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historian and writer
Historian and writer in the African Griot tradition, he blogs at Black History 360 and Southern Perlo
PROFILE
Walter Rhett
Guest
FROM Walter Rhett
To the Point
Charleston Grapples with Mass Killing at Historic Church Just 14 hours after nine people were killed during prayer service a historic black church in South Carolina, 21-year old Dylann Storm Roof was arrested at a traffic stop 200 miles away in the town of Shelby, North Carolina. He's reported as saying he wanted to kill black people. Charleston Police Chief Gregory Mullen voiced appreciation for "all the people who came together during a very tragic situation, a horrific situation. And one that has touched the heart and soul of every person who lives in this community." The federal government has opened a hate-crime investigation. We hear how the victims are being remembered and get President Obama's reaction .
Which Way, L.A.?
The Politics of Race in the Era of Barack Obama Barack Obama is the first black man elected President of the United States. Nobody can deny that constitutes progress toward Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream of a "colorblind" society. But others call Barack Obama a Muslim who was born outside the country. What role does race play in American politics? In the re-election campaign?
To the Point
Dr. King's Dream and American Politics Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a colorblind society. Forty-three years after he was gunned down, the first black president is running for re-election. Barack Obama has been criticized by African-Americans, including Cornell West and Tavis Smiley, for failing to focus more on the problems of black people. Republican challengers have called him a " food stamp president " who doesn't "understand America" and wants to "transform" it into a "socialist" country. Is that political code implying that a black man is different from other Americans? Is race still very much a part of American politics?
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To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.