Cape Up With Jonathan Capehart

Billy Porter has a Grammy, a Tony and an Emmy. But showing up at the Oscars in a black velvet tuxedo gown made him a cultural icon. The attitude that led to that moment is a key to his success and offers a good lesson for us today.

Benjamin Crump, the attorney for Ahmaud Arbery's family, talks about how Arbery’s case is “like a modern day lynching.” Crump also discusses the eerie similarities between Arbery’s case and the case of Trayvon Martin.

Jonathan Metzl, author of “Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America’s Heartland,” comes back to the podcast to explain how his argument “has been on steroids since this pandemic started.”

The Rev. William Barber has preached about how racism, poverty, voter suppression and the lack of access to health care are linked. Now the coronavirus has forced us to face these issues in America, and he says Americans are eager to fight back.

Interviews with two elected officials in two different jurisdictions dealing with the coronavirus pandemic: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, who, after instituting one of the strictest stay-at-home orders in the nation, is getting set to review them, and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who had made ending the racial health disparities in her city a priority before the virus hit and is now facing a pandemic with a disproportionate impact on African Americans.

Michael Steele, former chair of the Republican National Committee, discusses President Trump’s daily briefings and how Trump has treated Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. This episode contains explicit language and listener discretion is advised.

Dr. Ruth Westheimer has been doling out frank advice about sex and relationships for 40 years. This week she answers questions on sex and relationships during Coronavirus. This episode contains adult language. Listener discretion is advised.

Darren Walker’s philanthropic career has put him in the middle of helping to resolve some of the nation’s biggest problems, from New Orleans rebuilding after Katrina to the bankruptcy of Detroit. Coronavirus is a totally different disaster.

The Obama administration created a playbook for pandemic preparedness for President Trump. Now, as we live through the coronavirus, former national security adviser Susan Rice says President Trump has tossed their “Pandemics for dummies” manual aside.

Holly Harris of Justice Action Network and Topeka Sam of New Yorkers United for Justice are warning that jails are breeding grounds for COVID-19 and are pleading with President Trump and governors to release certain prisoners into home confinement.

Though she disbanded her presidential campaign, Sen. Kamala Harris is now a possible vice presidential candidate. Back in early 2019, Jonathan Capehart talked with Harris about her memoir, upbringing and career in front of a live audience.

Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) serves on multiple committees, and was one of seven House impeachment managers who argued for the conviction of President Trump. Now, her name is being bandied about as a potential vice presidential nominee.

Rachel Bitecofer became a sought after prognosticator after July 2018, when she predicted the Democrats would retake the House. In this episode, Bitecofer talks about how she makes her predictions.

Chasten Buttigieg talks about the historic nature of Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign and what it meant to the LGBTQ community.

Pete Buttigieg talks about the rise of Bernie Sanders, the hurdles he faces with black voters and whether or not he's actually gay.

Broadway and television producer Richie Jackson says being gay is a gift and was thrilled when his son came out to him. After his son said being gay was no big deal, Jackson decided to write his book ‘Gay Like Me: A Father Writes to his Son'.

Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) discusses what might be the most important vote of his Senate career: to convict President Trump on both Articles of Impeachment.

Governor Deval Patrick is running for the Democratic nomination for president. His is an uphill fight, made tougher by the fact that African-American voters are not giving the only black candidate now in the race the boost and support he needs.

Jonathan Metzl talks about his book "Dying of Whiteness," and the racial politics of taxes, healthcare and guns in America.

In an interview at the Capitol on Jan. 17, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) -- a member of the House Judiciary and Intelligence Committees -- breaks down what's happened and what's to come in the impeachment process.