"I have some great guests this evening," host Hank Thompson texted to Collateral Damage Engineer Andy Heaslet. "Richard Gaines of the SAB for the St Louis Public Schools and Pat Washington, former aid to Charlie Dooley and mayor Freeman Bosley Jr, and a candidate for the University City School Board of Directors."
This lively, fast-paced, and educational conversation will change the way you look at urban schools in the St Louis Region.
Vocabulary for the day, psychometrist - a professional who uses their training and/or experience in psychology to specialize in tests and measurements
Chapter 1. A week after a 19-year-old killed 17 people at a high school in Florida, Washington and Gaines discuss safety in our schools - especially in our urban context. (0:00-18:45)
Chapter 2. Hank wanted to have a linear conversation about how schools today are becoming more segregated. Gaines and Washington entertained the subject, but they both emphasized that perceptions of our urban schools may not match the reality on the ground. (18:45-38:00)
Chapter 3. Solution sharing. While our schools face a great deal of problems, there are solutions that are already making improvements. (38:00-47:00)
This is Hank's last week filling-in as host of Collateral Damage - he will be returning in mid-March with a brand new KDHX podcast called Tangazo. Until then, you can also catch Thompson on the air Sunday nights at 6pm on 88.7 WSIE.
If you're wondering why Hank keeps talking to an "Andy" throughout the podcast, that would be Andy Heaslet, the show's engineer who joins the host and his guests in-studio each week.
*We're hoping to have DJ Wilson back in the studio very soon!*
While Hank reads much of these bios within the show, it's worth checking out the full bios of both Ronald and Hattie Jackson (Click on each name to read more about their backgrounds).
From civil rights to poverty to education to black empowerment, the Jackson's have spent their lives fighting for those in need.
As Hank likes to say, these are, undoubtedly, two of St Louis' Finest.
Chapter 1. Background and inspiration for a lifetime of dedicated and disciplined activism and work. (0:00-11:30)
Chapter 2. A power-couple is formed. (11:30-16:45)
Chapter 3. Understanding the difference between internal and external control. If you're poor, the world seems to control you. With enough socioeconomic capital, you can have the confidence that comes from your own, internal control of yourself and the world around you. (16:45-24:00)
Chapter 4. Convincing children that they could. "I want excellence [from students] because that's how I made it out of poverty." (24:00-28:00)
Chapter 5. "Being poor is hard as hell," explains Ronald. "Unpredictability in life has a powerful influence on people." (28:00-32:30)
Chapter 6. A common theme: Children. "Children respond to parental expectations" (33:00-39:30)
Chapter 7. 1,000 Ron & Haddie Jacksons, PLUS a special recounting of putting her life on the line during the civil rights movement of the 60's to integrate an Alabama theater. (39:45-50:30)
You can also catch guest host Hank Thompson on the air Sunday nights at 6pm on 88.7 WSIE.
If you're wondering why Hank seems to be talking to a character named Andy, that would be Andy Heaslet, the show's engineer who joins the host and his guests in-studio each week.
*Hope you're back on your feet soon, DJ Wilson!*
As the City of St Louis' website explains, "Judge Edwards earned an undergraduate degree in 1978 and a law degree in 1982 from St. Louis University. He rose through private and public legal positions to the legal staff of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in 1990. From there he was appointed to the St. Louis Circuit Court. He was the Administrative Judge of the Family Court and Chief Juvenile Court Judge from 2007 to 2012."
Edwards was appointed as Public Safety Director by Mayor Krewson in the fall of 2017.
Chapter 1. "It's what you do for others that matters most." How Edwards came to be a judge appointed to the distinguished role of Public Safety Director. (0:00-8:15)
Chapter 2. Judge Edwards says he has "High expectations... for all of the 3600 people that work for [him]..." and they're not the only ones; Judge Edwards has earned respect from police and "crooks" alike. (8:15-11:30)
Chapter 3. "Our City is basically safe." While this may be the case, Judge Edwards understands that we "have to be smarter about how we utilize our [police] officers," if we want citizens to feel safe. (11:30-19:15)
Chapter 4. But 205 murders last year! The public must be a part of public safety and this will require courage from citizens. (19:15-24:15)
Chapter 5. Edwards envisions "A community where your grandkids can walk to the corner store without the fear of being hurt." When it comes to better crime fighting, Edwards says, "It is my job to root out the bad police officers, but I also need help from the police officers on the inside." Similarly, he needs the support of the community to keep criminals off the streets. (24:15-29:00)
Chapter 6. "We're not going to incarcerate our way out of crime" in our communities. Plus a surprising reality-check looking at white-on-white vs black-on-black crimes. (29:00-34:30)
Chapter 7. Dating back to the Dred Scott trial held here, the City of St Louis has been on the cutting edge of changing America and Edwards sees us as continuing to lead when it come to police relations as well. At the end of the day, "Reducing Crime is [Edwards'] number one goal..." and it's what he knows best. (34:30-41:20)
You can also catch guest host Hank Thompson on the air Sunday nights at 6pm on 88.7 WSIE.
Andy Heaslet is the show's engineer.
*Wishing you well, DJ Wilson!*
