journalist
Jamil Smith is a contributing writer at the Daily Beast. He is a former senior national correspondent for MTV News, and a is a former senior editor at the New Republic.
PROFILE
Jamil Smith
Guest
FROM Jamil Smith
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why 'Black Panther' is bankable for all audiences “Black Panther” hits theaters Friday, but it’s been generating excitement for the last couple of years ever since the movie was announced. It’s the first big budget superhero movie with a black director, predominantly black cast, and a storyline seen through a black lens. Chadwick Boseman plays Black Panther aka T’Challa, who becomes king of the fictional African nation called Wakanda. He has to protect his land and people from outside threats and protect his crown from the American man who wants to take it. Black Panther/T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) faces off with Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). The Dora Milaje are T'Challa's army of bodyguards. Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther/T'Challa. Photo credit for all: Marvel Studios.
One Year Later
President Trump and the imagined war on Christmas President Trump’s first year in office has impacted Americans well beyond policy. He’s in every story, in everything, it seems. On our final show, we look at how he and Republicans have even politicized Christmas. We discuss how Americans celebrate in ways that look different than a Hallmark card — including people who want their holiday symbols, like Santa — to look like them.
One Year Later
The politics of pot Recreational marijuana will be legal in California in 2018. Who will benefit from the potential economic boom?
One Year Later
What the tax bill has to do with U.S. wealth inequality The richest one percent of Americans control about 38 percent of the wealth in the United States. Analysts report that the Republican tax bill, very soon to be the Republican tax law, will only exacerbate the problem. How will this break down on racial and ethnic lines? Who benefits and who doesn’t?
One Year Later
Trump is rapidly reshaping the federal courts President Trump is often criticized for not having any “major accomplishments.” However, his judicial picks, including Neil Gorsuch, could have a more lasting impact than any bill he signs. Barring impeachment or resignation, these judges — almost all white, conservative men — will have their jobs for life.
One Year Later
Puerto Rico's long road to recovery Almost three months after Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, the U.S. territory is still struggling to get basic necessities like water and power. The islands were already dealing with a crushing amount of debt before the storms, how should the U.S. help its territory recover?
One Year Later
When the sports field becomes a political battlefield Race and sports have always been intertwined in America — but under Trump, they are inseparable in a new way. Why does the president repeatedly single out sports figures of color for criticism?
One Year Later
The religious left raises its voice For decades, the political right has made religiosity their brand. But a "religious left" has risen since President Trump's election, and progressive clergy members have witnessed a renewal of interest in spirituality. Have evangelical conservatives finally met their match in the political arena?
One Year Later
Why won't the debate over the Civil War go away? The Civil War may have ended more than 152 years ago, but the battle over the national memory of the conflict -- and the motive for Southern secession -- has flared anew. From confederate monument defenders on the streets to the pop historians in the White House, the whitewashed "Lost Cause" rationale -- of Southern honor and states' rights -- is getting a new lease on life in 2017.
One Year Later
Growing up black with Trump in the White House Donald Trump's exploitation of white racial resentment helped cement his victory in 2016, but it also revealed a lot about our culture. When One Year Later host Jamil Smith visited his hometown in Cleveland, he spoke with young black students at his high school about what it's like to live through the Trump presidency.
One Year Later
Second Amendment, guns, and race Social science researchers have found that support for gun rights is strongest among whites who are racially prejudiced. However, since Donald Trump's election, it's black Americans who feel the need to protect themselves. Does everyone have the same Second Amendment rights?
One Year Later
Are liberals contributing to the anti-immigrant climate? President Trump often gets blamed for the current backlash against immigrants. But do Democrats share any blame?
One Year Later
Is political polarization affecting your family? Political polarization in the US has reached new heights with Trump in office, but how is it reflected in our closest relationships -- with our families? Our colleagues? Our significant others?
Recommended
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.