First and second hours: Examining the themes from then-Senator Obama's famous 2008 speech on race
We mark eight years since what was perhaps Barack Obama's most famous address: his speech on race in Philadelphia. At the time, Senator Obama was locked in a tight battle with Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for president. He was dealing with questions about his association with Reverend Wright. Obama's speech, "A More Perfect Union," addressed a wide range of issues related to race in America. We're spending both hours of the show looking back to ask:
How has our country improved, relative to the themes of the speech?
How have we regressed?
How can we do better?
Our first-hour guests all serve in local government. In studio:
- James Sheppard, Monroe County legislator and former Rochester police chief
- Van White, Rochester City School Board president
- Simeon Banister, Henrietta Democratic Committee leader
- Adam McFadden, Rochester City Council member
Our second-hour guests are active in our community in various ways, and will discuss themes in the speech from their own perspectives. In studio:
- Shawn Brown, program coordinator for Teen Empowerment
- Dwayne Mahoney, executive director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Rochester
- Danielle Ponder, criminal defense attorney and lead singer of Danielle Ponder and the Tomorrow People
- Verdis Robinson, professor of history and African American studies at Monroe Community College
