Bill Moyers Journal: Race, Poverty, and the Inner City --- 40 Years Later

OUR "MOST BELOVED" AMERICA'S MOST SATANIC RELIGIONISM! Most respectfully, this message was also sent to UNIVERSAL RELIGIONISM !!! This Most-Loving Prayer was also addressed to Pope Benedict XVI – Most Faithfully! This is about The Most Criminal, World-Wide, RELIGIONISM – Ever! All that Our Whole World has ever needed - and still presently needs, foremost and more than ever – is A TRULY AMERICAN National Incorrupt Reevaluation! “HAPPY HOLIDAYS”!!! “MERRY CHRISTMAS”!!! “HAPPY NEW YEAR”!!! “HAPPY NEW CENTURY” ALMIGHTY GOD’S “NUCLEAR” WORLD’S TRUE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY; THAT IS, UNIVERSAL INDIVIDUAL EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE GOD’S HUMAN RIGHTS (HIS “BEST” “GIFTS”), shall never exist for us in our “America”, and in our “Free” “Nuclear” World, UNTIL BOTH CRUCIAL GOD’S DETERMINANTS – UNIVERSAL FUNCTIONAL LITERACY and UNIVERSAL GOOD-SAMARITAN HEALTH INSURANCE – are Legislatively Compelled (Constitutionally) as a Fully-Punishing Humanitarian Criminal Law; that is, until Our Insatiable Ultra Filthy-Wealthy CORPORATIST “American” Government so give the True Example, OF SUCH A SACRED UNIVERSALLY HUMAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, for the sake of Our Most Exploited and Most Suffering Illiterate and Sick “American” World! Almighty God did not write HIS BIBLE just to “Inspire” The Implacable Religionist “Sacrosanct” Church-like Corporations of This World to use IT as toilet paper...

Posted by: Octavio Saenz MD Sr | March 13, 2009 6:59 PM

OUR "MOST BELOVED" AMERICA'S MOST EVIL CORPORATISM! Most respectfully, this message was also sent to UNIVERSAL CORPORATISM !!! This Most-Loving Prayer was also addressed to Pope Benedict XVI – Most Faithfully! THE WORST CRIME, EVER, AGAINST GOD’S HUMANITY – FOREVER? GLOBAL NUCLEAR PERPLEXITY! (In True Honor to Dr. Martin Luther King’s Most Patriotic Legacy!) The Nucleus of Our Whole World Ever-Growing Suicidal Nuclear Crisis is created by no other than The Most Defrauding and Most Greedy Ultra-Conservative and/or by Ultra-Libertine Politico-Religionism everywhere – Universally! Our Whole World has No True Religion Anywhere! The Nucleus of this Paramount Ambition of this Universal True Atheism is none other than The Global Most Voraciously Inhuman Corporative Economic Exploitation. All by extreme Global disregard of The Most Basic Human Universal Literacy and The Most Basic Universal Good-Samaritan Health Insurance. These two together are Almighty God’s True Democracy’s Vitally Essential Means for True Individual Equal Opportunity to reach GOD’S BEST Personal Human Gifts (RIGHTS). All of Our Vast Perpetually Dehumanized (as Illiterate and Sick) Western World, is ever more and more so “CRUCIFIED” or threatened with impunity by The Religionist-Instilled Fear of “Going to Hell” if they have “No Faith” - if disobedient to their...

Posted by: Octavio Saenz MD Sr | March 13, 2009 6:49 PM

A synopsis for the media portion of show Friday Feb. 6th is - the media is 'framing the debate'. Anything that falls outside that pre-supposed frame is considered/labeled 'radical'. By creating this false realty, the boundries of 'acceptable' are established. The point is - the mainstream of the american public is for the most part outside of that frame, even if they are not aware of it (keep in mind I'm not advocating the 'tyranny of the majority' either). Through semantics/spin/and misdirection the mainstream media treats the public like an infant that it needs to teach, when of course the opposite true.

Posted by: DLipman | February 6, 2009 9:34 PM

I'm not worried about the views and biases of the traditional media quite so much, when the same pundits as those you discussed on your show tonight are showing up on media death watch web sites like this. [ http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/ ] I look forward to the day when a "Rush Limbaugh" can only aspire to earning as much as you do.

Posted by: Charles-A. Rovira | February 6, 2009 9:34 PM

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Posted by: Rudakovski | February 6, 2009 9:20 PM

Mr. Moyers (and staff) This is written in response to your post about 40 years later. I think we need to revise, revamp and adjust our country. I think it is like a juggler who is juggling 4 running chain saws. You CAN't drop any of them, they are all important. Such it is with our society. We need to help our country, including a living wage, federally paid day care starting at six monthss, guaranteed paid maternity/paternity leave, training programs, tax reform, jobs training, and even a nationalized health care program... Pleae visit this blog to see the points.

Posted by: mark browns | May 6, 2008 1:29 PM

Nations in so-called poor" or "third-world" regions are more intelligently dealing with employing poor people in the new energy age (non-fossil fuels). A city in China just won a sustainable energy award, whilst "Royal Dutch" Shell CEO begs to dig in the dirt under every square inch of US soil, and in the oceans at offshore black gold rush mischances of the dice rolls. It is the old fossil geezers running the big US corporations, autos, big oil especially, industries that are preventing prosperity for not only the vast majority of Americans, but every other human being on earth. Murdering murdering murdering. Of course the lapdogs of these stupid "rulers" of the universe, the Corporate Media and US federal government political "leaders," are sort of a laughingstock--I have this vision: Moses, Jesus and Mohammad are watching their followers, and laughing their heads off. "Wow our followers sure are acting like bozos...they love the nuclear boom boom, that might excite them." says Jesus. "Dorks for sure. I'd rater have my beard infested with lice than be in their midst. But their actions do recommend them going extinct-easing their mental insipidities and pain finally." Moses replies. "More like little mud guppies. In...

Posted by: Greg Tibbits | April 12, 2008 3:05 PM

Ed Dodson: I feel compelled to report on my review of William Vickery. He was an old time Keynesian economist who taught at Columbia and was renowned for his pioneering use of game theory in situations of asymmetrical knowledge. I find his adaptation of Georgism to be an intensification of the commercialism that plagues citizen control and lessens cultural capital. I do not mean to suggest that George or Vickery did not take the general welfare to heart. Vickery's work itself has now been transcended by deregulation and the shenanigans of elite corporate speculators. Game theory assumes set rules of behavior which no longer exist. Vickery's analysis of national debt, debt service and inflation are now out of context due to wholesale transfer of elite speculator losses onto American taxpayers and the atrophy of U.S. manufacturing capacity and strategic self-sufficiency. At a time when our military is exhausted and our corporate sector have become the crazy firebug arsonists of the planet it is wildass crazy to assume a few toll roads and tinkering with the tax structure will make a difference. This is McCain-level psychosis! You are a well-spoken and humanitarian man Ed, but you are either in denial or...

Posted by: Jack Martin | April 9, 2008 1:05 PM

Ed Santoro, below, wrote a woderful description of how America has been hollowed out for profit and control motives. Everyone should read it! Re-read it.

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | April 7, 2008 9:49 PM

Ed Dodson: Thank you, so far this is the best and most coherent comeback I've ever had on the Moyers' blog. I had spent a little time examining your site before I wrote my post but I just wanted to needle an ideological competitor. You have made some thoughtful assertions and concessions. I will look at Bill Vickrey again as you suggest, but I do assert that George is out of date in relation to current events, as is Payne and even Dr. King. I consider pressing current events to be exemplified by: 1. The inside job on 9/11 2.The coming famine due to global climate change, along with scientific and military strategic food production sabotage 3.The transfer of speculative debt to U.S. taxpayers (equivalents in other countries) through frauds of derivatives trading and currency trading among other financial shenanigans My main issue has always been worker self-management and ownership: autogestion (a word derived from another outdated and contradictory ideologue, Joseph Proudhon, the originator of anarchism.) At 57, and with all my disabilities, I can hardly call myself an anarchist. Please continue to critique or refute my provocations, as I will your posts. I consider the Moyers blog an informal...

Posted by: Jack martin | April 7, 2008 9:44 PM

In response to comments I posted on Aril 4, Jack Martin commented as follows: "Henry George was 'cool' in his time but his tax plan is equivalent to the failed (as per fairness to workers) value added tax and the collection of fees for the use of natural resources has also been corrupted under our government. Ed Dodson here: The arguments made by George and other political economists remain valid. The extent to which public policy is made because of corruption is a separate matter. *** "And here you come along after most everything is ruined and needs reclaimation claiming the people can rent this stuff out. Your Cooperative Individualism seems contradictory and anachronistic to me." Ed Dodson here: Thoughtful people must do what we can to achieve constructive change. Agreeing on what constitutes changes that are at the same time just, economically efficient and consistent with wise stewardship of the earth is still a distant hope. I have chosen to devote much of my energy to initiating a global public dialogue on the issues, and the principles of cooperative individualism provide the framework for this dialogue. I invite you to study these principles as presented at the School of...

Posted by: Edward J. Dodson | April 7, 2008 12:40 PM

Great program this week. One thing that strikes me when the issue of race comes up is how little we look below the surface for the larger questions and responses. Moyer's' Journal is one of the best forums for such questions. That said, I keep looking for someone to refer to Orwell's 1984 when looking at race and military expenditures. Orwell put forth the idea that the reason powerful nations go to war is not to secure treasure or even political control, but to spend down their surplus revenues so that they won't run the risk of raising per capita health care standards, education, and wealth to the point that too many citizens/subordinates/consumers would have too much leisure leisure time and not enough of an incentive to work low level service jobs. It's helpful to remember that the British colonies only revolted when they began experiencing independent wealth and security. When they were struggling to survive, they had no problem with British rule. Though Orwell's novel is fiction, its logic allows for an interesting line of questioning. It was only about ten years ago, a journalist, I forget her name, discovered a very long term agenda of the Republicans deliberately...

Posted by: Ed Santoro | April 6, 2008 7:10 PM

The Kerner Commission was exactly correct. I read a quote from a prominent politician who said about the perks of the office "...that is our due". We are at the end of a long line of giving the politicians what they believe is their due. If they were truly representing their constituents, we citizens, the solutions to the problems presented by the Kerner Commission would have been implemented 40 years ago. Now, we are still at the starting gate and we still have politicians who think their job is to manipulate the voters to get elected and pursue their own interests once they are in office. A recent poll I heard about says that 81% of Americans think we are on the wrong track. What does it take for the government to pay attention to its citizens.

Posted by: Louis Fuchs | April 6, 2008 2:58 AM

TELEVISION, RACE, AND OBAMA As the nation commemorates the fortieth anniversary of Dr. King’s death on April 4 and the publication of the landmark Kerner Commission Report on race in America, several questions must be raised. How effective is mass media in breaching the racial divide in America? Is today’s American television journalism part of the problem or part of the solution for bridging America’s racial divide? In this YouTube age, have mainstream media outlets gone too far in relying on user-generated content – images and sound bites that virtually anyone with a digital camera can post, selectively edit, and manipulate? What is the obligation of editorial staffs within large media conglomerates? Should not media submissions require the same rigorous journalistic standards as traditional print journalism, ensuring that news is reported fairly and accurately to the public? A blatant example of television’s editorial abuses involved Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s controversial remarks, edited from several sermons preached at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, posted on You Tube, and broadcast ad infinitum on virtually every major television network and cable outlet without benefit of their full context. The networks’ selective editorial use of the Wright clips raises serious concerns regarding television’s...

Posted by: Dennis Day | April 4, 2008 9:53 PM

I had to comment that this show was one of the best and believe me it is hard for any of Bill's shows to top another. What a delightful man is Senator Fred Brown and kudos to him for continuing to do the good work Also, the profile of Corey Booker was amazing. What a sensational young man. A man who by all accounts lived an upper class life and could have been anything he wanted to be yet he chose to be Mayor of one of the most difficult cities in the United States. America should be bursting with pride to have such wonderful people like Mayor Booker and Senator Obama who are making great sacrifices for all of us.

Posted by: maria papi | April 4, 2008 7:49 PM

Edward Dodson: Henry George was "cool" in his time but his tax plan is equivalent to the failed (as per fairness to workers) value added tax and the collection of fees for the use of natural resources has also been corrupted under our government. Just look how we've been screwed out of revenues for , use of water,, road access, waterway travel, use of ports, waste disposal, mining, grazing, harvesting trees and so on. Our country couldn't even honor its agreements with native Americans. And here you come along after most everything is ruined and needs reclaimation claiming the people can rent this stuff out. Your Cooperative Individualism seems contradictory and anachronistic to me. That cat is out of the bag. Tom Paine was also "cool" in his day, but that was 250 years ago, at a time when big capitalism was just emerging. Tom was a big guillotne man in France after he left the states, and that scares rich people. I suggest you try starting with conditions as they exist to find solutions and not from theoretical artificialities existing only in a history book or your own mind. We are on the verge of a worldwide famine, catastrophic...

Posted by: Jack Martin | April 4, 2008 5:19 PM

Looking for a solution to mankind's manmade inequity is the same as Einstien's search for a unified field theory (UFT), the unification of nature is simply to equate. Equal or = is nature's true balance, nature's justice, nature's undivided truth. Only nature's truth of equality and practice of that solution or truth will rebalance nature, and set the universe free. = MJA

Posted by: Michael J Ahles | April 4, 2008 5:04 PM

There are millions of Americans who have or are significantly impacted by disability. This underutilized community manpower resource could provide tremendous public service if interested, consistently and reliably organized. Public understanding and social acceptance might even result in the far distant future. People might learn and share what they are geniunely proud each day with others and benefit everyone in the community. Would you? Darwin Vaught Charleston, WV

Posted by: Darwin Vaught | April 4, 2008 2:17 PM

Strange as this will sound to most readers, the means by which poverty -- and the societal strife associated therewith -- can be permanently eliminated has been known for centuries. A close reading of the works of many of history's most thoughtful writers provides the answers. Near the end of the 19th century, one writer in particular -- Henry George -- resurrected their insights and embarked on a crusade to change the course of history. Sadly, the momentum his generated dissipated with his death in 1897. Yet, his books and speeches provide us with the keys to a peaceful and sustainable future. Henry George believed that the most important right of human beings was our equal birthright to the earth. His investigations confirmed that this birthright was denied to the vast majority of people and had been so denied for most of recorded history. His solution was deceptively simple: "To secure fully the individual right of property in the produce of labor we must treat the elements of nature as common property." This did not mean that government should own all land natural resources, only that those who did so should compensate the community and society for the privilege enjoyed...

Posted by: Edward J. Dodson | April 4, 2008 12:58 PM

PJB: A Brief for Whitey By Patrick J. Buchanan How would he pull it off? I wondered. How would Barack explain to his press groupies why he sat silent in a pew for 20 years as the Rev. Jeremiah Wright delivered racist rants against white America for our maligning of Fidel and Gadhafi, and inventing AIDS to infect and kill black people? How would he justify not walking out as Wright spewed his venom about “the U.S. of K.K.K. America,” and howled, “God damn America!” My hunch was right. Barack would turn the tables. Yes, Barack agreed, Wright’s statements were “controversial,” and “divisive,” and “racially charged,” reflecting a “distorted view of America.” But we must understand the man in full and the black experience out of which the Rev. Wright came: 350 years of slavery and segregation. Barack then listed black grievances and informed us what white America must do to close the racial divide and heal the country. The “white community,” said Barack, must start “acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination — and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the...

Posted by: ethan allen | April 4, 2008 12:00 PM

It won't matter what big city mayors want if Wall street speculators have their way with our government! See Terry Gross's Fresh Air of April 3, 2008 (at WHYY archive) if you want to know what is causing our Great Depression. See also recent articles by Wessel, Borosage: links available on Taxpayer's Bill of Rights page. This is really, really urgent!

Posted by: Grady Lee Howard | April 3, 2008 9:56 PM

James Monroe Powell: Thanks for your highly constructive clarification. I admit that we are beginning to talk past one another so this thread must be concluded. The dichotomy between emotional and rational responses to scarcity is enlightening. As for the bakery, I bake at home and would probably tend to attack the miller when irrational. As for competence, this blog illustrates the sort of self-education I have described and advocated. Most of us here illustrate our intellectual shortcomings and agendas, but this seems no barrier to speaking out. It may be the task of some parties here to join Moyers in a Socratic role. I have admitted some mistakes and misperceptions on this blog and have become a better Folk School leader because of Moyers blog interactions. Thank you J. P. for communicating with an amateur intellectual and provocature. I will edit-scan new pages for your instructive posts. Feel free to critique my submissions.

Posted by: Jack Martin | April 3, 2008 7:28 AM

J. Martin, Ironically, our collaborative analysis has us venturing into an area, psychology of scarcity, where neither of us has extensive academic credentials. Upon further review of both of our arguments, it appears that we have arrived at an examination of the human psychological response to market scarcity and its effects upon individual citizens and societies in general. Since I can only draw inferences or make deductions based upon my own observations, please feel free to correct me if I venture astray. J.M. as I see it, there are two basic responses to the imposition of scarcity upon a human being - rational or emotional. The rational response attempts to identify casual factors underlying the reduction in supply while the emotional response attempts to assign blame upon and individual or group. For example, a rational mode of inquiry would attempt to ascertain whether or not the scarcity being experienced is naturally occurring or is it artificial in nature? Then, the natural logical progression from that point is to determine how the good (jobs, gasoline, food, etc…) was produced – is it a man made product, or is it naturally produced? If it is a man made product, then the natural...

Posted by: James Monroe Powell | April 3, 2008 2:12 AM

Bill is a fact finder. He is a very rare man in a nation beseiged by hypocracy and complacensy. I wish we had more of Bill Moyers in our media system

Posted by: Reza | April 2, 2008 9:48 PM

J. M. Powell: Thanks for the definition of the racist scarcity syndrome I was attempting to describe. You blame politicians for exploiting Group Threat Theory, but I believe others with specific goals are even more integral to this phenomenon. I have a strong interest in dimensional power studies and begin with the work of Steven Lukes (NYU-"Power: A Radical View). John Gaventa ("Power and Powerlessness") explored multidemensional asymmetrical relations in the Appalachian community to test these ideas, and I come honestly to this thinking from association with Gaventa. Just by possessing greater means some persons or groups psychicly silence and paralyze those having much less, so it is not surprising that people act against their own knowledge and interests for survival. Just last night I was talking with an older white woman who was an activist, but is now a repressed bartender touting fraudulent booster schemes for ruthless exploiters in her own community. There is really nothing in it for her except an undocumented job and about $35 a night in tips. She's unhappy because she knows it's wrong but feels she has no choice financially. I am frustrated at not having an alternative to offer. As for education I...

Posted by: Jack Martin | April 2, 2008 9:48 AM

Letter to Mr. Jack Martin Mr. Martin the intensification of racist sentiment during periods of stark material deprivation that you speak of is known in the realm of Political Science as Group Threat Theory. In essence, human beings instinctively seek to assign blame upon someone or something for circumstances which are often outside of their sphere of influence or understanding. So, race groups that are seen as competing for the same scare resources are often targeted by politicians because it shifts the scrutiny and blame away from their own failed economic policies. Instead of looking at the underlying casual economic factors bringing about the market scarcity and addressing them by creating incentives for increased production of whatever the scarce goods are jobs, gas, wheat, etc… politicians all too often give into demagogy and play upon the fears of their constituents. In sort, the zero sum game becomes the only game in town, and for me to win economically somebody else has to lose. Although many hold this socially Darwinist view of the allocation process as gospel, I feel that a positive sum game, where both consumers and producers win, can exist if the proper incentive and disincentive structures are put...

Posted by: James Monroe Powell | April 2, 2008 2:31 AM

Great show. Two fine guests. Booker really gets it. What's most astonishing is that he gets what spiritual transformation actually is. He should run for President. What a fine human being. Newark is lucky to have him onboard. Thank you

Posted by: JJ | April 2, 2008 1:07 AM

James Monroe Powell: Your command of language and your historical knowledge are enviable. I assume here (though I may be mistaken) that you are a white man of middle years. I differ with you on both racism and the positive effects of education. Racism intensifies under deprivation. I cite Nazi Germany and 1980s Yugoslavia as well as genocides in Africa as examples. When the pie is smaller and government is no longer able to deliver approximate equity people tend to resort to ethnic affinities, nationalism, xenophobia, religion and other simpler affinities to exclude those they perceive as competitors. (An enjoyable example is the German film "THe Tin Drum." ). While I have not experienced Iraq directly I assume this has also been the case there. Blacks have been a convenient tool for American labor exploiters, a means of dividing to conquer resistant labor. Anyone who lived through the middle of the 20th century saw jobs migrate away from our metropolises. Advantages were institutionalized by government. Unfortunately in the present downturn, resentment at competing ethnic groups will tend to intensify without counteraction by egalitarian grassroots movements. Education is no guarantee of employment or success in times of scarcity. During the Great...

Posted by: Jack Martin | April 1, 2008 4:22 PM

• Are the Kerner Commission’s findings relevant today? Why or why not? Doubtless, the commission’s then shocking findings on the pervasiveness of institutionalized racism still gives any person of color reason to pause and reflect upon present day inner city conditions in an attempt to compare and contrast the past with present social economic circumstances. When one conducts this comparison and contrast in the light of the mounting body of social and economic statistical evidence, it becomes apparent that not only have things not changed significantly, but in fact, some statistics have worsened over time. For most, this worsening of the social and economic statistical data of the inner cities can be directly traced back to policy decisions of administrations that did not value the social programs that were suggested by the Kerner Commission’s findings. Since these programs were often viewed as a waste of tax payers’ dollars by some administrations, they were either cut or severely downsized without regard for the inevitable increase in social costs that would be later incurred by the state from corresponding increases in crime, welfare dependency, unemployment, dropout and graduation rates. In short, the direct linkages between policy prescriptions and social costs needs...

Posted by: James Monroe Powell | April 1, 2008 12:38 PM

Thank you Bill once again for introducing me and many others to a truly inspirational and eloquent speaker in Mr Booker. Here is a man of action but in the process he encourages all in his community and beyond to have hope that there is a better future for all of us out there. With the political climate as it currently is with focus by the media on personal insults & trash news this came as a breath of fresh air. Let's join him & the faceless others out there working at a grand plan for how we can garner the strengths of all in our comuunity, no matter their political persuasion or religious affiliation, to make this world a place we can all enjoy for the short time that we are here. Cory Booker is one of many I am sure that are out there actively working towards this goal & I applaud him, them & you Bill for bringing this to the wider world.

Posted by: karey Mayers | April 1, 2008 12:03 PM

In reference to Mayor Booker's discussion and the need for grassroots action and people stepping up please see The Pact and The Bond books by Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck Hunt who came out of the housing projects in Newark as young black men who succeeded in medical and dental school because of something in them and because others cared enought to mentor them through the world both inside and outside the inner city. These books should also be on the list of those read by a new president. They validate my experience working with inner city preschool children and the desperate need for qualified caring people to start early to support and educate the next generation. Out of a class of 17 children age 3-5 we have 3 children whose fathers have been killed and numberous others in single parent homes, or with grandparents, foster families and stepfamilies all struggling to make it and not always able to provide the attention that their children need. The education system is one piece but the lack of support to families is a huge weight that drags down effective education.

Posted by: Mary Win O'Brien | March 31, 2008 6:27 PM

douglas kinan, what you are describing is what I refer to as the Hegelian Dialectic. can't find your definition of: cham·per·ty (chmpr-t) n. pl. cham·per·ties A sharing in the proceeds of a lawsuit by an outside party who has promoted the litigation. [Middle English champartie, from Old French champart, the lord's share of the tenant's crop, from Medieval Latin campars, camppars : Latin camp, genitive of campus, field + Latin pars, part; see part.] champer·tous (-ts) adj. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin

Posted by: ethan allen | March 31, 2008 3:04 PM

Great program Bill Moyers. Two excellent guests. Mayor Booker is correct when he says "silence and inaction" is the key to solving much of the problem. One additional element needs to be added to the mix: champerty. Champertous conduct has almost guaranteed a divide in this country on most all issues. Whenever you have someone, or a group, creating the problem so that same person or group can solve it and make money doing it, you know the country is in big trouble.

Posted by: douglas kinan | March 31, 2008 8:58 AM

Mayor Booker is correct when he says "silence and inaction" is the key to solving much of the problem. One additional element needs to be added to the mix: champerty. Champertous conduct has almost guaranteed a divide in this country on most all issues. Whenever you have someone creating the problem so that same person or group can solve it, you know the country is in big trouble.

Posted by: douglas kinan | March 31, 2008 8:44 AM

# Are the Kerner Commission’s findings relevant today? Why or why not? The Kerner Commission's findings are most relevant. As mentioned in your interview, examples such as Katrina, definitely show the poverty that is still endemic in the black community, in particular, in the deep South. African Americans are incarcerated in higher numbers compared to whites. Institutional racism is a reality that still needs to be reckoned with in the United States. # Are the Commission’s recommendations of more government-created jobs, expanded affirmative action, increased welfare, etc. a practical strategy for helping inner cities? Most definitely! When the private "free-market" fails to create employment, then government MUST step in as it has done in the past. It's the Republican right-wing of this country that has bastardized government and shrunken it's pivotal role as a job creator. During the Great Depression, Roosevelt realized that the free market was ailing badly and was not creating jobs for the millions unemployed. He went to work by creating numerous job programs which added tremendous value to the country's infrastructure along with creating employment. Government's primary duty is to improve the quality of life for its people. Job creation by government most certainly fits the...

Posted by: Byron | March 31, 2008 1:59 AM

A terrific show. But to all those who would like Mayor Booker to run for national office - perhaps you missed his point. It's not about waiting for the government or elected officials to do something. It is about each of us taking the responsibility for doing something ourselves. Second, to all those who feel that we have made real progress and racism is no longer the issue it once was - please ask and answer these questions,"200 years ago, who had economic, governmental and religious control?" (Answer: white males) "Who has economic, governmental and religious control today?" (Answer: white males). How much progress has been made? And finally, to those who can not understand why those in the African American community continue to struggle with poverty please read Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary's book on "post traumatic slave syndrome" and become educated on the devasting legacy of over 12 generations of American slavery - unique to this country.

Posted by: RMMeshar | March 31, 2008 12:13 AM

Thank you for an insightful and moving show about race relations. And thank you for introducing Mayor Cory Booker. I had read about him recently in The New Yorker; to hear and see him speak blew me away. What a compelling, intelligent and inspirational man; someone who "gets it" -- to use his words -- about what it means to be a true public servant. I know that Newark needs Mayor Booker but I selfishly wish Booker was running for President instead of that empty suit, my IL Senator Barack Obama. Now that I know more about Booker, Obama's Presidential candidacy is really a joke. Obama's deeds can't hold a candle to all that Mayor Booker has accomplished so far and his plans for the future.

Posted by: Jane of Chicago | March 30, 2008 8:33 PM

Idealistic...and just what we need. Great show today and it is so timely. The Mayor is motivating!

Posted by: Joseph McMahon | March 30, 2008 8:18 PM

I can appreciate and applaud the authority of Mayor Cory Booker and his use of this authority to take authentic, spiritual actions toward promoting and encouraging the attitude of hope in the oppressed. However, I find a sense of schizoid rhetoric in the way he denounces 'transcending race', while at the same time admonishing 'oneness' and 'unity'. In my opinion there will be no 'liberty and justice for all' or 'one nation under God' outside of the idea of 'transcending race'. Those with authority who have a goal of guaranteed maintenance and perpetuation of ideas, discourse and activities which encourage racism and oppression provide a tremendous barrier to unity. Because of this the oppressed need both spiritual and natural help to transcend barriers to the access to resources that lead them to energize their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Posted by: Lois Ann | March 30, 2008 7:26 PM

Interesting discussion, but I find it disingenuous to bemoan the greater percentage of blacks in jail without an honest discussion of the relevant statistics on crimes committed by various ethnic groups. It has been most noticeable here in Vermont lately that a vastly disproportionate number of violent and truly heinous crimes have been committed by blacks.

Posted by: ethan allen | March 30, 2008 2:04 PM

Albert Einstein said: “Yes, we have to divide our time like that, between our politics and our equations. But to me our equations are far more important, for politics are only a matter of present concern. A mathematical equation stands forever.” But we don’t have to divide the political and mathematical, or for that matter the scientific and religious solutions of life of truth, equality and = are truly and simply ONE and the same. The truth of equality, =, or One, will stand forever, and ultimately the truest test of time. = MJA

Posted by: Michael J Ahles | March 30, 2008 12:49 PM

Albert Einstein said: “Yes, we have to divide our time like that, between our politics and our equations. But to me our equations are far more important, for politics are only a matter of present concern. A mathematical equation stands forever.” But we don’t have to divide the political and mathematical, or for that matter the scientific and religious solutions of life of truth, equality and = are truly and simply ONE and the same. The truth of equality, =, or One, will stand forever, and ultimately the truest test of time. = MJA

Posted by: Michael J Ahles | March 30, 2008 12:47 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, You give me hope in humanity. Thank you for continuing to educate the masses and introducing us to admirable people each week. Sincerely, Ishmael

Posted by: ishmael daro | March 30, 2008 3:31 AM

Bill, Thank you for an illuminating hour. As a teacher of US Government,I want all of my students to see the interview with Mr. Cory Booker. This is the type of leader who can restore the spirit of America. His common sense approach and eloquence mark him as a man who is worth national attention. I would like to see him as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. To see his earnestness and conviction combined with a "tell it straight" fearlessness leads me to cast off synicism and believe that there is still hope for our great country which has been for too long mired in fear and hopelessness.

Posted by: John Ebbe | March 30, 2008 1:15 AM

The March28 Journal on poverty and the interview with Cory Booker were intensely significant. Social organization and human kindness are essential to solving the problem of poverty. To begin with; what we measure as time is the on going change of form and relative relationships of physical objects in space. Space is a volume of openness that contains the phenomena of physical reality. Physical reality is the construction of energy into matter consisting of particles that become the form and function that provides a comprehensive and coherent whole that can and does support life experience. Human life is the recipient of, the reason for and the source of appreciation of physical reality. Human beings are rational entities that can change reality for the better or the worse. Better or worse is in relationship to the quality of Human life. While this is a human centric concept of reality; it is the necessary concept for the survival of human kind. Supporting the needs and desires of humanity should be or prime objective. Raising children is our most important task. Children soon become the adults who make the decisions that effect human life. It follows that providing the support for parents is...

Posted by: David Eddy | March 29, 2008 11:00 PM

What do you think? (Michael's Answers) Are the Kerner Commission’s findings relevant today? Why or why not? My formative background has exposed me to the problems of elitism and economic inequality, in those very places that just before my birth had exploded in riot and assignation. I have seen both the positive and negative potential of America in the aftermath of Kerner Commission, and Fred Harris is right, we never finished the processes recommended by the 1967 National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders. Thus, their findings are still relevant. I do not believe that governments can solve racism, end elitism, or change human nature. Our greed and fear divide humanity in conflict, to unify the white and black community in the U.S. would require overcoming both human nature and the prejudice of past experience, and only death can eventually erase that memory. Individually we have the potential of reason, it may be possible to achieve change, to educate ourselves and gain enlightenment, to overcome our evolved tribal nature by rational self-interest, but such can not be forced upon us by government. Government can, at best, encourage and motivate such unity through legislation and economic policy, and inspire our potential by...

Posted by: Michael Russell | March 29, 2008 9:09 PM

Bill, Thank you for doing what you do best. Your show allows me to hear from individuals I might not ever hear from, special human beings such as Mr. Booker, who instill hope that all is not lost. Inspiring gentleman, Mr. Booker, seems to be able to say very eloquently, what we true Americans feel and believe in. Michael

Posted by: Michael Ramey | March 29, 2008 7:45 PM

Thank you for two moving interviews and introducing me to two admirable men.I want to share those terrible statistics with my fellow Americans, hoping the truth will begin to set us free.

Posted by: Mary Hamilton | March 29, 2008 7:24 PM

This guy's on fire. I love him. Looks like it's a new day in America.

Posted by: Alan Deane | March 29, 2008 7:17 PM

Thank you, Bill Moyers for yet another wonderful program featuring Newark's mayor, Corey Booker. I was impressed with Booker's commentary about the importance of options being available, specifically for disadvantaged Afro Americans, in order to have a chance to overcome poverty. I've read many of these posts in response to last night's program. I was struck by several topics: the continuing racial and economic divide, the high incidence of out-of-wedlock births among Afro Americans, the Kerner Commission's accuracy, and the concept of responsibility, accountability, and empowerment within the Afro American community to bring about change. I've a few conclusion of my own. First, I don't think that racial prejudice is at the core of the decline of the Afro American inner city community. The problem is overwhelmingly the absence of economic vitality, inferior education, and moral decay. I was born in 1949 in Philadelphia, PA. When I was growing up post World War II, the majority of Afro American homes (in my neighborhood) were owned by married couples. Industry was thriving, and everyone worked. I did not personally have any friends/relatives who had a father absent from the home, or unemployed. Also, my mother (like most of the moms in...

Posted by: Maizie James | March 29, 2008 7:06 PM

I am an 83 year old women who has heard racist remarks in and outside of my parent's home and outside where ever I have lived . I listened to Bill Moyer's program on the Kerner Report and am ashamed to say I had forgotten about it. I think we all selectively forget what we think we can't do anything about. I thought racism would disapear with my generation,and I voted for Barac Obama because he was getting younger voters active and since I have great grand children in varias colors I hoped they wanted that change.E>A.

Posted by: Esther Amaral | March 29, 2008 5:53 PM

Barack Obama for President Cory Booker, Vice-President Both with amazing passion, oratory, commitment, education and action. Inspiration instead of desparation...FINALLY!

Posted by: BKCross | March 29, 2008 4:11 PM

All of my posts were deleted. The only posts remaining are positive, except for one response to me by Jack Martin, which makes no sense, since all of my comments are gone. I do not want you to believe that this is a democratic forum or that Moyers is interested in truth. Moyers is a CFR member. The CFR is the real government, and it is interested in world government, not racism. You foolish people who watch PBS and believe you live in a democracy are my enemies. This is a tightly controlled dictatorship, and if you ever wake up, you are going to be on the same watch lists as I am. As long as a black person plays their game, he is free to torture as many watch listed whites as he pleases. During the past ten years, blacks were the most ready to torture me and fire me for my watch list status.

Posted by: Sharon | March 29, 2008 4:05 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, I think Mayor Booker's idea for a Statue of Personal Responsiblity is excellent. Our nation should hire the citizenry of Newark to design, build and install it. The mayor seems truly visionary, inspirational and pragmatic. In my own lifetime, I've personally seen America's race relations improve in some ways since the 60s, but I realize we've yet a long, long way to go toward achieving full human coequality. I hope we will embrace that goal fully, and pursue it persistently in each succeeding generaton. I would like us to visualize how our society might look with that goal realized 100 years from now. As America is not the only place on the planet that has racial conflicts, I think we should champion human equality from the standpoint of world leadership. We should formally declare our creative energies and material resources on behalf of a clear moral stance for human harmony and understanding. We should write a Declaration of Worldwide Rights of All Planetary Beings to be free of war and destruction upon any form of life or habitat, and stand by it. We should present the declaration with a massive dropping of flowers all over Iraq and...

Posted by: Beverly | March 29, 2008 3:07 PM

Dear Mr. Moyers, I think Mayor Booker's idea for a Statue of Personal Responsiblity is excellent. Our nation should hire the citizenry of Newark to design, build and install it. The mayor seems truly visionary, inspirational and pragmatic. In my own lifetime, I've personally seen America's race relations improve in some ways since the 60s, but I realize we've yet a long, long way to go toward achieving full human coequality. I hope we will embrace that goal fully, and pursue it persistently in each succeeding generaton. I would like us to visualize how our society might look with that goal realized 100 years from now. As America is not the only place on the planet that has racial conflicts, I think we should champion human equality from the standpoint of world leadership. We should formally declare our creative energies and material resources on behalf of a clear moral stance for human harmony and understanding. We should write a Declaration of Worldwide Rights of All Planetary Beings to be free of war and destruction upon any form of life or habitat, and stand by it. We should present the declaration with a massive dropping of flowers all over Iraq and...

Posted by: Beverly | March 29, 2008 3:03 PM

Mr. Moyers, thank you for continuing your shows -- please don't ever stop. I don't think you've ever been better -- you haven't lost a thing. I haven't thought of the Kerner Commission report in decades. But your show brought me back to my late teens when it's findings seemed so new and radical. And thanks for reminding us all that the Great Society didn't fail as much as was simply dismantled! even we progressives get sucked into the phony national stories.

Posted by: Linda | March 29, 2008 1:35 PM

Every American: every leader from Parents to the President, from school board members to state legislators, EVERYONE should view this program. It was life-changing. Mayor Booker, what a power-house. He can affect more change right where he is. Let his message grow from person to person, block to block, town to town, state to state. Responsibility can be intoxicating. The story about the woman who said that 'she' was homeland security, I want to hear her tell her story. This program needs to be re-run, with much fanfare preceding it. Those who taped this program, pass it on. Those who didn't but can afford to purchase it, do so, and pass it on. Let's use the technology we have to spread this message. I think this message can save our Country.

Posted by: Judy Pugar | March 29, 2008 1:26 PM

Thank you Bill for keeping race on the table and providing us with informed guest who are walking the talk to change race relations in america, and in their communities. We need more leaders like your two guest!!!!!

Posted by: Pbirdman | March 29, 2008 12:49 PM

When I saw and heard Barack Obama deliver the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic convention, I said, "That man has a brilliant future in politics". I said the same thing when I saw and heard Cory Booker last night. I wish we could clone him to lead every major city in this country!

Posted by: Ellen Lee | March 29, 2008 12:20 PM

The Kerner Commis. report suggest more govt. jobs, affarmitive action, increased welfare--"The Surge Syndrome". What is different today that will improve the results over recent decades? J. Wright said it-I saw & heard it, but the real issue is that Obama justified it-I saw & head that too. Cory Booker is leading by "grassroots" involvement. He said it-I saw & heard it. Mayor Booker used a lot of big words, but he also got down to "where the rubber meets the road." Maybe he is that light at the end of the tunnel. It is time to leave the 60s behind and let the bright, positive leaders take over. Who needs more of the failed past? Judge the presidential candidates on experience, judgement, character, etc. not on gender or race. The Dem. have far better qualified, experienced, unimpeachable character, candidates available--pick one at the convention! Respectfully, Billy Bob, Florida, where votes don't count unlike Chi-town where even the dead's count.

Posted by: Billy Bob | March 29, 2008 12:02 PM

The Cure Equality lessons taught in every school, to every age, to our only future, lessons that teach nature's undivided truth, lessons that must supercede the lessons of reading, writing, arithmetic, science, and computers, the simple beautiful lessons that teach us the true light of wisdom, is the only path to unity, the road to justice, our freedom, our salvation, health, life, the cure. We are what we are taught, divided or united; education holds the key to the doors of nature's true freedom, the truth that all is One. = MJA

Posted by: Michael J Ahles | March 29, 2008 11:58 AM

What a great show and God bless My booker what he's doing. I think the truest thing that Mr. Booker said was that it is time we as Black Americans stops making excuses and taking responsibility. After all the saying "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result" applies to us. we need to start doing something different if we want to see changes. As a Muslim also, there's also a teaching is Islam that God will never change the circumstances of a people until they change it themselves. In order words, change starts from within, it starts with us changing ourselves every single one of us. no one is going to change our situation unless we start doing so. if we do this, no obstacle can stand in our way because God will be there to help us. so I see a bright future ahead for all of us as a nation. we just need to be steadfast and patience.

Posted by: Umar Ndanusa | March 29, 2008 11:38 AM

Thanks Cory, for saying what so many of us (without lapel flags) have wanted to say in so many ways. And he said it much better than I ever could. I will definately look for more from Booker!

Posted by: TRACY | March 29, 2008 10:54 AM

Thanks for bringing these two informed men and the resulting serious discussion together for us. Which approach is better? I don't think an "either or" answer comes close to moving this problem along. Mayor Booker's approach is courageous and right! To be successful that approach needs the framework and support of many Kerner commission recommendations. Perhaps the best answer is having countless mayors following Bookers example while at the same time having a president and government that is responsive to their approach ~ providing the policies and belief in the role of government that encourages and supports their success. Booker's approach has to come first but a supportive Govenor and President has to be ready and able.

Posted by: CLEsley | March 29, 2008 10:04 AM

An amazing program, filled with hope and challenge. Cory Booker -- what inspiration and vision! Watching him last night, his energy and passion were palpable and his message of personal responsibility struck a chord. This morning, I'm looking for volunteer opportunities in my city. Thank you, Bill, for another great show.

Posted by: TKeyes | March 29, 2008 9:38 AM

Great show. Thanks Bill, as always. The grass-roots is the way to go. We, as citizens must take the lead, and the govt will follow. Might be interesting to tie this in with your episode on "populism". I prefer Mr Booker's version of populism.

Posted by: matt p | March 29, 2008 8:26 AM

Excellent program. Mayor Booker knocked me off my socks with a message that was among the most inpsiring I've witnessed on television. I grew up in the suburbs outside San Francisco, and like your blogger from Seattle, racism was not a part of life here. Our neighbors were among the few blacks around, with their son being a football star and prom king. In this upscale and liberal part of the world, it was not us and them - just folks. However, not far away was the small unincorporated town of Marin City. Situated between some of the wealthiest areas of the world, this town had a different situation. It had a concentrated black population. It also had - and continues to have - a disproptionatly high level of social problems. Yet this has had nothing to do with urbanization or lack of public funds. In fact, because Marin City is part of the wealthy town of Sausalito, it's teachers are among the highest paid in the country, with a tax base shared by neighboring millionares. Despite plentiful resources and progressively minded white communities, the schools in Marin City are dysfunctional, with equally rampant social problems in many homes. Mayor...

Posted by: J. Arsenault | March 29, 2008 4:39 AM

Great show tonight Bill, After years of watching you & all the other great PBS reporters & shows but more so in the last year as I watched America come apart at it's seams I kept having this recurring thought "what can an 69 yr.old DAV like me do to help in some way" Watching you show tonight & hearing Cory Brooker speak--I heard my answer. God, I wish our leaders would take such actions & have the same kind of attitude as Mayor Brooker. He should be running for a higher elected office. Reminder me of Tony Robbins giving one of his "Power Talks" Thanks for such great programing.

Posted by: Jerry Hayes--Sparks NV. | March 29, 2008 4:31 AM

Thank you for bringing us this program. I was born in 1961 and raised in all white neighbgorhoods in Northern California. I have observed from a distance the plight of black communities as my parents sought to keep us sheltered from it, in hopes of offering us more opportunity. As a result, I've had a bird's eye view of the lifestyles of white upper and middle class families. All is not roses, believe me. There was not much more than a good education, job and nice house to aspire to, because there was no real spiritual depth or moral foundation in these homes. There was marital infidelity, child abuse, alcoholism, deciept, fear and an illusion of superiority. I often asked myself, "And who in the world do they think they are to be judging someone else?"While hearing, seeing and experiencing the racism against my people (blacks) and the impoverished (all races) and observing the psychological ills and disillusionment of those who believed themselves to be superior, I had almost lost hope in change. All of the rhetoric and ignorance is rampant. How so many people of color and those who are impoverished strive to be like these people who made...

Posted by: Annette Schyadre | March 29, 2008 2:11 AM

I enjoyed the program very much. I was very inspired by Mayor Booker and also liked hearing what Mr. Harris had to say. I have already sent out a blog post recommending my readers to watch it. Thank you.

Posted by: Leslie Bloss | March 29, 2008 2:07 AM

I was inspired by both guests and feel we need BOTH top down government action AND heightened personal responsibility. Each guest said it all: Harris: "programs were working, but they were abandoned" Booker: "we each need to be an instrument of light." Consume less, ride the bus, find a still place in your heart and explore compassion; the faces of a city's tired workforce will break your heart, but you will begin to know what to do. Do it. (PS: Can someone help Sharon? I think she's in a world of hurt...)

Posted by: helen | March 29, 2008 1:31 AM

Seattle which is in King County has such a small black population that we don't have as many of the same problems as other cities do. In fact downtown is the most appealing place to live. Our county executive is black and there are clear pockets of black poverty but by and large people are not as racist perhaps due to the much much smaller numbers of blacks. There is however a growing resentment of immigrants from India and Pakistan. The suburb where Microsoft is headquartered now has 1 out of every 4 adults as a first generation immigrant. People aren't worried about inner city poverty but about affordability (houses run over $450,000). I do wonder why West Coast Asians who were placed in concentration camps in WWII have managed to recover but blacks seem caught up in a victim mentality. Even Obama seems to suffer from it. As the mayor identified the solution is as much something internal as external. Jobs, good schools, opportunity..

Posted by: Seattle Native | March 29, 2008 1:27 AM

Although speaking truth to psycosis is a new experiemce for me I am genuinely honored to be called a Neanderthal by Sharon. It would please her if I wrote longer sentences I guess, and feared those "not like us" more. I do remember buying some fiberglass shingles from the Bilderburg Group in 1983. They have now lasted 25 year as promised and still look pretty good.

Posted by: Jack Martin | March 29, 2008 1:25 AM

You ask about whose approach is "more effective", Fred Harris' or Corey Booker's, however, I don't think that is the question to ask. Both have recognized the fact of racism, and the economic and social problems it has fed. They both have used their personal skills best to work towards addressing this. It would not only be fair but disrespectful to compare Fred Harris 40 years ago to Corey Booker now. Both are to be admired for their frank summary of the state of inner cities, then and now. The racism issue is not going to be solved by a one-prong approach. It needs to be looked at from all aspects; social, economic, historical and cultural. One final comment, I think Mr. Booker hit upon a key point when he spoke of "options" (including hope and trust in the justice system). When people feel they have no options, they despair and feel they have not much, if anything, to lose. This is a fact of human nature. It is under these circumstances that people are most likely to revolt, riot, etc.

Posted by: A. Sweeney | March 29, 2008 1:14 AM

Terrific show. Thanks once again, Mr. Moyers. Mayor Booker's zeal and energy left me breathless--and wondering how I can do more.

Posted by: Kathy | March 29, 2008 1:13 AM

Wow - beautiful. Cory Booker, we must, as a country, nurture and encourage and somehow develop the passion and the vision you embody. Amazing... hold on to the dream, you are supported from near and far.

Posted by: DJB | March 29, 2008 1:05 AM

This was an awesome interview. Black America must heed the words of the Cory Bookers, Deval Patricks, and Donna Edwards of the world and get rid of the Sharpe James of the world that are afraid to said what Booker is saying and instead are willing to play the "poverty pimp" game. The Cory Bookers of black american politics are willing to execute their campaign promises, which sets him apart from many politicians on the city and county level that exploit the hopes and dreams of a community for votes by campaigning on ideas you never intend to implement. This change is sweeping black america, and the older generation that fails to recognize and nurture this force shall meet its political demise.

Posted by: Michael Davis - Dallas Progress | March 29, 2008 12:57 AM

And another thing: I'm sick of this "Holy Family":Strong Father bullcrap. My dad died in an industrial accident before I knew him and I did OK. (I got SS benefits and Johnson's Great Society so I could give back later.) Contrary to tradition and popular belief the reproductive and nurturing capacity of humanity can be organized in a variety of ways as demonstrated in any anthropological examination of varied cultures and pre-history. The nuclear family, ideally headed by a reproductive pair bond, is a vulnerable unit refined under capitalism for maximal manipulation and exploitation. There can actually be economic and social advantages to extended (multi-generational) families, non-traditional unions, and voluntary (elective) collectivity. Sometimes there is a place for polygamy, polyandry, group marriage or many other innovations. This is truly a relativistic subject area. In some cultures the men and women are segregated in unisexual longhouses. Some pastoral groups mimic the ways of the animals they herd, with one "old goat" accumulating a harem (Spitzer and Bill Clinton would like that.). In most primate groups females dominate and determine sexual access and social organization. (Hillary thinks villagers raise children. I like that idea too.) Anyway, can't we all just get along...

Posted by: Jack Martin | March 29, 2008 12:49 AM

What a great, great show. As a white, middle-aged woman I keep hearing negative comments about African-Americans when I am in all white company (much like the ones I see made by some on this board). Because I teach at a predominately African American community college, I see daily proof that the negative stereotypes are false and we, as white people, have no idea of the struggles they face everyday. Most of my students are very poor. They work full time (and even 2nd & 3rd jobs) but a lot of them can't afford books. They have families, live in dangerous & neglected neighborhoods, pay higher prices on just about everything from gas to groceries to interest on loans, suffer racial profiling by police and a society that suspects and resents their every move but they get up everyday and go to school and their jobs and still manage to go to church every Sunday. In the 6 years I've taught at this college, I have never seen or heard of violence on our campus. Our campus is 60% African American, 25% Hispanic & 15% white but everyone gets along & there has never been any racial strife of any...

Posted by: pam | March 29, 2008 12:35 AM

Examining the archive of these blog pages one comes across legitimately frustrated people who repeat rumors and claim Bill Moyers is a member of some esoteric organization with an elitist and undermining agenda. I'm not much interested in his affiliations, because he has what Thorstein Veblen labeled "idle curiousity." You can see it in these interviews with Fred Harris and Cory Booker. I and my organization have affectionately called Moyers a hostage because of his tendancies, to extemporize rather than to incite, and to avoid cutting edge controversies (like 9/11 truth). Like many a concerned intellectual he is a phenomenologist and not a materialist. In our pre-emptive milieu the trend and tone is so much against materialist types they often become a caricature of their ideals. What we have is a politics of lip service, and not of service to humanity. (Witness our "bringing of democracy" to the West Asia.) Cory Booker preaches "stone soup", and much of what he says is simply rhetoric. I've seen that path Cory, and you wind up being a collaborator with the powers that be, negotiating away your gains for a few crumbs. America is maintained as a "zero sum" game by those with...

Posted by: Jack Martin | March 29, 2008 12:26 AM

I find it simply amazing that Cory Booker can talk so much about personal responsibility, yet pass over lightly the responsibility of every biological parent of a child: namely, to BE there as the child's parent! Bill Moyers refers to a "destructive ghetto environment," but the most destructive environment is that of a family with no father present to role model the very responsibility that Cory Booker states is so important. It is nothing short of mind boggling that in nearly two dozen of our major cities, seven out of ten African- American children are born to a home without a father. This has nothing to do with race. NO family of any race is going to do well when one of the two parents doesn't even stay around for the child's birth. Should we then be surprised that most such families live in poverty, when they have one income instead of two? Do we know of any entity/institution/group that does well with 50% staffing? Would the New York Giants have won the Super Bowl with only half of the squad suited up and ready to play? Cory needs to encourage every family of whatever color to take the obligations...

Posted by: Dr. Curt Schmidt | March 29, 2008 12:23 AM

We missed a key point that may well explain Fred Harris' compassion. The state of Oklahoma may technically by mostly white but it has a very significant Native American population and Walters Oklahoma is Comanche territory and Fred Harris has ties to that community. As always Bill, thanks for what you do and who you are.

Posted by: Tonia Moro | March 29, 2008 12:17 AM

Thank you for the introduction to Mayor Cory Booker. I got to participate in the civil rights movement of the '60s and watch the Kerner Report gather dust. We need to ask ourselves why our situation today is worse than it was back then. In part it is because we are repeating the mistakes of alcohol prohibition. In part it is because our systems, personal as well as political, are overwhelmed. We need to end the denial of our failures. But Mayor Booker is right; we need new efforts more. Success is not monetary gain but moral change. Caring for ourselves and caring for each other. That cannot be sold. It must be earned.

Posted by: January | March 29, 2008 12:12 AM

This was a valuable but narrow discussion of urban problems today. The fastest-growing segment of America's underclass is latino. And, the majority latino population in Los Angeles offers a preview of coming attractions for the rest of the nation. Gangs of young latino young men rule whole swaths of this city. These men have no jobs and are not looking for jobs. Their days are filled with dope, drink, and protecting their turf. And, when another gang challenges that turf, all hell breaks loose. That's what happened a few weeks ago in the northeast sector of Los Angeles, where a neighborhood was locked down for hours as police shot it out with gang members. Gang activity is just one dysfunctional element in this community. The national media needs to pay attention to the changing racial landscape before it's too late. We don't want another Kerner report to ask why the latino underclass was ignored.

Posted by: sandra m | March 29, 2008 12:10 AM

Mayor Cory Booker is an inspiration. How refreshing to hear a public figure state outright that soundbites will not solve anything, and that true change starts with individuals, not politicians. My compliments, sir, on forcing me to revise my opinion on the future. We may yet have a chance.

Posted by: daniel molitor | March 29, 2008 12:03 AM

Dear Mr. Moyers, On your program on 40 years after the kerner Commission: after 40 years it's still the white man's fault/ the "original sin" an applied mass guilt on white people, because of out-of-wedlock births, single parent homes, an unwillingness to absord education, poverty: here it loud from Bill Cosby "get off your tail" and read a book/ where's your beef at corporate america and government for sending our jobs overseas, and uncontrolled spending by gov.?/ where's the $ from Iraq and her oil instead of ours? wake up to the crooks in government? they are selling us out/

Posted by: john m | March 28, 2008 11:50 PM

A very interesting show. Booker is very inspirational! If every town in America had a person with his energy and conviction for change this would be a lot better country. But I don't feel this can solve all our problems. I feel a worsening problem in America is the exiting of jobs for cheaper labor. With more people looking for fewer jobs, supply and demand results in lower paying jobs for some and unemployment and poverty for others. Government action is needed, but how without becoming Protectionist?

Posted by: Doug | March 28, 2008 11:38 PM

Mayor Cory Booker for president!

Posted by: Virginia Morris | March 28, 2008 11:35 PM

This was extraordinary and courageous reporting. The Kerner Commission tore down the walls of segregation in this country. Its landmark report led news reporters to venture into inner city black communities and talk to people who lived there for the first time. Mr. Moyers' report demonstrated that the commission's findings remain relevant today. In response to the challenge put forth by Mayor Cory Booker, African Americans have gained a stronger standing in the society, so that they can do more today to tackle inner city problems than they could back then. That doesn't negate the need for more more stable jobs to replace those that have been sent overseas. Government has had a role in creating jobs to support the economy, and can do so again.

Posted by: Natalie Bell | March 28, 2008 11:34 PM

Both Sen. Fred Harris and Mayor Cory Booker were impressive commentators from their perspective viewpoints. I am memorizing both of their names. I'd like to read Sen. Harris' writings and hope and expect to see and hear from Mr. Booker in the future in political circles. Thank you for both of them.

Posted by: Joyce Dayton | March 28, 2008 11:25 PM

It is tough to write a few lines on this subject out-of-the-blue on a Friday nite, but I would like to point out that I think you are wrong if you mean to attribute all these social problems to simply a prejudice against black-skinned ppl. It is like arguing that Indian problems are due to a prejudice against Indians, or problems with Arabs are due to a prejudice against Arabs. I would argue that it is rather cultural clash inherent in course our social and economic development has taken, though it may well have a genetic component, as most things psychological do. It has in my view more to do with the clash of Tory and Whig, than of black and white. The problem of welfare dependency cannot be doubted, nor the failures encountered by job training programs. That there has been a flight to the suburbs and exurbs is true, but it started, believe-it-or-not, in the 18th-19th century. The movement from rural areas to urban ones in Elizabethan times in England. Many rural towns are just as badly off as any inner-city in population, jobs, and infrastructure. What we like to call economic growth (and I am not sure...

Posted by: RE Mant | March 28, 2008 11:19 PM

I think Bill Moyers does an excellent job of bringing important issues forward for discussion. I was much impressed with Cory Booker's "democratic" call to action. However, I feel Bill missed Cory's point in his closing remarks when he said it is up to Cory's generation to resume the battle that his generation shelved. Cory's point was that if you are an American, you can be part of the solution. It is not the actions of the evil...

Posted by: Michael | March 28, 2008 11:12 PM

Mayor Booker makes it sound pretty simple: Do something. Such a lost ideal in the "what's in it for me?" world we live in. And on so many levels: 1. Why does the federal government have to try to intervene in our schools? Nobody else is apparently asking more of our schools; 2. Who's forcing us to drive our cars that are contributing to global climate change? I'm trying to do more in my own small ways and spectate less. One of my next steps--mentoring.

Posted by: Phip | March 28, 2008 11:06 PM

I was inspired by Mayor Booker. I whole-heartedly agree with his assessment of our responsibilities as Americans. I remember being similarly inspired by politicians as a child. I remember feeling enthusiasm for our democracy back when the bully pulpit was still used to inspire citizens to action. I grew up poor in a single parent home in a small rural town. "War on poverty" programs reached me and made a difference for me. I would have never received a college education without the help of federal grants. In my town there was no such thing as community organizing or open dialogue. While I believe community is essential and powerful, rural areas can be places where it is not possible for folks to step out of line without being marginalized. In my case, government programs and services were essential to my escape from poverty. I'm not advocating absolution of responsibility of rural communities. It just may be a different dynamic and a bit harder nut to crack for social change. NOW is a terrific pipeline for hearing good people talk about good ideas and with Mayor Booker, good actions. Thanks

Posted by: Kim Wright | March 28, 2008 10:54 PM

Your revisit of the Kerner Commission was chilling when I realized that indeed its prediction has come true, that we live very much in two societies (well, actually several more than that now if you count our Latino communities and those of Asian immigrants). I'm amazed by how many white people I know have no contact with African Americans as peers. Fred Harris is correct that Ronald Reagan's proclamation that government could do no good was a terrible blow to the civil rights movement, but let's not forget that Daniel Patrick Moynihan's advice to Richard Nixon to practice "benign neglect" toward racial matters started the ball rolling. The Kerner Commission was a lot bolder than I recalled, and it still resonates. People like Corey Booker, Deval Patrick, Obama and that prospective new Congresswoman in Maryland inspire me to believe that we can live differently, but as Booker says, it's got to be intentional. This was one of your best shows.

Posted by: Carolyn | March 28, 2008 10:44 PM

Thank-you as always, even when I disagree with your opinion I can't disagree with your intent, as a decent for real human being! Do I believe racism still exists? Yes. Is it the Majority of America? No. God, I sure hope the Civil Rights movement did some good, it cost enough, in time effort and sacrific! That said: I am honestly conflicted. I have an issue with, how long, how much, is going to be enough? I was born in 1950, lower income family, the Only Black family around (or in my school) that was Black, lived on my street! I waited, or went up and got ruthie to walk to school with! (my father told me not to talk to or associate with French, or Italian, forget about Black)! I didn't care. Ruthie was smart, nice and talented (piano) and I didn't underatand the difference. No big statement, just was. I was in Grammer school, and Kennedy died. I was in High School, Vietnam esscalated! Then MLK, was killed! White kids were marching with the black! We all wanted Civil Rights, equality! Ruthie's cousin, and I became friends through Fife and Drum Corp, he was elected (in a white...

Posted by: AndieG | March 28, 2008 10:36 PM

I was moved by what Mayor Booker said. His is a realistic, pragmatic attempt to deal with the difficult issues facing Newark. I think the personal responsibility he emphasizes could be just what the doctor ordered for Newark and for every city with such problems (not to mention each of us in our personal lives). And, at the risk of sounding naive or silly, wouldn't it be so helpful if we could all look at one another and see ourselves. See the desperate struggle to survive we are all engaged in and reach out to ourselves in the form of that other person. To Bill Moyers: you are one of a kind. Are you training someone to follow in your footsteps? I hope so. We will need someone like you when you decide to stop.

Posted by: Ciarrai | March 28, 2008 10:18 PM

Mr moyers, I respect you greatly and ask that you consider the term as outdated. Marriage is only one way of helping families remain intact. Not all parents want to be married, or cannot legally be married, and yet they still are families.

Posted by: nancy small | March 28, 2008 10:01 PM

I think perhaps the Kerner Commission’s findings are even more relevant today than when originally presented, although the core concerns they address aren’t quite the same. While the goal of minimizing (and hopefully one day eliminating) racism in America has made progress, there is much work left to be done. But it is the disparaging inequalities between the wealthy 1% and the rest of Americans—regardless of race—that predominantly drives the need for the recommendations presented by the Kerner Commission’s report. While both Senator Harris’s and Mayor Booker’s approaches are laudable in there own right, and are perhaps the best solutions for other limited, more narrowly defined challenges, it is only when a concerted effort to combine these concepts into a cohesive and committed program that we will see progress in addressing the grave problems that lie ahead of us—problems that may well prove to be the most harrowing this nation has faced since the Great Depression. We need top-down governmental intervention to provide emergency social assistance and to enforce financial and corporate regulations long abandoned by the conservative disciples of Milton Friedman; yet we also need grassroots mentoring efforts to form a principled social foundation. It is only by building...

Posted by: MWAnderson | March 28, 2008 2:40 PM

Race, Poverty, and the Inner City --- 40 Years Later

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