April 13, 2017

EP. 33 — Journalist Alia Malek On What We’re Missing When We Talk About About Syria

It’s been six years of the devastating civil war in Syria – more than 11 million people have been displaced, and last week’s horrifying chemical attack on Syrian citizens by their own president Bashar al-Assad has been yet another reminder of the human cost of the conflict. On this episode of Politically Re-Active, journalist and author Alia Malek helps contextualize the war and shares her own experiences of living in Damascus during the start of the conflict. Alia recommends following these outlets and journalists to stay engaged with news from Syria: independent journalist Rania Abouzeid (@Raniaab), Kareem Shaheen of The Guardian (@kshaheen), and the website http://syria.jadaliyya.com/. And if you have money to spare, donate to the following organizations: INARA, which focuses on providing medical assistance to children from Syria, and Chicago-based Karam, which seeks to “restore the dignity and quality of life for people affected by conflict.”

 

Learn more about Alia and her book, The Home That Was Our Country: A Memoir of Syria, at www.aliamalek.com/.

 

Find tour dates and albums from your favorite hosts at www.harikondabolu.com and www.wkamaubell.com.

 

As always, send us your thoughts and suggestions on Twitter and over email: @politicreactive or politicallyreactive@firstlook.org.

This episode is brought to you by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/reactive) and HBO’s “J. Cole: 4 Your Eyes Only.”

Recent Episodes

March 8, 2018

Hari and his brother Ashok have a new podcast: Kondabolu Brothers. Check out the first episode in your podcast app right now. Witness two brothers occasionally acknowledging their live audience, find out why World War 1 is overrated, and learn why pizza should not be your favorite food. It’s fun.

Subscribe here in Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/untitled-kondabolu-brothers-podcast/id594239207?mt=2

Listen in Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=175748

October 5, 2017

It’s the end of season 2 already? We close strong with messages from our listeners and conversations with #BlackLivesMatter co-founder Alicia Garza, and comedian Wyatt Cenac. Garza is an Oakland-based organizer who is currently the Special Projects Director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance. She describes her lasting impressions from the 2016 election cycle, and gives advice for those hoping to be “allies.” Cenac opens up about his experiences on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” and explains why his new TOPIC produced series “aka Wyatt Cenac” focuses on a superhero fighting gentrification in Brooklyn.

Follow our guests!

Wyatt Cenac (@wyattcenachttps://www.wyattcenac.com

Alicia Garza (@aliciagarzahttps://www.facebook.com/the.one.and.only.aliciagarza

While we’re away, keep our #politicallyreactive hashtag strong. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

 

 

This episode is sponsored by The Jim Jefferies Show Podcast, ZipRecruiter, Away (code: REACTIVE), and Lyft.

September 28, 2017

Season 2 is almost over! This week Kamau and Hari are joined by Damon Young (Co-founder of VerySmartBrothas.theroot.com) and David Litt (author of “Thanks, Obama: My Hopey, Changey White House Years”) to discuss the power of the pen. Young explains Pittsburg culture and headline structure. Litt lets us in on the challenges and triumphs of writing for President Barack Hussein Obama. If you’ve enjoyed the podcast, call in and tell us what YOU’VE learned this season by dialing 646-389-3721. Your voice may appear in next week’s finale episode.

Follow our guests!

Damon Young (@VerySmartBros)

David Litt (https://www.thanksobamabook.com)

Resource:

www.mariafund.org

Send us your comments using the #politicallyreactive. Thanks! Check out Hari’s tour dates and albums at Harikondabolu.com and for all Kamau’s projects check out wkamaubell.com.

 

 

This episode is sponsored by The Jim Jefferies Show Podcast.