June 18, 1990 - A speech given by one of the nation's preeminent civil rights leaders, James Farmer. He is considered one of the "Big Four" of the civil rights movement along with Roy Wilkins, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Whitney Young. This is the 1990 Putnam Lecture in Social Ethics at Hamline University in St. Paul.
June 20, 1990 - A presentation of the MPR documentary "Season of Discontent: Migrants in the Red River Valley," which highlights Hispanic migrant farm workers who work the sugar beet fields.
June 26, 1990 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on St. Paul City Council passage of ordinance banning discrimination against homosexuals in employment, housing, education, and public services. Wareham interviews advocates and opponents of the measure.
July 2, 1990 - Mainstreet Radio’s John Biewen reports on the shortage of rural foster homes and a community alternative in Worthington…the creation of the Bridgeway Center, a group home for emergency foster kids.
July 4, 1990 - Benjamin Barber, American political theorist, speaking at a G. Theodore Mitau Lecture at Macalester College in St. Paul. Barber’s address is on the topic “How Democratic is the Constitution?”
July 10, 1990 - MPR’s Chris Roberts looks at the collaboration between U.S. West Communications and EAGLE (Employee Association of Gay and Lesbians). The company has started gay and lesbian awareness and resource programs in an effort to create a more open workplace. Roberts interviews members from both organizations.
July 18, 1990 - Gloria Steinem, editorial consultant and writer for Ms. magazine, giving keynote address for the anniversary celebration of CHART/WEDCO, a non-profit organization that provides career development and business consulting for women. Celebration was held in Minneapolis. Steinem co-founded the national feminist monthly Ms. Magazine, in 1972. She is the author of the book, "The Bedside Book of Self-Esteem."
July 19, 1990 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the challenges Southeast Asians face in finding employment and social services in St. Paul. Roberts looks into a city plan that provides better access and avenues for those in the Hmong community to utilize.
July 23, 1990 - Nien Cheng, author of the book "Life and Death in Shanghai", speaking at the Fargo Town Hall. Cheng told her audience about Chinese history and politics, her experiences during the Cultural Revolution, and her views about the Communist party and conditions in China today. Cheng is the widow of a former Kuomintang diplomat and executive at Shell Oil Company's Shanghai subsidiary. She was a target of the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution in China, and was arrested, placed in solitary confinement, and tortured. After nearly seven years of imprisonment, Nien Cheng was released - only to find that her only child had been killed by the revolutionaries.
July 25, 1990 - MPR’s Chris Tetlin reports on upcoming Civil Rights Commission hearing regarding complaint by Dignity, a national organization of gay and lesbian Catholics, against the Twin Cities Archdiocese. The Diginity Twin Cities chapter used space at the Newman Center for worship services and other meetings until the Catholic church decided group could no longer lease facilities.