Detainees Detail Troubling Conditions within New York City Jails

At least 12 people detained in New York City’s jail facilities have died this year, amid rising Covid-19 cases and a reported spike in violence and self-harm. At the end of September, Mayor Bill de Blasio toured the Rikers Island jail complex and claimed that the changes the city has made within Rikers are already having a “real impact.” George Joseph, law enforcement reporter for WNYC, has been reporting on conditions within Rikers and he joined The Takeaway to discuss the latest.

What Does a Political Leader Look Like?

Far too often the images we see in the world around us reinforce a gendered vision of the political world.We asked our listeners what comes to mind when they think of the word "political leader." Evoking narrow, gender-specific definitions of political leadership has very real consequences. We speak with Zoe Oxley, researcher at Union College and author of a new study about girls and political leadership.

Fannie Lou Hamer's Enduring Message

Award-winning historian and New York Times best-selling author Keisha Blain joins us to discuss her new book, Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamer’s Enduring Message to America and the relevance of the civil and voting rights icon today.

For transcripts, see individual segment pages.