Rob Schmitz

Sean Roberts, a renowned professor at George Washington University and author on Uyghur issues, joins Rob Schmitz, an NPR reporter with extensive coverage of the Uyghur crisis. They delve into the rich cultural identity of the Uyghur people, discussing their traditions, music, and the oppressive challenges they face in China. The conversation highlights the impact of the 9/11 attacks on China's policies, the harsh realities of detention camps, and the resilience of the Uyghur community amid efforts to erase their existence.

Randa Abdel Fattah, co-host of NPR's Throughline podcast, dives deep into the historical context of the Uyghur people in China, detailing their struggles against repression. Rob Schmitz, an NPR reporter, shares gripping firsthand accounts of life under surveillance and systemic oppression in Xinjiang. The discussion unveils the harsh realities of forced labor, cultural erasure, and the tragic consequences of a crackdown on Uyghur identity. Together, they shed light on the urgent human rights crisis, emphasizing the resilience and resistance of the Uyghur community.

Rob Schmitz, a China correspondent for American Public Media, discusses his book about the people living and working on a Shanghai street. Topics include waidiren, accordion salesman turned sandwich restaurant proprietor, a couple fighting developers, and pensioners selling questionable sexual potency medicines.