Counter Stories

By Counter StoriesSociety & Culture News News Commentary

Counter Stories episodes

October 25, 2018 Counter Stories: The migrant caravan
In this episode of Counter Stories, the team discusses the migrant caravan making its way to the U.S., as well as concerns about voter suppression ahead of next month's midterm elections.
Counter Stories is our regular conversation by people of color, for people of color and everyone else. The group discusses race, identity, culture, and social justice.
The Counter Stories hosts for this episode are:
-Don Eubanks, associate professor at Metropolitan State University and cultural consultant.
-Anthony Galloway, executive director of ARTS-Us.
-Ambar Hanson, chief external relations officer at Hiawatha Academies.
-Brandt Williams, correspondent at MPR News.
51 min
October 25, 2018 Counter Stories: The migrant caravan
In this episode of Counter Stories, the team discusses the migrant caravan making its way to the U.S., as well as concerns about voter suppression ahead of next month's midterm elections.
Counter Stories is our regular conversation by people of color, for people of color and everyone else. The group discusses race, identity, culture, and social justice.
The Counter Stories hosts for this episode are:
-Don Eubanks, associate professor at Metropolitan State University and cultural consultant.
-Anthony Galloway, executive director of ARTS-Us.
-Ambar Hanson, chief external relations officer at Hiawatha Academies.
-Brandt Williams, correspondent at MPR News.
51 min
October 04, 2018 Counter Stories: Trump's proposed immigration rule and the Kavanaugh hearings
In the latest episode of Counter Stories, the group discusses the Trump administration's proposed new rule on immigration, as well as the Senate hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Counter Stories is our regular conversation by people of color, for people of color and everyone else. The group discusses race, identity, culture, and social justice.
The Counter Stories hosts are:
–Don Eubanks, associate professor at Metropolitan State University and cultural consultant
–Hlee Lee, owner of "the other media group"
–Luz Maria Frias, president and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis
–Rose McGee, creator of Sweet Potato Comfort Pies: A Catalyst for Caring and Building Community
–Jonathan Blakley, program director at MPR News
51 min
October 04, 2018 Counter Stories: Trump's proposed immigration rule and the Kavanaugh hearings
In the latest episode of Counter Stories, the group discusses the Trump administration's proposed new rule on immigration, as well as the Senate hearings for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
Counter Stories is our regular conversation by people of color, for people of color and everyone else. The group discusses race, identity, culture, and social justice.
The Counter Stories hosts are:
–Don Eubanks, associate professor at Metropolitan State University and cultural consultant
–Hlee Lee, owner of "the other media group"
–Luz Maria Frias, president and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis
–Rose McGee, creator of Sweet Potato Comfort Pies: A Catalyst for Caring and Building Community
–Jonathan Blakley, program director at MPR News
51 min
September 13, 2018 Counter Stories: The Serena Williams cartoon and the shooting of Botham Jean
In this episode of Counter Stories, the group discusses the cartoon of Serena Williams that has been widely decried as racist. The cartoon was published by an Australian newspaper after the U.S. Open women's final in which Serena Williams and umpire Carlos Ramos got into some heated exchanges — and Williams was penalized.
The group also discusses the fatal shooting of Botham Shem Jean by an off-duty Dallas police officer. The officer who shot Jean lives in the same building as Jean and claims that she mistook his apartment for her own and believed he was an intruder.
Hosts:

• Luz Maria Frias is president and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis.

• Don Eubanks is an associate professor at Metropolitan State University.

• May Losloso is a community organizer and activist.

• Brandt Williams is a correspondent for MPR News.
Use the audio player to listen to their discussion.
51 min
August 23, 2018 Counter Stories: 'Crazy Rich Asians'
In the latest edition of Counter Stories, our regular conversation about race, identity and social justice, the group discusses the hit movie "Crazy Rich Asians."
Cube Critics: 'Crazy Rich Asians' and the importance of representation
Panel:
Anthony Galloway, a race equity consultant
Hlee Lee, media artist
Luz Maria Frias, president and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis
Brandt Williams, MPR News reporter
To listen to their conversation, click the audio player above.
52 min
August 02, 2018 Counter Stories: Police who shot Thurman Blevins won't face charges
This hour, the Counter Stories team discusses the fatal shooting of Thurman Blevins by Minneapolis police. On Sunday night, the city of Minneapolis released body camera footage of the incident. The following day, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced the officers who shot and killed Blevins in a north Minneapolis alley on June 23 will not face charges.
Counter Stories is our regular conversation on MPR News by people of color—for people of color, and everyone else. The team discusses recent news through the lens of race, identity, social justice and culture.
Hosts:• Luz Maria Frias is president and CEO of YWCA Minneapolis.• Don Eubanks is an associate professor at Metropolitan State University.• Acooa Ellis is senior vice president of community impact at the Greater Twin Cities United Way.• Jo Erickson is a producer at MPR News.
Use the audio player to listen to their discussion.
52 min
July 12, 2018 Counter Stories: Should people of color need to prove they are Americans?
Last month a Puerto Rico woman was harassed for wearing a T-shirt which had "Puerto Rico" written below the neckline.
A man repeatedly accused this woman of being "un-American" even though Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. The confrontation was caught on video and went viral.
The Counter Stories team explored what it means to be American, and why so many people of color find themselves having to defend their identity as Americans.
The Counter Stories hosts are:
• Anthony Galloway
• Hlee Lee
• Luz Frias
• Don Eubanks
• Jonathan Blakley, Program Director for MPR News
Use the audio player above to hear the full discussion
47 min
June 21, 2018 Counter Stories react to Trump's immigration policy
On Wednesday, President Trump signed an executive order reversing his policy of separating families at the U.S. border and replacing it with a policy of detaining entire families together, including children.
Counter Stories hosts talked about America's history of separating parents and children.
Counter Stories host are:
Hlee Lee
Don Eubanks
Anthony Galloway
Use the audio player above to listen to their conversation.
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50 min
May 31, 2018 Counter Stories: How should corporations react to racism?
This week, Starbucks attempted to deal with the issue by closing thousands of stores across the U.S. in order to give employees racial bias training. Meanwhile ABC quickly cancelled its top-rated TV show "Rosanne." ABC executives say the star, Roseanne Barr, went way too far with a racist tweet. How should corporations react to racism within their ranks?
Counter Stories hosts:
• Mary Anne Quiroz, co-director and co-founder of Indigenous Roots Cultural Arts Center.
• Anthony Galloway, owner, Umoja Consulting.
• Jonathan Blakley, MPR News.
• Hlee Lee, a media artist.
54 min