Six Black residents of Central Oregon speak out about racism, police brutality, the Black Lives Matter movement and what needs to change if the U.S. is to move forward. Plus songs of social significance for this time.

Messages on Racism

The Radical Songbook podcast, with host Michael Funke, features interviews and conversations with social activists about the work they are doing in Central Oregon and beyond. All content originally aired on 88.9fm, KPOV, as part of The Radical Songbook program, Fridays from 10am to noon.

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A conversation with Gretchen Bennett, the Salem, Oregon liaison with that city's Community Police Review Board about how the board works.

Gretchen Bennett on Salem's Community Police Review Board

Bill Fletcher Jr. discusses the 1921 destruction and massacre of Tulsa's Black community by a white mob and explains why this history is important to understanding racism today.

Bill Fletcher Jr. on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

Beatrice Olivo is a radiation therapist at St. Charles Medical Center who was on the bargaining committee for the Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals and helped to negotiate the first union contract for 150 medical techs at the Bend hospital. She reflects on what it took to win a union contract and is optimistic about the future of work at St. Charles.

Beatrice Olivo on union bargaining at St Charles

Ron Verzuh is an active member of the Pacific Northwest Labor History Association and author of a new book titled "Working Oregon: A Labor History Chronology," which takes a long look at the history of working people and their unions in Oregon.

Working Oregon: A Labor History Chronology 4/30/21

A conversation with Central Oregon activist Dalton Miller-Jones about Paul Robeson and the Black Freedom Struggle.

Messages on Racism

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