Join Turg and Randy Z as they interrupt their regularly scheduled programming to bring you a dose of reality and start this episode off in a somber fashion…
<Begin opening monologue>
So, we all know what’s been going on lately. It’s been a period of immense turmoil across the Nation – across the world, for that matter. But, here at home especially it’s been dire. Things have changed, attitudes have changed, people have changed – or maybe people are just more willing to show their true colors. There is a huge dark cloud that looms over this nation and with it comes a responsibility of people like us people that actually give a fuck – but may not always show it – to speak up and have our voice heard because without that chaos will reign and there will be no end in sight. And then who knows what will happen. We have to protect her children, our family, loved ones.We have to keep them safe from what’s out there from what’s out there: the ignorance, the violence, the bloodshed and the hatred.
You know, in California we don’t really see a whole lot of that and maybe that’s our privilege.
And maybe that’s where taxes are so damn high. But, all joking aside we have to reflect because it’s just a matter of time before this comes knocking on our door step. Not to say it hasn’t already. We’ve had bloodshed in Anaheim. We’ve had recent turmoil in San Francisco. As we record [tomorrow] in Berkeley, which we know is not going to end well.
It’s something that we need to get smart about. It’s something that we need to unite – a purpose. Being here is a here is a privilege, amongst other things, and it’s something that we often take for granted. And that’s being challenged right now. W can’t let it get to the point where it forces us either down or out. So, it’s up to us – as ‘under-represented minorities’ part of a larger majority that seems to overlook us every day – to make sure that we are present because the moment we step away from that mindset is the moment our entire livelihood will be challenged.
So, what will you do? Will you rise to the occasion? Or will you just stand there idly by watching your nation, your community, everything that you believe in – be ripped out right from underneath you? What will you do?
Growing up, what was life like?
Turg and Randy discuss growing up in America, perceptions of their youth, the ever-changing definitions they faced, and a world that outgrew the standards it once created. Turg describes his struggles to identify differences between people – friend or foe – in his life. Coming of age helps us gain better insights. As kids, we don’t have this opportunity, so we end up trying to figure it out on own own. Confused. Cultural identity gets lost as time rolls on and Americana is developed as assimilation occurs. Randy discusses how he distances himself from the Mexican-American community in his youth. Many cultural boundaries tend to keep us away from our own culture because of this “Melting Pot” effect – or Americana.
Are you American or hyphenated-American?
What is your true identity? What is our heritage? Randy talks about how his grandmother. Aren’t we all fucking American? Turg argues that we can’t move forward until we remove the boundaries that divide us as a country, including Race. Are racial constructs deliberately fabricated in order to divide and conquer? By 2026 or so, Randy mentions that the US will be represented by the minority majority rather than what we have now. How will things change?
Classification is our identification
The guys continue to discuss the present state of affairs and how things have change – maybe for the worse. Is our nation falling apart? How are these people still around? Are we mis-classifying them and exhausting our very own resources that help perpetuate the hatred in our world. Our freedoms are inalienable,. Our rights are universal. Randy thinks that tensions might be getting purposefully exaggerated in order to fuel tensions. As is the case for any extremest views, they tend to make us look weak, confused, and afraid. Where are the leaders? Why don’t they help change this and stabilize our nation.
Where do we go from here?
Randy shares his frustration at the boundaries and artificial constructs that serve to divide rather than unite. What is next for our society? Turg and Randy discuss the future of our Union and the people within it. Can things progress past this point? Can we make amends with the past and move on to a brighter future? A leader that doesn’t say anything when his country is demonstrating a time of need is simply terrifying. Let’s hope, for our children’s’ sake – that we can move onto a brighter future.
Let our perceptions change. Let our views shift and morph into a brand new vision. We are two people that have the opportunity to speak and represent a voice of a generation, of a demographic, of a particular experience that isn’t often heard from. Randy expresses his perspective into why this episode was so important to do for both Turg and himself. Remember you are not alone. It’s abut connecting. About building. It’s about focusing on our progress and moving away from the direction in which we are headed.
We will continue with our regular schedule programming next week. Stay Tuned.
Intro Music
Saturday Jam by Clifton “Notes” Ellens, Captain Noah, and Jonathan “Sankeyz” Sanchez
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