>> "“RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY"” IS GENEROUSLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY -- >> YOU AND I -- >> YOU AND I -- >> YOU AND I WILL PROBABLY NEVER MEET.

♪ TREE >> BECAUSE WHAT I TREAT -- >> IS SO RARE.

SO >> BUT IF YOU NEED ME -- >> I AM HERE.

>> I AM HERE.

>> I AM HERE.

♪ >> TONIGHT ON "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY" -- >> WHENEVER YOU HAVE A HEALTHY OYSTER BED, ANYTHING THAT DEPENDS UPON IT IS BETTER.

>> IT TURNS OUT, OYSTERS ACTUALLY RESTORE MARINE ENVIRONMENT.

BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP THE SKEPTICS WHO THOUGHT RESEARCH ON OYSTERS WAS IMPOSSIBLE.

WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY WHEN YOU SAID, OH, WE ARE GOING TO BRING OYSTERS TO THE RIVER?

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE LAUGHED AT US.

>> THEY SAID WE WERE CRAZY.

>> IN ADDITION TO R. KELLY'S, IT EXPANDED TO INCLUDE A BLACK BOX THEATER, RESTAURANT, AND THE ANNUAL FOOD FESTIVAL.

UMBERTO INUMBERTO 2019, DECIDED TO LEAVE THE ORGANIZATION HE PIONEERED.

>> I CAST A BIG SHADOW FOR SOMEONE WHO IS FIVE FOOT SIX INCHES.

IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO GO.

IT WAS ACTUALLY OVERDUE.

♪ >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY."

I'M PAMELA WATTS.

"RHODE ISLAN>> I MICHEL TEMER G. -- MICHELLE SON MIGUEL.

BY SOME ESTIMATES, AMERICANS CONSUME 2 BILLION PALS -- POUNDS OF SHELLFISH ANNUALLY.

FOR THESE MIGHTY OYSTERS ARE SERVED, SPEND THEIR LIVES FILTERING WATER IN LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS.

IN TONIGHT'S GREEN SEEKER SERIES, WE HAVE REPORTS ON THE LONG AND BUMPY RIDE FOR THIS GROWING ENVIRONMENTAL SUPERSTAR.

>> WHEN YOU LIFT THE SHELL OFF AND THERE IS A PERFECTLY SHUCKED OYSTER.

>> BOB IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EAST COAST SHELLFISH GROWERS ASSOCIATION.

>> OYSTERS HAVE A LONG HISTORY IN THE U.S. AND THEY SUSTAINED THE SETTLERS BECAUSE IT WAS EASY TO CATCH THEM.

THE INDIANS WERE HARVESTING THEM WELL BEFORE WE GOT HERE.

THERE ARE PILES OF SHELLS THAT ARE THE SIZE OF SEVERAL FOOTBALL FIELDS, SEVERAL FEET DEEP, FROM WHEN THE INDIANS USED TO EAT THEM.

>> THE OYSTER BUSINESS PEAK IN THE LATE 1800S IN PLACES LIKE NEW ORLEANS, BALTIMORE, AND NEW YORK CITY.

>> FACE TO HARVEST OYSTERS AND HOLD THEM IN EAST RIVER, SO THAT THEY WOULD BE NICE AND FRESH.

BUT THE EAST RIVER WAS ALSO WHERE THEY DUMPED ALL THEIR WASTE.

IT WAS AROUND THAT TIME THAT THEY DISCOVERED BACTERIA CAUSED DISEASE.

THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE DYING FROM EATING THESE CONTAMINATED OYSTERS.

WHEN THEY DISCOVER THAT THE OYSTERS WERE KILLING THEM, IT QUICKLY ERADICATED THE MARKET.

>> BY THE END OF THE 1920'S, THE INDUSTRY HAD COLLAPSED.

FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS, IT LANGUISHED, FACING OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS, INCLUDING LABOR SHORTAGES AND INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.

IN 1972, OYSTERS GOT A BOOST WHEN CONGRESS PASSED A COMPREHENSIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE CLEAN WATER ACT WAS HUGE BECAUSE IT PUT LIMITS ON WASTEWATER PLANTS.

IT MANDATED THAT WE NOT PUT POLLUTANTS INTO OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS AND INTO THE OCEAN.

>> BUT THE NEW LAW CANNOT PROTECT OYSTERS FROM A DEADLY DISEASE.

IT BEGAN IN THE SOUTH AND IT QUICKLY SPREAD THROUGHOUT EAST COAST WATERWAYS.

PARTICULARLY HARD-HIT WAS THE RIVER IN CONNECTICUT.

>> THE DIE OFF WAS DRAMATIC.

>> THIS MAN IS A LONG TIME OYSTER MEN.

A CENTURY AGO, THIS AREA WAS KNOWN AS OYSTER POINT.

TODAY'S WATER TREAT WAS JUST THAT.

WATER.

HAS MADE WAS THE ACTUAL SHORELINE.

THIS IS WHERE THE HIGH TIDE CAME UP.

WE HAVE PICTURES OF OYSTER BOATS IN THIS AREA, OFFLOADING INTO THESE HOUSES.

>> THESE BASEMENT, OR THEY USED FOR?

>> THEY WERE THE SHOCKING -- CHECKING HOUSES?

>>> BUT LIKE THE REST OF THE WOULD NOT LAST.

DISEASE, SEWAGE CONTAMINATION, PORT YIELDS, AND A SERIES OF HURRICANES CRIPPLED CONNECTICUT'S ENERGY -- INDUSTRY.

THE CHANCES OF REBOUND SEEMED SLIM.

DID YOU EVER EXPECT THEM TO COME BACK THIS AREA?

>> NO.

EARLY ON, WHEN I STARTED TALKING TO MOST OF THE OYSTER MEN THAT HELPED ME IN MY RESEARCH OVER THE YEARS, THEY SAW THE SLOW DEMISE OF THE OYSTER INDUSTRY.

THEY DID NOT THINK IT WOULD EVER COME BACK.

THEY TALKED ABOUT THE GOOD TIMES WHEN THERE WERE OYSTERS EVERYWHERE AND PLENTIFUL, THEN THEY HAD DECLINING WATER QUALITY.

A LOT OF THE OYSTER MEN WERE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS OVERNIGHT.

MONDAY, THEY WERE IN BUSINESS AND THE NEXT DAY, THEY WERE CLOSED.

>> MIKE AND HIS BUSINESS PARTNER GEORGE RUN INDIAN RIVER SHELLFISH.

THEY STARTED FARMING OYSTERS ON THE RIVER IN 2015.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE OYSTER TO HEAR FOR MANY YEARS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK PEOPLE SAID WHEN YOU SAID YOU WOULD BRING THEM TO THE RIVER?

>> THEY LAUGHED AT US.

>> THEY SAID WE WERE CRAZY.

>> WE WERE WARNED MANY TIMES THAT WE WERE ON A FOOLS ERRAND.

>> THAT FOOLS ERRAND TURNED OUT TO BE A BIG ENVIRONMENT TO WIN.

HOW MANY OYSTERS DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE?

IN THE WATER.

>> RIGHT NOW?

>> YES.

>> AROUND 2 MILLION.

>> 2 MILLION OYSTERS?

>> YES, MAYBE A LITTLE MORE.

♪ >> THOSE 2 MILLION DID NOT COME BACK ON THEIR OWN.

OYSTERS START THEIR LIVES AS TINY LARVAE FLOATING TO THE WATER.

TO SURVIVE, THEY MUST ATTACH TO A HARD SURFACE.

>> WITH OYSTERS LOOKING FOR HIS OTHER MEMBERS OF ITS OWN SPECIES.

IT LOOKS FOR SHELLS.

>> WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THIS RIVER, IT WAS TOO SOFT AND TOO MUDDY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RIVER FOR THEM TO SET.

THEY HAD TO ADAPT.

>> WE SWITCHED THE CAGE GROWING.

WE HAD NOTHING BUT MUD.

THEN, WITHIN A YEAR, MAY 2 YEARS, WE STARTED FINDING FISH COMING UP IN THE CAGES.

>> SO, HISTORICALLY, THE HARBOR IS A NURSERY FOR JUVENILE FISH.

WINTER FLOUNDER IS A BIG BUZZWORD BECAUSE THEY SUFFERED REALLY BIG DECLINES IN THE 80'S AND 90'S.

THEY NEED PROTECTION.

THE CAGES OFFER THEM PROTECTION.

THEY GO IN THEM, PIPE FISH, SEAHORSES, JUVENILE BLUE CRABS, THEY ALL GO IN THE CAGES.

>> EXCITED BY THE NOW GROWING OYSTER POPULATION, NEURITE TOWNS WORKED WITH THEM TO BRING BACK SOME OF THE NATURAL OYSTER BEDS.

IT HAS HAD BROAD IMPACTS.

>> OYSTERS CAN FILTER WHAT GOES UP AND DOWN THIS RIVER EVERY DAY.

>> A SINGLE OYSTER FILTERS 50 GALLONS OF WATER EVERY DAY.

>> PETER TEACHES ENVIRONMENTAL AND UNDERWATER SCIENCE AT THE SCIENCE SCHOOL.

>> ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS YOU CAN DO IS BRING A BUNCH OF DIRTY WATER INTO THE TANK, PUT A BUNCH OF OYSTERS IN IT, I MET A FEW HOURS LATER, AND THAT WATER WILL BE NOTICEABLY CLEARER.

>> CLEARWATER MEANS LIGHT CAN PENETRATE, GIVING MARINE PLANT LIFE CHANCE TO GROW.

>> A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS, IN ADDITION TO HOW DELICIOUS THEY ARE, THEY CAN REDUCE WAVE ENERGY COMING IN AND THEY CREATE A LOT OF VALUABLE HABITAT FOR OTHER SPECIES.

>> BY OBSERVING THE IMPACT OF INCOMING WAVES, OYSTER BEDS CAN PROTECT SHORELINES.

>> THERE ARE OTHER WAYS OF DEALING WITH COASTAL EROSION BESIDES BUILDING A WALL.

>> >> PETER AND HIS STUDENTS HAVE BEEN DOING RESPIRATION EFFORTS OF THEIR OWN.

NEW HAVEN HAD A HUGE HISTORICAL OYSTER INDUSTRY.

WE WANTED TO RESTORE THOSE REEFS TO PROVIDE BENEFITS FOR THE HARBOR.

>> THEY USE CONCRETE DOMES IS A PLACE FOR OYSTERS TO SIT.

>> WE ARE SEEING A VERY DIFFERENT RESPONSE.

AS SOON AS YOU START SEEING THE REEF FALLS, YOU START SEEING MORE OYSTERS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SMALL FISH SWIMMING AROUND THERE.

OTHER SPECIES ARE INTERACTING WITH OUR OYSTER RALPH, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN THE REEFS.

WE HAVE SEEN A BLUE CRABS MEETING.

>> OUTSIDE CONNECTICUT, THERE IS A BROADER ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT HAPPENING.

>> THERE IS A HUGE EFFORT PRE-MUCH OF IT DOWN THE EAST COAST TO RESTORE THE OYSTER BEDS , THE WILD OYSTER BEDS, JUST FOR THE ECOSYSTEM SERVICES.

>> CASE IN POINT, IN VIRGINIA, THE CHESAPEAKE BAY HAS BEEN THE CENTER OF A MASSIVE RESTORATION PROCESS.

THEY HAVE TURNED TO PROGRAMS LIKE SHELL RECYCLING, WHICH COLLECTS ANTI-SHELLS FROM RESTAURANTS TO GO BACK IN THE WATER.

THEY HAVE ALSO PUT OUT REEF BALLS AND SHELLS ALREADY SEATED WITH OYSTERS.

THE PROJECT IS SET TO ADD 10 BILLION MORE OYSTERS BY 2025.

CAN WE SAY THE EASTERN OYSTER HAS RECOVERED?

>> THE POPULATION IS REALLY A TINY FRACTION OF WHAT IT WAS HISTORICALLY.

BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY IS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, THROUGH INTENSIVE AQUACULTURE, WITH BEEN ABLE TO DO A QUITE REMARK WILL DROP OF RECOVERING QUITE A BIT OF IT.

WE HAVE DOUBLED OYSTER PRODUCTION ON THE EAST COAST IN JUST THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

THIS IS A WONDERFUL RENAISSANCE WE ARE SEEING OF OYSTER PRODUCTION.

>> UPS AND DOWNS CONTINUE FOR THE OYSTER INDUSTRY.

THE PANDEMIC HIT OYSTER FARMERS HARD, BUT LAST JULY, CONNECTICUT GOVERNOR, WHO CONSIDERS THE STATE TO BE THE NAPA VALLEY OF OYSTERS, SIGNED A BILL GIVING TAX BREAKS TO OYSTER FARMERS AND EXPANDING RESTORATION PROGRAMS.

>> UP NEXT, AN AUTHENTIC, ARTISTIC VISION AND A COMMITMENT TO HIS HOME CITY OF PROVIDENCE.

UMBERTO CRENCA HAS BUILT A LEGACY AS ONE OF THE STATE'S MOST INFLUENTIAL ARTISTS.

A PIONEER OF THE IMMUNITY, HE DEVELOPED A SPACE FOR ARTISTS TO TAKE RISKS AND SHOWCASE THEIR WORK, ALL WHILE ALSO PRODUCING HIS OWN HIGHLY REGARDED PIECES.

BILL BARTHOLOMEW SPENT TIME WITH HIM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MAN BEHIND THE ART.

>> IT'S CRAZY, THIS EXISTENTIAL MADNESS.

THE WAY WE GET THERE IT IS THROUGH IDENTITY CASE IN.

IT'S BY NOT FEELING ALONE IN THIS WORLD.

ARTISTS, THIS IS WHAT THEY DO FOR PRACTICE, MUNICH EIGHT AND TRY TO CONNECT AND TRY TO DECONSTRUCT AND TRY TO UNRAVEL AND MAKE SENSE OF SOMETHING THAT MAKES NO SENSE WHATSOEVER.

BILL: UMBERTO CRENCA AND FOR ARTIST UMBERTO CRENCA, MAKING SENSE OF THE WORLD IS A LIFELONG PURSUIT.

>> I'M A VERY EMOTIONAL AND PASSIONATE PERSON.

I CAN CRY AT A BAD TV SHOW WITHOUT HESITATION AND I CAN JUMP UP AND DOWN AND SCREAM AND PUNCH PUNCHING BAGS, LIKE AN ANIMAL.

I'VE ALWAYS HAD A LOT OF STRONG FEELINGS AND I NEED, A SERIOUS NEED TO EXPRESS MYSELF.

BILL: THAT NEED TO EXPRESS WAS FIRST MANIFESTED WHEN HE WAS IN THE SIX GRADE, WHEN HIS TEACHER WAS LOOKING FOR A STUDENT TO DRAW AN ELF THAT WAS IN A BOOK THAT COULD BE HUNG ON THE BUCKBOARD.

>> SHE LITERALLY WALKED BY ME AND SAID, OH, YOU WOULD NOT BE INTERESTED.

I SAID, GIVE ME THE BOOK.

I SPENT ALL NIGHT, BECAUSE I WAS NOT GOING TO FAIL AT THE CHALLENGE.

BILL: HE DREW THE ELF AND WITH THAT, LAUNCHED A LIFETIME OF CREATING.

>> I HAVE HAD A STUDIO OR DEDICATED SPACE TO MAKE WORK EVER SINCE I WAS 18 YEARS OLD OR 19 YEARS OLD.

BILL: THROUGH A VARIETY OF EXPENSES LIVING IN PROVIDENCE, HE BEGAN TO REFINE HIS ART, EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES.

>> THE WORK, IT WAS KIND OF ONE OF TWO THINGS.

IT WAS EITHER ME TRYING TO EXPRESS AND THINK CLINICAL AND SOCIAL OR I WAS TRYING TO EXPLORE AND EXPERIMENT IN A WAY THAT WOULD MAKE THE LEAK.

BILL: HE ALSO EXPRESSED HIS CONNECTION TO PROVIDENCE, SOMETHING HE SAYS WAS IN PART DUE TO HIS ITALIAN HERITAGE.

TO THAT CONNECTION, HE DEVELOPED AND OFTENTIMES TO MULCH WAS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MAYOR AT THE TIME.

>> I BUILT A RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT MAN.

I HAD AN IDEA.

HE SAW BENEFITS TO HIM INTO THE CITY, IF HE SUPPORTED ME.

INITIALLY, HIS SUPPORT WAS LIMITED AND MINIMAL, BUT IT WAS TIMELY.

HE OPENED SOME DOORS, HELPED SOME MONEY FLOW TOWARDS US.

HE ENDORSED ME AND US, AS CRAZY AS WE WERE.

HE THOUGHT I WAS NUTS.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

I THINK IT MIGHT BE GOOD FOR THE CITY.

BILL: BY 1985, HE HAD BEGUN TO FLUSH OUT THAT IDEA AND MARY HIS ARTISTIC PURSUITS WITH HIS UNDERSTANDING OF THE CITY BY LAUNCHING THE FIRST ITERATION OF A NONPROFIT SPACE AND ORGANIZATION THAT WOULD GO ON TO RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM.

>> I WAS SO INSPIRED BY WHAT WAS GOING ON.

I WAS IN A REAL PLACE.

THIS REMINDS ME OF THE LEFT BANK OF PARIS IN 1880.

THIS IS COOL.

THIS IS REAL.

BILL: IN 1992, AST 20 MOVED TO ITS CURRENT LOCATION ON EMPIRE STREET, OWNING ALL THE SPACES THEY OCCUPIED AFTER EXPENSING RENT INCREASES AT THEIR PREVIOUS LOCATION.

>> SUFFERING FROM EFFECTS AND IMPACT OF GENTRIFICATION, WHICH OFTEN THOSE SPACES ARE NOT RESPONSE WILL FOR.

DEVELOPERS AND CITY PLANNERS AND BANKS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GENTRIFICATION, PERIOD.

BILL: THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUE TO GROW DURING THE 1990'S, DRIVEN BY THE PRINCIPLES, INCLUDING EQUAL PAY FOR ALL WORKERS AND HAVING RESIDENCIES ON SITE.

>> IT WAS ESSENTIAL.

THAT PRESENCE, ANYONE GOES BY ON THE STREET AND IT KNOWS THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THAT BUILDING AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING.

IT IS A LIVING COMMUNITY, NOT JUST A VENUE.

IT IS A COMMUNITY.

BILL: WITH THAT COMMUNITY CAME A TERM OF THIS INCREASE OF THEIR PROGRAMMING.

>> ALL OF THE EXPANSION AND GROWTH LITERALLY CAME OUT OF IDEAS OF PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THE ORGANIZATION, WHICH BASICALLY SPOKE TO COMMUNITY NEEDS.

I FELT MY JOB AND THE REST OF OUR STAFF WAS TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE IDEAS, AS LONG AS THEY CONTINUE TO FIT UNDER THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES OF THE ORGANIZATION.

HOW DOES ANYBODY GET TO USE THE DARKROOM?

DO WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOLUNTEERS, IF THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY, TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS THESE THINGS DACA LOOK AT THOSE CORE VALUES AND MEASURE EACH INITIATIVE HOW ITS EDIFICE -- SATISFIES AND CONTINUES TO SATISFY, AND BUILD UP THOSE CORE VALUES.

THAT IS HOW ALL THE PROGRAMS EXPANDED.

BILL: THE ORGANIZATION GREW TO FUTURE MULTIPLE LOCATIONS.

IN ADDITION TO ART GALLERIES, A MUSIC VENUE, AND RESIDENCIES, EXPANDED TO INCLUDE A BLACK BOX THEATER, RESTAURANT, AND ANNUAL FOOD FESTIVAL, AS WELL AS A YOUTH AND ADULT PROGRAMS.

THREAT THIS TIME, UMBERTO CONTINUED TO PRODUCE HIS OWN ORIGINAL MATERIAL.

BUT IN 2019, HE DECIDED TO LEAVE THE ORGANIZATION THAT HE PIONEERED.

>> THAT WAS KIND OF A LONG, DRAWN OUT PROCESS.

I WAS ON A RETAINER.

I GAVE UP, I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY.

FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO I GAVE UP THE DIRECTORSHIP.

I WAS ON A RETAINER, SO I DID SOME TEACHING FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT WAS, I STILL KNEW ABOUT ALL OF THE CHALLENGES AND ISSUES AND IT WAS STILL IN MY HEAD ALL THE TIME.

THEN, WHEN THE WHOLE MOVEMENT WITH THE BY POK FOLKS -- BIPOC FOLKS CAME, I WAS IN THE WAY.

I CAST A BIG SHADOW FOR SOMEONE WHO IS FIVE FOOT SIX INCHES.

THEY PAY I AM EXAGGERATING BY ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF AN INCH.

IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO GO AND ACTUALLY WAS OVERDUE.

I NEVER FELT LIKE I COULD LEAVE.

I KIND OF FELT TRAPPED FOR A TIME.

I ALWAYS SAID THAT IF THE ORGANIZATION CANNOT EXIST BEYOND ME, WHAT DID WE CREATE?

IT IS MEANINGLESS.

I AM A STEWARD.

IT IS NOT ME OR ABOUT ME, EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARED TO BE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I NEVER REALLY FELT THAT WAY.

FELT THIS WAS A COMMUNITY ASSET.

BILL: HE BEGAN PURSUING A NEW ARTISTIC CALLING, A SERIES OF PAINTINGS HE TITLED DIVINE PROVIDENCE, WHICH FEATURE INTO CURRENTLY SOURCED AND CREATED IMAGES OF STREET CORNERS AND OTHER MICRO LOCATIONS RAPID CITY -- LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

HE PAINTS THEM AT HIS HOME THAT HE AND HIS WIFE PURCHASED IN 2001 AND CONVERTED INTO A WORK-LIVE SPACE, COMPLETE WITH STUDIOS, GALLERIES, AND A MUSIC SPACE.

>> IT'S WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW, BUT IT IS ALSO A REACTION TO THE TIMES.

THIS IS WHAT I AM GOING TO SAY AND IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE CONTROVERSIAL.

NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR FROM OLD WHITE MEN ANYMORE, AT LEAST FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

I THINK THAT IS COMPLETELY VALID AND GREAT.

THIS BODY OF WORK IS ME.

THERE'S A COUPLE LITTLE HINTS OF A CHURCH, HOLY GHOST CHURCH ON FEDERAL HILL.

I WAS BAPTIZED THERE.

I WAS HAVING A DRINK AT THE DISTILLERY AT SILLY YARD -- A DISTILLERY AND THERE WAS THIS CHURCH I COULD SEE THE TOP OF FEDERAL HILL.

I HAVEN'T GONE TOO FAR.

BILL: HE DECIDES ON WHICH LOCATIONS TO PAINT BY WALKING THE CITY AND TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS.

>> HOW DO I HONOR THIS PLACE, FOR EVERYBODY?

YOU DON'T SEE A PAINTING IN THE SERIES OF THE FLEET BUILDING.

I'M INTERESTED IN WHAT THE PERSON IS WALKING TO THE BODEGA IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD IS LOOKING AT.

OR THE MCDONALD'S, FOR THAT MATTER.

BILL: HE SAYS AT THE END OF THE DAY, HIS WORK IS LESS ABOUT HIM AND MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO SEE IT.

SO, WE ASKED HIM WHAT HE HOPES HIS LEGACY WILL BE.

>> I WILL BE DEAD.

RIGHT?

SO, IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER THAT MUCH.

IT'S ALL ABOUT, FOR ME, HAVING SOME IMPACT ON PEOPLE IN THE SENSE OF LIBERATING THEM FROM THE ROPE.

-- ROLE.

THE IDEA OF GIVING PEOPLE PERMISSION TO BE THEMSELVES AND DO WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, IF ANYTHING THAT I HAVE DONE IN MY LIFE HELPS INSPIRE THAT IN PEOPLE, THEN I THINK EVERYONE IS SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING AND THEY NEVER GET THERE AND THEY NEVER KNOW WHAT IT IS EXACTLY.

BUT THEY ARE SEARCHING.

SOMETIMES, YOU GET KIND OF CLOSE.

I AM FEELING THREE CLOSER NOW.

>> OUR THANKS TO BILL FOR THAT REPORT.

FINALLY TONIGHT, AND OUR CONTINUING SERIES "KIDS WANT TO KNOW," LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ASK STEPHEN BROWN OF THE ACLU OF RHODE ISLAND JUST HOW ENFORCEABLE DRESS CODES ARE IN THEIR SCHOOL.

>> HI, MY NAME IS LUCY AND I WAS WONDERING, WHILE STUDENTS HAVE SOME CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, WHAT DO WE HAVE AS MINORS?

>> YOU DO NOT SHED YOUR RIGHTS AT THE STUDENT HEALTH GATE, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT, BUT YOU DO HAVE WHAT I SOMETIMES CALL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS LIGHT MOST OF THEM EXIST, BUT THEY ARE AT A LESSER LEVEL THAN ADULTS HAVE OR PEOPLE HAVE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU CLEARLY HAVE A RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN THE SCHOOL AND A VARIETY OF CONTEXTS.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO COURT DECISIONS THAT SET LIMITS ON THOSE RIGHTS.

ONE STUDENT, FOR EXAMPLE, IN A MAJOR SUPREME COURT CASE WAS DISCIPLINED FOR GIVING A VULGAR SPEECH IN THE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT HE OR ANYBODY COULD HAVE APPROPRIATELY SAID OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL SETTING, BUT IN THE SCHOOL, THE SUPREME COURT SAID HE COULD BE DISCIPLINED FOR BEING VULGAR.

THE SAME THING IS TRUE, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH YOUR FOURTH MEN MET RIGHTS AGAINST UNREASONABLE SEARCHES AND SEIZURES.

IN THE REAL WORLD, POLICE GENERALLY NEED A WARRANT IN ORDER TO SEARCH YOU OR YOUR PROPERTY.

IN THE SCHOOL SETTING, SCHOOL OFFICIALS GENERALLY NEED ONLY WHAT IS CALLED REASONABLE SUSPICION TO ENGAGE IN A SEARCH BACKPACK AND SO FORTH.

WHILE YOU DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE EXTENDED CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT YOU STILL MAINTAIN SOME LEVEL OF CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS EVEN WHILE YOU ARE IN SCHOOL.

>> HI, MY NAME IS CATHERINE.

I WAS WONDERING IF FASHION IS A FORM OF SELF-EXPRESSION, HOW CAN HIGH SCHOOLS DENY STUDENTS THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS HIMSELF THROUGH THE CLOTHING CUP -- CLOTHING?

STEVEN: THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

STUDENTS DO HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES THE CLOTHING.

IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT RIGHT.

THE COURTS HAVE ISSUED A LOT OF DECISIONS ABOUT THAT.

WHILE THERE ARE CERTAIN TYPES OF LIMITS, SUCH AS CLOTHING THAT MIGHT CAUSE A DISRUPTION IN SCHOOL, AS A GENERAL RULE, YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECIDE WHAT TO WEAR.

TO GIVE STOMACH CIVIL, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COURT DECISIONS ALLOWING STUDENTS TO WEAR T-SHIRTS THAT HAVE POLITICAL MESSAGES ON THEM.

IN ONE FAMOUS CASE, THERE WAS A STUDENT WHO WORE A T-SHIRT THAT SAYS SOME PEOPLE ARE GAY, GET OVER IT.

THE STUDENT WAS SUSPENDED BY THE SCHOOL AND THE COURT SAID NO, THIS STUDENT WAS EXPRESSING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND COULD NOT BE PUNISHED FOR THAT.

WE FILED A LAWSUIT HERE IN RHODE ISLAND ON BEHLF OF A STUDENT WHO WAS SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE HE WORE A T-SHIRT, A ROCK BAND T-SHIRT ON IT THAT HAD THE NUMBERS 666 ON IT AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAID IT WAS A SIGN OF THE DEVIL AND TREATED A DISRUPTION.

WE CHALLENGE THAT AND A FINAL RULING WAS THAT NO, THE STUDENT HAD THE RIGHT TO WEAR THAT T-SHIRT.

THERE ARE ALSO A NUMBER OF QUICHES -- CASES ENSURING THAT DRESS COAT HAVE TO BE GENDER-NEUTRAL.

THEY CANNOT ADOPT CODES THAT SAY GIRLS CANNOT WEAR CERTAIN THINGS THAT BOYS CAN WEAR AND VICE VERSA.

WHATEVER LIMITS ARE IMPOSED HAVE TO APPLY ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT CANNOT TICKLE OUT GIRLS WERE WEARING THINGS THAT THEY CONSIDER A DISTRACTION THAT THEY WOULD ALLOW BOYS TO WEAR, FOR EXAMPLE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THE STUDENT HANDBOOK, LOOK -- SEE WHAT IT FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ACLU AND WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT FOR YOU.

>> HI, MY NAME IS KATIE JONES.

HOW CAN WE BE SURE THAT OUR SPEECH IS PROTECTED SPEECH ON CAMPUS?

STEVEN: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION.

IT'S A GOOD ONE.

IT'S NOT A SIMPLE ONE.

YOU CAN NEVER BE 100% CERTAIN THAT THE SPEECH YOU ARE GIVEN -- GIVING IS PROTETED.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CLEAR STANDARDS THAT HAVE BEEN SET OVER THE YEARS BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND LOWER COURTS ABOUT YOUR RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH, SO YOU DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO ENGAGE IN POLITICAL SPEECH WHILE YOU ARE IN SCHOOL.

THE BIGGEST CASE THAT EVERYBODY WHO DEALS WITH STUDENT RIGHTS IS AWARE OF IS A SUPREME COURT CASE DEALING WITH STUDENTS WHO WORE BLACK ARMBANDS TO SCHOOL BACK IN THE 1960'S TO EXPRESS THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE VIETNAM WAR.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUSPENDED THESE STUDENTS FROM SCHOOL AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, AND A REALLY IMPORTANT DECISION, SAID NO, STUDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO EXPRESS THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS AND WEARING A BLACK ARMBAND CONSTITUTED THAT RIGHT.

WHAT THE COURT SAID IS, YOU MAINTAIN THE RIGHT TO EXERCISE FREE SPEECH, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT IT CONSTITUTES A SUBSTANTIAL DISRUPTION TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS, IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING YOU'RE GOING TO SAY OR DO AND WHETHER IT APPLIES, CHECK YOUR STUDENT HANDBOOK.

WE WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK T OUR WEBSITE, WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF MATERIAL.

IT DESCRIBES STUDENT RIGHTS, INCLUDING STUDENT FREE SPEECH RIGHTS THAT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT SAY OR DO IN SCHOOL AS IT RELATES TO FREE SPEECH.

>> OUR THANKS TO THE STUDENTS FROM LEAK IN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE ACLU'S STEPHEN BROWN.

THAT'S OUR BROADCAST FOR THE EVENING.

THINK OF HER JOINING US.

I'M PAMELA WATTS.

>> I AM MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK WITH ANOTHER EDITION OF "KIDS WANT TO KNOW -- "RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY ."

♪