Ep 6. Money

The New Negroes with Baron Vaughn & Open Mike Eagle is a comedy and music television series that premiered on Comedy Central in 2019. The show is hosted by comedians Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle, who create a platform for performances by black comedians and musicians. The show celebrates the voices of black artists in various genres, from stand-up comedy to spoken word poetry and music. Each episode features a theme that is explored through humor, music, and interviews with guests.

In this 6th episode, named "Money," Baron Vaughn and Open Mike Eagle delve into the topic of wealth and poverty in black communities. The show opens with a sketch in which the hosts play characters trying to make ends meet by selling weed. The scene is humorous but also exposes the economic struggles faced by many black people who resort to illegal activities to survive.

The first comedian to perform is Joyelle Nicole, who talks about how money affects her relationships with people. She shares some awkward experiences with friends who expect her to pay for everything just because she has a job. Her stand-up routine is relatable and insightful, shedding light on the unspoken rules of socializing among peers with different financial situations.

Next up is comedian Ron Taylor, who talks about his own financial struggles and how he has learned to cope with them. He shares some personal stories about the hardships he faced while trying to make it as a stand-up comedian. Ron's performance is full of energy and raw emotion, as he shares his experiences of living paycheck to paycheck, receiving assistance from the government, and enduring the judgment of others who assume that being broke is a reflection of one's character.

After the stand-up routines, Baron and Mike introduce their musical guests for this episode, Keedron Bryant and Kari Faux. Keedron Bryant is a young musician who became famous for his viral performance of a protest song after the murder of George Floyd in 2020. He performs a new song called "U Got This" that encourages listeners to stay positive and keep persevering in their endeavors. Kari Faux performs a song called "Top Down" that celebrates the idea of being carefree and enjoying life without worrying about money.

The hosts then welcome to the show economist Mehrsa Baradaran, who sheds light on systemic racism as a root cause of economic inequality in black communities. Mehrsa shares her research on the history of black banking and how black people have been excluded from access to wealth-building tools such as homeownership and credit. Her insights provide a sobering perspective on the topic of money and its role in perpetuating inequality.

Lastly, the hosts engage in a discussion with their guests about how to navigate the complexities of money in the context of black identity. The conversation touches on the pressure felt by black people to prove their worth through material possessions, the stigma associated with being broke, and the importance of investing in black-owned businesses. The discussion is insightful and thought-provoking, as the guests share their personal experiences and offer practical advice on how to achieve financial stability without compromising one's values.

Overall, the "Money" episode of The New Negroes with Baron Vaughn & Open Mike Eagle is a powerful exploration of a sensitive topic. The show combines humor, music, and expert analysis to create a nuanced and informative perspective on the role of money in black communities. The episode offers a platform for black voices to be heard and challenges the audience to question their assumptions about wealth, poverty, and identity.