WGBH

The Casino Debate & Communities of Color

The recent controversy around NFL player Michael Vick’s participation in dog fighting put a spotlight on the many gambling habits happening within high risk communities around the country.  According to those who are against the Massachusetts casino proposal, they say casinos would only exacerbate problem gambling among those mostly affected, namely people of color and low income communities.

A study from the Washington University in St. Louis shows that problem gambling in minority communities is 2-3 times higher than in white communities, however, minorities receive little to no care prevention and treatment. Many surveys show that people of color have the highest lottery participation rates in many states.  As a matter of fact, lottery participation in minority communities is such a problem that many personal finance analysts call it Lottery Riches Syndrome.

View the video here

Interview with Lee Daniels

Acclaimed filmmaker Lee Daniels spoke before a group of aspiring Hollywood hopefuls at Emerson College on Feb. 23, where he discussed his own journey in the film world and success behind his latest work Precious. I had a chance to talk to him more in-depth about his films following the discussion.

With only $7 in his pocket, Daniels, a Philadelphia native, dropped out of college and took a bus to Los Angeles with a dream to make it in the entertainment world. After a brief stint running his own health care agency, he got his first break in Hollywood when he worked with legendary rocker Prince on some of his music videos. In the following years, Daniels mainly worked on the business side of Hollywood, doing casting and management for other actors before taking the helm at the director’s seat.

Watch the video here

Conversation with community activist Tito Jackson

,

I had a chance to talk to community activist Tito Jackson, who was the master of ceremonies at the 40th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast on Jan. 18. I first met up with Jackson when he ran for one of the four Boston city councilor at large seats last summer, when I did an interview with him for the Bay State Banner. Although he didn’t win, I found him to be a very intelligent and charismatic person, and someone who could have a bright future. After his failed bid, Gov. Patrick brought Jackson on to be the political director for his 2010 reelection campaign, which is seemingly a big job for a 34-year-old.

See the video here

Boston responds to the crisis in Haiti

,

Hundreds of members from the public came to Roxbury’s Hibernian Hall Jan. 16 to donate relief items that would be sent to earthquake victims in Haiti. The benevolence of the people coming through the hall shined through all day.

While most of the donors were Haitian American, there were also a good number of African Americans and black Africans in attendance. It is on very rare occasions that intraracial tensions amongst the different ethnicities in the black community can be put aside for a greater cause.

View the video here

«< 8 9 10 11 12 >