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Disrupted

Disrupted »

Disrupted

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On Connecticut Public Radio
& Live Streaming at WNPR.org

Wednesdays
2:00 pm

Rebroadcast
Sundays 2:00 pm

About
Disrupted

Most of us entered 2020 assuming that the Census, an impeachment trial, and the Presidential election would be the key defining political moments of the year. That all changed in the early spring as a global pandemic upended our lives, and uprisings over police violence and racial inequity captured the public square. These events exposed and deepened longstanding tensions and division in the United States. Join Khalilah Brown-Dean for Disrupted, a new weekly show on Connecticut Public Radio. Every week, we’ll explore how we move through these disruptions to something that’s stronger, more inclusive, and more effective.

Recent Episodes

Bill Lester #8 climbs into his Dodge Motorsports Dodge prior to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Florida Dodge Dealers 250 at the Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 2003 in Daytona, Florida.  (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
July 7, 2021

NASCAR’s Reckoning On Race And Culture

Since it began in 1948, NASCAR has only fielded 8 Black drivers for its top-level cup series. The sport hasn’t been exactly welcoming to people of color.  But following the murder of George Floyd and events of last year, they’re making moves to shed that racist image. On this week’s Disrupted, a history of NASCAR’s […]

More »
Michael Jai White/ Chase W. Dillon
June 30, 2021

Chase W. Dillon On “The Underground Railroad”; Michael Jai White Bringing Jaigantic Studios To CT

  Chase W. Dillon was 9-years-old when he was cast as the role of Homer in The Underground Railroad on Amazon Prime. This hour on Disrupted, Chase talks about his life in Connecticut, his career, and how he’s giving back to his community. And you may know actor Michael Jai White from his roles in “The Dark […]

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Health Equity In The Wake Of COVID
June 22, 2021

Health Equity In The Wake Of COVID

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted a fundamental fact: disparities in health outcomes by race and ethnicity exist across the country and the state, and COVID-19 has taken an unequal toll on Black people, Latinos, and Native Americans. Nationwide, Black Americans are nearly twice as likely to have died during the pandemic than their white counterparts. […]

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BLOCK ISLAND, RI - AUGUST 11: A offshore turbine is visible from Payne Road on Block Island, RI, Aug. 11, 2016.  Three miles off Block Island, the nation's first off-shore wind farm is nearing completion, a milestone that clean energy advocates hope will usher in a new era of wind power. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
June 16, 2021

How The Climate Crisis is Affecting Connecticut’s Future

After years of warning from scientists, the global climate crisis is impacting Americans across the country. This year, we’ve already seen unprecedented ice storms across Texas and one of the worst droughts in modern history in the west. But what kind of changes can we expect in Connecticut? This hour on Disrupted, we dig into […]

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(The Mary and Eliza Freeman Center)
June 9, 2021

The Hidden Black History of Connecticut

June 19th marks the 156th anniversary of Black emancipation in America. Here in Connecticut there are events around the state to mark Juneteenth. It may not be well known that by the American Revolution, Connecticut had the largest number of slaves of all the New England states. In fact, slavery in Connecticut did not officially […]

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People Get Ready Bookstore
June 2, 2021

Bringing New Voices To YA Literature

This Program Originally Aired on December 23rd, 2020. As the country’s young population is becoming more diverse, children’s and young adult literature books are struggling with representation. According to a 2019 report on diversity in books, roughly 42% of books feature a white main character. So, what is being done to disrupt this? This hour […]

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May 26, 2021

Beyond Virtue Signaling: The Real Work Of DEI In The Workplace

After the murder of George Floyd a year ago, many organizations issued statements of solidarity – and commitments to racial equity. So, how are things going for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at work? This hour, we hear from a social psychologist about the reality of creating truly equitable, anti-racist organizations, and about how some Connecticut […]

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A Vote banner hangs at an Amazon fulfillment center early on March 27, 2021 in Bessemer, Alabama. - Amazon Alabama workers are trying to unionize with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) in Birmingham, as clashes intensified between lawmakers and the e-commerce giant ahead of a deadline for a vote that could lead to the first union on US soil at the massive tech company. The visit marks the latest high-profile appearance in the contentious organizing effort for some 5,800 employees at Amazon's warehouse in Bessemer which culminates next week.
Credit:  PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP/Getty Images
May 19, 2021

The Changing Landscape Of Organized Labor In America

  Earlier this year, workers at an Amazon facility in Alabama made national news when they announced their intentions to unionize. While the union vote failed, the news is part of a renewed effort to raise working standards across the country.   Despite the traditional picture of the white male union worker, today unions are […]

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Stock Photo by Getty Images
May 12, 2021

Black Maternal Health And Access To Doula Support

Babies born to Black mothers in Connecticut are more than four times as likely to die before their first birthday compared to babies born to white mothers, according to a study from the Connecticut Health Foundation. Nationally, Black women are three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women, and most […]

More »
Mary Sibande, Sophia Velucia in Conversation
May 5, 2021

Appreciating The Beauty And Culture Of Black Hair

    In March, Connecticut became just the 9th state to pass the CROWN Act, a bill that outlaws discrimination on the basis of one’s hair. The passage of the bill is being heralded by advocates who say Black Americans have been forced to assimilate to white beauty standards in order to succeed. This week […]

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Expanding Vaccine Access And Combating Hesitancy; Talking Justice, Equity, And Healing On A College Campus
April 26, 2021

Expanding Vaccine Access And Combating Hesitancy; Talking Justice, Equity, And Healing On A College Campus

  Although around 50% of Connecticut’s population have received at least one vaccine shot, there are still significant racial disparities. White people are nearly twice as likely as Black people to have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. There’s a push to address the conditions that create vaccine hesitancy in Black and brown communities – but […]

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April 21, 2021

CNN’s Don Lemon Talks To His Friends About Racism ; Changing Perceptions Of Asians In America

    This week, a Minnesota jury found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder in the death of George Floyd. Floyd’s death a year ago prompted calls to end police violence, and usher in broader social change. And now, even with the guilty verdict, many continue to question the meaning of justice. This […]

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Disrupted_Theater
April 14, 2021

Rethinking Theater In A Post-Pandemic World

  In the last year, we’ve seen two disruptions prompt real reckonings about what theater is, and what theater can be.  As the COVID-19 pandemic forced theaters around the world to close their doors, artists and organizations had to find creative ways to reach their audiences. And racial uprisings prompted theaters to question their relevance […]

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April 7, 2021

Disruptors: Young Connecticut Activists Speak Out

This hour on Disrupted, meet three young Connecticut disruptors. These activists are all in their early 20s and they’re finding their voices and power to speak out for issues that are important to them – from racial justice, to transportation, and environmentalism. GUESTS: Katharine Morris – scholar-activist focusing on environmental justice, Masters of Public Policy […]

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https://omny.fm/shows/disrupted/a-new-history-of-african-america-untangling-the-co
March 30, 2021

A New History Of African America; Untangling The Complexities Of Rights In America

  This moment in American history can feel unprecedented. But white supremacist violence and debates over whose rights really matter are hardly new. This hour on Disrupted, we talk to two authors who provide crucial historical and theoretical context to this moment. Keisha N. Blain co-edited Four Hundred Souls, A Community History of African America. […]

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Members of the Connecticut Sun kneel during the playing of the national anthem before a WNBA basketball first round playoff game against the Chicago Sky, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
https://omny.fm/shows/disrupted/how-athletes-are-speaking-out-for-justice
March 23, 2021

How Athletes Are Speaking Out For Justice

This program originally aired December 9, 2020.  The sports world is riding a new wave of athlete activism. After a year of protests, athletes are openly using their platforms after constantly being told “to stick to sports.” So how can they foster change? This hour, we dive into why sports have always been political. We’ll also […]

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A CTPharma employee checks on the cannabis plants. Yehyun Kim/CT Mirror
March 17, 2021

The Role Of Equity In Cannabis Legalization

In his budget address last month, Governor Ned Lamont announced that the legalization of recreational cannabis was a top priority for his administration.  Lamont released his own proposed legalization bill, which legislators in Hartford have already begun to debate.  Many of the questions surrounding the bill center on equity, and whether the state can legalize […]

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Erik Clemons, ConnCAT
https://omny.fm/shows/disrupted/erik-clemons-reflects-on-ten-years-leading-conncat
March 10, 2021

Erik Clemons Reflects On Ten Years Leading ConnCAT; Community College Enrollment On The Decline

  The Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology, or ConnCAT, was started in 2011 in New Haven — modeled after a job training and community organization in Pittsburgh. This hour on Disrupted, we talk to Erik Clemons, who was one of its founders, and who just stepped down as CEO after a decade. He talks […]

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https://omny.fm/shows/disrupted/2020-was-a-record-year-for-gun-sales
March 2, 2021

A Record Year For Gun Sales; The Reality Of The Second Amendment For Black Americans

2020 was a record year for gun sales in the United States – and the largest increase in purchases came from African American communities.

More »
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes
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February 24, 2021

Rep. Jahana Hayes On Why Representation Matters In Politics; Future Of CT GOP

This hour on Disrupted, 5th District U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes joins us to talk about her career in education and politics.

More »
Students and alumni of Howard University, alma mater of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, gather on campus to celebrate her victory with President-elect Joe Biden, Saturday evening, Nov. 7, 2020. Harris, a daughter of Indian and Jamaican immigrants, is set to become the highest-ranking woman in the nation's history. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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February 17, 2021

A Look At A History Of Activism, Leadership, And The Future Of HBCUs

This hour, we’ll hear from a student and a professor about attending an HBCU in Texas and the history of disruptions by HBCUs.  

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Melissa Harris-Perry.
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February 3, 2021

Melissa Harris-Perry on Politics, Maya Angelou, And The Role of TV News

This hour, Melissa Harris Perry joins us to talk about her journey as an educator, her media career, and the importance of telling diverse stories. 

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Akshar Dave/Unsplash
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January 27, 2021

Big Tech And The Social Media “Free Speech Wars”

This hour on Disrupted, we hear about social media moderation and a new audio-only app that is making ripples in the technology world.

More »
EP16
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January 20, 2021

Working Towards An Equitable Healthcare System

This hour, we hear about the challenges of equity in healthcare and vaccine distribution among communities of color.

More »
Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud.(AP Photo/John Minchillo)
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January 13, 2021

What The Georgia Election and Capitol Insurrection Tell Us About America

This hour, we talk about the grassroots organization behind the Democratic win in Georgia and why the violence at the U.S. Capitol was about maintaining white supremacy and privilege in America.

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Cars lined up outside of the Connecticut Governor’s Residence in Hartford on Monday, April 6 in protest of Gov. Lamont’s refusal to release inmates at risk of COVID-19. Protesters remained in their cars honking and waving signs. Tyler Russell/Connecticut Public
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January 6, 2021

Sen. Winfield Previews Legislative Session; Poetry and Prison Reform with Dwayne Betts

This hour on Disrupted, we talk about legislative priorities this session and criminal justice system.

More »
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December 30, 2020

Women, Art and Social Change

In this moment of social change and upheaval, how is the art world responding? This hour we hear from women leading the conversation.

More »
People Get Ready Bookstore
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December 23, 2020

Bringing New Voices To YA Literature

This hour on Disrupted, we delve into the world of young adult literature and why it is important to see representation and diversity in books.

More »
Sarvnaz Michel, a 28-year-old nurse who works in St. Jude Medical Center's COVID-19 unit, video chats with her grandmother, Acar Sharifi, in her home July 14, 2020, in Garden Grove, Calif. Michel's career has forced her to blur and blend her two lives. She juggles decisions like breastfeeding during a pandemic and whether she should move out of her home to keep her son and husband safe. "The thought of infecting either of them or my family," she said. Her voice breaks and her husband, Cody, rubs her back. "It's crazy." (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/ac0be969-d7df-460c-a66c-a6f900e1ebd1/14c1211b-4185-480b-9257-ac4501117cf1/16616656-719c-420b-b448-ac92011ab6b3/audio.mp3
December 16, 2020

Finding Moments Of Joy In A Challenging Year

This hour on Disrupted, we talk about joy in 2020 and how to escape the monotony of daily life by incorporating play.

More »
Members of the Connecticut Sun kneel during the playing of the national anthem before a WNBA basketball first round playoff game against the Chicago Sky, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
https://traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/ac0be969-d7df-460c-a66c-a6f900e1ebd1/14c1211b-4185-480b-9257-ac4501117cf1/bbd5d4a6-2cf8-4d82-9e88-ac8b010fa135/audio.mp3
December 9, 2020

How Athletes Are Speaking Out For Justice

In a year where the sports world has taken a social stance on racial inequality, how can athletes be a force of change? This week on Disrupted, we dive into why sports have always been political and how it can be a platform for change.

More »
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December 2, 2020

Women Balancing Family And Work During COVID-19

This week on Disrupted, we listen to a panel on the deepening challenges women are facing during this pandemic. 

More »
Middletown, CT- Protestors march against racial inequality on Juneteenth.  (Tyler Russell/Connecticut Public)
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November 25, 2020

Policing in 2020: What It Means To Be Black In Blue

In this episode, we are joined by a panel of former and current officers, all of whom represent a perspective that often gets overlooked.

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GRID_Women
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November 18, 2020

The Unstoppable Political Power of Black Women

This hour, we hear how one organization is working to elect Black women. We also hear election reactions from a Connecticut family.

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The 29th Civil War Black regiment/Library of Congress
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November 11, 2020

Remembering CT’s 29th Black Infantry; Supporting Vets During A Pandemic

This week, we hear about a Civil War regiment, Vietnam veteran, and learn about struggles veterans are facing during the pandemic.

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November 4, 2020

Women, Art and Social Change

In this moment of social change and upheaval, how is the art world responding? This hour we hear from women leading the conversation.

More »
MH_Grid
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October 28, 2020

2020 Is A ‘Mental Health Tsunami’

This hour, we hear how stressors from a global pandemic, systemic racism, and an election have caused a ‘mental health tsunami’.

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October 21, 2020

The Legacy of Elijah Cummings; Paul Butler on Policing Black Men

This week on Disrupted, we hear about a congressman’s memoir and legacy. Paul Butler reflects on his experience as a federal prosecutor.

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Middletown, CT- Protestors march against racial inequality on Juneteenth.  (Tyler Russell/Connecticut Public)
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October 14, 2020

Policing in 2020: What It Means To Be Black In Blue

In this episode, we are joined by a panel of former and current officers, all of whom represent a perspective that often gets overlooked.

More »
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October 7, 2020

Creating An America As A “Better Steward Of Its Ideal”

It’s been exactly two weeks since Kentucky’s Attorney General announced no charges would be filed against officers for the death of Breonna Taylor. This hour, we hear from two authors about why the system isn’t working. 

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