New Political Landscapes in 2011

 

Recent Episodes

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Basic Black: A Look at Secure Communities; Race in the Classroom

Basic Black: A Look at Secure Communities; Race in the Classroom

Basic Black

(Originally broadcast May 18, 2012)

The Secure Communities program is now officially in place in Massachusetts, despite objections from many state officials, including Governor Deval Patrick. Under Secure Communities, fingerprints from local jails are matched against a federal immigration database; Immigration and Customs Enforcement then the local jail detain people they think are here illegally. Supporters of the program see it as a tool in the fight against crime while opponents charge that the program encourages ethnic profiling.

Later in the show, we turn the discussion to race in education. In Boston, three City Councillors are pushing for more teachers of color and the integration of black and Latino studies into the curriculum. Basic Black poses the question: does the race of a teacher matter in learning the fundamentals? On a national level, last week there was a huge controversy about an article written in the Chronicle of Higher Education which advocated for elimination of Black Studies as a course of study in colleges and universities; the author described black studies as "left-wing victimization clap-trap." 6,500 petition signatures later, the author was fired. But what were the real lessons of this episode?

Basic Black LIVE: President Obama, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Black Vote

Basic Black LIVE: President Obama, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Black Vote

Basic Black


(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?




Basic Black LIVE: President Obama, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Black Vote

Basic Black LIVE: President Obama, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Black Vote

Basic Black


(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?




Basic Black LIVE: President Obama, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Black Vote

Basic Black LIVE: President Obama, Same-Sex Marriage, and the Black Vote

Basic Black


(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?




Basic Black Live: "hipster racism" and "Think Like A Man"

Basic Black Live: "hipster racism" and "Think Like A Man"

Basic Black


(Originally broadcast May 4, 2012)

The recent hit movie Think Like A Man has gotten a lot of attention for its smart humor and beautiful actors, but there’s more to it than that. Sharp questions lie just below the surface: Is this a new look at black love in the 21st century? Why was the n-word used so freely throughout the film? Does the movie represent a more sophisticated style of “urban” filmmaking…? We’ll look at those questions and more. Also, conversations about “hipster racism” are drawing heated commentary across the internet – but what is “hipster racism?”

Our guest panelist this week is Latoya Peterson, owner and editor of Racialicious.com.

Basic Black Live: "hipster racism" and "Think Like A Man"

Basic Black Live: "hipster racism" and "Think Like A Man"

Basic Black


(Originally broadcast May 4, 2012)

The recent hit movie Think Like A Man has gotten a lot of attention for its smart humor and beautiful actors, but there’s more to it than that. Sharp questions lie just below the surface: Is this a new look at black love in the 21st century? Why was the n-word used so freely throughout the film? Does the movie represent a more sophisticated style of “urban” filmmaking…? We’ll look at those questions and more. Also, conversations about “hipster racism” are drawing heated commentary across the internet – but what is “hipster racism?”

Our guest panelist this week is Latoya Peterson, owner and editor of Racialicious.com.

Schedule

Thursday
5/24/12 12:30 PM
WGBH World
Friday
6/1/12 7:30 PM
WGBH 2/HD
Saturday
6/2/12 8:00 AM
WGBH World
Saturday
6/2/12 5:00 PM
WGBH World
TBA TBA TBA TBA

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Sonsat commented on Basic Black on 01.15.11
I want to comment on some breaking news. The newly sworn in governor of Maine says the NAACP is a special interest organization and that he is not a racist because he adopted a 24 year old from Jaimaca.The president of Maine NAACP says they are not questioning his racism or not, but the guy is a classic racist. He is ignorant, a bigot and a racist because he does not either understand the principle of majority rule accompanied by respect for the rights and interests of minorities or he wilfully and deliberately chose to violate this holy grille, principle of democracy. Like a pediphile who befriends the family of the child he is abusing to cover up his tracks, the new governor is unashamely doing the samething. Both Thomas Jefferson and Strom Thurmond had biological black children and they were still avertently racist. I am an MBA, CPA and a Political Scientist just moved to the Northeast/New England.

A look at the work ahead for President Obama and the new Congressional Republican leadership. We'll aslo discuss early developments in the race for the Boston City Council seat being vacated by Chuck Turner.

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