Dear Culture

What’s In It For The Culture: Dr. Christina Greer

Episode 82
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Ya’ll, if it’s not one thing it’s another! This week on the Dear Culture podcast, we’re calling in for backup!

Our host and theGrio Managing Editor Gerren Keith Gaynor is joined by theGrio Politics Contributor and Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University Dr. Christina Greer to help us make sense of all the big stories making headlines, and what they mean for us.  

While there’s no shortage of major stories to pay attention to right now, all eyes are on Texas as disturbing images of the deportation of Haitian migrants emerge. The White House called photos of what appears to be a United States Border Patrol agent whipping a Haitian migrant “horrific.” 

US Border Patrol on horse with Haitian migrants, theGrio.com
U.S. Customs and Border Protection mounted officers attempt to contain migrants as they cross the Rio Grande from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Greer, who is the author of “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration and the Pursuit of the American Dream,” outlined the stark contrast in the treatment of migrants coming from western Europe and Canada versus the Haitian migrants hoping to seek asylum from natural disaster and political unrest.

She also said that this is the time for Vice President Kamala Harris to make good on campaign promises she made to Black Americans.

“There’s just no humanity at the border right now and I think a lot of people are waiting to hear from not just Joe Biden, but Kamala Harris because this is where descriptive representation does matter,” said Greer. “You came to the Black community and you asked us for your vote and you said, with a wink and a smile, that you would be eyes and ears in that administration to make sure Black people had a voice and seat at the table.” 

U.S. Border Patrol agents interact with Haitian immigrants, thegrio.com
U.S. Border Patrol agents interact with Haitian immigrants on the bank of the Rio Grande in Del Rio, Texas on September 20, 2021 as seen from Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Greer also said that Harris needs to see Haitian migrants as deserving while acknowledging that the full weight of that responsibility belongs not only to the Biden administration, but to America itself. 

Tune into the Dear Culture podcast to hear the entire enlightening conversation, including what Dr. Greer has to say about how the Texas abortion ban could have major consequences for the rest of the country. 

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