Mecca's one-man verbal fight in 'My Expert Opinion' is depressing
Beyond belief at Trump-supporting black men in Math Hoffa's podcast
I’m working on my patience when it comes to politics. I catch myself ranting about why somebody doesn’t see things the way I do, even when I think the politician, the law and the result is clear. I don’t always “meet people where they are.”
If you’ve ever watched or listened to “Native Land Pod*” (former politician Andrew Gillum is always a delight), this trio does a good job of “meeting people where they are” — way better than me. This alternate approach makes me wonder if I could’ve been even more effective during the times I was an Election Judge — with this young, black man specifically. Maybe I would have gotten through to him; maybe I wouldn’t have. But I like that the trio breaks down election procedures and politics in a way that I learned in eighth grade.
I’m not saying that sarcastically. I say that because I’ve learned multiple times throughout adulthood that entirely too many people were not taught how an election works, the significance of local elections and how to simplify laws. Too many schools were obsessed with standardized tests and not nearly as invested in critical thinking.
Meanwhile, one of my teachers was so adamant about election education to the point she made our class memorize the preamble and assigned reports to discuss all seven articles and 27 amendments. I didn’t appreciate my rogue teachers until I got to college. However, me challenging “mainstream education” by that time almost got me expelled from a PWI.
I. Regret. Nothing.
And as much as I’m working on my patience level when it comes to politics — often with naysayers who insist voting doesn’t matter — this episode of Math Hoffa’s “My Expert Opinion” both angers me and makes me wonder if I can potentially get through to some viewers like my teachers did by challenging me.
Recommended Read: “Rich black men, politics and ‘hostage’ votes ~ Will famous black men speaking out against presidential candidate Joe Biden help Trump win?”
So instead of going off on a rant about a select group of black men who are startlingly invested in putting a convicted felon and proud sexual assaulter back in the White House, I’m going to break down the myths in this featured Math Hoffa episode and provide more correct context. Co-host Mecca definitely tried to get through to men who basically put invisible headphones in their ears and MAGA hats on their heads. (Via Instagram, I’ve already told Mecca that he may want to find a new social circle, one that doesn’t hand him a plate of high blood pressure with a side order of salt.)
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But for those who watched black Trump supporters (or anti-Kamala enthusiasts?) disagree with Mecca repeatedly, I’m hoping this post helps you make an informed decision before going to the election polls.
Myth No. 1: “Under Biden’s watch, YouTube got f**ked up.”
Truth: Let’s set aside the idea that since one person thinks he’s making less money nowadays, then white supremacists should win with their candidate. Regardless, YouTube's main source of revenue is advertising. And black social media content creators like Ziwe Fumudoh, Khaby Lame and Funny Marco have done pretty well for themselves. So it may not be the platform; it may be the person.
Myth No. 2: “Lock the doors. Let’s fix the house. There’s millions of homeless people. We keep inviting people in.”
Truth: Let’s set aside that Trump’s idea of a “shithole country” is anybody darker than a paper bag. Meanwhile, he has had no issue with white foreigners coming to the U.S., including his wife. Regardless, Math Hoffa is not wrong about there being a surge in homeless people — 12%. The missing part is that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) “housed 1.2 million people experiencing homelessness in the last three years alone, building on President Biden’s efforts to keep Americans housed.”
Myth No. 3: The man who discussed Biden “falling the f**k out” has never heard about ANY of the 26 women who accused Trump of sexual assault and/or rape.
Truth: Let’s set aside the nonstop news coverage from “Access Hollywood” with Trump unapologetically saying “grab ‘em by the pussy” to describe how he greets random women. Meanwhile, see link below.
Business Insider: The 26 women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct
Myth No. 4: Racists love Brad Pitt.
Truth: I have not seen any Ku Klux Klan or tiki torch rallies in support of Brad Pitt and definitely not his 23-year-old Cambodian son Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, 19-year-old Ethiopian daughter Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt or 18-year-old Namibian daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt. Also, Trump thinks Pitt is “a little wise guy” and “was never a big fan of his.”
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Myth No. 5: Kamala Harris is responsible for first-time offenders pleading guilty to a felony.
Truth: Let’s set aside the amount of rapists and child molesters she was able to get off the streets, including those who were trafficking young girls. She also desperately tried to figure out how to get one young girl’s older brother to stop molesting her in their home.
Prosecutors do more than monitor weed consumption.
Meanwhile, in 2005, Kamala Harris, who was then a district attorney for San Francisco, launched Back on Track (BOT), a re-entry initiative aimed at reducing recidivism among first-time, low-level defendants between the ages of 18 to 30. Less than 10% of its graduates re-offended. However, candidates were required to take a community service program for a six-week probationary period.
They did indeed have to plead guilty to felony charges but had their formal sentencing deferred. After enrolling in BOT, the 12–18 month program (220 hours of community service) required the following:
Meet three times per week with a BOT case manager
Appear in BOT reentry court three times per month
Find employment
Enroll in school full time
While this may sound like a lot, BOT also offered the following:
Job training and placement
Union-based pre-apprenticeships
Goodwill Industries’ paid Transitional Jobs Program
General educational development (GED) classes
Assistance with applications and financial aid at San Francisco City College and other colleges
Interactive monthly life skills workshops
Parenting support
Mental health services
If they completed the program, their cases were dismissed and their arrest records were sealed.
Recommended Read: “VP Kamala Harris visits a black barbershop, sits down to talk to Uncle Luke ~ Five years ago, the current vice president set the record straight on truancy laws, black homeownership, the economy, campaigning for black votes”
Myth No. 6: Approximately 2,000 people were locked up because of her.
Truth: Marijuana laws nationwide definitely put some people in jail. But comparing her to Trump — who called Sonya Massey “the water” and who wants police officers to have qualified immunity for “a mistake” — will certainly lock up many, many, many more. I’m fairly certain a police officer shooting a man eating ice cream in his own living room would walk free under Trump’s watch. “Very fine people,” I suppose.
Myth No. 7: There are no white supremacists in New York.
Truth: Let’s set aside the Trump Hotels in Central Park and the ad taken out against the Central Park 5. Instead, let’s focus on how Math Hoffa went from discussing nationwide and worldwide issues (ex. wars, homelessness) to suddenly deciding only one state matters when it comes to white supremacy practices instead of the other 49. Meanwhile, active hate groups are growing in 30 states.
Myth No. 8: Voting for Harris means “you’d rather go to war” in places like Russia.
Truth: Let’s set aside that since the start of the war on February 24, 2022, 11,520 civilians have died in Ukraine. Neither Kamala Harris nor Joe Biden had anything to do with that. Both have been essential in providing weapons so that Ukraine can fight against Russia under Vladimir Putin’s watch. Trump’s take for Putin? “Do whatever the hell they want.” But Volodymyr Zelenskyy trying to defend Ukraine against Putin? Trump labeled him “the greatest salesman ever.”
Myth No. 9: People who are not parents and don’t have sons shouldn’t weigh in on wars.
Truth: Let’s set aside that childless people have brothers, uncles, cousins, godbrothers, nephews, godsons and even male family friends —- and that Trump avoided the military draft five times. Meanwhile, Trump supports Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, who does indeed support all high school students taking an aptitude test for military service positions. Miller also believes a national service requirement should be “strongly considered.”
Myth No. 10: Project 2025 is just a “group of people that’s making suggestions for what the president should do.”
Truth: Let’s aside this part in Project 2025:
Increase the Army force structure by 50,000 to handle two major regional contingencies simultaneously.
Reform recruiting efforts. The Army missed its 2022 recruitment goal by 25 percent, or 15,000 soldiers.
I know everybody but Mecca didn’t bother reading one page of the 922 pages. Want a shorter version? Watch this.
I stopped watching Math Hoffa’s “My Expert Opinion” a month or so ago — and only watched it sparingly before then. I could get through a few episodes if it was somebody interesting on the show, but the loud-and-wrong barbershop talkers in the background ruined damn near every segment for me.
Recommended Read: “If you're not a black woman, don't tell us how to vote! ~ We don't need a poll; we live in women's bodies and black bodies all day long.”
I like the idea of the show. I thought Math Hoffa was one of the most credible music analysts in the Kendrick and Drake debate. But when it comes to political debate? Not so much. There will always be “loud and wrong” people no matter where you go (beauty salons included). But this election season, I only want to hear from “loud and right” people.
Mecca, find a new platform. This ain’t it.
* The N-Word Mini Pod permanently ruined the podcast for me, but I still like a few segments.
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