Disrupted »
Disrupted
On Connecticut Public Radio
& Live Streaming at WNPR.org
Wednesdays
2:00 pm
Rebroadcast
Sundays 2:00 pm
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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Working Towards An Equitable Healthcare System
This hour, we hear about the challenges of equity in healthcare and vaccine distribution among communities of color.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
