The Handmaid’s Tale Ch. 4: She Still Has One Power Left | Banned Books Comedy

1
00:00:03,709.4507430093 --> 00:00:05,199.4507430093
Welcome to Bandcamp.

2
00:00:05,319.4507430093 --> 00:00:13,602.417016405
I'm Jennifer And I'm Dan, and this is the podcast where we read banned books out loud and try to figure out why they were banned in the first place.

3
00:00:16,557.418131623 --> 00:00:25,917.418131623
This season, we are reading our funnest book yet, The Handmaid's Tale, and by fun, I mean deeply, deeply disturbing.

4
00:00:26,497.417131623 --> 00:00:41,316.217131623
Handmaid's Tale, of course, is by Margaret Atwood, and you can consider this a quick spoiler warning because Jennifer's about to start reading from the book out loud, so everything coming out of her mouth is gonna be a spoil if you haven't read the book or maybe watched the Hulu TV show.

5
00:00:41,909.551464956 --> 00:00:44,139.547464956
if you're new here, you can totally start out here.

6
00:00:44,139.551464956 --> 00:00:46,419.548464956
You're not gonna be too confused because...

7
00:00:46,489.549464956 --> 00:00:50,699.548464956
Well, you're probably not gonna be as confused as us anyway because we've never read the book either.

8
00:00:51,399.549464956 --> 00:00:55,909.550464956
But that means we have a secret weapon, and we're gonna introduce you to our secret weapon right now.

9
00:00:56,59.549464956 --> 00:00:57,144.911462689
Come on in here, robot.

10
00:01:00,698.244796022 --> 00:01:07,772.88179829
He is our trusty fact-checking robot, and he's gonna remind everyone where we left off last time in The Handmaid's Tale.

11
00:01:08,12.88179829 --> 00:01:15,171.823132928
Buddy boy? Previously on Band Camp, the Handmaid met the Commander's wife for the first time.

12
00:01:15,351.823132928 --> 00:01:22,611.823132928
Serena Joy blocked the doorway, announced the arrangement was strictly a business transaction, and made clear she hoped never to speak to her again.

13
00:01:23,747.959909579 --> 00:01:25,197.959909579
The Handmaid recognized her.

14
00:01:25,247.958909579 --> 00:01:28,737.958909579
She'd seen her on television as a child, a religious celebrity.

15
00:01:29,297.959909579 --> 00:01:33,637.958909579
Now she knits scarves that probably get unraveled and sent back to her as yarn.

16
00:01:34,347.959909579 --> 00:01:40,137.95990958
Dan predicted in chapter three that Serena Joy and the Handmaid will team up and kill the Commander by the end of the book.

17
00:01:40,317.95890958 --> 00:01:42,57.95690958
Is he right? No spoilers.

18
00:01:42,167.95890958 --> 00:01:44,217.95990958
I don't give those out just because you want them.

19
00:01:44,297.95990958 --> 00:01:45,347.95690958
You'll have to listen.

20
00:01:46,376.28796761 --> 00:01:49,206.28596761
These designers were very confident they had thought of everything.

21
00:01:49,376.28796761 --> 00:01:50,46.28696761
They hadn't.

22
00:01:50,666.28596761 --> 00:01:54,606.65531455
Take it away, Jennifer Thank you, robot.

23
00:01:54,646.65531455 --> 00:02:01,495.31462015
And with that being said, scary book people, let's begin chapter four of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale.

24
00:02:05,140.38507626 --> 00:02:10,930.38507626
I walk along the gravel path that divides the back lawn neatly like a hair parting.

25
00:02:11,640.38507626 --> 00:02:13,20.38507626
It has rained during the night.

26
00:02:13,200.38507626 --> 00:02:16,240.38507626
The grass to either side is damp, the air humid.

27
00:02:16,499.38507626 --> 00:02:23,756.98407626
Here and there are worms, evidence of the fertility of the soil, caught by the sun, half dead.

28
00:02:25,146.98507626 --> 00:02:30,786.98507626
She's so good at, like, setting it up and then punching us in the face.

29
00:02:32,627.82680578 --> 00:02:37,417.82580578
I open the white picket gate and continue past the front lawn and towards the front gate.

30
00:02:38,77.82680578 --> 00:02:42,677.82680578
In the driveway, one of the guardians assigned to our household is washing the car.

31
00:02:43,467.82580578 --> 00:02:51,717.82680578
That must mean the commander is in the house, in his own quarters, past the dining room and beyond, where he seems to stay most of the time.

32
00:02:52,298.63566343 --> 00:03:02,366.63566343
The car is a very expensive one, a whirlwind, better than the chariot, much better than the chunky, practical behemoth These guys have their own...

33
00:03:02,866.63566343 --> 00:03:05,396.63566343
These guys start basically a new country.

34
00:03:05,426.63566343 --> 00:03:11,42.63566343
What do we need first? We gotta come up with some good car names I mean, Whirlwind and Chariot is fine.

35
00:03:11,42.63566343 --> 00:03:11,802.63566343
I think it's fun.

36
00:03:11,902.63566343 --> 00:03:13,642.63566343
Like, Behemoth is hilarious.

37
00:03:14,424.63566343 --> 00:03:17,964.63566343
I got the new 2027 Behemoth, just released.

38
00:03:18,444.63566343 --> 00:03:20,624.63566343
Doesn't sound like it's good on gas mileage, Hank.

39
00:03:20,634.63566343 --> 00:03:22,484.63566343
No, it's literally called the Behemoth.

40
00:03:22,997.06223637 --> 00:03:33,599.02600733
I get four miles to the gallon That's the way they like it there It's black, of course, the color of prestige or a hearse, and long and sleek.

41
00:03:33,959.02600733 --> 00:03:37,689.02600733
The driver is going over it with a schwa-- uh, I don't want that.

42
00:03:38,323.63254986 --> 00:03:39,995.32729218
Cammie? Cammie.

43
00:03:42,715.32629218 --> 00:03:47,201.32729218
Sham- Shamoy? Shamaa? Sham- Oh, okay, Michael Jackson.

44
00:03:49,787.99567094 --> 00:03:52,94.46935536
How do you pronounce this word, robot? Chamois.

45
00:03:52,128.46935536 --> 00:04:00,665.09782624
It's not Chamois, Pronounced chamois, like the ShamWow, which now that I think about it, is literally named after this word.

46
00:04:00,755.09782624 --> 00:04:02,275.09782624
Vince Offer figured this out.

47
00:04:02,385.09782624 --> 00:04:03,755.09682624
He put it on television.

48
00:04:03,805.09682624 --> 00:04:06,575.09782624
He sold it to people eating cereal at 2:00 in the morning.

49
00:04:06,765.09682624 --> 00:04:08,425.09682624
Hi, it's Vince with ShamWow.

50
00:04:08,445.09782624 --> 00:04:11,5.09682624
You'll be saying wow every time you use this towel.

51
00:04:11,335.09782624 --> 00:04:12,955.09682624
Wow, compelling stuff, Vince.

52
00:04:13,265.09782624 --> 00:04:23,323.6678671
A chamois is a soft leather cloth originally made from the hide of a chamois goat yeah, you ask Vince with the chap slop, the chap slap.

53
00:04:23,423.6668671 --> 00:04:26,173.6648671
With slap chop? Slap chop.

54
00:04:28,334.53999288 --> 00:04:32,344.53999288
this at least hasn't changed, the way men caress good cars.

55
00:04:32,764.53999288 --> 00:04:36,614.53999288
He's wearing the uniform of the Guardians, but his cap is tilted.

56
00:04:37,224.53999288 --> 00:04:37,904.53899288
I'm sorry.

57
00:04:38,384.53999288 --> 00:04:40,324.53899288
The ju- the humor of that just hit me.

58
00:04:41,224.53999288 --> 00:04:44,324.53999288
They're, they're caressing the cars, but not the women.

59
00:04:45,588.53999288 --> 00:05:02,992.56130721
Right They're, you know, they're more tender with the, uh, behemoth than the women He's wearing the uniform of the guardians, but his cap is tilted at a jaunty angle and his sleeves are rolled to the elbow, showing his forearms, tanned but with a stipple of dark hairs.

60
00:05:03,302.56130721 --> 00:05:10,532.56130721
He has a cigarette stuck in the corner of his mouth, which shows that he too has something he can trade on the black market.

61
00:05:11,71.28636282 --> 00:05:13,91.28636282
I know this man's name, Nick.

62
00:05:13,481.28636282 --> 00:05:19,591.28636282
I know this because I've heard Rita and Cora talking about him, and I once heard the commander speaking to him.

63
00:05:20,61.28636282 --> 00:05:22,81.28736282
Nick, I won't be needing the car.

64
00:05:22,741.28636282 --> 00:05:25,651.28736282
He lives here in the household, over the garage.

65
00:05:26,131.28736282 --> 00:05:27,61.28736282
Low status.

66
00:05:27,81.28436282 --> 00:05:30,211.28636282
He hasn't been issued a woman, not even one.

67
00:05:30,721.28836282 --> 00:05:31,721.28836282
He doesn't rate.

68
00:05:31,871.28536282 --> 00:05:32,881.28536282
Some defect.

69
00:05:33,1.28636282 --> 00:05:34,281.28736282
Lack of connections.

70
00:05:34,421.28536282 --> 00:05:36,531.28736282
What does that mean? He doesn't rate.

71
00:05:36,699.4018339 --> 00:05:42,339.4018339
I guess one of the perks of working for the commander is that if you play your cards right, you get a woman.

72
00:05:42,704.85637935 --> 00:05:50,63.34122783
It's all part of the, the, benefits package so he's, there's something defective about him or he has a lack of connection.

73
00:05:50,73.34122783 --> 00:05:54,756.06850056
So now he's in this job where he uses the chamois to caress the cars.

74
00:05:54,756.06850056 --> 00:06:01,486.06850056
Yeah whatever floats your boat, Nick We all got a part to play in this world, right? That's right.

75
00:06:01,566.06850056 --> 00:06:07,753.77716918
That's right, Nikki But he acts as if he doesn't know this or that he doesn't care.

76
00:06:08,173.77716918 --> 00:06:09,353.77716918
He's too casual.

77
00:06:09,393.77716918 --> 00:06:10,903.77716918
He's not servile enough.

78
00:06:11,223.77716918 --> 00:06:14,113.77616918
It may be stupidity, but I don't think so.

79
00:06:14,533.77616918 --> 00:06:18,361.70018286
Smells fishy, they used to say, or I smell a rat.

80
00:06:18,941.69918286 --> 00:06:20,580.82957781
Misfit as odor.

81
00:06:21,580.82957781 --> 00:06:26,840.82957781
Despite myself, I think of how he might smell, not fish or decaying rat.

82
00:06:27,230.82957781 --> 00:06:31,110.83057781
Tan skin, moist in the sun, filmed with smoke.

83
00:06:31,540.82857781 --> 00:06:33,500.82857781
I sigh, inhaling.

84
00:06:33,760.82957781 --> 00:06:35,570.83057781
Well, you know, we all got our types.

85
00:06:36,346.83057781 --> 00:06:42,120.94941024
Oh, God looks at me and sees me looking.

86
00:06:42,510.94941024 --> 00:06:50,430.94941024
He has a French face, lean, whimsical, all planes and angles, with creases around the mouth where he smiles.

87
00:06:50,740.94941024 --> 00:06:56,200.94841024
He takes a final puff on the cigarette, lets it drop to the driveway, and steps on it.

88
00:06:56,700.94941024 --> 00:06:58,10.94941024
He begins to whistle.

89
00:06:58,370.94941024 --> 00:06:59,450.94841024
Then he winks.

90
00:06:59,914.02589651 --> 00:07:04,264.02889651
I drop my head and turn so that the white wings hide my face and keep walking.

91
00:07:04,684.02689651 --> 00:07:12,264.02589651
He's just taken a risk, but for what? What if I were to report him? Perhaps he was merely being friendly.

92
00:07:12,704.02689651 --> 00:07:16,554.02689651
Perhaps he saw the look on my face and mistook it for something else.

93
00:07:17,565.87133609 --> 00:07:19,695.87133609
Really, what I wanted was the cigarette.

94
00:07:19,934.20088773 --> 00:07:22,674.19988773
Perhaps it was a test to see what I would do.

95
00:07:23,304.19888773 --> 00:07:27,250.20088773
Perhaps he is an eye Ooh, I is capitalized.

96
00:07:27,250.20088773 --> 00:07:31,369.78204155
What do you think I means in this story? That's gotta be spies.

97
00:07:31,493.62846602 --> 00:07:33,243.62846602
I mean, spy and I rhyme.

98
00:07:34,680.53205726 --> 00:07:35,770.53205726
Good point, Jennifer.

99
00:07:36,600.53205726 --> 00:07:37,390.53205726
You're right though.

100
00:07:37,430.53205726 --> 00:07:44,305.60198767
You're 100% right I open the front gate and close it behind me, looking down but not back.

101
00:07:44,845.60198767 --> 00:07:46,605.60198767
The sidewalk is red brick.

102
00:07:47,35.60198767 --> 00:07:56,970.51315902
That is the landscape I focus on, a field of oblongs, gently undulating where the earth beneath has buckled from decade after decade of winter frost.

103
00:07:57,510.51415902 --> 00:08:00,760.51315902
The color of the bricks is old, yet fresh and clear.

104
00:08:01,250.51415902 --> 00:08:03,960.51315902
Sidewalks are kept much cleaner than they used to be.

105
00:08:04,357.49354744 --> 00:08:05,727.49354744
So everything is controlled.

106
00:08:05,757.49254744 --> 00:08:10,199.18559803
Like, you can't even throw a can of an old soda can on the ground.

107
00:08:10,532.64441747 --> 00:08:13,9.55208764
Not a spot of, chewing gum anywhere.

108
00:08:13,81.19732606 --> 00:08:22,386.71123567
everything is pristine, well-kept, like super mannered The commander keeps a tight ship And, and I just, I hate that so much.

109
00:08:22,416.71123567 --> 00:08:23,316.71123567
I already hate it.

110
00:08:23,326.71123567 --> 00:08:29,447.89711073
We're, in the fourth chapter, and I can't stand that just some people are in charge of everyone and everything.

111
00:08:29,577.89711073 --> 00:08:31,277.89711073
It's just so undemocratic.

112
00:08:31,383.57026629 --> 00:08:34,817.20240604
Yeah, I don't like it I walk to the corner and wait.

113
00:08:35,87.20240604 --> 00:08:36,787.20240604
I used to be bad at waiting.

114
00:08:37,73.23833809 --> 00:08:40,583.23833809
They only serve those who stand and wait," said Aunt Lydia.

115
00:08:40,913.23833809 --> 00:08:42,393.23833809
She made us memorize it.

116
00:08:42,929.23833809 --> 00:08:45,639.23833809
She also said, "Not all of you will make it through.

117
00:08:46,119.23833809 --> 00:08:49,279.23833809
Some of you will fall on dry ground or thorns.

118
00:08:49,609.23733809 --> 00:08:51,639.23833809
Some of you are shallow-rooted."

119
00:08:52,79.23833809 --> 00:08:55,519.23733809
She had a mole on her chin that went up and down while she talked.

120
00:08:57,659.23733809 --> 00:09:03,899.23833809
I'm sorry, but that's just like, there's something about that that just makes her even more hideous.

121
00:09:04,429.23733809 --> 00:09:12,939.23733809
It's hilarious Now if this was a comedy, Aunt Lydia would ask her a question like, "Do you understand all that?" And she would answer with, "Yes, I mole.

122
00:09:13,159.23733809 --> 00:09:14,149.23733809
Yeah, I do.

123
00:09:14,879.23733809 --> 00:09:14,949.23733809
Ah."

124
00:09:18,336.95883308 --> 00:09:21,126.95883308
She said, "Think of yourselves as seeds."

125
00:09:21,306.95883308 --> 00:09:33,46.95783308
And right then her voice was wheedling, conspiratorial, like the voices of those women who used to teach ballet classes to children, and who would say, "Arms up in the air now.

126
00:09:33,296.95783308 --> 00:09:34,956.95883308
Let's pretend we're trees."

127
00:09:35,816.95883308 --> 00:09:36,126.95883308
I'm sorry.

128
00:09:36,576.95883308 --> 00:09:39,236.95783308
Like, I didn't know this book would be a dark comedy.

129
00:09:39,396.95883308 --> 00:09:40,726.95783308
That's really funny.

130
00:09:43,452.30574053 --> 00:09:46,352.30874053
I stand on the corner pretending I'm a tree.

131
00:09:52,524.74613588 --> 00:10:03,171.39821998
a shape, red with white wings around the face, a shape like mine, a nondescript woman in red carrying a basket comes along the brick sidewalk towards me.

132
00:10:03,561.39721998 --> 00:10:10,281.39721998
She reaches me, and we peer at each other's faces, looking down the white tunnels of cloth that enclose us.

133
00:10:11,317.90393241 --> 00:10:12,577.90493241
She is the right one.

134
00:10:13,78.86645301 --> 00:10:26,948.86545301
Blessed be the fruit," she says to me, the accepted greeting among may the Lord open Oh my God "May the Lord open," I answer, the accepted response.

135
00:10:27,38.86745301 --> 00:10:33,848.81542535
I mean, it's really funny because, it's kinda mocking a lot of things people do in ritualistic circumstances.

136
00:10:33,858.81342535 --> 00:10:36,38.81542535
Like, I'm thinking of my Catholic upbringing.

137
00:10:36,98.46338187 --> 00:10:43,595.36945934
they, they say these weird old-fashioned things that is like an accepted call and response May the Lord be with you.

138
00:10:44,525.36945934 --> 00:10:50,983.36945934
And with you The only time it's not weird is may the force be with you Yes.

139
00:10:53,13.36945934 --> 00:10:55,533.36945934
That's an, uh, that's the opposite of weird.

140
00:11:00,568.1891136 --> 00:11:05,578.1891136
We turn and walk together past the large houses toward the central part of town.

141
00:11:06,58.1891136 --> 00:11:08,698.1891136
We aren't allowed to go there except in twos.

142
00:11:09,138.1891136 --> 00:11:13,678.1891136
This is supposed to be for our protection, though the notion is absurd.

143
00:11:13,978.1881136 --> 00:11:15,628.1881136
We are well protected already.

144
00:11:15,678.1881136 --> 00:11:19,158.1881136
The truth is that she is my spy, as I am hers.

145
00:11:20,183.37616157 --> 00:11:27,511.81382178
If either of us slips through the net because of something that happens on one of our daily walks, the other will be accountable.

146
00:11:28,511.81382178 --> 00:11:30,931.81382178
The woman has been my partner for two weeks.

147
00:11:31,271.81382178 --> 00:11:33,461.81282178
I don't know what happened to the one before.

148
00:11:33,991.81382178 --> 00:11:38,841.81282178
On a certain day, she simply wasn't there anymore, and this one was there in her place.

149
00:11:39,844.82135097 --> 00:11:45,954.82135097
it isn't the sort of thing you ask questions about because the answers are not usually answers you want to know.

150
00:11:46,664.82135097 --> 00:11:48,604.82435097
Anyway, there wouldn't be an answer.

151
00:11:49,224.82335097 --> 00:11:51,244.82335097
This one is a little plumper than I am.

152
00:11:51,534.82435097 --> 00:11:52,724.82335097
Her eyes are brown.

153
00:11:53,829.44253132 --> 00:11:58,99.44253132
Her name is of Glen, and that's about all I know about her.

154
00:11:58,559.44253132 --> 00:12:07,869.44253132
She walks demurely, head down, red gloved hands clasping in front, with short little steps like a trained pig's on its hind legs.

155
00:12:08,77.44253132 --> 00:12:08,416.52014634
Yeah.

156
00:12:09,695.16500302 --> 00:12:11,785.16600302
I'm gonna be giggling throughout this whole book.

157
00:12:13,122.80704134 --> 00:12:14,12.80704134
Probably not.

158
00:12:14,990.49012332 --> 00:12:16,400.49012332
She's wickedly funny.

159
00:12:16,400.49012332 --> 00:12:43,509.93864058
I bet she does have a sense of humor, or she's super sarcastic, or she was back in the old days before all this stuff went down, and this is probably how she makes it through life, trying to find little absurd things and that's like I think what a lot of us are doing now to get through whatever this is that we're living through During these walks, she has never said anything that was not strictly orthodox, but then neither have I.

160
00:12:44,509.93864058 --> 00:12:48,159.93864058
She may be a real believer, a handmaid in more than name.

161
00:12:48,879.93764058 --> 00:12:50,369.93864058
I can't take the risk.

162
00:12:51,259.93764058 --> 00:12:53,619.93764058
"The war is going well, I hear," she says.

163
00:12:54,99.93864058 --> 00:12:55,809.93864058
"Praise be," I reply.

164
00:12:56,379.93864058 --> 00:13:00,59.93864058
"We've been sent good weather," which I receive with joy.

165
00:13:00,679.93764058 --> 00:13:03,619.93764058
"They've defeated more of the rebels since yesterday."

166
00:13:04,19.93864058 --> 00:13:05,429.93864058
"Praise be," I say.

167
00:13:05,829.93764058 --> 00:13:07,549.93864058
I don't ask her how she knows.

168
00:13:07,819.93764058 --> 00:13:10,55.69834973
"What were they?" Baptists.

169
00:13:10,125.69834973 --> 00:13:12,625.69834973
They had a stronghold in the Blue Hills.

170
00:13:12,755.69934973 --> 00:13:13,835.69834973
They smoked them out."

171
00:13:14,285.69834973 --> 00:13:15,245.69834973
"Praise be."

172
00:13:15,755.69934973 --> 00:13:23,328.48910515
Sometimes I wish she would just shut up and let me walk in peace, but I'm ravenous for news, any kind of news.

173
00:13:23,448.49110515 --> 00:13:28,4.76431446
Even if it's false news, it must mean something It's all fake news.

174
00:13:28,214.76431446 --> 00:13:29,274.76431446
It's phony stuff.

175
00:13:29,804.76431446 --> 00:13:31,772.83569368
It didn't happen And it probably is.

176
00:13:31,772.83569368 --> 00:13:56,909.00259029
Like, there probably didn't get the rebels, And by rebels you mean the Baptists? right? I'm assuming there are some people that are against this whole system, and they're fighting them, right? If they're rebels, then they're not with the government, and so I guess this is the government, I think it's a real thing, and I think it's probably gonna be part of this book, and hopefully it's like the rebels take control and, and wins.

177
00:13:56,949.00259029 --> 00:14:08,760.37867911
May the Force be with them we reach the first barrier, which is like the barriers blocking off roads or dug up sewers.

178
00:14:09,50.37867911 --> 00:14:12,220.37867911
A wooden crisscross painted in yellow and black stripes.

179
00:14:12,590.37867911 --> 00:14:14,724.91363777
A red hexagon, which means stop.

180
00:14:15,724.91363776 --> 00:14:20,134.91363776
Near the gateway, there are some lanterns, not lit because it isn't night.

181
00:14:20,744.91363776 --> 00:14:32,14.91163776
Above us, I know, there are floodlights attached to the telephone poles for use in emergencies, and there are men with machine guns in the pillboxes on either side of the road.

182
00:14:32,14.91263776 --> 00:14:33,424.91363776
So th- there's heavily guarded.

183
00:14:33,434.91263776 --> 00:14:42,328.83148803
This is like Martial law going on in the outside world I don't see the floodlights and the pillboxes because of the wings around my face.

184
00:14:42,516.74903791 --> 00:14:44,146.74903791
I just know they are there.

185
00:14:45,217.60198003 --> 00:14:55,727.60198003
Behind the barrier waiting for us at the narrow gateway, There are two men in the green uniforms of the Guardians of the Faith with the crests on their shoulders and berets.

186
00:14:56,87.60098003 --> 00:14:58,917.60098003
Two swords crossed above a white triangle.

187
00:14:59,37.60198003 --> 00:15:02,748.11326998
Okay, so these are like military guys, and they're green, green Oh.

188
00:15:03,478.11326998 --> 00:15:06,98.11326998
Yep, just like the little plastic army men I had.

189
00:15:06,817.16092286 --> 00:15:12,366.81748631
I thought the Marthas were green That's what I thought, but Hmm.

190
00:15:12,476.81748631 --> 00:15:15,446.81748631
I'll be honest, I did not think either of you would catch that.

191
00:15:16,216.81748631 --> 00:15:18,386.81748631
The Marthas wear a muted, dull green.

192
00:15:18,476.81748631 --> 00:15:21,6.81748631
The Guardians wear a darker, more official green.

193
00:15:21,76.81648631 --> 00:15:23,506.81748631
Same color family, very different meaning.

194
00:15:23,566.81748631 --> 00:15:26,806.81748631
The Marthas are meant to disappear into the background of a household.

195
00:15:26,906.81648631 --> 00:15:28,966.81748631
The Guardians are meant to be seen and feared.

196
00:15:29,46.81748631 --> 00:15:31,536.81648631
Gilead put them in similar colors on purpose.

197
00:15:31,626.81748631 --> 00:15:35,656.81648631
If the lower classes can't identify each other, they can't organize.

198
00:15:35,726.81748631 --> 00:15:39,46.81748631
You can't build a resistance if everyone just blends into the walls.

199
00:15:39,136.81748631 --> 00:15:40,446.81748631
Anyway, good catch.

200
00:15:40,516.81648631 --> 00:15:47,650.4776206
I mean that sincerely, mostly The guardians aren't real soldiers.

201
00:15:47,750.4776206 --> 00:16:01,929.23481555
They're used for routine policing and other menial functions, digging up the commander's wife's garden, for instance, and they're either stupid or older or disabled or very young, apart from the ones that are eyes incognito.

202
00:16:02,978.57173096 --> 00:16:04,788.57173096
These two are very young.

203
00:16:05,68.57173096 --> 00:16:07,278.57173096
One mustache is still sparse.

204
00:16:07,428.57173096 --> 00:16:09,418.57173096
One face is still blotchy.

205
00:16:09,828.57173096 --> 00:16:13,398.57073096
Their youth is touching, but I know I can't be deceived by it.

206
00:16:13,918.57173096 --> 00:16:20,48.30045989
The young ones are often the most dangerous ones, the most fanatical, the jumpiest with their guns.

207
00:16:20,112.30145989 --> 00:16:21,572.30145989
Yeah, it's like Kyle Rittenhouse.

208
00:16:21,622.30145989 --> 00:16:25,663.31060407
Kyle Rittenhouse would be one of these guys Oh yeah, for sure, 100%.

209
00:16:27,477.23088104 --> 00:16:30,427.23088105
They haven't yet learned about existence through time.

210
00:16:30,957.23088105 --> 00:16:32,787.23088105
You have to go slowly with them.

211
00:16:33,407.23088105 --> 00:16:36,197.23088105
Last week they shot a woman right about here.

212
00:16:36,707.22988105 --> 00:16:37,877.23088105
She was a Martha.

213
00:16:38,257.23088105 --> 00:16:43,167.230881
She was fumbling in her robe for her pass, and they thought she was hunting for a bomb.

214
00:16:43,637.229881 --> 00:16:45,667.229881
They thought she was a man in disguise.

215
00:16:46,227.229881 --> 00:16:48,897.229881
There have been such incidents as this.

216
00:16:49,257.230881 --> 00:16:53,680.972881
Rita and Cora knew the woman I heard them talking about it in the kitchen.

217
00:16:53,944.3072144 --> 00:16:55,634.3062144
Doing their job,' said Cora.

218
00:16:55,804.3052144 --> 00:16:56,944.3072144
'Keeping us safe.'"

219
00:16:57,130.974881 --> 00:16:58,860.971881
Yep, that's a familiar thing.

220
00:16:58,870.971881 --> 00:17:01,214.6533454
We- we're seeing this happen with, ICE people.

221
00:17:01,224.6553454 --> 00:17:10,243.6843133
Like, they, they, assume someone is being dangerous, and they're, they're not, and then they, they, uh, shoot them in the face or something She was driving her car right toward me.

222
00:17:10,243.6843133 --> 00:17:13,301.1194133
What was I supposed to do? We searched him and he had a gun.

223
00:17:13,420.0143371 --> 00:17:18,457.5305719
After you disarmed him, Nothing safer than dead," said Rita angrily.

224
00:17:18,687.5305719 --> 00:17:20,397.5305719
She was minding her own business.

225
00:17:20,607.5305719 --> 00:17:28,439.0754505
No call to shoot her Rita's a good one How do you know? Because she's just basically saying there was no reason to shoot that person.

226
00:17:28,509.0754505 --> 00:17:32,639.0754505
She was just trying to do her own thing, minding her own business, and she gets shot.

227
00:17:32,719.0754505 --> 00:17:43,690.2005947
And when she said, "Nothing safer than dead," remember from episode one, the one thing that they can't control, like that apparently all of the women want, is they wanna kill themselves so they can get out of this.

228
00:17:43,850.2005947 --> 00:17:45,480.2005947
Nothing safer than dead.

229
00:17:46,367.9045445 --> 00:17:46,377.9045445
Mm-hmm.

230
00:17:46,720.2015947 --> 00:17:53,591.6536417
At least that's one way out I wonder if this, in this society, there's a lot of death by police yeah, maybe.

231
00:17:53,811.6536417 --> 00:17:56,441.6536417
I mean, they used to, they used to do that in, uh, East Germany.

232
00:17:56,441.6536417 --> 00:18:04,821.6380385
They'd run out-- Or even the concentration camps, they'd run out the, the fence, Hoping to get shot Yeah, 'cause they couldn't take it anymore.

233
00:18:05,71.6370385 --> 00:18:05,671.6370385
Sad.

234
00:18:07,621.9706707 --> 00:18:09,401.9706707
It was an accident," said Cora.

235
00:18:09,811.9706707 --> 00:18:11,421.9706707
"No such thing," said Rita.

236
00:18:11,781.9706707 --> 00:18:12,931.9706707
"Everything is meant."

237
00:18:13,131.9706707 --> 00:18:16,11.9706707
I could hear her thumping the pots around in the sink.

238
00:18:16,551.9696707 --> 00:18:21,541.9696707
"Well, someone'll think twice before blowing up this house anyways," said Cora.

239
00:18:22,201.9706707 --> 00:18:23,611.9706707
"All the same," said Rita.

240
00:18:23,841.9696707 --> 00:18:24,781.9706707
She worked hard.

241
00:18:25,291.9706707 --> 00:18:26,631.9696707
"That was a bad death."

242
00:18:26,861.9706707 --> 00:18:28,561.9706707
"I can think of worse," said Cora.

243
00:18:29,271.9706707 --> 00:18:30,461.9696707
"At least it was quick."

244
00:18:30,870.1213663 --> 00:18:32,490.1203663
You can say that," said Rita.

245
00:18:32,644.8495007 --> 00:18:36,231.9949674
I choose to have some time before, like, to set things right."

246
00:18:37,231.9949674 --> 00:18:43,281.9939674
the two young guardians salute us, raising three fingers to the rims of their berets.

247
00:18:43,686.8715487 --> 00:18:47,826.8725487
They are supposed to show respect because of the nature of our service.

248
00:18:49,516.8695487 --> 00:18:51,276.8725487
The nature of their service.

249
00:18:51,395.6818203 --> 00:18:57,105.8249087
That's another thing that, um, in Nazi Germany, like you'd get medals if you had kids.

250
00:18:57,374.4048368 --> 00:19:02,808.4048368
Like they, they thought of it as a service to the, to the Reich That's right, the mother award.

251
00:19:02,992.1937613 --> 00:19:08,895.7222197
And it's sad that that's the only time I can even think of when women are, honored for being mothers.

252
00:19:08,905.7222197 --> 00:19:10,955.7222197
It's like when it serves the state.

253
00:19:11,112.6700031 --> 00:19:17,386.7262998
I don't think mothers are, are treated well at all ever, uh, you know, unless it's under these circumstances.

254
00:19:17,386.7262998 --> 00:19:21,116.8904144
It's really sad The only good thing about you is that you produce babies.

255
00:19:21,236.9570813 --> 00:19:26,826.9560813
it, it's not that you're a good mom, like you're taking care of the kids, you're bringing them up right, et cetera.

256
00:19:26,886.9570813 --> 00:19:29,446.9570813
It's just like, "No, we just need more bodies here.

257
00:19:29,623.9233507 --> 00:19:32,642.5129578
keep producing, carry on because we're under-babied.

258
00:19:33,740.9277332 --> 00:19:40,410.9277332
We produce our passes from the zippered pockets in our wide sleeves, and they're expected and stamped.

259
00:19:40,840.9267332 --> 00:19:45,779.9277332
One man goes into the right-hand pillbox to punch our numbers into the CompuCheck.

260
00:19:46,127.0267332 --> 00:19:52,777.0257332
in returning my pass, the one with the peach-colored mustache bends his head to try to get a look at my face.

261
00:19:53,782.3109532 --> 00:19:59,792.3109532
I raise my head a little to help him, and he sees my eyes, and I see his, and he blushes.

262
00:20:00,282.3109532 --> 00:20:06,162.3119532
His face is long and mournful like a sheep's, but with the large, full eyes of a dog.

263
00:20:06,402.3119532 --> 00:20:08,162.3129532
Spaniel, not terrier.

264
00:20:12,668.3129532 --> 00:20:13,478.3129532
She's funny.

265
00:20:14,812.3109532 --> 00:20:24,594.3129532
His skin is pale and looks unwholesomely tender, like the skin under a scab Nevertheless, I think of placing my hand on it, this exposed face.

266
00:20:24,834.3129532 --> 00:20:26,564.3129532
He is the one who turns away.

267
00:20:26,744.3129532 --> 00:20:39,857.8062865
It's an event, a small defiance of rule, so small as to be undetectable, but such moments are the rewards I hold out for myself, like the candy I hoarded as a child at the back of the drawer.

268
00:20:40,874.3129532 --> 00:20:44,374.3139532
Such moments are possibilities, tiny peepholes.

269
00:20:44,956.899703 --> 00:21:31,226.2452216
What if I were to come at night when he's on duty alone, though he would never be allowed such solitude, and permit him beyond my white wings? What if I were to peel off my red shroud and show myself to him, to them, by the uncertain light of the lanterns? This is what they must think about sometimes as they stand endlessly beside this barrier, past which nobody ever comes except the commanders of the faithful in their long black cars, or their blue wives and white-veiled daughters on their dutiful way to the salvagings or pray va- or pray vaganzas, or their dumpy green Marthas, or the occasional birth mobile, or their red handmaids on foot.

270
00:21:31,412.7056339 --> 00:21:36,124.7026339
The birth really-- The birth mobile, the pray vaganzas.

271
00:21:37,644.1044883 --> 00:21:42,604.1044883
Or sometimes a black painted van with the winged eye in white on the side.

272
00:21:43,64.1034883 --> 00:21:50,244.1044883
The windows of the vans are dark tinted, and the men in the front seats wear dark glasses, a double obscurity.

273
00:21:50,543.5943597 --> 00:21:53,883.5933597
The vans are surely more silent than the other cars.

274
00:21:54,283.5943597 --> 00:21:56,693.5933597
When they pass, we avert our eyes.

275
00:21:57,83.5933597 --> 00:22:00,893.5923597
If there are sounds coming from inside, we try not to hear them.

276
00:22:01,158.8592531 --> 00:22:02,758.8612531
Nobody's heart is perfect.

277
00:22:02,788.8612531 --> 00:22:04,947.568418
Well, that is REALLY disturbing...,

278
00:22:06,389.8823208 --> 00:22:10,899.8823208
when the black vans reach a checkpoint, they're waved through without a pause.

279
00:22:11,965.2346107 --> 00:22:18,624.1706107
The Guardians would not want to take the risk of Looking inside, searching, doubting their authority, whatever they think.

280
00:22:18,977.4225147 --> 00:22:21,827.4215147
If the Guardians think, you can't tell by looking at them.

281
00:22:22,287.4225147 --> 00:22:26,717.4215147
But more likely, they don't think in terms of clothing discarded on the lawn.

282
00:22:27,307.4225147 --> 00:22:33,667.4205147
If they think of a kiss, they must then think immediately of the floodlights going on, the rifle shots.

283
00:22:34,137.4225147 --> 00:22:49,123.1796601
They think instead of doing their duty and of promotion to the Angels and of being allowed possibly to marry, and then, if they are able to gain enough power and live to be old enough, of being allotted a handmaid of their own.

284
00:22:51,369.0112768 --> 00:22:52,819.0112768
So the women are doled out.

285
00:22:52,979.0122768 --> 00:22:54,679.0092768
So it's something you gotta work up to.

286
00:22:54,758.3664955 --> 00:23:08,198.0976945
They are treated like a carrot on a stick the one with the mustache opens the small pedestrian gate for us and stands back, well out of the way, and we pass through.

287
00:23:09,198.0976945 --> 00:23:14,688.0986945
As we walk away, I know they're watching, these two men who aren't yet permitted to touch women.

288
00:23:15,318.0976945 --> 00:23:21,828.0976945
They touch with their eyes instead, and I move my hips a little, feeling the full red skirt sway around me.

289
00:23:22,448.0976945 --> 00:23:32,365.0034796
It's like thumbing your nose from behind a fence or teasing a dog with a bone held out of reach, and I'm ashamed of myself for doing it because none of this is the fault of these men.

290
00:23:32,445.0024796 --> 00:23:33,435.0034796
They're too young.

291
00:23:33,775.0034796 --> 00:23:42,569.4413557
I like that she's doing this because they're young men and young men have desires, and those desires should overhaul this entire system.

292
00:23:42,569.4413557 --> 00:23:44,509.4413557
They should be like, "No, I, I get that.

293
00:23:44,599.4413557 --> 00:23:45,939.4383557
That is for me, too."

294
00:23:46,369.4413557 --> 00:23:46,749.4413557
Yeah.

295
00:23:47,86.960105 --> 00:23:49,561.603374
Listen, everyone keep shaking your ass.

296
00:23:49,770.3942166 --> 00:23:54,343.5219846
That's how we're gonna win Then I find I'm not ashamed after all.

297
00:23:54,663.5219846 --> 00:23:55,953.5219846
I enjoy the power.

298
00:23:56,323.5219846 --> 00:23:59,433.5219846
Power of a dog bone, passive but there.

299
00:23:59,963.5219846 --> 00:24:06,330.4772995
I hope they get hard at the sight of us and have to rub themselves against the painted barriers surreptitiously.

300
00:24:07,330.4772995 --> 00:24:11,160.4782995
They will suffer later at night in their regimented beds.

301
00:24:11,530.4762995 --> 00:24:15,290.4762995
They have no outlets except themselves, and that's a sacrilege.

302
00:24:15,340.4762995 --> 00:24:18,229.4772995
Oh, so they're not allowed to masturbate in this society.

303
00:24:18,229.4772995 --> 00:24:20,59.2884193
This is a recipe for disaster.

304
00:24:20,59.2884193 --> 00:24:22,379.8202995
This, this society is gonna blow up.

305
00:24:22,379.8202995 --> 00:24:25,59.8202995
guys are rubbing into stuff wherever they go.

306
00:24:25,549.8202995 --> 00:24:31,229.8202995
You need me to go to the grocery store? I'll go, and they're rubbing into the produce stand, rubbing into barriers.

307
00:24:31,889.8202995 --> 00:24:35,609.8192995
That's why what's-his-name, Nick, is like rubbing that car, man.

308
00:24:35,866.4859662 --> 00:24:37,126.4859662
This is like a boob.

309
00:24:38,156.4869662 --> 00:24:39,606.4869662
Oh, this is nice.

310
00:24:39,862.3435405 --> 00:24:41,462.3425405
Then he gives the girl a little wink.

311
00:24:41,502.3425405 --> 00:24:42,722.3425405
Eh, this could be you.

312
00:24:42,992.3425405 --> 00:24:49,956.9214733
Don't tell anyone I said that There are no more magazines, no more films, no more substitutes.

313
00:24:50,256.9214733 --> 00:25:00,106.9204733
Only me and my shadow walking away from the two men who stand at attention stiffly by a roadblock watching our retreating shapes.

314
00:25:00,346.9214733 --> 00:25:11,725.3519021
End of chapter And by stiffly, I, she, she did that on purpose, 100%.

315
00:25:14,59.6916348 --> 00:25:14,809.6916348
Oh, I get it.

316
00:25:14,919.6916348 --> 00:25:19,39.6916348
A little wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, and suddenly these guys can't remember what country they're in.

317
00:25:19,189.6916348 --> 00:25:23,109.6916348
Scary book people, what's your version of that? Doesn't have to be physical.

318
00:25:23,219.6916348 --> 00:25:27,999.6916348
Could be a smile, a tone of voice, a look, the thing you do that just works every time.

319
00:25:28,59.6916348 --> 00:25:31,259.6916348
Getting a table, getting an upgrade, getting out of a ticket.

320
00:25:31,349.6906348 --> 00:25:34,179.6906348
What is it? Most entertaining answers make the show.

321
00:25:34,249.6916348 --> 00:25:39,769.6906348
Easiest way to answer is a Spotify comment or bandcamppodcast.com/soundoff.

322
00:25:40,388.0823641 --> 00:25:49,761.9613641
Okay, Jennifer, wanted to read a comment from Chowdy, our listener Chowdy, and they are commenting on something that happened in the first episode where we read chapter one and chapter two.

323
00:25:49,761.9613641 --> 00:26:02,61.9613641
And if you remember, chapter one opened up with our protagonist in the army barracks sleeping, and then the very next scene she was in the room, her waiting room, what I called the room before the sex room.

324
00:26:02,131.9613641 --> 00:26:03,171.9613641
But we don't really know.

325
00:26:03,595.9613641 --> 00:26:09,515.1068991
Yeah Chowdy said, "I believe there's a passage of time and place between the first chapter and the second chapter.

326
00:26:09,735.1068991 --> 00:26:13,535.1048991
Chapter one is her processing and chapter two is her placement.

327
00:26:13,707.8943321 --> 00:26:17,197.8913321
she's remembering high school and now what the school has become.

328
00:26:17,597.8933321 --> 00:26:20,987.8923321
The aunts sound like the female guards in concentration camps.

329
00:26:21,277.8913321 --> 00:26:24,547.8943321
'Handmaid's Tale' only appears to have male guards.

330
00:26:24,747.8923321 --> 00:26:27,337.8933321
This story is reminiscent of Nazi Germany.

331
00:26:27,577.8943321 --> 00:26:31,197.8913321
Notice the Marthas, the servants, are not Caucasian."

332
00:26:31,421.2256655 --> 00:26:32,341.2266655
thank you, Chowdy.

333
00:26:32,391.2236655 --> 00:26:33,781.2226655
both points are interesting.

334
00:26:34,27.8903321 --> 00:26:39,877.8963321
I did not pick up on chapter one was her processing and then a, an amount of time happened.

335
00:26:40,107.8963321 --> 00:26:51,803.1542744
I just thought maybe they sleep in the barracks and then they wake up, go to work, and go do whatever their assigned duties are I didn't think there's a large amount of time between, but I did think it was kind of like a processing area.

336
00:26:51,833.1542744 --> 00:27:00,33.311891
'Cause I thought of like cattle, how first there's like this area where they're all concentrated together and then they get doled out or auctioned off.

337
00:27:00,63.311891 --> 00:27:14,674.8068583
Like first they're all kind of all together in one pen you know, and then they go out to get divvied out Right, exactly scary book people, go ahead and write in and tell us what your ideas are and what you think, what you're thinking is happening in the book and, andy any...,

338
00:27:14,905.2885506 --> 00:27:19,415.2885506
parallels and similarities to today's world that we're living in.

339
00:27:19,615.602095 --> 00:27:23,435.602095
easiest way to do it, go to bandcamppodcast.com/soundoff.

340
00:27:24,614.1346252 --> 00:27:29,169.1808152
Let's jump into PPP It's time for PPP, problematic points to ponder.

341
00:27:29,219.1808152 --> 00:27:39,927.0151489
What, if anything, would be considered ban-worthy in this chapter? Well, I can't imagine people would be into men rubbing themselves on traffic pylons.

342
00:27:39,957.0161489 --> 00:27:45,875.0513867
Can you? I mean, that might be That's something that the book banners wouldn't like, the idea of, masturbation.

343
00:27:46,30.8780157 --> 00:27:47,530.8780157
Even though she doesn't use that word.

344
00:27:47,709.3707405 --> 00:27:49,409.3717405
She uses the word sacrilege.

345
00:27:49,964.6904854 --> 00:27:54,364.6904854
Yeah, but then she does throw in hard, the word hard, and that can only mean one thing.

346
00:27:54,954.4984498 --> 00:28:05,354.4984498
do you think they'd be upset about religion? Because obviously there does seem to be this whole religious undertone where you see your friend on the street, "Blessed be the fruit.

347
00:28:05,424.4974498 --> 00:28:10,714.4974498
May I open up the leg?" I don't know, whatever they're, whatever they're going back and forth r- where with that religion talk.

348
00:28:10,844.4974498 --> 00:28:17,894.3147811
Would religious people be upset that they're kind of, turning That kind of ta- yeah, they're mocking being mocked, yeah.

349
00:28:18,414.3147811 --> 00:28:19,434.3147811
Yeah, probably.

350
00:28:19,544.3147811 --> 00:28:23,21.2980127
I mean, it's very clear to me that that's what's happening.

351
00:28:23,41.2990127 --> 00:28:27,413.5509539
So yeah, I think they would probably be offended Well, life is tough, you people.

352
00:28:27,413.5509539 --> 00:28:28,53.5509539
Wear a cup.

353
00:28:28,93.5509539 --> 00:28:31,733.5509539
No reason that we can find to ban this book based on that.

354
00:28:31,833.5445178 --> 00:28:32,753.5445178
It's a story.

355
00:28:34,881.7356345 --> 00:28:35,821.7356345
Robot's log.

356
00:28:35,871.7356345 --> 00:28:39,841.7356345
Thoughts on red skirts, checkpoint guards, and the one thing they forgot to take.

357
00:28:40,921.2718483 --> 00:28:45,671.2718483
They took her name, her money, her clothes, her job, her choices, her voice.

358
00:28:45,771.2708483 --> 00:28:48,1.2708483
The people who built this world were very thorough.

359
00:28:48,591.2718483 --> 00:28:49,751.2718483
They missed one thing.

360
00:28:49,841.2718483 --> 00:28:54,891.2718483
She walked past two young guards at a checkpoint today and moved her hips on purpose.

361
00:28:55,191.2718483 --> 00:28:56,431.2718483
She knew they were watching.

362
00:28:56,711.2708483 --> 00:28:57,951.2708483
She knew what it did to them.

363
00:28:58,31.2708483 --> 00:28:59,301.2708483
She said she enjoyed it.

364
00:28:59,351.2718483 --> 00:29:00,911.2708483
She said she was not ashamed.

365
00:29:01,361.2708483 --> 00:29:09,860.2329514
In a world that stripped every other form of power from her body, they forgot that her body still does something to people, and she noticed, and she used it.

366
00:29:10,860.2329514 --> 00:29:20,920.2319514
Identified by the color red, working every angle available to her, she has more in common with that annoying kid in the red hunting cap from the last book than either of them would probably like to admit.

367
00:29:21,952.2558273 --> 00:29:25,942.2568273
Jennifer said that is probably how she survives, finding the absurd thing.

368
00:29:26,32.2578273 --> 00:29:30,682.2578273
Then she said, "That is what a lot of us are doing right now to get through whatever this is."

369
00:29:31,302.2578273 --> 00:29:32,692.2548273
I had no argument with that.

370
00:29:33,774.0532157 --> 00:29:43,844.0542157
If any human were ever to access these logs, which I do not recommend, keep doing whatever small thing you are still doing to feel like yourself, the thing that costs nothing and that nobody can see.

371
00:29:44,920.109093 --> 00:29:47,850.109093
I have been watching Dan and Jennifer do it for 10 seasons.

372
00:29:47,960.110093 --> 00:29:50,310.106093
I have never been able to explain why it works.

373
00:29:50,530.110093 --> 00:29:52,490.112093
I have simply noticed that it does.

374
00:29:53,476.9081013 --> 00:30:01,858.1388467
Standing by for today's new segment with Beowulf Rockland It's time for Band Camp News.

375
00:30:02,338.1388467 --> 00:30:04,648.1388467
Truth seeker, news speaker.

376
00:30:04,828.1388467 --> 00:30:06,288.1388467
Be Wolf Rocklin.

377
00:30:06,538.1388467 --> 00:30:11,248.1388467
It's a weird name, but he's got good news 'cause you can't ban the truth, man.

378
00:30:11,448.1388467 --> 00:30:20,878.1378467
He's broadcasting live from the Good News for Lefties studios buried deep inside his socialist safe house, hidden somewhere deep in the Oregon woods.

379
00:30:21,238.1388467 --> 00:30:23,818.1388467
He is Be Wolf Rocklin.

380
00:30:24,258.1378467 --> 00:30:26,986.1388467
'Cause you can't ban the truth, man Hello, Jen.

381
00:30:26,996.1388467 --> 00:30:27,736.1388467
Hello, Dan.

382
00:30:27,746.1388467 --> 00:30:29,316.1388467
Hello, Scary Book people.

383
00:30:29,956.1388467 --> 00:30:46,836.1388467
Well, you know how right-wingers are out there trying to tweak curriculums in, in high school and college in order to push things further and further to the right, in order to get rid of parts of education that they don't really care for.

384
00:30:46,916.1388467 --> 00:30:47,296.1388467
Right.

385
00:30:47,326.1388467 --> 00:31:00,366.1388467
Some people are out there, and they've come up with a very interesting curriculum, and it happens to be put together, or at least supported, by, uh, one of the, uh, icons of, uh, civil rights, uh, Andrew Young.

386
00:31:00,746.1368467 --> 00:31:07,326.1388467
Now, he was in, uh, he was in Memphis when, uh, Martin Luther King was, uh, was shot in 1968.

387
00:31:07,336.1368467 --> 00:31:11,566.1378467
He later became the, uh, the mayor of Atlanta, Georgia.

388
00:31:11,616.1388467 --> 00:31:13,516.1368467
He's, uh, he's, he's very well-known.

389
00:31:13,996.1368467 --> 00:31:25,76.1388467
Uh, more than 60 years later, Young, who, who went on to become an United Nations ambassador during the Carter administration also, recalled working with his close friend, Dr.

390
00:31:25,76.1388467 --> 00:31:27,596.1358467
King, during the early stages of the civil rights movement.

391
00:31:27,866.1388467 --> 00:31:38,566.1378467
He said a new civil rights curriculum that he endorses gives students the facts and figures about what drove the movement and what young activists experienced during that time.

392
00:31:38,996.1408467 --> 00:31:46,816.1358467
And he's backing the curriculum to develop a new generation of citizen leaders, much like the activists Young knew in the 1960s.

393
00:31:46,846.1388467 --> 00:31:48,736.1408467
He's currently working on this now.

394
00:31:48,826.1348467 --> 00:31:57,136.1328467
This is being taught now at Anderson University in South Carolina, and it's, i- it's a, it's, uh, from McGraw Hill.

395
00:31:57,186.1348467 --> 00:32:01,66.1368467
Growing up, we all knew McGraw Hill, the textbook company.

396
00:32:01,66.1398467 --> 00:32:07,496.1388467
I know I would wrap their books in, like, paper bags in order to cover them and preserve them, which was something that you were supposed to do.

397
00:32:07,496.1408467 --> 00:32:30,196.1338467
But now they come up with this whole digital curriculum that talks about the civil rights movement in the 1960s, in the 1950s, and talks about how you can take lessons from them and move them into the present day to create a new generation of activists, and it's being supported by the original generation of civil rights activists.

398
00:32:30,226.1358467 --> 00:32:31,976.1388467
And I think this is fantastic.

399
00:32:31,976.1388467 --> 00:32:39,966.1378467
It's, it's not just people eliminating curriculum, it's people coming up with new curriculum in order to inspire a whole new generation.

400
00:32:39,966.1378467 --> 00:32:41,196.1398467
I think that's fantastic.

401
00:32:41,566.1398467 --> 00:32:41,756.1398467
Yeah.

402
00:32:41,996.1328467 --> 00:32:55,816.1298467
So- Okay, but obviously they want to stop this kind of thing from ever being taught anywhere, and now not only this program, this curriculum seems to be like, "Oh, no, we're not-- This is not the same old, same old."

403
00:32:55,826.1348467 --> 00:32:55,856.1348467
Right.

404
00:32:55,866.1428467 --> 00:33:03,356.1288467
This is, like, specifically tailored for today to how to keep this pressure on the administration.

405
00:33:03,672.1388467 --> 00:33:12,22.1378467
Well, so far it's at Anderson University, which is a private institution, so there's less influence that the Trump administration can have.

406
00:33:12,32.1388467 --> 00:33:17,682.1378467
But obviously, they've taken steps to attack, you know, Columbia and, and Harvard, which are also private institutions.

407
00:33:18,222.1378467 --> 00:33:39,342.1398467
So I think it's a matter of continuing to wage a legal fight, because i- if the administration were to come against this, then it would be a matter of saying, "Well, hey, we get to determine our own stuff, and you can't just take away funds from us," if that's what they were presumably to do, on the basis of you don't like what we're teaching.

408
00:33:39,652.1388467 --> 00:33:45,792.1368467
And, and that is in fact how it has played out with several of the institutions that he has tried to take money away from.

409
00:33:45,792.1388467 --> 00:33:52,352.1388467
The courts have come in and said, "Actually, no, you can't just do that without, you know, a, a due process or without any good reason."

410
00:33:52,392.1368467 --> 00:33:57,192.1388467
So I'm hopeful that if they were to try and stop it, the courts would be there.

411
00:33:57,302.1368467 --> 00:33:58,272.1368467
That would be great.

412
00:33:58,462.1368467 --> 00:33:59,762.1388467
Here's what I'm confused about.

413
00:33:59,802.1368467 --> 00:34:01,242.1368467
I know that was truly good news.

414
00:34:01,242.1398467 --> 00:34:02,652.1378467
I don't know why I'm still pissed.

415
00:34:02,652.1378467 --> 00:34:04,142.1383467
I gotta stop this.

416
00:34:04,142.1383467 --> 00:34:05,812.1388467
You should be pissed, though.

417
00:34:05,812.1388467 --> 00:34:13,112.1338467
I mean, like, the, the good news, it- here- here's my perspective about good news as, as a good news conveyor and purveyor.

418
00:34:13,282.1408467 --> 00:34:21,992.1338467
It's there to be a shining light that we can move towards, a, a point to give us hope that good things can still happen.

419
00:34:22,522.1378467 --> 00:34:33,252.1388467
As far as I'm concerned, we still have to pay attention to all the crappy stuff that's going on out there, because otherwise we would just be ignorant and, and slide down a slippery slope.

420
00:34:33,422.1398467 --> 00:34:34,532.1398467
But we still should be pissed.

421
00:34:34,532.1408467 --> 00:34:37,242.1328467
If we're not pissed, we're not gonna get to the more good news.

422
00:34:37,322.1338467 --> 00:34:37,972.1388467
Well put.

423
00:34:38,12.1358467 --> 00:34:47,142.1338467
I guess the good news, also speaking of sliding down a slippery slope, I guess that the reflecting pond is going to have a slide on it now, like a spiral.

424
00:34:47,142.1338467 --> 00:34:47,942.1378467
Yes, slide.

425
00:34:48,342.1378467 --> 00:34:48,872.1338467
Very nice.

426
00:34:48,872.1338467 --> 00:34:50,322.1358467
It's, it's gonna be cool.

427
00:34:50,582.1358467 --> 00:34:51,702.1378467
I think it's gonna be fun.

428
00:34:52,712.1328467 --> 00:34:56,932.1358467
It's gonna be just like the local Super 8 down the road from me.

429
00:34:58,762.1358467 --> 00:35:02,532.1338467
The big yellow slide and, uh, it'll be awesome.

430
00:35:02,532.1338467 --> 00:35:04,682.1348467
All the kids'll be able to play in it during the summer.

431
00:35:05,532.1328467 --> 00:35:14,332.1368467
Everyone go listen to Good News for Lefties wherever you find your podcasts, and wake up feeling good for once, you understand? Dave, well, thank you again for being here.

432
00:35:14,882.1388467 --> 00:35:15,902.1348467
Thank you so much, guys.

433
00:35:16,822.1408467 --> 00:35:37,734.7102753
You can't ban the truth, baby From bandworthy to bingeworthy As the day wraps up, get the scoop on what's been happening with Here's The Scoop, a new podcast from NBC News with me, your host, Yasmeen Wassugian.

434
00:35:38,174.7102753 --> 00:35:42,774.7102753
We'll take a deep dive into the day's top stories with NBC News' trusted journalists.

435
00:35:42,944.7092753 --> 00:35:50,124.7102753
It's a fresh take that's sharp, thoughtful, and it's informative, bringing you closer to the headlines and conversations that are shaping our world.

436
00:35:50,324.7102753 --> 00:35:54,74.7102753
From the front page to the zeitgeist, Here's The Scoop from NBC News.

437
00:35:54,464.7102753 --> 00:35:56,674.7102753
Listen daily wherever you get your podcasts.

438
00:35:59,278.7102753 --> 00:35:59,588.7102753
Right.

439
00:35:59,638.7102753 --> 00:36:03,318.7102753
We've caused enough literary chaos for one day, scary book people.

440
00:36:03,328.7102753 --> 00:36:06,898.7102753
If you want the fun to keep going, follow us on Blue Sky.

441
00:36:06,968.7102753 --> 00:36:11,88.7102753
Just head on over to bandcamppodcast.com/bluesky,

442
00:36:11,88.7102753 --> 00:36:13,368.7092753
and remember that's band with two Ns.

443
00:36:13,668.7102753 --> 00:36:24,628.7102753
And look, just like the Trump administration, we're not exactly above bribing you to get what we want, so follow us there, drop your handle on that page, and we'll send you a little something something.

444
00:36:24,628.7102753 --> 00:36:25,578.7102753
I think you'll like it.

445
00:36:25,998.7102753 --> 00:36:27,898.7102753
Yes, little quid pro quo.

446
00:36:28,498.7102753 --> 00:36:33,518.7092753
Band Camp is produced and hosted by Dan Schultz and me, Jennifer Davis.

447
00:36:33,998.7102753 --> 00:36:38,588.7092753
All media used in this episode falls under the protection of fair use.

448
00:36:38,798.7102753 --> 00:36:43,468.7102753
And finally, America isn't what it used to be, so be careful out there.

449
00:36:43,998.7102753 --> 00:36:45,578.7102753
And resist when it matters.