Conversations With Enrique Cerna

In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, Syrian refugee resettlement in the United States has become highly controversial. Washington Governor Jay Inslee says the state will welcome refugees from Syria, and other war-torn countries that are approved for resettlement here, as he believes that federal security protocols are in place to minimize whatever risks the refugees may pose. KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna takes up the refugee resettlement issue, the facts surrounding the process and concerns of Muslim-Americans with former Washington Governor Dan Evans, Bob Johnson, the International Rescue Committee Executive Director- U.S. Programs/Seattle, and Arsalan Bukhari, Executive Director of the Washington State Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations.

In 1970, Chris Bayley was a young Seattle lawyer who decided to take on long-time King County Prosecutor Charles O. Carroll. Carroll had held the post for more than 20 years, running the office as his personal political fiefdom that overlooked vice, corruption and Seattle’s police payoff system. In a fascinating conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna, Bayley reveals the dark side of Seattle’s past in his new book "Seattle Justice: The Rise and Fall of the Police Payoff System in Seattle". Bayley went on to defeat Carroll and led a reform movement that cleaned up Seattle and King County government. It’s a fascinating story about Seattle’s past and how it shaped Seattle’s current political environment.

What is the status of comprehensive immigration reform? What has happened to President Obama’s executive order on immigration? What is the potential impact on the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the United States? We talk with the Executive Director of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Jorge Baron, about the ongoing debate over immigration reform.

Eric Liu wants citizens to understand that they have the voice and power to shape our democracy. KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna talks with Liu about the challenge and importance of developing a stronger culture of citizenship, especially as America’s demographics are undergoing dramatic change. Liu is the founder and CEO of the Seattle-based Citizen University, where the focus is promoting and teaching the art of powerful citizenship. Liu is a prominent writer, author and speaker. His latest book is titled A Chinaman’s Chance: One Family’s Journey and the Chinese American Dream. Citizen University’s annual national conference is scheduled for March 18 and 19, 2016, in Seattle.

In August 2015, two Black Lives Matter supporters interrupted a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, making national headlines and raising questions about their actions and what the Black Lives Mater movement is all about. KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna examines the incident and how it has affected conversations about race and justice with Washington State Senator Pramila Jayapal whose Facebook post about the incident drew national attention; and University of Washington political science professor Christopher Parker, who has written extensively about racial politics in America.

He is known as Uncle Bob, but his avuncular demeanor belies his passion, determination and success as a longtime community activist. Bob Santos is a Seattle icon. Along with Roberto Maestas, Bernie Whitebear and Larry Gossett, he became part of a powerful alliance that brought major change to Seattle in civil rights and social justice. The story of how the four leaders from four different communities came together to make history is chronicled in The Gang of Four, a book co-authored by Santos and Gary Iwamoto. In an insightful and humorous conversation with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna, Santos talks about growing up in Seattle’s Asian community, his journey into community and political activism that included an encounter with serial killer Ted Bundy and the exploits and close friendship of the Gang of Four.

On October 13, 2015, Ana Mari Cauce made history when the University of Washington Board of Regents announced her appointment as the school’s 33rd president. Cauce became the university's first permanent female president, its first Latina president and its first openly gay president. Ana Mari Cauce came to the University of Washington in 1986 as an assistant professor and worked her way up the ranks. When Michael Young left to become Texas A & M President, Cauce was named interim UW President, and that opened the door for her to become the top Dawg. Cauce talks with KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna about the appointment, the challenges ahead, barriers she has broken, her commitment to race and diversity and how the murder of her brother by the Ku Klux Klan affected her life.

Rex Hohlbein was a successful Seattle architect who made a good living designing million-dollar homes. But Hohlbein gave up his architectural career to become an advocate for the homeless. What motivated him to do so? How did a talented homeless artist affect his decision? What does he think of the recent announcement by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and King County Executive Dow Constantine to declare states of emergency in the city and county in response to the growing rate of homelessness? Enrique Cerna takes up those questions and more with Hohlbein in an in-depth conversation about the homeless.

Enrique Cerna talks with PBS Newshour co-anchor and co-managing editor Gwen Ifill about coverage of race relations in America. Ifill moderated town halls on race and police relations in the aftermath of the Michael Brown police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri and the deadly shooting in a Charleston, South Carolina church. In addition, Ifill shares her thoughts on the 2016 Presidential race; her work on the Newshour and Washington Week; and being impersonated on Saturday Night Live.