Apathy Is Not An Option (SPLC)

Apathy Is Not An Option: Presented by the Southern Poverty Law Center is more than a podcast—it’s a call to action. Each episode dives into the urgent issues shaping our communities, from voting rights to racial and economic justice and the fight against hate and extremism. Hosted by Alex Beightol, this podcast brings bold, unfiltered conversations with activists, thought leaders, and everyday people pushing for change in the South and beyond. Listen now —because sitting this one out is not an option. Learn more at splcenter.org.

In this episode of Apathy Is Not an Option, we meet the next generation of Southern changemakers. You'll hear from SPLC's Rivka Maizlish, who unravels the myths and misinformation surrounding monuments and Jeremiah Chapman, a teen in Montgomery, Alabama calling for a new city flag free from Confederate imagery. We then visit Parker Short, a policy student exposing the racist legacy of Georgia’s Stone Mountain, these young leaders are confronting the past to build a more just future. Alongside insights from SPLC’s Seth Levi, we unpack the lies of the “Lost Cause,” the myth of “product of their time,” and why monuments matter in the fight for truth and accountability.

Whether it’s standing up to symbols of white supremacy or rewriting the narrative of the South, these stories prove: the future belongs to those who refuse to be silent.


Apathy is Not an Option is a production of PRX and The Southern Poverty Law Center. Nichole Hill and Mark Pagán are the senior producers and editors. Sound design and mixing by Terence Bernardo. I’m your host Alexandria Beightol. For the SPLC, the executive producers are Cassandra Douglas and Julian Teixeira, with video production by Neil Parekh. From PRX Productions, the project manager is Edwin Ochoa and the EP is Jocelyn Gonzales.

Visit splcenter.org and follow us on social media to learn more, take action, and support the work of dismantling white supremacy and advancing racial and economic justice.

In our first episode of Apathy is Not an Option, we explore the how the ongoing fight for civil rights in Alabama, the historical significance of the Selma Bridge Jubilee, and the deep roots of activism can pave the way to confronting new and evolving threats to civil rights. From grassroots organizing to legal victories that reshaped the national landscape, this conversation highlights the resilience and power of collective action.

Visit splcenter.org and follow us on social media @splcenter to learn more, take action, and support the work of dismantling white supremacy and advancing racial and economic justice.

Apathy is Not an Option is a production of PRX and The Southern Poverty Law Center, and hosted by Alexandria Beightol. Nichole Hill and Mark Pagán are the senior producers and editors. Sound design and mixing by Terence Bernardo. For the SPLC, the executive producers are Cassandra Douglas and Julian Teixeira, with video production by Neil Parekh. For PRX Productions, the project manager is Edwin Ochoa and the Executive Producer is Jocelyn Gonzales.