NPR: People on a Mission

People on a Mission

Hi, Cheryl Corley joining you here. Michel Martin will be back tomorrow.

Sometimes it's easy to take our legal system for granted or to find its flaws, but the framework of "presumption of innocence," or having attorneys argue before an open court, is often a model for other countries. Mexico is the latest example. Over the next few years, it will overhaul its ENTIRE judicial system. President Felipe Calderon says the reforms will be a cornerstone of his government's war against organized crime. Mexico City law professor, John Mill Rose Ackerman, joined us to talk about what's in store.

In about a week, we'll know whether the escalating violence in Zimbabwe will hamper the presidential run-off between longtime leader Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. NPR's Ofeiba Quist Arcton says the election may really be in jeopardy.

But there was some hopeful news about Africa on today's show when a couple of youth ambassadors joined us to talk about their plans to travel to the continent.

Let us know how you give, Do you travel abroad to help people in other countries, or contribute to your church, synagogue, mosque?

Giving, of course, is one of the core missions of CARE, the humanitarian organization that fights global poverty. A year ago we talked to Care's president, Dr. Helene Gayle, and Sheila Johnson, owner of WNBA team the Washington Mystics. Johnson, also co-founder of BET, is a major backer of CARE's "I Am Powerful" campaign. Today, they joined us to give us a one-year update. And we also got a chance to learn a bit more about Johnson's documentary, "A Powerful Noise." Take a look at the trailer. The film documents the lives and struggles and victories of some of the women they've met in their travels around the world.

Plus, a conversation today with film director Sarah Gavron and actress Tannishtha Jatterjee. They take listeners inside about their beautiful film, Brick Lane, which is about the life of a Bangladeshi immigrant living in London.

There's, of course, much more to talk about. Michel will be back tomorrow to lead that conversation.

It was great hanging out with you.

-- Cheryl Corley

Michel Martin

3:35 PM ET | 06-19-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Cheryl,
Great job filling in, I enjoyed your presence.
jt

Sent by www.jazztheologian.com | 10:52 PM ET | 06-19-2008

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'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.