Race Relations - The 92nd Street Y, New York

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92NY Humanities Audio Collection

Real People, Real Issues

Race Relations

Apr 29, 1993


Roger Rosenblatt, an essayist and journalist, moderates a panel discussion about modern-day race relations with guest speakers Jessye Norman, an African American opera singer and recitalist; Robert “Robin” MacNeil, a journalist, news anchor, and co-creator of The MacNeil/Lehrer Report; and Karola Ruth Westheimer, also known as Dr. Ruth, a sex therapist, talk show host, and Holocaust survivor. Panelists answers questions and share their experiences, including their most memorable experience with racism. Norman recounts growing up in Georgia and the dangers she faced when participating in the civil rights movement as a child. MacNeil details his experience working as a journalist covering domestic and international crises, including his coverage of the civil rights movement during the summer of 1963 in Birmingham, Alabama. Westheimer describes surviving the Holocaust, and how it impacted her family. The panelists go on to discuss racism and its contributing factors, like a country’s economic downturn potentially leading to swells of racist behavior. They also debate whether racism is a social or biological construct and examine the positive and negative connotations associated with the depiction of minority groups on television. The discussion is followed by audience questions. To close out the event, Norman sings "He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” and invites the panel and audience to join her in song.

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