We have an incredible radio station in Milwaukee, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. I listen to them often and loved them before I ever read their mission statement — which I looked up recently because they FEEL like a radio station that loves its city and is on a mission to support, promote and improve it. Here’s what they say:

“ Through music and stories created for a culturally open-minded community, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee is a catalyst for creating a better, more inclusive and engaged Milwaukee.

— Mission Statement, 88Nine Radio Milwaukee

We love Milwaukee.

Our city isn’t perfect. What city is? But we believe in Milwaukee — as it is today, and in its potential to become even better.”

They have created a multimedia series “Invisible Lines.” Again, here’s what they say about it:

I attended a preview of these “conversations about race, segregation and prejudice” Monday morning at Radio Milwaukee. And, here’s what I say — every one in this country needs to see this series, but especially those who deny that white privilege exists. We need to get this series into college conversations, human resources offices so they can determine how and where to share in their workplaces, police departments, bouncers and the folks that hire them at night clubs, hospitals, teachers for all ages.

Everywhere.

Why are these videos so incredible? They are eye-opening conversations, unscripted, about experiences of racism, prejudice and segregation in one city in the United States. One city that is very divided. I’ve written before about my own inexperience with people of color, and if you’d like to hear more about that, please have a short listen to my 3 minute audio-essay on WUWM:

Essay: My Legacy Won't Be White-Washed

These conversations bring to light so many things that I’m ashamed to say had never occurred to me. A few moments that are lingering for me: a black man having to ask a young police officer to calm down during a driving-while-black pull over. A black man kept out of a night club by an ever-changing dress code, adapting to black fashion trends. A hispanic woman in college being called a dirty bitch by someone who had dropped his litter in one of the communal campus spaces. There are many, many more. Please watch the series. And then, share it — far and wide.

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Radio — Making the Invisible Visible was originally published in Pam Writes on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.