Terry Gross talks with two people who are working to spread the word about AIDS.
1) Rashidah Hassan ("reh-shee-dah heh-ssan") is the Executive Director of BEBASHI ("beh-bah-shee"), short for "Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues." It's a Philadelphia-based group that used down-to-earth strategies to warn people of color about AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Indian born film maker Mira Nair. Her new movie, "Mississippi Masala," is the story of an African-American man and an African Indian woman who come together in a little Southern town. Nair's previous film, "Salaam Bombay," got an Oscar nomination for best foreign film and won the Camera d'Or at Cannes.
Investigative reporter Wayne Barrett. His new book, "Trump: The Deals and the Downfall," is a fresh look at America's most famous wheeler-dealer. In his book, Barrett deflates what he calls the myth that Trump is a financial genius. (It's published by Harper-Collins).
Michael Klare, defense correspondent for the Nation. In the February third issue, Klare examines the current state of arms sales throughout the world. He says although nuclear arms sales have been curtailed, and the Soviet Union is gone, the sale of conventional arms to the third world continues unabated. Klare is also an associate professor at Hampshire College, and director of the Five-College Program in Peace and World Securities.
Eleanor Coppola filmed a documentary called "Hearts of Darkness." It's a behind-the-scenes view of the making of Apocalypse Now. Coppola is the wife of director Frances Ford Coppola.
Educator Theodore Sizer. His 1984 book, "Horace's Compromise," was the fictionalized tale of a typical American high school. It was based on Sizer's own experiences as a teacher, and two years of field research. Sizer resurrects Horace in his new book, "Horace's School." It's a look at some possible roads toward educational reform. (It's published by Houghton Mifflin).
Book critic John Leonard reviews "Sleepwalker In A Fog," the new collection of stories by Russian writer Tatyana Tolstaya (tot-yah-nah toll-STOY-yah). It's published by Knopf).
Feminist and writer Gloria Steinem. In her new book, "Revolution From Within," Steinem departs from her usual straightforward discussions about women and society, and she examines the link between personal self-esteem and outward issues such as feminism. (It's published by Little, Brown).
Actor Everett Quinton. He's the director of "The Ridiculous Theatrical Company," a New York based acting troupe who's members often appear in drag. The company's won many Obie awards and is now in its 25th year. To celebrate, they're staging two shows, "Bluebeard," the story of a man trying to create a third sex, and a one-man show called "The Bells."
Veteran political journalist Jules Witcover. His new book is "Crapshoot: Rolling the Dice On the Vice Presidency." It examines the caviler method in which we choose our vice presidents.
Ronald Walters, chairman of the department of political science at Howard University. He'll discuss the influence of the black vote in the presidential election.
Continuing our look at the future of the civil rights movement, Terry talks with journalist and professor Roger Wilkins. He'll discuss how there's a vacuum in leadership in the civil rights movement. Wilkins says more and more, the traditional organizations like the NAACP are seen to be of a previous generation, and not adequately addressing the current issues.
On Martin Luther King, Junior Day, we devote the show to a look at the present and future of the Civil Rights movement. Terry talks with columnist, radio commentator, and professor Manning Marable. He'll discuss what issues the civil rights movement should address, now that the basic legal rights that Martin Luther King, Junior worked for have largely been secured.