Chris Lodgson is the President and lead organizer/advocate for the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California, as well as a Community Organizing and Policy Manager in the Sacramento Office of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC). Originally from New York City, now living in Sacramento California, Chris has organized and advocated on behalf of local community-based and political organizations, as well as with local, state, and national nonprofit organizations for over 13 years on both the East Coast and West Coast. Chris is also the 2022 recipient of the Fannie Lou Hamer Boots on the Ground Award for Community Organizing from the National Assembly of American Slavery Descendants (NAASD).   Join us. Tune in, Tell a Friend, Things will never be the same again.  Tales From the Plantation Nation Podcast  Every Wednesday 4pm Pacific and 7 pm Eastern.  Abolitiontoday.org

This Sunday we're joined by Juneteenth Jamal Basill Bradley. Organizer and founder of SC’s Juneteenth Joyfest. One of the largest Juneteenth events in the US. In this two episode set (This week and next) we'll be joined by organizers of National Juneteenth events and a member of the California Reparations Task Force. Two topics that would normally indicate a post slavery society. And yet, both of these organizers are slavery abolitionists. We believe their unique perspectives will help others gain understanding of the issue surrounding modern legal slavery in a nation hell bent on pushing a false narrative of full emancipation and absolute abolition. Can we celebrate/commemorate/elevate Juneteenth as a national holiday while still recognizing the critical need for slavery abolition in today's society? Tune in and find out.

Host Samual Nathaniel Brown is joined by guest Jose Zapata and Victor Forte. Jose went to prison as a teenager. In April he was released. He served 13.5 years.  After 31 years, Victor Forte, also a youth offender, has returned and he joins Jose to discuss what it was like entering prison as a youth and the challenges he has faced upon his release.   Join us. Tune in, Tell a Friend, Things will never be the same again.  Tales From the Plantation Nation Podcast  Every Wednesday 4pm Pacific and 7 pm Eastern.  Abolitiontoday.org

This week we're joined by formerly incarcerated and exonerated activist Marcus Kelley to discuss his abolition efforts in Nevada and Missouri. Assembly Joint Resolution 10 (AJR 10) has passed through all committees and is on the ballot. In 2024 Nevada citizens will get the opportunity to abolish slavery in that state for the first time with a simple vote. Taking this issue out of the hands of legislators and letting the people decide if THEY want slavery as a punishment for crime embedded in their constitution or not. As always we'll mix in music, poetry, powerful insightful commentary, and bring the voices of the abolitionist ancestors back to life for a new generation with our Bridging The Gap series.

Join us on this episode of Tales From the Plantation Nation as we welcome our Guests Davon "Champ" Woodley and King Eli to discuss the challenges of navigating the carceral system nationally from three perspectives:  1. Someone about to enter the belly of the beast. 2. People who have been. 3. Those who are still there. The goal is to have a real conversation as Eli is scheduled to begin a bid in the upcoming weeks. In the spirit of changing the narrative and improving outcomes, we will have a real talk with Eli about what to expect and how best to make the time serve him and not vice versa.  Join us. Tune in, Tell a Friend, Things will never be the same again.  Tales From the Plantation Nation Podcast  Every Wednesday 4pm Pacific and 7 pm Eastern.  Abolitiontoday.org