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The 1963 Birmingham campaign and the future of America

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River to River, hosted by Ben Kieffer

Acclaimed Iowa author Paul Kix discusses his book about the 1963 Birmingham campaign, You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live.

On this episode of River to River, host Ben Kieffer is joined by author Paul Kix.

For decades, racial segregation was the rule in many parts of this country. Kix's most recent book,You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live, recounts the riveting story of the 1963 Birmingham campaign to end racial segregation in that city. During this time, Martin Luther King, Jr. penned his famous letter from a Birmingham jail. Kix also discusses the relevance of this pivotal moment in history for today.

This episode was originally produced July 10, 2023

Guests:

  • Paul Kix, bestselling author and journalist
Ben Kieffer is the host of IPR's <i>River to River</i>.
Caitlin Troutman is a talk show producer for Iowa Public Radio. She holds a bachelor's degree from William Jewell College. Since 2022, Troutman has worked with IPR's talk team to bring news and features to IPR's listening audience.
Katherine Perkins is IPR's Executive Producer of Talk Shows and Program Director for News & Talk. Since 2014, Perkins has managed the broadcast schedule and sound of the news and information service of Iowa Public Radio, as well as has directed the long-term planning and oversight for IPR's talk shows, Talk of Iowa and River to River. Perkins has a master's degree from Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois – Springfield).