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Shadow Politics with US Senator Michael D BrownDiscussing the challenges of the 21st century and DC Statehood Author: BBS Radio, BBS Network Inc.
Shadow Politics is a grass roots talk show giving a voice to the voiceless. For more than 200 years the people of the Nation's Capital have ironically been excluded from the national political conversation. With no voting member of either house of Congress, Washingtonians have lacked the representation they need to be equal and to have their voices heard. Shadow Politics will provide a platform for them, as well as the millions of others nationwide who feel politically disenfranchised and disconnected, to be included in a national dialog. We need to start a new conversation in America, one that is more inclusive and diverse and one that will lead our great nation forward to meet the challenges of the 21st century. At Shadow Politics, we hope to get this conversation started by bringing Americans together to talk about issues important to them. We look forward to having you be part of the discussion so call in and join the conversation. America is calling and we're listening Shadow Politics is about America hearing what you have to say. It's your chance to talk to an elected official who has spent more than 30 years in Washington politics. We believe that if we start a dialog and others add their voices we will create a chorus. Even if those other politicians in Washington don't hear you Senator Brown will. He's on a mission to listen to what America has to say and use it to start a productive dialog to make our democracy stronger and more inclusive. If we are all part of the solution we can solve any problem. Language: en-us Genres: History, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Shadow Politics, March 30, 2026
Monday, 30 March, 2026
Shadow Politics with Senator Michael D. Brown and Co-host Liberty Jones Guest, Jonetta Rose Barras, The DC Sovereignty Crisis, Power, Organizing, and the Future of D.C. In this episode of Shadow Politics, host Michael D. Brown and guest Jonetta Rose Barras discuss the critical need for strategic mobilization in the District of Columbia. They explore the limitations of current D.C. leadership, the tactical errors in seeking statehood, and the necessity of building a "citizen army" to demand political autonomy. The Illusion of Generational Change While the upcoming June primary is often framed as a generational shift due to the retirement of long-standing figures like Eleanor Holmes Norton and Anita Bonds, Barras remains skeptical of radical transformation. She argues that current candidates often cling to decade-old policy visions, suggesting that any upcoming changes may be merely stylistic or incremental rather than substantive. The conversation highlights a lack of strategic sophistication within the Wilson Building, where leaders often fail to connect local policy to broader political organizing. Mobilizing the "Citizen Army" A recurring theme is the failure of the D.C. government to effectively organize its 700,000 residents. Barras notes that while historical movements like the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) maintained constant organization, D.C. lacks a consistent "army" to stand up to congressional interference. Brown expresses frustration that small protests of 300 people are often mislabeled as "movements," arguing that true power requires a significant percentage of the population to consistently engage and demand their rights. Incrementalism and Home Rule Barras suggests that the path to statehood may require a more incremental approach, focusing first on strengthening the Home Rule Charter. By enlarging the legislature and adopting state-like terminology—such as referring to the Mayor as a "Governor"—the District could begin to behave like the state it aspires to be. This strategy aims to shift the focus from a purely symbolic fight for statehood to a practical expansion of local destiny and control. National Threats and Bipartisan Realities The discussion turns to the "insanity" of D.C.'s current political strategy, which often involves "preaching to the choir" of Democrats while ignoring Republicans who hold the key to legislative change. With 13 bills currently in the House threatening D.C. sovereignty—including proposals for the President to appoint the local Attorney General—the need for proactive, bipartisan lobbying is urgent. Barras critiques the reliance on government funding for advocacy, pointing to the Civil Rights movement and modern crowdfunding as better models for sustainable political change. The dialogue concludes with a sobering reminder from Frederick Douglass: "Power concedes nothing without a demand." For D.C. to achieve its goals of statehood or expanded autonomy, it must move beyond symbolic gestures and develop a sophisticated, privately-funded, and highly mobilized grassroots strategy that engages both sides of the political aisle.
