Nearly 80 years ago, Juan José Arévalo took office as Guatemala’s first democratically elected head of state. Only a decade later, the CIA engineered his successor’s ouster — and the end of the Guatemalan revolution. A vicious civil war ensued over the rest of the century, killing as many as 200,000 civilians. Today, Guatemalans are hopeful that their newly elected leader, Bernardo Arévalo, son of the first president, will usher in a second political spring. But our two guests say he faces an uphill battle.
"He brought a new kind of beauty into the world." (Pierre Boulez)
In this second follow-up to “No Good Reason,” we offer Siva’s full interview with Karen Kurotsuchi Inkelas. She was a teenager when she first learned that her parents and their families had been incarcerated during World War II. It was part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dubious policy of confining Japanese Americans on suspicion of disloyalty. Inkelas reflects on her parent’s experience and the marks it left on her own life.
India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, is an unabashed autocrat. He has jailed political opponents, gone after Muslims with violence and hateful rhetoric, and dismantled checks on his power. So what explains Modi’s continued popularity? As some 600 million Indians head to the polls, we explore this question with political analyst Radha Kumar. She discusses what it would take for democratic renewal to take root in the world’s most populous nation, and what the past might portend for her country’s future.
Scottish fiddler Louise Bichan (Corner House, Hildaland) stopped by Folk & Beyond to go track by track through her new album, The Lost Summer, out now on Adhyâropa Records.
In this follow-up to last week’s show, we offer Will’s full interview with Greg Robinson, about Japanese confinement during World War II. Robinson, a historian at the University of Quebec, has studied that tragic chapter and its implications for us today more deeply than just about anyone.
Bold, triumphant, and celebratory.
After the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a racial panic took hold over the United States and its leadership. And President Franklin D. Roosevelt — otherwise known for the progressive policies of his New Deal — approved the mass removal and confinement of Japanese American families, on scant evidence of disloyalty. Our team discusses this shameful chapter in U.S. history, and its legacy, with a daughter of two erstwhile internees and one of the world’s foremost students of the era.
Félix Maradiaga spent more than 600 days in a jail in Nicaragua. Held in solitary confinement for most of that time, he faced beatings and constant interrogation. Why? Because he stood up against the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega. Since 2007, Ortega has dismantled checks on his power. In 2018, his police cracked down on mass protests, killing some 300 demonstrators and bystanders. Today, Maradiaga lives in exile and campaigns against the use of arbitrary detention in his native country and around the world.
Kurt Heasley, Lilys founder & frontman, local musician, and artist join WTJU host Thomas Dean to chat about the history of the Lilys while spinning tunes from the band’s musical output. Recorded Tuesday, April 16, 2024 as part of WTJU 91.1 FM's Rock Marathon
Robert Schneider, lead vocalist, guitarist, and founding member of the Apples in Stereo, joined WTJU 91.1 FM for a chat with DJ Baconfat about the the Elephant 6 Collective. Recorded on Sunday, April 22, 2024 as part of WTJU's Rock Marathon
Argentina’s new president is a libertarian populist and, by his own account, an anarcho-capitalist. To tackle his county’s deep economic troubles, Javier Milei wants to dismantle state institutions, implement severe austerity measures and strip protections for workers. He also wants to outlaw abortion. But in a country with a strong tradition of organized labor and women’s movements, so far he has sown mainly chaos. We speak with a journalist and a sociologist who say Milei’s methods are madness.
Rock Marathon Promo - WTJU General - Dry For Classical by wtju
Rock Marathon Promo - Catch The Rising Fever by wtju
Rock Marathon Promo - Debbie Doubletrack by wtju
Rock Marathon Promo - Diversity Roundup 2 by wtju