Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'activist'

Gay Marriage: Is It The 'Right Fight'...

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST

In recent years, the gay rights movement has been largely defined by the fight for gay marriage. But with the passage of Proposition 8 in California, making it unconstitutional for gays to marry, some question whether the fight for same-sex marriage is right fight, right now. Political commentators Jasmyne Cannick and Andrew Sullivan debate the issue, along with journalist Michael Sean Winters and long time gay activist Alexander Robinson.

Activists Clamor For Organic Farm At White House

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:04:00 EST

Barack Obama will have his hands full when he takes office in January, and some groups want to make sure his belly is full, too — full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Several campaigns are petitioning the next president to feed his family with produce grown on the White House lawn.

An Archival Interview With Conservative Paul Weyrich

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:03:00 EST

Conservative activist Paul Weyrich, who died Dec. 18, helped turn social conservatives into a powerful force in the Republican party.

Obama Defends Choice Of Warren

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama's choice of evangelical pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration ceremony has infuriated gay-rights activists. Few evangelicals voted for Obama and gays were some of his strongest supporters.

The Poetic 'Shadow' Of Memory, Mortality

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:02:00 EST

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and essayist William Stanley Merwin was known in the 1960s as an anti-war poet. Now an environmental activist, Merwin has published a new book of poems, The Shadow of Sirius, which addresses themes of memory and mortality.

President-Elect Obama Picks Green Team

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama named Dr. Steven Chu as energy secretary and filled other key environmental posts Monday. Environmental activists say that Mr. Obama's picks of green team show a greater commitment to improving the environment than his predecessor, President Bush.

Odetta: Legendary Folk Singer Dies At 77

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:58:00 EST

Activist and singer Odetta has died. When you talk to some of the most famous singers in America, they'll tell you she inspired the way they sing. One moment she'd grimace like something was hurting. Then suddenly Odetta would smile. And you'd melt.

Folk Singer And Civil Rights Activist Remembered

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:04:00 EST

Folk singer Odetta Holmes died yesterday in New York. The 77-year-old enjoyed a celebrated music career and was a source of inspiration for many. She was a classically-trained vocalist but is also being remembered for lending a powerful voice to the Civil Rights movement.

In Remembering Milk, Let's Not Forget Moscone

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:22:00 EST

Josh Getlin served as deputy press secretary and speech writer for San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, who was killed on the same day as gay activist Harvey Milk. Getlin says it's important to remember that two people were murdered that day in San Francisco in 1978.

Which Way The Wind Blows: Bill Ayers On Obama

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:10:00 EST

The name of former anti-war activist William Ayers was brought up twice in an attempt to discredit Barack Obam during the recent presidential campaign a — first by Hillary Clinton, and then by the McCain campaign.

Obama's Debt To The 'Moses Generation'

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:41:00 EST

David Remnick, editor-in-chief of The New Yorker, discusses Obama's debt to the "Moses generation" of American civil rights leaders — activists who made it possible for Obama to lead his own "Joshua generation."

Juanes Wins 5 Latin Grammys

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:04:30 EST

Colombian rocker and social activist Juanes took home five Latin Grammys last night, sweeping in all five categories in which he was nominated. His hit song, Me Enamora, won song of the year, record of the year and best short form music video.

Latinos Increasingly Targeted For Hate Crimes

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 12:00:00 EST

The FBI reports that hate crimes against Latinos rose almost 40 percent between 2003 and 2006, and Hispanic activists say they are being targeted with threats and intimidation. Tony Asion, of El Pueblo, a Latino advocacy group, is joined by Kevin Johnson, of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund to discuss the statistics that are sending shockwaves through some Latino communities.

Remembering Miriam Makeba, 'Mama Africa'

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:41:00 EST

South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba died Sunday at age 76. In a letter of tribute, Nelson Mandela said, "Her music inspired a powerful sense of hope in all of us." Talk of the Nation remembers her with a 1988 recording of Mosadi Ku Rima.

Music World Mourns 'Mama Africa'

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:24:00 EST

Legendary South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba died this weekend after collapsing on stage at a concert in Italy. Makeba was 76. She was the first African woman to win a Grammy and was affectionately known around the world as "Mama Africa." Host Michel Martin offers a reflection.

Protests Against Gay-Marriage Ban Target Mormons

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:31:00 EST

In California, gay activists angered over the passage of a same-sex marriage ban are taking aim at Mormons who supported the measure. On Thursday, hundreds of protesters gathered at the Mormon Temple in Los Angeles for demonstrations.

Obama Supporters Could Fix Communities

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Now that Barack Obama has been elected president, there is hope that something can be done about poverty, jobless rate and lower performing schools in minority neighborhoods. Roger Wilkins is a civil rights activist and author. Taylor Branch is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. They discuss with Steve Inskeep how the multi-racial people who volunteered for Obama's campaign can help work to solve the problems in poor communities.

FBI Opens Investigation Into ACORN

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:11:00 EDT

Farai Chideya talks with NPR correspondent Peter Overby about the FBI investigation of ACORN, the grassroots activist group under investigation for possible voter registration fraud.

Md. Police Listed Green Group As Terrorist

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:17:00 EDT

Three staff members of a Chesapeake environmental group were surprised to learn they were spied on by Maryland State Police and named as suspected terrorists on a state list. The state police has acknowledged it spied on anti-death penalty and anti-war activists.

Rachel Maddow: Sassy, Acerbic And — Yes — Liberal

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:34:00 EDT

The host of MSNBC's nightly political roundup The Rachel Maddow Show offers a combination of perspectives not often seen on cable television — that of a former Rhodes scholar, an AIDS and prison reform activist, a left-leaning radio host and an openly gay woman.

J.L. Chestnut, Campaigning For Rights In Selma

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:40:00 EDT

As the first African-American attorney in Selma, Ala., J.L. Chestnut Jr. campaigned to free jailed Civil Rights activists in the 1960s — an effort he detailed in his autobiography, Black In Selma. Chestnut died of kidney failure on Sept. 30; he was 77.

Raul Yzaguirre Defines 'This American Moment'

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:29:00 EDT

Under the leadership of civil rights activist Raul Yzaguirre, the National Council of La Raza grew into a major Latino advocacy organization in the United States. In the latest installment of This American Moment, Yzaguirre weighs in on what is at stake in the 2008 presidential election.

Democrats Woo Colorado Voters

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama visited southwestern Colorado this week, a region that has consistently gone to the GOP in previous presidential elections. We visit with three Democratic Party activists who are fighting for a stronger showing in their county. They don't expect to win, but hope to get enough Democratic votes to move the statewide numbers.

Slactivism: Antidote To Apathy

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:07:00 EDT

The election of 2008 seems to have made the slacker generation less politically apathetic. Now we're seeing slactivists — a hybrid of a slacker and activist.

Justice Seeks To Quell Voter Access Fears

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 00:45:00 EDT

The Justice Department is meeting with activists to discuss its plan for dealing with civil rights issues at polling places this November. In the past, civil rights groups have criticized the department's handling of voting rights issues.