The Round Table: A YVote Podcast

At this week's Round Table, Divya, Inica, and Madeline spoke with John Davidow, who has spent his career in news, most recently running digital for WBUR public radio for a dozen years. John’s current focus is on how we can represent a broader multitude of views and voices inside and outside of the newsroom in order to generate better news. He is well aware that news can be disposable--quick hits that are rather under-nourishing--AND it can also be incredibly enriching--an intimate and immediate “lean back” experience in which listeners are kept in great company, particularly through public broadcasting.  At the heart of it is, of course, telling good stories AND, in some cases, contributing to the historical record by leaving a footprint others can go back. We loved hearing the questions John feels newsrooms should be accountable for: how well are we meeting the needs of the public, and how well do our newsrooms reflect the values and lived experiences of our audience? Are we providing them with relevant, lively content that feels authentic and compelling? Are we taking action to broaden our audience? Who are the voices making the decisions? What are the biases we’re bringing?  Thank you for joining us!

At this week's Round Table, Divya, Eliza, Inica, Madeline, and Olivia spoke with Hardy Merriman, President and CEO of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict.  At the Center, Hardy studies nonviolent movements that are fighting for freedom, justice, and independence all over the world, historically and currently. We talked about what sparks protests, why some movements succeed and others fail, how to quantify success, what strategies work, and what sorts of skills make a difference. We talked about the power of connecting activists and scholars in order to do work more effectively. Hardy helped contextualize protests and acts of civil resistance within a noble tradition. Democracy is more than government buildings and the legal system; some of the things our country can be proudest of--women’s suffrage, labor rights, civil rights-- were achieved through civil resistance. Over the last decade and a half, we’ve seen a backslide in democracy and an increase in authoritarianism internationally--and we’ve seen a commensurate rise in civil resistance, which inspires hope. Thank you for joining us!

At this week's Round Table, Divya, Eliza, Inica, Isaiah, and Madeline spoke with Dimitri Saliani, principal of Eleanor Roosevelt High School on the Upper East Side of New York City about the challenges of running a New York City public high school from one’s kitchen. Leading a school in the time of COVID is no joke, and it was eye-opening and humbling to learn more about all that goes on behind the scenes.  We also spent a good deal of time talking about Mr Saliani’s attempts to foster more integration at the majority white school, as well as to deal with some very challenging racial incidents that have occurred in recent years. His ultimate goal: building global citizens who are equipped to tackle the challenges and opportunities of our time.  His short term goal: making the most of distant learning.  We’re grateful for his efforts and investment in doing this well.  Thank you for joining us!

At this week's Round Table, recorded on the evening of Wed, Jan 20,  Eliza, Inica, Isaiah, Madeline, and Olivia spoke with friend of the pod Nicholas Stefanidis, veteran teacher of Government and U.S. History and the PERFECT guest with whom to discuss the days historic inauguration.  Our podcasters were all in middle school during the last inauguration, making this inauguration all the more meaningful--especially after an insurrection exactly two weeks ago and an impeachment exactly one week ago.  We were so inspired by Biden’s words and tone, and by his emphasis on civility and working across divides. We also, of course, recognize that very hard work lies ahead, and Nicholas reminded us that although change might feel too slow for us, and too fast for others, meaningful progress IS happening, as the inauguration exemplified.  And yes, we also fan-girled and boyed out on 22 year old inaugural poet Amanda Gorman. Thanks so much for joining us!

At this week's Round Table, Divya, Eliza, Inica, and Madeline spoke with Brianna Cea, Cofounder and CEO of Generation Vote, which is building a movement of young people to advance youth voting rights and transform the way young people engage in politics. In light of recent events, we wanted to discuss the history--and future--of civic unrest, protest and, most importantly, movement building and the importance of young people being at the center. Movements don’t get talked about--or built--nearly enough in our view so we broke it down in order to build ‘em up. We talked about the importance of story, strategy, and structure in change-making movements--and of ensuring that all participants have internalized them. We talked about different paths to creating change--outside in as activists vs inside out as electeds--and the power of bringing these paths together.  We talked about how to use our voices as citizens most effectively--and the importance of building and broadening support for democracy and public institutions. And we talked about the power of nonviolent movements remaining nonviolent even in the face of violence and attacks.  Thank you for joining us!

At this week's Round Table, Eliza, Inica, Isaiah, Madeline, Olivia, and I spoke with Michelle Mason and Shanakay Salman from the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution (IIP) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. We recorded this conversation on the evening of Jan 6, just hours after a mob incited by President Trump stormed the Capitol to disrupt Congress certifying the election--and Trump openly condoned the supporters--AND the day after the Special Election in Georgia resulted in two Democrats being elected to the Senate--one black, one Jewish, both historic. It was a rollercoaster of a day and this, along with the treatment of today’s protesters in Washington DC vs treatment of protesters responding to the killing of George Floyd this summer, further demonstrated the stark divisions in our country. These disparities play out very significantly in criminal justice, the work to which Michelle and Shana have devoted their professional lives.  We delved into the issues of the day, which are both disheartening and galvanizing for our work. We hope you emerge feeling as energized for the hard work ahead as we did. Thank you for joining us!