Si Se Puede - Airs Jan. 25

It's been 72 years since the "strike heard round the world" -- when autoworkers in Flint, Michigan, occupied a General Motors plant and and jumpstarted the union movement in the United States.  But in recent years, as the power of unions in the U.S. has waned, sit-down strikes have been more common in Latin America, Europe and Canada.


Things finally changed in December of 2008 when immigrant Latino, African American, and white workers occupied the Republic Windows and Door Factory in Chicago.

Producers Dan Collison and Elizabeth Meister of Long Haul Productions spoke with the workers and organizers at Republic about their decision to stand up by sitting down -- the first American sit-down action since the 1937-38 Flint strike. Their documentary, "Si Se Puede" (Yes We Can), is an intimate account of the occupation told by the people who participated in it.  It includes original music by Jesus "Chuy" Negrete.

We also air "400 Words for 79th Street" from the Memory Palace.


Your comments are welcome.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Computer Love - Airs Feb 19th

Image
Love and Robots by Anton Foek Dr. David Levy ,  an expert in artificial intelligence,  argues that the automata we once deemed cold and mechanical will soon become the objects of real companionship as well as human desire. He explores many aspects of human relationships and how they have changed over time. Levy believes it inevitable that these same attachments will eventually extend to love for robots . My Sex Robot by Audrey Quinn Brooklyn make-up artist Jessica Jacobs desperately needed a job . Because she had experience sculpting and special effects for the movies , a friend asked her to take over on a very special assignment. We'll hear how this girl-next-door became the woman behind the world's first sex robot, Roxxxy .  TI-99/4A from The Optimist What could be more fun than a Texas Instruments home computer , a dot matrix printer, and a text adventure game on a cassette drive!? Well, all of this and some poorly written BASIC progra...
Read more

Dr. Frankenstein's Monster - Airs Oct 29th

Image
The Frankenstein Family Crypt from The American Forces Network In 1952, announcer Carl Nelson's producers sent him to the Frankenstein Castle near Darmstadt , Germany to explore the family crypt. Little did he know, they had set up a prank which was waiting for him. Despite the rising fear in his voice, Nelson dutifully reports everything as it happens, even going so far as to examine a grotesque statue he thinks he saw moving. Panic and terror rightfully ensue. Frankenstein from The Witch's Tale The Witch's Tale was the first horror radio serial . The series ran from 1931-1943 and was created, written, and directed by St. Paul's own Alonzo Deen Cole . The stories were hosted by an old Salem witch and her black cat, Satan.  In this episode , a young scientist named Victor conducts experiments into human anatomy, physiology, and electro-chemistry; intent on improving the human race. Eventually he succeeds in creating life but is instantly repulsed by his cre...
Read more

Stay Young, Go Dancing - Airs Oct 20th

Image
Stay Young, Go Dancing  from MinneCulture Is there any debate about the most legendary venue in Minnesota history? Well, some say it’s definitely not First Avenue, or even that it is anywhere near the Twin Cities. Deep in the middle of the corn and soybean fields of rural Sibley County, behind a chain link fence topped with barbed-wire, there sits a massive  building  complex that was once considered to be the  polka  capital of the world: The  Gibbon Ballroom . Tonight, in this award-winning documentary, we present the colorful history of this infamous Midwest venue, as told through the voices of the musicians, dancers, and local residents who loved it. Produced for  KFAI  by  James Napoli  and edited by Melissa Olson.   A Toast to the Original Champagne Lady  from MinneCulture During the Great Depression,  her voice  lifted spirits. During the big band era, her beauty radiated from the stage of St. Paul's Prom Ball...
Read more