Crosscurrents

Today is Lawrence Ferlinghetti Day. Ferlinghetti is considered the spiritual godfather of the Beat movement and in 2019, on his 100 birthday, San Francisco honored him by declaring March 24 a day to celebrate his legacy. In this documentary produced by Jim McKee of Earwax Productions in partnership with the Kitchen Sisters, we hear Ferlinghetti and his friend, radio dramatist Erik Bauersfeld.

Today, we learn how billions of plants, animals and microbes hitch a ride into the waters of the San Francisco Bay and disrupt the Bay’s delicate ecosystem. Then, we hear a story about a bird that lives in the Bay and eats our trash. And, we’ll hear a reading from Oakland poet Brian Tierney.

Today, we hear how a shelter director got into his line of work, and the way COVID-19 changed everything. Then, we talk with the award-winning hosts of the prison-based podcast Ear Hustle, Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor.

Today, we hear how a San Francisco man watching the Ukraine refugees crisis flew to Romania, stood at the border and literally passed out cash to refugees. Then, we hear about segregation in Bay Area high schools. And, Oakland author Carolyn Arnold reads from her memoir about dating after 50.

Today, we hear how you can stage an opera without a concert hall. We meet a local opera composer who pivoted from live performance to animation because of the pandemic. Then, we learn how Bay Area comedians help others find comedy relief when it comes to living with mental health issues.

Today, we visit a bookstore that’s founded on a mission to serve the community. Then, from our team at Uncuffed, we’ll hear about the powerful and inspirational songs incarcerated producers turned to during the first year of the pandemic. And, a reading from author Zara Stone.

Ukrainians are following the ongoing war closely, especially those with family back home. Like Dr Victoria Malko, professor of history at CSU Fresno. She gives her analysis of the ongoing crisis and talks about her personal connection as a Ukrainian. Then, we’ll hear about the powerful and inspirational songs our incarcerated producers turned to during the first year of lockdown.

We examine the impacts of COVID and gentrification at one church in Berkeley. Then, Oakland writer Aiden Thomas makes history as a trans author with his groundbreaking paranormal novel. And Bay Area author and artist Michelle Rial reads from her illustrated book about looking for answers for things that don’t change.

Today, we talk to Marlene Sanchez the new head of the Ella Baker Center. She experienced incarceration before she was 15. Today, she heads one of the leading legal justice organizations in the Bay. Then, we go to one of the best places to escape the city without actually leaving the city. And, Oakland artist Marina Luz talks about her new book.

An East San Jose farm park is creating a more sustainable food system — one produce box at a time. Today, we'll hear about Veggielution. Then, we talk to Sights and Sounds host Jenee Darden about a new series she's got cookin’. And, a San Francisco author reads from her book, "Secret California."

Today, we hear from Oaklander Jenah Keeby, the great-great-great-great-great granddaughter of Ossa Keeby, a survivor of the last slave ship, the Clotilda. Then, Oakland poet Ericson Amaya reads from his poem "Thoughts on Black/Brown Unity." And, Daly City singer Francisco Martin tells us about his surprising journey to fame.

How did Islam first arrive on the North American continent? In this bonus episode from KALW's The Spiritual Edge Becoming Muslim series, host Hana Baba dives into the history of Islam in America with Dr. Edward E. Curtis IV, a scholar of Muslim American, African American and Arab American history and life.

Today, we hear about a disturbing social practice that is part of our history — the story of colorism in Black communities. Then, Berkeley screenwriter Malcolm Spellman talks about his series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” And, we hear a reading from Bay Area poet Asantewaa Boykin.

Today, we hear about the beginnings of what we now know as Black History Month. We learn how it all began and why it’s relevant today. Then, singer and songwriter Martin Luther McCoy tells us why he doesn't stick to one genre of music. And, we listen to a reading from Oakland poet Karla Brundage.

Today we're sharing a series that won the award for best ongoing coverage in radio and audio in 2021 from the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. It's called The Progressive Prosecutor and it's about San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin's first year in office. It was described by the judges as an invaluable resource as voters try to understand the upcoming recall. In this episode, we learn how in San Francisco prosecutors continue to charge an overwhelming percentage of drug dealing cases brought by police. Then, a reading from Oakland poet Harrison Harvey.