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RACE AND REDEMPTION
To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio
In America's struggle with race, one man is trying
to keep it real. His website dares to post the questions we're afraid
to ask out loud. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge,
the quest for racial understanding from the founder of the Y-Forum.
Also, the sweet and sorrowful history of Billie Holliday's revolutionary
song Strange Fruit.
SEGMENT 1:
Harvard Law's Randall Kennedy (who is African
American) is the author of the notoriously titled "Nigger: The
Strange Career of a Troublesome Word." He talks with Steve Paulson
about how the N-word has been used historically in America. And
we hear some comedy clips and music that use the word.
SEGMENT 2:
David Margolick is the author of "Strange
Fruit," a history of the revolutionary Billie Holiday song. Margolick
tells Jim Fleming who wrote the song, what happened the first
time Holiday sang it, and what it's lasting impact has been. And,
of course, we hear it performed by Billie Holiday. Also, Philip
Milano is the author of "Why Do White People Smell Like Dogs
When They Come Out of the Rain?" and founder of the controversial
Web site, YForum.com. He
tells Anne Strainchamps his goal is to increase understanding
between the races. He thinks we have to have a full and open discussion
of all the embarrassing, niggling questions the races have about
each other before we can make real progress toward harmony.
SEGMENT 3:
Alexandra Fuller was the child of white farmers
in the former Rhodesia. Her memoir is called "Don't Let's Go to
the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood." She tells Steve Paulson
that she didn't understand racism as a child, but letter rejected
the values of her parents who despised all Black Africans.
Cassette copies are available
at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 02-03-03-A.
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Books:
- Alexandra Fuller, Don't Let's Go
to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood (Random House)
- Randall Kennedy, Nigger: The Strange
Career of a Troublesome Word (Pantheon)
- David Margolick, Strange Fruit: The Biography
of a Song (Harper Collins)
Music:
- Ice Cube/My Loved One/ The Players Club Soundtrack/
Heavyweight Records
- Billie Holiday/ Strange Fruit/ Lady in Autumn/Verve
- Dumisani Maraire & Ephat Mujuru/Chemutengure/Shona
Spirit/Music of the World
- Black Umfolosi/ Helene Mama Afrika/ Festival ~
Umdlalo/ World Circuit
- Oliver Mtukudzi/ Ngoma Nehosho/ Paivepo/ Tuku Music
Distribution dates:
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Questions and comments can
be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org
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