Needs No Introduction

An evening with George Elliott Clarke

Victoria Fenner — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 01:47:33 +0000

From Octopus Books in Ottawa, we bring you an evening with award-winning author George Elliott Clarke. He is joined by essayist, poet and playwright charles c. smith.

George Elliott Clarke was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia in 1960 near the Black Loyalist Community of Three Mile Plains. One of Canada's foremost Black voices on the literary scene, he coined the term "Africanadian" to describe the Black culture of Atlantic Canada. He is currently Professor of English at the University of Toronto.

Protecting the right to protest: Free speech versus corporate power

Victoria Fenner — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 19:44:24 +0000

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One aspect of corporate power that is being exercised more and more these days is the Slap Suit. When powerful people and corporations don't like what's being said, they try to shut down the discussion with lawsuits. Even when those lawsuits are groundless, the cost has the potential to shut down media organizations, especially those which are not able to afford costly libel insurance.

Today's program is all about this method of stifling dissent, and what can be done to limit the use and efficacy of slap suits to shut down citizens' voices.

"Protecting the Right to Protest: Free Speech versus Corporate Power." It was recorded at Media Democracy Days 2016 in November in Vancouver.

Speakers:

Ryan McMahon: Red Man Laughing

Victoria Fenner — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 15:59:00 +0000

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Since 2001, The Media Democracy Project has provided a space for diverse communities to come together and discuss the relationship between media and democracy. In partnership with Simon Fraser University's School of Communication, Media Democracy Days is their annual conference where speakers of all backgrounds present workshops and give presentations on media, art, politics, representation, and much more.

The Israeli occupation of Palestine: Two perspectives

Victoria Fenner — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 16:32:20 +0000

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Unless you're an expert on the Israeli occupation of Palestine, it's hard to figure out what's going on when we hear about it on the news.

Today's two speakers provide some useful background which is helpful to understand the past, present and possible futures of that conflict. We have two presentations today -- one from Beit Zatoun in Toronto at an event called “Should we be Talking about Fascism?” with speaker Greg Albo, and an address by Dr. Philip Leech-Ngo of University of Ottawa. Both talks were recorded earlier this month.

Lawrence Hill on his novel, 'The Illegal'

Victoria Fenner — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 18:08:09 +0000

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The Illegal is a novel by Canadian author Lawrence Hill. It's about a man named Keita Ali. Keita is a runner. That's all he ever wanted to do. His dream was to bring his family out of poverty by becoming a world class athlete. He does achieve part of his dream, but also ends up being literally on the run after he winds up in a country with a zeal for deporting refugees. He and his family all end up running for their lives.

He talks about his novel with author and journalist Waubgeshig Rice at an event held on November 24, 2015 at Octopus Books in Ottawa.

Indigenous peoples' struggles and resistance

Victoria Fenner — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 18:23:47 +0000

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Today we're bringing you an excerpt from a panel of speakers recorded at the World Social Forum in Montreal in early August. It was called "Indigenous Peoples' Struggles and Resistance: Building Solidarity for Land, Self Determination and Justice."

What you'll hear is a variety of perspectives on one common theme: the need to protect the earth from the ravages of corporate greed and environmental devastation, and the right of Indigenous people to control their lands, their territories and their way of life.

Speakers (in order they appear in the podcast):

Kamal Al-Solaylee, author of 'Brown: What Being Brown in the World Today Means (to everyone)'

Victoria Fenner — Tue, 13 Sep 2016 15:39:18 +0000

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Brown is a book by Kamal Al-Solaylee (So-LYE-lee), Canada Reads finalist, professor and journalist.

Justice for Grassy Narrows

Victoria Fenner — Wed, 01 Jun 2016 18:59:22 +0000

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Almost half a century ago, a pulp and paper company dumped tons of mercury into the English Wabigoon River system in Northwestern Ontario.

Voices of Experience: Diversity and leadership

Victoria Fenner — Wed, 04 May 2016 14:34:59 +0000

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Voices of Experience is a panel put together by Ryerson University's Equity, Diversity and Accessibility Office, Career Centre and Student Life organization. The speakers have all overcome the challenges of immigration, racism, sexism and all the intersections crossed in between. They delve deeply into personal perspectives of industry leaders with a critical lense on diversity.

Who will win the digital revolution?

Victoria Fenner — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:52:24 +0000

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Did you know .. the new iPhones sold on the first weekend of its launch in fall 2104 had 25 per cent more computing power than all of the computers on earth in 1995? Staggering.

That statistic comes to us via Robert McChesney, one of the two speakers on today's program. And what's even more staggering is what those phones, and the companies that make them are doing to us. Those are just a couple examples of the compelling ideas in this talk.

Combating Islamophobia in Media

Victoria Fenner — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 16:10:53 +0000

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The media has a powerful ability to shape the way we view our world. In the midst of elections, international conflicts and refugee crises, Islamophobia has permeated the news cycle.

Last week, April 5, 2016, rabble put together a panel discussion called Combatting Islamophobia in Media.

Music: Racism, Power and Privilege 101

Victoria Fenner — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 18:18:37 +0000

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There's racism in music. It's a tough discussion. And to move forward as a supportive, empathetic community of music creators, producers, listeners and critics .. and those of us in the media too .. we need to have a better understanding of the systemic issues that are unique to Canada's multicultural landscape.

Today we bring you a compelling panel discussion called Music: Racism, Power and Privilege 101. It was held at Music Gallery in Toronto on November 24, 2015.

A human history of the Ottawa River Watershed

Victoria Fenner — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 18:25:13 +0000

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The Ottawa River has played a vital role in the history of the Algonquin Nation. The Ottawa River flows through unceded Algonquin territory and there is an outstanding land claim which been under negotiation for a long time. Most recently, the proposed development of lands at Chaudiere Falls in Ottawa just west of downtown has amplified the frustrations of the people of the Algonquin Nation that their land claim is far from settled.

GAZA: New Dynamics, Future Prospects

Victoria Fenner — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 15:04:02 +0000

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An address by Dr. Sara Roy of Harvard University, talking about her extensive experience in Gaza. This lecture looks at the unprecedented dynamics that have emerged in Gaza in the aftermath of last summer's devastating war and its future implications. Dr. Roy will also explore how we can move beyond fear and militarism to envision something different: a world where dissent is mandatory and our capacity to witness is restored.

Listen Here! Celebrating 10 years of Democracy, Technology and Podcasting

Victoria Fenner — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:49:29 +0000

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