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Author Discusses 'Sundown Towns'

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-827502.mp3

Kansas City, MO – In this age of Obama, people are upbeat about how far we've come as a country. The work of sociologist James Loewen reminds us both of the progress we've made, as well as the work that is left undone. In his 2006 book "Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism", Dr. Loewen coined the term "sundown towns" to describe areas in the US that did not permit African Americans or other minorities after dark. Loewen is a professor emeritus at the University of Vermont, and has chronicled thousands of these towns across the United States. Susan caught up with him recently when he was in Kansas City.

This story was produced for KC Currents. To listen on your own schedule, subscribe to the KC Currents Podcast.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Susan admits that her “first love” was radio, being an avid listener since childhood. However, she spent much of her career in mental health, healthcare administration, and sports psychology (Susan holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Bloch School of Business at UMKC.) In the meantime, Wilson satisfied her journalistic cravings by doing public speaking, providing “expert” interviews for local television, and being a guest commentator/contributor to KPRS’s morning drive time show and the teen talk show “Generation Rap.”
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