5 | I Didn't Know How Easily The Ocean Could Be Reached

The conversations around sexual assault, harassment, and inequality that started last year continued into this one, amid half-baked apologies and the constant, widespread undermining of women’s rights and interests. Less than a day into 2018, actresses and activists teamed up to declare that the clock had run out on toxic masculinity. Two days later, Tina Smith was sworn into office, bringing the number of women currently serving in the Senate to a record-breaking 22. Meanwhile, women all over the world are gearing up to celebrate the anniversary of last year’s march by making this year’s march even bigger. Today — like everyday — we’re celebrating women. First, we’ll hear the story of an activist, survivor and community organizer who finds her voice and the courage to help other women find theirs. Then, we’ll tag along with two recent transplants as they get to know Brooklyn and the women who shaped it with the help of an unconventional guide. And finally, we’ll talk to two artists, each creating work that reflects their culture and borrows from it’s past. New year, new you, girls rule and boys drool. Time’s Up in Brooklyn, USA. ••• Brooklyn, USA is produced and edited by Sachar Mathias and Emily Boghossian, with help from Ariana Rosas. Thanks to Hira Nabi and Paola Messina for helping us decipher the She Map. Their story featured June Jordan reading her "Poem About My Rights" as recorded on March 31, 1992, at an Academy of American Poets reading held at the French Institute, Alliance Française, in New York City; as well as a reading of Jordan’s 1974 "Poem About Police Violence" by Moriah Hope Thomas. It also featured original music by Imaad Manzar, and is the first of many trips along the She Map that Hira and Paola plan on taking. Thanks to Jocelyn Arem and Jessica Thompson of Arbo Radiko for sitting down with Martha Redbone and Jaishri Abichandani. You can hear more from Arbo Radiko by visiting www.arboradiko.com. And thanks to Tarana Burke for sitting down with Ro Johnson and for saying #MeToo. This episode featured music from the de Wolfe and Cueniverse music libraries and original music by Imaad Manzar and Martha Redbone. If you like what you hear, think we got something wrong or just want to get in touch, you can leave us a comment, tweet us at BRIC RADIO or leave a message at (347) 504-0801. For more information on this and all BRIC Radio podcasts, visit ww.bricartsmedia.org/radio.

Read the episode transcript: https://rb.gy/1oronf