meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Black History Year

Copaganda Exposed with Chenjerai Kumanyika

Black History Year

PushBlack

History, Society & Culture

4.32.1K Ratings

🗓️ 16 July 2024

⏱️ 79 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Today's History Story: John Johnson Attica Have you ever stopped to consider how much media focuses on police narratives? The sheer volume almost feels dystopian. There’s even a term for it: copaganda. Whether you’ve heard it or not, copaganda's reach is vast, with even vaster consequences. It infiltrates every form of media, from the morning news to evening cartoons. So what's the history of copaganda -- and how do we combat the pervasive presence of policing on our screens? Today’s guest has some ideas. Chenjerai Kumanyika is a journalist, author, and organizer working at the intersections of social justice and emerging media in the cultural and creative industries. He’s also the host of "Empire City," a mind-blowing podcast about the history of policing, coming this fall. This conversation might have you seeing your favorite movies in new and interesting ways. Because beneath the layers of plot and character, you might just uncover a piece of copaganda. To learn more about Chenjerai's work, visit XX. Black History Year (BHY) is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school and explore pathways to liberation with people who are leading the way. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work. Hosting BHY is Darren Wallace. The BHY production team includes Jareyah Bradley, Brooke Brown, and Amber Davis. Our producers are Cydney Smith and Len Webb for PushBlack, and Lance John with Gifted Sounds edits and engineers the show. BHY’s executive producers are Julian Walker and Lilly Workneh. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Coming up, we're talking about copaganda with Chingerai Kwinika on this episode of Black History Year. to die only on prime video. That the game's begun!

0:14.0

Win or lose, all must fight to survive.

0:17.0

My son, show them you can fight.

0:19.0

Enter the arena of the Gladiators,

0:22.0

starring Ant Anthony Hopkins.

0:23.7

Nothing is more important than our beloved role.

0:26.6

From the Director of Independence Day.

0:29.3

The moment is upon us.

0:30.6

Kill or be killed.

0:34.0

Those about to die, 19th of July only on Prime Video. When I was a kid I thought I wanted to be a cop, mostly because of my favorite film series Beverly Hills cop.

1:00.0

I used to watch open-mouthes that Eddie Murphy swung off the back of a truck or somebody shot the back of a gas tank and the car exploded in this fiery blaze.

1:09.0

Eddie had me convinced that's what my life would really be like.

1:12.0

Fun, adventurous, and full of morality like

1:16.0

were bringing down the system and the terrible people upholding it. And believe it or not,

1:20.9

I held on to that idea for a long, long time.

1:25.0

In fact, you know, it was reinforced by other shows in movies like Batman, even The Wire.

1:32.0

And it makes me think.

1:34.0

The way we develop our imagination as kids

1:37.0

and heavily influences our beliefs as adults.

1:40.0

So today, I want to explore a specific type of media that's infiltrated our imaginaries, the kind

1:46.0

that centers policing, cops. More specifically, we're talking about copaganda.

1:53.0

I'm Darren from Pushed Black and you're listening to Black History Year.

...

Transcript will be available on the free plan in -216 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from PushBlack, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of PushBlack and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.