2:00 PM PACIFIC TIME: Fridays
Covering the movements, the issues, and the people fighting for some of the most important social justice issues of our time. Hosted by Amy Gastelum, Salima Hamirani, Anita Jonhson, and Lucy Kang.
The electronics industry has brought us gadgets galore, from mobile phones that take pictures to the computer we use to edit this radio show. But there’s also a dark secret: the electronics industry is one of the world’s dirtiest; its growing legacy includes poisoned workers and mountains of toxic waste. On this week’s edition we … Continued
CAFTA: The Cost of Free Trade Frequently compared to the decade-old North American Free Trade Agreement, the new Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, extends many of the same economic policies as far south as Costa Rica. Critics of CAFTA say NAFTA is responsible for high unemployment, a growing gap between the rich and … Continued
ElectionWatch ’04: "War on Terror" After September 11th, 2001 the Bush administration created controversial policy at home and abroad in the name of homeland security. Increased surveillance, security searches, and military intervention in the Middle East have changed life in the United States. Many Arab, South Asian, and Muslim Americans have experienced an even greater … Continued
Working Democracy: Participatory Movements in Latin America As many Latin American countries are moving away from longstanding dictatorships, they still face the challenges of poverty. Structural adjustments imposed by the International Monetary Fund and increased privatization of resources characterize the region’s economic policies. In response, peace and social justice groups challenge these policies by implementing … Continued
ElectionWatch ’04: "Hip Hop and Elections" Ever since it emerged off the streets of The Bronx in the mid-1970’s, hip hop has had a significant and growing influence on popular culture. But what influence will hip hop culture have in the 2004 elections? On this ElectionWatch ’04 edition of Making Contact we take a look … Continued
Refugees of Development:India and Multinationals With the country’s 1991 economic reform package, India significantly reduced trade barriers, moving away from a model of self-sufficiency. The World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund have loaned India money to promote economic growth. Anti-corporate globalization activists warn that this trend towards liberalization has given multi-national corporations, like … Continued
Deadly Extractions: Oil and Mining Interests in Africa When President Bush made a one-week tour of the African continent in early July 2003, the U.S. public heard a lot about human suffering and conflict there. The tragic AIDS epidemic and the toll of bloody wars are critical issues that should be examined in-depth. Yet, one … Continued
Courage Under Fire: Resistance to War Resistance to the status quo is a common theme among social, political, and environmental movements. But resistance during war can increase the stakes, sometimes with dire consequences. On this edition of Making Contact, we’ll take a look at resistance in Rwanda during the nationwide call for genocide in 1994, … Continued
ElectionWatch ‘04: Taxonomics:Federal Tax Cutsand the Budget Deficit During his Presidential bid in 2000, then-Governor George W. Bush said tax cuts would help those at the bottom end of the economic ladder. During his 4 years of Presidency, however, it is the wealthy who have benefited the most from those tax breaks. Meanwhile, in the … Continued
Building Walls: Life in the Palestinian Territories" Since the lines were drawn over 50 years ago, the borders of Israel have been intensely contested. With the construction of a wall in the Palestinian territories, a new border is being created. The Israeli government says they are building the wall for security reasons, but many Palestinians … Continued
