Pops and Son Conversations
Join US Air Force Veteran, Presidential Achievement Award Recipient, author, philanthropist, and social media influencer, Rob Malloy, and his son, author and model, Javan Anderson, as they navigate the generation gap with humor and heart.
On this podcast, Rob and Javan tackle a wide range of topics – from life lessons and fatherhood to current events and pop culture – offering a unique blend of old-school wisdom and new-school perspectives. Expect lively debates, unexpected insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Tune in to Pops and Son Conversations and discover:
- Candid conversations: Rob and Javan share their honest thoughts and experiences, providing a refreshing take on intergenerational relationships.
- Diverse perspectives: Hear how Rob's traditional values intersect with Javan's modern outlook, creating dynamic and engaging discussions.
- Humor and heart: Enjoy a show that's both entertaining and thought-provoking, leaving you with a smile and something to ponder.
Subscribe now and join the conversation!
Pops and Son Conversations
Community Power: Why Your Vote Matters More Than You Think
The struggle for voting rights in America forms the backbone of our democracy, yet many of us fail to exercise this hard-won privilege. In this eye-opening conversation, Rob and Jay examine why voting matters far beyond simply checking a box every four years.
Have you ever noticed how affluent neighborhoods proudly display political yard signs while other communities keep their political leanings hidden? This striking contrast reveals a fundamental understanding about collective power - when communities visibly rally behind issues and candidates, they create pressure that demands attention from leaders. The silence in other neighborhoods speaks volumes about how we've been conditioned to view political engagement.
What's particularly troubling is how we'll mobilize for consumer issues - boycotting restaurants, camping out for limited edition sneakers, or rallying against corporate policies - yet remain disengaged from the local political processes that directly impact our daily lives. Many don't even know they can vote for their local sheriff or school board members, positions that often have more immediate influence on community wellbeing than national offices.
Rob and Jay offer practical guidance for those feeling overwhelmed by politics: start by checking your voter registration status, research candidates thoroughly, and understand that your vote reflects your personal values. They emphasize that civic engagement extends beyond election day to include ongoing relationship-building with representatives and staying informed about local issues.
The conversation takes on special significance when considering the historical struggle for voting rights. Our ancestors fought and sometimes died for the opportunity to have a voice in governance. When we choose not to vote, we're not just abdicating our responsibility - we're surrendering the power they fought so hard to secure.
Ready to transform your community through civic engagement? Start by learning who represents you locally and how their decisions shape your neighborhood. Your vote isn't just a right - it's your voice in determining the future you want to see.
Keeping Veterans Fit, Inc.
Keepingveteransfit.org
Please follow Pops and Son Conversations on the website, popsandsonconversations.com, and social media @popsandsonconversations
Mic check. Okay, welcome to another episode of Pops and Son Conversations. It is your favorite Silver Fox, Rob Malloy.
Speaker 2:And it is Check three times, checking in.
Speaker 1:All right, welcome to another episode. It is July. It's one of those months of independence and I would say politics, Jay. When I think about July, I think of a lot of politics going on. What do you think about?
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah. I think about the politics, the patriotism, all that good stuff, America, everything like that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, homer the free and the brave, supposedly. Look, this is what we wanted to do for you guys here in the month of July. We want to talk, not necessarily politics, but we wanted to talk about community. We wanted to talk about you know, the neighborhood. We want to talk about what was learned, what was taught when it came to politics, you know, not just the president, but your city councilman, uh, your mayor, your governor, jay, when, when you was in school I would say, let's say, elementary school what was the temperature when it came to talking about politics did? Did they talk about you know, your local councilman, or was it just straight up?
Speaker 2:president, vice president nah, it was just uh, yeah, it was just president, president, vice president, didn't really go too deep into anything past that. So yeah, it was just mainly, mainly presidential election and we actually did like a mock. I remember doing that a few times like a mock presidential election, like we were voting, but of course we were too young, but just, I guess, to kind of encourage us to do it when we got older.
Speaker 1:But just, I guess, to kind of encourage us to do it when we got older. Yeah, I guess also to get a consensus to see what the influence was in the household. So they were slick, trying to figure out what was going on.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I see, I didn't even think about it like that, but you're 100% right. Oh, yeah, yeah, it was still something to talk about. You know amongst the peers Like oh, who you voting for and this, that and the third. So yeah, interesting, interesting, take little social experiment, I guess.
Speaker 1:Yeah, most definitely was. So I want to go ahead and just kind of jump right in. You know and let me put a disclaimer out here you know the conversation that we're talking about is, you know, primarily us men. You know just kind of discussing what we were taught, what we weren't taught, what we've learned. You know, just when it comes to community and representation, because you know it's very taboo in social media to talk politics, but the world is revolved or revolves around politics, right, Like you can't even help it. You hear about the president and and the uh news, you know, talks about what goes on in the government. So it can't be that taboo if it's pushed in your face every single day.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, right, so there's no way to get around it.
Speaker 1:So I think if we, if we get ahead of it, you know we can encourage, you know, our listeners, those households and just people in general, to get a good consensus of you know what to expect, the expectations that that aren't really discussed. So let's do it. I think we should kind of call it like beyond the ballot box or something like that. That's a lot of B's man Triple.
Speaker 2:B's Alliteration. I like it.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So let's do that, man. Let's just talk about real quick voting and what that really means. Like I mentioned earlier, you know, of course we were too young in high school and things like that, but there's always been a democracy or a voting process in whatever institution we're talking about and I'm talking about whether it is in the community, whether it's in the schools, colleges, you know the educational system, town halls, things like that. So we deal with voting and we deal with elections all day long. So let's kind of talk about, you know, what does voting really mean? Like, is it really important? And we'll just kind of, we'll just navigate through this thing here. So let's just jump into it. Jay, so has voting? When you think about voting, what are some of the first things that come to mind?
Speaker 2:Definitely will be the presidential election. I mean, I feel like my, my frame of reference, just just when it comes to voting in general. You know, I came up and fun, funny enough, there was some interesting campaigns going, uh going on, and not just like, uh, you know, by the government, but also just like in hip-hop and media, like I remember such thing as a voter die. You know, I saw that uh, a lot coming up. So you know you had people like, um, I saw that a lot coming up. So you know you have people like Jeezy and Puff Daddy kind of pushing and I guess just kind of trying to raise awareness about voting. So to me that was kind of the first time that my ears really perked up to it. I'm like, ok, you know what's this all about, but it took me a good while to really understand the gravity of it and the importance I feel like when I was younger it was just like one of those things that I felt like I could worry about.
Speaker 2:When I got older, you know what I'm saying Like, okay, yeah, y'all talking about voting this, that and the third, but how has it affected me? What is it going to do for me? And it really didn't kick in until I, you know, I kind of had to start doing my own research, learning about, you know, different offices and different things that go on in the community and how my vote actually matters Not so much or not necessarily when it comes to, you know, the overall, the presidential election and things like that. But local elections, you know city council, like you mentioned, the mayor, even so far as like the school board, and you know, I kind of got a better grasp when you hear the gossip, you know what I'm saying, or you hear about who's running for this, or you start to see ad campaigns around the city and you hear certain people talk about certain people or candidates or whatever the case is, and so then it really kind of got my brain working.
Speaker 2:It's like, okay, everybody's talking about this, this has to be something important, and I mean the truth of the matter is it's extremely important because in the community, if we want to see any type of progress, change or anything like that, we have to be well for one. We got to do that first off. So anybody feels like voting is a waste of time. You know it couldn't be further from the truth. This is how we operate, you know, as a democracy. That's just how, how we're set up. You know, we, we, we cast these ballots, we vote, and that is how we affect change in our surroundings and in our environment. So, um, you know, it doesn't, it's, it's not an individualistic thing. It really takes numbers and community to you know, to make change. And yeah, that's the voting right, right.
Speaker 1:So so, before we even dig in because you just kind of uh, hybrid in the conversation, before we dig in too far, I think when we talk about voting, um, it's, it's imperative that we talk about the actual right to vote. Uh, we have to dig into that um, because, of course, my generation I'm a 70s baby you know and and uh, you know and and uh, you know, my parents, of course, were born in the forties, in the forties. So when you, when you think about that, when you put that, uh, the perspective from from that angle, you know, just actually having the right to vote, uh, people of color, um, women's rights, you know civil rights and things like that, I think that's when you have to really take a look at the severity of understanding what voting is, what voting does, because you know where we are now, you know, like you said, I mean, there's some people that feel like it's not going to make a difference or not, but you have to really look at what our ancestors did to position ourselves to be able to vote Right. So you know, folks of color, again, not having to say so, of what goes on or even understanding what that process is. I think you know, when we start talking about history lessons, when it comes down to voting in that process, we really have to look at it as a community. And when you break it down as a community, of course we're just talking about our own neighborhood. So when you start talking about having a neighborhood watch or just kind of having some type of infrastructure within your neighborhood, having somebody that's going to be the main person in the neighborhood to report to and then empowering the other communities and households so that we know exactly what's going on and we have some checks and balances, you know, I feel like that is extremely important when we talk about the importance of voting, the structure of voting and the actual ability to vote.
Speaker 1:So you know, even with the election day, when you think about that, you know it's, it's annual, like when you talk about the presidential, the presidency campaign. But you know we have. What we need to understand also is you know the mayor, the governor, you know people in different districts and I really wish that even for me, I was more versed in even understanding what that looks like and I know for a fact here in 2025, ain't nobody breaking down or if they are breaking down, ain't nobody breaking down, or if they are breaking down, it ain't going viral and folks ain't really putting that as priority as far as information is needed, but I really wish that we did a better job, jay.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I agree it's not going to be as popular, but you know that's. That's just one of those things that I don't know. If it's, you know, just a matter of you know happenstance or whatever the case is, maybe people really aren't interested, maybe the awareness isn't there. But when I say that, I can't even imagine that because, like I said, I remember so many different times where I was exposed just to voting period, like the importance of it, like I mentioned earlier, like the voter die thing and like so people know about voting, they know that there is an importance there, but I'm not a hundred percent sure how we could get the you know the turnover to be higher or just to get people to take it more, more seriously.
Speaker 2:Like you said, I think a lot of people look at it as something boring, they kind of check out. I hear a lot of people say politics they aren't into politics, which is a crazy thing to say, but that's just how a lot of people feel. They don't care about what's going on in the government, what's going on in the community. They're kind of more on the individual uh path, which I mean honestly, I wasn't gonna say it's cool, but it's really not cool because at the end of the day, it's a detriment to the whole the, the overall community. So, uh yeah, people just gotta get more, more in tune and want to see better for everybody, not just yourself.
Speaker 1:I tell you, what is even more interesting for me is when you think about the influence or even the conversation about how important voting is and the elections and things like that. Take a look at the community right. Certain communities have and this is really funny. So think about when you go past or you go into neighborhoods that have these huge homes and estates and things like that. And, mark, and let me know if I'm wrong or not but when you go and you see those type of neighborhoods and communities, don't they have a lot of signs in their yard? Jay.
Speaker 1:Don't they let you know exactly who they're voting for and who they are who they want.
Speaker 1:You know they want to let you know. Maybe the uh, not so, um, you know. When it comes to you know, money, let's just be real about it. When it comes to you know what classes maybe lower class, um, middle class, that type of thing they don't want no signs in their yard. They don't want you to know who they're voting for. It's a secret, right? It's a secret about who they're voting for. It's a secret about you know the stand that they're taking, right, because they associate that candidate with every single thing, every single representation of their household. Now, I don't think that there's any candidate that you agree 100% with their policies. It's impossible.
Speaker 1:I'm not going to agree 100%, but I think just standing on something shows unity. It also shows that you are positioning yourself to take a stance, long term and short term. I think that is so important because now you start looking uh at um other potential people in position right, it's never just x for president, x for vice president and the uh superintendent. You start seeing the mayor, you start seeing district. You know negating the importance of voting but really just educating on elections and how it's going to impact our schools, our roads. You know, especially our roads right, especially here in Atlanta, man home of the potholes, right Home of the potholes, right Home of the potholes.
Speaker 1:man, I hate to say that, but Atlanta, city of Atlanta, home of the potholes. But yeah, you know, just, you know our libraries and things that we don't think about. And all of a sudden, you know we get bent out of shape when we see things that are coming in our community that we probably wouldn't condone if we had to say so. All of this stuff is a part of the election. It's a part of the local election.
Speaker 2:You know, a lot of stuff is right here in plain sight that we don't pay attention to yeah, and I want to add on to something about the that you know, the paradox that you mentioned about the difference between lower income communities and more affluent areas is about that silence, right? Look at how. So, when you think about it, groups this is how groups work. They have a louder voice than individuals, right? So anytime a community rallies together around an issue, that creates the pressure, that brings the attention, and it forces those leaders to listen. So what those communities are doing by having those signs all over the place like that, it's not just for show, it's to let people know yo, this community right here stands for this, and we're putting pressure on these types of issues that we want to see in our community. So, uh, what's messed up about it, though, is that if you don't, if you, if you don't do that, then basically, what you're saying is you're being completely silent and you don't have any uh, uh, anything to point out about the community. You don't want anything fixed. You don't have a leader that you maybe even want to vote for or show support for that could bring some type of fix to the community. So what happens is the community involvement, a lot of times, is even where we see the next generation of leaders right. A lot of these leaders are today. You know. They may have been in their SGA in school or they may have been an activist in their younger years, going to rallies and things like that. It's how people get their experience and learn how to collaborate when it comes to leadership.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, I just had to add on to that man, because when you were saying I'm like that's a great point, but it also just shows, you know, it's like the proof is in the pudding. You can't be afraid just to say who you support. You know what I'm saying. That shouldn't be something that's taboo. It's the complete opposite of what we should do in order to, because, also, when you see those signs, it's like those people know, you know it's like, okay, that's Kenfolk, right there. You know, at the end of the day, it's like it's literal community. So, yeah, I just want to add that point about it. Yeah, I just want to add that point about it. Maybe you know, just by saying that, like that could spark the change and maybe people start thinking differently about those yard signs or those flags or bumper stickers or whatever the case, like it's no shame in showing support for a political leader that you want to see make some change in your community.
Speaker 1:Right and you know, also, I kind of miss the, you know, the community raising up the leaders. It's kind of like you know there's people that families are in politics, like you know, started out with the great granddad. Maybe he was the mayor and then, and then the granddad, you know, maybe he was the governor and then city councilman and and the senator. Like you know that type of situation and I think that you know people of color in our community. We are making strides when it comes to having our feet and hands in politics. You know there's some wonderful politicians, even here in Atlanta, you know Warnock, mayor Dickens, andre Dickens. We have great representation and the important part about that is really getting a chance to know who they are Like. We have opportunities to go to events. Now, one thing I'll say about Mayor Andre Dickens he's accessible. Now, I ain't saying you go up there and shake his hand without security, you know, putting your arm behind your back, but I'm saying he's in the field. He's in the field.
Speaker 1:I remember myself and my business partner we had went to I think it was a fundraiser and it kind of help you with, you know, being stressed and being, you know, one of those mechanisms that you can use to. You know, have some type of stress relief and things like that. And you know he was there, he was mixing and mingling. Now he got up in there, said what he said and he rolled out. But but for the most part though, he was there and you wouldn't think that he would have been at that type of event. But he does move around. So I give him a big shout out. He does move around in the community, the city of Atlanta. You know he's real heavy on making sure that he is reachable, especially when it comes down to, you know, community issues. So I give him that.
Speaker 1:But I do want to just kind of step into the danger of of when people don't vote Right, when, when you're the type this is like my vote doesn't matter, I don't really care, they're going to pick whoever they want, that type of thing. I think, jay, that their mindset is so far detached of what really matters locally. Like you can't really trip on the presidency. You understand the electoral college and I know that people kind of look at that and say, okay, it's, it's already in position. But one thing you can do for sure is your local officials. You can make sure that your voice is heard right that there's offices that people don't even know about, that are down the street from them, where you can go in.
Speaker 1:You can file a complaint about what's going on in your neighborhood. You can file a complaint you know about the sheriff's office or the city of, or whatever you know. Whatever facility is going on you can go and file a complaint about. You know the school district, the schools, what's going on, and you know people go to like to school. Here's what's wild, here's what's going on, and you know people go to like to school. Here's what's wild, here's what's wild. People go to the school and complain to the people at the school. That's that's what this, the soup, you know the superintendent's for, that's what the the uh board of education and things like that.
Speaker 1:Look, man, that's like you coming to my restaurant and telling me, hey, I don't like what's going on here, I want change. I'm like, okay, write down your complaint and I'll take it and I'll file it and we'll get it taken care of. Versus going to the Better Business Bureau or going to your local business and saying, hey, man, something may write about this restaurant. Look into it. Like if you come to me and you say there's an issue. You know I'm just going to pacify you for that time being. You know, figuratively speaking, right, but they'll just pacify you for that time being. So I think it's so important that people understand the chain of command. You know, that's my military coming out right, but the chain of command, uh, the checks and balances of what goes on and why voting is so significant.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, I mean. Another reason is just, I mean representation, right, if, if you're not voting, you know this. This is how I think about it. If, if you're not voting, you're just one of those people that are in a classroom not voting. You're just one of those people that are in the classroom and I don't know, you know if y'all remember this, but you know they would do a vote for what we wanted for uh, for for lunch or or whatever the case is. And if, right, if you don't vote, then you just getting whatever. You know, the majority is like your, your, your vote matters because you want to see some type of representation of yourself and and what you want in the overall uh policies that that that are being um added.
Speaker 2:So, people that don't vote, for one reason you, you can't go anywhere and try to complain about anything if. If you didn't vote, you're a part of the. You're literally a part of the reason you're complaining about things that may be going on, but you didn't do anything to try to help change that right. So I mean, that's just one of the things. And then you mentioned earlier about how our ancestors man we went through so much earlier, about how our ancestors. Man, we went through so much, especially black people we went through so much to get this right to vote. It makes no sense not to utilize it and not exercise that right. I mean, think about it. They do stuff that you know. Laws can be overturned, there's things that can be taken away. There's different rights that can be.
Speaker 2:You know what I'm saying. If you aren't exercising your right, they will literally take it from you, and that's something that's wild to think about, you know. Then you have extremists, right. That's another side of not voting. If you're not voting, then that leads way to maybe some radical person with all these crazy ideals that they're able to rally up enough people to vote for them, and now they do. I mean, you know I'm not pointing no fingers, but you know they, they're able to rally up enough people to vote for them, and now they do.
Speaker 2:I mean, you know I'm not pointing fingers, but you know Trump, you know what I'm saying. Like you got people that are able to to galvanize voters get in office and start making these different changes and laws that do not represent you whatsoever laws that do not represent you whatsoever. But because you sat back, because you felt like your vote didn't count because you felt like you know it didn't matter and you basically going with the flow. I mean you know you can't be upset at the outcome of that. So, yeah, voting is too important. I mean it's understated.
Speaker 1:I agree 1000%. Uh, look, you know, this is one of those conversations that we can do, uh, over and over Um, it's one of those conversations that never gets old. The importance of it is timeless. Um, before we wrap this up, jay, I do want to talk about a few things. I want to talk about the importance of not only voting but your voice and actually, you know, leaving a legacy, because when you think about it, when you make a decision because that's what voting is about Voting is about making a decision, standing behind it and making sure that you see through the outcome.
Speaker 1:Right, you don't just vote and then just, you know, go away Like, ok, I did my thing, hopefully it works out.
Speaker 1:You have to continue to not only encourage the community to vote, but stand for something, and even if you don't get the outcome of the result, that doesn't mean give up, that doesn't mean that there's no hope, that doesn't mean that, because who you wanted to represent you isn't there, that you can't make an impact in your community, your community.
Speaker 1:And so I think that those are some very key points that we have to continue to encourage each other to, you know, move forward with and really understand and really just encouraging that entire conversation within the family Because, as we mentioned earlier in the show, it's been taboo for centuries.
Speaker 1:Let's not talk about politics, let's not talk about what goes on in the news. If you feel this way about a candidate and I feel that a different candidate is the answer then we're not going to have a conversation, because we don't want to battle, we don't want to have a house that's divided, and you know that's the complete opposite, because I think it'll challenge us to really look at what are the bullet points, what are some of the main factors that you feel are important, and so you take those things there and then you see if your candidate stands behind your values, stands behind your perspective and really understand the community that you're in. So I think that those things are extremely important. So I would ask you, like you know, what do you think one of the things that listeners today can do more to be more engaged in the entire process and conversation?
Speaker 2:Definitely. Actually, here I got you. So number one. If you don't know if you are registered, I definitely would go ahead and check that. Make sure you are registered to vote. That's number one and then just start doing some research.
Speaker 2:I mean, that's another big thing about this. Voting is 100% important, but another aspect of it is knowing who you're voting for and what they stand for and what their policies, and you know how or how not how well you may align with them. You know what I'm saying and that's, and that's another thing. Yeah, we talk about the community, but the individual part of it is about how you personally feel. Right, you don't need to just hop on a bandwagon and just do what everybody else is doing. That's good bandwagon and just do what everybody else is doing, like figure out you know which candidate aligns most with you, and that's how you make make make your decision. But it's it's gotta be research for number one. And then, of course, you know you gotta be registered. So double, double check on that and then. And then, yeah, just do some research.
Speaker 1:Matter of fact, check three times right, and then, yeah, just do some research.
Speaker 2:Matter of fact, check three times. Right, that's right. Check three times.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I think that you know you made some really good points and you know we also have to understand that. You know, different generations feel different ways.
Speaker 1:You know you may have some generations here that are like you know what. It doesn't really make a difference, why even try? But then you also have to understand the people that fought and have seen the progress of the rights to vote. They're like what are you doing? What are you doing? What are you talking about? Like, if you look at it from the first level I don't want to say the lowest level, because all are important but if you look at it at the first level in your community, do people really know that you can pick who the sheriff is, who your sheriff is? People aren't thinking about that. Do you know how much influence you can have on who the mayor is? A lot of times we're I don't want to say stuck, but we continue to have the same people in office because no one is voting. And it could have been a complete 180 if you just woke up and saw the importance of voting. Like, if you don't, if you don't like what's around you, you can change it by being a part of it. And and here's what's wild jay, and we're almost out of time, right, but this is why I want to get off. This is what I really want to make sure that we go.
Speaker 1:We will rally behind getting shoes. We will rally behind getting shoes. We will rally behind getting concert tickets. We will boycott restaurants, man. We will rally behind a clothing store Do not come here anymore. We don't like. You know. They said something about us and they treat us a certain way and and said that you know we don't take cash here. We will rally behind that.
Speaker 1:Go all around Facebook, all the social media outlets, to to try to trash a small business. Meanwhile, you're not even voting or you're not even taking the time to do your due diligence or the effort to meet who your city council person is. Imagine being able to just make a phone call to your city councilman, instead of you risking your life up there. Or you know they call the police on you because you disturbing the peace. When you could have actually made a phone call, you could have sent a certified letter, you could have sent an email to the proper chains of command to make a bigger impact through the proper chains of command to make a bigger impact. So instead of them banning you from coming to their restaurant, now they may get investigated on their policies with their patrons.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so when we talk about that, that's what we mean, I don't know, we may circle back, I don't know, jay but listen we want everyone to be encouraged to take part in your community, you know, find out what's going on first, your neighborhood, your mom's neighborhood, your aunt, your baby mama or your baby daddy. These things are truly important because that's how you'll be affected first. That will be how you are affected first. What goes on in your neighborhood that you didn't know about, that you could have known about. So we just want to encourage you guys Do you do diligence, open-minded, and really look towards the future and see how you can make an impact now, because every vote counts, every individual counts, and so hey, look, hey, we love you guys, we appreciate your support. Hey, and keep voting for us.
Speaker 1:That's right, pops and son. So hey, look, we're signing out. Check us every episode, but make sure, if you didn't hear us last episode, go ahead and hit that button, listen to the previous episode and we'll see you guys next time. It's your favorite self. Fox, rob and Roy.
Speaker 2:And I'm double checking, check again, check three times baby.
Speaker 1:Pops and Son conversations. See you guys next time.
