Fred Christy and Frank Carney discuss life, family, youth, and demographics in Chicago. Includes Studs Terkel interviewing a group of teenagers who call themselves the D.J.'s. about their life and ambitions.

Interviewing Frank Carney, Susie Gelaga, Linda (daughter-in-law), Molly (daughter), and Fred Christy. They discuss the youth in Chicago, their own life experiences, and wants.

Dennis Brutus discusses and reads his poetry. He discusses life in South Africa. Dennis Brutus reads poems from his books of poetry "Sirens, Knuckles and Boots", "A Simple Lust", and "Letters to Martha and Other Poems from a South African Prison". Includes music in the beginning. Includes a clip of Albert Lutuli speaking.

Judith Todd, daughter of prime minister of Rhodesia, discusses the book "Right to say no"; Dennis Brutus, poet and involved in protest of Rhodesia taking part in 1972 Olympics, and John Fry pastor First Presbyterian Church and social writer, race, South Africa, and Rhodesia. Excerpt from interview of people in South Africa - a guide, an Afrikaner, and a Chicago policeman regarding race (1895817-6-1 South African Tapes). The three were brought together to have a round table discussion about race relations in South Africa.

Congressman Herman Badillo discusses the prisoner uprising at Attica Correctional Facility in upstate New York, and how race played a role in the unwarranted killing of inmates and the subsequent government and administrative cover up of the incident. Badillo reads excerpts from his book, "A Bill of No Rights: Attica and the American Prison System," and discusses prisoner rights, rehabilitation, and the endemic injustice and racism in the American prison system.

Richard G. Hatcher and Alexander Poinsett discuss Gary, Indiana, their book "Black Power: Gary Style," politics, and race relations. They discuss the corruption in Gary, Indiana and Gary politics. Includes Richard G. Hatcher reading his old speech from his book "Black Power: Gary Style."

Murray Kempton discusses race relation in the United State of America and the Black Panther Trial in New York. Murray also discusses his book, originally published as, "The Briar Patch: The People of New York versus Lumumba Shakur, et al." This book was reprinted as "The Briar Patch: The Trial of the Panther 21" in 1997.

Louis Font and Ed Fox discuss their time in the military, the Vietnam War, military rituals, and West Point military academy. They express their anti-war sentiments and describe atrocities committed in Vietnam.

Ira B. Harkey discusses the south, civil rights, race relations, racism, his newspaper, and his career. Includes Ira Harkey reading his writing from his newspaper the Mississippi "Chronicle-Star."

Muhammad Ali discusses his book "The Greatest: My Own Story," touching on topics including his childhood and family, conversion to Islam, stance on the Vietnam War, and experiences in jail. After the conversation with Ali ends, the second half of the program consists of music by Billie Holiday ("God Bless the Child"), Jimmy Rushing ("Going to Chicago"), Nina Simone ("Children Go Where I Send You"), Count Basie, Alan Lomax ("Little John Henry"), Dinah Washington ("Willow Weep For Me"), and Duke Ellington ("East St. Louis Toodle-Oo").

Discussing the book "Manchild in the Promised Land" with Claude Brown. Brown also discusses growing up in Harlem, New York as an African American man. Includes a clip of a man speaking from the county jail. Includes a song sung by Mahalia Jackson. Includes a clip of children singing.

Discussing the book "Police Power" with the author Paul Chevigny. Paul Chevigny discusses the abuse of police power. Includes a clip of an interview with a night watchman.

Peter Sellars talks about his production of "The Merchant of Venice." Peter Sellars also compares Los Angeles California to the world of "The Merchant of Venice". Sellars also discusses the history of the Jewish people, immigrants, the ghetto, and race relations.