Ep 5. Empowerment

Ziwe is a talk show hosted by comedian and writer Ziwe Fumudoh where she interviews celebrities and politicians on race, gender, and identity issues. The show aims to create uncomfortable conversations about uncomfortable topics in a humorous and entertaining way. In season 2 episode 5, titled Empowerment, the guests are political science professor Dr. Christina Greer, actress and activist Azie Dungey, and comedian and writer Carrie Brownstein.

The episode starts with Ziwe introducing her guests and the topic of the day: empowerment. She asks the guests what empowerment means to them and their personal experiences with it. Dr. Greer talks about how empowerment is about having agency and control over your life, and how it's important to acknowledge intersectionality in discussions about empowerment. Azie Dungey shares her experience of feeling empowered by activism and advocacy, and how it's important to empower others along the way. Carrie Brownstein talks about how empowerment is about owning your narrative and using your voice to create change.

Ziwe then moves on to talk about the concept of "white feminism" and how it can be harmful to women of color. The guests discuss how feminism can sometimes be exclusive and how it's important to center the experiences of marginalized groups in discussions about gender equality. They also talk about the role of activism and social media in promoting empowerment and creating change.

The next segment of the show is called "Baited," where Ziwe asks her guests uncomfortable and sometimes controversial questions. In this episode, she asks the guests about their thoughts on cancel culture and if there are any past actions or statements they regret. The segment gets heated at times, but the guests handle the questions with grace and humor.

In the next segment, Ziwe invites a musical guest, rapper and songwriter Saweetie, to perform her hit song "Tap In." After the performance, Ziwe talks to Saweetie about her rise to fame and how she uses her platform to empower other women. They also discuss the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry.

The final segment of the show is called "Ziwe's Book Club," where Ziwe recommends books that have influenced her and invites the guests to share their favorite books. In this episode, she recommends the books "The Idiot" by Elif Batuman and "All My Mother's Lovers" by Ilana Masad. The guests share their own book recommendations, including "An American Marriage" by Tayari Jones and "The Argonauts" by Maggie Nelson.

The episode ends with Ziwe thanking her guests and encouraging viewers to continue the conversation about empowerment and social justice. The episode is a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of the concept of empowerment, and how it intersects with race, gender, and identity. The guests bring their own unique perspectives to the table, and Ziwe's wit and humor keep the conversation engaging and lively.