Civil Rights and Wrongs

Civil Rights and Wrongs for April 13, 2021 -- Part 1

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:

• Cleo Petricek with Save Austin Now – For Proposition B
• Chris Harris with Homes Not Handcuffs – Against Proposition B

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. 

Civil Rights and Wrongs for April 6, 2021

This Tuesday our guests will be Lily Trieu and Zohaib Qadri, board members for Asian Democrats of Central Texas.  We will discuss the current wave of anti-Asian American violence in historical context.  Lily and Zohaib are among the organizers of the upcoming Rally to Stop Asian Hate on Saturday, April 17 at Huston-Tillotson University.   (Note that Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle and regular contributor to the show, will be out for the next several weeks.)

Civil Rights and Wrongs for March 30, 2021

This Tuesday we have a special edition of Civil Rights and Wrongs to close out KOOP’s month-long recognition of Women’s History Month, and to commemorate our “WoMANifest” celebration that took place a year ago.  Several KOOP news and public affairs programs have joined forces to present a series of connected programs centering the activism and voices of several local women and women-led organizations here in Austin.  We begin Tuesday’s episode with Teresa Mioli, Online Content Coordinator for the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas at UT, interviewed by Lynn Cowles from KOOP’s In Touch Interviews show.  Teresa is interested in press freedom, democratization, and investigative journalism in Latin America, and is dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of independent news media to the health of democracies.  Next, Michelle converses with Jennifer Delk, board member for the League of Women Voters, Austin Area.  Jennifer chairs the Community Outreach Committee of the board, and represents the League at a variety of community events and nonpartisan forums.  Bob then speaks with Beth Sullivan, Assistant News Editor for the Austin Chronicle.  She also writes the “Qmmunity” column, which covers LGBTQIA news and events.  Beth highlights related bills currently before the Texas Legislature.  Finally, Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, reports on the selection of an Interim Police Chief who replaces Brian Manley until a permanent successor is found.  Austin also notes that City Council took a first (albeit tentative) step toward reopening the APD Training Academy. 

Civil Rights and Wrongs for March 23, 2021

This Tuesday Michelle Manning-Scott interviews Adeola Ogunkeyede, Travis County’s first ever Chief Public Defender.  The Public Defender’s Office was established in 2020 to provide high-quality holistic defense representation and other support to people accused of criminal offenses in Travis County.  And Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, considers the Interim Police Chief who will take over from Brian Manley as the search for the latter’s permanent successor commences.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for March 16, 2021

Our guest this Tuesday is Fernando Torres-Gil, Professor of Social Welfare and Public Policy at UCLA.  He served as the first-ever Assistant Secretary of Aging in the Department of Health and Human Services in the Clinton administration, as well as the Vice Chair of the National Council on Disability in the Obama administration.  Recently he and Jacqueline Angel from UT’s LBJ School co-authored an opinion piece for the Houston Chronicle titled, “The time is now for a new ‘New Deal.’”   We also have Jim Harrington with us again, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.  And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, joins us as well.  Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, reports a significant development in the case of Michael Ramos who was fatally shot by an APD officer in April last year.  Christopher Taylor was indicted and charged with first degree murder, possibly the first such instance in Austin history for on-duty use of force by a police officer.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for March 9, 2021

Michelle Manning-Scott hosts the program as we recognize Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day.  Our guests are Martha Pincoffs and Muna Hussaini, two of the three hosts of the Three Righteous Mamas podcast.  The podcast explores topical issues with change makers and societal leaders of our day, while exploring the ways in which motherhood is pivotal to shaping each of us and the world we live in.  Both regular host Bob Dailey and Michelle Boyd, KOOP board member and programmer apprentice, join the conversation. Then Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides an update from the March 4 meeting of the Austin City Council, which issued an apology for disenfranchising Black residents.  Council also directed staff to establish a Black Embassy in East Austin to serve as a resource for the community.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for March 2, 2021

Our guest is Gus Bova, Staff Writer for the Texas Observer, where he covers labor, homelessness, politics, the border, and other topics.  Last month the Observer published his piece, “Graveyard Shift” which deals with the often fatal consequences of being part of the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.  In addition, Jim Harrington joins us once again.  He is the retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project.  And Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of this program, is with us, too.  Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides an update from Austin City Council as it deals with the continuing fallout from the winter storm that crippled the city.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for February 23, 2021

This Tuesday we continue our observance of Black History Month as Michelle Manning-Scott and I interview Jeffrey Littlejohn, Professor of History at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.  Jeff and his students are compiling a database of lynchings that have taken place in Texas.  Their website currently documents more than 700 lynchings in the Lone Star State spanning the 19^th and 20^th centuries, and includes an interactive map and detailed historical accounts of each event.  We’re also joined by regular guest commentator Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project. (Note: "Strange Fruit" by Nina Simone removed for copyright reasons."

Civil Rights and Wrongs for February 16, 2021

This Tuesday we continue our observance of Black History Month as Michelle Manning-Scott speaks with Jameila “Meme” Styles, Founder and President of MEASURE, which works to empower people impacted by data disparities and the accompanying narrative.  MEASURE was founded to address community policing but now extends to health, education and economic disparities.   Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, notes the impending retirement of APD Chief Brian Manley and reflects on his tenure as Austin’s head law enforcer.

Civil Rights and Wrongs for February 9, 2021

We continue our observance of Black History Month with two leaders who are already making history in Austin’s minority communities: Jereka Thomas-Hockaday, Co-Founder of the Central Texas Allied Health Institute, and Paul Saldaña, Coordinator of the Austin Latino Coalition. We explore the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 for people of color: testing, hospitalization, deaths – and now, access to vaccines.  Dr. Hockaday has been instrumental in establishing and advocating for services in minority neighborhoods.  Paul Saldaña has drawn national and international attention to the circumstances faced by essential workers and multi-generational families in the Austin area.  Our regular guest Jim Harrington, retired founder of the Texas Civil Rights Project, is with us once again, along with Michelle Manning-Scott, associate producer of the show.  Austin Sanders, Staff Writer for the Austin Chronicle, provides an update on the city’s purchase of a motel in District 6 (far northwest Austin) and continued deliberations regarding homeless issues as City Council revisits camping regulations.