Originally Broadcast: February 13, 2012
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The exodus of approximately six million black people from the American South between 1915 and 1970 had a significant role in setting the stage of the civil rights movement of the early 1960s. Many of the children of those who left the south participated in desegregation efforts which included the Freedom Rides and lunch counter sit-ins. The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965 which attempted to resolve employment discrimination and define voting rights, only changed the law. Many young blacks however did not see changes in their everyday life.
The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense was born out of this disillusionment. Although infiltrated and feared by the F.B.I., the Black Panther Party pioneered social and community programs, including free medical clinics, free meals, and educational programs.
Our guest in this edition of Radio Curious is Columbia University Sociology and Gender Studies Professor Alondra Nelson, author of “Body and Soul: The Black Panther Party and the Fight Against Medical Discrimination.”
We visited by phone from her Office in New York City, on February 13, 2012 and began our conversation when I asked her to describe the Black Panther Party.
The book she recommends is “Crave Radiance: New and Selected Poems,” by Elizabeth Alexander.
Professor Nelson’s website is http://www.alondranelson.com.
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This interview’s guest was my old law school friend, Congressman Sam Farr, who represents Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. In this interview, we discussed the USA Patriot Act, the Freedom to Read Act of 2003, and the influence that the Democrats, the minority party, have in both houses of Congress.
Originally Broadcast: June 10, 2003
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American Taboo, A Murder in Peace Corps
In this edition of Radio Curious, we take a look at murder and getting away with murder. In the small island kingdom of Tonga, an American Peace Corps Volunteer murdered another American Peace Corps volunteer in October 1976. “American Taboo, A Murder in Peace Corps,” by Philip Weiss, is a detailed story about the murder, how and why it happened, the legend that developed, the subsequent cover-up, and an interview with the murderer.
Philip Weiss recommends “McArthur and Southerland, The Good Years,” & “McArthur and Southerland, The Bitter Years,” both by Paul P. Rogers
Originally Broadcast: June 29, 2003
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“Interracial Intimacies: Sex, Marriage, Identity, and Adoption,” is a book written by Randall Kennedy, a Harvard University Law School Professor. He takes an in-depth look at the issue of black and white relationships set against the ever-changing social mores and laws of this country.
Fears of interracial relationships, influenced over the centuries by racial biases and fantasies still widely linger in American Society today.
Randall Kennedy, a professor at Harvard University Law School is the author of “Interracial Intimacies: Sex, Marriage, Identity, and Adoption,” in which he takes an in depth look at the issue of black and white relationships set against the ever-changing social mores and laws of this country. From pre-civil war to the present, this book explores the historical, sociological, legal and moral issues that continue to feed and complicate those fears.
Professor Kennedy and I visited by phone in March 2003 and began by our conversation with his description of what he calls a “pigmentocracy” in the United States.
The book Professor Randall Kennedy recommends is “The Biography of Walter White,” by Robert Jankin.
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The Case Against Lawyers
The control and influence lawyers have in American society has grown enormously in the past 75 years. The influence was foreseen in the 1830s by Alexis de Tocqueville and described in his book, “Democracy in America.” Catherine Crier discusses and critiques this influence in her book, “The Case Against Lawyers.” Crier, herself a former lawyer, district attorney, and judge is now a commentator on Court TV.
Catherine Crier recommends “Pigs at the Trough,” by Arianna Huffington & “The Rule of Lawyers,” by Walter Olson.
Originally Broadcast: March 18, 2003
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Pigs at the Trough, How Corporate Greed and Political Corruption Are Undermining America
Arianna Huffington, a political columnist and commentator with a conservative background, is the author of “Pigs at the Trough, How Corporate Greed and Political Corruption Are Undermining America.” Her book discusses alliances between corporate executive officers, politicians, lobbyists and bankers in disregard for office and factory workers.
Arianna Huffington recommends “Wealth and Commonwealth, Why America Should Tax Accumulated Fortunes,” by Chuck Collins.
Originally Broadcast: February 18, 2003
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The Art of Anonymous Activism: Serving the Public While Surviving Public Service
“The Art of Anonymous Activism: Serving the Public While Surviving Public Service” is a short book published by three public interest organizations based in Washington DC: POGO, the Project on Government Oversight (www.pogo.org), GAP, the Government Accountability Project (www.whistleblower.org), and PEER, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (www.peer.org). Jeff Ruch is the executive director of PEER and the book’s co-editor.
Originally Broadcast: January 20, 2003
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I Want That! How We All Became Shoppers: A Cultural History
“I Want That! How We All Became Shoppers: A Cultural History” is the title of a new book by Thomas Hine. In this book he discusses why we want objects and how they change us. He looks at early forms of trading, and proceeds through the history of materialism.
Thomas Hine recommends “Refinement of America,” by Richard Bushman.
Originally Broadcast: December 17, 2002
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The Mourning of Angles
The life of Lydia Schaefer is a composite fictional story of a 22 year-old woman who served in the Peace Corps in Peru from 1962 to 1964. Patricia Taylor Edmisten, a former Peace Corps Volunteer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, tells Lydia’s story in her book, “The Mourning of Angles,” based in part on her experiences in the Peace Corps in Peru during those years.
Patricia Edmisten recommends “The Accidental Pope,” by Raymond Flynn & Robin Moore.
Originally Broadcast: November 15, 2002
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The history of women has existed as long as humans have, but it was not until the last half of the 20th Century that women’s history received recognized academic attention. Our guest, Professor Gerda Lerner was a pioneer in the movement to study and record the history of women.
Gerda Lerner led an extraordinary life from April 30, 1920 to January 2, 2013. She was a historian, author and teacher, and ultimately a professor emeritus of history at the University of Wisconsin. Her academic work was characterized by the attention she drew to the differences among women in class, race and sexual orientation.
Professor Lerner and I visited by phone in October 2002, began with her description why the distinctions among women of class, race and sexual orientation are important.
Originally Broadcast: October 1, 2002.