Commentary

From the Garden Gate: The White Garden

Kate Lochte and Roy Helton — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:07:04 +0000

Murray resident Roy Helton divides his time between teaching in the English Department at Murray State University and indulging his passion for gardening. In this week's "From the Garden Gate" commentary, the topic is white gardens. Similar in design to the English cottage garden, white gardens feature flowers that are white or silvery, with the intent to overwhelm the viewer with a single color.

50 Years Later: The Assassination of Medgar Evers

Matt Markgraf and Brian Clardy — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:35:00 +0000

Today marks 50 years since civil rights activist Medgar Evers was gunned down in his driveway in Jackson, Mississippi by white supremacist Byron De La Beckwith. His murder and the subsequent trial sparked a cultural uproar and inspired national protests. A week later, President Kennedy submitted his Civil Rights bill to Congress, and the March on Washington would follow that summer. Commentator and Murray State history professor Dr. Brian Clardy reflects on how he came to learn about Medgar Evers - his sacrifices, and his legacy.

Youth Radio Movie Review: Thunderstruck

Matt Markgraf and Patrick Jones — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:31:50 +0000

Thunderstruck is a 2012 film starring Oklahoma City Thunder player Kevin Durant, and Taylor Gray, Jim Belushi, Brandon T. Jackson, and Doc Shaw. It follows the story of a 16 year-old named Brian who can't play basketball but dreams to play like his hero, Kevin Durant. When Brian attends a game and gets the opportunity to meet Durant, they unknowingly transfer basketball abilities. WKMS Youth Radio Project's youth reporter Patrick Jones brings us this review.

The Baha’i Faith: A History of Persecution in Iran

Zackery Heern — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:08:39 +0000

Members of the Baha’i Faith are currently experiencing the latest wave of persecution at the hands of the Iranian government. The Baha’i Faith is the second largest religious community in Iran after Shi‘i Islam. It is also the second most geographically widespread religion in the world.

Recurring Trials for an Iranian Family – A Microcosm of the Persecution of the Baha’is in Iran

Mona Kashani Heern — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:00:52 +0000

Late last month, my uncle and five other Baha’is were taken from the town of Gorgan in Iran to Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, where their fate remains a mystery. This latest round of persecution began the month before. I became aware of it on October 17, when I received a late night phone call informing me that my uncle, Kamal Kashani, was arrested along with a number of other Baha’is in Gorgan for being members of the Baha’i Faith, the largest non-Muslim religious minority in Iran.

Commentary: If I Were In Danville...

Brian Clardy and Matt Markgraf — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:22:44 +0000

We’re gearing up to air special live NPR coverage of the Vice Presidential Debate from Center College in Danville, Kentucky Thursday night. Commentator and History Professor Dr. Brian Clardy imagines being a moderator, and the substantive questions he would ask regarding foreign and domestic policy.

Commentary: Politics Is Not a Spectator Sport

Richard Nelson and Matt Markgraf — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 21:08:59 +0000

One of the greatest expressions of American democracy is going to the polls on election day and casting your vote. Yet, low voter turnout cast a shadow over the Kentucky May Primary. Commentator Richard Nelson says the health of the Commonwealth depends on citizen involvement in the election.

To Dye or Not to Dye? That is the Question

Celia Brewer and Matt Markgraf — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Commentator Celia Brewer returned to western Kentucky eight years ago. But in another, completely different way, she has also gone back to her roots.

In an episode of the 50s sitcom The Honeymooners, Ralph Kramden comes home to find his wife Alice chatting with her friend Trixie. Ralph, never one for the delicate touch, tries to compliment Trixie on her recent trip to the beauty parlor. “Your hairdo looks nice,” he says, “and the color is almost natural.”

Archives: Commentary - Von Freeman and the Definition of Celebrity

Brian Clardy — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:45:15 +0000

RIP Von Freeman, Chicago jazz legend, who passed away at 88 today. (Article from Chicago Tribune). We pulled this commentary from the archives by Cafe Jazz host Brian Clardy, recorded in 2007.

Earl Lavon Freeman, one of Chicago's most influential Jazz elders, has been playing tenor saxophone since the 1930s. Dr. Brian Clardy talks about why Von Freeman defines the meaning of celebrity.

Darlene Mazzone on the Poetry in Details

Matt Markgraf and Darlene Mazzone — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 20:31:22 +0000

Headlines and soundbytes from world leaders is sometimes the only impressions we get of a country, but how often does a politician or president accurately reflect your voice? Commentator Darlene Mazzone shares a page from her diary, about a trip to Nepal, where she discovered that the key to understanding foreign people and places it to seek the poetry in the details of their cultures.