Episodes

Girl Scouts of the USA began as an all-white organization in Savannah, Ga., in 1912. But over time, the organization confronted systemic racism in its own ranks and became what Dr. Martin Luther King described as “a force for desegregation.” Listen as Dr. Carol François and her niece Kourtney Square reprise their episode tracing the evolution of Girl Scouts and their connection to Maggie Lena Walker, a little known but powerful figure in economic, civic, and social change in America. Citations “...

Dr. Carol François and her niece Kourtney Square reprise their look at systemic racism in the American presidency. Although the highest office of the land should be one of objectivity and fairness since whoever holds the title of president represents all Americans. Down through history; however, U.S. presidents have not governed on behalf of all the citizenry. François and Square highlight some of the more egregious examples of systemic racism straight from the Oval Office. Want more, take our c...

Dr. Carol Francois and Kourtney Square, her niece, as they reprise their exploration of the evolution of Black History Month. From its creation by Dr. Carter G. Woodson to the present, Black History Month has both its celebrants and detractors. Listen to hear about Black History Month classroom lessons gone bad but also why teaching Black History is relevant and needed. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it at www.whyaretheysoangry.com and find us anywhere at ht...

With President Biden's announcement he intends to appoint a Black woman jurist to the Supreme Court, join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, as they reprise an episode about Black/African American women who excelled and overcame systemic racism in the legal profession. They also tell the story of one female attorney who helped bring down a Mob kingpin in the 1930’s. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it at www.whyaretheysoangry.com and find us an...

The FBI’s COINTELPRO targeted Black/African leaders and civil rights organizations for decades. Listen as Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, reprise an episode exploring the FBI's efforts to "expose, disrupt, misdirect, discredit, or otherwise neutralize" individuals or groups deemed subversive. They’ll examine aspects of the Martin Luther King, Jr. FBI file and how it was intended to undermine and destroy him and his movement. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, ...

Self Care is necessary to remain in peak mental and physical condition. When navigating stressful and sometimes traumatic issues, it’s best to pull back and take a rest to avoid burnout. Join Dr. Carol François and her niece Kourtney Square who talk about the stress associated with doing their job of digging up and talking about instances of systemic racism, and why they’ll be taking a hiatus from their podcast. Never fear, though, they’ll also share where listeners can find their other resource...

Here’s a reprise of the salute to the women of the U.S. Armed Forces who bravely served this nation since the Revolutionary War. Listen as Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, share about the Black/African American sheroes past and present who heard the call and served their country in spite of systemic racism in the ranks including the women of the determined 6888th Battalion who took on the Army’s most dangerous enemy. Want more? take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, C...

At election time, Dr. Carol François and her niece Kourtney Square want you to know systemic racism is on the ballot, too. In this episode, you’ll hear about the Ocoee Massacre and how voter suppression in the past was violent and murderous. Today, voters are still being intimidated and their rights trampled. Listen to hear what’s being done to keep voters out of the voting booth and how folks are fighting back. Look for all episodes and social media at www.podpage.com.whyaretheysoangry Citation...

For decades, land theft and underhanded legal maneuverings have been used to swindled Black/African Americans out of valuable beachfront property. Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, as they tell the story of Bruce’s Beach and peel back the systemic racism underlying pernicious land appropriation schemes that have contributed to the Black/African American wealth gap. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it at www.whyaretheysoangry.com . Look fo...

The 2021 year is winding down, so join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, as they wrap up season two with a look back on and update about some of the year’s episodes. They’ll also make gift and reading recommendations just in time for holiday gift giving. And they’ll tell about their new tradition—announcement of the winner of ”The Rutherford B Hayes Award”--- an award the hosts will give to a person or persons who tried to derail efforts to dismantle systemic racism. Want more, ...

The western is back, and Netflix is riding high on its version The Harder They Fall . Join Dr. Carol François and her niece, Kourtney Square, as they tell the real life stories of Wild West heroes, heroines, and villains featured in the film. Some historians estimate that as many as one-fourth of the cowboys in the late 1800s were Black, but, because of systemic racism, many of them have been erased from history. From Cherokee Bill, Treacherous Trudy Smith, Bass Reeves, Stagecoach Mary, and more...

The western is back, and Netflix is riding high on its version The Harder They Fall . Join Dr. Carol François and her niece, Kourtney Square as they reprise their ride into the West sharing how Black/African Americans contributed to the country’s westward expansion. You’ll hear about Bass Reeves, who makes an appearance in the film, as well as exploits of pioneers and settlers you’ve probably never heard of before. Citations “Lawman legend Bass Reeves: the invincible man-hunter,” https://www.his...

Say the words “critical race theory” and you’re bound to start a firestorm. So what exactly is it all about, and why is it such a hot topic lately? Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, as they explain what critical race theory, or CRT, is and why it isn’t the bogeyman some would want you to believe it is. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it at www.whyaretheysoangry.com and find us anywhere at www.podpage.com.whyaretheysoangry Citations Could...

He was, by all accounts, a soldier's soldier. General Colin Powell’s 35 years of exemplary service in the Army and many years in civil service set him apart as a true officer, a gentleman, and so much more. Join Dr. Carol François and her niece Kourtney Square in a salute to General Powell and all military veterans especially those who defied systemic racism to rise to the top. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it at www.whyaretheysoangry.com and find us anywhe...

Ever since the first cave person drew on a cave wall, artists have used their art to comment on the human condition and to decry inequity and man’s inhumanity to man---but not without a cost. Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, as they tell how the FBI, CIA, and other law enforcement agencies spied on, threatened, harassed, and tried to silence Black/African American writers, performers, and artists simply because they spoke out against systemic racism in the U.S. Want more, ...

Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, the aunt and niece duo, are taking a self-care break, but until they return with a new episode of Why Are they So Angry? listen to this reprise of "A Night of Terror at the Algiers Motel". Citing the extensive research from Radley Balko’s compendium of studies about systemic racism in the criminal justice system and harrowing encounters with police brutality as detailed in the Algiers Motel incident, the pair trace the long history of policing and over po...

The upheaval of politics, the pandemic, and particularly the social unrest of the past few years has caused stress, anxiety, and depression. Why Are They So Angry? episodes examine these issues and more as well as the systemic racism underlying many of them. These topics are especially difficult to address, so finding ways to maintain mental health and balance is critical. Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, as they talk about the importance of self-care for anti-racist and ...

Sunsets can be a beautiful sight and time of day, but from 1890 and even to the present, a sunset could mean violence and even death for Black/African Americans. Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece as they tell the sordid history of sundown towns---all-white communities, neighborhoods, counties, and even states that exclude Blacks and other minorities through the use of discriminatory laws, harassment, and threats or violence. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it...

Engineer Marian Croak and ophthalmologist Patricia Bath are making history again as they become the first Black women inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 class. Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, in honoring these women as they present a reprise of our episode on Black/African American inventors. The intersection of race and gender presents an interesting way to look at systemic racism in America, and the inventions, organizations, and movem...

Restaurant names and themes can be methods for upholding systemic racism or dismantling it. Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, as they serve up a menu from American restaurant history describing restaurants that made no bones about using racial stereotypes and slurs as part of their names and themes and others that were central to the Civil Rights movement. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it at www.whyaretheysoangry.com and find us anywhe...

The phrase “Black/African American beaches” is not an oxymoron. For years, Black/African Americans have flocked to beaches and resorts built exclusively for them where they escaped the scourge of systemic racism and racial ostracism. Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square as they take a deep dive into beaches past and present where Black/African Americans enjoy leisure and intellectual pursuits by the sea. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it at www.whyare...

Join Carol François and Kourtney Square, the aunt and niece duo, as they kick off Episode 1 of Why Are they So Angry? Learn the differences among and between the terms bias, prejudice, bigotry, and racism as an introduction to understanding how systemic racism permeates every institution in America. The terms discussed in the episode are taken from the book Institutional Racism: A Primer On Theory and Strategies for Social Change , Second Edition, by Shirley Better. Carol quotes Ijeoma Oluo, “Wh...

Although the lyrics of a famous folk song proclaim, “This land is your land, this land is my land; this land was made for you and me,” America’s great outdoors hasn’t always beckoned or been friendly to Black/African Americans. Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, on an excursion to public and national parks to learn why these spaces weren’t originally intended for everyone’s enjoyment. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it at www.whyaretheys...

When it comes to swimming, the old song “Meet Me in St. Louis” takes on a whole new meaning. Join Dr. Carol François and Kourtney Square, her niece, as they expose details of one of America’s most deadly race riots in St. Louis all because a handful of children wanted to swim. Hear how the incident laid the foundation for the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case intended to end segregation in public schools. Want more, take our course Systemic Racism: See it, Say it, Confront it at www.whya...