This Is Not That

Sometimes, the back-and-fourth of politics can be exhausting, and frustrating. This week we talk a bit about that through a range of topics. From the State of the Tribes address in Wisconsin’s capital, to climate change, to the ongoing fight against teaching painful yet true U.S. history. It’s true, sometimes ignorance is a privilege afforded to some, not all. P.S. #PeaceInUkraine

Black History Month is here, though it’s also a point of tension within the state government. While Republican lawmakers have resolved to water down the month, the Legislative Black Caucus begs to differ. We also touch on the Milwaukee mayor's race, which is just a few days away on Feb. 15. Overall, one thing is quite clear: The past informs the present. Even determines it.

It’s JoAnna’s birthday! As we reflect on one of the hosts gets ready for another year of life, we also take a look at ongoing conversations around public safety in Milwaukee. In the capital, new bills to sustain law enforcement and the criminal justice system are eclipsing investments into other community needs. With a mayor’s race on the way, the city and state continues a battle of ideologies between what comes first. Health, or safety.

It’s a New Year, a new mayor, and old voting district maps. In this episode we go over some of the news as 2022 gets going. With an upcoming mayoral election, we take a look at the current playing field of candidates. From there, we ask the question of whether electoral politics are worth the work organizers put in, given that victories can sometimes be few and far between.

It’s been another long year, for everyone. As 2022 approaches, we re-cap the biggest stories from 2021 that stuck with us until then end. We also look forward to what may come next year, from various elections to confronting a slew of unfinished business lingering still from 2020.

As winter sets into Wisconsin, the issues of housing and the specter of rising rates of evictions weighs heavy on the public’s minds. In Milwaukee, however, the numbers of people actually suffering unjust eviction and homelessness can be hard to get an official tally on. This week, we have special guest Robert Penner of the Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union to guide us through the eviction landscape in Milwaukee. We also discuss the ongoing battles in the Supreme Court on reproductive...

Kyle Rittenhosue, the 17 (now 18) year old gunman who traveled to Kenosha during Black Lives Matter protests and unrest last year, and killed two and wounded another, was found not guilty. For one, hardly anyone was surprised that such a verdict occurred. And while we process the verdict, and brace for an uncertain future, many are left still starving for justice. All while others pretend that everything’s alright.

The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, a teenager who shot two protesters dead and wounded at least one other person in Kenosha last year, continues to play out. Following the trial’s first week, we discuss what’s happened so far. From various questionable acts and decisions by the judge, to what happened on the ground last August. Joining us this week is Kyle Johnson, a Kenosha resident and organizer with Black Leaders Organizing Communities (BLOC).

October comes to a close, and Halloween wasn’t too bad, if a little light on the tricker or treaters. This week's discussion touches on several issues which stubbornly persist in Wisconsin, but they all revolve around a similar theme. Classism, systemic and targeted inequalities, and the need to ensure that your own place in society's VIP club is never relinquished.

With talk of a new mayor finally coming to Milwaukee, and other folks deciding what they’re going to run for next, many people are wondering what more can they do to compel real change. Beyond elections, and mayors, there are real funds and real policies which people on the ground are still waiting for their elected leaders to deliver. This week on the This Is Not That podcast, we talk about about a great many things. From Common Council President Cavalier Johnson being anointed to take the...

It has been two decades since 9/11. In this episode, we reflect on where we were and what was going on leading up to the events of 9/11, and the "bad policies" implemented following 9/11. How have things changed? What are the various after effects, and how have they impacted our lives? The team also pays tribute to Michael K. Williams and how "bad policies" are linked to his passing. What happens after a strategy has lingering impacts, and without having the difficult conversations, we find...

A lot has happened in the couple of weeks since our last show. One of our hosts JoAnna went on vacation to New Orleans, and left in time for the storms which downed 600+ tree’s in Milwaukee and knocked out power to thousands across Milwaukee County. Now that she’s back New Orleans is bracing for a hurricane. It’s also been one year since the shooting of Jacob Blake, and everyone’s still processing that. America is getting out of Afghanistan...kinda, evictions are going to climb, and...

The city-wide morale-boost built by the Bucks championship win is still palatable in Milwaukee. But very quickly, it’s becoming obvious that there are those which see that morale-boost as Milwaukee overcoming systemic oppression and the effects of segregation. Building off that theme, this week we discuss the experiences of Milwaukee’s minority and immigrant communities which may often occur in silence. We’re also welcoming Voces de la Frontera organizer Tommy Molina, who witnessed first...

The Milwaukee Bucks are one game away from winning the NBA Championship and that is worthy of celebration, however they have not put an end to staggering economic disparities and racial segregation that we face in Milwaukee. During this week's show, we discuss not being fooled into believing symbols equal solutions. We also take a look at where The City of Milwaukee plans to allocate the approximately $394.2 million in direct American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act assistance and dive into the...

Bucks in Six! The Milwaukee Bucks are the Eastern Conference champions and we are waiting to find out if Governor Evers will sign the budget approved by the state Legislature last week. This week we welcome Jamaal Smith from The City of Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention. We talk about access to resources, the challenges in organizing our community and unlearning generational trauma.

After the protest movement of 2020 elected officials have introduced a variety of police-related bills. Some of the bills are more responsive to the historic movement than others. On this week’s show, we take a deep dive into a few of the new bills, as well as the original demands which have fueled marches in the streets for over a year.

This week marks the one year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, which sparked worldwide protests that continue. Today, we debut our new podcast called, This is NOT that, which will bring our unique, unfiltered conversation that centers community, people, and politics. In the first episode Isiah, JoAnna, and Rafael introduce themselves and discuss the impact George Floyd's murder had on the Milwaukee community and our leadership as people of color.