Episodes

  • The Last War - Racism and Spirituality?

    The Last War - Racism and Spirituality?
    Oct 14 2013
    The Roman Empire did not colorize the person. Rome is arguably the roots of Western civilization. Slavery existed, but not with the racism we know of today. Any form of slavery is bad, but the world hadn’t seen anything yet until bestial slavery began in the15th century. Exactly what deadly mix of elements and circumstances spawned a new form of slavery that still haunts us today? It’s not just economics. How can we untangle this violent web….faster? Can Politics do it? Can the Legal System do it. How about Thriving Materialism? Religion alone hasn’t done it yet. Can researchers pinpoint the form of dehumanization before bestial slavery that led to hyper-racism? What were the drivers in Europe that rationalized a worse form of racism? Maybe we can connect the dots. Join Author and Professor Dr. Mark Perry with his brilliantly researched book, The Last War: Racism, Spirituality and the Future of Civilization with a view on what must happen to climb out of the racism ditch.
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    58 mins
  • He Just Won’t Quit! Who is Dr. Clarence Jones Really?

    He Just Won’t Quit! Who is Dr. Clarence Jones Really?
    Oct 7 2013
    Why did Martin Luther King, Jr. trust this man so much? Yes, Dr. Clarence B. Jones assisted in drafting King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, was his lawyer, and personally brought the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to the light of day. But how does a Black man in America go from spending time in a foster home to iconic history? What are his personal thoughts that helped change the course of history? What didn’t happen that he knows would have caused justice to surge higher? What held him together then and now? How far are we from a country, and maybe a world, from a place where character trumps skin color? At 82 years old, Clarence B. Jones has not quit, nor gone on permanent vacation when he could. Why is his commitment so deep and strong? He is arguably the most trusted man in America. Now we can listen to what he believes are the next most important developments to continue forward. Find out what this national treasure of a man will dare to share that maybe no one else can.
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    57 mins
  • How They Pushed Through Racial Pain and Trauma

    How They Pushed Through Racial Pain and Trauma
    Sep 30 2013
    ‘Let’s become friends on purpose’, they said. What? The daughter of enslaved Africans and the son of slave traders agree to test a rarely traveled road? Is this a sign of “POST Racial American Society” in 2013? Really? What happens when an African-American (Black) woman and a European-American (White) man engage in each other’s lives, as friends, to test out a model of racial healing beyond the polite comments and the comfort of racial healing workshops? What did they learn about themselves? Can they actually get to the other side of the bald-faced truth and reality of the US history on race? Will anger, guilt, and shame cause them to shrink back into that small box of fear and ‘let it be’ thinking? What is the price for pushing through the pain, and was it worth it? Join us for an in-depth and piercing look into the journey of Sharon L. Morgan, and Thomas N. DeWolf, authors of Gathering at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery, and a Son of the Slave Trade.
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    57 mins
  • Black Hair: Politics, Art, and Culture

    Black Hair: Politics, Art, and Culture
    Sep 23 2013
    It seems VERY complex. Is kinky hair a political statement like the symbol of a people regaining personhood in the ‘60’s? Is straightening hair about self-hate, and buying into the White standard of beauty? Wearing the high art styles of braids and dreadlocks has long tested the upward mobility of People of Color in business. Some say the high number of Black and Brown children drowning is directly related to not learning to swim because of the hair ‘going back home’ in water. Some Black women say, ‘Don’t go natural, or you’ll be naturally sitting at home on Saturday night’. But now ‘everybody’ and every culture are wearing weaves and extensions. Is the resurgence of natural hair and the economics associated a temporary trend? What has caused this new wave of attention and expression? Or is it simply fashion statements? Please join Lori L. Tharps, Assistant Professor, Temple University and Author with her updated book, Hair Story, and find out new research and important insights.
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    58 mins
  • White was Invented, Now Set Me Free!

    White was Invented, Now Set Me Free!
    Sep 16 2013
    The Irish were mistreated until they too became ‘White’ people. Rita Starr, Founder and Program Developer of Healing Our Nation and author, knows 1st hand what it’s like to be ‘White’ and then learn the truth about the invention of ‘Whiteness’. When did ‘Whiteness’ begin and become law in the US? Everyone is affected and loses something in racism. But what got lost for ‘White’ people? The data says, overall, it’s still the safest and wealthiest identity going. Now is there something else? The US demographics continue to point to more Latino, African, Asian, and Native American growth. Will ‘White’ people always want to be called ‘White’? Is it a cultural heritage or political group? Is it best and safe to cling to the race based invention of ‘Whiteness’? Is there a path to escape, discover, and recover from the true history of being a ‘White’ Person? Escape to what? Join Rita Starr who realized the truth, felt imprisoned by ‘Whiteness’, and her journey to finally get free.
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    57 mins
  • Gospel Music: Roots that Drive Social Justice

    Gospel Music: Roots that Drive Social Justice
    Sep 9 2013
    If it ‘ain’t sung, social justice can’t be won’. Can you think of any social justice movement without music? Why do 3 words, “We Shall Overcome”, put our emotions in a higher place? Gospel music is uniquely African-American in origin from lived experiences. Even Albert Einstein agreed and praised it. What is its secret power that tugs at the heart and soul to unite ALL people worldwide? This universal language of the divine is not value neutral. It transmits ways of thinking, being and behaving. Is it simply music, an effective organizing tool, or what? The roots of gospel music can be heard in the Blues, Rock, R&B, Motown, Rap, etc. Can gospel music help racial healing soar like the Movement of the ‘60’s? Join Eric Dozier, former Musical Director for the World Famous Harlem Gospel Choir and Director of Arts and Education for One Human Family Music Workshops, Inc., to decode how and why gospel music is a living story and endless gift of resilience, love, and hope for humankind.
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    57 mins
  • Special Encore Presentation: Incarceration: The Childs Point of View

    Special Encore Presentation: Incarceration: The Childs Point of View
    Sep 2 2013
    Children of the incarcerated seem to be invisible in this continuing national tragedy of mass incarceration. There are over 2.7 million directly affected and the number is growing. A stigma is placed on these little hearts and minds. What do caretakers, teachers, family members say or do? This is not specific to one ‘race’ or ethnicity. However, the face of the impacted is too often felt in Black and Brown. What are these/our children feeling that impacts their future? Are we forcing them to pay a debt to society? Think these/our children don’t love and miss their parents? Or their parents not love them? Think again. Sesame Street has stepped into this emotionally charged arena with a toolkit to help with the secret hurt and pain. Join Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Sesame Street’s Senior VP Outreach and Education, and Dr. Kirk Harris, Professor, University of Wisconsin, Lawyer, and Sesame Street Advisor to gain new literacy and skill to see these/our children and parents with new eyes.
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    56 mins
  • Black Panther Baby: Jamal Joseph’s Story

    Black Panther Baby: Jamal Joseph’s Story
    Aug 26 2013
    He was young, gifted, and Black. What would cause Jamal Joseph to go from a youth in the NAACP straight to becoming a Black Panther in New York City? We hear the term ‘radicalized’ used today to mean some bad person ‘got to’ a young man, told him a lie, and set him on a path to murder and destroy. What was Jamal Joseph told as the youngest Black Panther of the 21 to be incarcerated? He went to Leavenworth Federal Prison for over 8 years. Does he still believe in the ideals of Black Panthers? What was their 10 Point Program? Did Panthers believe in love of community or hatred of White people? What were the Black Panthers doing? Did government, racism, or classism end their mission? What are we missing about arguably one of the most influential and important organizations to emerge in US Civil Rights? We can go directly to the source. Now Professor Jamal Joseph, Cornell University, award winning film maker, author, Oscar nominee, and former Black Panther sets the record straight.
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    57 mins