Jan Bauer, Mary Garrity, Ann Griffin and Harry Wells discuss crime, poverty, law, and community relations. They each come from different community programs which are trying to make Chicago safer for everyone.

James and Ann Harper join Studs Terkel to discuss their personal stories and the work of their social center called Save the Alcoholic, located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. James discusses his struggle with alcoholism and how his experiences influence the mission of Save the Alcoholic. Ann says its often hard to work with “Skid row alcoholics,” but ultimately, they both believe it’s important to help those who are alienated by society, despite their frustrations.

Mr. Ridgeway and Studs talk about the energy crisis and the systematic pillaging of the land of the United States by the companies involved in harvesting natural resources. Includes: Two excerpts presented of Joe Begley of Blackey, KY talking about the state of things in Appalachia as gas companies and strip mine operators come in to destroy the land.

Susan Nussbaum, founder of Access Living and Michael Pachovas founder of Disabled Prisoners Program discuss the upcoming Disabled Americans Freedom Rally in the backdrop of the International Year of the Disabled Persons and President Reagan's budget cuts. Society needs to understand that expenditures are required to secure the rights of disabled people to live active, productive lives. They need to be able to get out of their apartment buildings or homes, travel on sidewalks and ride buses. That may require access ramps, working elevators, cut curbs, and hydraulic buses to lower steps.

NCARL was formed to fight the McCarthyism of the 1950s and 1960s, and today continues to work to protect civil liberties.

Interviewing members of a humanitarian aid caravan to Cuba; Gisela Lopez, Lisa Brocke and Dr. Peter Orris.

Program includes an excerpt of a 1978 interview with songwriter and labor rights activist Florence Reece.