First hour: The meaning of Dr. Ben Carson's comments on homosexuality
Second hour: The story of a political movement after emancipation
In our first hour, surgeon and possible presidential contender Dr. Ben Carson recently said that prison proves "being gay is a choice," because "people go into prison straight, and they come out gay." He had to walk those remarks back, but he maintains that the science is murky on whether homosexuality is a choice. So our panel will look at his remarks, the science, and the state of equality in 2015. In studio:
Angela Clark-Taylor, Program Manager from the University of Rochester's Susan B Anthony Institute for Gender and Women’s Studies. She is also an instructor at the Warner School of Education and is currently teaching a course called “LGBT Issues in Education and Human Development.John Cullen, Coordinator for Outreach for the University’s Anthony Center. He is the chair of Pride Alliance at the University and an LGBT activist.
Scott Fearing, executive director of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley
In our second hour, we take a look at black history and a story that is not often told. After emancipation, former slaves with no prior experience in electoral politics (and with very little collective power or money) created a new movement that helped transform the South. That's according to Justin Behrend, history professor at SUNY Geneseo. His new book details "grassroots black politics." In studio:
Justin Behrend, professor of history
Catherine Adams, professor of history
Chris Bland, a senior biology major from Schenectady, N.Y.