Racial justice and the teachers' strike
looks at the role of the Chicago teachers' strike in the ongoing struggle for education and racial justice.
October 1, 2012
Teachers and parents picket outside a Chicago Board of Education meetingWERE BLACK students the real losers in the recent Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) strike?
Local African American activist and commentator Phillip Jackson of the Black Star Project makes the claim in a recent article published on the group's website. Jackson writes of the strike:
What is different for Black Chicago children two weeks after a grueling,
internationally watched, hard-fought strike than two weeks before the
strike? By most accounts, Black children will go back to the same
schools they attended before the strike with few difference-making
improvements...There is an old African proverb: When elephants fight, it
is the grass that gets trampled. When big cities and school boards
fight with teachers' unions, it is the children who get trampled!
Jackson cites a litany of damning statistics detailing the vast
educational and social injustice African Americans face in Chicago as
evidence that the teachers' strike did nothing to advance the struggle
against racism. For example, Jackson points out that only 39 percent of
Black male teens graduate from Chicago Public Schools; 54 percent of
Black men in Chicago are not working; and in Illinois, twice as many
African American men were in prison than in college.
educational and social injustice African Americans face in Chicago as
evidence that the teachers' strike did nothing to advance the struggle
against racism. For example, Jackson points out that only 39 percent of
Black male teens graduate from Chicago Public Schools; 54 percent of
Black men in Chicago are not working; and in Illinois, twice as many
African American men were in prison than in college.
These injustices represent only the very tip of the iceberg when it
comes to racism and inequality in Chicago and the state of Illinois.
comes to racism and inequality in Chicago and the state of Illinois.
But it was precisely these conditions of poverty, racism and
inequality that the Chicago Teachers Union placed at the center of its
strike against Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
inequality that the Chicago Teachers Union placed at the center of its
strike against Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Of course, Emanuel and his billionaire cronies worked hard, with the
passage of Senate Bill 7 last year, to further narrow and restrict what
issues Chicago teachers could formally strike over. Thus, it was easy
for the media to portray the teachers were only striking over wages and
job security.
passage of Senate Bill 7 last year, to further narrow and restrict what
issues Chicago teachers could formally strike over. Thus, it was easy
for the media to portray the teachers were only striking over wages and
job security.
But for anyone paying attention, the CTU strike has done more to
highlight the racial and economic injustice at the heart of education in
urban school districts than any event in at least a generation.
highlight the racial and economic injustice at the heart of education in
urban school districts than any event in at least a generation.
The handmade signs of teachers, parents and students have educated
the nation and the world about the abysmal conditions in Chicago Public
Schools. It is now common knowledge in Chicago and around the country
that 86 percent of CPS students are low-income. It is now common
knowledge that in June, while school is still in session, students
swelter during 90 degree-plus days in classrooms without air
conditioning.
the nation and the world about the abysmal conditions in Chicago Public
Schools. It is now common knowledge in Chicago and around the country
that 86 percent of CPS students are low-income. It is now common
knowledge that in June, while school is still in session, students
swelter during 90 degree-plus days in classrooms without air
conditioning.
It is now known that CPS students went up to six weeks into the
school year without textbooks--this is one of the issues where the union
won a promise of change in their new contract. The supposed common
sense logic of evaluating teachers based on the performance of their
students on standardized tests--while ignoring larger social factors
like violence and poverty--has been forever punctured.
school year without textbooks--this is one of the issues where the union
won a promise of change in their new contract. The supposed common
sense logic of evaluating teachers based on the performance of their
students on standardized tests--while ignoring larger social factors
like violence and poverty--has been forever punctured.
Because of the strike action taken by the CTU, a long overdue
discussion connecting race, poverty, standardized tests and inequality
in the system of public education in Chicago and beyond has intensified.
discussion connecting race, poverty, standardized tests and inequality
in the system of public education in Chicago and beyond has intensified.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THIS WAS not by accident--it was by design.
The new leadership of the CTU, which took office after a sweeping
election win in 2010, is made up of former classroom teacher-activists
who formed the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) to organize for a
fighting union. And from long before CORE won union office, its members participated in the struggle against public school closings and the conversion of public schools into privately controlled charter schools.
election win in 2010, is made up of former classroom teacher-activists
who formed the Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) to organize for a
fighting union. And from long before CORE won union office, its members participated in the struggle against public school closings and the conversion of public schools into privately controlled charter schools.
Because Chicago public school students are more than 90 percent
students of color and almost 90 percent poor, the fight against school
closures inevitably raised issues of racism and class inequality.
students of color and almost 90 percent poor, the fight against school
closures inevitably raised issues of racism and class inequality.
Chicago is the most segregated city in the U.S. and its schools are
wracked by inequality. According to government statistics, the child
poverty rate is over 30 percent, yet 87 percent of students in CPS come
from low-income families. A 2010 study on public education in Chicago
identified 46 "truly disadvantaged" schools in Chicago, in which the
students come from families with a median annual income under $10,000,
99 percent are African American, and almost 25 percent have
substantiated claims of abuse or neglect filed with a city agency.
wracked by inequality. According to government statistics, the child
poverty rate is over 30 percent, yet 87 percent of students in CPS come
from low-income families. A 2010 study on public education in Chicago
identified 46 "truly disadvantaged" schools in Chicago, in which the
students come from families with a median annual income under $10,000,
99 percent are African American, and almost 25 percent have
substantiated claims of abuse or neglect filed with a city agency.
The CTU underlined all this when they declared "education apartheid" as a key issue facing CPS in the union's report titled "The Schools Chicago's Students Deserve."
On the other hand, CPS chief Jean-Claude Brizard rejects the idea that
racial and economic inequality are part of the crisis in CPS schools.
"No one can say that money is the solution," Brizard said at a forum at a South Side church last winter.
"These schools have been resourced appropriately. We have not gotten a
return on the investment. Our kids are not getting what they need."
On the other hand, CPS chief Jean-Claude Brizard rejects the idea that
racial and economic inequality are part of the crisis in CPS schools.
"No one can say that money is the solution," Brizard said at a forum at a South Side church last winter.
"These schools have been resourced appropriately. We have not gotten a
return on the investment. Our kids are not getting what they need."
But in the real world, money always matters. For example, in the wealthy suburbs north of the city, the Niles Township school system spent $22,500 per student in total..., according to a news report late last year. In Chicago, the comparable figure was $13,080 for the same time period.
Even within CPS, the minority of white students who still attend
public schools are showered with resources and money compared to the
Black and Brown student majority.
public schools are showered with resources and money compared to the
Black and Brown student majority.
White students are only 8.8 percent of the district, but they make up 25 percent of students in the system's exclusive selec....
A disproportionate number of these schools are located on the largely
white North side of Chicago--and new enrollment rules at some schools
requiring more spots for neighborhood children will ensure that white
students have even more access.
A disproportionate number of these schools are located on the largely
white North side of Chicago--and new enrollment rules at some schools
requiring more spots for neighborhood children will ensure that white
students have even more access.
When it comes to money, the selective enrollment schools get a wildly
disproportionate share of funds from the Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
system. City revenue designated as TIF funds are supposed to be directed
to development projects in poor neighborhoods, but the TIF system has
functioned as what Chicago Reader journalist Ben Joravsky called a
"slush fund" for Mayor Richard Daley and now Emanuel to funnel money to
their wealthy allies and donors.
disproportionate share of funds from the Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
system. City revenue designated as TIF funds are supposed to be directed
to development projects in poor neighborhoods, but the TIF system has
functioned as what Chicago Reader journalist Ben Joravsky called a
"slush fund" for Mayor Richard Daley and now Emanuel to funnel money to
their wealthy allies and donors.
That's clearly true about TIF money within CPS. According to a report by a Roosevelt University professor,
though selective enrollment schools have only 1 percent of CPS
students, they received 24 percent of TIF money that went into
construction and repair projects. funding. Schools described as "heavily
white" got 23 percent of TIF money, even though fewer than 9 percent of
CPS students are white.
though selective enrollment schools have only 1 percent of CPS
students, they received 24 percent of TIF money that went into
construction and repair projects. funding. Schools described as "heavily
white" got 23 percent of TIF money, even though fewer than 9 percent of
CPS students are white.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE SUCCESS of the CTU in making connections to the wider issues of
racism and inequality has to be measured, at least in part, by the wide
support expressed for the strike.
racism and inequality has to be measured, at least in part, by the wide
support expressed for the strike.
While the local and national media focused on how parents would find
child care during the strike, CPS parents themselves overwhelmingly
supported the teachers' union. This was established early on when a
local news poll found that parents trusted the CTU over the mayor on
education issues by an almost two-to-one margin.
child care during the strike, CPS parents themselves overwhelmingly
supported the teachers' union. This was established early on when a
local news poll found that parents trusted the CTU over the mayor on
education issues by an almost two-to-one margin.
The support actually went up during the strike. A poll from one news website
found that fully 66 percent of parents with kids in CPS supported the
strike, compared to 31 percent who were opposed--an even bigger majority
in favor of teachers than among all city residents. Support was equally
strong in communities of color in general--some 63 percent of African
Americans and 65 percent of Latinos supported the CTU.
found that fully 66 percent of parents with kids in CPS supported the
strike, compared to 31 percent who were opposed--an even bigger majority
in favor of teachers than among all city residents. Support was equally
strong in communities of color in general--some 63 percent of African
Americans and 65 percent of Latinos supported the CTU.
Bruce Rauner, the billionaire venture capitalist, charter school
advocate and close adviser to Rahm Emanuel, claimed that the CTU waged a
"mass campaign of misinformation," but the only way to explain the
overwhelming support for the teachers is that parents know far better
than a white billionaire the conditions of their children's schools--and
they saw the CTU as attempting to do something about this.
advocate and close adviser to Rahm Emanuel, claimed that the CTU waged a
"mass campaign of misinformation," but the only way to explain the
overwhelming support for the teachers is that parents know far better
than a white billionaire the conditions of their children's schools--and
they saw the CTU as attempting to do something about this.
Again, this didn't happen by accident. The CTU developed
relationships in neighborhoods around the city, for example, by
partnering with community organizations like Kenwood Oakland Community
Organization (KOCO) to protest school closings on the South and West
Side--not in the heat of the strike, but both before and after the CORE
activists won the leadership of the union. This past winter, CTU members joined with KOCO and other activists for demonstrations at Board of Education meetings where 17 school closures or "turnarounds" were rammed through.
relationships in neighborhoods around the city, for example, by
partnering with community organizations like Kenwood Oakland Community
Organization (KOCO) to protest school closings on the South and West
Side--not in the heat of the strike, but both before and after the CORE
activists won the leadership of the union. This past winter, CTU members joined with KOCO and other activists for demonstrations at Board of Education meetings where 17 school closures or "turnarounds" were rammed through.
It's also important not to reduce the gains of the strike to merely
how it highlighted inequality in public education, as important as that
is. The CTU's fight for decent pay raises and job security on the one
hand and opposition to merit pay and evaluations linked to standardized
tests on the other are critical in the struggle over the future and
quality of public education, in a city where the vast majority of
students are Black or Latino.
how it highlighted inequality in public education, as important as that
is. The CTU's fight for decent pay raises and job security on the one
hand and opposition to merit pay and evaluations linked to standardized
tests on the other are critical in the struggle over the future and
quality of public education, in a city where the vast majority of
students are Black or Latino.
The corporate education "deformers" want to end tenure and job
security to pave the way for cheap, inexperienced teachers who are more
affordable in the new era of austerity budgets and diminished public
services and public welfare. But given the range of social issues
confronting most CPS students, wouldn't they benefit most from
experienced educators?
security to pave the way for cheap, inexperienced teachers who are more
affordable in the new era of austerity budgets and diminished public
services and public welfare. But given the range of social issues
confronting most CPS students, wouldn't they benefit most from
experienced educators?
The CTU's fight for job security in the form of teacher recall is a
way of insuring that the most experienced teachers are kept in schools,
and not sidelined because they cost too much. This is also a way of
fighting the disproportionate layoff of Black teachers, who are
overrepresented in the schools most likely to face closure or
"turnaround"--in which the entire staff is fired.
way of insuring that the most experienced teachers are kept in schools,
and not sidelined because they cost too much. This is also a way of
fighting the disproportionate layoff of Black teachers, who are
overrepresented in the schools most likely to face closure or
"turnaround"--in which the entire staff is fired.
As of 2000, according to state data, 40 percent of teachers in the CPS system were African American. Today, CPS states that less than 30 percent of teachers are Black.
Black teachers have borne the brunt of layoffs because they are more
likely to be in low-performing schools with predominately low-income or
poor Black students. Thus, in the round of school closings last winter, 65 percent of the teachers in the schools closed or turned around w....
Black teachers have borne the brunt of layoffs because they are more
likely to be in low-performing schools with predominately low-income or
poor Black students. Thus, in the round of school closings last winter, 65 percent of the teachers in the schools closed or turned around w....
The union's fight against merit pay goes hand in hand with keeping
good, experienced teachers in the schools that get the fewest resources.
If teacher pay and job security are linked to the performance of their
students on standardized tests, why would any teacher ever willingly go to the poorest and most res...
Merit pay would simply institutionalize the trend of the least
experienced--and therefore least well-compensated--teachers cycling
through the poorest schools.
good, experienced teachers in the schools that get the fewest resources.
If teacher pay and job security are linked to the performance of their
students on standardized tests, why would any teacher ever willingly go to the poorest and most res...
Merit pay would simply institutionalize the trend of the least
experienced--and therefore least well-compensated--teachers cycling
through the poorest schools.
Likewise, the CTU was absolutely right against linking teacher
evaluations to student performance on standardized tests. It is widely
accepted that standardized tests do not measure intellect or learning ability;
instead, they are indicators of access to resources and markers of
class status. Under the system of tying evaluation to testing pushed by
Emanuel and the city, teachers who take on the challenge of teaching in
under-resourced schools would be punished for doing so.
evaluations to student performance on standardized tests. It is widely
accepted that standardized tests do not measure intellect or learning ability;
instead, they are indicators of access to resources and markers of
class status. Under the system of tying evaluation to testing pushed by
Emanuel and the city, teachers who take on the challenge of teaching in
under-resourced schools would be punished for doing so.
Then there's the way that the frenzy for standardized testing has
reshaped the curriculum and the school day around preparing for tests,
rather than promoting creativity and critical thinking in the classroom
for teachers and students. This distortion of classroom priorities is
all the more pronounced in poor and predominantly Black and Latino
schools whose fate--whether they stay open or are shut down--may depend
on the next round of tests.
reshaped the curriculum and the school day around preparing for tests,
rather than promoting creativity and critical thinking in the classroom
for teachers and students. This distortion of classroom priorities is
all the more pronounced in poor and predominantly Black and Latino
schools whose fate--whether they stay open or are shut down--may depend
on the next round of tests.
The media portrayed the CTU's determination to hold the line on such
questions as matter of teachers looking out for their own interests--but
the quality of public schools depends on teachers, parents, students
and others challenging this broader deform agenda.
questions as matter of teachers looking out for their own interests--but
the quality of public schools depends on teachers, parents, students
and others challenging this broader deform agenda.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
WHAT ALL the attacks on teachers have in common is a staple idea from
school deformers--the rejection of the idea that poverty and material
deprivation have an overarching impact on student performance. This is
the Dangerous Minds depiction of public schools--the myth that
transcendent (almost always white) teachers who simply love teaching can
overcome the obstacles of poverty and resource-starved schools.
school deformers--the rejection of the idea that poverty and material
deprivation have an overarching impact on student performance. This is
the Dangerous Minds depiction of public schools--the myth that
transcendent (almost always white) teachers who simply love teaching can
overcome the obstacles of poverty and resource-starved schools.
But in real-world cities like Chicago--where poverty, unemployment,
violence foreclosures and evictions are at appallingly high, and
sometimes unprecedented, levels--personal grit and will power fail in
the face of the institutional hostility that actively suppresses Black
academic learning and potential achievement.
violence foreclosures and evictions are at appallingly high, and
sometimes unprecedented, levels--personal grit and will power fail in
the face of the institutional hostility that actively suppresses Black
academic learning and potential achievement.
The notion that poverty don't matter fits into a larger, neoliberal
political framework which preaches that success or failure is based on
individual responsibility, not access to robust public spending. Poverty
is seen as a natural phenomenon, where some people just "happen" to be
poor and others "happen" to do better--and so, no legislative or
institutional response is needed.
political framework which preaches that success or failure is based on
individual responsibility, not access to robust public spending. Poverty
is seen as a natural phenomenon, where some people just "happen" to be
poor and others "happen" to do better--and so, no legislative or
institutional response is needed.
Thus, while hundreds of studies link poverty and under-resourced
schools to poor academic achievement, the evidence is willfully ignored.
And when the lie that poverty doesn't matter is repeated over and over
again without a firm response, the lie takes hold in many people's
minds.
schools to poor academic achievement, the evidence is willfully ignored.
And when the lie that poverty doesn't matter is repeated over and over
again without a firm response, the lie takes hold in many people's
minds.
But poverty does matter. As Harvard Graduate School of Education lecturer Richard Weissbourd...:
What exactly are these quiet problems?...The range...is vast. Hunger,
dehydration, asthma, obesity, and hearing problems can all insidiously
trip children up in school. Some quiet problems are
psychological--depression, anxiety, the fear of utter destitution...In
one school outside Boston, a teacher told me that two brothers were
coming to school on alternate days because they had only one pair of
shoes between them. Certain quiet problems are especially pervasive and
concerning. One is caretaking responsibility, such as having to take care of a depressed or sick parent or look after younger siblings.
One consequence of the rejection of poverty as a factor in the crisis
of schools and the institutional refusal to undertake anti-poverty
initiatives is a reliance in public schools on suspensions, expulsions
and arrests to maintain discipline and order. This is similar to the
dynamic in poor communities of ramped-up repression by the criminal
justice. Where city governments have slashed public service budgets and
offer no alternatives to record high levels of poverty and unemployment,
heavy policing, stop-and-frisk practices and brutality fill the vacuum.
of schools and the institutional refusal to undertake anti-poverty
initiatives is a reliance in public schools on suspensions, expulsions
and arrests to maintain discipline and order. This is similar to the
dynamic in poor communities of ramped-up repression by the criminal
justice. Where city governments have slashed public service budgets and
offer no alternatives to record high levels of poverty and unemployment,
heavy policing, stop-and-frisk practices and brutality fill the vacuum.
According to a report by the Civil Rights Project at UCLA,
Illinois leads the country in disciplinary action taken against Black
students. One in every four African American students was suspended at
least once in the 2009-10 school year. By comparison, fewer than 4
percent of white students were suspended.
Illinois leads the country in disciplinary action taken against Black
students. One in every four African American students was suspended at
least once in the 2009-10 school year. By comparison, fewer than 4
percent of white students were suspended.
Chicago contributed a disproportionate share to the state's
suspensions, with more than 30 percent of Black students suffering
disciplinary actions, five times more than white students. The worst
category of all was for Black male students with disabilities--72
percent suffered at least one suspension during the 2009-10 school year.
suspensions, with more than 30 percent of Black students suffering
disciplinary actions, five times more than white students. The worst
category of all was for Black male students with disabilities--72
percent suffered at least one suspension during the 2009-10 school year.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
CTU PRESIDENT Karen Lewis said that during one of her first meetings
with Rahm Emanuel, the mayor claimed that 25 percent of CPS students
would amount to nothing, and that he wouldn't waste resources on them.
Emanuel denies he said this. Readers can decide whether they believe him
or Karen Lewis.
with Rahm Emanuel, the mayor claimed that 25 percent of CPS students
would amount to nothing, and that he wouldn't waste resources on them.
Emanuel denies he said this. Readers can decide whether they believe him
or Karen Lewis.
But whether Emanuel said this or not, the actions of his
administration speak loud and clear. Struggling schools in Black
communities are starved of resources, insuring their failure, while the
teachers, parents and students are blamed. Mental health clinics and
libraries are closed down. Unemployment and poverty are on the rise and
not a single anti-poverty program has been suggested, let alone funded
by the city under Emanuel.
administration speak loud and clear. Struggling schools in Black
communities are starved of resources, insuring their failure, while the
teachers, parents and students are blamed. Mental health clinics and
libraries are closed down. Unemployment and poverty are on the rise and
not a single anti-poverty program has been suggested, let alone funded
by the city under Emanuel.
Instead, the mayor and his billionaire buddies spent millions to
bring NATO to Chicago--and, or course, to run an endless loop of TV
commercials bizarrely declaring Emanuel as the victor in the teachers'
strike.
bring NATO to Chicago--and, or course, to run an endless loop of TV
commercials bizarrely declaring Emanuel as the victor in the teachers'
strike.
Phillip Jackson's frustration with racism in Chicago schools is more
than warranted. It is criminal that in a city which boasts about being
"world class," 95 percent of students in 188 schools located in Black neighborhood....
than warranted. It is criminal that in a city which boasts about being
"world class," 95 percent of students in 188 schools located in Black neighborhood....
But the Chicago Teachers Union is neither the enemy of Black
students, nor just another institution contributing to their oppression.
Rather, the CTU is leading the struggle for education justice in
Chicago and the country.
students, nor just another institution contributing to their oppression.
Rather, the CTU is leading the struggle for education justice in
Chicago and the country.
Whether or not this struggle for education and racial justice
stops the school closures and "turnarounds," the unequal distribution of
resources, the racist disciplinary policy and more will depend on the
CTU's continued commitment to reaching out and partnering with the
communities who bear the brunt of these attacks--and on community
activists linking arms with the teachers to fight for the schools our
children deserve.
stops the school closures and "turnarounds," the unequal distribution of
resources, the racist disciplinary policy and more will depend on the
CTU's continued commitment to reaching out and partnering with the
communities who bear the brunt of these attacks--and on community
activists linking arms with the teachers to fight for the schools our
children deserve.
We should all stand together with the teachers, parents and kids of
this city in what is shaping up to be the civil rights fight of our
time.
this city in what is shaping up to be the civil rights fight of our
time.
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"Decarcerate PA is a grassroots campaign working to end mass incarceration in Pennsylvania. We demand that PA stop building prisons, reduce the prison population, and reinvest money in our communities."
After we speak with Mr. Harrell and Mr. Davis we will share some of the latest news related to 21st Century Slave and Human Trafficking and open the phone lines for a general discussion on the issue.
Move To Abolish 21st Century Slavery
Militant Minded Radio
World Star Hip-Hop creator asked to stop exploiting minors and the mentally challenged
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World Star Hip-Hop has built a media platform that has become a clearinghouse for the worst of “Urban America” according to a recent Change.org petition created by Supreme Understanding of Supreme Design Publishing.
The petition says, "There are some things that we all should know are wrong. Things like sexually exploiting minors or the mentally ill. The administrators of WorldStarHipHop.com apparently do not share these standards of human decency."
Supreme Understanding will join us tonight along with Scotty Reid of the Black Talk Media Project and members of the Militant Mind Movement on Militant Minded Radio to discuss this issue and why the Black community should be involved in this campaign to stop the exploitation of our most vulnerable people.
Occupy The Microphone
240,000 turn out to protest bus fare and police brutality in Brazil
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Massive protests have been going on in Brazil for over a week as the 99% take to the streets in protest over the raising of bus fare in that poor see as means for the rich to pay for a sports complex. A video of eight cops giving a reporter a Rodney King style beating caused even more Brazilians to take to the streets.
There has been very little in-depth coverage by the mainstream of PFC Bradley Manning's trial. "Bradley Edward Manning is a United States Army soldier who was arrested in May 2010 in Iraq on suspicion of having passed classified material to the website WikiLeaks." We had an opportunity to catch up with one reporter who has been providing in-depth coverage and you can tune in today to hear our interview with journalist Alexa O'Brien. You can follow Alexa's reporting on her website and follow her on Twitter.
In Spartanburg, SC, a group of families confronted Sheriff Chuck Wright over the cases of men who were killed where it was ruled self defense. One mother, Darlene Smith questioned Wright over her son's case who was shot in the head along with another man. Michael Deangelo Gentry-Hill and Darren Hill were both shot in the head allegedly while attempting to break into an apartment. Neither of the two were armed when Douglas Williams confronted them outside his apartment instead of waiting till the men entered the apartment or allowing the police who were called to get there and investigate the alleged crime.
Call the show at 864-751-0115 or 864-751-0116
Listen By Phone: 1-724-444-7444 Call ID 124529#
Get the smartphone App for iPhone & Android from our audio blog.
Catch us in the Upstate of SC on 105.7FM & 910AM
To advertise on the show email Gregg: info@occupythemicrophone.com
Black Talk Radio News
NY Daily News launches personal attack on Serena Williams over rape prevention comments
By Scotty Reid 6/16/2013 news, sports, society
A writer for the NY Daily News is catching heat from readers after launching a personal attack on top ranked women’s tennis player Serena Williams over rape prevention comments she made to Rolling Stone about the 16 yr old victim of the Steubenville, Ohio sexual assault case.
Two teenage football players were charged and convicted of various charges connected an alleged sexual assault they committed…
NSA believes analysts have legal authority to listen to phone calls without warrants
By Scotty Reid 6/16/2013. news, politics
One week ago, following revelations of the PRISM system - as leaked by whistle-blower Eric Snowden to reporter Glenn Greenwald, President Obama took to a podium to proclaim to…
Retired NYPD detective stands accused of torturing confessions out of his victims
By Scotty Reid, 6/15/2013 news
An retired NYPD officer who was celebrated within the department and even once appeared on Dr. Phil to discuss false confessions stands accused of torturing confessions out of victims Jon Burge style. Jon Burge is the former Chicago police commander who along with others under his command tortured victims into confessing to crimes they did not commit. Many of the victims are thought to remain behind bars as the city of Chicago and the…
Twenty-thousand Jews protest against Israel in NYC
By Scotty Reid 6/10/2013 news, politics, opinion
20,000 people of the Jewish faith in New York City descended upon Federal Plaza in Manhattan yesterday and although it was a huge event protesting Israel and Zionism, the major corporate news outlets…
Why I observe Memorial Day but not Veterans Day
By Scotty Reid 5/24/2013 news, culture, opinion
Even though I am a veteran of the US Army,I do not celebrate nor recognize Veteran's Day. First, I was an uninformed twenty something when I joined and I only joined to get money for college coming from a poor working class family. I also do not think cops or soldiers…
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