BPR Full Show: The Slap Heard Around the World

Today on Boston Public Radio:

We began the show by asking listeners for their thoughts on whether Justice Clarence Thomas should face consequences due to his wife Ginni Thomas’ alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.

Art Caplan talked about the “slap heard around the world” and Will Smith’s reaction to Chris Rock’s dig at his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, at the Academy Awards as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership, and Ukraine's humanitarian crisis as the country runs out of medical supplies. Caplan is director of the Division of Medical Ethics at the New York University School of Medicine.

Ken Burns explained why he chose Benjamin Franklin as the focus of his latest documentary, diving into Franklin’s early life, as well as his impact as a scientist and an inventor. Burns is an award-winning documentarian.

Corby Kummer discussed the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine – known as Europe’s bread basket – could have on global food supplies. He also updated us on the latest news from the North End as restaurateurs fight city fees for outdoor dining. Kummer is a senior editor at The Atlantic, an award-winning food writer, and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition and Policy.

Revs. Irene Monroe and Emmett G. Price III shared their thoughts on the morality behind Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Academy Awards, and whether the future of Christianity will rely upon African women. Monroe is a syndicated religion columnist and the Boston voice for Detour’s African American Heritage Trail. Price is founding pastor of Community of Love Christian Fellowship in Allston, the Inaugural Dean of Africana Studies at Berklee College of Music. Together they host the All Rev’d Up podcast.

We ended the show by talking with listeners about Will Smith’s Academy Awards slap “heard around the world,” and what they would do in a situation in which someone they care about gets slighted publicly.