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Hafsa Fathima

Friday

James McBride On Hope, Community And 'A Place Of Miracles'

James McBride attends The Miami Book Fair at Miami Dade College Wolfson - Chapman Conference Center on November 16, 2017 in Miami, Florida. Johnny Louis/WireImage hide caption

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Johnny Louis/WireImage

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James McBride On Hope, Community And 'A Place Of Miracles'

For the holiday, Sam revisits his conversation with award-winning author James McBride. McBride's latest book Deacon King Kong tells the story of how one man's decision brings together the different racial communities of 1960s Brooklyn to solve a larger issue. Sam chats with McBride as he shares his thoughts on the hope he has for communities, the parallels he sees to the world we're living in today, and why he's still optimistic, despite protests and a pandemic.

James McBride On Hope, Community And 'A Place Of Miracles'

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Wednesday

'It's Really Hard For A Younger Couple': Coronavirus, Policies Keep Families Apart

Coronavirus is complicating an already lengthy process for immigrants to the U.S. American consulates and embassies have curtailed operations. And last week President Trump, citing the pandemic, extended a freeze on green cards for new immigrants and suspended certain work visas for foreign workers. Belterz / Getty Images hide caption

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The Coronavirus Crisis

'It's Really Hard For A Younger Couple': Coronavirus, Policies Keep Families Apart

The Trump administration's move to limit green cards and reduced operations at consulates around the world have added to wait times for families trying to reunite in the United States.

Friday

Lessons About Racism from 'Cops' and 'Gone With The Wind'

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Black Lives Matter supporters are seen on the roof of a van during a rally in Trafalgar Square on June 12, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images) Peter Summers/Getty Images hide caption

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Lessons About Racism from 'Cops' and 'Gone With The Wind'

The killing of George Floyd has inspired global protests against police brutality, and it seems like everyone has something to say, including the entertainment industry. Sam's joined by NPR television critic Eric Deggans and Tonya Mosley, co-host of NPR/WBUR's Here & Now and host of the KQED podcast Truth Be Told. They talk about the cancellation of the long-running reality TV show Cops, the removal of Gone With the Wind from HBO Max, and what it all says about this moment. After that, Sam chats with Rev. Jacqui Lewis, senior minister at Middle Collegiate Church in Manhattan, and Rev. angel Kyodo williams, a Zen priest. They talk about what Black people and white people should be doing differently now and give Sam a bit of sermon.

Lessons About Racism from 'Cops' and 'Gone With The Wind'

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Tuesday

Trump v Nixon on Race: Why 2020 Isn't Quite 1968

Republican Party members wave placards bearing the name 'Nixon', in support of Richard Nixon, at the 1968 Republican National Convention, in Miami Beach, Florida. Archive Photos/Getty Images hide caption

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Trump v Nixon on Race: Why 2020 Isn't Quite 1968

2020 is '68 all over again. But not the '68 you think. Yes, 1968 also saw protests, racial divisions and political polarization. Adam Serwer covers politics for The Atlantic, and he says you can certainly draw comparisons between Trump and Nixon – in that Trump is actually a backlash to the policies that came out of 1968. But Serwer says 1868 is a better point of comparison – it was a moment of hope, when white Republicans had been fighting for black rights for years, before ultimately abandoning them to pursue white voters. Serwer sees Americans coming together in this moment, as they have in the past, but as a student of history, he says the backlash always comes eventually.

Trump v Nixon on Race: Why 2020 Isn't Quite 1968

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Friday

Not Just Another Protest

Demonstrators raise their fists in downtown Los Angeles on June 3, during a protest over the death of George Floyd. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP hide caption

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Not Just Another Protest

There is so much to unpack in this current moment. Sam has a candid conversation with Aunt Betty about how history has shaped her view of the current protests, and he walks around downtown Los Angeles to get the perspective of people he meets. Sam also talks to BuzzFeed News reporter Melissa Segura on her recent reporting about police unions and what they mean for reform, and Morning Edition executive producer Kenya Young about being a black parent during this time.

Not Just Another Protest

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Friday

Money and Coronavirus; Samantha Irby On Judge Mathis

A worker wears a protective glove as he takes money from a moviegoer at a ticket booth at Mission Tiki drive-in theater in Montclair, Calif., Thursday, May 28, 2020. Jae C. Hong/AP hide caption

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Money and Coronavirus; Samantha Irby On Judge Mathis

The coronavirus pandemic has us worrying not only about our health, but also about money. Sam talks to CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger, about the current economic crisis and how it's affecting different generations. Then, Sam talks to writer Samantha Irby about her newsletter "Who's On Judge Mathis Today?," which recaps the foibles of the syndicated daytime court show Judge Mathis.

Money and Coronavirus; Samantha Irby On Judge Mathis

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Tuesday

Friday

The Show Must Go On

Residents of the Living Memory Care and assisted living home of Vadnais Heights have a heroes work here sign put up for the health care workers that take care of them every day. (Photo by: Michael Siluk) Michael Siluk/Education Images/Universal Image hide caption

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The Show Must Go On

Ever since the coronavirus pandemic began, we've become more accustomed to life closing down than opening up. But for many, putting life on pause isn't an option. This week, Sam talks to people whose lives were thrown off course, but who scrambled to keep doing what they were doing. A home health aide talks about the risk she now takes to do her work. A political organizer explains how door knocking and canvassing had to go digital. And an international student is determined to stay in the United States, despite losing her classes, her housing, and her job.

The Show Must Go On

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Friday

Weekly Wrap: Back To Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 7: Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., gives his closing remarks at a Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on new coronavirus tests May 7th, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker-Pool/Getty Images) Anna Moneymaker-Pool/Getty Images hide caption

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Weekly Wrap: Back To Capitol Hill

Politics may not be the first thing on minds right now, but it's still happening. With the Senate returning to session this week, Sam checks in to see how Capitol Hill is operating safely. NPR congressional correspondent Susan Davis discusses how congressional members are taking precautions, while NPR White House reporter Ayesha Rascoe explains how President Trump's election rallies could possibly continue with social distancing in place. Then, Sam calls up an artist in Sweden — which hasn't imposed strict lockdown measures— to find out what everyday life now looks like.

Weekly Wrap: Back To Capitol Hill

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Friday

TV, Movies And Coronavirus

Movie theaters remain closed as stay-at-home orders continue in many parts of the U.S. due to the coronavirus pandemic. Chris Pizzello/AP hide caption

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TV, Movies And Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting all parts of the entertainment industry. Sam talks to writer and comedian Jenny Yang and camera operator Jessica Hershatter, whose jobs are on hold due to shutdowns. Also, Sam and LA Times entertainment reporter Meredith Blake discuss television and streaming. And joining Sam for a special edition of Who Said That is Shea Serrano, staff writer for The Ringer and author of the book Movies (and Other Things).

TV, Movies And Coronavirus

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Friday

Coronavirus: The Great Equalizer — Or Maybe Not

These images depict high traffic locations that are currently deserted because of Stay-at-Home order in Los Angeles. Robert LeBlanc/Getty Images hide caption

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Coronavirus: The Great Equalizer — Or Maybe Not

Depending on where you live, your race, and your income, the coronavirus pandemic can look dramatically different. Sam's NPR colleagues, Leila Fadel, based in Los Angeles, California, and Kirk Siegler, based in Boise, Idaho, compare how differently rural and urban populations are dealing with the pandemic — and what they may have in common. Then, Sam speaks with a listener who had COVID-19 and thinks she may have passed it on to a co-worker who later died. And listeners share all the things helping them cope and getting them through this time.

Coronavirus: The Great Equalizer — Or Maybe Not

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Friday

Weekly Wrap: Sports On Hold, And Your Productivity Too

Joey Rodriguez installs an advertising banner in front of Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, March 26, 2020, in Phoenix. The start of the MLB regular season is indefinitely on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic. Ross D. Franklin/AP hide caption

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Weekly Wrap: Sports On Hold, And Your Productivity Too

The coronavirus has completely reshaped the world of sports. Sam talks to ESPN senior writer and ESPN Daily host Mina Kimes and The Undefeated columnist Clinton Yates about how different professional leagues are dealing with the pandemic. Also, BuzzFeed senior culture writer Anne Helen Petersen chats with Sam about our obsession with productivity in quarantine times.

Weekly Wrap: Sports On Hold, And Your Productivity Too

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Friday

Weekly Wrap: Yes, The Census Is Still Happening

People walk past posters encouraging participation in the 2020 Census, Wednesday, April 1, 2020, in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. Ted S. Warren/AP hide caption

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Weekly Wrap: Yes, The Census Is Still Happening

The census comes but once a decade, and this time it's in the midst of a pandemic. Code Switch co-hosts Gene Demby and Shereen Marisol Meraji talk it out with Sam. Also, hospitals have been dramatically changed by the coronavirus, but babies still need to be delivered. Sam talks to one mom-to-be whose birth plans have been upended by the crisis.

Weekly Wrap: Yes, The Census Is Still Happening

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Friday

Weekly Wrap: A Jobs Crisis, And It's No One's Fault

A job fair in Omaha, Neb., on April 1, 2020, was reconfigured as a drive-through event due to the coronavirus outbreak. Nati Harnik/AP hide caption

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Nati Harnik/AP

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Weekly Wrap: A Jobs Crisis, And It's No One's Fault

The coronavirus is taking a toll on jobs and the economy. Sam talks to NPR's Cardiff Garcia and Stacey Vanek Smith, co-hosts of The Indicator from Planet Money, about ways to get people paid while they're out of work and the necessity for businesses to pivot to stay afloat. Also, Sam and NPR music news editor Sidney Madden talk about new ways people are listening to music and partying online in "club quarantine."

Weekly Wrap: A Jobs Crisis, And It's No One's Fault

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Tuesday

Revisiting Obama's Historic 'Race Speech' 12 Years Later

Then Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama delivers his speech 'A More Perfect Union,' in Philadelphia on March 18, 2008. Matt Rourke/ASSOCIATED PRESS hide caption

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Revisiting Obama's Historic 'Race Speech' 12 Years Later

Twelve years ago this week, presidential candidate Barack Obama gave what became a historic speech about race. He spoke in response to video that surfaced of his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, heatedly criticizing America's foreign policy and treatment of African-Americans. In his speech, Obama urged racial harmony and understanding. Sam is joined by political commentators, activists and academics to see if the speech's message still holds up.

Revisiting Obama's Historic 'Race Speech' 12 Years Later

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