Introducing “Who We Are: A Chronicle Of Racism In America,” A New Podcast In Partnership With Vox Media

September 1, 2020

Illustrated graphic for Who We Are: Chronicle of Racism in America

In the wake of the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others, America faces a racial reckoning — one that requires an honest look at the American history that has allowed white supremacy to thrive for the last 400 years.

On September 15, 2020, we are launching an exciting podcast in partnership with Vox Media and The Who We Are Project. “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America” will take a deep look at our country’s lesser-known history of racial injustice and show how legally-enforced discrimination and state-sanctioned brutality continued long after slavery ended, profoundly affecting Black Americans’ ability to gain access to jobs, housing, education, and health care, or to create and accumulate wealth.

The 6-episode podcast is based on the acclaimed presentation of the same name by Jeffery Robinson, ACLU deputy legal director and director of the ACLU Trone Center for Justice and Equality. It will explore a side of American history that most of us didn’t learn about in school: a history of the people and systems that sought to justify human trafficking, slavery, and the subjugation of Black Americans long after slavery was legally outlawed. Robinson spent nine years researching his multi-media “Who We Are” presentation, which will soon be released as a documentary. Learn more about the film here.

The “Who We Are” podcast will be hosted by New York Times bestselling author Carvell Wallace, a regular contributor to the New York Times Magazine, memoirist and award-winning podcaster. Carvell covers race, art, and culture for a variety of news outlets. His podcast “Finding Fred,” about the magic and ministry of Mr. Rogers, was recently nominated for a Peabody. 

The goal of “Who We Are” is to educate and encourage audiences to dismantle systemic racism. We have been lifting the lid on systemic racism and criminal justice reform over the last few years, and are excited to bring this story to our fans.

“Economic and social justice has been a part of Ben & Jerry’s mission since our founding 42 years ago,” said Jabari Paul, Ben & Jerry’s US Activism Manager. “We now sit at a critical inflection point in our nation’s history. If we are to seize the opening that this moment presents, we must be willing to acknowledge the sins of our past so that we move together toward a future of justice and equity.”

Each 30-minute episode of the podcast will focus on a different period in American history and its link to modern-day systemic racism. And each will end with a call for listeners to take action for a more equitable future. Can’t wait to dig in? Listen to the trailer here.