Thank you to Brother Dave and Brother Tareau for having me on their podcast. Listen to our conversation covering topics such as capitalism, race, and entertainment. Be sure to check them out at www.thecouchsports.com
Thank you to Brother Dave and Brother Tareau for having me on their podcast. Listen to our conversation covering topics such as capitalism, race, and entertainment. Be sure to check them out at www.thecouchsports.com
Zone of Non-being 
January 19, 2017 at 10:14 am
I was just talking with someone last week about Uber’s BS. I also believe that the cars they are leasing out are not in top condition…however, I can’t prove that at the moment. A good friend of mine has a car leased from the recently. Within two months there were small problems from a 2016 car…..
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January 19, 2017 at 10:26 am
Uber is soo crooked! I feel you about how BS they are with those leases. I can def believe there were problems with a new car. Did they offer to fix them?
With that leasing program, drivers have to pay $250 as a down payment, and then pay Uber each week for 3 years. But Uber drivers barely make any money as it is. And Uber is notorious for slashing prices to increase riders, but the drivers see none of that extra money. So, from the gate, drivers are already struggling and are likely to default on these agreements. The whole leasing thing is predatory.
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January 19, 2017 at 7:17 pm
Exactly! You’d think the drivers would see some of that, but they don’t. The first thing that went wrong was the battery (2months time). In this city in the winter you do not play like that with batteries. Then once he went to Uber they initially tried to give him the run around…but eventually sent him to a Hyundai service place. Why did it take talking with several people for him to get sent there? Uber had to have given him a car with a bad battery. Then also he was sent something or got a call about a past due oil change. So they also gave it to him without oil being changed. I also believe it’s one more thing. The paying each week thing is crazy….$200 every week! Yes, the care will be paid off soon…but it’s still a hassle.
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January 19, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Geez! This whole Uber-lease program sounds like one of the biggest hustles around.
They don’t even have the decency to make sure the car is fully functioning before they lease it. That is an extra layer of stress right there. I live in New England so I feel you: we can’t be playing those battery games in the winter! Its wayy too cold for that non-sense. Having a bad battery on top of the stress of having to work for Uber, making those payments and then getting the run-around … that’s wild. I am glad to hear that the car will be paid off soon. Smh.
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January 19, 2017 at 8:11 pm
NO! Not soon, but generally speaking if you’re paying every week, it’ll be paid off sooner than a regular lease. LOL! I believe he’s considering returning it and leasing from a regular car company. It definitely is a hustle they have going on and causing extra stress for the workers. It “sounded” like a great idea initially. You know they are trying to launch those self driving cars too……idk how that will work in the long run, but they are not about fairness to workers at all.
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January 19, 2017 at 8:46 pm
Sheesh, I was assuming that with all that money he was paying, he HAD to be close to the finish line lol. I hope he backs out of the deal. This is beyond predatory.
Those self-driving cars frighten me. I don’t know what the long run effect will be – but we both know it will not be good.
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January 19, 2017 at 8:59 pm
Exactly!! I definitely won’t be getting in cars that aren’t operated by humans.
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January 19, 2017 at 7:10 pm
Why on earth would lease a car from Uber? To have an obligation for 3 years, to a company that is “paying you” — and should be helping you survive financially seems… capitalistic!
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January 19, 2017 at 7:13 pm
For real! Uber is so heartless wit it..
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January 20, 2017 at 11:15 am
Say whaaat??? I haven’t listened in a while. Will be catching up on this one.
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January 20, 2017 at 3:24 pm
That’s wassup! Would love to hear your thoughts! 😀
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January 24, 2017 at 1:52 pm
The fellas were like, “We got brotha D on here!”
I’ll be listening shortly and will give you all my thoughts 🙂
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January 24, 2017 at 1:54 pm
Happy Belated Birthday, Love!
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January 25, 2017 at 10:19 am
Thank you! Happy belated birthday to you, too, my dear ☺
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January 25, 2017 at 9:05 am
Hi Darryl:
I really enjoyed this podcast! You guys meshed very well together!!!
So first things first…OMG!!! You have the cutest accent ever. I can hear that East Coast President Kennedy-esque Soul Brother thing going on! LOL!!!
Now that we got that out of the way: (My points, not in order)
1. You brought up a very interesting point about how the African Slave Trade was not just about free labor, it was about Europeans engaging in a sadistic free-for-all at the expense of Africans.
Your point actually made me think about one of the founding fathers of The Boy Scouts, colonist Col. Robert Baden-Powell, and how he was said to have forced Africans to eat each other during the colonization of that continent.
I mean, seriously?
Gotdamn, death would have been better.
From what I understand, he was a cruel and heartless bastard, that’s why I wouldn’t let my son have anything to do with the Boy Scouts.
Now some would argue, “Oh, The Boys Scouts of America is different.” To that I say, I don’t give a damn!
Sorry if I offended any former Boy Scouts– but it is what it is.
But back to the point of sadism and the slave trade. I guess when European indentured servitude became old-hat they decided to up the ruthless factor. Excellent observation on your part!
2. You, Tareau and Dave’s Lessons on Pimpology and Capitalism had me rolling! Sad but true!
3. I agree with your point that folks like Beyonce, who have a voice, should not be dismissed simply because they are not perceived as ‘deep’ or ‘sincere.’ Even Colin Kaepernick, regardless of motive, has brought much-needed awareness to the plight of Black men in America–hell, we got college teams, high school teams and little league teams taking a knee.
“Armchair activism,” or not it has effectively motivated the masses–sorry Tareau, I still love you though!
There’s so much more that I could say but I’ll save that for TheCouchSport!
I enjoyed y’all!
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January 25, 2017 at 10:45 am
Lady G! Lmaoooo @ having a Kennedy soul brother accent. That is a hilarious descriptionnnn! I have never heard that before. Odd thing is : some people think I am from the South because I am “polite” and because I say “yall”. I guess a REAL southerner like yourself wasn’t having that! Lol!
And damn, you said it better than I did: “Europeans engaging in a sadistic free for all at the expense of Africans”. That’s a good way of putting it. Great point about the Boy Scouts. I have never heard of those instances, so thanks for the lesson on that. You are right: death would’ve been better. There is a sinister pleasure that comes from torturing us. Black men were not only lynched, but they were castrated, too. Cutting off their man part is a bit extra, don’t you think? There is a sexual element there that has absolutely nothing to do with money, but has more to do with organizing a world of meaning for white folks.
Have you ever seen this photo – of a black person being burned alive and white folks standing around grinning? The link is directly below (*warning: graphic – viewer discretion advised*).
This is about more than just money. That has to do with an economy of pleasure, an economy of enjoyment that comes from white folks torturing us. Those white boys are bending over backwards to get in the picture. It is the same with sexism: people think it is all about money. If that is the case, how do we account for the fact that some women have to get surgery on their clitorises, wear chastity belts, and are raped? What does that have to do with money!!!?? That has everything to do with men “getting off” on the power they have over women. Period! I have been trying to explain this to some Marxists and its like trying to get water from a rock!
I am glad you agree about celebrity and activism. I am on the fence about it a bit, but I think we have to roll with the punches and use the tools that are available to us. At the Women’s March, Alicia Keys was there singing a bit – and that can be kind of questionable – but otherwise, maybe the media would be uninterested and the overall message may not have gotten out. So … maybe that is the best we can do?
I am glad you enjoyed it! We are going to do another podcast soon. We actually had one planned for today but some last minute stuff came up with my fam so we are going to shoot for Saturday instead =D
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January 25, 2017 at 10:58 am
Glad you liked that description! Naw, you do NOT sound Southern!
BTW, the picture that you referred to was ONE of the inspirations for that post that I did called “A letter to our white great-grandfather.”
And you are right, clitoral mutilation has nothing to do with money, as with race, it’s about ownership, dominance, supremacy—-disdain at best and hate at worst!
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January 25, 2017 at 11:09 am
Ahhh I remember that post! And yup, all about power – money is just one of the ways power is granted or taken away
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January 25, 2017 at 11:12 am
Exactly 😞
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February 1, 2017 at 12:04 am
I loved this! Its crazy how the conversation just flowed – even with different viewpoints. I listened on my drive from Chicago to St.Louis this evening (just got in) and I appreciate you guys keeping me awake. I’m a bit exhausted so excuse the brevity of this post lol. But I must say that I was most intrigued with the conversation about celebrities and their physical appeal plays a strong role in them commanding attention. It bothers me to no end that we are such a superficial society but as you (I believe it was you) were saying, we have to work with what we have. Great job!
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February 1, 2017 at 12:57 am
Hey Josie! Thanks for listening to this – I am glad it held your attention. Celebrities are the epitome of a superficial culture, but at the same time, they can raise consciousness at the drop of a hat – so we should “use” their platforms to our benefit.
Have fun in da 314! *throws up gang sign* Do me a favor and tell Nelly I’m waiting on that next album yo! LOL. Safe travels!
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February 1, 2017 at 2:40 pm
Hey my friend – I am in the process of writing that piece you requested about the military. I have my research and links and main argument fleshed out. Do you have any specific concerns/points you want me to address? That way, I can make sure I touch on everything that is of interest to you, as opposed to going on a random tangent. Thanks =D
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February 1, 2017 at 3:27 pm
I did! But (please don’t judge me. Im so overhwlemed right now) I forgot what exactly I asked you to write about. BUT I do remember that it was something specific about it that I wanted to know. You remember what post I asked you this on?
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February 1, 2017 at 3:30 pm
Its cool, I understand. It was one of your pieces – here is the link to jog your memory: =D https://mindjobusiness.com/2017/01/23/melanin-mondays-the-black-project-35/?c=3113#comment-3113
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February 1, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Yes! I remember now. I was discussing with a recent college grad (black male) at my job about him wanting to join the military as his “saving grace.” I wanted you to address 1). Our role historically in the military 2). Our responsibility to protecting a country that although doesnt represent or protect us as blacks, serves as home to self, our family and friends. 3). Effectiveness of using the military for “benefits” and whether or not there is such a thing
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February 1, 2017 at 3:41 pm
Nice! Thanks for the guidance. I’ll let you know as soon as it is up.! I hope you become not so overwhelmed soon!
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