Dispatch from Mexico

Lee, here...

More from behind-the-scenes and on-the-road with TMM. Fellow show producer (and substitute Web producer) Douglas Hopper is Mexico taking part in an important global event conference.

I'll let him tell you more ...

The world seems smaller than usual right now. I'm sitting in a room with 58 journalists - both broadcast and print - from 48 different countries. We're here in Mexico City to learn from each other about how to tell the story of the HIV/AIDS global epidemic. Next week - after a week of interactive sessions - we'll assemble at Mexico City's Centro Banamex convention hall to cover the International AIDS conference.

--Douglas Hopper

Lee Hill

2:31 PM ET | 07-31-2008 | permalink

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Liberia, Bulgaria And Common Ground

TMM producer Monika Evstatieva

Lee Hill, NPR

On Thursdays, we like to focus on international news; we call it our international briefing. We talked about the bombings in India. A coordinated series of bombings there in Ahmedabad on Saturday made headlines, but it turns out that in recent years more people have died from terrorist bombings in India than from any other country except Iraq. You can read the story that got our attention here.

... And we talked to the article's author.

But now I'm going to turn it over to two of our producers. Later here on the blog, Douglas Hopper is doing some important work in Mexico and he's going to tell you about it. But first, here's Monika Evstatieva on the segment we did today about two women from Liberia who became fighters during the country's civil war.

Here's Monika ...

Very often during our Thursday international briefings we bring you sad news. I am a producer on the program, so I often get a chance to hear these stories, while I sit on my computer and cut taped segments. Sometimes I cut and cry, cut and cry. But then the sadness somehow slips away like a silk scarf from a firm hand grip and I forget about it.

--Monika Evstatieva

Michel Martin

1:26 PM ET | 07-31-2008 | permalink

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I'm Sorry.

Statues in Stonetown, Zanzibar mark the center of the slave trade in East Africa.

iStock

... How does that make you feel?

I ask because, 140 years after the end of slavery, the House of Representatives yesterday apologized to black Americans for the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow" -- Jim Crow, being the system of legally enforced segregation and second class citizenship that many people (not all African American) believe still carries important social consequences to this day.

This is not the first apology rendered by the nation's legislative leaders. Previously, Congress apologized for imprisoning Japanese Americans and immigrants during World War II, and the Senate apologized for atrocities committed against Native Americans and for failing to do anything about the century-long lynching campaign against African Americans. Several states, including Virginia and New Jersey, have previously expressed regret for slavery. Many African Americans wonder why, given that history, it has taken so long for the nation to atone for what some consider America's original sin.

But, of course many say, so what?

Why now? Who cares?

Or, what does this have to do with me?

So, we want to know what you think.

Long overdue?

Let sleeping dogs lie?

Is the apology an empty gesture, or a powerful symbol of reconciliation?

Listen to what the bill's sponsor, Rep. Steve Cohen, has to say about it. And, if it means anything, Cohen is a Democrat, he is white and he represents a Memphis-based district.

... And then tell us more about what you think.

(I also want to refer you to Tuesday's conversation with Katrina Browne and Juanita Brown. Their documentary, Traces of the Trade, documents Katrina's family's involvement with the slave trade. It turns out they were major slavers, and the film shows what she decided to do about it.)

And, hear about one of America's enduring symbols of slavery, "Uncle Tom." He might not be the guy you think he is.

Michel Martin

4:42 PM ET | 07-30-2008 | permalink

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Consider this My E-Card

Thanks again to Cheryl Corley for holding it down so I could get myself back from Chicago and get the kids situated. They actually came with and took mad advantage of all Chi-town has to offer. But the usual horror story getting back here: a 90-minute flight stretched into five hours. It was not cute. Thank goodness for the apples I threw into my bag at the last minute from the hotel front desk. Yes, that is how we were living.

So the question is: should I send Cheryl a thank you note? Does this blog entry count?

I ask because the Mochas had a HOT conversation about the need/importance -- or lack thereof -- of sending thank you notes for kids' gifts in these modern, high-pressure, no-time-for-myself times. We got the idea from our friend Jeff at DC Urban Moms and Dads, who was a guest on our father's day show. He said it caused quite a ruckus on the site -- and quite a ruckus with the Mocha Moms. Guest mom Karen Grigsby Bates is going to tell us more in a minute...

We also took on illegal immigration -- the ongoing battle over whether local counties should enforce federal law and how far is too far. And we heard about a remarkable documentary, and got an all too brief update on the situation in Zimbabwe. I hope I wasn't too herky jerky ... a lot to think about...

Karen? What would you want to add? And do I have to send you a thank you note for coming on....

Continue reading "Consider this My E-Card" »

Michel Martin

1:03 PM ET | 07-29-2008 | permalink

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Farewell Chi-Town ..

Lee Hill, NPR

Father Michael Pfleger

Lee Hill, NPR

Well, not exactly. Although we wrapped up our final broadcast from the Windy City, we're still chomping away at even more material (stories, photos, etc.) to bring you from our time here.

... So sit tight.

Until our next post hits, in the meantime, tell us your thoughts on Father Michael Pfleger of the Saint Sabina faith community here in Chicago. Many remember him for his comments at Trinity United Church of Christ about Sen. Hillary Clinton during the presidential primary season. Regardless of whether that serves as your point of reference, he's certainly an interesting man, and you would probably agree after learning more about him and his message, overall. Today's conversation, might be a good start.

Meet you back here later...

Lee Hill

12:13 PM ET | 07-25-2008 | permalink

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Telling You More ... From Wishbone

Lee Hill, NPR

Lee Hill, NPR

Lee, here ...

I'm here blogging from Wishbone restaurant in Chicago, where Tell Me More is broadcasting live from the popular dining spot in the city's West Loop.

We're serving up a few tasty conversations today. From tuning in (or logging on here), you'll hear perspectives from Chicago businesswoman and Barack Obama campaign adviser Valerie Jarrett; Al Walavich, Lauren Fischer and Harold Lucas, all community voices who will talk about the unique cultural dynamics of this city; magazine editors Dawn Baskerville and Roy Johnson, will share what is gracing the pages of their latest magazines, Essence and Men's Fitness; and from Tania Urzerta, who is making big waves here in local Latino community radio.

Also, the Wishbone staff has been more than helpful. We showed up on their doorstep this morning before sunrise to set up shop here. There were nothing but smiles to greet us (after they turned on the lights), so I just want to give some virtual dap to Carlos Ewing, Vicente Salgado, Lupe Munoz, Nadri Ayyen, Monica Goston, Misty Saint and Araceli Ariza. They've certainly earned their spot as part of our extended family. (Not to mention the fact the food here is, shall we say, slammin').

That's all for now... You can meet Michel Martin back here later, after the program.

Lee Hill

8:37 AM ET | 07-24-2008 | permalink

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Reporting from the Windy City

WE MADE IT!

First show from Chicago went off without a hitch - at least none that anybody outside of these four walls needs to know about.

Observations: cities are so full of dichotomies. You arrive some place as a tourist and what they say about the Midwest is really true. People really do seem friendlier, a little more likely to slow down and give you a hi. No disrespect to my coast but the vibe is different. And you're thinking about your fabulous shopping you can do and great food you're going to eat. And interesting people you're going to get to talk to (okay, no shopping, I'm on the wagon). And you pick up the paper and a 15-year-old has been shot to death on his back porch for no reason anybody can think of. He's not a gang banger, he's not involved in the trade and it's the second kid in a week. And you say to yourself, where am I in this? What's the truth of where I am that needs to be spoken?

There is no one answer. So today, multiple perspectives.

Our newsmaker interview with a name you know and a face you remember: Carol Mosley Braun. She was the first African American woman elected to the US Senate. She went on to become Ambassador to New Zealand ... funny coincidence. She decided to run for President in 2004 - that's the year Obama was elected to the Senate. If she had decided to run for her old seat against him, would he be a potential President of the United States? Worth considering. She claims she's a "recovering" politician BUT she did give us a little taste of her views about politics.

And ... reporters talk crime. It is for many papers and news outlets an entry level gig. But if you consider all the hot button issues that go into crime coverage, maybe that's not how it should be. Hear four reporters from different ethnic backgrounds talk about how THEY talk about crime.

Also ... trying to change the world one neighborhood at a time. Barack Obama got his start as a community organizer here in Chicago. Hear from the man who he recruited to replace him.

And tomorrow we visit with you from Wishbone restaurant. More great stories to tell from the Windy City.

Michel Martin

10:55 AM ET | 07-23-2008 | permalink

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Tough Decisions

This was one of those nights where I tossed and turned the night before the show wondering if we made the right decision about how to apportion the time today. We decided to get a report from two members participating in the House Democrats' tour of the hurricane-affected regions of the Gulf Coast. We did that knowing that the group was partisan - led by top Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi, Steny Hoyer and James Clyburn - and that no Republican members had decided to join the trip. Are we trying to be mean to President Bush or make the Republicans look bad? Not a bit. But these are the people who chose to go and showcase this story and it's a story we feel committed to cover. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were seminal events in the life of this country - affecting a whole generation's accumulation of wealth, affecting neighborhoods, affecting families. We believe strongly that we will not forget. As Congressman Clyburn pointed out, the actual anniversary of the Katrina landfall takes place when the Democrats are holding their annual convention - where we will also be ... so we heard from Congressman Clyburn and Congressman Charlie Melancon.

But then again, the power sharing agreement in Zimbabwe was just announced - as we got off the air yesterday. As you know if you follow the program we have also been staying close to that story. Also, it was, I have to say, a surprise. There had been intimations that such a deal was in the offing but after so much bloodshed and brutality, who believed it would actually happen? To what end? We don't know. But an important incremental step. What to do, what to do?

We decided to go with the Gulf. It's home after all. And we can watch developments in Zimbabwe and expect our friends in Newscasts to keep us up to date with the basic facts. But, is it a comfortable decision? No.

We decided to continue with two conversations we had already planned because they are time sensitive. My friend, CNN correspondent Soledad Obrien is presenting two more installments in her long awaited series 'Black in America.' I apologize for that "hum " that you hear behind her whenever she is talking. We had technical problems and we just couldn't figure out to fix them. And as she and I both had to jump on airplanes - and her series is airing Tomorrow night - we just muddled through it. I hope it's not too distracting (actually I know it is, SORRY!). The Mochas wondered after the conversation if they were too critical of the series. What do you think?

And the presidents of three of the four organizations of journalists of color were able to join us to kick off the UNITY convention ... where I head now.

I'll eat some deep dish pizza for you. Talk to you next from Chicago.

Michel Martin

3:17 PM ET | 07-22-2008 | permalink

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Chicago or Bust!

We're almost out the door. Heading to Chicago for the UNITY convention later this week - we'll be broadcasting from there starting Wednesday - it's the quadrennial meeting of the four member organizations for journalists of color: NABJ, NAHJ, AAJA, and NAJA. Every now and again somebody wants to ask why there isn't a white journalists' association and we COULD talk about that if you want but it's kind of tired - truth is lots of white journalists come to these events - recruiters, executives, managers, as well as, of course, newsmakers and experts. There is a heavy emphasis on skills building and networking and best practices, which anyone should welcome, and there are things to ... well, discuss - issues that are particularly relevant to journalists of color. There was one panel I remember from a couple of conventions ago. It was titled "Is it racism or is it me?" and it featured journalists who had sued their employers for discrimination or individuals whose discrimination complaints had received journalistic attention. It was a very open discussion about what they brought to the issue and what they thought affected their circumstances, as well as managers giving their take on how and why things go wrong. Believe me it was HOT.

But really, the bigger question for most of us is simple and the same question all of our colleagues are asking which is: how do we get and stay employed given these difficult economic conditions, and the particular economics of the news business? We have previously covered the contraction in the newspaper side of the business - we talked with three high powered journalists of color who had either taken buyouts or gotten laid off. But there is more to talk about: Is it forever? Do some of those jobs migrate to the web? If they do, can you actually raise a family on those salaries? Truly, many don't realize that the news business is little different from other industries in that costs are rising, technologies are changing, consumer habits are changing, benefits costs associated with the most experienced employees are giving employers pause. We are not immune to any of that. In fact we live it, but we don't often talk about it because the story is us. And crucial and important to many of us: where does diversity fit into that?

Over the course of the next couple of days - and frankly ino next week because we couldn't fit it all in - we plan to have a number of interviews with media figures who will talk about these issues ... issues related to diversity, such as covering crime in ethnic communities, as well as media issues overalls.

(Don't worry, it's not going to be all media all the time. We have some GREAT CHICAGO PERSONALITIES to introduce you to. We're excited. We hope you'll join us.)

Michel Martin

2:31 PM ET | 07-21-2008 | permalink

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Is Jesse Jackson Still Relevant?

The Rev. Jesse Jackson makes a statement of apology in Chicago on July 9, 2008, following crude remarks made about Sen. Barack Obama.

AP

So, of course, Jimi Izrael, Ruben Navarrette, Arsalan Iftikhar and I got into it in today's Barbershop (Nick Charles, for some reason, didn't jump in on this one ... you're with me, right Nick?).

Relevance.

We were talking about the whole question of whether the Rev. Jesse Jackson is still relevant. The spark, of course, was the latest revelations that Rev. Jackson used the "N-word" as part of his off-mic, sotto voce rant against Sen. Barack Obama for "talking down to (black) people." Now, of course he was wrong, the whole thing was wrong, not least because it's yet another distraction. For instance, here's this press release I just got:

MASADA AND THE LAUGH FACTORY DEMAND JESSE JACKSON APOLOGIZE AND PAY "FINE" FOR "N-WORD"

Jamie Masada, owner of the World Famous Laugh Factory clubs demanded that Jesse Jackson apologize to the public at-large and pay The Laugh Factory's intolerant language fine to the Museum of Tolerance in Washington D.C. for his use of the "n-word" captured by Fox News this week. Ever since the unfortunate incident involving Michael Richards when Richards used the "n-word" in a hurtful display at the Laugh Factory in November 2006

Masada has been imposing fines on talent who use the "n-word." Masada stated Thursday that Jesse Jackson made a "deal" with him personally that he would use his leadership to admonish anybody in the public arena who uses the "n-word." At that time, Jackson fully endorsed The Laugh Factory's fining of talent who violate the "n-word" prohibition policy.

###

But here's my question: in what way does his being WRONG about his language, define his RELEVANCE as a public figure? Hasn't President Bush been WRONG about a number of things? But he is still relevant.

Wrong analogy you say, because the President is still an elected official -- since he still holds institutional power? And, nobody elected Rev. Jackson.

True. But just because he does not represent ALL 36 million African Americans (and/or progressives of whatever race) why does that mean he does not represent some of them?

This is not to agree or disagree with Rev. Jackson's positions on major issues, but I do question the standard by which some write off some of these aging public figures. Some people said the same thing about Rev. James Dobson when he criticized Sen. Barack Obama's biblical interpretation and politics. Sure, it was politics, and, no, you don't have to agree with him, but, if we're talking about them both, how can you say they are not relevant?

As Jimi (who is often wrong, but always relevant ... hi, Jimi!) would say, get some of this (and tell us what you think).

Have a great weekend.

Michel Martin

10:42 AM ET | 07-18-2008 | permalink

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My Turn?

When is it going to be my turn?

I hear this from one or the other of my twins at least once or 27 times a day. The usual issue is who gets to sit on my lap first, pick a story first, turn out the light first or even talk first. Despite an actual written schedule delineating some of these things (Aminah gets to pick story first, sit on the lap first and turn out the light on Tues., Thurs. and Sat.; William gets Mon., Wed., Fri. -- Sunday is "sit together day." And mom or dad turns out the light ... don't try to play me), we still hear it, along with the plaintive wail, you're taking too loooong.

As annoying as it is (and, yes, I can admit it, my children are sometimes annoying ... as much as I love and cherish them and pray for them), it occurred to me the other day that they are not the only ones who want to know when it's their turn.

How often did we hear this during the primary election season: whose turn is it? Black men, or black folks in general? Or white women?

Who gets to decide that?

But really, isn't it a question we grapple with anytime there's a limited resource, or the perception of a limited resource, and everybody cannot be served at once? Who gets the organ transplant, the slot at the elite college? Who gets the last seat in first class? ... On the replacement to the cancelled flight? Who gets the last seat out on the last helicopter out of the war zone?

Who deserves the chance? Who decides that?

We are grappling with this all the time, in ways that are dramatic and mundane, in things that seem utterly crucial and important only to a few.

I think about this as we head off to Chicago next week to participate in and broadcast from the UNITY convention, which is the quadrennial gathering of the four organizations of journalists of color: NABJ, NAHJ, AAJA, and NAJA. For me, as a journalist the event has always been important. It's a very rich environment for dialogue about issues in the media, a skills-building experience and a place to really enhance the quality of the rolodex. The breadth of workshops and speakers brought in by the organizations from all over the country (and this year the world) means exposure to people I might otherwise have to spend days if not weeks tracking down, if I knew about them at all.

On the other hand, as a person trying to program several shows -- a real dilemma. With thousands of journalists, hundreds of topics and issues to choose from, whose turn is it? How do you balance diversity with topic expertise with practicality (as in who is willing to get up at the crack of dawn to come to my studio, to be on the show? ... Who is a great talker, knows what he or she is talking about? And what's the mix?)

Michel Martin

5:39 PM ET | 07-17-2008 | permalink

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Prepping for the 'City'

Next week, TMM heads to this place.

iStock

Lee, here...

I'm here late with just a small handful of colleagues. Booking and production for tomorrow (Thursday's program) is pretty much taken care of.

So ... why are you still there chomping away?

Well, next week, we're taking the show on the road again. On our trip, we will cover a significant gathering that only takes place every handful of years. We will witness (and maybe participate) in a gathering of a fairly large group of people -- some of them we know, many of them we don't know.

So I'm here wrapping up a few leads on some stories and voices we hope to bring you next week from our time on the road. Sending off a few e-mails, pleading our case for why you might be interested in hearing what these folks have to say.

So, Lee, cut it out. Where are you going?

We're headed to ... a city. And that's all I'll say right now. (I'll defer to Michel Martin spill the beans later this week ... or after we get there).

Let's play the guessing game. Where are we headed, and what for?

Right or wrong, just know that we'll be telling you more, lots more!

Lee Hill

7:49 PM ET | 07-16-2008 | permalink

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Farewell to a Special Family Friend

NPR Greeter and Client Services Coordinator Gary Smith shares good times with TMM at the home of Michel Martin.

Lee Hill, NPR

We want to share some sad news, which, unfortunately, won't mean anything to you unless you've ever visited us here at our D.C. studios. But if you have been here, then you met our dear friend, Gary Smith.

Today, NPR's Acting CEO and COO both described him as "NPR's finest ambassador."

And that is just right.

Gary greeted visitors, on-air guests and all of us every day. From the moment I hit the door here, two years ago or so, Gary made me (and all of us) feel special and welcomed. Yes, he did manage to maneuver himself into every picture ever taken with any celebrity who hit the door, even the ones whose publicists were busy screaming, no pictures! And, yes, he did manage to turn up at every party, including those to which he had not been, well, invited ... but how could you say no?

Gary Smith was one of a kind, and he left us last night. He had been struggling with some health issues for sometime, but we thought he was on the mend; this is quite a shock. It's a reminder that you can't take any day for granted.

Here's a snippet of Gary commemorating TMM's first radio anniversary:

Gary, we miss you and love you, and we hope we told you often enough when you were here with us. Because you certainly told us.

Michel Martin

4:49 PM ET | 07-15-2008 | permalink

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How Far Is Too Far?

So, if you haven't seen the cover of the latest New Yorker magazine by now, here it is:

AP

Folks are upset. Blogger/journalist Richard Prince talks about just how upset folks are in his daily online blog column Journal-isms.

We thought: Hey! Why not have him on the show to talk to us about this?

Great idea.

And, do you remember Emerge magazine? Now out of publication, it used to regularly push people's buttons. To the left is one of its most famous, or infamous, "hits."

A 1993 cover of Emerge depicted U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a lawn jockey, echoing sentiments of Thomas' perceived disloyalty to the African-American community.

George Curry was the Editor of Emerge and now writes a column for the Philadelphia Inquirer and the NNPA.

So, George, what about the New Yorker cover? What's fair game?

Let's ask him.

Also, tell us what you think. How far is too far for satire?

And, the Mocha Moms. It's TMM Cheapskate week, so today we discuss talking to the kids about cutting back. We have some regulars back with us -- Donna Maria Coles Johnson last talked to us about coupon-ing. Now, she's back with more tips on how to cut back, and get the kids on board without traumatizing them. And, of course, Jolene Ivey and Dani Tucker always have good sense.

... As do our O, The Oprah Magazine ethics panelists. They discuss what to do, and say, in those awkward moments.

And, our money guy Alvin Hall weighs in on debt collectors. Hey, we hope you never need to know this stuff, but if you ever do, at least now you're ready!

Michel Martin

1:37 PM ET | 07-15-2008 | permalink

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Do Public Apologies Matter?

iStock

Happy Bastille Day!

And what that has to do with us? Not a darn thing, except I'll take any excuse for a party. Champagne, anyone?

Onto today's business, which is not the happiest. (You might want that glass of bubbly, I don't know.)

The American Medical Association (AMA) is offering apologies for its legacy of aiding and abetting racism in the medical profession. I want to point out the Washington Post piece, which broke the story last week. It details exactly why the AMA's history of excluding African American physicians matters, or did matter.

African Americans within the medical community were often denied hospital privileges, or access to continuing education, so they had a hard time being trained on the latest techniques. They were also denied scholarships because, often, the AMA would not give any support to doctors trained at black hospitals. And on, and on ...

Is this ancient history?

No.

Dr. Carl Bell, one of Chicago's (and frankly the country's) most prominent physicians, experienced many of these things in the late 1960's and early 70's. Bell was one of our guests on today's program, along with AMA immediate past president Dr. Ronald Davis, who wrote the apology.

Our question to you: Do you care? Does this matter?

Does this make clear the organization's "current moral orientation," as Davis put it, or is it just a way to relieve past guilt.

... Too little, too late (or some other point of view we haven't thought of)? No need to open old wounds? Do public apologies matter?

And, today's conversation about undocumented immigrant undergrads ... Here is where I hope we can have a deeper discussion because, frankly, I don't think we got all the way there in the interview, for which I take full responsibility. I'll just say it: it was interesting to hear the existentialist, as well as the practical dilemmas of undocumented college undergrads, but I still feel there are social equity issues that were not fully explored.

Is this a sins-of-the-fathers question, like the apologies for past racism? Are we asking children who were brought here by their parents without papers to pay for their parents' decision by denying them access to higher education, for which they would otherwise be qualified?

Are we encouraging more people to break the law? Are we flouting the law? ... Or, is this common sense, suggesting that if people are here in the U.S., they should be as well trained as possible?

Mariana Zamboni, one of our guests in today's discussion, had these thoughts after the interview (posted with her permission):

... I left feeling unaccomplished, especially when I had to answer the question Ms. Martin asked Professor Wong and I about social equity and granting undocumented immigrants privileges/rights above those waiting in line. Although I support the importance of complying to the law and understand that undocumented immigrants broke the law by entering the country without proper documentation or overstaying their visa, reality is that when migration determines if you live or die, waiting in line for 10 years is not feasible. The factors that lead many immigrants to leave their countries is rarely addressed. The war and poverty led many Guatemalans to migrate many illegally, like my family. What is rarely discussed is the involvement of the U.S. government in training and financing the war in Guatemala. So, we are here because they were there. U.S. foreign policy has had a huge impact on the economic development and social conditions of many Latin American countries, and as a result [there is] pushing and pulling to immigrate to the United States. But, it was difficult for me to express this sentiment on the air because I come from a country that if you speak up against the government you are killed. And, although I don't think I will lose my life, I felt very scared to share my opinion because I am not a naturalized U.S. citizen yet, therefore, I was afraid to speak up. So, through this email, I hope my voice can be fully heard.

What's the right frame for having this discussion? Should we revisit? ... And with whom?

Also regarding today's program, if you have time, I'd love for you to read Ha Jin's story in its entirety. You don't need to be a fan of his work to devour the details of his first summer in America -- although, I think it will convert you, as well as the other three essays (one was so heartbreaking, I had a hard time getting through it ... if you have young kids yourself, I bet you can guess which one).

And, TMM's CHEAPSKATE week. What about taking a vacation (horrors!) at home?

I confess my family did not grow up going on vacations, so I don't find this so startling as a concept. But, what I do wonder is: if taking a "staycation," how do you keep your office from bugging you when they know you're at home?

Michel Martin

4:08 PM ET | 07-14-2008 | permalink

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A Week of Painful Lessons

I was on my way home last night when something caught my eye. There was something blowing across the road. It turned out to be clothes rolling across the street like tumbleweeds in an old western movie. I knew right away. I looked to the sidewalk and saw what I expected -- bare mattresses piled up, chests of drawers thrown here and there. There were two cream-colored leather couches and some clothes. I was relieved not see any kids' clothes and toys, but who knows? Maybe they had already been picked over, maybe the family had been able to pack them in time, maybe there were no kids. Either way, somebody's pain was out on the street for the rain to wash over and the neighbors to pick through.

Somebody had been evicted.

This has never happened to me, but I know people to whom it has. Setting aside the people who haven't paid their bills because they are just trifling or, those who have tragically died unnoticed and had no one to notify the appropriate people, few things seem worse to me, especially for kids. Where do you go? How do you start over? How do you keep your things from disappearing into the backs of other people's cars and pick-up trucks? How can it not feel like a punch in the gut to have everything you've worked for put out on the street.

There's a dispute over whether we are in recession or not. It's a statistical question -- whether we have had x number of quarters of negative economic growth. The answer is no. But we have a record number of home foreclosures, the housing sector is in the doldrums, the stock market is down, and many people are anxious and angry.

I know we have a lot of fun with shopping segments on this program and I don't apologize for that; I think fun is important and few people walk around naked in this country, so if you're going to wear clothes (or shoes ... or whatever), you might as well have some fun getting them and thinking about them.

But at a time when people are struggling just to hold onto their homes and health insurance, it seemed wrong to us to ignore the obvious. We have been following the policy and economic aspects of the story all along, as you know, especially the mortgage/foreclosure issue. But we decided to get personal next week and spend some time talking about how to cut costs, how to deal with the emotion of having to cut back, how to talk to the kids about having to cut back or deal with economic hardship ... and that and whatever else we can come up with. We're calling it Cheapskate Week, and yes, we do hope to have some fun with it.

... And, who was not having fun this week? The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

By now, you probably heard he apologized for saying something nasty about Sen. Barack Obama (in a conversation he thought was off-mic) that involved cutting off a body part.

Who else is not having fun? All the anchors trying to figure out how to tell you exactly what Jackson said ...

Michel Martin

2:31 PM ET | 07-11-2008 | permalink

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Are You Greek?

It's a measure of my particular profile: I'm from Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of a firefighter and a mom who took whatever jobs she could that would bring in both some spare cash and fit into her parenting responsibilities. I'm a first generation college grad -- of a northeastern Ivy League college.

... I had, in fact, already graduated from college before I could answer the question without wondering if the person asking it was crazy. (In other words, do I look Greek? Aren't I obviously Black? ... Oh, yeah, right, not that Greek, the other Greek.)

This is, no doubt, shocking news to some people for whom Greek life and college life is almost synonymous. Some people -- like our guest Aundrea Mial -- are second- and third-, and even fourth, generation members of Greek letter organizations, sororities and fraternities. They just cannot imagine a college experience without that part of it. It's part of social life, service life, professional life, even family life. But for others, it's all mystery, barely unwrapped by movies like School Daze and Stomp the Yard.

There is no underestimating the importance of these organizations to a portion of the black community. In his comprehensive work, Black Greek Letter Organizations in the Twenty First Century, author Gregory Parks points out that over three million Americans identify themselves as members of BGLO's. And, unlike, many traditionally white fraternities and sororities, the involvement lasts long after college days have ended. If you go to an annual convention of any of the nine black sororities and fraternities, you'll find that attendees are not surprised to find Members of Congress, lawyers, judges, commentators, scientists and business people among their ranks.

... Which is why we felt that the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority centennial was worth noting in the back of the show today. Although the 100th anniversary was technically January 15, the convention is here in Washington starting this weekend, we took advantage of the presence of the sorors to talk about the organization.

Still questions to ask?

Did you check out the AKA Barbie?

Also, we hope you agree with our focus on underreported international stories. Let us know.

Tomorrow, we are obviously taking a look at the flap over the Rev. Jesse Jackson's crude remarks about Sen. Barack Obama, for which he has already apologized. I know the Barbershop guys will talk about it, but we are debating whether we should to.

Or, have you already heard enough?

Stay tuned.

Michel Martin

3:21 PM ET | 07-10-2008 | permalink

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All Roads Lead to LULAC

Signs welcome attendees to the 79th Annual LULAC National Convention & Exposition in Washington, D.C.

Arwa Gunja, NPR

 

Supporters of both candidates were among the large crowd in attendance.

Arwa Gunja, NPR

 

Lee, here...

The weight of the Latino vote may have gained even more mass this week in the race for the White House. Yesterday, both presidential candidates Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama addressed the annual meeting of LULAC, the nation's largest membership organization of Hispanic Americans, to make their case for the U.S. presidency. The duly noted participation of McCain and Obama set a new high in the candidates' vigorous competition for the Latino vote in November.

To capture all the hype and talk to some of the attendees, we sent a few of our colleagues to the meeting site (the venue was, literally, across the street from NPR ... how could we resist?). TMM producer Jasmine Garsd set up shop where Republican candidate Sen. John McCain made his pitch. She brought back this observation:

When addressing yesterday's LULAC audience, presidential candidate Sen. John McCain said little on the topic of immigration. Indeed, the focus of his speech was on Latino small business owners and measures that would help them survive the recession. When we approached exiting audience members, we learned that many of them were business owners who were very interested in McCain's promise not to raise taxes and to protect small business. ... Politicians will, of course, focus their campaigns on those who can give them the vote: legal citizens. But many civil rights groups are asking, who represents the undocumented Latino population, which does not vote ... and whose members often provide cheap labor for both Latino and non-Latino business owners?

Thanks, Jasmine.

Another TMM producer, Arwa Gunja, camped out among those attending a speech by Democratic Sen. Barack Obama:

I arrived at the conventional hall around 2:30, more than two hours before Sen. Barack Obama was slated to speak. The lobby was buzzing. There were signs in support of either candidate decorating the walls and floors. The high-security -- at times was annoying. Though it was a LULAC conference, attendees spanned all demographics --- mostly Latino, but, certainly, a good number of African-American, white and Asian attendees were there as well. One of the first things I noticed was how young so much of the room was -- it seemed more than half the room was under 35. ... One of the first women I found was this lady, Zayda. When I first approached her, she said to me I will speak with you, but I am from Puerto Rico, I can't vote so I don't know if you want to talk to me. But I did want talk to her. And once we started talking, she shared with me her frustrations feeling like a "second-class citizen" to the U.S. -- being a part of the country, but without voting rights. The people in that room were young and old, white and brown. And they have been waiting to matter in the political process.

Thanks, Arwa.

If you're Latino, or of another ethnic minority in the U.S., how do you rate the candidates' progress in aggressively reaching out to groups to which you belong? ... Are you feeling the love?

And, when you look around your community, what specific issues (and/or cultural disparities) will be on your mind in November?

Tell us more.

Lee Hill

4:43 PM ET | 07- 9-2008 | permalink

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A Society Beaten Down by a Bully

This is Arwa, filling in for Lee while he is out sick. After our Mocha Moms conversation about bullying today, one of our producers, Jasmine Garsd, wanted to share some of her own experiences growing up with bullies...

I was bullied quite a bit growing up, for class, gender and race reasons. I was constantly instructed to "keep a low profile," by my father.

I should explain that I am of the first Argentine generation to be raised in democracy, after the atrocities of the dictatorship. Like most other Argentines my age, I was raised by a completely beaten down generation. I was raised in a bullied society.

My parents rarely speak about the dictatorship. As a child I felt their fears like touching sharp objects in the dark, trying to make out what they were. Everything I know is pieced together sloppily from overheard conversations. My mother's earliest childhood memory of military boots entering her house; a family friend taken in the middle of the night by MP's at gunpoint, never to be seen again; my father telling me he'd be "disappeared." You don't understand el miedo (the fear) would be my mother's complaint when I'd accuse her of being a coward.

I, like most kids of my generation in my country, grew up angry. I grew up feeling my parents were cowards, terrified of the police, terrified of the government. It's difficult, particularly for a young teenage woman, to believe that no adult has your back.

As I grew into puberty, like all young adults I dealt with bullying. The response I received from the adult world was that I should "stay quiet." Particularly if the bullying involved an authority figure, I was told "do you know where people who get involved with the authorities end up?" I'd look through my kitchen window at a former concentration camp which had operated in my neighborhood during the dictatorship, and know what was implied.

I think a lot of children of immigrant parents or of beaten down generations experience this feeling of anger at not having protection from bullies. Like many others of my generation, as a teen I started hanging out with the tough kids in my neighborhood, and essentially became a bully. A very important part of this was bullying my elders, letting them know how stupid they were for their fears, and how unafraid I was.

As an adult, I realized how angry I was and decided to confront my parent's bullies. It's interesting that it's been my generation in Argentina has taken it upon themselves to do this. The last time I went home to visit, I did so as a journalist investigating the social effects of the Dirty War. I still have copies of my father's letters begging me not to do it, because, do you know what happens to people who get involved? I went regardless and spoke to people who were around in the dictatorship, people were important in my upbringing, including my best friend's dad, who for the first time told me and his family about being in mock executions at a local detention camp. I visited the abandoned concentration camp I used to look at from my kitchen window. I understood for the first time that there is a big difference between cowards and victims. I saw my parents' fears that I had previously only touched in the dark. And I fully understood that I was raised in a bullied society, which is now finding the strength to fight back.

As I crouched by the tiny window on the top floor of one prisoner ward, I saw my old house a few blocks away. There was graffiti on the prison wall that read, "Que horror!"

It certainly was, for all of us.

Michel Martin

9:02 PM ET | 07- 8-2008 | permalink

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Reflecting on Our Give and Take

Last night I took some time to catch up on blog postings, and it occurred to me that had not responded to many of your comments and emails in quite some time. What I'm trying to figure out is, how much of that are you interested in? I love the give and take; I regret that I don't have more opportunities to talk with you. On the other hand, it's your forum ... I have the whole hour to hear myself talk. So, here's the question: how often would you like me to jump in? Daily? Weekly? Not at all?

As for today...

Did you know about LULAC before today? I think the same question we ask leaders of the African American civil rights organizations is also relevant -- are these traditional civil rights organizations still relevant and if so, why? Or why not? I am particularly interested to know if there's a generational difference in perspective.

And bullies... Who does not have a story to tell? What's yours? And is there ever going to be a time when we WON'T have to teach kids how to deal with bullies? Another question: were YOU a bully? Can you admit it? Why? And what made you change?

And, what's your bargain strategy? Mine is, make friends with the sales people at your favorite store; ask them to let you know when the sales are coming up.... Can't hurt. OK, I've told you mine. Now share yours.

Michel Martin

1:10 PM ET | 07- 8-2008 | permalink

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What Is Patriotism?

It's a question that we seem to find ourselves pondering these days. Not because we just celebrated Independence Day, but it's an election year -- an election year where a man with a compelling biography represents the promise of America to many, while contending with a man who represents the best of America's enduring values.

Both men stand for sacrifice and putting others before themselves. Both men stand for standing apart from orthodoxy.

Does patriotism need to be ranked? Is it competitive? Can you score it?

We ask this because a Denver jazz artist named Rene Marie has caused quite a stir with her decision to sing the melody of "The Star-Spangled Banner" with the lyrics of "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" -- the so-called Negro (or Black) National Anthem -- at a city event. (She was not paid for it by the way.) From a performance perspective, this was not an easy feat, but the reaction was quite stunning (maybe should not have been surprised).

Marie has gotten more than 1,000 letters and e-mails, much of it deeply hostile. We asked her to tell us what the thinking was behind her decision and she did so this morning.

Whatever you think of her decision, she clearly thought it through. She posted a lengthy statement on her Web site, which you can read here.

I also thought it would be helpful for those of you who are not familiar with the lyrics to "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" to have them.

As she mentioned, the piece was a poem by James Weldon Johnson, written in 1899 and set to music in 1900. Civic organizations, African American churches and HBCU's often closed public meetings with it.

... and I assume you know "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Also, I'm interested to know what you think:

Were you intrigued by the Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell? Caldwell is a close friend of President George W. Bush. He offered the benediction at both inaugurations and he officiated the summer wedding of the President's daughter, Jenna Bush. Yet, he is endorsing and supporting Barack Obama to the point that he has posted a Web site to refute Dr. James Dobson's attacks on Obama.

I want to know your take on the role of religion in the public sphere. We are thinking of this topic for a Faith Matters conversation on Friday. ... So if enough of you want to participate in this conversation, we may organize the whole piece around your comments, questions and interests.

If not (you're still too stuffed with holiday barbecue to think), we understand.

Also, read more of Craim Timberg's important piece on Zimbabwe.

Michel Martin

4:02 PM ET | 07- 7-2008 | permalink

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Freedom and Perceptions that Cross Borders

I am going to act like this is The New Yorker magazine and offer a "combined" blog posting. We will be on the air tomorrow, as per usual, but we are going to disappear for the holiday shortly thereafter.

Our New York team was en route (at least I was) from New York City yesterday when we realized that some of the longest held the hostages in Colombia -- including three Americans, and former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt -- had been freed. I saw a breaking news bulletin on my BlackBerry. Thankfully, our folks here in D.C. were already on the case.

Will you allow me to brag a bit about how one of our staffers, Jasmine Garsd (a native Spanish speaker, from Argentina), jumped in to assist the network's coverage? I heard about this through the grapevine. Apparently, some people were chatting a bit too loudly right near her desk at TMM and she says:

Guys, do you think you could keep it down. I'm talking to the Ambassador.

Take a bow Jaz!

But then, of course, we had to decide what our take on this story would be. We decided we needed to answer some of the key questions folks might have -- being reminded that some folks use our program as their morning news show -- but then we decided to also answer a question we were already thinking about...

By coincidence Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain was in Colombia at the time of the rescue. We wondered, why exactly is he there? To call attention to his differences with rival Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama on trade, obviously.

But how do you decide exactly where to travel when you are campaigning for president?

What's the message? ... The audience?

To talk about that we had Stephen Hess, of the Brookings Institution, who has spent decades thinking about how presidential campaigns are run and how presidents operate. Hess was joined by Jesus Esquivel, of Mexico's Proceso magazine.

John McCain spent the second part of his three-day Latin America tour in Mexico. And Barack Obama announced plans to travel there later this fall. Today, of course, Obama talked about his plans to go to Iraq at some point.

So having said all that, what about when even Hollywood decides to "go" overseas? Our film critic Shawn Edwards does not like too much of what he sees when that happens.

And then, I hope a treat, what happens when technomeets norteno music? The answer: Nortec. It's a group out of Tijuana, Mexico and, well, you just have to listen.

After interviewing Nortec, which I interviewed weeks ago, I worried that I had not pressed hard enough on the issue of the violence along the border, especially that which is associated with the drug trade. Just a day or so after the Nortec interview, there was a story about how the doctors were going on strike to protest the lack of security at the hospital and for them personally. Oddly enough, one of the musicians involved with Nortec is also a doctor.

But then I was reminded of something that award-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda said (he spoke with us earlier this week) in response to critics of his musical In the Heights, about the Washington Heights neighborhood in New York. Miranda points out how some critics find it hard to imagine that there could be two days in which nobody gets shot or stabbed.

Mexico has a proud artistic tradition, in both the so-called fine and folk arts. Could we have one conversation about Mexico were we don't talk about the drug trade?

Still, did I do the right thing by not pressing the issue?

Happy Fourth. Hope you enjoy visiting with Jimmy Smits, as part of our July 4th program, as much as I did.

Michel Martin

6:38 PM ET | 07- 3-2008 | permalink

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Today's a Good Day

An enlarged picture of a U.S. Postal Stamp in tribute to Alvin Ailey hangs on the wall at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Studio heaquarters in New York.

Jennifer Longmire, NPR

Lee, here.

Today wrapped up another special marker in the life of this program -- three days of broadcasting from the Big Apple to mark our launch on NPR member station WNYC in New York.

But the day is also significant for a number of other reasons. For one, trailblazing civil rights activist and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall would be 100 today, if he were still with us. So many folks owe more than a nod to his passionate fight to keep the nation honest about its proclaimed tenets of equality and justice.

Finally, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. We remembered the legacy of another towering trailblazer, Alvin Ailey, and the legendary dancer and choreographer who continues to carry her mentor's fiery torch of artistic expression. In addition to our on-air conversation today with Judith Jamison, see an audio slideshow of a behind-the-scenes look at Ailey's vision at work.

Lee Hill

4:01 PM ET | 07- 2-2008 | permalink

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