Undercurrents Radio WMUA

Undercurrents is joined by three Asian and Asian-American students who organized the "Hear Us All" rally in Amherst. UMass graduate students Shao You Tseng and Li-Ting Chang and Amherst College undergraduate Jia Jia Zhang discuss stereotyping, biases, and violence experienced by Asian women in the U.S. The solidarity and forward-looking analysis that they present presents an inspirational balance to the harsh realities of discrimination.

Richard Chu, 5-College professor of history, discusses less-known aspects of the history of Asian-Americans in the U.S. Connecting to more recent decades, Dr. Chu talks about the "invisibilized people", the myth of the "model minority", and the rise of reported hate crimes targeting Asian-Americans.

Steve Fernandez talks about his engineering work small communities across the globe, as well as bringing the ideas of engineering and social justice to UMass students via community engagement classwork. Fernandez describes his path from undergraduate training at MIT and a Ph.D. in solar energy at UMass Lowell, working on engineer projects in the global south, and current activities as Engineering Engagement Specialist and member of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Engineering at UMass Amherst

UMass professor of history Asheesh Siddique discusses struggles, victories, and set-backs in securing the right to vote in the U.S. Historically, groups have been excluded, included, and excluded. Currently Republican sates are attempting draconian restrictions on being able to cast a ballot, and Federal  legislation to protect voting rights is being contested in the Senate. (4-8-21) 

 John Bracey, Professor of African-American studies at UMass Amherst, recently published African American Mosaic: A Documentary History from the Slave Trade to the Twenty-First Century with Manisha Sinha. Bracey moves listeners back and forth between current events and organizing efforts and the historical roots. (4-1-21)

MA Peace Action activists Amar Ahmad and Brian Garvey discuss the failed U.S. policy of endless wars. A key element is setting up blockades, such as currently in Venezuela, which are devastating to the people. (3-25-21)

Neighborhoods made toxic by air, water, and soil pollution are strongly correlated with the residents being black. Armanthia Duncan explains how the term "environmental racism" is closer to the actuality than "environmental justice" and describes her research on this in the UMass Department of Sociology. She also discusses persistent racial inequalities in education, and the inspiring work of the Hartford Youth Scholars, where she is the Academy Dean. (3-18-21)

A Military Budget: National Priorities Project and Institute of Policy studies research analyst Ashik Siddique discusses the U.S. Federal budget, it's giant military and domestic militarization component, and the trade-offs in other federal spending that this means. (3-11-21)

Brian Garvey and Amar Ahmed of MA Peace Action discuss the militaristic U.S. foreign policy with Iran, in the context of the increasingly militarized Middle East. Stay updated at https://masspeaceaction.org . 

Converting to a sustainable economy is a must. One avenue forward from the economic devastation of the pandemic is converting to a green economy. Professor of Economics Robert Pollin addresses the current situation and outlines real options in transportation and construction conversion. (2-25-21)

UMass geoscientist Justin Richardson's research brings to light problems of soil toxicity. His findings document the greater environmental hazards found in low-income and minority neighborhoods. (2-18-21)

Victories can happen one vote at at time, as the recent historic elections of Democratic Senators Warnock and Ossoff. Swing Left Greater Boston canvassers Jeff Angus and Jeff Lobo discuss canvassing in historically Republican states. For other details see https://swingleftboston.org .

Professor of Economics Lisa Saunders (UMass Amherst) talks about issues facing minority and women students in economics. She discusses efforts for inclusive teaching, and draws from her own experience as an African-American woman establishing credentials in the field. (1-4-21)

Asheesh Siddique of the UMass History Department, discusses the recent failed insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In the context of U.S. history, this is one of many examples of violent response by one segment of the public to progressive change.

Brian Harvey and Amar Ahmed of Peace Action MA discuss the Saudi war in Yemen, and the U.S. weapons sales to Saudi Arabia that has enabled the war, and lead to one of the worst humanitarian crises in decades. Jan 25 is a global day of action to remind Biden of his promise to end US support. ( 1-21-20)

Alan Robock, Professor of Climate Science at Rutgers University and an activist with the Physicists' Coalition for Nuclear Threat Reduction, is an expert on the global climate changes that will result from nuclear war. "Nuclear Winter", current global nuclear arsenals, and global political action are discussed in this segment of Undercurrents. Further information is available at http://climate.envsci.rutgers.edu/nuclear/ .

Umass Geophysics graduate student Shaina Sadai talks about the intertwined geophysical systems that result in our climate. She reports on recent research about the impacts of significant ice melt underneath the Antarctic ice sheet. (12-18-20)

Join us --when ever the time--for an Undercurrents New Year's Eve.

Susan Labandibar and Jeff Lobo describe the grassroots outreach of Swing Left Greater Boston. With a focus on mobilizing and informing voters, as well as providing voter protection, the organization enables volunteers to help out and build solidarity where it is most needed. Currently, they are working in Georgia. 

Amar Ahmad and Brian Garvey discuss the global extent of U.S. military forces, the commitment of 50% of the federal budget, and the 19 year old U.S. war in Afghanistan. (12-9-20)

Gerald Friedman (UMass Economics) analyzes the distinct voter bases of support for Trump and for Biden, the history leading to this division, and the future of U.S. politics. (12-3-20).

Undercurrents host Ann Teng and Juneid Mosaheb discuss their experiences as international students studying virtually at UMass during the pandemic, and take a look at the U.S. political landscape. (10-18-20)

Undercurrents brings you a collection of Native American music and poetry,  along with networking information. (11-26-20)

Nora Gallo, National Director of the Every Voice Coalition, speaks about sexual violence, and educational and legislative efforts for change. "We don't want sympathy - we want action". (10-19-20)

Jennifer Sandler & Art Keene (UMass Anthropology) discuss critical issues, how community organizing has stepped up to defeat Trump, and where grassroots movements are going. (11-11-20)

Recounting the history of racism and of neoliberalism in the U.S., well-known authors John Bracey (UMass Afro-Am) and Robert Pollin (UMass Econs) analyze the 2020 presidential elections. Why is Trump so enthusiastically supported? (11-4-20)

Miranda Groux and Hallie Martin from the Resistance Center for Peace and Justice in Northampton join our show to talk about the grassroots movement propelling demilitarization, and how their organization takes preventative action in the Pioneer Valley against militarization.

Traci Parker of the UMass Afro-Am Department, joins us this week in a discussion around historical barriers to obtaining suffrage and the need for Black activism in the struggle for racial justice. Parker's book, Department Stores and the Black Freedom Movement: Workers, Consumers, and Civil Rights from the 1930s to the 1980s, was released last year. (10-15-20)

Arlene Avakian of the Movement Voter Project fills us in on the mechanics of grassroots organizing, what happens on the ground once elections are over and how organizations like MVP fundraise for the future. Avakian is an emeritus professor from UMass Amherst, and she is one of the founders and former chair of the university's Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality.(10-9-20)

Art Keene, UMass professor emeritus of anthropology, joins us in conversation around voter suppression and the precarious state of our democracy. Keene is an editor of the Amherst Independent and a local activist.

UMass professor of economics Gerry Friedman joins us to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic's strain on our healthcare system and the economics of inoculation. His newest release titled The Case for Medicare for All is out in bookstores now.