Playlist: I See U with Eddie Robinson's Portfolio
I SEE U is a unique, award-winning program that gives voice to those who have often been unheard. Hosted by Houston Public Media's Eddie Robinson, I SEE U explores cultural identity through the stories of people and places and their lived experience. Eddie guides fascinating conversations with newsmakers who share their personal histories, their struggles and their triumphs. In listening, we learn to empathize and hopefully experience a few 'a-ha' moments for ourselves.
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SPECIAL ISeeU EPISODE: Victoria, TX - A Town Like Yours
From I See U with Eddie Robinson | Part of the I SEE U with Eddie Robinson Specials series | 53:29
Join host Eddie Robinson for a special edition of I SEE U, featuring award-winning director, Li Lu with her latest PBS docu-series, “A Town Called Victoria,” as a backdrop. This compelling episode, recorded in front of a live studio audience at Houston’s historic DeLUXE Theater, also included a panel conversation where the filmmaker along with members of a devout Muslim community take listeners on a provocative journey through their quest for acceptance, tolerance and redemption in the wake of a devastating hate crime.
Towards the end of January in 2017, many suggested that then-President Donald Trump’s Muslim and refugee ban appeared to give his followers a license to discriminate. When a local mosque in Victoria, Texas is violently burned to the ground not long after Trump signs an executive order to carry out the restriction, many thought that was indeed happening. Victoria law enforcement officials and conservative town administrators were quick to praise Muslim leadership for not jumping to the conclusion that this fire was intentional.
How can this “praise” be interpreted? Some might argue and see it as community leaders being passive or docile to avoid fueling a political firestorm. But after six years of reflection and the release of a documentary that explores the burning of the Victoria Islamic Center, the arsonist and the aftermath from the blaze—what will it take for a quiet religious community to survive a hate crime?
Join us as I SEE U host Eddie Robinson speaks candidly with filmmaker, Li Lu—director of the PBS docu-series, “A Town Called Victoria.” Eddie leads a provocative panel conversation with Lu and Muslim community members from both Victoria and Houston as they reveal unguarded perspectives of living in a small, Christian-dominant town that once felt welcoming and open but now feels like innocence lost. I SEE U panelists include producer/director, Li Lu; Victoria Islamic Center members: Abe and Heidi Ajrami, Dr. Shahid Hashmi, Omar and Lanell Rachid; along with Houston-area filmmaker, Fatima Hye.
SPECIAL ISeeU EPISODE: Victoria, TX - A Town Like Yours
From I See U with Eddie Robinson | Part of the I SEE U with Eddie Robinson Specials series | 53:29
Join host Eddie Robinson for a special edition of I SEE U, featuring award-winning director, Li Lu with her latest PBS docu-series, “A Town Called Victoria,” as a backdrop. This compelling episode, recorded in front of a live studio audience at Houston’s historic DeLUXE Theater, also included a panel conversation where the filmmaker along with members of a devout Muslim community take listeners on a provocative journey through their quest for acceptance, tolerance and redemption in the wake of a devastating hate crime.
Towards the end of January in 2017, many suggested that then-President Donald Trump’s Muslim and refugee ban appeared to give his followers a license to discriminate. When a local mosque in Victoria, Texas is violently burned to the ground not long after Trump signs an executive order to carry out the restriction, many thought that was indeed happening. Victoria law enforcement officials and conservative town administrators were quick to praise Muslim leadership for not jumping to the conclusion that this fire was intentional.
How can this “praise” be interpreted? Some might argue and see it as community leaders being passive or docile to avoid fueling a political firestorm. But after six years of reflection and the release of a documentary that explores the burning of the Victoria Islamic Center, the arsonist and the aftermath from the blaze—what will it take for a quiet religious community to survive a hate crime?
Join us as I SEE U host Eddie Robinson speaks candidly with filmmaker, Li Lu—director of the PBS docu-series, “A Town Called Victoria.” Eddie leads a provocative panel conversation with Lu and Muslim community members from both Victoria and Houston as they reveal unguarded perspectives of living in a small, Christian-dominant town that once felt welcoming and open but now feels like innocence lost. I SEE U panelists include producer/director, Li Lu; Victoria Islamic Center members: Abe and Heidi Ajrami, Dr. Shahid Hashmi, Omar and Lanell Rachid; along with Houston-area filmmaker, Fatima Hye.
SPECIAL ISeeU EPISODE: MLK Day- Seeing (Me) Is Believing with author Tami Charles
From I See U with Eddie Robinson | Part of the I SEE U with Eddie Robinson Specials series | 53:30
When Tami Charles’ son was in kindergarten, he asked her: “If Dr. King was such a good guy who wanted all these wonderful things for everyone, Mommy, why did the bad guys hurt him?” She knew then that she would need some tools to talk about racism to a young child. So, the former New Jersey school teacher, penned an award-winning children's book to help her navigate through the intense conversations with her son - like THE TALK, about how Black children must learn how to interact with the police to make sure they survive.
As we honor and pay tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on this national holiday weekend, many Black American parents are taking this opportunity to educate their children—and have THE TALK, an unguarded conversation about racism, discrimination and the richness of Black culture.
Those sometimes difficult conversations served as inspiration for children's book author, Tami Charles – who wrote and used her own New York Times best-selling picture book, "All Because You Matter," as a springboard to navigate through the intense dialogues she's had with her son.
Join Host Eddie Robinson as he chats candidly with acclaimed writer, Tami Charles. The former New Jersey schoolteacher sheds light on the obstacles she's experienced as a woman of color who found it even more of a challenge to maneuver through the children's book industry.
Her latest book, "We Are Here," celebrates the extraordinary history of trailblazers, including Dr. King, who sacrificed their lives in hopes of building a better future for all people.
SPECIAL ISeeU EPISODE: The Gay Black Civil Rights Financier
From I See U with Eddie Robinson | Part of the I SEE U with Eddie Robinson Specials series | 53:29
I SEE U examines the mystique behind the late millionaire, Norris Herndon, as a disappearing family legacy looms and the public knows little about his historic role in the Civil Rights Movement.
His father, born into slavery, had become one of the first African American millionaires in the United States. His mother, though devoted to Black civil rights, was a renowned actress and had kept her racial background a secret. And in 1897, Alonzo and Adrienne Herndon had a son – their only child – named Norris Herndon, who would become the second President, inherited by his father, of the historic, Black-owned Atlanta Life Insurance Company. Behind the scenes, Norris was a major financier of the Civil Rights Movement and often gave large sums of money to several organizations, community groups and universities. He also lived a very private life and learned to hide his attraction for men. Could his homosexuality be a reason why his story remains unknown to so many people? Join host Eddie Robinson as I SEE U takes an in-depth look at the life of Norris Herndon with insight and perspective from writer/columnist, Ryan Lee and history scholar, Pamela Flores – both based in Atlanta.