The Syrian government's crackdown against dissenters continues, and Western journalists were killed on Wednesday as forces shelled the city of Homs. Meanwhile in Libya, reports of torture are surfacing, and the interim government is struggling to control armed militias. Host Michel Martin talks with Al-Jazeera Washington Bureau Chief Abderrahim Foukara.
Jamal Joseph was a 15-year-old honor student when joining the Black Panther Party. He later faced a 12-year sentence in Leavenworth Penitentiary for helping fugitive Panther members. Behind bars, he taught a theater group, and now he teaches the arts at Columbia University. His new book is part of Tell Me More's Black History Month memoir series. Advisory: This conversation may not be comfortable for some listeners.
Super PACS have contributed millions of dollars to shape the 2012 presidential election. The "Citizens United" Supreme Court case paved the way for them. David Bossie, president of the conservative advocacy group Citizens United, speaks with host Michel Martin about how Super PACS could even the playing field.
New Orleans hosts one of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations on Tuesday. Local self-described Mardi Gras Indians are known for their eye-catching regalia, but police have seemed to look critically at them. Host Michel Martin speaks with Clarence "Big Chief" Dalcour of the Creole Osceola Mardi Gras Indians.
Many consumers try shopping consciously by going to local stores or ones owned by certain faith or ethnic groups. Maggie Anderson and her family spent a year trying to shop exclusively at African American-owned businesses. They chronicled their efforts in the new book titled Our Black Year. Maggie Anderson talks with host Michel Martin.
Family, friends and fans flocked to New Jersey during the weekend for the funeral of Whitney Houston. The music legend was public about her struggle with substance abuse, and her daughter is one of millions who had to cope with that addiction. Host Michel Martin and a panel of parents discuss how parents' addictions affect their kids.
Many Americans use Presidents' Day to reflect on the nation's core values, but the founding fathers often had complicated relationships with those ideals. A new exhibit explores that issue. "Slavery at Jefferson's Monticello" highlights the lives of slaves owned by the third U.S. president and the author of the Declaration of Independence. Host Michel Martin speaks with the exhibition's lead curators.
Latino and women farmers have complained for decades about discrimination from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency is offering to address those concerns, but many affected farmers are not satisfied. Host Michel Martin speaks with Frederick Pfaeffle, the USDA's Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.
In this encore broadcast, Michel Martin hosts the Creole Choir of Cuba for a performance chat. The group is credited with introducing the world to the rhythms of the Haitian community in Cuba. The 10 members are descendants of West Africans who were enslaved on that island. They sing songs of their ancestors, infused with contemporary sounds.
The labor market is improving, but Friday's consumer price index news shows that workers' paychecks are not keeping up with limited inflation. Hundreds of people visited NPR's Facebook page to comment on whether things are really getting better. Host Michel Martin and NPR Senior Business Editor Marilyn Geewax sift through the stats and comments.
Love InshAllah features personal essays from 25 women of different backgrounds and circumstances. Fans of love stories are curious and fascinated, but critics say the collection is salacious and sensational. Host Michel Martin and the book's contributing editor Ayesha Mattu discuss these stories of faith, love and the will to open up.
The Barbershop guys discuss the mania surrounding NBA player Jeremy Lin, and the controversial decision by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to fly flags at half-staff to honor Whitney Houston. Host Michel Martin hears from journalist Jimi Izrael, civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar, sports reporter Pablo Torre and columnist Mario Loyola.
Tell Me More is looking at memoirs for Black History Month, and writers of today seem to have a fresh zeal for exploring family histories. NPR producer John Asante describes his journey to Ghana — the birthplace of his parents and the burial place of his father. He shares what the trip taught him about his family and himself.
Tell Me More host Michel Martin and editor Ammad Omar share listener comments on this week's conversation about the debut of the xoloitzcuintli at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. They also share an update on Apple, which had a spate of negative publicity about working conditions in Chinese factories.
International pressure is building on Iran. On Wednesday, Iranian leaders claimed they made strides in their nuclear program and threatened to stop supplying oil to six European countries. Host Michel Martin hears what people inside the country think about the tensions. She speaks with writer Hooman Majd and human rights activist Sussan Tahmasebi.