Reality Will Provide

A colleague of mine who loves the news business more than anybody I know (a business which has not always loved him back, by the way -- but that's another story) used to say the same thing whenever we were fretting about having a slow news day or week, worrying that we'd have nothing to keep people interested.

"Reality will provide," he'd say.

The phrase popped into my head because, as we left on Friday, we were debating exactly what we should focus on for today's program. At that point, there were so many things percolating:

1.) U.S. mayors were meeting at a conference in Miami. So many of the issues they were talking about are things we talk about every day -- like crime, the foreclosure crisis, poverty and the environment. Sen. Barack Obama and Bill Clinton talked with the group of city leaders over the weekend.

Would anybody want to hear more, we asked?

2.) Floodwaters in the Midwest are receding. Do we need to check in on recovery efforts?

If you don't live there, do you care?

3.) And, we normally check in on Mondays with The Washington Post Magazine. We had our eyes on a riveting story about those who literally keep watch in the interagency watch center that evaluates possible security threats on air travel, clearly a matter of urgency in the wake of Sept. 11.

Could we get the reporter on the line? In the studio?

... And then a bombshell. In Zimbabwe, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change -- whose party mounted the most serious challenge to Robert Mugabe in his 28 years of presidential rule -- announces on SUNDAY that he is withdrawing from the race. As of right now, NPR's Morning Edition is trying to reach him for an interview. They are first show up, as we say (heard earlier in the day than other NPR programs), but we're next.

Clearly a story to which we have devoted much time and energy is a priority.

Who can we get? Who is on the ground? Who knows what's going on?

We were very fortunate to reach reporter Jeffrey Barbee, who is reporting on the ground in Zimbabwe. We also heard from Open Society Institute analyst Akwe Amosu for more analysis.

Still, we did want to hear more about the mayors' meeting in Miami. Michael Nutter of Philadelphia was our guest.

And we also reported on a study (pdf) about the problem of long emergency room waits and how they affect patients needing mental health services.

Finally, Say You're One of Them. It's a book of short stories from a fresh and unexpected new African voice, Uwem Akpan. We hope to bring you a number of conversations about new fiction from Africa over the course of the summer. But here's a start.

Uwem Akpan's exhilarating, heartbreaking collection. The stories so moved singer Angelique Kidjo that she composed a song about it. Agbalagba closes the show.

We did not have time for Laura Blumenfeld's fascinating piece about the Homeland Security watch group. So here it is.

Does it change the way you think about having to take off your shoes at the airport?

Michel Martin

2:23 PM ET | 06-23-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

 

Mo'Nique Drops in on TMM

Michel Martin, right, is pictured with comedienne and actress Mo'Nique during a recent visit to NPR. Credit: George Lyle, NPR

Oh! One more more thing. Comedienne and actress Mo'Nique was in the house the other day to talk about her new film, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, and a new season of "Mo'Nique's F.A.T. Chance."

In case you missed the interview (she's hilarious!), you can still check it out ...

Mo'Nique's new film opens in theaters Feb. 8th.

Michel Martin

3:13 PM ET | 02- 8-2008 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

 

Our Gift to You

Lee, here. Blogging from a freezing Milwaukee...

To keep in-step with the Season, we've prepared for you a special holiday gift of Tell Me More conversations. Enjoy!:

Christmas Eve

Star power, once again, graced our studios. We take a special peek at the new film (in theaters on Christmas Day), The Great Debaters.

Denzel Washington, who directed and starred in the film, paid a visit to NPR, as well as his co-stars: Jurnee Sollett (you might remember her as Eve in the 1997 film Eve's Bayou), Denzel Whitaker (a.k.a. the 17-year-old super kid; he's super mature, super enlightened) and Nate Parker (the studious actor also played Hakim in the film Pride, which debuted earlier this year).

We were also pleased to be joined by Ken Tolson, the grandson of Melvin Tolson, who's renowned work as an educator, poet and mentor is chronicled in the film.

It's the sophomore production with Washington as Director (his first was the emotional true story of Antwone Fisher in 2002).

Christmas Day

We take you inside the Advent Conspiracy. Sounds bizarre, we know. But, I think that's exactly why you'll want to tune in. Michel Martin talks to the folks behind the "conspiracy" to ask them all the questions you're probably wondering.

Also, hear from listeners who spend their holiday at the workplace.

(Speaking of which, how are you spending Christmas Day? If you don't celebrate, for whatever reason, or if you do, we want to know ... what's your tradition, if any? Please, do share...)

Finally, as the bow on our holiday gift to you, we'll spend Christmas with our Mocha Moms. They'll be joined by their children to tell us what the holidays mean to them.

Enjoy your gift! Send us your feedback. Let us know which conversations you like the most. And, don't forget to let us know how you're spending the holidays...

Amidst all of the holiday hustle and bustle, Tell Me More wishes you the Season's best -- from our family to yours. Cheers!

Lee Hill

2:36 PM ET | 12-24-2007 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

 

Prepping for a FABULOUS TMM Holiday...

This has to be short. We are working on some FABULOUS programming for the Christmas and New Year's holidays -- we know that many of you will be traveling, out of your normal routines so you may not catch us the first time around. Either way, we hope you'll either catch us on the air or download us later ... if you miss us the first time.

I can't tell you everything we have coming up ... that would be wrong. But, here's a little hint: DENZEL!!! DENZEL!!! DENZEL!!!

Oh, sorry, was I getting a little excited? Um, sorry. Excuse me. Michel, get it together.

OK, what was I saying? Christmas, right...

There's an important new movie coming out Christmas Day about an important historical figure -- a towering figure who I say most of us have never heard of. But, that is going to change. Some star power, some history, we have it all.

Also, some really interesting stuff for Christmas Day and beyond: Who fascinated YOU this year? We'll tell you our picks and tell you more about them.

And as for today's show, we continued with our Thursday focus on international affairs. The U.N. Deputy Secretary-General, Asha Rose-Migiro was with us. She stopped through Washington last week. The U.N. is a big mystery to most of us. What exactly do those people do there? Migiro tried to peel back the layers a bit, and she told us some of her own fascinating story.

And speaking of fascinating, we spoke with William "Kip" Ward, probably one of the most powerful African-Americans you've never heard of. He is the only African-American four-star general currently in service, and he now heads the new Africa Command. We'll let him tell you what he's up to.

And for some light fare, chick-lit from India! Check it out ... ( if you don't know what that is, don't worry, we'll hook you up).

OK, gotta go. And have I mentioned that I still haven't finished my shopping?

Sigh...

Michel Martin

7:41 PM ET | 12-20-2007 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

 

That's a Wrap...

Lee, here...

Leaving you with more pics from our chat with cast members of The Perfect Holiday. In case you didn't catch it when it aired, you can SEE and HEAR the lively conversation here.

Cheers!

(Photo credit: Trina Williams, NPR)

End photo (l-r): Marie Nelson (TMM), Gabrielle Union, Morris Chestnut, Michel Martin (TMM), Queen Latifah, Faizon Love, Teshima Walker (TMM) and Lee Hill (TMM)

Lee Hill

5:12 PM ET | 12-14-2007 | permalink | comments (0) | e-mail post

 

From Survey to Screengem

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times (not quite the worst, but you get the idea).

Our program today veers between the lighthearted and the harder edges of our society.

We start with a new poll (pdf) by New America Media. Polls are always controversial and subject to debate, but we found this one so interesting we felt we had to bring it to you. It's about how African Americans, Latinos and Asians see each OTHER (as well as whites). The pollsters believe it is the first of its kind to ask these groups these questions in this way. It's multilingual. People were interviewed in their language of choice -- whether English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese or Tagalong. I cannot possibly summarize all the findings here, but the poll found that each of these groups -- black, so-called "brown" and "yellow" -- have some very negative attitudes about each other and very different views about race. Large majorities of blacks and Hispanics think racial tension is a real problem in this country; only 37 percent of Asians thought so. Asked whether they would EVER vote for an African American for president, 37 percent of Asians said ... no, they wouldn't.

And nearly half of all Hispanics and Asians said they are afraid of blacks because they are responsible for the majority of crime (I am assuming they didn't mean securities fraud, predatory lending and Enron, but I digress) and nearly half of all blacks said they feel threatened by Latin immigrants.

On the other hand, significant numbers of all groups pushed back against the negative attitudes. And all the groups expressed optimism about the future relations of these groups. Go figure. What does it all mean? We couldn't possibly sort it all out so we made a start. If you have a minute, read the poll for yourself, see what you think, and see if you see areas for further discussion. AND, if you'd like to take part ... the wonder of radio. If we can get you to a telephone we can get you involved in the discussion.

Then...

The Perfect Holiday! The Queen, Latifah, was in the house along with her crew from the new film. It opens today, we had a lot of fun. They stopped by last week so we couldn't keep the love to ourselves. We invited an in-studio audience of NPR folks and friends. Enjoy it! We even had snow for their arrival ... it was so Christmassy!

Michel Martin

4:58 PM ET | 12-12-2007 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

 

Hollywood Comes to TMM, More on 'Stop and Frisk'

Lee, here.

So today was a big day for the show. Four of Hollywood's most beloved stopped by and hung out for a bit -- Queen Latifah, Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union and Faizon Love. They sat with us to talk about their new movie, The Perfect Holiday. ALL of them were pleasant and, genuinely, seemed like good people to shoot the breeze with ... and ask a few tough questions.

But, folks, they almost had to call EMS when the lovely Gabrielle Union greeted me with such a beautiful smile. She's so gracious ... and (gotta say this) so, breathtakingly, gorgeous. In this business, it's not uncommon for us to see and talk to "big names" quite often. But I have yet to meet the likes of Ms. Union.

OK, enough of that. But I'm just saying...

(Standby. The actual interview, complete with video and photos from the casts' visit, is on its way.)

Moving on...

I want to address a blog comment we received in response to our story (and blog post) yesterday on one reporter's allegations of being treated unfairly by the New York City Police Department. Here's a comment from dirtyblues:

Is the depth of most usa black adult males so shallow -- that a legal request for information from police officer (of color) is consider[ed] a de-humanizing experience -- requiring a federal civil rights case? This incident shows just how 'razor-thin' the self-esteem is of the usa black male professional class at all levels...

Let me share my story. Spring 2003, I was in New Orleans on business -- pre-Katrina, of course. I'd just had dinner with some colleagues and was walking (not stumbling ... I'd not had any alcohol) back to my hotel, alone, from the French Quarter. It was late evening, but before 10 p.m.

...So I'm walking down the street, minding my own business when a squad car stops alongside me, two cops hop out and begin to question me asking, "Where are you coming from?"

I answered.

They asked, "What are you doing out here?"

Answered that, too.

Adding to the drama, about two minutes later, another squad car pulls up. Two more cops join in the questioning. (You can imagine where this is going...) Long-short: they made me put my "hands on the car" and frisked me -- went through my pockets, wallet, etc... After learning that I live in Washington (and work in the media), they let me go ... almost immediately.

So, dirtyblues, is it really a matter of being shallow? I must say, I found the experience very dehumanizing. I, probably much like Leonardo Blair of the New York Post, can't help but wonder ... What if I was a "local," or had no professional affiliation that could be perceived as a threat to whatever their motives might have been that night? I certainly didn't leave their presence affirmed by what I learned as a child -- "policemen are your friends..."

And, did race play a factor?...

Continue reading "Hollywood Comes to TMM, More on 'Stop and Frisk'" »

Lee Hill

5:17 PM ET | 12- 5-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

 

'Sweet' Monday for TMM

Sweet Honey in the Rock (Aisha Kahlil, Nitanju Bolade Casel, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson and Ysaye Barnwell) pictured with Michel Martin in NPR's Studio 4a. Credit: Jeeun Lee, NPR

Did you remember to turn your clocks back?

I loved my extra hour. I looked forward to it all week. I knew exactly what I was going to do with it -- in the same way that, if I find a crumpled dollar bill in my jeans I leave it there to later treat myself when I am ready ... a gift expected and unexpected at the same time.

Speaking of gifts expected and unexpected ... Sweet Honey in the Rock!!!! It was our first performance chat. How can I describe it? This incredible women's a capella group has been together for 34 years. How do you keep a group together for 34 years? And they continue to perform and produce new material. They were here with us in NPR's studio 4a to celebrate and perform pieces from their new CD Experience ... 101. The ladies even treated us to one of their best loved songs, Breaths

If you are in need of inspiration, comfort and joy today, this is the program for you. You might want to bookmark the link on your computer, or your MP3 player, to savor it.

It was a big day for us on any number of levels. NPR's new music site made its debut today and, a big deal for us, the concert is featured.

Take a listen. We do hope you enjoy it...

And, to begin the program, you know that we have been committed to following the immigration story. This week, Prince William County, Va., a suburb outside of Washington, D.C., holds local elections this week. You've probably heard that a number of local jurisdictions have been taking their own measures to fight illegal immigration, believing the federal government is not doing enough to protect their budgets and quality of life. We drove out to Prince William County to meet a candidate who's challenging a longtime incumbent with a write-in candidacy, believing officials have demagogued the immigration issue to distract from deeper fiscal problems. The incumbent wouldn't talk to us. He says he can't because of a lawsuit brought against the county for recent efforts to restrict services to illegal immigrants. But the head of a group organized to fight illegal immigration locally did talk to us.

People tend to know where they stand on this issue, but what stood out for me was the passion for a sense of community on both sides. Both sides seemed to be saying their community was changing in ways each did not like. It's a clich??, but it's true -- and continually interesting -- to see how people can live so close together and yet be miles apart.

Here's a documentary, posted on YouTube, about the fight in Prince William County:

And for tomorrow, we are chasing news about the allegations of abuse at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Last week, we brought you an update from a reporter who's been covering the story. She talked about how hard it was to get information. Today, just as we were headed for air, Oprah spoke publicly and at length (for the first time since the allegations arose) in a full blown press conference in South Africa. We hope to have more for you on this story tomorrow...

Michel Martin

12:08 PM ET | 11- 5-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

 

A 'Gangster' Dilemma

Oy! November 1. That means I'm already behind on my Christmas shopping, according to our personal finance guy Alvin Hall.

But at least we are AHEAD on a couple of things -- the elections this Monday in Trinidad and Tobago, and we give you a taste of this fall's current obsession with black gangsters.

Can I just tell you? ... Moral dilemma with that segment. My underlying view is this: you invite people to come to a program because you believe they have something to say that your listeners might want to hear, that there is of some benefit to whart's being discussed. With so many black gangster film and television projects in the works right now, it seemed logical to talk about a couple of them; we chose the documentaries (we talked to Ruby Dee about the feature film, American Gangster, for Wednesday's program).

...But how do you deal with the fact that these films could be seen as glamorizing the destructive, dangerous, anti-social behavior demonstrated by the subjects of these films? Because, don't get it twisted, the subjects of these movies are drug dealers. They sold heroin and coke, and by extention, aided and abetted addiction and death, mostly among their own communities, for no reason other than money. These aren't freedom fighters, people. They have no cause other than lining their pockets.

So what do you do? Do you blast the filmmakers for making the films? Or, appreciate the work as a window into a world we need to understand?

I remember, when I was at Nightline, the program aired a segment with the Chechen rebel leader believed to have planned the taking of hostages in Beslan, one of the most depraved terrorist acts of recent memory. Hundreds of school children and their mothers were killed or wounded after having been held for days in deplorable conditions. A Russian journalist was able to obtain an exclusive interview with the rebel leader (who was later killed, but that's another story). Nightline's decision to air the documentary caused outrage in Russia and a diplomatic dressing-down of the U.S. ambassador.

To me airing the interview was a no-brainer; we needed to know what would make a human being do that to other people's children. How could he possibly justify it? There was no possible way you could consider the report "glamorizing" or justifying the behavior. But the Russians didn't see it that way. They saw it as offering a platform to a murderous, amoral terrorist.

So what about us? What about Nicky Barnes and Frank Lucas, two of the most notorious drug kingpins of the 70s in NY? Why give them any shine at all?

I asked the filmmakers in today's conversation that very question.

I'll leave it to you to decide whether you think they -- and we -- did the right thing by talking about their work at all.

On another note, I hope you noticed our ongoing commitment to international news. The Caribbean is not just a vacation location, it's a region with exciting and dynamic politics. Can't wait to see what happens in elections there next week.

And, I thought the interview with the former president of Mozambique was very exciting. How often do you get to call up a former president, especially one who has just won a $5 million prize, for good governance?

Michel Martin

3:05 PM ET | 11- 1-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post