The Brian Lehrer Show

Building off what Jacqueline Woodson said about her work against the absence of stories about people of color like her, listeners call in to share the first time they saw themselves reflected in literature or a piece of pop culture.

Jacqueline Woodson, author of many books including the National Book Award-winning Brown Girl Dreaming (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2014), talks about how Dr. King's life and legacy have influenced her work, from her prize-winning grade school poem to her calling to write for children who might not see themselves in books.

Listeners reflect on their meetings with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the ways in which his message is taught in the present.

Kai Wright, host of the WNYC podcast The United States of Anxiety, talks about the push for voting rights in the United States today and in history.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Dyslexia 101 (First) | Why NOT to Catch Omicron for the Immunity (Starts at 31:19) | NYC's Gambian Community Leads Bronx Fire Relief Efforts (Starts at 60:45) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

Jessica Gould, WNYC and Gothamist reporter, and Jaclyn Jeffrey-Wilensky, data reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talk about the hectic start to 2022 in NYC public schools, from changing testing protocols and staff shortages to a student walkout demanding a remote learning option.

As the Adams administration inherits crisis conditions at Rikers, those detained at one of the island's jail facilities refused dozens of meals during the past week in protest of their living conditions. They claim unnecessary covid isolation, freezing temperatures and denied access to mail, legal services and healthcare. This as criminal justice reformers question the influence of jails unions on the mayor and Department of Correction commissioner as many of the complaints are rooted in staffing shortages.  Stan Germán, executive director of New York County Defender Services explains what defense lawyers are doing for their clients held at Rikers as some call in and WNYC reporter Matt Katz shares the the latest on the hunger strike and the change in leadership at city jails. 

Devlin Barrett, reporter focusing on national security and law enforcement for The Washington Post, discusses the Justice Department's response to last January's attack on the US capitol, including news that the founder of the right-wing extremist group Oath Keepers was arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy for his role in the riot.

Although the pandemic has impacted the television and film industry, it hasn't made much of an appearance on the other side of the camera. Listeners call in to share how they are seeing — or not seeing — COVID show up in what they are watching. Good Fight did away with covid in a "previously on" type montage and then featured a long covid story line for one character amid a mask-free "reality." Station 11, which is about a flulike pandemic, has embraced what can be build in the wake of disaster. — Jebby (@jallured) January 13, 2022 @BrianLehrer last night on Chicago MD there was a shot with a doc in foreground &a patients family member in the background &that person had a mask on!No one else did.He turns around after realizing hes in shot then comes back in next shot sans the mask!Editing didn’t pick it up! — Susie (@marshmallowpud) January 13, 2022 Superstore did a wonderful job showing how people lived and struggled with COVID-19. Each episode even showed public health protocols and how employees struggled with the shortages of PPE. — Mrigank Shail, MD (@mrigankshail) January 13, 2022 oh caller is right, #themorningshow was difficult. It went back to Jan-March 2020. We are not ready to revisit those feelings. — Rachel (@argica11) January 13, 2022

Katherine Wu, staff writer at The Atlantic who covers science, talks about the latest omicron news, including why the CDC's new guidance about how long to isolate after infection is so confusing. →"Should I Just Get Omicron Over With?" (The Atlantic, Jan. 5, 2022)→"America’s COVID Rules Are a Dumpster Fire" (The Atlantic, Jan. 6, 2022)

Jeffery Mays, politics reporter on the Metro Desk for The New York Times, and Katie Honan, reporter at The City, talk about the Mayor's first 13 days in office and his recent appointments, including hiring his brother to run mayoral security.

Theodoric Meyer, national political reporter and co-author of the Power Up newsletter at The Washington Post, discusses the latest news from Washington, including ongoing reactions to Biden's speech on voting rights and the filibuster as the MLK day deadline approaches. Plus, how is the Big Lie influencing Democrat and Republican strategy for the midterms.

Al Sharpton, civil rights leader, host of MSNBC’s PoliticsNation, founder and president of the National Action Network (NAN) and the author of Righteous Troublemakers: Untold Stories of the Social Justice Movement in America (Hanover Square Press, 2022), talks about his new book and civil rights in NYC and the country today.

Every year, The Brian Lehrer Show asks you to submit the best photo you took that is sitting on your phone – and every year, you deliver with some truly impressive snaps!  This year, you submitted over 700 photos. Our partners at Photoville, along with a special guest judge, New York Times photographer, Michelle Agins, picked out their 60 favorites (check out that gallery, here). Brian speaks with Michelle Agins and Photoville's Dave Shelley about the three winning photos, which you can see below. Plus, hear the winning photographers talk about their submissions. Partner's Note: Photoville will be celebrating it's 11th festival this year with a city-wide celebration in June. They will be announcing a call for proposals later this month. Click here to learn more about the festival, as well as this non-profit and their education and public programs. Winners: Turkey Hillby Eve LeBer 7:45 am I drive a van to pick up my disabled client for their Day Hab program. The turkeys are roaming the neighborhoods. (Eve LeBer)   Toniby Ava Farkas My aunt Toni was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2020 and succumbed to it this summer. I felt moved seeing her surrounded by the love and tenderness of my niece and cousins each time I visited. (Ava Farkas)   Halloween Is Back!by Marjorie Zien The Village Halloween Parade is back, after a cancellation last year. The village was full of people enjoying the event and spirit. (Marjorie Zien)  

A significant number of the victims in Sunday's deadly Bronx apartment fire were from the West African nation of Gambia. Salim Drammeh, president of the Gambian Youth Organization which put together a GoFundMe page to raise donations for those affected by the fire, talks about relief efforts and experiences from the Gambian community in the Bronx and in the listening area. Plus, a few minutes with Gambian ambassador to the United States Dawda Docka Fadera, who traveled to the Bronx to offer offer condolences.