Tell Me More on WBFO

In Arizona, the Tucson Unified School District governing board recently voted to suspend the controversial Mexican American studies program. The move came after the state superintendent John Huppenthal deemed the program in violation of a state law banning, among other things, classes that promote resentment toward a race or class. He speaks with host Michel Martin.

The nations that were touched by that movement are still struggling with uncertainty — from the violence in Syria, to confusion in Yemen and unease with Egypt's elections. Host Michel Martin and Al Jazeera Washington bureau chief Abderrahim Foukara discuss those issues, and rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

The prominent Iranian dissident Ebrahim Yazdi was recently sentenced to eight years in prison, partly because he wrote a letter to Tunisia's Islamist leader that urged him not to go down Iran's path. Just over a year since Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution, host Michel Martin hears from Yazdi's son, Youseph.

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously voted last week that churches are not bound by some workplace discrimination laws. It's being called the most significant ruling on religious freedom in decades. Host Michel Martin discusses the decision with The Washington Post editorial writer and legal affairs expert Eva Rodriguez.

As many people begin to receive their W-2 forms, host Michel Martin and accountant David Baldoza discuss tips on getting a head start on filing taxes.

In sociologist Katherine Newman's new book, The Accordion Family, she argues that globalization and weak economies have caused households to expand and incorporate grandparents, parents and children under one roof. Host Michel Martin speaks with Newman and two other women who live in multi-generational homes.

For many, the struggle for freedom from abuse begins on the playground. The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights has a new effort to address bullying in schools. Kerry Kennedy is the president of the organization and the daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy. She speaks with host Michel Martin.

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MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. In a moment, my weekly Can I Just Tell You commentary. That's in just a few minutes.

But first, we have been talking about the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr. on politics and human rights struggles around the world. But now I want to switch gears and talk about the influence of another powerful 20th century phenomenon: hip-hop.

Host Michel Martin discusses the legacy of MLK Jr. and the future of civil rights with panelists. Martin is joined by Kai Wright of Colorlines.com, Viviana Hurtado of 'The Wise Latina Club,' civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar, and R. Clarke Cooper of the Log Cabin Republicans, an organization for gay members of the GOP.

Host Michel Martin continues her conversation about the legacy of MLK Jr. and today's social justice issues. She speaks with Kai Wright of Colorlines.com, Viviana Hurtado of 'The Wise Latina Club,' civil rights attorney Arsalan Iftikhar, and R. Clarke Cooper of Log Cabin Republicans, an organization for gay members of the GOP.

In the decade since The Boston Globe broke the story about the cover-up of pedophile priests in the Boston Archdiocese, countless Americans have shared their stories of clergy abuse. Bob Hoatson is a former priest who was abused as a teen by church leaders. He speaks with host Michel Martin. (Advisory: This segment may not be suitable for all audiences.)

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MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

Now, we want to call on Michael Rezendes. He is one of the investigative reporters, and the lead writer, on that Boston Globe story that revealed a serious problem with the abuse of children by a number of priests in the Boston Archdiocese. In the months and years that followed, literally hundreds of similar cases were revealed across the country. We want to take a look back at that watershed moment, and we do want to say again that, owing to the subject matter, this may not be an appropriate conversation for everyone.

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MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:

And now, it's time for BackTalk. That's where we lift the curtain on what's happening in the TELL ME MORE blogosphere. Editor Ammad Omar is here again to tell us what listeners are talking about.

But before we hear from him, I want to clarify something. On Wednesday's program, we talked about how former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Republican presidential contender, was under fire for his work at Bain and Company. Actually, it was Romney's tenure at Bain Capital that is the source of the controversy.

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 shapeup this week are author Jimi Izrael, civil rights attorney and author Arsalan Iftikhar, NPR's own political editor, our political junkie, Ken Rudin, and from National Review magazine and the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Mario Loyola.

Take it away, Jimi.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker won a tough fight to strip most public-sector unions of their collective bargaining rights. He now faces a recall effort. In Indiana, politicians want to exempt nonunion employees from paying dues when working alongside union workers. Host Michel Martin speaks with journalists from the two states.

Haiti's earthquake killed hundreds of thousands and ruined the nation's infrastructure. On the second anniversary of the disaster, The Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles says the biggest challenge to recovery is unemployment. Host Michel Martin speaks with Charles and Donald Steinberg of the U.S. Agency for International Development.

President Obama wants to regulate wages for nearly 2 million home care workers. Supporters of the regulation say home care workers are underpaid, but others say the changes could force health care agencies to cut jobs. Host Michel Martin hears from a home care agency director, a client, and a labor reporter.

Mitt Romney is building momentum with wins in Iowa and New Hampshire. But he still faces criticism from fellow Republican rivals as the candidates turn toward South Carolina's primary. Host Michel Martin discusses the latest political news with U.S. News and World Report Columnist Mary Kate Cary and journalism professor Cynthia Tucker.

Panelists discuss the Obama administration's latest immigration proposal that's meant to cut through bureaucracy — but critics call it 'back-door amnesty.' They also weigh in on a controversial new book about the Obamas, and Beyonce and Jay Z's baby. Host Michel Martin hears from ladies of 'The Wise Latina Club', TheGrio.com and ESSENCE.

The Glock is rapped about in hip-hop songs and carried by heroes in action films. It was once touted as the gun of the future, but also derided as a terrorist's best friend. Host Michel Martin and Paul Barrett, author of Glock, discuss how an obscure Austrian manufacturer of door hinges and knives ended up making America's top-selling handgun.

Host Michel Martin discusses trends at this year's auto expo in the Motor City, and what U.S. automakers are doing to capture another year of double-digit profits. She speaks with NPR Business Reporter Sonari Glinton and Michelle Krebs of Edmonds.com, a car industry tracking site.

Tuesday's New Hampshire primary is unlikely to settle the question of who will be the GOP's consensus candidate. Conservative leaders plan to meet in Texas this weekend to try to identify a candidate to coalesce around, and experience will not be an essential factor. Host Michel Martin discusses the GOP hopefuls with Phyllis Schlafly, a conservative leader, author and lawyer.

Suze Orman introduced her prepaid debit card this week, promising low fees and unlimited credit reports. And Wal-Mart is offering various financial services, such as check cashing and bill paying. Host Michel Martin and personal finance expert Alvin Hall discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these new, non-traditional options.

Host Michel Martin discusses the challenges of raising kids who do not look like their parents with Kurt Streeter, an African-American journalist who has written that his son is fair enough to be mistaken as white; Jay Rapp, a white educator and dad of a black daughter and a biracial daughter; and David Youtz, a white man who adopted four daughters from China.

One Maryland prison is seeing a waiting list for inmates to get into a weekly knitting class. Participants of 'Knitting Behind Bars' learn how to make hats, dolls and other small items. The program's co-founder, Lynn Zwerling, talks with host Michel Martin about how knitting has benefited prisoners.

Reporter Robert Melton suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2003. He had to relearn simple tasks, such as brushing his teeth. Host Michel Martin speaks with his wife, Page, about how she adapted to her husband's injury and built a bigger support network around him. The couple's story is featured in this week's Washington Post Magazine.

The number of Americans living under the correctional system fell to 1.6 million in 2010, according to recent government data. Host Michel Martin discusses the decline and efforts to reform the system with former U.S. Attorney General Richard Thornburgh and Adam Gelb, director of the Public Safety Performance Project for the Pew Center on the States.

Sunday marked the 100th anniversary of the African National Congress, which is known for Nelson Mandela's message of equality, as well as recent accusations of government corruption. Host Michel Martin discusses the ANC's complex history with Crystal Orderson of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.