The next edition of Connections with Renee Shaw features political commentator Keli Goff, who discusses her new book, Party Crashing: How the Hip-Hop Generation Declared Political Independence. The book, released in March, explores the ways in which young black voters are shunning political labels and emerging as independent thinkers. The program airs Friday, Dec. 12 at 4/3 p.m. CT on KET2 and Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1:30/12:30 p.m. CT on KET1.
Goff, who has appeared as a political commentator on national networks such as CNN, NBC and Fox News, wrote Party Crashers as an analysis of a poll she conducted among young black voters in the U.S. She says the results of the survey reflect the tendency for such voters to favor candidates based on who they are as a person, rather than staying loyal to any one party. She also discusses the ways in which this "hip-hop" generation of black voters wants to focus on current relevant issues such as the environment rather than fighting the "same old battles."
The political commentator offers an insightful perspective on the two-party system and how the growing number of voters who register as independents affects it. She also explains why she thinks the two-party system could be "null and void" within the next two to three decades.
Goff also discusses the role of prominent black leaders in American government and popular culture such as President-elect Barack Obama, Colin Powell, Oprah Winfrey and Russell Simmons. She asserts that the definition of race is changing in the U.S. due to the nation's ethnic and cultural diversity, and talks about the ways in which that diversity will change the face of the nation's politics.
Connections with Renee Shaw is a KET production, produced by Shaw and Carolyn Gwinn. More information about Connections, including streaming video, is available at www.ket.org/connections.
