I SEE U

I SEE U

By Houston Public MediaSociety & CultureNewsArts
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I SEE U episodes

  • 34: We Don't Talk About Inclusion!
    ENCANTO is Disney’s first-ever Latinx musical. Critics have largely praised the film for its unique approach to storytelling, diversity in characters and original score which infuses a host of Columbian-rhythmic styles and design. But why has it taken Disney Animation some 60 films in to offer up an opportunity for a Latina to co-direct one of its productions? I SEE U Host  Eddie Robinson has a compelling conversation with screenwriter/director, Charise Castro Smith, about how the coronavirus pandemic along with certain racial and political awakenings in this country impacted the production of ENCANTO; the ideas and musical components that landed on the cutting room floor; and what the future holds for Latin content creators and other people of color in the film and entertainment industry.
    53 min
  • 33: A Blues Dancing Machine in Tito Jackson
    He’s an original member of the legendary Jackson 5, who churned out a plethora of hits from the mid-‘60s well into the late ‘80s. One of the brothers of the group, Tito Jackson, remains active in the recording industry. The singer/songwriter and guitarist speaks unguarded with I SEE U host Eddie Robinson about his relationship with the other siblings in the Jackson family, the racism he and his brothers experienced while on tour, as well as their electrifying TRIUMPH album, which set the stage for the biggest selling album of all-time by his younger brother, Michael.
    53 min
  • 32: The Color Of Therapy
    While medical teams question whether the omicron variant marks a COVID-19 transition from a pandemic stage to an endemic phase, minorities along with a host of communities of color are seeing disproportionately higher rates of mental health problems. Moreover, disparities exist as it relates to accessibility in mental health care services. Join host Eddie Robinson for the second part of our series on I SEE U that explores the impacts of mental illness on more diverse populations. Guests include therapists, Eliza Boquin and Eboni Harris, co-founders of Melanin and Mental Health; and Manuel Zamarripa and Jessica Tlazoltiani Zamarripa, founders of XICANX PSYCHOLOGY – Institute of Chicana/o Psychology
    53 min
  • 31: Maybe We Don't Belong Here
    Born in Birmingham, England, CW Network’s Supergirl actor/director David Harewood has seen his career flourish here in the United States. While living in the United Kingdom, the ‘Blood Diamond’ actor had been physically restrained by a half dozen police officers, hospitalized, heavily sedated and transferred to a locked ward after suffering from a severe psychotic breakdown. But Harewood admits to I SEE U that had he lived in the States, struggling with his bipolar-like symptoms, he would likely end up dead. Join us as host Eddie Robinson begins the first of a two-part series addressing mental health on communities of color with critically acclaimed actor/author, David Harewood, who shares his remarkable story on what it means to be a Black man from Britain.
    53 min
  • 30: Terrestrial Radio Racism
    For decades, members of the Black community and other communities of color have been excluded from owning media broadcast properties. Recent data released by the Federal Communications Commission shows that women and minorities are underrepresented in license ownership, particularly in FM commercial radio stations. Will the FCC ramp up policies and legislation to effectively promote diversity of media ownership? Check out this powerful episode of I SEE U, as host Eddie Robinson chats with the first and only African-American female to ever own an AM or FM radio station in all of New England – President/CEO and General Manager of Cutting Edge Broadcasting, Carol Moore Cutting. The radio pioneer discusses in unguarded detail how discrimination and racial prejudice continue to run rampant in today’s broadcast ownership industry. Veteran radio programmer, Nikki Swarn, also joins the conversation. Swarn is the GM of THE DROP—a new public media, Urban-Alt station with an all-Black staff based in Denver, Colorado.
    53 min
  • 29: Civil Whites Movement
    During the Civil Rights Movement, not only did African-Americans fight for equal protection under the law, but White Americans were also risking their lives in the name of social justice. Some were even murdered for participating in marches and protests aimed at ending segregation and racial discrimination. But in today’s political climate and divisiveness, how come more White Americans prefer to remain silent on measures that support systemic change to end racism? Host Eddie Robinson returns from paternity leave and chats candidly with Joan Mulholland, the first White member of the historically Black organization, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her son, Loki Mulholland, who’s an acclaimed film director and human rights activist, Mac Hulslander—the father of I SEE U’s Technical Director, Todd Hulslander—offer up their own perspectives in this very provocative episode.
    53 min
  • 28: Storytelling Art of The Dirty South
    To be black and southern is to contend with the embedded legacy of racial terror and grapple with the unique and enduring culture created in its shadow. The term “dirty south” can invoke many images connected to southern agrarian life, but hip-hop artists have transformed it into a banner of pride. Dirty South now represents a short cut for understanding the perspectives of creatives who were raised or procured their work in the South – through music, art, fashion, and other forms of cultural products that possessed a specific, Southern lens.  This work has been captured in an exhibit called, “Dirty South,” currently on display at the Contemporary Art Museum of Houston until February.  On this episode of I SEE U, join us as guest host, Dr. Melayne Price, chats with the exhibit’s curator, Valerie Cassel Oliver, as well as Houston artists Nathaniel Donnett and Mel Chin whose works are included in the show. Find out what happens when contemporary art merges with the roots of Southern hip-hop culture in The Dirty South.
    52 min
  • 27: Television on the Radio
    When the coronavirus summarily shut down the world in 2020, we were all sent home to figure how to live, work and play from a distance.  Within weeks millions learned to use digital platforms to connect to work, family, school, and friends. Streaming services like Amazon Prime, Hulu and Netflix benefited greatly.  In one year, subscriptions during the pandemic rose over 30% and increased to 1 billion subscribers worldwide. On this episode, guest host Dr. Melanye Price chats with her favorite content viewing partner, twin sister, Melynda Price, along with cultural critic Jeff Yang, who’s co-host of the podcast, They Call Us Bruce and author of RISE: A Pop History of Asian America from the ‘90s to Now.  Yang also shares his unique perspective on why there’s a lack of Asian American representation in the media today. We’re taking a closer look at streaming in the American mainstream on this episode of I SEE U.
    53 min
  • 26: Who Made the Potato Salad?
    From black urban farms to traditional soul food kitchens to fine dining…Houston has a vibrant black food scene.  We call this the “Who Made the Potato Salad?” episode to reference a specific cultural tradition.  If you show up at any holiday meal or family cookout in the black community you will notice that everyone gathered will look at treasured family dishes like potato salad, mac and cheese, sweet potato pie and ask…who made this? These dishes are so important that only trusted family members are allowed to be involved in their preparation. Inevitably, when an ambitious relative tries to innovate on the traditional recipes and a simple question of “who made the potato salad” becomes a lesson in family traditions and a cautionary tale. On this episode, I talk to some of the most successful chefs and restaurateurs from Houston institutions—Craig Joseph who is the third-generation owner of This Is It, Marcus Davis from The Breakfast Klub and Top Chef finalist Dawn Burrell. I discuss black food traditions, the elevation of soul food, and maybe a few tips for your holiday preparations. I also want to know what happens when culinary school meets the family cookout!! All this and more and this episode of I See U.
    53 min
  • 25: Troublesome Legacies

    After the death of George Floyd organizations across America embarked upon what has been called a racial reckoning.  A process started to be more intentional about understanding the impact of race on the past and charting a course for how we will make a better racial future. For a lot of universities this has meant confronting their own history with enslavement and racial segregation. Nearly two decades ago, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) President Ruth Simmons, as president of Brown University, led the school through an historic intellectual and institutional process to know more about the role of Brown’s participation in the slave trade.  What resulted was an historic accounting of university history and a model many universities seek to follow. On this episode we discuss the ongoing efforts to uncover their institutions connections of slavery and segregation with historians Drs.

    After the death of George Floyd organizations across America embarked upon what has been called a racial reckoning.  A process started to be more intentional about understanding the impact of race on the past and charting a course for how we will make a better racial future. For a lot of universities this has meant confronting their own history with enslavement and racial segregation. Nearly two decades ago, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) President Ruth Simmons, as president of Brown University, led the school through an historic intellectual and institutional process to know more about the role of Brown’s participation in the slave trade.  What resulted was an historic accounting of university history and a model many universities seek to follow. On this episode we discuss the ongoing efforts to uncover their institutions connections of slavery and segregation with historians Alexander Byrd and Caleb McDaniel at Rice University and Marco Robinson at Prairie View A&M University. Given Prairie View’s connection to those who were enslaved and Rice’s founders history as a slaveholder, we ask are there differences when the project is undertaken by a predominantly white or historically black college. We’ll also talk to the Vanderslice family who are descendants of the owners of the Alta Vista plantation that was purchased by the state of Texas to establish Prairie View. What happens when universities start to confront the hard truths of their past on this episode of, I SEE U.

    Alexander Byrd and Caleb McDaniel at Rice University and Dr. Marco Robinson at Prairie View A&M University. Given Prairie View’s connection to those who were enslaved and Rice’s founders history as a slaveholder, we ask are there differences when the project is undertaken by a predominantly white or historically black college. We’ll also talk to the Vanderslice family who are descendants of the owners of the Alta Vista plantation that was purchased by the state of Texas to establish Prairie View. What happens when universities start to confront the hard truths of their past on this episode of, I SEE U.

    52 min

About I SEE U

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I SEE U is a unique, award-winning program that gives voice to those who have often been unheard, and exploring cultural identity through the stories of people and places that have been…