The 2008 Presidential election has captured the world’s attention. What is especially compelling this year is that, for the first time, an African American candidate has won the nomination of a major political party.

The selection of Barack Obama as the Democratic Party nominee was the culmination of an intense and lengthy political process that brought unprecedented focus on the age, gender, religion, culture, and race of the various candidates of both parties. It’s also spurred any number of news articles probing the question of race in America, and whether Obama’s candidacy will help foster meaningful dialogue on racial issues, or lead to further divisions.

These questions will be at the heart of a Community Forum at the Freedom Center on September 2. “Moving Beyond Race in the Presidential Election” will explore the news media’s influence on attitudes about race through the filter of the 2008 Presidential campaign. Hosted by Senior Curator Carl Westmoreland, the forum will feature three local media panelists:

Peter Bronson, editorial columnist for the Cincinnati Enquirer;

Jeri Tolliver, radio host on 1230 The Buzz;

Michele Hopkins, reporter, WLWT Channel 5.

The forum will be held in the Harriet Tubman Theater from 6 - 8 p.m. It is free and open to the public. For more information about Community Forums please contact acorley@nurfc.org or 513.333.7518.

Two elderly Chinese women in Beijing, ages 79 and 77, have been sentenced to a year of labor and “re-education” for attempting to get a permit to protest what they claimed was inadequate compensation for their homes that were demolished to make way for the Olympics.

It’s the kind of story that will quickly be buried beneath the avalanche of feel good news about Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt and the USA basketball team. Yet it stands as a harrowing reminder that individual freedoms and human rights for China’s 1.3 billion citizens are by no means safeguarded.

With the world’s attention focused on China and the Beijing Games, people are learning — and seeing for themselves on wall-to-wall television coverage a rapidly growing, market-driven (and sports-crazy) economic juggernaut, but also the globe’s largest and nearly last remaining Communist-controlled government. Its leaders eagerly attempt to project a progressive, ultra-modern image (reflected in the astonishing architecture of many of the Olympic venues), while simultaneously maintaining strict and pervasive control over virtually every aspect of the lives of its citizens.

The famous image of the student blocking a Russian Army tank on a Beijing boulevard in 1989 remains perhaps the picture that most people in the world envision about China. And no wonder. From its repressive policies towards Tibet and religious minorities within its borders to its laissez faire handling of the genocidal regime in the Sudan, China has earned a worldwide reputation as a nation that cares little about fundamental human rights or personal liberties. The shocking revelations earlier this year that thousands of young Chinese were held as work slaves in remote manufacturing plants was, for many, only additional proof that this is a nation where the rights of the individual have no relevance or meaning.

(more…)

Mr. Westmoreland interviews guests Malcolm and Beverly McCoy from Lima Ohio. In light of the Independence Day celebrations Mr. Westmoreland and the McCoy’s discuss independence as it relates to the civil rights movement.

Click here to listen to the archive of this show.

Listen to the inspiring voice of host Carl Westmoreland, “Carl”, Doctor of the Underground Railroad, on the Freedom Station Radio Show every Tuesday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm Eastern Standard Time.

Submit a question or comment during the show by using the comment form below.

Members, thank you for your interest in joining us on our first ever Member outing to the historic Ripley, Ohio. Prices for the day include all our transportation, tickets to the historical houses, our specialized tour guide and lunch on the scenic Ohio River! Come travel with the Freedom Center for only $50 per adult and $40 per child. This memorable and educational outing is appropriate for all ages. Mark your calendars and RSVP today! Here is our itinerary for the day.

To RSVP for the trip or for more information please call our membership department at 513-333-7583. You can also RSVP online.

Not a member yet?

Check out all the benefits of becoming a member of the National Underground Freedom Center.