PowerPoint; A Hour Do We Go From Here: The Impeachment Trial; A Hour With Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee

Production and broadcast of PowerPoint is made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This is PowerPoint, an Information Age clearinghouse for issues affecting the African American community, the nation and the world, and now PowerPoints Kenneth Walker. He came from a Georgia town ruled by Jim Crow and the clan but had the courage to dream and see a larger world. She was raised in Harlem Renaissance New York, exposed to Duke Ellington and Paul Robison. Fate and love brought them together and together, they've played a significant part in transforming the arts, American society, and indeed the world. Ossie Davis and Ruby D are two beloved cultural heroes of the 20th Century who will be honored well into the next. And tonight we get a jump start on that homage as we talk with legendary

stars of stage and screen. And you can get in on the conversation by calling the PowerPoint hotline at 1 -800 -989 -8255. That's 1 -800 -989 -8255. If so call a friend, tell them to tune in to your public radio station for another edition of PowerPoint. Our discussion with Ossie Davis and Ruby D begins in a moment but first, PowerPoint news with Verna Avery Brown. For PowerPoint news and information to empower the community, I'm Verna Avery Brown. Monica Lewinsky is back in Washington to attend a forced meeting with Independent Council Kenneth Star, U .S. District Judge Norma Holloway Johnson, according to the Associated Press, ruled that Lewinsky could not be forced to answer the House manager's questions but allowed them to attend the meeting with Star and answer his questions. Senate Democratic

leader Tom Dashel says, it's clear a demonstration of raw partnership as he's seen so far. The judge's ruling raises questions for U .S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas who is also a former Associate Municipal Court judge. A legal procedure that I doubt has ever been utilized before where prosecutors can bring into the room to speak to a potential witness that may be hostile just informally, which by its very act may be intimidating to that young woman to give a sense to the public or we don't want to question her about the fact, we just want to talk about the profit. I question that. Can speculously absent from the Senate's mostly white chambers or African -American lawmakers while there are people of color in the Senate, none of the Senators are African -American. But Representative Jackson Lee on a self -appointed mission has attended virtually every day of the historic trial and she was there when

White House Deputy Council Cheryl Mills, the first African -American to address the Senators, rejected the prosecution's argument. They had argued that Clinton's conduct undermined Paula Jones' rights as a woman and in general the cause of civil rights. Mills told the Senators the president's record on civil rights, women's rights and all of our rights are not impeachable. Representative Jackson Lee silently applauded Mills' rebuttal. Miss Mills came forward, I think, in both a forceful, legally -sound brilliant presentation of a lawyer's lawyer. But yet she did something that many others could not have done who were able to go to the mic and that is to capture the delicate rebuttal but strong rebuttal to suggest that the imperfections of Mr. Clinton's behavior negates the positive leadership his administration has shown or in essence her words,

the House of Civil Rights. In fact, I would add to what she said by suggesting one man does not create a civil rights in this nation. It has to be created by each and every one of those House managers and the rhetorical question would be, what will you do about civil rights? And I think Miss Mills, though she did not pose the rhetorical question to the House managers, very firmly, articulately and with great dignity, indicated her involvement in her, the impact to the right to the hand on her and where she is today because of civil rights and the fact that all of us must be engaged in the House of Civil Rights and the House of Civil Rights will not collapse because of these so -called allegations against the president. U .S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, rebels in the outskirts of Sierra Leone's capital free town hacked the hands off civilians, including children, and shot dead a nun in cold blood Saturday. According to Reuters News, some 50 newly mutilated civilians await treatment in the city's main Cannot Hospital, a West

African intervention force supporting elected president Aman Tijon Cabá has yet to extend control over the rebels. A California high school basketball coach was put to the test recently when his team's overall grade average dropped below acceptable standards, correspondent Cheryl Flowers reports. It was a victory celebrated all around the country. After California's Richmond high school basketball players were benched for slacking on schoolwork, the team hid the books and returned to the court to win their 14th straight game which reaffirmed the tough decision made by their coach Ken Carter. This was my way of showing them, hey, I still love you, I still respect you, but listen fellas, we still have to play basketball, we still have to go to school and so if you have two things they are doing basketball in school and they're not doing the school well you take the other one away. So once we took the other one away then they start adjusting and studying. Although the players didn't think they should be penalized as a team for the actions of a few,

players like Roderick Choclin warmed up to the idea. And Roderick's mom Annie says Coach Carter's philosophy echoes the same message she's been giving her son. But experts like Margaret Norris say I'm love Carter, many educators and coaches simply write off the academic potential of young athletes. I think more teachers and coaches across the nation need to take that stand and say we will accept nothing less than your best, our students want to achieve, they can achieve and they will, but we as adults have to be the ones to champion that cause. And with all the media attention, coach Carter hopes his

team will inspire others both on and off the court. If we can use this as a role model or a map that other people can follow, that's wonderful. But you know I did this like I say out of the love for our school district, our school, our community and most of all those 45 young men that send our uniforms. For Powerpoint News, I'm Cheryl Flowers. Up next Powerpoint host Kenneth Walker talks with two legends of the screen, actors Ruby Dee and Aussie Davis. You can join the discussion by calling 1 -800 -989 -8255. For Powerpoint News and Information to Empower the Community, I'm Verna Avery Brown. Along

together, just you and I. God has made us fall in love, it's true. I've really found someone like you. Will it stay the love you feel for me? Will it say that you will be back? Welcome back, I'm Kenneth Walker. Mention Ruby Dee and Aussie Davis and an awful lot comes immediately to mind. You might first be drawn to the many images through tears and laughter that they shared with us on stage and screen.

Images that had nothing to do with the maids and step -in fetchets that were the mainstay roles for African Americans when they started their careers 50 years ago. But you also might remember that when the role was called for people to stand up and be counted and the struggles that affected our lives, Aussie Davis and Ruby Dee, both stood and they were counted. Even when doing so could very well have cost them their livelihoods if not their lives. And that's our focus this hour on Powerpoint, Aussie Davis, and Ruby Dee who have a new double autobiography out called with Aussie and Ruby in this life together. It's a fascinating account of the lives of two people who lived through and participated in some of the most seminal events of our time, all while managing to become important contributors to the arts. And you can join the discussion. Take this unique opportunity to speak

with and ask questions of two of the most interesting Americans alive. Aussie Davis and Ruby Dee call the Powerpoint hotline at 1 -800 -989 -8255 that's 1 -800 -989 -8255. Aussie Davis joins us from New York and Ruby Dee from North Carolina and we are honored privileged to have you both welcome. Thank you very much. I guess you guys get to talk on the phone an awful lot with your individual careers. Yes, sometimes you get a little bit, you know, unbelievable. You know, that leads me to my first question which I know you get a lot but let's get it out of the way. How on earth did you guys in a country and a society in a business where divorces the norm? How did you manage to stay married for more than 50 years? Oh my goodness. Well first we were not looking at the norm. We were not judging ourselves, you know, as a

part of a process checking the numbers. We had a commitment to each other and to the circumstances of our lives. I think and that commitment was strong enough to keep us actively determined to make it happen together. Struggling through and fighting through and thinking through and a lot of things have happened to people in this slide. Thank God we've lived through these 50 years together so that we can look back and we have a few things to share, you know. Yeah, it's not always happening. Proposition. Laughing through to Ruby. Laughing through to you. You know, I'm still wondering. We've been married 50 years. Uh -huh. This has, this is a joke that has to have a punch line and I can't find it yet. Have you figured out? Yep. Well, I hope I won't be horizontal and you'll be saying to me, Ruby, I've got the punch line, I've got the punch line. I hope that. Ruby,

I hope to hear the Aussie mail it to me. Ruby, if you had to talk to kids today, just getting married and they sought your advice on how they should, what they should do to try to secure the longevity of their marriage, what would you tell them? Oh, I think things are so different now today. I saw more challenging, I think, today than ever before in the history of humankind. What relationships have to go through to get started and to sustain and be sustained. I think the issues are far more difficult than anything that we ever faced. But there might be some help that we could offer. Just simply by reminding people that relationships are still important to us as human beings. And, you know, whereas the wedding is a one -time event, marriage, you know, is like a process. Day by day, a week by week, I think we continue to get married around various

issues. And the more issues that we, in the more days, we can stay married in our minds and actually physically, the greater the chances for success are, you know. You know, I'm fascinated when people of your generation, if I can say, say that, and I've heard it often, that people, kids today, have more difficult challenges. You guys came through Jim Crow Ku Klux Klan racism. You guys came through McCarthyism. You guys, I mean, and you think today, to World War II, you think the depression, you think today is more difficult? Yeah, and for, let me put my two senses in here. All of the things that you mentioned, were things that were very serious. They're required a serious response. And we, in order to survive, had to really buckle down and throw out the crap and the

nonsense and swear to ourselves that in spite of what the enemy had in mind for us, we were going to make it. What young people suffer from today, as they were living an age that has no moral assignment, there is no great challenge that they see, that requires them to be serious. You know, we are off the top of the head generation. We offer our children a world made of things, a sleaze, sheepness, transient thrills, and we try and mislead them to entertain them, to sell them, rather than to say, look, life is a serious business. Or you can't wait for life to happen to you. You've got to happen to life. Well, I like the way I said that. It's kind of scary. And I think sometimes the temptation to put a kind

of a spin on the future that that's that kind of spin on the future is not too helpful, sometimes the times are just different, that's all. And the challenge is a greater. The enemy is less visible, less obvious, but it's far more in cities. But I still say Ruby, that the nature of the enemy doesn't show up as an object that you can fight. I mean, there is no hill to climb, no battalions to rally, no call to march up that mountain once again. We live in a period which is easy to assume that the battle is over and that all we got to do now is go out and consume and buy and put things in our pocket on our back. So whatever, we need something to summon this generation to

some to a moral challenge that to which it can rise. The war against poverty, for example, if we passionately pursued it would give us something worth doing. And then we could say to young people, look, there is, there's something out there that's much more important than whether you're happy or not. Get up off your duffs and let's go out into the streets and demand that everybody in this country who wants a job can have a job. Ruby D and Aussie Davis, join us, call the PowerPoint hotline at 1 -800 -989 -8255. That's 1 -800 -989 -8255. Ruby D if Aussie's prescription or diagnosis is not as hopeful as you would like, what would yours be? What would I do, you say? Well, you were saying that Aussie's diagnosis was not particularly hopeful. I think one of the things we said in the book, this whole notion of struggle and although we've got to bring it back into play because now nation was

formed on struggle and there are issues worth, there are issues worth living for and as well as worth dying for. And I think there's an ability abroad, there's a yearning for, we have a spiritual yearning out there and I believe that people of our generation in a that of Aussie and my generation have a duty to help clear the boards of all the trash we've left behind us so that this new generation coming through can see some have to the next revolution which I think it's going to be a moral and spiritual one that will have to inform what's at the crux of the present day dilemma and that is the economic, the economics of the situation are assuming to to confuse us and to throw us off track as to our purpose on this earth, you know, and I think it's going to take that

moral revolution to inform the economic changes that have to be made worldwide, not only in terms of races and groups, but worldwide as a species we need direction. Can we talk a little about the evolution of the acting, stage, and screen business that you're in? In the book, Aussie, you you write that black performers in America no matter how good are outsiders by definition, migrant workers in the vineyards of entertainment coming and going as the season of acceptance or denial, wax, and wanes. Still that bad? Well, in a sense, yes. When I say outsiders, I mean we are not the owners of the means of production. We are not the owners of the chains of distribution. We're not the owners of the houses where we go to get finance. We

are outsiders. Now we can make ourselves light, we can make ourselves love and we can convince the people inside that if they use us cleverly, they can make money. Therefore, there is a kind of artificial welcome that is extended to us. But ultimately, we in our community have to come into command of some of the bastions of power and control. Then we can ask of ourselves, can demand of ourselves the kind of performances that I'd like to see us come up with. Yes, well, also I think we're talking about what is the response of the arts? What about movies? Are they strictly to entertain? I don't think there's any such thing as strictly to entertain. I think the arts have to be responsible because to people

we are, but I think of our country, for example, I think of the USA made in Hollywood, for example. To that end, those films, no matter where they come from, if they are people oriented, don't get as wide a play as if they are action -oriented, excitement -oriented, they're titillating the arts to serve us in other ways, films, for example, at a hard time getting through, or when they are out there, we don't support them. We don't go to see those films, sometimes very, very good films, that give us a new sense of worth and that stimulates the spiritual and emotional needs. Also, this is a distribution. Those films from all over the world that we feel people need to see often can't get through on this very limited distribution

channel. I think we need to do something about that. How do we distribute? How do we in terms of the questions that both of you are raising, both in terms of, as you mentioned, I see the means of production and distribution and you ruby in terms of how we get these products to the people. Do you see any hopeful signs on the horizon that African Americans, at least, are beginning to assume those roles? Yes, I do. I mentioned Oprah and mentioned beloved, you know, just as an off -the -top of the head in the example, a think of a marvelous piece, and it's just done with Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou, yeah. He's value. Oh, yeah, they're young people out there who are, even as we talk, are doing it. New comments. Yeah, but we just don't know about them. And others who have assumed the responsibility,

not only of acting but of directing and of being producers and executives. Well, both in that category. He are moving into positions of power and authority. And also, he's moving solely. And also, Whitney, used to belong in that category. Yes. People can make things happen. The new performers are making different kinds of films happen. Yes. So that there is great hope. What I think we we miss most of all is that the poets, the artist who have a specific responsibility, are not fulfilling that responsibility. I think the arts are required to identify for us. What is the moral assignment of the age? Well, our art and our entertainment are so thing -oriented, you know, we sell products. We are shields and hustlers rather than profits and leaders. And that's one of the, that's one of the problems. A moral assignment that brings out the

best in human behavior. That's what the poets should be singing. That's what the dancers should be dancing. And that's what the actors should be acting. The moral assignment. What shall we do to be saved? That's the question that we, somebody's got to ask before we can demand that anybody comes up with an answer. With Ossie and Ruby in this life together, a book by Simon and Schuster. No, I'm sorry. It's William Morrow. William Morrow is the publisher. And it's fascinating read. There are guests this hour. You can join the discussion by calling the PowerPoint hotline at 1 -800 -989 -8255. That's 1 -800 -989 -8255. In terms of the moral assignment for the age, I see that you write in the book, Ruby, in a section where you're passing along advice to your grandchildren.

I want to say to those grand you write, don't let them do it. Turn off that TV, put down that pizza. We've got to get off our passes. Get out in the street. Scream, sound alarms. Democracy is in danger. Demagogues and demons are in cahoots. Mouthing Jesus slogans and wearing Nazi boots. Elaborate on that for me, William. Where did you ask me about that? What? What? What? Elaborate on this advice you were passing to our grandchildren. I'm writing it and saying it around different sorts of things. But yet I mean it so early. But if you know, I'm not a philosopher. I'm not a scientist in that sense. But I mean that the things of this world that are distracting us around our mission as divine creatures. I really do believe

that we're not paying attention to our other nature. And I think we still have to deal with why are we on this earth in the first place. And I think we're being distracted from our main agenda by the things of this world. Please forgive me. I'm off you help me. Well, you wrote it, ladies. Well, look, if I had you help me to explain what I mean. Well, here's what I think. Well, let me finish the quote she had. I'll see you then you take off a notch. All right. Ruby writes they are suiting up against blacks, against Jews, and especially against the poor. Don't let them do it. Yes, but what Ruby meant was first the question of distraction. We have a culture that encourages us

to consume, consume, consume. Don't think, don't feel, don't be concerned, consume, go somewhere, spend some money. The whole, the television throws it at you. The motion pictures throw it at you, consume, consume. That's what the values and virtues of life happen to be. And our children listen to this more than they listen to teachers, more than they listen to preachers. And little by little, our culture is corrupted. We become a nation of open -mouthed consumers who lose the capacity to think and make decisions on our own. What Ruby's calling for is that we have to push aside the impulse to consume. We have to take back from those who give us those kinds of messages, the license to capture our children with attention. We have to believe in something. And we have to be out there. We have to compete. We have to say, feed the poor. We have to say, find

jobs. We have to say, give people work. We'll let you continue that response, both of you. As soon as we come back, we're coming up on 29 minutes into the hour. Aussie Davis, Ruby D, we also will talk to them about what they think about what's going on in Washington. 1 -800 -989 -8255, be sure and dial that number. Internet services for PowerPoint are provided by World African Network, offering news, information, sports, and entertainment for African and African -American communities through broadband and new media technologies. The Web address is www .waenonline .com. That's www .waenonline .com. You're listening to Public Radio, and this

is PowerPoint with Kenneth Walker. Welcome back with Aussie and Ruby in this life together. 1 -800 -989 -8255. This week with Aussie Davis and Ruby D, I've got to ask you, let's get away without asking. Monica Luensky is back in town. What do you guys think about all of this is going on with this impeachment of President Clinton? Well, I, for one, am distressed that the whole thing has dominated public attention for such a long span of time. I don't think anybody would deny the fact that the president's behavior has been reprehensible and that he's imminently worthy of censure. However, I agree with the majority in stating that censure him, yes, impeach him, no. I don't think that it warrants an impeachment. It is too bad that it happened. It is a measure. You know, of some of the problems we face today, but I don't

think we can address those problems by impeaching the president. Sense here, yes, but impeach, no. And two things occurred to me. You know, it's like less thing to keep it in the mud. You've really got to get down there in the mud to keep it there. And some more people are going to, I mean, that's one thing in terms of an another thing is impeachment is a heavy gun. You know, I mean, it's something in terms of treason and governmental and international intrigue and cosmic malfeasance. What do we do? What do we use? If we're going to use our big gun to shoot a flee issue, you know, not to say this is not implicit in the flee all that the sells of life of an elephant, but it's still a flee. And so I'm praying that the Republicans

will see fit to spend the time because I'm sure there are many respectable Republicans who want good things for the country. But all that we can think of now is the Republicans have got to get Clinton, you know, and that's not a good enough, that's not a good enough use of this impeachment process, that it should become a tool of partisan politics, you know, for Republicans shall impeach the Democratic president. And then perhaps, you know, I mean, it's not good enough. When impeachment means universal, more than majority, impeachment means undeniable danger for the country, you know, and I don't think that this crime is not worth a punishment. With Aussie and Ruby in this life together, book by William Murrow. You probably want to get it and read it. You can join this discussion with Aussie Davis and Ruby D by calling the PowerPoint hotline at 1 -800

-989 -8255. That's 1 -800 -989 -8255. We're going to go the phones now and speak with Talib who's in Washington listening at station WPFW. Welcome to PowerPoint, Talib. Good evening. How are you doing? Good evening. Good. I wanted to first of all tell you guys how beautiful you are. I've seen you in person a number of occasions. I'm actually an entertainment lawyer here in Washington, DC. And I happen to agree with you that the moral authority or the moral commandment for our generation may be just the vehicles for distributing and creating arts and entertainment in it of itself. I believe that you're right. The arts and entertainment is arresting the development of young people by proliferating such a negative programming via the television radio as well as the filmmaking channels. And I wanted to find out if you to believe that we should begin forming strategic alliances or

partnerships between young people like myself and people who are more seasoned like yourself to launch this movement on another level. I mean, for example, we often learn in school how it's important to farm strategic partnerships between small black businesses and large white businesses. Well, I wanted in order to try to create a new movement should we not be focusing on forming relationships between young people and more seasoned veterans like yourself as opposed to just saying, well, we need to have the young people go out and do the same things that we've done. Would we not be better served if we could stand on your shoulders and then reach for a greater star? Yes, yes, yes, yes. I would think that we in the African -American community need now more than anything else a good philosophy of networking a good pragmatic way to learn to relate to each other because in our collectivity we have a great power power of a dollar. We produce an economy say four hundred billion dollars the power of the

vote. What we lack at the moment is something that pulls all of that potential together and wields it in our benefit. But networking is one of the ways that we can do that. Thanks to Leib for the question and the best you in Washington, Ruby, you also wanted to answer that. I just wanted to say that I think also as an example for it, it's a worldwide reach and as we are what we eat physically, we're also spiritually and mentally what we think and we feed on the images that are put before us. Let's remember that. Okay, let's talk to Jonathan Aizen Philadelphia listening at station WHYY. Welcome to PowerPoint, Jonathan. Hello, another great show. I can barely hear you. Welcome. I think we can hear you just fine. Okay, great. Listen, I want to say a good evening out is the divine pleasure to speak to y 'all. Good evening. Okay, I want to comment on something about Aizen that you talked about about how IPA is serious and you know,

it's not the most important thing to worry about your own personal happiness because you kind of talk about, because there's a lot of talented couples out here that I think have made some serious contributions but they're struggling with that issue because you kind of talk about, you know, the struggle and the balance between your own personal happiness and the struggle in our hands. Yes, when we came to write the book, we had to ask ourselves some questions about one of the, what were some of the things that really helped to keep us together, Ruby and Aathy? And one of the things we agreed on right away was that the struggle, the struggle into which we were born, the struggle that we faced when we came into the theater, the struggle that our people faced, the struggle that our arts had to participate in and how we got involved in the struggle and the struggle that invites a commitment so strong that you don't have too much time to

worry about whether you are personally happy or fulfilled or not. There's something to be done that affects the welfare of all of us. And right now, the struggle not only includes the struggle for African Americans, for Paragen our society, the struggle includes everybody. And so Aathy and Ruby benefited by the fact that the struggle demanded things of them and that they in response to this demand at the set aside, many small differences. I just have to say, when they set aside, I think we had to incorporate because the struggle was also in marriage, in relationships of all kinds of ways, actually, all kinds of ways that we had struggles and challenges and moments of questioning and doubt and so forth. But life is not part struggle and part this and part that I think it's all tied in

together. There's something about struggle that helps to sharpen our focus, our life's focus, that becomes intrinsic to to a relationship that becomes part of the feeling of self -worth and definition and purpose in life. There's something in no -brain about struggle. And as long as we're human beings and not only in no -brain, there's something, it's almost like an Afro -Disiac. When you find yourself engaged in some purposeful, meaningful activity, it stimulates you in all kinds of ways. Am I making sense? Yes, perfect sense. To me, in fact, Ruby, in the absence of struggle, may in your view be responsible for some of the interpersonal and sociological problems in the African immune system community today? Yes, because it's like, oh, I'm looking for a husband, I'm looking for a wife and a, but

I've found, and this seems to hold you for a lot of people, they say, when I'm engaged in some meaningful activity, I want something that reaches beyond my own personal needs. When I connect to my human, other human beings in this world in some meaningful way, you attract people and situations to you, out of which a relationship can, you attract the relationship that you need. You know, it's because a relationship is not an isolation, you know, and sometimes in a struggle, in reaching for something higher and deeper than you are, and you find that which you've been yearning for, probably because you forget about it. Jonathan, thanks a lot for the call, the best of you in Philadelphia. Let's talk to Fernan. He's in Houston, Texas, listening at

station KTSU. Welcome to California. Talk about brother Fernan. I have really a three -park question. Number one is about a play and a movie that Ruby was in, back when, called Take a Giant Still with Johnny Nash. Johnny Nash is here in Houston, and I had the opportunity to direct that play and teach some parts of it to students at TSU. Do you remember that? Yes, I certainly do, and I'm so happy to know about Johnny Nash, and that he is in Houston, because I thought he had a marvelous voice, and also he was a beautiful actor, and I hadn't heard from him lately. And how are you involved in the community, with projects that will help us know about people like Dorothy Daenerys, James Edwards? Did you know him? Oh, yes, I worked with James Edwards in a series called, you remember that R .C.? Yes. With David Jansson in, oh, forget the name of the series. Yes, but, a few days. A

What did you mention now? And, um, and Dorothy Daenerys. And I understand there is a film being planned about her life, and so happy about that. You asked how we are connected in the effort to let the world know about these people. We, as writers, we as communicators and storytellers, and we, as performers, use every opportunity we can get to spread the word, that there were giants among us, and there still are giants among us. You know, we'll get nearly as many opportunities as we, as we need, but whenever one comes, you know, a certainly Rubinashi out there trying to take you. We've seen some material to you that we are trying to start a magazine for that purpose. Have we get it to you? They're publisher, I think, William Morrow. Yes. Has, has, is in direct contact with them, and I'm, they're listed on the internet, and a lot of other places. Why don't you try to get in touch with them? But, no, thanks a lot.

Thank you. Every day, we're in touch with them. Okay, let's talk to Ali. He's in Philadelphia. Again, listening at station W -H -Y -Y. Welcome to PowerPoint, Ali. Greetings, gentlemen. Greetings, and ladies. I'm, and ladies, I'm sorry. Greetings to everybody. Go right ahead. Greetings. Good evening. I'm really, very, very pleased to hear from you, both of you. I'm from Africa. You want one, uh, what part there? That I'm from Ethiopia. Ah, it's a pleasure to meet you. Just, uh, because of your struggles, sir, and all of you, especially African -Americans in this country, you have worked through minefields to make the nice better for African -Americans. Because of your struggles, me immigrants from other countries, you have been there for us to go all through this vehicle, very hard place to go through, because of your sacrifice, we benefit it because of your struggles. Thank you. I really

thank you very much. Oh, thank you for saying that. It is very much government. Of course, I really appreciate African -Americans how they went through all the way here. Thanks, Ali. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much, and they, uh, we need each other in this world. Uh, why don't we try Barbara? She's in Fayetteville, uh, North Carolina, listening at station W -F -S -S. Welcome to PowerPoint. Welcome to Evening. Yes, it's wonderful to hear from both of you. I think that, uh, not only your work, but the longevity of your relationship and inspiration to all of us. Thank you. You're very welcome. Um, I have a two -part question. It was one part, but now I have two parts. The first question is, um, what can be done do you think to bring people like yourself? I don't want to use the words delivery, so I say noted people, um, a little closer to those of us who are working in the arts in terms of producing magazines or producing music. Um, an example I can give is I used to publish a magazine called Real African World. And

one of the things that I noticed when publishing a magazine is there were certain people I could always get in contact with rather easily, but then there were certain people where I had an agent and five secretaries to get to and I felt like, gosh, these people never want to get in contact with the rest of us. What can be done, um, to shorten that distance between those who are noted in those of us who are trying to get their work out into the community? Well, one of the first things that has to be done is that you must let these people know the people you want, uh, contributions from that you are serious and that you are qualified. Now, they do have barriers around them, but those barriers can be breached if they feel that something worthwhile is happening. All too often, you know, they get involved in things where that is not necessarily the case. So you must not give up. You must, uh, let them share with them some of the evidence of the good thing that you have,

that you have created and you must keep at it and remember a little success over a long period of time leads to the big success that you're looking for. Don't give up. Great. So many of the people we know today are doing things are doing so much and everybody, when they get an idea, they call them the same people, right? A kind of a numbness set in, in their organizations when you have to have a staff of people to handle requests, you know, because, and, but I'm all for, um, when I want to reach somebody, you know, we recently had a benefit, um, that you, that you keep, keep at it, even the secretaries, and even the people who handle their affairs and the mail because they can possibly handle all the requests themselves. Eventually, they will pay attention and everything like, um, sending some attractive packets through the mail, you know, right? Sometimes I think I've repeating that. When she

begins to feel, I don't know what you're getting up and you don't need it from after one, when you don't hear one after one or two attempts. Thanks Barbara. Thanks a lot to the best of you in Fayetteville. Let's talk to Emica in Philadelphia, listening at station WHYY. Welcome to PowerPoint, Emica. Mr. Walker, good evening. Good To Elders, Austin and Ruby, two great, uh, role models that I have followed since the 60s. Thank you. I'm delighted. I think there was a time that, uh, uh, Mr. Austin was in Nigeria. I'm the moral assignment and the urgency of redemption, particularly for African Americans and those in diaspora. I was wondering, do you see a connection between, do you see a needful connection between your work with the current challenges and problems that the African, the African continent is experiencing, particularly in the arts? Oh, very much so. Um, we, we, number one, as African Americans, uh, have to begin to understand that there's much that we still owe the mother

continent, uh, by way of attention and support and even funds. Let's, let's take a breath there, Aussie and, and, uh, hold on, uh, Emica for this break. It's coming up on 48 minutes, 30 seconds into the hour. The name of the book is with Aussie and Ruby in this life together by William and Morrow 1 -800 -989 -8255 is our number. Our conversation will continue when we come back. Still ahead on PowerPoint is the end game for the president's impeachment trial near in our two of PowerPoint. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. provide insight and analysis. Stay tuned. This is Public Radio and you're listening to PowerPoint. Our program will continue in just a moment. This

is Bill Gray of the United Negro College Fund asking you to support Public Radio and to keep listening to PowerPoint where good minds are never wasted. Uh, welcome back. Uh, once again with Aussie and Ruby in this life together, the PowerPoint hotline is 1 -800 -989 -8255. Before the break, Aussie Emica from Philadelphia was asking you about any, the need for any connection you saw between, uh, the, the theater, African -American theater and the situation in various parts of Africa. Yes, and the point I was about to make is that we playwrights and we performers, uh, have a chance to spread the message about Africa or about whomever we, we will, uh, 8th of full god, for example, uh, as, as a playwright, as helped America to understand the reality of South Africa. So we need our playwrights and African playwrights to get together on whatever level they can to

begin to spread the, the news about Africa and how we can relate one side of the ocean to the other. We will rejoin the mother continent, first through the arts. We'll do it to our music, through our poetry, through our dance, and then we'll begin to understand how to do it through our society and through our economy and in other ways. I should lead the way to reconciliation. Emica, thanks a lot for that call and question and the best of you in Philadelphia. Let's talk to Tony, Tony's in Houston and listening at station KTSU. Welcome to PowerPoint. Good evening. How you doing? Okay. Okay. Good evening. Good evening, Tony. You will be D and Aussie. Um, this is a tremendous privilege and I appreciate you guys being on the show. But thank you. This, um, in the midst of being in this capitalist capitalist society that we're in. Aussie, you brought this up earlier. How do we deal with focusing on what we really should be

doing when society is constantly throwing at us to spin, spin and to be in debt? Um, how do we focus on what's really important and what we need to be doing when we're pulled in so many directions simultaneously at the same time? Um, how did you guys do that and do it so consistently for so many years? I mean, what's, what's the, the chemistry? What's the answer to that? And I take your answer off the line. Thank you. Well, uh, Ruby, can I jump in first? Oh, yes. One of the, uh, uh, ways that we were able to function and one of the ways that we, we think the people of today can function is to remember that there are institutions that help to fill to the news and help to determine what the community's response to the news should be.

There are still alive and vibrant African -American press. There is still alive and vibrant African -American radio stations and, uh, we have our nests on television and our young filmmakers are beginning to find their voices and their feet and Hollywood. What we need to do is to find ways to get together to remind ourselves of what common national objective should be. I would hope, for example, that every year at the conventions of, say, the NAACP and the urban league, you know, that the youth will have a chance to express what it is they see and what they expect from the older generations and, and that they should be listened to. We are not helpless, uh, uh, and, and as we stand, uh, before the wall of, of, of, of idle information, the, that, that keeps

washing over us. We're not totally helpless. It, they're, they're institutions that help us filter out what is good from what is bad. So we should make those institutions even stronger. And, uh, I also wish that we would, uh, young people particularly, we're being tended to our wrong established institutions like the black church, you know, it's not enough, uh, that, that, that we, we have to, we claim the church from, those who ever abused it, it's, it's, um, special position, yes. And, and, and, and have the, because it's a, it's a very important thing that has come through the centuries, for example, the Baptist Church, and, and, and all the other denominations. How do we make use of this power that we have been storing, uh, since, before the days of, since, since slavery, before slavery ended? And our black colleges and universities have a role to play in this. I, I have to ask you, I'll see, I'll see in the, in the very few moments we have left, how it is you came to be delivering the eulogy for Malcolm X. Our

shining black prince was the title. It was, uh, it was the time when, when Harlem was on the verge of, of an explosion, and we couldn't find a place even to bury the brother in the beginning, and praise the sudden, there's no church wanted to, you know, uh, praise the sudden, wanted to do all he could to keep the lid on, to placate, to smooth things out so that the potential for explosion should be minimized. And he thought that a funeral service with Ruby and Aussie, sort of at the mass of ceremonies, would be a soothing thing for the community. And he persuaded us that we could make a contribution by coming and trying, you know, to put a voice of calm and reason and dignity on the proceedings. And God knows these Aussie particularly is not being part of it, you know, God, God knows you both did that. I have to thank you from the bottom of my heart, Ruby and Aussie. Thank you so much. This has been, uh, one of my favorite programs. This is PowerPoint. Thank you.

Here's some listener feedback from the PowerPoint comment line. Hi, my name's Andre Young and I'm calling from Kansas City, Missouri. And I just wanted to pass along. That I heard your show for the first time on last Sunday, January 17th. And it was just one of the best shows I think I've heard in quite a long time in terms of the news and the knowledge. And I wish that more of the media was a little more forthcoming with the big picture that not many Americans are getting. Keep up the good work. If you have ideas, suggestions or comments to share about any of our programs call PowerPoint's comment line at 1 -888 -682 -6500. That's 1 -888 -682 -6500. If you would like a tape or transcript of this or any past edition of PowerPoint or to make listener comments or program

suggestions, please call PowerPoint toll free at 1 -888 -682 -6500. That's 1 -888 -682 -6500. Here's what's coming your way next week on PowerPoint. World renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Benjamin Carson has a powerful, eloquent and deeply personal message to share with America. And he'll be right here with us next week. Join us for all that in PowerPoint news with Verna Avery Brown. The creators of PowerPoint include senior producer Tony Regusters, producer director Debbie Williams, news anchor Verna Avery Brown, and associate producer Tom Woodwood. PowerPoint's phone producer is Kay Marshall. Our broadcast production assistant is Eric Lewis. PowerPoint's NPR broadcast technical director is Neil Tevolte. Legal affairs for PowerPoint are handled by Theodore Brown. Our program announcer is Candy Shannon. PowerPoint's theme is from the CDF stops by

Craig Harris. The executive producer is Reggie Hicks. I'm Kenneth Walker. Thanks for listening. PowerPoint is made possible by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting's radio program fund. This is PowerPoint, a production of Hicks and Associates. This is Kenneth Walker in Washington, D .C. inviting you to stay tuned to your public radio station as PowerPoint continues with special guests. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee in Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. for more insight into the president's impeachment trial. Stay tuned. There's more PowerPoint just ahead.