Civil Rights and Wrongs

Civil Rights and Wrongs for June 15, 2021

This Tuesday Michelle Manning-Scott interviews John Henneberger, Co-Director of the Texas Low Income Housing Information Service, or Texas Housers.  John is a leading expert on housing issues in Texas.  He has been recognized for his commitment to social justice, helping low income people advance model solutions to housing issues in their communities, and developing common-ground solutions from diverse housing interests.  We discuss the history of Black neighborhoods in Austin, “redlining,” affordability, and the 2018 housing bond, among other topics.  Jim Harrington will be with us, too.  Jim is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Austin Sanders will also join us.  He is a Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle where he covers City Council, APD, homelessness and other issues.  This past Thursday, City Council held its last session before adjourning for a summer break.  Austin reports that Council approved changes to the homestead exemption that provides a tax break for homeowners.  Council also determined how to allocate funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, deciding to spend more than $100M over the next two years on homelessness programs and housing.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for June 8, 2021

This is our wrap-up for the recently concluded regular session of the 87^th Texas Legislature, with guests from the Austin Chronicle.  Mike Clark-Madison is the News Editor and writes the lead column each week.  He has been a researcher, analyst, consultant, strategist and organizer for more than 30 years.  Beth Sullivan is the Assistant News Editor, and also writes the LGBTQ “Qmmunity” column.  She has been reporting on the pandemic, education, and women’s health issues, among other duties at the AC.  Austin Sanders is a Staff Writer who covers City Council, APD, homelessness and other issues.  Austin has been heard regularly on Civil Rights and Wrongs for about a year now.  And from KOOP, Michelle Manning-Scott, the Associate Producer of this program. 

Civil Rights and Wrongs for June 1, 2021

This Tuesday Michelle Manning-Scott speaks with Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, President of Huston-Tillotson University since 2015.  Huston-Tillotson is Austin’s oldest institution of higher learning.  Dr. Burnette talks about the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities in society, and specifically H-T’s commitment to civic and community engagement.  Our regular guest and commentator, Jim Harrington, also joins us.  Jim is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. 

In addition, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, discusses various issues, ranging from sanctioned encampments to the latest petition drive by Save Austin Now, and even bills in the Texas Legislature that would punish the City of Austin for reducing the budget of its police department.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for May 25, 2021

Our guests this Tuesday include Paula Rojas, community organizer, licensed midwife, and social justice advocate.  Paula has spent more than 25 years working on issues of gender violence, racial justice, women’s reproductive health, health care access and community alternatives to policing.  She is currently a volunteer with Communities of Color United.  We also have Brion Oaks, the first Chief Equity Officer for the City of Austin.  In this capacity he is responsible for working with city leadership and local communities to create an equity framework, and facilitate dialogue and organizational practices that support the development and adoption of equity as a shared value.  Paula and Brion are Co-Chairs of the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force which recently provided its detailed report to the Austin City Council.  And our regular guest and commentator, Jim Harrington, is with us again.  Jim is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.  Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, joins us as well.

In addition, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, talks about a recent report from the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) which contains some surprising statistics.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for May 18, 2021

This Tuesday Michelle and Bob speak with Anna Nguyen, Vietnamese American transgender woman, software engineer, and President of the Austin chapter of PFLAG, which is the largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents, families, and allies.  Anna shares her perspective on being in the intersection of diverse currents that have carried her from Saigon to Austin. 

 

In addition, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, discusses the continuing aftermath of Proposition B, addressing enforcement and the ongoing investigation regarding the establishment of city camping facilities.  He also provides an update on the APD shooting of Alex Gonzales this past January.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for May 11, 2021

This Tuesday we have an encore presentation that first aired last October.  Given recent concerns about evictions, we decided to hear again from Molly Jensen, Executive Director of Austin Tenants Council, and Shoshana Krieger, Project Director for Building and Strengthening Tenant Action (BASTA).  While some of the specifics of city programs have evolved since the show first aired, the efforts of these dedicated leaders and the staffs of their respective organizations continue to inspire.  And their actions have spared numerous families from devastating outcomes.

In addition, our friend Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, has returned from paternity leave.  (Spoiler: a baby girl!)  Austin relates the drama of the decision to reopen the APD Training Academy in what was literally a 9-1-1 vote.  Also, in the wake of Proposition B last week, we hear about efforts to relocate the camps that have become an unfortunate part of the Austin landscape, especially since the pandemic.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for May 4, 2021

This Tuesday we speak with Mike Clark-Madison, News Editor and Columnist for the Austin Chronicle, who provides a wrap-up from Saturday’s special election that included eight propositions for voter approval.  Mike also offers additional insights into the report by the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force which was delivered to City Council on April 20^th.  The rest of the team should be back next week, including Austin Sanders.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for April 27, 2021

This Tuesday we speak with Chris Harris, data analyst and community activist.  Chris has done significant work with Texas Appleseed and other organizations to provide statistics regarding traffic stops, use of force, and related police actions.  He is currently part of Homes Not Handcuffs which promotes a housing-first approach to address homelessness, and opposes criminalization.  In addition to Chris, Gus Bova also joins us.  Gus is a staff writer at the Texas Observer, where he covers labor, border issues, and homelessness, among other topics.  And Michelle Manning-Scott is with us, too.  Austin Sanders, a regular contributor to the show, is still on leave but Mike Clark-Madison, News Editor for the Austin Chronicle, discusses the Reimagining Public Safety Task Force report to City Council this past week.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for April 20, 2021

We celebrate Earth Day this Tuesday with two local leaders in environmental justice.  First we’ll hear from Karen Magid, faculty member and Director of Sustainability & STEM for Huston-Tillotson University in their Center for Sustainability and Environmental Justice.  She is an advisor for the environmental student group Green is the New Black, and helped found the environmental justice forum Building Green Justice.  Karen is also co-director for the Dumpster Project, and a board member for Earth Day Austin.  In the second half we’ll speak with Luke Metzger, Executive Director of Environment Texas whose mission is to transform the power of our imaginations and our ideas into change that makes our world a greener and healthier place for all.  We also have Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.  And Michelle Manning-Scott joins us as well. 

Civil Rights and Wrongs for April 13, 2021 -- Part 2

This Tuesday we’ll have an extended episode of Civil Rights and Wrongs, beginning at 5:30 PM.  The Austin Chronicle recently held an issue forum, anticipating the upcoming May 1^st Special Election, which includes eight distinct propositions.  We cover two of them on the show: Proposition B (referendum on camping, panhandling and other matters related to homelessness) and Proposition F (referendum on a “strong mayor” for Austin).  Mike Clark-Madison, News Editor and Columnist, interviews:

• Andrew Allison with Austinites For Progressive Reform, and Nelson Linder, President of the Austin Chapter of the NAACP – For Proposition F
• Emily Timm with Workers Defense Action Fund and By The People ATX, and Nico Ramsey with Austin For All People – Against Proposition F

Note that this presentation is offered as a community service and does not imply any endorsements by KOOP Community Radio.  The Chronicle will publish its own endorsements in the April 16 issue. Further info can be found on their website.