"seeking Justice" Live Radio Talk

"Will this Tsunami of Crisis lead to a Depression?"  Listen to his answer. Dr. Connel "Connie" Fullenkamp, Professor of Economics, Duke University states, "We brought it on ourselves..." discussing both the big picture and small specifics of this economic tsunami that has hit our nation & world since the onset of the global pandemic and social justice movement.  He begins by detailing the specifics of the supply and demand chains that have failed to keep up with the onset of layered crisis. Dr. Fullenkamp continues to present how economic changes have impacted school children, individuals, small businesses and moderate-large business corporations.  He includes analysis of what can/could be done now to prevent further economic damage and offers suggestions for all levels of socioeconomic life - from philanthropic choices to survival changes for those out of job right now.  In our last segment, Connie discusses the social justice movement in the U.S. & Internationally and how this pandemic brought out w

First airing June 19, 2020 - Juneteenth - An analysis of social injustice in the U.S. and Internationally as signified by the ongoing peaceful protests nationally and world wide. Anna Richards, President of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP discusses the significance of Juneteenth to the present social justice movement in the U.S. She explores the racial inequity and disparity that underlies the deep feelings of frustration, anger and sadness since the killings of George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, and so many others. She notes the shocking changes from industries in America such as NASCAR's banning of confederate flags.  Mike Cotter, U.S. Ambassador (retired) and diplomat discusses the history of racial inequity and disparity world wide. He deepens this analysis of the current social justice movement that coincides with this global pandemic highlighting the many motivations and deepest hopes for change.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, churches of every denomination in Chapel Hill, NC came together to form a collaborative way forward to both keep community members safe from the virus and address the need for immediate social change. Pastor Ben Williams, Christ United Methodist Church discussed how this collaboration began at the onset of the pandemic, giving pastors of all churches strength and knowledge from the highest university learning hospitals of how to proceed. The collaboration continues at present to create a new structure for social justice reform. Interim Pastor & Professor Dr. Barry Jones, University Baptist Church (UBC) discussed the months ahead, including staying ever watchful of changing circumstance in the country's and this geographical region's experience of the pandemic - with regard to whether and how to open the his church again to public worship. He further discussed the location of this Baptist church on the campus of UNC Ch. and how UBC plans to support students as they return in c

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Not Patience...these words first stated by Rev. Al Sharpton during the riots across America this past week. Dr. Rumay Alexander, Professor & Former Vice Chancellor of Diversity & Inclusion at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discusses systemic racism, structural violence with specific deep examples & analysis...stating "problems don't age well..." reminding listeners that the time for patience is past. Violence Speaking Volumes..Ajenai Clemmons, Doctoral Candidate  at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy details specific definitions, descriptions and analysis regarding the relational causes of problems between the police and the community. Her insightful and thought provoking analysis begs for further discussion and analysis of the messages being conveyed during these protests that continue throughout the United States and spreading world wide.

What should the Republican leadership do? "Look back to their past" Both sides in this split segment episode did not know the other had given the same response. Solomon Gibson, III - Progressive Democrat & Bill Hendrickson, Conservative "Classic" Independent answer most of the same questions in these interviews, each pre-recorded separately by phone.   Segment 1 begins with Solomon Gibson disagreeing with me that there is a partisan divide and we immediately continue the already planned discussion anyway, expanding our views. As a producer, my conceived concepts for discussion were fundamentally opposite of those Solomon feels very passionately about, and we respectfully explored why. Segment 2 continues with Bill Hendrickson, historically a Republican now self-identifying as an Independent, described the classic views held by the Conservative Republican Party in the decades preceding our COVID-19 challenges.  He presented a classic conservative set of view points, tempered heavily with the open-mindednes

Business in the COVID-19 pandemic - Navigating the common challenge of a shared unknown.  Dave Parker, Manager, Amante Gourmet Pizza: E. Main Street, Carrboro, NC discusses the challenges that faced this 30 year successful restaurant from the inception of the phased lock down to present.   From adaptations to food prep and customer interaction, the restaurant has stayed in business and kept customers while other restaurants on the same Main Street were not able to.  Dave discussed a collaboration that some restaurants in the area coordinated - allowing customers to drive into the parking lot on Main and have food place in their trucks from multiple participating restaurants. Tim Hucks, President of Rising Tide Incorporated, Financial Planning & Investment firm in Chapel Hill, NC discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Wall Street and the corporations listed on the stock market. He brought his nearly 40 years of professional financial experience to the conversation, comparing his memory of the imp

What have we learned from past pandemics? How does an understanding of social medicine help us to face present challenges with COVID-19? How might one's viral load (of the SARS-2 Virus) impact the human experience of COVID-19? Dr. Raul Necochea & Dr. Rimma Osipov from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discuss the factors within these questions regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. Comparing past experiences the pandemics/epidemics of the polio virus, small pox and the 1918 Flu, Dr. Raul Necochea, Associate Professor of History & Associate Professor of Social Medicine at UNC CH extrapolates the importance of social medicine. He highlights the importance of a thorough understanding of the communities, health care systems, access to resources through transportation & limited capital directly impacts a community, region or country's collective experience of an epidemic or pandemic. He compares his own experience with the polio virus fears growing up and how the challenges of access to vaccine

Staying Home Safely... Braving the Possibility of Exposure in the Outside World.  It is a question & balance we all must face each day. Dr. Virginia Steinmetz, retired Professor Meredith College and retired Director of Duke University's Student Center talks about how she is surviving the COVID-19 Pandemic at home. She recommends ways to keep one's mind and social life active while staying safely away from others who may carry the virus. Dr. John Paul Middlesworth, Actor & Professor of English at Durham Technical Community College talks about his experience of this pandemic as an instructor, parent & son. With adult children back at home and his parents in assisted living, he ventures back into public places at times, but at safe social distances. He discussed the concern that he has for the many who are vulnerable to exposure. He presented that he is vigilantly watching what is happening this summer, and waiting before making plans for his classes in the fall.

The American Response to COVID-19 ... a collection of separate state responses & ... a federal narrative ...struggling to coalesce into consistency. Dr. Thom Little, Professor of Political Science, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro & The State Legislative Leaders Foundation provides a comparative analysis of specific states' responses, revealing that through this pandemic, Republicans & Democrats throughout the country have shown amazing moments of bipartisan leadership in their respective localities. Dr. Roy Schwartzman, Professor of Communication Studies & Head of Department at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro defines the importance of a collective narrative in a national crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Roy explains that a narrative helps humans begin to understand what is happening in order to prioritize how to manage their survival. He discusses the federal struggle to find a narrative that resonates with the American people, stating the the federal narrati

Voting by Mail...how & when to request this. Can political parties eliminate the primaries & push decisions to a virtual convention? Rachel Raper, Director Orange County Board of Elections in North Carolina and Thomas Mills, Director & Founder of Politics, NC discuss the answers to these questions and many more. Voting by Mail requires a formal request for a paper ballot in advance. States will likely conduct in-person voting in during this pandemic. How will this happen safely? Can political parties eliminate the primaries & push decisions to a virtual convention? Thomas Mills explains why they can not do this. What should Trump & Biden do to get elected respectively? 1918 was also a Presidential election year. Similar problems faced Americans then. These two guests discuss their best forecasts for what will happen. 

In times of crisis & anxiety - - to reach out and give love - is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety and receive love in return. Barry Porter, CEO American Red Cross (ARC), Eastern Region of North Carolina presents the present status and needs for blood, professional volunteers and 0+ and 0- blood. Mr. Porter states that although this essential organization (that has served Americans in every type of crisis since 1881) is there along side first responders and federal officials, this agency continues to require donations to sustain its ability to help. He stated that the ARC needs public help, donations and support now more than ever. Mr. Porter detailed the present response the American Red Cross in present crisis situations such as home fires and health assistance, counseling... The ARC is on the ground and doing everything they normally do, despite its monetary shortfalls during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Donations from the public are greatly appreciated and will go to help all those who are in desperate

Dr. Cameron Wolfe, M.D., Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases, Duke University Medical Center discussed details within the national active research currently being conducted with hospitalized adults battling the COVID-19 Coronavirus. His answers revealed surprising details, both positive and realistic about the intravenous drug, Remdesivir. Distinguishing the difference between this treatment and hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine drugs, he stated that the chloroquine drugs were used for the mitigation {relief} of symptoms only and the results were yet unknown. Dr. Wolfe clarified that Remdesivir targeted the DNA/ RNA molecular structure - seeking to prevent the virus from replicating inside the body. The ultimate goal is to find the correct treatment(s) and dosage(s) to serve as an antiviral. He described all parameters of this active research trial - happening in hospitals throughout the nation - stating that the research is adaptive to the results occurring in patients being tested. Further clarifyin

"How did management teams deal with changes that happened hour by hour ...  and with circumstances changing within the same day?" Scarlett Steinert, Director of School Safety for the Chapel Hill/Carrboro City (public) schools discusses this unprecedented CHANGE for children, teachers, administrators and management teams.  From the changes in students' daily schedules to managing their screen time and stress levels, Scarlett Steinert provided informed and innovative insights into how children can now continue forward. As a part of the management team, she shared valuable details of how teams were tasked with making changes hour by hour over these last weeks, presenting that the constant communication and coordination among school administrators with local and state governing bodies enabled the team to handle this evolving crisis in a successful systematic manner.  Scarlett further discussed the response from the perspectives of teachers and parents, both coping with the need to establish healthy boundaries and

Recorded by phone... turn it up a little.   What are the benefits - emotionally - for youth in a group setting from a sociological perspective in a time of crisis? Dr. Helen Avis, Coordinator of Outcomes and Education and Reverend Bruce Stanley, CEO & President of the Methodist Home for Children (MHC) discuss their response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the long history and outcomes of the MHC. Following the COVID-19 eruption of community spread in the United States, the MHC system implemented appropriate social distancing, hand-washing, cleaning and safety protocols throughout its homes and buildings. Counselors provided young residents with guidance and opportunities for talking through the these traumatic sudden changes & community closures.  The children are provided with counseling services and time with each other to talk about their questions when they arise, and no doubt, the availability of like-age peers to process this pandemic with has eased stress among the children living in these centers

When you take a look at aerial pictures of Beijing, China...with the thick smog BEFORE and the clear pure air AFTER... one has to wonder... what larger lessons are emerging? Dr. Allen O'Barr, Psychiatrist & Director of Counseling Service for The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discusses the sudden traumatic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He discusses: *Normal Human Reactions to Trauma *Our NEW Normal(s) *Routines at Home *The Multiple Perspectives Humans are experiencing (Privilege & Desperation) *Coming Together As a Humanity - The Lessons We MAY learn from how we HAD been divided politically & by class *The Big Picture Perspectives...The Need for Humans to Slow Down *The Impact COVID-19 is having on our Earth. We further discussed some direct coping methods for staying at home including giving oneself permission to have a melt down (but recovering from it with respect as needed) and compartmentalizing the MANY levels of CHANGE happening to all humans with regard to the many aspects

"What if you, as a Millennial in Hollywood get a door closed because you are a woman?"   "I can't imagine what that was like..." Jacqueline Dorry, Actress & Screenwriter reveals her journey as a young female writer & budding actress w/ Rob Underhill, Producer/Director, Award Winning Filmmaker (Seattle International Film Festival) discuss their upcoming short film/pilot "Wake Me Up First." This film short is in production as a Sci-Fi pilot for Netflix or another network as a potential serial TV/Film.  Jacqueline reveals what it is like to begin as a young writer, finishing her bachelor's degree and becoming a speech pathologist, but always wanting to follow her dream to write and become an actress.   She and Rob discuss the challenges that females in Hollywood have faced in years past as well as presently in collaborating with their male counterparts.

"Diversity is being INVITED to the party. Inclusion is being asked to DANCE."  Verna Myers, D & I Expert Have you ever looked at someone in a work place and felt that THEY didn't feel respected/included?  What did that look like? Dr. Rumay Alexander, Professor of Nursing & Past Vice Chancellor of Diversity & Inclusion at UNC Chapel Hill continues our extended interview.  Rumay began our discussion of family feelings (both sides) surrounding the removal of the Confederate Monument, Silent Sam at UNC Chapel Hill.  As our discussion continued, we explored in great depth the feelings that underlie a lack of inclusion. Dr. Alexander expounded upon what respect looks like in a person's face and with examples from her own life, work experiences, and professional associations.  She speaks about these difficult topics in great depth and with passionate feelings.

"All I'm asking...is for a little respect..."  Otis Redding (Lyricist) 1967 for Ms. Aretha Franklin's #1 Hit Song - RESPECT How do we recognize respect? What does a beautifully diverse work environment look like? Is it just when we see faces of many different skin colors? Or are there other signs?  What are those signs?  When do we know whether diverse spaces are truly including the voices of those with different faces, skin colors, genders... than our own? These are the questions from my script. Dr. Rumay Alexander, Professor of Nursing & Past Vice-Chancellor of Diversity & Inclusion at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill answers... but BEFORE she does... her own story of being a Black Woman, growing up through the 1970's through today reveals decades of direct experience that brought her through the years in the U.S. in which diversity was not present and inclusion was just a dream.   This is PART I of my interview with Dr. Alexander.   She discusses the recent explosive developments wit

One's own solitary voice can feel unimportant...And struggle...feels a waste of time... It isn't. Legendary Radio Owner & DJ Sam Tate shares how the struggle of being Black in America during the 60's, 70's, 80's... right on through to present time was worth the fight, and how he succeeded because of failures. Mr. Sam Tate succeeded in a time when doors were closed to Black Americans and the nightmarish images of lynchings and the KKK weren't that distant of a memory. He talks about being in Greensboro, just AFTER the Greensboro 4 sat at the lunch counter on radio at NC A & T. He further discusses the impact of knowing artists such as James Brown, Aretha Franklin & interviewing young Michael Jackson. "He was as white as you are" (not Michael) Sam's own radio DJ idol "John R." We played a very unique clip from the actual John R that you'll want to hear. Today Sam is both Nationally and Internationally Syndicated with his Gospel Gems Radio show with over 71 radio stations and counting in his cadre.  

The Audio Has Been Upgraded the Best Possible Sound. During this LIVE radio recording, the guest spoke on a cell phone & some unrepairable feedback occurred.   It's 2020 and we still have voter suppression? Grammy Winner (1970) in R & B Soul Joe Simon - now Bishop Simon - came on to talk about the present work to stop voter suppression and support the registration of Black, Diverse and Poor People of all Races in this country.  He presented his website: https://eurweb.com/2019/10/29/joe-simon-national-voter-registration-drive/ In 1870 the 15th Amendment gave Black & Racially diverse males the right to vote. However, in the same year, Jim Crows laws in states throughout the south and across the U.S. began their implementation. Jim Crow laws codified the "separate but equal" standards in businesses, restaurants, schools and hiring practices. These laws further implemented tests, taxes violence and intimidation to prevent individuals of color from voting. Bishop Simon discussed how money donated and