Hunger in the U.S. is at a record high. Tomorrow, Milwaukee Rep. Gwen Moore talks to us about recent findings by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which reports that 17 million households in this country were "food insecure" and struggled to put food on the table in 2008. Moore, herself, has an interesting story. She rose from poverty and, as an expectant mother on welfare, earned a degree from Marquette University before becoming the first African-American to represent Wisconsin in Congress. Moore's early struggles have influenced her passion on issues regarding access to food and community resources. The congresswoman will be joined by Jan Pruitt, who runs a food bank in Texas.
Also, Paul Butler, a scholar and former federal prosecutor, has penned a book called Let's Get Free: A Hip Hop Theory of Justice. Tomorrow, he talks with us about the role of hip-hop music in American culture against the backdrop of a flawed criminal justice system.
And ...
The Washington Blade -- widely regarded as the newspaper of record by members of the gay community -- surprised readers when it abruptly folded its operation Monday. For 40 years, the paper covered the highs, lows and tragedies of gay life. You might remember, just the other week, longtime Blade reporter Lou Chibbaro, Jr., was on the program to talk about the storied journey of the publication and his work as one of its leading journalists. So you can imagine the apparent shock by Chibarro and his colleagues when they arrived to work on Monday and were told they had only hours to pack their offices and clean out their desks. Tomorrow, bloggerZack Rosen explains why the Blade's demise is unfortunate, but not the end of the world.
David Plouffe, campaign manager for President Obama, will join NPR's Michel Martin tomorrow in studio to talk about his book The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama's Historic Victory. (Francois Durand / Getty Images)
By Michel Martin
We're still talking about election results from Tuesday. Are you? Or, are you over it?
If you're still analyzing, what are you thinking about? Tomorrow, we'll talk to President Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe. If you have any questions for HIM, send them my way. (But hurry please. The conversation will be tomorrow morning. So no time to linger.)
And that vote in Maine? Overturning the state legislature's decision to legalize same-sex marriage got us thinking about the question of gay rights around the globe. Did you know that same-sex marriage is legal in South Africa? I didn't, or rather I did, and forgot.
And South Africa is also one of the countries where polygamy is legal. As you know, the current head of state, Jacob Zuma, has three wives.
Today, our analyst, Neville Hoad, who teaches at the University of Texas at Austin, says the two are linked. South Africa, as a relatively new full democracy (it was a democracy during Apartheid but not for all, of course), wanted to be as inclusive and progressive as possible in forming its new constitution.
Professor Hoad says recognizing these various marriage forms was a signal of that.
We are also thinking about what's up in late night television. There are some new choices available. We'll tell you about them.
And what about that H1N1 vaccine? Are you going to get it, or not? Let us know.
Starting pitcher Pedro Martinez #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on against the New York Yankees in Game Two of the 2009 MLB World Series against at Yankee Stadium in New York. (Chris McGrath / Getty Images)
Rob Sachs, here ...
There were some harsh words said about the Phillies baseball team on today's program. So as the World Series swings back to my hometown, I'd just like to offer 10 reasons why the Phillies will definitely win the World Series:
1. We have the coolest nicknames in baseball -- The Flyin Hawaiian (Shane Victorino), Chooch (Carlos Ruiz), and Hollywood (Cole) Hamels.
Tomorrow, we want to talk about how race is playing out in two interesting mayoral races. It's all part of the way we live now.
And thanks for the good wishes many of you sent me to get over that laryngitis and whatever else was junking up my throat. That was not pretty, was it?
It makes me have a new respect for opera singers. They are scheduled, what, years in advance? And what a bummer it must be to cancel, thinking about all the people who have bought tickets to hear you. NOT that I am comparing myself to an opera singer (trust me on this one -- I can't sing a lick! And I don't know that you're sitting on the edge of your seat waiting for me to show up).
BUT having said that, it's hard to disappoint people and it's annoying! You feel bad for having to disrupt other people's schedules. Thanks to Jennifer Ludden for stepping in on SHORT notice and to Linda Wertheimer for being on standby for today in case the OTC stuff didn't do its job.
Hey Tell Me More listeners, do you have a recommendation for a good Happy Hour? Where do you go to unwind after a long work week? I rarely go to the little gimmicky bar and restaurant, faux networking events. I don't drink.
On Friday nights, I like to curl up on my pink sofa and read. (I'm trying to get through The RZA's new book titled: "The Tao of Wu". Michel talked with him on Monday's show. If you haven't heard the interview - CHECK IT OUT, please.) Or, I like dancing wildly around my apartment. I'm listening to new CDs: Meshell Ndegeocello's "Devil's Halo" and Mayer Hawthorne's "A Strange Arrangement." You'll be able to hear those performance chats on Tell Me More within the next two weeks.
But, tonight, I'm in the mood for one of those Happy Hour miniature meals. You know a plate piled high with chicken wing-lets ... quesadillas ... tiny cheeseburgers ... cheese sticks ... nachos. Hey what about tapas? My mouth is watering.
I can't wait for the end of my work day.
But, there's more work to do. We are planning next week's show. Here's what we've got on tap:
What is going on in Pakistan? Its government is under intense pressure to rid the country of Islamist militant groups that have found shelter in its northwest region. In the month of October, reports estimate that more than 200 people have died in a surge of militant attacks. We'll talk with Shuja Nawaz, a Pakistani journalist and author of the book, "Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army, and the Wars Within." Nuwaz is in Brussels briefing NATO on Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Plus, we'll talk with some folks in Pakistan who are working, attending school, planning their families futures with violence happening all around them. That's on Monday's show.
Dalia Mogahed, one of 25 people tapped by President Obama to serve on an advisory council on faith-based issues. Mogahed may have met Obama only once, but to Muslims, she's a celebrity -- thanks to the headscarf, or hijab, she wears every day. (Coburn Dukehart / NPR)
Alicia Montgomery, here ...
Looking a today's program, we get two conversations about identity.
Defining yourself can be the work of a lifetime. On today's program, we heard perspectives in two of our segments about when individuals have the opportunity -- or, as some would say, the burden -- of helping to define members of their ethnic or faith community for millions of outside.
Dalia Mogahed, the executive director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies, spoke with us about "Who Speaks for Islam?" the upcoming conversation series on Link TV. And the guys in the Barbershop -- journalists Gustavo Arellano, Arsalan Iftikhar, Jimi Izrael, and Ruben Navarrette -- give their take on the CNN special "Latino in America."
These are great conversations to cap off another week of dynamic stories on our program.
A lot of stories percolating out there: the ongoing violence in Pakistan, the ongoing turmoil over the elections in Afghanistan. International observers have thrown out many ballots citing fraud. And President Hamid Karzai has accepted a runoff.
Here at home, the so called jobless recovery along with BIG BONUSES on Wall Street and the balloon boy. What does it mean that the parents are likely to be charged with perpetrating a hoax? Also, the CNN special Latino In America...and a bunch of other stuff we're looking into.
That's a nice way of saying I better jump off this keyboard and start thinking about tomorrow's program.
This week's parenting conversation (which will air tomorrow) perked up my ears. The sticky social predicament of handling a friend's misbehaving child -- or "Bratzilla" -- is something that I've now experienced from both sides.
This weekend, I spent part of Saturday at a museum, and there was this kid. He was about 2 years old, and he spent most of his time literally running through the exhibits. Every time he saw one of those ropes or barriers that are supposed to signal people to keep their distance, he ran under them or climbed over them, giggling and jumping up and down. Attempts to keep this little tyke in-check were met with kicking, crying, screaming tantrums.
What could have been a relaxing outing turned into a first-class workout of my nerves. That's because this was my kid.
Having spent close to two decades of my adult life as a spectator of parenthood, tutt-tutting moms who failed to keep their little darlings from behaving like wild beasts in public, I've got to acknowledge a certain karmic justice to my current challenges. And I know now that having a kid misbehave in a public place, or away from home, can present a logistical nightmare.
David Letterman tells his story during a taping of his late-night show, on Oct. 1, that he had sexual relationships with female employees and that someone tried to extort $2 million from him over the affairs. A CBS employee has been charged with attempted grand larceny in the case. (AP/CBS)
I can see why it might not be to some people.
We started by talking about office relationships and the conversations that are sparked by the disclosure that late night television comic David Letterman had, by his own admission, a number of relationships with women at his job. It's true the disclosure came out in a particularly ugly way -- allegedly the current boyfriend of one of his past flames discovered her diary and decided to blackmail him with it -- and there's a lot we don't know. (How many? When? ... The nature of the relationships? Were they all before he was married? Or if Letterman was not yet married, were they before or after his son was born?)
BUT HAVING SAID ALL THAT. It's an attention getting story and it's mundane, and quite common. Work is where a lot of people meet and get together. But should they?
Why? Because it hits us where we really live. It's about real things that we really just contend.
We would like to have followed up on the story of Derrion Albert, the Chicago youth who was killed in a street fight over a week ago, but we were unable to secure the guests we wanted. Stay tuned on that; there is surely more to talk about.
I am going to run because we have to get ready for a visit from MeShell Ndegecello. She and her band are coming in shortly. They are touring in support of her new album, Devil's Halo. I am excited.
So I'm back from today's editorial meeting, where we tossed around a broad range of ideas/news as potential Tell Me More conversations in the days ahead. The daily brainstorming sessions are pretty much the heartbeat of our planning process.
And on days like today, even after tailoring a perfect "wish list" of guests on a number of issues, we can't help but notice when our huge whiteboard is dying for listener perspectives to help season the mix.
So here's where you come in ... Two questions:
#1
Have you ever benefited professionally from having a sexual relationship with your BOSS? ... Or, were the professional repercussions -- as in DRAMA -- far more costly than the pleasure?
(If you're guessing this is linked to David Letterman's "situation," you're on it!)
#2
Ladies, have you ever felt the need -- or been told -- to change your hair style in order to secure or maintain a job, or in an effort to distance yourself from any hair-induced cultural perceptions that could harm you professionally (e.g. braids, nubian/dreadlocks, twists, etc.)? We're specifically thinking in terms of actual styles -- natural vs. straightened vs. permed/chemically treated) -- as opposed to hair coloring issues.
(Also from today's meeting, we identified such conflicts as perhaps being more familiar to women of color, but not limited to them. So, by all means, if you can relate from another cultural angle, please share.)
It's all so new for me, this hosting gig. Guest hosting, I should say. Michel Martin was kind enough to hand me the mic, to vamp in her place for a few days while she was travelling. I'm so honored to be invited to fill in on the show, and really grateful to the thoughtful ...and sympathetic.... producers and editors who've made me feel at home. I came all the way from NPR West in Los Angeles to be here at the headquarters I call "NPR East."
See, as an NPR correspondent, I'm used to being a street reporter, having adventures in the field, telling other people's stories. And as a producer, I'm used to masterminding the audio. But filling an entire show with interviews? That's been an exciting challenge. And I like challenges.
Before my debut, I admit I was kinda nervous, but mostly excited. "Just be yourself," advised everyone, from Michel to another NPR host, Scott Simon, to my friends around the country (who I updated regularly via Facebook and Twitter). I wanted to preserve the spirit and mission of "Tell Me More": lively and provocative chats about diverse topics with folks we don't always get to hear from on the airwaves.
So.
With this in mind, the staff and I delved into some of the kinds of stories I really wanted to tell as a host. The debate over health care and undocumented immigrants is broiling, and this week, it really got hot, not only during the conservative rally here in D.C. last weekend, but also in this week's radio-thon with right-wing talk show hosts. I'd heard of a growing movement against one of those hosts, a certain CNN personality who's been criticized for a long time over his views on illegal immigrants. I was hoping for an exclusive interview. Sadly, despite our best efforts, Lou Dobbs was not available.
Nevertheless, we had a very engaging discussion about the tenor of the debate around immigrants and healthcare reform. And today, we tackled another intriguing issue of the day: the question of racism in the debate over healthcare reform. We had a great talk, in the wake of former President Jimmy Carter critique that racism is at play.
It's all so new for me, this hosting gig. Guest hosting, I should say. Michel Martin was kind enough to hand me the mic, to vamp in her place for a few days while she was travelling. I'm so honored to be invited to fill in on the show, and really grateful to the thoughtful ...and sympathetic.... producers and editors who've made me feel at home. I came all the way from NPR West in Los Angeles to be here at the headquarters I call "NPR East."
See, as an NPR correspondent, I'm used to being a street reporter, having adventures in the field, telling other people's stories. And as a producer, I'm used to masterminding the audio. But filling an entire show with interviews? That's been an exciting challenge. And I like challenges.
Before my debut, I admit I was kinda nervous, but mostly excited. "Just be yourself," advised everyone, from Michel to another NPR host, Scott Simon, to my friends around the country (who I updated regularly via Facebook and Twitter). I wanted to preserve the spirit and mission of "Tell Me More": lively and provocative chats about diverse topics with folks we don't always get to hear from on the airwaves.
So.
With this in mind, the staff and I delved into some of the kinds of stories I really wanted to tell as a host. The debate over health care and undocumented immigrants is broiling, and this week, it really got hot, not only during the conservative rally here in D.C. last weekend, but also in this week's radio-thon with right-wing talk show hosts. I'd heard of a growing movement against one of those hosts, a certain CNN personality who's been criticized for a long time over his views on illegal immigrants. I was hoping for an exclusive interview. Sadly, despite our best efforts, Lou Dobbs was not available.
Nevertheless, we had a very engaging discussion about the tenor of the debate around immigrants and healthcare reform. And today, we tackled another intriguing issue of the day: the question of racism in the debate over healthcare reform. We had a great talk, in the wake of former President Jimmy Carter critique that racism is at play.
I am excited that NPR Correspondent Mandalit Del Barco will be sitting in. She flew in from Los Angeles this week to give us a hand. If you listen to NPR programs Morning Edition and All Things Considered you will have heard her reporting on the L.A. gangs, the fiscal crisis and a little bit of Hollywood. ... She is all that.
And, don't worry, I AM NOT SICK AGAIN. I'm just headed to a public radio conference in Cleveland for a few days.
A dangerous question, I know. My husband is a lawyer and I am pretty sure I've heard that one of the rules in the courthouse is never ask a question to which you don't know the answer.
Anyway, I'll assume the best.
My thanks to all those who sat in for me while I was away -- Jennifer Ludden, Korva Coleman, Linda Wertheimer, Allison Keyes; some of it planned, some of it very much NOT.
I went on vacation only to come down with a nasty virus the minute I returned--I mean the very minute. I hadn't even unpacked my bags. And didn't--for a week.
Sigh.
But I'm back! I'm moving a bit more slowly but here and upright. Needless to say, I am hug free around here.
And, sadly, a funeral. A dear colleague and husband of another dear colleague, Ken Bacon, is being laid to rest today.
Here's more about him from Refugees International, which he headed: http://www.refugeesinternational.org/ken-bacon.
A dangerous question, I know. My husband is a lawyer and I am pretty sure I've heard that one of the rules in the courthouse is never ask a question to which you don't know the answer.
Anyway, I'll assume the best.
My thanks to all those who sat in for me while I was away -- Jennifer Ludden, Korva Coleman, Linda Wertheimer, Allison Keyes; some of it planned, some of it very much NOT.
I went on vacation only to come down with a nasty virus the minute I returned--I mean the very minute. I hadn't even unpacked my bags. And didn't--for a week.
Sigh.
But I'm back! I'm moving a bit more slowly but here and upright. Needless to say, I am hug free around here.
And, sadly, a funeral. A dear colleague and husband of another dear colleague, Ken Bacon, is being laid to rest today.
Here's more about him from Refugees International, which he headed: http://www.refugeesinternational.org/ken-bacon.
Teshima Walker, here. Michel Martin has been under the weather but she'll be back on Wednesday. Jennifer Ludden will host on Monday and Tuesday.
Teshima Walker is Senior Supervising Producer for Tell Me More. (Courtesy of Teshima Walker)
Whew! We've had three different hosts this week (Korva Coleman, Linda Wertheimer and Allison Keyes) and they've covered countless topics on the program.
One of the hot button segments focused on the high numbers of unmarried and childless black women with advanced degrees. Host Allison Keyes conducted several interviews, including her talk with the co-author of a study on the subject, followed by a conversation with two African-American women that have achieved educational success and now want husbands. Plus, Allison talked with a spirited group of men in the Tell Me More"Barbershop," moderated by Jimi Izrael. He had the women in this office talking with his piece for TheRoot.com, "Memo to Black Women: Get Real." You've GOT to take a moment and listen to the interviews. Babies, I want to get you fired up for the weekend.
Oh, I have a few thoughts for you on the subject, but I also want to share this space with a few more women - Alicia Montgomery is the senior producer for TMM. She's going to tell you why dating outside the race may not be an option for "good" black women. Our Assistant Editor Jennifer Longmire shares her love story - she's over 35, has a graduate degree and she's marrying her long time beau in Las Vegas next week. Congratulations Jen! Plus, we have a special blog submission from Kimberly Hill, she's the president of a consulting firm - she participated in today's discussion. Hill had some additional thoughts after the microphones were turned off.
But first, I wrote last week about being an unmarried, childless and advanced degree having black woman. I asked you not to cry for me but I didn't tell you why. I've had a good single life. I travel. I take countless classes. I cook when I want if I want. And I don't have to answer any questions about being responsible if I make an unreasonable purchase (shoes, handbag, jewelry).
I liked that ... then, I turned 40.
Damn it!
Now, what I'm about to share is awful. I'm not proud and you can talk about me if you want to. But, I just recently started agonizing about not being married and having kids because I've been thinking about aging. Who will care about me and see to my well-being when I'm a cute old woman? I don't want to be tied to a wheel chair with a rag stuffed in my mouth. Let's face it. We don't take care of old people worth a damn in this country. I'm starting to think a husband with a little retirement savings and life insurance policy --combined with my savings-- could get me some decent elder care. And a child or two could make sure I'm not laying in a dirty bed of stale urine with my hair matted to my head. What?!? I said my story was awful. Keep an eye out for any prospects. In the mean time - I did promise you more stories.
Up Next - Alicia Montgomery - what you got?
Why More Black Women Don't Marry Outside The Race
Alicia Montgomery is a Producer for Tell Me More. (Monika Evstatieva / NPR)
Thanks, Teshima. Alicia Montgomery, here ...
Originally I planned to produce an online panel discussion that would pick up where our on-air conversation today left off. But the demands of helping to produce this week's show carried away the time I THOUGHT I had for my plan.
That's kind of what happened to my plans to get married. Like so many educated, young women of all colors, I started choosing music, flowers and dresses for my wedding as a teenager, long before there was a credible candidate for Prince Charming anywhere in sight. But my real life -- full of fascinating friends, thrilling work and a few questionable choices -- put pursuing marriage on my "tomorrow list," things that I'll do, just as soon as I get the time ... which often turns out to be never.
So I'm glad that Tell Me More had this conversation, and there's one thread of it that I want to address: the question of why more black women don't marry outside the race.
Before I start, though, I have to put some of my personal business in the street: while most of the men I've dated have been black, I've also dated men of other races, including a serious relationship when I was much younger with a white man. And I can say from experience that -- as a black woman -- those relationships can subject you to a constant chorus of muttered grumbles and outright verbal attacks from strangers, family members and friends.
When you go out with a white guy, no matter how decent and wonderful a person HE may be, the subtle and not-so-subtle racist digs you're subjected to in your 9 to 5 work hours follow you into what are SUPPOSED to be the fun hours.
You have to constantly explain to the restaurant greeters, yes you want to be seated at the same table. His friends may greet you with a labored and unnatural "WASSUP!" at a party. His parents could wonder -- aloud and sometimes in your presence -- what they did wrong that he would bring you home.
And the scolding and hostility you sometimes draw from other black people can be devastating.
For many African Americans, dating white guys is just not something nice girls do. Some black men, even those who have ZERO romantic interest in you, will think -- and sometimes TELL you -- that you're a sellout whore for dating a white man. Black women may be more subtle in their disapproval, but sometimes not.
I was walking down the street with a platonic friend when a homeless black woman, who I had once given money to, shouted after me that "black and white don't mix." When I joined my boyfriend's family at a restaurant, the black women at the next table spent the evening pointing and laughing at us. And --while my extended family was overwhelmingly supportive -- one of my loved ones did openly speculate that I was only dating my boyfriend for his (non-existent) fortune.
Now, while all this is perfectly survivable, it's a really crummy way to spend a date. It might not end a romance where you feel like Juliet and he's Romeo, but it's daunting for the average "he's-a-nice-guy-you-both-like-Thai-food-and-enjoy-karaoke" -type of relationship. That's why I get really irritated when movies or television shows like "Friends" feature a black female character who is all smiles and easy banter with white boyfriends.
It's also why I've sometimes -- but not always -- made myself scarce or acted sketchy with white male friends who I thought might be interested in me or who I found myself attracted to. In most cases, the friendship survived. But once, I let the dread of a closer relationship kill a friendship with someone I really cared about.
Hey, you know who you are. I'm sorry.
And now congrats are in order to someone who is experiencing the highs of love ...
Jennifer's Love Story
Tell Me More Producer Jennifer Longmire will soon wed her longtime love and college beau Arthur Wright. (Courtesy of Jennifer Longmire)
Jennifer Longmire, here ...
(Thanks Alicia for the congratulatory note. I'm ecstatic about getting married next week!)
I have to say this study was so interesting to me. I'm 38-years-old. I have two degrees and a career that I adore. I'm also getting married for the first time (September 9).
Lord knows I have enough bridesmaid dresses in my closet - I watched the majority of my friends get married in their 20's. But, I never thought that I wouldn't get married at some point. I never thought that delaying marriage would sacrifice my finding a mate or having children -- whether I was in my 20s or 40s. I simply felt that when it was right, it was right.
The study suggests that black women with advanced degrees marry men that don't reach their level of educational success. Should I be upset or think that I have "settled" because my fianc??e has one degree to my two? I have not settled - absolutely not. I have dated men who have had "impressive" credentials - the "baller" (lots of money) status, the flashy cars, the corporate job titles and the "in crowd" status. Yet, my future husband is the only one who drove all night from New York to Maryland to care for me after I had a difficult surgical procedure. He has memorized all of my food allergies. And, he custom crafted my engagement ring. If the fact he has just a Bachelor's degree means I am settling for this wonderful man, then I'll be the first in line.
I am so blessed to be getting married to my soul mate and best friend, and not because I have to beat the biological time clock. I am blessed because I waited for the right one. And for this older black woman with an advanced degree -- my timing is perfect.
Hey Kimberly -- Hang in there. I know there's a prince charming out there for you, too. As a matter of fact, I wish you could come to the wedding. I might have some eligible bachelors for you to meet.
But Are You Marriage Material?
Kimberly Hill, 37, is president of Future Insight Consulting, LLC, in Detroit. (Courtesy of Kimberly Hill)
Kimberly Hill, here ...
(You go, Jennifer. I wish I could be there to share in your excitement. By the way, tell the eligible bachelors to hang around until I get there!)
Today, Black women have achieved phenomenal success from Congress to Corporate America. However, have these achievements hindered our ability to find love and develop lasting relationships that lead to successful marriages? Or has our success challenged men's competitive edge, thus compelling them to dismiss us as being "too independent" to receive their problematic definition of love.
For jobs that have traditionally been held by White men, there is almost an unbearable amount of pressure to perform exceptionally. Consequently, women are often forced to choose between career advancement or love. It is very possible to become so engrossed in the mundane functions of a career position that you lose sight of your outside interest, thus hindering your chances of finding love. However, this dilemma can be addressed.
The answer is BALANCE.
As successful women, we must learn how to prioritize what is important in life, and balance must influence this equation. A balanced woman achieves academic and career success, actively displays a commitment to bettering their community, has a social life, and most importantly, at least in my view, has developed spiritual maturity.
Consider this: it is very possible that your potential husband regularly attends poetry readings at a local cafe, or volunteers at a homeless shelter or he is involved in ministry at your church. However, he will never find us, if we are not active and involved in service projects and activities. If you are not willing to come out of the shadows and make some changes, you are not ready for marriage. Finding a mate is so much more IMPORTANT than your education or career success.
But, who will be willing to make the most difficult, but rewarding sacrifices to strengthen a relationship that could ultimately lead to marriage? Sacrifice shouldn't be one-sided, but often the woman bears the burden of this responsibility. There must be mutual agreement on the significant level of sacrifice that is required for both the man and woman.
As a single, African American Woman with an advanced degree, who is over 35 years old, I want you to be encouraged. I am. Do not EVER feel compelled, out of desperation or loneliness, to settle for someone less than what you are worth. It is my sincere belief that the man who God has ordained for our lives will readily embrace our purpose and will consider it an honor to be our life-long mates. But, remember that "BALANCE" is an essential component to becoming "marriage material," and sustaining a strong marriage.
You probably know Nickelodeon as the home of "Dora the Explorer," "Diego" and "SpongeBob." But what you may not know is that the cable television network is also home to some serious news programs.
Today, we taped an interview with Linda Ellerbee who is hosting a special this Sunday called, "$tre$$ed Out! The Economic Crisis and You." The show features kids, mostly 12 to 14 years of age discussing how the recession is changing their lives. Some of the stories are gut-wrenching.
Here's Leah talking about what happened when both her parents lost their jobs:
Another child who was interviewed is David, who talks about the imminent foreclosure of his family's home:
The special starts with Ellerbee saying "what has happened is not your fault." In this clip, she explains how many kids blame themselves for their parents' economic troubles:
Linda Ellerbee has produced news specials for Nickelodeon for almost twenty years. Before that, she worked as a television correspondent and anchor at NBC and ABC. In the YouTube clip below at 2:41 you can watch a typical Ellerbee anchor introduction.
"And so it goes."
Tune in to Tell Me More on Monday to hear Linda Ellerbee's conversation with Jennifer Ludden -- the two discuss how kids are coping with foreclosures, sparse economic resources and dwindling self-esteem in family members due to unemployment
You'll hear an interesting conversation with Josh Neufeld. He is author of the comic book -- yes, a comic book (or "graphic novel") -- about the real-life affects of Hurricane Katrina on the lives of seven survivors of the storm.
A.D. New Orleans After The Deluge tells the stories of Denise, a man known as "The Doctor" of the French Quarter, Abbas, Darnell, Kwame, Leo and Michelle. Each experience emotional journeys in the days leading up to and after the hurricane.
Tomorrow, Neufeld and Leo join us for a look inside the pages...
No more tank tops, shorts and tanning opportunities.
Whatever.
I don't wear shorts. And tanning ... really? I don't want to pay my money to be reprimanded by my dermatologist.
Young people everywhere are moaning about the end of summer days, but I like that school is back in session. I loved learning, class discussions, chatting with my friends about really "important" topics like fashion, movies and who was dating who.
Wait. I'm not talking about elementary school or high school. It was all about college Baby. I clicked my heels and did the "happy dance" when I arrived at Tennessee State University (TSU) in Nashville. TSU is a member of the historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) network. I chose to attend an HBCU because my Daddy always talked about his alma mater, Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss., another HBCU.
He talked with great affinity about his professors that were committed to his education, the other young men and women that were enthusiastic about improving the quality of their lives and changing the world. My dad was always animated when he talked about Alcorn State University's marching band and the "Golden Girls" -- the majorettes that danced with them:
I decided that I wanted that experience for myself and so I got it at Tennessee State. My professors challenged me. They provided me with loving attention and firm guidance. TSU's motto was "Enter to learn, go forth to serve." (Am I doing enough to serve?)
Rep. James Clyburn, the House Majority Whip from South Carolina, released a statement today recognizing this week as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) week.
Here's an excerpt from his remarks:
This week, as we celebrate the accomplishments of HBCUs, we must also pay tribute to the tremendous contributions that HBCUs have made to our society. Many HBCU graduates have shaped the course of our history - from W.E.B DuBois and Booker T. Washington, to Langston Hughes and Thurgood Marshall.
Now, I'd almost be proud of the above statement if everyone Clyburn mentioned (all HBCU graduates) wasn't dead. On tomorrow's program, guest host host Linda Wertheimer will talk about the history of HBCUs, the challenges they face in today's education landscape and introduce you to some of the current leaders from those institutions.
And, if you went to an HBCU, let's do a roll call please.
The skies have been gray for much of the day here in Washington, D.C., but I don't care -- it's Friday. I'm going to have an early dinner with a former Tell Me More intern. I hope she's doing well with her job on Capitol Hill - last time I spoke with her she said she loved her work as much as I love mine.
Good.
Tonight, however, I'm going to ask if she's balancing her work and personal life. I haven't done a great job on that front and I want her to think about love, marriage, children (yes, in that order) more seriously than I did.
You know I have one pedicured foot in this group, right?
I have a graduate degree and no one is meeting me soon at City Hall to say "I Do." But, babies, don't cry for me, yet. Someone is going to sweep this "fine, educated, brown frame" off her feet, and when they do -- I'll invite you all to the wedding. But, until then...
Next week, Michel will have a conversation about this study with one of the authors and one other guest. That could be YOU. I'm looking for a black woman, over 35, childless, who is actually out there trying to get married -- active, not passive.
You've asked your friends and family to get involved. You've asked a priest, pastor, rabbi, imam to pray about it.
Here was our coverage dilemma for the day: The courts acting at the behest of the military junta that runs Myanmar sentenced Nobel Peace laureate Aung Sun Su Kyi to another 18 months of house arrest. We have been covering this story, but it happened overnight and the news was available on the wires. We were debating up until air time whether we should revise the program to include an interview on the case. But with whom? We needed a voice that could expand the story beyond what is available on the wires, someone with direct knowledge who has spoken to her or her legal team.
As it happens we WERE able to reach someone but not until we were in the middle of the program and had guests in chairs. Still not sure we did the right thing, but we think so...for today.
We'll bring you more as we can reach people we think you'll want to hear from.
Meanwhile we do think we've brought you an interesting program, touching on many of the issues that we actually think and talk about among ourselves. With the economy in such poor shape and jobs at a premium it seems that employers have a new tool to weed out people - credit checks. But why does an employer want to know about your credit unless you are handling money? We asked our personal finance expert Alvin Hall and our life and career coach Valorie Burton to weigh in.
Also, what's Obama doing with his Office on Faith based initiatives and why a Maryland lawmaker who has made history as the first Muslim elected to office in that state is making waves by publicly supporting same sex marriage?
And....is GYM CLASS making you sick? Well, not literally! But we couldn't help but take note of a study in the journal Pediatrics that noted a huge increase in the number of kids visiting emergency rooms for the injuries sustained in gym class. We wanted to know why this might be so. It turns out researchers can tell you what but not necessarily why. The moms weigh in...
Tell Me More Host Michel Martin. (Stephen Voss / For NPR)
I got up this morning and decided to throw on a scarf headband to pull the hair back from my forehead. It's supposed to be hot today, and I tried to remind myself to make a hair appointment. Sometime. So I thought, do I want to go to the pool this week or not, and, if so, when? Then I forgot about it and went to work, and even that is five times more thought than I put into my hair for years when I wore it short and natural, and cropped close to my scalp. Which was its own tricky decision being on network television.
To this day, how many African-American women in television or any form of public life wear their hair "natural?" Right now I can think of one: Ursula Burns, the new CEO of XEROX and, to date, the only African-American female CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
It should be a personal choice, like wearing blue or red, but it isn't really. The decision to wear blue or red in some neighborhoods is a matter of life or death or safety, because those are Crips' or Bloods' colors, and you have to know the code. It isn't written down anywhere.
And, similarly, to wear their hair a certain way is a matter of corporate survival for many women. And for black women, it is so, so freighted with history, with the weight of all the messages telling you, You just won't do. You aren't good enough. How you look is wrong. ... How your hair grows is wrong.
People say having kids will keep you young, but they will also keep you humble. I was on Washington Post media writer Howard Kurtz's CNN program "Reliable Sources" yesterday to talk about last week's "beer summit" at the White House, Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin's media bashing et al, and my husband made the kids watch the show (if for no other reason than so they would see why I got up and left the house on Sunday without them). When I got home, I asked them how they liked it and my husband didn't want to tell me, until I insisted.
My daughter was happy, "it's Mommy! It's Mommy."
But my son went right there ...
"This is boring. Can we watch Scoobie Doo?"
So there you have it, big shot.
Speaking of children, this weekend reminded us not to take anything for granted.
I had not mentioned it before now because I did not know if this was meant to be kept private, but as there was a piece in The Washington Post over the weekend, I assume I can share this. We are in a state of deep grief here at NPR. The two sons of our colleague Linton Weeks and his wife Jan -- Stone, 24, and Holt, 23 -- were killed last week in a multi-car collision as they were driving home from Rice University in Houston to their parents' home in Rockville, Maryland. (Read the obituary, for more.)
There are really no words. All one can say is how very, very sorry we all are and that I cannot wrap my head around it. I did not know the young men but their father is a man who radiates warmth and kindness, and judging from the tremendous attendance at the funeral -- there must have been 800 or 900 people there -- these were some very special young men also.
And then there was this ...
Our regular Barbershop regular Ruben Navarrette and his wife Veronica welcomed the lovely Vanessa into their lives -- at 8 lbs, 7 ounces -- last Thursday. Check out her picture:
Vanessa Naverrette. ( Family Photo)
She joins big sister Jacqui and big brother Santi. We are so happy for them.
Here's a quick note to let you know Michel Martin is trying to catch her breath. I've got tons of stories piled high on her desk, chair and floors ... and she's sorting through them all. (Thanks, Michel.)
There are several stories on our mind:
First and foremost, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted today in favor of Judge Sonia Sotomayor. This is a historic moment, right? But what happens to that moment when your Senator votes "No."
We consider the case of Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who represents the heavily Latino-populated state of Texas. Cornyn voted against confirming Sotomayor as the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court.
Plus, I speak often about my battle with the bulge. (And I'm on my way to exercise boot camp as soon as I finish this post.) More than a third of black Americans are obese, with Hispanics not far behind. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced the government will give state and local governments more money to fight obesity.
I want to know, what does this really mean and what are fat people saying (I can say "fat" ... with love)?
Now, even the government wants you to lose weight, eat more fruits and vegetables and exercise. But I want to know how state and local government plans to help you lose weight when you can't find time away from your job -- and your family -- in order to exercise. Will they pay for baby sitters? Gym memberships?
Whatever.
I want to hear from a fat person trying to schedule fitness into their daily lives, and from those who are getting their friends involved. So, call me ... well, e-mail me, and tell me how you're removing your "love handles." Lol.
Michel will be back to blog it out with you tomorrow. And, if there's a story that you think we should talk about, let us know.
Wow. What is the lesson I've learned this week from programming Tell Me More?
It's hard out here.
Today, the federal minimum wage jumps to $7.25 an hour. And, for a full-time worker that could mean an extra $1500 a year, before taxes. Just in case you're trying to guess whose doing the happy dance and bumping fists over the extra cash, it's your retail worker and restaurant employee.
I guess you're thinking, it's a good day for those waitresses that have to run back and forth for your "room temperature water with no ice and one wedge of lemon, please.
But, here's a secret we've heard from one or two of them: this recession has resulted in some lousy tips from all of us. So, reconsider fussing about that 20 percent tip -- whether you think they've earned it or not -- because it's hard out here.
How hard is it?
Historian Henry Louis Gates Jr., poses for a photograph at his home in Cambridge, Mass., in January 2008. Gates is Director of the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University. AP
A white police officer has a hand on Professor Gates' arm as his more salt than peppered beard, is seen bordering his open mouth. I know Professor Gates is fussing that picture. How can I tell? Here's the story and you tell me if you wouldn't have been in a fussing mood.
Professor Gates returned home after spending a week in China, where he was filming his new PBS documentary, Faces of America. It isn't Gates' first PBS documentary. Remember his series African-American Lives, where he traced the genealogical and historical guide for comedian Chris Rock, singer Tina Turner and media mogul Oprah Winfrey?
But I digress ...
So the lock is jammed and Gates and his driver are pushing against the front door, having to force their way in. But Gates' neighbor doesn't recognize him, calls the police and the Cambridge arrive on the scene. Words were exchanged (reported that someone said something about someone's Mama) and ... you guessed it -- the well-respected Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., is charged with disorderly conduct.
Now, although the charges were dropped, Gates is ANGRY. He says he was humiliated; the police officer didn't recognize him, his accomplishments, his connections to Harvard, to PBS ... to frickin' OPRAH?!
And so now, honestly, I'm wondering, how do I counsel the Black men that I love?
How do I keep them safe from humiliation and harm if Gates, an older dude with a case of jet lag, can't be forgiven for being indignant when he flashes his all-impressive Harvard employment badge with his picture, and still gets a ride in the back seat of a squad car?
We are scrambling today - furloughs, vacations, sick leave. The rest of us are hiding under our desks. We hope you like our take on the news of the day - the increase in the minimum wage, the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing and the passing of Walter Cronkite.
Let's hope nobody else goes down for the count!
Today's program excites me. It's a great mix of conversations -- political, social, cultural -- I hope you're listening and liking what you hear. Write and let us know. Don't send complaints, though! (Kidding.)
So, what's up for next week?
Well, many news organizations are noting the 40th anniversary of when Neal Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin Aldrin landed on the moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission. On Monday, Michel talks with Dr. Bernard Harris. He was the first African American to walk in space. He's trying to get young people interested in science, technology and mathematics.
Does he have his work cut out for him?
I'm not a science whiz -- that's my baby sister's domain. Anyway, Dr. Harris' story about becoming an astronaut is amazing. He began preparing for his career at the age of 13 when he watched the moon landing.
Also ...
Next Friday, the minimum wage increases to $7.25 and we want to know how that will affect you. Is the increase enough? And if you're a small business owner - will it break your bank? Let us know.
Finally, here's a note from our Planning Editor, Luis Clemens.
Thanks, Teshima.
Earlier this week, Michel had a conversation about the Spanish-language media coverage of the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor. She talked with three prominent Latino journalists: Gerson Borrero of New York's leading Spanish-language daily - El Diario/La Prensa. He is a political columnist known for his independent streak. Lori Montenegro, a veteran correspondent at the Spanish-language Telemundo network's Washington bureau. And Maria Elena Salinas who co-anchors the evening news on Univision, which is the country's largest Spanish-language media company. Columnist Gerson Borrero chose to drop out of the conversation. We called to find out why and Mr. Borrero said this: he felt he wasn't given a chance to fully explain his viewpoint and was treated rudely. He then opted to hang up. Some of you thought we were censoring Mr. Borrero.
That was definitely not the case and it was not our intention to be rude. We were most definitely not censoring Mr. Borrero. For the record, we planned to hear more from him after the break. We wanted to hear his viewpoint. In fact, we still want to hear from Mr. Borrero and have invited him to return to our program. He has graciously agreed to talk to us in the future.
At the risk of being stoned, by you our loyal online community, and quite honestly, most to the team that produces Tell Me More, I begin this posting with lyrics from Michael Jackson's "Gone Too Soon."
Born To Amuse, To Inspire, To Delight Here One Day Gone One Night
Like A Sunset Dying With The Rising Of The Moon Gone Too Soon
Gone Too Soon
TMM Executive Producer Marie Nelson is leaving the program for an opportunity with President Obama's administration. Robert Sachs/NPR
Today is a profoundly difficult one for me. It's my last day producing Tell Me More as I embark upon a new journey, working in the Obama administration as part of their efforts to build peace in the Sudan.
But, I want to share with you the reasons that I accepted Michel's invitation, three years ago, to come to NPR to create this program. First, I believe in Michel Martin. She has the unique capacity to dazzle and to get down and dirty. She is funny and human and she gets it right. I would have followed her anywhere, and that's the real truth. However, there was the added attraction of being able to make real things we had only dreamed of -- telling stories and reaching people that we believe are an integral and often underserved part of the public radio universe.
In the early days, we sat for hours in small rooms with nothing more than flip charts and a fountain of ideas.
What could we bring to the table that was fresh, relevant and powerful?
The Moms, Barbershop and scores of talented contributors began to make the ideas from the flip charts come to life. And though our motley crew started as a dynamic duo, we built a team of dedicated and crafty journalists, who added their dreams to the mix.
We traveled the program from Las Vegas to Jackson, Miss. We chased Obama in a convoy down the highways and byways of the campaign trail, forced Michel to consume alcoholic beverages for our "summer sipping" series --- all for the love of you. So, as I pack my boxes, and honestly shed more than a few tears, I know that I am leaving you in the best of hands.
For me, in this chapter, the sun sets. For you, the moon rises and the dream lives on for all of us.
Be good to each other.
The TMM production staff poses in a 2007 photo on Capitol Hill with Executive Producer Marie Nelson (far left, wearing black) Margaret Low Smith/NPR
Hi, "Tell Me More" world. Argin Hutchins, here ...
Lee Hill, our resident digital media guy asked me to do a blog posting about today's show. And I have to say that his request caught me off guard for one huge reason: today, I directed the program (our usual Director is Rob Sachs, who's enjoying some time off).
Most people don't know what's involved in doing that job, so let me explain ...
Think of directing a live radio program as if you were a train operator. Your primary responsibilities are to make the train run on time, and to steer clear of incidents. You are not necessarily worried about what's happening in one particular train car, or how many people are in another. And in that same vein (similar to a train conductor), when I direct, I don't always hear all of the show. My role isn't so much to listen to content, but my primary concern is that that we are playing the proper audio at the correct time for our listeners. (All I really hear during the show are the highlights.)
For instance, we had a conversation today about the Stonewall "rebellion" -- or "riots," depending on who you talk to -- where New York police raided a gay bar in 1969. Apparently that happened a lot in the late 1960s, but this time the patrons fought back.
Even though I was busy in-studio directing the program, I was still drawn to our guests' vivid memories and feelings about how they witnessed what happened. Towards the end of the conversation, one of the guests, Danny Garvin, became quite emotional when explaining how heartbreaking it is to have a loving same-sex relationship for 17 years, and be treated with less respect than married heterosexuals, who sometimes take their marriages for granted.
So, even when sitting in the Director's chair (which certainly has its stressful moments), there are some stories that compel your ear to listen.
If you're busy today and don't have time for the whole program, I'd like to ask you to listen to Teshima Walker's remembrance of our dear friend and colleague Sheryl Flowers, who died yesterday at 42. She was the executive producer of Tavis Smiley's radio program and the communications director of The Smiley Group. She had been fighting cancer for the last two years, and the last few months were not going well. Teshima and I had just seen her in Denver at the Democratic National Convention, and I think we all convinced ourselves that she had won the fight and was going to pull through.
Some of you may remember, I wrote about losing my dear friend Sandee a few months back, also to cancer, also too soon.
I was raised not to question these things. I was raised to believe some things are beyond our comprehension. In a way, I guess that's true on some basic level. After all, why does a wonderful, productive, lovely, smart, healthy living woman die at 42 -- or even 53 -- who has never smoked, always exercised, didn't do any of the things we're all taught not to do? Who can really explain that? We won't try, but we will renew the call I made earlier this year after Sandee passed away: What can we do to pay tribute to them and to the others we miss?
In the meantime, here are a few tributes to Sheryl from some of our extended family ...
Tell Me More producer Teshima Walker (left) shares a happy moment at NPR with former News and Notes host Tony Cox and producer Sheryl Flowers (far right). Courtesy of Tony Cox
I really don't remember exactly when, or how Sheryl Flowers and I met, although I suspect it was during some Black Journalists Association function in California back in the 80's. I just know we've been friends and colleagues for a long time. And even though we saw less of each other in the last year, I always felt her presence.
That's how Sheryl was -- ever present even when she wasn't there. She had a look, a tiny half-smile/half-grunt that let you know she was paying attention to whatever was happening, but wasn't going to let you know her true feelings until, and unless, she was ready.
One of the more challenging aspects of producing a daily news/talk program is that you seldom get a moment to sit down, at the end of a long work week, and just ... take it all in. By that, I'm saying that the discovery of new information -- or how old information affects people in new ways -- and the process of presenting that information, is one that can often be overpowering. I'm learning how easy it can be sometimes to overlook (or simply forget) the wisdom gained from looking back ...
We sometimes joke in this business about shining moments of great reporting or teamwork as lasting as long as, well, that moment. With each day's end, the slate is wiped clean for us to move full speed ahead at telling you more (although it can be frustrating, sort of like that "masterpiece" sand castle that you spent hours making on the beach, only to have it flattened to its surface by the next wave headed to shore).
One might say that we could stand to spend more time smelling the roses -- and feeling the pain -- of people, places and circumstances affected by the times in which we live.
We're trying. And we know there's never truly "enough" time for that.
But I've also learned to look at it this way: we work in a universe of second chances. Everyday is yet another opportunity to start over. ... Because there's always something new to tell and (we hope we're effective at presenting) a new perspective to consider, right?
At any rate, speaking of a fresh start, check out a brief look ahead to Monday. I'm handing the virtual mic over to Teshima Walker, senior supervising producer, for TMM.
Teshima, what's the word?
Thanks, Lee.
For starters, it's raining here in Washington, D.C., today. Some folks might catch the blues from looking at these overcast skies, but I like this weather.
And speaking of the blues, you have to tune in Monday to hear legendary blues musician, Lonnie Brooks, and his son Wayne perform on Tell Me More. Get ready to tap your feet and snap your fingers.
(Can I just tell you? I ran into the studio to get "my sing" on when Mr. Brooks performed the song "Sweet Home Chicago." That's my jam! I loved it.)
Have a great weekend. Now you know where to come to cure your Monday blues.
Tag! You're it, Lee.
Thanks, Teshima... Looking forward to a happy (and blue) Monday!
A major focus of our program today will be President's address in Cairo, as well you might expect. Highly anticipated, heavily covered, we'll have two segments on the speech.We're speaking with three young Muslims from three different countries who are studying and working in the US about their reaction to the speech and we'll talk with two Muslim writers and intellectuals about just what IS this Muslim world that we keep talking about? it's sort of a cousin to the conversation we had yesterday with Gregory Rodriguez about "the Latino community." And we close the program with a visit with the director and one of the stars of Joe Turner's Come and Gone, that August Wilson play that the Obama's visited last weekend. ( and now he's in Cairo...that's a head snapper for you ).
And now a followup to my Can I Just Tell You?column from Monday: A couple of conservative bloggers have put me in their sights. Actually, I don't think most of them listened to or read what I actually said...because why really bother? SO much more amusing to trash people based on what suits your ideological interests I know..BUT..the stated source of their angina are some comments I made six years ago about Miguel Estrada whom President Bush had nominated to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and which a significant number of Democrats opposed and threatened to filibuster. There's a long background to this as you might know...Democrats were angry about the way the Republican dominated Senate had treated Clinton judicial nominees, Republicans were still mad about Robert Bork some years before that, all that...anyway Estrada eventually withdrew and there was some personal tragedy attached to that. But that all came later...anyway. Some of the bloggers have their knickers in a twist because I called Miguel Estrada "an affirmative action candidate." Natually they took what I said completely out of context (what fun!) but since we're here, let me set the record straight for those rs who care. Here is what I actually said. This comes from February 9 2003:
Miguel Estrada is a very promising young lawyer who went to some excellent schools, had excellent clerkships, has a good work record. What he lacks in judicial background he makes up with a compelling life story. He was born in Honduras, came here speaking very little English and has done some important and impressive things. And you know what's that is called, George? Affirmative action. He is an affirmative action candidate as practiced by the Republican party and the conservative movement, and what it also indicates is that the Democrats haven't succeeded in making judicial nominations as an important grass roots issue as the Republicans and the Conservatives have.
Planning Editor Luis Clemens joined 'Tell Me More' in December 2008. Monika Evstatieva/NPR
Thanks, Michel. Luis Clemens, here ...
As Michel suggested, I have the pleasure/burden of being the editor who takes first crack at selecting which book authors to interview for Tell Me More. There are no hard and fast rules about which titles get airtime and which don't - but, we do observe a few self-imposed guidelines.
The book has to prove its worth by the end of the second chapter. If it hasn't grabbed me by then, well, I am not going to bother reading the rest of it. Every now and then, all I have to do is read the first page. I keep waiting and hoping to fall in love with a freshly published book after only the first paragraph.
It has happened to me before and it is like instantly falling in love:
"She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms, she was always Lolita." - Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
And ...
"In Africa, you want more, I think." - Mating by Norman Rush
And ...
"Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buend??a was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice." - One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3) Timing helps.
If the subject of the book happens to coincide with or complement a story that is hot in the news right now, then its chances of getting on air are much improved. Right now, for instance, I would kill for a good biography of Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
Now, I'd like to have a word about books, and I am going to ask our planning editor Luis Clemens to join me for this.
(Hi, Luis!)
I took a few days off last week (to be honest, I was furloughed but that's another story ... ) and when I got back, I had no fewer than six unsolicited books on my chair. I spent the last hour of the work day culling through four stacks of books that were literally waist-high against the wall (don't tell the fire marshals). A few of them were duplicates, a bunch were obvious rejects that don't fit the mission of the program (like some quasi-porn chick lit and some crazy self-help books that don't address any problems of anybody I know), and a lot of them were ... were what? Books that were interesting, important, about something important but, for whatever reason, we just are not going to get to.
And I put the ones that we obviously won't use onto a cart that goes around the building to other programs and reporters for this purpose. We hope somebody will find exactly what he or she is looking for. But I was still left with a couple of knee high and thigh high stacks. What to do, what to do?
It pains me and it thrills me at the same time. On the one hand -- because I have many friends who have written books -- I know how much time, effort and how many sleepless nights go into each one. And I appreciate the intentions of the people who send us their books. They want attention for them but, more importantly, I think, they are just proud of themselves and want the world to see what they have done. So every time I put one of those books on the reject cart I know I'm putting months or years of someone else's life on the shelf and saying, no thanks.
On the other hand, to be brutally honest, sometimes I am thinking, what the hell was this person or his or her publicist thinking when they sent me this? Some of these books are just lousy, poorly written, and/or have nothing to do with the interests (as we understand them) of the people who listen to this program.
I think you are getting the idea that we can only review or talk about a tiny fraction of the books that come to us. For more on how we do decide, here's Luis ...
My thanks to NPR's Lynn Neary and Jennifer Ludden for sitting-in last week while I was focusing on my other job (moms, you know what I'm talking about).
Can you believe it's June? The year is half over? And even more terrifying for us parents, school is almost over for the year.
Which is one reason we are going to dig into education issues as much as we can this month, starting with a moms conversation tomorrow about that pay-for-grades idea being advanced in various school districts around the country. The idea is to pay kids for attendance and achievement. It targets, as you might guess, kids from low-income backgrounds and middle schoolers, and those who are having trouble staying motivated. We talked with the moms in our weekly parenting segment about this earlier in the school year, but tomorrow we hear from two students who recently debated this among themselves, so we were excited to hear from them.
We also plan to dig into stories about charter schools, single-sex education and all the issues you (and we) have been hearing about.
Let us know if there's something you really want us to dig into.
And, now, let me find something for the kids to do in August.
It's the Friday before the memorial holiday weekend, and we are excited about the program that we have in store for you. So, here is a quick preview.
As the nation pays homage to fallen service members, we tell you what you need to know about the ongoing war in Afghanistan and why President Obama has put this conflict on the front burner. Michel talks with Amin Tarzi, the director of Middle East Studies at the Marine Corps University. We also post a "web exclusive" interview, as part of our Afghanistan primer conversation, with Clare Lockhart, of The Institute for State Effectiveness, who takes us inside the Taliban and explains why they are still a force to be reckoned with.
We also bring you the story of fallen soldier, Army 1st Sgt. Charles Monroe King. He died in Baghdad in 2006, but not before leaving behind a 200-page journal for his infant son Jordan. King's surviving partner and mother of his son, Dana Canedy, an editor at The New York Times, turned the journal into a book "A Journal for Jordan." It's a story of love and loss and one that you don't want to miss.
Finally, we had to recognize that many of you will spend the day enjoying the requisite barbeques and may want to listen to something that makes you stomp your feet and clap your hands. Country chart-topper Cleve Francis fits the bill. He was one of the first African-American country artists to sign a major record deal after music legend Charley Pride.
Oh, and by the way, music isn't his day job. Francis is a cardiologist. Healing hearts and soothing our savage souls, he visits our studio with his band to preview his new album "Story Time" with a special performance chat.
From all of us at Tell Me More, we wish you a happy Memorial Day. And to our service members and their families, we say thank you.
Happy Friday, everybody! Hope you all had a good week. On Friday, we usually air Backtalk - our weekly segment, where we get to hear from you - our listeners and bloggers. This Friday, though, we are shifting the conversation to the blog.
This week, we spoke to writer and social critic Barbara Ehrenrich. And she said it's time for Americans to get a little more angry and a lot more politically involved, when it comes to the economic recession and the large number of lay-offs.
The discussion prompted us to ask whether you think unemployment is a chance for personal growth, or an opportunity for political empowerment. And if you've lost your job, do you think retraining programs are a solution, or a waste of time?
Randy from Chesepeake, VA says he is currently undergoing retraining, but this is a good thing.
"I believe it is a good idea to re-train, because it does help a person re-educate and re-think about what they want to do."
But, Joe from New Jersey does not completely agree with that.
"The job market is designed for retraining, for one job after the other, after the other. I've been through myself and it does keep you busy while you are unemployed, looking for a job and trying to get re-trained for a job that you do not know how long it will last for and what the demand is going to be."
Janet Carpenter says she has been laid off many a times, but advises we should remain optimistic, even when we get laid off.
"Give yourself some time to mourn. Get up. Move on. And find something new, because you never know where that door will leave you."
I second that Janet.
This, week we also had a discussion about the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We spoke with the new president of Howard University Sidney Ribeau and Michael Lomax, the President and CEO of the United Negro College Fund.
We've asked you whether you think that Historically Black Colleges and Universities still have a role to play in the future of higher education? And if you attended an H-B-C-U, what did you find valuable about that experience?
Many of you said HBCUs are not only still needed, but there is a pride derived from such an education.
Jabari, a senior at Morehouse College says he is glad he is attending an HBCU, although he was also accepted at the University of California, Berkeley.
"That instruction as an African American male, not just as a regular student is something that is essential and is something that is usually overlooked and something that when you have black students that go to predominantly white institutions they don't gain that, you know messes someone with their confidence."
Listener Snyder George attended Prairie View A&M University and thinks HBCU's serve an important purpose:
"It is not always that easy for us to get into major universities...Not everybody is good at taking exams. And a lot of people have connections at these universities (HBCUs) because different people's parents may have attended there and they are more equal opportunity."
Mr. George, however, says attitude is a problem at HBCUs.
And finally, on Monday Reverend Miguel Rivera, Chairman of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders and Reverend Luis Cortes, president and CEO of Esperanza, a network of Hispanic churches in the United States shared their opposing views on should illegal immigrants be counted in the upcoming 2010 census.
Reverend Rivera wants the undocumented to boycott the census, unless Congress passes comprehensive immigration reform. But, Raul E. Cisneros from the U.S. Census Bureau stated that no organization should urge their members not to participate.
Here is the official statement: "Our job is to count every single person. We are disappointed that any organization would urge anyone to not participate in the 2010 Census."
Annette Lynn blogs: "As a health care professional I spend much of my time wrestling with an under funded indigent-care provider system in efforts "extend the net" for many children of immigrants. Does Rev. Rivera not realize that funds will not be allocated, for health care or education, to cover presumptive populations? In his effort to make a stand he is excluding and dooming those who most need to be counted."
Thank you, Annette.
And let me tell you, before I sign off how grateful we are for all your comments...we read them all (it's true). So, stay tuned for more and as we always like to say here: PLEASE, TELL US MORE.
This week has been hectic around here, to say the least. Special thanks to fellow TMM producers Monika Evstatieva and Douglas Hopper for stepping up to the plate while I was out. Monika even prepared a special "web-i-fied" version of BackTalk for today, just for the blogosphere. So, check her out -- and check yourselves out -- when you get a moment.
Looking ahead ...
On Monday, we go behind closed doors to take on an issue that human rights advocates and public health leaders in this country have long wrestled with: how to get (and keep) prostitutes, or sex workers, off the streets. For some, providing sexual favors is not so much a choice, as it is a way of life.
You'll hear from two women, both of whom formerly worked as prostitutes. Listen on Monday as they describe their journey of self-discovery and tell how transitioning from a life off the streets hasn't been an easy one.
I am back from St. Louis, and off to ... jury duty.
Wish me luck. (You know what that means in this context, right?)
And, if you haven't already, check out today's Can I Just Tell You?commentary. On my mind this week: a few thoughts about Mother's Day, the idea of becoming the "perfect mom," and notes about how much of the judgment and ridicule directed at women and mothers comes from other women and mothers.
You can also learn more by reading a recent article, published by The New York Times (which I referenced today in my piece).
So, little did folks know that, after yesterday's program, Michel Martin and Producer Arwa Gunja rushed out of here to catch a plane. They headed off to St. Louis to take a piece of Tell Me More to Missouri and learn more about the public radio community, as well as our listeners, there.
Here's Arwa, with notes and pictures of the road ...
TMM Producer Arwa Gunja (right) and Michel Martin pose for a photo at St. Louis public radio member station KWMU. Mary Edwards/KWMU
Thanks, Lee.
Greetings from the Show-Me state. I am still trying to figure out why Missouri is nicknamed that, and so far the explanations I am reading are a bit too complicated to wrap my head around (I did, afterall, wake up at 4am today).
Michel and I will be on the ground in St. Louis for less than 24 hours. And though we won't get a chance to see much of the city, our interviews with Governor Jay Nixon and former Senator John Danforthgive us a nice flavor of the state. And a lot of Missourians met with us last night at a dinner, where Michel and NPR Newscaster Lakshmi Singh were guest speakers. Michel and Lakshmi introduced themselves to the St. Louis community by doing what they do best -- they interviewed each other. And even I learned new things about them.
I never knew this, but Michel mentioned that the day she decided she wanted a show like Tell Me More was the day John Johnson died. (He was the founder of EBONY Magazine, and helped bring the Emmitt Till story to light.) Michel tried to convince her editors at her previous job to give this story air time. But they declined. That day, she said, she knew she needed to have more control over pushing content she knew was important but wasn't getting the attention it deserved in the mainstream.
And then there were some things she said at the dinner that I had always known -- like the fact that censoring herself has never been a problem. Oh, really Michel?
It was a great event and we thank NPR member station KWMU for inviting us.
Now it's time to head home. In the meantime, enjoy more pics below ...
Michel Martin and NPR newscaster Lakshmi Singh (left) were the guests of honor for "Talk, Toast, Taste," sponsored by KWMU. Arwa Gunja/NPR
A sizeable audience gathered for a chance to see the people behind the radio. Arwa Gunja/NPR
Thanks, Arwa. Safe travels to you and Michel. See you back on this end.
Can you believe it's almost the end of April? How crazy is that? Does it seem as though the year is flying by? (Oh, man. I shouldn't admit that. It's the kind of thing my mother would say. Guess it happens to all of us, doesn't it?)
Anyway, we are planning for coverage of President Obama's first 100 days in office and our second anniversary program. We're not making as big a deal about this show anniversary as we did the first. Life is so unfair, isn't it? The staff who joined us before year one get this nice party and special in-studio performance by Marcus Johnson. The ones who came this year get ... ice cream. Isn't that the way it goes?
(I'm a second child, I have issues.)
But I digress.
I'm still interested in your comments about the program.
And we're still interested in your BOOK ideas for our summer reading series. We have tentatively decided to focus on fiction because the first book in our series is from Colson Whitehead, of the MacArthur Fellowship fame. We think you'll find it compelling and, if not the novel, the conversation. But we want to hear from you. At the very least want the final book in the series to be a listeners' choice.
Let us know, we'd love it to be a book that you want to read in summer. Or, it could be ABOUT summer. It could be ... anything. But preferably, a book you might not get to during the rest of the year.
The famous ball atop Times Square in New York City has been refitted with energy-efficient LED lights and has been re-dubbed the 'Earth Ball' in honor of Earth Day and in anticipation of the 40th anniversary of the environmental holiday in 2010. Chris Hondros/Getty Images
Lee Hill, here ...
In case you didn't know, today is Earth Day. On the program, we talked about how this day means different things to different people ... and to some, not much at all.
Some think the commemoration is more of a cultural phenomenon, namely that Earth Day is somehow more popular among white environmentalists (although I think we dispelled that a bit today -- check out our interviews with White House adviserVan Jones and with essayists from theRoot.com), while others think everyday should be a day for everyone to be more environmentally conscious.
So, what does Earth Day mean to you?
In the meantime, here are some perspectives from two of our own -- TMM producers Monika Evstatieva and Douglas Hopper:
Today is Earth Day and I've just realized that I've never acknowledged it in past years. Do not get me wrong, I've heard about it but it just never meant anything to me. Why? Maybe because, where I come from in the Balkans, we have always had fresh and tasty produce. Maybe because environmental preservation was something only rich people talk about. Or, maybe because the country I grew up in really did not generate a large carbon footprint, because it was too underdeveloped and small in size to do so. I am not exactly sure why. ... What I know for sure is that no matter where you come from, the problem of green preservation will hit you one way or the other. The piles and piles of garbage on the streets of Sofia (my home city and the capital of Bulgaria) that are not recycled -- and sometimes not even collected -- bother all residents. I know that in the U.S., I have to try to be less wasteful. It is so easy to be wasteful here. And I know from the reporting we have done on the topic at "Tell Me More" over the last two years, it will become the world's number one problem -- no matter what discussions and policy revisions occur in the meantime. ... And when even Walmart, with its scores of customers, begins pushing a "green" agenda (which it has), I have to remember that Earth Day is, not only today, but everyday
.
Thanks, Monika. Douglas, how do you think about Earth Day?
Lee, I've been thinking about Majora Carter's comment today -- in theRoot.comroundtable conversation -- about minorities feeling like it's not their planet, not their land -- a kind of learned separation from the environment. It's something I've pondered lately as it relates to not knowing my ancestry -- which I think perpetuated a sense that this is not MY world; that because I'm not connected to any history, I'm not connected to any FUTURE. This, coupled with the marginilization of being gay, I've often felt like being green is artificial. Even though I have participated, it has often been for social reasons for, at the very least, immediate results. Now, I'm considering the longterm results and feeling like I could/should have some influence. But at the same time, I'm troubled by my sense of disconnection. There's something deep about this notion of 'it's not my world' - on a political and spiritual level.
Our friend Gary Smith, who sat at the NPR front desk used to greet us every morning, saying that simple phrase. And just hearing him say it would make you feel good, and if you already felt good it would make you feel better. As you may remember he died last year and certain things just make us think of him -- the Pittsburgh Steelers (he was a crazy football fan), spring (he loved spring). He loved ... everything.
You can't replace a guy like that, but we can try to remember him. Miss you, Gary!
So Many Stories, So Little Time
Monday is the 10th anniversary of the Columbine shooting; we're still sorting ourselves out.
Are anniversaries inherently newsworthy?
I really am not sure about that. But I do think, as humans, our minds gravitate to anniversaries. I know I find myself experiencing certain feelings around dates that are significant in my family -- births, deaths, and other significant events in the life of our family, such as when we got engaged, for example.
On Monday, we know we are going to tell you about a new film starring Alfre Woodard and Nicole Beharie. American Violet takes on an issue we talk a lot about in this program -- the criminal justice system and the way it affects people of color and poor people.
We're also going to try to follow up on some issues that surfaced in interviews this week that we feel could use more attention and reporting, like the extent of homelessness or the increase in homelessness nationwide due to the recession.
House (Of Worship) Hunting
And I am curious to know, if you attend a house of worship on a regular (or semi-regular) basis, how did you go about choosing where you now attend?
Was it an easy decision, or a hard one? Let us know ...
We got a lot of comments about our segment on swimming and why black kids (and Latino kids) are far less likely to swim than white kids and are, as a consequence, far more likely to drown. We did a segment yesterday about a new Aquatics concentration at Hampton University and the instructor there Jodi Jensen, who is white, told us about her adventures not only in the pool but in cross cultural understanding.
I am reminded of a really interesting book we covered last year that goes into some of the historical reasons why this disparity in swimming competence exists. It's called Contested Waters: A Social History of the Swimming Pool in America.
Check out the piece we did last year about the book. It's academic (sorry, Jeff, It's true), but still very readable
And here's one piece I didn't get to explore: the study by USA swimming that documents disparity in swimming competence is nearly the same for both black kids and Latino kids -- 58 percent of black kids and 56 percent of Latino kids, compared to 31 percent of white kids, can't swim. But, twice as many Latino kids as Black kids are now involved in competitive swimming.
Why might that be? Is it that middle class Latino kids are more likely to live in the suburbs and thus more likely to have access to a pool? Or, is it that black kids have more thoroughly internalized the stereotype that black kids can't or don't, or have no reason to, swim?
We're still working on our contribution to the pirate story, which is to say we're looking for something to add or say that would offer a different perspective. Until then, here is a piece. It's blog commnentary, but it quotes an interview with K'Naan, a Somali rap artist. He has a provocative take on this story.
I'm stepping in for Michel. One of her dear friends recently lost his father; she left here to go offer support to the bereaved family.
Speaking of loss (ironically), on today's program you heard the work of Hope Anita Smith. The author and poet is out with a new book titled Mother Poems, which attempts to translate the pain of losing a parent into words through poetry.
Click here to listen to today's piece, read an excerpt from Smith's writings and to see a photo of her, pictured with her late mother, Ms. Nedroe Lee Crews.
Smith's work is an example of how beauty can be found in just about everything ... even in loss.
Cherry blossoms bloom alongside the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival runs April 4- 12. KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images
Spring is sprung,
De grass is riz,
I wonder where dem birdies is?
De little birds is on de wing,
Ain't dat absurd?
De little wing is on de bird!
I have no idea who came up with this little ditty, but when we were kids growing up in New York I guarantee you it would send us into breathless gulps of laughter. We thought it was the most hilarious thing in the world -- a "poem" we could recite in our native language, Brooklynese.
But I thought about it because spring finally came to our neck of the woods this weekend. Cherry blossoms were out, the tulips were up and that, in turn, made me think ahead to ... Summer. And, more specifically, our summer reading series.
This summer we want to give focus to the books we feature and we want to hear from you as we plan. We have already heard from some of you; we'd like to hear from more of you. We, of course, are also pressuring (I mean, uh, elicting) suggestions from the TMM staff.
I want to make sure you know that we are particularly open to fiction at this time of year; we cover very little fiction during the rest of the year, but summer seems, logically, to lead us to want to crack open a good novel.
Some of the ideas we're tossing around are:
1) New fiction from Africa
2) Memoirs (of who? women, men ... from around the world?)
3) History: America revisited (some incredible new scholarship to which we offer just a glance)
4) Urban literature (some call it "ghetto lit"). Is it more than trash?
5) Your suggestion here.
You see what I mean? So many possibilities. Let us know ...
We thought we'd end up the week with a bang, the Gov. of New York, David Paterson. We wanted to talk to him because he is on the horns of a dilemma.
On the one hand, some of the Wall Street titans who are being handed a share of blame for the financial mess are his constituents. On the other hand, New York is feeling a very large share of pain.
How does he address both perspectives? Can he?
We ask him. Plus, he talks about changing the Rockefeller Drug Laws. New York has some of the most stringent drug laws in the country, requiring mandatory minimum sentences for many low-level, non violent drug offenses. Advocates have been trying to change the mandatory minimums for years arguing that it is too expensive and socially destructive to keep locking up so many people and that it would be far better to steer people into drug treatment. We talk about that, too.
Then to Faith Matters, where we talk about the ongoing relationship between conservative evangelicals and the White House. Concerned Women for America president Wendy Wright asked for and got a meeting with the head of the White House Office on Faith Based and Neighborhood Initiatives. We heard from her and Kevin Ecstrom, editor of Religion News Service.
And a special collaboration with theRoot.com. I am excited. We hope to have one of these collaborations about once a month, where we showcase some of their provocative reporting and commentary. I have an essay in the package, too, but you heard it before. It's adapted from a commentary I did last summer when I cut off my hair and the excessive (I think) reaction I received to same.
In case you are wondering, I grew the hair back. My daughter requested it.
She said, "Mommy, everybody in the family has hair like daddy now and nobody has hair like me!"
So what could I say? I am back to the twists. It's all good.
On today's show, we are pleased to join forces again with the daily online magazine theRoot.com. When we learned they were planning to publish a series of essays on the relationship between black women and their hair, through the prism of the current economic downturn, we had to get in the mix. So, this week we sidelined the guys in the Barbershop for the ladies of the Beauty Shop. Since Barbershop regular Jimi Izrael has more hair than many women, Michel invited him to join the conversation. Tune in for a "hair raising" exchange. Sorry, I could not help myself.
I did not have the opportunity to post an essay, but since I've been thinking about this a lot I'd thought I'd share ...
Most of the time, I wear my hair in a short natural, but I've been known to mix it up -- from twists, to braids, to wigs. My wigs even have names, since they are often styled after celebrity hairstyles. Michel's favorite is what she refers to as my "Mary J" - a short asymmetrical cut with some urban edge.
But I digress.
Since the recent "troubles" I have put a complete stop to my salon visits. Suddenly, the thought of spending close to $300 to get my hair braided seems ridiculous, and I have had to literally go back to my roots. I am trying to love the skin I'm in and enjoy rocking my 'fro -- but there is a part of me that feels denied.
For so many women, our hair is our crown -- it signals so much more than style. It's a harbinger of possibility, but right now, all that seems possible is that the world will learn that I have a Miss Clairol secret (since my roots are growing out).
Once I get over myself and stop the pity party, I will see that it really is not the end of the world and there are far more important sacrifices that are being made by many. Until then, I confess that whenever I run into the drugstore I head straight to the magazine aisle and thumb through the latest issue of Hype Hair.
I am running because we have a full schedule of interviews coming up and I have to prepare.
Are you interested in any comments about the President's press conference last night? What are your reactions? What you would like to have heard more about?
Did you find the President's remarks persuasive, credible, interesting?
And, I am interested in the media angle. How did you think our colleagues handled themselves with the questioning?
Please don't for get our book series for the summer. We're looking for suggestions. How shall we organize it, and with what themes? What genre? What part of the world?
We tend to be more open to fiction in the summer (mainly because we believe that people have more time on their hands and also, it has to be said, because we largely ignore it the rest of the year), but we are open to any suggestions. Well just about any.
TMM Executive Producer Marie Nelson, left, Host Michel Martin, Barbershop guest and Duke University Prof. Mark Anthony Neal and TMM Producer Argin Hutchins share a moment at public radio station WNCU-FM in Durham, NC. Kimberly Pierce-Cartwright, WNCU
Marie Nelson, here. I'm the Executive Producer for "Tell Me More"
Michel is getting ready to go on the air and then she heads across town to Duke University, where she will participate in the panel discussion "Press, Politics and Policy making in the Obama Era." So, I am stepping in to write today's posting.
This is a homecoming for me. I am a proud graduate of Duke, and I called Durham home for a few years after graduation. As I headed down I-85 South into town, I was gripped by a sense of nostalgia, passing by all of my old haunts. In my case, this translates into all of the all-night diners that I frequented to get my fill of biscuits and grits. (What can I say, it was the 80s and we were still eating carbs then.)
There is no better month to be in North Carolina than March --- to celebrate the madness that is NC basketball. Did I mention that I was here in Duke's hey day? Each year that I was on campus, we were in the Final Four and we won the NCAA championship back-to-back during my last two years.
Alright, before you begin throwing stones at me, I'll turn my attention to other matters of interest. ...
As a former field producer, it is always a pleasure getting the show out of the studio and on the road. It gives you an opportunity to touch stories and communities more directly, and to meet the people behind the voices.
Today, we focus on the economic challenges faced by North Carolina with two local journalists -- Jim Morrill, of The Charlotte Observer, and Glenn Burkins, of the African American-centered online news source Qcitymetro. With the state facing high levels of unemployment, a proposed budget that involves significant cuts in spending, and looming concerns about available support in the President's stimulus package -- there is a lot to talk about.
Of course, we would not be allowed to leave the state without talking basketball. So, we checked in with Joanne P. McCallie, head coach of the Duke Women's Basketball team about their trip to the tournament.
Farewell To True Pioneers
Before we run off to make radio magic, we'd like to recognize the team that produces NPR's News & Notes. Today marks their final broadcast, and we want to thank them for paving the way for us. They were pioneers, working to diversify public radio's airwaves, and we know that without them there would be no us.
For many of us journalists of color and those who focus on covering diverse communities, who know what it means to be the only one, the loss of a program like News & Notes will be deeply felt.
To our colleagues, we say thank you for the strength of your reporting, the powerful stories you brought to life and the passion that made you a force to be reckoned with.
TMM Executive Producer Marie Nelson, left, Host Michel Martin, Barbershop guest and Duke University Prof. Mark Anthony Neal and TMM Producer Argin Hutchins share a moment at public radio station WNCU-FM in Durham, NC. Kimberly Pierce-Cartwright, WNCU
Marie Nelson, here. I'm the Executive Producer for "Tell Me More"
Michel is getting ready to go on the air and then she heads across town to Duke University, where she will participate in the panel discussion "Press, Politics and Policy making in the Obama Era." So, I am stepping in to write today's posting.
This is a homecoming for me. I am a proud graduate of Duke, and I called Durham home for a few years after graduation. As I headed down I-85 South into town, I was gripped by a sense of nostalgia, passing by all of my old haunts. In my case, this translates into all of the all-night diners that I frequented to get my fill of biscuits and grits. (What can I say, it was the 80s and we were still eating carbs then.)
There is no better month to be in North Carolina than March --- to celebrate the madness that is NC basketball. Did I mention that I was here in Duke's hey day? Each year that I was on campus, we were in the Final Four and we won the NCAA championship back-to-back during my last two years.
Alright, before you begin throwing stones at me, I'll turn my attention to other matters of interest. ...
As a former field producer, it is always a pleasure getting the show out of the studio and on the road. It gives you an opportunity to touch stories and communities more directly, and to meet the people behind the voices.
Today, we focus on the economic challenges faced by North Carolina with two local journalists -- Jim Morrill, of The Charlotte Observer, and Glenn Burkins, of the African American-centered online news source Qcitymetro. With the state facing high levels of unemployment, a proposed budget that involves significant cuts in spending, and looming concerns about available support in the President's stimulus package -- there is a lot to talk about.
Of course, we would not be allowed to leave the state without talking basketball. So, we checked in with Joanne P. McCallie, head coach of the Duke Women's Basketball team about their trip to the tournament.
Farewell To True Pioneers
Before we run off to make radio magic, we'd like to recognize the team that produces NPR's News & Notes. Today marks their final broadcast, and we want to thank them for paving the way for us. They were pioneers, working to diversify public radio's airwaves, and we know that without them there would be no us.
For many of us journalists of color and those who focus on covering diverse communities, who know what it means to be the only one, the loss of a program like News & Notes will be deeply felt.
To our colleagues, we say thank you for the strength of your reporting, the powerful stories you brought to life and the passion that made you a force to be reckoned with.
I guess you can say we're exploring our music sensibilities.
Today, our interview with the "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin brought music and fun to our ears. If you haven't already had a listen to her interview with Michel, check it out here.
I have to say, I was left scratching my head a bit about this notion that Franklin's performance on Inauguration Day was so bad that it required a retake.
Really?
It makes me think of a wordsmith being accused of "making up" a word. I've always wondered, is that possible? One might argue that, for a true master wordsmith (which I so am not), a word spoken from his or her lips legitimized by default.
Could the late Liberace really hit a "bad note" on the piano? ... Can Vera Wang design a "bad dress"? Or, can Michael Jackson dance a "bad move" (okay, well, he may be a little rusty now and in need of some oil ... but I seriously the "King of Pop" could ever really 'lose it' -- rhythmically speaking, that is).
Anyway, you get my point. But I guess the larger point really is, what the queen wants, the queen gets. Perfection is in the eye, or ear, of ... the artist.
And more soul for your musical pallet, up and coming R&B crooner Corneille is in the house tomorrow. And this one, you definitely won't want to miss. He belts out songs from the heart, marked with a texture of soul no amount of money or professional training can buy -- more like organic vs. "produced." I can tell you his lyrical expression is anchored by extraordinary circumstances.
Sounds deep? Wait until you hear this guy ... and watch the TMM exclusive video.
The fountain in front of the White House flows with green water, Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in honor of St. Patrick's Day.AP
Happy St. Pat's (or as my friend Will calls it, amateur drinker's day).
We were trying to figure out a way to acknowledge the day. I wanted to do a piece exploring Obama's Irish roots, but everybody else shouted me down. They were all, "so what?! ... don''t you realize we have a recession going on here?" So I received no love.
I then tried to find something multicultural and spicy, like a Latin band that plays Irish folk music, or an African band that plays Irish folk, or an Irish ban that plays African music, or something like that.
Again, no love from my people here.
What can I say? You'd think I'd have some say around here, and I do, but it's not a dictatorship. ... And it's not like they just come out and say no.
They just kind of star at me ... like I'm a patient.
One DAY I will be QUEEN!
But you know what? We did have THE QUEEN (of soul) in the house. And, yes, you can hear more from Aretha Franklin tomorrow.
What We Did Do
I think the most useful thing I can do here is give you some more information about the programs we told you about, so you can think about it and absorb the information yourselves, and decide what you think about it. So here it is:
Read White House talking points (pdf) regarding the president's mortgage/foreclosure proposal.
Just for grins, read the actual transcript of the president's speech yesterday, where he bawled out the AIG executives. And here's his speech to the Joint Session of Congress where he mentioned a number of these ideas, including his idea for home visits to support new, low income mothers.
Our Planning Editor Luis Clemens has some news about elections in Antigua and El Salvador that we reported on last week, so I'm going to step off and let him take over in a moment.
I want to point out that the loyal opposition conversations we had today -- focusing on both liberal and conservative perspectives -- were very interesting for us, in and of themselves. But, we wanted to recommend that, if you have time, you consider listening to them back-to-back, as we did. We think you'll find them both more interesting that way. And the contrast makes it even more crunchy.
Also, I want to share more information about teen dating violence as a follow-up to the personal stories heard on today's program. We're not making it up. Check out the stats by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which tracks epidemics.
We're wrapping things up on this end. Here's a look ahead to Monday. As always, you can expect to hear more on ...
The loyal opposition - We'll revisit our ongoing conversation with thinkers who are pretty strong critics of their own political party. On Monday, our plan is to check in once again with liberals who take issue with President Obama's agenda on issues such as education, healthcare and the economy.
Women in leadership - Hear about a group that embraces as its mission an aggressive game plan to get more women seated in key positions of political power.
Teens and domestic abuse - R&B icon Chris Brown, 19, is charged with two felonies after he allegedly battered his girlfriend, popular songstress Rihanna, 21. We'll talk to a group of young people who say they've been in similar situations. You'll also hear from a dad who lost his daughter to domestic violence.
I think I speak for all of us here when I say we're glad to put this week to rest ... And I mean that in a good way, of course. Let's just say there was a lot of heavy lifting at work to find the right voices and add new textures -- and, quite simply, more -- to stories shaping the way people live in many different parts of the world (be sure to check out this week's Wednesday and Thursday editions).
We think we succeeded. ... I know we tried.
Before taking off, a few updates to recent Tell Me More stories:
Gandhi's Things
Last week, we reported on plans to sell items once-belonging to Mahatma Gandhi. We told how news of the auction sparked controversy among many Indians who were quick to point out that Gandhi advocated against capitalism and materialism.
Update: Yesterday, while bidding was taking place, the current owner of the items, James Otis, announced he was calling off the auction.
Oakland Shooting
Also, last month we reported on the case out of Oakland involving Oscar Grant, an unarmed black man, who was allegedly shot and killed by a white police officer. The shooting ignited racial tensions in the area. The officer later resigned from his post and has since been charged with murder.
Update: The family of Oscar Grant has filed a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit against officers allegedly involved.
R&B Stars Chris Brown and Rihanna
Both on the program and here on the blog, we've been following news about Chris Brown, 19, and his girlfriend, R&B singer Rihanna, 21. Brown was arrested last month because he allegedly assaulted Rihanna in Los Angeles during an argument that unraveled just hours before the Grammy Awards.
Update: Yesterday, Brown was charged with two felonies in connection with the incident: assault and making criminal threats. We still have our eye on this, and the larger theme of domestic violence, particularly among younger couples. Stay tuned for more conversations.
And special thanks to NPR's Cheryl Corley from the staff here for being a great TMM captain this week, and for taking the show and seasoning it with her own spice. And to Korva Coleman, who guided us through the latter part of last week. It's a big perk to rub shoulders with such pros.
Speaking of pros, Michel Martin is back next week ... I know, we missed her, too!
Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., is the first woman and first African American to serve as President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Ever watch the TV show "Jeopardy"? It's one of my favorites, and a recent show I watched was a clear indication of why we still need to set aside months to celebrate the history of African-Americans and women -- until, of course, that history is fully incorporated in school lessons.
... Okay, I'm not going to go there. I'll just say we profiled two fascinating women on Tell Me More today.
One woman made her mark during the last century, and another continues to make history today.
Jackson is the first woman and the first African-American woman to hold that post. She's also been a trailblazer in the world of science, and she has definite ideas about how to tackle what she calls a "quiet crisis" in science -- a dearth of young people studying engineering and science as current scientists and engineers retire.
Crisis, or at least trying to get through it, was a thread that ran throughout the program today. Hence, our conversation about New Orleans. After three and a half years, that city is still trying to recover from the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. We checked in with one of our New Orleans regulars, Gralen Banks, and also with his Congressman, Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, the country's first Vietnamese-American Member of Congress. Cao is a Republican but represents a mostly Democratic district. Many residents have criticized him because he voted against the Obama stimulus package, but Cao isn't backing down. He says it wasn't about politics, but serving the best interest of his district (Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District).
He knows he has some convincing to do at home.
Meanwhile, leaders in California's farming community say they're trying to work through the "perfect economic bomb." The ongoing drought has brought an unemployment rate of nearly 40 percent in some areas, according to local officials. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has also declared a state of emergency in the wake of the water crisis, asking residents to cut back on water, which has made it even more difficult for farmers.
If you've listened to the show the last couple of days, you might have detected the increasing raspiness in my voice. No, I am not trying extra hard to be sexy.
It seems I have a sinus infection that I haven't been able to shake, so I am finally going to act like I have the sense I was born with and take a few days off to see if I can get over it. Sometimes being macho is not the best course of action. As much as I pride myself on my work ethic, sometimes the better part of valor is to step aside and let the body heal.
NPR's Korva Coleman is going to be with us for the next few days, and then Cheryl Corley will step in. So, thanks for your patience.
Sorry if I offended your ears these last couple of days.
Before I go, I hope you will, if you have not already, read Lee Hill's moving blog post about the Chris Brown-Rihanna story. I think we need to talk more about this, and not in a cheesy tabloid look at what those celebrities are doing-type of way. But there is more to say about the reality that too many young folk are living in abusive relationships.
Singers Rihanna and Chris Brown perform on stage during Z100's Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2008 in New York City. Scott Gries/Getty Images
Lee Hill, here ...
After leaving work yesterday, I boarded the bus home from the subway station. I took a seat in front of two young people -- a guy and a girl. They were friendly and seemed to know each other well, although not intimately (possibly neighborhood friends, or old high school buddies). Both appeared to be no older than 20.
Not long into the bus ride, the girl began to tell the guy how she had become upset with her boyfriend (and father of her child) after he grabbed and pulled her by her long, braided hair. She was so upset with him that she ... "stopped calling him for a few days."
"That's all?," he replied. "You were upset with him for that?"
Of course (and this is when I officially begin eavesdropping), I'm thinking, what does this kid mean by, "that's all?"
He then tells the female friend that the two of them could've never been successful in a relationship. Why? Because the guy pal believes that getting a little "rough" with his own girlfriend -- as in more than just a tug of the hair -- is sometimes necessary.
She responds by telling the male pal that her boyfriend, too, likes to occasionally hit her a "couple of times ... just to get his anger out."
But, she always has the last word.
"After he's finished, he'll let me get in one good hit [on him]," she boasted.
He tells her that's ridiculous, and that's just not how it should work.
"She just has to take that s---," describing his very different rules of engagement.
Fast-Forward ...
Not so coincidentally, today we aired a conversation with our panel of Moms on domestic violence among teens. It largely focused on the alleged fight between R&B superstar couple Chris Brown, 19, and Rihanna, 21, two weeks ago. Unauthorized police photos of what appears to be a battered and bruised Rihanna have since been leaked to the public and are making their rounds on the Web as investigators look into Brown's role in the incident.
Given today's chat, Michel Martin all but insisted that I write about this. And, I have to admit, I was conflicted about doing so ... Just as I was conflicted about exactly what my role should have been as a witness to, although not a participant in, the conversation between the two youngsters on the bus.
Was it my place to interrupt and, by doing so, intervene?
"Excuse me ... but both of you have issues and need serious help ..."
These conversations seem easier to have one-on-one, but taking on two individuals in the same setting -- both with two distinct sets of troubles -- can be touchy.
What would you have done?
And, as the TMM piece touched on today, how is it that an act that outrages some can be so passe to others?
(Interesting tidbit The two bus mates made no mention of the alleged Chris Brown-Rihanna incident; their chat didn't at all seem to be driven by the story, which currently dominates pop culture news. They were merely exchanging thoughts, and somewhat lightly, based on their own experiences.)
You might remember that this show was launched as a "safe place to have difficult conversations." If nothing else, it affirms that Tell Me More is far from being finished with this subject. We're taking suggestions on where to step next with this. We have a few ideas, but we want to hear from you...
So, feel free to tell us your thoughts and experiences. You can leave them in the comment thread below, or if you feel lead to share something sensitive and would not leave it in this public space, which we understand, you can also call our comment line at 202.842.3522.
And, of course, if you or someone you know needs help, please consider the following resources:
In December 2008, Facebook attracted more than 200 million unique visitors, making it the most visited social network site in the world, according to a recent report by TechCrunch. Facebook.com
Tell Me More Producer Douglas Hopper has been away spending a few weeks learning about multimedia and social media tools. It's an ongoing learning program here at NPR, our own baptism by fire, of sorts (I, too, made the "journey" last year). Douglas has offered to share some insights along the way. Douglas, how's it going? ...
Thanks, Lee. Douglas Hopper, here ...
I have some questions about the promise of "social media," one of the key concepts on the table during our training.
Here's how Social Media is defined on Wikipedia: "... primarily Internet and mobile-based tools for sharing and discussing information among human beings."
Alright, as a journalist -- and someone who simply appreciates all things which help us communicate -- I am all about it! Social media-like public comment spaces and blogs are transforming the way we connect, the way we communicate, and the way we understand each other. Platforms like Facebook and MySpace are giving people the means to express themselves ... and potentially draw attention to their work in a way most would have thought impossible in years past. These new technologies have the power to democratize the domain of opinion. But will they?
I'm wondering if the Web is equal, or even anywhere close to it.
Or, does the Web reflect the same divisions of class and race and religion evident in non-cyber society? (By the way, what do you call the world we live in outside of the Web?)
Is there a class divide between Facebook and Myspace? Do people of color and minorities find it easier to find relevant news on the web? Is the political blogosphere more diverse than the op-ed pages?
Do you feel more equal online?
I am only beginning to answer these questions myself. Hoping some of you out there will want to chime in and offer your insights. I'll be checking in.
If I did not have an office full of people relying on me and two kids at home doing the same, today is a day I would much rather have stayed in my bed with the covers pulled over my head.
I may have mentioned that a dear friend of mine lost her battle with cancer last week. Sandra Gregg was "put to rest" yesterday. I trust and hope she is indeed at rest, but yesterday was one of the saddest days of my life, and that is saying something.
She was one of the most luminous people you'd ever want to meet, really a blessing to everyone around her, and I know people always say that when someone they love dies before his or her "time," but you'll have to trust me when I tell you this is true. At a website set up to update her friends on news of her struggle with cancer and then the arrangements made for her, there were messages from all over the country. I was floored.
Her dad was a military officer, so she did have experience in honing that gift of ease in making new friendships, but I'm talking about people she met on a cafeteria line while she was on a graduate fellowship who she was in touch with years later. Our friend Gwen, who gave one of the most amazing eulogies you will ever want to hear (and I still can't believe how she was able to speak so beautifully and so eloquently, despite the pain -- those two were so so close; thank you, Gwen) said "Sandee" collected friends like a black jacket collects lint. She couldn't have put it better.
One day, Sandee was wearing a pair of earrings I had brought back for her from a trip to Israel I had made years before. I was so tickled to see her wearing them, I mentioned it. And she looked at me like I was crazy.
Why wouldn't she be wearing them?
In a world in which people and things are so easily disposed of, Sandee was a person who saw value in everything, gave away nothing that meant something to her.
And, yes, I know what I am supposed to say: "she's in a better place," "her suffering is over."
But can you blame me for asking why she had to suffer so much in the first place?
And yes, many people are suffering in other ways. Many, many people are out of work right now in this country and around the world and they are scared and I bet angry. President Obama spoke to this nation through the press corps and his Treasury Secretary later spoke about how the additional funds in the bank bailout started by the Bush administration should be spent.
We decided to turn most of the day's program over to, well, you. We called back some voters whom we've met before and we asked them how things are going in their communities, and we asked Alvin Hall to answer some questions folk sent us.
We'd like to be useful to you. You can call it my gift to Sandee, if you want, but I think I can speak for everyone on this program when I say we want to be useful in these times of trouble. We wish we could fix troubled mortgages, find jobs and ease suffering.
We can't. We're just a little radio program.
But please, let us know if there's anything what we can do to make your lives better ...
How is the nation's massive money crisis specifically affecting you?
Tuesday, our money coach, Alvin Hall, will try to answer listener/blogger questions on the program. So, if you're experiencing a personal money crisis -- job loss, lost investments, bankruptcy, etc -- and need advice because of the larger economic downturn, let us know in the space below.
I have to jump off because -- get this -- I have to screen two movies back-to-back so I can do interviews this afternoon and know what I'm talking about. Oh, the burdens!
Actually, you know, it's not as fun as you might think. It's kind of like having to wolf down a great meal -- you'd really rather have time to savor it. But you know what? It's like I tell my kids when they don't want to do something: it's not like you're picking cotton in the hot sun, so get to it ...
Aretha Franklin arrives for the inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20 in Washington, D.C.
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
Interesting tidbit:
Apparently, Barack Obama's speech and Michelle Obama's fine garments aren't the only topics still generating post-inauguration buzz. According to the Associated Press, the designer hat worn by Aretha Franklin, aka the "Queen of Soul," is in high demand.
DETROIT (AP) - The calls began to flood Luke Song's hat shop not long after Aretha Franklin finished belting out "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" at President Barack Obama's inauguration.
Franklin, who wore a gray felt custom-designed hat from Mr. Song Millinery, has inadvertently caused an economic boom for the South Korean immigrant's store.
Song said he wasn't prepared for the hundreds of calls requesting the hat with a Swarovski rhinestone-bordered bow.
"We even have a lot of men calling to get it for their wives, mothers and grandmothers," Song said.
The hat worn by the "Queen of Soul" was hand-molded and would cost upward of $500 - if it were for sale, the 36-year-old designer said. Customers instead were offered a satin ribbon version for $179.
"They want the same hat, but they understand it's for the 'Queen' only," he said. "Ninety-nine percent said, 'That's fine. I'll get the next best thing."'
The family millinery has been in Detroit for about 25 years, and Franklin has been a customer for about 20 of those years. The store also sells to about 500 boutiques across the country.
"We always make hats for her for high-profile events, so for us, the inauguration really was no big deal," Song told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The design for Franklin's hat came from two different hats at the store.
"She walked through the shop and said 'I want that bow (put) on that hat,"' he said. "She had the coat already, but she needed the hat to set it off."
Witnesses to Tuesday's swearing-in might also be surprised to know that the queen was not pleased with her performance of "My Country Tis of Thee." At least, that's what she told CNN'sLarry King.
TMM producer Brakkton Booker, pictured yesterday on the National Mall, expresses his frustration.
Cory Howard
Cory Howard
TMM producer Brakkton Booker explains why yesterday's happenings will always be remembered ... perhaps, for slightly different reasons.
Thanks, Lee. Brakkton Booker, here ...
I wake up hearing trumpets playing "America the Beautiful" outside my window on the morning of the inauguration for Barack Obama. It was my first sign that Jan.20, 2009, was no ordinary day. The music came from an ensemble playing five stories below my fiance's tightly cramped office overlooking the National Mall. We used her office to save time in getting to our spot amongst the one to two million people expected to descend upon the National Mall and surrounding historic areas in Washington, D.C. and to share this historic moment first hand -- the swearing in of Barack Obama as America's first black President.
The time is 8:00am. It's a pretty late start on this day. But we're in no rush. We're members of a most fortunate group -- we have passes to the Inauguration Ceremony, one of the most coveted possessions in the world right now.
We hit the streets where Obama-mania is already in full swing. Hustlers peddling pins, t-shirts, neckties, sweaters, hats -- everything imaginable with Barack Obama's face on it. The mood is cheerful and excitement is in the air.
I'm standing with people who are in special lines snaking along perimeters for as far as the eye can see. They're all trying to get past the heavily guarded checkpoints and into the promised land -- the "standing room only area" in front of the inaugural stage.
We scout out a spot to tactlessly cut the line where so many others had been standing in for hours. If anyone gave a fuss, we had our press badges handy. My cockiness was delivered a swift smackdown, though. Come to find out, today especially, my trusty press badge gets me nowhere. And neither will our so-called "coveted" passes to the Inauguration Ceremony.
"We're not accepting those passes here" a policeman says to me about 100 feet from the entry way to the promise land.
"What? Are you serious?" I ask. My pass reads: "The 56th Swearing-In Ceremony."
"The pass is yellow," I tell the officer," ...the sign overhead says 'Yellow Passes Here.'"
"No. I'm sorry sir, that's not the right pass."
My first stirring to those trumpets earlier and the pleasant feelings I carried into this day give way to disbelief and rage.
My dreams of having a front row seat to history are gone!
My anger causes me to overheat. The three layers of clothing I wear to insulate my body from the frigid temperatures are now working against me. Beads of sweat begin to sprinkle down my forehead. We walk for blocks, and never find another way in.
It's too late. The time is now 10 minutes to noon.
The new President will be sworn in just minutes from now. I'm taking it much harder than my fiance. She anticipated this might happen and seems happy that we are together for this historic moment.
We make one more desperate attempt to get inside the perimeter but failed. Right then, I hear thunderous cheers and applause. Mr.Obama must have made it to the stage by now. I begin to sulk and take a rest alongside one of the thousands of street barricades set up to keep traffic from getting this close to where Barack Obama takes the oath of office.
I see people running towards the gates. Their smiles and eyes fill with exhilaration. This is the moment they've been waiting on too. Just hearing Barack Obama's voice though loudspeakers was all they needed. It didn't matter that they didn't have a bird's eye view. They could feel the magnitude of this moment.
And then I sat there, still sulking, I realized I was being how shallow and selfish I was being. This was a first in the nation's history. I let my anger fade and started to take in the moment.
Chills ran down my back. I look up at my fiance and give her a kiss. I'm happy I could share this moment with her, too. We were there, maybe not exactly where we wanted to be, but we were there. We were witnesses to history.
We'll have reflections on the day's events. I am going to turn the virtual mic over to some of our folks who were out and about yesterday, beginning with TMM producer Brakkton Booker.
Rescue crews secure US Airways flight 1549, pictured floating in the water after it crashed into the Hudson River yesterday in New York City.
Chris McGrath/Getty Images
So we're pulling our hair out trying to figure out how to make sure all of our guests get through the security screening and settled where we need them for our inauguration day program.
Actually, let me put it this way: I'm watching my staff pull their hair out trying to figure out how to get our guests to our inauguration location (team, I love you guys!). And I will not lie, we're feeling a little bit frazzled and maybe a teeny tiny bit sorry for ourselves because it is so much work.
... And then in the middle of all that, a US Airways Airbus A320 plane lands into the Hudson River.
Everything stops.
Word is everyone is off the plane and, more or less, without injury. Amazing.
I can't stop watching the news coverage because it is pushing all my mommy buttons. I have flown with my children at least a couple of times a year since they were born, and the thought of having to figure out how to keep them safe through something like that is more than I can take at the moment, especially having spent a part of yesterday combing through competing pictures of what we are told are mutilated Palestinian children and Israeli children cowering from rocket attacks. (There are also pictures of what we are told are Palestinian kids being indoctrinated as suicide bombers. I interviewed a woman who happened to be in town, who was one of the key activists who helped bring about peace in Liberia. Her stories of watching children swept off the street to be used as child soldiers and sex slaves come to mind.)
It's all too much.
When will it stop? When can mothers get up in the morning and their biggest problem be getting their kids to school wearing matching socks?
I am thankful that my biggest problem today is getting our fabulous guests to sit on our chair.
There's a euphoria in the air. You can feel it. People I have not heard from in years are writing to tell me they are headed this way for the inauguration and ask do I have time for coffee, brunch, lunch, tea (um, sorry, no I don't!) and if can they see the kids. (Sure, if they'll babysit them ... kidding, just kidding.)
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is a story.
It would be wrong to ignore it, in my view. Some media writers are on the watch for excessive Obama exuberance. Well, they can be snarks if they want but you have to cover what is, and if what is is that there is this feeling in the air, then you have to cover it. Just like you would cover a forest fire.
On the other hand, not everyone is feeling that love. And why should they be? This was a hard fought election and, yes, Obama won in an electoral college landslide, but it was not by acclamation (and we are glad it was not because the only countries where one candidate gets 100 percent of the vote, are ones where they'll kill you if you vote wrong). So those voices deserve attention, too, as well as those who feel the whole thing has nothing to do with them and wake them when it's over.
Plus, people are still dying -- in Gaza, in Zimbabwe.
I have no opinions today, so I'm going to ask Lee Hill to take the blog. Seriously, I'm out, I'm done. I've got nothing.
(I'm mad because I want a new dress and I don't have time to get one. I'm pouting.)
Thanks, Michel. Lee, here ... As I mentioned in an earlier post, we're cracking away at targets for TMM's inaugural coverage (thanks to those who wrote to us with suggestions.) I can't spill all the beans here, but I think folks will appreciate what we're putting together. Trust me. Also, looking ahead ... meet Myron Rolle. Myron, if you're out there and reading this, expect a call from us!
In our discussion about Mommy bloggers today, I asked one of the bloggers to offer any advice for people who might want to get started in regularly posting online. She said, "Keep it short."
Oh, great, now they tell me.
OK, here. So today:
Illinois Senate appointee Roland Burris is rejected today on Capitol Hill. What now? And ... Franken? Senator Al Franken? He says yes, GOP says no.
Tomorrow we are working on: more about Congress...a story about gay marriage...is Gay Marriage the right fight for right now?
We got started on this idea by some opinion writers who were critical of the gay political leadership for putting so much emphasis on gay marriage to the exclusion of other issues. The columns questioned whether the gay marriage fight is helping or hurting the efforts to achieve full civil rights and social acceptance for same sex-loving men and women. So we invited a roundtable of folks who've been having this discussion/debate to have it with us.
We're looking for those New Year's resolutions that, this year, you promise to keep.
Resolving to start a business? ... Get in shape? Will you finally take that dream vacation ... or maybe find love (especially if you plan to find love while on your dream vacation ... but we know that's a stretch).
Tell us what you're aiming for in 2009, and how high you're aiming.
It's the last few days of the year. My thanks as always to those who worked over the holiday break so I and others could take that break -- and I don't just mean in this newsroom, but also patrolling the streets and keeping watch in the fire houses and command centers and air traffic control towers and diplomatic posts and military bases around the world; not to mention standing by in the emergency rooms, and the emergency hotlines, and even the grocery store and gas stations, doing everything that needs to be done while the rest of us enjoy our families.
So, whether you wear a uniform or not, whatever you do, thank you for doing it, and thank you for being there.
And that made me think about what we're doing, and it even made me look ahead to the next year. For some reason, instead of making a list of the resolutions we all say we're going to make (we'll have more on that later this week), I keep coming back to stories I think we missed -- not because I want to pick at old sores or embarrass anybody (least of all me), but because maybe in a way this is a resolution.
It's a way of saying I was listening, even if it didn't always seem like it.
First of all, I wish we had covered Nelson Mandela's90th birthday celebration in London on July 18. Not because I wasn't invited but because of the occasion, which he used to mark the formation of a group called The Elders. That group has already lent its moral authority to bringing attention to the ongoing disaster that is Zimbabwe.
I can tell you why we didn't cover Mandela's birthday: we couldn't find a great guest who was invited to the festivities, and who was available when we are on the air. But I still regret it. Mandela is one of the great men of the age and, indeed, with so much appalling news coming out of Africa, might it have been .
From time to time, we like to introduce members of our staff. Here's someone we'd like you to meet: our new Planning Editor Luis Clemens. Now if that name sounds familiar it should -- he has been a frequent guest on the program throughout the presidential campaign year. He had been editing Candidato USA, an online publication that focused on issues of particular concern to Latinos. He is a veteran producer. And not to gloat about stealing him away, that would be wrong, but we're pretty glad to have him with us.
Luis, say hello to the people.
Hola, and thanks to Michel for the introduction. It is odd, but deeply satisfying to move from being an on-air guest to a behind-the-scenes editor. This is a return to my roots in journalism. My first job in news (aside from being a paperboy) was working as an assignment editor at a local television station in Miami. I later took a similar job at CNN in Atlanta. But it wasn't until I was the network's bureau chief in Buenos Aires that I caught the reporting bug. And reporting is what I have done for the last several years. Mostly, I have written about Latino issues. It is very good to be back working as an editor. The only thing I miss about being a correspondent is having a ready excuse to talk to strangers. That may sound weird but working as a reporter gives you carte blanche to constantly talk to new people. ... Soooooooo, drop me a line here on the blog and introduce yourself. Tell me what topics you'd like to hear about. And please mention if there are people you think should be talking to. Talk to me. Please.
In case you didn't know, we love hearing from our audience. Regardless of the subject -- whether you agree or disagree with what you hear on-air or read online -- we're not playing around when we ask you to tell us more!
And neither is Dave.
Yesterday, in our weekly moms segment, we had a conversation about parenting that included two male perspectives. Authors Brett Berk and Steve Doocy joined moms Jolene Ivey and Dia Michels to talk about their books, The Gay Uncle's Guide to Parenting and Tales from the Dad Side, respectively.
Well, not so surprisingly, we received feedback to that conversation -- some of which was not posted publicly in this blog space.
But I want to point out a critical observation we received in a listener e-mail from Dave, who is also a father:
I was so excited to hear that there would be an interview/discussion about the issues related to being a dad, and that men would be interviewed about their observations and perspectives on the importance of parenting. But, I was deeply offended and troubled that your "mocha moms" were to be a part of the discussion, as if the men's perspectives were not strong enough to stand on their own and needed the validation of a woman in order to be considered true. When moms are asked about parenting/being a mom, do DADs get to weigh in on the usefulness of the women's perspective? ... Please give us the same respect afforded moms.
Well, that note from Dave began a spirited bank-and-forth between him and our host, Michel. But it also touched off a larger thought process among producers here about giving Dads more of a discussion platform when it comes to parenting ... not just moms and moms paired with dads.
Dave felt compelled to share a very heartfelt philosophy of fatherhood and how he's come to recognize how the important role of Dad naturally relates to tenets of manhood. Well, his words were so thoughtful that we asked him if we could share it with you. He agreed.
So, here's food for thought ... from Dave:
When my wife and I were expecting our first child, other parents felt an odd permission to give advice to us. However, most of the comments would be something almost arrogant and not-all-that-encouraging like, "Oh, you better get your sleep now, because you're not going to get any for about 2 years!" or "Enjoy your freedom now, 'cause everything's about to change forever!" There would be smirks and elbow nudges, as if to say, "You thought being a parent was a good idea... but just you wait..." I found those types of comments very draining. Expecting couples need encouragement; they need positive comments that show while everything is changing, a wonderful new world is about to open up to them. Two weeks before our oldest son was born. A male friend who was already the parent of 2 children, pulled me aside at church and said, "Remember, Dave, you are going to be a DAD. You are NOT an 'assistant mom.'" That's all he said. And he walked away. I can still remember where I was standing when he said it. It was the simplest comment, but the most profound. I still think about it every day. I am not an assistant mom. I am a DAD. That is a lofty title. A sacred role. A position of influence. It means more than bringing home a paycheck or providing a place to live. It means more than 'helping with the kids' as so many men are wont to say when they are active with their children. "No!" I want to scream when I hear that, "You're not 'helping with the kids.' You are being a dad!" Being a father means being an active participant in my children's emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual development. I know men who have never bathed their children, leaving that to their wives. I know dads who have never been with their children alone for more than a couple of hours because they feel like they don't know what they're doing. I know men who can broker million dollar deals for a company, but they can't have an honest, emotional conversation with their son or daughter. And I know moms who will go along with such behavior, shouldering the bulk of the parenting duties, tacitly buying into the notion of men's parenting incompetence. It saddens me. In fact, it sickens me. Being a father is way cooler than any paying job. A man's success is determined not by his pension or portfolio, but by the strength of his family. ... It's time for like-minded dads to unite and encourage and strengthen one another giving voice to the privilege of being an active, influential, positive-impact parent. Men need to call other men out to greatness... not merely in business, politics, or sport, but in fatherhood. I suspect a lot of social struggles would be tremendously positively impacted if we did so. Can you imagine? ... Thanks for giving me a forum in which to share my perspectives. Obviously, I feel passionately about the subject! I look forward to your future programs on the topic.
Is this one of these days where you want to hear about how the sausage is made? Or not made?
Well how about we summarize it this way. Here's how today's adventure in broadcasting involved:
Icy roads in two cities and a tractor-trailer accident lead to rescheduling one of our guest and sending another back home to a phone line, getting another out of the shower (um, sorry!) and having to pull out an interview originally scheduled for next week.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
This is why nobody around here needs Red Bull.
Moving on ...
Let me tell you what we are thinking about for the next couple of weeks. We're trying to balance a couple of things here ...
Clearly, we want to continue to follow the news: certainly the global economic crisis, developments in the Mumbai investigation and the Obama administration taking shape.
But we also want to recognize the season. The holidays are coming and people deserve to celebrate...we're thinking about how we can be fun and festive and still recognize that many people are hurting.
This will be quick. We're hard at work here on tomorrow's program. As I type, Michel's recording tomorrow's Barbershop. And I'm here going through clips -- your clips, that is -- for tomorrow's BackTalk segment.
So get ready for another spicy mix tomorrow.
Surprise!
Later this afternoon, we're expecting a very special visit from a huge figure in the literary world.
Hints: Lorain, Chloe, Howard.
Guess who? Tune in next week for the actual interview.
Hi. Korva Coleman, here. I'm sitting in the chair for Michel Martin while she takes some time off before the holiday.
Today we discuss what the incoming Obama Administration will need to review when it considers the detainee facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Should detainees stay in the military legal system devised by the Bush Administration, or not? Our guests today suggest we need an alternative legal method. Take a listen and see if you agree. The New York Times editorial pages say our existing federal criminal system is more than sufficient to manage the terrorists. Over the weekend, it published an editorial highlighting recommendations by Human Rights Watch. Take a look.
It was startling to me to come out of a conversation on torture and turn to Slam Poet Gayle Danley who brings her love of words to kids in elementary schools and juvie lockups. We can't seem to leave the topic of detention centers.
I wonder what would happen if we sent Gayle to work with the detainees at Gitmo. I wonder what the detainees would talk to her about. Sheepherding? Darkness? Thugs?
"Run to the school, Run from the thugs, I'm just like you, let this be the day that I say something that's gonna save a life."
I get scared, too, Gayle.
And, what you didn't get to hear after the mics were turned off on our conversation with Dr. Ro, Chef George Stella and Giant Food consumer advisor Andrea Astrachan was the plotting. These guys are really committed to getting the word out about healthy eating. I have no idea what they're up to, only that they want to work some more together. Only Dr. Ro was present with me in the D.C. studio. Andrea was in Boston and George way down in central Florida. There's something ironic about the interviewer leaving the studio so the guests can get down to the real conversation.
Finally, about rapper Q-tip's music selection: I love the Beatles. I am old.
Sasha Obama, left, Malia Obama and Michelle Obama (pictured in June 2008) face their own unique White House transition, as President-elect Barack Obama works to build his administrative cabinet. Many wonder whether the Obama girls will attend public or private schools during their time in Washington.
Getty Images
William "Bill" Ayers' relationship with then-presidential candidate Barack Obama was repeatedly questioned by Obama's opponents during a tense election season.
AP
The U.S. Department of Justice recently weighed in on a growing online discussion about crime statistics based on race, centered around figures referenced last month by David Duke in a TMM interview.
AP
I think back over this week and the word that pops into my head is INTENSE.
We had conversations about public and private school, and especially what it means for middle class minority parents -- like the Obamas -- to have that choice.
We talked about the role of the auto industry in lifting minorities into the middle class.
We talked about what we expect of Michelle Obama and what we see in her and, naturally, what we see of ourselves in her.
... Intense conversations with former Weather Underground leader William "Bill" Ayers, with filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles, with former civil rights attorney-turned Washington, D.C., powerbroker Vernon Jordan, as well as our panel of regulars: Leslie Morgan Steiner, Jolene Ivey, Rebecca Walker, and Anna Perez (who in her other life was former First Lady Barbara Bush's press secretary).
I found my head spinning, especially trying to keep up with all the threads our guests brought to us. I sat up until 1:00 a.m. one night finishing Bill Ayers book, and until 2:00 a.m. a couple nights later reviewing Melvin van Peebles' films.
As we close out this year and think ahead to the next. It all makes me think about that balance between the internal world and the external one, and how one influences the other.
Which matters most?
Writing it down doesn't capture how it felt; the emotion that surfaced, sometimes from surprising quarters. Real life, but concentrated. But these times are bringing out deeply felt experiences. Of course, some people don't want to hear about all that, which is fine. But as I say all the time: just because something does not interest you doesn't mean it has no reason to be heard.
And speaking of what needs to be heard, or what does not ...
Those of you who heard our conversation last month with former Ku Klux Llan leader David Duke may remember that he cited some statistics. The statistics referenced by Duke compared how many white women were raped by black men in the course of a year, versus how many black women were raped by white men. Now, you may ask (as did I) why he doesn't care about how many white women are raped by white men, and how many black women may have been raped by black men.
David Duke is a white supremacist (although he does not think he is). We thought it important to check on his facts, and so we have. We've updated the original Web page for the Duke interview with an audio statement by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Thanks for your patience.
You really want to know how the working mommy thing goes down? Here it is:
I'm supposed to be here at 6:30 a.m. This morning was especially critical since I was asked to do a quick interview on CNN that would be aired live, just about an hour and fifteen minutes before we ourselves go to air (our first broadcast feed is at 9 a.m.).
Normally, I would never even think of stepping out of the building -- not even for a few minutes -- while we were preparing to go to air. I'd fight you over a fire alarm (but I WOULD go, I would, I swear). But through the miracle of technology (and guest scheduling) all of our guests for today's show were actually recorded yesterday or, in one case, a couple of days before (as he was on the way to London). So, we thought, yes, we can. ... Get to CNN and get back here in time to do right by our show.
Why even bother? Well, they wanted to talk to us about yesterday's special collaboration with the online publication The Root, where we talked about Michelle Obama and what it means to be, and have, the first African American First Lady. We had four great guests who published four essays on The Root, and we talked about the essays in our regular MOMS segment.
So we were excited that CNN wanted to talk to me and TMM regular Jolene Ivey about our contributions. Marie Nelson (our executive producer) and I decided it was worth it to twist ourselves into a pretzel a little bit before our own airtime to make the CNN appearance work.
I picked my outfit the night before. I got the last minute hair lecture from Marie ("put some product in there, don't play no games"). I was ready. I was pumped. I was walking out the door, and ...
Both kids came flying out of their rooms, "Waaahhh!"
"Mommy, can you sit with me?"
"Mommy, where's my drink?" "Mommy, my dolly fell behind he bed."
"Waah."
I tried to take the practical way out. "Mommy is going to be late," I said.
Still, "Waah!!!"
I tried to be a diplomat. "Daddy is still in bed," I said. "Go get in bed with him."
Waaah!
So, yes, I caved.
I took off my shoes and went in their room cuddled with them both for a few minutes. Thankfully, my husband heard something going on, so he came stumbling out, did a quick assessment of the situation, set up the distraction, took up the cuddle position ... and I slipped out.
(Thanks, Billy!)
I raced out the door, tried to obey all laws and came careening into NPR. I dropped my bag and looked at my TMM scripts before CNN started burning up my phone to ask, why wasn't I in the car?
I said, "what do you mean?" (I pretended I already was, sorry CNN!)
But then, in a minute, I was in the car, so ...
I made it.
And that's how it really is.
I know it's not pretty, but it all worked out, right?
Tomorrow on the program, a name that probably needs very little introduction: William "Bill" Ayers.
Remember, during the presidential election season, an alleged relationship between Ayres and now President-elect Barack Obama was the source of much contention on the campaign trail.
Well, Ayers has something to say about that whole controversy, and how Obama chose to respond.
Finally, a shout out to the New Media Institute. The annual conference is a brainchild of the National Black Programming Consortium, and they're meeting this week here in Washington, D.C., this week. Today, I was honored to speak to the group -- along with NPR's Andy Carvin and Sarah Handel -- during their visit to our NPR studios. The focus: NPR's travels into the world of multimedia journalism.
(To learn more about NPR's "transformation", check out the recent piece in the American Journalism Review.)
Needless to say, I learned a good deal from them.
More to come, so meet us back here tomorrow.
And in the words of Marie Nelson, our executive producer, onward and upward ...
It's Monday, just Monday, but I already feel like I am swimming fast to get to the shore. We have an amazing variety of interviews for you this week -- four meditations on what it means to be Michelle Obama, and what Michelle Obama means to us. The collaboration is with The Root, the online publication that chronicles the black zeitgeist. That conversation will be on tomorrow's program.
Also tomorrow, a Wisdom Watch conversation with Washington, D.C., powerbroker Vernon Jordan.
And, voices from Israel and Palestine ...
In acknowledgement and commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, a new book captures 60 voices -- half Israeli, half Palestinian. The the book itself is in English, Arabic and Hebrew. Amazing to look at. Tomorrow, we will have two voices from the book and the author, editor.
And that's not all, but all I have time for now because I have to get to work.
But finally, a programming note. If you listened to our Faith Matters segment Friday, you heard us talk about faith and how it sometimes conflicts with end-of-life care. We focused on the story of Motl Brody, a 12-year-old Jewish boy who suffered a brain tumor, which left him brain dead. He was on life support after doctors concluded they'd unsuccessfully done all they could to save him. His parents opposed any decision to remove him from life support, citing religious convictions. Although without most of his faculties, their son's heart was still beating.
Motl Brody died on Saturday.
For many, this case demands such serious reflection, both religiously and ethically. Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld sent me an e-mail today, and directed me to a recent sermon of his on this subject. I think it's worth sharing ...
A crazy salad of a show today, but you will see there's a method to our madness.
As you probably know, we try to focus on international news on Thursdays in our international briefing. For the next couple of weeks we are going to try making rounds to the embassies to hear what representatives of a number of countries have to say about what they what they hope and expect from an Obama administration. We are plan to focus on Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean; we feel that most major news organizations go to the European capitals first, we want to round out that perspective.
And I was very happy to get that postcard from Kabul. The writer, Gayle Tzemach, has a forthcoming book about women entrepreneurs. Tzemach has been visiting Afghanistan off and on since her days as a student at Harvard Business School. Anyway, Gayle sent me an email when she arrived on her latest trip and just after Election Day she sent us her latest postcard.
We want to hear from you.
We always hoped that our listeners would keep us up to date on their travels. And, yes, we do care about the food and sightseeing, but we're more interested in those nuggets that tell us something about a place, about which we are not hearing anywhere else. It's the reporter's eye, if you want to call it that, but you don't need a title.
Let us know. Keep us in mind the next time you get on a plane somewhere interesting.
And, speaking of listening ...
James Lipton.
Are you one of the 89 million people who watch Bravo's "Inside the Actors Studio"? Do you ever find yourself wondering about the guy behind the blue cards, James Lipton? Well the 200th episode of the program just aired this week, and Lipton is also out with a new memoir, Inside Inside.
I confess, when I learned that he interviews his subjects for three and four, and even five HOURS, I felt kind of deflated. Our 20-minute visit just scratched the surface, and to be honest it does just scratch the surface.
Lee Hill, here. Today, I'm happily passing the virtual mic to TMM producer Jasmine Garsd. She produced much of today's program. After twisting her arm a bit (don't worry, in a friendly way), Jasmine agreed to share her behind-the-scenes perspective of today's program. So, Jaz, take it away ...
Thanks, Lee. Jasmine Garsd, here ...
Today's show was a discussion about how far minorities have come in the U.S., yet how much backlash there continues to be.
Our opening conversation was with Tony Asion, executive director of El Pueblo, and Kevin Johnson, Dean of Law at UC-Davis. This conversation gave us a window into how civil rights activists continue to deal with threats against their life. And it's not just activists. As we heard on the show today, hate crimes against Hispanics have been on the rise.
Why do you think this trend, confirmed by the FBI, is happening? And how should it be combated?
We also featured a discussion with John Rogers, an example of how far minorities have come in the U.S. Rogers heads Ariel Investments, the nation's first African-American owned mutual fund. His investment philosophy is grounded in patience, discipline and independent thinking and was recognized this month by the National Council on Economic Education.
Something that struck me about the conversation is what an important role Roger's parents had in making him who he is today. His father encouraged him to become involved in the world of financing. This reminded me of a conversation I had the other night, with a friend of mine who is working at an elementary school in one of Washington, D.C.'s most socio-economically depressed neighborhoods.
My friend's biggest question (she just started at this job): how to instill this type of thinking in young, talented students who come from broken homes, where basic survival trumps school work every day?
And speaking of role models, we visited with Washington Post fashion writer Robin Givhan, hairstylist Anthony Dickey, and historian Catherine Allgor, for a discussion on future First Lady Michelle Obama, her unique style (hey, don't forget to check out our fashion slideshow) and what type of role model she will be.
Overall, what type of impact do you think Michelle Obama will have as First Lady?
Every year around this time I am reminded how little military life and service affects most of us anymore.
Most of the men in my family are veterans. In my father's generation, the generation of WWII and Korea (and in my younger uncle's case, Vietnam), that was the norm. But as we have transitioned to an all-volunteer army, that has become less common. In some communities and families, of course, military service is common. But many people no longer know anyone personally who is serving or has served in uniform.
This isn't to say that there are not other ways to serve the country--I think our diplomats, our Peace Corp volunteers, missionaries, our covert operatives, politicians are all public servants and they all have a role to play in keeping the country safe . But today is the day we set aside to recognize those who have served in this particular way, and it's fitting, I think, as we continue to fight two wars and to confront terrorism, that we acknowledge those who have worn the uniform, and their families.
I also think it's fitting that we had the stories of two very different public servants today:
Madeline Albright, former Secretary of State in the Clinton Administration and former United Nations Ambassador. She's offering her thoughts on what the next President should do, as she puts it, to restore America's reputation abroad. We talked about the new book she has out that expands on those ideas and we talked about it (hint: CLOSE Guantanamo Bay and rejoin the climate emission talks are two of her suggestions).
We also heard from "Buffalo Soldier" Joseph Stephenson (who happens to be the father of our regular parenting panel contributor Jolene Ivey), who talks about serving in the all-segregated army and coming under fire.
To all those who serve, in uniform or out, both here and abroad, we thank you.
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'spowerful 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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
Yesterday was utter madness around here. Aside from the fact that we were paid a visit by a real Hollywood heavyweight (I think an Academy Award qualifies one as a "heavyweight," don't you?), we were glued to the latest developments in much-talked-about financial crisis, and how it's impacting the race for the White House.
Right now, it looks as though the presidential debates are officially on for tonight, despite GOP candidate John McCain's last minute switcheroo the other day -- when he decided to suspend his campaign, attempt to postpone the first presidential debate, saying that he wanted to focus solely on mending the financial wounds from Wall Street's meltdown.
Yesterday evening it seemed Congress had come to an agreement with the Bush administration on modified details of the $700 billion bailout plan. But now, I'm looking up at CNN (as we prepare to go to broadcast in a matter of MINUTES) and see that such might not be the case. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, seems to still have fundamental issues with the bailout plan.
More to come ... And I'll let Michel tell you more about our dose of star power.
An unlit studio light is posted outside TMM's Studio 4B at NPR.
Lee Hill, NPR
Now it can be told. We're out of our studio again.
I came back from a long stint on the road to find that our studio 4B console is somehow not working again. So we're nomads, again, wandering from studio to studio in the building. We don't know how long it will take to fix, but if you've noticed a slightly different "sound" to the program, the people are all the same, but the mics are different. We'll deal.
So, no big issues on the table today -- just sex, race and money. Not necessarily in that order.
Money first.
The Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bailout. Our Money Coach Alvin Hall is answering your questions. If you have questions about how the Fannie-Freddie bailout might affect you, he is happy to answer them. Submit them here on our blog, or call our comment line on (202) 342-3522.
On to Sex.
Sarah Palin and the whole Mommy wars thing seemed logical to discuss with the Mocha Moms, especially since one of the Mochas wrote a book about the issue. There are three issues on the table, really. One, of course, is the issue of Sarah Palin's qualifications. The second is the issue of her family responsibilities and how she balances those with work, and third is the question of her 17-year-old pregnant daughter, Bristol.
Let me say there was a real range of views on this and the diversity of views is helpful and interesting. And, to some, it will be (I can predict) infuriating.
I am taking a break from the blog today. It's my first day back in the office since a week before the political conventions. SLAMMED.
Feel free to blog about today's program. Hope you found it interesting ...
Meet you back here soon ...
UPDATE: In response to our piece this morning about Hurricanes Gustav and Ike slamming into the Caribbean, and noting that Cuba recently rejected U.S. aid, we got several calls from listeners pointing out that the U.S. rejected aid from Cuba after Hurricane Katrina -- or, rather, did not even respond to the offer. I did not remember that at the time of our conversation, which is interesting because we actually covered that story on our very first over the air broadcast!
Deborah Amos, here. I am sitting in for Michel Martin this week, although 'sitting in' is hardly the relationship. It is more like we're driving the car together.
Michel's reports from the Democratic Convention and now from the floor of the Republican gathering in St. Paul, Minn., have been essential listening each day. She has proved that Tell Me More's unofficial motto --- nothing is assumed -- has been in operation, even when a story has had widespread national coverage. Michel's recent interview with Republican strategist Sara Taylor added some layers to the unconventional choice of Alaska governor Sarah Palin to the GOP ticket.
While I've hosted other programs at NPR, this is my first stretch with Tell Me More. And this is the part where I say, this is fun and interesting ... and calls for some new skills.
For starters, the fun part: the show opener is a talk with Michel, where we drive together for the first few minutes of the program. Then she tracks down an interesting guest at the convention.
And here's the interesting part: like the Republican National convention, we've had to throw away our scripts this morning, the best plans of Friday, to account to the hurricane bearing down on the Louisiana coast. The show producers settled on a conversation with Gralen Banks, who had already evacuated to Baton Rouge. Gralen had been living in a FEMA trailer, a victim of Katrina, and now, it was all happening again. The show producers tracked him down this morning, and his interview was a testament to the spirit of New Orleans. After the last devastating storm, Gralen's family had built a house in Baton Rouge, a storm crash pad. His planning decision reflects the "re-do" that the city, local and federal officials -- and the people in the region -- are having in the face of Gustav. This time they all want to get it right.
Then, there are the new skills I was talking about: much of this program is "live" radio. The microphone opens and you talk to people ... really talk to people. Sometimes the segments are nine minutes long, sometimes fifteen minutes long. In the landscape of broadcast news these days, this is an unheard of luxury.
Tell Me More Intern Kristen Lee is heading back to Michigan to pursue a career in public radio.
Lee Hill, NPR
Let me introduce you to our fabulous summer intern Kristen Lee. Sorry, we should have done this before now. Today marks the end of her internship and now she's about to dash off.
Kristen, meet the people. Tell them about yourself ...
Thanks, Michel. It was an absolute honor to be a part of the Tell Me More family this summer. There was not one day that I did not learn something new about the world, nation, society and myself. And that is the beauty of journalism -- a chance to become, not an expert, but a little more knowledgeable about the world around you. I've always admired how Tell Me More and its talented host, Michel Martin, take a refreshing, multicultural look at the complexities of people and life. I had the privilege of spending even more time with the TMM staff while attending my first UNITY: Journalists of Color convention in Chicago last month. (There, I beat them to the punch when I landed an exclusive interview with Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade.) HOWEVER, Tell Me More's incredible staff pulled off a phenomenal star line-up during the UNITY remote with Father Michael Pfleger, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun and presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama's senior adviser Valerie Jarrett. AND Michel and her crew also explored the heart of Chicago, to capture the stories of everyday people, which is exactly what keeps me inspired to pursue a career in public radio. ... I recently graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism with a specialization in Asian Pacific American studies from Michigan State University (GO GREEN!). Now, I'm headed back to my hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich., with ambitions of working as a reporter or producer in one of our Midwest NPR member stations. ... You can let me tell you more about who I am by tuning into the commentary I'm recording this afternoon for TMM (which will air at a later date). Until we meet again, over the airwaves ...
Thanks, Kristen. You know we wish you all the best.
Our producer Douglas Hopper is wrapping up his junket, I mean, er, um, his reporting trip/fellowship to Mexico City, where he's been immersing himself in the international HIV/AIDS issue and attending the international conference there. He's kind of brimming over with ideas so we're going to let him take the space again.
Hope you were able to draw meaning from today's program. There were only three segments, but for a show that's only an hour long, sometimes it helps to give conversations room to breathe. We don't always have that option, depending on the events of the day. Miraculously, we've been able to find a place for as many as seven conversations in an hour, and sometimes as few as two.
At any rate, the reflections of nine-time Olympic Gold medalist Carl Lewis were priceless, as was the roundtable of journalists discussing sometimes feeling conflicted when reporting on race and politics.
But there was also the story out of Philadelphia about tensions brewing between some of the more affluent residents and those with no place to call home in the City of Brotherly Love. TMM Director/Producer Rob Sachs is a Philly native, and pointed our team's attention to the situation in a morning meeting.
As it turns out, Rob has his own story to share ...
A group of men sit in the Philadelphia park known as Rittenhouse Square
Today's topic struck home for me in more ways than one. I'm a Philly-area native and have lots of memories walking through Rittenhouse Square, which really is the main hub of the city. It's a beautiful place to hang out and people watch, read a book, or just relax with some friends. ... So I can definitely relate to our guest Christine's aggravation over seeing the place overrun by homeless people.
Growing up in the suburbs, I was somewhat isolated from homelessness. But when I switched to a high school in the Germantown section of the city, I began to see it all around me. I felt both annoyed and frustrated that there were people lying on the street and nothing was being done about it. I guess I could have just given them the spare change (and followed the credo of Arrested Development song), but handing out spare change just didn't seem right. They were all just going to use it to spend on alcohol or drugs, right?
I tried a different approach.
I talked to my school and administrators, and with their backing started a homeless committee. As a new school "club," I was asked to speak a few words about it during a school assembly which promoted all the student groups. It was my first time speaking in public. I remember looking out at my classmates, asking them if they too felt that mixture of shame and frustration when a homeless person asked for money. My pitch was simple: "here's an opportunity to do something, to make a real difference." The message got through pretty well and that first year we had about 15 dedicated members.
One of the first things we did with the help of the school was to help organize a "food run." One night, a bunch of students got together and made hundreds of tuna and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We then drove down to Love Park, which at the time was as known homeless hangout, practically adjacent to City Hall. We had barely even opened the doors to the van and people started lining up. I remember there being literally hundreds of people waiting for a sandwich.
It was surreal, I had never done anything like that before and it felt so amazing to be helping out so many. The only hard part came when we ran out of food and had to send people away. It was strange and disturbing being a teenager and having to tell a grown man, "I'm sorry we're out."
Producer Douglas Hopper is still in Mexico at the International AIDS Conference, and I expect we'll hear from him soon.
Our show Director Rob Sachs comes from Philadelphia, and as you might guess, brought us today's story about the battle over homelessness in the Rittenhouse Square park. Rob has some more background for you, we'll hear from Rob and Douglas a bit later.
But first, I have got to share some of the comments that have been rolling in about the Mocha Moms. Yesterday, we shared some listener letters about the concept behind the segment. One letter writer (ok, these were all e-mails) called the weekly segment "elitist" and "separatist," "too racial" in focus.
I asked the Mochas to give their take on this, to talk about why they feel that it is justified and worthwhile to have a segment that addresses the concerns of parents in general, but then also focuses on issues of particular concern to parents of color.
I am amazed. First I want to say that I appreciate all the comments -- even the nasty ones -- because you've all taught me something. I appreciate those of you who told us you understand what we're trying to accomplish -- creating a space to talk about the issues that touch us to our core, but which we often do not get a chance to hear reflected in the media discourse. And those of you who offered thoughtful critique, I appreciate you and I hear you.
One woman wrote to say it is wrong to assume that white is proxy for privileged. Lots of white people are struggling, too, and with many of the same issues people of color are facing.
A fair point.
Another dad wrote in to say single dads may get more love and approval than single moms do, but it's still hard for them! Don't get it twisted.
We hear that, too.
Here's one of my favorites:
You women are nauseating. All this blah, blah, blah, about being a black mother. Thank god I can switch over to the BBC when you are on.
Can you hear me laughing my head off?
Can I Just tell you?
I have never once received a letter from a mom or dad complaining that we spend too much time on stories about the history of the Pakistani Army, the violence in Zimbabwe, or the ongoing Presidential campaign -- things we talk about almost everyday -- and asking why we aren't spending more time on parenting issues. Not once.
And I have to tell you, I have eclectic interests, but there are a couple of shows at NPR that just do not interest me at all, but never would I say that these shows do not have a right to exist.
But somehow, there are people out there who think that spending a grand total of 17 minutes a week to talk about parenting issues is somehow too much, and that just because a subject does not interest them, no one has the right to hear it, or talk about it?
What's going on here?
Is the idea that the work of the home or of child-rearing just does not deserve our considered attention? Or is this about a deeper entitlement -- that only certain people's issues and concerns deserve our respect?
Whatever the issue is, don't get confused. The Mochas will be back next week ...
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.
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.
Today, we talked to two women who were forced to take up arms, when they were barely teenagers, in Liberia's bloody civil war. When Florence and Jackie came to our studios and I heard their stories, I knew right away I did not want to forget. I wanted to lock the memory of them in my head. I wanted desperately to associate it with something in my life, so I can remember.
And I asked myself where I was when this happened. The first Liberian Civil War ended in 1996 and it suddenly struck me. I was barricading the streets of my hometown Sofia at this time. I barely went to school for these couple of months.
There was hyperinflation in three digits and it was freezing cold. All students were protesting. I was all day with my classmates blocking the traffic. People were stopping to give us money on their way to work in sign of support. And we were jumping all the time. We did it to stay warm for once and also we were singing cheerfully: "Who does not jump is red", referring to the color of the communist party that reclaimed control in 1994.
One day, I remember, there was no public transportation. The drivers were protesting, too. I think I walked for hours home. I remember walking on that steep incline alone and I felt like it would never end.
But then, I got home and I took a shower. My mom came home and my dad and my brother. We all had dinner and I was ok. Everything was just fine.
And then I thought of Florence, sitting in that camp by herself. Her mom, her dad, her sisters and brother were dead and she was alive and lonely and scared, serving to the needs of some strange and brutal man.
I tried to imagine how she felt. Was she in shock or did she comprehend the painful reality that was unfolding around her? And then I thought about the rebels that caused all that suffering to her and her family...and how she must have felt fighting next to them. Did she kill anyone? Or how many?
I do not know. But I want to remember. Do you remember where you were?
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.
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!
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
TMM producer Monika Evstatieva (left) records as Michel Martin (middle) interviews her childhood friend Leslie Groves (right) on Berriman St. in Brooklyn, NY.
Aaron Showalter
Michel Martin looks on as Tony Award-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda plays a video game at his Upper West Side apartment in New York.
Jennifer Longmire, NPR
There's a stranger in the house. It's Marie Nelson, here, also known as the Wizard of TMM. I typically like to stay behind the scenes, but today I am responding to our web producer's desperate plea for an "on the road" blog entry.
We are broadcasting this week from the Big Apple in honor of TMM's launch on WNYC, the NPR member station in New York. We arrived in the city over the weekend, just in time for the gay pride parade and a series of flash rain storms. Let me tell you, this is a producer's worst nightmare. Our car couldn't make its way through the parade route to pick us up and as we waited outside the skies opened up, sending us running for cover into a friendly retail establishment. Quite frankly, I would have loved the opportunity for an authentic New York shop op but was shamed into action by TMM producer Monika Evstatieva, who braved the storm to track down our car.
We suffered through the deadly combination of wet sticky clothing and overly efficient air conditioning as we slowly made our way to Brooklyn for our first field taping.
Did I mention the driver with an off sense of direction, who ended every other sentence with "thanks be to God"?
And then our fortunes changed. Michel's visit to her old neighborhood in East New York was truly special. It was both a homecoming and a reunion with her childhood friend Leslie Groves. A driveway moment if I say so myself, and I do.
We followed up the trip to the BK (that's Brooklyn if you're in the know ... lol) with a stop back in Manhattan to talk with Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator and star of the Broadway hit musical In the Heights. Miranda, who had just returned from a matinee performance, greeted us at the door in his crew socks, and played video games while we set up for the interview. He's a great talent who seems unaffected by his success. He was kind enough to show us the presentation envelope he got for his recent Tony win (he's still waiting for the real deal to arrive from the engravers). It's another great conversation if for no other reason than it's awesome to hear someone who talks as fast as Michel.
Finally, we took a quick trip to the balmy New York bureau (that's code for no air conditioning) to file tape, edit scripts, put out calls for Desmond Tutu (we want to talk to him about the situation in Zimbabwe), write a commentary ... and so on. Life on the road is certainly not glamorous -- it is often fraught with peril -- but it just goes to show how much we love what we do.
Besides, you know what they say. If I can make it there; I'll make it anywhere.
Recently, some of you sent me some e-mail feedback. One e-mail was from a physician who was responding to the piece we did on long emergency room waits and how they affect mentally ill patients. He had some additional insights about why this problem exists and persists.
I also received a note from a listener explaining why he thinks Sen. Barack Obama should do more to embrace progressive politics, not move to the middle.
Both of the people who sent me these notes gave us permission to post their thoughts here on the blog. BUT, I have had a meltdown in my e-mail this week. Not some big virus ... I was trying to reorganize my inbox but SOMEHOW or another hundreds of e-mails got misdirected, and then deleted. So, that's a long way of saying I MESSED UP, and cannot find these e-mails.
I am desperately hoping those of you who sent them to me also read our blog and will either RESEND the e-mails to me, or post them to our blog by using the field below..
Dr. Benjamin Carson receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush on June 19, 2008.
Getty Images
If you always learn, then you're always making progress.
Lee, here.
Above is a quote from renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson. He was on today's program to talk about many things -- his modest upbringing, his faith and the risks of medicine. But, notably, we wanted to talk to the author about his recent honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Also, the debate over Michelle Obama. Is she being covered fairly by the press? She's been called "unpatriotic" and "angry" by some, but to an entirely different group she's "classy", "supportive" and just ... "strong."
We're also interested in knowing how your perceptions of Mrs. Obama differ from that of, say, Cindy McCain.
Or, will the personality of candidate's spouse be of any significance to you at all when choosing a president in November?
Another milestone for TMM! Today, we celebrate 300 broadcasts. And we WILL stop counting at some point, I am sure of that. But, for now, every show counts. It's like when you're a little kid and someone asks you how old you are, and you say Four and a HALF, and that half really means something to you. Not like when you're, say, 49. You're not going for any additional percentages there, are you?
Not that I'd know.
Thanks to Cheryl Corley for filling in while I took some needed R&R with family and took care of some stuff around the house. Not enough stuff, but some stuff -- painting the kids' room, that kind of thing.
Some day, hopefully, I'll come back from being away and I'll report that I had tea with Oprah and Nelson Mandela or something like that, but right now -- I won't lie -- I can just say it was great taking the kids to the pool, and going out to dinner without looking at my watch because I have to get up at dawn ... and arguing with the electrician over whether I really need a new light over the table (asking him why can't he just fix the old one?). Those things actually float my boat (which might be pathetic, I don't know).
... Although I wouldn't mind that tea with Madiba either.
I hope you enjoyed today's program as much as I did. Sometimes you feel like you're doing the news and sometimes you feel like you're calling up a bunch of people you know and just checking in on them. That's how today's show felt to me -- just checking on people ... like Armstrong Williams on his Obama dilemma as a black conservative, what will he do?; like the Rev. Ed Young on how he's doing out in Cedar Rapids after the floods; like the Barbershop guys on what else?
We did one newsy interview with Sarah Posner on her new book God's Profits and her examination of (some say she exposes) the Word of Faith movement, also known by some as the so-called Prosperity gospel. Here's my question:
If you are of another faith, or no faith, do you have a right to critique another group's worship style and political involvements? What if they they want to give their pastor a private plane? Is it your/our business? And why, or why not?
Some say these congregations are abusing their tax exempt status. Others say these are cultural disputes. Where should the line be drawn and how should it be drawn?
Have a good weekend. We're considering a number of leads for Monday -- politics, more on the floods, and new fiction from Africa. All under consideration. We hope you'll join us.
Hi all. It's Cheryl Corley, sitting in Michel while she takes some time off.
If you ever thought you needed some advice, today's show was the place to turn! We had a veritable Tell Me More question and answer session.
For example:
How are gay couples who are black, Latino or Asian reacting to the new gay marriage rights in California?
We got some answers from Bishop Yvette Flunder of the City of Refuge Church in San Francisco and Monica Trasandes of GLAAD.
Just who is getting married?
One of the couples who helped overturn California's ban on same-sex marriages by filing a lawsuit talked to us before heading off to exchange their vows.
What to do if you're trying to sleep on an airplane and the guy behind you doesn't want you to recline your chair?
A little advice from the O, The Oprah MagazineEthics column.
Should kids get a summer job or go to camp during the summer?
The Mocha Momsweigh in.
What should you do to get ready for retirement?
Alvin Hall, our money coach, covers the basics.
How to get advice for every crucial moment in life?
Listen to Tell Me More, of course!
You might have noticed that I've been missing in action from the TMM blogosphere, and from the program's weekly BackTalk roundup. (If you hadn't noticed, consider yourself caught up).
In case you missed Michel's explanation a few blog entries back, here's what I have not been up to for the past two months:
a) Traveling across the country on a road trip, in an effort to "find myself"
b) On paternity leave (seems like something is in the water around here)
c) Enjoying the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the popular "bro-cation" destination
Yeah, not quite.
Truth is, I was working. I had the pleasure of participating in an exciting new project here at NPR. Twelve of us within our news division were assembled to be trained (which was pretty intense, but even more enriching) and think strategically about NPR's expedition into new media.
Our mission: find ways to integrate a cross section of multimedia tools (high-definition video, graphics presentations, and audio-visual software, just to name a few) into how we report and discuss the world around us, still clinging to the editorial standards for which we are widely known.
Our goal: master all the fancy the tools (eventually) and become disciplined in thinking more broadly about the many more ways an NPR story can be told ... or seen (yes, seen)
See for yourself! Visit the project's blog, which also dubs as a public laboratory for testing the waters of multimedia news production. Tell us what you think. I'm interested.
And, of course, it's good to be back home with Michel, the TMM crew ... and you! Also, a big thanks to my colleague Douglas Hopper. He did a fine job overseeing our online presence in my absence. Cheers, D!
Vicente Fox (left) sits for an interview with TMM's Michel Martin. Credit: Addie Whisenant, NPR
If you heard today's conversation with Vicente Fox, the former president of Mexico, we thought you might be interested in this behind-the-scenes snapshot, taken just before the interview at Fox's hotel in Washington.
Thank you again to all of you who took the time to get in touch with us this week. We're still receiving a lot of comments about my Can I Just Tell You? commentary on the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Sen. Barack Obama controversy. It's been creeping up NPR's most e-mailed stories list. Thanks for sharing it.
(Of course, now I am thinking of all the other examples I could have cited of fake media self righteousness, like ... No. Never mind. I won't go there. Let me get my pressure back down.)
Here's what we're debating for next week's conversations:
There's a new short film by a Dutch parliamentarian making its rounds on Internet. It recounts the atrocities committed by Islamic extremists and makes the case that Islamic fundamentalists are waging a war on western culture and freedom.
Some say it's a provocative stand for free speech, others a gratuitous and irresponsible assault on a worldwide religious community.
Remember the cartoons published in a Danish newspaper that depicted the prophet Muhammad in a negative light, touching off worldwide protests in 2006? Will this have the same effect? So far, no. But this comes in the face of existing threats by Al Qaeda leaders against western targets.
We'll keep watching the story.
And, the big elections in Zimbabwe are Saturday. We hope we'll be able to offer some results, along with analysis, by Monday.
We're also working on stories for you about Women's History Month. Although March is coming to a close, our interest in women's history is not. We still have a few more stories to tell.
And ...
The 40th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., is next week.
I have an ambivalent relationship with anniversaries. On a practical level, they really are unavoidable because they are also news pegs. On a human level, they are unavoidable, too, it seems.
I am not a psychiatrist, but it seems to me that anniversaries mark us even when we are not trying to be conscious of them. ... I can honestly tell you that the first week of May is always a difficult time in my family. We lost a beloved family member during that time under tragic circumstances. It's interesting that we all become "blue" around that week. We "remember" unconsciously, even if we don't decide to remember.
So, perhaps, it is better to decide to remember, if that makes sense. I guess there is a reason why many of the world's religions commemorate the deaths of their key figures, as well as their lives. ... And why many offer rituals to acknowledge deaths of loved ones, however long past.
On the other hand, there is the "let sleeping dogs lie" school, which asks, if we continue to pick at the source of the pain will it ever go away?
A really, really, tough call on story selection today.
Today is, as you most certainly know, the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. And, yesterday, a major speech by Barack Obama. Some speechwriters we know have called it the most important political speech of a generation. At a speaking engagement on the subject of juveniles and crime last night (a conference of judges from the different courts in D.C., I moderated a discussion that was as heartbreaking as it was stimulating -- this being D.C., where stories of young men being gunned down is everyday fare), the Obama speech was all anyone was talking about. Folks had been e-mailing the text to each other all day.
But if a big part of our mission is to cover the voices that are not being heard, does Iraq count? Many feel that the cost of this war is not being borne equally -- that it is all but forgotten, except by those most directly affected.
Of course, many disagree.
It's a totally subjective question, after all. But in an "all voluntary" military structure, it's not a secret that people from minority groups, folks from rural areas and small towns, are disproportionately represented in the services. Ask yourself: do you personally know anyone serving overseas? Is there someone in your life who cringes when the phone rings in the middle of the night? Who holds his or her breath when a man in a uniform appears at her door?
We have tried on this program to make sure that story does NOT disappear. We've tried to look for stories that you are not getting elsewhere. Not a criticism of anybody else, but just to offer you a sense of our commitment to get voices on the air that are not being heard elsewhere. We've talked to a former Iraqi minister who has a very different view of how to reconstruct the country. She left after two attempts on her life, but has continued to press the case for restoring dignity to daily life and getting the basics in order, like water, electricity and sanitation. We talked to an Iraqi emergency room physician who bore witness to the daily carnage of civilians being decimated by suicide bombers. And, we've talked to Iraqis who've fled to Syria about their lives as refugees. ... We've talked to people working to resettle Iraqis.
Anyway, it is a story to which we are committed, and we feel a mission to offer an opportunity to hear that story.
But back to today.
Obama, Iraq. Iraq, Obama. What's the right call? Especially since we arranged for conversations with so many people who do not normally do this -- a small town mayor, three service members, two parents -- to disrupt their lives to talk to us.
We'll get back to Obama tomorrow. We have a great roundtable planned.
Did we do the "right" thing? I have no idea. But we did our best.
You can let us know??????
One thing I do know. We need two hours, not one, for broadcast.
... Are you listening NPR?
ADDENDUM: Two others stories we've covered have had significant developments this week.
Remember the Baltimore bus beating incident? A group of black students allegedly jumped a white woman on a city bus. It got a lot of attention in the blogosphere. Some compared it to the Jena 6 case. Some asked why hadn't this issue gotten more attention? ... Why it is okay for a group of kids to whale on a person on a city bus and get away with it. ... Others ask why this is a racial issue, and not just bad behavior by a group of teens. We talked about this on the program. You might be interested to know that there's been a development.
And, the D.C. gun ban. The Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday on DC's handgun control law. Three city residents are challenging the law, one of the toughest, if not THE toughest, in the nation. And the issue of gun control is not just locally important. The case marks the first time the Supreme Court has taken up the issue of the meaning of the Second Amendment in some 39 years. We have covered this issue also. We've actually had people on BOTH sides of the issue, who BOTH lost family members to gun violence.
I was talking to one of our Mocha Moms, Jolene Ivey, who is in her spare time (!) a state representative to the Maryland legislature. I told her how much I enjoyed St. Patrick's Day when I covered the legislature, years ago. Everybody had their own twist on it. One state senator handed out buttons saying "St. Patrick Eats Bagels." Another used to put a piece of lettuce in his jacket pocket, like a pocket square (okay, maybe you had to be there for that one).
It made me wonder whether other holidays that now feel very ethnically specific, like Cinco de Mayo or Juneteenth, will one day become just like St. Pat's, or even Columbus Day -- a day to dip into another culture without apology or regret (not even Columbus Day does that because, let's face it, for many Native Americans, it's a day of mourning, the beginning of the end of their cultures as they knew them).
A rocky start to the morning
Why lie? We were kicked out of our regular studio, 4B, because of technical problems (now fixed). We had to do the show from 3A -- not my usual spot. If I sound a little different -- and not just because I'm getting over a cold -- that might be why. Different mics really do generate a different sound.
This morning was also rocky because we expected to have a second guest for our conversation about the alternative school in Atlanta, APS-CEP Partnership School (Atlanta Public Schools-Community Education Partners, for short). Apparently, many parents are complaining that the school does a poor job of educating students who have been moved out of regular schools because of behavior problems. We talked to a parent, whose son is enrolled at the school, and a lawyer for the ACLU, which is representing the parents in a class action lawsuit against both the school and the Atlanta school district. The school is publicly funded, but privately operated (one reason we were interested: "privatization" is one tool school districts have been employing to try to bring more innovative solutions to ongoing education challenges).
The questions here are: is Atlanta getting its money's worth, and are the standards and practices acceptable?
Some of the parents strongly suggest the answer to both questions is no.
Anyway, we thought we would have both sides on the program; apparently there was a miscommunication about time because the school spokesman was not where we needed him to be when we planned to talk to him, but we did get a statement from CEP with talking points. We'll figure out whether, or how, we can get a representative from CEP on the show later this week.
A crowded week
The fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war, most notably. As with many of our NPR programs, we will have more to say on that subject later this week.
Other stories we are working on: a conversation about Sen. Barack Obama's relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, a prominent African-American minister out of Chicago, who is retiring from his prominent pulpit. But not before having words from one of his more incendiary sermons become an issue. We hope to talk with clergy of various backgrounds about how they are reacting to this controversy; we also expect to have a couple of visits with newsmakers, past and present.
And, one more thing: Margaret Seltzer, author of the fake gang memoir Love and Consequences. We're still trying to piece together that puzzle, so we reached out to someone Seltzer mentioned in her interview with us. The Rev. James Jones, Jr., talked to Margaret as her book was coming out. SHE told me that he kind of gave her a blessing in writing the book, but Jones says he had no idea who she really was.
There's a lesson in all this, but I think we're still piecing together exactly what the lesson is. More on that soon, we hope.
And, thanks to those who have been writing to add your piece to the puzzle.
Can't tell you how CRAZY yesterday was. First, a program that was kicking with quite a few powerful elements -- Latinos seeking U.S. citizenship in time for the November presidential elections, a detailed look at the state of black women in America ... and pearls of wisdom from the trailblazing former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Then, Michel Martin, myself and our intern (Tyrone Martin) rushed off to the National Press Club for a panel (moderated by Michel) on faith, politics, and the evangelical vote. We hope to bring you more from that conversation in tomorrow's Faith Matters.
... All while Eliot Spitzer (we have more on this today) announced that he would relinquish power and resign from his post as governor of New York ... which also signaled another new chapter in history with the appointment of David Paterson.
Whew!
Michel will be up in a little minute with her thoughts from today's show (now in the works).
Wrapping it up here. By all accounts, this has been a long week.
As discussed in today's Barbershop, it was a solid week for Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton. Faced with dire alternatives if things had gone the other way, she was able to stop Sen. Barack Obama's winning streak. He hadn't lost a race since Super Tuesday. (As of yesterday, however, Obama was a frontrunner in the Texas caucuses, part of the state's special Democratic "two-step" process.)
We thought you might enjoy a visual (if you haven't seen it already) of the popular Clinton ad that was also talked about in the shop. Some say it should be partially credited with her success this week. Others think the intimidating voice of the narrarator, and the "big" music, say far more than what's required in a campaign message. You decide ...
Finally, we also discussed the retirement of NFL star quarterback Brett Favre from the Green Bay Packers. In addition to his distinguish skill on the field, many might recall Favre's hands-on approach in matters outside of the game, including his charity work. The Gulfport, Miss., native became familiar to non-sports fans following Hurricane Katrina. Favre's foundation helped offer relief to those affected by the storm, which included his own family.
As another Friday blog visual aid, here's an emotional Favre announcing his NFL retirement, as covered by Adam Johnson of the Wall Street Journal:
I am driving to work this morning at the crack of dawn (late, not trying to lie about it ... visits every three hours from small people with demands for more milk, for an escort to the potty, will do that to you), when the phone rings. It's production associate Arwa Gunja informing me that the book we planned to talk about today, Love and Consequences, by Margaret B. Jones, a book she and I both devoured and adored, is a complete lie.
I shake off the cobwebs and ask, "did you call her? ... What did she say? ... I know it's early in the morning (before 7 a.m.), but we have her phone number, so let's use it. Ask her what all this is about?"
Margaret does not answer. No surprise.
When I get to the office, my jaw drops even further as I read that Margaret, whom I'd interviewed last week, is a complete liar. She is not half-white, half-Native American, as she claims. She was never in foster care. She never lived in South Central Los Angeles.
Her real name is Margaret Seltzer, and she was raised in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles (where the Jackson Five moved after leaving Gary, Ind.). And while she claimed the book was based on her knowledge of the lives of friends in gangs, it is most certainly not her personal story.
She never even graduated from the University of Oregon.
The book (we received an advanced copy) was just published. It turns out that a lifestyle piece in The New York Times, not the original rave review a week earlier, was her undoing. Her "real" sister saw it and blew the whistle.
I noticed that a lot of people are pursuing interviews with people connected to the publisher, but I am more interested in her. Why did she do it? How did she think she could get away with it? Did she think her biological family would never tell? ... That they would disown her? ... Adopt her lie as their own?
I also want to tell you how utterly convincing she was. How she completely inhabited this character she obviously created, and how she even explained her composite characters to me. For example, a scene in the convenience store she told me about "Niecy."
Is this mental illness? ... Ambition?
I have no idea, but I do know that she is right about one thing. If she had called this the novel it is, I would never have talked to her. I just would not have. In fact, I received a publisher pitch from another woman who wrote a novel "based" on her experiences in an inner-city neighborhood. I passed on it, in part, because I feel there are too many "real" stories that are not being told.
So, you'll note that we brought you our interview with Jimmy Breslin this morning. We'd planned to air it next week, as part of a complement of stories about gang life.
Jimmy is beloved in New York, where I am from. I think his work stands up over time. His book, The Good Rat, is based heavily on court records, so I don't have any fears about this one.
On the Scouts ...
We had different views about Boys Scouts and Girls Scouts expressed this morning. I want to point out a book written by Texas Gov. Rick Perry that defends the Scouts position opposing gay troop leaders. Check out his book and an interview with him a week or so ago in The New York Times.
I need coffee now. My head hurts thinking about all the talented people who have been undone by big lies -- James Frey (A Million Little Pieces earned the wrath of Oprah for presenting his fake memoir as true), Jayson Blair (New York Times reporter fired in disgrace for plagiarism), Stephen Glass (formerly of the New Republic, fired for fabrication), David Brock (former conservative attack dog journalist, now dedicated to liberal causes), Janet Cook (the former Washington Post reporter forced the paper to give back a Pulitzer Prize for fabricating a story), Misha Defonseca (her Holocaust Memoir was shown to be a hoax).
Well, this was one of those days that amply demonstrated why I do not need caffeine in my life.
Up first, we had, I thought, a really interesting conversation with two members of the Congressional Black Caucus. As the world now knows, African American voters have been shifting heavily toward Sen. Barack Obama in recent months, as have millions of others (you don't win 10 primaries in a row with only black votes). But black congressional leadership is still very much divided between their support of Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton.
In the wake of Georgia Democrat John Lewis' recent decision to switch his support to Obama, we wondered about how other members of the caucus were evaluating this question. We were pleased to have Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), a former chairman of the caucus, and one of the newest members, Rep. Laura Richardson (D-Calif.) talk about the divided support.
Then, Rep. Dennis Kucinich ...
Kucinich ran for President with Obama and Clinton, and is a congressman from Ohio. Our question for him: how does his state look leading up to the March 4th primary elections there? But in the course of the conversation, the legislator started talking about his owncongressional race happening in the state -- this is a live radio conversation, remember? -- so we didn't have time to talk about his challengers.
For the sake of fairness, here are the folks -- in addition to Kucinich, who currently holds the seat -- also contending in the Democratic primary to lead Ohio's 10th congressional district:
Cleveland Councilman Joe Cimperman
Non-profit business leader Barbara Ferris
North Olmsted Mayor Thomas O'Grady
Political activist and former journalist Rosemary Palmer
In the fall, they will face one of two Republicans -- Former Ohio State Rep. Jim Trakas and conservative activist Jason Werner.
So, there you have it.
As I said, we invited Rep. Kucinich, as a former Democratic presidential candidate, to help explain the race for President in Ohio. Later in today's program, we also talked to a great group of foreign correspondents who are covering the U.S. elections for publications in Mexico, India and Great Britain.
So much fun!
And, while we were talking to the correspondents, word came that a peace deal had been brokered in Kenya. Now, you know how hard we have been following this story. Here's what happened: while in the studio (and on the air) I saw a news wire story on my computer screen (don't ask me how I actually saw it while I was talking to three people at the same time during the broadcast, but I did). I sent an instant message (IM) to Teshima Walker (you know her, our supervising producer) and said, "what about Kenya?"
A most unusual thing has happened to us today. A number of listeners who fired off some furious emails about our conversation with the Kosovar Albanians wrote back ... and apologized.
I have to tell you, this does not happen often. And, it is appreciated. Why? It shows that we're listening to each other.
Point of fact: it was never our intention to air one side of the issue, but we are of the belief that every conversation does not have to be a debate or an argument. We decided to hear from the Kosovar Albanians first because it was their side that gave us the news, if you will, in declaring independence. We wanted to hear how it felt, what it meant to them and why it mattered so much.
Yesterday, we brought in two Serbian students and a well known Balkan analyst, Obrad Kesic. Our apologies and thanks to Mr. Kesic because he had to fight through two hours of traffic to get to us, and still didn't make it to the studio. He talked to us from a cell phone, which is never great. But, we appreciated his insight and that of our two grad students. They grew up in the Slobodan Milosevic era and now have to live with the legacy of what he left behind.
Anyway, to the listeners who wrote back to say sorry, we spouted off too soon, thank you for that. We understand what it's like to feel disappeared from the conversation.
To the listeners who don't agree with what they heard yesterday, we hear you. This is a long and complex argument, better we fight it out with words.
And, today, another controversial and polarizing figure, Ralph Nader. He's running for President. Again. We went back and forth over how many times he's run ... is this the fourth or fifth (and, how did the 1992 write-in campaign figure in)?
What do you think about Nader's candidacy?
Should he stay home, keep going? ... Why?
We are dying to hear from you on this.
And, for the single parents out there, we know you sometimes feel disappeared from the conversations we have about parenting. And, no, this is not a make-up call, but we came across Trey Ellis'book about his adventures as a single dad and felt his perspective was so much his own, and yet something so many of us can relate to. (Cliche, I know. Get the style police to give me a ticket).
And, something soothing to take the edge off ... the lovely Lizz Wright. How can someone so young, be so, so ... cool?
This will be brief because TMM Executive Producer Marie Nelson and I will be leaving shortly to attend the memorial service for our former colleague at ABC News John ("Jack") McWethy, who covered the Pentagon for years. You may have heard that John died in a skiing accident in Boulder, where he moved following his retirement.
I don't know how to feel about this. On the one hand, I'm glad John was doing something he loved; on the other hand, there's something that just twists me up inside -- after all the time he spent in Iraq, this is how we lost him.
It's such a cliche, but it is true that John was both a reporter's reporter and a gentleman. If you saw his coverage, you will know what I'm saying is true. He knew his stuff better than anybody. He was never rude. He never seemed to tip his hand on a story. You trusted him. And, on a personal note, when I was at the Wall Street Journal and contemplating a move to television, more specifically ABC, John was one of the people who talked to me about what it was really like (he had also been a print reporter, for U.S. News & World Report). I didn't see him often, but he was always kind and supportive when I got there. You cannot say that about everybody.
While the shark nature of broadcast television is sometimes overstated, it is definitely there. And when you find somebody who takes the time to help you, or look out for you ... or show you the ropes, you definitely remember it.
Anyway, so sorry to lose you, John. Hope there's some great hills and fresh snow wherever you are.
Marie, do you want to add anything?
I think you put it perfectly. Thanks for the offer.
See you tomorrow.
Happy Valentine's Day to you all. I hope you get all the chocolates you want from the person (people?) you want ...
New York Giants players hold up the Vince Lombardi trophy after the Giants beat the New England Patriots 17-14 to win Super Bowl XLII
AP
GO GIANTS! GO GIANTS!
Sorry I'm from New York. Can't help it.
Go GIANTS! Go GIANTS!
I had to listen to my husband, all season, talk nonsense. He was calling my team the New Jersey Giants, and so on. He's from Pittsburgh, so I thought I had to put up with it. NO MORE, though.
I can't tell a lie, I like the JETS, but still ... Can I help it if we native New Yorkers are blessed with not one, but two, professional football and baseball teams? Do not hate, emulate...
Take that! See ya, and raise ya!
Now that we have THAT out of the way, on to more serious matters...
Our weekly visit with the writers from the Washington Post Magazine couldn't be more serious. Writer Michael Leahydescribes the pain of a group of former NFL players whose injuries have far exceeded the scope of their pensions and disability payments. These are players from the 70's and 80's, when salaries were far below what they are now. These players are now saying that they gave their all for the game, and now need the league and their union to do something for them. The NFL and the players union say they are already doing more than is required, and that this whole issue is a matter of balancing the interests of past and present players. They say they are doing the best they can.
Anyway, I think it's a very fair, compelling, balanced piece. I would be interested to know how you respond to it. We certainly could have spent more time on the issue. If you haven't already seen the piece, read it and let me know what you think.
I want you to know we are following events in Chad that happened over the weekend, where rebels have advanced on the capital. We will bring you more when we know more, or have found the right guests to add to what you have heard on our newscasts and flagship programs.
We also think it's important to stay on top of a) the sub prime mortgage crisis and b) important cultural events.
Our lead segment was a check-in on the fact that law enforcement is now investigating the sub prime crisis. Illinois's top law enforcement official helped us understand why, along with civil rights leader Wade Henderson.
I also had a conversation with the makers of a fascinating new film about an all but episode in history. ...
Do you think it's the sin of pride? Or just a virus?
Here's what happened: here I was feeling all spicy and independent -- I finished my show yesterday, fired off the blog, jumped in the car with production associate Wendy Johnson (she makes it happen every day ... Hey Wendy!) and Tyrone Martin (our spring intern ... no relation that I can tell, although I would claim him) and rode on up to Baltimore to Morgan State University, where Talk of the Nation was hosting a special program. The subject was Sen. Barack Obama's prospects among Black voters. I was invited to be a guest, having just come back from South Carolina and covering the presidential primary there. That went well, I thought.
So ... I jumped back in the car with Wendy and ran an errand for the show on the way back to the office (see more information below). I did some more work, later hung out with the kiddies and got myself all ready for today's show. (I watched the debate last night, looked at some scripts and fired off some e-mails.) I thought, I AM WOMAN! HEAR ME ROAR!
Until today. Then, it was hear me CROAK.
It's happened again. I've lost my voice. Right now, I cannot talk above a whisper. The funny thing is, I feel absolutely fine, except for some congestion in my chest and a slight cough. In fact, I didn't even know I had a problem until I came in this morning and the security guard and the parking garage attendant said hello. I realized, no sound's coming out! Holy Smokes!Aaron, the parking garage attendant, is normally not even HERE when I get in (that's how early I get here -- sad, isn't it?). But it also explains why I didn't know anything was wrong, because nobody's awake in my house when I leave normally. Anyway...
So, I'm looking at Aaron and he's looking at me. He says, "What are you going to do?"
In my commentary this morning, I talked about Black History month and why I dig it. I went on to list the other "heritage celebrations," acknowledging the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and women.
Well, I left off American Indian Heritage Month.
I AM HORRIFIED. It's both the oldest and most recent of the heritage months (celebrated each November).
Here's what happened, according to an account by the Bureau of Indian Affairs: back in 1915, Red Fox James, a Blackfoot Indian, rode horseback from state to state seeking approval for a day to honor Indians. In December of that year, he presented a petition signed by 24 state governments to the White House. But nothing happened until 1990 when President George H. W. Bush designated November 1990,"National American Indian Heritage Month."
I have no idea why hey settled on November; several states previously observed days to honor American Indians but they were in May and September.
OK, so that's what happened with the month. ... But what happened with me -- especially since we just COVERED American Indian Heritage Month, and just last week talked about how we're going to cover it again this year?
All I can say is, it's like going to the grocery store for bread and you and buy everything BUT bread. Or, maybe I should stop writing my commentaries at midnight. I don't know. All I can say is, no excuses. I apologize.
We'll make it right on the air Friday with BackTalk.
SO, not trying to be sexist, but what does a working dad come home to when he returns from a (short) business trip? Pretty much what he left, right?
What does a working mom come home to? Let's see...
- A Washington Wizard's cheerleader pinup poster, PERSONALLY inscribed to my son ... who is 4 years old;
- That same 4-year-old son with a gash across his nose;
- This conversation:
Um, what happened to his nose?
Oh, yeah. Well, we had a situation.
What situation?
Well, he kind of ran into his toy trash truck. Headfirst. He was upset, but he's okay now.
How did that happen?
Oh, you know, he was racing his truck in the hallway and he just kind of slipped, or dove into it. You know ... he's fine.
Well, I'm just kind of wondering why he was racing his truck in the hallway.
Oh, you know.
Also, enormous bag of kids clothing, bought on sale, including multiple polka dot hats and gloves. (I DID NOT share the thought to self: if I rolled in with a gi-normous bag, would not the reaction be, don't those kids have enough clothes? But I kept it to myself, instead offering supportive remarks: how thoughtful! How lovely! ... And where's mine?!)
But no bananas or apple juice, or...
OK, so the house is still standing. Everybody's fine. I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY holding it down while I was out. I'm just saying...
So, we had a great trip to South Carolina. We're still thinking about everything we saw and heard.
I'm still thinking about the whole issue of how race and gender plays into the conversation on the Democratic side. Is this a media pre-occupation, or one shared equally by voters?
And, just because all the GOP candidates are white men, does that mean there is no race-gender conversation to be had? If so, what is it (as the campaign moves south and west)?
There was an interesting story in the Wall Street Journal about the so-called class divide in black America. But isn't there a class divide among whites, too? ... And what about gender?
And, is the focus on the "divides" just following the story, or creating one?
Our crew made it back safely from South Carolina. I was especially glad to see them when I realized they'd brought me gifts -- lots of sights and sounds from the road. After toying with the elements for a bit, we were able to put together a multi-media presentation. I think it's a nice breather (sort of) from the heavy politcally-driven events of the week.
Watch and hear how South Carolinians in Columbia, the state's capitol, celebrated the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Enjoy!
Martin Luther King, Jr., celebration in Columbia, S.C.
Getty Images
We also produced a video from our visit to a local beauty shop in Columbia. Check it out, if you haven't already...
Today, people who have never covered a campaign might be surprised to know how much time we spend ... waiting.
With all the stuff going on, and the constant swirl of activities, you might think you'd spend all your time jumping from one place to the next. And you certainly could. But if resources are limited, and they always are, you have to figure out exactly WHERE you want to go, and what the payoff is -- who's going to be there, and how that plays into your story?
Today, we did a lot of waiting. We thought we had a lead on an interview with a BIG CHEESE from one of our campaigns of interest. We got excited, got our scripts ready and our equipment in order. And then, no dice. There was a scheduling problem; events were running late ... no time.
Oh my God. Is that NBC anchor Lester Holt at the IHOP? YES! Is that Rep. Corrine Brown over there in that hotel lobby? ... and Rep. Donna Christenson? Wait, hold up. That's political strategist Ed Rollins! That's Rep. Elijah Cummings ... and Maryland Lieutenant Gov. Anthony Brown. That's Ed Chen with Bloomberg News ... and Wendell Goler with FOX.
Who's that guy with the Mitt Romney sweater? Anybody know him?
Mike Huckabee's staying at this hotel, right? Think we can find him?
Is there a better people watching spot than a hotel lobby in the middle of a campaign? I think not. So, we're here, and we're jumping into the story by collecting business cards, trying to sweet talk people who are already too busy and getting too little sleep to make room for just one more interview.
Over the next couple of days, we are going to bring you as much local flavor as we can. We have some great things planned.
Today, a stop at ... where else? A South Carolina beauty shop! What do the women have to say as they get "tightened-up" for the week? We talk to an undecided Democrat, a decidedly decided Democrat (!), an independent and a Republican activist (who's a party leader, so she won't fess up about who she voted for, but has good insights into what other folks are saying).
'Morning. Leaving Dulles airport, just outside of Washington...
Forgiveness. For some reason, the word just popped into my head as our plane lifted off from Dulles and we left snow covered D.C. for Columbia, SC, where the snow flakes were replaced by puffs of fog over the tree tops.
Why am I thinking about forgiveness?
I thought to myself, and I remembered that the last time I tried to fly into Columbia I had just returned to work from maternity leave. It was the presidential election four years ago, and I had scraped together as much vacation, sick and maternity leave as I could. (It amounted to 14 weeks, but I was worried that if I stayed out any longer, I would become irrelevant. I would have no role in the coverage and would have to fight my way in ... same as I had to do, however, many years before when I was just starting out.) So, torn between two desires, I went back to work, but was still breastfeeding and reluctant to make the trip. I frankly wasn't sure I could both keep the rigorous shooting schedule and stay on track with the pumping. Also, an ice storm was scheduled for the area; a producer was already there, and she said that not only did she think she could handle the shoot without me, she wasn't sure I would even make it in. I took the question to my boss and he was clear. Go.
On his side, I think he thought he was doing the right thing for both the show and me -- getting me back in the mix and making sure the work load was evenly distributed. But my producer was right and the storm came in while we were in the air. The hour and a half trip turned into three hours (and it was a small plane with no place to use my pump). To add insult to injury, the plane turned around and went back to Washington.
So, exhausted, engorged, in pain and angry, I went home without ever having made it to South Carolina, and filled with questions about every decision I had made about my life. And then, I found I couldn't keep up the pumping at work; the environment too stressful and the hours too unpredictable. For years afterward, every time my daughter's eczema broke out, I would blame myself and that stupid trip for my not being able to keep her on breast milk.
Of course, some people will say this is why women with young kids shouldn't work, or whatever. But that's another conversation for another day. What occurred to me, though, was, how, without even thinking about it, really, life had intervened to offer another perspective. The person who sent me on that trip, who so infuriated me that day, has gone on to many trials that none of us could have ever foreseen.
I have taken on responsibilities that have challenged me in ways I never expected, have caused hurt feelings, and have said no to people who wanted me to say yes. And so, I find myself wanting forgiveness in ways that I never expected. So how could I do any less than let go of my anger? ... And that lead me to think about all the things we, as Americans, could stand to forgive each other for. As we descended into Columbia I wondered who could ask, who could accept, and who would be the one to take the first step...
We are heading to South Carolina ASAP, so wish us luck. We'll be on the ground in time for the GOP primary on Saturday, and a Democratic debate Monday night. We'll also hang out for a few hours on Tuesday, broadcasting Tell Me More live from Columbia. Then, we're back in D.C. in time to watch election returns from the Democratic primary next Saturday (January 26).
I am looking forward to our trip to South Carolina. But I'm not going to lie to you. I don't know what's harder -- going or not going? I've been dying to get back out on the campaign trail (remember, covering campaigns used to be my life), but I hate leaving the kids, and they are too little to take along; they don't need to be squished into a hotel room while I run around the state with a recording kit...
What's a working mom to do?
One of my friends, also a political reporter told me, "Girl, you don't want to miss this. It is historic. You better get back out there."
And she's right. But I also don't want to miss Aminah's ballet class ... and a bike ride with William ... and making pancakes for the family ... and arguing over who goes to Starbucks. (The person who makes the coffee run takes the kids along, while the other gets to sleep an hour later. Guess who wins most of the time? ... Moms RULE!)
Anyway, I'm grateful for the chance to see things up close. I hope you like what we have planned.
When we talk next, I'll be in South Carolina. Hopefully, I will have tucked into some shrimp and grits. Yes, I know there's more to southern and low country cuisine (and we'll get some of that, too). But shrimp and grits ... would you pass it up? Apologies to our Kosher and Muslim friends.
We are off to the races, one week before Christmas ... trying to maintain that balance between acknowledging the season and ignoring the news, or following the news -- of which there is a LOT -- and ignoring the emotional temperature. As always, we take responsibility for thinking things through, but are interested in your views about how we're balancing things.
Today, I won't lie to you, we scrambled. That's because we had a show we were quite happy with, but we found out over the weekend that both Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN) and actor/activist Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman had died.
Rep. Carson was (how else to put it?) a pistol. If you never heard her speak anywhere else, you may remember her at the Washington, D.C. memorial service for Rosa Parks. She brought down the house.
Carson had it honest -- her mother dropped out of school in the second grade and she, herself, raised children on her own and somehow managed to turn that experience into one of passion, purpose and conviction. Before being elected to Congress she had run a social service organization. In an interview with NPR when she was elected to Congress in 1996, this is what she said about what it meant to her to become a member of Congress.
My mother dropped out of school when she was in the second grade. She lost her own mother when she was only four years of age, and for someone like me to be able to walk life's journey into the halls of the United States Congress, as an elected member of that body, it's most overwhelming. And that's the point that we have to get around to more politicians in this country who are sitting on a throne believing that they are the hierarchy, and that anybody that didn't walk the same road that they have walked, live in the same neighborhood that they'd lived in, has no business in society, in terms of a contributing way, and that is a point that is very personal to me.
(I would love to have linked to the clip for you to hear, or played it on the air. Sadly, it was recorded on a format different than what we are using today and we couldn't find a copy in time, but you get the drift.)
Rep. Julia Carson. she died of lung cancer at the age of 69. You can listen to our remembrance of Carson here.
And we also wanted to acknowledge the death of Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman. You probably know him from Dances with Wolves -- he played Ren bears, a Sioux Leader who befriends Kevin Costner's character. He conveyed warmth and dignity and strength. Here's what one friend of mine had to say about him:
He was the closest thing to a 'holy man' since Frank Fools Crow, a traditionalist. He could straddle both worlds and still get the message across.
And then, a conversation with A. Scott Bolden. If you've ever lived in D.C., then you understand what I'm about to say: Washington, D.C. is an international capitol, the center of the national government, but it is also a small town, actually. In my view, D.C. is a couple of small towns that overlap. One of the small towns is made up of many of the people who run things here -- the lawyers, the judges, the business people, the trade association folks -- the the so-called local "movers and shakers." Scott Bolden is one of them. And when I tell you my jaw dropped when I read his piece in this Sunday's Washington Post Magazine, you can believe it. We go to the Post magazine just about every week to sample some great writing and interesting stories. It turns out that Bolden, a very prominent D.C. lawyer, former head of the D.C. Chamber of Commerce and city council candidate, fathered a child out of wedlock and did not acknowledge her for 18 years ... and, then, she came back into his life, and he into hers. Bolden writes about it in this week's magazine. We talked about it.
It's a very personal piece. Totally unexpected. This is one of those subjects ... I really want you to read the piece, listen to the interview ... and tell me what you think.
Tomorrow, we hope to have a conversation about New Jersey's decision to abolish the death penalty ... and reflections on Christmas -- Mocha Moms style.
FRIDAY! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Made it ... Whew!
I fear I say this every Friday, but only because it's true ... limping to the finish line. I'm not going to lie. This job is tiring -- in and out of the studio all day, preparing in-between. And no, it's not picking cotton (as my dad would say). But, yeah, that's work if you do it the way we do it.
And let's not get confused because being a mom is a job, too. And then we have Christmas things to do. And let's be real about this, too -- not to stereotype, but is there any man out there who sweats Christmas the way women do? Is there? So, yes, I am tired, dadgumit.
Not to get belligerent or anything.
Speaking of belligerent, it got HOT up in here with today's Barbershop! The fellas reacted to the rise in births to unmarried women. A new record was set in 2006. (Just to refresh your memory, here's the original story and report (pdf), which we reported on Monday.)
What I liked was the array of opinions -- strong, but respectful, not hateful. I think you got the sense of concern from each of these men about what all this means to kids and families, but some strong disagreements, which, frankly, I bet many of you have had -- either among friends or families, or just in your own head -- which is: Is the increase in single parenting by choice a good thing for society, a bad thing, or just a new thing? ... A new family style with all the variation of the traditional family?
I mean who are we kidding? Don't we all know so-called "traditional" families who are not doing well, and single parent households who are holding it down just fine?
... But isn't it also true that single parent households, especially black and, to a lesser extent, Latino, are among the poorest?
Tune in (or log-on) to tomorrow's broadcast. A piece of Hollywood -- Queen Latifah, Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union and Faizon Love -- pays a visit to Tell Me More for a lively conversation about the new movie The Perfect Holiday. Here's a sneak peek at the chat...
And, begging to differ. We'll look at a new survey that suggests America's ethnic groups are more divided than united. It's sure to spark a truckload of opinions. The pollster behind the survey will join us tomorrow...
I know it's Pearl Harbor Day, too, so that might be tough for some folks. I was listening to Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac this morning while getting my show together. Keillor talked about the fact that some Navy personnel at Pearl Harbor were just training on a new radar system when it picked up the waves of Japanese planes heading toward the island. Personnel members asked what it was they were seeing and what should they do about it. Their supervisors told them to ignore it, saying that it was Americans returning from a training exercise. And the rest, as they say...
I am, against all reason, addicted to Writers Almanac, which is not just about poetry, by the way, but about history and culture. It's very eclectic and very, dare I say it, democratic. You'll hear about everything from Willa Cather to Terry McMillan, to Lord Byron. I didn't want to like it, I'll confess, because I react against things I feel I'm being told to like. When I first heard ABOUT it (without having heard it), I felt like, OK, great, more elite culture you're supposed to like ... shove it down our throats, but then, of course, I actually listened to it. And the rest, as they say...
Both our guests for the political chat slogged through the snow to get to the studio -- we love you for that.
For Faith Matters, another conversation in our weeklong series on doing good -- this time, a more abstract conversation about what good means and how to achieve it.
And, because it is our job to keep you up-to-date on everything HIP, we have hip HANUKKAH music for you. Tell me if it doesn't rock the house.
In the Barbershop, the guys talk more about the news of the week. They had a lot on their minds.
So, if you're doing your Christmas shopping this weekend, good luck out there. If you're celebrating Hanukkah, Happy Hanukkah. Invite us to your party next year.
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody. It's belated, yes. Sorry I haven't been in touch. I was elbow-deep in pie dough and mac and cheese. But we had a great holiday and I hope you did, too. And now, back to work...
I say that name and what happens? Does your blood pressure go up? Or do you say, right on, Lou?
I think it's clear that almost no one has NO opinion about CNN's erstwhile business guru-turned populist firebrand. So, why is he on this show? Because we think he's a major force in journalism and policy, especially on issues we care about, like immigration and education. We do need to have him on again to talk more about education -- a subject that we didn't get to spend much time discussing. Listen and tell us what you think.
You still may think it's not worth the airtime to have someone on the program that has his own show. But, I think it is important because you hear people in a different context when they're not behind their own mic. Let me know...
And, there's another conversation I want to point out to you. It's about celibacy, or sexual "purity," if you will. We met Dr. Lindsay Marsh at a youth-oriented town hall meeting on HIV/AIDS in connection with the Congressional Black Caucus annual legislative weekend. Marsh came forward to tell everybody that they can be celibate and still be "fly." I can verify that she is, in fact, fly. But whether we need a person to carry the flag about celibacy as a lifestyle choice ... well, you tell me. I found her ideas fascinating, and the time too short.
If you agree with Dr. Marsh and would like to have her back on the program (or have questions for her), please let me know.
As you're reading this, we're either stuffing ourselves, or recuperating from a vigorous workout session in a shameful attempt to burn the excess calories consumed over the holiday. With all the recipes from Wednesday's program, we almost trampled over one another dashing out of NPR's doors to go home and, shall we say, throwdown on hearty cuisine.
Aside from the good food (more importantly), each of us found ourselves reflecting on what we're personally grateful for this Thanksgiving. And, I should point out, this is a very heartfelt Thanksgiving for us. A year ago this weekend, this program was just a glimmer in NPR's eye -- no name for it, no formal staff, no production ... no show -- just a truckload of ideas. Well, obviously, in the year since (and hundreds of thousands of podcast downloads later), we've launched a national radio broadcast, a well-oiled machine. And, through our open-piloting process (pretty much anything you heard pre-May 2007), you were significantly instrumental in crafting the production you now hear each day ... and we're still perfecting it.
So, we are extremely grateful to YOU.
Also, thanks to those bloggers/listeners who participated in our Thanksgiving program by sharing their attitudes of gratitude. You can listen to that program, and your contributions, here.
AND, tell us, how was your Thanksgiving?
Any interesting stories out there? Did you burn the turkey, lose your temper, become engaged (or propose)?
Did you try any of the Thanksgiving recipes heard on TMM?
Come on, indulge us.
A reflection is seen in a store window during a Veterans Day parade in Miami Beach, Fla.
Getty Images
Yesterday was Veterans Day, but today is when the federal government observes it. Much of the government is closed, as are banks and many schools. Occasions like this offer a dilemma -- a time of great solemnity for some, a time for relaxation for others...
Is it about looking forward, looking back? Is it about reflecting the best face of the experience or using the spotlight to focus on areas of hurt and neglect? We ask these questions because we wondered whether some might consider our focus on homeless veterans disrespectful, rather than helpful or appropriate...
There was a study (pdf) that documented the prevalence of veterans among the homeless population; we decided that would be our focus today. We decided to ask Sen. John Kerry, a veteran, for his take, as well as our frequent contributor Ed Dorn, former undersecretary of the Army (who focused on personnel issues), as well as to get the stories of veterans who are or have been homeless. Our feeling was that it's hard for people to focus on homelessness right now; it is NOT a front page issue as it has been in the past. It doesn't seem to pop-up on the evening news as it used to, but in a country of plenty, and one with an all-volunteer military force, we just felt this was news that deserved focused attention.
If you agree, we'd love to hear your thoughts. If you don't agree, tell us what we could have done better, or differently, from your perspective.
And, speaking of perspectives, as followers of the program, you know each week we usually pick-up a piece from the Washington Post Magazine. This week's heart-wrenching portrayal of a family's struggle with the loss of their daughter at Virginia Tech is a must read for anyone who has lost someone and anyone who wants to know what it is like to live inside grief. (You can read the piece in its entirety here). The subject of the piece, Holly Adams Sherman, was kind enough to talk to us. She lost her daughter, Leslie Sherman, at Virginia Tech last April.
We offer our condolences to all who mourn, no matter the cause of loss.
And, finally, a very different story, but a story of grief and loss, nonetheless. It's a different order of magnitude, but something life-changing. If you've ever wondered whether Michael Jackson was telling the truth about why he's so pale, wonder no more. Lee Thomas, an anchor and entertainment reporter in Detroit, has the same disease -- vitiligo. He talks about it in a new memoir.
I doubt any of our listeners would be bold enough, or unkind enough, to blurt out some of the comments Lee talks about in his book and during our interview. But I do think it could change how you think about physical difference.
Again to our veterans, and to their families, thank you.
FOLKS, we have breaking news. As in water-breaking news.
OUR LATEST TMM BABY is here. William Robert Montgomery arrived yesterday, born to our Planning Editor Alicia Montgomery. He weighed-in at 8 lbs. and 13 oz.
Isn't he cute? Mother and baby are doing fine. We'll send your best wishes along.
I think we should take advantage of Alicia's weakened state and give him a nickname, don't you? "Billy Bob," for short...
Not to brag, but to brag ... a tiny bit. Did you check out the profile of the show in the Sunday Washington Post? I was embarrassed to bring it up yesterday. I don't know why ... I hate getting my picture taken, I hate being interviewed. Hypocritical, I know, but true.
That isn't to say I WON'T do an interview -- I generally do if asked by a credible outlet, and if I have time -- otherwise, that's like being a chef who won't eat other people's food. You can't expect people to come to your restaurant if you won't trust them enough to go to theirs. Still, being interviewed is not my favorite thing. But I can't complain, especially because the writer of the piece clearly knows the radio business, has covered it, and asked good questions. And, I knew the photographer from when I was a White House correspondent! She was there, too. I think she worked for a newsmagazine then ... so that was cool. My picture was taken by a gal who takes pictures of the President!
Uh, SO WHAT, you say? I know, I know. We all breathe the same air. Still, kinda cool, right?
OK, one last dumb story: I got home the day Susan came to take the pictures for the Post and my husband said, "so how was your day?" And I was hemming and hawing, "oh, well, it was kind of interesting ... I, uh..." And then, before I could answer he busts out with, "I had my picture taken today for Washingtonian Magazine. I'm in their list of top lawyers (again). It was really cool."
So, he took all my shine! What could I say then? ... Me, too? My picture will be out before your picture? That is so messed up -- on the same day. Sigh.
Oh, and speaking of things I should have mentioned yesterday, but didn't: did you check out George and Lee's colloquy on colorism? I can't describe it -- that would it ruin it. You just have to hear it for yourself. So if you missed it, pause for a minute and check it out.
Now, onto TODAY, we had a very interesting conversation with Martin Luther King III about the meaning of activism and collective action in this day and age.
...And I have to tell you how moved I was by our Mocha Moms visit with Sandra Lee. She's the brains behind the Food Network's show Semi-Homemade. As much as I've watched that show, I never realized how hard the road had been that led to her success. Suffice to say, her life ain't been no crystal stair. The memoir is worth reading, and the recipes ... those'll work, too. I'm a slow cooker fan myself.
But Sandra Lee has to give up the tater tots. There is no room at the inn for tater tots. I'm sorry. That's just the fact...
As you know from Lee's post yesterday, we were scrambling to try to figure out how to cover the California wildfires fires in a way that made sense for our program. In other words, we don't want you to turn us on and hear what you just heard on Morning Edition. So, what to do? We started thinking about how we find out what's going on -- what our our team is listening to on TV and on the radio -- and then we started asking ourselves, what if we didn't rely on those programs to inform us? What if we didn't speak English? Or, what if our circumstances made it such that we did not want our presence known to authorities? What would we do, then?
That's what brought us to Eddie Sotelo, a.k.a. El Piolin, one of the country's top Spanish-language radio hosts. Sotelo is on Univision and based in Los Angeles. We wanted to get his take on how folks outside what we call the "communication mainstream" are coping with the wildfires. Sotelo had just driven a truck of supplies from L.A. down to San Diego ... and talked to us just as he was about to go on the air.
...It's also why we talked to Amy Isackson, a reporter at NPR member station KPBS in San Diego. She had both fascinating and horrifying stories about the risks undocumented workers were taking as a result of the disaster -- refusing to evacuate, or even trying to cross the border.
Then ... last night, our producer, Douglas Hopper, got the call he'd been waiting for. He'd been trying to reach tribal leaders on American Indian reservations in the area to ask how their folks were faring. Why? Well, many of the tribal lands are rural and filled with brush ... very dry from a lack of rain. Also, some reservations are remote, have their own fire departments, and generally don't rely on county infrastructures. Late last night, we finally got a hold of tribal council chairman Vernon Wright, from the Rincon Luiseno Indian Nation. Wright gave us an update on what was happening in his community.
Frankly, all of those folks sounded like they could use some rest.
I hope you liked my conversation with Anu Kumar. Every week, we try to dip into the The Washington Post Magazine and this week, I have to tell you, there was a gender-split. Most of the women on the staff were fascinated by Anu's story about why she continues to observe a tradition attached to the Hindu festival of Karwa Chauth -- the tradition holds that married women must fast for 24 hours, from moonrise to moonrise, so their husbands will live a long life. The women in my office found ourselves asking whether we'd be willing to do that (even though I think only one of us is Hindu ... I'll let you guess who said yes).
After listening to today's conversation with Kumar, you should read the Post's piece here. I believe their web story includes cover art from the actual printed version of the magazine, which has a lovely photo (but, sadly, not of Anu).
And, the icing on the cake: U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez. It was the Republican from Florida's first interview with NPR in a while. Martinez, a Cuban-American, talked to us about President Bush's recent Cuba speech -- HIS (the President's, that is) first discussion of Cuba in some time.
So, it's Wednesday evening and TMM, for the most part, still has a full house (a big deal, considering that we turn on the lights here at about 6:00 each morning). We just wrapped-up a "special" editorial meeting (which makes two for today -- our standard meeting is each morning) to brainstorm on exactly how we should present you with two pressing news stories for tomorrow's program.
Of course, there are the fires happening in California. It seems everywhere you turn, there's "extensive" coverage, and rightfully so. NPR News is there and covering the story as it unfolds, along with just about every other news outlet. And, as always, we're thinking hard about what this program's angle will be and how we might offer a contribution that is of value ... and experiences that, maybe, you haven't already heard.
We think we've found them. So, you'll want to listen closely tomorrow...
The second story we're working on for tomorrow -- the other reason we're still here -- revisits today's comments by President Bush imagining a post-Castro Cuba. It touched a nerve (not a good one) with some Cuban officials. Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque has already reacted publicly, saying Bush's remarks encourage "hatred toward Cuba."
And, I'm just wondering, is it at all just a little awkward for the president of one country to make forward-glance-type remarks about the president of another country when he or she isn't dead ... yet?
We'll talk to Sen. Mel Martinez from Florida. The Republican lawmaker is a first-generation Cuban. He'll share his reaction to the President's comments ... and on how he's generating his own headlines in the news.
Also tomorrow, here on the blog, we'll bring you a glimpse into a special event recently attended by Michel, and a few of our other colleagues here, on Capitol Hill. It was a special session with the Congressional Black Caucus discussing influential African American voices in the media, namely in public radio. We're still waiting on the photos. Trust me, when we get them, you'll see them.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the fires in California, and those who might still be in harm's way.
"Nothing is assumed." That's the unofficial motto of Tell Me More, the new Monday-Friday talk show with host Michel Martin. Grounded in lively interviewing and compelling storytelling, the program seeks to present diverse new voices, cross borders, challenge conventional wisdom and discover how other people think.
