Is Black History Month still needed, or are we just treading water in a sea of sanitized history? Buckle up — Ayana breaks down the sneaky ways America is rewriting its story, erasing Black contributions, and turning the past into a sanitized fairy tale. Spoiler: It’s not over, and ignoring the ugly truths keeps us stuck in the same cycle of erasure and incomplete narratives.

From executive orders trying to “restore truth” (lol) to museums that prefer a “positive-only” version of history, Ayana exposes how official efforts are systematically pushing Black history out of sight — and why that’s a slap in the face to real progress. You’ll discover how curriculums thin Black achievements into “firsts,” overlook resistance and ingenuity, and frame history as a series of “mistakes” rather than the complex, revolutionary stories they are.

We break down how the race to “sanitize” history fuels societal divides, weakens civil rights protections, and leaves new generations with a version of America so polished, it’s almost shiny enough to blind you. This episode isn’t just about Black History Month — it’s about the importance of truth in shaping a better future.

And yes, Ayana gets real — no sugar, no fluff, just the facts, figures, and the unapologetic truth. Because until we all know where we came from, we’re still wandering in the fog.

Read:

1. "African-Americans and Africa: A New History" by Nemata Amelia Blyden
2. "Mis-education of The Negro" by Carter G. Woodson
3. https://peoplenotproperty.hudsonvalley.org/the-presidents-house-site.php
4. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/restoring-truth-and-sanity-to-american-history/
5. https://travelnoire.com/black-history-2026-celebrations
6. https://www.city-journal.org/article/presidents-house-site-independence-national-historical-park-george-washington
7. https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/funding-cuts-erasing-black-history-blackout-report
8. https://time.com/6217162/teaching-white-supremacy-american-history/

In the Season 5 premiere, Ayana discusses "ICE," the Minnesota protests, and systemic injustices faced by immigrant communities. She emphasizes the importance of resistance against oppressive systems, the moral and legal complexities surrounding it, and the historical context of civil rights movements. The conversation highlights the necessity of collective action and the need for justice that protects dignity and humanity.

In this episode, Ayana reflects on the theme of courage throughout 2025, a nearly quiet revolution. Ayana emphasizes that true courage involves facing truths and embracing imagination. She shares personal stories of how courage became more than just a word, evolving into a rhythm and a way of being. Ayana highlights that courage is not a solitary act but a relational and collective practice, urging listeners to find courage in truth and imagination as they move forward.

Onward into 2026! Happy New Year!

"Roar" original artwork by Jarrett Terrill

In this episode, Ayana explores the cyclical nature of American politics, highlighting how history often repeats itself through recurring themes of conflict, reform, backlash, and renewal. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing these patterns to transform them into spirals of progress, urging listeners to learn from the past to foster a more just and stable future.

The recent government shutdown may have ended, but theturmoil surrounding it has left many questions unanswered, particularly regarding affordable healthcare in the United States. This issue isn't new, nor is it likely to be resolved anytime soon. The shutdown highlights deep-rooted problems in how political parties prioritize—or fail to prioritize—the healthcare and other needs of the public.

🎥 Follow Our Vote Counts on TikTok for powerful voter education tips and real talk with candidates running for office across the country. From ballot breakdowns to behind-the-scenes interviews, we’re making civic engagement accessible, informative, and unapologetically bold.

In this episode of 'Ayana Explains It All,' host Ayana Fakhir delves into the concept of caste in the United States, drawing from Isabel Wilkerson's book 'Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.' Ayana discusses how caste, unlike race and gender, forms a hidden hierarchy that influences American society, politics, economics, and public policies. She examines the implications of caste on education, healthcare, criminal justice, and political ideologies, while also addressing the urgent need to acknowledge and dismantle this pervasive system. Tune in to explore the deep-seated inequalities shaped by this enduring social order.

Who ordered the 'housing discrimination disguised as an American dream' with a side of Freedom Fries?

Rejected names for Trump's new air plane.

Works used:

1. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/07/trump-cancer-alley-plant-biden-lawsuit
2. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/24/trump-sewage-pollution-settlement-alabama
3. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/a-trump-presidency-could-prevent-accountability-for-jackson-water-system-oversight-former-epa-leader-warns/
4. https://www.mississippifreepress.org/as-funds-for-jacksons-water-system-dry-up-henifin-proposes-rate-increase-and-asks-congress-for-help/
5. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jul/24/trump-effort-rescind-endangerment-finding-climate-crisis
6. https://www.wwno.org/coastal-desk/2025-04-24/there-is-no-protection-trump-offers-chemical-plants-exemptions-from-pollution-rules-alarming-cancer-alley-advocates
7. https://tennesseelookout.com/2025/07/07/a-billionaire-an-ai-supercomputer-toxic-emissions-and-a-memphis-community-that-did-nothing-wrong/
8. TikTok: @moreperfectunion