Truth Time with Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the latest on the Isreal preemptive strike against Iran and the movement among some members of Congress to prevent the United States from entering this war full-fledged.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the global impacts of what is happening in the Middle East and the efforts by grassroots groups like Up In Arms and Code Pink to draw attention to this reality and fight back.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the latest war brewing in the Middle East, the political violence against Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. They also lift up some historic “On This Day” knowledge regarding the 1976 Soweto Uprising and the execution of 14 year-old George Stinney Jr in 1944.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the life and impact of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century—Sam Cooke.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner continue their discussion about President Trump’s federal overreach, the indictment of Congress woman LaMonica Mciver and how to keep joy through all this chaos. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the protest in LA over the ICE raids and the Trump administrations overreach.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss U.S. aggression in Los Angeles and the death of Sly Stone. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the ways that the Democrats have not learned the lessons from their 2024 presidential loss. The latest is the stunt of giving away tacos in front of the RNC headquarters to mock President Trump mean while everyday people are losing their healthcare and living paycheck to paycheck.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the senseless violence in Gaza and Boulder, Colorado. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the life and continuing impact that Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson has on the body politic of America. As civil rights activist, presidential candidate and religious leader, Rev. Jackson changed the game with love, style and compassion. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the impact of the Trump administrations assault on the truth for America. Is the impact of this assault on Black people who already suffer from a lack of knowledge of self, history, culture and community. 

In today’s episode Senator Nina Turner discusses the impact of Congressman Charlie Rangel leadership in his Harlem, New York district and beyond. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the boxing career and political activism of the GOAT—Muhammad Ali.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the resent “courage” of neo-liberal Democrats to criticize President Biden and the Trump administrations attempt to get nations on the continent of Africa to “allow” Palestinians to relocate.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the honesty, sincerity and integrity of Minister Malcolm X during the celebration of his 100th birthday. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the incredible life of playwright and activist Lorraine Hansberry. She was the first Black playwright to win the New York Critics Circle award and is best known for her play A Raisin in the Sun.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the racially motivated mass shooting of 10 people Black people as they shopped at Tops Supermarket. What are the lessons learned and how is the community healing from this tragic event. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the 1985 bombing of the headquarters of a Black liberation group in Philadelphia. 

The Trump administration priorities white South African refugees for preferred status within the U.S. Refugee Program. Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the history of certain white immigrant groups being given special treatment over other immigrant groups. Unfortunately, what is happening now is not new. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the alchemy, allure and courage of classical pianist, singer, songwriter and civil rights activist Nina Simone. 

As the Kennedy Center was taken over, as Hollywood gets taxed, Black artists are doing their part to show that Black creativity can never be forgotten or confined. The history of Black people continues to shake and shape the world. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the types of leaders and leadership need to more this country forward for every day people

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the ease at which some white people use the N-word to dehumanize Black people and Black children are no exception. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the life of the first Black heavyweight champion of the world—Jack Johnson. Johnson fought during the Jim Crow Era in the United States. His wins encapsulated the hopes, dreams and respect the universal Black community craved for. Johnson held the heavyweight title from 1908-1915. He not only gave the Black community pride, he shook the foundations of white supremacy.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the impact of President Trump’s first 100 days in office.

While praying and drawing attention to the Trump administrations cuts to social safety net programs, Dr. William Barber and Rev. Johnathan William-Hartgrove, and Steve Swayne were arrested at the Capitol Rotunda. In the wake of those arrest, Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss and wrestle with the concepts of power, how it is used and whether the power of love is stronger than the love of power. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the recent fire that engulfed the historic Clayborn Temple Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Clayborn Temple was the staging site for the Sanitation Workers’ Strike in 1968.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s historic win as mayor-elect of Oakland and what it could mean for progressive politics and policies in California and beyond.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the four years since the passing of Dr. West’s incredible mother, Irene B. West and the passing of Pope Francis.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the speech Dr. West gave at Howard University and his analysis about staying quiet and complicit in a moment like this. Also, what is the vision for this moment to lift poor and working people? Could the Freedom Budget for All Americans as envisioned by Asa Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr be the economic plan needed right now?

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the contours of movement building and the connection to mass protest like the Hands Off protest.

Dr. West and Nina Turner unpack the multi-layered life of Marcus Garvey. He was an unapologetic Black Nationalist who loved and sacrificed for Black people in the United States and the Black diaspora. 

Dr. Cornell West and Nina Turner discuss Harvard University striking back against the defunding threats of the Trump Administration. Also, six women orbited space on Blue Origin. Is this a giant leap for womankind?

LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy is reported to have committed suicide. He was only 24 years old. Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss this tragedy in the context of a broader epidemic facing our Black youth, especially our Black boys.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the incredible life of civil rights activist and icon—Fannie Lou Hamer. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss President Trump’s tariff war and how it is a form of economic oppression. Plus, why is this administration so afraid of diversity? 

On April 4, 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated while in Memphis, TN supporting striking sanitation workers. Dr. West and Nina Turner will discuss this earth-shattering occurrence and the social and political implications. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner analyze the impact of Senator Cory Booker’s 25-hour floor speech. Was this the breakthrough Democrats needed or just a blip on the screen? Is this the best strategy during the Trump era.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the corrupting force of big money and dark money on elections. The race for the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court has drawn $100 million. It is the most expensive state supreme court race in history and is a glaring example of why Citizens United must be overturned.

Dr. West and Nina Turner explore the courageous life of Mary Harris Jones who used her incredible skills to advocate for coal miners and children during the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Trump administration’s “DEI” overreach by removing the military records of Jackie Robinson from the Department of Defense’s website?

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the moral and economic impact of the United States support of Israel’s war on Gaza and the mass killing of Palestinian civilians. 

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the leadership vacuum within the Democratic Party and the fallout over Senator Schumer’s decision to back the GOP Continuing Resolution.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the extraordinary work of Grammy Award winning singer and pianists Roberta Flack. 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the impact gutting the Department of Education may have on the state and local levels. How will this affect the quality of education moving forward? 

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the case of Mahmoud Khalil, an activist for Palestinian rights who has been targeted by the Trump administration. How does this impact the right to Freedom of Speech and other civil liberties.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the disconnect between the symbol of Bloody Sunday 60 years later and the lack of substance or commitment to build on the work of the generation that made social and political sacrifices.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the courage and tenacity of activist, artist and thought leader Bree Newsome Bass. In 2015, Newsome Bass climbed the flag pole at the South Carolina state house and took down the Confederate flag.

Dr. Cornel West and Nina Turner discuss the after effects of President Trump’s Joint Session Address as well as the fight back being displayed by the federal workers.

Dr. West and Nina Turner discuss the possible framework of President Trumps joint address to Congress compared to what is happening in the lives of everyday people.