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?
The week that wouldn't quit Will next week get even weirder? (Special one-hour episode)
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.
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
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.