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The Al Franken Podcast

Heather McGhee and Adam Serwer on the Power of Protest

The Al Franken Podcast

The Al Franken Podcast

News, Government, Comedy, Politics

4.68.1K Ratings

🗓️ 12 April 2026

⏱️ 53 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

 Guest Host Heather McGhee, author of the groundbreaking book “The Sum of Us” and expert in economic and social policy, is joined by The Atlantic's Adam Serwer! They discuss a number of issues facing the country, including the continued unrest in Minnesota and the No Kings protests happening nationwide. From the steps of the Supreme Court to the streets of Minneapolis, McGhee and Serwer explore how the struggle for Black freedom has historically paved the way for immigrant rights and why that "inheritance" is currently under its most aggressive attack in generations.

Heather and Adam also examine the recent SCOTUS arguments on birthright citizenship and how this could create a whole new class of undocumented immigrants in this country, particularly Chinese immigrants. 

They also examine Adam's recent writing following the death of Rev. Jesse Jackson  about what Rev. Jackson’s message meant to the movement. They dissect his 1980's vision of cross-racial, cross-class solidarity and explain why his "Patchwork Quilt" philosophy is more relevant today than ever.

LEARN more about Heather McGhee: https://heathermcghee.com/

READ Adam Serwer's writing in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/adam-serwer/

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Transcript

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1:52.6

Hey everybody, we got a great one today, you know, for a change, because this one is guest hosted by my friend and friend of the show, Heather McGee.

1:57.1

You see, I'm taking a little break from the podcast.

1:59.9

I've been doing this show for seven years,

2:02.4

and I deserve it, and also nothing is really happening. Well, Heather can tell you more about that.

2:11.5

Now, you might remember Heather from her previous appearances on the show, but in case you

2:16.6

forgot, I'll tell you why Heather is so great.

2:21.4

Heather is the best selling author of one of my favorite books, The Sum of Us,

2:26.5

What Racism Costs Everyone, and How We Can Prosper Together.

...

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