80. Whose America? Whose Story?

80. Whose America? Whose Story?

Author: African American Policy Forum July 3, 2026 Duration: 33:09
America turns 250—the momentous milestone comes to us cloaked in surreality. Anniversaries usually ask us to remember. This one asks whether we are willing to remember everything. This episode explores why, after two and a half centuries, our national narrative still clings to the anti-Blackness embedded in the nation’s founding, all while insisting that this bleak history no longer deserves our attention. How do we commemorate a republic built by people whose lives, labor, knowledge, and testimony are continually erased from the stories we tell about America?  Host Kimberlé Crenshaw is joined by Sarah Lewis, Clint Smith, Mark Rosenbaum, and Ibram X Kendi. Music by Blue Dot Sessions Connect with us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate to our show⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Kimberlé Crenshaw's book, ⁠Backtalker: An American Memoir⁠

Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term itself, Intersectionality Matters! brings the framework of intersectionality from academic theory into the heart of contemporary conversation. This podcast, presented by the African American Policy Forum, examines how overlapping social identities-such as race, gender, class, and sexuality-shape individual experiences of discrimination and privilege. Crenshaw, a foundational scholar of critical race theory, guides listeners through nuanced discussions that connect legal analysis, current events, and cultural critique. Each episode tackles pressing issues in the news, from voting rights and economic justice to political movements and pop culture, demonstrating how a single-axis view of inequality often falls short. The dialogue here is rigorous yet accessible, featuring conversations with activists, thinkers, and community organizers who are on the front lines. Listening to this podcast provides the analytical tools to understand the complex, interconnected nature of power in our society. It’s a space where the personal, the political, and the structural collide, offering clarity on why seeing problems through an intersectional lens is not just an intellectual exercise but a necessity for meaningful advocacy and change. You’ll hear deep dives into policy, law, and the stories that define our moment, all grounded in the reality that our struggles and liberations are deeply linked.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Intersectionality Matters!
Podcast Episodes
64. Election 2024 Round Table, Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
Welcome to AAPF's Election 2024 Round Table, Part 3! There is a lot of noise to cut through right now when it comes to the important issues at stake in the election. To bring nuance to the mainstream media narratives, be…
63. Election 2024 Round Table, Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:25
Welcome to AAPF's Election Round Table Series, Part 2! There is a lot of noise to cut through right now when it comes to the important issues at stake in the election. To bring nuance to the mainstream media narratives,…
62. Election 2024 Round Table, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:12
There is a lot of noise to cut through right now when it comes to the important issues at stake in the election. To bring nuance to the mainstream media narratives, between now and election day, the African American Poli…
61. Why We Need Police Reform [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:34
Attorney Ben Crump joins host Kimberlé Crenshaw and members of the #SayHerName Mothers Network to spotlight the ongoing fight for justice for the killing of Sonya Massey by police. Warning: this episode contains graphic…
60. Tennessee: Tip of the Spear in the Fight for Democracy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:34
It’s Freedom Summer 2024! We’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of Freedom Summer 1964, and kicking off our annual Critical Race Theory Summer School in the locus for the recent attacks on racial justice and democracy:…
59. A moment with Tim Wise [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:31
Join host Kimberlé Crenshaw behind the scenes at the African American Policy Forum in this series of brief, intimate conversations on intersectionality and how we can use it to interpret and navigate our multiracial demo…
58. A moment with CJ Hunt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:50
Join host Kimberlé Crenshaw behind the scenes at the African American Policy Forum in this series of brief, intimate conversations on intersectionality and how we can use it to interpret and navigate our multiracial demo…
57. Never Too Much: The Untold Story of Luther Vandross [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:45
Guest Dawn Porter, director of Luther: Never Too Much, joins host Kimberlé Crenshaw to discuss a new Luther Vandross biopic. They explore Luther's unmatched artistry, the intersections of the pop star's lived experience…
56. The Revolutionary Act of Self Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:22
Guest host Shermena M. Nelson is joined by Huru founder Imani Joye Samuels to discuss the life-saving importance of rest for Black women. They also unpack strategies for creating a sustainable, effective self care practi…