 This is part II of my conversation with Bethany, Janelle and Vonetta. Tune in to hear about how I'm coping with working and parenting a toddler (with no daycare). We also discuss COVID conspiracy theories, multi generational families, and why the earth is FINALLY happy with us.

Raising the Bar with Iman

Ep 17 | COVID Conversations with Bethany, Janelle and Vonetta (Part II)

On this episode I’m joined by Bethany, Janelle and Vonetta to talk about how we’re coping with this new world we live in. We talk about the local government responses in NYC, ATL, Los Angeles and Maryland, about how Joe Biden and Bill DeBlasio are missing (someone send a search team), Fauci’s roadshow and how Black people went from “We can’t get it!” to being disproportionately impacted by this public health pandemic.This is only part I of the interview. We talked for over an hour. Stay tuned next week for Part 2.Sources:Albany, GA story: https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/02/us/albany-georgia-coronavirus/index.html

Ep 016 | COVID Conversations with Bethany, Janelle and Vonetta (Part I)

This past week, the President signed a $2T relief bill to offer assistance to Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode explains a few of the provisions of the bill: direct payment eligibility, impact on student loan payments, retirement accounts and expanded unemployment benefits.Full text of CARES ActSources:https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-03-26/coronavirus-stimulus-package-versus-recovery-acthttps://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.htmlhttps://www.npr.org/2020/03/26/821457551/whats-inside-the-senate-s-2-trillion-coronavirus-aid-package

Ep 015: Unpacking Two Trillion - COVID Relief Bill

Can law enforcement compel you to unlock your phone? Well, it depends? Do you use a passcode, your face or your fingerprint?Follow RTB on social mediaIG: @1RTBpodcastFacebook: @1RTBpodcastwww.rtbpodcast.com

Ep 014: Touch ID, Face ID or Passcode? Law Enforcement and Your Phone...

The 25th day of April marked five years since the residents of Flint, Michigan were forced to consume hazardous waste (in the form of water coming from their faucets). Flint residents have been fighting hard for justice. This past week, a federal judge ruled that residents can proceed with their lawsuits against the federal government. In this episode, I discuss the courts that will preside over their case… Trump's federal courts. As of April 2019, 92 judges selected by Trump have been confirmed: two for the supreme court, 37 for the circuit courts of appeal, and 53 for the district courts. Thanks to the Senate invoking the nuclear option, more judges will be confirmed at a faster rate. Trump promised his base he would change the federal courts. Trump didn't fulfill many campaign promises. Unfortunately, this is one he kept. Follow RTB on social media IG: @1RTBpodcast Facebook: @1RTBpodcast www.rtbpodcast.com Sources: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_federal_courts  https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_federal_courts https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/03/trump-capturing-judiciary-alarming-rate https://www.cnn.com/2016/03/04/us/flint-water-crisis-fast-facts/index.html

Ep 013 | Flint Water Crisis Meets Trump's Courts

In this episode, I discuss a First Amendment case out of Pennsylvania involving a rapper, Jamal Knox (aka Mayhem Mal), and a song he and a friend recorded entitled "F*ck the Police." Jamal was charged with making terroristic threats although this song isn't the first of its kind. Recently, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld his conviction. Numerous rappers filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court to provide historical context of this song and rap music in general. On this episode, I discuss what a true threat is and how PA's highest court fell short in giving this song its proper context.UPDATE: On April 15, 2019, the Supreme Court declined to review this case. For more info: https://www.thefader.com/2019/04/15/jamal-knox-supreme-court-case-mayhem-mal-update-pittsburghFollow RTB on social mediaIG: @1RTBpodcastFacebook: @1RTBpodcastwww.rtbpodcast.comSources:https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/knox-v-pennsylvania/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/zma8ax/rappers-are-defending-their-right-to-anti-cop-lyrics-in-the-supreme-courthttps://harvardlawreview.org/2019/03/commonwealth-v-knox/

Ep 012 | Rappers Beware - 99 Problems and the 1st Amendment is One of Them

Early this year I had the opportunity to attend Data for Black Lives II Conference. Data for Black Lives is a group of activists, organizers, and mathematicians committed to the mission of using data science to create concrete and measurable change in the lives of Black people. The conference focused on the role that data and technology have played in Black communities. You do not want to miss this episode!Follow RTB on social mediaIG: @1RTBpodcastFacebook: @1RTBpodcastwww.rtbpodcast.comSources:Meredith Broussard's Book: Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World. Yeshimabeit’s open letter to Facebook: https://medium.com/@YESHICAN/an-open-letter-to-facebook-from-the-data-for-black-lives-movement-81e693c6b46cArticle about Ring's Neighborhood App: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/evkgpw/smart-doorbell-company-ring-is-working-with-cops-to-report-suspicious-people-and-activitiesChicago Gang Database:  https://chicago.suntimes.com/crime/chicago-police-gang-database-toni-preckwinkle-macarthur-justice-center/Georgetown's Center on Privacy and Technology Perpetual Lineup report: https://www.perpetuallineup.org/  Not Ready for Takeoff: https://www.law.georgetown.edu/privacy-technology-center/publications/not-ready-for-takeoff/Real ID Database: https://www.eff.org/issues/real-id Buzzfeed article on Scanning Your Face At 20 Top Airports: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/daveyalba/these-documents-reveal-the-governments-detailed-plan-forAlgorithmic Justice League: https://www.ajlunited.org/

Ep 011 | Using Data and Algorithms to Further Oppress: Recapping Data for Black Lives II Conference

BONUS episode to explain why certain federal employees are working and getting paid, while others are working and don’t know when they will receive a paycheck. I also talk about why the workers that process income tax refunds should NOT be called back into work and if this shutdown continues, families may not receive their SNAP benefits.Sources:https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/266/IRS-Lapse-in-Appropriations-Contingency-Plan_Nonfiling-Season_2018-12-03.pdfhttp://www.crfb.org/blogs/appropriations-watch-fy-2019RTB LinksWebsiteInstagramFacebook

Bonus Episode | Shutdowns, Refund Checks and SNAP

This episode focuses on DC and NYC's recent decision to decriminalize subway fare evasion. I talk about the broader theory that started the criminalization of minor acts, the Broken Window Theory of Policing and why it is administered unfairly. Finally, why intrusive policing DOES NOT WORK! (I said it loud for the people in the back.)Sources: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/the-problem-with-broken-windows-policing/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/30/nyregion/subway-fare-beating-new-york.html?module=inlinehttps://www.washlaw.org/pdf/2018_09_13_unfair_disparity_fair_evasion_enforcement_report.PDFhttps://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1982/03/broken-windows/304465/RTB LinksWebsiteInstagramFacebook

Ep 010 | Jumping Turnstiles and Breaking Windows

Quickie Bonus Episode covering updates to Episdoes 4 and 7/9. The Senate FINALLY passes the Anti-Lynching bill and Stacey Abrams files suit in District Court to rectify Georgia's horrible electoral process.To download the guide and my reflections on 2018, visit: https://www.rtbpodcast.com/bar-raising-memos/2018/12/30/taking-a-look-back-on-2018-getting-ready-for-2019 

Bonus Episode | IT'S ABOUT TIME! Anti-Lynching Law + Abrams Files Suit

Vonetta, my lively Georgia resident and dear friend, is back to discuss the midterm elections, and why we couldn't be happier Stacey Abrams is exhibiting much needed #blackgirlmagic.Follow RTB on social mediaIG: @1RTBpodcastFacebook: @1RTBpodcastwww.rtbpodcast.com

Ep 009 | Concede What, Bih?

On this episode I discuss a few cases on the Court's current docket.Madison v. Alabama - does the 8th Amendment prevent a state from executing an inmate if the inmate is unable to remember the crime for which he is to be executed;Gamble v. United States - should the Court overrule the separate sovereign exception of the double jeopardy rule);Nielsen v. Preap - Whether the government can require that certain people are detained for the duration of their deportation proceedings — without a hearing — because they have past criminal records.Three cases that dealt with the Armed Career Criminal Act. The ACCA imposes a mandatory minimum 15-year prison sentence on any federal firearms offender who previously has been convicted of three “violent” felonies.Flowers v. Mississippi - well known case from Mississippi that questions if the Mississippi Supreme Court applied the Batson rule correctly. For more information on this case, please listen to the podcast, In the Dark.Sources:http://www.scotusblog.com/2018/10/argument-preview-justices-once-again-consider-proper-scope-of-immigration-laws-mandatory-detention-provision/http://www.scotusblog.com/2018/09/criminal-cases-in-the-october-2018-term-a-law-professors-dream/https://www.aclu.org/cases/nielsen-v-preaphttps://www.oyez.org/cases/2018Follow RTB on social mediaIG: @1RTBpodcastFacebook: @1RTBpodcastwww.rtbpodcast.com

Ep 008 | Kavanaugh is Deciding What Now? A Look at SCOTUS' Current Term..

On this episode I bring in my line sister to talk about the midterms, more specifically: why State Attorney Generals are extremely important, why you should think twice about voting for Marsy's Laws (victim rights laws), and why the GA's Governor race is the most embarrassing display of racist politics since... the last election.Follow RTB on social mediaIG: @1RTBpodcastFacebook: @1RTBpodcastwww.rtbpodcast.com

Ep 007 | Discussing the Midterm Elections… GA, You Know We Can See You, Right?

On this episode of Raising the Bar with Iman, I discuss The Dignity for Incarcerated Women Act, federal legislation aimed at providing women in federal prisons with access to hygiene products and increased communication with loved ones. While this legislation is a great start, it wouldn't impact the majority of incarcerated women in state jails and prison.I discuss the often ignored fact that the incarceration rates for women are increasing in many states while the incarceration rate for men are decreasing. According to the sentencing project, between 1980 and 2014, the number of incarcerated women increased by more than 700%, rising from a total of 26,378 in 1980 to 222,061 in 2014.Women are often an afterthought in the mass incarceration conversation. This needs to end today.Follow RTB on social mediaIG: @1RTBpodcastFacebook: @1RTBpodcastwww.rtbpodcast.comSources:https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/incarcerated-women-need-dignity-freedom-more-free-tampons-ncna854631https://wtop.com/maryland/2018/03/no-tampons-in-prison-metoo-helps-shine-light-on-issue/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/1524/texthttps://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cory-booker-and-elizabeth-warren-want-to-treat-women-in-prison-like-human-beings_us_5964cce5e4b005b0fdc84b00https://storage.googleapis.com/vera-web-assets/downloads/Publications/overlooked-women-and-jails-report/legacy_downloads/overlooked-women-and-jails-fact-sheet.pdfhttps://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Incarcerated-Women-and-Girls.pdfhttps://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/women_overtime.html

Ep 006 | Discussing Incarcerated Women - Can't Have True Criminal Justice Reform Without It

On this episode of Raising the Bar with Iman, I sit down with Martinis Jackson author of the book, "Justice My Way: Memoirs Of A Black Prosecutor" to discuss the role of Black prosecutors in the criminal justice system. We also discuss the killing of Botham Jean in Dallas and how police are treated differently when accused of a crime.Please go get Martinis' book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/1719485186/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_6gFHBbK4M8NFWFollow him on IG: https://www.instagram.com/justicemyway/Affirmation: https://blavity.com/10-self-affirmations-you-should-tell-yourself-everydayFollow RTB on social mediaIG: @1RTBpodcastFacebook: @1RTBpodcastwww.rtbpodcast.com

Ep 005 | Can Black Prosecutors Change the System + Rest in Peace, Botham Jean

Podcast that examines legal issues and policies, and the impact on women of color. We aim to inform, educate & provide concrete tools to empower, expand and help our community.

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Raising the Bar with Iman

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