Activist Brittany Packnett Cunningham and journalist Jose Antonio Vargas join Alexandria Beightol to challenge the myth of American freedom. From Ferguson to ICE raids, they expose the lies built into our national story and unpack how Black and immigrant communities are redefining freedom—and why true patriotism means fighting for justice for all.Apathy Is Not an Option is a production of PRX and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Nichole Hill and Mark Pagán are the senior producers and editors. Terence Bernardo handles sound design and mixing. I’m your host Alexandria Beightol. For the SPLC, the executive producers are Cassandra Douglas and Julian Teixeira, with video production by Neil Parekh. From PRX Productions, the project manager is Edwin Ochoa and the EP is Jocelyn Gonzales. Visit splcenter.org and follow us on social media to learn more, take action and support the work of dismantling white supremacy and advancing racial and economic justice.
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50:14
When the People Rise
In this Juneteenth episode, we trace Black resistance from Ferguson, Missouri, to the courtroom. Historian Stefan Bradley, media justice advocate Brandi Collins-Dexter, and SPLC co-founder Joe Levin reflect on protest, digital activism and legal strategies against hate. What do we inherit when we resist — and what do we risk?Apathy Is Not an Option is a production of PRX and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Nichole Hill and Mark Pagán are the senior producers and editors. Terence Bernardo handles sound design and mixing. I’m your host Alexandria Beightol. For the SPLC, the executive producers are Cassandra Douglas and Julian Teixeira, with video production by Neil Parekh. From PRX Productions, the project manager is Edwin Ochoa and the EP is Jocelyn Gonzales. Visit splcenter.org and follow us on social media to learn more, take action and support the work of dismantling white supremacy and advancing racial and economic justice.
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47:26
The Battle for Public Education
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Dr. Leah Barlow, Liz Mikitarian, Catherine Lhamon, and YT Bell join Apathy Is Not An Option to expose how disinformation is reshaping public education—and what it takes to fight back. From preserving Black history to protecting students’ rights, these voices are leading the charge for inclusive, truthful learning. Hosted by Alexandria Beightol. A production of the Southern Poverty Law Center and PRX. Nichole Hill and Mark Pagán are the senior producers and editors. Sound design and mixing by Terence Bernardo. For the SPLC, the executive producers are Cassandra Douglas and Julian Teixeira, with production assistance from Neil Parekh and Jennifer Lazarus with Digimentors. From PRX Productions, the project manager is Edwin Ochoa and the EP is Jocelyn Gonzales.Visit splcenter.org and follow us on social media to learn more, take action, and support the work of dismantling white supremacy and advancing racial and economic justice.
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44:32
Whose Heritage is it?
In this episode of Apathy Is Not an Option, we meet the next generation of Southern changemakers. You'll hear from SPLC's Rivka Maizlish, who unravels the myths and misinformation surrounding monuments and Jeremiah Treece, a teen in Montgomery, Alabama calling for a new city flag free from Confederate imagery. We then visit Parker Short, a policy student exposing the racist legacy of Georgia’s Stone Mountain, these young leaders are confronting the past to build a more just future. Alongside insights from SPLC’s Seth Levi, we unpack the lies of the “Lost Cause,” the myth of “product of their time,” and why monuments matter in the fight for truth and accountability.Whether it’s standing up to symbols of white supremacy or rewriting the narrative of the South, these stories prove: the future belongs to those who refuse to be silent.Nichole Hill and Mark Pagán are the senior producers and editors. Sound design and mixing by Terence Bernardo. For the SPLC, the executive producers are Cassandra Douglas and Julian Teixeira, with production assistance from Neil Parekh and Jennifer Lazarus with Digimentors. From PRX Productions, the project manager is Edwin Ochoa and the EP is Jocelyn Gonzales. Visit splcenter.org and follow us on social media to learn more, take action, and support the work of dismantling white supremacy and advancing racial and economic justice.
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42:13
Jubilee & Justice: The Fight for Civil Rights Isn’t History—It’s Now
In our first episode of Apathy is Not an Option, we explore how the ongoing fight for civil rights in Alabama, the historical significance of the Selma Bridge Jubilee, and the deep roots of activism can pave the way to confronting new and evolving threats to civil rights. From grassroots organizing to legal victories that reshaped the national landscape, this conversation highlights the resilience and power of collective action.Visit splcenter.org and follow us on social media @splcenter to learn more, take action, and support the work of dismantling white supremacy and advancing racial and economic justice.Nichole Hill and Mark Pagán are the senior producers and editors. Sound design and mixing by Terence Bernardo. For the SPLC, the executive producers are Cassandra Douglas and Julian Teixeira, with production assistance from Neil Parekh and Jennifer Lazarus with Digimentors. From PRX Productions, the project manager is Edwin Ochoa and the EP is Jocelyn Gonzales.
While the fight for social justice is ongoing, SPLC and communities in the South continue to make progress on the most pressing issues facing our country. Every month, we go behind the headlines to bring you relevant stories that center around social justice in the South. From eradicating poverty to voting rights, and dismantling White Nationalism, we actively reshape the narrative of what’s happening in the South.
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