Ethnic Discourses

Eclecticism, esoteric, hard to grasp and hold.  Those are some of the best adjectives that describe art or artists approach at self-expression that operates outside of the boundaries of the expected.  We have the pleasure of reengaging Orlando Wilkerson, one of the members of the group Nonks, about recent projects that have kept him and the group busy.  

In this eye-opening episode, we have a full-throttled conversation with Stevante Clark, the stalwart brother of Stephon Clark, who was murdered by two members of the Sacramento Police Department on the night of March 18, 2018.  That incident led to the convulsions of protest movements throughout California, the United States, and some other places in the world.  In March 2019, the district attorney made the ill-fated decision to not charge the two police officers with any crimes as being committed.  Stevante discusses the work he has done to keep his brother's memory alive, as well as the effort to keep alive the memory of other black and brown victims who have been killed by the police.

In this short episode I use the metaphor of fishing to explore the adventures awaiting the listener as we delve into the weeds where some of the most controversial stories exist.

During this episode, we have an enlightening discussion with the filmmaker, Pablo Miralles, about his recently released documentary "Can We All Get Along?  The Segregation of John Muir High School."  Through the lens of his upbringing and later as a student at John Muir High School, Pablo explores the intersections of race/ethnicity, systemic and institutional racism, politics, and sociology against a backdrop of its impact upon the changes of student demographics.  

Busy doesn't begin to describe those who don't flinch at expressing themselves in projects that demonstrate multifaceted levels of talent.  From his work with developing and hosting a CoWo environment conducive to open-mic expression with Lyricsopen, to performing with the OfficialNonks, to freestyling as a rapper and singer with flow, Orlando is my guest as we discuss a variety of issues and topics from music and education, to social-consciousness raising and activism.

What is that special ingredient, "love",  with which all ethnic cooks spice their dishes?  In this episode I take a sample of cooks along the ethnic spectrum and ask them to define and describe that seemingly intangible ingredient "love" that all ethnic cooks swear by.  Ask the question to anyone who is proud of a dish that leaves their kitchen--whether commercial or residential--and most respondents say they prepared something with "love."  I'm looking for that love ingredient and just how cooks blend such into the dishes that speak that ingredient.

Leadership requires assertiveness, especially when creating a space at the table where one is qualified to sit and speak-out.  I speak with an upcoming Human Rights lawyer, just starting her adventure in studies toward that objective, and what frames her social, political, and theological worldview.  As human rights is a global enterprise, the conversation transcends the mere cosmopolitan context of the day-to-day, focusing on what connects people as we strive for equal justice.

During this episode wherein I use the Chicano Moratorium that occurred 50 years ago, and the 25th anniversary of Proposition 209, to frame my conversation with one of California labor union's active voices as a leader and an educator.  Talking about a myriad of topics that intersect with the lived experiences of some Latinx folk, amidst the cross-currents of political and social movements for change, this is a very exciting episode.