Originally broadcast on October 26, 2012:

The deadline is fast approaching on a federal mandate for the Boston City Council to pass a plan that reorganizes the city’s voting districts. But there seems to be no clear consensus among council members, nor among many in Boston’s communities of color, on how to do it. The mayor has already vetoed two maps. A coalition representing African American, Asian, and Latino voters has vowed to sue if they are unsatisfied with the council's solution. Emotions are running high, and only ten days remain.

Our panelists:
- Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Kevin C. Peterson, executive director, New Democracy Coalition
- Alejandra St. Guillen, executive director, Oiste
- Sean Daughtry, political action chair, Boston branch, NAACP

Relevant links:
As deadline looms, state of play in redistricting
Gintautas Dumcius, Dorchester Reporter, October 26, 2012

Group pitches alternative voting maps to city council
Jeremy Fox, Boston Globe, September 29, 2012

More city council redistricting maps with Consalvo and Yancey verbal sparring
David Ertischek, Roslindale Patch, October 4, 2012

Redistricting map passes despite objections form Communities of Color Coalition and councilors of color
Mark Liu, Chinese Progressive Association, MySouthEnd.com, August 29, 2012

Boston City Council Census and Redistricting Committee


(Image source: FreeFoto.com)

Originally broadcast on July 6, 2012

July 6 marks four months to the day that the country will elect the president of the United States. We close this season of Basic Black with an exploration of questions going into the 2012 presidential election including:
Has African American support diminished for President Obama? How strongly has opposition to an Obama second term grown in light of the Supreme Court decision upholding the Affordable Care Act? What will be the impact of recent decisions (President Obama and Supreme Court) concerning immigration? Is Michelle Obama a secret weapon in the president’s re-election campaign arsenal? Will there be any surprises from the upcoming conventions?

Our panel:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, WGBH Radio
- Kim McLarin, cultural commentator and assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history and founder of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, Tufts University

(June 8, 2012)

The recently published Trotter Review examines political gains made by African American politicians at the beginning of the 21st century. Also, specific essays on why Boston has not elected a black mayor while the city of Denver has done so twice, and how Deval Patrick has served the interests of black communities while not alienating the larger population.

Our panelists:
- Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of writing, literature and publishing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Ravi Perry, political science professor
- Kenneth Cooper, editor, The Trotter Review

(Originally broadcast May 11, 2012)

President Obama surprised the world yesterday when his stance on same-sex marriage finished "evolving" and he came out in support of it. Will his position hurt or help his chances at re-election? How will it affect his relationship with black clergy? Will it alter his support in the black community?

Our panelists:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
- Kim McLarin, author and assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Lionel McPherson, associate professor of philosophy, Tufts University

(Originally broadcast May 4, 2012)


Conversations about “hipster racism” are drawing heated commentary across the internet, including questions about who gets to use the n-word and why is there a dearth of black storylines in contemporary television programs – but what is “hipster racism?”


In conversation:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor of The Callie Crossley Show, WGBH Radio
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history and co-founder, Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, Tufts University
- Latoya Peterson, owner and editor of Racialicious.com

Originally broadcast on April 27, 2012

Tonight, with "Riding The T," we continue WGBH News' weeklong focus on the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. Our discussion explores the significance of the MBTA in communities of color. Later in the show, our conversation digs deep into the deluge of racist tweets from Bruins fans towards Joel Ward, the black player from the Washington Capitals who scored the winning goal, thus ending the Bruins march towards the Stanley Cup.

In conversation:
- Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Marvin Venay, co-founder of Think Politics and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus

(Originally broadcast April 20, 2012)
The Basic Black panelists sit down with playwright Kirsten Greenidge to discuss her new play The Luck of the Irish, currently playing at the Huntington Theatre through May 6. When an upwardly mobile African-American family wants to buy a house in an all-white neighborhood of 1950s Boston, they pay a struggling Irish family to act as their front. Fifty years later, the Irish family asks for "their" house back. Moving across the two eras, The Luck of the Irish explores the complex impact of racial integration in Boston and the universal longing for home.

In conversation:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
- Kim McLarin, assistant professor of creative writing, Emerson College
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH Radio
- Kirsten Greenidge, playwright, The Luck of the Irish

(Originally broadcast on April 13, 2012)

In a country where an African American boy can grow up to be president, the tragedy of Trayvon Martin's death is one in a continuum in the stories of young black men whose lives end at the intersection of race and violence. The facts of the case in the fatal shooting death of Trayvon Martin continue to be debated, but in addition to the headlines and specific events of that night, our Basic Black conversation focuses on the myriad of themes and persistent questions about what it means to grow up black and male in America.

Panel:
- Latoyia Edwards, lead anchor, New England Cable News
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, WGBH Radio
- Kim McLarin, author and assistant professor of writing, Emerson College
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history and founding director of the Center for the Study of Race & Democracy, Tufts University
- Laurence Ralph, assistant professor of African American History & Anthropology, Harvard University

This week on Basic Black: In the wake of the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin, a look at Massachusetts' "stand your ground" proposal and recent efforts to pass or block the legislation. Also, the pending Supreme Court decision on the Obama administration's health care reform legislation: however they decide, what are the political ramifications for President Obama's re-election campaign and the impact on communities of color.

Our panel:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
- Kim McLarin, author and assistant professor of writing, literature, and publishing, Emerson College
- Peniel Joseph, professor of history, Tufts University
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, WGBH Radio



(Image source via Creative Commons: xtopalopaquetl)

Originally broadcast March 23, 2012

Basic Black takes a look at national and local headlines including the outrage ignited by the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida, the debate over Massachusetts; "three strikes" legislation, and Charles Street AME Church vs. One United Bank.

Our panel this week:
- Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
- Phillip Martin, senior reporter, 89.7 WGBH radio
- Charles Yancey, Boston City Councillor
- State Rep. Russell Holmes, (D-MA)
- Alejandra St. Guillen, executive director, Oiste

In acknowledgment of Women’s History Month Basic Black presents a Women’s Roundtable. This special presentation will be a conversation on the issues and concerns of women of color coming out of the political landscape in this presidential election year. In addition to the wealth income gap and health care reform, we’ll dig deep on issues such as reproductive rights, women of color in political life, and setting the "women's agenda.'"

Our panel this week:

Callie Crossley, host and executive editor, The Callie Crossley Show
Anita Hill, Professor of Social Policy, Law and Women's Studies, Brandeis University
Lani Guinier, Bennett Boskey Professor of Law, Harvard Law School
Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (MA-2nd Suffolk)
Kim McLarin, Assistant Professor of Writing, Literature and Publishing, Emerson College

Monday March 19th, Professor Anita Hill co-hosts "Disrupting The Script: Raising To Legal Consciousness Sexual Assaults On Black Women." Click on the image to learn more.

Major flooding events are increasingly common across the U.S., but homeowners looking for flood insurance will find few choices. The main providers of flood insurance is the U.S. government through the National Flood Insurance Program, or NFIP. But even though the NFIP is one of the only flood insurance games in town, it's drowning in debt. On today's episode, the NFIP's struggle to stay afloat.

Related listening:
Hazard maps: The curse of knowledge (Apple / Spotify)
When insurers can't get insurance
Flood money

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

Voters really don't like inflation. In fact, whenever there's a sustained jump in the cost of living, the party in power often pays a price.

In a first-best world, we'd all save enough money and there'd be no scammers. In a second-best world, we'd all know how to protect ourselves.

That's what Sheila Bair thought, too. As former chair of the FDIC, she noticed many kids and adults weren't quite getting the education they needed. So, she decided to do something about it.

Today on the show: What Sheila Bair has learned about American capitalism as one of its top regulators and how she's trying — one book at a time — to help new generations from falling into its traps.

We learned about Sheila Bair's kids books from listener Erin Vetter. If you've come across anything that makes finance fun, email us! We're at indicator@npr.org.

Related Episodes:
Mailbag: Children Edition
Beach reads with a side of economics

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

For a long time Tesla used its own kind of charger plug and had its own supercharger network. That once-exclusive network is opening up to other EV manufacturers.

Israel's airlines are generating a windfall as international carriers cancel or limit flights due to security concerns. Flying in or out of Israel has become a logistical challenge since the war in Gaza erupted.

The crypto industry was the largest corporate donor to this year's elections. Now it has a crypto-friendly president headed to the White House, while critics worry about the fallout for consumers.

Mattel is pulling its Wicked dolls from some store shelves because of a misprint directing shoppers to a pornographic site. Meanwhile, resellers are listing the products on eBay for up to $500.

Trump has made some unconventional and surprising choices when it comes to his foreign policy and defense team, like his plan to nominate Fox News host Pete Hegseth to be secretary of defense.

NPR's Michel Martin talks with Edward Whelan of the Ethics and Public Policy Center about President-elect Trump's influence on Senate Republicans' selection of a new majority leader.

A federal judge has ruled that a Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms is unconstitutional.

Trump makes unconventional picks for top administration positions, a jury awards $42 million to three Iraqi men imprisoned in Abu Ghraib and world leaders are meeting to fight climate change at COP29.

Global pandemic treaty negotiators are hashing out cooperation plans this week and considering rushing the process out of fear that the Trump administration would pull the U.S. out of negotiations.

Companies in China are fueling a "silver economy" by adapting to serve hundreds of millions of people over the age of 60.

Utility companies have been sued to bankruptcy over downed power lines that caused deadly wildfires in Hawaii and California. A Colorado utility's power shutoff to prevent fire also caused problems.

NPR's A Martinez talks with Cary Baker, author of "Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music."

China's government is censoring puns and wordplay on-line. NPR's Scott Simon explains why double meanings are a problem for Beijing.

NPR's Scott Simon is dazzled by the turn of the seasons, especially the color of the leaves.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, no stranger to controversy, has ignited another with a hat. NPR's Scott Simon explains.

NPR's Scott Simon remarks on the legacy of Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy. She died Oct. 10 at the age of 96.

NPR's Scott Simon wishes we could text them back when politicians message us asking for campaign donations.

Jean Brodie, Minerva McGonagall, Violet Crawley: Maggie Smith embodied these memorable roles on stage and screen. NPR's Scott Simon has a remembrance of the actor, who died yesterday at the age of 89.

Bangladesh defies the stereotypes. It was born in poverty but has risen up the income ladder and is a model of health progress. Will the current political upheaval take a toll on its impressive achievements?

NPR's Scott Simon is a singular presence on air but his name is fairly common. Scott reflects on the bond he's formed with others named ... Scott Simon.

NPR's Scott Simon remembers actor James Earl Jones, whose deep, resonant voice animated some of cinema's most iconic characters.

The host shares some final thoughts before the close of the show.

Host Michel Martin speaks with Rabbi Shmuel Herzfeld for a final Faith Matters conversation.

Did ESPN's Stephen Smith need to apologize for saying women need to be aware of provocation? The Barbershop guys weigh in.

Six years after playing at Tell Me More's first anniversary, the the jazz group performs as the show closes.

For the final program, host Michel Martin speaks with Neil Minkoff and Maria Cardona about the biggest political stories of the week.

Tell Me More has been dedicated to covering stories from Africa. Host Michel Martin speaks to NPR's Africa correspondent Ofeibea Quist-Arcton about reporting on the changing continent.

Host Michel Martin speaks with rapper Samuel Bazawule, better known as Blitz the Ambassador, about his new album, "Afropolitan Dreams."

Around the world, it can still be very hard to live as an openly gay man. Host Michel Martin learns more from two LGBT activists: Jamaican Maurice Tomlinson and Nigerian Bisi Alimi.

Tell Me More has regularly turned to Alfredo Corchado for insight on Mexico. He gives host Michel Martin one last look into his reporter's notebook.

Uzo Aduba has won over critics and fans for her portrayal as "Crazy Eyes" on Netflix's Orange Is the New Black. Aduba speaks to NPR's Michel Martin about her success and how she got there.

Our 30th anniversary is approaching and we are looking for a week long getaway to the beach in May 2025. We would fly out of PHL or EWR. We are beach people who like nature, snorkeling, moderate hiking and water sports. Over the years we have...

whats the best option in Sao Paulo? Looking at spring break next year with a 10 year old child Appears to be a Rosewoood now in Sao paulo, also the Fasano and Emiliano are in the consideration set anything else I should be looking at? of the...

I have an upcoming booking at La Residence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang -- which was a Belmond when I booked. I have just received this message from them: ---Quote--- As a most-valued guest, I want to update you on the latest information from La...

I was born a light sleeper, so unfortunately, everything wakes me up. I lived in Manhattan for years so I know quiet is tough to find, even on high floors. I was hoping for relative quiet: maybe rooms facing the a brick wall in the back or at least...

We are planning an LA trip for February. We'd fly into LAX and rent a car. We're trying to minimize long drives. 1) We're planning to visit the Getty museums and some other things in the general area, so we're looking for a hotel in the general...