Disrupted

This hour, we hear from a social psychologist about the reality of creating truly equitable, anti-racist organizations, and about how some Connecticut companies are cultivating diversity in their workforce.

Also, we find out the status of legislation shaping Connecticut’s criminal justice system.

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Earlier this year, workers at an Amazon facility in Alabama made national news when they announced their intentions to unionize. While the union vote failed, the news is part of a renewed effort to raise working standards across the country.

Despite the traditional picture of the white male union worker, today unions are more diverse than ever before. Black Americans are more likely to be members of a union than any other ethic group.

This hour on Disrupted, we speak to the chief economist for the labor department about black employment in America. We also talk with a researcher on the history and future of unions. And finally, we hear about long term health care workers in Connecticut fighting for better wages.

Disrupted is produced by Catie Talarski, James Szkobel-Wolff, Anna Elizabeth and Zshekinah Collier.

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This hour on Disrupted, we talk to four experts and practitioners thinking about how to improve outcomes for Black mothers in the state, combating the racism in the medical system and allowing Black women to access the joy of childbirth. We'll also talk about  legislation in Connecticut that would help make doula support more accessible to all women.  

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In March, Connecticut became just the 9th state to pass the CROWN Act, a bill that outlaws discrimination on the basis of one’s hair. The passage of the bill is being heralded by advocates who say Black Americans have been forced to assimilate to white beauty standards in order to succeed. 

This week on Disrupted, we speak with two Kent State professors on their upcoming exhibition and book on the history and art of black hair. 

And we talk with the new programming director of the Arts and Ideas Festival about some new changes to this year's festival. And the introduction of a high fashion hair show. 

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This hour on Disrupted, we talk about vaccine access and hesitancy as the roll-out continues in Connecticut. And we discuss how educational institutions are examining issues of equity, inclusion, and belonging.

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This hour on Disrupted, CNN anchor Don Lemon talks about his new book “This is the Fire: What I say to my friends about Racism” -- he started writing it in response to Floyd’s death.

And the president of the Museum of Chinese in America talks about how she’s working to change perceptions of Asians in America.

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This hour on Disrupted, we talk to three members of the theater community in Connecticut about how the industry moves forward, and what lessons they’ve learned over the last year.

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This hour on Disrupted, meet three young Connecticut disruptors. These activists are all in their early 20s and they’re finding their voices and power to speak out for issues that are important to them - from racial justice, to transportation, and environmentalism.

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This moment in American history can feel unprecedented. But white supremacist violence and debates over whose rights really matter are hardly new. This hour on Disrupted, we talk to two authors who provide crucial historical and theoretical context to this moment. Keisha Blain co-edited Four Hundred Souls, A Community History of African America. Jamal Greene is the author of How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession With Rights Is Tearing America Apart.

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The sports world is riding a new wave of athlete activism. After a year of protests, athletes are openly using their platforms after constantly being told “to stick to sports.” So how can they foster change? This hour, we dive into why sports have always been political. We’ll also hear from WNBA star A’ja Wilson on what it means to use her platform for change.

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