The State of Black History and Journalism in 2026
The Preamble
Sharon McMahon
4.9 • 15.3K Ratings
🗓️ 16 February 2026
⏱️ 46 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Simply teaching the facts in and out of the classroom has become an act of courage, and sometimes, real risk. Former history teacher Ernest Crim joins Sharon McMahon to talk about why Black history, civics, and knowing your rights are crucial to navigating power abuses, injustice, and democracy. He tells us why he keeps speaking up even when the system falls short. Plus, is reporting the facts partisan? Sharon speaks with Katie Couric about the changes in journalism over the last few years, and how polarization, paywalls, and fear of retaliation are reshaping news coverage.
And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope.
Credits:
Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon
Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks
Audio Producer: Craig Thompson
(00:00:00) How to Teach Black History in Today’s Climate
(00:20:39) Pam Bondi Congressional Hearing and Journalism in the Trump Era
(00:32:54) Political Polarization and What Comes Next
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Welcome to the Preamble Podcast. This week, I have a special conversation for you that I think |
| 0:08.1 | you'll love. I recently spoke with Ernest Crimm, who is an educator, producer, and author. His book, |
| 0:13.8 | How Black History Can Save Your Life, is Must Read. We discuss the importance of civics and schools |
| 0:19.4 | and why learning about black history is crucial |
| 0:21.6 | for everyone. Plus, my interview with longtime journalist Katie Couric. I'm Sharon McMahon, |
| 0:28.5 | and this is the Preamble Podcast. I recently spoke with educator and author Ernest Crimm, |
| 0:34.1 | whose book How Black History Can Save Your Life Should Be on your reading list. Here is part of that conversation. |
| 0:41.5 | I am a former classroom. |
| 0:44.4 | U.S. history teacher of 12 years, but I always taught it from a black perspective and the perspective of the people. |
| 0:51.6 | I was really motivated having been born and raised on the south side of Chicago and then I went to UOVIA, Center, Illinois, got a chance to take a |
| 0:58.1 | black history course that inspired me to teach. I mean, I'm sure everybody knows who you are, |
| 1:02.0 | but like, as America's government teacher, where we come in with this is, we both made a |
| 1:06.5 | decision to teach this important topic of social science outside the class and what a time |
| 1:13.7 | to be alive. So like, I'm curious to know what was the moment where you decided that you had to |
| 1:19.9 | begin to teach this important content for me, social science, most important content in the world. |
| 1:24.3 | Sorry, man, sorry science. Sorry. We deal with the world. Okay. We help our, man, sorry, sorry, English. We deal with the world, |
| 1:27.8 | okay? We help our kids think. What motivated you, though, to take that step? Well, first of all, |
| 1:34.4 | it's really good to be with you. And I just want to say a very quick thank you for all of your work. |
| 1:39.4 | I want you to know and hear it from me that the work you do matters. Thanks. |
| 1:49.3 | And that regardless of what is going to get thrown at you, I know you've had issues with getting kicked off of meta platforms. |
| 1:51.5 | And often when you start getting over the target is when the flack gets the hardest. |
| 1:58.0 | And you should use this as a sign to do whatever you're doing even harder. |
... |
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