>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON," WHILE MASSACHUSETTS IS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE PACK WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINATING RESIDENTS, IT'S COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO HAVE FALLEN FURTHEST BEHIND, GETTING THE SHOT AT MUCH LOWER RATES THAN WHITES.

I'M JOINED BY TWO LOCAL LEADERS TRYING TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM: MICHAEL CURRY, THE HEAD OF THE MASSACHUSETTS LEAGUE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, AND DR. THEA JAMES, WHO IS ASSOCIATE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AT BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER.

PLUS, OUTRAGE ON BOTH SIDES OVER A CLASS AT HARVARD THAT AIMED TO EXAMINE NEW POLICING TECHNIQUES, RAISING BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF POLICE REFORM AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM.

THEN, LATER, MISS GOING OUT FOR DINNER AND A SHOW?

WE'LL TELL YOU HOW YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL COME TO YOU, RIGHT FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN COUCH, COURTESY OF GBH, THE HUNTINGTON THEATER, AND THE MASSACHUSETTS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION.

AND, FINALLY, SOME OF WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SENDING IN.

>>> SINCE MASSACHUSETTS FIRST STARTED PLANNING ITS APPROACH TO COVID VACCINE ADMINISTRATIONS, GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER HAS REPEATEDLY STATED THIS, AMONG HIS TOP PRIORITIES: >> Governor: COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND AT-RISK POPULATIONS ARE PRIORITIZED IN DISTRIBUTION TIMELINES AND OUR ADMINISTRATION WILL BE FOCUSED INTENTLY ON REACHING THESE INDIVIDUALS.

>> Braude: BUT IN MY RECENT CONVERSATION WITH CONGRESSWOMAN AYANNA PRESSLEY, SHE MADE IT CLEAR THOSE EFFORTS ARE FALLING SHORT IN THE STATE'S LATEST VACCINE REPORT.

BLACK AND HISPANIC PEOPLE MAKE UP LESS THAN THREE AND FOUR PERCENT, RESPECTIVELY, OF THOSE WHO HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE, COMPARED TO AROUND 36% OF WHITE PEOPLE.

OF COURSE, ACCESS TO THE VACCINE MAY BE PART OF THE ISSUE, WITH REPORTS OF WIDESPREAD DIFFICULTY SURROUNDING THE STATE'S REGISTRATION PROCESS.

BUT A RECENT "BOSTON GLOBE"/SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY POLL RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT HESITANCY AS WELL, FINDING JUST 11% OF BLACK RESIDENTS AND 32% OF LATINOS IN THE STATE SAYING THEY'D TAKE THE VACCINE AS SOON AS IT'S AVAILABLE.

AND THAT'S AN ISSUE MY NEXT GUESTS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON.

HERE IS MICHAEL CURRY AT GOVERNOR BAKER'S PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK.

>> THERE IS A RELUCTANCE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE I WAS BORN AND RAISED, IN ROXBURY, ABOUT THIS VACCINE, AND I WANT TO URGE PEOPLE TO TRUST THE SCIENCE.

>> Braude: I'M JOINED BY MICHAEL CURRY, WHO'S ON THE GOVERNOR'S COVID VACCINE ADVISORY GROUP.

HE'S ALSO THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE MASSACHUSETTS LEAGUE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND THE CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL NAACP ADVOCACY AND POLICY COMMITTEE.

AND DR. THEA JAMES IS ASSOCIATE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AND VICE PRESIDENT OF MISSION AT BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER, AND AN EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN.

SHE'S ALSO ON MAYOR WALSH'S COVID-19 HEALTH INEQUITIES TASK FORCE.

>> Braude: DOCTOR AND MICHAEL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: MICHAEL, AT THAT EVENT LAST WEEK WITH THE GOVERNOR, YOU SPOKE OF STRUCTURAL RACISM, AND YOU SPOKE ABOUT HOW EQUITY IS, AND I'M QUOTING YOU, WILL CONTINUE TO BE FRONT AND CENTER IN THE STATE'S ROLLOUT.

I KNOW THAT IS THE GOAL.

BUT HAS THE IMPLEMENTATION LIVED UP TO THE GOAL, MICHAEL?

>> I'D SAY NO.

THAT'S TRUE FOR MASSACHUSETTS.

THAT'S TRUE FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

I THINK THAT THERE WAS AN AN INTENTIONALITY ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNOR'S COVID-19 VACCINE WORKING GROUP TO BUILD EQUITY INTO THE PRIORITIZATION.

THERE ARE SOME CHALLENGES THERE, PARTICULARLY AS WE'RE IN 75 PLUS RIGHT NOW, AND 75 PLUS IS REALLY WEIGHTED TOWARDS WHITE PEOPLE.

IT DOESN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POPULATION THAT IS THICKER AND THAT OUR BLACK AND BROWN TEND THE BE YOUNGER THAN 75, NOR DOES IT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE MORALITY RATES.

THAT BEING SAID, OUR PLAN HERE WAS A LOT MORE EQUITY THAN MUCH OF THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

BUT IT IS THE OPERATIONALIZING OF THAT PLAN THAT OFTEN FALLS SHORT.

>> Braude: HOW DO YOU THINK IT IS GOING IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, DOCTOR?

>> Doctor: I HAVE TO AGREE WITH MICHAEL, OF COURSE, THE FACTS THAT HE JUST PRESENTED.

BUT I ALSO THINK THAT AS A PHYSICIAN IN A HOSPITAL THAT SERVES PRIMARILY PATIENTS FROM THOSE COMMUNITIES, WE ARE WORKING NON-STOP RIGHT NOW IN TRYING TO CREATE A PLAN TO REACH THOSE PEOPLE IN THAT POPULATION.

AND IT'S MORE THAN JUST REACHING THEM, BUT IT IS ALSO ADDRESSING, YOU KNOW, THE HESITANCY THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE.

SO SOMETIMES HAVING ACCESS NOT ENOUGH.

>> Braude: WELL, SPEAKING OF HESITANCY, DOCTOR, IN A PIECE THAT ADRIAN WALKER WROTE ABOUT YOU IN THE GLOBE, YOU WERE CANDID ENOUGH TO ADMIT YOU HAD A BIT OF HESITANCY.

AND WHAT WAS THAT ABOUT AND WHAT CAUSED YOU TO CHANGE YOUR MIND?

>> Doctor: WELL, MYSELF, LIKE OTHER BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN AMERICA, HAVE NOT -- YOU KNOW, IN YOUR LIFETIME, YOU'VE NOT BEEN USED TO SEEING YOURSELF BEING PRIORITIZED.

IF ANYTHING, YOU ALWAYS SEE YOURSELF GETTING LESS THAN THEN OR GETTING AN ALTERNATIVE OPTION FOR THIS OR THAT.

AND SO -- AND ALSO HAVING, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES WITH THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

AND SO WHEN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BRINGS SOMETHING TO YOU, YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO QUESTION IT AND NOT ACCEPT IT READILY.

>> Braude: SO WERE YOU ABLE TO OVERCOME THAT HESITANCY BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT YOUR WAY THROUGH IT OR BECAUSE YOU DECIDED THAT AS A LEADER IN THE HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY YOU WERE A ROLE MODEL FOR OTHERS AND HAD TO DO IT?

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO CONQUER THAT HESITANCY?

>> Doctor: WELL, IT KIND OF LIKE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

BUT WHAT STARTED IT WAS BEING IN A SITUATION WHERE I WAS LOOKING AT THE VARIOUS DIFFERENT WAYS IN WHICH PEOPLE WERE NOT ABLE TO WORK, HAVING TO QUIT THEIR JOBS, ROLL BACK THEIR HOURS, AND ESSENTIALLY NOT BEING ABLE TO THRIVE, NOT BEING ABLE TO MAKE MONEY TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES, AND SEEING THEM SUFFER IN THAT WAY, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DEAL WITH THAT VERY WELL, PARTICULARLY REALIZING THAT THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO -- FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THE FASTEST WAY TO GET BACK TO PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO THRIVE WAS GOING TO BE THE VACCINE.

AND THE FACT THAT I COULD ACTUALLY BE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT BY TAKING THE VACCINE.

AND I WENT THROUGH THAT FOR ABOUT 48 HOURS, YOU KNOW.

48 HOURS JUST OF INTENSE THOUGHT AND PROCESSING.

AND THAT'S HOW I CAME TO THAT CONCLUSION.

AND I FELT MUCH BETTER AFTERWARDS.

>> Braude: MICHAEL, SPEAKING OF HESITANCY, I HEARD A FIGUREFROM THE C.D.C.

YESTERDAY THAT SHOCKED ME, MAYBE NOT YOU, THAT ONLY 38% OF PEOPLE WORKING IN NURSING HOMES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AGREED TO TAKE THE SHOT WHEN IT WAS PROVIDED TO THEM.

DO YOU HAVE AN EXPLANATION FOR THAT?

>> YEAH.

I THINK IT IS SO MUCH.

IT IS NOT JUST NURSING HOMES, IT IS HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CENTERS.

WE'RE SEEING THAT ACROSS THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE, THAT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE MIRROR THE HESITANCY WITHIN THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THEY DON'T NECESSARILY TRUST THE SCIENCE COMING OUT OF THIS REALLY CHARGED, POLITICALLY-DIVISIVE LAST ADMINISTRATION, HOW QUICKLY WE CAME TO THE VACCINE.

THEY DON'T TRUST SCIENCE AND THE HISTORY, AS WE'VE BEEN EXPERIMENTED ON, ABUSED, DENIED HEALTH INSURANCE, AND QUITE FRANKLY, NEGLECTED WITH OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

I THINK ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE.

IN THIS MOMENT, PEOPLE ARE HESITANT.

A YOUNG PERSON SAID TO ME, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT JAY MARION AND HIS EXPERIMENT ON SLAVES OR THE TUS TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENTS.

BUT YOU DO KNOW WHEN YOUR MOTHER HELD YOUR HAND TIGHT WHEN YOU WENT THROUGH A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND JUST LIKE THAT, WE PUT OUR DISTRUST ON THE NEXT GENERATION.

AND ALSO DO THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO HAVE THOSE SAME LIVED EXPERIENCE.

>> Braude: LET'S TALK ABOUT MAKING PEOPLE OF COLOR A PRIORITY, AND URGING THEM, WHEN THEY'RE A PRIORITY, TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PRIORITY THING FIRST.

I READ SOMETHING TODAY THAT IN BALTIMORE THEY'RE GOING DOOR TO DOOR IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND POOR COMMUNITIES TO SIGN PEOPLE UP.

IN WASHINGTON, D.C., OBVIOUSLY A PREDOMINANTLY BLACK COMMUNITY, OVERWHELMING SO, MARGINALIZED ZIP CODES ARE AT THE HIGHEST ON THE PRIORITY LIST.

ARE WE DOING ANY OF THOSE KIND OF CREATIVE THINGS HERE?

AND WHAT OTHER KIND OF CREATIVE THINGS DO YOU THINK BE SHOULD BE DOING?

>> Doctor: WE ARE DEFINITELY, ACTIVELY -- VERY ACTIVELY EXPLORING EVERYTHING YOU JUST NAMED AND MORE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MEETINGS ALL WEEK LONG.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE GOAL IS TO NOT JUST BE A HOSPITAL AND EXPECT PEOPLE TO COME TO YOU ALL OF THE TIME, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE SHOULDN'T EVEN BE DOING BEFORE COVID, BUT GOING OUT TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE AND ENGAGING WITH THEM, UNDERSTANDING THEIR HESITANCY MORE, LETTING THEM KNOW THAT IT MATTERS TO US, MAKING IT CONVENIENT FOR THEM, ENGAGING WITH LEADERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO CAN REPRESENT THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORK WITH US TO WORK WITH THEM.

AND SO WE -- EVERYTHING THAT YOU NAMED, AGAIN, AND MORE, WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING ON, EXPLORING, AND PLANNING.

>> Braude: YOU KNOW, MICHAEL, I SHOULD KNOW THIS: DO WE HAVE MOBILE VACCINATION SITES IN MASSACHUSETTS?

WE DO HAVE THEM?

>> THERE ARE MEETINGS GOING ON AS WE SPEAK.

IT IS AN INTERESTING NOTE, DR. JAMES, MY MOTHER IS AT BROCKTON GENERAL HEALTH CENTER GETTING HER SHOT RIGHT NOW.

>> Braude: THAT'S GREAT.

>> I MET WITH G.P.

H., THE MEETING FOR MOBILE VACCINATION OPTIONS, AND THERE IS A LOT OF FOLKS OUT HERE TRYING TO FIND THE RESOURCES.

I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE RIGHT NOW BOTH MONICA BERREL AT D.P.H., AND HER TEAM AT D.P.H., AND THE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT ALL WEEK TO SAY HOW DO WE GET VACCINES AND RESOURCES IN YOUR HANDS, WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO SUPPORT YOU?

I THINK, JIM, WE'LL HAVE ALL OF THE ABOVE IN TERMS OF OPTIONS, BUT WE NEED TO DO IT QUICKLY BECAUSE, QUITE FRANKLY, WE'RE FALLING BEHIND AND LOSING LIVES.

>> Braude: WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, MICHAEL, WE HAVE TO DO IT QUICKLY.

WHEN I HEAR THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CALL CENTER BY THE END OF THE WEEK, WHY DIDN'T WE HAVE A CALL CENTER, PARTICULARLY FOR OLDER PEOPLE, ON DAY ONE?

BUT PUTTING THAT ASIDE FOR A SECOND, MICHAEL, YOU WERE AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY ABOUT MASSACHUSETTS BECOMING A SANCTUARY STATE, AND IT WAS NOT SOME ABSTRACT COMMITMENT TO THE ISSUE.

I THINK YOU'RE CONCERNED BECAUSE SO MANY UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO THEM IF THEY GO TO A HEALTH CARE FACILITY, THAT THAT BARRIER HAS TO BE REMOVED.

SO CAN YOU EXPAND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> YEAH.

SO, ONE, CREDIT TO MIRA, THE IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION, LEADING THE CHARGE, AND MIRANDA, WHO IS LEADING IN PUTTING THE LEGISLATION FORWARD.

WE KNOW THERE IS A CHILLING EFFECT, EVEN BEFORE COVID AND EVEN BEFORE PRESIDENT TRUMP TRUMP AND HIS ANTI-IMMIGRANT POLICIES, AND EVEN UNDER OBAMA AND THE PRIOR ADMINISTRATION, WE HAD REALLY HURTFUL IM BRASIONIMMIGRATION POLICIES, WHERE I.C.E.

WOULD COME AND BASICALLY DEPORT PEOPLE.

THE RESULT WOULD BE PEOPLE WOULD NOT COME IN FOR CARE.

AND NOW IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, THEY'RE NOT COMING IN TO GET TESTED, NOT COMING IN TO GET TRACED OR TREATED, AND WE'RE AFRAID THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GET VACCINATED EITHER.

THAT IS NOT IN THE PUBLIC'S BEST INTEREST, FOR ANY PERSON NOT TO GET TREATED.

PEOPLE ARE REMOVING THEMSELVES FROM MEDICAID AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND THOSE WHO ARE NOT COMING IN TO OUR FACILITIES TO GET TREATMENT.

>> Braude: DOCTOR, I WANT TO RETURN TO THE ISSUE OF USING LEADERS TO URGE PEOPLE TO SHED THEIR HESITANCY.

I KNOW THERE ARE SOME RELIGIOUS LEADERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN ON THIS ISSUE.

WHAT ELSE ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, DOCTOR?

>> Doctor: WELL, CERTAINLY RELIGIOUS LEADERS, BUT ALSO COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, YOU KNOW, WHO PEOPLE ENGAGE WITH ALL OF THE TIME, AND WHO THEY TRUST.

AS MICHAEL SAID, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AS WELL.

SO THOSE TYPES OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Braude: MICHAEL, SPEAKING OF LEADERS, I DON'T KNOW IF EITHER OF YOU SAW, BUT STARTING WITH YOU, MICHAEL, KAREM ABDUL JABAR SAID MANY CAN HELP WITH URGING OTHERS TO TAKE THE SHOT.

CHARLES BARKLEY ONCE SAID WE AIN'T NO ROLE MODELS, BUT, IN FACT, ATHLETES ARE ROLE MODELS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, LETTING HIGH-PROFILE ATHLETES JUMP THE LINE SO THEY CAN URGE PEOPLE TO TAKE THE VACCINE?

>> I THINK IT IS COMPLICATED, JIM.

WHAT THE STUDIES HAVE TOLD US, WE WANT TO SEE PEOPLE LIKE DR. JAMES GET THE VACCINE, AND OUR SCIENTISTS GET THE VACCINE, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE IN WHOM WE TRUST THEIR JUDGMENT.

THEN THERE IS A CASCADE OF OTHER PEOPLE, ELECTED OFFICIALS, LEADERS OF VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, OUR MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONS ARE HIGH ON THAT LIST -- I THINK ATHLETES CAN HELP, BUT WHAT CONCERNS ME IF WE CREATE TOO MANY PEOPLE JUMPING THE LINE FOR THE OPTICS OF IT, THEN PEOPLE LIKE MY MOTHER, 76, HAVE TO WAIT LONGER TO GET THE VACCINE.

FOR EVERY VACCINE THAT GOES INTO THE ARM OF SOMEONE NOT LIKELY TO DIE OR TO HAVE AN ADVERSE OUTCOME, WE'RE PREVENTING SOMEBODY WHO REALLY NEEDS IT FROM GETTING THE VACCINE.

SO THERE IS A BALANCE WE NEED TO MEET.

>> Braude: I ONLY HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

DR. JAMES, I WANT TO SEPARATE WHAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN THE COMMUNITY ARE DOING, BUT IF THERE IS ONE THING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STATE DO DIFFERENTLY TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR WERE MORE LIKELY TO GET THE VACCINE TO BEGIN WITH, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

>> Doctor: GET THE INFORMATION FROM THEM.

I ACTUALLY MENTIONED THIS ON A CALL, ASK THEM WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE, AND LISTEN TO THEM AND LEARN FROM THAT, AND DO THAT.

BECAUSE THEY KNOW BETTER THAN US.

WE TEND TO SIT IN THE ROOM AND PLAN IT, BUT THEY KNOW BETTER THAN WE DO.

>> Braude: MICHAEL, WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WOULD ADD TO THE GOVERNOR'S LIST?

>> I CALL THIS OUR NATIONAL KATRINA.

I THINK ABOUT THAT SERGEANT LIEUTENANT IN NEW ORLEANS WHO TOOK OVER AND TOOK OVER THE OPERATION, AND WE NEED THAT KIND OF AN OPERATION.

WHEN WE GO INTO ROXBURY, DORCHESTER, WITH MASS VACCINATION, WHERE WE PUT RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, IN OUR HOSPITALS, AND WE GET THIS DONE QUICKLY.

I THINK SOMETIMES WE'RE IN OUR OWN WAY BY OVERTHINKING THINGS.

BUT I REALLY BELIEVE SOMEBODY LIKE GENERAL NEEDS TO TAKE OVER AND PUSH THIS OUT.

>> Braude: MICHAEL CURRY, DR. THEA JAMES, THANKS.

>>> WHEN HARVARD CANCELS A CLASS, IT DOESN'T USUALLY MAKE HEADLINES, BUT BY NIXING AN ENGINEERING COURSE LAST WEEK, THE UNIVERSITY RAISED SOME BIG QUESTIONS, LIKE WHETHER POLICE REFORMERS AND ABOLITIONISTS CAN EVER FIND COMMON GROUND, AND THE LIMITS OF ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN 2021.

ADAM REILLY HAS MORE.

>> Reilly: LAST WEEK HARVARD ENGINEERING'S DEAN FRANK DOYLE ANNOUNCED THE CANCELLATION OF "DATA FUSION IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS," SAYING IN AN E-MAIL: "WE ARE AWARE OF CONCERNS ABOUT ITS DESIGN AND PEDAGOGY."

A FEW DAYS LATER, PROFESSOR KIT PARKER EMBARKED ON AN APOLOGY TOUR, NOT IN CAMBRIDGE, BUT 90 MILES TO THE WEST, IN SPRINGFIELD.

>> OUR COMMITMENT TO THIS NORTH END PROJECT IS STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> Braude: PARKER'S CLASS WAS GOING TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF COUNTER CRIMINAL CONTINUUM POLICING, OR C3, ON SPRINGFIELD'S NORTH END NEIGHBOURHOOD.

THE APPROACH WAS PIONEERED BY MIKE CUTONE, A FORMER STATE TROOPER WHO SERVED WITH PARKER IN AFGHANISTAN.

BACK IN 2013, THEIR COLLABORATION GOT A GLOWING TREATMENT ON "60 MINUTES."

>> INSURGENTS AND GANG MEMBERS BOTH WANT TO OPERATE IN A FAILED AREA.

>> HE SAID PEOPLE WERE RIDING AROUND ON MOTORCYCLES WITH ASSAULT RIFLES SLUNG OVER THEIR BACKS.

I TOLD MIKE, I TEACH A CLASS AT HARVARD; LET ME BRING MY CLASS INTO THIS.

>> SINCE THEN, THOUGH, THE DISCLOSURE AROUND POLICING HAS CHANGED, AND AS WORD GOT OUT, A PETITION TO CANCEL PARKER'S NEW COURSE GATHERED STEAM AT HARVARD.

IT SAID RESIDENTS' PRIVACY MIGHT BE AT RISK AND CLAIMED THE COURSE'S DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH WOULD "NATURALIZE POLICIES AND PRACTICES WITH DISPARATE IMPACTS ON BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES."

BUT ACCORDING TO SPRINGFIELD, COMMUNITY ACTIVIST JOSE CLAUDIO, IT'S THE CRITICS WHO DON'T SEE THE FULL PICTURE.

>> NINE OR 10 DEATHS OF YOUNG PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE WEEKS FOR A WHILE.

TO HEAR THOSE MOTHERS CRY FOR THE LOSS OF THEIR KIDS... >> CLAUDIO HELPED BRING C3 INTO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD A DECADE AGO, AFTER AN ESPECIALLY BRUTAL MURDER.

HE DESCRIBES C3 AS COMMUNITY POLICING ON STEROIDS.

POLICE MEET WITH RESIDENTS ONCE A WEEK, TAKE THEIR MARCHING ORDERS FROM THEM, AND SLOWLY BUILD TRUST, GETTING INFORMATION THAT STOPS SERIOUS CRIMES.

>> WHEN WE STARTED THIS, THE POLICE REPORT WAS THIS BIG.

>> BUT NOW, CLAUDIO SAYS, CRIME IS DOWN, AND THE NORTH END IS SEEING A RENAISSANCE.

HE THINKS A HARVARD STUDY DOCUMENTING THAT COULD HAD BEEN A CATALYST FOR NEW INVESTMENT AND GIVING THE NEIGHBORHOOD A SENSE OF VALIDATION.

>> IT'S THE RESIDENTS THAT WE WANT TO PUT IT OUT THERE FOR, SO THEY COULD KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

WE WANT YOU TO KEEP GOING BECAUSE, LOOK, IT WORKS.

>> IN THAT PETITION, THOUGH, THERE WAS LITTLE SENSE THAT POLICING DONE RIGHT CAN BE BENEFICIAL.

AS ONE CRITIC SAID ON TWITTER: "POLICE REFORM IS NOT GOOD FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR UNLESS IT IS A MEANS TO ABOLITION."

THE USE OF C3 IN SPRINGFIELD MAY BE A COUNTEREXAMPLE, BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT A STORY HARVARD PLANS TO HELP TELL.

ADAM REILLY, WGBH NEWS.

>> Braude: THE C3 APPROACH IS NOW USED IN MULTIPLE SPRINGFIELD NEIGHBORHOODS, NOT JUST THE NORTH END.

AT HARVARD, THE ENGINEERING SCHOOL SAYS IT'S REVIEWING HOW COURSES ARE VETTED BEFORE THEY'RE INCLUDED IN THE CATALOG, AND IT'S STILL NOT CLEAR IF OR WHEN UNIVERSITY PLANS TO OFFER THE CANCELED COURSE.

BUT PARKER SAYS HE'S GOING TO TEACH IT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, IF NEED BE, IN A TENT ON THE BANKS OF THE CHARLES RIVER.

IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR SINCE LOCKDOWNS WENT INTO EFFECT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FORCING MANY BUSINESSES TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

AMONG THE HARDEST HIT HAVE BEEN THE ARTS AND RESTAURANT INDUSTRIES, WITH OWNERS AND OPERATORS CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR CREATIVE NEW WAYS TO REACH AND SERVE PEOPLE SAFELY.

AND THIS WEEK, GBH IS JOINING THE EFFORT, PARTNERING WITH THE HUNTINGTON THEATER COMPANY AND THE MASSACHUSETTS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, TO BRING DINNER AND A SHOW RIGHT INTO YOUR LIVING ROOM.

THE DINNER?

TAKEOUT FROM YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT.

AND THE SHOW?

AN AUDIO ADAPTATION OF "TIGER STYLE," WHICH ORIGINALLY PREMIERED AT THE HUNTINGTON IN 2016.

IT'S ABOUT TWO CHINESE-AMERICAN SIBLINGS IN THERE 30s AS THEY NAVIGATE PERSONAL CRISES, RACIAL STEREOTYPES, AND THEIR HIGHLY DEMANDING "TIGER PARENTS."

HERE IS A LITTLE BIT.

>> OKAY, JEN, REMEMBER, WHAT DO WE SAY TO MOM AND DAD?

>> YOUR METHODS WERE WRONG.

WE FEEL TRAUMATIZED AND WE DEMAND AN APOLOGY.

>> OH, YEAH, THIS IS A RECKONING.

>> BUT MOM AND DAD DO NOT RESPOND WELL TO DEMANDS.

JUST SO THEY HEAR THE CRITIQUE, WHAT IF WE THANK THEM FIRST FOR ALL THAT THEY DID DO?

>> WAIT.

SO YOU'RE WRONG, WE FEEL TRAUMATIZED, AND WE'D LIKE TO THANK YOU?

>> DON'T SAY "WRONG" OR "TRAUMATIZED."

>> BUT THAT'S JUST, "MOM AND DAD, WE'D LIKE TO THANK YOU."

>> TOO STERN?

>> Braude: I'M JOINED BY THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE HUNTINGTON THEATER COMPANY, MICHAEL MASO, AND THE PRESIDENT AND C.E.O.

OF THE MASSACHUSETTS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION, BOB LUZ.

>> Braude: GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMPMICHAEL, TWO OF MY FAVORITE THINGS, TUNE IN AND TAKEOUT.

HOW DID THIS CONCEPT COME ABOUT?

>> WE STARTED WITH WANTING TO FIND A WAY TO CREATE TIGER-STYLE IN AN AUDIO FORMAT.

WE'VE DONE ABOUT 11 PLAYS IN THE DREAM BOSTON SERIES, BUT THEY'RE VERY SHORT, AND SUDDENLY WE WERE SEIZED WITH THE AMBITION OF FINDING THE PERFECT PIECE TO PRESENT IN AN AUDIO FORMAT, WHICH WE'RE GOING TO DO BOTH IN PODCAST AND ALSO BROADCAST OVER GBH.

AND THEN THE NOTION WAS: WHO COULD WE PARTNER WITH?

WE KNOW, JUST AS YOU SAID EARLIER, NO ONE HAS BEEN HIT EARDER THAN ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, AND THOSE OF US WHO GATHER PEOPLE FOR A LIVING, AND NO INDUSTRY HAS BEEN HIT HARDER THAN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

AND WE WANTED TO BE PART OF THE MOVEMENT TO ENCOURAGE TAKEOUT IN RESTAURANTS.

>> Braude: SO, BOB, A PERFECT COLLABORATION OF TWO INDUSTRIES IN MISERIES, RESTAURANTS AND THE PERFORMING ARTS.

[LAUGHTER] >> Braude: VERY BRIEFLY, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO JUST FOCUS ON THE NEGATIVE, I KNOW THAT THE STATE FINALLY DID SOMETHING FOR RESTAURANTS, STARTING WITH YOU, BOB.

THE FEDS DIDN'T DO THE RESTAURANT ACT, BUT THEY MANIPULATED THE P.P.P.

THING TO MAKE IT A LITTLE EASIER FOR RESTAURANTS.

WHAT IS THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY 11 MONTHS AFTER THIS ALL STARTED?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME WE'RE STARTING TO SAY WE CAN SEE THE OTHER SIDE.

AND THE OTHER SIDE IS APRIL 1st, AND WE REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT'S GIVING US HOPE AND OPTIMISM.

WE STILL HAVE A LONG, HARD SWIM TO GET TO THE OTHER SIDE, AND IT'S NOT WITHOUT DANGERS, BUT TO BE ABLE TO SEE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME IS IMPORTANT.

COME APRIL 1st, WE HAVE A LOT OF SHARKS AROUND, AND OUR STAFF WILL BE VACCINATED, AND PEOPLE WILL BE COMING OUT, WEATHER WILL BE WARMING UP, AND OUTDOOR DINING WAS THE HIT OF LAST SUMMER, AND WE CAN SEE IT HOPEFULLY FROM THERE.

>> Braude: MICHAEL, I KNOW THERE WAS A FAIRLY DECENT BUMP IN THE MOST RECENT $900 BILLION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.

I KNOW IT DOESN'T FILL THE WHOLE HOLE, BUT ARE THINGS BETTER?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN HEAR BOB SAYING, AND WE'RE DELIGHTED FOR HIM, THAT RESTAURANT SPACES ARE COMING BACK IN APRIL.

OUR TRAJECTORY IS LONGER.

BUT WE THINK WE'RE PLANNING TO GO BACK INTO PRODUCTION THIS FALL.

AGAIN, THINKING OF BOTH THE VACCINATIONS AND THE LIFTING OF THE SURGE OF THE VIRUS, WHICH WILL REALLY HELP US GET PEOPLE BACK.

WE REALLY WANT TO BRING PEOPLE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN.

>> Braude: MICHAEL, BACK TO -- SORRY.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, IN TERMS OF THE MONEY, WE DO THINK THERE IS FEDERAL HELP COMING.

IT IS A LITTLE COMPLICATED.

THEY HAVEN'T ISSUED THE GUIDELINES YET, AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO APPLY, BUT I DO THINK IT WILL BE THERE, AND IT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED.

IN ADDITION TO FOLKS LIKE BOB, WE HAVE FREE LANCE ARTISTS WHO JUST HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO WORK IN A YEAR.

>> Braude: MANY OF WHOM HAD SECOND JOBS AT RESTAURANTS, TALK ABOUT A STRANGE TWO-SOME.

I ACTUALLY SAW "TIGER-STYLE," AND IT WAS AT THE CALDERWOOD A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO -- >> YES.

>> Braude: I GUESS YOU PICKED THIS NOT ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS WELL-ADAPTED TO RADIO, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS TWO 30 SOMETHINGS WHO ARE HAVING A HARD TIME, AND WE'RE ALL HAVING A HARD TIME.

IS THAT PART OF THE MOTIVATION OR AM I OFF BASE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND, FRANKLY, IT IS A MOMENT TO DEAL WITH STEREOTYPES ABOUT RACE.

IT IS A MOMENT TO DEAL WITH SEEDLINGS THAT YOUR AMBITIONS HAVE BEEN THWARTED IN THE WORLD, AS YOU SAID.

AND IT IS, FRANKLY, ON THE OTHER SIDE, VERY FUNNY, AND WE BELIEVE WE CAN ALL USE A LITTLE FUNNY AT THIS TIME.

>> Braude: BOB, ONE OF THE THINGS I HAVE TO SAY I'VE LEARNED, AND WE'VE ALL LEARNED ON RADIO AND TV, FORCED TO LEARN BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO DIFFERENTLY THAT MAY SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC TO MAKE OUR WORK BETTER.

AS I WAS PREPARING TO SEE YOU TWO GUYS TONIGHT, I SAID TO MYSELF, WHY DID PEOPLE LIKE MICHAEL AND BOB NOT THINK OF THE EXACT SAME PROJECT BEFORE?

IT HELPS RESTAURANTS, OBVIOUSLY.

ANOTHER REASON TO HAVE A TAKEOUT MEAL.

AND IT HELPS THE THEATER.

YOU GO TO A FAR BROADER AUDIENCE THAN THE 300, OR 4000, OR 500 PEOPLE WHO CAN SIT IN THE THEATER.

BOB, STARTING WITH YOU, ARE YOU LEARNING LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC, LIKE THIS, THAT WILL SURVIVE AND PROSPER POST-PANDEMIC?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE.

SO PUTTING THE TWO TOGETHER BUT THEN TAKING IT ON A BROADER SPECTRUM, WHERE LITERALLY WE CAN BE IN OUR HOMES, EATING A GREAT RESTAURANT-STYLE-EXPERIENC ED DINNER, AND ENGAGING IN A TERRIFIC LIVE PERFORMANCE, IT IS A THING OF BEAUTY.

WE'RE LEARNING TO DEFINE AND ADAPT HOW WE DO EVERYTHING, AND THIS IS JUST AN EXTENSION OF THAT, I THINK.

>> Braude: MICHAEL, FOR YOU, TOO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

OUR FIELD HAS CHANGED FOREVER.

FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE GO BACK TO PERFORMANCES IN THE FALL, WE RECOGNIZE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE COMFORTABLE SITTING IN A THEATER WITH HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES WILL BE.

SO YOU CAN COME TO THE THEATER OR GET A VERY GOOD RECORDING OF THE PLAY AT HOME WHILE YOU'RE EATING TAKEOUTS FROM BOB.

>> Braude: GENTLEMEN, I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF, BUT I CAN ASSUME THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, I WILL BE TUNING IN AND TAKING OUT PROMPTLY AT 6:00 ON SATURDAY.

I CAN'T WAIT.

I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU EXPERIENCING IT AND PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE AREA.

>> Braude: INDEED.

AGAIN, YOU CAN HEAR TIGER STYLE THIS SATURDAY ON GBH RADIO 89.7, OR CATCH IT ONLINE.

AND ORDER TAKEOUT IN TIME FOR THE CURTAIN TO RISE.

AND FINALLY, SOME OF WHAT YOU'VE BEEN SENDING IN.

PETER AND MICHELLE SHARED THESE TWO PHOTOS FROM A RECENT HIKE IN SUDBURY.

SOMEBODY PUT UP A SIGN, AND ARRANGED THE PEACE AND LOVE SYMBOLS WITH ROCKS.

AND DAVE SENT IN THIS VERY SWEET PICTURE OF HIS DOG, WHICH HE THOUGHT WE ALL WOULD ENJOY, AND WE DID.

THANK YOU BOTH.

IF ANY OF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE, PLEASE SEND IT TO US AT THE ADDRESSES ON YOUR SCREEN.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org