It's hard to imagine what would drive an elementary school teacher to dig
deep into his own savings and spend hundreds of hours to produce a cable
television program on a topic most Americans prefer to ignore.
But that's what Bryan K. Wade, host of the program "Worlds Apart," has been
doing for three years. He says he was inspired to create a show about race after
hearing a speech in 1997 about racial inequality in America. The speaker was
Andrew Hacker, author of "Two Nations: Black and White, Separate, Hostile,
Unequal," a widely acclaimed book (first published in 1975, revised in 1995) on
the realities and causes of racial disparities in education, politics, family
life, and employment.
The statistics surprised Wade, an African-American. He started asking what he
could do to make a difference.
"It's one thing to have a lecture, but then everyone leaves," Wade recalls
thinking. "We need to establish an ongoing process so people can continue to
discuss these issues."
For Wade, that ongoing process started with the launching of a weekly talk
show on York (Pa.) Community Access Television in July 1997. The show now
appears on cable systems in five Pennsylvania counties, as well Southern
California, and has a potential audience of more than 4 million
cable subscribers.
In three years, Wade has produced 150 shows, drawing guests from the fields
of education, government, social services, and law enforcement.
Topics have included:
- Genetics, Race, and Intelligence
- Anthropological Understanding of Race
- Religion and Racism
- Racial Profiling Along the I-95 Corridor
- Interracial Adoption
- Propaganda and Racism in the 1936 Olympics
- Politics and Race
"Worlds Apart" is broadcast live from a studio
in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, which allows viewers to call in with comments and
questions.
"Most of the time callers ask questions like, 'What can I do?' and 'Where can
I find more information?'" Wade says. "I tell them that the program is not a
quick fix; these are systemic issues we're dealing with, and change will not
happen quickly. You have to start with yourself.'"
Wade continues to approach the show, and the discussion of race, as he did
from the start. He comes with an open mind, a willingness to listen, and a clear
goal: to provide information that will help dismantle racial myths and
stereotypes.
"We're not going to change people's minds," he says. "But the show at least
offers the opportunity for some kind of transformation on people's part."
Bryan Wade produced the first 14 programs with volunteer help, personal
finances, and the support of family and friends. A
board of directors now provides program, financial, and technical support, and
corporate sponsorships help cover production costs.
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