Reid My Mind

“What do you control, for sure, huh? The volume in your stereo? The air conditioning in your car? WHAT ELSE? WHAT ELSE?”
–Dramatic, pounding, rising intensity ambient music.
“Fine, another chance, you were nervous too much pressure, try again!”
– Anthony Hopkins, “Instinct”

TR:

Your vote. Access to healthcare. Clean air, education.

Alright, at least women control what they do with their bodies right?

Based on the constant attacks from a segment of the government, think tanks and other organizations, it appears as if their purpose is to control other people. This can make you feel as if you have no say. In fact, that’s the point. To make you feel as if you have no control, no power.

My name is Thomas Reid, I’m the host and producer of this here podcast called Reid My Mind Radio.
Now some of y’all continue to forget the radio.

I talked about that before. Apparently, it’s something out of my control, but I can remind you every now and then. You can say it’s my way of resisting.
I’m not just going to stand by while other people dictate the name of my podcast. We all have choices we can make. Even when it seems like there’s nothing we can do.

If you relate to what I’m saying, stay tuned. Otherwise, stay tuned… the choice is yours!

— Reid My Mind Radio Intro

TR:

I’m starting the conversation with this audio from November 2024, but let’s be clear,
The problem we’re experiencing today started way before that.

Today’s problem is and has always been America’s problem. It began with the arrival of the first European settlers setting foot on the shores of what is now known as the United States.
That was the beginning of;
The land theft, the genocide of the indigenous people who were already here for thousands of years.
The creation and implementation of chattel slavery, requiring the kidnapping of African people.
The government sanctioned Jim Crow laws, lynchings, systemic oppression of poor people here and abroad.

And we cannot forget the confederates,
you know the anti-US side of the Civil War, the homegrown terrorists,
how they were allowed to move forward with their agenda.
It’s as if a serious crime against the country were committed only to have them pardoned and rewarded for their criminal actions.

— News clip about Jan 6 er’s being pardoned.
— Glass breaking! “DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!” Florida Evans, “Good Times”

TR:
What we’re experiencing today is not new.

MAGA ain’t new.
I’m talking about this idea of making America great again.
This fascination of turning the clock back to a time when
rich white men could make all the rules and
control the society for their benefit.
That’s not a definition of great that I can get behind.

We can’t control the past. We can’t control the actions of other people.
However, we can study and learn from the past and let that factor in how we move forward in the present.
All with the goal of making a better future for humanity.

That’s a choice.
We do have choices.

We can take the individual approach, that’s the “I got mine, you better go get yours” attitude and move on.

We can bury our heads in the sand, give in to all of the available distractions;
Binging your favorite streaming company
Watching grown men and women throw, catch, kick and run around a field or court with balls.
Tapping and swiping through endless, mindless videos about nothing on your favorite social media app.

I’m not saying don’t participate in these things… just ask yourself if you’re using these things as a permanent escape from reality.

We have choices.
Hopefully, not these.

Music: A menacing synth drone leads to a Hip Hop trap beat.

TR: In 2024, I voted the right way. I recognized what was to come. Not because I’m some sort of a Nostra Thomas! I just believed them. I believed their Project 2025. I believe them because I have some understanding of what was done before and was conscious enough to be aware of the writing on the wall. Afterall, that writing was in big bold lettering. Even a Blind man could see it.

(Is that an ableist metaphor coming from me? Yes!)
Cool!

I voted the right way because the hatred was really easy to identify. I’m always going to vote against that. Yet, I’m not proud of my response to the result of that election. Unknowingly, I made a choice.

The choice was indecision, which means I didn’t do anything because I didn’t know what to do. At least that’s what I thought I was doing.

I often tend to think about action as some form of boots on the ground. Protests and marches, confronting public or private officials in their place of business or at town hall meetings.
— Sound from a town hall interrupted with community chants, “No Justice No Peace”.

But there are many different ways to contribute. Things that are within our control.

Educating yourself is one that is often forgotten or ignored. It’s not easy. It requires time. Something we all have. I know I need to be more intentional about what I do with my time.

The episodes in this season are all about reminding us that we have a choice in how we respond to whatever we face in our lives.

“I guess it comes down to a simple choice really. Get busy living or get busy dying.” Andy Dufresne, “Shawshank Redemption”

TR:
We’ll hear how one person found their way to be a part of the resistance in Minneapolis during the ICE surge earlier this year.

We’re also talking about voting, disinformation, and how can we take on leadership positions ourselves.

— Crowd chants: “Power to the People!”

We have a place in the fight.
We have power.
All power to the People!

— Power to the people fades out

If this sounds like something that you need or want in your life right now, make sure you rock with Reid My Mind Radio by subscribing or following wherever you get podcasts.

You can always choose not to listen. You can read the transcript instead. Or do both at the same time.

— Scooby Doo laugh.

You can find the transcripts and more at ReidMyMind.com

Now, this is where you don’t have a choice, you gotta spell it right, that’s R to the E I D!
— “D! And that’s me in the place to be.” Slick Rick

TR:
Like my last name!
— Reid My Mind Radio outro
Peace!

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