>> JUST AHEAD ON BLACK ISSUES FORUM, HAPPY DAYS ARE ON THE WAY AS GOVERNOR COOPER LOOSENS COVID RESTRICTIONS.

RACIAL RECKONING REACHES REALITY TV'S THE BACHELOR.

ARE WE READY FOR THE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS?

AND, CONGRESSWOMAN ALMA ADAMS JOINS US WITH NEWS ABOUT A CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF BLACK AND BROWN MOMS.

STAY WITH US.

♪ HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US ON BLACK ISSUES FORUM.

I'M DEBORAH HOLT-NOEL.

THIS WEEK, WE'RE KICKING OFF THE SHOW WITH ONE OF OUR NATION'S LAWMAKERS, CONGRESSWOMAN ALMA ADAMS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING REPRESENTATIVE ADAMS, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> WELL, WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN A STRONG SUPPORTER OF AN INCREASE TO THE MINIMUM WAGE, PARTICULARLY IN THE 1.9 TRILLION DOLLAR RELIEF PACKAGE.

BUT RECENTLY THE PARLIAMENTARIAN SAID THAT THIS WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR INCLUSION IN THE BILL UNDER A RECONCILIATION.

IS THIS BILL OR THIS PART OF THE BILL GOING TO NEED TO FIND A NEW HOME?

>> WELL, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT, BUT YOU'RE PROBABLY RIGHT THERE THE PARLIAMENTARIAN HAS THE FINAL SAY THERE.

BUT YOU KNOW I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS, IT IS A GRADUAL INCREASE TO $15 AN HOUR.

BUT YOU KNOW WE HAVE SO MANY WORKERS WHO WE'VE CALLED ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND THEY DON'T HAVE ESSENTIAL PAY, THEY'RE STILL STRUGGLING.

IT'S BEEN A A VERY LONG TIME.

15, 12, 15 YEARS SINCE WE'VE HAD A RAISE IN THE WAGE, SO IT'S STILL IMPORTANT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS AND A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, SO I JUST BELIEVE THAT YOU KNOW WE'VE GOT TO CHANGE THAT WORKING ON THIS ISSUE SINCE MY DAYS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE.

IT'S BEEN 7.25 OVER A DECADE, THAT'S THE LONGEST STRETCH IN U.S. HISTORY.

AND THAT'S POVERTY WAGE.

AND SO THIS IS THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, AND WE'VE GOT TO DO BETTER THAN THAT.

27 MILLION LOW-WAGE WORKERS WILL GET A RAISE IN MY DISTRICT, IN MECKLENBURG CHARLOTTE IT WOULD MEAN GIVING A RAISE TO WORKING 80,000 WOMEN, SO WOMEN ARE SUFFERING EVEN MORE THAN MEN PARTICULARLY WITH THIS PANDEMIC >> WELL, THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT A MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE CERTAINLY WOULD HELP OUT A LOT OF FOLKS, BUT THERE'S ARGUMENT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT BELONGS IN THE COVID RELIEF PACKAGE, AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, A GREAT BULK OF THE COVID RELIEF PACKAGE IS ALLOCATED TO ITEMS THAT MANY WOULD ARGUE ARE NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO RELIEF EFFORTS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THAT?

THINGS LIKE THE STUDENT LOAN AND EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE CONTENTIOUS RIGHT NOW.

WHAT ARE THE AREAS OF COMPROMISE RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, I THINK THOSE THINGS ARE CONTENTIOUS, BUT THEY ARE ALL CONNECTED WITH THE WITH RELIEF, I MEAN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FOLKS WHO HAVE LOST JOBS, BARELY MAKING THE ENDS MEET, THIS HAS AND GOING ON NOW FOR ALMOST - IT WILL BE A YEAR NEXT WEEK.

AND SO IF YOU'RE NOT MAKING MONEY, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE INCOME, IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO PAY THE BILLS, PAY YOUR RENT PAY YOUR STUDENT LOANS AND ALL THOSE THINGS.

I DO SEE THOSE THINGS AS RELATED SERIOUSLY RELATED TO THIS PANDEMIC, AND SO I GUESS IT'S A MATTER OF HOW YOU INTERPRET IT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SUPPORT IT THEN YOU KNOW WE'RE GOING TO FIND ALL KINDS OF EXCUSES AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE'VE DONE.

BUT WE'LL BE PASSING THE PACKAGE OUT TODAY OR IN THE MORNING.

IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO CASTING MY VOTE FOR IT.

>> WELL DONE, AND ANOTHER QUESTION THAT COVID HAS BROUGHT UP OR AT LEAST BROUGHT A SPOTLIGHT TO IS HEALTH FOR EVERYONE, BUT YOU YOURSELF HAVE A NEW CAMPAIGN AND SOMETHING CALLED THE 'MOMNIBUS BILL'.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT AND BLACK WOMEN'S HEALTH?

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, MOMNIBUS, WE'VE JUST FILED THE BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH MOMNIBUS ACT OF 2021, WHICH IS A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE.

12 BILLS THAT TACKLES ONE OF THE GREATEST PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS OF OUR TIME AND THAT'S BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH, WITH BLACK WOMEN DYING FOUR OR FIVE TIMES THE RATE OF OTHER WOMEN, AND SO WITH THE SUPPORT OF VARIOUS COALITIONS HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, BLACK MOTHERS, POLICYMAKERS RESEARCHERS ALL OF THOSE FOLKS HAVE COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THIS.

THE 12 BILLS IN THE MOMNIBUS, WE'VE ADDED 3 INITIALLY WHEN WE STARTED, LAST YEAR IT WAS NINE, WE'VE ADDED NOW THE MATERNAL HEALTH PANDEMIC RESPONSE ACT, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ARE IN A PANDEMIC.

PROTECTING MOMS AND BABIES FROM CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CAN YOU TELL ME HOW THE ACT WOULD ADDRESS HEALTH EQUITY ISSUES?

>> OKAY, WELL WE KNOW THAT WOMEN OF COLOR AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN PARTICULAR REALLY DON'T HAVE MANY OF THE -- THIS BILL WILL ADDRESS THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH WHICH INFLUENCE THESE OUTCOMES LIKE HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, NUTRITION, THAT SHOW US RIGHT NOW THAT MANY WOMEN OF COLOR, AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN IN PARTICULAR DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED DON'T HAVE THE TRANSPORTATION NOT ABLE TO GET TO THE DOCTOR AS THEY SHOULD AND SO FORTH, SO, ALL OF THESE THINGS WOULD HELP IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES FOR BLACK WOMEN.

WE KNOW THAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN US THAT THE DISCREPANCIES AND THE DISPARITIES IN HEALTH THAT ANY OTHER FOLKS ALREADY HAVE AND WOMEN OF COURSE FACING EVEN GREATER RISK SO THIS MOMNIBUS IN SO MANY WAYS WITH ALL OF THESE BILLS WILL ADDRESS THOSE PARTICULAR ISSUES.

>> AND WOMEN'S HEALTH IS DEFINITELY AN IMPORTANT ISSUE WE THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING THAT AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON BLACK ISSUES FORUM REPRESENTATIVE ALMA ADAMS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

>> COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR CLOSE TO A YEAR ARE LOOSENING.

BUSINESSES LIKE BARS AND MOVIE THEATERS CAN NOW INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY WHILE SOME SPORTS VENUES CAN SEAT MORE FANS.

BUT LEADERS WARNED THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO LET OUR GUARD DOWN.

>> WE STILL HAVE MORE THAN HALF OF OUR COUNTIES IN EITHER THE RED OR THE ORANGE.

SO WHILE WE'RE IMPROVING SINCE OUR PEAK IN JANUARY WE STILL HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

>> MANY PEOPLE ARE WEARING MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AND IT IS MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE.

>> NORTH CAROLINA'S COVID-19 METRICS ARE DIPPING AFTER A POST HOLIDAY SPIKE AND HERE TO DISCUSS THIS AND SOME OF OUR OTHER STORIES.

WE HAVE WTVD REPORTER AND ANCHOR TIM PULLIAM, JESSICA HOLMES AN ATTORNEY AND POLITICAL ANALYST, AND WE ALSO HAVE WITH US NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY LECTURER BRETT CHAMBERS.

WELCOME EVERYBODY TO THE FORUM.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE LOOSENING.

I'M SURE EVERYBODY IS RELIEVED.

I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY THAT THINGS ARE OPENING UP, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SEQUENCING.

I'LL OPEN UP WITH YOU JESSICA, THE SEQUENCING OF EVENTS AND JUST THE REAL SAFETY IN DOING SO AND THE PACING OF LOOSENING THINGS UP.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

>> THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT GOVERNOR COOPER HAS BEEN VERY THOUGHTFUL AND VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT REOPENING OUR STATE.

HE'S MADE VERY GOOD DECISIONS BASED ON SCIENCE AND BASED ON DATA.

I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE COMING OUT OF HIS MOST RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT, THAT WHILE THIS IS ONE POSITIVE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TOWARDS NORMALCY, THIS IS NOT THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND WE STILL HAVE VERY FAR TO GO.

WE LOOK AT THE FACT THAT BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE OF THE VACCINATIONS THAT QUITE FRANKLY THE PACE THAT NORTH CAROLINA IS MOVING AT, IT WILL TAKE MONTHS FOR THE STATE - FOR THOSE THAT WANT THE VACCINE, TO BE VACCINATED, PLUS YOU HAVE TO COUNT FOR THE ANTI VACCERS, PLUS YOU HAVE TO ACCOUNT FOR THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW SOME PEOPLE MAY JUST NOT BE INTERESTED MAY JUST NOT WANT IT, SO NOT TO MENTION THE VARIANTS, THE NEW STRAINS, SO THIS IS ONE STEP IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION TOWARDS REOPENING IN GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

BUT THE MASK MANDATE IS STILL VERY MUCH IN PLACE, PEOPLE SHOULD STILL SOCIAL DISTACE, AND WE ARE ARE NOWHERE NEAR THE END OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> IT'S A STEP TOWARD THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THE PACING TIM, WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE KNOW ABOUT THIS LOOSENING OF RESTRICTIONS?

>> WE KNOW THAT BARS NOW YOU KNOW ALL GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN THEIR FACILITY, MORE PEOPLE BE ABLE TO EAT OUT IN RESTAURANTS, GYMS CAN OPEN LONGER, SO WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING BACK TO WORK IS WHAT THIS GOING TO BE ABOUT.

BUT TO JESSICA'S POINT, YOU KNOW WE STILL HAVE THOSE ANTI VACCERS AND SO MY JOB AS A MEDIA PERSON, IS TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED SO THAT THESE RESTRICTIONS CAN GET EVEN LOOSER.

>> YES, YES, AND PEOPLE ARE STILL -- I CAN SEE A STRONGER EFFORT TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH GOING AHEAD AND GETTING THOSE VACCINATIONS AND BRETT, THERE ARE SOME COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE COMPLAINED THAT PEOPLE ARE JUMPING THE LINE TO GET VACCINATIONS AND THAT'S KIND OF INHIBITING SOME OF THE THE STATISTICS FOR GETTING VACCINATIONS TO BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.

>> YES, I'VE HEARD THAT QUITE A BIT I READ ABOUT IT, I KNOW THAT I'VE SEEN EVEN SOME PEOPLE'S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS THAT THEY ARE SHOWING THAT THEY GOT THEIR SHOTS THEY USE A LITTLE SONG SHOT SHOT SHOT, THEY GOT IT.

>> THEY'RE SHARING EVERYTHING.

>> WELL, I HAVEN'T HAD IT AND I TEACH.

I GO IN FRONT OF STUDENTS EVERY DAY AND ALSO TO THE OTHER POINT ABOUT THE LOOSENING OF RESTRICTIONS, I HOST AN EVENT EVERY WEEK WHERE THE PART THAT TIM WAS TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE CAN GET BACK TO WORK IS THAT PEOPLE CAN GET BACK TO WORK AND SOME PEOPLE MAY BE ABLE TO SAVE THEIR BUSINESSES.

THE RESTAURANT WHERE I HOLD MY EVENT THOSE PEOPLE ARE JUST HOLDING ON.

AND WE'RE BOTH TRYING TO - WE TRY TO DO IT IN A VERY SAFE MANNER FOR ALL THE RESTRICTIONS.

BUT THE NUMBERS ARE NOT THERE FOR US TO REALLY PROSPER OR MAINTAIN.

I'M DOING THIS - I KEEP MINE GOING BECAUSE OF MY MUSICIANS AND MY CROWD, MY AUDIENCE AND THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED US, AND THE PEOPLE COME TO THE RESTAURANT TO SUPPORT THEM BECAUSE THAT COUPLE, BILL AND ANDREA, THEY'RE REALLY WORKING REALLY HARD TO HOLD ON TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS THEY CAN AND PAY THEM, SO IT'S GREAT THAT WE'RE OPENING UP A LITTLE BIT.

BUT EVEN THEY KNOW THAT WE'RE STILL TRYING TO LOOK OUT FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, OUR AUDIENCES, THE PEOPLE SUPPORT US, SO IT'S GOOD NEWS, BUT EVERYBODY HAS TO STILL BE DILIGENT, VIGILANT, AND MAINTAIN THE PROTOCOLS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> AND I GET REALLY CONCERNED JESSICA ABOUT HOW THIS MIGHT IMPACT FUNDING THAT'S COMING IN SO THINGS ARE LOOKING REAL SUNNY.

SO BUSY PEOPLE ARE GETTING BACK TO WORK GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS THAT MIGHT BE A GROUNDWORK FOR SAYING REALLY DON'T NEED AS MUCH RELIEF AT THIS POINT BECAUSE THINGS ARE OPENING UP.

>> I THINK THAT POSITION WOULD BE A MISTAKE, BECAUSE SO MUCH DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE TO OUR ECONOMY TO OUR BUSINESSES.

AS CHAMBERS MENTIONED, SOME BUSINESSES MAY STILL BE ABLE TO SAVE THEMSELVES, BUT THERE'S A REALITY THAT SO MANY BUSINESSES ARE NOT IN THAT POSITION AND HAVE ALREADY FAILED ALREADY CLOSED, ALREADY LAID PEOPLE OFF.

AND WE'RE STILL HAVING CHALLENGES AS IT RELATES THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED.

AND YOU KNOW WE ARE REALLY IN FOR JUST A LOT OF FIXING, A LOT OF ADDRESSING OUR ECONOMY A LOT OF ADDRESSING GETTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK A LOT OF ADDRESSING, PARTICULARLY SINGLE MOTHERS FOR EXAMPLE WHO MAYBE HAD TO QUIT THEIR JOBS AS OPPOSED TO BEING LAID OFF.

DUE TO SCHOOLS, NOT NECESSARILY OFFERING IN-PERSON OPTIONS.

SO THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE BY COVID-19 AND NOT ONLY IS IT GOING TO BE A LONG PROCESS TO GETTING EVERYONE WHO WANTS A VACCINATION VACCINATED BUT IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE A LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY FOR OUR ECONOMY AND FAILING TO INVEST PROPERLY IS ONLY GOING TO PUT THAT FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD FOR US AND WE WANT TO GET OPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO IT RIGHT.

>> WE GOT TO DO A RIGHT, IT'S DEFINITELY A LONG WAY TO GO.

BUT I WANT TO TAKE US TO SOMETHING THAT KIND OF PERTAINS TO THE RACIAL RECKONING AND ALL OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE SEEM TO WANT TO HAVE AROUND RACE RIGHT NOW.

THE BACHELOR IS SEEING A SPIKE IN ATTENTION BUT PROBABLY NOT THE KIND THAT THEY WANT.

THIS SEASON FOCUSES ON MATT JAMES WHO IS FROM RALEIGH HE'S THE FIRST BLACK STAR IN THE SHOW'S NEARLY 20 YEARS BUT RECENT CONTROVERSY INVOLVING ONE OF THE CONTESTANTS AND THE SHOW'S HOST IS SPARKING EVEN MORE CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE AND REPRESENTATION AND POP CULTURE, AND MY QUESTION I WANT TO JUST THROW IT OUT TO YOU TO START BRETT.

MY QUESTION IS THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT.

SO ARE OUR EXPECTATIONS CHANGING REGARDING HOW ENTERTAINERS AND EVEN REALITY STARS SPEAK OUT ON MATTERS OF RACE?

>> MAN, LOOK.

WE WANT PEOPLE SPEAK OUT, THEY SPEAK OUT, AND THEY GET ATTACKED, DOESN'T MATTER WHICH SIDE IT'S FROM OR I MEAN SO, AND AS FAR AS HIM BEING LIKE THE FIRST BLACK BACHELOR, THERE HAD TO BE A FIRST ONE, WE KNEW THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME KIND OF DRAMA SURROUNDING IT, THAT'S WHAT THE SHOW'S ABOUT DRAMA CONFLICT.

I THINK IT'S GREAT IT'S STARTING A CONVERSATION, CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION.

THE ABC -- SOMEBODY SAID TO ME YESTERDAY, BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING A CONVERSATION - THEY SAID SOMEBODY HAD TO ALREADY KNOW WHILE THEY WERE DOING THE VETTING, BECAUSE THEIR PRODUCERS DO A VERY GOOD VETTING JOB.

SOMEBODY HAD TO KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THIS STUFF BEFORE THEY GET STARTED.

>> SO YOU THINK THEY LET THIS KIND OF COME OUT ON PURPOSE, THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE YOUNG LADY -- >> LET ME JUST PUT IT THIS WAY, I'M NOT GOING TO SPECULATE.

>> BUT I BUT YOU NEVER LET A GOOD CRISIS GO TO WASTE.

I MEAN, THAT'S A PROMOTIONAL AND MARKETING THING LIKE, IF IT'S GOING TO COME OUT YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> BUT ONE THING IT LIFTS UP IS YOU KNOW ARE WE READY TO HAVE THESE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACE BECAUSE NOW THE HOST OF THE SHOW CHRIS HARRIS COMES OUT MAKES A STATEMENT.

HE'S LIKE, "LISTEN, THESE GIRLS WENT TO A PARTY HAD A GOOD TIME."

TIM, YOU KNOW YOU I'M SURE YOU'RE FAMILIAR WITH OUR OWN HISTORY HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA WE'VE HAD THE AZALEA FESTIVAL OUR AZELEA BELLS, WHICH HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED, SINCE 2020, BUT YOU KNOW, WAS THERE UNDUE ATTENTION AND CRITICISM TO CHRIS HARRIS?

HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THAT?

>> I USED TO LIVE IN WILMINGTON AND COVERED THE AZELEA FESTIVAL AND WAS IN SHOCK AT WHAT I WAS SEEING SO YES, YOU DEFINITELY HAVE A HISTORY PROBLEM HERE AS WELL IN NORTH CAROLINA.

TO BRETT TO YOUR POINT BACHELOR HAS ALREADY FILMED.

SO MATT JAMES COMING OUT WITH THIS STATEMENT.

THE SHOW HAS ALREADY AIRED, YOU KNOW WE ALREADY KNOW HE HAS ALREADY CHOSEN THE PERSON HE WANTS TO MARRY, SO IT IS A LITTLE INTERESTING HOW THIS IS ALL UNFOLDING.

HIM COMING FORWARD TO YOUR POINT DEBORAH, LOOKING AT CHRIS HARRIS AND RACHAEL LINDSAY HAVE THAT BACK AND FORTH.

SHE WAS THE PREVIOUS BLACK BACHELORETTE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO WATCH BECAUSE SHE WAS TRYING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH HIM IN AN HONEST PLACE ABOUT HOW THIS WOULD MAKE ME FEEL IF I WAS A PART OF THAT.

WHO WOULD I REPRESENT AS A BLACK PERSON IF I WAS A PART OF THAT PARTY.

>> AND THEN HE WAS DISMISSIVE.

>> HE WAS DISMISSIVE.

THIS SHOW AIRS ON MY NETWORK, SO OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW WE BENEFIT FROM IT.

BUT I THINK THAT THESE CONVERSATIONS HAVE TO KEEP HAPPENING WITH ENTERTAINERS, YOU KNOW BECAUSE WE DO LOOK TOWARD ENTERTAINERS AS ROLE MODELS UNFORTUNATELY.

>> JESSICA WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT IT?

>> I SECOND WHAT'S BEEN SAID UNFORTUNATELY, I WISH WE AS A SOCIETY DID NOT LOOK TO ENTERTAINERS FOR THEIR POSITIONS, THAT SAID ANY TIME WE CAN HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT RACE IN THIS COUNTRY, WE SHOULD CERTAINLY WELCOME HAVING THAT CONVERSATION AND I WOULD AGREE IT WAS A VERY PAINFUL INTERVIEW TO WATCH.

HE SHOWED A VERY CHRIS HARRISON SHOWED A VERY CLEAR DISDAIN FOR WHAT HE REFERRED TO AS THE "WOKE POLICE" AND REFERRING TO WHAT HE -- MANY PEOPLE WOULD CALL THE CANCEL CULTURE, BUT THAT SAID, THE CANCEL CULTURE IS IN PLACE FOR A REASON AND YOU KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE THESE HONEST CONVERSATIONS RATHER THAN BEING OPEN TO HAVING THAT DIALOGUE.

HE BASICALLY SHUT DOWN AND BECAME VERY DEFENSIVE.

AND EXAMPLE OF WHY THESE CONVERSATIONS HAVE TO HAPPEN AND HAVE TO KEEP HAPPENING.

>> LET ME PUT THIS QUESTION OUT THERE SO WE CAN WRAP THIS UP AND THANK YOU FOR THE CORRECTION, TIM, THE NAME IS CHRIS HARRISON.

WE'RE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS AND ARE PEOPLE ALLOWED TO REVEAL SOMETHING FROM THEIR PAST AND DO BETTER, WHICH IS WHAT IT APPEARS THE YOUNG LADY IS SAYING THEN SHE SHE APOLOGIZED, AND ARE WE OK WITH HER APOLOGY AND THE FACT THAT PEOPLE MAY HAVE DONE SOMETHING AS RECENTLY AS LAST YEAR.

AND ARE TRYING TO DO BETTER?

BRETT.

[BRETT SIGHS] [TIM CHUCKLING] >> WE CAN FORGIVE AND MOVE ON, BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE CONSEQUENCES AFTER IT'S OUT THERE, IT'S OUT THERE.

BUT I WANT TO NOT GO ON A TANGENT BUT I DO WANT TO ADDRESS IT BECAUSE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE CULT OF PERSONALITY.

AND SO IT'S THE WHOLE IDEA OF PERSONALITIES AND THE CELEBRITYDOM THE FOLKS WHERE OUR KIDS LOOK UP TO SOME OF US LOOK UP TO YOU KNOW, WE ASKED THEM TO SPEAK OUT AND BE ADVOCATES, BUT WHEN THEY DO WE SLAP THEM DOWN.

I MEAN WE SEE THAT ESPECIALLY IN SPORTS.

SO WHEN PEOPLE AND WHETHER IT'S THE ATHLETES, OR THE COMMENTATORS WHETHER IT'S THE CONTESTANTS OR THE BACHELOR HIMSELF, IF WE WANT TO HAVE PEOPLE SPEAK OUT, THEN WE HAVE TO GIVE THEM ROOM TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AND BE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR A WHILE SO THAT WE CAN COME TO SOME KIND OF - NOT NECESSARILY A RESOLUTION BUT TO START GETTING THINGS OUT ON THE TABLE.

SO THE CONVERSATIONS NEED TO BE HAD AND SOMETIMES THEY ARE GOING TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> YES, AND SPEAKING OF RACE, IN RECENT MONTHS AND EVEN RECENT WEEKS WE'RE HEARING MORE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE LEARNING ABOUT BLACK HISTORY.

A BILL IN THE NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE LOOKS TO ADD THE HOLOCAUST TO THE STANDARD COURSE OF STUDY AND THAT'S LED SOME TO ASK WHY WE CAN'T DO THE SAME FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.

IN A RECENT ARTICLE FOR INSEE POLICY WATCH THE REVEREND PAUL SCOTT WROTE QUOTE "HISTORICALLY AFRICAN AMERICANS "HAVE BEEN EXPECTED TO BE SATISFIED WITH PARTIAL EQUALITY THAT SAME MENTALITY HAS TRICKLED DOWN TO TODAY'S EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM WHERE BLACK CHILDREN ARE GIVEN A CHITLIN' CURRICULUM AND EXPECTED TO BE HAPPY."

END QUOTE.

JESSICA YOU'RE SHAKING YOUR HEAD.

TELL US ABOUT THIS BILL, I MEAN FIRST OF ALL IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE THIS LEGISLATION OUT THERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HOLOCAUST AND ITEMS LIKE THAT GET INCLUDED IN THE TEACHING?

>> ALLOW ME TO BE VERY CLEAR.

THAT I SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 69.

HOWEVER, IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT WE ARE IN A PLACE WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE TO LEGISLATE TALKING ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT WE ARE AT A PLACE WHAT WE MAY HAVE TO LEGISLATE IMPORTANT PARTS OF OUR HISTORY IN TERMS OF TEACHING BLACK HISTORY.

IN NORTH CAROLINA, WE HAVE SO MANY JUST POINTS, AS IT RELATES TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS, AS IT RELATES TO THE JIM CROW ERA, SO MUCH HISTORY RIGHT HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA THAT WE AREN'T TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS IS UNFORTUNATE THAT WE'RE HERE AT THIS PLACE, BUT WE ARE HERE AT THIS PLACE.

THERE'S BEEN DEBATE AT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AS IT RELATES TO THE TEACHING OF BLACK HISTORY.

AND MY COMMENT AS IT RELATES TO OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNMENT MARK JOHNSON'S POSITION, IS THAT ALL SKINFOLK AIN'T KINFOLK.

BUT THAT SAID, I DO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 69, AND I DO SUPPORT IF NECESSARY LEGISLATION AS IT RELATES TO TEACHING KEY COMPONENTS OF BLACK HISTORY.

ALLOW ME TO BE CLEAR; BLACK HISTORY IS AMERICAN HISTORY, AND WE SHOULD TEACH ACCURATELY WITHOUT WHITE WATCHING IT.

RIGHT NOW WE HEAR MORE ABOUT W.E.B DUBOIS THAN WE DO MARCUS GARVEY MORE ABOUT MARTIN LUTHER KING, THAN WE DO MALCOM X.

MORE ABOUT THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY AS IT RELATES TO OPEN CARRY GUNS, NOT FOR THEIR SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMS LIKE SCHOOL BREAKFAST.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO BE KNOWN ABOUT BLACK HISTORY, AND IT'S JUST NOT TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOM.

TIM, YOU KNOW SHARE WHAT YOU YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS BILL AND WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ARE ABOUT HAVING TO HAVE THIS KIND OF LEGISLATION.

>> WE KNOW THAT IF IT PASSES, IT WOULD GO INTO THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR 2021, 2022 CURRICULUM.

YOU KNOW THE NEWS OBSERVER PUT OUT AN ARTICLE RECENTLY, DID AN INVESTIGATION SHOWING THAT BLACK HISTORY IS NOT BEING TAUGHT ADEQUATELY IN NORTH CAROLINA AND IN SOME PARTS IT'S NON-EXISTENT.

SO THIS IS AN ISSUE, I'M A PRODUCT OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM AND I DIDN'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT BLACK HISTORY AND I DIDN'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST.

I GET WHAT MINISTER PAUL SCOTT IS TRYING TO DO HE'S LOOKING FOR EQUITY AND HE'S ASKING, YOU KNOW, BLACK PARENTS TO REACH OUT TO THEIR LEGISLATORS TO DEMAND THAT THIS PART BE IN THE BILL.

I GET THAT.

WILL IT HAPPEN?

I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD.

I THINK ABOUT PEOPLE WOULD SUPPORT IT.

BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE AND ENOUGH LESSONS TAUGHT ON BOTH, AND I THINK SOMEHOW WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> BRETT, DO YOU THINK THAT THIS THIS PROPOSAL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY DO YOU THINK THERE SHOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT SAYS HEY LET'S BE SPECIFIC ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY?

>> I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING THAT SAYS WE SHOULD TEACH ACCURATE HISTORY.

AN INCLUSIVE HISTORY.

I MEAN I'VE HAD THE BENEFIT AND HONOR OF INTERVIEWING JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN.

ONE TIME HE SAID, "BROTHER I WOULDN'T HAVE A JOB IF THEY TAUGHT AMERICAN HISTORY PROPERLY."

>> WE CAN'T EVEN AGREE ON A STANDARD OF COURSE OF STUDY AND WHAT ACCURATE HISTORY MEANS THOUGH.

>> WELL, I MEAN INCLUSIVE.

I MEAN ACCURATE THINGS LIKE WHITEWASHING LITERALLY - WHITEWASHING - WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THE SHOW IT'S LIKE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS DISCOVERING A PLACE THAT THERE WERE ALREADY PEOPLE THERE AND THEN THEY GET KILLED.

SO IT'S LIKE, THAT'S LIKE ME COMING TO YOUR HOUSE, AND SAY "HEY LOOK I DISCOVERED YOUR HOUSE BY THE WAY YOU'RE ALL DEAD.

BYE."

IT'S THAT SAME TYPE OF THING.

MY STUDENTS JUST WATCHED BLACK POWER MIX TAPE AND THE BLACK PANTHERS VANGUARD REVOLUTION BY STANLEY NELSON.

TWO COMMENTS THAT CAME OUT THAT WAS CONSISTENT.

IT WAS HOW IS IT THAT THE SWEDISH FILM CREW FOR BLACK POWER MIXTAPE GOT THE AMERICAN HISTORY MORE ACCURATELY PRESENTED MORE ACCURATELY THAN ANYTHING THEY HAVE GROWN UP WITH.

SOME OF THEM HAD NEVER HEARD OF STOKELY CARMICHAEL.

SOME OF THEM DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE FEEDING PART OF THE BLACK PANTHERS, THEY ONLY KNEW ABOUT THEM BEING GUN-TOTING PEOPLE WHICH THEY WERE DOING LEGALLY BECAUSE HUEY NEWTON THE LAW.

SO THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT JUST YESTERDAY ABOUT THIS VERY THING, AND SO THE ACCURACY OF THE HISTORY WHETHER IT'S THE HOLOCAUST INTERNMENTS, 1898 DOWN IN WILMINGTON, THE TULSA RIOTS, I MEAN THE THE INTERNMENT CAMPS FOR THE JAPANESE, WE HAVE ALL THIS, THE DESTRUCTION OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THAT WERE ALREADY HERE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS IN HISTORY THAT WE NEED TO HAVE INCLUDED THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO HAPP-- BECAUSE IT MAY UPSET SOME PEOPLE.

>> AND NOT ONLY INCLUDED BUT TOLD FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE THE STORY IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT BASED ON WHO IS TELLING THE STORY AND CERTAINLY YOU CAN GET A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION IN HISTORY RIGHT HERE ON PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

AS LONG AS THE HUNTER TELLS THE STORY AND THE LION NEVER WINS.

>> WELL WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HISTORY, AND THE INFAMOUS WILMINGTON INSURRECTION IS AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF BLACK HISTORY IN OUR STATE.

120 YEARS LATER WRITER AND DIRECTOR NELSON OLIVER IS BRINGING THE STORY TO LIFE WITH A DOCU DRAMA CALLED THE RED CAPE.

IT TELLS THE STORY OF A FATHER AND SON TRYING TO SURVIVE THE ORDEAL.

YOU CAN WATCH THAT ON OUR NORTH CAROLINA CHANNEL SUNDAY, THE 28.

AND WITH THAT I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK BRETT CHAMBERS, JESSICA, HOLMES AND TIM PULLIAM FOR JOINING US AND FOR SUCH THOUGHTFUL INSIGHTS AS ALWAYS.

ALSO WANT TO THANK EARLIER CONGRESSWOMAN, ALMA ADAMS FOR JOINING US.

AGAIN IF YOU WANT TO REACH US ON TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM USE THE HASHTAG NCBLACKISSUES, YOU CAN ALSO FIND OUR OTHER EPISODES ON PBSNC.ORG/BLACKISSUESFORUM.

I'M DEBORAH HOLT NOEL, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.