The problem in America is, America's been in denial about its problems. And that’s a problem.

America doesn’t have a race problem, in reality there's been catastrophes visited upon Black people. Catastrophes visited on Indigenous brothers and sisters. Catastrophes visited on Latino brothers and sisters. Catastrophes visited on working people. Catastrophes visited on women of all colors. We can go on and on.

This week on Making Contact, we bring you a talk from noted author, scholar, and self-described intellectual freedom fighter, Dr. Cornel West speaking at the Guild Theater in Sacramento, California in 2023. In his discussion, West uses America’s music legacy as a way to explore catastrophic conditions brought on by our denial of the funk, seen through the impacts of racism on the nation’s health.

Learn more about the story and find the transcript on radioproject.org. 

Making Contact is an award-winning, nationally syndicated radio show and podcast featuring narrative storytelling and thought-provoking interviews. We cover the most urgent issues of our time and the people on the ground building a more just world. 

EPISODE FEATURES: Dr. Cornel West, the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary. Dr. West teaches on the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as well as courses in Philosophy of Religion, African American Critical Thought, and a wide range of subjects. 

MAKING CONTACT: This episode is hosted by Anita Johnson. It is produced by Anita Johnson, Lucy Kang, Salima Hamirani, and Amy Gastelum. Our executive director is Jina Chung.

MUSIC:  This episode includes Bedroll by Blue Dot Session, The Garden State by Audiobinger, and My Friends by Quiet Orchestra. 

LEARN MORE: 

http://www.cornelwest.com/
https://aas.princeton.edu/people/cornel-west
https://www.amazon.com/Race-Matters-Cornel-West/dp/0679749861
https://twitter.com/CornelWest