Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Back to Iraq, Black Faces/White Spaces, and Dear Nobody
American military jets dropped bombs on Islamic extremists in Iraq today. Where will this lead? And who are the Yazidis, the ethnic group we’re trying to protect? Also, a collection of diary entries by a teenage girl who died 15 years ago provides a gritty, raw look at the life of an American teenager.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenAmerican military jets dropped bombs on Islamic extremists in Iraq today. What are we trying to achieve and what are the chances for success? Is this a slippery slope to re-engagement? One of the reasons the President gave for the strikes was to protect an ethnic minority called the Yazidis. Who are they? We talk to the author of a new book about why the “great outdoors” seems so white. In our weekly film round-up, our critics check out the latest in the “Step Up” series of dance movies, and “The Hundred Foot Journey,” with Helen Mirren. Finally, a collection of diary entries by a teenage girl who died 15 years ago provides an unusually gritty and raw look at the life of an American teenager.
Banner Image: F/A-18 aircraft from the US squadron that conducted an airstrike against Kurdish forces in Iraq, photo: handout
In this episode
5 storiesBack to Iraq
Today, two American military jets dropped bombs on Islamic extremists in Iraq. The airstrikes were the first serious military operation the U.S. has carried out in that country since withdrawing our combat troops three years ago. What are we trying to achieve and what are the chances for success? Is this a slippery slope to re-engagement?
Read the story10 minWho Are the Yazidi?
President Obama said one of the reasons for the airstrikes in Iraq is to protect a little-known ethnic minority called the Yazidis. Who are they, why are we defending them, and what other ethnic groups are at risk as ISIS advances?
Read the story6 minBlack Faces, White Spaces
When you picture a family hiking in the woods, what race do you see? A new book explores why our conception of the great outdoors tends to look like the white outdoors.
Read the story9 minMovie Round-Up
In our weekly round-up of the latest movies and movie news, our critics do their critical thing on the 5th installment in the Step Up series of dance movies; Lasse Hallstrom's “The Hundred Foot Journey,” starring Helen Mirren; and the tornado movie “Into the Storm.”
Read the story11 minDear Nobody
Young adult literature these days is full of dystopian landscapes, vampires and magical fantasy worlds. But a new book brings a different voice to the mix. A real voice. It’s called Dear Nobody: The True Diary of Mary Rose . It’s a collection of diary entries by a teenage girl who died 15 years ago of cystic fibrosis.
Read the story11 min
