How hard did you have to beg to get Marsalis? I've loved Armstrong since I was an itty bitty thing. When I was an adult, I exulted at his nuanced positions on race. And Marsalis is just the cutest genius on the planet, anyway. ok, Einstein's funny, but Marsalis is cute! I'm glad you covered the diff. between the traditionally-inspired, indigenous music and the "tourist" music! Thanks! Keepin' Mr. Armstrong on the air and in the ear is a good, good thing!

This is audio history documentation! Good work!

My people are from Appalachia. They escaped debtors' prisons, indentured servitude, slavery and the Trail of Tears to live there. Now, there isn't one episode of SotR that hasn't moved me. But this one on Appalachia was so respectful, so profound, so loving. I grieve for my kin and my heart swells at our courage. Thank you so much.

The opening really grabbed me. The music is wonderful.

I can't believe such "radical" textbooks were available in '74!! I graduated high school in '73 in the San Fernando Valley of California, a very conservative place, but no W. Va, and I only started reading stuff like that in jr. college -- and MOST curricula didn't teach that stuff; it was just a few pretty radical teachers who did!

I was expecting another "narrow minded hillbilly" story. I have people in KY, TN and W Va, and I'm pretty sick of that crap, in spite of the "monkey trials," NASCAR and bubbas.

I wish the piece told me what grade level text books had quotes from Malcom X, et al and Freud.

Parenthetically, I hate Freud; he's a sexist, homophobic, phallocentric jack ass and I wish he wasn't taught in schools, ever, except in historical
context including the damage he did, esp. to women and Queers.

I'd like to know why 4 letter words and sexually I can't remember the word used... but ... language was used. I understand about Ginsberg and, while I know he's literally pun intended a mouth full, again, what grade?

I love that argument: Should Blacks be represented by "the Eldridge Cleavers?" It's a good point, unless the books contain counter balance to racial stereotypes. I have problems with Mr. Cleaver, too. Didn't he say a woman's place in Black Power was spread eagle, on the floor? I only wish the Black minister had addressed that, rather than the "antiChristian" and "unpatriotic" line.

"Words and ideas can never harm me" Love that and the audience's reaction. Thanks for using that.

The background on the miners is wonderful.

More emphasis, please, on out of towners, coming in to exploit the situation. I remember Bob Dornan from California. jees.
They don't want outsiders influencing their schools? Bob Dornan? Nice history of heritage foundation, etc. I never knew that.

The history of the escelllation of violence: that's hard to report in any sort of rational way. Good job. Snipers? Jees.

Did I miss it, or was the violence a direct result of influences by outside agitators? I know they had that rumor of a Black protest, before the agitators. And I know how my people are when they feel threatened.

"Cabal of cultural elitists:" that's such a good phrase. And it's true, I'm afraid. The so called "progressives" are a little too interested in interfering in folks' lives "for their own good," too often. It doesn't teach more conservative people to be more open minded; it teaches them to fear, resent and suspect the motives of these so called "progressives." The phrase is powerful and respectful of the feelings of those who opposed the textbooks. It doesn't describe them as
ignorant, superstitious and small minded. You can tell a West Virginian, even if an affluent one, is involved in this project. Classy.

"We 'bout made a redneck outta him that night." Brilliant. Thanks for leaving that in. I love Appalachia's humor about herself. The story wouldn't be complete without statements like this. Again, this shows love and respect for these people, humanizes them, doesn't allow the listeners to fall into stereotypical and black/white thinking about the issues.

...followed by that hideous plan to blow up a car full of kids. So, no sentimental covering up of how brutal things can get. Creepy music back not necessary, but I understand it. I think I'd have left it out. The horror of what they contemplated didn't need the extra emotional push of the music, IMO, but what do I know? Still, I don't think that's why this one a Peabody.

The Episcopal minister, the idea of reconciliation, it's wonderful. That's a hero. Another bubba stereotype bites the dust.

"When the textbook war was over..." made me think, I've always believed the Civil War still isn't over. And I doubt the textbook war, which is looking like an argument for my position on the Civil War, isn't over, either.

Finally, I can define myself: I'm a liberal redneck!

Beowolf is a dirty book, so the conservative schools didn't win, either. So's the Bible. Song of Solomon?

The "it's time for us to grow up..." speech is gorgeous.

"Who does own the child?" is the wrong question. THAT is master mentality!

The heritage foundation is scary.

Chicken and apple pie. Salmonella and high fructose corn syrup.

"In 1974, when we got started, there was no Fox News (sic). . . ." I hope this scares the snot out of your listeners. We have GOT to take the concerns of conservative people seriously and figure out some way of having a conversation. This documentary does a lot to help that happen. It's so level headed. It's not some sensationalized depiction of a "hillbilly" freak show.

Me, I think there was condescension, belittling, threats and taunts on both sides, especially with the outsider press, like the Village Voice's take on things.

"...believing the world would be better if the other side just went away."

I came to tears at least six times during this piece. As the closing credits run, I'm crying openly now.

They should teach THIS in schools.

Thank you SO MUCH!

And congratulations on the Peabody Award. They made a good call.

PS: I realize Mr. Kay grew up on The Hill, but NO W. Va. accent, at all? Is there a camp to reprogram hill people to sound like generic news casters? Do they employ water boarding?

Linda Lopez McAllister is attracted to the juiciest plays, writers and actors. When it's a Camino Real production, I always listen. I'll find myself digesting what I've heard for months, years, afterward.

This is the most profound and beautiful piece she has produced yet. Karen is amazing.

Personal note: as a person living with a traumatic brain injury, I sometimes experience panic, chaos and futility. Ms. Tubman has been a role model to me for decades: if she could do it, I can, too.

So, when this play came to a local theater, I went. I was deeply moved and laughed in pure joy. Now, two years later, hearing it on radio, it has lost none of its poignancy, moral authority or celebration of life.

Linda, thank you. If you or Karen never produce another piece of theater again, you'll have made a precious contribution to the art form of the play, to radio theater, to remembering our history, to respect for people with behavioral health challenges.

To never forgetting our past and dooming ourselves to repeating it.

It's us. We are the change we seek.

I knew he had to be a thoughtful man. I mean, look what he does and where he lives.

I'm not special. Yet, he replies to me, when I post at Transom.org He sent me a Transom/Atlantic Public Media tee shirt, because I offered to volunteer at Transom. He broadcast my piece, "Brainstorm" on WCAI, the station he founded. It's not because I'm special; it's because HE is special. I mean, I know I'm pretty good; I'm not saying that. But most people don't acknowledge or encourage me; they're too busy with their own stuff.

This is a good interview: it's casual and intimate. It's not polemic. It's philosophical. It seems honest. It encourages me, because I know now there's someone out there who shares a lot of my own ideals and aspirations and has managed to be productive at it.

Good questions: not the same ol' stuff of pilgrim bowing to a guru.

I find the music (classical guitar?) ironic, as WCAI doesn't broadcast classical music (heavens! a community radio station that doesn't have time in its programming schedule for classical music!)

Jenny, I have only one, nit-picky criticism, and it's only because I liked this piece. Please consider a windsock on your mic. You have a syllabant voice, which is fine and musical. But "s," "f" and "th" sounds come out very high treble when the mic's really close. It sounds like a dog whistle. I don't mean that as an insult. As I was listening, my dogs would raise their heads and cock an ear. Also, when you laugh through your nose (because you don't want to interrupt your guest with a laugh from your throat, which is thoughtful), it pops on the mic. Again, this is really minor stuff. My PC speakers really latch on to high treble sounds and my ears are very sensitive to them, that's all.

I'm going to rummage around your stuff and see what else you've been doing.

"Thoughtcast:" I like that.

I love hearing people, especially women, who live thoughtful lives. It's good to hear how clearly they perceive their lives. I'm sorry, 30+ years after the 2nd wave of feminism and "Gay" rights, to know we must continue to struggle with definitions of what should just be natural self expressions, accepted by the communities in which we live. You must be a good interviewer, because these women spoke to you with such intimacy and immediacy. It felt good to walk in to their experiences. Good music choices.

Where's the AUDIO?

Why don't I know about these women? NICELY produced! If you don't have anything else to do, check in with AARP radio. They'd love this! Goin' off to Google to check out Sapphire's discography.

Yes, this is well mixed and sound rich. Is this the beginning of a new religion? I hear slogans; I don't hear policies. I voted for Obama over other candidates because I went to their websites and read their PLATFORMS! Obama's was unique. The emphasis wasn't on the sexy issues. He started with REAL prison reform, REAL lobbiest reform, REAL infrastruture changes that included internet and green technologies. He outlined a POSITIVE, diplomacy-based foreign policy. I heard little of that in the campaign propoganda. "Obama Girl?" That's an insult to Michelle! I worry about the cult of Obama. Let's get to work and BE the change.

GOOD EDITING! EAR CANDY!

Dude, read your comments. Oy, vey!

I'm researching a documentary on the Lesbian & Gay (as we called them back then) movements of the 1960s and '70s in Los Angeles. Gratified to see old friends' papers, correspondence, publications, art, etc. are being preserved at the ONE Archives.

Urban areas can, pretty much, cover older GLBT folk. What are we rural folks doing?

Thanks for your work!