Susan B. Wilson

Performer and KCK native, Janelle Monae, is known for her gender-bending clothing and futuristic soul-meets-funk music. Keeping in her style, Monae just released her latest music video, "Q.U.E.E.N.", featuring neo-soul singer, Erykah Badu.

E pluribus unum—out of many is one—that’s was a founding principle for America.

Indeed, American language and culture shows the imprint of many different cultural influences.  But as the United States becomes more diverse, sometimes unity and understanding between different groups can become strained.

Imagine a Kansas City covered by ice sheets, oceans that ebb and flow, or lush rain forests with soaring ferns and palm trees. 

These were some of the different landscapes that covered this area millions of years ago.  UMKC geosciences professor emeritus Richard Gentile says we learn all this by “reading the rocks” beneath our feet.   

Gentile curated the exhibit, Kansas City Millions of Years Ago: What the Rock Record Tells Us at Commerce Bank’s Box Gallery through May 31, 2013. 

Many young, urban men see rap music as a ticket to a better, more prosperous life. But few ever even get a start in the music industry.

Twenty-two year old Gee Watts, however, has as good a chance as any. His new mixtape Watts Up has been featured in several major music industry publications and blogs.  

The constitutional right to bear arms has long been viewed as a critical American principle. But, does this right threaten public safety or allow us to better shield ourselves from random gun violence?  Starting July 1 it will be legal to bring a concealed weapon into all Kansas buildings with a concealed carry permit unless the building provides "adequate security."  In Missouri, state agencies have been under fire for providing concealed carry permit information to federal agents. In response the Senate has voted to defund the DMV.  Are these bills and laws necessary?  Will they really make us safer? And why do some oppose them?

The three C’s--Clans, cliques and clubs—everyone has probably enjoyed the sense of belonging and the social support that membership provides. Throughout history, organized groups have waged war and influenced everything from local customs to the division of wealth and property. But when does loyalty to the group begin to interfere with individual freedom, and at worst, the very stability of clan itself?  And how do we live in a democratic society and balance both individuals and group needs and pressures? We talk about how our modern society was shaped by ancient forms of social organization---otherwise known as clans---and debate the balance between individual freedom and group loyalty -- family.

Blacks and Jews have historically had a complicated relationship in the United States.  And it’s perhaps the most evident when they claim the same religion, or historical ancestry. The development of Black Israelite or Black Jewish faith has its roots in Kansas, according to the book The Chosen People: The Rise of American Black Israelite Religions by University of Kansas history and American studies professor, Jacob Dorman.