Interviewing school superintendents Gregory Coffin (Evanston) and Neil Sullivan (Berkeley) who discuss school integration and civil rights.

Studs Terkel discusses the transportation of students for school integration with psychologist Thomas J. Cottle. The main topic of conversation is Cottle's book, "Busing" (1976, Boston, MA, Beacon Press). Terkel and Cottle discuss busing in several cities, focusing on Boston, MA, where Cottle did his research and writing. They each read passages from the book, and discuss the relationship between busing and racism in America.

Mr Buffalohead a Native American educator, scholar and activist talks to Studs in Minnesota about Native American history and about creating space at universities for Native / Indigenous studies programs. At the end Studs states that there is another 15 minutes of the program, that will be presented at another time.

According to Paul Chevigny’s book, “Police Power: Police Abuses in New York," disobeying the police is what precipitated violence. Chevigny explained some of the police felt if they had to deal with the undesirables, whether they were criminals or not, anything goes on the street to get these guys and anything goes in court to make a conviction stick.

Discussion of Division Street: America

Trinidadian historian Dr. C.L.R. James discusses his book "The Black Jacobins: Toussaint L'Ouverture and the San Domingo Revolution." The book was originally published in 1938. At the end of the interview, the song "Voodoo American: Bya Bulako" by Michel LaRue is played (00:46:26-00:51:

As the guest editor of “Critical Inquiry,” Henry Louis Gates, Jr. covered the importance of Black writers and their contributions. Because there is no color blindness is the western world, explained Gates, pointing out that one is a Black writer or a Black doctor is important to society. Gates also covers the issue of race not being solely about Black and white people but rather it has to do with multi-ethnic and multi-cultural people.

Studs Terkel discusses gang life with Allan Evans and Henry Jordan, members of the Vice Lords, an urban street gang based in Chicago. Evans and Jordan were both born and grew up in Chicago.

The discussion of discrimination in metropolitan Chicago continues with Jan Hestor, Curtiss Brooks and Dr. Philip Hauser talking about bigotry, prejudices, open occupancy and education. Included in this part of the interview is an excerpt of 17 year-old Jimmy talking about how his grandmother would rather work than be on welfare.