Ep 378. Robert Hines, Kshama Sawant
- September 8, 2016
Robert Hines is the featured guest on season 9, episode 378 of Tavis Smiley. Hines is an ex-convict and cofounder of the non-profit organization, Time Done. The organization is focused on reducing mass incarceration and helping those who have been released from prison reintegrate into society. Hines shares his story of struggling with addiction and being incarcerated for many years before turning his life around and dedicating himself to helping others.
Another guest on this episode is Kshama Sawant, a socialist councilwoman in Seattle. Sawant discusses her work advocating for affordable housing and raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour in Seattle, as well as her participation in social justice movements such as the Fight for $15 and Occupy Seattle.
During the interview, Tavis Smiley delves into some of the challenges faced by ex-convicts trying to rebuild their lives. Hines talks about the difficulties he faced finding employment and housing after being released from prison, and the stigma attached to having a criminal record. He also highlights the importance of mentoring and providing support to those who have been incarcerated, in order to help them successfully transition back into society.
Sawant discusses the broader social and economic issues that underlie mass incarceration, such as poverty and inequality. She argues that the criminal justice system disproportionately targets poor and marginalized communities, and that addressing these underlying social factors is crucial to reducing the number of people incarcerated in the United States.
Overall, season 9, episode 378 of Tavis Smiley is a thought-provoking episode that sheds light on two important social issues: the need to support ex-convicts in rebuilding their lives after prison, and the need to address the underlying structural factors that contribute to mass incarceration. Robert Hines and Kshama Sawant offer insightful perspectives on these issues and provide a call to action for viewers to get involved in social justice movements.
