Green Time TV, Sept, 2015: Coping with a Racist Environment
by Don Fitz
Many Americans must exist in an environment plagued by violence and racism. September Green Time episodes explore their world and how they cope.
In February 2012 vigilante George Zimmerman killed Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida. In July 2014 New York police killed Eric Garner with an illegal chokehold as he screamed, “I can’t breathe!” at least 11 times. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide. In November 2014 police killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice as he held a toy airsoft gun in Cleveland, Ohio. In April 2015, Freddie Gray died after being tortured in a Baltimore police van. During the first September Green Time episode, host Don Fitz and Zaki Baruti, of the Universal African Peoples Organization, discuss the connection between traffic stops, police violence and incarceration. They explore why police hiring should reflect ethnic make-up of community.
On November 24, 2014 the St. Louis County Grand Jury announced that Darren Wilson would not be indicted for killing Michael Brown. The second September Green Time features Randall Cahill, of Cahill Partnership, and attorney Jerryl Christmas discussing the roles of prosecuting attorney and grand juries. What were specific problems with Bob McCulloch prosecuting this case. How is working closely with police every day likely to affect the bias of the prosecutor? How open are grand jury proceedings? Are citizens allowed to look at recorded proceedings? Do grand jury proceedings allow everyone who is subpoenaed to have an attorney in the grand jury room to advise them? Who determines what evidence will be provided to the grand jurors?
How does the police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson fit into the history of racism, especially in the St. Louis area? The third September episode of Green Time looks at where the civil rights movement is still unsuccessful and how improvements can be made. Activist Kathi Corbett-Otto and Johnathan McFarland, of Scene Everywhere, explore the myth that we are living in a post-racial society. How can we pull together the many different movements for racial equality, human rights, women’s rights, labor rights and LGBT rights?
The final September Green Time asks why were the Governor’s Commission on Ferguson and the President’s Task Force on Ferguson set up? Rasheen Aldridge, of Young Activists United, was appointed to the Governor’s Commission, which he believes has the power to make people feel uncomfortable from the questions it asks. Katie Gore, of Scene Everywhere, explores what white awareness and activism means for the anti-racism movement. Should activists hold back protests in order to avoid embarrassment to commissions and tasks forces?
September shows include the movies “Die-in at Washington University Medical School,” “The Solution,” “Quick Trip, ” “August 16, 2014 Protest at QT,” “August 30, 2014 March from Canfield to Ferguson Police Dept.,” and “September 2, 2014 Night-time Protest.”
Green Time appears at noon on Saturdays in St. Louis on Channel 24-1 and at 8 pm on Mondays in St. Louis on Channel 24-2, Springfield on Channel 39, Joplin on Channel 36 and Marshfield on Channel 17. Green Time programs air on these dates:
·September 5 & 7: “More Black Lives Lost,”
·September 12 & 14: “Are Grand Juries Searching for Justice?”
·September 19 & 21: “Another Look at Ferguson,”
·September 26 & 28: “Ferguson: The Ongoing Struggle.”
“Like” Gateway Greens on Facebook and click “Get notifications.” Also see Green Time on greentime.tv. To help produce Green Time TV call 314-727-8554 or email don@greentime.tv
