NPR: Forty Years Later, Remembering the Riots

Forty Years Later, Remembering the Riots

Back from Atlanta. Thanks to those of you who responded to my blog about Thursday's program. I really appreciate your understanding about that emotional moment at the end of the show. And thanks again to Cheryl Corley for sitting in on Friday for what I believe was an amazing program commemorating the death of Martin Luther King Jr. It was rich from beginning to end and I'm just glad I had a tiny part in it.

If you have not heard it, I commend it to you! (I can do that - since I did not host I am free to brag, yes?)

Today we continue our conversation about Dr. King's death with a look at what the murder of Dr. King wrought - cities across the country burned. I don't know about you but I often cannot take in the whole pie; better to take a slice and digest it fully. That's what we chose to do today, focusing on Baltimore. It's just up the road from DC, about 40 miles away, yet a world away in some ways. If you've ever been to Baltimore you know what I mean. Great restaurants, great shopping (believe me I know), delightful architecture new and old, world class educational institutions. And yet some of the most blighted urban terrain you ever want to see - or don't want to see - it's all there.

Our guides are many and diverse: an urban history professor who took us on a tour of the neighborhoods to show us the effects of the riots so many years later, two former mayors - one white,one black - voices from the folk who got caught up in the mess, and two voices of the future - two young debate champions who went to Baltimore Public schools and recently swept a national championship.

Also - while we were in Baltimore, our producers went out to gather some stories of residents who lived through the riots. You can hear - and see - their memories in our audio slideshow.

Tomorrow, listen in for a story about Native American Hip Hip. You won't want to miss this one.

As always, keep in touch.

Michel Martin

3:33 PM ET | 04- 7-2008 | permalink

comments | | e-mail

3:33 PM ET | 04- 7-2008 | permalink

Comments

View all comments »

Add a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.

As a native Baltimorean, I really enjoyed Michel Martin's piece on Baltimore and the riots. As a product of the city schools, i was especially appreciative of her highlighting the two great debaters. After attending public junior high school, I went on to boarding school in New England, Yale, and the University of Chicago Law School. Everyone knows only a third of Baltimore students graduate and whatever else they know comes from The Wire. It's good to see successes, too.

Sent by Nicole Wynn | 11:55 PM ET | 04-09-2008

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

E-mail |
Print

E-mail Updates from the Tell Me More Blog

Share Your Story

What would it take to get your vote? Share text, audio or video.

'Tell Me More' with Michel Martin

"Nothing is assumed." That's the unofficial motto of Tell Me More, the new Monday-Friday talk show with host Michel Martin. Grounded in lively interviewing and compelling storytelling, the program seeks to present diverse new voices, cross borders, challenge conventional wisdom and discover how other people think.

'Tell Me More' Podcast

Listen to NPR's Tell Me More as a podcast every weekday.

» Get the Podcast

Blog Roll

Discussion Guidelines

Read the discussion guidelines for our blog.

Search 'Tell Me More'

Contact Michel

If you would like to submit a general comment to Michel and the Tell Me More staff directly, please use our contact form.

Browse Topics

Services

Programs

Text-only