African American issues

Commentator Gerald Early reflects on the black middle class, which he says doesn't enjoy the same benefits of its white counterpart.

Professor of English and Director of African and Afro-American Studies at Washington University, Gerald Early. He reflects on the meaning of Motown music to whites and blacks.

Commentator Gayle Pemberton comments on Black History Month.

Commentator Gayle Pemberton on the importance of African-American magazines.

Commentator Gayle Pemberton remembers the "Birmingham Bombing", which killed four young girls and galvanized support for the Civil Rights Movement.

Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg examines the current state of black english.

Rock historian Ed Ward reacquaints us with the music of Louis Jordan. In the late 1940's he was one of the highest-grossing black acts in the country.

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble, creators of the Philadelphia International label -- one of the great black pop record labels of the early '70's.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward talks about what happened to the blues from 1966 to the present. They were supposed to be dead during this period, but he says there are some eternals that keep going on no matter what.

Popular music critic Ken Tucker delves into the controversy over the rap group Public Enemy. Public Enemy's first album sold over 800,000 copies and their new song "Fight the Power," (featured in the movie "Do the Right Thing") is climbing the charts. The band however, recently fired its so-called "minister of information," Richard Griffen, for making anti-Semitic statements. In the ensuing political storm, Public Enemy has disbanded for an indefinite period of time.