Today on AirTalk, we talk with Black Lives Matter LA's co-founder Melina Abdullah. Also on the show, we speak with congresswoman Karen Bass; our FilmWeek critics review the weekend's releases; and more.
AirTalk Sits Down With Black Lives Matter LA Co-founder Melina Abdullah
Black Lives Matter has been one of the big organizing forces behind the protest movements that followed the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis.
The Los Angeles chapter of BLM has pushed for the People’s Budget, which would divert funds from LAPD, at L.A. City Council Meetings, and have gotten some gains in the form of a $150 million cut from the LAPD. It’s also been a leader of protests, an organizer and a rallying cry.
We sit down with the co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter, Melina Abdullah, to discuss the People’s Budget, her hopes for the future and more.
Guest:
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
Rep. Karen Bass On Activism, Racial Justice And The Future Of Policing
Senate Republicans unveiled proposed changes to police procedures and accountability Wednesday, countering Democrats’ far-reaching overhaul with a more modest package but one that underscores how swiftly the national debate on race has been transformed five months before elections.
The White House signaled President Donald Trump’s support as Republicans embraced a new priority with the “Justice Act,” the most ambitious GOP policing proposal in years in response to the massive public protests over the death of George Floyd and other black Americans. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell promised speedy action next week, when the House will also be voting on the Democratic plan. That puts the two bills on a collision course, but the momentum of suddenly shifting America.
The outlook is extremely fluid, as both parties see a need to meet the moment after graphic cellphone videos and a public outcry over police killings sparked a worldwide movement against racism and police violence. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the GOP package as “inadequate.” But she also said House Democrats “hope to work in a bipartisan way to pass legislation that creates meaningful change to end the epidemic of racial injustice and police brutality in America.” California Democrat Karen Bass, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, is one of the members of Congress leading the charge for this change.
Today on AirTalk, Larry talks with Bass about the movement against police brutality and the meaning of activism in today’s world.
With files from the Associated Press
Guest:
Karen Bass, Democratic Congresswoman representing California's 37th district, which includes parts of south and west Los Angeles, she also chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of House Democrats behind the Justice in Policing Act; she tweets
COVID-19 Update: More Reopenings In LA County, Newsom Implements Statewide Mask Order
In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry speaks with Dean Blumberg, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of pediatric infectious disease at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Today’s topics include:
Gov. Newsom issues statewide mask order
Bars, nail salons and more get green light to reopen
Some states report record spikes in COVID-19 cases
State prisons to start early release program
Guest:
Dean Blumberg, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital
FilmWeek: ‘Miss Juneteenth,’ ‘Disclosure,’ ‘My Darling Vivian’ And More
Larry Mantle and KPCC film critics Christy Lemire, Peter Rainer and Tim Cogshell review this weekend’s new movie releases on streaming and on demand platforms.
"Miss Juneteenth" at Drive-In Theaters (Mission Tiki, Van Buren, Vineland) & VOD (iTunes, Google Play, FandangoNOW & Vudu)
"Disclosure" on Netflix
"My Darling Vivian" at Laemmle's Virtual Cinema & Amazon Prime Video
"You Should Have Left" on VOD (iTunes, Amazon Prime, Google Play, FandangoNOW & Vudu)
"One-Way To Tomorrow" on Netflix
"Babyteeth" on VOD (iTunes, Google Play & Vudu)
"Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story Of Roy Cohn" on HBO (On Demand at HBO Go & HBO Now)
"Dads" on Apple TV+
"Wasp Network" on Netflix
Our FilmWeek critics have been curating personal lists of their favorite TV shows and movies to binge-watch during self-quarantine. You can see recommendations from each of the critics and where you can watch them here.
Guests:
Christy Lemire, film critic for KPCC, RogerEbert.com and co-host of the ‘Breakfast All Day’ podcast; she tweets
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor
Tim Cogshell, film critic for KPCC, Alt-Film Guide and CineGods.com; he tweets
What New Oscars Requirements For Representation And Inclusion Might Look Like
The Oscars are implementing some big changes, including a set number of best picture nominees and to-be-determined representation and inclusion standards for eligibility.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced last week that there will be 10 best picture nominees beginning with the 94th Academy Awards in 2022. The organization is also planning to implement new eligibility requirements with an eye toward diversity in collaboration with the Producers Guild of America that will be finalized by the end of July. Neither change will impact the 93rd Academy Awards set to be held in Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 2021, because it is already deep into the eligibility calendar. The first phase, which ended this year, was in response to the #OscarsSoWhite criticisms. A newly established Office of Representation, Inclusion and Equity will oversee the Aperture 2025 initiative and be headed by Academy COO Christine Simmons.The Academy also said that it is continuing efforts to increase diversity in its membership ranks. The new class will be announced in July.
Today on FilmWeek, we’ll look at the proposed changes from the Academy and talk about what might be included among the new requirements for the Oscars inclusion standards.
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
John Horn, host of KPCC’s arts and entertainment show “The Frame”; he tweets
Darnell Hunt, dean of social sciences and professor of sociology and African-American studies at UCLA; he is the author of UCLA’s annual Hollywood Diversity Report; he tweets
LAist Studios’ New Podcast “Hollywood, The Sequel” Looks At How Entertainment Industry Can Change For The Better
It’s a moment of massive disruption for the film and TV industries. Productions have been shut down for months due to COVID-19, forcing studios big and small to rethink how they release and distribute films. Movie theaters have been closed, and even the biggest national chains have expressed concern about continuing to operate under the new COVID guidelines. And all the while the industry continues to grapple with its own identity with regard to how to be more inclusive and representative of everyone who works in the industry, both in front of and behind the camera.
KPCC’s John Horn explores all of this while talking to some of the biggest movers and shakers in Hollywood, including Glenn Close, Kerry Washington, Ramy Youssef, Guillermo del Toro, Ava DuVernay and others who are poised to spur change in the industry in LAist Studios’ new podcast ‘Hollywood, The Sequel,’ which debuts on your favorite podcast platform on June 23rd.
Today on FilmWeek, we’ll talk to John about the making of the podcast, some of the interviews that resounded with him and what he learned about how Hollywood sees itself reimagined at a moment of disruption.
“Hollywood, The Sequel” from KPCC and LAist Studios will be available wherever you get your podcasts starting Tuesday, June 23rd. You can subscribe to it, hear the trailer and see other podcasts from KPCC and LAist Studios by going to LAist.com/podcasts.
Guest:
John Horn, host of the new LAist Studios podcast “Hollywood, The Sequel” and host of KPCC’s arts and entertainment show “The Frame”; he tweets