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Civil Rights

 

FEATURES

  • The Right to Marry

    Gay couples in the United States are fighting for more than civil unions or domestic partnerships. They want the right to marry. And in six states--Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire--same-sex marriage is legal. But the fight continues in Minnesota, New York and the nation's most populous state--California. In California, the State Supreme Court struck down Proposition 22 in May 2008, giving gay couples the "right to marry" only to have that decision overturned with the passage of Proposition 8 in November 2008.

    Is marriage a civil rights issue?

    Share your comments

    The "right to marry" struggle raises a number of questions. Is marriage a right? Is the same-sex marriage fight a civil rights struggle reminiscent of the 1960s civil rights movement? Does limiting the term "marriage" to one man and one woman deprive same-sex couples of the nomenclature only? Are civil unions or domestic partnerships enough? And finally, there is the question of religion. What role does and should religion play in the legal debate over marriage?

    Check out show interviews, Web-exclusive video and blog posts about same-sex marriage, and join the discussion.


    Wednesday, May 13, 2009
  • Striving for the Dream: 1968-2008

    Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that one day the U.S. would live out its philosophy that all people are created equal. His life was cut short in 1968. At the time of his death, the country was in the midst of the Vietnam War. Violence continued to erupt, with riots in American cities, and Robert Kennedy's assassination.

    How can we bridge the gap between history and current reality?

    Share your comments

    Forty years later, racial divisions, violence and class struggles continue. Despite major gains in civil rights, many parts of Dr. King's dream have yet to be realized. Looking back at that time focuses our attention on today's challenges.


    Thursday, March 27, 2008
  • Still Separate and Unequal?
    Fifty years after nine African American teenagers integrated Central High School in Little Rock, AR, the country continues to struggle with segregation and inequality in its schools and beyond.

    Check out a sampling of opinions and join the discussion.
    Wednesday, September 12, 2007
  • Right to Return: New Home Movies from the Lower 9th Ward

    Wednesday, May 16, 2007
  • What Now for the NAACP?
    Bruce Gordon's resignation as president leaves lingering questions about the future of the NAACP.
    Friday, March 9, 2007
  • Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King
    Revisit a selection of Tavis' conversations on the lives and legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King.
    Monday, February 12, 2007

 

GUESTS

  • Dr. Terrence Roberts
    Friday, October 16, 2009
    One of the 'Little Rock Nine' reflects on the therapeutic process of writing his memoir and whether the experience was worth it.
  • Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
    Tuesday, October 6, 2009
    Longtime activist weighs in on the recent rash of school violence in Chicago.
  • Eric Sundquist
    Thursday, August 27, 2009
    UCLA literature professor assesses the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Rep. John Lewis
    Wednesday, August 26, 2009
    Georgia representative discusses the late Sen. Kennedy's impact on Black America.
  • Vernon Jordan
    Wednesday, August 26, 2009
    Civil rights attorney reflects on his personal friendship with the late Sen. Ted Kennedy.
  • Vernon Jordan
    Thursday, August 6, 2009
    Civil rights activist, lawyer and political advisor discusses the future of capitalism and how President Obama is doing.
  • Debo Adegbile
    Thursday, July 2, 2009
    NAACP LDF lead litigator talks about the Voting Rights Act case he argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.
  • Dr. Mary Frances Berry
    Tuesday, June 9, 2009
    History professor explains the work of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which she formerly chaired, and how the bipartisan body became so political.
  • Vernon Jordan
    Thursday, June 4, 2009
    Civil rights activist, lawyer and political advisor discusses the future of capitalism, how President Obama is doing and the GOP strategy to oppose Judge Sotomayor's Supreme Court nomination.
  • Michael Fauntroy
    Thursday, May 14, 2009
    Assistant professor at the George Mason School of Public Policy, weighs in on whether there's room for moderates in the GOP and the relationship between the party's leaders and the Black community.
  • Roger Wilkins
    Wednesday, April 29, 2009
    Publisher of the NAACP's Crisis magazine, weighs in on the focus on the first 100 days of the presidency.
  • John Hope Franklin Tribute
    Wednesday, March 25, 2009
    Tavis pays tribute to dean of African American historians.
  • Odetta
    Wednesday, December 3, 2008
    Tavis pays tribute to America's folk music legend.
  • Rev. Gardner Taylor
    Thursday, November 6, 2008
    Nationally renowned preacher tells the story of survival and acceptance that began for him with a car accident on a country road in 1937 Louisiana.
  • Dr. Cornel West
    Tuesday, October 28, 2008
    Princeton professor explains why he is okay with the Democratic Party being in the White House and controlling Congress.
  • Eric Etheridge
    Thursday, June 19, 2008
    Journalist-photographer explains how obtaining mug shots of Freedom Riders transformed his latest book.
  • Jonathan Rieder
    Thursday, May 22, 2008
    Barnard sociologist and author of The Word of the Lord is Upon Me describes the artistry and the humorous side of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw
    Monday, April 7, 2008
    Law professor addresses the Democratic presidential candidates' support of affirmative action programs.
  • Dr. Cornel West
    Friday, April 4, 2008
    Princeton University professor discusses Dr. King's lasting legacy.
  • Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
    Friday, April 4, 2008
    Georgetown University professor discusses Dr. King's lasting legacy.
  • Clarence B. Jones
    Thursday, April 3, 2008
    Dr. King's former attorney-speechwriter shares what he believes Dr. King would say about the man who killed him.
  • Dorothy Cotton
    Thursday, April 3, 2008
    Former SCLC Education Director explains the role sexism played in the organizations of the civil rights movement.
  • Harry Belafonte
    Wednesday, April 2, 2008
    Actor-activist describes how he first met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who would become one of his closest friends.
  • Rev. Samuel "Billy" Kyles
    Tuesday, April 1, 2008
    Pastor of Monumental Baptist Church, reflects on how witnessing Dr. King's assassination has impacted his life.
  • Taylor Rogers
    Tuesday, April 1, 2008
    Former Memphis sanitation worker describes what Dr. King's support and presence meant to the workers' strike.
  • Rev. Al Sharpton
    Monday, March 31, 2008
    Rev. Al Sharpton says that America is good at accepting a moment, but not a movement.
  • Beverly Robertson
    Monday, March 31, 2008
    National Civil Rights Museum president tells the story of the museum and the Lorraine Motel.
  • Odetta
    Friday, January 25, 2008
    Singer-songwriter reflects on her quiet support of Dr. Martin Luther King.
  • Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
    Thursday, January 24, 2008
    Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. previews the Democratic primary in South Carolina and reflects on his own historic bid for the White House.
  • Christine King Farris
    Monday, January 21, 2008
    Sister of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., reflects on growing up with her brother, adjusting to the loss of her sister-in-law, Coretta Scott King, and the meaning of the King Holiday.
  • Janet Murguia
    Thursday, January 17, 2008
    National Council of La Raza president discusses the Black-Brown divide and reflects on Dr. King's vision.
  • Theodore Shaw
    Tuesday, January 15, 2008
    The NAACP Legal Defense Fund's president discusses challenges to Indiana's voter ID laws.
  • Bob Adelman
    Wednesday, December 19, 2007
    Photojournalist says he was naturally drawn to the Black struggle.
  • Ruby Dee
    Friday, October 5, 2007
    Iconic actress talks about activism, longevity in the entertainment industry and her upcoming film role.
  • Marc Morial, Cornel West, Farah Griffin on Justice Thomas
    Monday, October 1, 2007
    Marc Morial, Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Farah Griffin discuss Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' new autobiography, My Grandfather's Son.
  • Randall Robinson
    Wednesday, September 26, 2007
    TransAfrica founder talks about U.S. involvement in Haiti.
  • David Nichols
    Tuesday, September 25, 2007
    Historian reflects on the 50th anniversary of the integration of Little Rock's Central High School, during the Eisenhower administration.
  • Dr. Terrence Roberts
    Thursday, September 6, 2007
    One of the nine students who volunteered to integrate Little Rock, Arkansas' Central High School 50 years ago, reflects on his experience.
  • Juanessa Bennett, B.J. Bernstein
    Tuesday, June 19, 2007
    Genarlow Wilson's mother and attorney give an update on the Georgia teen's case.
  • Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
    Wednesday, June 6, 2007
    Former presidential candidate says Katrina is a metaphor for an abandoned urban America.
  • David Rose
    Thursday, May 17, 2007
    Journalist explains the backstory of his new book about racial injustice on Georgia's death row.
  • Della Britton Baeza, David Robinson
    Monday, April 16, 2007
    Jackie Robinson's son, David Robinson, and Della Britton Baeza, CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation, discuss the legacy of the Hall of Famer who broke baseball's color barrier 60 years ago.
  • Harry Johnson
    Wednesday, April 4, 2007
    Harry Johnson, MLK National Memorial Project Foundation CEO, discusses Dr. King's legacy and updates fund-raising progress.
  • Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
    Friday, March 9, 2007
    University of Pennsylvania professor explains his new book.
  • Bruce Gordon
    Monday, March 5, 2007
    Former NAACP CEO talks about his resignation.
  • Dr. Cornel West
    Friday, January 12, 2007
    Princeton religion professor discusses the difference between success and greatness.
  • Peniel E. Joseph
    Tuesday, August 15, 2006
    American history scholar reflects on the origins of the Black Power Movement.
  • Clarence B. Jones
    Friday, August 4, 2006
    Former counsel to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Clarence B. Jones, and Grey's Anatomy star discuss investing in Africa.
  • William C. Rhoden
    Friday, July 28, 2006
    New York Times sportswriter discusses his new book on race and sports in America.
  • Bruce Gordon
    Friday, March 10, 2006
    Then-NAACP head discusses the racial implications of Katrina.
  • Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
    Wednesday, February 8, 2006
    Noted professor explains his book, "Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster.”
  • Marc Morial
    Wednesday, September 7, 2005
    National Urban League CEO & former New Orleans mayor discusses the city's preparedness.
  • Bruce Gordon
    Tuesday, September 6, 2005
    Then-NAACP president explains the organization's relief efforts.
  • Marc Morial
    Tuesday, February 1, 2005
    National Urban League CEO discusses the relevancy of the organization.
  • Theodore Shaw
    Tuesday, October 5, 2004
    LDF president explains that the American vote is not constitutionally protected.
  • Kadiatou Diallo
    Tuesday, August 3, 2004
    Amadou Diallo's mother discusses police misconduct.
  • Kelly Anderson
    Tuesday, August 3, 2004
    Filmmaker explores police misconduct.

 

YOUNG VOICES

 


Published November 8, 2009

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