Today on Sojourner Truth:
During the week of November 17, there were 13,657 new COVID-19 infections reported across state and federal prison systems. This, according to the Marshall Project, which has been tracking these numbers since March. The previous week also saw an uptick in cases. These are by far the highest weekly totals since the pandemic began. COVID-19 case rates among prisoners are four times as high as the general population, according to The New York Times, and the death rate is twice as high. Today, we speak with Theresa and her brother, Russell, about their father, Russell Maroon Shoatz. He is an elder who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is in prison in Pennsylvania.
Also, on Wednesday, November 11, the world lost Juan Gomez Quinones, a well-respected Chicano scholar, historian, poet and campaigner. He taught at UCLA for more than 40 years and for decades, he dedicated his life to uplift the voice of his people through his scholarship, mentorship, political actions and artistic poetry. Our guests are Ali Ahmadpour and Dr. Theresa Montano.
