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During every election cycle, we hear a lot of discussion about different groups and how they're voting. Quite often, these discussions are defined along ethnic lines. There's the "Hispanic" vote or the "African-American" vote. Today, we meet someone whose ethnicity doesn't neatly fit into a single category. And neither does her vote...
TR Reid is a correspondant for the Washington Post, a producer for the PBS program "Frontline", a frequent commentator on NPR and the author of the upcoming book "We're Number 37!" about America's Health Care System. He recently sat down with WUOT's Matt Shafer Powell to discuss the ways in which other countries have confronted their own health care challenges...
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution guaranteed that women would have the right to vote in America. It was passed in 1920, 72 years after the idea was first officially proposed in Seneca Falls, New York. Many of the suffragists who fought through ridicule, denials and abuse never got the chance to participate in that 1920 election. Today, we speak with someone who's never forgotten their sacrifice...
As we get older, some of us tend to take our ability to vote for granted. After all, we've been able to do it for years. But it's a little like driving a car. It's easy to lose sight of the fact that at one time in our lives, it was a very new and exciting experience. Today, we'll meet someone who can't wait for her first opportunity to cast a vote for President of the United States...
Thursday, the Knoxville Area Urban League celebrates its 40th Anniversary. The civil rights and social services organization Gala Awards Ceremony features Motown legends the Temptations. Dennis Edwards sings lead. He celebrates a 40th anniversary of his own tomorrow, as well. Edwards joined the Temptations in 1968 and is the longest surviving member. Edwards says it was a tremendous opportunity and frightening prospect to replace David Ruffin...
The volatile financial markets have many working people and small investors worried. What's the best way to weather the economic storm? Three locally based economic experts came to the WUOT studios recently to discuss the financial concerns of East Tennesseans. They are: Amy Nolan, Editor of the Greater Knoxville Business Journal, Financial advisor David Lewis, President of Resource Advisory Services and Former chief investment officer of the World Bank, Hugo Schielke...
There are about 25 million U.S. military veterans living in the United States today. Their experiences provide them with a unique perspective on such concepts as freedom and democracy. That's especially true for those who served during wartime. In this segment of "My Life My Vote", we speak with someone who made a promise in Vietnam nearly forty years ago--- one that he continues to keep today...
A lack of etiquette, in many situations, can be a deal-breaker. Chrissy Keuper spoke with Kathy Metts, President of Impact Associates. Metts makes a living traveling and teaching classes on the subject and she says the language of etiquette is essential education, especially when doing business either here in the United States or abroad...
The people who fought for Civil Rights in America had centuries of institutional racism to overcome. And they did it with a variety of tools--- boycotts, pickets and marches, to name a few. None, however, was more significant and empowering than the simple act of voting. Today, we speak with someone who hasn't forgotten that important lesson...
It's right there in the first amendment to the U-S Constitution: "Congress shall make no law abridging... the freedom of speech, or of the press".. The founding fathers had a simple reason for making this point. A free press is a watchdog that keeps the democratic process alive. Today, we speak with someone for whom that watchdog role is an important obligation...
All American television stations will convert their analog--over the air--- signals to digital broadcasts in February. Today, Federal Communications Commission Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate spoke at the University of Tennessee. Tate says she's on a public awareness tour to explain the upcoming broadcast conversion...
We're often told here in the United States that voting is a privilege and a right. It's part of living in a free society. But what about the decision to not vote? Aren't we also free to make that decision? And is that something worth risking your life for? Today, we meet someone who did just that...
The musical "Chicago" is playing at the Tennessee Theatre this week. The professional touring company opened its four-day run last night. One of the singing, dancing murderesses in the show is played by Knoxville native Shamicka Benn. Benn is a University of Tennessee graduate. She tells WUOT's Ann Lloyd this is her first major performance in her hometown since leaving for New York...
Many films that end up in theatres have first been screened in film festivals around the country and the world. One of these festivals is close by and is growing larger and busier every year. The 5th Annual Secret City Film Festival takes place October 9 -12 in Oak Ridge. Chrissy Keuper spoke with Keith McDaniel, a filmmaker and the festival's founder. McDaniel says he began the festival because independent filmmakers often don't have another opportunity to show their work...
If you're born in the United States, you are born with the right to vote--once you're old enough. But you can lose that right by committing a felony. Right now, there are more than a million citizens in the U.S. who can't vote because of their criminal records. Those who go through the arduous process required to get their voting rights back are few and far between. But today, we speak to someone who was willing to go through it because the right to vote is an important way to re-engage the American dream...
On the morning of Sunday, July 27th, members of the community, of Westside Unitarian Universalist Church and of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church were gathered in the TVUUC sanctuary in Knoxville, preparing to watch children of the congregation perform the musical, Annie Jr. As the audience watched the stage, a man entered the sanctuary, pulled a shotgun from a guitar case and began shooting. Two people were killed and several were wounded in the attack. Chrissy Keuper sat down with Reverend Chris Buice of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church and Reverend Mitra Jafarzadeh of the Westside Unitarian Universalist Church to remember that tragic Sunday and those who risked and lost their lives. to discuss the role of the media that day and afterward and to talk about mourning and healing...