As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s vital to do more than just look back at the giants of our past; we must challenge ourselves to think about how we create history now. How do we take the legacy of our ancestors and use it to build a sustainable future?
I have spent my career at the intersection of law, dispute resolution, and public discourse. My role isn’t just to provide commentary; it’s to act as a strategic translator for the issues that define our era. Whether I’m providing educational legal commentary on the latest in employment and workplace laws, or hosting my Legal Lens radio show and podcast, my mission remains constant: helping educate and enlighten everyday people on the legal and policy issues that impact their everyday lives.
This week I was honored to welcome Professor Jared Clemons to the Legal Lens podcast. A brilliant mind and an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Temple University, Professor Clemons is a scholar of Black political thought whose research sits at the intersection of the American education system and the political economy.
In this episode, we peel back the layers of the “American Dream” to see why education alone cannot solve racial inequality in a capitalist society.
Listen to the full episode below:
Navigating the Episode: Time Stamps
- 03:30 – Professor Jared Clemons’ Background: Growing up in Louisiana and the “Beauty of Blackness”
- 06:15 – The Inspiration Behind his anticipated book, Equality Without Opportunity (working title)
- 08:00 – The Du Bois vs. Washington Debate: Differing Methods, Shared Assumptions
- 12:00 – Why Education Cannot Be Evaluated in a Silo (The Role of Capitalism)
- 17:30 – The Mid-Century Promise vs. The 2026 Reality
- 24:45 – Radical Potential: How Gen Z is Reimagining the Purpose of Schooling
- 33:30 – Policy Solutions: The Urgent Case for Debt Cancellation
- 36:10 – A Message of Hope for the 250th Anniversary of America
Who is Professor Jared Clemons?
Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, Professor Jared Clemons grew up in a family that lived and breathed the beauty of Black culture. With a grandmother active in the NAACP and parents in the Divine Nine (AKA and Omega Psi Phi), he was raised in a “proud Black family” that prioritized intellectual curiosity. Today, at Temple University, he teaches Intro to Political Philosophy and a critically relevant course titled Unequal Opportunity: The Politics of Education in America.
“I always grew up around so much like beautiful blackness that I just always just loved… I found a career that allowed me to write about, to think about, to really, really situate the beauty of blackness in kind of a historical perspective.” – Jared Clemons
Related Podcast Episode: Hasan Kwame Jeffries on Celebrating Black History, the Legacy of Civil Rights, Dr. King, and the Modern Struggle for Freedom
The Great Disconnect: Education vs. The Capitalist Economy
One of the most profound insights Professor Jared Clemons shared during our talk was the need to situate the education system within the broader context of American capitalism. While we have focused almost solely on education to fix inequality, Jared Clemons’ political science research shows the economy has shifted so drastically that the “return on investment” is no longer guaranteed.
“You can’t evaluate the education system in a silo. You have to think about the education within the broader kind of American political economy.” – Jared Clemons
The Du Bois vs. Washington Debate
In the spirit of Black History Month, we explored the historical “Negro Problem” and the intellectual debate between W.E.B. Du Bois and Booker T. Washington. While they differed on vocational vs. liberal arts training, Jared Clemons points out a shared flaw in their reliance on education as a silver bullet.
“Irrespective of the type of education that they were espousing or advocating for, they both were of the view that education was, if not the silver bullet… it was necessary.” – Jared Clemons
Is Education Still Worth It?
When I asked if education is still the “great equalizer,” Jared Clemons offered a sobering reality for the Black community. While the facts about Black history month remind us of the struggle for literacy, the modern challenge is the debt-to-income ratio. According to data, Black college graduates owe an average of $25,000 more in student debt than white graduates, often while entering an economy that lacks “good jobs.”
“If you are expecting or if you believe that college is gonna be that kind of golden ticket to… the American Dream… then I do think that there are some reasons to be concerned.” – Jared Clemons
How Have Education Goals Shifted in 2026?
As an educator, Professor Jared Clemons encourages a more expansive view of learning. Education isn’t just about a paycheck; it’s about learning how to live life and engage with a socialized economy where we all rely on one another.
“Education isn’t just about teaching people a trade. It’s about teaching people how to live life, how to live a good life.” – Jared Clemons
Should Debt Cancellation Become a National Priority?
On the Legal Lens, we look for the policy angle. Jared Clemons is “beating the drum” for debt relief. He argues that the debt overhead is a real drag on the economy, as high interest rates and maxed-out credit cards prevent the consumption necessary to keep a capitalist society thriving.
“One immediate task, or one thing I would immediately suggest is try to bring back the conversation about some type of debt relief… that would not only have a huge impact in terms of black people’s finances, but working people’s finances generally.” – Jared Clemons
A Radical Sense of Hope
Professor Clemons reminds us that Black people have historically refused to be cynical, despite the “doom and gloom” of cultural events in 2026. As we approach the 250th anniversary of America, he implores the community to recognize that this country belongs to them.
“One thing that I find so inspirational about Black political thought is that Black people… were never willing to concede that to America. They understood… there [isn’t] anybody in this country more American than black people.” – Jared Clemons
Related Podcast Episode: Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley on the NCNW’s 90-Year Fight for Black Women, Economic Justice, and the Power of the Black Church
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I have dedicated my career to helping litigants resolve their legal disputes through the mediation and dispute resolution process, and by helping dissect the legal issues that shape our public discourse and workplace dynamics, whether it be as a radio and podcast show host, or as a legal analyst in the news. My mission as the host of the Legal Lens radio show and podcast is to empower you with objective, expert-driven insights born from years of practice at the intersection of law and society.
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This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment or civil rights law attorney in your state or city.