Radiolab

The Ashes on the Lawn

Dec 2, 2022

Tracie Hunte, a reporter investigating AIDS activism, is joined by Peter Staley, a long-time AIDS and LGBTQ rights activist known for his role in ACT UP. They discuss the profound grief and anger that fueled activism during the AIDS crisis, recounting powerful protests and the creation of the AIDS quilt. Hunte's investigation reveals how these activists confronted a passive government and fought for change amidst loss. The emotional intertwining of personal narratives and collective action showcases a pivotal moment in history that resonates today.

55:03

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Episode guests

Peter Staley

Tracie Hunte

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Echoes of Loss and Activism

18min

Navigating Grief and Activism in the AIDS Crisis

4min

Confronting AIDS: Activism and Science in the 1980s

7min

Confrontations and Connections

7min

ACT UP: From Protest to Progress

16min

The Clash of Activism and Legislation

3min

A global pandemic. Thousands dying. A passive government. An afflicted group fueled by grief and anger. In this episode, first aired in 2020, Reporter Tracie Hunte wanted to understand this moment of pain and confusion. As she looked back three decades, she found a complicated answer to a simple question: when nothing seems to work, how do you make change?

Special thanks to Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Episode Credits:

Reported by Tracie HuntProduced by Matt Kielty

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