Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Anita Hill, DNA Ruling and Twitter & Turkey
Today we discuss sexual harassment with Anita Hill, Turkey's decision to shut down Twitter, DNA collection, sunscreen banned in the U.S., and books on film.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenBack in 1991, the term “sexual harassment" wasn’t well understood, and it was rarely talked about. But one woman changed that. We talk to Anita Hill about her experience and the new film about her testimony against Clarence Thomas. Also: A federal court upholds California’s policy of collecting DNA from suspects. We hear what happens when a prime minister tries to shut down Twitter across his entire country. Skin care advocates are mad at the FDA for not allowing more modern versions of sunscreen in the U.S. And we get a preview of what’s in theaters this weekend.
Banner Image: Anita Hill speaks at the Creative Change Awards hosted by Opportunity Agenda at the Paley Center for Media; Credit: Tiffany L. Clark
In this episode
5 storiesTwitter, Turkey and Activism
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan made good on his promise yesterday and shut down Twitter across his country. He declared war on the site after someone posted recordings revealing corruption in his inner circle. Will the ban have any effect? And is Twitter as powerful a tool of political change as it’s made out to be?
Read the story9 minDNA Evidence
If you get arrested for a felony crime here in California, the police can take a sample of your DNA. If you’re found to be innocent, though - and you aren’t convicted of the crime - the police will still hang onto your DNA profile. Privacy advocates hate this practice, and the ACLU challenged it in court.
Read the story7 minBooks on Film
We have a very literary Friday film segment today. Divergent hits the big screen, The Giver gets a film adaptation and there’s a David Foster Wallace biopic in the works.
Read the story9 minAnita Hill
Back in 1991, the term “sexual harassment" wasn’t well understood, and it was rarely talked about. But one woman changed that. A new film looks at Anita Hill’s testimony against Clarence Thomas, who went on to become a Supreme Court Justice. Her stance changed American culture and her own life forever.
Read the story14 minSunscreen Envy
If you’re planning a trip this summer to Europe, Asia, Central or South America, one thing you probably shouldn’t pack is sunscreen. Not because those places don’t have sun. But, according to a coalition of public advocacy groups and dermatologists, they all have better sunscreen than you can buy here in the U.S.
Read the story7 min
