Rights This Way

It’s a scenario that many parents across New York State, particularly in low-income areas, have come to fear: A knock on the door from a Child Protective Services caseworker.

On this episode of Rights This Way, we delve into why the “child welfare system” is actually better understood as a family regulation or a family policing system. We’ll explore how a system ostensibly set up to “protect children” is actually one in which poor families of color are routinely harassed, surveilled, and punished. And we’ll look at ways we can build a system that truly supports families.

We get into all of this with one of the country’s top experts on the family regulation system, University of Pennsylvania Professor Dorothy Roberts. She has written several books on the topic including her most recent: “Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families--and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World.” We also talk about several pieces of legislation at the state and local level that could help address many of the worst problems surrounding the family regulation system with NYCLU Policy Counsel Jenna Lauter.

Please download, rate, review, and subscribe to Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.

Resources:

Buy Prof. Dorothy Roberts’ book

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/dorothy-roberts/torn-apart/9781541675445/?lens=basic-books

More from the NYCLU on the family regulation system:

How the so called “family regulation system” hurts families

https://www.nyclu.org/en/news/how-so-called-child-welfare-system-hurts-families

Never designed to help’: how new york's ‘child welfare’ system preys on families

https://www.nyclu.org/en/publications/never-designed-help-how-new-yorks-child-welfare-system-preys-families

Even child welfare workers say their agency is racist

https://www.nyclu.org/en/news/even-child-welfare-workers-say-their-agency-racist-0

Support the bills the NYCLU backs to curtail the child welfare system

https://action.aclu.org/send-message/curtail-racist-%E2%80%98child-welfare%E2%80%99-system

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit https://www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit nyclu.org/en/rightsthisway.

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

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Could one of the answers to fighting anti-Asian violence come in the classroom? That’s one of the ideas behind a new bill in the New York State legislature that would require public schools to teach Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander history. After a resurgence in attacks against Asian Americans in the wake of the pandemic, what students learn in the classroom could help extinguish the hate. And there would be other benefits as well.

Studies show that inclusive curriculum and culturally responsive teaching builds self-esteem, resilience, and academic engagement among students who finally get to see themselves in the lessons they learn. And it reduces bullying and harassment fueled by ignorance, helping young people grow into adults who embrace diversity.

We talk about all of this with Kenny Nguyen, Director of Youth Programs at the NYCLU’s Education Policy Center, and Kulsoom Tapal, the Education Policy Coordinator at the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF). We also hear a quick intro from recent New York City High School graduate Jonathan Lam.

Please download, rate, review, and subscribe to Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.

Resources:

Tell legislators to pass the AANHPI history bill: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/teach-inclusive-aanhpi-history-schools

Read Kenny's blog on the bill: https://www.nyclu.org/en/news/critical-way-counter-anti-asian-hate-0

Join the coalition fighting for this legislation: https://bit.ly/JOINREACH

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit https://www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit nyclu.org/en/rightsthisway.

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

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In 2019, New York state lawmakers passed a raft of progressive legislation that strengthened reproductive and voting rights, made our criminal legal system fairer and much more. Since then there have been additional victories for civil rights and civil liberties, but the momentum for positive change has slowed significantly. In some instances, wins have actually been rolled back. What are the roadblocks causing this lack of progress? How can we get back to the 2019-levels of change? And what wins and losses did we see in this year’s state legislative session?

We discuss all these questions with Lee Rowland, who was until very recently the NYCLU’s policy director. Lee has just stepped down from her role at the NYCLU to take a position as the Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Censorship. We also talk to Naila Awan and Katharine Bodde who are now the NYCLU’s two co-directors of policy.

Please download, rate, review, and subscribe to Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.

Resources:

Previous episodes on NY’s Equal Rights Amendment:

https://www.nyclu.org/en/publications/s1-ep-1-without-roe-are-abortion-rights-danger-ny

https://www.nyclu.org/en/publications/ep-2-what-does-the-future-hold-abortion-access-ny

Previous episodes on bail:

https://www.nyclu.org/en/publications/s2-ep1-backtracking-bail-reform

https://www.nyclu.org/en/publications/ep-3-truth-about-bail-reform

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit https://www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit nyclu.org/en/rightsthisway.

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if many of the things you think about illegal drugs and drug use are wrong? What if many of the problems associated with drugs are actually caused by the fact that they’re criminalized as part of the decades-long, failed war on drugs? For years, Dr. Carl Hart has worked to destroy myths about drugs and to change drug policies in the United States. He joins us to speak about all of this and more.

Plus, we talk about state legislation that could move us away from criminalization and towards a more sensible approach to drug policy with NYCLU assistant policy director, Michael Sisitzky.

Resources:

Check out Dr. Carl Hart’s book, “Drug Use for Grownups”: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/534657/drug-use-for-grown-ups-by-dr-carl-l-hart/

Low-level drug decriminalization bill: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/A3434

Buprenorphine decriminalization bill: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S699/amendment/A 

Safer Consumption Services Act: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2023/S399/amendment/A

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit https://www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit nyclu.org/en/rightsthisway.

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

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A View Inside Rikers from People Who Know it Best

New York City’s Rikers Island houses one of the most violent, dysfunctional, and hellish jails in the country. Every day, thousands of people – most of whom are legally innocent and the vast majority of whom are Black and Brown – are subjected to incredibly harsh conditions. Some never make it out alive.

We speak with two people who have covered the problems that plague Rikers for years. Graham Rayman is a journalist with the New York Daily News where he mainly focuses on criminal justice and policing. Reuven Blau is a senior reporter at The City and he’s known as the dean of Rikers reporters. They’ve co-written a book called Rikers: An Oral History. The book catalogs the perspectives of those who know the jail best: people who were formerly incarcerated there, guards, health care providers, public officials, and more.

In this episode, the authors dissect why Rikers is such a horrible place, and why nothing seems to change despite years of efforts to improve the conditions inside. And we hear some of the stories featured in the book.

Please download, rate, review, and subscribe to Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.

Resources:

Rikers: An Oral History: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625018/rikers-by-graham-rayman-and-reuven-blau/

As discussed on the show, bail reform is one of the key ways to keep people out of Rikers. Listen to our two previous episodes on bail:

• The Truth About Bail Reform: https://www.nyclu.org/en/publications/ep-3-truth-about-bail-reform

• Why Can’t We Stop Backtracking on Bail Reform: https://www.nyclu.org/en/publications/s2-ep1-backtracking-bail-reform

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit https://www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit nyclu.org/en/rightsthisway.

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The title of this episode is the major question at the heart of a new book, “The Riders Come Out at Night: Brutality, Corruption, and Cover-Up in Oakland.” The book focuses on the Oakland Police Department, in Oakland, California. But the story it tells – of corruption, brutality, and stymied efforts at reform – is one that can be told about many police departments across New York, including the NYPD.

We get into this rich and deeply frustrating history with the authors of the book, Ali Winston and Darwin BondGraham. We also hear more about police reform generally, and within the NYPD specifically from NYCLU Legal Director Christopher Dunn.

Resources:

Check out more about the book here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Riders-Come-Out-at-Night/Ali-Winston/9781982168599

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit https://www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit nyclu.org/en/rightsthisway.

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April, New York state lawmakers rolled back reforms to the state’s bail laws. If that sounds familiar, it’s because bail reform has now been rolled back three times as a continuous drumbeat of “tough on crime” rhetoric from the media and politicians has paved the way for more and more backsliding. Why does this keep happening? What role do narratives around bail and public safety play in creating an environment where these bad legislative outcomes seem inevitable? How can we stop this dynamic from repeating and what exactly did lawmakers do this time around?

We cover all of this with two guests. First, we talk to media analyst and fellow podcaster Adam Johnson, co-host of the Citation’s Needed podcast. Then we break down what exactly the bail rollbacks were this time around and why there’s still cause for optimism moving forward with NYCLU policy counsel Jared Trujillo.

Resources:

Check out the Citations Needed Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/citationsneededpodcast

Follow Adam Johnson’s Substack: https://substack.com/@thecolumn

Jared's op-ed on bail: https://www.nyclu.org/en/publications/rolling-back-bail-reform-wont-solve-nys-problems-crime-heres-why

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit https://www.nyclu.org/en/campaigns/facts-bail-reform

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit nyclu.org/en/rightsthisway.

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York’s legislative session kicked off last month and already there are political fireworks. Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrats in the state senate clashed over the Governor’s pick to lead the state’s highest court. Judge Hector Lasalle was voted down by the Senate Judiciary Committee, making Hochul the first governor to lose her bid to appoint the state's top judge.

This battle sets the stage for what is sure to be an especially contentious legislative session. How will this early skirmish impact the legislative priorities we care about most? What are the prospects for lawmakers avoiding further roll backs to bail reform and raise the age and for ensuring greater police accountability?

We discuss all of this with Lee Rowland, Policy Director for the NYCLU, and Michael Sisitzky, NYCLU Assistant Policy Director.

Resources:

Follow the NYCLU 2023 Legislative Agenda

Listen to Rights This Way's episodes on the Equal Rights Amendment, bail reform, and policing.

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit nyclu.org/en/rightsthisway.

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

Please download, subscribe, rate, and review Rights This Way wherever you listen to it. It will help more people find this podcast.

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Solitary confinement that lasts more than 15 consecutive days is recognized by the United Nations and various human rights organizations as torture. Even short-term stays can lead to permanent psychological damage and suicidal ideation. Despite these well-documented harms, New York has put thousands of people in solitary confinement in jails and prisons across the state – sometimes for years – with little due process, and often for minor infractions.

In 2021, state lawmakers took a major step towards ending this brutal practice by passing the Humane Alternatives to Solitary Confinement (HALT) Act. There is also a bill with broad support in the New York City council that would go even further than HALT to end solitary in the city’s jails.

But there is evidence that the state is ignoring the requirements laid out under HALT. And the “tough-on-crime” resurgence that has gripped New York is emboldening opponents of solitary reform and ratcheting up the pressure to put more people in isolation.

We talk about this with NYCLU Policy Counsel Jared Trujillo.

More on the pushback to implementing HALT from corrections unions.

More on the negative impacts of solitary.

More on the NYC bill to ban solitary.

NY Focus articles on the state’s non-compliance with HALT.

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There are more than 90,000 unhoused people in New York State on any given night, including more than 60,000 in New York City alone. Nearly half of renters in New York City are rent burdened, meaning they spent more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Meanwhile, rents across the state have skyrocketed and the number of people who face eviction is growing.

Political leaders have not done nearly enough to address this crisis. Why not? And what needs to be done to make sure every New Yorker has access to an affordable home? We’ll break down these questions and more in just a moment.

We discuss this with Julian Morales, NYCLU Senior Housing Strategist, and Lauren Springer, tenant leader with Catholic Migration Services.

Resources:

Read more on the Right to Counsel campaign here.

Learn more about Good Cause eviction here.

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit nyclu.org.

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit nyclu.org/en/rightsthisway.

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

Please download, subscribe, rate, and review Rights This Way wherever you listen to it. It will help more people find this podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.