WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?
Listeners will discover ways to write a new story of racial and social injustices.
EPISODE SUMMARY:
Mississippi is replete with stories of injustice: lynchings, racial equities, health care disparities, poor water supply for people of color, and more. There have been many changes since slavery, Jim Crow, and the like but inequities remain. How do we write a new story for Mississippi? It's time we told a different story and time we righted some wrongs.
Join Dr. Jenkins as she sits down with Fabian Nelson, who is running for the Mississippi House of Representative. If elected he will be Mississippi's first "out" LGBTQIA lawmaker. Fabian comes from a lineage of social justice advocates including his grandmother who was the first African American nurse to integrate the hospital in Yazoo City, and his father who was one of the first African-Americans to graduate from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. Listen in for insights on how to write new stories of racial and social inequities.
KEY WORDS:
#revdrtlc
#dismantleracismshow
#healingseparationfromtheinsideout
#sacredintelligence
#fabiannelson
https://victoryfund.org/candidate/nelson-fabian/
Tune in for this important conversation at TalkRadio.nyc
In today’s episode, Dr. Roselle Jenkins is our guest host and will be joined by her guest Fabian Nelson. They start the show with a guided meditation before jumping into discussion. Dr. Jenkins introduces us to Fabian who is running for Mississippi House of Representatives. If elected Fabian will be our first openly gay lawmaker. Fabian shares a little of his background on his ancestors and his lineage. He explains how his family has a long history of breaking barriers and overcoming many obstacles. Dr. Jenkins asks Fabian what tools and practices he uses to keep himself grounded. She also asks Fabian about the politics in Mississippi and how Fabian keeps people actively involved in the fight.
Dr. Jenkins and Fabian discuss the percentage of voters in Mississippi and how it can affect the election. She asks Fabian how he gets people to understand the power of their vote. Fabian gives some words of wisdom for the voters who are feeling discouraged in the South. We have to continue to talk about the issues and bring them to light if we want to see any progress. Dr. Jenkins and Fabian discuss the ramifications of House Bill 1020. Fabian talks about the importance of community organizations and how it helps relay messages about political news. Dr. Jenkins and Fabian discuss other issues that are occurring in District 666 like systemic racism and high crime rates.
Dr. Jenkins and Fabian continue their discussion on Medicaid expansion. Over 70 percent of Mississippians, Republicans, and Democrats, have voted to expand Medicaid. Dr. Jenkins and Fabian discuss how Mississippians are losing their voices and aren’t able to advocate for themselves because a ballot cannot be introduced. Fabian continues to talk about the issues in his district and how it affects the LGBTQIA community. There is too much inequality in Mississippi. Fabian mentions how there are severe issues like the water crisis in Jackson that are not talked about. Dr. Jenkins and Fabian discuss how when one group is marginalized it affects all communities in some way.
Dr. Jenkins and Fabian continue to recognize the growing issues in Mississippi. They also acknowledge the positive changes that have occurred in Mississippi over the years. Fabian lets the audience know that the state is more advanced than society has led us to believe. As of 2021, the state has changed its flag dropping the confederate flag. Dr. Jenkins explains why it is important to learn things like critical race theory and social-emotional learning because it makes us better people for society. At the end of the show, Dr. Jenkins gives Fabian a chance to leave the audience with a positive message.
00:00:32.659 --> 00:00:34.310 Dr. Jenkins: good morning!
00:00:36.380 --> 00:00:46.379 Dr. Jenkins: Welcome to dismantling racism where our goal is to uncover dismantle and eradicate racism and create a world where racial equity is the norm.
00:00:47.540 --> 00:01:08.239 Dr. Jenkins: I am Dr. Roselle Jenkins, your your usual host, Dr. Tlc. Is not here today. I am filling in for her, and I am happy to be here and to be joined by Fabian Nelson. But before we get started I want to take a few moments to
00:01:08.270 --> 00:01:21.719 Dr. Jenkins: for us to center ourselves, as you typically do with Dr. Avery, I would like you to just kind of close your eyes and take a few deep breaths in and out.
00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:36.829 Dr. Jenkins: I want you to breathe in and out the knowledge that you are part of a shared humanity, and you carry within you the power to heal and to power, and the power to be part of
00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:39.799 Dr. Jenkins: the change that you want to see in the world.
00:01:44.060 --> 00:01:46.150 Dr. Jenkins: Take another bread in
00:01:47.940 --> 00:01:49.410 Dr. Jenkins: and out.
00:01:53.410 --> 00:02:05.540 Dr. Jenkins: and just center yourself in divine wisdom, and seeking your sacred intelligence, and know that you have all that you need inside you to make good choices.
00:02:05.750 --> 00:02:07.680 to be
00:02:08.169 --> 00:02:13.579 Dr. Jenkins: a part of all of the love that you want to see expressed in the world.
00:02:26.070 --> 00:02:28.739 Dr. Jenkins: Take one last breath in
00:02:30.770 --> 00:02:32.110 Dr. Jenkins: and out.
00:02:36.750 --> 00:03:02.360 Dr. Jenkins: and I hope you are feeling ready to listen with an open mind and an open heart to this conversation, and also to be a part of the conversation. If you have questions or comments feel free to put them in the chat, Youtube chat and Facebook live chat or any of the other platforms where you may be listening to the show or watching the show right now.
00:03:07.560 --> 00:03:25.419 Dr. Jenkins: Okay, so let's jump right in. I'm pointing interest. Introduce you to Fabian Fabian Nelson, who is running for the Mississippi House of Representatives. If elected, Mr. Nelson will be Mississippi's first openly gay lawmaker.
00:03:25.830 --> 00:03:29.480 Dr. Jenkins: He comes from a lineage of social justice advocates.
00:03:29.860 --> 00:03:49.529 Dr. Jenkins: and I'm gonna let him tell you more about himself, because I want him to tell the story about his ancestry and his lineage, and how he got to where he is, but he is very, very impressive. He put himself through school at Jackson State, and is a realtor
00:03:49.570 --> 00:04:06.229 Dr. Jenkins: in Jackson. Correct Fabian. Yes, you on your own business. So why don't you tell us more about who you are, and how you got to this point in time, where you are running for office, and wanting to be of service.
00:04:07.490 --> 00:04:26.050 Fabian Nelson: That is great. And thank you guys so much for having me on the show. I love just, you know, being on shows being in front of the people and having the conversations that we need to have. As you said, my name is Fabian Nelson. I was born and raised in a Mississippi delta, and a very small town named Yazoo City, Mississippi.
00:04:26.110 --> 00:04:55.230 Fabian Nelson: and I ended up coming to Jackson, Mississippi. When I came to college at the I love Jackson State University, and so I've been in Jackson for almost 20 years. Now I was a biology major in Jackson State, and I'm like you said. I own a real estate company. I've been a real estate broker for 15 years, so working in a community to help provide affordable housing to people doing some financial literacy in our community to help people, you know, get the credit in line and learn how to manage our budget so that they can become homeowners.
00:04:55.250 --> 00:05:08.329 Fabian Nelson: so that's a little bit of a background, this. And that's something I'm passionate about, something I love doing now when it comes to serving others and being of service. This is something I've done my entire life.
00:05:08.330 --> 00:05:32.490 Fabian Nelson: You know our parents always ingrain that in us, and just seeing how they were always public servants and taking us with them like I do, my children, I'm my father for so I'm constantly getting them out there and teaching them the importance of service. My grandmother, She was the the first African American nurse to integrate the hospitals in Gaza City, Mississippi, during integration.
00:05:32.510 --> 00:05:44.680 Fabian Nelson: my father was one of the first African American students at Virginia Commonwealth University, and so my family has a long history of
00:05:44.690 --> 00:05:56.939 Fabian Nelson: of break it down the barriers. My great, my great-great-grandfather, was a treasurer for an African American bank, India, as a city, because, you know, in the 19 hundreds. We have to have our own banks.
00:05:57.050 --> 00:06:16.279 Fabian Nelson: And so you know, we have always, you know, led by example. And so you know, like. I told Another interviewer, I said. My family has always raised the bar, so I'm trying to keep on raising of our so my children will be like, hey, we gotta really bring it.
00:06:16.290 --> 00:06:22.690 Fabian Nelson: But I think that's how we influence change by challenging our sales. And how do we?
00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:46.710 Fabian Nelson: How do we be better, you know. my parents always told us. You know we was out. Tell my dad all the time I want to be like you, and I grew up, he said, no, you can't be like me. You have to be better because I the struggles and things I had to enter. I'm doing things so that you don't have those same struggles. So I'm giving you a a you know, a higher playing field, so that you can be better than me.
00:06:46.890 --> 00:07:09.170 Fabian Nelson: So with my 4 sons. Whenever they say, Dad, I want to be like U.S.A. Know, you're gonna have to be better than me, because the obstacles that I've navigated through. I'm currently never getting through. I'm doing it so that you have more opportunities. And with our community. That's what I'm driven to make things better for people because we have to face it. The level field is not even for everyone.
00:07:09.190 --> 00:07:32.230 Fabian Nelson: Some people say it is, but no, it is not so we have to get involved and make things better for people so that opportunities are available for more people. So that's a little of my background. Well, thank. Thank you so much for sharing that, and you mentioned the obstacles that you have to face, and you also also mentioned the obstacles that
00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:57.030 Dr. Jenkins: your your ancestors, your grand, your grandmother, your mother, your father you mentioned mentioned those people as well, so tell me, in navigating some of this, what do you do to keep yourself grounded. What is one of your spiritual practices that helps you stay connected to the sacred and just helps you keep going forward with all the things that you're trying to do.
00:07:57.940 --> 00:08:22.360 Fabian Nelson: Okay, very. That's a very good question, because what I will tell you is, every single morning when I wake up I'm drained because I internalize a lot of things. There's so many things going on around us. I internalize it, I absorb it. I go to bed with it on my mind. So every single morning I meditate every morning I spend, and I spend about 30 to 45 min in prayer every morning.
00:08:22.360 --> 00:08:44.859 Fabian Nelson: and you know, just to get myself grounded, and after I do that, what I do is I have I? I have a I'm infamous for posting coffee pictures. And so each morning I'll post the inspirational quote with my coffee cup on Facebook, just motivating and pouring into others to tell them to have a good day, but that's what keeps me grounded. It's just having this spiritual connection.
00:08:45.310 --> 00:09:09.610 Dr. Jenkins: Oh, that's that sounds like a great practice, especially if you're waking up filling drained each morning. You want something that recharges you and helps you get ready to fight the good fight another day. So in talking about the obstacles that you faced, as well as some of your ancestors. What did your your parents, your grandparents, that they talk about their struggles to you? And what
00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:31.600 Dr. Jenkins: what lessons did they impart that have helped you say you know what we can. The the fight is still winnable, you know. I can still keep going and not give up, because you're probably fighting some of the same battles, and maybe even more intense battles than they did in some some regards.
00:09:31.880 --> 00:09:40.070 Fabian Nelson: you know. That's true. The thing about it is, our parents always reminded us where we came from.
00:09:40.180 --> 00:09:50.140 Fabian Nelson: They they were very open and transparent with the issues and the struggles that they faced. But what they always told us is that this is not going to be a pity party.
00:09:50.350 --> 00:10:04.070 Fabian Nelson: and you are not going to be able to use these excuses for you not to do anything. So they taught us that we use our struggles to better ourselves, so that you could have a better life. So they let us know that, hey? You know, because it's important
00:10:04.230 --> 00:10:13.479 Fabian Nelson: to, you know, to know your history and to know the struggles, because if you don't know the struggles and the history, and what our ancestors fault for, you're not going to respect it.
00:10:13.710 --> 00:10:28.300 Fabian Nelson: And that's the problem that we have. People don't know the history, so we have to, and you know, in knowing your history is not to have it so. You could have no it to have a trip on your shoulder is to know it, because it's important to know where we came from, so we don't end up back there.
00:10:29.670 --> 00:11:00.659 Dr. Jenkins: And what are you finding in regards to that? In regards to people still looking at their history, knowing what the fight is and what the issues are. I know a lot has happened in Mississippi. It is certainly in this legislative year, but in the past few years Mississippi has been at the forefront for many things. In fact, the reason that that row versus way it was overturned was because of a case that originated in Mississippi. So.
00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:04.320 Dr. Jenkins: looking at the constituents where you live, how
00:11:04.420 --> 00:11:20.130 Dr. Jenkins: checked in do you think they are to? What's going on, and how? Where are they are? How, where are they of the issues. And what do you do to make sure that they they are staying politically active and involved and engaged.
00:11:20.930 --> 00:11:27.039 Fabian Nelson: you know. That's that's a great question. And what I will say is.
00:11:27.270 --> 00:11:40.179 Fabian Nelson: you know it hurts when you know when we see people that are not politically involved and engaged. But what I will say is, I understand why people aren't, because people say, Well.
00:11:40.580 --> 00:12:06.439 Fabian Nelson: my vote doesn't count. It's not going to change anything. People have given up hope. We have to get put the hope back in people. we just celebrated the anniversary of the of the the death anniversary of Mega Everest here last week, and you know his little Mrs. Merly ever you know she was here speaking. She says something, and this deal burns in my soul.
00:12:06.490 --> 00:12:09.990 Fabian Nelson: she says, when I look around, I ask myself.
00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:22.080 Fabian Nelson: why did my husband sacrifice his life? And people aren't getting involved? What's his death in vain? And so we have to let people know there were so many people that fought for our rights.
00:12:22.160 --> 00:12:49.200 Fabian Nelson: We owe it to our ancestors to go out there and vote. And once again, as I talk about not knowing the history, not knowing the struggles. That's why people aren't going out and voting, and what what people are seeing, you know, in Mississippi. it's a Republican majority, the the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Governor. It's very hard for Democrats to get legislation passed. So that's why people are saying
00:12:49.200 --> 00:13:04.009 Fabian Nelson: I'm not going to go, because it doesn't matter. But what we have to ingrain in people is the only way we are going to change. It is by electing Democrats into office, electing people into office that care, because as long as we say that nothing is going to happen
00:13:04.010 --> 00:13:14.319 Fabian Nelson: at the in Jackson, Mississippi. We have about a hundred 20 valves or registered voters, and the last May your election. There are about 19,000 people that actually went out and voted
00:13:14.450 --> 00:13:22.630 Fabian Nelson: in this last election cycle in Mississippi, Mississippi had the lowest voter turnout in the entire nation.
00:13:22.650 --> 00:13:44.950 Dr. Jenkins: Okay, so we're we're gonna take a pause there because I think we have a commercial break coming up. I I I got the notification. But I do want to pick up there with what you just said when we start back about the number of people who did not vote, and who don't seem to necessarily think that their vote will count. So
00:13:45.090 --> 00:13:56.189 Dr. Jenkins: look forward to continuing the conversation after the break. This is your guest host, Dr. Roselle Jenkins, and you're listening to dismantling racism. Talk, show.
00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:17.359 Dr. Jenkins: Okay, I think we're back from the break.
00:16:22.540 --> 00:16:41.440 Dr. Jenkins: Okay, so let's continue the conversation we were we were having before the break where you were talking about. I think you said 19,000 people voted, even though 120,000 are register, which is about 10% of the vote and of the registered voters. And that's that's a
00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:44.360 Dr. Jenkins: a really low number. So
00:16:44.420 --> 00:17:09.900 Dr. Jenkins: if that's what is occurring in the last election cycle, what are what are your thoughts about? How do you get people to really understand the power of their vote? Voting obviously, is a very effective tool, and dismantling racism is. Is this the way that we have changed the country for for years? But I think people are feeling more disenfranchised. You mentioned that
00:17:10.130 --> 00:17:20.529 Dr. Jenkins: in Mississippi in particular, they. And actually, in lots of Southern States, there is this Republican majority that a lot of people may feel.
00:17:20.579 --> 00:17:29.960 Dr. Jenkins: Is this useless? Is pointless? What can we really do? And so what would you say to those people who are feeling very discouraged?
00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:32.660 Fabian Nelson: You know.
00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:52.359 Fabian Nelson: so many people, you know our like, you said are discouraged. as saying that. You know my vote doesn't matter. What we have to really do is we have to put the issues out there before the people. We have to be vocal about the issues, because what we have is so many people have tunnel vision and and and short term memory.
00:17:52.560 --> 00:17:58.289 Fabian Nelson: you know prime example with the overturned a row V. Weight that was so hot for
00:17:58.370 --> 00:18:20.829 Fabian Nelson: I would say a month or 2 months. Well, now it's not even being talked about. So we need to constantly talk about that, especially right now. We need to be talk about talking about the overturning a row V way, because when we really put the issues out there, that's going to fire up people and make people go out and vote. That's one thing that's going to happen. 2 things is what I will tell you.
00:18:20.830 --> 00:18:31.540 Fabian Nelson: The one thing a politician is most afraid of is a person that votes for them. So they're registered voters. And so when they, when our elected officials see
00:18:31.540 --> 00:18:55.610 Fabian Nelson: that people won't change, that will change the dynamics on how these bills are being voted, you know, being voted on. So I think awareness within the community is so important. We need to talk about the important issues that are affecting us legislatively. We also need to let people know the very important roles, because a lot of people only feel that the Presidential elections are the most important ones
00:18:55.660 --> 00:19:01.660 Fabian Nelson: when in actuality, your local elections are the most important ones, because those are the people that are going to advocate for you.
00:19:02.670 --> 00:19:20.669 Dr. Jenkins: That is, that's that's really true, and I know that recently in Mississippi, particularly in Jackson, and you would be representing on District City 66. I know that there was There was legislation passed where
00:19:20.670 --> 00:19:33.059 Dr. Jenkins: now there are lawmakers get to determine who serves in some of the positions that work. They used to be elected positions, positions like judges and prosecutors, and
00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:38.680 Dr. Jenkins: something like that. Seems like it would really
00:19:39.060 --> 00:19:55.699 Dr. Jenkins: take away the power of the people in that particular city, for who governs them, and what what could any one lawmaker like? Let's say you get elected like, how does that impact even democratic lawmakers in Jackson?
00:19:55.960 --> 00:20:00.500 Dr. Jenkins: And they, their voting rights have been stripped from them essentially
00:20:01.020 --> 00:20:04.450 Dr. Jenkins: for those for those particular positions
00:20:04.870 --> 00:20:09.959 Fabian Nelson: most definitely. And I'll give you a little background on it. This is House Bill 1020.
00:20:09.970 --> 00:20:37.159 Fabian Nelson: And what House Bill 1020 did is I create? What does it creates? A new police force within the capital city district in Jackson. It also allows the appointment of of judges and prosecutors to prosecute. So people within the it's called a capital improvement district people that commit crimes within this district are under the jurisdiction of these appointed officials, and not
00:20:37.160 --> 00:21:01.040 Fabian Nelson: Hans County officials which we elected. So, as you said, this strips the voting power. It disenfranchises the voters in Hans County and in the city of Jackson by having these appointed officials. Now, one thing that I will say, and I'm I'm a hundred percent transparent. We do have a prime problem in Jackson. We do need more police and more support.
00:21:01.080 --> 00:21:22.160 Fabian Nelson: But this was not the right way to do it. And another thing that upsets me is the fact that the Hans County delegation and you know I I'm not a lawmakers. I wasn't there, but the Highness County delegation has told us that they were not consulted. When this was done, Republican lawmakers did this without consulting with our delegation.
00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:46.470 Fabian Nelson: And that is a huge problem for me. So as an elected official, it's important that we show up and say, Hey, this cannot happen. We have to let people know what is going on before the stuff comes down. The pipeline is, and it's getting ready to get signed into law once it's getting ready to be signed into law. It's too late. They've already made their minds up.
00:21:48.010 --> 00:22:07.920 Dr. Jenkins: W. Do you think what's needed? Obviously, people need to know what the issues are. But how do people get that information? So if something like this is happening, you would need people, I guess, to either petition or write their lawmakers, or advocate against it before it happens. But
00:22:08.270 --> 00:22:36.750 Dr. Jenkins: this seems like something that people wouldn't really know about, like everyday people in the street. How would they know that something like this is happening? If the if this group of people, they're already not voting, how do they know that these type of things are happening and how they impact their lives like what needs to be done locally, on the grassroots level. So that people actually understand that this is happening.
00:22:37.410 --> 00:22:54.769 Fabian Nelson: You know, it happens through community organizations, coalitions. One thing that I tell people in my platform is, it's all about getting a community involved communicating with the community. So I do a lot of different things on Facebook within my district to let people know what's going on.
00:22:54.770 --> 00:23:22.249 Fabian Nelson: You know, once I'm elected, I'm gonna hold regular meetings to say, Hey, this is what we have one or that the capital. How do you feel about this? How would you like me to vote on this, because as a representative is not about me, voting on what I feel is right. It's about representing the people of District 66. And so we have to be vocal and open, because what happens is we have elected officials running for office and out there hitting the ground running, but once they get an office.
00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:50.690 Fabian Nelson: nothing else until election time. So we have to be open with people with the issues. Because if we start doing that, people are going to start to gravitate? And won't it be more involved in government? Are going to want to be more involved in in civics? Because I remember my grandmother. She was so involved in, you know, in the whole political process she always voted. And so I think we have to have somebody that's going to encourage people and be open and transparent with what is going on.
00:23:52.300 --> 00:24:14.469 Dr. Jenkins: I I absolutely agree with that. So talk to me a little bit about some of the other issues in District 66, and you mentioned there is a crime problem. What are some of the other things that you think are really important to the to the constituents there, and actually to the people in the State of Mississippi in general, not just in District 6, 66.
00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:34.119 Fabian Nelson: Okay, so let's see, where do I start? Okay? You know, and you know, we we we we constantly, you know, talk about racism as systemic racism systems that are putting in place to keep people from progressing. as you know, Mississippi has not has not expanded Medicaid
00:24:34.130 --> 00:24:42.569 Fabian Nelson: and we're seeing a lot of our hospitals. closing cutting services because they don't have the proper funding.
00:24:42.680 --> 00:25:08.680 Fabian Nelson: just this last legislative session there was a fight to extend postpartum medicaid benefits. They were, you know they they extended it during Covid, and they were going to go back and reduce it. And a Republicans fault they were not going to do it. But what happened? We have a Democrat nominee for Governor, and he started talking about Medicaid expansion, and he started polling very highly.
00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:26.020 Fabian Nelson: And so when that happened, they decided to extend a postpartum medicaid benefits, which this is a good start. But we need to accept the Federal funding and go on and expand Medicaid all across the board because it hurts our communities. When that happens.
00:25:26.270 --> 00:25:35.909 Fabian Nelson: we talked a little bit about voter suppression. Well, there is a new. There's a new well now. it's a Senate bill 2358,
00:25:36.030 --> 00:25:47.760 Fabian Nelson: and they call it ballot harvesting. But ultimately what it does is it makes it more difficult for disabled people to vote, because if you're disabled and you want to vote by absentee ballot.
00:25:47.760 --> 00:26:08.670 Fabian Nelson: it it controls. Who can turn your ballot in for you. So a lot of the organ, a lot of our community organizations that we're going around helping people is gonna be illegal for them to do that now. So that's ultimately disenfranchising people. And there is a lawsuit that has been filed. I think 3 community organizations to try to get that overturned.
00:26:08.910 --> 00:26:24.570 Fabian Nelson: Another thing we have happening is they're trying to start purging the voter roles. And so if you have not voted in in a certain a number of years. They want to take you off of the voting role, which is unfair, because once you register, you should remain on their voter role.
00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:31.660 Fabian Nelson: because the thing about it. If you own a gun. If you don't shoot their gun in 5 years, they don't take your right away to own a gun
00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:49.400 Dr. Jenkins: absolutely, and I I'm I'm actually glad you brought that up because I hadn't even heard of that. And I I've heard of many laws and many states where they're doing things to suppress some people's right to vote, but to take people off the roles because they haven't voted
00:26:49.580 --> 00:27:10.330 Dr. Jenkins: that I had not. I did not know that that was being introduced in Mississippi, and I do hope that people are paying attention to these types of things, because this is a further eroding of people's rights, and an additional way to oppress people there. There are so many, but this is yet another way to oppress people and take away their rights. And
00:27:10.330 --> 00:27:21.050 Dr. Jenkins: that's really important. something else that you said you talked about the Medicaid expansion, and I know we're going to have to go to break soon in a minute.
00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:27.220 Dr. Jenkins: You said that when the candidates started polling highly, that
00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:55.339 Dr. Jenkins: that benefit was indeed extended, so it it seems to indicate that people do want these benefits. The the masses want, these people want these benefits, whether they're Republican, Democratic, whatever they are, they want these benefits. And so people have to know what things are on the table and what's being taken off the table that really impact them. I think that really speaks to just day to day life and what people need to live.
00:27:55.670 --> 00:28:01.009 Fabian Nelson: and a and after break, I'm gonna blow your mind with something in regards to Medicaid expansion.
00:28:01.260 --> 00:28:16.859 Dr. Jenkins: Okay? Well, I I look forward to it, and I know we're at at break now. So I look forward to continuing the conversation when we return, and again, this is your guest host, Dr. Roselle Jenkins. And this is the dismantling racism show.
00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:25.180 Dr. Jenkins: Okay, we're we're back again. And so you said you were going to blow my mind. So, Fabian, please blow my mind.
00:30:25.220 --> 00:30:36.089 Fabian Nelson: All right. So this is what happened, all right. So we Medicaid expansion isn't something that is we've been talking about, for oh, my gosh! Probably 20 years in more of Mississippi.
00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:37.210 Fabian Nelson: So
00:30:37.560 --> 00:30:53.530 Fabian Nelson: the group of people got together and said, We're going to do an independent poll because we want to know if this is really an issue for the people in this independent poll over 75 of Mississippi. As Republican and Democrat voted to extend Medicaid.
00:30:53.730 --> 00:30:55.519 Fabian Nelson: expand Medicaid. Rather
00:30:55.930 --> 00:31:02.690 Fabian Nelson: so it is wanted. It is needed. But guess what else happened last legislative session.
00:31:02.820 --> 00:31:04.080 Dr. Jenkins: What was that.
00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:13.669 Fabian Nelson: then? The ballot initiative in Mississippi has been killed, and so we can no longer as citizens split anything on the ballot.
00:31:13.800 --> 00:31:18.650 Dr. Jenkins: So this is what you're saying is, the citizens can't even
00:31:18.840 --> 00:31:28.470 Dr. Jenkins: introduce something saying that they want medicaid expansion, and that be made into law, because that's no longer an option.
00:31:28.760 --> 00:31:49.430 Fabian Nelson: absolutely. And let me tell you how this happened. So in I want to say I can't think of the exact year but Around the weight of the ballot initiative was written is that Mississippi had 5 Congressional districts when the law was written. So in 2,000, when the census came around.
00:31:49.430 --> 00:32:27.769 Fabian Nelson: we reduced by 4 Congressional districts, and so, since we were only since we only have 4 Congressional districts. The court has uphill that we cannot have a valid initiative because it it validates the law because the law was not Updated. So our legislator did not go in and change the 5 from 4. And so, since it was not changed, that invalidated the whole ballot initiative. So until we change that, we cannot have a valid initiative. So it's a technicality that you of it that that's what I was struck by, that. It seems like a ballot can't be introduced just simply on this technicality. So even though
00:32:27.850 --> 00:32:40.790 Dr. Jenkins: again, another way of disenfranchising people and taking away the power of the people in the power of their voice. This, this detail is what's being used to do that.
00:32:41.250 --> 00:33:01.369 Fabian Nelson: Yes, and it's the thing about it is we have to stop playing the political games. When people are being affected. When we play these games, we're hurting our constituents. And it just does not make any sense. Because when a ballot initiative was, you know, created back way back when
00:33:01.510 --> 00:33:16.330 Fabian Nelson: it wasn't, you know. It wasn't on the pretence that you know they we wanted it, and we weren't putting it in under what we said we we could change it later. We lose a congressional district. So things like that are, you know what bothers me
00:33:18.030 --> 00:33:27.010 Dr. Jenkins: for good reason. So let's let's shift the conversation just a bit still on the same topic. But
00:33:27.090 --> 00:33:53.049 Dr. Jenkins: we are talking about the issues that are particular to your district. And I also want you to talk about how these, how these issues particularly impact the Lgbtqi, a community and the impact of being an openly gay lawmaker, the first opening gay lawmaker. What that would mean for
00:33:53.050 --> 00:34:03.149 Dr. Jenkins: people in the Lgbtqi, a community. But you know, for the for the community at large for everyone like, what is the significance of that?
00:34:03.650 --> 00:34:11.639 Fabian Nelson: Okay, you know. So you know, what I will say is. we have to have We have 2
00:34:11.770 --> 00:34:33.460 Fabian Nelson: much inequality in Mississippi. We have to have someone that's for equality for every single person. Because of what we have. Whenever you're attacking a marginal last community. You're gonna take this one community today. Once you get away with it, you're gonna start attacking another community. So it's just going to build and build and build.
00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:58.859 Fabian Nelson: and so that has to stop. You know, with me, I understand the struggles. I understand the issues thoroughly. I understand what we need to do to get past that. And it's great that we have allies. We love allies, but we need a person with lived experiences because a person with lived experience is going to fight more passionately than any single ally possibly can for us.
00:34:58.910 --> 00:35:18.350 Fabian Nelson: That's the only way that we're gonna change things. And like, I tell people is our community being attacked today, tomorrow is going to be another community that's being attacked. And I will tell you what a lot of the anti Lgbtq. I think there were 30, maybe 35, 36 bills on the on the table and initiatives.
00:35:18.840 --> 00:35:25.610 Fabian Nelson: But a lot of these things are used as distractions so that other harmful legislation can get passed.
00:35:26.100 --> 00:35:37.819 Fabian Nelson: You know, these are emotional things. They use these things to drop people in emotionally so that 1020 can get past get passed right by so that we can, so so that we can suppress the voters further.
00:35:37.910 --> 00:35:45.200 Fabian Nelson: so that you know we haven't. We have a border crisis right here in Jackson, Mississippi, so that things like that are not talked about
00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:53.440 Fabian Nelson: it. like I I had an event last night, and I I I I gave the quote that your freedom is my freedom.
00:35:53.850 --> 00:36:01.780 Fabian Nelson: and so it till everybody is free. I cannot be free until everybody is free. You cannot be free. We have to stop
00:36:02.090 --> 00:36:19.270 Fabian Nelson: discriminating and and making discriminatory legislation to any group of people. Every single person deserves equality, and that's why I fight so hard, because I'm looking at the state that we're leaving behind for our children, for our grandchildren.
00:36:19.330 --> 00:36:49.019 Fabian Nelson: We know where we are right now, but we don't know where our lineage is going to end up, and you putting this harmful legislation in place. You don't know what's going to happen with your grandchildren and great and children come along. So that's why I fight so passionately, you know, for our community, and not only the Lgbtq plus community, every single community, because there are other communities that are being impacted. there are so many other marshall as even with with with females, with women in quality and pay.
00:36:49.350 --> 00:36:53.359 Fabian Nelson: So you know, there's so many things that we have to get done.
00:36:53.790 --> 00:36:58.039 Dr. Jenkins: Thank you for for saying that, especially
00:36:58.110 --> 00:37:26.340 Dr. Jenkins: emphasizing how, if one group is marginalized or discriminated against that. Really, that's something that spreads. It's like wildfire. And I think that's really important for people to know is that when you're fighting for the rights of one group, it doesn't matter what that group is that that actually positively impacts all of us, that we need to recognize that discrimination, and
00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:51.469 Dr. Jenkins: towards anyone hurts all of us. So thank you for emphasizing that. Because you, when you were talking earlier, you talked about some legislation that hurts disabled people. So if you don't care about the rights of someone who is Lgbtqi A, you may not even understand, like why this legislation for someone who's disabled or a person
00:37:51.470 --> 00:37:57.470 of color hurts you. But again, when people start discriminating, you know they
00:37:57.890 --> 00:38:02.360 Dr. Jenkins: it. It it again spreads and it targets everyone
00:38:02.910 --> 00:38:21.869 Fabian Nelson: it does. It targets every single person, you know. You'll say, Okay, we're gonna take this group today and see if we get away with it, you know, just just like children. They're gonna do this. And if they get away with it, then tomorrow, okay, we're gonna elevate, elevate, elevate. We have to stop it every single place. There's not room in society for it. There's not any room.
00:38:21.870 --> 00:38:47.349 Dr. Jenkins: and we've we've really seen that with police brutality as well, that people didn't really pay a lot of attention. They they didn't pay a lot of attention before George Floyd, and you know, after that they paid a lot of attention to what was happening. But also we see that it does happen with other groups as well, and then that gets more attention, because
00:38:47.710 --> 00:39:03.789 Dr. Jenkins: if it can happen to one person, it can happen to you, and that's something that we really all need to take to heart, that it could be any of us that these, these things, these acts of racism and oppression. It can happen to any one of us.
00:39:04.350 --> 00:39:19.539 Fabian Nelson: You know we like, I said. We know where we are today. We know where we are right now, but we don't know what the future holds, and if we're not doing anything to make for a better future. It's just gonna it's not going to get better it's not going to improve
00:39:19.620 --> 00:39:39.949 Dr. Jenkins: and so for you in terms of running has this have you. Have you seen that people are more intolerant towards your candidacy? What type of experiences have you faced? Talk to me a little bit about that.
00:39:40.420 --> 00:39:51.769 Fabian Nelson: you know. Come, what I will say is in running for office and getting out there, meeting of people, understanding the people and the people's issues. People have been so receptive.
00:39:51.780 --> 00:40:12.920 Fabian Nelson: and the conversation it went from. We want you to win. We really want you to win now it's shifted to Fabian. You have to win. They say you are the voice that we need you out of representation that we need, because the thing about it is we have to stop
00:40:13.040 --> 00:40:29.559 Fabian Nelson: with all of the personal stuff getting into people's personal lives. Personal business, we have to see is this person in tune with the issues? Is this person connected with the community. What is this person going to do to move us forward? Because once again we talk about distractions.
00:40:29.560 --> 00:40:43.779 Fabian Nelson: people are so easily to get distracted. We have to get away from that and look at a person's heart, and that's what I've done. I've shown the community my heart, and the community has fallen in love with my heart. I fall in love with the community
00:40:43.780 --> 00:40:45.379 Fabian Nelson: like I say, I'm up to
00:40:45.720 --> 00:40:56.529 Fabian Nelson: 1210'clock in the morning, you know, talking to people in the district. Hey, baby, can you help us with this? Can you help us with that? And like, I tell people I didn't I I didn't. I started
00:40:56.660 --> 00:41:11.939 Fabian Nelson: in my position when I announced that I was running for office. I'm not starting January one. I can, if they change right now. And this what I'm going to be doing right now. is because day one, I have to go to the capital ready to serve. It's not going to be time for owner job training.
00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:37.909 Dr. Jenkins: Well, I I know what you say to be true about people falling in love with you, even though I don't know you and I am. I'm just meeting you for the first time, because when I was doing my research about you and reading about the comments I came across this quote by an older citizen of the community, and I believe they might have said that the woman was in her eighties. I I could be miscoding that part, but they were asking her.
00:41:37.910 --> 00:41:43.370 Dr. Jenkins: how did she feel about voting for An openly gay representative? And
00:41:43.480 --> 00:42:08.479 Dr. Jenkins: I I remember her response because it took me so when she said, No, no straight representative has come and helped me pick up trash or attend to my flower big garden, and I just thought, you know, that really spoke to who you are as a person, because what she's really saying is, it really is about the person's character and what they do, and all of these other things that we try to use as waste
00:42:08.480 --> 00:42:17.639 Dr. Jenkins: to disqualify people. It really is ridiculous, and it doesn't matter, because what matters is who you are and what you're doing, and your character.
00:42:17.870 --> 00:42:34.949 Dr. Jenkins: That's that's my friend, Miss Emma. Yes, okay, you're right, because I I of course you're right, because you know her. But I remember when you said I was like, Okay, what was her name? But yes, that quote was by Miss Emma. So we are coming up on on another break.
00:42:34.990 --> 00:42:50.640 Dr. Jenkins: and we'll we'll continue our conversation after the break on it. I mean joining so much, Fabian. And I'm going to say. I believe that you will win, not. You must win, you know we want to speak it into existence, that you will be the next representative.
00:42:50.680 --> 00:42:51.690 Fabian Nelson: Thank you
00:42:52.070 --> 00:42:59.159 Dr. Jenkins: again. This is Dr. Roselle Jenkins, your guest host, for dismantling racism will be back after the break.
00:45:10.640 --> 00:45:37.889 Dr. Jenkins: Okay, we are back. And I want to talk about some of the things that are going well, because when we talk about Mississippi I don't. I don't know if I said this to you, but I'm actually a native Mississippi, and so I I know a lot about Mississippi. And generally when people are talking about Mississippi, there's just a lot of negative things that people say they're they're the last in this last, and that
00:45:38.200 --> 00:45:49.629 Dr. Jenkins: when I went away to college, people would ask me just the oddest questions about Mississippi, they were actually surprised that it string together 2 sentences
00:45:49.860 --> 00:46:05.689 Dr. Jenkins: So there's still a quite a few stereotypes that are bound about Mississippi. But if people are thinking about some of the changes that have occurred in Mississippi, some things that would make them hopeful about
00:46:06.980 --> 00:46:09.280 Dr. Jenkins: progress.
00:46:09.350 --> 00:46:21.039 Dr. Jenkins: about dismantling racism and some of the systems. Are there things that you would point to, that. You've seen changes that you've seen. That would help people retain hope or be more hopeful.
00:46:22.160 --> 00:46:25.330 Fabian Nelson: Okay, that's a great question. Because
00:46:25.410 --> 00:46:48.879 Fabian Nelson: just like you say when you when I say you know, hey, I'm in Mississippi or from Mississippi, like, if I'm on vacation, they say, Oh, do you guys have traffic lights there? You still have dirt. So one thing I will say is, we have the most delicious food here in Mississippi, but as far as things that are changing in Mississippi. One thing I would like to talk about
00:46:48.880 --> 00:47:01.989 Fabian Nelson: and I know you heard about this, but in 2,021. After years and years of debate, we finally changed our State flag and remove the Confederate symbol. I always brag about it, and I
00:47:02.010 --> 00:47:31.290 Fabian Nelson: and I wear it proudly every single day. And to many people they may say, Oh, it's just a flag, and it's no significance in changing that. But no, there is so much significance in our flag being changed because of what the old flag represented, and when people from outside of Mississippi saw a Confederate emblem on our flag. That gave us a very, very bad name. And so that that's a positive thing that has happened in Mississippi.
00:47:31.450 --> 00:47:43.560 Fabian Nelson: one thing I can say is, I do see the tide shifting in Mississippi. We have great colleges here in Mississippi, and we're working hard to retain some of our talent here in Mississippi.
00:47:43.990 --> 00:47:55.509 Fabian Nelson: Another great thing about Mississippi, with all of the bad stuff. It is a great place to raise a family. We have great people here in Mississippi. I'm a father of 4,
00:47:55.580 --> 00:48:04.430 Fabian Nelson: and it's so community oriented. I'm living here and raising my children. I couldn't imagine a better place to raise much of what you're in, you know, than Mississippi.
00:48:04.570 --> 00:48:32.009 Fabian Nelson: Even though we got some. We have a lot of work to do with education and economic development and all of those things. It's a work in progress. So I don't want people to always hear Mississippi and think, Oh, it's a terrible place, because it really is not. Is the press that Mississippi gets? You know. What they say is bad news travels faster than good news. They take the bad things and amplify and blow it out of the water. And what I will tell you is
00:48:32.160 --> 00:48:40.390 Fabian Nelson: prior to this past, I would say 10 years. People were num to the fact that racism still existed in America.
00:48:40.700 --> 00:48:47.080 Fabian Nelson: Well, what people see is that racism is alive, and it's very, you know, it's alive and well.
00:48:47.130 --> 00:49:05.340 Fabian Nelson: And so people say that it's not only in the Southern States. There's other places as well that are, you know, struggling with racism, but it gets amplified in our Southern States and make it seem like things are so bad here, but they're not any worse than they are anywhere else. And as long as we have systemic racism everywhere
00:49:05.640 --> 00:49:09.080 Fabian Nelson: all across the country. It's not going to get any better.
00:49:09.880 --> 00:49:34.279 Dr. Jenkins: And I think people need to understand what it is. Some of the things that we talked about today, especially in terms of people's rights being taken away. You talked about Pete, about the ballot initiative as well as the law that was passed in Jackson recently, where people can no longer elect some of their officials. People need to understand that those are
00:49:34.280 --> 00:49:44.969 Dr. Jenkins: racist oppressive acts because they limit people's right to choose for themselves. And it actually gives a small group of people
00:49:44.970 --> 00:50:08.070 Dr. Jenkins: the right to make decisions for the vast majority of people in it, not people that you are entrusting to make those decisions, the people that you elected, but the people that you did not to the people that you don't think have your best interest at heart. So people really need to understand what oppression and what racism looks like, and why it's important to exercise your right to vote.
00:50:08.390 --> 00:50:37.849 Dr. Jenkins: But talking about some of the changes in Mississippi, some of the positive changes you mentioned education, and you said, you know we still have a ways to go. I actually read an article was good news about Mississippi, which you don't hear that frequently about how the educational system has actually improved. The Mississippi is no longer at the bottom of the list in terms of education, and that is something that the State has done a good job with is turning things around in regards to education.
00:50:38.200 --> 00:51:05.509 Fabian Nelson: Yeah. And I, I do want to touch on that a little on education a little bit. If we have time. All right. So let me tell you something else that happened. critical race theory has been a hot topic here in Mississippi. there is, there was a law that was fast. I don't. I'm sorry I can't quote the the, the that the number of it. But ultimately it was trying to restrict critical race theory. which it did. But
00:51:05.760 --> 00:51:16.550 Fabian Nelson: we're under the first. It limits things that can be tall. So people are under the presumption. So teachers are afraid to teach, because they say I don't want to take their chance to lose my job, and so on. So so and so
00:51:16.670 --> 00:51:43.179 Fabian Nelson: well, what happened in Mississippi is, we had an African-american guy that was chosen to be our renewed Superintendent of Education. Here last year. Now he was appointed by a committee that was selected by our Republican party, so when it, when it came time to confirm him, they did not confirm his at this to the Senate, did not confirm him as our superintendent of education, because they say he was too woke.
00:51:43.450 --> 00:51:47.009 Fabian Nelson: They were afraid that he was going to push critical race theory.
00:51:47.030 --> 00:52:07.550 Fabian Nelson: And so this is got. I was highly qualified to keep moving us in the right direction. But look at what? Look at what happened, and so the good. It's a good news you're referring to, I think. our reading scores increase in Mississippi. And so we're not the last. So yeah, there are good things that we don't really hear much about
00:52:07.790 --> 00:52:32.670 Dr. Jenkins: well, thank you for sharing that because I do think that everyone needs to understand not just the people that are doing the work of dismantling racism, because those people probably do understand the importance of teaching things like like critical race theory, or even social, emotional learning. They understand that these are just
00:52:32.670 --> 00:52:39.030 things that help make you a good citizen in the world, so that you can engage with the information that
00:52:39.030 --> 00:52:41.179 Dr. Jenkins: that is presented before you, because
00:52:41.180 --> 00:53:06.859 Dr. Jenkins: a part of the problem is that people here terms like woke, and they hear terms like CRT, and they're just sound by. So they don't really know what they mean. And so everyone really needs education about that, because you can just take a few snippets. And if you're not a person who is reading, we're thinking critically, you can think that those terms mean something that they don't mean. And
00:53:06.960 --> 00:53:16.230 Fabian Nelson: and, like the former, the former director of our of our African American Museum here, and Mrs. Family, Jr.
00:53:16.340 --> 00:53:34.850 Fabian Nelson: The extra about critical race theory and the zoom. You said there's no such thing as critical race theory. It's black history, it's our history. And so that's what it is. It's our history. And like, I said earlier, in order to keep from repeating history, we have to teach it. We have to learn about it and we have to respect that
00:53:34.930 --> 00:54:01.150 Dr. Jenkins: that is all very important that we that we do those things. And again, that that information is gotten out to everyone so that people really understand what they're being presented, and to make informed choices and decisions and not let someone else tell you. Oh, this thing is negative, but this thing is impacting you in a way that it that it really isn't a. And you talked about distractors.
00:54:01.150 --> 00:54:07.950 Dr. Jenkins: That's a distraction. That's a distraction from the issues that really impact people every day, whether you're
00:54:07.950 --> 00:54:29.210 Dr. Jenkins: black, white? whether you're Christian Muslim, gay or not. There are real issues that are impacting people, and people get distracted with these little terms like woke in all of that. When how is that really impacting your life on a day to day basis?
00:54:29.760 --> 00:54:45.809 Dr. Jenkins: So we have about 2 min left, and I want to give you the opportunity to say anything that that you want to say. If there is a message that you want to leave with the people. I want to give you the opportunity to do that now.
00:54:46.110 --> 00:54:53.829 Fabian Nelson: All right, thank you. Well, once again, I just want to thank you guys for allowing me to come on the show today, like I said.
00:54:54.270 --> 00:55:02.220 Fabian Nelson: the conversation that we had. It's a tough one, but it's a necessary one. These are things that we have to talk about.
00:55:02.220 --> 00:55:25.949 Fabian Nelson: And when I decided to run for office, I said, I'm going to be transparent. I'm going to be open with people. I am not going to shy away from issues. I'm not coming here to be politically correct. It's about giving people the information that they need. It's about having a uncomfortable conversations, because in order to grow, you have to be made uncomfortable. That's the only way.
00:55:25.970 --> 00:55:54.469 Fabian Nelson: And we commonly get comfortable. And we so we're just gonna push it off, and it's gonna get better. But that's not the that's not the case. So I'm so happy to be able to offer myself for public service. I'm happy to be out here fighting for my people, fighting for my community. And I It's just. It's just an honor and a blessing to be a part of the community, and to get the love, you know, riding down the road and people blowing, hey, baby! And I'm bo for you. And so it's just great, really getting our community back involved. And I'm going to end on that note.
00:55:54.580 --> 00:56:15.999 Dr. Jenkins: Well, thank you so much. Thank you for joining us, and I wish you continued success, as you continue your candidacy and look, look forward to you, being the next representative and District 66, and I want everyone to stay tuned for the conscious consultant hour with Sam Lee. But with this coming up
00:56:16.040 --> 00:56:30.120 Dr. Jenkins: as he awakens humanity by walking through life with the greatest ease, enjoy want to encourage everyone to be well, be safe, and be encouraged until next time. I've been your guest host, Doctor
00:56:30.210 --> 00:56:37.580 Dr. Jenkins: Brazil Jenkins and Dr. Tlc. Will be back with you next week. Thank you again, Fabian.
00:56:37.800 --> 00:56:41.860 Fabian Nelson: Thank you so much. Bye.
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