Jon Nelson hosts this episode of the Old Mole, which includes the following segments:
Attack on Educators: Bill Resnick talks to Jesse Hagopian about the recent Florida law, led by Led by Governor Ronald DeSantis, the “Stop W.O.K.E. Act” that is aimed at criminalizing teaching Black history, banning books and limiting what can be taught, claiming that Critical Race theory is itself racist, with whites the victims, their children indoctrinated to hate their country and turn against their parents, making good kids feel uncomfortable and guilty. Jesse and Bill expose the malicious deceit of Desantis’ justifications, and the current impact of the law, with other Red states enacting their imitations, and teachers fearful and intimidated. It concludes with discussion of the growing resistance. Jesse teaches at Garfield in Seattle. He’s an influential and prolific writer, many articles and several books, recently the book Teaching for Black Lives published by the organization Rethinking Schools. It’s not yet banned on the book shelves of Florida schools, but surely will be soon.
One Brilliant Flame: Joy Castro is a great writer of historical fiction. One Brilliant Flame is a story about Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain, and the role that Key West played in that struggle. With a fiercely feminist side to it, the reader is introduced to the many cigar factories in Key West, and the role of the inhabitants there in the fight for freedom. Book Mole Larry Bowlden reviews the book in recognition of Women's History Month.
Atomic Bamboozle: There’s a new push to bring nuclear energy back to the Pacific Northwest. Is this the solution to the climate crisis we’ve been waiting for? A new documentary by filmmaker Jan Haaken takes a skeptical look at the history of nuclear power and the new small modular nuclear reactors. Patricia Kullberg and Jan Haaken preview the film, "Atomic Bamboozle: The False Promise of a Nuclear Renaissance,” which premiers at Cinema 21, Sunday March 12 at 3 pm, with informational tables at 2:30.
- KBOO