For Black History Month and in honor of Rosa Parks' birthday (February 4th!), we take a look at her life, including the importance the Highlander Folk School in Monteagle, Tennessee had on her life and activism. Another connection Parks had to Tennessee were the words spoken by then-Senator Frist as she was lying in state in the US Capitol Rotunda.

What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

"Why can't we feed everyone? This is the United States!" You’ve donated or received food assistance during the pandemic, will the need ever end? In this two-part episode, you'll hear from a local community group that uses unused food portions to feed people in their area, and from the Tennessee Justice Center, which defines and discusses the reasons for food insecurity. What can we do to alleviate it now and eliminate it post-pandemic? 

Guests:

Rick Wright, Director of Dining Services University of the South

Rev. David Goodpaster, Director of Otey Memorial Parish's Community Action Committee

Signe Anderson Director of Nutritional Advocacy at Tennessee Justice Center

What About Us? is honored to be a part of the TN Holler Podcast Network.

How are the responses to AIDS in South Africa and COVID in the US similar and how do we stop denialism before it kills us? Renee Schatteman, Associate Professor of Postcolonial and World Literature at Georgia State University, joins the show to talk about what we can learn from South Africa's mistakes during the AIDS epidemic and their successes in their response to COVID. Cultural considerations come to the podcast! We apologize for a few audio issues in this episode but hope you enjoy the substantive content.

Read Renee's article here

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Jess Wilson joins again to talk about local food farming programs during the Covid pandemic as well as issues our farmers continue to face as they try to bring income and work equality to a rural industry.

Jess' Business:  In Town Organics and Summer Fields

National Young Farmers Coalition

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Perceived problems with the 2020 election are historical but many things like government IDs, long lines, limited hours, closed polling places, intimidation and misinformation have been chipping away at our ability and willingness to vote for years.  We the people will need to overcome voter fraud in all its forms or risk losing our right to self-govern.

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Dr. John Palisano, former Professor at the University of the South, joins again to talk about the Coronavirus and why it has proven to be so deadly, but also about the amazing science and technology that will bring us vaccines in the next few weeks.  How do vaccines work and why it is so important to get one? Effective and safe - welcome back science, we missed you!

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All of our great Rural Caucus candidates were defeated.  TNDP Rural Caucus Chair Anne Quillen tells us why Democrats struggle to win in Tennessee.  In reality, we all have many similarities in our ideas and dreams of a good life but when misinformation and divisiveness rule no one will be able to achieve them.  We discuss how Democrats can better get their message to more voters and create a better Tennessee.

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This is a rebroadcast of the  August 27, 2020 episode of with Dr. Andrea Hatcher.  This election we DO have a clear winner in both the electoral college and popular vote but it hasn’t always been the case. Donald Trump would never have been President if not for the antiquated and un-Democratic Electoral College. Dr. Hatcher also proposes that spreading misinformation about a candidate or election is a form of fraud.

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We hear "Erasing history" and "destroying our heritage” but what does one family member raised in the South and great-grandson of a revered Confederate General think about the removal of a monument from the public square? Louis Rice joins to discuss.

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We conclude our interviews with Tennessee state candidates with Dr. Jenn Foley running for House District 65. She summarizes issues and concerns expressed by constituents across the state and the need for relief from the GOP super-majority agenda.  We need more discussion, representation and balance, along with less arrogance and paternalism. Please go out and vote for a better Tennessee for all Tennesseans.

What About Us? is honored to be a part of The TN Holler Podcast Network.