Bad Faith

Join historian and journalist Vijay Prashad as he unpacks the complexities of race and merit in today’s political landscape. He critically examines a recent article suggesting discrimination against white millennial men and discusses how this narrative plays into conservative rhetoric. Vijay argues that the left often shies away from engaging with race, especially after its weaponization during the Bernie era. Delve into the nuances of contemporary politics, where perceptions of merit, racism, and media narratives collide.

Branko Marcetic, a journalist and columnist for Jacobin, Matthew Hoh, a veteran and Green Party candidate, and Yasmin Nair, editor-at-large at Current Affairs, explore the complexities of Graham Plattner's candidacy. They discuss the left's troubling embrace of military candidates, the fetishization of veteran identity, and the implications of Plattner's background. The panel debates the authenticity of politically driven veteran narratives, the moral challenges of supporting such figures, and the nuanced perspectives on anti-imperialism within this context.

Alvaro Bedoya, a privacy and civil-rights scholar and former FTC commissioner, dives into the intense Netflix and Paramount rivalry. He reveals how media consolidation impacts consumer prices, censorship, and the overall quality of streaming content. Bedoya discusses why politicians often sidestep the topic, prioritizing wealthy donors over consumer concerns. He also highlights missed opportunities for Democrats to resonate with economic issues and critiques the performative nature of political activism in addressing big media power.

Cameron Kasky, a Parkland shooting survivor and New York congressional candidate, shares his journey as an activist. He discusses his informal backing from the DSA while navigating the complexities of political endorsements. Kasky critiques how 'affordability' is wielded in politics and underscores the linkage between U.S. foreign policy and domestic issues. He addresses the male loneliness crisis and the importance of accountability and consent in masculinity, all while encouraging support for his campaign to elevate progressive values.

Seth Harp, an investigative reporter and bestselling author known for his work on U.S. military and intelligence operations, joins to delve into the DC shooting involving CIA-trained Afghans. The conversation critiques the flawed vetting process that overlooks ties to U.S. forces, while examining the broader implications of Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan. Seth highlights the tragic intersection of CIA training, trauma, and poverty, revealing how these elements can lead to violence, all while questioning the media's selective coverage of these incidents.

Delourny Nemorin, a Bronx public defender and DSA organizer, is on a mission to challenge Ritchie Torres in New York's 15th district. She discusses her motivations and critiques Torres for neglecting local needs and his controversial votes. Delourny debates the potential for progressives to enact change from within the Democratic Party and emphasizes practical policy goals like housing and healthcare. She also touches on the influence of money in politics and stresses the importance of community organizing, aiming for reforms that truly benefit her constituents.

Ross Barkan, a New York Magazine columnist and political analyst, teams up with Nerdeen Kiswani, a Palestinian activist and founder of Within Our Lifetime. They dive into the controversies surrounding New York's newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani. Topics include Mamdani’s surprising endorsements, the implications of retaining Jessica Tisch for policing, and the balance he seeks between addressing protests and appeasing opposition. Their discussion offers a critical lens on political strategy and the complexities of activism.

Join public defender and civil rights advocate Alec Karakatsanis and antitrust expert Matthew Stoller as they dive deep into the contentious 'defund the police' movement. Alec shares compelling historical insights on policing as a mechanism of power, while Matthew raises concerns about state capacity and public safety. Their debate explores the implications of the phrase 'defund', its reception in society, and alternatives for ensuring safety without armed police. The discussion highlights the crucial balance between reform and a radical vision for change.

Hazami Barmada, a bold Palestinian activist known for her provocative street theater, and Aru Shiney-Ajay, an influential leader within the Sunrise Movement, join the discussion on direct action as a catalyst for change. Hazami shares her insights on the alarming lack of public awareness surrounding critical issues. Aru critiques the democratic limitations exposed by the January 6 events, arguing for a more strategic approach to empower the left. Together, they explore the challenges posed by corporate influences on progressive movements.

Is having boyfriend embarrassing? Are we living in an era of "heteropessimism"? Are women over marriage? These questions have gone viral in recent weeks as the country continues to grapple with changing gender norms and the effect the right wing radicalization of men has had on women's' attitudes toward marriage and child bearing. This week, a new study showing that, for the first time, female high school seniors were less interested in marriage than male seniors provoked an online debate about whether this was a consequence of growing male conservatism, or alternatively, whether men were facing "bigotry" from women who were making broad and essentialist claims about men. Eighteen year old Zohran volunteer deemed "hot girl for Zohran" by the New York post found herself on one side of the argument, while Drop Site news journalist Ryan Grim found himself on the other. Bad Faith brought them together to hash it out: Whose fault is the male loneliness epidemic, and if the root of the problem is economic, how should the left express sympathy for victims of the root cause without lacking sympathy for the female victims of misogyny? Subscribe to Bad Faith on YouTube for video of this episode. Find Bad Faith on Twitter (@badfaithpod) and Instagram (@badfaithpod). Produced by Armand Aviram. Theme by Nick Thorburn (@nickfromislands).