Iowan Jane Elliott is renowned for her pioneering work in anti-racism education. Elliott achieved celebrity for her "blue eyes/brown eyes exercise, which she first conducted in 1968 with her third grade class the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. This exercise has led to several documentaries, books and discussion over the last several decades regarding race, bias and systemic inequality. At 92 years old, Elliott is still fighting bigotry and enlisting others to join. On this episode, we listen back to our 2025 interview with Elliott. Her lessons are now finding new audiences with the documentary film 'Jane Elliott Against the World' which is screening in Des Moines on Oct. 7. We talk with the documentary's director and producer Judd Ehrlich about his journey creating a film that paints a full picture of Elliott's life, family and community. (Part of this episode was originally produced Feb. 6, 2025.)
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In his book 'Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America’s Civil Rights,' Peniel Joseph writes how 1963 was a landmark year for the Civil Rights Movement. Now, Joseph says, the United States is experiencing rollbacks of civil rights and racial justice ideals that the turmoil and violence of 1963 ushered in. Host Charity Nebbe speaks with Joseph about his book, and how the events of 1963 help us better understand contemporary political polarization and racial and cultural divisions. Joseph explains struggles for racial justice in 1963 reverberated worldwide, at times strengthening and damaging America’s global reputation in a manner that echoes the present. (This episode was originally produced June 17, 2025.) -
A new documentary, Simon Estes: A Heart and A Voice tells the remarkable story of a Centerville native who shattered the color barrier for Black men in opera, and has used his acclaim and devout faith to give back as a philanthropist and humanitarian. Then and interview with Council Bluffs-based author, John T. Price, about his latest work, Goethe’s Oak: A Holocaust Story.
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Iowans filled a room at the Capitol Thursday morning to oppose a bill that would end a requirement for police to have yearly de-escalation and bias prevention training and remove references to affirmative action in state law.
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents took Armando Garcia Picazo into custody in August. Authorities wouldn't release him even though an immigration judge approved his bond. He sued to be released. This week, a federal judge ruled in his favor. -
The Department of Justice and the Department of Education have separately turned their attention to two of Iowa's largest school districts for programs or hiring practices they claim are racially discriminatory. -
Author Jennifer Harvey joins the program to talk about her new book, Anti-Racism As Daily Practice: Refuse Shame, Change White Communities and Help Create a Just World.
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Covenants in Iowa and across the country restricted Black Iowans from purchasing homes in response to the Great Migration. Iowa researchers are mapping where these covenants were put in place. -
A conversation with former Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, D-Des Moines, about what he's learned from his time in office and years of activism — plus what still needs to change.
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Former state Rep. Helen Miller on her memoir I Don't Swim. Then, water safety tips from an Iowa swim instructor.
