Civic Cipher is a weekly radio show hosted by Ramses Ja and Q. Ward. This show is dedicated to empowering Black and Brown voices, allowing them to engage directly with their communities as well as the general population. Self-determination is critical to securing a future free of oppressive systems, and Civic Cipher exists to facilitate discussions toward this end. Furthermore, Civic Cipher seeks to inform non-POC allies who may not be privy to these types of discussions and optics. Finally, Civic Cipher seeks to provide long-form conversations in spaces where there is often a lack of significant resources, potent dialogue, or the necessary engagement for facilitating a healthy and productive civil discourse.
Additional information about the show and hosts can be found here:
March 6, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
Women’s Empowerment Month with Debbie Esparza, National Board Member of the YWCA
Today we are delighted to discuss Women's History Month with Debbie Esparza of the YWCA. In the first half of the program, we discuss the mission of the YWCA, some national issues affecting women differently than expected, and the importance of teaching women's history. In the second half of the show, we discuss the intersection of social justice and women's justice. We also discuss Debbie's thoughts on the Supreme Court decision on Affirmative Action, and abortion access. Finally, we discuss some actions you can take to immerse yourself in the spirit of Women's Empowerment Month.
ListenFebruary 21, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
WHY IS BIDEN LOSING SUPPORT FROM BLACK PEOPLE? / WHY IS THERE NO WHITE HISTORY MONTH?
Today we are discussing a trend in the polls that shows weakening support for Joe Biden among Black people. We discuss the reasons this may be true, as well as some of the positive things his administration has accomplished. For the second half of the show, we answer the question: "Why isn't there a White History Month?" Additionally, we answer some similar questions and give in-depth context for the necessity of certain Black holidays and affirmations. Our Way Black History Fact is dedicated to the very Black roots of Jack Daniels.
Read MoreFebruary 7, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
THE HORROR STORIES OF TRUMPISM / WHAT BLACK UNEMPLOYMENT RATES TELL US ABOUT AMERICA
Today we spend the first half of the program discussing some of the horror stories born out of Trumpism. We also compare other leaders to see if Trump is indeed an outlier insofar as his extreme followers are concerned. For the second half of the show, we discuss Black unemployment rates, the root causes, and the cancerous effect it has on Black life in America. We also reframe several political arguments through this lens.
Read MoreJanuary 31, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
BLACK STUDENT SUSPENDED OVER HAIR / $25 MILLION FOR BLACK MAN WRONGFULLY CONVICTED
We spent the first half of the show discussing the story of Darryl Georgethe student who was suspended from his school in Texas over his locs. We also take a moment to discuss cultural appropriation and cite this example of why is is problematic.
The second half of the show is dedicated to the story of Ronnie Longthe man who had a 44-year prison sentence overturned. We discuss his fight to get back what he was owed, and we cite data from the Innocence Project to shine light on just how frequent an occurrence this is.
Read MoreJanuary 10, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
HOW THE RIGHT CO-OPTS CHRIST / WHEN PEOPLE SAY GO BACK TO AFRICA!
The first part of todays show is dedicated to discussing the many ways that Republicans rebrand Jesus in their imagewithout fully acknowledging what Jesus stood for. This maneuver has caused many well-meaning Christians to ultimately vote for, implement, and support policies that are a far cry from what Christ really stood for.
The second part of todays show is spent discussing the statement weve all heard before"Go back to Africa! We ended up with a thread and we felt compelled to share, and discuss so that you will know how to challenge this Eurocentric way of thinking.
Our Way Black History Fact sees us discussing a lesser-known atrocity from this country's origin story: the forced breeding of enslaved people for profit.
Read MoreJanuary 3, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
THE MAN TRYING TO DESTROY PROGRESS / THE SCARY TRUTH ABOUT STUDENT RESOURCE OFFICERS
On this episode of Civic Cipher, we spend the first part of the show discussing a man named Ed Blum; the man behind the current efforts to dismantle affirmative action and several DEI initiatives. We explain his thinking and ways you can challenge that narrow mindset whenever you encounter it. The second half of the show is dedicated to uncovering the truth about student resource officers (officers at schools) and the ways they severely and negatively impact children of color and their outcomes across the country. Our Way Black History Fact gives a critical examination of the man behind the Rhodes Scholarship, Cecil Rhodes.
Read MoreDecember 13, 2023 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
WHAT ARE WE MISSING ABOUT PALESTINE? / WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Today, we discuss the latest from Palestine alongside viral Palestinian protester Resistance is Beautiful and friend of the show and former Miss Arab USA Suzanne Aslam. We discuss the creative tactics used by modern protesters, growing support for the ending of the conflict, the love received from the global Jewish community.
Our Way Black History Fact uncovers the story of the Black founder of the city of Chicago.
Read MoreNovember 29, 2023 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
Talk With Conservative Pundit Ami Horowitz + A Healing Conversation Between Black People and Jews
This week we are joined by a conservative pundit and filmmaker Ami Horowitz. In the first half of the show, we discuss his background and his attempts to foster conversations between the political left and the political right. We offer a critical examination of some of his work while also allowing him to explain his motivations and the outcomes from his social experiments.
In the second half of the show, we discuss the strained relationship between Black people and Jews that has seen new stressors in recent years. Our guest helps us identify potential sources of this strain as well as potential solutions and starting points for conversations between our two tribes.
Read MoreNovember 22, 2023 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
THE INTERSECTION OF RACISM AND POLICE ACTIVITY IN THE U.S. / RETHINKING THE CARCERAL SYSTEM
In the first part of our show, we discuss recent police stories where racism directly impacted procedures and outcomes. From the racist texts from the San Jose Police, to the cover-up burial of Dexter Wade, to the second acquittal of an officer involved in the death of Elijah McClain, we ensure you know how much further we need to go to create a more equitable society for us all.
In the second half of the show, we discuss a rethink of the carceral system in the U.S. We take notes from Push Black who pose some interesting questions that we hope will enable you to perform some thought experiments on your own, and ultimately rethink our current system of criminal rehabilitation.
Our Way Black History Fact uncovers the slavery-based Black roots of the concept of Family Reunions
Read MoreOctober 25, 2023 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
THE PALESTINIAN PERSPECTIVE FT. SUZANNE ASLAM / VIRAL COLORADO POLICE SHOOTING OF A WOMAN IN CRISIS
Today we are joined by former Miss Arab USA and the author of the book Post Pardon Me, Suzanne Aslam. She helps provide some needed insight into the Palestinian perspective that we have been trying to capture when discussing the war taking place in Gaza.
In the second half of our show, we discuss a video that has been making rounds online of a Colorado officer shooting a woman in crisis. This video (on our social media @civiccipher) is particularly interesting because we find ourselves feeling bad for the victim" and the officer too.
Our Way Black History Fact covers the first Black woman to fly for a major commercial airline in the United States" Jill Elaine Brown.
Read More