These PBS Western Reserve productions connect local history and politics to America's 250-year evolution in government and democracy. From understanding the American tradition of political debate to local flashpoints in the battle for workers' rights, women's rights and more, see how the people of Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania shape what it means to be American through civic action.
Forum 360
Civility in Politics
J. Cherie Strachan, director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, joins host Ardith Keck to dissect how and why the electorate has lowered its standards for civility in U.S. politics. Their conversation defines civility, identifies the roots of its decline and examines the fallout of this downward trend. Then, Strachan discusses ways to make politics more civil.
Dynasty of Ohio Presidents
Kevin Kern, University of Akron professor and co-author of “Ohio: A History of the Buckeye State,” explains the history and rich legacy of U.S. presidents from Ohio in an interview with host Bill Steven Saus. Sharing from a chapter of “Ohio,” Kern explores the life and work of former U.S. presidents Ulysses S. Grant, James A. Garfield, Rutherford B. Hayes and more.
Handicapping a Political Debate
Dive into the history of presidential debates with presidential researcher, Jim Robenalt. Robenalt is a Cleveland writer, lecturer and attorney. Host Mark Welfley guides a conversation about the purpose and value of presidential debates, how the “winner” is decided, how debate handicaps are chosen and more.
How I Got Here: A Political Journey with Representative Veronica Sims
State Representative Veronica Sims shares her journey to becoming the voice of the 33rd district in this conversation with host Leia’ Love. Sims discusses her lifetime of experience as an Akronite, her philosophy of public service and the importance of community involvement.
Money and Politics — Local Elections
Host Pat Simons talks with Dr. Daniel Chand, associate professor of Political Science and Public Administration at Kent State University, about the landmark case of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
Who Is the League of Women Voters
Laurie Curfman, the president of the Akron-area League of Women Voters, shares the history and mission of the League of Women Voters. A surprisingly co-ed group, the nonpartisan, grassroots organization is working to protect voting rights and democracy for all people. Curfman discusses efforts to promote a more informed public, end gerrymandering and more.
Specials
The Battle for the Right to Vote
Nearly a century ago in Northeast Ohio, both women and men fought for women’s right to vote. This half-hour local production explores moments in Akron and Cleveland history that fueled this battle. Examples include Sojourner Truth’s famous “Ain’t I a Woman” speech and Belle Sherwin’s participation in the suffrage movement.
Higher Law: The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of 1858
PBS Western Reserve presents the inspiring rescue story of an enslaved Black man named John Price and the 37 abolitionists from Oberlin, Ohio, whose bravery changed the trajectory of the abolitionist movement in the years leading up to the Civil War. The production is the work of filmmakers Christina Paolucci and Scott Spears of Production Partners Media in Columbus, Ohio.
A More Perfect Union
A MORE PERFECT UNION uses the life and career of the late Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula as an example of the importance of bipartisanship in today’s political climate. It shows how Congressman Regula, a Republican, worked across the aisle with Democrats to pass meaningful legislation for the nation as a whole.
Ralph Regula: The Gentleman from Ohio
Ralph Regula was the U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 16th congressional district from 1973 to 2009, serving 18 consecutive terms. Learn more about his life and career from his own recollections, as well as those of his family, friends and colleagues.
Training for Freedom
Idealistic college students and Black activists came together in Oxford, Ohio, in 1964 to find their humanity and the common ground to fight as one. This documentary weaves their stories with critical historical analysis. It explores how people from dramatically different worlds broke down barriers of race, class and gender to organize the most comprehensive campaign of the civil rights movement.
Training for Freedom Panel Discussion
This TRAINING FOR FREEDOM follow-up panel discussion addresses race-related voter registration issues. Ben Holbert, mayor of Woodmere Village, moderates. Panelists are Bruce Watson, author of Freedom Summer; Nishani Frazier, PhD, associate professor, Department of American Studies & History, University of Kansas; and James Brown, president of the Youngstown branch of NAACP.
Under Fire, Under Siege: Strikebreakers in Kent, Ohio
In 1936, two truckloads of Cleveland strikebreakers crashed through a peaceful picket line in Kent, OH. They fired sawed-off shotguns and tear gas in an attempt to intimidate the workers and break a six-week-old strike at the Black & Decker Co. The strikebreakers not only failed to end the strike but had the tables reversed on them as strikers and sympathizers fired rifles at them for six hours.
