Was welcome back to our program. Mark morial, the National Urban league president. Discussion right now on the state of black america. Thats the sandal report that the national has released this year since the 1970s. Mr. Morial, the name of this years report is democracy in peril, the threat within. Why that name . First of, all let me thank you for having me. Good morning. To all the cspan viewers and listeners, that name is because when we look at the last several years, we witnessed a distinct effort to undermine americas mobocracy. Just yesterday, four people were convicted in a federal court of attempting to overthrow the United States government. By blocking the transfer of power after the 2020 election. And now there have been any number of people who have been indicted, who have tried, had their day in court and have been convicted in an effort to undermine democracy. We decided to dig deep into this question. What we found is, literally, hundreds of bills introduced in the state legislature across the country. They had no purpose whatsoever, except to make it more difficult for people to vote. With a target on the back of the voting power of black people. In some cases, latinos, some cases young voters, some cases disabled voters. Number two, we dug into the hate crime numbers and what we saw is an alarming spike in hate crimes in america. Directed not only a black people but at jews and muslims and Asian Americans and latinos and lgbtq americans. A stifling increase. And to add to that, we see hate crimes that also include violent acts of assault, of killing. When you take all of this together, what we conclude is that the movement of hate and extremism, which has always been present in the United States is now creeping into the mainstream of america. With some elected officials, some journalists, with people who occupy positions and channeling the rhetoric and the actions of the movement. The hate. The movement for hate and actions and extremism, all of it seems to be to undermined democracy. I would encourage people to look me at the numbers, take a look at the report, we have a number of people who contributed to the report, governor maryland west moore, a number of cabinet officers, Community Leaders who contributed to the report. As well as Research Partners such as the adl, the poverty lost center, and those who carefully track numbers for hate crimes. This is important discussion for america. The target of much of this is black america. I want everyone to understand the target is to undermine this incredible institution called american democracy which gives us all an equal right to sit at the table, elect officeholders and debate the issues that impact us. Can you start with january 6th file, the conviction yesterday of the former proud boy members . Leading with that on a report about the date of black america, do you think the target of january 6th with black america . That is not in the report. But that is a contemporary example of the efforts to undermine democracy. So in some cases, the target by some is to diminish the power and influence of black voters. In some cases, if you look at the 2020 election, and you saw a tax on philadelphia, on detroit, on atlanta, one need not be a great scientist or analysts to understand that is suggesting philadelphia and detroit are majority African American and it suggests that there was quote unquote unsubstantiated suggestions that there was fraud. It was a racial dimension lurking within the entire january 6th, if he will, attack. And when i say lurking within, while it may significant motivation, it is not the only motivation to try to overturn the election. Race, and the discussion of, race is tricky because sometimes it is like coffee and sugar in milk. Its all mixed up. And to distill it requires us to understand history and it is important that we not diminish the role of race, but its also important that we not suggest with this attack on democracy that is only about black americans. I think its far beyond that. The intent was to suppress the ability of black americans to participate in american democracy. Voter suppression bills, when you look at them, they are intentional, theres a number of federal court of the last ten years that have found intentional discrimination by fake legislatures. And we have to understand that american democracy in the 21st century is a multi racial institution. American democracy in the 21st century is a multi religious institution. It is a multi gender orientation institution. The foundation of this country is that all people are created equal. We we marc morial is our gas, the topic is the state of a black america. The annual report that came out recently from the National Urban league has been coming out every year since 1970. Phone, lines if you want to join the conversation, they are as usual, the democrat is 202, 748, 8000. The republicans 20, 2748, 8001. Independent is 202 we will have this conversation until the end of our program, 10 am eastern. If you talk about participating in democracy. The freedom to get a job. In this country, a new jobs report came out about an hour ago, the Unemployment Rate is 3. 4 down from 3. 5 in this country. The Unemployment Rate among blacks in this country is still significantly higher, 4. 7 . These unemployment numbers are significant because i think the lowest Unemployment Rate in american history. That means that the economy is having no problems . What it means is, the directionally we have come back from the covid recession in an impressive way. We are now having its record numbers of americans working. You have lower unemployment among blacks whites and latinos historically. And the jobs market is who for over a year have been suggesting there is going to be a recession. Some of the experts even suggesting with the consumers apparently dont feel that way because they continue to invest in spending the economy. And that is why we have consistent growth and jobs. The other thing we have is we have a situation in America Today where there are job when there are more vacancies for their are then there are people looking. So i think we have when their discussion of economics. Its usually a discussion that isolates the issue. Economic growth. I prefer to look at in the context of, your worldly three years ago . Or two years ago . Or you are . Go where we now . Are we directionally better off or are we better off than we were three years ago . Absolutely. Millions of people were unemployed. Due to the covid pandemic. They required unprecedented response by the government. And we challenge that response. We may still have double digit unemployment. Remember the Great Recession . It took a long time for jobs to come back because there was not built enough for assertive enough. We had many years of lagging employment and growth. This response i think so far has been better and while we do have inflation, i do think that the actions by the feds did what was possible. Although i do not like the notion of using unemployment to fight completion as a weapon. I think the feds will now ease off of these Interest Rate by assists of a hit to a stable Interest Rate environment for the next several months and years. I will let you chat with a few colors. Mark morial with us for the next half an hour. Jay from maryland, for the democrats, you are up first. Good morning. Good morning, i have a question for the host. You had Marion Williamson on yesterday, very good interview. Other any plans to have Robert Kennedy junior on since hes running as well . I think we could take any candidate thats running for president to give you a chance to ask questions. Something no other outlets let people. Do so if the opportunity came up imagine the answer would be. Asked okay, his supporters have concerns. My question for mr. Morial is, you know, has a lot of influence in the black community. I myself did not know the measure of it. My first question, you already answered. Thank you for that, thanks for coming. On my second question has to do with, theres an investigative journalist named lee faro, he released an article that said that there are groups quietly lobbying for Covid Vaccine mandates. He names as one of those who receive huge amounts of money to persuade members of the black community to take the vaccine. And you didnt disclose this on her website. We i will say this, as a matter of, course we dont disclose donors on our website. If donors want to disclose their contributions to us, they have a right to do, so but its a matter of policy that we dont do. That the let me clarify. Im not certain the relationship that we have with pfizer, but we did have a campaign called allin. It wasnt designed to persuade black people or people to take the vaccine, it was designed to give people information so that they could intelligently make a choice. To take the vaccine. And, also, to provide access to the vaccine on an equitable basis. And thats what is important. We, had in that effort, some of the finest African American physicians, dozens of medical schools in the country. We examine our messages, we examine the fact that the verify ability of. This so the challenge was to put a wedge into this, conversation the fact of the matter, is too many people died during the pandemic, and the vaccine was a tool, no one was necessarily forced, unless an employer required you. I supported the vaccine. I took the vaccine, but i didnt take it, no would i ever encourage anyone to take it until after the best doctors, the best scientist recommended that it be taken. So the effort to throw a wedge into this, and again, we have many contributors. Many many people support our work. We are proud of that work. But you know, its not a practiced list donors on a website. Paul, minnesota, this is, lauren independent, good morning. Hello, good morning. One of my concerns is hearing which is minneapolis, and st. Paul. In excess of 88 of black children are being born into Single Family homes with no father. This is definitely a path towards property, crime, low unemployment, government dependency and stuff like that. Her issues out there, but i just do not understand why the urban league does not have this reference in the report because it is something that can be handled without pointing fingers at other places were asking for money. We gotta get our arms around that. Im gonna hang up and listen. I think what is important is that the number of children born to quote on quote single moms is not only a phenomenon in the black community, its a phenomenon in the white community. Those numbers have increased significantly over a number of years. I strongly believe that we have to support children, whether they are born in a single parent family or two parent family. Or born into a situation where theyve got a lot of family members who to support them. I think its very very important to put the focus on children and not to vilify moms or people because they choose to have a child, and they choose that they might not want to be married. The issue is, do we have support from the father in the sport from the mother to raise the child . Whether they are married or not, or whether you have children born in a nontraditional family setting. I have many family members who were raised by white people, grandmother or father, because the mother was not present. And so we have to support and emphasize children. We have to report in the state of black, america state teenage pregnancies numbers are down. We focus on that. That is an important thing. And we focus on supporting children wherever their parents are. Children should not be penalized because of the fault with the decisions of the parents. I also think that even if a person grows up in a single parent home, the question is, are they loved . Is their support . Are they caring . Is there with, if you will, the kind of support and love needed . We address, and of course, in a short period of time, but the child tax credit, that tax cut was temporary, i would like to see the government go back and make a permanent decision about children and supporting them, giving them what they need. What is the National UrbanLeague Quality index . So equality index, which we publish every other, year and this is an on here. Is a comparison of the social and Economic Conditions of black americans versus White Americans, versus latinos. And it is designed to help people understand the real disparities. So that index should be published and if you look at the numbers, but 306 numbers, African Americans track at about 73 . The status of White Americans, latinos, track about 77 or 78 . The status of White American the reason why we publish the data is because all too often, the discussions about race and the non fact base tend to be based on emotionalism sometimes. Sometimes its based on misperception and some of it is outright misinformation. We have to understand that these disparities are real, and to an extent that we closed them, the extent that we close. Them not only for black americans, but for latinos who would be better off. The entire nation will be better off because were having four more people participating at full capacity in American Society and american economy. And fully in american democracy. Are we closing . Them is the state of black america Getting Better . So we have noticed over the last 15 years, marginal improvements, and i say marginal, maybe 2 improvement. But regrettably, we have seen some areas where the gap is narrower and its slight narrowing. Affordable air care act, medicaid expansion, a number of things, greater awareness about people. Its narrow. Now, it will be interesting next year to see what impact covid has had on those numbers. The numbers we had last year did not measure that impact. So weve had a narrower covid health index is quite narrow in the education index, but a widening, a slight widening in the economic aspect. But like the Justice System, the that index has actually gotten larger. So i think next year is going to be interesting because it will be the first year to look at the numbers that may measure the party impact that covid had. And i encourage people to take a look at this equality index, take a look at the numbers, we publish them continuously. We have the best set of economist in the country. And we have a metrics firm that works with us, it is oneofakind statistical index and designed to help people have a discussion that is fact based both economic and social disparities in the country. In florida, this is mark, a republican, youre on with marc morial. Good morning. I have a question. Federal elections, i would like to see a federal voter i. D. Link to your social security. That would end, which i think is jim crow two point oh. At the moment, if you do not have a current address, you are denied access to the vote. My other statement is, january six should be married her tribe. Renal should not be able to refuse subpoena or use the fifth amendment. Should answer the questions we want the whole, truth. That is an interesting thought about using military. Tribunal i think many of us in a Civil Rights Community felt that even people who commit the most extreme acts have a right to a lawyer. The right to a trial, by jury. The right to witnesses that may be brought in against them in the right to subpoena power, its an interesting discussion. Military tribunals presented a significant problems and execution, and they will continuously challenged in federal court as to whether its earnest or sting, conversation i can understand why the color has feelings, on this but i tend to believe that our Justice System is when it operates in the way in which its designed, one of the best just a systems devised by humankind. All too often it doesnt operate. People dont have access to counsel, or juries are gerrymandered. Thats a problem. On the federal ive been opposed all forms of voter i. D. and i voted in states with an idea when i lived in louisiana, and where i vote, today there is no voter i. D. Requirement. But the identification requirement is that you sign your name and the elections commissioner is supposed to compare your signature to the signature when you originally registered to vote. The challenge really is, and i think its interesting that the color suggested a federal voter i. D. , because one of the tensions in this conversation today is the role of the state and the role of the feds. I think in federal, actions we should have federal standing. But i may not necessarily agree with a voter i. D. , i do believe that and there was a bill, a freedom to vote, act which will create the only western democracy that doesnt have a set of National Standards. We leave it to the states. And some states, they default so the counties. Thats why you tend to have a patchwork system. It is why you have a different system here forces a different system there. I think people should have the bite to vote in person. I believe they should have a right to vote by mail, i think they should be a system early voting, and i think we have the ability and the technology in this country to do all of that to do it fair to, do with integrity, to do with honesty. But what we ought to be doing is creating a system that encourages voting, it doesnt say that voting is a privilege, voting is a. Right and it is the right of a citizen in a democracy to participate in elections. So while a federal voting idea might not be necessarily favorable, its an interesting idea. I think National Standard around National Elections and a set of standards that limit what states can and cannot do our what we need in a 21st century democracy. All of the 2020 challenges to the election, 23 years ago we had in florida. We thought that was the worst to could get. And now weve seen what were seeing. I imagine the place built today is a new orleans. Is that correct . Actually i vote in closer to where i work, where the offices we, the National Urban league is now in new york city, so im living in new york region. And ive been voting there. And so its interesting to see the systems and how they operate and whether they yield problems. So im a big large proponent of National Standards. Thats a position of the National Urban league. Thats the position of most democracies, as an activist. I think we shouldnt be fiddling with the rules. Every time theres a state legislature. I think it creates confusion. I think it creates distrust. I think it involves people suggesting that people are trying to manipulate the, rules manipulate the outcomes. We need to have a broad window aperture and option for people to be able to vote. Nobody should have to stand in line for 45 minutes or an hour. No one should have to go half a day away in a car or catch a ride to people to vote. Some people have to do that in rural communities. You have to create a system that is for us to continue to lead the world and democracy, we have to work to make it easier for people to vote within a system that protects the integrity of the system and its consistent its a basic fundamental baseline of consistency. National urban, lead i should quote that marc morial is two turmoil of new orleans and former president of the u. S. Conference of mayors. Lets take you home to new orleans, this is frank line for democrats. Good morning good morning. Hello, mark. And im a combat wounded veteran. Im 78 years old, so i kind of remember the legacy and i sure appreciate you and your being the mayor of our city. If i have my way out you would be right back here in louisiana. We miss you dearly. Now, id like to go to your father, what he said about the job situation. He said you cant stay out all night with owls and we need to get up in the morning with the chickens. And its struck a lot of people really, hard but what he was saying was you cant stay out all night doing all kinds of things and then get up in the morning and go look for work, no matter how many jobs you have available. And i appreciate how far he was with. That also, voting, bright like opportunity and being in a red state, you vote against Voting Rights. Hey, im a combat wooded veteran. Im watching all these veterans die for america and each time they come to you to have a simple right voting. So when i call this line, they said that well, give me a clean bill. So with that means that you hook something up to the bill and he wont vote for it. So percentage clean, bill and give people the right. But let me stop you there and give mark a chance to talk. I think thanks, frank. Thank you for the memory of my late father and the kind words. Of i think the gop and republicans, insist that they support Voting Rights bills. Until the election of barack obama. So, in 20 oh o, sex when i first joined the National Urban, lead we had a long fight to extend Voting Rights act. We had george bushs support. 97 votes in the u. S. Senate. Over 300 votes in the house. It was a bipartisan act in the 1960s. When Lyndon Johnson proposed Voting Rights, he was a senator from the state of illinois. Ever dirksen, who is a republican leader who joined with president johnson to assist in fact passing Voting Rights through civil rights, through the congress of the United States. The gop flipped its position on Voting Rights. And has fractured the bipartisan longstanding coalition that existed in this country in support of fundamental Voting Rights and non discriminatory Voting Rights. The Robert Supreme Court is that great fault. They, in 2013, issued a decision called shelley versus holmes. I think its one of the decisions that will go down like dred scott, a decision that the court and the institution of the just dish erie will regret. They were an of all of the Voter Suppression by knocking down a key provision which provided a set of standards at a preapproval process with many Southern States have to go through. So we have to understand, we are in a new normal when it comes to Voting Rights. We have become polarized with many gop saying no. Them saying yes. It wasnt that way somehow in the state of louisiana. There were many members on the gop side, i can speak more about the senate than i can about the house, who i think should change their position and recognize that the fundamental civil rights and peoples rights are legacy votes. Legacy votes. Those people voted against civil rights and Voting Rights in 1960. Hes they are not people by and large that are recognized in history with great applause. And i encourage these, members these gop members, mitch mcconnell, all the way down, mitch mcconnell, who has voted for Voting Rights in the past to embrace the idea of protection of american democracy. The expansion of Voting Rights as an issue beyond partisanship. An issue beyond the divisions we in this country. And i think we, i hope we can do that. We will be pressuring for that to happen because american democracy is what separates us from a china, or russia, or north korea. Four other nations where voting is a fiction. Where voting is a mirage, where voting is not real or meaningful. What makes us different . What makes us better . What makes us a shining city. Wes american democracy the right to participate, the right to vote, freedom of speech, due process, the bill of rights, but 13th and 14th and 15th amendment. We so, were gonna work for, that but i want the color to understand, and this is a gop caller, hey, what used to be a bipartisan it was one of those things that was always bipartisan. And then it fractured. And somehow, it got a reestablishment to put back together. You ran for congress once, would you run again . We you know, there was a saying when i ran for congress, that was my early 30s. Take a, myung pick him good, keep him there. I think congress, particularly house, senate may be different, the house is a place where to achieve maximum effectiveness, you need a number of. Years you have seniority, we are in respectability. Its big place. I would never let anything, where could continue to serve, but right now i am honored to serve as president of the National Urban league, which gives me a chance to work with members of congress, worked with members of the senate, work with Community Leaders across the country, work with business and labor leaders, work on those issues of Racial Justice and economic opportunity. And building coalitions in this country. So its been my time as an elected official, both as mayor of new orleans and louisiana astley center. Incredible times for me and i just add that that time of purpose here at the National Urban league. I would never rule out running for anything. Any office, but with 1600 pennsylvania avenue, thats the most attractive. Thats the urban league based and been. Hatton and we take you to the bronx, this is the in the bronx, independent, good morning. Hate, we. Hey, im in the first generation american. Im rendering, what a proud americans with black people. I know it comes from, lot but people find it distasteful. Other people use the nword. Why did we allow a synonym of that word . It seems to me the only certain brown people are called brown othered are called black. That doesnt make sense. Is that not a color cast system . The second question is, isnt it suspicious that after they were non europeans americans are that they do redistricting . And a red line . Thats wrong. Thank you. I think this is the discussion about how people should be referred to patients race in their ethnicity. To me, people should be for two as they wish to be referred. As and should define their own ethnicity. For me, i embrace being called black. I embraced being called African American. I am proud to be an american. But to say im an american is not completely defining who i am. What my history and ancestors and ethnicity is because i have to give do credence in respect to those who have come before me and my family. And our history. It goes back when my father side through haiti, west africa, my mother side through the plantation, louisiana, back to west africa. And so the question i think, is, for someone who may be latino, what would you like to be called . And i think this is important. Black people in america, for the most, part do not want to be called need grow. Do not want to be called colored, which are all terms that we use during the days of segregation. They prefer to be called black or African American. And we have people in the black community who are afro caribbean. Or people in the latino community, maybe afrolatinos. I would say its important to give the Broader Community at the clarity of how you wish to be referred. I think thats a really important thing. Im gonna refer to people how they wish to be referred. For folks who want to find out more about the state of black america, to read the your report, where can they go find it . And you al dot o r g. Its on a website, you can look at the issues of black america. You can look at the state of black america on the left. Several years as well. Anchored to take up a. Gotta take a look at it. And be part of this discussion, its important to be part of the discussion around Racial Justice and understanding that the state of black america commentary, its not only on black america, but its a commentary on the nation. And so, that is why its important to black americans. All americans, and i encourage journalists, scholars to folks who are just interested in learning to be a part of downloading a report or checking out a report and being part of a discussion. You can follow or ongoing conversation on social media at urban, league thats my twitter or facebook, and instagram. When marc morial is the president ceo of the National Urban. Lead we appreciate you being part of so many discussions on this program over the years. Thank you, i appreciate you. This afternoon, Christopher Wray and dea administrator, and testified Budget Hearing about a number of Law Enforcement issues. Live, before a senate appropriate subcommittee. At 2 30 pm eastern on the cspan 3. You can also watch on our free mobile video app. Cspan now or online at cspan dot org. Joined now. Viewers know him as the director of