University of Connecticut
Associate Professor of History at the University of Connecticut and Director of its Institute of African American Studies; author of The Devil & Dave Chapelle and Other Essays and The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama & the Paradox of Progress; former Professor of History at Spelman College
Race, Justice and Public Perception The killing that started out as the "Trayvon Martin Case" is now reported as "the George Zimmerman trial." Zimmerman is the only living witness to the shooting death of Martin in Sanford, Florida early last year. He's admitted he pulled the trigger, but claims self defense. Despite months of punditry, issues of race and Florida's "stand your ground" law have hardly been mentioned in proceedings carried live on cable TV. With closing arguments ending today, we hear some dramatic excerpts and review the twists and turns of a case that has defied expectations. Beyond the courtroom and the fate of the defendant, what are the likely consequences if the verdict is "Guilty" or "Not?"
Race and Civil Rights in the Democratic Primary Campaign It's the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , and his legacy is a guaranteed topic at tonight's Democratic debate in Las Vegas. For the past few days the Obama and Clinton campaigns -- and the candidates themselves -- have been exchanging barbs about civil rights and diversity. We hear what's been said and why it's touched such sensitive nerves. Does Bill Clinton deserve to be called America's "first black president?" Has Hillary inherited that legacy? Does Obama -- with a real chance of winning -- threaten an older generation of black civil rights leaders?
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.