The Breakdown with Shaun King

We just learned late last night that the shooter in Nashville purchased an astounding 7 guns, including multiple assault rifles, from 5 different stores across Tennessee, and loaded up on tons of ammunition... all while being treated and evaluated for severe mental health issues. And no red flag was raised. WHY? Because conservatives in Tennessee fought against all red flag laws and made it one of the easiest places IN THE WORLD to purchase guns. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us.Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It happened again. Yet another school shooting in America. Over and over and over again. We keep seeing them. They rips schools and communities apart. And as always, nothing substantive gets done about it. Today I want to push the conversation forward some and try to expound on WHY nothing gets done on this issue. It's not as simple as we make it out to be. It's not just the NRA. It's much deeper. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As it stands right now, Israel might have the single most conservative government in the world. It's partly what allows them to oversee such a despicable system of Apartheid. But as we speak, protests have completely brought the entire country to a standstill. People are resigning from government jobs, businesses are shutting down, flights are being canceled - all because the far-right government is trying to change the laws to allow them to completely take over the judiciary. I support the protests. Injustice anywhere is always a threat to justice everywhere. However, it's wild knowing that these same people protesting have never protested with this much vigor against the Apartheid in their nation. And that if Palestinians came close to protesting like this, they'd be shot and killed. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's special episode of The Breakdown I want to introduce to some of you, and reintroduce to others, my dear friends Allan Boomer and Tiffany Hawkins of Momentum Advisors who give some of the smartest financial advice around. At The North Star we are proud to produce The Momentum Advisors show and today we are playing a full episode for you to check out. They are amazing. My wife and I learn so much from them each and every week and know you will too. You can listen to their podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and subscribe there for free by searching for "Momentum Advisors." Please also leave a great review for them, OK? Episode Title: The Mis-education (of All of us) "The Mis-education of the Negro, written in 1933, describes how the educational system in America was designed to teach Black people that we are inferior. Leveraging quotes from the book, we explore ALL of the ways we ALL have been Mis-educated in regards to careers, achievement, entrepreneurship and wealth-building." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen - they have money for what they believe in. They make money magically appear for the things they actually care about. If you ever want to know the true heart and priorities of a person (or company or government) just look at their budget. Period. And in a state that is STRUGGLING to cover healthcare costs and educational costs, suddenly they have a billion dollars to spare on mass incarceration. Today, I'm going to unpack and explain just how corrupt this all actually is. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I thought conservatives were the party of "law and order," right? But if that was the case, why would they be melting down at the mere possibility of Donald Trump being held accountable for his obvious crimes? The answer is obvious - when they call for "law and order" they mean it mainly for African Americans and immigrants of color. They don't actually love police. It's why they had no problem beating the life out of police all over the Capitol - and refused to honor any of the police that stood up against Trump supporters. They only love police when they are arresting or even killing Black folk. Anything else goes against their core values. And having an African American District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, holding Trump accountable is causing their brains to be overloaded. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As their dear leader is nearing arrest, I have one simple question for conservatives. And I think this question gets to the heart not only of who they are, but what they actually believe about law and order, mass incarceration, policing, and so much more. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us.Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It appears that Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is going to be arrested this week. Like most of you, I'll believe it when I see it, but it does indeed appear as if this is about to happen. I have at least 3 things I want you to know about this case and the likely arrest that's going to follow. It could get dangerous. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exactly 1 month ago today, a wonderful Black couple and their 5 sweet babies, were traveling from Georgia to Chicago for a family funeral when they were pulled over by Tennessee Highway Patrol on a bogus traffic stop for "staying in the left lane and not actively passing someone." In other words, driving while Black. The children, which include a newborn, a 2 year old, a 3 year old, a 5 year old, and a 7 year old were asleep in the back. Police then arrested the father for possession of a tiny amount of weed - a misdemeanor - that is legal in much of Georgia but not Tennessee - and instructed the mother to drive to the local "justice center" to bail out the father. When the mother got there, it was a trap. Police and Child Protective Services surrounded her and forcefully took all of her kids, including her breastfed baby. My blood is boiling just typing these words. Police had lied and said the mother was arrested and called Child Protective Services to get the children. But she wasn't under arrest and had committed no crime. That was a month ago - and the state STILL has their kids. Let me unpack and explain it.To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this throwback episode, we revisit the important question of how to measure success for Black America. Together, we'll explore the metrics that really matter when it comes to moving our community forward. Is it home ownership? Is it college education? Is it the number of people killed by police or incarcerated? Or is it wealth? We'll delve into the outcomes and numbers that truly show whether we're making progress as a people. Join us as we re-examine this critical issue and consider the 5-10 things we should be fighting for to achieve a better future for all. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last night, I was up late thinking about what appears to be a horrible case of injustice deep in Mississippi. Hours earlier I was thinking about a horrible case of injustice in Buffalo. And hours before that, and before that, and before that I was being contacted about egregious cases of injustice from coast to coast. And I felt a bit overwhelmed, in great part, because it appears to me that the problems we hate the most seem determined to stay here forever. Why is that? Today I want to unpack and explain 3 reasons we struggle to build the systems and structures we actually need to produce deep, lasting change. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

War is hell. And the war in Ukraine is no different. Russia has already created nearly 10 million Ukrainian refugees. Entire towns have been destroyed. Tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people have been killed. That's ALWAYS what war does. But I think my take on this war might surprise you. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the executives of Silicon Valley Bank privately rushed to give themselves their annual bonuses and sell their stock in the company, the general public had NO IDEA the bank was about to crash. It's one of the largest single banks to crash in American history. And in some ways Silicon Valley Bank not only knew it was going to happen, they helped cause it by alerting their biggest investors, who in turn told of their friends to take all of their money out of the bank as soon as they could - which caused it to literally collapse overnight. Now, the same people that refuse to bail out Americans that need student loan debt relief or universal healthcare are saying the federal government should bail out this bank. HELL NO! Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the exception of the police murder of Tyre Nichols, can you name even ONE other victim of police violence from this year? That’s by design. Today I’ll explain why. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Am I surprised? No. But am I disgusted down to my bones? Absolutely. After begging and pleading for Black votes... After wearing Kente cloth and taking a knee for injustice in America... After marching and protesting against injustice - the Democratic Party just spit in the face of Black leaders, Black voters, and Black people in general. Let me explain. The Washington DC City Council voted 12-1, in a near unanimous vote, to pass important criminal justice reforms for the city. And I say this with all due respect to the City Council, but the reforms are moderate. They aren't revolutionary or radical. They are basic.DC is a majority Black city. The City Council is a majority-Black body. And suddenly after they passed these reforms, rich white people in the city flipped out. Then conservatives flipped out. And that's an important observation to make, because it was seeing this that caused the conservative media to flip out. Which in turn caused Republicans in Congress to say they were going to do something that has not been done since 1991. They were going to use their power in Congress to overturn the Washington DC City Council. Since DC is not a state, Congress has this weird power, but it's RARELY used. The thing is, they would need Biden and some more Democrats to side with them - and after pressure, they've agreed to do just that. And here's the rub. To get this support, conservatives AND Biden have flat out lied about these reforms - particularly around the issue of carjacking. The reforms took the sentencing for carjacking down from 40 years, which is the highest and harshest in the nation, down to 24 years, which is still the highest and harshest in the nation. And Biden has been parroting Republican talking points saying this is going to make the city less safe. But here's the thing - DC has the harshest sentencing on carjacking in America right now, and it's STILL a problem. Why? Because 40 years for carjacking doesn't solve the problem. I have a whole lot to say. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us.Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guess is that about 75% of my audience is actually not into the NFL. Let me explain to you why what happened to star quarterback Lamar Jackson yesterday should matter to all of us. It was clearly a case of collusion. It was unethical at best and illegal and racist at worst. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the United States continues the march toward having 400 million people, we are still stuck with an antiquated 2 party system that was created hundreds of years ago. Do you know how many people lived in this country in 1776? 2.5 million people. Cramming 400 million into 2 political parties is preposterous. And it's why almost every developed democracy around the world has at least 4, but sometimes has 10-15 parties - all with members in their congress. If we just had 4 parties, it would at least be a start of more people feeling like they have true political representation. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm a huge sports fan. And follow the NBA closely as a hobby. Ja Morant, the young Memphis Grizzlies star, is definitely one of my favorite players to watch. My whole family loves him. But sadly, over the past year, he has had at least 3 incidents with guns, that have made it clear, to say the least, that Ja is not quite on the right path. Truthfully, a full fledged intervention needed to happen after the first incident. And it never happened. It definitely needed to happen after the second incident. And it never happened. In fact, nothing substantive happened either time. Then, this weekend, Ja could be seen flashing a gun on his Instagram live, and it seemed to be the straw that broke the camels back. While he's now suspended from the team for what might've been the least dangerous of the 3 incidents we know of, this is bigger than basketball. We need to be thinking about this young man's life. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us.Love and appreciate you all.Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's completely and utterly disgusting. And racist. That's all I can even muster the energy to type right now. Listen to the podcast to hear me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know who the FBI and Department of Defense says the single biggest threat to the safety and security of America is? It's damn sure not drag queens? It's conservative white supremacists. But somehow, instead of thinking about how they can address the violent racists in their own home, conservatives have decided to do what they always do... play a dangerous smoke and mirrors game where they make their base think the biggest threat to them, and to their kids in particular, are people dressed up in drag. This is what they always do. They used to focus on Muslims, then immigrants, then someone else, and someone else, and now it's drag queens, but it's all a dangerous ruse to get their base riled up and angry. And I think it could bring real harm and violence upon people who don't deserve any of it. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us.Love and appreciate you all.Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fastest path to the Republican nomination for President is white supremacy. In part, that's why Nikki Haley, who is an Indian American, and Tim Scott, an African American, will never win the nomination. Nearly 8 years ago, Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote something that actually shocked me - where he called Donald Trump America's "First White President." Of course, America had 43 white presidents before Trump, but what Coates meant is that Trump was the first President to basically run on whiteness and the advancement of white people at the expense of everyone else. Ron DeSantis is taking that same blueprint and running with it in Florida - first banning the honest teaching of Black history across the state and now defunding and removing all diversity offices at every state college and university - a policy he just announced yesterday. It's not just outrageous, it's dangerous and deeply problematic. These policies are all about positioning himself to be, to paraphrase Coates, "The Next White President" for white people, by white people. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I don't know if you saw the news, but Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just took over the Disney tax district and literally appointed his homies to run it. His memoir comes out today. He's openly homophobic.And is fighting hard to make sure Black history isn't taught in Florida and his base LOVES IT. In case you missed it, the Republican primaries for President are underway. Trump has announced he's running. Nikki Haley has announced. Senator Tim Scott is up next. But I truly believe Ron DeSantis will defeat all of them and win the Republican nomination. He's even more conservative than Trump, but without all of the baggage, lawsuits, criminal investigations, ex-wives, failed businesses, etc. And here's the question that Democrats HAVE TO ANSWER... do you actually think Joe Biden could beat Ron DeSantis. I don't. I don't even think Joe Biden thinks he could beat him. And that's why Biden should announce he's not running for President and Democrats should have a serious primary for a candidate to defeat Ron DeSantis. Let me unpack and explain it.To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a big decision, TBH. Where you get your news is something that I really want you to think long and hard about. Who invests in that company? Who runs it? What is their public and private agenda? Who is their core audience?All of those questions have a HUGE impact on what stories they tell, how they tell them, and ultimately impacts what stories they completely ignore. Because right now I see ALL of the major news organizations almost completely ignoring some of the biggest issues going on in the world. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you get a chance, go listen to the important new podcast, Alphabet Boys. In it, a brave reporter breaks the news that the FBI planted a paid informant inside of the movement in Denver to not only feed the FBI information, but to destroy the people leading the movement there by trying to get them to commit crimes they had no previous intent to commit. I have 2 main conclusions that I want to share with you today. This was definitely happening in every major city in America. It's still going on today. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us.Love and appreciate you all.Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As you have likely seen, a horrible and completely preventable environmental disaster is rapidly getting worse in Ohio - and a ton of blame can go around - from Trump to Biden - and certainly to Norfolk Southern - which owned and operated the train that derailed. It's super easy for Democrats to blame Trump - who repealed policies that might've prevented this accident. And it's easy for Republicans to blame Biden - who seems to have not only bungled the response to it, but also broke up the union strike that was fighting for better policies, better pay, and more staff for the trains. But the truth is that both Biden and Trump failed here and both bent over backwards to help the train industry make more money at the cost of safety. And now the chickens have come home to roost. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You wouldn't know it from watching the news today, but at least 10 Palestinians were slaughtered by Israel today - including women, children, and senior citizens. They were shot, bombed, and run over by armored cars. I've seen the videos and photos for myself. It's atrocious. It's despicable. And we have to push back. The leading human rights organizations in the world call what Israel is doing to Palestinians "Apartheid," but I've grown to think that's not even strong enough. These are war crimes. And more. 2023 is on pace to be the deadliest year ever measured for Palestinians. And don't believe the lies that Israel is just killing "terrorists." They use that blanket excuse to describe everything they do to shut down the truth. They've killed at least 12 children. Almost everybody that was killed has been unarmed. And they are doing it without even a hint of accountability. Let me try to unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First off, I'm glad to be back after far too long of a hiatus fighting off a lung infection. Thanks for sticking with me and with the podcast. As you no doubt know, yesterday was President's Day. And I just need to remind us that 99% of the presidents in American history were complete monsters. If they didn't literally buy, sell, and trade human beings - they oversaw war crimes, genocide, and so much more - right up until today. And it took me a long time to understand just WHY that was. Ultimately, it all comes down to WHO is teaching you about the history of this country and the world at large. Let’s talk about it! To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is one of those things that we always suspected was happening but never quite had the proof. DC Police Lt. Shane Lamont was feeding the Proud Boys all manner of information for months leading up to January 6th… and somehow still has his job. Why has he not been fired? Or charged? Are his previous cases going to be reopened? How did he get introduced to the Proud Boys? Was he a member himself? I’ve got questions. Let’s talk about it! To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey everybody. I am so glad to be back today after being out sick for the past few weeks. I'm still not fully recovered, but am pretty sure that I'm on the mend. It wasn't COVID, but started off as a common cold I got from the kids, then it became a sinus and ear infection that spread to my lungs and just will not go away. I go back to the doctor tomorrow after having some tests run yesterday. But I tell you what, I'm just very grateful that I have been able to take this time off when I needed it. And I couldn't do that without the generous support of everyday people just like yourself. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to the replay of episode 476, originally aired on July 7, 2021. In this episode, Shaun King explores the issue of the depiction of Jesus as a white, blonde-haired, blue-eyed figure and how it has been used as a tool of oppression for centuries. Join Shaun as he breaks down the topic and provides insightful analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s throwback episode of The Breakdown, the final episode in a 3 part series explaining the leading Supreme Court cases that make police brutality functionally legal in the United States, Shaun gives us action steps and solutions for how we make police brutality illegal. It won’t be easy or quick, but it’s necessary. If you haven't already, go listen to Tuesday & Wednesday's episodes to hear part 1 and 2 of the series! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to a replay of our 13th episode as Shaun King explores the reasons behind the legality of police brutality in the United States. This is the second episode of a three-part series where Shaun examines the Supreme Court case Graham v. Connor and how it, alongside Tennessee v. Garner, protects police from being held responsible for their brutality. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal framework and be ready for the next episode where Shaun will delve into potential solutions to bring about change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Today's episode of The Breakdown, we are going way back and replaying our 12th episode. The first in a 3-part series that dives into the issue of why police brutality is effectively legal in the United States, by analyzing the Supreme Court cases that protect even the most abusive officers. In the first and second episodes, King breaks down the cases and their implications. But in the third episode, he doesn't just leave us with the problem, he offers solutions and empowers us by telling us what we can do to bring about change. Tune in over the next two days to learn about the legal landscape and how we can work toward justice for victims of police brutality. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for a thought-provoking episode as we delve into the question, "Are You Racist?" In this episode that was released back in April of 2020, Shaun encourages listeners to reflect on their beliefs and actions and challenges them to strive for not just being "not racist," but actively being anti-racist. With insights from Ibram X. Kendi's book, "How to Be an Antiracist", this episode is a powerful reminder of the work we all must do to create a more just and equitable society. Even if you've heard this episode before, it's worth revisiting. Don't miss this important conversation on the path to becoming an antiracist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For today, we have a replay episode. Released almost a year ago, this necessary lesson from Ep. 576 will forever ring true. We hope you enjoy: Those words from Dr. King, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" is a life quote for me. I think about it daily. It has guided much of my life for the past 25 years. And for me, today, those words matter more than ever. Can I teach for a moment? Let me unpack and explain for you what I think these words mean. I hate war. I hate what Putin is doing right now to Ukraine. But I see a lot of people saying that none of us should even care. I see people saying the same thing about the horrible decision from the Governor of Texas to criminalize being a parent of a transgender child or teenager. I see people I know actually celebrating this decision. And I have to speak up on why this is wrong and horribly short-sighted. Because truly, "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. "You may see those situations, and think they have nothing to do with you, but when the rights and safety of some people are attacked and eroded, believe me, it's only a matter of time before yours are next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the evening of October 12th, 2019, a Ft. Worth police officer literally shot and killed Atatiana Jefferson through her bedroom window while she was playing video games with her young nephew, Zion. She was just 28. Soon after Atatiana was murdered, both of her parents died. And just this week, Amber Carr, who was Zion's mother, just died at the age of 33. You've heard me say this so many times, but police violence NEVER has just one victim. It ravages entire families. But we now have a chance to step up and buy a new home for Amber's two sons, Zion and Zayden. If you can, please go now to my Instagram profile and CLICK THE LINK in my bio there. It will take you to a GoFundMe link where we have already blown past 50% of our final goal. We have advised the family to go ahead and get a realtor. Give the best donation you can, OK? Love and appreciate each of you! To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all.Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just as the United States Congress has done nothing of substance to move the needle on gun violence and mass shootings and school shootings, even as gun violence literally became the #1 of cause of death for KIDS in America, the same is true of police violence. Congress will do nothing. They did nothing 2 years ago, in the shadows of the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, even when Democrats controlled Congress, and they will do nothing now, in the wake of the murder of Tyre Nichols. NOTHING. Listen to my heart. This is not me being pessimistic. These issues are not really a priority for the voting majority in Congress. Period. And the sooner we accept that, the better. Because 30 minutes spent lobbying Congress on this issue is 30 minutes of your life that you will never get back. HOWEVER, change can happen, and WILL happen on the city, county, and state level in many places all over the country. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've heard me say this a million times, but it's VERY hard to understand a moment in history when you are in it. But right now, Florida is facing a frightening and deeply concerning moment in history. And it's not just a horrible sign of things to come, it's a horrible sign of where Florida already is. I am now seeing pictures of school libraries and classroom libraries all over the state with nothing but empty shelves. Students and teachers and parents are devastated. And it's scary on a deep level because it feels to them like they are now a part of an authoritarian regime. And in effect they are. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the shadows of the brutal police murder of 29 year father, Tyre Nichols, I see politicians from the President of the United States on down pulling one of the oldest tricks in the book on all of us. I see hundreds of them doing it actually. And once you see it, and understand it, you will have a radar for it for the rest of your life. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As you likely saw, the 5 Memphis Police Officers who murdered Tyre Nichols have all been fired and charged with his murder. Obviously, charges aren't convictions, but this is progress. With a brand new police chief and a brand new District Attorney, local voters and organizers in Memphis need a lot of credit for how all of this went down. What hundreds of police departments and DA's offices have said for generations that simply could not be done, or would take years, Memphis did in days. And it has truly created a new model not just for the speed of it all, but the true compassion and humanity shown by the police chief and DA. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In all my life, I don't think I've ever shared or bragged about a statement from the police. They are almost always terrible, inhumane, and full of nothing but what we call copaganda designed to protect police. But last night, Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis, in the shadows of the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols by officers in her department, Chief Davis not only fired the 5 main cops involved, she has made it abundantly clear publicly and privately that everything about what those cops did was absolutely horrible. I just want you to listen to her entire statement today and see it as a model for what's possible with policing in America. It would be best, of course, for Tyre to be alive, but this is what accountability and humanity should look like.Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mass shootings are now MORE American than apple pie. 300% more Americans have been shot and killed since the start of the war in Ukraine than Ukrainians have been killed in the war. That's how violent this place is. I know it's our home. But 40 mass shootings in 25 days? How is this sustainable? And what do we do? Because we are the only nation in the world that has more guns than people. And it's not even close. And as long as we have a staggering 400 million guns (and growing) in circulation, the mass shootings, and all of the other gun violence appears like it will be here to stay. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun (edited) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yet again, in this brutal place we call the United States of America, another Black man has been beaten to death by police. Yesterday, family and attorneys saw the body camera footage and said that Tyre was beaten worse than Rodney King. They said it was like they were beating a human piñata. And it's all so outrageously exhausting. We've already marched and protested and demonstrated and the best thing I can compare this country to is an abusive spouse. That clearly doesn't love or respect us in any way. I know the District Attorney in this case and our staff @RealJustice helped get him elected. We believe he will do right by this family. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The moment Joe Biden was elected, I had very little expectations that he'd do much about the issues of police violence and mass incarceration. He was already damn near 80 years old and hadn't done much of anything good about those issues his entire life. But when he appointed Merrick Garland, a bland, moderate, conservative white man who has always lacked the courage for bold moves on police violence and mass incarceration, it was clear that those things were not true priorities for Joe Biden Biden. And here we are, in year 3 of their administration, and next to nothing has been done. A few cases have been prosecuted here and there, but the 2 cases the DOJ most famously filed charges for, of the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, had literally already been successfully prosecuted in Minnesota and Georgia. I've formally submitted lists of HUNDREDS of cases from the 1950s until today and this DOJ continues to ignore them all. Listen, it's not that I'm surprised, but I am frustrated and disappointed that we continue to get damn near the same shit on issues of police violence no matter who we elect. Let me unpack and explain it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let me give you my answer right off the top - YES! Because of the growing scandal with Joe Biden having classified and even TOP SECRET documents all over this house and offices, a window has opened up for some Democrats to do something that rarely happens - challenge a sitting President from within the party for the nomination. Beyond the fact that Joe Biden would be 82 years old when he would start the next Presidency, this classified document situation has weakened him and damaged the entire party. Before this current scandal, it seemed highly unlikely that anyone would challenge Biden for the nomination, but I'm hearing a ton of chatter behind the scenes now that 2-3 candidates might go ahead and announce they are running anyway. I hope they do. What do you think? Let's talk about it. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, I'm serious. The State of Florida, under the leadership and legislation of Ron DeSantis, just banned African American Studies from being taught in public schools. This is actually a DEEPLY disturbing setback. It's not just racist and foolish, it's dangerous. It's a sign of where this country is right now - and a grave sign of where we are heading. Let me unpack and explain it all. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alright. I didn't plan on talking about this, but I have to. Most people who see this monument see two sets of arms and hands embracing each other. And it's based on a beautiful photo of Dr. King and Coretta embracing each other after he won the Nobel Peace Prize. But other people swear they see a hand holding a penis. And it's true, that from one angle, if you are already thinking that, it's hard to un-see it. Let me unpack and explain it all. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm a HUGE Dr. King fan and follower and have been for most of the past 30+ years. But this year, for the first time in a long time, I found myself with the time and space to reflect on how this nation honors (or dishonors) Dr. King on his birthday year after year. Don't get me wrong - I am nothing but glad to see Dr. King honored at this time every year, but part of me has grown to think that we are no longer actually honoring Dr. King, but this nation is, instead, creating a bland, toothless, colorless caricature of the man and forcing it on all of us. Dr. King was a revolutionary. The man had more courage in his pinky toe than most of us have in our entire body. He spoke truth to power. And this nation hated him for it. I saw a few things yesterday that made me sad and certainly a bit frustrated. Let me unpack and explain it all. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we are re-running one of our most popular episodes that highlights a lesser-known side of the civil rights hero. The words and legacy of Dr. King have been reduced and sanitized in so many ways. Today Shaun King plays 5 very special audio clips of Dr. King that you have likely never heard before and breaks down why they are so very important. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yesterday, like tens of millions of Americans, I saw the brutal police murder of 31-year-old Keenan Anderson, by the LAPD in broad daylight. Keenan, like so many Black men before him, was unarmed and non-violent. At most he needed medical attention. Instead, he was Tasered to death. And we continue to see this, with new names and faces, but the same story of police violence, because this country just barely tinkers with policing when the entire system would actually need to be completely overhauled in order for us to see something totally different. It can be done. But so far not even one single large American city is willing to drastically overhaul how policing is done there. And so we continue to be the only developed nation in the world that does this, day after day, year after year, to its citizens. Let me unpack and explain it all. To listen to today’s FULL EPISODE of The Breakdown go now to Apple Podcasts or Spotify and search for “The Breakdown with Shaun King.” Subscribe there for FREE and listen to the whole podcast. If you are already on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, please subscribe, listen, share, leave reviews, and listen daily to the entire episode. The more of it you listen to, the better it is for us. Love and appreciate you all. Shaun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices