Unconventional Journalist

Unconventional Journalist

By Sam OserNewsPolitics
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Unconventional Journalist episodes

  • Interview: Creating Community in Houston's Third Ward w/ HCEDD

    Uyiosa Elegon and Danielle Johnaé with Houston Coalition for Equitable Development without Displacement (HCEDD) joined me to discuss their work in building community in Third Ward. HCEDD has been working to create a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with Rice Management Company for the development of The Ion, a clean energy incubator. Without the CBA, this development is currently set to displace existing residents already facing gentrification.

    During this interview, we discuss the barriers set by the neoliberal establishment for this CBA even though it was the establishment who set forth these rules. We also discuss Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs) and the movement to create community outside of the parameters given to us.

    1 hr 10 min
  • Black Trans Empowerment Week w/ The Mahogany Project

    Verniss McFarland, executive director of The Mahogany Project, joins me to discuss their upcoming Black Trans Empowerment Week, Nov. 15 - 21, 2021. See the full line up of events that week by clicking here.

    Before the interview, we discussed resources for the Astroworld Tragedy 2021, compiled by Anna María (@onlyannamaria).

    52 min
  • Spooky Edition: Government Surveillance

    Happy Halloween!

    Part 1: Government Surveillance

    • A Florida Anarchist Will Spend Years in Prison for Online Posts Prompted by Jan. 6 Riot
    • Here's the FBI's Internal Guide for Getting Data from AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
    • Feds order Google to track people searching certain names or details
    • US Military Document Puts Socialists in Same Category as Neo-Nazis
    • There is a group working to fight these infringements! Electronic Frontier Foundation is chocked full of info on how to protect yourself and a lot more. 

      • Part 2: Texans are Voting on Constitutional Amendments

      • I didn't cover early voting like I should have, but if you're late to the party like I am, the last day to vote is Nov. 2, 2021 and we covered the proposed constitutional amendments with an article by Andrew Zhang in the Texas Tribune.

        • Part 3: Bringing it Back Home

        • Houston METRO Workers Union Celebrates Historic Contract
        • Houston Tenants Union Crowd Fundraiser
          • 1 hr 13 min
        • Striketober, Stop TxDOT I45 Update, & Karankawa Request Help to Remove Markers

          Covered a wide range of things on this report!

          1st part:

          • CIA caught in plot to assassinate or kidnap award winning journalist, Julian Assange

            • 2nd part:

            • Striketober, bitches! Thousands are striking in this generation's largest labor movement. From NYC taxi drivers hunger strikes to in-the-field interviews from Status Coup at John Deere strike, there is a lot of movement. 
            • Stop TxDOT volunteer paid $160 to attend a TAG Houston luncheon and to speak on the #TrueStateofTxDOT only to have a cop pull a gun on her and escort her out of the building. The oligarchy loves to use police force to protect corporate interests, and it's no different here in our own backyard.

              • 3rd part - Get involved!:

              • Karankawa Kadla are requesting help to remove historical markers that say their people are extinct. Learn more here. This is all online and should only take like 10 minutes to complete. 
              • Volunteer from home! Texas Housers needs volunteers to watch eviction court proceedings and document what happens. Sign up here.
              • Houston Coalition for Equitable Development without Displacement (HCEDD) needs folks to flood Houston City Council with comments and emails regarding the $65 million tax dollars approved for gentrification without a Community Benefits Agreement.
                • 45 min
              • Interview: "Enraged, Rattled, and Wronged"

                Kristin J. Anderson, Professor of Psychology at the Center for Critical Race Studies at the University of Houston-Downtown, joins me to unpack the relationship between structural power, privilege, and entitlement of people and the United States government.

                Before the interview:

                • Berlin Seized 240,000 Properties From Corporate Landlords
                • There is a reconciliation bill happening in Congress, and there's a lot of political theater around getting people help - Status Coup has the story
                • Houston Abolitionist Collective's new call to action demands depopulation in the Harris County Jail since 87% of those imprisoned haven't even faced pretrial #ClearTheOggClog
                • Bayou Action Street Health is still collecting and distributing resources for those affected by Hurricane Ida, get connected with them

                  • During the interview with Professor Anderson, we discuss points from her book and tie it to current events. You can get her book, Enraged, Rattled, and Wrong, here. 

                  1 hr 6 min
                • Proton Mail, Stop TxDOT I45 Update, & Our Crumbling Supply Chain

                  Today's report covered three topics: ProtonMail, Stop TxDOT I45, and our supply chain.

                  This week ProtonMail handed over user data from climate activists to the French government. We talked about what, why, and the statement they released.

                  Ally with Stop TxDOT I45 called in to talk about the org's door knocking action and how people can get involved. The Federal Highway Administration was getting ready to come to town to investigate civil rights complaints against TxDOT. It has been postponed due to COVID, but the movement to educate and stop the freeway expansion doesn't stop there. 

                  Then lastly I touched on the growing concerns around our supply chain and what could come to pass.

                  Image credit: Stop TxDOT I45 - https://www.instagram.com/reel/CTqUgGcgU1w/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

                  1 hr 3 min
                • Profiting Off Afghanistan, New TX Laws, & Movement Update in Houston

                  This general report is has three segments: Afghanistan, Texas, and Houston.

                  1) The war machine is looking for its next war; don't let troops being pulled out of Afghanistan fool you. We talk do an overview of US imperialist history, how we created the Taliban, and what possibly may be next. 

                  2) Texas isn't fascist enough! We reviewed some of the new laws that have passed and a few that are taking place in this special session. Throwback to a list of Abortion Resources.

                  3) So many things!

                  • Food Not Bombs serves the houseless food at the library, and this week the mayor decided to try to kick them out. They are anticipating police presence and request people come through. 
                  • Houston Coalition for Equitable Development without Displacement (HCEDD) is having a meeting on Tues to debrief the recent TIRZ meeting's decision to not have a Community Benefits Agreement with residents
                  • Update on the Stop TxDOT I45 movement and this report from Link Houston
                  • Alice Torres and Barbara Herndon share their stories on still being displaced after Hurricane Harvey, recorded by West Street Recovery and Texas Housers
                  • Here's a list of groups affected by Hurricane Ida to connect and send help
                    • 1 hr 23 min
                  • Voting Rights Attorney Speaks on Texas Voter Suppression

                    Emily Eby, a voting rights attorney with Texas Civil Rights Projects, joins me on All Real Radio to discuss the recent walkout Texas Democrats did and to provide more info on the voter suppression bills. In 2013, the Supreme Court undid voting protection laws and it has been an uphill battle since. How does that translate to what the Democrats are trying to do in Washington DC?

                    Resources:

                    866-OUR-VOTE – open during election season if you have questions or want to report an incident

                    See all the bills in plain language - https://txcivilrights.org/2021-special-session/ 

                    56 min
                  • How the Houston Arrow Highlights Inequities

                    Leah Binkovitz, journalist and PhD student, joins me to unpack how the oligarchs of the past created a safe haven for themselves in Houston. From environmental racism to COVID vaccination rates, the Houston Arrow shows the concentration of wealth and how they benefit from it.


                    Read the article: https://onebreathhou.org/houston-arrow/4_moving-beyond-maps/

                    48 min
                  • Unpacking the Inhumane Conditions of the Harris County Jail

                    County jails serve up some of the most inhumane conditions in our country. Most of the folks in jail haven't even been convicted! Gabriela from Texas Jail Project and Goldie, wife of a jailed Black veteran who was criminalized for his PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, join me on All Real Radio to discuss Harris County jail and the systemic issues. We discuss the conditions that spurred the killing of 23-year-old Jaquaree Simmons in Harris County Jail, beaten by jailers and there's no camera footage. His mother needs financial help. If you can, donate to texasjailproject.com/donate or CashApp: $TexasJailProject TJP with the subject line "Jayy," and proceeds will go directly to her. 


                    ~Envelope art from one of the Texas Jail Project clients in Erath county jail, Donnie P. ~

                    1 hr 7 min

                  About Unconventional Journalist

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                  Reporting on the movements that fight back at All Real Radio.