podcast

Audio: December 2009 Blogcast

Written by Noah Chandler

This month we meet with another activist fighting for the basic civil right called marriage. As you probably know, here in California Proposition 8 passed late last year and court challenges have not been successful in overturning the discriminatory law forbidding same-sex marriage. So, like it was about 40 years ago for interracial couples, same-sex partners cannot enter into civil marriage simply because they both are of the same gender. History teaches us that it is only a matter of time before these circumstances change but until then it is people like this month’s guest that give us hope.

After listening, please take the time to write a comment below. It is through the… Read more

podcast

Audio: March 2009 Blogcast

Written by Noah Chandler

As you have most likely read on the 2050 blog, there has been some heavy anti-immigrant activity in Arizona lately. Many of the people caught in this war on immigrants are the regions Native (American) population. In light of this population, it begs the question, who IS the immigrant? And is someone’s ‘immigrant status’ really the issue? But now I’m getting a little realistic for our conservative counter-parts. But I’d like to argue that the issues in Arizona are not as black-and-white as many ideologues would like you to believe.

So, in this edition of the Imagine 2050 podcast we visit with some local Arizonians and get their thoughts on people like Sheriff Joe Arpaio.… Read more

Culture

Audio: (Part 2) One Be Lo on Hip-hop and Being American.

Written by Noah Chandler

What does it mean to be “Hip-Hop”? What does it mean to be “American”? In part two of our visit with Michigan-based hip-hop artist One Be Lo, we get his take on both of these questions and what he feels they have in common. We also get treated to two more songs from this positive hip-hopper.

Diversity. Strength. Global Community.

Download the .mp3 version here. [length - 2:15]

Find out more:

Music used:

What do YOU think:

  • What are your responses, thoughts, and

… Read more

Immigration

Audio: (Part 1) Hip-hop artist One Be Lo talks music, youth, and empowerment.

Written by Noah Chandler

During this month’s hip-hop show “Stop the Circus. Stop Arpaio!” in Phoenix, Arizona, I got a chance to sit down with the popular underground hip-hop artist One Be Lo. So join us as we get the positive scoop from this positive artist as he looks at identity, hip-hop culture and youth. He was also kind enough to share some of his music which is used in this special edition of the i2050 podcast. Props to One Be Lo! Keep up the great work!

Download the .mp3 version here. [length – 3:36]
Find out more:

Music used:

    … Read more

    Immigration

    Audio: Stop Arpaio, Stop the Circus!

    Written by Noah Chandler

    This week I’ve been in the area of Phoenix, Arizona documenting the organizing efforts of the young people here as they take a stand against the recent human rights abuses committed by Sheriff Joe Arpaio. With the assistance of the Center for New Community’s Campaign for a United America Hip-Hop Project, a concert featuring local and national hip-hop talent was successfully pulled together within days of Sheriff Arpaio’s offenses. This was no small feat. In witnessing and working with the people who made this happen brought a new level of hope for me and in an area where I didn’t expect any. In between… Read more

    podcast

    Audio: November 2008 Blogcast!

    Written by Noah Chandler


    Come along with me this month as we take part in a rally for same-sex marriage rights. You might ask, what does same-sex marriage have to do with identity? I’d answer, a whole heck of a lot! First of all, it clearly challenges a dominant idea of what it means to be a man or a woman in the United States. Second, if some people have fewer rights than others, are they “less” American?
    This month we talk with a bi-racial, gay man whose parents had to struggle for the right to marry because they were of different races. We also meet a Korean-American woman who grew up conservatively religious but now finds… Read more

    podcast

    Audio: September 2008 Blogcast

    Written by Noah Chandler

    Around the globe people have always immigrated from one country to another. The U.S. is a unique place in that our nation was founded on exactly that movement of people. Since day one a multitude of cultures and ethnicities have made the United States home. In my eyes, this mix of people defines exactly what it means to be American.
    However, even with that history there remains a heavy mythology around immigration, immigrants and national boundaries. But we don’t have to get caught up in the obsessiveness of those that want to make the issue seem more difficult than it really is.
    With this idea of simplicity in mind, we hear from Ken… Read more

    Culture

    Audio: August 2008 Blogcast

    Written by Noah Chandler

    Welcome to the August 21, 2008 edition of the Imagine 2050 audio podcast. This week we take to the streets in Oakland, California for an engaging exploration of what it means to be American. I feel the need to give thanks to the participants this month as here they were minding their own business and I come up to them with some tough questions about identity. I mean if they had been at an event that was somewhat parallel with my questions then it might be so extraordinary. But I think you’ll agree, that while some of the responses bring up more questions, people really seem to get into the conversation.
    So get listening!… Read more

    podcast

    Audio: 2050 Blogcast – July 2008

    Written by Noah Chandler

    (Image gratefully borrowed from tomsaint’s photos on flicker.com/creativecommons)

    This month I bring you some audio that I captured during a summer trip the Middle East. What you will hear is an interview that I did with a person I met along my travels. Her name is Nadine and she was born in Lebanon and her parents are Syrian. The catch is that her family moved to the U.S. when Nadine was young and so what you get is a beautiful example of how complex the shaping of one’s identity can be. I’ve spent many years living in the South and hate the stereotypes that people draw when they hear such regional accents. But I admit… Read more

    podcast

    Audio: 2050 Inaugural Blogcast!

    Written by Noah Chandler

    Yes! The Imagine 2050 podcast is here. It’s a simple beginning for a wonderful project and I look forward to growing right along-side all of you.

    This week we are at the screening of a documentary film in San Francisco. The film, Calavera Highway, is a deeply touching movie that follows a Mexican-American family as its seven brothers’ grapple with identifying their history and who they are – all the while transporting the ashes of their recently deceased mother to her final resting place.

    I thought this would be a great place to start our conversation on “What does it mean to be American.” So please join me for this ‘on the street’ set of… Read more