New York City experienced a crimewave in the 1970s, and again during the crack epidemic of the 1980s and early 90s. Now violent crime – specifically, homicide – is surging again. Why? And what do we need to do to avoid a repeat of the terrible, tragic days of the past? Bob asks this of his guest, Zachary W. Carter, a former U.S. attorney and former judge, who has also served as New York City’s Corporation Counsel.

CUNY TV's Bob Herbert's Op-Ed.TV

Zachary W. Carter on Crime and Policing

Over one hundred eminent scholars recently signed a statement of concern that asserts, clearly and unequivocally, that “our entire democracy is now at risk.” One of these scholars joins Bob to explain this threat to the future of our nation. He is Jacob Hacker, a political science professor at Yale University and co-author of the book “LET THEM EAT TWEETS: How the Right Rules in an Age of Extreme Inequality.”

Jacob Hacker on Threats to U.S. Democracy

Believe it or not, there’s one area of national policy on which Democrats and Republicans seem to agree, and that’s voluntary national service programs. These are programs in which men and women of all ages, but often young people, engage in activities that provide an endless variety of benefits to local communities.

AnnMaura Connolly on the Benefits of National Service

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a tragically disproportionate effect on America’s black communities, and yet, some members of the African-American and other communities of color, have been among those initially reluctant to take the vaccines that have been developed to combat the pandemic. Why is that? And what’s being done to reverse that reluctance? Bob talks about this with guest Arva Rice, president and CEO of the New York Urban League and a member of a task force that was formed in New York to spread the word about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines, and to make sure that they are widely accessible in communities of color.

Arva Rice on Vaccine Hesitancy and Access

The general, almost universal feeling now, is that it was a good thing when Jackie Robinson broke the Major League color barrier in 1947. However, there were unintended consequences, which have been mostly lost in the unforgiving haze of history. Bob talks about those consequences with guest Andrea Williams, author of the new book, “Baseball’s Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the Rise and Fall of the Negro Leagues.”

Andrea Williams on Effa Manley and the Negro Leagues

Genetic testing kits for the ordinary consumer are becoming more and more popular. People love learning about their family histories and their ethnic and genetic makeup. But there’s a cautionary tale here, as well. A venture through the mysteries of your DNA can turn up lots of surprises, and some may not be welcome. Bob talks about the highs and lows, and the pros and cons of widespread genetic testing with guest Libby Copeland, an award-winning journalist and the author of “The Lost Family: How DNA Testing is Upending Who We Are.”

DNA Test Kits and Family Secrets with Libby Copeland

In a potentially historic move, the city of New York has created a Racial Justice Commission. It will examine the systemic race-based injustices and inequities embedded in the operations of city government, and it will recommend remedies. The commission’s chair, Jennifer Jones Austin, joins Bob to discuss this major undertaking.

NYC’s Racial Justice Commission with Jennifer Jones Austin

Bob talks with guest Eliza Sweren-Becker, counsel to the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law School, about the attempts that the Republican Party is making to undermine the voting rights of millions of Americans – and especially black Americans, and what can be done to stop them.

Eliza Sweren-Becker on Securing Voting Rights

Barry LePatner, a lawyer and nationally-recognized authority on real estate and construction, joins Bob to discuss New York City’s path forward. How will the transportation and commercial real estate sectors fare?

Barry B. LePatner on the Return of New York City

As we emerge, hopefully, from this COVID-19 pandemic, New York is heading straight into a housing crisis. At some point the moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures will be lifted, and an awful lot of New Yorkers will not have the money to pay their back rent, or their mortgage arrears. What will this mean – not just for tenants, homeowners and landlords – but for New Yorkers at large? Bob talks about this with Dr. Samuel Stein, a housing policy analyst at the Community Service Society, and the co-author of a study on the looming mortgage crisis facing New York.

The Looming Mortgage Crisis with Dr. Samuel Stein

Bob talks with Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, a woman who has worn many hats - consultant, writer, politician – you name it. She was the wife of the extraordinary congressman, Elijah Cummings, who died in October of 2019. The two discuss Rep. Cummings’s book, “We’re Better Than This: My Fight for the Future of Our Democracy,” which was released posthumously. They also talk about the roots of the deep racial and economic divides our country continues to face.

Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings on the Fight for Our Democracy

Bob Herbert talks with former Governor of New York, David A. Paterson, about his moving and very funny memoir, “Black, Blind, & In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity."

The Life and Career of Governor David A. Paterson

Former New York Governor David Paterson joins Bob to discuss the life and legacy of David Dinkins, New York City's first black mayor, and member of the incredibly influential "Gang of 4."

Gov. David A. Paterson on the Life of Mayor David Dinkins

The United States has just been through a traumatic presidential election, but dangerous threats to our system of elections – and thus to democracy itself – preceded the outlandish behavior of Donald Trump, and they are still abound. Bob talks about this with guest Eliza Sweren-Becker, counsel for the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, at NYU’s School of Law.

Eliza Sweren-Becker on the Future of Voting Rights

After two tumultuous presidential elections, public opinion pollsters have been left battered and bruised. So what did the polls get right? And what did they get wrong? Bob talks about this with an old friend and one of the best pollsters in the country, Dr. Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion.

Dr. Lee Miringoff on How Election Polls Actually Fared

A weekly half-hour program featuring interviews with significant men and women from a variety of fields: officeholders and activists, economists, labor leaders, writers and artists.

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CUNY TV's Bob Herbert's Op-Ed.TV

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