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:
April 10, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE TOUGH ON CRIME LAWS? / REAL MIGRANTS LOVE AMERICA
The first half of todays show is dedicated to discussing how ineffective Tough on Crime laws are. There is a wave of politicians campaigning on how stricter laws and increased police presence will make things safer, but the data simply doesnt support that conclusion. In the second half of todays show, we remember the migrant workers who lost their lives during the Key Bridge collapse in Maryland. We try to reclaim the original narrative suggesting that most folks are as hard working as these individuals who died while making this country better. Our Way Black History Fact is about Willie James Howard; the young man who was lynched in a very similar way to Emmett Till.
Read MoreApril 3, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
HOW OLD SHOULD KIDS BE BEFORE HEARING THE N-WORD?
The first half of todays show sees us discussing an incident that happened to one of our children. We discuss having the conversation about the n-word, how the innocence of Black youth seems to be shed long before it should be, and how to have the many facets of the conversation while dealing with the weight of the issue. In the second half of todays show, we discuss some of the recent news stories that had positive (or at least not negative) outcomes for those of us seeking social justice in this country.
Read MoreMarch 27, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
Israel’s Response In Gaza with Suzanne Aslam
This episode is our second installment of a two-part series that will see sympathizers of Israel and Palestine giving us updates on the war taking place in Gaza. Todays guest is Suzanne Aslam, former Miss Arab USA, actress, activist, and a friend of the show. She has spent time in Palestine working with a peacekeeping team and has a deep, personal understanding of the occupation in Palestine. In the first half of todays episode, we discuss the feelings in Pro-Palestinian circles now that global support has shifted away from Israel in support of Palestine. We also discuss Suzannes responses to some of what was discussed on last weeks episode about the narrative in Pro-Israeli circles. In the second half of todays show, we discuss some of the developments since Suzannes last visit"including her thoughts on Joe Bidens SOTU address, the organization of the Arab-American community at the polls to show the Democratic establishment their dissatisfaction with Bidens support of Israel, and some of the now-debunked narratives that were initially associated with Palestine.
Read MoreMarch 20, 2024 News & Public Affairs, Syndicated
Israel’s Response In Gaza with Ami Horowitz
This episode is our first installment of a two-part series that will see sympathizers of Israel and Palestine giving us updates on the war taking place in Gaza. Todays guest is fellow journalist Ami Horowitz - a Jewish, conservative-leaning reporter, and a friend of the show. He has gone underground with Hamas to research and report on the ongoing conflict in the region. In the first half of todays episode, we discuss the feelings in Pro-Israeli circles now that global support has shifted away from Israel in support of Palestine. We also discuss some other developments since Amis last visit to our program. In the second half of todays show, we discuss some of the speculation, misinformation, and disinformation associated with the IDF and Israel's response to the attacks on October 7th. Next weeks episode will ensure that Pro-Palestine sympathizers will be able to address these same topics, so be sure to tune in!
Read MoreMarch 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.
Read MoreFebruary 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.
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