Race

She Rocks Special: Discussing George Floyd, Police Brutality, and Racism

Today, we’ll be diving deep into the whole situation that’s been going on in America. So first up, let me introduce my GRITS sisters starting with: Hi, I’m Jonaiyah. I am Arabia. Hello, I’m Kam. Hi, I’m Naiya I’m Brealyn. And these are our GRITS sisters for tonight to give you guys the tea and…

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Discussing The Dameon Shepard Case and Ahmaud Arbery Murder

Amari Poindexter, Shecoria Smith, Kamahra Nixon-McKoy, and Brealyn Freeman talk current events, politics, fashion, and music. They discuss the murder of Ahmaud Arbery – and how fear, violence, and racism affects their lives. Produced by Coastal Youth Media and GRITS. Hosted by Amari Poindexter, Shecoria Smith, Brealyn Freeman, and Kamahra Nixon-McKoy. Original music by Shelyah…

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Organizers Navigate Protest Obstacles in Wilmington, NC

Protesters speaking out as part of the national outrage around George Floyd’s murder returned to downtown Wilmington, North Carolina on Thursday. Marking a 5th night of the action against police brutality in the city. The protest grew dramatically after the first rally was met with tear gas and projectiles. Organized primarily by artists, youth and…

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Rural Areas: The Kindergarten to High School Factor

Angela Lewis, of Washington NC, speaks to how people would be surprised to know that locals in Washington are not just still recovering from Hurricane Florence in 2018 – many are still recovering from Hurricane Matthew in 2016. And some families will never financially recover. She notices that her church’s predominantly African American section of…

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Hearing Stories Versus Knowing Stories

Beverly Johnson’s family bought land by the river in Trenton, NC early in the 20th century. Land ownership options then were limited for African Americans families. Inheriting land in a flood zone was not Johnson’s choice, but she does see many white families in Trenton these days choosing to buy waterfront property. Flood Zone is…

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Back Street: A Neighborhood in a Bowl

“I can only imagine what my parents had to go through for that land.” Gwendolyn Brown grew up in Back Street, a long-time African American community in Trenton, NC. When you enter the neighborhood, you pull off of ‘Backstreet Road’, go down a gravel hill, and enter what Brown calls ‘a bowl.’ She is familiar…

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White Control in Fund Distribution

Willie Johnson has been driving 30 minutes from his hometown in New Bern, NC to the more rural area of Trenton, NC for nine years. His congregation is there – in a church located within ‘the bowl’ of Back Street. Many of his parishioners have weathered all of North Carolina’s storms. And geographically, African American…

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Cheated Out of Their Homes

“I’m not against integration, but I think people are being cheated out of their homes.” Her mother’s home was condemned. Then her uncle’s. Ophelia Chambers’ family homestead has been in the same location off of Bridges Street in Morehead City, NC for at least 4 generations. In the wake of Hurricane Florence, her traditionally African…

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Teen Things to Do During Shelter-in-place

In our latest episode, Amari, Arabia, Kam, and Shecoria talk about what they’re doing stay sane and have fun during the shelter-in-place orders due to COVID-19. Kam tells us the news on the coronavirus pandemic, Shecoria gives us updates on politics and fashion, and Arabia talks about a curious new trend in her neighborhood. Produced…

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Black Pockets

Eric Brown is from Back Street, a once thriving African American community named for being the opposite to downtown. Back Street has nearly been wiped out from repeated hurricane flooding. Brown built a second home to run from the water, but what will become of his family’s homestead? Flood Zone is a special investigation reporting…

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