Today on AirTalk with guest host Libby Denkmann, we talk with local leaders about the current state of the Black Lives Matter protests and where the movement is headed. Also on the show, we learn more about the story of former Gov. Jerry Brown; hear about a new podcast for kids; and more.
What Racial Justice Protests Have Achieved, And What Activists And City Leaders Plan For The Future
The killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 sparked nationwide protests decrying racism and police brutality against Black people.
It’s been nearly two months and protests are still happening all over the country, including in Southern California, Portland, Chicago, Oakland and other cities. In Los Angeles, community demands have spurred the city council to approve a $150 million cut in LAPD funding and inspired reductions to the county Sheriff’s department budget. Activists are eager to secure concrete policy changes -- like proposals to create a crisis response plan to respond to some 911 calls with mental health professionals or social workers instead of armed LAPD officers, and develop alternatives for enforcing traffic laws.
On Thursday, AirTalk convened a discussion about Los Angeles activists' goals, policy changes already achieved at the city level, what reimagining community safety looks like and where L.A.'s Defund the Police movement goes from here.
With guest host Libby Denkmann
Guests:
Herb Wesson, Los Angeles City Councilmember representing the 10th Council District, which includes the West Los Angeles neighborhoods of Koreatown, Mid City, Leimert Park, Crenshaw Manor and Baldwin Village; he tweets
Melina Abdullah, professor of Pan-African studies at Cal State LA and co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter; she tweets
Pete White, founder and executive director of the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN), a community organization that works on anti-poverty issues
Alex Vitale, professor of sociology and coordinator of the Policing and Social Justice Project at Brooklyn College, part of the City University of New York system (CUNY), and author of several books, his latest is “The End of Policing” (Verso, October 2017); he tweets
The Story Of Gov. Jerry Brown And His Lasting Mark On CA And The Country
Former California Gov. Jerry Brown served the state in the 1970s but returned to power again nearly 30 years later, from 2011 to 2019. In a new and in-depth account of Brown’s life, author Jim Newton describes the politician as anything by ordinary.
In Newton’s latest book, “Man of Tomorrow: The Relentless Life of Jerry Brown,” he dives into the life and political footing of the state leader and how he worked to restore the state’s economy, eventually rising to national prominence. In many ways, the author says, Brown and the state of California have similar stories. Today on AirTalk, guest host Libby Denkmann talks with the author about the book. Do you have questions? Call us at 866-893-5722.
With guest host Libby Denkmann
Guest:
Jim Newton, author of several books, his latest is “Man of Tomorrow: The Relentless Life of Jerry Brown” (Little, Brown and Company, May 2020); he is a lecturer of public policy at UCLA, founder and editor-in-chief of “Blueprint,” a UCLA magazine addressing the policy challenges facing California and Los Angeles, and a veteran journalist who spent 25 years at the Los Angeles Times as a reporter, editor, bureau chief, columnist and, from 2007 through 2010, editor of the editorial pages
‘Million Bazillion’: A New Podcast From Marketplace To Teach Kids About Money
It’s never too early to teach kids about financial literacy. With that in mind, the public radio show Marketplace and the popular podcast Brains On! have created a new podcast for kids -- and their families -- to learn about money and how to manage it wisely.
Guest host Libby Denkmann speaks with host of “Million Bazillion”, Jed Kim about the new show.
With guest host Libby Denkmann
The first episode of “Million Bazillion” is available now wherever you get your podcast. The six-episode series drops every Tuesday.
Guest:
Jed Kim, public radio journalist and host of “Million Bazillion,” the new podcast from Marketplace and Brains On!