A Five Part Series from TTBOOK!

Public Radio International

Wisconsin Public Radio

THE BLACK GENERATION GAP

Program 08-04-27-A

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Do African-Americans believe Jesse Jackson speaks for them? A resounding 72% between the ages of 18 and 45 say "No." In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, the battle between the Civil Rights generation and the Hip-Hop generation. We'll speak to young blacks about who does speak for them. And, a candid conversation with Reverend Jackson himself about why the Civil Rights Movement still matters.

SEGMENT 1:

Todd Boyd is the author of "The New H.N.I.C.: The Death of Civil Rights and the Reign of Hip Hop." He tells Anne Strainchamps it's time for the Black Community to let go of the dusty lessons of the Civil Rights Movement and embrace the ideals of hip hop. But, Rev. Jesse Jackson is not about to go quietly. He tells Steve Paulson not to confuse a music genre with basic freedoms, and outlines his contributions as a Civil Rights leader over the past 40 years.

SEGMENT 2:

Keli Goff conducted survey research with African-Americans between the ages of 18 and 45 for her book, "Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence." She tells Steve Paulson that today's young Black voters don't look at politics through the lens of the Civil Rights Movement. Also, rapper Boots Riley is an activist who uses hip hop lyrics like a political weapon. He talks with Anne Strainchamps about using his music for social change and we hear excerpts from his new CD, "Pick A Bigger Weapon".

SEGMENT 3:

Debra Dickerson is the author of "The End of Blackness" and a contributing writer to Mother Jones magazine. She talks with Jim Fleming about how African Americans may use their blackness as a self-limiting excuse not to achieve. And she's sick of it.

CD copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 08-04-27-A.

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Books:

Todd Boyd. The New H.N.I.C.: The Death of Civil Rights and the Rise of Hip Hop (New York University Press)
Debra Dickerson. The End of Blackness (Pantheon Books.)
Keli Goff, Party Crashing: How the hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence (Basic Civitas Books)

Websites:

• Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.:
  http://www.rainbowpush.org

• Boots Riley:
  http://www.thecoupmusic.net
  

Music:

• “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy off of their CD “Let the People Speak” on Def Jam Records.
• “We Shall Overcome” by Mahalia Jackson off of the CD “Freedom: A History of Us (Original Soundtrack Recording) on Song Music.

• “#15” by DJ Q-BERT off of his CD “A Preskool Breakmix” on Demolition Pumpkin Squeeze Music.

• “89.9 REMIX” by DJ Krush off of his CD “Holonic: The Self Mega Mix” on BIEM Records.
• “We Are the Ones” by The COUP off of their CD “Pick A Bigger Weapon” on Epitaph Records.
• “Fixation” by The COUP off of their CD “Steal This Album” on Dogday Records.
• "Heven Tonite" by The COUP off of their CD “Party Music” on 75 Ark Records.
• Boots Riley’s performance of “Underdogs” (off of The COUP off the CD “Steal This Album” on Dogday Records) was done live in the studio.
• The mashup of “We Shall Overcome” and “Fight the Power” that ended the show was done by Todd Witter.

• The mashup of “We Shall Overcome” and DJ Q-BERT that started the show was done by Charles Monroe-Kane.

Distribution dates: week of 04/27/2008 - hour 1

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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