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Two Sides of the African American Experience

Journalist Sylvester Monroe grew up in the Robert Taylor Homes public housing project on Chicago's South Side; he was later accepted into a private prep school and, eventually, Harvard. Drawing on these experiences, Monroe wrote for Newsweek about the underreported experience of poor black men in the United States. He has expanded that work into a book, called Brothers.

27:26
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Other segments from the episode on November 21, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, November 21, 1988: Interview with Sylvester Monroe; Review of Dreamland Syncopator's album "Territory Jazz"; Interview with Jane Ira Bloom; Review of the television show …
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06:33

Early Jazz from Around the Country

Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says that jazz evolved in hubs throughout the United States -- not just in New Orleans, Chicago, and New York. The new big band Dreamland Syncopators resurrects some lesser known compositions from the 1920s that came from other parts of the country. Whitehead says their album Territory Jazz is a good history lesson.

Review
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09:33

Soprano Saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom

The critically-acclaimed jazz artist is known for her use of electronics in her performances. She joins Fresh Air to discuss musical development and her experience as a woman in a male-dominated scene.

Interview
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03:18

"Almost Grown" Makes Viewers Almost Groan

TV critic David Bianculli says that the new CBS drama, about a couple's marriage and divorce, reminds him of the Wonder Years, Moonlighting, and Thirtysomething. The flashbacks to past decades are novel, but replete with unrealistic dialogue and stilted references to pop culture of the time.

Review

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Transcripts are created on a rush deadline, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of Fresh Air interviews and reviews are the audio recordings of each segment.

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21:13

'Rising from the Rails: Pullman Porters'

Journalist Larry Tye examines the social history of the porter in Rising from the Rails: Pullman Porters and the Making of the Black Middle Class. Tye says that the job was one of the best for African Americans at the time, and that it was a foothold in the American workplace. Tye reports for The Boston Globe.

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