Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Obama, Ferguson, and Race; A Female Punk Legend; and Future of Food Carts
Is President Obama doing enough to address the issue of racism as he rolls out his response to the crisis in Ferguson, Missouri? Also, a look at how L.A. might change its law banning street vendors, and the potential impacts.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenIs President Obama sidestepping the issue of racism in how he’s addressing the situation in Ferguson, Missouri? We hear from a critic who says he is. Then, a closer look at one of the measures the president is proposing to improve local law enforcement in the wake of Ferguson: police body cameras. Do they work? Next, Los Angeles is the only major city in the U.S. that doesn’t allow street vendors, but that could be about to change. And we hear from punk legend Viv Albertine of the band The Slits on her new autobiography. Finally, a look at homophobia in women’s college basketball.
Banner Image: Protestors stage a "die-in" as they rally against the Ferguson, Mo. Grand Jury exoneration of police officer Darren Wilson for his August 2014 shooting and killing of Michael Brown while, at the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, December 1, 2014. U.S. President Barack Obama asked Congress on Monday for $263 million for the federal response to the civil rights upheaval in Ferguson, Missouri, and is setting up a task force to study how to improve modern-day policing. REUTERS/Larry Downing
In this episode
5 storiesObama, Ferguson, and Race
President Obama announced new efforts yesterday to improve community policing, including a task force that will come up with recommendations for building better relationships between local law enforcement and minorities.
Read the story10 minDo Police Body Cams Work?
One thing President Obama is calling for is 50,000 police officers to be outfitted with body cameras that record their every move. Have these cameras been tested, how well do they work, and could they help prevent another Ferguson?
Read the story8 minThe Future of Food Carts
Almost every major city in America allows vendors to peddle food, trinkets, or T shirts on the street. Out of the 10 largest cities in the U.S., Los Angeles is the only one that outlaws it.
Read the story7 minPunk Rock Girl
The all-female (or mostly female) British punk band The Slits formed in London in the late 1970s. But the band’s guitarist, Viv Albertine, had already been living at the center of the punk scene: hanging out with Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious before anyone had heard of the Sex Pistols. Her boyfriend was Mick Jones of the Clash.
Read the story15 minHomophobia in Women’s College Basketball
The WNBA has a reputation for being gay-friendly and attracting lesbian fans and athletes alike. But the picture couldn’t be more different in many college women's basketball programs, where some say homophobia runs rampant.
Read the story7 min
