A TMM Halloween To Remember

It's Halloween, so I'll be dashing out of here as soon as possible. My daughter already informed me that she expects today to be "the BEST day of the YEAR!"

"Why?," I asked.

She looked at me as if I were insane or just severely limited.

"Because we get CANDY," she replied.

Well, we'll see about that.

In the meantime, here is a Halloween picture from frequent TMM guest Jolene Ivey:

Jolene Ivey

 

On a more serious note, I can just imagine that many of you will be offended by our inetrview with high-profile white supremacist (and he doesn't like the term, as you will hear) David Duke.

We felt in the wake of the recent arrest of these two white supremacists in an alleged plot to kill Sen. Barack Obama and others, as well as all the racist chatter surrounding the Obama presidency, it fit the mandate of the program to talk to someone who holds those views, and not just talk about them. Duke, as you will hear, claims to eschew violence as a means to his ends and also claims to only advocate "white civil rights," and not "white supremacy."

Well, you be the judge. We asked him what it would mean to this country to have its first black President.

Have a good Halloween everyone.

Michel Martin

10:48 PM ET | 10-31-2008 | permalink

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Today's Program ... And TMM's Gushing Director

We had some very powerful and important reporting on today's program, from Zimbabwe, from Congo, about Somalia, from India ... We hope you'll not only listen to the piece about AIDS in India but also listen to the excerpts from the book, AIDS SUTRA. It's a collection of essays about the AIDS epidemic and how it is playing out in India. There are names you very likely know, like Salman Rushdie and Amartya Sen and Vikram Seth, as well as names you will be pleased to discover.

Listen to author Sonia Faleiro reading Vikrem Seth's powerful poem.

... And now (why fight it?),

TMM producer/director Rob Sachs is from Philadelphia, and he has something he wants to talk about today.

I think I know where this is going, right? Here's a clue: the red hat he's got on in the control room.

OK, Rob (sigh) go ahead. What did you want to tell us?

Rob, here, the director jumping in today on the TMM blog.

I've been jumping up and down ever since last night, when my Philadelphia Phillies won their first World Series since 1980.

Joe Blanton (facing camera) and Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrate on the field after winning the 2008 MLB World Series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Getty Images

 

They finished off the Tampa Bay Rays for a 4-1 series win. That's right, MY Phillies. Philadelphia sports fans don't just root for their teams, they take ownership of them. When a team wins a game we strut around with our chests puffed out, when they lose, don't talk to us. I'm actually not even sure how I should feel right now, since the last time any Philadelphia sports team won anything I was just 5 years old. All I've ever known is a quarter century of teams getting close only to have a championship ripped away at the last minute. There's still a part of me that's worried MLB Commissioner Bud Selig will find some way to erase last night's victory.

As Michel noted, I am wearing my vintage Phillies cap with pride and I've received a number of felicitations today from people all over who are aware of my Philly roots. Though I have to admit it feels a little weird to be taking credit for the accomplishments of professional athletes who themselves are transplants to the city (save hometown pitcher Jamie Moyer). But hey, I might not have been on the field but I've spent years, crossing my fingers, staying up late, and wasting gorgeous weekend afternoons in sports bars glued to the TV. Through my elementary school years the first thing I would see when I woke up would be the life size poster of Charles Barkley smiling in his 76ers uniform. He was there in my bedroom hanging up across from a smaller poster of Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham. So that deserves some recognition right?

To be sure there are a lot of other great sports cities out there like Chicago and Boston, but I think on the whole most people don't grasp the depth of civic pride that Philadelphians wrap into their sports teams. Certainly Tampa Bay could be a little better at their devotion. Just look at the TV ratings - during the rain soaked part of Game 5, 60% of the households in Philadelphia were watching the game compared to just 40% in Tampa. I go back to the city frequently and it doesn't take more than a few minutes to feel the omnipresence of Philly teams. They're everywhere from signs, bumper stickers to flags waving from porches. And that's what makes Philly so great; its sports teams are the common dominator that cut across all lines of class and race in the city. You can talk sports with barbers, food vendors, cabbies, doctors, dentists, lawyers, and yes even cops. Everyone is watching and for too long every one of us suffered. But this year, 2008, is different. This World Series was for us the Philly fans.

Yo, Adrian we did it!

Geez, thanks, Rob.

Michel Martin

3:25 PM ET | 10-30-2008 | permalink

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Deciding NOT to Vote

Coming down the home stretch, here.

Must ask about the conversation with the non-voters. We interviewed three men who told us they are not voting. Forget the hype, whatever, they are not feeling it.

Tell the truth. Were some of you tempted to reach through the radio and grab them and shake them? Or did you find yourself saying, hmm. I see where they are coming from?

I am dying to know what you thought of their reasoning and, if you have a background in GOTV or voter persuasion, it would be interesting to me to hear what you think might persuade them to vote -- alternatively, do we care that they don't?

It strikes me that this country is really of two minds when it comes to voting. On the one hand, we want people to vote. On the other hand, we really don't. Why else is voting on a Tuesday (and not on Saturday, when more people are off work -- although that would be an issue for our observant Jewish citizens)? Why else is there such a lag between registering and voting? why did it take so long to get motor voter laws and for that matter, to allow African Americans and women to vote?

Also, read Jeff Yang's article.

Could Obama become the first Asian American president?

Michel Martin

2:27 PM ET | 10-29-2008 | permalink

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Jennifer Hudson's Loss Magnifies Chicago's Crime Problem

Singer and actress Jennifer Hudson, left, poses with mother Darnell Hudson Donerson in 2006.

Jason Miccolo/NABJ

Lee Hill, here...

Another long day here. As many are, we're still trying to wrap our minds around actress Jennifer Hudson's recent tragedy -- the murdering spree that claimed the lives of her mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, her brother, Jason Hudson, and her seven-year-old nephew Julian King.

In the absence of the recent high-profile murders, few may have known that Chicago's murder rate outnumbers that of both New York City and Los Angeles, cities with far more residents than the Windy City. Some say Hudson's devastation, albeit unfortunate, brings long-awaited national scrutiny to Chicago's crime problem.

We talked about this today with NPR's Chicago-based correspondent Cheryl Corley (a.k.a. frequent TMM guest host).

Other developments ...

It seemed like the end of a soap opera, or a really bad movie, when we were alerted to news that former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick would begin his jail sentence today. He pleaded guilty last month to purjury charges in a scandal that rocked the city.

WDIV-TV in Detroit has video of Kilpatrick being sentenced today to 120 days in jail.

Lee Hill

5:45 PM ET | 10-28-2008 | permalink

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Jennifer Hudson's Awful Loss

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson is pictured in an undated photo (taken from her MySpace page) with nephew Julian King.

celebrity.myspace.com

UPDATE: Chicago Police have confirmed that the body of a seven-year-old boy, found earlier today in the back of an SUV, is that of Hudson's nephew, Julian King.

The dilemma of the day: what to do about this truly awful story about actress Jennifer Hudson's family? If you haven't followed the details here's a link.

And, trust me, we know that such things, sadly, happen to people who are NOT famous. But you'd have to be made of stone not to grieve for this young woman who has so much going for her, who is in such a wonderful time of life -- an Oscar, a new CD, a new beautifully crafted film, newly engaged -- and to lose her mother and brother and possibly her nephew in such a fashion is beyond words. And the fact that she was just here with us -- sitting right next to me, wearing a beautiful dress -- on her way to the premiere of her new film, in a lovely happy place, makes it all the harder to take.

What do we do with that?

As it happens we had already planned to bring you a conversation about a new group that advocates for missing persons of color, one might say, why on earth do you need a group like that? Well, let's listen to what they have to say.

And, of course, one of the things we all find ourselves saying in a situation like the one involving Hudson's family: who would do something like that? Why would anyone do such a thing?

That's a question we find ourselves asking when we hear, say that four guys were connected in connection with some lame plot to kill Sen. Barack Obama, as occurred during the Denver convention. You ask yourself, are they racist or mentally ill, or both?

Or where's the line? That's the conversation we also had today. Let us know what you think.

And our hearts go out to all those who are grieving the loss of a loved one today.

Michel Martin

5:13 PM ET | 10-27-2008 | permalink

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Laugh About Stressful Days

Lorrie Grant here ...

So some days are bit more stressful than others. We can all agree about that, right? I mean, who among us hasn't had a day when it all just seemed to be out of sorts? No matter how hard you, or perhaps others around you (especially if you're in an office), tried to make it happen there was a snafu anyway. You know how it usually goes: the people are on point but the equipment isn't -- that sort of thing. We had one of those days today.

We're reasonably confident that by the time the broadcast reached your ears all was just peachy. We did do everything to bring you a power-packed program today. Of course that meant politics, a religious topic, listening to what our listeners and bloggers had to say. And, can it be Friday without the Barbershop guys?

For our Political Chat segment we called on two of our own: NPR's Political Editor Ken Rudin, and Michele Norris, one of the hosts at All Things Considered. They helped sift data and attitudes about voters ahead of the Nov. 4 presidential election. It was interesting to see how some southern states are shifting from their traditions. But further north in York, Penn., some voters continue to cling to the ugliest of racial vestiges that were once only associated with the South. Give a listen and tell us what you think.

We're also wondering what you think about same-sex marriage. Do these unions tear at the fabric of your community? What happens when it's your faith community? What about when that community is of the same race -- does that create a more complicated emotion? We had African-American clergy discuss Proposition 8, which would outlaw same-sex marriages throughout California. Same-sex marriages became legal in the sate back in June. Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., of Hope Christian Church advocated traditional unions while Rev. Deborah Johnson opposes the Proposition 8.

With such intense stuff we were glad to lighten up a bit with the Barbershop guys. They brought on the chuckles with their various takes on robocalls, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's big-ticket wardrobe, and the World Series. It was a great way to at least try and deal with the manifestation of Murphy's Law.

Have a good weekend. And if it starts to turn into one of those weekends, know that we, at least, feel you.

Lorrie Grant

3:00 PM ET | 10-24-2008 | permalink

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Planning to Sit Out Election Day.... Why?

So over the course of the election year we have talked about the whole racism versus sexism thing, we've talked about the Bradley effect (myth or reality), we've talked about the Colin Powell endorsement, we've talked about how Latinos, Evangelicals may vote, Reagan Democrats, Muslim Republicans, and whether, or how, you should talk about racial rhetoric in the campaign with your kids.

Now we have a shout out to those who (drum roll, please) DON'T CARE AT ALL.

I'm serious! We want to visit with people who -- as of right now anyway -- aren't planning to vote, don't care to vote, aren't interested, for whatever reason.

Obviously we're interested in those who are eligible to vote and just choose not to. If you care to tell us your story, we want to hear it. And we're particularly interested in your story if you'd be willing to come on the program to talk about it. But even if not, post your thoughts here on our blog. Let us know.

We also want to know your thoughts on our international briefing. Every Thursday we try to bring you stories from around the world you probably aren't hearing anywhere else. We think it adds value at a time when we are so narrowly focused on a few issues.

Let us know whether there are stories that particularly engage you, and if there are other stories we are missing...

Michel Martin

5:50 PM ET | 10-23-2008 | permalink

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Public Intervention and the Free Market

Jasmine Garsd here ...

Today's program discussed the issue of educational vouchers, an issue that is rooted in a larger, ongoing debate in America.

That debate challenges whether the public sector should be expanded and improved through state intervention, or stick firmly to the capitalist credo that unbridled competition among private sectors makes for better institutions for everyone. In fact, it's the thread that runs through all the issues that have been debated in the presidential campaigns -- most notably the state of the economy and access to health care.

And the follow-up question is natural: Is there such thing as a "free" market?

What do you think about educational vouchers? Should the government get involved in this way? What has your experience been?

Lorrie Grant

11:48 AM ET | 10-22-2008 | permalink

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The Presidential Campaign: Love It! Tired of It!

Two views of the presidential election we're hearing:
1) Can't wait for it to be over.
2) Can't wait for it to be over, but I have enjoyed every minute of it (except for the parts I didn't like).

So we are coming down to the home stretch. After initially resisting the conversation about the so-called "Bradley effect" we decided to talk about it today because we thought we had something to add. Now the Bradley effect refers to the phenomenon of people allegedly overstating their willingness to vote for an African-American candidate. It refers to Democrat Tom Bradley's loss in the 1982 gubernatorial campaign.

Bradley, the former Mayor of Los Angeles, was leading in the polls in his campaign against Republican George Deukmejian but wound up losing by a narrow margin. Blair Levin, who actually worked on the Bradley campaign wrote an op ed in The New York Times saying he thinks there really was no such effect. The issue was not a distortion in the polling but rather that there was a significant Republican GOTV -- that's "get out the vote" -- effort with absentee and rural voters that the Democrats (and pollsters) had not accounted for.
Blair Levin and Ron Lester, a veteran Democratic pollster who has worked with a very diverse roster of candidates, gave us their take on whether this is real or not.

And, new information about African-American voters: What difference will they make? A Washington think tank has new data.

Plus, our Mocha Moms' conversation on talking politics with kids. A new mom to the panel, Joan Countrymen, who helped start Oprah Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, was with us.

We'd really like to know what you think.... Racial overtones in the campaign: to discuss or not to discuss with the little people? That is the question!

Michel Martin

1:12 PM ET | 10-21-2008 | permalink

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Financial Woes? Maybe We Can Help

If you're a regular listener, then you know about our "Money Coach" segment on Tuesdays when expert Alvin Hall helps us navigate all things financial.

Now, because of the financial crisis gripping the nation we want to make sure that we're bringing you the news you really want to know. And we're going to let Alvin answer your questions.

Are you fretting over the tumbling stock market? There have been quite a few steep drops in the past few weeks.

What about age? Are you nearing retirement and worried about what to do with your nest egg? Should you leave it in place or move it somewhere safer? And where would that be?

How about you younger investors -- has your stockbroker had to talk you off the ledge lately?

What about women? Do you feel more vulnerable? Tell us why.

We want to know what you think.

Remember, at Tell Me More the conversation never ends. So blog it out right here.

No time? Then simply call our comment line at 202-842-3522.

Lorrie Grant

2:29 PM ET | 10-20-2008 | permalink

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Are Americans Ready to Shift from Traditional Vote?

Jasmine Garsd has something to say so I'm going to step aside....

This presidential race has centered more on the identity of Americans -- race, gender, age and religion -- than any other race most of us can remember. Perhaps the most important question that arises from this phenomenon, and a question that will certainly continue no matter who wins in November, is whether this election will unify America or divide it further? Are Americans finally daring to cross traditional voting schemes? Or, are they scared of the unknown? Are we running to our comfortable old alliances, cementing ourselves more than ever in voting according to our religious, ethnic and gender identity?

Our program has focused extensively on voters who dare to defy what vote is expected of them. On Friday we spoke with James T. Harris, an African-American radio host (who is voting for Senator John McCain) and John Martin, founder of Republicans for Obama. What strikes me as telling about their decision is the reaction they have received from their communities; incredibly hostile.

On Sunday, when former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell announced his endorsement of Senator Barack Obama, reactions were also mixed. Although Powell explained his reasoning for the endorsement very insightfully on NBC's Meet the Press, there are plenty of voices out there saying his decision is based on race.

This does not do justice to the deep thought process Powell outlined on Sunday. Yet Powell's endorsement -- and the suspicious reaction it has produced in some quarters -- is emblematic of the theme of these elections. Are we being pushed to challenge our traditional values? Or are we being squeezed more than ever into our traditional voting roles?

What do you think?

Michel Martin

11:57 AM ET | 10-20-2008 | permalink

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Identity Politics! Hmmm...

If I say "identity politics," what comes to mind?
It sounds so faculty lounge (no disrespect to the faculty). But the question is: how big a part of your life and your vote is what you are, as opposed to perhaps, what you do? How important to your vote is being: African-American, Latino, a woman, a senior citizen, Jewish, Muslim, a Christian, a military veteran, a southerner, a European-American -- as opposed to an oil company executive, a lobbyist, a police officer? What's the critical factor in your decision on how to vote?

That was a big part of the conversation we had today. We started with a conversation with two people who have flipped the script -- crossed identity lines as it were. James T. Harris rose to fame (or infamy) last week, especially in the black community, when he told Sen. John McCain to "take it" to Sen. Barack Obama. Now, judging from the polls and the blogs many voters of whatever race already think that McCain has taken it too far and been overwhelmingly negative. Many blacks and whites see racial undertones in the criticisms of Obama. But Harris, an African-American, does not agree. John Martin is the founder of Republicans for Obama. We wondered what it's been like for each man as he has broken ranks as it were.

Speaking of breaking rank...

There's one group of people whom we feel we had not heard from -- given that, for many people, the subtext of the use of Obama's middle name (Hussein) is to make him foreign sounding, relate him to Muslim terrorists -- is Muslim Republicans. A Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) survey taken in 2000 said that that 70 percent of Muslim voters supported George W. Bush, but by 2004 the Muslim voters has shifted to Sen. John Kerry. And in a Pew survey taken in January of this year, only 8 percent of Muslim voters identified themselves as Republicans, compared with 17 percent two years earlier. What's happened? We wanted to know so we were happy to have three active Republicans of Muslim descent to give their take.

And of course, the B-shop guys batted around the third and final presidential debate, and the Great Schlep. If you don't know what that is, watch this and then listen to the guys talk about it. Warning: profanity is involved.

Have a good weekend!

Michel Martin

11:57 AM ET | 10-17-2008 | permalink

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Was Justice Denied?

Lorrie Grant here ....

So if you listened to our program today you took in a number of rich goodies. The lead segment discussed how small-business owners have to be nimble in this awkward economy; the last segment was a light and enlightening conversation about Latino luminaries.

But most striking -- to me anyway -- was the relatively short segment in the middle about the impending execution of a Georgia man. His name is Troy Davis. Whether he really killed an off-duty police officer in Savannah, Ga. 19 years ago is not certain. Several witnesses have recanted their testimony, but neither the state's pardons board nor high court is willing to concede. And just yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court gave the case "the hand."

So I listened to our guest, Virginia Sloan, founder and president of the Constitution Project, in search of some rationale for not hearing the full case. I just wanted to know there was kernel of fairness in the justice system. "The system has to accomodate claims of innocense," she told host Michel Martin.

While I sympathize with the family of the victim, Mark McPhail, I couldn't help but wonder how much Davis' race is factor in all of this. He's African-American. McPhail was white. And we know how that goes. The Death Penalty Information Center lays out the data. But in short, the number of persons executed since 1976 when the defendant was black and the victim white: 228; but when the defendant was white and the victim black: 15.

Davis' case has won international support. Some are just flat out opposed to the death penalty and others just yearn for real justice -- let the chips fall where they may.

Your thoughts?

Lorrie Grant

2:23 PM ET | 10-15-2008 | permalink

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On Second Thought ...

Do you ever find yourself regretting something you've said minutes after the words left your mouth? That's the position I find myself in about yesterday's commentary criticizing the McCain campaign for the way it is addressing the whole question about whether Barack Obama's relationship -- such as it is -- with former Weather Underground member (now university professor) William Ayers should be part of the presidential campaign.

You can listen here if you missed it.

It's not just that after I recorded and posted the commentary John McCain had this exchange with a supporter who insisted that Obama "scared" her because "he's an Arab."

McCain, as you can see, immediately disputed this falsehood and the woman's characterization, saying that Obama is "a decent man." Now, let's not parse words but we do have to ask whether someone should have to be defended against being an "Arab" any more than one should have to be defended against being considered black or Jewish.

This reminds me of Gentlemen's Agreement, the famous film from the 1940's. You remember it? Uber-WASP Gregory Peck goes undercover and portays himself as Jewish to write a report on anti-Semitism, and when his son is teased about it -- actually harassed about it; his so called friends call him a dirty Jew -- Peck's erstwhile (and soon to be ex) girlfriend does not challenge the slur but only that it applied to the boy! ("Why, you're no more Jewish than I am!")

But I take the point that McCain was trying to figure out how to respond in the heat of the moment, and that gets me to my point. I don't take back anything I said -- only the way I said it. I had the same snarky know-it-all tone I can't stand when I hear it from other people, and I regret that.

Now, here's why I don't take back what I said.

Continue reading "On Second Thought ..." »

Michel Martin

3:43 PM ET | 10-14-2008 | permalink

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A Native American's View of Columbus Day

Lorrie Grant here ...

So Tell Me More is observing Columbus Day today. But we've still been busy, working hard to bring you relevant programming. And, boy, did we come up with a good one for you -- if we say so ourselves!

You've gotta check out our conversations with Wilma Mankiller and Ted Koppel. They offer two very different takes on matters of race.

The Mankiller interview shed light on Native Americans' sentiments about someone discovering a land already occupied and then overtaking those occupants in cruel ways.

Be sure and tell us what you think. Did America commit genocide?

The Koppel discussion previewed his documentary on race in America. He took a look at the last recorded lynching in the United States -- in 1981! You can see the whole thing tonight on Discovery Channel.

We're interested in your thoughts about this too. Has this country really progressed in terms of race (there is after all an African-American nominee for president on a major party ticket -- a first)? What do you make of a lynching as recent as 1981?

There's also this gem: What not to say to Latino co-workers. It's a discussion with Luke Visconti , co-founder of DiversityInc., and Daniel Guadelupe, a lawyer and partner at the New Jersey firm of Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus.

Remember, we want to know what you think.

And you should have known that there was just too much going on on the political front for host Michel Martin to hold back. Can I just tell you that the nasty tone of the presidential race seems to have plucked a nerve.

That's it for now. Have a wonderful Columbus Day -- after you've listened to the program...

Lorrie Grant

3:09 PM ET | 10-12-2008 | permalink

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Racial Tone Soars in Presidential Race

Is race back in the race for president? Or more to the point, race baiting --especially by the McCain campaign?

This is the question we took up for much of the program, both in our political segment and Barbershop.

The New York Times says yes. Give this editorial it a read when you can steal minute; but here's the operative quote:

"Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have been running one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember. They have gone far beyond the usual fare of quotes taken out of context and distortions of an opponent's record -- into the dark territory of race-baiting and xenophobia."

Campbell Brown, anchor of CNN's Campbell Brown: Election Center, says yes and no. Check out her commentary for more.

So what did our contributors have to say? You'll have to listen to today's program to find out, but suffice it to say that you will find a range of well-reasoned opinions on this program.

We'd like to know what you think too.

Monday's a holiday -- but I'll still have something to say (no break here) -- so enjoy the long weekend. And speaking of the weekend...

If you attend a church or another house of worship are you interested in your faith leader's political advice? From the pulpit? Some mainly conservative ministers felt they want to give it but the IRS says, not so fast. Hear our discussion about that as well, and let us know what you think.

Michel Martin

11:56 AM ET | 10-10-2008 | permalink

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Muslims Hold Out Hope for Obama Embrace

TMM

Whew... It's all in a days work, for real, at Tell Me More. So an extra set of hands aren't idle for long around here -- just ask our intern. Her name is Leila Taha, and she's with us for the fall. You can see how busy she's been with this blog posting. We'll let her tell you more.

Leila (the intern) here....

The more Sen. John McCain's camp accuses Sen. Barack Hussein Obama of "paling around with terrorists," the clearer it becomes to me that this presidential election involves matters bigger than the black-white race issues.

Obama's Muslim ancestry (his Kenyan father was a Muslim) has been used against him by more than one of his opponents throughout the campaign season. Recall, Hillary Clinton made such implications when she said he wasn't a Muslim "as far as I know."

Obama's reaction has been to vehemently debunk the myth. His campaign has repeatedly affirmed that his faith is Christian, and never has been Muslim.

There was some noise in June at an Obama rally in Detroit when two Muslim women wearing headscarves could be seen directly behind the podium where Obama was to speak. But they were asked to move (apparently by an Obama volunteer) for fear they'd end up in the photos.

In post-September 11th America, the stigma of any association with Islam is no surprise, given the climate after the terrorist attacks that day in 2001. And that's especially magnified for a presidential candidate.

But it seemed that Obama acted like being called a Muslim was actually a smear -- as his opponents probably intended it to be. He's rejected invitations to engage Muslim organizations.

I wish instead he would've reached out to American Muslims and set the example: a national political dialogue that includes 7 million American Muslims.

What's interesting is that the Muslim community still by and large supports Obama despite his appearing to intentionally distance himself.

I also wonder, are Muslims just so alienated from the Republican Party after eight years of President Bush, that we'll support any Democrat? Are we just holding out, hoping that if elected, political pressures will subside and President Obama will finally reach out to us?

What do you think?

Michel Martin

5:22 PM ET | 10- 9-2008 | permalink

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A Look at Latin America, Africa

Jasmine Garsd here ...

Today's show focused on international issues.

You know the old adage: When the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold? Well, in a recent visit to the U.S., Mexican President Felipe Calderon boasted that nowadays the world economy is very different, and when the U.S. catches pneumonia, Latin America only catches a cold.

This might be an exaggeration, but it is certainly true that the players in the world economy are shifting: Latin America has growing ties to Asia, and countries like Brazil and Chile have learned from past mistakes and have savings and commodities trade to help them through tough times.

With the upcoming elections, I think an interesting question to ask is, How does the economic turmoil in the U.S. change political relations with the rest of the world?

What do YOU think?

That issue led today's International Briefing on our program. We had the discussion with Alexei Barrionuevo, bureau chief for The New York Times in Rio de Janeiro, and Anna Szterenfeld, Latin America editor for the Economist magazine's Intelligence Unit.

We also had some fascinating guests on today:

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, NPR's West Africa correspondent shared insights about the fascinating and dangerous news stories she's covered in the region.

Maya Ajmera, founder of the Global Fund for Children spoke to us about how a little money goes a long way.

And the Food Network's Chef Jeff, who shared his amazing story about rising from prison cook to executive chef at two Las Vegas hotels. When I hear stories such as his I wonder whether everyone has the capacity to change so drastically and do something brilliant with his or her life or is that a miracle for only a few? Would I be able to turn my lifestyle on its head in the midst of adversity? Would you?

There's been so much said on the topic of race. I think a lot of people are starting to feel pretty jaded. Oddly enough, though, what has surprised me is other people's surprise.
I've picked up several articles in which seemingly shocked pundits cry out "racism is still alive and well!" I think this speaks to the fact that there are at least two Americas. In one, racism is a distant issue; but in the other, race and racism are an everyday reality, a very big deal.

Last night I was thinking about my own neighborhood -- a place that is rapidly gentrifying, but on certain blocks it is like you could be walking through Central America. Sandwiched between the incoming yuppies and the large amount of Latino workers are housing projects largely occupied by African-American residents. Walking down certain streets in my neighborhood, I have heard, and a few times been the target of, racist comments that sound as if I'm in a bygone era. I have witnessed race-related fights. The tension is so thick.

And increasingly difficult economic times do nothing to alleviate the tension. For some Americans, tuning into this election and its uglier side effects might be a surprising first encounter with racism. But, if, like some people in my neighborhood, you are economically strapped and living your life within a 20 block universe, then race and racial fears are part of your everyday existence. While racism is something shocking for some, for a large part of America it's just part of the landscape.

What do you think? Are you surprised by racism in these elections?

Lorrie Grant

12:45 PM ET | 10- 9-2008 | permalink

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Debate Debriefing

Ok, I'll admit it -- this was my call -- we switched around today's show to focus pretty much entirely on politics.

We had planned to bring you some music but we decided to go deep on analysis of last night's presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and to look ahead to a new documentary premiering tonight about the Latino voter.

We had promo'd Rachael Yamagata's new album but after last night's debate -- after we realized we had a chance to interview several great guests from Tennessee, and after the scene of last night's debate and along with experienced analysts who are in touch with key constituencies and swing states -- we couldn't resist.

So ...Rachael, we love you and we'll hear from you soon.

But what can we say? The senior senator from Tennessee, the editorial page editor of the (Nashville) Tennessean, the editor of the student newspaper at the university hosting the debate, the executive director of Voto Latino!

But first, the debate last night:
Did you watch? What were the highlights (or low lights)?

Did it change anything for you?

Will you watch the next (and final) one next week?

And what are you watching FOR?

And, overall, how'd we do for you today? Love it? Hate it? Sick of politics? Can't get enough? Can't wait for it to be over? Feel both ways? Discuss it.

And because we can't leave you without ANYTHING hummable if we can help it, find out what's playing in Mike Duncan's ear. He's the chairman of the RNC and I'm sure you heard our interview with him about politics and all that. But find out what he's got on his iPOD...

Michel Martin

5:49 PM ET | 10- 8-2008 | permalink

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Did Slavery Enhance The American Economy?

Rhode Island Council for the Humanities

The Tell Me More crew is pulling up stakes and heading back to DC from our brief sojourn in Providence, Rhode Island where there was great food, great weather -- the leaves have not turned as much as we had thought they would by now but it's really fall up here.

As I said, we were here to participate in the Freedom Festival, a commemoration of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. Having marked the commemorative date on our program earlier this year I remain struck by the distance between what scholars "know" about slavery and its effect on this country, and what the public believes or has been taught.

At one point James Campbell, professor of history at Stanford University, told us about a book review he had written in which he pointed out that in the 18th century, two-thirds of all people who made transatlantic crossings were Africans. He was challenged on this by the editor who just did not believe it. He pointed out how pervasive slavery's root was in the economy -- all 13 colonies had slaves at the outset (although slavery was abolished in the north first, it existed). Yet when these issues are often brought to the public's attention, the reaction is anger, denial and resentment.

So I'd like to ask you: Are you open to the idea that slavery's effect on the economy and society is more widespread than most people have been taught? Are there ways in which you see the legacy of slavery today? And perhaps most important, how can this society best move forward? More education? More talk? Or, here's a thought, less?

And speaking of talk, we will be listening to and watching the presidential debate tonight, the second of a series of three. We are eager to get your impressions. What questions would you like to ask?

Let us know what you think.

Michel Martin

4:15 PM ET | 10- 7-2008 | permalink

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And, We're Off ...

We're off to Providence, Rhode Island to participate in a community forum, part of the city's commemoration of the end of the transatlantic salve trade, which officially ended in January 1808. So, a group of us is dashing off to the airport. We'll holler at your from Providence tomorrow.

Michel Martin

12:07 PM ET | 10- 6-2008 | permalink

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On the Ground at the VEEP Debate Parties

Lee Hill, here ...

The buzz around town last night, here in the D.C. area, was likened to a major sporting event -- perhaps the biggest boxing match of the century -- with all the anticipation of the Biden-Palin debate, the one and only vice presidential debate of the election season. I, along with a few other producers here at TMM, decided to hit the streets, dispersing thought the region to capture sights and perspectives of those attending debate gatherings. (On Monday, we told you about the scene here around town for the first presidential face off between Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain.)

I, along with a few other NPR-ers, gathered at a downtown hotel eatery. In a restuarant with walls decorated with plasma televisions, you can probably guess that my group wasn't the only group partaking in the debate watching festivities. Of course, there were others.

Meet Pamela Williams:

Lee Hill, NPR

 

Williams was visiting Washington, D.C., with her daughter, LaTiffaney. Like Sen. John McCain, the Williams are from Arizona. Like Palin, Williams is also a mother of five and works outside the home in a management role (as a mid-level executive at a major technological manufacturing corporation). She originally supported Sen. Hillary Clinton's Democratic bid for the White House, citing her fondness of seeing women -- who are also mothers, like herself -- in power, but she is now a supporter of Obama.

After the debate, I asked Pamela Williams to share her thoughts on the candidates' performance.

She respects Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her historic vice presidential candidacy. Williams was impressed by her performance in last night's debate but says, for her, that's still not enough to win her over as a Palin supporter.

"She's not ready, and doesn't have the understanding to be the next president ... if she needs to be," she commented after Palin's closing remarks at the end of the 90-minute exchange.

TMM producer Teshima Walker also made a few observations from where she was watching:

I arrived to the debate-watching venue late from my belly-dance class. (I warned the instructor, 'I've got to go early ... you know the debate is tonight.' We had an agreement.) So, I arrive at an office building, which was the host site, and the door is locked. After negotiating with the cleaning staff to let us in, I rush to the end of the hall. I walk through the glass double-doors, where William Murray, a cute older black man in a rust-colored pants suit with gray pin-stripes, asks me and my sister friend Trina Williams (a fellow NPR journalist) to sign in for the event. Mr. Murray asked us if we were registered to vote, and tells us he registers at least one person to vote at least everyday. If he runs into you at a grocery store, at his job, a gas station ... WHEREVER, he greets you with, "are you registered to vote?" Who is the Mr. Murry in your neighborhood? I'm curious. Thanks for reading and thanks for listening to the show.

Thanks, Teshima.

... From another TMM producer, Jasmine Garsd:

This morning I woke up at the break of dawn, like so many other Americans tired and a bit disappointed. America stayed up well past its bedtime last night, for a match that was expected to equal the encounters between Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed. But the vice presidential debate between Senator Joe Biden and Governor Sarah Palin didn't live up to the expectations. ... As I looked into the packed audience at a local restaurant and poetry cafe, I saw a sea of young and old African Americans, Asians, Latinos, Middle Easterners, and Caucasians. Some were fabulously dressed, but there were many who were very casually dressed. ... I wondered which one of these is Joe Six Pack? As someone who is not originally from the U.S. (I'm South American), I'm intrigued to meet this mythical all-American man, commonly referenced by Sarah Palin. ... I now realize that I didn't meet Joe Six Pack because he doesn't exist in that persona --- at least not around here. Soon, the majority man, Joe Six Pack will be Jose Seis Cervezas; an African American graduate student struggling to pay off loans, the one who never took his eyes off the screen last night. The people watching the debate at the place I attended were, as American as apple pie, from all parts of town and all countries, and all sexualities.

Jasmine also took a few photos to help capture the evening:

RaShawn Mitchell and Dori Alexandre.

Jasmine Garsd, NPR

 

Rut Semene, left, and Atheni Asihel.

Jasmine Garsd, NPR

 

Onlooker Jessica Jones reacts to Gov. Palin's comment, directed at Sen. Biden: "I know education you are passionate about with your wife being a teacher for 30 years, and god bless her. Her reward is in heaven, right?"

Jasmine Garsd, NPR

 

Jasmine Garsd, NPR

 

Nice work, Jasmine.

Lastly, here's an observation from blogger and (frequent TMM guest), angryblack*****:

I sorta watched the vice-presidential debate last night. I must confess that I had to break away a couple of times for fear that my blood pressure was rising. On the issue of Gwen Ifill's performance as moderator, I think she did a fine job. I'm still pissed off that anyone could fix their face to assume that she would be unable to moderate because she's writing a book about black politicians that touches on Senator Obama. This election cycle overfloweth with insulting as hell assumptions about black women and how we navigate race and politics...and the faux stir-up over Ifiil's book is yet another cup full of that bull. Whatever. Go on with your bad self, Gwen Ifill! ... As for the debate, I can't help but question why Gov. Palin is getting high marks. I work closely with a lot of women involved in local and state politics and Gov. Palin's folksy avoidance of the issues insults their depth, intelligence, service and grasp of the how government works. The women who serve in the Missouri Senate could have stood up there and held their own on the topics presented better than Gov. Palin did last night. I'm disturbed by the way she presented herself but I'm even more disturbed by the post-debate pundit response to the way she presented herself. Online news sites are running headlines proclaiming that Palin got the job done with her folksy style. Are they living in an alternative universe where a different debate aired on television? For the love of Gawd, people...she came across as almost unbelievably clueless! I'm serious! She layered on so much of that 'hockey mom from Alaska' mess that she made me wonder if she's faking her cluelessness to garner sympathy votes. Either way, her performance wouldn't score points in a Junior High school debate...and doggone it; you betcha there's something off about all that praise being showered on her despite that fact. If Gwen Ifill moderated the debate with the same style, she would have been eaten alive by the critics. And try to imagine Senator Obama responding to a question with "Gosh, I just know that folks at soccer games across in the heartland want affordable healthcare and lower taxes...bless their hearts!" Palin's performance is being evaluated through the haze of low expectations and that insults women in politics everywhere, regardless of their party affiliation. And it is also being judged on a different scale where some people are given the benefit of the doubt when others are held to the standard of perfection.

Lee Hill

8:25 PM ET | 10- 4-2008 | permalink

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