Why do we hate black cats? Kaiya and Elbi dive into the history of prejudice against our favorite little felines.

Patreon: patreon.com/checkurdmspod

Instagram: instagram.com/checkurdmspod

Twitter: twitter.com/checkurdmspod

References:

• Colossal Cranium. (2018, Oct 16). Are Black Cats REALLY Bad Luck? | COLOSSAL QUESTIONS [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/DmNR_rX1cvY?si=VSh0o1EK2kaHdSWU
• The Curious Cat. (2024, Sept 11). 9 SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT BLACK CATS! 🐈‍⬛🔥 (I Bet You Don’t Know Them All!) [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/vqd0MVJ1d9Q?si=-Yrhgag-Ijph5KwE
• “Dark Deeds.” Nevada Journal, Volume 4, Number 49, 6 April 1855. Courtesy of the California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside, https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NJNC18550406.2.1
• “Superstitions About Cats.” Newcastle News, Volume XXVI, Number 43, 2 September 1908. Courtesy of the California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside, https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=NN19080902.2.1
• “Good Night Stories.” San Francisco Call, Volume 105, Number 91, 19 April 1919. Courtesy of the California Digital Newspaper Collection, Center for Bibliographic Studies and Research, University of California, Riverside, https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19190419
• LexiD523. (2025, Oct 11). “Black Cat Cafe, San Francisco (date unknown, pre-1963 closure).” r/VintageMenus. https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageMenus/comments/1o3y5k0/black_cat_cafe_san_francisco_date_unknown_pre1963/#lightbox
• (2023, Aug 24). “Pioneering LGBTQ Activist José Julio Sarria Inducted Into the California Hall of Fame.” San Francisco Bay Times. https://sfbaytimes.com/pioneering-lgbtq-activist-jose-julio-sarria-inducted-into-the-california-hall-of-fame/

Kaiya and Elbi discuss Imani Barbarin’s incisive call to “stop memeing politics,” and Kaiya REALLY goes in on a ~certain state sanctioned poem~ they were asked to review…six years ago.

Patreon: patreon.com/checkurdmspod
Instagram: instagram.com/checkurdmspod
Twitter: twitter.com/checkurdmspod

References:
Performative male collage image by Liz Coulbourn for Them: https://www.them.us/performative-male-trend-heteropessimism
Imani Barbarin video: https://x.com/Imani_Barbarin/status/1936620850167587229
Kaminsky Interview with CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/02/world/ukraine-ilya-kaminsky-poem-we-lived-happily-cec
Kent State “Armed With Our Voices” Exhibit: https://armedwithourvoices.org/
Entry into the Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/poet-laureate/poet-laureate-projects/poetry-180/all-poems/item/poetry-180-136/we-lived-happily-during-the-war/
George Abraham, “On the Eve of Yet Another Nabka, A Dream”: https://scalawagmagazine.org/2024/09/on-the-eve-of-yet-another-nakba-a-dream/
George Abraham, Birthright: https://buttonpoetry.com/product/birthright/
George Abraham and Noor Hindi, eds., Heaven Looks Like Us (ALL PROCEEDS THROUGH THIS LINK GO TO THE SAMEER PROJECT IN GAZA): https://open-books-a-poem-emporium.myshopify.com/collections/workshops-4-gaza-bookstore/products/05-13-25-abraham-george-noor-hindi-eds-heaven-looks-like-us-palestinian-poetry-copy

It’s not clocking to you…

June 2025 saw a swell of grassroots uprisings against ICE kidnappings and deportations, emerging out of LA and spreading across the country. At the same time, corporate powers have sought to co-opt and re-frame this spontaneous rebellion. Elbi catches Kaiya up on their dm's, reflecting on recent reactionary responses, neo-liberal/moderate carelessness, and the indistinct political policies of Democrats and Republicans. Featuring special appearances by Justin Bieber and Kamala Harris. Plus, Kaiya shows a reluctant Elbi a video which is "important to their community."

Patreon: patreon.com/checkurdmspod
Instagram: instagram.com/checkurdmspod
Twitter: twitter.com/checkurdmspod

References:
-"Access Intimacy: The Missing Link," Mia Mingus: https://leavingevidence.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/access-intimacy-the-missing-link/
-"Letter from a Birmingham Jail," Martin Luther King, Jr.: https://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
-Samara Bradley's profile:
https://www.instagram.com/samaraphonicutm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==