>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY JOINS ME ON THE PUSH FOR FEDERAL GUN CONTROL AFTER YET ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING, HATE CRIME REFORM BACK HOME AMID A SURGE OF ANTI-ASIAN ATTACKS, AND HER EFFORTS TO HOLD THE MAKERS OF OXYCONTIN RESPONSIBLE FOR THOUSANDS OF OPIOID DEATHS IN THE STATE.

PLUS, TWO BIG NEW TITLES FOR A PAIR OF BOSTON POLITICIANS.

THAT WOULD BE LABOR SECRETARY MARTY WALSH AND ACTING MAYOR KIM JANEY, THE FIRST WOMAN OR BLACK PERSON TO LEAD OUR CITY.

AND LATER, LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES: HOW SOME ARE MAKING CONNECTIONS IN THE VACCINE LINE.

>> Braude: A 21-YEAR OLD COLORADO MAN IS FACING TEN COUNTS OF MURDER AFTER OPENING FIRE AT A BOULDER GROCERY STORE YESTERDAY, THE SECOND MASS SHOOTING IN LESS THAN A WEEK.

PRESIDENT BIDEN REFLECTED ON THE TOLL TODAY IN A WHITE HOUSE ADDRESS.

>> TEN LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST, AND MORE FAMILIES HAVE BEEN SHATTERED BY GUN VIOLENCE IN THE STATE OF COLORADO.

I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE HOW THE FAMILIES ARE FEELING, THE VICTIMS WHO'S FUTURES WERE STOLEN FROM THEM, FROM THEIR FAMILIES, FROM THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> Braude: WHILE THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING, CNN IS REPORTING THE SHOOTER USED AN AR15-STYLE RIFLE TO CARRY OUT THE ATTACK.

BIDEN CALLED ON REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS TO PASS A LAW THAT WOULD BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS LIKE THAT ONE ALONG WITH A UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS MEASURE AND OTHER GUN REFORMS.

>> THIS IS NOT AND SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN ISSUE.

IT IS AN AMERICAN ISSUE.

IT WILL SAVE LIVES, AMERICAN LIVES, AND WE HAVE TO ACT.

>> Braude: YESTERDAY'S SHOOTING CAME JUST DAYS AFTER A GEORGIA MAN SHOT AND KILLED EIGHT PEOPLE INCLUDING SIX ASIAN WOMEN AT THREE ATLANTA-AREA SPAS LAST TUESDAY, REPORTEDLY USING A GUN HE BOUGHT ONLY HOURS BEFORE.

THE SHOOTER TOLD POLICE HE WASN'T MOTIVATED BY RACE.

SOME INVESTIGATORS, INCLUDING F.B.I.

DIRECTOR CHRIS WRAY, SEEM TO AGREE.

OTHERS HAVE ARGUED THE SHOOTER'S INTENTIONS WERE CLEAR, INCLUDING MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY, WHO SAID IN A STATEMENT: "THIS WAS A MURDEROUS, HORRIFIC HATE CRIME, AND WE NEED TO TREAT IT THAT WAY INSTEAD OF MAKING EXCUSES FOR WHITE VIOLENCE AND DOMESTIC TERRORISM."

THE SHOOTING HAS BROUGHT RENEWED ATTENTION TO A HATE CRIME REFORM BILL THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FILED ALONG WITH TWO STATE LAWMAKERS LAST MONTH AFTER A SERIES OF VIOLENT ATTACKS ON ASIAN AMERICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SHE JOINS ME NOW.

>> MAURA HEALEY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU, JIM.

>> TWO MASS MURDERS IN A WEEK.

THE PRESIDENT CALLED FOR A BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS.

IF HE CAN'T GET THE SENATE TO PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK BILL THAT -- I DON'T KNOW -- 85 TO 90% OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SUPPORTS, THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN ASSAULT WEAPON BAN PASSING IS ZERO, IS IT NOT?

>> CERTAINLY, IT'S NOT GREAT LOOKING WITH THOSE NUMBERS RIGHT NOW.

BUT I TELL YOU, JIM, I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A DIFFERENT MOMENT AND MOVEMENT RIGHT NOW.

FOR A LONG TIME WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE, AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILIES, THE VICTIMS IN BOULDER, AND SHANNON WATTS, WHO LOST HER SON IN COLORADO YEARS AGO AT AURORA, AND HAS GONE ON TO BECOME A LEADER IN THE STATE.

IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE HERE WE ARE AGAIN.

TWICE IN ONE WEEK.

BUT JIM, WE KNOW GUN LAWS SAVE LIVES.

UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS SAVE LIVES.

THE HOUSE JUST PASSED THAT BEFORE THE SENATE.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO.

I SUPPORT PRESIDENT BIDEN IN HIS CALL FOR ASSAULT WEAPONS MAN.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS WE CAN DO AS A MATTER OF COMMON SENSE REFORM THAT WILL SAVE LIVES.

THE UNITED STATES HAS HAS THIS EXCEPTIONAL DISTINCTION -- OUR GUN RATE DEATH IS 25 TIMES THE RATE OF ANY OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRY.

THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE THAT CRIES OUT FOR ATTENTION.

>> Braude: WELL, LET'S GO FROM 10 MURDERS TO EIGHT JUST DAYS BEFORE IN ATLANTA.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FBI DIRECTOR WRAY WHO BUY INTO THE SEXUAL ADDICTION BY THE KILLER -- WHAT DO YOU SAY TO HIM ABOUT WHAT THIS IS REALLY ALL ABOUT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, IT WAS A HATE CRIME.

I WILL SAY THAT TO YOU AS A PROSECUTOR, AND SOMEBODY WHO HAS SPENT TIME HANDLING THESE CASES.

THERE'S SAY RISE OF WHITE SUPREMACY AND HATE CRIMES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE'VE SEEN AN UPTICK OF HATE CRIMES AGAINST THE MEMBERS OF THE ASIAN COMMUNITY, AND EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACTIVITY, MISOGYNY, RIGHT?

SO YOU SEE IN ATLANTA, ALL OF THIS COMING TOGETHER IN THIS HORRIFIC MURDER.

BUT IN TERMS OF -- YOU KNOW, I'M NOT INTERESTED IN EXCUSES OR EXPLAINING FUNDAMENTALLY.

CALL IT WHAT IT IS.

IT'S A HATE CRIME, AND SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING B.

THAT GOES OUT TO GOING AFTER WHITE SUPREMACISTS, AND HATE.

AND ADDRESSES MISOGYNY, AND CLEARLY, THE DIRECTOR WRAY'S COMMENTS, THE INITIAL SHERIFF ON THE SCENE IN ATLANTA DESCRIBED IT AS THE PERPETRATOR HAVING HAD A BAD DAY.

OKAY?

SO OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO AROUND THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF EDUCATING LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT WHAT INCIDENTS LIKE THIS ARE >> Braude: I WANT TO PICK UP ON THE MISOGYNY PART OF WHAT YOU SAID.

WE STARTED A DISCUSSION ON THE RADIO YESTERDAY ABOUT STATE LAWS AND THE REFORM YOU PROPOSED.

YOU SUGGESTED THAT I GET MORE INFORMATION FROM OUR STAFF, WHICH I DID.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE CURRENT STATE LAW INCLUDES WOMEN-- PARDON ME, GENDER IN THE REPORTING AROUND HATE CRIMES, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE THEM IN THE PROSECUTORIAL STATUTE, YOU FILED THE BILL.

WOULD THAT OMISSION BE FIXED IF THE REFORM THAT YOU'VE FILED WITH THE LEGISLATORS WERE TO BECOME LAW, ATTORNEY GENERAL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

GENDER WILL NOW BE INCLUDED.

NOT ONLY FOR REPORTING PURPOSES, BUT ALSO SOMETHING THAT IS PROSECUTABLE.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

WHY THAT WASN'T THERE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, I DON'T KNOW.

I CAME IN AS ATTORNEY GENERAL IN 2014, THE LAST REFORM WAS BACK IN 2012.

I UNDERSTAND TO FILE THE DUE LEGISLATION IN THE MOMENT.

THE FACT IS WE HAVE A RISE IN HATE CRIMES AROUND THIS COUNTRY.

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MY OFFICE NEED THE TOOLS, JUDGES, PROSECUTORS AND INVESTIGATORS NEED THE TOOLS TO BE SURE THESE CASES ARE PROPERLY INVESTIGATED, PROSECUTED, AND ADJUDICATED.

NOT ONLY WILL IT INCLUDE GENDER, BUT PROVIDE STRONGER PENALTIES AND ALSO MOVE THESE CASES TO THE DISTRICT COURT SETTING, JIM, TO SUPERIOR COURT WHERE WE PROSECUTE MORE SERIOUS CRIMES.

>> Braude: LETS STAY IN THE COURTROOM.

YOU WERE THE FIRST ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE COUNTRY TO SEEK PERSONAL LIABILITY FROM THE FAMILY, THE OWNERS OF PURDUE WHICH GAVE AMERICA THE DEADLY OXYCONTIN.

ONE THING I NEVER UNDERSTOOD.

IN YOUR E-MAIL WHICH IS THE MOST EGREGIOUS IN A LONG LINE OF E-MAILS FROM 2001 FROM RICHARD SACKLER: "WE HAVE TO HAMMER ON THE ABUSERS IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

THEY ARE THE CULPRITS AND PROBLEM, RECKLESS CRIMINALS."

I KNOW YOU'RE TRYING TO ASSURE THEY DON'T LEAVE THIS LITIGATION AS BILLIONAIRES, WHY DON'T THEY LEAVE LITIGATION AS INMATES?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY LANGUAGE LIKE THAT IS NOT TANTAMOUNT TO CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF AT LEAST ONE SACKLER, IF NOT MORE?

>> JIM, I'LL TELL YOU NO ONE WANTED PROSECUTION MORE THAN ME.

THE ENTITY THAT WANTED THAT WAS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GIVEN THE SCOPE OF JUSTICE, AND THE ACTIVE TOOLS.

INSTEAD WE SAW DISAPPOINTINGLY IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SACKLER MADE A DEAL FOR RELATIVELY SHORT MONEY TO A CIVIL SETTLEMENT, AND THAT WAS UNFORTUNATE.

I KNOW THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT THAT.

I HOPE THAT THEY DO.

BUT I TELL YOU, IN THE MEANTIME, WE HAVE BEEN AGGRESSIVE GOING AFTER PURSUE AND THE SACKLERS.

THEY TRIED TO CLAIM BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION.

AND WE'RE FIGHTING THEM.

THEY FILED AN AMENDED PLAN THE OTHER DAY WITH BANKRUPTCY JUDGE, AND I SAID, IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

THE SACKLERS NEED TO PAY A LOT MORE MONEY.

THEY NEED TO PAY BACK THE BILLIONS AND BILLIONS THEY REAPED ON THE BACKS AND THE EXPENSE OF SO MANY FAMILIES IN THIS STATE.

I WANT TRANSPARENCY AND THE CREATION OF A DOCUMENT REPOSITORY, AND E-MAIL IS UP THERE POSTED FOR RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS AND THE PUBLIC TO SEE.

AND I WANT PURDUE TO BE LEFT OFF FOREVER IN THE DECISION.

THAT'S WHERE I CONTINUE TO BE.

THIS WILL CONTINUE OVER THE MONTHS THROUGH THE BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING.

BUT THOUGHTS WITH MY FAMILY THE OTHER DAY.

I HAVE A GROUP OF FAMILIES WHO REGULARLY MEET, MOSTLY CHILDREN.

AND OVERDOSES AND DEATHS HAVE GONE UP FROM LAST YEAR.

THAT'S WHAT THE FAMILIES WANT.

THAT'S THE JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY THAT THESE FAMILIES WANT, IN ADDITION TO HAVING SEEN THE SACKLERS GO TO JAIL.

I SHARE WITH THEM IN >> Braude: I WANT TO FOLLOW UP.

BASED ON WHAT YOU KNOW.

I KNOW YOU SEE IT'S ON THE DEPARTMENT OF DEAD, AND MERRICK GARLAND.

BASED ON WHAT YOU KNOW, AND YOU HAVE ACCESS TO AS MUCH INTERNAL INFORMATION ON THE SACKLERS AS ANY ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE COUNTRY, DO YOU BELIEVE THEY'VE COMMITTED FEDERAL CRIMES?

>> I BELIEVE YOU COULD MAKE THE CASE FOR IT.

>> Braude: YOU DO?

>> I DO.

>> Braude: BACK... >> IT TAKES THE COURAGE OF A PROSECUTOR TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, AND FOR A LONG TIME.

PURDUE, AND THE SACKLERS OWNED THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AND OWN THE LAWYERS THAT SERVED IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION.

I THINK TWO LAWSUITS JOINED BY OTHER STATE A.G.s, WE'VE BEEN THE FIRST TO GET THIS FAR IN ACHIEVING THE KIND OF REVELATION OF WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED.

BUT JIM, IT'S NEVER ENOUGH.

HOW DO YOU PUT A PRICE ON WHAT HAPPENS TO SOMEBODY, AND THE >> Braude: I'M NOT ONE OF THOSE FAMILIES, BUT ORANGE JUMP SUITS WOULD GO A LONG WAY.

YOU MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST L.G.B.T.

ATTORNEY GENERAL, AT LEAST OPENLY SEE.

KIM JANE MADE HISTORY WHEN MARTY WALSH RESIGNED AS SECRETARY OF LABOR.

SHE'LL BE SWORN IN TOMORROW, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO BE THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BOSTON AFTER A MERE 54 WHITE MEN IN A ROW.

WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO JANEY?

>> I'M JUST SO HAPPY.

YOU SEE THE SMILE ON MY FACE.

IT'S A LONG TIME COMING.

BUT I'M SO HAPPY FOR MAYOR JANEY AND HAPPY FOR THE CITY.

THE CITY IS A MAJORITY MINORITY AS TERMED BY SOME.

AND I THINK THERE ARE REAL OPPORTUNITIES, YOU KNOW, AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

BUT OBVIOUSLY, IT'S SOMETHING THAT EXISTED FOR WAY TOO LONG, BUT IT'S A REALLY HAPPY DAY TO SEE HER TAKE ON THIS ROLE.

>> Braude: ONE OTHER BARRIER I'M NOT SURE YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH IT.

YOU KNOW THERE'S NEVER A WOMAN ELECTED GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS?

WERE YOU AWARE OF THAT?

>> SOMEBODY TOLD ME THAT.

>> Braude: YEAH, YOU WERE.

SO 14 MONTHS FROM NOW, YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT OFFICE YOU'RE RUNNING FROM.

I KNOW YOU DON'T ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS BUT I FEEL OBLIGED.

WHEN DO YOU MAKE A DECISION WHAT POSITION YOU WANT TO HOLD?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT AND CONSIDER.

I WILL TELL YOU, JIM, I'M REALLY FOCUSED ON THE WORK OF THE OFFICE.

THERE'S INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK, ESPECIALLY COMING OUT OF COVID PANDEMIC FOR BUSINESSES, FAMILIES AND FOR THE ECONOMY.

MY OFFICE AS A TOP PRIORITY OF EQUITY.

I'M EXCITED WHAT WE CAN DO IN THAT SPACE.

WHO KNOWS?

I DO FEEL INCREDIBLY PRIVILEGED IN THIS ROLE, AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE.

THERE'S A TON OF WORK TO DO.

TO THE JANEYS OF THE WORLD, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE SEEING IS BELIEVING.

AND EVERY TIME WE DO ELECT A WOMAN OR WOMAN OF COLOR, IT GIVES HOPE AND INSPIRATION TO SOME LITTLE GIRL OUT THERE THAT THEY CAN BE ANYTHING THEY WANT TO BE.

THAT'S THE KIND OF WORLD WE WANT TO MAKE POSSIBLE.

>> Braude: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAURA HEALEY, ATTORNEY GENERAL.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO TALK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: AND IT'S OFFICIAL, MARTY WALSH IS GOING TO WASHINGTON.

HE RESIGNED AS MAYOR OF BOSTON AFTER THE SENATE VOTED TO CONFIRM HIM AS JOE BIDEN'S SECRETARY OF LABOR.

>> THERE'S NO OTHER ELECTED POSITION IN WASHINGTON WHERE YOU'RE SO CLOSE WITH THE PEOPLE.

WHEN FACING A CRISIS OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS WE WERE THERE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVED, ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE.

I SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER FIGHTING FOR WORKING PEOPLE, AND I'M EAGER TO CONTINUE THAT FIGHT IN WASHINGTON.

>> Braude: WALSH HANDED OVER THE REIGNS TO FORMER CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT, NOW ACTING MAYOR KIM JANEY, THE FIRST EVER BLACK AND WOMAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN THE CITY'S HISTORY.

>> IT'S JUST STILL SO UNBELIEVABLE TO ME.

CERTAINLY THE TITLE CHANGES, MY OFFICE CHANGES.

I HAVE A MUCH BIGGER TEAM, AND THAT'S EXCITING BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> Braude: AND TODAY, ON HER FIRST DAY ON THE JOB, SHE VISITED THE CHARLESTOWN SCHOOL SHE WAS BUSSED TO AS A KID.

I'M JOINED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL HOLMES OF BOSTON; AND KABRIA BAUMGARTNER, A HISTORIAN OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF AMERICAN STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND THE AUTHOR OF THE AWARD-WINNING BOOK, "IN PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE: BLACK WOMEN AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVISM IN ANTEBELLUM AMERICA."

GOOD TO MEET YOU.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

LET ME START WITH YOU.

YOU'VE BEEN IN BOSTON MOST OF YOUR LIFE.

I THINK IT'S 54 WHITE GUYS IN A ROW UNTIL LAST NIGHT.

WHAT'S THE ASCENSION OF ACTING MAYOR, JANEY MEAN TO YOU?

>> IT MEAN THAT IS FINALLY I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE PERSON SITING IN THAT SEAT TO VENT THEM THAT STRUCTURAL RACISM EXISTS.

THAT THE LIVES WE LIVE DAY TO DAY ISN'T TO BE TAUGHT, IT'S A LIVING EXPERIENCE.

AND AT THIS MOMENT WHEN WE'RE HAVING AN AWAKENING FOR SO MANY PEOPLE, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY HIT THE GROUND AND UNDERSTAND THAT THESE ARE THE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED RIGHT AWAY, AND NOT SOMEONE NEEDS BE ON THE >> Braude: DO YOU WORRY ABOUT HER ABILITY TO DO THE THINGS THAT YOU WANT HER TO DO IN LIGHT OF THE FACT SHE'S ONLY BEEN VOTED FOR BY DISTRICT 7 AND NOT CITY WIDE?

>> BY NO MEANS.

THE ELECTED COLOR GET TOGETHER EVERY TWO WEEKS.

WHEN KIM IS IN THIS ROLE, WE'RE ALL IN THIS ROW.

IT'S SOMETHING WE WORKED ON FOR 10 YEARS, AND SOMETHING WE WANTED >> Braude: YOU KNOW, GABRIEL YOU WROTE ABOUT A RICH HISTORY OF BLACK WOMAN LEADERS IN OUR CITY.

CAN YOU GIVE US A MINUTE FOR THOSE OF US UNDERINFORMED?

>> ONE THING I REALLY LIKE IS WHEN KIM JANEY SAID BOSTON IS A CITY OF POSSIBILITIES.

THAT'S TRUE.

MARIAH STEWART IS THE FIRST BLACK LECTURER, AND MADE A DEBUT IN BOSTON IN THE 1830s.

THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

ONE OF THE FIRST BLACK NEWSPAPERS WAS STARTED BY A BLACK WOMAN SUFFRAGIST.

AND WE HAVE CENTURIES OF BLACK WOMEN AS A CENTER OF POLITICAL FORCE IN >> Braude: READ THE "WASHINGTON POST" STORY, PEOPLE AT HOME.

IT'S EYE OPENING AND TERRIFIC.

STAYING WITH YOU SINCE I HAVE AN HISTORIAN AND POLITICIAN WITH ME AT THE SAME TIME.

KABRIA, WHAT TOOK SO LONG.

EVERY CITY HAS HAD A WOMAN, AFRICAN-AMERICAN OR BOTH LEAD THEIR CITY.

WHY WERE WE VIRTUALLY LAST IN LINE IN BOSTON?

>> I WAS THINKING OF SOMEBODY, THE FAMED BLACK WOMAN CIVIC LEADER.

AND SHE PLAYED A HUGE ROLE IN BOSTON POLITICS.

BOSTON POLITICIANS ALWAYS CONTACTED HER TO GET HER OPINION AND INSIGHT.

SHE DIDN'T ACTUALLY WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

SHE NEVER REALLY DID.

SHE WAS ENCOURAGED TO A FEW TIMES, BUT SHE DECIDED NOT TO, AND I THINK THIS IS A MOMENT IN BOSTON WHERE WE'RE READY AND WILLING TO LISTEN TO BLOCK WOMAN'S LEADERSHIP, AND BLACK MEN'S VOICES.

THAT MAKES THIS MOMENT SO INCREDIBLE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, WHY WEREN'T WE REALLY TO LISTEN FOR SO LONG?

>> SO, JIM, I'M STILL NOT CONVINCED WE'RE WILLING TO LISTEN NOW.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER, THAT'S GOING TO PROVE THAT ACTUALLY WE'RE GOING TO FOLLOW THROUGH AND NOT HAVE IT FOR THE WHITE MEN TO RUN THE CITY.

I STILL QUESTION THAT TODAY AS A PERSON WHO WAS ELECTED, AND FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE.

HOW MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE BUILDING.

I'M ALWAYS WONDERING, ARE WE READY?

THE FACT THAT KIM WAS ABLE TO BE APPOINTED AND GET THE POSITION SHE HAS, I HOPE SHE'S ABLE TO LEVERAGE IT AND CERTAINLY >> Braude: 1993, MENINO ASCENDED AND WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED.

I WANT TO PLAY THIS FOR THE AUDIENCES.

A WARM MOMENT FROM MARTY WALSH LAST NIGHT SPEAKING ABOUT TEXTING WITH HIS SUCCESSOR.

HERE'S THE FORMER MAYOR.

>> I WAS TEXTING WITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT JANEY LAST NIGHT.

I TEXTED "THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE.

A LITTLE GIRL FROM ROXBURY IS ABOUT TO BE MAYOR OF BOSTON."

AND HER RESPONSE WAS, "THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A MINUTE -- A LITTLE BOY FROM DORCHESTER IS ABOUT TO BECOME THE LABOR SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES >> Braude: GOING BACK TO YOU, I DO A RADIO SHOW, WHERE PEOPLE CALLED WHEN BARACK OBAMA WAS ELECTED AND CALLED AND SAID THANK GOD RACISM IS OVER IN THIS COUNTRY.

I THINK MOST UPRIGHT PEOPLE, MEANING STANDING UP PEOPLE REALIZES THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

IN A SURVEY IN THE BOSTON GLOBE ON RACISM IN BOSTON CONTEMPORARILY IN 2017, BLACK AMERICANS WERE THE LEAST WELCOMING BLACK AMERICANS CITY WAS, AND BY FAR, BOSTON HAD THAT UNFORTUNATE DISTINCTION.

WE KNOW BAD THINGS WON'T DISAPPEAR.

WHAT WILL THE ASCENSION OF A BLACK WOMAN DO IN THE CITY, PARTICULARLY AS RUSSELL HOLMES SAYS PARTICULARLY IF WE'RE NOT READY FOR IT?

>> I THINK THIS IS A MOMENT TO AFFIRM THAT WE WELCOME BLACK WOMEN IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP, AND THAT WE WELCOME THEIR VISION.

I THINK THIS IS A MOMENT WHERE I HAVE PREVIOUSLY SAID, REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

BUT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT REPRESENTATION.

ONE THING INTERESTING ABOUT JANEY IS HER VALUES AND PRINCIPLES ARE GROUNDED IN THIS BLACK ACTIVIST ORGANIZING TRADITION.

SHE IS COMMITTED TO EDUCATION.

SHE'S COMMITTED TO THE WELL BEING OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THE WORKING CLASS.

AND SHE SUPPORTS ANTI-RACIST POLICIES AND JUSTICE AND EQUITY.

SO I THINK WE'RE READY FOR THIS AT THIS MOMENT.

IF WE'RE NOT READY, WE CAN GET READY.

THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF VOICES WE NEED.

>> RUSSELL HOLMES, WE JUST HAVE A MINUTE LEFT.

I HATE TO RUIN THIS CONVERSATION WITH POLITICS, BUT THAT IS A REALITY.

KIM JANEY HAS TO DECIDE IN TWO MONTHS IF SHE WANTS TO RUN FOR RE-ELECTION.

THAT'S THE FINAL DEADLINE IN THE CITY.

IF SHE CHOOSES NOT TO RUN COME THE FALL, THAT REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD THAT SHE CAN ACHIEVE A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CARE DEEPLY ABOUT IN THE NEXT 7 OR 8 MONTHS, DOES IS IT IT NOT?

>> IT DOES, BUT I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS IS THE MOST DEMANDING JOB THERE IS IN POLITICS.

AND ONCE SHE'S IN IT, SHE'S GOING TO ASSUME THAT ROLE AND SAY IT'S CLEAR THAT NINE MONTHS OR SIX MONTHS IS NOT ENOUGH.

SO I FULLY ANTICIPATE MAYOR JANEY CONTINUING AND RUNNING IN THE RACE OF >> Braude: DO YOU KNOW SOMETHING, OR YOU JUST ASSUME SOMETHING?

>> I'M A POLITICIAN, SO I KNOW A LOT ABOUT PUBLIC POLITICIANS.

SO I'M QUITE CERTAIN.

I'M NOT MAKING AN ANNOUNCE AM FOR HER, BUT ONCE YOUR MAYOR, I DON'T SEE YOU GOING BACK TO BEING C >> Braude: REPRESENTATIVE RUSSELL HOLMES, KABRIA BAUMGARTNER, THANKS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Braude: NEXT UP, ALONG WITH VACCINE PHOTOS, ANOTHER KIND OF POST HAS GAINED TRACTION ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ABOUT FINDING LOVE IN THE VACCINE LINE.

SO, ALONG WITH A MODERNA OR PFIZER OR JOHNSON & JOHNSON SHOT, ARE PEOPLE ALSO BEING STRUCK BY CUPID'S ARROW?

LIZ NEISLOSS CHECKED-IN WITH THE NEWLY VACCINATED TO FIND OUT.

>> Reporter: THE OLD NORTH CHURCH IN BOSTON'S NORTH END.

PAUL REVERE'S HISTORIC SIGNAL WAS SENT FROM THE STEEPLE HERE.

NOW, DOZENS FILE INTO THIS VERY BUILDING FOR VACCINES.

ARE THEY ALSO SENDING SIGNALS TO THEIR FELLOW LINEMATES?

>> I DID NOT GET ASKED OUT.

THERE WAS NO LINE, NO WAITING.

NO MEN.

( LAUGHS ) >> Reporter: IF SHE'D BEEN ASKED OUT IN THE VACCINE LINE, THIS WOMAN WOULD HAVE BEEN UP FOR IT, BUT SHE DIDN'T EXACTLY DRESS UP FOR IT.

>> I WAS IN MY PAJAMA BOTTOMS, JUST AS I HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST YEAR PRETTY MUCH.

>> Reporter: TALES OF ROMANTIC APPROACHES IN THE VACCINE LINE HAVE BEEN CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

PROFESSOR JULIE INGERSOLL SAYS IT HAPPENED TO HER 89-YEAR-OLD MOM IN MAINE.

>> AND SHE WAS STANDING IN LINE.

THEY HAD A LINE THERE, AND THIS GUY NEXT TO HER STRUCK UP THIS CONVERSATION, "OH, IT'S SO HARD TO BE OLD."

AND-- AND SHE SAID, "YEAH, IT'S REALLY TOUGH."

AND HE WANTED TO KNOW HOW OLD SHE WAS, AND SO SHE TOLD HIM.

AND HE SAID, "OH, I'M 90."

AND THEN, HE SAID, "DO YOU HAVE A FRIEND?"

( LAUGHS ) >> Reporter: INGERSOLL HAS A THEORY ON WHY PEOPLE MAY BE BONDING NOW WHERE THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE OTHERWISE.

>> IT'S A LITTLE LIKE HAVING GONE THROUGH A BOOT CAMP TOGETHER OR SOMETHING, RIGHT.

THERE'S A-- YOU KNOW, IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES, WE CALL THAT LIMINALITY.

IT'S USUALLY AN OUT OF THE ORDINARY EXPERIENCE, RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST THAT WE HAPPEN TO GO TO THE CARNIVAL ON THE SAME DAY OR SOME SUCH THING.

RIGHT.

IT'S TRAUMA.

>> ( LAUGHS ) IT'S A NEW WAY TO MEET SOMEBODY!

>> Reporter: AND AFTER A YEAR OF TRAUMA, LAUGHTER FEELS LIKE A SHOT IN THE ARM.

BACK AT THE OLD NORTH CHURCH, THIS WOMAN GOT HER FIRST VACCINE BUT NO DATE.

>> SO, IF THEY ASK ME, "WHAT'S MY SIGN?"

"HAVE YOU BEEN VACCINATED YET?"

( LAUGHS ) >> Reporter: BUT SHE WAS EAGER TO TRY OUT A LINE FOR THE LINE.

>> "HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF YOUR HOUSE IN A YEAR?"

THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING I'D ASK."

WHERE DO YOU GO MORE, TO THE DOCTOR OR THE GROCERY STORE?"

( LAUGHS ) WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO SAY TO PEOPLE?

>> ( LAUGHS ) I DON'T KNOW.

>> Reporter: AT FENWAY PARK'S MASS VACCINATION SITE, IT WASN'T EXACTLY GAME ON.

FOR THIS MAN, THERE WASN'T EVEN CHATTING IN THE LINE.

>> NO.

GOD NO.

( LAUGHS ) I GET AS FAR AWAY FROM PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: AND SOME SAID JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE'S VACCINATED, DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE SAFE.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD RUSH INTO SOMETHING THAT YOU DON'T KNOW THE PERSON.

SO, YOU KNOW.

BEWARE.

>> Reporter: BUT HAVING THE VACCINE'S CLEARLY A GAME CHANGER FOR THE YOUNG.

THESE BABSON COLLEGE STUDENTS WERE AT FENWAY FOR A SCHOOL PROJECT.

>> AS SOMEONE WHO'S IN THE DATING WORLD, DATING APP WORLD AND CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR LOVE, I WOULD SAY THAT THE-- HAVING A VACCINE IS HUGE."

>> Reporter: "DO YOU HAVE A VACCINE " IS A CONVERSATION STARTER ON HIS DATING APP, HINGE.

A FRIEND PRACTICED A FIRST PITCH.

>> DO YOU HAVE A VACCINE?

BECAUSE YOU DEFINITELY HAVE A SHOT WITH ME.

( LAUGHTER ) >> Reporter: TALES OF ENCOUNTERING LOVE IN THE VACCINE LINE ARE LARGELY ANECDOTAL, BUT THOSE FEW STORIES WILL LIKELY BECOME FAMILY LORE OF NEWLY FOUND LOVE AND A PRECIOUS VACCINE.

LIZ NEISLOSS, GBH NEWS.

>> Braude: MOST YOUNG PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL APRIL 19 TO GET IN A VACCINE LINE IN MASSACHUSETTS, A FEW MORE WEEKS TO PRACTICE THAT PITCH.

AND FINALLY TONIGHT, A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN SENDING IN DURING THESE PANDEMIC TIMES.

JANE SHOWED US THIS PICTURE OF A MOBILE WHICH IS PART OF AN EXHIBIT TITLED "AMBROSIA" AND THIS VERY WALL ART INSIDE THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER.

AND ANN TOOK THIS VERY SCENIC AND PEACEFUL PHOTO OF REEDS POND IN MARBLEHEAD.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR SENDING THOSE IN.

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US, USE THE ADDRESSES ON YOUR SCREEN.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT, BUT COME BACK TOMORROW.

EDUCATION COMMISSIONER JEFFREY RILEY JOINS ME ON THE STATE'S EFFORTS TO GET ALL KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM, AND AN EMERGENCY BILL TEACHERS' UNIONS ARE PUSHING TO DELAY THE RETURN UNTIL ALL EDUCATORS CAN BE VACCINATED.

PLUS, "WASHINGTON POST" PERSONAL FINANCE COLUMNIST MICHELLE SINGLETARY ON THE IMPACT OF THOSE $1,400 STIMULUS CHECKS AND HOW TO MAKE SURE YOU GET YOURS.

AND IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, THE GBH/BOSTON GLOBE/N.A.A.C.P.

BOSTON SERIES "THE STATE OF RACE" CONTINUES AS DAN LOTHIAN HOSTS A FORUM EXPLORING VOTER SUPPRESSION.

FOR NOW, THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND STAY SAFE.