Back in 2019 when the city knew not of COVID19 BCR co-hosts talked with Erwin Figueroa of Transportation Alternative about the bike culture of New York City. A lot has changed since then. Today – biking in the city is certainly scarier – maybe that’s a sign that some of us are getting old – but the variety of speedy e-bikes – e-scooters – Inmotion-style unicycles – BTW -- Onewheel describes their vehicles as “weapons”– mixed in with the ubiquitous metal shelled vehicles who own the streets – biking in NYC feels different to me. So today let’s talk about cycling in Metropolis.  For this BCR conversation we talked with Juan Restrepo a senior organizer of Transportation Alternatives about the new Brooklyn Bridge bike lane and the continued dangers of cycling in the city. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NYC: A Biking Adventure

Shortly after the American North won the Civil War, construction on the East River bridge was started.  Tammany Hall and graft controlled NY City and State, Ulysses S. Grant had just been elected President, and the German-immigrant and bridge designer/builder, who conceived the plan for the bridge, had died.  Work on the Bridge took 13 years and up to 40 men died -- mostly immigrants.  The cathedral-sized, wooden caissons which allowed workers to dig out the bottom of the East River used pressurized air, resulting in debilitating Caisson Disease-- otherwise known as the "bends."  The Brooklyn Bridge was opened in 1883 and quickly became an American icon--a towering structure reflecting a sense of national pride and progress -- a reality, in part, built on greed and death. We spoke with Sarah Rosenblatt, an Architectural Conservationist who is working on restoring the original look of the Brooklyn Bridge -- and with Prof. Richard Haw who has written several books on the Bridge.  His most recent book -- Engineering America: The Life and Times of John A. Roebling.Recording at Gebhard's Beer Culture Bar in Manhattan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brooklyn Bridge Restored & Stories

Early in the summer of 2022, my Bar Crawl Radio host – Rebecca McKean -- and I travelled with our  grandson -- Jackson Castro -- to the family farm of Martha Hennessy – granddaughter of the founder of the Catholic Worker – Dorothy Day. While there, Martha told me of the work of  a Catholic priest – Father Philip Gbao -- and suggested we produce a BCR program on his work with African students. Listen to that conversation with Father Philip in BCR #175.  For this BCR program, we spoke with two of Father Philip's students about their professional goals and dreams to raise awareness of the power of Ugandan women in a culture which undervalues their worth.   We spoke with Nambogwe Claire who is studying to be a community organizer and Birungi Martha who is working to be an automobile engineer.  Both see themselves as examples of a new and different choice for Ugandan women outside of marriage, domestic work, and child rearing.Alan Winson -- barcrawlradio@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Power of Two Ugandan Women

It was a cold and windy Monday morning – Nov 14, 2022 – across the street from the United Nations. A group of U.S. veterans – many with combat experience – were building a watch tower – with 20 foot high painter’s scaffolding – on top of the city patio overlooking the Isaiah Wall and Peace monument – to call out to the UN that a large part of the world’s climate crisis was and is caused by the U.S. Military,We spoke with Veterans for Peace members -- Garett Reppenhagen / Tarak Kauf / Jim Rine / Ellen Barfield / Elliot Adams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Veterans for Peace & the Climate

"How rich we are, we who profess voluntary poverty as a foundation for our work as agitators, to be able to take a ferry ride and be, within an hour, in [Staten Island] a rural area which is still part of New York City ... my conversion took place here."  Dorothy Day's journal - Summer 1977.November 4, 2022 the newest Staten Island Ferry was commissioned "Dorothy Day."  I traveled out to the event and spoke to those there to honor the event.Alan Winson -- BCR Co-host Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SI Ferry Named "Dorothy Day"

James Baldwin argued that unlike Europeans, Americans do not know who they are.  In "Stranger in Paris," Baldwin argued that the French know who they are—ethnically, historically. But Americans are confused. He writes -- we know one when we see one, but cannot name what we have in common. The idea of “America” is formed in our precollege American History classes. But as Joseph Moreau argues – “Writing history is always political -- always reflects the relationships of power in the society.” For this BCR episode, hosts Rebecca McKean and Alan Winson, talked with American Historian, Joseph Moreau, author of “School Book Nation”. – an investigation of how American history has been taught to our children.Joseph Moreau is a history instructor at the Abraham Joshua Heschel High School in Manhattan. He holds a Ph.D. in “American Culture” from the University of Michigan. And historian Robert Snyder -- Professor Emeritus of American Studies and Journalism at Rutgers University in Newark. A prolific American Studies scholar – featured on radio and television, Robert Snyder conducted the research for Ric Burns documentary ‘New York.” Author of Crossing Broadway; Washington Heights and the Promise of New York,” and co-author of “All the Nations Under Heaven: Immigrants, Migrants, and the Making of New York.” And Rob is Manhattan’s Official Historian.This conversation was recorded at Gebhard's Beer Culture Bar in Manhattan.CONTACT Alan and Rebecca at barcrawlradio@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Teaching American History

BCR hosts Rebecca and Alan spoke with actor Ronald Guttman after his one-actor performance in the play based on Camus' The Fall" at the Soho Playhouse bar.  Matt -- the bartender -- talks about The Huron Club Bar [THC] -- which was also the set for the play and former speakeasy and brothel for Tammany Hall.  THC Bar is an appropriate setting for Camus' final work -- "The Fall" (1956) -- which takes place at a "sailor's bar" in Amsterdam named renamed "Mexico City."  Mr. Guttman talks about being up-close-and-personal with his audience as he roams through the audience as Jean Baptiste Clamence -- formerly a most successful attorney -- and now "judge-penitent.  This is a play most appropriate for a time in need to self inspection.  "The Fall" plays until mid November, 2022 at the Soho Playhouse in Manhattan.barcrawlradio@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ronald Guttman in Camus' "The Fall"

August 2, 2022. Outside the United States Consulate to the United Nations. Second day of the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.  Several dozen people--mostly in their 70s or more--marched and chanted and practiced civil disobedience in a call to end the build-up of nuclear arms.  Here is a reflection of what some of them believed -- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nuclear War--Keeps on Rockin'

Father Philip Gbao is a Salesian Catholic Priest who works with the poor and children in West Africa. At one time he was the principal of a school in Uganda. As a young student he escaped the civil wars in Sierra Leone and now works to empower young women, to train teens in practical skills that will earn them a living wage, and to encourages his students to change behaviors that will make their country cleaner and healthier. He was in the United States to raise money for several young women and men who were completing their college education. We spoke at the Catholic Worker's Maryhouse library -- in the Bowery district of NYC. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Father Philip Gbao: Love of education and the poor

A few months ago, Rebecca McKean and I spoke with India Thusi about her study of the interaction of sex workers and the police in Johannesburg, South Africa. That conversation explored the current state of prostitution – and -- our attitudes and feelings about sexual intercourse as work.  For this BCR conversation, we sat down at one of favorite bars with Dr. Samantha Majic – a professor in Political Science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Prof. Majic studies the links between gender and American politics. We asked her about her 2014 book -- Sex Work Politics: From Protest to Service Provision -- which focuses on sex work and civic engagement.This podcast was recorded at Gebhard's Beer Culture Bar in Manhattan's Upper West Side.  Let us know what you think at barcrawlradio@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Samantha Majic: Sex Work as Work

Douglas Hostetter – Mennonite and Conscientious Objector -- served in the middle of a hot zone during the VietNam War supporting the people who lived there. His is an amazing story. Rebecca McKean and I spoke with Mr Hostetter at Gebhard’s Beer Culture Bar in Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Juneteenth and Father’s day, 2022. We will post our conversation with Douglas in two parts. In the second part of our conversation, Douglas Hostetter describes his daily activities in and around the Tam Ky battle zone during the Viet Nam War – his interaction with the American Marines and a very different relationship with U.S. officers who saw his positive work with the local population – as sapping GI morale. This led to a decision he had to make when he learned that the CIA was putting out rumors that could lead to his assassination.  He describes surviving the violence of the 2 -week TET offensive of 1968 – and the human devastation that he witnessed afterwards. Douglass Hostetter’s Viet Nam experiences established his life path working for peace throughout the world  -- in Nicaragua during the Contra War – in Iraq with his attempts to prevent the First Gulf War by trading a plane-full of medicine with the Iraqis for American and UN hostages  -- and his work to save Bosnian students from genocide in the 1990s  . In a world rife with intense violence -- this story of a man of non-violence should be heard.Alan Winson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Douglas Hostetter: TET - CIA assassination attempt - Ending war

Douglas Hostetter – Mennonite and Conscientious Objector [CO] -- served in the middle of a hot zone during the VietNam War supporting the people who lived there. His is an amazing story. Rebecca McKean and I spoke with Mr Hostetter at Gebhard’s Beer Culture Bar in Manhattan’s Upper West Side on Juneteenth and Father’s day, 2022. We will post our conversation with Douglas in two parts.  This is part one: During the Viet Nam War from 1966 – 1969 --  rather than carrying a gun, Douglas Hostetter organized literacy classes for Vietnamese children and craft training for his neighbors. Rather than the relative safety of the American military compounds – Doug lived amongst his students, and survived in the open by being useful to the community -- and nonviolent. After his service, Douglas worked to end the war in Viet Nam through the People’s Peace Treaty – a document signed by college students in [North and South] Viet Nam and the United States – which Pres. Nixon rejected. Several years later, after hundreds of thousands of more humans died in Viet Nam and Cambodia -- the Paris Peace Accords was signed. The Accords closely mirrored the earlier People’s Peace Treaty.In the second part of this program Douglas talks about surviving the TET offensive and the CIA attempt to assassinate him, and his life work to end war.Alan Winson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Douglas Hostetter: C.O. at War

Rebecca McKean and I were out on a delightfully comfortable summer eve in the West Side Community Garden to listen to the jazz compositions of Scott Munson -- vibraphonist -- performed by his quintet: Dmitri Kolesnik on bass / Scott Neumann on drums / Joe Magnarelli on trumpet / Emma Larsson singing. Before the concert we talked about informal T-shirt wear and straight thighs, messed-up signs, Yankee Stadium, bugs, and the Upper West Side.  After the concert we talked with Scott about his career as a performer and a composer.  Alan Winson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Munson Quintet

Rebecca McKean and I – Alan Winson – were out on a late Sunday summer afternoon at the West Side Community Garden on the UWS of Manhattan -- waiting to take a musical tour through Argentina with guitarist Frederico Diaz and vocalist Juana Luna. And we will talked to these two amazing artists after the concert.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Argentinian Musical Journey with Federico Diaz & Juana Luna

Rebecca Mckean and I were out on a late Sunday afternoon in June at the West Side Community Garden on the Upper West Side of Manhattan -- waiting to listen to Sweet Plantain – a string quartet -- with occasional trombone and mandalino – playing “a complex mix of Latin American music that artfully fuses western classical traditions” – according to the program.  The mic was open to talk with our neighbors about their super powers.  After the concert we spoke with Eddie Venegas leader of Sweet Plantain.So imagine this – the band is a bit late due to traffic and a large crowd is gathers at a favorite neighborhood garden. The children prance on the lawn anticipating a dance fest -- the birds pumping out their joyful calls --– despite the dire state of the world –  the air most comfortable – and you are amongst some of the friendliest people you could ever meet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sweet Plantain & Super Powers @WSCG

BCR is talking about Sex Work.  We spoke with a knowledgeable scholar whose recently published book “Policing Bodies” details her ethnographic study of the interaction of sex workers – the police – and the justice system of Johannesburg, South Africa.  Prof. Thusi teaches in Bloomington at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law and at the Kinsey Institute.  India has worked with the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, the Center for Constitutional Rights and The Opportunity Agenda. Early in her career – India clerked for the South African Constitutional Court – and was curious about the rough neighborhood down the block from the Court. Her two-year study of the interaction of Johannesburg police and that city’s sex workers began in May of 2013. What India Thusi learned in South Africa may help us think more deeply about our own American attitudes on sex work.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

India Thusi on Sex Workers and the Police in Johannesburg

Back at the West Side Community Garden -- between W. 89th and 90th Streets – Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues -- and we opened this Bar Crawl Radio podcast with the sounds of "Inti and the Moon" – an Andean / Latin / World Fusion band. It was the second concert of the 2022 summer series in the Garden – organized by Randa Kirschbaum. Rebecca McKean and I were out on a beautiful late spring afternoon to settle an argument about whether it is rude to point – AND – to enjoy some delightful music.  At the end of the recording, I talked with Geo Suquillo – founder and leader of “Inti and the Moon.Alan Winson - BCR Co-host Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WSCG Summer Concert - Inti and the Moon

Rebecca and I arrived early to The West Side Community Garden -- a verdant neighborhood oasis – to record the jazz offerings of Sabu Adeyola's Spiritual Reunion Band and to talk to its leader about his career and memories of his teacher Charles Mingus.  By the end of the concert Randa Kirshbaum who produces these summer musical repasts -- renamed the band "Miracle" because halfway through the concert Mr. Adeyola’s bass collapsed – well the bridge of his bass collapsed. And since this is the UWS, there was a professional bass player in the audience who ran up to the stage and helped Sabu repair the instrument as the band played on.Before the program we talked with members of the audience about their favorite teachers.  So imagine this – it’s a late spring afternoon – birds are joyful -- the air is velvety – the bees are buzzing – the flowers are smellin fine – and you are amongst some of the friendliest people you could ever meet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Best Teachers & Jazz at the WSCG

We are back recording at Gebhard's Beer Culture Bar on the UWS -- taking a deep dive into Brownsville Brooklyn and the amazing work being done by its community organizations working to establish a good life for its citizens.  We talked with Genese Morgan, community organizer and Chair of Community Board 16 which advocates for Brownsville, Brooklyn in the New York City Council. And Ms. Morgan is the founder of the Ocean Hill-Brownsville Neighborhood Improvement Association, INC.And, La’Shawn Allen-Muhammad joined us. She holds many prestigious positions;  La’Shawn is the Executive Director of Central Brooklyn Economic Development Corporations; President of Entrepreneurs of New York; Brooklyn Director of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce – and others. She is a native of Brownsville and is committed to revitalizing her home town by creating opportunities for her neighbors through home and business ownership.We also spoke with Sandy Nurse of NYC Council representative of District 37. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Brownsville, Brooklyn: A community of local organizers.

Catholic Workers – students of peace activism – knowers of Father Berrigan and the Plowshares movement – are already aware that this week was the fourth anniversary of the Kings Bay Plowshares action protesting the U.S. military’s nuclear stockpile. It is also the week that Martin Luther King was assassinated, over three decades ago. Less than a year before he was murdered, Dr. King addressed the National Conference of New Politics and argued that the American society was spoiled by 3 evils – Racism, Materialism and Militarism.Three Evils of Society: Racism, Materialism, and MilitarismThis week -- sitting on the edge of the Peace Statue at the Isaiah Wall across from the UN, I spoke with three Catholic Workers who participated and went to jail for cutting through the fence of the largest and most lethal submarine base in the world at Kings Bay, Georgia. They spilt their blood from baby bottles and hung banners calling for nuclear disarmament -- Martha Hennessy - Clare Grady - Mark Colville. We spoke at the end of their day-long walk which started at Riverside Church where MLK had delivered his “3 Evils of Society” speech in 1967. Their walk was organized by the Kings Bay Plowshares 7 group, Ellen Grady and Anthony Donovan.  Also, I spoke with Mary Yelenick -- Main Representative at the United Nations for Pax Christi International and a member of the NGO Working Group on the Security Council. Alan Winson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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