In today’s Auto Asphyxiation episode, Kimberly (rural) and Lark (urban) get personal. In a discussion regarding federalizing the DC police, defunding social services, and how the echoes of the Black Codes within the context of what Generation X grew up under, makes what is happening currently feel very much like déjà vu—but so much worse (who knew worse was possible?!) In the US, racism and racialization are the weapons used to steal from the working class and dehumanize our neighbors and friends. In some ways it continues to work, but there are some cracks in this hegemonic game plan, this podcast is one of them!

Gen Xers born after 1975 are a generation shaped by tax revolts that defunded our schools and mortgaged our futures on neoliberalism. The terrifying consequences of even deeper cuts ahead make one thing clear: working-class solidarity isn’t just important—it’s essential, and we need to start practicing it now.