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University of Chicago fraternity prank involving a series of offensive packages leaves mail carrier as victim.
A racist, homophobic prank involving a University of Chicago fraternity and an African-American mail-carrier incites a demand for repercussion. A series of 79 packages were delivered to the fraternity house addressed to “Reggin Tolaf”, an anagram for one racist and one homophobic slur. While the fraternity insists it is the victim of a prank, the groups involvement is being investigated. Although officials say no crime has been committed, the mail carrier is seeking punishment for the guilty party.
“My hope was that there was going to be a certain interrogation of the whole legacy that surrounds the Jungle Book…that is apparently not the case.” -Jamil Khoury, founding artistic director at Silk Road Rising Theatre
With the arrival of a new Mary Zimmermanadaptation of The Jungle Book at the Goodman (a production which may head to NYC eventually) we ask how to adapt material that, while a cultural touchstone, exists in a history of oppression or uses dated racist imagery. Artistic Director of Silk Road Rising Jamil Khoury joined hosts Molly Adams and Brian Babylon to discuss his essay critiquing the Goodman’s production.
Later, Dr. Coya Paz shares her insights on the issue as a theatre professional. Growing up, Coya absolutely loved watching West Side Story, but looking back, was able to see the problematic racial elements of the way the movie was staged.
Protesters Threatened: Dartmouth College cancelled classes after sexual assault protesters received rape threats on campus. The students organized the rally in protest of how the college was handling sexual assault, racism and homophobia. We discuss.
Vocalo Overdrive Extra - April 18, 2013 Peace Prize Thursday
These are the stories we couldn’t get to today.
-Fertilizer Plant Explosion near Waco, Texas “An explosion Wednesday evening at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, a rural town north of Waco, has killed as many as 15 people and injured more than 160, according to early estimates, the Associated Press reports. The massive explosion sent a pillar of smoke and flame hundreds of feet into the air; the force of the blast registered as a 2.1-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale”
(CNN) — President Barack Obama traveled to Boston on Thursday, three days after the bombings at the famed marathon to reassure the city and the nation that their spirit remains strong.
“Everyone of us stands with you… Boston may be your hometown — but we claim it, too… We come together to pray and mourn and measure our loss. But we also come together today to reclaim that state of grace — to reaffirm that the spirit of this city is undaunted and the spirit of this country shall remain undimmed.”
“Across the Washington area, black students are suspended and expelled two to five times as often as white students, creating disparities in discipline that experts say reflect a growing national problem… “
“Experts say disparities appear to have complex causes. A disproportionate number of black students live below the poverty line or with a single parent, factors that affect disciplinary patterns. But experts say those factors do not fully explain racial differences in suspensions. Other contributing factors could include unintended bias, unequal access to highly effective teachers and differences in school leadership styles.”
“The National Association of Black Journalists has released a statement on the reference to the race and physical appearance of the Boston bombing suspect.”
Dissing Jamie Foxx: Jamie Foxx has been receiving some racially charged comments regarding a shirt he wore with Trayvon Martin and the children of the Newtown Connecticut massacre on it. We discuss the backlash about his choice of dress.
Freedom Through Shakespeare: Chicago native Laura…
Luis and Shantell have an extended discussion on Brad Paisley and LL Cool J’s most recent collaboration track, “Accidental Racist,” a song which attempts to start dialogue about racism in America. The song has started a passionate debate among Americans about the meaning behind the song and the many issues it attempts to tackle regarding race relations. Many callers join the discussion with Luis and Shantell and provide thoughts on the artists’ attempt. The conversation about “Accidental Racist,” continues tomorrow, April 11th, on Peace Price Thursday on the Vocalo Overdrive, with Luis and Shantell.
Peace Prize Thursday came early with the release of Brad Paisley’s new album, “Wheelhouse.” It includes the track “Accidental Racist” featuring LL Cool J, and if you even touched the Internet yesterday you probably saw a LOT of reactions. The AMp hosts Brian Babylon and Molly Adams had the Cash Money Tuesday spin on this viral hit this morning.
Test the Unemployed: Many feel that those who receive government assistance should be required to take mandatory drug test. Arkansas’ Senate approved a measure that would require random drug testing of those collecting unemployment. Opponents argue that the measure violates federal law. We…
Rap About Rape:A Rick Ross song is stirring up controversy. Critics argue that the artist all but endorses date rape drugs. Do the lyrics promote date rape? We discuss.
The Impact of School Closures: David Stovall is a Professor of Education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He…
Chicago Public Media HR team member George Lara and Veronica Arreola, blogger for Feminista and head of UIC’s Women’s Research Center, join the Council of Feminist Thought to talk tech. A Twitter brouhaha at the PyCon tech conference in California earlier this month has captured the ways online interaction heightens sexism and racism in the male-dominated tech world.
George has the backstory and the council discusses what’s appropriate to discuss online regarding work. Caller Arich from Andersonville shares his thoughts as a man in the field.
Police Raid Gone Wrong:While raiding the home of a suspected drug dealer, Chicago Police allegedly terrorized small children who were present. We discuss.
You’ve Got the Wrong House:Marilyn has been living on Chicago’s South Side for over 30 years. She shares her story of the time that…
Luis and Shantell discuss the definition of race and identity in the context of NPR’s State of the Reunion episode, Black as We Wish to Be. The story is about a family in Pike County, Ohio that identifies as African-American while some people would say that they look white. A listener calls in to share her thoughts as well.
NBA Players Against Homophobia:LGBT activists have a few extra hands on deck for their quest for equal rights. We discuss the Athlete Ally, a group of NBA players who are standing in solidarity with members of the LGBT community for change.
“People assume that i’m black, just because i’m calling out racism […] but i make no secret about the fact that i’m a white guy calling out racism because i don’t think that you have to be a minority to be outraged about injustice to minorities. “
- Logan Smith on his purpose and reasoning for his “Yes, You’re Racist” Twitter account.
Logan Smith is a young man with a singular purpose on Twitter: he find people saying “I’m not racist but…” and retweets them so they can see his handle. This morning on the AMp, hosts Brian Babylon and Molly Adams interviewed him through the phone and found out what drove Logan’s mission and how many hours of his day he wastes or whether that time is being valuabley spent.
Tasers: Campus Security at Loyola University are considering arming their Rogers Park officers with tasers. Intern Erica DeAngelis looks at the safety concerns surrounding tasers on college campuses and reports on the policies the school will institute to regulate their use.
Yes, You Are Racist: Logan Smith is a young man with a singular purpose on Twitter: he find people saying “I’m not racist but…” and retweets them so they can see his handle. We’ll find out what drives Logan’s mission and how many hours of his day he wastes… or whether that time is being valuably spent.
Coya Paz: Our social justice commentator looks at the US’s arming of Syrian rebels which was announced this AM, drug testing for welfare recipients, and a very unusual picture Brian Babylon found in a funeral home bathroom.
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