Police reform and the "new Jim Crow"
This Thursday at 2 pm, the Portland City Council will conduct a public hearing on a letter of agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice mandating changes in the Portland Police Bureau. Will the federal mandate change of the culture of the Bureau? Will the City Council make sure community concerns are reflected in the agreement? Jo Ann will look at the letter of agreement, who is resisting its implementation and how citizens can make a difference at this critical moment in how the police perform their duties.
In the wake of slavery's abolition, many states adopted what came to be known as Jim Crow laws to sustain white supremacy and control black Americans. While the Jim Crow laws were swept away following decades of struggle by the civil rights movement, black Americans find themselves once again oppressed by de facto Jim Crow conditions: higher arrest and imprisonment rates, redlining, and continued exclusion from full participation in the economy. Jo Ann takes a look at the new Jim Crow with local activists Katheryn Brooks and Nabeeh Mustafa. The conversation will be a preview of a Nov. 8 forum at Portland Community College.
Jo Ann Hardesty is a former state legislator, former director of Oregon Action and past board president of Portland Community Media, as well as a long-time leader in the struggle for racial and economic justice. Dave Mazza is a journalist and former editor of The Portland Alliance who has covered and been involved in Portland's civil rights, environmental, labor and peace movements for over 20 years.
Join Jo Ann and Dave every Thursday as they bring you guests and conversations on issues that are important to you. Support Voices from the Edge by becoming a KBOO member (just click the "tip jar" in the upper right-hand corner on KBOO's homepage to find out how) or consider becoming an underwriter of this program (contact KBOO's underwriting director for details).
Co-Hosts: Jo Ann Hardesty and Dave Mazza
Producers: Dave Mazza and Jo Ann Hardesty
Program Engineer: Steve Nassar
Audio Editor: Alicia Olson