Archives for September 2015

The New North Carolina Immigration Bill


CHARLOTTE, NC — Illegal immigration once again has lawmakers in Raleigh at odds with the people in Charlotte. A new bill would restrict forms of ID for non-citizens and ban counties and cities from having policies limiting how much law enforcement could ask about immigration status. WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis is with us to discuss the bill, and what it means for Charlotte and the state.

Political, personal impact of the Pope’s Historic Visit to the U.S.


CHARLOTTE, NC — The Pope is making history by addressing the American people directly for the first time. The last time a Pope was on U.S. soil was Pope Benedict VI back in 2008. WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis is with us this morning to discuss what the Pope’s visit means to Catholics in North Carolina and around the Bible belt.

The Pope: His Presidents & Politics

Pope Francis is expected to talk about the refugee crisis, the economy and more when he meets President Obama this week. We take a look at the relationship that pontiffs of the past and today have over domestic and foreign policies here in the U.S.

Pope Francis Inspires Black Catholics, Despite Complicated Church History On Race

Every time Pope Francis washes the feet of prisoners, embraces an orphan, speaks of social justice and “the least of these,” it reflects the Catholic Church as I would like it to be, the church of the Scriptures. Pope Francis has not altered doctrine or dogma; yet words and deeds have their own kind of power. His U.S. itinerary includes stops at a Harlem school and a Philadelphia correctional facility. It’s a visit that may bring me closer to a faith that has not always been so welcoming to black Catholics like me.

The Changing Landscape in the Race For Charlotte Mayor

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Republican mayoral nominee has been chosen for Charlotte’s upcoming general election, but a run-off is now in place to decide which candidate will get the nomination for the Democrats. WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis discusses the run-off happening between current Mayor Dan Clodfelter and Jennifer Roberts and the impact it could have on the general election.

Bernie Sanders & Cornel West Go To South Carolina. Were Black Voters Listening?

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Can Bernie Sanders, the surging candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, break through Hillary Clinton’s Southern firewall by making inroads with black voters? With a little help and a hearty warm up from African-American academic and activist Cornel West during a South Carolina swing, Sanders must hope so.

Early Voting in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE NC–Voting in Charlotte Mayoral Primary is underway, but that’s not the only race on the ballot. Political Contributor Mary Curtis stops by to break down the current early voting numbers and how the candidates are hoping to fire up the bases.

Singing the Same Old Songs in Harmony Is Far Easier than Talking Across Racial Lines

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charles Randolph-Wright, the director of “Motown: The Musical,” likes to tell the story of how a national tour of his Broadway show, when it touched down in St. Louis last year, offered respite and relief to young people from the Ferguson area. The Missouri town is now famous as a touch point in the national conversation on the relationship between police and the communities they serve.

“Teachers said they hadn’t seen the kids smile in months” before that evening in the theater, he told me at a reception before the opening of the show’s Charlotte run. That stop happened to coincide with the trial of officer Randall “Wes” Kerrick in the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell, an unarmed black man, which eventually ended in a hung jury, mistrial and decision not to re-try the case.

A Look at the Race for Mayor in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC — Early voting in Charlotte’s mayoral primary will begin tomorrow, and it’s a packed race with six Democrats but only two Republicans. WCCB Political Contributor Mary C. Curtis discuss the candidates this morning, and provides some details on the issues being debated.