Trey's Table

By: James Smith
  • Summary

  • A podcast about African American politics, history, and culture.
    Copyright James Smith
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Episodes
  • Trey’s Table Episode 236: Vivek Keeps Finding Unicorns
    Feb 6 2025
    Let’s check in with Vivek Ramaswami and his quest to find real examples of white supremacy.
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    22 mins
  • Trey’s Table Episode 235: Ally: Steve Schmidt
    Feb 6 2025
    Trey’s Table Episode 235: Ally: Steve Schmidt


    **Blog Post: Episode 235– Steve Schmidt and the Fight Against Racism in the GOP**

    Welcome back to *Trey’s Table*, the podcast where we explore the intersections of history, politics, and culture. I’m your host, **Trey Smith**, and in our latest episode, we dive into the important work of **Steve Schmidt**, a Republican who has become a powerful voice against racism and anti-democratic forces within his own party.


    **Who Is Steve Schmidt?**
    Steve Schmidt is a longtime Republican strategist and political commentator who has worked on high-profile campaigns, including John McCain’s 2008 presidential run. In recent years, however, Schmidt has become a vocal critic of the Trump administration and its promotion of racism, division, and anti-democratic values.

    Schmidt’s decision to speak out against his own party is a courageous act of principle. He reminds us that the fight for justice and democracy is not about partisan loyalty—it’s about standing up for what’s right.

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    **Why Steve Schmidt’s Work Matters**
    In this episode, we discuss:
    - Schmidt’s efforts to combat racism within the Republican Party.
    - His calls for unity among Republicans and Democrats to resist anti-democratic impulses.
    - The importance of having voices like Schmidt’s in the fight for a more just and equitable America.

    Schmidt’s story is a powerful reminder that change often starts from within. By challenging the status quo and holding his own party accountable, he is setting an example for others to follow.

    https://youtu.be/3GKthzfS-M4?s...



    **A Call to Action**
    Steve Schmidt’s work is a call to action for all of us. It’s a reminder that we must come together—across party lines—to fight against racism, division, and threats to our democracy.


    **Listen to the Latest Episode Now**
    Tune in to *Trey’s Table* to hear the full discussion on Steve Schmidt and his fight for justice. You can find the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/show/...

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    Thank you for joining me at *Trey’s Table*. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe to the podcast. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep making history.
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    24 mins
  • Trey’s Table Episode 234: JD Vance and Standards
    Feb 6 2025
    Trey’s Table Episode 234: JD Vance and Standards

    Welcome back to *Trey’s Table*, the podcast where we explore the intersections of African American history, politics, and culture. In **Episode 234**, we tackle a pressing and controversial issue: the recent decision by a high-profile investment company operating in the tech space to hire **Daniel Penny**, the Marine Corps veteran acquitted of killing a mentally ill Black man on a New York City subway.

    This move has sparked outrage and raised important questions about corporate responsibility, racial sensitivity, and the troubling trend of businesses moving to the right on issues of race to curry favor with conservative administrations.

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    #### **The Daniel Penny Case: A Recap**
    In 2023, Daniel Penny made national headlines when he was involved in the death of a mentally ill Black man on a New York City subway. Penny, a Marine Corps veteran, claimed he acted in self-defense, but the incident ignited a firestorm of debate about race, mental health, and vigilantism.

    Despite the outcry, Penny was acquitted of all charges. Now, his hiring by a prominent tech investment company has reignited the conversation. For many Black Americans, this decision feels like a slap in the face—a blatant disregard for the racial dynamics of the case and the broader implications for justice and accountability.

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    #### **A Troubling Trend in Corporate America**
    This hiring decision is not an isolated incident. Since the Trump administration, we’ve seen a noticeable shift in the behavior of tech companies and other businesses. Many have moved to the right on issues of race, often in an effort to align themselves with conservative policies and ideologies.

    This trend reflects a broader pattern of corporate complicity in the erosion of racial progress. From the rollback of diversity initiatives to the hiring of controversial figures like Daniel Penny, these actions send a clear message: profit and political favor often take precedence over principles and people.

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    #### **Why This Matters**
    For Black Americans, this decision is more than just a corporate misstep—it’s a painful reminder of how little our lives and struggles are valued in spaces of power. It’s also a call to action. We must hold corporations accountable for their actions and demand that they prioritize justice, equity, and inclusion over political expediency.

    In this episode, we’ll dive deeper into the Daniel Penny case, explore the implications of his hiring, and discuss what this means for the future of corporate responsibility in America.

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    **Listen to Episode 234 Now**
    Tune in to **Episode 234** of *Trey’s Table* to hear the full discussion. You can find the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/show/...

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    **Resources and Further Reading**
    Want to learn more about the issues discussed in this episode? Check out these resources:
    - *The New Jim Crow* by Michelle Alexander
    - *How to Be an Antiracist* by Ibram X. Kendi
    - *White Fragility* by Robin DiAngelo
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    37 mins

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