A Safe Place to Talk About Race

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

September 11th put many South Asians under a spotlight colored by race and sometimes religion. This isn’t the first time Asian Americans were targets. The Japanese internment or incarceration camps during WWII rarely surface as racism in the USA. How many know who Vincent Chin was, and how the hate violence against him inspired a whole generation of Asian American activists? The presence of Asian Americans in Civil Rights movements has long been here, however, the expansion of a larger community voice is emerging across many of the ethnic Asian American groups. South Asians from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka among other countries of origin are building community awareness and relationships to help end racism here. What are the key issues facing Asian Americans today and some strategies and hopes? Join Ms. Deepa Iyer, Executive Director of South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) and Chair of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) and see.

Valerie Davidson says, “My Mother told me, ‘Lead with love. If you lead with love, you will never stand alone’. Valerie is a negotiator, director, commissioner, and tribal member of the Orutsararmuit Native Council. She knows full well the important legacy her mother breathed into her spirit. It may be 60 degrees below zero in parts of Alaska, and there are Federal government institutions who ‘are here to help’ the ‘Indians’….again, but neither of these factors stopped the 229 Tribes from the innovative and successful health care practices now in place for Tribal members. After the American Dental Association law suits were over, many would still question: ‘Can Native Tribes handle their own affairs?’ The contributions of Indigenous Peoples cannot be set aside. How did the Orutsararmuit Native Tribe get an important health care process in place? What else does it take besides leading with love? Tune in. You will want to know the story you may have missed in the news headlines.

Trayvon Martin, being followed in stores, more severe punishment than White children in schools, driving while Black, Brown, or ‘Middle Eastern’ looking. What is the stereotype when Black and Brown young men gather together? The old saying ‘there is safety in numbers’ doesn’t always apply. Do these experiences overshadow the positive role models such as a President Obama, parents, and community leaders? What do you tell a boy or young man of Color? When do you tell them? Will it bring a new growing fear and LACK of confidence, or will it prepare them for a random incident that may never happen, or a real one that may change their life or attitude? Stress rises when a small insult or horrific experience may occur on the way to getting skittles candy and a pop. Join Dr. Kirk E. Harris, Professor, and Senior Advisor for Fathers, Families and Healthy Communities. We are asking young men and adults to call-in or email what you are being told or telling our precious young men.

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.

Get sentenced, incarcerated, and lose your human rights to gain a job, education, even food and housing…maybe forever. It’s a system that makes a person pay far beyond the sentence served. Some say our LEGAL system must incarcerate vast numbers of people to keep others safe. Others say we need a JUSTICE system that does not hand out life sentences to Black, Brown, poor people AND communities. The United States has the largest population per capita of incarcerated in the industrialized world. This is such an economic growth industry you can make money on it in the New York Stock Exchange. Should we heavily invest in the future mistakes of children and reinforce the racism built into our society? Really? Can anyone shed light on remedies that can and maybe will turn this around? We think so! Join Fred Patrick, Project Director at VERA Institute of Justice, and Vivian Nixon, Executive Director of College and Community Fellowship to find out in Part II of our Series on Incarceration.

“For me to change, I had to journey past all those ugly identities that were placed upon me – that I accepted.., and go back...to the original spark that connects everything”, said Mr. Albino Garcia. He is well aware that racism and fear are deep in institutions, communities, and even us. “I came up hard. Somehow I found my way…and I’m giving back to the Earth”. Mr. Garcia has discovered ways to undo the traps of racism by using a person’s traditional heritage. It doesn’t matter what part of the world the heritage comes from. You may not find his brand of leadership in text books...yet. He understands La Cultura Cura – Culture Heals. Mr. Garcia helps people awaken by linking them to traditional cultures. His non-mainstream approach brings light to what long term healing and recovery looks like. This brilliant and award winning luminary shares his methods and belief that have built the vibrant La Plazita Institute that saves lives and communities. Tune in for Part I on Incarceration.

Have a story, opinion, or question that MUST be shared NOW? I do. We need to talk in ‘mixed’ company. How can ‘America’ heal if it’s not safe to talk about race? The Paula Deens, Trayvon Martins, Supreme Court decisions, The Lone Ranger and Tonto movie and other issues storm the headlines. Let’s take a chance to see how far we can go and still be safe. I’m stepping out of my host chair for the first time. My fear is that the headlines are so constant they will soon feel normal like going to the mall or movie entertainment. The pace and tempo on race is again gathering speed. I’m excited and unnerved. Some of the most distinguished luminaries on race have been guests on our show and light the way. Let’s take them and our day to day experiences to a new level. What’s got your heart in a knot or joy? Let’s REALLY talk like a family that needs each other, learns together to get better. We’re all we’ve got! I invite you to send in more questions or call in for a special show by and for us

Can’t deport Native Americans. These sovereign Nations have been here from the beginning, and will be forever. Is it true that without the heart, soul, and help of Native Americans, we would not be celebrating the 4th of July? What do Native Americans think of the 4th of July anyway? What have Native people known for thousands of years that seems so ‘new’ to us today? Native American activists have long pointed the way to a better ‘America’ from a world view focused on the number 7. What does this mean? Why must we care? Can we understand soon enough to save our collective future? The few Native Americans are leading the many in ways you have not heard about on a local, national, and international level. In 2010, the United Nations chose 3 people from the United States to be peace builders around the world. Our guest, Dr. Kay McGowan, Native American activist, educator, and author was one. Join us and learn 1st hand the whole truth from this humble and gifted luminary what few can tell us.

This White couple just ended their 15 years of roaming the USA in an RV looking for Black people to befriend. Was their ‘Longing’ and urgency to recover from the race lie so deep they just ‘Authorized’ themselves into action’? They figured out they had been racially brainwashed. Why would Phyllis and Eugene Unterschuetz go this far in a way no other European-Americans would dare? How did they even approach People of Color? No human being wants to be enslaved. Did Phyllis and Gene escape brainwashing and leave their racialized lives behind and find a new kind of freedom as White people? Did they eventually get to a different mountain top and see far into a new capacity to sustain racial healing? Did their ‘Longing’ to reclaim a new reality about being human pay off? You won’t believe what they found out, and how it has affected their humanity. Join authors Phyllis and Eugene Unterschuetz for ‘Longing – Stories of Racial Healing’, and what they are doing now that the RV is parked.

What really happens when a White man crosses the color line in the 21st Century by marrying a Black woman, and has children in the USA? How does White Privilege show up at home? Michael R. Wenger, author and Senior Fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, lives in worlds that most White and People of Color don’t see or refuse to see. He sees the impact on children, family, and at work with startling clarity. Mike shows how far we’ve come, and how far we have to go on a very personal level and in our institutions. Are there more tears of joy or sadness? What happens when he goes head on with the unwritten or unconscious white code built into systems? What does Mike do at work when he can’t set race aside? Is there such a thing as ‘Internalized White Superiority’? Is there a way out? This tender real life story makes you think we have chances to break through our past. Is the path worth traveling? Can he show us how we are NOT trapped by our history? Or are we?

Sports have often been referenced as a great racial and national unifier. The road to the top includes the right coaches at the right time in a career. You may never hear or know the names of some of these coaches who are African-American. Who are they? What story do they have to tell about the real world of coaching? How does race factor into the journey for coaches? Does winning or the color of green money trump any racial matters? The journey to becoming a world class tennis star requires brilliance from excellent coaches. It takes so many ingredients and sometimes a stroke of luck to make it to the top. Morris King, Jr. has coached Venus and Serena Williams and others early in their careers. What can this world class coach, who is African-American, tell us about a part of sports not always discussed in the genteel world of ‘Tennis Anyone?’ His point of view may surprise you, and open new questions about the pipeline and barriers to success behind the stars you admire and love to watch.

Favorite slave. Seriously? That stinging reference aside, this was the only enslaved person George Washington freed upon his death, and gave an inheritance. The others were given, as property, to his wife. What would cause such an act of the 1st president of the United States? Our focus for this show is not centered around the mind or heart of President Washington. Much has been written over the years. We want to know who was William ‘Billy’ Lee, the human being, and his contributions to our Democracy. He is seen in famous paintings, and galloped with Washington during the Revolutionary War. Is it true that he saved George Washington’s life before he became president? Did Bill Lee have a ‘life well pleasing’ under the yoke of slavery? Our guest, Len Lamensdorf, award winning author, playwright, and lawyer, brings Mr. Billy Lee alive and in full color as no one else has done. Joseph J. Ellis, Pulitzer Prize winner and historian says of Len’s work: “one of the most poignant untold stories in American history.”