Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Voting Rights Act at 50, Hollywood's Diversity Problem, and Lifestyle Branding
Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. Since then, there’s been a near-constant battle over the law. Here in California, Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced that around 45,000 non-violent felons will be getting back their right to vote. And, Hollywood is a tough place for women and minorities on screen and off.
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenFifty years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. Since then, there’s been a near-constant battle over it. Just yesterday, an appeals court found that a strict Texas voter ID law violated the Act. It required a government-issued photo ID in order to vote, which many minorities don’t have. This is just the latest challenge to the Voting Rights Act. And here in California, Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced that around 45,000 non-violent felons will be getting back their right to vote. He called it “a matter of conscience.” Then, Los Angeles is home to the highest number of homeless veterans in the country, and Mayor Eric Garcetti has pledged that every homeless veteran in L.A. will have housing by the end of the year. New legislation proposed today in Washington may help with that. Finally, Hollywood is a tough place for women and minorities. A comprehensive new study makes it clear just how far the bias behind the studio gates extends into the movies themselves.
Banner Image: "LyndonJohnson signs Voting Rights Act of 1965" by Yoichi Okamoto
In this episode
5 storiesThe Voting Rights Act at 50
Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. Since then, there’s been a near-constant battle over it. Just yesterday, an appeals court found that a strict Texas voter ID law violated the Act. It required a government-issued photo ID in order to vote, which many minorities don’t have.
Read the story17 minNon-Violent Felons Regain Vote in CA
Fifty years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the law is still being challenged. In California, Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced this week that around 45,000 non-violent felons will be getting their right to vote reinstated. He called it 'a matter of conscience.'
Read the story8 minNew Legislation to House L.A.’s Homeless Veterans
Los Angeles has the highest number of homeless veterans in the country and Mayor Eric Garcetti has pledged that each one will have housing by the end of the year. New legislation proposed today in Washington may help with that.
Read the story7 minHollywood's Diversity Problem
It’s no secret that Hollywood is a tough place for women and minorities. Now, a comprehensive new study makes it clear just how far the bias behind the studio gates extends into the movies themselves.
Read the story8 minGwyneth, GOOP, and the Rise of the Lifestyle Brand
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has gotten plenty of flak for Goop, her website and newsletter about fashion, food and wellness. But despite the mocking, Goop has millions of readers—and it’s on the verge of a big expansion. We look at how Paltrow became a leader in the burgeoning field of celebrity lifestyle brands.
Read the story5 min
