Remembering the greats

As Black History Month comes to a close, I wanted to take the time to recognize some of the great African Americans who have made a difference in our world. From Sojourner Truth to Barack Obama, there are so many people who have knocked down doors and brought us a step closer to equality.

I am most touched by the story of Phillis Wheatley. During her short 31 years, she accomplished so much and helped people realize, including her slave master, that blacks were so much more than physical laborers.

Wheatley, who was brought to America as a slave in 1761 at the age of eight, became the most famous female poet of the eighteenth century. This was during a time when most blacks could not even read or write. Wheatley was freed in 1772, traveled to England, and even wrote a poem for President George Washington who later invited her to visit him. Who would have expected a woman, who acquired her name from a slave owner, to become a pioneer for blacks forever?

It’s so sad looking back on the approximately 200 years of enslavement that blacks suffered. The forced migration of Africans to America is the reason many African Americans today do not know their true roots. Despite this upsetting fact, there are so many people who have fought to make things better for all.

MPT wants to know what African American pioneers have impacted your life? It could be someone of fame, a local success, or even a relative. Do their past struggles fill you with pain or hope for a better tomorrow?

Also, check out the American Masters special, “Sweet Honey in the Rock: Raise Your Voice,” airing on MPT Wednesday, February 25 at 10:30 p.m. to learn about a Grammy-winning group of African American women who sing against injustice (and who just sang at the White House!). Later that week, we’ll be airing the two-hour television debut of Soulful Symphony—the nation’s only African American symphony—Saturday, February 28 at 6 p.m.


Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

McMansions: Yes or No?

Recent national surveys have found that most Americans are both unhappy (and unhealthy) with the results of “sprawl,” a term which the Sierra Club defines as “poorly-planned development that destroys green space, increases traffic and air pollution, crowds schools and drives up taxes.”

We see examples of sprawl through the homogenous “McMansions” and planned communities that seem to pop up anywhere there is open space. Sprawl exists as the superstores and shopping centers that are needed to support these new homes and planned communities. Suburban sprawl gives little to no consideration for the environments around it. Sprawl affects the air we breathe and the water we drink and is responsible for the destruction of more than two million acres of parks, farms, and open space every year.

Sprawl affects not just our environment and nature, but also our own happiness. Suburban sprawl is pushed as being the American Dream. However, the American Dream is changing and a recent national poll found that three-quarters of those polled would prefer less development and more of a focus on “smart growth.” Even Hollywood, which has more often than not been a major outlet for selling the American Dream, has recently showed its discontent through films like WALL-E and Revolutionary Road.

Public Television is known for providing an alternative voice to pressing issues of public concern. On Saturday Feb. 21 at 6:30 p.m., MPT will air "Sprawl: A Tipping Point." This program, hosted by MPT’s Jeff Salkin, will take a local look at how Maryland’s natural environments are affected by sprawl and what we can do to curb the effects of it. The program will examine three specific communities affected by sprawl in Maryland: Terrapin Run in Allegany Country (the site of a controversial planned mountain community); south Baltimore’s Westport neighborhood, where an upcoming revitalization will use existing infrastructure; and Harford County, the future home of 25,000 additional households will move in upcoming years as a result of the military’s Base Realignment and Closure plan.

MPT wants to hear what you think. How do you define sprawl—and how does it define you. If you're like the 75% of Americans that are unhappy and dissatisfied with sprawl, we want to hear what you and your community are doing to counter sprawl. How do you define “smart growth”? What do you think are effective land use policies?


Jordan Weinberg
Institutional Advancement Intern

Garfield vs. Odie

It’s a battle that has been fought for centuries: Dogs vs. cats.

Everyone has a different opinion of which furry friend is the better pet. Who wins in your home? Is it the oh-so-dependable “man’s best friend,” or the cozy and clever cat?

A friend of mine owns a shih tzu named Peanut. Before Peanut was trained, she would often leave him in her room while she went to school and work. When she got home one day, the pup had gotten out of her room and into her mother’s wigs. My friend’s mother was not too pleased to find her head adornments covered in doggie drool.

MPT wants to know your funny pet stories. Leave us a comment and send us (press@mpt.org) photos of your furry, four-legged pals!

Don’t miss the Nature series “Why We Love Cats & Dogs,” airing this Sunday at 7pm on MPT.


Renèe Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

To Stay or Not to Stay: Domestic Violence

I want to touch on the issue of domestic violence in light of recent events involving superstars Chris Brown and Rihanna. (Brown allegedly physically abused his longtime girlfriend this past weekend in an L.A. neighborhood).

There are so many victims of domestic abuse, and this latest news proves that it can happen to anyone; rich or poor, young or old, male or female. It is for this reason one should learn to recognize the signs of a batterer early on and find ways to escape the situation.

Some early signs of a batterer include someone who wants to know your whereabouts at all times, to control who you spend your time with, and has a short temper. However, there are many others and they may differ per individual.

In Brown’s case, he witnessed his stepfather abuse his mother from an early age. It is very common for those who have been a victim of or witnessed domestic abuse to acquire abusive behavior later in life. Though this is no excuse for harming another individual, it is a familiar cycle.

MPT wants your input. Is it acceptable for the abused to abuse? What are some warning signs of a batterer? What are some tips on getting out of a violent relationship?


Renèe N. Gibson
Institutional Advancement Intern

Stimulus package: What do YOU think?

Negotiators have finally reached a deal on a multi-billion dollar stimulus package after weeks of debate between House and Senate versions of the stimulus bill. The stimulus package, which comes in at a hefty $789 billion dollar price tag, was actually less than the previous House and Senate versions of the bill.

Senate majority leader Harry Reid credited the work of three GOP senators—the only Republicans from Congress to back the bill—for working to reach an agreement on the enormous stimulus package: Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine and Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.

"Like any negotiation, this involved give and take, and if you don't mind my saying so, that's an understatement," Reid said Wednesday. President Obama had indicated earlier that he wanted the bill on his desk no later than President’s Day, which is this Monday. Voting on the bill is expected to begin as early as tomorrow.

We’d love to know what you think about what’s going on. Here are some questions to consider:

1. Do you think the $789 billion dollar stimulus package has what it takes to pull this country out of the economic crisis?

2. Are you surprised that the GOP went along with the Dems on the stimulus package?

3. Has the Republicans’ delay of Obama’s stimulus package made the GOP look disingenuous in terms of helping everyday Americans get back on their feet?

Tune into the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer as he discusses the situation tonight at 6 p.m. on MPT.


Matt Rains
Member Relations Representative

Behind the scenes with William "Brit" Kirwan

As Americans confront the daily challenges of a struggling economy, universities are feeling the pinch as well.

William "Brit" Kirwan, chancellor of the University System of Maryland, joined MPT and host Jeff Salkin earlier this week for Direct Connection to chat about the prestigious university system during the budget crunch.

Jeff and the chancellor chatted in a post-show web exclusive (below) on meeting financial hurdles head-on. For more local newsmakers on local issues, tune in to Direct Connection every Monday night at 7:30 p.m.

Ever wonder how live TV works?

Wonder no more!

A little birdie (carrying a an equally little Flip cam) was on hand late last month as MPT filmed a live call-in special on the digital switch. Check out our new video (above) to get a true behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lights, the cameras, and yes, the action!

Tell us what MPT means to YOU!

All over the United States, people have been sharing in writing, pictures, sound and video the way public TV and radio fits into their lives.

Right now you can see and hear everyday viewers and well-known figures such as Jimmy Carter, Barbara Bush, Kevin Bacon, Judy Woodruff and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar share what public TV means to them. We'd like you to tell everyone how MPT fits into YOUR life.

You can type a few lines, even attach a picture, video or audio. We'll share your submission online, and you could be invited to the MPT studio for a follow-up interview! To see what others have said, or to to share your thoughts, check out MPT's new mysource page.

MPT viewer Dan Kaufman shared his story (above) with us recently. He was inspired by the documentary Anyone & Everyone, which tells the emotional stories of parents of gay youth. "Maryland Public Television is my source for understanding all different kinds of families," he says.

What's MPT YOUR source for? Tell us today!

Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North

History books tell us that American slave trading was strictly Southern business. But history was turned upside down for filmmaker Katrina Browne when she suddenly found out her New England ancestors were the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history—and that her family's prestige and wealth was tied to human trafficking.

In her P.O.V. documentary, Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North—airing on MPT January 27 at 10 p.m.—Browne and nine cousins retrace the Triangle Trade and gain a powerful new perspective on the black/white divide.

On the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the historic inauguration of America's first African American president, MPT and a distinguished group of panelists will discuss if racial healing is possible in America Sunday, January 18 at 4:30 p.m. at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture in downtown Baltimore.

The event—held in conjunction with the broadcast premiere of Traces of the Trade—is free (but an RSVP is required; call 443-263-1875 to book your spot!), and part of MPT’s ongoing Campaign for Love & Forgiveness.

Dr. David Terry, executive director of the Lewis Museum, will head the discussion with a distinguished roster of panelists, and special guest Tom DeWolf, author of Inheriting the Trade and family member featured in the film, will also be available to provide insight into the documentary and answer questions from the audience.

If we haven't grabbed your attention just yet, check out the clip above. We hope to see you there!

A single table and a common goal

MPT’s outreach initiatives make a real difference in our communities. This entry—by Elyn Jones, Deputy Director of Maryland’s Department of Human Resource’s Office of Communications—is the last in a series on MPT’s recent foster care phone bank, which elicited over 100 viewer phone calls seeking more information about how everyday people can help foster care children in Maryland. We’ve posted a video mix of that exciting evening above. (Keep your eyes open for Lt. Governor Anthony Brown answering phones with the rest of the gang!)

From our very first meeting there was electricity behind this project that just could not be denied. All of the partners around the table were anxious to be a part of what we knew could be a wonderful event. On Thursday, November 20 during MPT’s broadcast of Foster Care Stories: A Place To Be and its accompanying live phone bank, we were all proven correct.

The appeal for volunteers for last month’s phone bank went out several weeks earlier from Faith Wachter, MPT’s Director of Community Outreach Initiatives, with a special request to secure a few extra volunteers in case of possible last minute cancellations. We needed 25 volunteers to answer phones, so you can imagine our surprise—and delight—when that number was surpassed! A whopping 43 volunteers made the trek out to MPT to donate their time and knowledge to help educate callers on foster care.

Included in this number were Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Governor’s Chief of Staff Michael Enright and Department of Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald. They were assisted by Miss Maryland, Louise Schlegel and Melissa Smith, President of the Maryland Foster Youth Resource Center. Also on hand and ready to answer phones were Delegates Talmadge Branch and Guy Guzzone.

After the very first interview segment, which featured the Lt. Governor and Secretary Donald, studio phones lit up and continued to ring throughout the remainder of the program. At night’s end, some 105 calls had been taken.

This was truly an example of what can happen when partnerships are formed around a common goal. We will follow-up with the callers from the program, and will work closely with them should they choose to become foster or adoptive parents. There are over 9,200 children in foster care across the state. If we are able to get a handful of adoptive or foster parents from the 105 calls received, that will make a tangible difference for some of those children, all thanks to the joint effort of MPT all thanks to the join effort of MPT, its partners, a single table and a common goal.

Elyn Jones
Deputy Director, Maryland Department of Human Resource, Office of Communication