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Story category: civil rights
Possible Answers for Problems Facing Black Men
Story air date: Wednesday, October 01, 2008
The words “at risk” are often pinned on African-American males for several reasons. They’re considered less likely to finish high school, more likely to have been in prison, and subject to greater health problems and shorter life spans. Now, recently signed legislation has set up a state task force to study these problems and report on possible solutions. And for the past four weeks, Illinois’ Task Force on the Condition of African-American Males has been gathering community input at town hall meetings around the state. The task force held one of its meetings in Urbana. AM 580’s Jim Meadows reports.
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Story categories:
civil rights • community life • economy • government • Illinois • politics • race/ethnicityGay Adoptive Parents in a Straight World
Story air date: Wednesday, May 07, 2008
More and more gay couples are adopting children. The Urban Institute estimates that 65,000 adopted children are already living in households with same-sex parents. Brandon Bowersox and Kevin Johnson make up one of those households. More than a year ago, they adopted a baby, Garrett (left, with Kevin). Kevin and Brandon say they enjoy being parents. But being gay can make parenthood problematic and frustrating. AM 580 intern Terrell Starr talked with Brandon and Kevin about the joys and dilemmas of adoption and the challenge they face as a gay adoptive couple.
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Story categories:
civil rights • lifestyleFreedom Riders Reflect
Story air date: Monday, October 20, 2003
Ben Cox (on the right, next to fellow Rider Ed Blankenheim) remembers growing up under segregation -- and making a statement against the practice in the 1960's by boarding a bus to Montgomery. The trip was fraught with danger -- and some riders never made it to their destination. Cox and two other Riders recollected before a weekend audience in Urbana.
