Counter Stories

When an Asian American journalist receives a call from a viewer complaining about a her being “very Asian,” anchor Michelle Li didn’t let that get her down. Instead she teamed up with Minnesota’s own Gia Vang to create an entire movement, reclaiming the phrase “very Asian,” even creating hats and t-shirts. But that begs the question - who gets to sport the gear? Guest: Gia Vang, KARE 11 News https://twitter.com/MichelleLiTV/status/1477493641732149248 

Community leader and journalist Mel Reeves left a huge impact on the Minnesota community when he passed earlier in January. His work spanned decades and he touched the lives of so many through his dedication to justice. Guests: Toussaint Morrison, On Site Public Media

Our community lost a giant recently with the passing of Clyde Bellecourt, a co-founder of the American Indian Movement. The crew takes a look back at AIM’s early days and where they are now. We pay tribute to Clyde’s legacy through the people he inspired in the movement for justice. Guests: Lisa Bellanger, AIM Executive Director

One year after the attack on the nation’s capitol, the Crew reflects on its impact on ourselves, our country and democracy.

The crew plans to talk about their hopes for 2022, get sidetracked by a discussion about female safety, then discuss about the verdict in the Kimberly Potter case. Just a typical conversation in the lives of our crew members.

The holidays are among us, but each of our families celebrate in very different ways. The crew talks about the traditions their families observe during the final months and days of each year and find out just how similar we all really are.

ER Doctor Alice Mann joins the crew to talk about the seriousness of the continuing coronavirus pandemic. From having to turn away sick people to trying to convince people to take preventative measures to losing loved ones, the world of fact versus conspiracy theory is vast and dangerous. Dr. Mann gives us a first hand view into the life of the frontline workers in the medial industry.

What is American art? And, who is considered an American Artist? Just a few of the questions we had as we welcome Dr. Kate Beane who will be taking up the position of Executive Director at the Minnesota Museum of American Art.

On our latest Grab Bag show, we cover topics from school walkouts, representation both in front and behind the camera on TV to current trials of so-called vigilantes and upcoming trials of police-involved shootings.

The number of people who report experiencing discrimination in Minnesota is the areas of policing, employment and housing. Our guest this week, Craig Helmstetter (our first white guest!) joins us to go over the results of the survey: https://www.apmresearchlab.org/mdc-survey/discrimination

Minnesota recently committed to $1.3 million over two years for Indigenous education. Students will be able to learn a more accurate history of the Indigenous peoples in Minnesota schools. 

A family-owned Minnesota business publicly apologized for appropriating Indigenous artwork. Taking their apology seriously, Minnetonka Moccasins brought on reconciliation advisor Adrienne Benjamin to help make meaningful changes. Adrienne joins the Counter Stories crew to talk about her new role.

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Counter Stories crew is joined by another survivor-advocate to shed light on the need for culturally specific services.

When there are too many topics to hit, you get a Grab Bag Show! With so much happening, we couldn’t decide on a single topic. So, with a time limit in place, we’ll pick through our grab bag of current events and get through as many as we can. This week we touch on the resignation of Proctor, MN coach Derek Parendo, the leaked emails from NFL coach John Gruden, continued police brutality as witnessed in Indiana, and Dia De Los Muertos.

Sexual assault survivors Sarah Super and Asma Mohammad came together and worked for four years to eliminate the statute of limitations on reporting sexual violence. They join the Counter Stories crew to talk about their journey as survivors and advocates.

CounterStories.comCounter Stories is a production of the other media group and Ampers, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities and is made possible by the Minnesota Art's and Cultural Heritage fund.

We discuss race, identity, social justice and culture in a region grappling with demographic changes. Hosts: Anthony Galloway, Luz Maria Frias, Don Eubanks and Hlee Lee.Minnesota is known for its abundance of natural outdoor spaces, but not everyone feels safe, knowledgeable or comfortable utilizing these spaces. Camping and fishing are among the most popular outdoor activities of the crew and our special guest, Asha Shoffner, who organizes and leads outings by and for the BIPOC community.

Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. Two Afghan organizers join the Counter Stories crew to give us a brief lesson on the history of Afghanistan and colonization. We talk about the US interference that caused the recent Taliban takeover of Kabul and how it is impacting the vast Afghan diaspora. Guests: Nasreen Sajady, Arash Yousufi 

In the fourth segment of our policymakers series, Representative Jamie Becker-Finn joins the crew to discuss how she’s disruption the cycle of trauma through her work. She authored the Healthy Start Act, granting more parental rights to incarcerated expecting mothers. Counter Stories is a production of the other media group (omg) and Ampers, Diverse Radio for Minnesota’s Communities, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund. 

In our third installment, Rep. Carlos Mariani highlights some of the initiatives he led and continues to lead at the Minnesota House of Representatives