Political Gingervitis was formulated in early autumn 2016 as an effort to make people laugh, think, and perhaps even dream about how another world is possible.
However, given the results of the recent election it is clear this is not just an opportunity for a bit of fun but absolutely required in the face of a Trump presidency. Why do we say this?
The answer is quite important. Mark Juddery writes:
In the post-World War II era, the Klan experienced a huge resurgence. Its membership was skyrocketing, and its political influence was increasing, so [a young writer and activist named Stetson] Kennedy went undercover to infiltrate the group. By regularly attending meetings, he became privy to the organization's secrets.
But when he took the information to local authorities, they had little interest in using it. The Klan had become so powerful and intimidating that police were hesitant to build a case against them. Struggling to make use of his findings, Kennedy approached the writers of the Superman radio serial. It was perfect timing. With the war over and the Nazis no longer a threat, the producers were looking for a new villain for Superman to fight. The KKK was a great fit for the role. In a 16-episode series titled "Clan of the Fiery Cross," the writers pitted the Man of Steel against the men in white hoods.
As the story line progressed, the shows exposed many of the KKK's most guarded secrets. By revealing everything from code words to rituals, the program completely stripped the Klan of its mystique. Within two weeks of the broadcast, KKK recruitment was down to zero. And by 1948, people were showing up to Klan rallies just to mock them.
And so in the face of a Trump presidency, we are going to need all the laughs we can get. Tune in to get a few belly laughs and we will try to get you through a wild time.
Episodes!
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 27-Bella Robinson and Dr. Todd Steven Burroughs December 20, 2018
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 26-Danny Haiphong October 18, 2018
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 25-Norman Spinrad and The Iron Dream October 16, 2018
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 24-Rob Duguay and Gerald Horne August 6, 2018
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 23-Anne Garland Mahler on From the Tricontinental to the Global South May 8, 2018
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 22-David Roediger and John Holmwood March 28, 2018
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 21-Tony Monteiro and Glen Ford on Trump and The Resistance February 5, 2018
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 20-Mike Araujo, Vijay Prashad, and Noel Ignatiev January 29, 2018
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 19-Margaret Kimberley and Dr. Tony Monteiro January 9, 2018
- Political Gingervitis: Episode 18-The Russian Revolution at 100 November 14, 2017