First hour: How can tenants protect their rights?
Second hour: "Re-energizing the Legacy of Frederick Douglass"
More than 88,000 homeless families are living in shelters across New York State. That’s according to a new housing activism campaign called Housing Justice for All. The coalition of state advocacy groups is dedicated to helping low-income tenants and homeless New Yorkers secure affordable, safe, and warm housing. The movement was launched in early January, coming just days before tenants in two Rochester apartment complexes exposed inadequate heating and additional problems in their buildings. So what can tenants do to protect their rights? Some groups push the idea of a local Housing Court. Others are relying on advocacy at the state level. Our guests share the latest regarding tenants’ rights. In studio:
- Ryan Acuff, member of the City-Wide Tenant Union and Take Back the Land
- Kawanais Smith, tenant union president at Southview Towers
- Jesus Miranda, resident of 960 Dewey Avenue
Then in our second hour, Monroe County and the City of Rochester are teaming up with a number of local organizations to celebrate the legacy of abolitionist and Rochester resident Frederick Douglass. Douglass never knew the exact date of his own birth, but he eventually determined that he was born in February 1818. Now, 200 years later, the “Re-energizing the Legacy of Frederick Douglass” project will help the community explore his life and work. This hour, we’ll discuss Douglass’ legacy and his impact on Rochester, we’ll preview the events and activities tied to the year-long program, and we’ll discuss what Douglass would think about the politics of today. Our guests:
- Carvin Eison, co-director of the Re-Energizing the Legacy of Frederick Douglass Project; associate professor of journalism, broadcasting and public relations at the College at Brockport; and general manager of Rochester Community Media
- Bleu Cease, co-director of the Re-Energizing the Legacy of Frederick Douglass Project; and executive director of Rochester Contemporary Art Center
- Christine Ridarsky, Rochester city historian
