"Start by doing what's necessary, then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
-- Saint Francis of Assisi
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"Start by doing what's necessary, then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible." -- Saint Francis of Assisi
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Get Involved
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August 29, 2008 | |||||||
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 GoodThings on Public Radio February 21, 2002 We want to hear from you. What's the best public radio story or show you heard this past week? Share. If you want to listen, you'll need RealPlayer on your computer. (If you don't already have it, it's a FREE download.) Visit Real Networks. FRIDAY, February 15 | Apologizing for Past Wounds In 1961, Patrice Lumumba, the first leader of the newly independent Congo, was assassinated with backing from former imperial power, Belgium. Last week, over 40 years after an event that sent the Central African nation into a downward spiral of chaos and corruption, Belgium apologized for its role. Commentator Ken Wiwa, son of assassinated Nigerian activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, argues that it's the responsibility of European and American countries that once colonized the continent not only to apologize but to tell the full truth for their past wrongdoing in Africa to ensure a more hopeful future. [Morning Edition] Listen (length of clip 3 min 15 sec). :: Learn more about the recent film Lumumba. :: Buy your copy of commentator Ken Wiwa's book In the Shadow of a Saint: A Son's Journey to Understand His Father's Legacy. SATURDAY, February 16 | The Father of Black History This year marks the 76th anniversary of the celebration of a dedicated time each year to focus on the history of African-Americans. What began in February 1926 as Negro History Week, soon developed into Black History Month due in no small part to the tireless efforts of Carter G. Woodson. A son of slaves, Woodson earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University and is often thought to be the father of black history, singlehandedly turning it into an academic discipline. In the beginnning, Black History Month was commemorated in local celebrations, but by the 1940s had become a recognized national institution. [Weekend Edition Saturday] Listen (4:01). :: Buy your copy of Jacqueline Goggin's book Carter G. Woodson: A Life in Black History. SUNDAY, February 17 | New Face of Indian Politics Perhaps it is only the disgust that most people of India feel toward corrupt politicians that will make them overlook a centuries-old caste system that renders people known as eunuchs to society's lowest rung. Increasingly, eunuchs are entering the political arena as independents, campaigning on the idea that they have no favors to fill, no tendencies toward cronyism. This might prove to be enough to voters in the city of Kanpur. Many simply want to elect candidates who want only to improve people's lives, rather than abuse their power. While some continue to see eunuchs as "freaks," others are beginning to think some eunuch candidates can truly make democracy work. [Weekend Edition Sunday] Listen (6:08). MONDAY, February 18 | Afghanistan: The Next Generation Three years ago, a group of Washington DC-area Afghan-American professionals began to meet over coffee to discuss a part of the world many of them had never seen but to which they felt profoundly connected. Most of their parents had fled war-torn Afghanistan in search of a better life for their children. These informal coffee gatherings offered an opportunity to speak their native language or to just talk about the continuing problems facing Afghanistan. Since 1999, though, the group has begun to take action, starting programs that they hope will help in the long process of rebuilding. They represent an educated new generation of people willing to take risks for a land they love. [The World] Listen (5:17). :: Learn more about Afghans for Tomorrow. TUESDAY, February 19 | Dance Music for Kids Five-time Grammy nominees Cathy and Marcy hope they'll finally win the grand prize in this year's "Best Children's Music" category with their hit album All Wound Up. The duo takes a slightly different approach to making music for kids, recognizing that the children of today crave something more than did the kids a half-century ago. Cathy and Marcy mix Celtic, old-time, and jazz sensibilities to bring a richness to their sound that's rare in most music kids have to listen to. By constantly performing for audiences of children, they've figured out what it is about music that thrills children of different ages. Even the most "grown-up" kids find it impossible not to dance to Cathy and Marcy's tunes. [Morning Edition] Listen (7:19). 
:: Buy your copy of Cathy and Marcy's album All Wound Up.WEDNESDAY, February 20 | Art for the Shopping Masses Commentator Guillermo Gomez-Pena proposes an ingenious strategy to guarantee funding for the arts -- put the contemporary art on cable TV. People love to shop for junk on television -- why not art? His idea for a Home Shopping Art Channel would enable people to buy their favorite pieces off of the television, giving artists the means to continue their work. Independent filmmakers would also benefit from the channel, having an opportunity to produce short documentaries promoting the art and the artists. Pena's dream channel would be groundbreaking in its creativity and would liberate arts funding from the whims and biases of politicians. [All Things Considered] Listen (3:30). THURSDAY, February 21 | The Joy of Traffic In congested Lagos, Nigeria, one of the best things in life is sitting in traffic -- at least when the so-called "Dancing Traffic Cop" is on the job. His hands and body in constant motion, he's been the talk of the town for twenty years. And with broken traffic lights common at his intersection, his spirited cure for "go-slows" has a way of making people forget their troubles. (local speak for traffic jams) [Morning Edition] Listen (3:30). [ : previous week : ] WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. Did we miss a good public radio story this week? Want to recommend one for next week? Share it with us! |
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