Stage Four: America In Upheaval
03/14/01: Can Dreams Come True? The 1963 March on Washington Gives it a Whirl
Neda writes about the 1963 March on Washington, a massive yet peaceful demonstration for justice during the Civil Rights movement. The event was a realization of A. Philip Randolph's dream for a march as well as a stage for Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
03/17/01: Conspiracy, garbage and a living wage: The undoing of a hero
Neda and Irene meet with Reverend Samuel Kyles to speak about the late Martin Luther King Jr., the garbage workers' strike that brought him to Memphis in 1968, and the fateful shot that prematurely ended his life. Reverend Kyles was with Dr. King at the Lorraine Motel when he was shot.
03/21/01: Reading, Writing and… Torture? Not your Typical School.
Neda and Irene visit the School of the Americas (now known as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) to learn about military training of Latin American soldiers as part of JFK's Alliance for Progress. The school has changed its name but can it escape the allegations of human rights abuses and torture? We talk to opponent Father Roy Bourgeois, founder of the SOA Watch.
03/24/01: You go, girl! Empowering women everywhere
Neda looks at way women and feminism have been portrayed in media from 1950s to today. looks at what has changed pop culture, but also what still needs to change. Two organizations-Girls Inc. and SisterGirls-are spotlighted.
04/07/01: Commune with a refrigerator full of cheese!
Neda looks at the growth of communes in the late 1960s and reasons for their continued existence today. She visits The Farm in Tennessee and Twin Oaks in Virginia.
Stage Five: The US at the New Millenium
04/14/01: The "Third Rate Burglary" that Brought Down a President
Neda visits D.C. to write about the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Nixon. She interviews Carl Feldbaum, a member of the Watergate Special Prosecution team, and looks at the legacy of the scandal.
04/21/01: Neda - The after effects of Saddam's bombs
Neda looks at the U.S.' involvement in the Persian Gulf War and the continued impact that sanctions and bombings have had on the Iraqi people. She interviews a veteran from the war and visits with the Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace.
04/25/01: A Few Drinks Can Last a Lifetime
Neda takes a look at the leading known cause of mental retardation, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, as part of the continuum of problems caused by drinking during pregnancy. She looks at the various mental and behavioral symptoms, with mention to the issue of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Although there is no cure, FAS is 100% preventable.
04/28/01: Neda - The prison industry - too many people, too many prisons
A critical look at the U.S. prison system, focusing on rising incarceration rates, prison labor, and racial disparities. Neda visits two organizations that are trying to make a difference: the Human Kindness Foundation, which focuses on spiritual growth in prisons, and the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center, which boasts the Prisoner Rights Project.
05/02/01: More than Just a Side of Fries: Living in a Fast Food Nation
Neda and Stephen look at all the ways that fast food has infiltrated into our society. From the huge teenage workforce to the conditions in the meatpacking industry to the widespread obesity among Americans, it is clear that the Big Mac has taken over. Yet it is important to remember that yes, there are alternatives to our "fast food nation.
05/05/01: Neda - So what exactly is a "trekker" anyway?
Neda reflects on all the joys and wonders of being a Trekker!
