Modern-day Civil Rights Leaders: Brian Babylon
This week, we talked to a wide-range of modern-day civil rights leaders who are continuing the fight for equal opportunity for all Americans that Martin Luther King so powerfully gave voice to 50 years ago. We’re always happy to hear from radio host, comedian and CIW Talk host Brian Babylon, who can be depended on to offer a humorous and provocative take on today’s most pressing issues.
 |
| Brian Babylon |
Tell us about yourself and the work you are doing in civil rights today.
I co-host the Morning AMp, which airs weekdays from 8 to 10 a.m. on Vocalo. Each Thursday is Peace Prize Thursday, during which we try to touch on topics—in a comic way—that are too controversial for mainstream media. We have a racially and socially diverse fan base, and so we look at the different ways that race plays out in media in the U.S. and globally. For many people, media is their only outlet to the world and to these types of issues.
What do you see as the future of the civil rights movement in 2014 and beyond?
For most Americans in the 1960s and 1970s, it was a black and white situation. The main conversation was a black and white conversation. Today civil rights is going to morph into an economic conversation. Things like, why does college cost so much? Why does it cost so much to live in Chicago? All these things that make it hard for people to live and work in the city—these are the civil rights issues of today.
There’s not really an iconic civil rights leader like Martin Luther King or Harvey Milk today. There are philanthropists, like Bono and Bill and Melinda Gates. For me, I’m more impressed when I see people doing things locally. Those micro civil rights leaders are who are going to be influential and shine. I am inspired by people like Jeff McCarter of Free Spirit Media, which offers media opportunities and education to Chicago youth, and Kelly Fair of the Polished Pebbles Girls Mentoring Program, which has mentored over 500 girls in the Chicago area. Bill and Melinda Gates can cut a check any day; anyone can give a speech any day. These people at the local level are making the real difference.
You can view Brian Babylon’s 2013 CIW Talk here:
