A Scholar, an Advocate, a Poet

01/18/21 • 20 min

Dr. Cheryl Hopson is a dedicated teacher and a committed advocate for those marginalized by society. But at her very heart she is a poet. Hopson, also a essayist and the author of two books, "Fragile" and "Black Notes," takes her own life experiences, some heart wrenching, as well as her observations of the world around her and creates beautiful prose. On this episode of The Human Condition with Lisa Gregory, Hopson, an assistant professor of English and African American Studies at Western Kentucky University, talks about her life as a queer black woman and a feminist. She also talks about her love for creating the written word and what it means to her and what she hopes it means to others.

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In the Name of Justice - A Baby's Death Gives Birth to a Movement

Justice was only four months old when he was killed by his mother's boyfriend in January 2007. The much-loved baby boy with his deep blue eyes and hearty laugh left behind a devastated family. Despite their overwhelming grief, the family was determined to do something good in honor of baby Justice and his memory. For years they worked desperately to change Maryland's law to increase the maximum sentence for the conviction of child abuse leading to death. Justice's Law, which passed in 2016 and was part of a criminal justice reform bill, increased the law to 40 years to life. They also established a fundraising effort with the annual Rock Me Don't Shake Me concert which benefits mothers and children. On this episode of The Human Condition with Lisa Gregory we talk to Justice's mother, Ashley Rutherford, and his grandparents, Dee and Nink Myers, about their "biggie boy" as they lovingly called him and how they turned loss and pain into hope. All in the name of Justice.

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A Recipe for Kindness

It began as a baking competition between two friends and has now become a national movement of goodwill during a pandemic. Jeremy Uhrich and Scott McKenzie of Pennsylvania donate their homemade cookies to essential workers and others as a show of kindness and thankfulness. And from that initial effort there are now similar groups all across the nation and even in Canada. The two men and their Cookies for Caregivers mission have been featured on CNN, the Rachel Ray Show, the Today Show and in People Magazine. During a time when physical hugs are discouraged, Jeremy and Scott are delivering hugs one sweet treat at a time.