'Strange Fruit'

'Strange Fruit'

A narrative has begun to spread on social media, particularly on TikTok, and is now gaining traction on other platforms as well. The claim is that Black Americans are being “hunted” and lynched, as commentator “Politics Girl” alleged in her video. Several prominent accounts, including children’s creator Ms. Rachel and D.L. Hughley, have repeated or amplified the claim, while many smaller social media accounts have shared it as well. However, no major legacy news outlet appears to have reported a series of lynchings targeting Black Americans. That has not stopped the claims from being widely shared and believed. Why are allegations of widespread lynchings of Black Americans emerging now? And if these claims are true, why has there been no reporting on them by major news organizations? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #435. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

'Gentleman's Agreement'

Karmelo Anthony, the Frisco, Texas, teen who was accused of fatally stabbing another teen, Austin Metcalf, at a high school track meet in 2025, was back in the news this week. In June, Anthony was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison. Since then, a ‘dream team’ of talented lawyers has taken up his defense and is seeking a new trial. The two main arguments for a new trial are that the proceedings were effectively closed to the public because cameras were not allowed in the courtroom and no overflow room was provided. The second argument centers on a “gentleman’s agreement” between the prosecution and defense to keep evidence about both Metcalf’s and Anthony’s character and backgrounds out of the trial. What character evidence about each of the two teens was excluded from the original trial? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #434. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

'Straight Shooter'

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is often portrayed as a fringe, extreme movement threatening to take over the Democratic Party. We are told that the DSA’s objectives lie outside the Democratic mainstream. Yet several of its major policy goals are increasingly supported by prominent Democrats, including candidates likely to seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, and who are polling at the top. One example is eliminating the Electoral College—a longstanding DSA goal, along with abolishing the Senate. Which 2028 Democratic presidential candidates have supported abolishing the Electoral College, and how does their support for such a fundamental transformation of the U.S. electoral system demonstrate that DSA positions are more than merely fringe ideas within the Democratic Party? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #433. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

'George Floyd 2026'

In May 2020, a cellphone video showing George Floyd being detained by Minneapolis police officers went viral. The video captured the final minutes of Floyd’s life and sparked nationwide demonstrations, which were violent and resulted in billions of dollars in property damage. The demonstrations began in Minneapolis and quickly spread across the country. By May 29, demonstrations had reached Washington, D.C., including Lafayette Square outside the White House. More than 50 U.S. Park Police officers were injured during the unrest, and more than 60 Secret Service personnel were injured. During the protests, President Trump was taken to an underground bunker as a precaution. It was as if President Trump was being blamed for George Floyd’s death, and this became a defining issue of the 2020 election cycle. What parallels exist between the way George Floyd’s tragic death was used politically in 2020 and the way Nolan Wells’s tragic death is being used politically today? Join the conversation and get answers to this question and more on According2Sam episode #432. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

'Boule Bound'

Sunny Hostin of ‘The View’, born Asunción Cummings, recently went viral after body-camera footage of an encounter her son had with police was released to the public. In the footage, she can be seen and heard attempting to use her influence to prevent her son from being cited for a trespassing violation that he had apparently committed. Many people pointed to the incident as evidence of hypocrisy, arguing that she attempted to wield her access and privilege on her son’s behalf despite repeatedly declaring on television that “no one is above the law.” What are some other ways in which Asunción’s real-life contrasts with the role she plays on television as Sunny? How do these contrasts highlight a larger problem that extends beyond Sunny to many others like her? Join the conversation and get answers to these questions and more on According2Sam episode #431. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.according2sam.com [https://www.according2sam.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]