Tell Me More on WBFO

A Hair-Touching Exhibit Touches Off A Range Of Reactions

editor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:26:00 +0000

Antonia Opiah and her sister Abigail wanted to start a conversation about hair, but they ended up inspiring a protest. The controversy began with an essay that Antonia wrote for the Huffington Post in which she argued that no one should say, "Can I touch your hair?" without putting some thought into the request:

And if that effort means asking someone if you can touch their hair so it's not something that's foreign to you anymore, ask it. Ask the question.

To Arm, Or Not To Arm The Syrian Rebels?

editor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:02:00 +0000

The White House says the United States will arm Syrian rebels, but a new poll shows most Americans don't like the idea. Guest host Celeste Headlee speaks with Shadi Hamid of The Brookings Institution, about America's current and future involvement in Syria.

Hair Touching Is A No-No

editor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:02:00 +0000

Transcript

CELESTE HEADLEE, HOST:

I'm Celeste Headlee. This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Michel Martin is away. Coming up, we'll talk to the CEO of a six-figure company who launched a hair business when she was nine. But first, can I touch your hair? It's a question many black women say they're often asked. And sometimes people don't ask, they just reach out and grab it. It's a familiar topic here on TELL ME MORE, but a recent project in New York has started the conversation again.

Antonia Opiah and her sister Abigail organized an event in Union Square in New York City.

'Teenpreneur' Makes Money Off Great-Grandma's Hair Recipe

editor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:02:00 +0000

Leanna Archer was just nine-years-old she began using her Haitian great-grandmother's recipe to sell homemade hair care products. Today, she's the CEO of a six-figure business. Guest host Celeste Headlee speaks with the now 17-year-old CEO about being a 'teenpreneur.'

Exhibit Explores US History of 'Rights' Versus 'Privileges'

editor — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 16:02:00 +0000

Transcript

CELESTE HEADLEE, HOST:

This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Celeste Headlee. Michel Martin is away. Coming up, we'll glimpse into the mind of a sociopath. We'll hear from an author who says she is a sociopath, but your assumptions about people like her might be completely off-base. That's in a few minutes.

First, we want to focus on a new exhibit coming to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. This exhibit tells the story of the battle for human rights in the United States for women, for minorities, and for immigrants.

Books Your Kid Might Give Up Video Games To Read

editor — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:07:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but maybe you just need a few moms in your corner. Every week, we check in with a diverse group of parents for their comments and some savvy advice.

Today, we want to get some advice about something you've probably been thinking about. If you have school-age children, you've probably gotten the message that you need to keep their heads in the academic game somehow over the summer, especially reading.

Fixing Credit Report Errors: More Hassle That It's Worth?

editor — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:04:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

We're going to switch gears now and talk about matters of personal finance. A recent report from the Federal Trade Commission found that one in four consumers had errors in their credit reports. And that might seem like a minor inconvenience until you need to take out a loan or get a mortgage, when it could become a major headache. So we thought this would be a good time to talk with one of our regular money coaches about this and what to do about this. Louis Barajas is an author and personal finance counselor.

President Obama, 'Honest And Trustworthy?'

editor — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:58:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. Coming up, data mining and privacy issues are in the news. But we want to talk about some data that could affect your life in ways you might not have considered. We're talking about your credit reports and we'll talk about how errors can appear and cost you plenty, and what to do about that. That's coming up later in the program.

But first, we want to talk politics because the president is overseas.

New Report Finds Many Teachers Aren't Ready To Teach

editor — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:58:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. If you are a parent, you might be breathing a sigh of relief or already tearing your hair out trying to find things for the kids to do. Yes, it's that time. It's summer. One thing you'll probably want them to do, though, is keep reading. So our moms roundtable will pass on some of their tried and true methods for getting even reluctant readers to keep reading through the summer.

Why Do We Keep Forgetting About Gun Control?

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:44:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. You've probably heard that the Supreme Court is set to rule sometime soon on an important case about affirmative action in higher education. We decided we wanted to find out more about the young woman whose name is on the case, Abigail Fisher. That's coming up later in the program.

But first we want to go back to a story that commanded so much of our attention last year - the shooting at a school in Newtown, Connecticut.

SCOTUS And Affirmative Action: Who Is Abigail Fisher?

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:44:00 +0000

The Supreme Court is weighing a decision on Abigail Fisher's affirmative action case against the University of Texas. Host Michel Martin speaks with ProPublica writer Nikole Hannah-Jones about Fisher's motivation and what's behind the landmark case.

Dear Harvard, My Career Deserved More Respect

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:44:00 +0000

In 1961, Phyllis Richman started applying to graduate school at Harvard. But she was discouraged when a professor asked how she would balance her professional life with 'responsibilities' to her husband. Host Michel Martin speaks with Richman about a response letter she wrote 52 years later.

African-Americans And Gay Marriage: It's Complicated

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:44:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Among the many explosive issues the Supreme Court is expected to take on this year is the issue of same-sex marriage: whether same-sex couples should have the same benefits as straight ones. But one of the most sensitive aspects of that issue is the element of race. Documentary filmmaker Yoruba Richen takes on both of those issues in a new documentary called "The New Black."

(SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY "THE NEW BLACK")

SHARON LETTMAN-HICKS: LGBT rights is in its revolutionary phase right now.

'Talladega Nights' Revs Up Actress Paul Patton

editor — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:44:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Finally, you know those movies you pull out time and time again when you're not sure what to watch? Well, our colleagues at Weekends on All Things Considered have been asking filmmakers and actors about the movies they never get tired of watching. Today, we hear from actress Paula Patton. She's known for her roles in "Precious" and "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol." And she tells us about one of her favorites.

(SOUNDBITE OF MOVIE, "TALLADEGA NIGHTS")

PAULA PATTON: Hi, I'm Paula Patton and I'm an actress.

Decades Later, Her Fans Prove Buika's Teacher Was Wrong

editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:24:00 +0000

Host Michel Martin and editor Ammad Omar open up the listener inbox for backtalk. This week, there's a lot of love for Spanish singer Buika.

Kanye: 'Complete Awesomeness' Or Completely Overrated?

editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:24:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR news. Now, it's time for our weekly visit to the barbershop where the guys talk about what's in the news and what's on their minds. Sitting in the chairs for a shape-up this week our writer and culture critic Jimi Izrael, with us back in Washington D.C. Also here in Washington, Paul Butler. He's a law professor at Georgetown University. Fernando Villa is the director of programming for Fusion, that's an ABC/Univision venture, with us from Miami.

Sanford Under The Spotlight As Trial Begins

editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Sanford Under The Spotlight As Trial Begins The national media has descended on the town of Sanford, Florida, for the trial of George Zimmerman. He's the man accused of murdering teenager Trayvon Martin. Host Michel Martin speaks with Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett to find out how emotions are running in his town.

Orthodox Jews Gear Up For First Women Leaders

editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Breaking the norms of faith isn't always easy — especially for Orthodox Jews. But Ruth Balinsky Friedman wants to take up the traditionally male-dominated role of faith leader. She speaks with host Michel Martin about what a woman can bring to the position.

Pulitzer Winner's Personal Film About Being Undocumented

editor — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

We're switching gears now to another story that's emotional for many people, especially now as Congress continues to try to work through an overhaul of the country's immigration laws. Jose Antonio Vargas is living that debate. He was 12 when his mother sent him from the Philippines to live with his grandparents in the U.S. At 16, he discovered he did not have the legal right to be here, especially not to work here.

Is Immigration Reform Really Going Anywhere?

editor — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:57:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Coming up, 50 years ago this summer, Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. So we're asking you, what's your dream for today? Listeners have already been sending us tweets. We'll hear some of them later in the program and we'll tell you how you can participate if you would like. But first, we want to talk about a bill that represents a dream for millions of people in this country right now, and that's immigration reform.

Flamenco Sensation Buika Embraces Her 'Animal' Voice

editor — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 17:27:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQdGSa-x2rw

Hacktivists: Heroes Or, Well, Hacks?

editor — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:54:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. Coming up, the British government has recently agreed to pay reparations to more than five thousand Kenyans who faced torture and other severe abuse during the rebellion against colonial rule in the 1950s. We'll find out what's behind this landmark settlement. But first we want to follow up on the conversation many Americans have been having about technology and privacy.

Tell Me More Wants Your Dream

editor — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:54:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

This is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. I'm Michel Martin. Coming up, we'll meet Spanish flamenco singer, Buika. Her interesting personal story and heritage infuse her totally unique sound. We'll hear that later in the program. But first, we want to dig into this country's heritage and the many profound signature moments that have made this country what it is today. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech is surely one of those moments. That speech was delivered 50 years ago this summer.

Mau Mau Settlement: How Much Cash Fixes The Past?

editor — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:54:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

There's a saying that the past is never really past. We have a story that speaks to that now. It dates from the era of British colonial rule in Africa. The British government recently agreed to pay reparations to more than five thousand Kenyans who the government acknowledged had been subjected to torture and other abuses by colonial administrators during the so-called Mau Mau Insurgency against British rule in the 1950s. In that time, more than 150,000 Kenyans were placed into detention camps where thousands suffered severe mistreatment.

Want To Know Something? Just Ask

editor — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Finally, today I was thinking about one of those heartbreaking lessons you must learn if you are to survive as a journalist, which is, there are many, many people who do not care what's true. No matter how many times you tell some people that President Obama is not a Muslim, or that there are actually many more white people benefiting from food stamps than blacks or Latinos, there're people who just can't wait to tell you why you're wrong because, well, they know a guy who said the opposite and they like his story better.

50 Years Of Remembering Medgar Evers, His Widow Reflects

editor — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:42:00 +0000

Transcript

MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

I'm Michel Martin. And this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. We start the program today with a memory. Fifty years ago today, a few minutes after midnight, civil rights activist Medgar Evers was gunned down in his driveway in Jackson, Mississippi by a white segregationist who wanted to stop Evers' work as a field organizer for the NAACP. He was just 37 years old, a war veteran, a husband, and father of three. Evers had put his life on the line to register voters.

Designer Ozwald Boateng On Being The 'Statesman of Cool'

NPR Staff — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:42:00 +0000

Ozwald Boateng was the youngest and first black tailor to have a shop on London's prestigious Savile Row, a street renowned for its fine tailoring, where the world's royalty come for their attire.

Boateng also dresses athletic and Hollywood royalty.

Interest Rates Up: Could Spell Uncertainty For Home Loans, Retirement

editor — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:04:00 +0000

Interest rates have shot up recently, and if the rise continues, it could affect everything from home loans to retirement plans. Host Michel Martin speaks with Roben Farzad of Bloomberg Businessweek about whether you should do anything to prepare, if rates continue to climb.

Father Knows Best: Advice For Modern Dads

editor — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Looking ahead to Father's Day this weekend, Tell Me More's parenting panel dishes some advice. Host Michel Martin is joined by some pros — Dan Bucatinsky, Lester Spence and Manny Ruiz — who answer listener questions about how best to parent in today's busy world.

Can Privacy And Security Go Hand In Hand?

editor — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:53:00 +0000

Has America's definition of privacy changed? There's been concern over recent reports of the government collecting massive amounts of internet and phone data. But in the age of Facebook and smartphones, people often offer up private information — disclosing their whereabouts on apps like Foursquare. Host Michel Martin examines the future of digital privacy.