Author and scholar Nathan Wright discusses black power and identity and his book, “Black Power and Urban Unrest.” Wright talks about the importance of identity in the Black community; leadership; violence and poverty in urban Black communities; the importance of higher education for Blacks; and the nature of power and how its creative use can bring about social change.

Discussing the book "Black Power and Urban Unrest" and interviewing the author Nathan Wright.

Rita Buscari interviews inner-city youth in Chicago in the aftermath of the 1968 riots. Several pre-teen and teenaged African American youth are featured, discussing their experiences during the Chicago riots of April 1968. Topics include: Relationships between children and adults, relationships between police and civilians, relationships between blacks and whites, and the impact that Martin Luther King Jr.

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.

Cole Porter biographer Robert Kimball talks with Studs about his book "Cole" and his subject's life and work as they listen to classic performances of some of his most beloved songs. They marvel at how Porter perfectly captured the zeitgeist of the times in his lyrics, his lyrical influences, his unique method of outside-in composing lyrics and music simultaneously, Bobby Short's masterful interpretations, controversies over some of his works, and how well his material holds up.

Anna Deavere Smith discusses and demonstrates her unique character portrayals from her works "Fires in the Mirror" and "Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992."

What started out as a 5-piece article on health care became Laurie Abraham's book, "Mama Might Be Better Off Dead: The Failure of Health Care in Urban America". Through her stories, Abraham points out the many hardships and catch-22 scenarios of some poor families. One woman, after caring for her mother all day, Julie, wanted to work part time in the evenings. However, she soon learned that she'd be making too much money and she'd no longer be eligible for Medicaid for herself and her children.

Terkel interviews Jose "Cha Cha" Jiménez during a social gathering. He also interviews Brian McCutcheon of the 43rd Ward.

Studs Terkel interviews José "Cha Cha" Jiménez, founder of the Young Lords. At the time of the interview, Jiménez is preparing a picnic for the local Puerto Ricans. However, he is being harassed by the police.

A diverse panel of Gage Park residents discuss racial integration at Gage Park High School, neighborhood change, and race relations in general.