Dear White Allies: This Isn’t About You, But You Need to See It

The Boule, the YouTubers, and the Generational Split That White Progressives Keep Ignoring

Front Porch Intel Saturdays

Every Saturday, we pull up a chair, slow the scroll, and talk real. No corporate spin, no political filter…just sharp-eyed truth, back-porch clarity, and the kind of commentary that hits like your uncle with a bourbon in one hand and the receipts in the other.

You might laugh. You might cuss. You might forward it to five people with a “read this.”
But one thing’s for sure…you won’t leave unchanged.

This ain’t the news.
It’s the why behind the news.
And it hits different from the porch.

So let’s get to it.

Black Political Divides and Their Progressive Parallels

They say every family has its secrets, but Black America’s got a full-on family feud happening in broad daylight. And no, this ain’t some Love & Hip-Hop mess….it’s ideological. It’s generational. And it’s getting louder with every election cycle.

See, while the headlines stay stuck on Epstein’s ghost and Trump’s latest press stunt, a different kind of civil war is playing out in Black political media. One side wears tailored suits and leans on legacy. On one side it’s the establishment voices who say “vote Democrat or risk it all.” The other side? They’ve got microphones, YouTube channels, and zero patience for the same old party line. They’re the ones yelling, “No tangibles, no vote.” And they mean it.

This split between OGs like Roland Martin and insurgents like Vicki Dillard, Tariq Nasheed, and Dr. Boyce Watkins—isn’t just some Black drama. It mirrors what’s already tearing white progressives apart. Think Ana Kasparian’s heel turn. Think Ezra Klein’s “abundance” liberalism clashing with frontline organizers. It’s the same damn argument: Do we fix the system from inside, or burn the whole bitch down?

Let’s lay it out plain.

Roland Martin is what you might call a high priest in the Church of Vote Blue No Matter Who. A veteran journalist and former CNN contributor, he’s made a second act out of hosting his own show, Roland Martin Unfiltered. And make no mistake—he’s as establishment as they come. Roland doesn’t just support the Democratic Party—he evangelizes for it. To him, Black voter turnout isn’t just a civic duty—it’s a sacred act of defense against Republican rollback. Even if the candidate ain’t right, even if the agenda is mid, even if we’re still waiting on that economic justice they keep promising—Roland’s stance is clear: Vote anyway. Because not voting, in his view, is like giving the keys to the Klan.

On the other side of the screen, you’ve got what’s known as the "New Black Media"—and they’re not here for legacy loyalty or Democratic bootlicking. This crew is loud, independent, and YouTube-bred. Vicki Dillard. Tariq Nasheed. Dr. Boyce Watkins. Tim Black. Jason Black. Professor Black Truth. To some, they sound like a cipher. To others, they’re prophets. Either way, they don’t want your symbolism—they want your tangibles. Reparations. Contracts. Direct investments. Policies that put Black folks first. Their motto? No tangibles, no vote. Simple math. They argue that if Democrats want the Black vote, they better come correct—with receipts. Not with vague slogans, hot sauce in purses, or nostalgia for Obama. Because symbolism don’t pay rent. And history? History ain’t helping nobody buy a house in 2025.

• Roland Martin – A longtime Black political commentator and former CNN contributor who now hosts the YouTube show Roland Martin Unfiltered. He’s known for being staunchly pro-Democrat, often defending the party against left-wing critics.

  

• Vicki Dillard – A fiery YouTube personality and speaker affiliated with the African Diaspora News Channel. She’s part of the “New Black Media” movement, advocating for reparations and tangible Black-first policies.

• Tariq Nasheed – A controversial filmmaker and activist who coined the term Foundational Black Americans (FBA). He’s a loud voice in the tangibles-for-votes movement and often critiques both political parties.

• Dr. Boyce Watkins – A Black economist and media personality who blends financial literacy with political commentary. He often challenges mainstream Black political leadership and pushes self-reliance and reparations.

• Ana Kasparian – A co-host of The Young Turks, a progressive online news show. She’s come under fire recently from the left for more centrist takes on crime and policing—seen by many as a “heel turn.”

• Ezra Klein – A journalist and co-founder of Vox, now a columnist at The New York Times. He promotes “abundance liberalism”—a technocratic, center-left vision that often clashes with more radical economic justice advocates.

This ain’t just a beef y’all it’s a fundamental clash in worldview. One side says protect what little progress we got. The other says, we ain't seen real progress yet. And honestly? Both sides got a point. But only one of them is asking, “Where’s the damn invoice?”

And the fire? Oh, it’s personal. Martin called them dumbasses on YouTube. Scroll to the 9:30 minute mark on the YT video. The contrarians clapped back, calling him a glorified mascot for the DNC.

But under the smoke and Twitter beefs, real questions smolder:

• Should marginalized voters play hardball with their ballot?

• Has Black progress actually stalled under Democratic rule?

• Is internal critique weakening the left—or sharpening it?

This ain’t about Roland’s ego or Tariq’s merch line. It’s about a generational shift where younger Black voters don’t want to be shamed into loyalty. They want a damn exchange.

And if that sounds familiar to white readers? It should.

Because y’all are fighting the same battle. Bernie bros vs. MSNBC moms. DSA vs. Obama’s third term. Pragmatists yelling “don’t blow the election” while radicals are yelling “we’ve been bleeding for decades!”

So no, dear white allies, this isn’t about you. But if you really want to understand where the movement is going, you better pay attention. Because what’s happening in Black political media is the tip of the spear and it’s pointed at the heart of performative progressivism.

Let’s keep going. The house is on fire, and both sides are claiming they brought the water. But only one of them is asking what we’re actually trying to save.

At the heart of their feud are questions familiar to many progressives:

• Should a marginalized group withhold its vote unless specific demands (“tangibles”) are met, or is it better to support the closest viable ally (the Democratic Party) to prevent a worse outcome under conservatives?

• Have decades of loyal voting for Democrats materially improved Black communities, or has it led to complacency and taken-for-granted support?

• Is the Democratic establishment doing enough on issues like economic justice and civil rights, or are they failing Black voters – and thus deserving of tougher accountability?

• Do insurgent media figures help or hurt the cause by criticizing Democrats – i.e., does internal dissent lead to policy change, or simply depress turnout and empower the right wing?

These questions fuel a fiery war of words between Martin and the new voices, each accusing the other side of endangering Black America’s future.

Roland Martin’s Broadside: “Don’t Listen to Those YouTube Agitators”

Roland Martin ain’t holding back and he never has. When Black voter turnout dipped in recent elections, Martin didn’t go looking for policy solutions or better candidates. He grabbed the mic and went full blast on the so-called “loud, ignorant, dumbass Black people” on YouTube who dared to say: if they don’t give us tangibles, we ain’t voting. His words, not mine.

To Martin, this kind of rhetoric isn’t revolutionary….it’s reckless. It’s giving Klansmen a fast track to the Supreme Court. He laid it out like a preacher on fire: “We survived slavery… we survived the last four years of Trump, we can survive four more years [they say].” Then he snapped: “These idiots don’t understand Republicans are relishing putting white supremacists on the bench.” Translation? Sit out the election and you get what you get. Which, in his view, is hell.

And he didn’t stop with vague shade. Martin named names. He dragged Tariq Nasheed and Jason Whitlock as two Black men “who actually said they don’t vote.” Called them “a disgrace.” Said their rallies like Tariq’s Reparations March were performative fluff. “Ain’t getting nothing tangible done,” he sneered. To him, these digital firebrands are just noise—maybe even dangerous noise. His message to voters is clear: don’t let these YouTube contrarians gas you up. Vote now, negotiate later.

But here’s where it gets sticky.

Critics say Roland’s not just a passionate pundit…he’s part of the machinery. Deep in the Democratic matrix. He’s a former CNN and TV One guy who, let’s not forget, got caught leaking debate questions to Hillary Clinton in 2016. That ain’t some small oopsie. That’s rigging practice. And while he wears a Black Lives Matter tee, he’s often seen caping for Kamala Harris and scolding folks who won’t.

To the younger, more skeptical crowd, Roland’s less a journalist and more like a political deacon for the Boule class. Someone who uses the language of liberation to funnel people into a rigged two-party system. And when you peel it all back, that’s what this fight is about: are you loyal to the party, or loyal to the people? Roland’s telling folks to stay in the marriage. The New Black Media is screaming, “divorce papers now!”

Either way, the kids are watching and they ain’t trying to hear another sermon. Especially not from someone who sounds like he’s scolding them for wanting better than broken promises and midterm scraps.

The New Black Media Fires Back: “Not Pro-Black, Just Pro-Democrat”

The folks Martin went after? Oh, they ain’t just sitting back and licking their wounds. The New Black Media fired back with both barrels—and they didn’t miss. Vicki Dillard, one of the movement’s loudest and sharpest voices, didn’t mince words: “With people like Roland, this is not about being pro-Black, it’s about being pro-Democrat.” You hear that? Not pro-Black. Pro-Party. That stings.

To them, Roland ain’t some harmless oldhead yelling at clouds. He’s the polished face of an outdated political machine what they call “old, dead, useless Black media.” And to be clear, that ain’t a metaphor. They want it thrown out, swept away, sprayed with Lysol, and replaced with people who actually speak to the urgency of Black life now and not 30 years ago.

Progressive YouTuber Sabby Sabs chimed in too, calling Martin a “vote Blue no matter who” preacher who never actually delivers for the hood. He doesn’t fight for policy—he scolds. Doesn’t demand action….he demands obedience. It’s not about Black Lives Matter, they say. It’s about protecting his damn Rolodex.

And the numbers don’t lie. Black homeownership? Still hovering around 40%—the same damn level since the '70s. One host put it plain: “Black home ownership hasn’t moved since the ’70s… So who you gonna blame for that one, Roland? Democrats had the House, Senate, and the executive pen. What’s the excuse now?”

Then Roland tried to say that YouTubers are the reason Democrats lost. Seriously. Like it was Tariq Nasheed and Tim Black that tanked Georgia. Tim Black clapped back with surgical precision: “So we were so powerful we depressed the vote and Biden still got more votes than Obama? Which one is it?” That’s when Tim threw down the gauntlet, challenging Roland to a live debate….the Black Truth Challenge. Spoiler: Roland ain’t RSVP’d.

Tariq, meanwhile, stays calling him "Rollie Polie" mocking his ties to the Democratic elite and questioning his Black authenticity. That part’s messy, but the smoke is real. Because behind the petty jabs and podcast nicknames is something bigger: a generational fight over what Black leadership even looks like.

The younger crowd ain’t having it. They’re tired of being told to vote and pray. They want to see the receipts. They want reparations. Economic justice. Prison abolition. A break from the same tired playbook. And what they’re really asking is this: if Democrats are so damn good for Black people, why does everything still feel so damn bad?

Meanwhile, Roland probably looks at them and sees chaos. He sees clout-chasers and keyboard radicals undermining hard-won gains. In his mind, change comes from structure, from organizing, from voter drives—not hashtags and hot takes.

So here we are: reform versus revolt. Stay in the system and push it from within or walk out, slam the door, and build something new with your own two hands.

Same question. Two radically different answers. And only time will tell who’s got the better bet.

Not So Different: Parallels in White Progressive Infighting

If you’re reading all this and thinking, “Damn, this sounds familiar,” that’s because it is. The beef between Roland Martin and the New Black Media ain’t happening in a vacuum. It’s echoing the same messy family drama white progressives have been dealing with for the last decade—just with different seasoning.

Think back to Bernie vs. Hillary. That wasn’t just a primary—it was a generational slapfight between corporate centrism and grassroots rage. Some folks said, “Bernie or bust,” and meant it. Others clutched their pearls and blamed them for Trump. Clinton went so far as to clown some Sanders supporters as “kids in their parents’ basements.” Sound familiar? That’s basically Roland Martin calling young Black activists “dumbasses” because they’re demanding tangibles instead of giving up the vote like it’s tithe money.

Fast forward to now. The Democrats are still a big ol’ tent with the flaps half-falling off. On one end, you’ve got moderates tiptoeing around swing voters. On the other, folks like Zohran Mamdani—33 years old, DSA-backed, and walking into the New York mayoral race like he’s got nothing to lose but his rent freeze. And when he actually won the damn thing? The centrists lost their minds.

One strategist said Mamdani’s win was “the biggest challenge to traditional Democrats in 50 years.” Why? Because he’s too damn progressive for comfort. Just like the New Black Media, Mamdani’s win was fueled by young people, working-class folks, and people sick of the establishment’s greatest hits album.

And just like Roland warning that radicals will wreck Black voting power, white moderates ran out to call Mamdani “too extreme,” “too risky,” “too much.”

But the leftists, the real ones? They ain’t apologizing. They’re saying, “Stop trying to scare us with Fox News talking points. Deliver something real, or don’t expect us to show up.” Sound familiar again? That’s Vicki Dillard, Boyce Watkins, and others calling out Democrats who think symbolic gestures are enough to keep Black folks loyal.

Here’s where it gets even more mirror-like: generational shift. Old lions like Cuomo getting bodied by millennials. Roland Martin being called out as a “remnant” to be bleached and Lysol-ed out the frame. The New Black Media and Mamdani’s crew aren’t just asking for new policies—they’re asking for new leadership.

And yes, the tone gets nasty. Jimmy Dore vs. The Young Turks? Pelosi vs. AOC? That’s the same fight Roland’s having with Black YouTubers who he says are reckless, while they say he’s washed. It’s ugly. It’s personal. And it’s everywhere.

Bottom line? This ain’t just about Black politics or white politics. It’s about the establishment versus the insurgents. It’s about people tired of waiting versus people scared of losing. It’s about whether we try to fix the machine or flip the whole damn table.

The divide is real. But it’s not new. And if you’re still wondering how this ends, you ain’t been paying attention. Because like Mamdani’s win showed—and like these new Black voices are proving—it ain’t about if the shift is coming. It’s already here. The only question left is: who’s ready to listen before the next election becomes the last one that mattered.

Front Porch Intel Saturdays Soundtrack: Fight the Power

If this whole generational brawl in Black political media had a theme song, it wouldn't be sung in a choir loft or played on NPR between tote bag promos. Nah. This would be Chuck D kicking in the door with a boom box and a bullhorn yelling:

“Fight the power / We’ve got to fight the powers that be.”

Because what’s playing out between Roland Martin and the New Black Media ain’t just a disagreement…it’s a damn remix of rebellion. The old guard keeps hitting the same note: “Vote blue, or else.” But the new voices? They’re sampling history, spitting truth, and throwing elbows on the beat.

That line spewing out “Elvis was a hero to most / but he never meant sht to me”* might as well be the hook these new insurgents are living by. The symbols that used to move people….Barack's speeches, Kamala’s chucks, civil rights nostalgia….they’re not hitting anymore. Not when eviction notices are dropping and Black wealth is stuck in 1975. These new voices are saying: Your heroes don’t live here anymore.

And let’s be real ok….“Fight the Power” didn’t climb the charts because it was polite. It burned its way into America’s subconscious because it refused to whisper. It named names. It rattled institutions. And that’s the energy you’re hearing now, just filtered through YouTube mics, burner Twitter accounts, and Substack essays written at 3AM by people who are done being patient.

The establishment says, “Don’t rock the boat.” But Chuck D said, “We don’t need no water, let the motherfcker burn.”*

So before you dismiss these voices as angry, irrational, or disloyal, just know…they’re singing the same song we’ve been trying to unmute since 1989.

And if the choir don’t want to sing it?
The streets will.

So yeah… maybe Fight the Power was just a song.

Maybe Chuck D was just venting.

Maybe these new voices calling out performative progressivism are just angry, messy, divisive.

Maybe Roland’s right.

Maybe the old way…the safe way…is better.

Maybe we should all just calm down.

Maybe.

But maybe…

You’re here right now because you don’t believe that bullshit either.

Because you’ve been sitting in silence at your own dinner table, screaming in your own mind, wondering why the people with the biggest platforms are whispering when the house is burning.

So here's the offer.

Not for pity.
Not for charity.
For the build.

$8/month keeps this series alive.
$80/year keeps us printing what they’re too scared to say.
$120 Founder Tier? That keeps the porch light on and the WiFi signal poppin

And if you can’t give a dime, I still want you here.

Just share this.

Share it with somebody who thinks they’re alone in their righteous anger.
Share it with someone who still believes institutions will save us.
Share it with someone who needs to know: they’re not crazy. They’re just awake.

Now pass it on.
It’s Saturday.
And this is Front Porch Intel.