1 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:10,059 Student walkout demonstrations in 2 00:00:10,060 --> 00:00:11,759 the Austin area continued this week 3 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:13,299 in protest of immigration and 4 00:00:13,300 --> 00:00:14,799 customs enforcement operations in 5 00:00:14,800 --> 00:00:17,119 Texas and across the country. 6 00:00:17,120 --> 00:00:18,159 The Austin Independent School 7 00:00:18,160 --> 00:00:19,759 District has come under particular 8 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:21,579 fire from Texas Governor Greg Abbott 9 00:00:21,580 --> 00:00:23,459 and Attorney General Ken Paxton. 10 00:00:23,460 --> 00:00:24,499 We're going to hear from some of the 11 00:00:24,500 --> 00:00:25,819 students who participated in the 12 00:00:25,820 --> 00:00:27,239 walkout as well as some of their 13 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:29,139 parents. And we'll follow up on an 14 00:00:29,140 --> 00:00:30,839 incident at a demonstration Monday 15 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:32,139 in Hayes County. 16 00:00:32,140 --> 00:00:33,419 Plenty more from those student 17 00:00:33,420 --> 00:00:35,519 voices and ways to deal. 18 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:37,539 With everything that we're 19 00:00:37,540 --> 00:00:39,399 seeing on social media these days 20 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:41,509 that is coming up on today's show. 21 00:00:41,510 --> 00:00:43,409 The Austin Signal is a production 22 00:00:43,410 --> 00:00:45,509 of KUT News, hosted by 23 00:00:45,510 --> 00:00:46,399 Jerry Quijano. 24 00:00:46,400 --> 00:00:48,259 And February is Black 25 00:00:48,260 --> 00:00:50,099 History Month, and Austin is 26 00:00:50,100 --> 00:00:52,499 chock full of black music history. 27 00:00:52,500 --> 00:00:54,039 Come hear a little piece of it 28 00:00:54,040 --> 00:00:56,119 today. That's coming up next here on 29 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:57,120 Austin Signal. 30 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:08,179 Howdy out there, this is 31 00:01:08,180 --> 00:01:09,179 Austin Signal. 32 00:01:09,180 --> 00:01:10,979 I'm your host, Jerry Kehannel. 33 00:01:10,980 --> 00:01:12,719 Thank you for tuning in to Listener 34 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:14,379 Powered Public Radio. 35 00:01:14,380 --> 00:01:16,559 We are KUT News. 36 00:01:16,560 --> 00:01:18,779 It's Tuesday, February 3rd. 37 00:01:18,780 --> 00:01:20,379 Glad you're making us part of your 38 00:01:20,380 --> 00:01:21,559 day. We've got a lot to get into 39 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:23,359 today, so let's start the show. 40 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:26,139 Students in Austin and many other 41 00:01:26,140 --> 00:01:27,759 Texas cities walked out of class and 42 00:01:27,760 --> 00:01:29,439 off campus last week to protest 43 00:01:29,440 --> 00:01:31,299 immigration enforcement, and 44 00:01:31,300 --> 00:01:33,419 more did the same on Monday. 45 00:01:33,420 --> 00:01:35,839 KUT's Greta Diaz-Gonzalez-Vasquez 46 00:01:35,840 --> 00:01:37,359 reports that has state officials 47 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:39,199 calling for an investigation of the 48 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:40,639 Austin Independent School District 49 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:42,459 and demanding information 50 00:01:42,460 --> 00:01:43,540 from the district. 51 00:01:47,510 --> 00:01:49,290 We'll never be divided! 52 00:01:50,650 --> 00:01:52,649 Hundreds of AISD students from 53 00:01:52,650 --> 00:01:54,669 14 campuses took to the streets on 54 00:01:54,670 --> 00:01:56,329 Friday to protest immigration and 55 00:01:56,330 --> 00:01:57,869 customs enforcement operations 56 00:01:57,870 --> 00:01:59,689 across the country. 57 00:01:59,690 --> 00:02:01,549 Some AISC teachers and staff 58 00:02:01,550 --> 00:02:03,849 walked along with them while AISP 59 00:02:03,850 --> 00:02:05,269 police patrolled the streets. 60 00:02:06,530 --> 00:02:08,189 Christopher, a senior from Eastside 61 00:02:08,190 --> 00:02:09,749 Early College High School said 62 00:02:09,750 --> 00:02:12,079 students wanted their voices heard. 63 00:02:12,080 --> 00:02:13,239 The real problem was that a lot of 64 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:14,839 teenagers felt kind of like slighted 65 00:02:14,840 --> 00:02:16,099 and betrayed by the adults around us 66 00:02:16,100 --> 00:02:17,599 because a lot us couldn't vote for 67 00:02:17,600 --> 00:02:19,569 the last three elections. 68 00:02:19,570 --> 00:02:21,269 Students carried signs that read, 69 00:02:21,270 --> 00:02:23,169 ice melts under pressure, 70 00:02:23,170 --> 00:02:24,649 and immigrants, they get the job 71 00:02:24,650 --> 00:02:25,829 done. 72 00:02:25,830 --> 00:02:27,309 Wes Aron is a lively middle school 73 00:02:27,310 --> 00:02:29,009 parent. He didn't know his son was 74 00:02:29,010 --> 00:02:30,629 protesting, but when he heard about 75 00:02:30,630 --> 00:02:31,009 it... 76 00:02:31,010 --> 00:02:33,009 Both my wife and I were proud 77 00:02:33,010 --> 00:02:34,869 actually that he was 78 00:02:34,870 --> 00:02:37,359 participating in civic engagement. 79 00:02:37,360 --> 00:02:39,139 On Monday, Texas Attorney General 80 00:02:39,140 --> 00:02:40,679 Ken Paxton, who is in a tight 81 00:02:40,680 --> 00:02:42,819 Republican primary race for the U.S. 82 00:02:42,820 --> 00:02:44,699 Senate nomination and is hoping to 83 00:02:44,700 --> 00:02:46,659 get President Trump's endorsement, 84 00:02:46,660 --> 00:02:48,219 said he's demanding information from 85 00:02:48,220 --> 00:02:49,319 the district. 86 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:51,199 He says AISD officials 87 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:53,019 knowingly allowed students to leave 88 00:02:53,020 --> 00:02:54,579 campus during the school day to 89 00:02:54,580 --> 00:02:56,759 protest immigration enforcement. 90 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:58,339 Before that, on Friday, Texas 91 00:02:58,340 --> 00:03:00,059 Governor Greg Abbott said on social 92 00:03:00,060 --> 00:03:01,939 media that he directed the head 93 00:03:01,940 --> 00:03:03,959 of the Texas Education Agency, Mike 94 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:05,699 Morath, to launch an investigation 95 00:03:05,700 --> 00:03:07,499 of Austin ISD. 96 00:03:07,500 --> 00:03:09,399 In a post on X, Abbott said, 97 00:03:09,400 --> 00:03:11,319 quote, AISD gets taxpayer 98 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:13,239 dollars to teach subjects required 99 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:15,439 by the state, not to help students 100 00:03:15,440 --> 00:03:17,399 skip school to protest, end 101 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:18,279 quote. 102 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:20,059 But Aaron has a different opinion 103 00:03:20,060 --> 00:03:21,919 about how taxpayer dollars are 104 00:03:21,920 --> 00:03:22,559 used. 105 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:23,839 I still think was used 106 00:03:23,840 --> 00:03:26,159 appropriately, you know, we have 107 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:28,239 people who are employees of 108 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:30,459 the school district and they're 109 00:03:30,460 --> 00:03:32,439 charged to act in different 110 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:34,239 ways depending on the situation and 111 00:03:34,240 --> 00:03:35,799 this situation that was the 112 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:37,469 appropriate thing to do. 113 00:03:37,470 --> 00:03:39,189 For Erin, the appropriate thing to 114 00:03:39,190 --> 00:03:41,229 do was to take care of the students, 115 00:03:41,230 --> 00:03:43,529 many of them minors. 116 00:03:43,530 --> 00:03:45,349 AISD said the walkout was not 117 00:03:45,350 --> 00:03:46,989 organized by the district and said 118 00:03:46,990 --> 00:03:48,689 police were there for the safety of 119 00:03:48,690 --> 00:03:50,089 the students. 120 00:03:50,090 --> 00:03:51,649 Melanie Oltman, another lively 121 00:03:51,650 --> 00:03:53,329 middle school parent, says Abbott's 122 00:03:53,330 --> 00:03:55,029 call for an investigation feels 123 00:03:55,030 --> 00:03:56,829 politically motivated. 124 00:03:56,830 --> 00:03:58,849 I think he continuously 125 00:03:58,850 --> 00:04:00,949 targets Austin because 126 00:04:00,950 --> 00:04:02,909 as we are a more progressive city. 127 00:04:02,910 --> 00:04:04,349 Students in other school districts 128 00:04:04,350 --> 00:04:06,329 across Texas also protested, 129 00:04:06,330 --> 00:04:07,929 including in San Antonio and New 130 00:04:07,930 --> 00:04:09,869 Bramphills, where the district also 131 00:04:09,870 --> 00:04:11,949 had staff monitoring students. 132 00:04:11,950 --> 00:04:13,709 Yet, Abbott and Paxton only went 133 00:04:13,710 --> 00:04:15,589 after Austin ISD. 134 00:04:15,590 --> 00:04:17,249 In his post, Abbatt also said 135 00:04:17,250 --> 00:04:19,349 schools are for educating children, 136 00:04:19,350 --> 00:04:20,669 not for, quote, political 137 00:04:20,670 --> 00:04:21,949 indoctrination. 138 00:04:21,950 --> 00:04:23,189 But for Altman... 139 00:04:23,190 --> 00:04:25,009 Protesting is one of 140 00:04:25,010 --> 00:04:25,039 the... 141 00:04:25,040 --> 00:04:27,219 Best real-life 142 00:04:27,220 --> 00:04:29,199 educational experiences these 143 00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:31,079 kids can participate in. 144 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:32,899 I mean, I would say that's that 145 00:04:32,900 --> 00:04:34,899 could be even superior to sitting 146 00:04:34,900 --> 00:04:36,799 in a classroom reading 147 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:37,959 about a protest that 148 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:39,959 happened some other time, 149 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:41,299 some other place. 150 00:04:41,300 --> 00:04:43,379 AISD Superintendent Matias Segura 151 00:04:43,380 --> 00:04:44,799 put out a statement saying the 152 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:46,619 district cannot physically prevent a 153 00:04:46,620 --> 00:04:48,539 student from leaving campus and that 154 00:04:48,540 --> 00:04:50,139 leaving campus to participate in a 155 00:04:50,140 --> 00:04:52,419 protest is considered an unexcused 156 00:04:52,420 --> 00:04:53,859 absence. 157 00:04:53,860 --> 00:04:55,719 It's unclear what the TEA's 158 00:04:55,720 --> 00:04:57,659 investigation would entail or how 159 00:04:57,660 --> 00:05:00,319 much it would cost, but Erin says... 160 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:01,779 If we're ending up spending more 161 00:05:01,780 --> 00:05:03,279 money on the investigation than the 162 00:05:03,280 --> 00:05:05,079 amount of money that was spent on, 163 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:06,659 quote unquote, chaperoning these 164 00:05:06,660 --> 00:05:08,739 kids as they protested, then what 165 00:05:08,740 --> 00:05:10,429 are we really accomplishing? 166 00:05:10,430 --> 00:05:12,169 This week, more students across 167 00:05:12,170 --> 00:05:14,169 Central Texas are expected to 168 00:05:14,170 --> 00:05:15,909 hold walkouts to protest immigration 169 00:05:15,910 --> 00:05:16,739 enforcement. 170 00:05:16,740 --> 00:05:18,999 Since 2016, children who 171 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:21,099 are aware have been in fear for 172 00:05:21,100 --> 00:05:22,739 all this time, and now we're finally 173 00:05:22,740 --> 00:05:24,759 having our say, and it's important 174 00:05:24,760 --> 00:05:26,579 because this is my country 175 00:05:26,580 --> 00:05:27,959 too. 176 00:05:27,960 --> 00:05:29,299 Making their voices heard through 177 00:05:29,300 --> 00:05:31,419 protests, Christopher and many 178 00:05:31,420 --> 00:05:33,099 other high school seniors will vote 179 00:05:33,100 --> 00:05:34,920 this year for the first time. 180 00:05:39,140 --> 00:05:41,359 The people united 181 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:42,999 will never be defeated! 182 00:05:51,860 --> 00:05:53,779 And the Texas Education Agency 183 00:05:53,780 --> 00:05:55,759 tells KUT News that state law 184 00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:57,579 requires educators to facilitate 185 00:05:57,580 --> 00:05:59,459 student learning free from 186 00:05:59,460 --> 00:06:00,259 political bias. 187 00:06:00,260 --> 00:06:01,799 They say they will investigate the 188 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:03,159 complaints thoroughly, taking 189 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,119 appropriate action to ensure school 190 00:06:05,120 --> 00:06:07,099 districts are upholding state 191 00:06:07,100 --> 00:06:08,959 law. And it wasn't just students in 192 00:06:08,960 --> 00:06:10,059 Austin school districts that 193 00:06:10,060 --> 00:06:12,119 participated in the demonstrations. 194 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:14,179 Elgin ISD and Hayes CISD also 195 00:06:14,180 --> 00:06:15,899 had planned walkouts on Monday. 196 00:06:15,900 --> 00:06:17,839 But at the Hayes County protests 197 00:06:17,840 --> 00:06:19,779 a now viral video shows a 198 00:06:19,780 --> 00:06:21,669 man getting out of his truck and 199 00:06:21,670 --> 00:06:23,749 into a physical altercation with the 200 00:06:23,750 --> 00:06:25,669 teenage protesters. 201 00:06:25,670 --> 00:06:27,249 For more about this incident and the 202 00:06:27,250 --> 00:06:29,029 protests, we are speaking with QUT's 203 00:06:29,030 --> 00:06:31,089 Hayes County reporter, Leigh Walden. 204 00:06:31,090 --> 00:06:31,989 She was on the scene. 205 00:06:31,990 --> 00:06:33,569 She's joining us now here on Austin 206 00:06:33,570 --> 00:06:34,949 Signal. Thanks for speaking with us, 207 00:06:34,950 --> 00:06:35,279 Leigh. 208 00:06:35,280 --> 00:06:36,259 Thanks for having me. 209 00:06:36,260 --> 00:06:37,699 So tell us a little bit about this 210 00:06:37,700 --> 00:06:39,219 protest you were out there, when did 211 00:06:39,220 --> 00:06:40,709 you get there, what did you see? 212 00:06:40,710 --> 00:06:42,309 Yeah, absolutely. 213 00:06:42,310 --> 00:06:44,209 So several high schoolers and middle 214 00:06:44,210 --> 00:06:45,409 schools throughout the county 215 00:06:45,410 --> 00:06:47,069 protested yesterday instead of 216 00:06:47,070 --> 00:06:47,989 Friday. 217 00:06:47,990 --> 00:06:50,149 Around 800, 900 students 218 00:06:50,150 --> 00:06:51,789 showed up across the county. 219 00:06:51,790 --> 00:06:53,069 For Johnson High School, it was 220 00:06:53,070 --> 00:06:55,169 about 150 students, 200 221 00:06:55,170 --> 00:06:57,189 when I showed up around a 222 00:06:57,190 --> 00:06:58,190 little bit after too. 223 00:06:59,810 --> 00:07:01,889 But they were holding signs, 224 00:07:01,890 --> 00:07:03,389 they were similar signs to what 225 00:07:03,390 --> 00:07:05,489 Greta saw at the Austin protest 226 00:07:05,490 --> 00:07:07,309 and yeah, it 227 00:07:07,310 --> 00:07:08,129 just seemed to be... 228 00:07:08,130 --> 00:07:09,649 Very peaceful out there and excited 229 00:07:09,650 --> 00:07:10,949 to be part of the conversation. 230 00:07:10,950 --> 00:07:12,569 So that's a little bit about what 231 00:07:12,570 --> 00:07:14,629 the students' participation looked 232 00:07:14,630 --> 00:07:16,869 like. What sort of law enforcement 233 00:07:16,870 --> 00:07:19,199 presence was at this protest? 234 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:21,279 Yeah, it was kind of considerable. 235 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:23,339 When I was coming up to it, they had 236 00:07:23,340 --> 00:07:25,419 several vehicles lined 237 00:07:25,420 --> 00:07:26,799 up on the side of the road with 238 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:28,659 lights on. 239 00:07:28,660 --> 00:07:30,419 Buda Police was there, as well as 240 00:07:30,420 --> 00:07:32,039 the Hayes County Sheriff's Office 241 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,919 and some local constables. 242 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:36,759 And they kind of dispersed 243 00:07:36,760 --> 00:07:38,659 in the hour period that I 244 00:07:38,660 --> 00:07:41,159 was speaking to these students. 245 00:07:41,160 --> 00:07:43,159 But they had lights on, 246 00:07:43,160 --> 00:07:44,299 they seemed to be blocking off part 247 00:07:44,300 --> 00:07:46,119 of the roads to protect the kids. 248 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:47,659 They stayed out there for a while. 249 00:07:47,660 --> 00:07:49,339 So I think throughout the period of 250 00:07:49,340 --> 00:07:51,279 the protest, they got 251 00:07:51,280 --> 00:07:52,479 called to other things throughout 252 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:53,629 the districts. 253 00:07:53,630 --> 00:07:55,569 Okay, well there was, though, an 254 00:07:55,570 --> 00:07:57,489 incident that I mentioned a little 255 00:07:57,490 --> 00:07:58,769 while ago. 256 00:07:58,770 --> 00:08:00,529 That video has gone viral since 257 00:08:00,530 --> 00:08:02,369 about yesterday afternoon. 258 00:08:02,370 --> 00:08:03,349 What's in the video? 259 00:08:03,350 --> 00:08:04,459 What happened? 260 00:08:04,460 --> 00:08:05,859 Yeah, so the video that's 261 00:08:05,860 --> 00:08:07,919 circulating shows a man 262 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:09,899 who's gotten out of his car who gets 263 00:08:09,900 --> 00:08:11,899 into a verbal disagreement with 264 00:08:11,900 --> 00:08:14,199 one of these teenage girls and 265 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:16,279 it escalates 266 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:17,379 to a physical fight. 267 00:08:17,380 --> 00:08:19,659 He shoves her to the ground and 268 00:08:19,660 --> 00:08:21,559 then it continues to escalate from 269 00:08:21,560 --> 00:08:21,989 there. 270 00:08:21,990 --> 00:08:23,249 Okay, you spoke to one of the 271 00:08:23,250 --> 00:08:24,629 teenagers who is participating in 272 00:08:24,630 --> 00:08:26,129 this protest and at the scene. 273 00:08:26,130 --> 00:08:26,989 What did you hear? 274 00:08:26,990 --> 00:08:29,169 Yeah, I spoke to Matthew, 275 00:08:29,170 --> 00:08:30,729 who was a sophomore at Johnson High 276 00:08:30,730 --> 00:08:32,589 School, and he was telling 277 00:08:32,590 --> 00:08:34,469 me about how he was on 278 00:08:34,470 --> 00:08:35,949 a different side of the road and had 279 00:08:35,950 --> 00:08:37,408 come over when he saw this man get 280 00:08:37,409 --> 00:08:38,409 out of his vehicle. 281 00:08:39,590 --> 00:08:41,469 But he's a minor, so we're not going 282 00:08:41,470 --> 00:08:42,729 to share his last name, but we did 283 00:08:42,730 --> 00:08:44,269 get parental consent for him to be 284 00:08:44,270 --> 00:08:45,270 listed in the show. 285 00:08:46,610 --> 00:08:48,629 Yeah, I saw it from 286 00:08:48,630 --> 00:08:50,129 kind of the other side of the 287 00:08:50,130 --> 00:08:52,529 street, but as soon as I saw 288 00:08:52,530 --> 00:08:54,469 them having a conflict, I think 289 00:08:54,470 --> 00:08:55,889 I was the first one that spotted it. 290 00:08:55,890 --> 00:08:57,449 And then I had told my friend Jose, 291 00:08:57,450 --> 00:08:58,909 who he previously talked to. 292 00:09:00,150 --> 00:09:02,009 And we like I saw the man 293 00:09:02,010 --> 00:09:03,209 get out and I didn't know what he 294 00:09:03,210 --> 00:09:04,089 was going to do. 295 00:09:04,090 --> 00:09:05,469 It looked like he was angry and was 296 00:09:05,470 --> 00:09:07,209 about to like go up to the girl. 297 00:09:07,210 --> 00:09:09,069 So then I started running over 298 00:09:09,070 --> 00:09:10,089 there. 299 00:09:10,090 --> 00:09:11,089 By the time we were there, the man 300 00:09:11,090 --> 00:09:13,029 had already had the girl to 301 00:09:13,030 --> 00:09:14,609 the ground and Let's punch around 302 00:09:14,610 --> 00:09:16,029 super little. 303 00:09:16,030 --> 00:09:17,729 Girls, one of them was a junior and 304 00:09:17,730 --> 00:09:19,049 the other one was a sophomore. 305 00:09:20,410 --> 00:09:22,709 And my friend tried to break it up, 306 00:09:22,710 --> 00:09:24,349 like, we were both trying to break 307 00:09:24,350 --> 00:09:25,350 it up. 308 00:09:26,070 --> 00:09:27,409 Okay, well since this video has come 309 00:09:27,410 --> 00:09:28,609 to light, you've been trying to 310 00:09:28,610 --> 00:09:29,889 follow up on it. 311 00:09:29,890 --> 00:09:31,029 What have you heard? 312 00:09:31,030 --> 00:09:32,989 Yeah, so I spoke to the Buda Police 313 00:09:32,990 --> 00:09:34,909 Department and they let me know that 314 00:09:34,910 --> 00:09:36,649 an investigation has been opened, 315 00:09:36,650 --> 00:09:38,009 all the parties involved have been 316 00:09:38,010 --> 00:09:39,849 identified, but at this 317 00:09:39,850 --> 00:09:41,669 time no arrests have been made. 318 00:09:41,670 --> 00:09:43,569 I also followed up with the school 319 00:09:43,570 --> 00:09:45,649 district and the 320 00:09:45,650 --> 00:09:47,609 communications officer told me 321 00:09:47,610 --> 00:09:49,529 that there's not really any 322 00:09:49,530 --> 00:09:50,849 information that they're sharing at 323 00:09:50,850 --> 00:09:52,229 this time because this incident 324 00:09:52,230 --> 00:09:54,829 happened off of campus property, 325 00:09:54,830 --> 00:09:57,189 they're not necessarily involved. 326 00:09:57,190 --> 00:09:58,949 Okay, one last student that you 327 00:09:58,950 --> 00:10:01,269 spoke with was Isabella. 328 00:10:01,270 --> 00:10:03,039 Tell us a little bit about her. 329 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:04,639 Yeah, Isabella, another minor. 330 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:05,459 So again, we're not going to share 331 00:10:05,460 --> 00:10:07,279 her last name, but we did get 332 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:08,639 consent from her parents. 333 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:10,099 She's also a sophomore at Johnson 334 00:10:10,100 --> 00:10:11,539 High School and she gave me a little 335 00:10:11,540 --> 00:10:12,839 bit of context for what happened 336 00:10:12,840 --> 00:10:13,840 after the incident. 337 00:10:15,830 --> 00:10:17,749 Proceeded to continue to 338 00:10:17,750 --> 00:10:19,749 peacefully protest. 339 00:10:19,750 --> 00:10:21,829 We picked our signs back up, 340 00:10:21,830 --> 00:10:24,309 we picked ourselves back up and 341 00:10:24,310 --> 00:10:26,230 we had our voices heard again. 342 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:28,379 Okay, we have been speaking with 343 00:10:28,380 --> 00:10:29,279 Leigh Walden. 344 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:31,419 She is KUT's Hayes County reporter. 345 00:10:31,420 --> 00:10:33,039 She's gonna continue to follow on 346 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:34,919 this story and have more at 347 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:36,239 KUT.org. 348 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:37,759 We'll have a link to that story in 349 00:10:37,760 --> 00:10:39,739 our show notes a little later today. 350 00:10:39,740 --> 00:10:40,799 Leigh, thanks for your reporting. 351 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:41,759 Thanks for coming on the show. 352 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:42,879 Thank you. 353 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:44,559 And thank you out there for tuning 354 00:10:44,560 --> 00:10:46,239 in to Austin Signal. 355 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,199 We have more coming up after this 356 00:10:48,200 --> 00:10:49,220 break. Stay with us. 357 00:10:54,900 --> 00:10:56,739 This is Austin Signal, thanks for 358 00:10:56,740 --> 00:10:57,979 spending part of your Tuesday here 359 00:10:57,980 --> 00:10:58,980 with us. 360 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:01,239 Recent videos and images of 361 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:02,739 Immigration and Customs Enforcement 362 00:11:02,740 --> 00:11:04,499 encounters have been shared widely 363 00:11:04,500 --> 00:11:06,439 on social media, and while some 364 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:08,299 find it profoundly upsetting to 365 00:11:08,300 --> 00:11:10,419 see, others may view it as 366 00:11:10,420 --> 00:11:12,459 ICE just doing their job. 367 00:11:12,460 --> 00:11:14,359 In the first few weeks of this year, 368 00:11:14,360 --> 00:11:16,079 new videos have turned viewers on 369 00:11:16,080 --> 00:11:18,099 social media and TV into witnesses 370 00:11:18,100 --> 00:11:19,859 of the shooting deaths of Renee 371 00:11:19,860 --> 00:11:21,639 Goode and Alex Pretty by ICE 372 00:11:21,640 --> 00:11:22,619 officers. 373 00:11:22,620 --> 00:11:24,659 These upsetting images can compound 374 00:11:24,660 --> 00:11:26,459 stress and anxiety for people 375 00:11:26,460 --> 00:11:28,339 already worried about the 376 00:11:28,340 --> 00:11:30,119 current state of society. 377 00:11:30,120 --> 00:11:31,959 How can we manage this stress in 378 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:34,239 an already stressful world? 379 00:11:34,240 --> 00:11:36,199 Well, for more about this, KUT's Jen 380 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:38,119 Staton spoke with Robert Duke, 381 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:39,779 UT Austin professor of human 382 00:11:39,780 --> 00:11:42,299 learning and co-host of KUTs 383 00:11:42,300 --> 00:11:43,600 Two Guys On Your Head podcast. 384 00:11:44,730 --> 00:11:46,269 So Bob, first of all, just sort of 385 00:11:46,270 --> 00:11:48,489 in general, what are the impacts on 386 00:11:48,490 --> 00:11:50,469 us of seeing violent 387 00:11:50,470 --> 00:11:52,349 incidents on video that are 388 00:11:52,350 --> 00:11:53,829 real? And that might seem like an 389 00:11:53,830 --> 00:11:55,109 obvious question, but I'm thinking, 390 00:11:55,110 --> 00:11:56,949 you know, as opposed to seeing it 391 00:11:56,950 --> 00:11:58,809 on TV or in a movie where 392 00:11:58,810 --> 00:12:01,149 we know it's artificial, 393 00:12:01,150 --> 00:12:02,569 what's the difference on our psyche 394 00:12:02,570 --> 00:12:02,799 of them. 395 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:05,379 Right. Well, you know, there is 396 00:12:05,380 --> 00:12:07,359 such a proliferation 397 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:09,419 of violent 398 00:12:09,420 --> 00:12:11,399 images, not just 399 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:13,339 in news, but in 400 00:12:13,340 --> 00:12:15,779 videos and movies and television. 401 00:12:15,780 --> 00:12:17,919 And I think there is a little bit 402 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:19,739 of a desensitization that 403 00:12:19,740 --> 00:12:20,739 people go through. 404 00:12:20,740 --> 00:12:22,779 I mean, even though you might 405 00:12:22,780 --> 00:12:24,779 know that this is a fake, 406 00:12:24,780 --> 00:12:26,159 I mean somebody sitting in a movie 407 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:27,419 theater who sees something pretty 408 00:12:27,420 --> 00:12:29,239 violent, their response 409 00:12:29,240 --> 00:12:31,999 to it is not necessarily, you know, 410 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:33,009 decidedly different. 411 00:12:33,010 --> 00:12:34,869 Than it would be if it 412 00:12:34,870 --> 00:12:35,729 were real. 413 00:12:35,730 --> 00:12:36,809 I mean, where the real differences 414 00:12:36,810 --> 00:12:38,049 comes is when you're actually 415 00:12:38,050 --> 00:12:40,029 physically present and when 416 00:12:40,030 --> 00:12:41,409 you are watching something, you 417 00:12:41,410 --> 00:12:42,749 know, through a media stream, 418 00:12:42,750 --> 00:12:44,089 whatever that happens to be, a movie 419 00:12:44,090 --> 00:12:45,749 or a video or whatever. 420 00:12:45,750 --> 00:12:47,629 But you know many of the 421 00:12:47,630 --> 00:12:49,469 actual responses that we 422 00:12:49,470 --> 00:12:50,849 have in our bodies and our brains 423 00:12:50,850 --> 00:12:53,409 are not that 424 00:12:53,410 --> 00:12:55,269 different. You know, I think 425 00:12:55,270 --> 00:12:56,689 one of the things that's worth 426 00:12:56,690 --> 00:12:58,629 talking about media 427 00:12:58,630 --> 00:13:00,869 streams and those kinds of things is 428 00:13:00,870 --> 00:13:01,869 when we go to a movie and we're 429 00:13:01,870 --> 00:13:03,589 going to see something we know is 430 00:13:03,590 --> 00:13:04,729 going to be a scary movie or 431 00:13:04,730 --> 00:13:06,229 supposed to be a scary move. 432 00:13:06,230 --> 00:13:08,149 We're, we're sort of, we have that 433 00:13:08,150 --> 00:13:10,249 in mind when we go in, right? 434 00:13:10,250 --> 00:13:11,549 When we're, when we're watching a 435 00:13:11,550 --> 00:13:13,489 newscast or listening to 436 00:13:13,490 --> 00:13:15,409 something on the radio, we're 437 00:13:15,410 --> 00:13:17,769 not ready necessarily. 438 00:13:17,770 --> 00:13:19,149 I mean, because someone else is 439 00:13:19,150 --> 00:13:21,069 deciding what we're going to see 440 00:13:21,070 --> 00:13:23,009 and hear when, and we're making 441 00:13:23,010 --> 00:13:24,689 the decision. And I think one of the 442 00:13:24,690 --> 00:13:26,689 things that heightens the stress 443 00:13:26,690 --> 00:13:28,809 and the anxiety is the 444 00:13:28,810 --> 00:13:30,829 lack of predictability about 445 00:13:30,830 --> 00:13:32,649 what we are about to witness. 446 00:13:32,650 --> 00:13:34,489 And you mentioned the impacts on 447 00:13:34,490 --> 00:13:36,289 us and our psyches, whether it's an 448 00:13:36,290 --> 00:13:38,629 actual event or a fictitious 449 00:13:38,630 --> 00:13:40,489 event, what are those impacts on us 450 00:13:40,490 --> 00:13:42,099 of seeing something like that? 451 00:13:42,100 --> 00:13:43,939 Well, you know, first of all, we 452 00:13:43,940 --> 00:13:46,079 should probably point out that we're 453 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:47,700 not all alike as human beings. 454 00:13:49,340 --> 00:13:50,299 Some of us are genetically 455 00:13:50,300 --> 00:13:52,259 predisposed to respond to things 456 00:13:52,260 --> 00:13:54,919 more strongly than others. 457 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:56,639 And of course, our past experiences 458 00:13:56,640 --> 00:13:58,539 have led us to either be more 459 00:13:58,540 --> 00:14:00,379 or less surprised when we see things 460 00:14:00,380 --> 00:14:01,399 that we encounter. 461 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:03,299 But I think, 462 00:14:03,300 --> 00:14:05,259 you know, a stress response 463 00:14:05,260 --> 00:14:07,179 does something to 464 00:14:07,180 --> 00:14:08,469 a human being. 465 00:14:08,470 --> 00:14:10,629 That is unlike the way stress 466 00:14:10,630 --> 00:14:12,549 responses initially evolved. 467 00:14:12,550 --> 00:14:14,689 I mean, stress responses have 468 00:14:14,690 --> 00:14:16,189 an evolutionary advantage because 469 00:14:16,190 --> 00:14:18,329 they heighten our attention and they 470 00:14:18,330 --> 00:14:20,409 get us moving and doing things like 471 00:14:20,410 --> 00:14:21,569 that. 472 00:14:21,570 --> 00:14:23,349 But of course, because we have 473 00:14:23,350 --> 00:14:25,409 brains and we can imagine the future 474 00:14:25,410 --> 00:14:27,349 and remember the past, we 475 00:14:27,350 --> 00:14:29,389 can sustain stress over longer 476 00:14:29,390 --> 00:14:30,309 periods of time. 477 00:14:30,310 --> 00:14:32,269 I mean, if we were an organism 478 00:14:32,270 --> 00:14:34,209 in the wild and 479 00:14:34,210 --> 00:14:35,690 we were being chased by a predator, 480 00:14:36,950 --> 00:14:38,889 Either we'd escape and the stress 481 00:14:38,890 --> 00:14:40,809 would end or we wouldn't escape 482 00:14:40,810 --> 00:14:42,629 and stress would end. 483 00:14:42,630 --> 00:14:44,689 But now, you know, 484 00:14:44,690 --> 00:14:46,429 you can hang on to that stress for a 485 00:14:46,430 --> 00:14:48,389 really long time by imagining things 486 00:14:48,390 --> 00:14:50,309 and predicting what might 487 00:14:50,310 --> 00:14:52,869 happen and it 488 00:14:52,870 --> 00:14:55,289 keeps stressors in the body 489 00:14:55,290 --> 00:14:57,109 in place much longer than they 490 00:14:57,110 --> 00:14:58,959 were ever meant to be. 491 00:14:58,960 --> 00:15:00,719 Who might be trying to avoid that 492 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:02,739 stress, who say, all right, I don't, 493 00:15:02,740 --> 00:15:04,079 I'm not going to watch TV news. 494 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:05,719 I'm going to delete a social media 495 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:07,879 app. What do you say to people who 496 00:15:07,880 --> 00:15:09,299 might be thinking that, but also 497 00:15:09,300 --> 00:15:11,059 want to stay engaged in the news and 498 00:15:11,060 --> 00:15:12,399 want to understand what's going on 499 00:15:12,400 --> 00:15:14,079 in current events? How do we balance 500 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:14,229 that? 501 00:15:14,230 --> 00:15:15,909 That's a great question. 502 00:15:15,910 --> 00:15:18,249 And the biggest point is 503 00:15:18,250 --> 00:15:20,429 deciding what your dosage 504 00:15:20,430 --> 00:15:21,689 is going to be. 505 00:15:21,690 --> 00:15:23,269 You know, I mean, I think again, 506 00:15:23,270 --> 00:15:24,289 when you just flip on the 507 00:15:24,290 --> 00:15:26,409 television, some 508 00:15:26,410 --> 00:15:28,009 producer is deciding, what's going 509 00:15:28,010 --> 00:15:29,829 to happen next, right? 510 00:15:29,830 --> 00:15:31,689 And when you're 511 00:15:31,690 --> 00:15:33,469 deciding, well, I want to find out 512 00:15:33,470 --> 00:15:34,889 about this story. 513 00:15:34,890 --> 00:15:36,789 And then you go to a podcast 514 00:15:36,790 --> 00:15:38,689 or you go to a broadcast thing 515 00:15:38,690 --> 00:15:41,109 or something in a video, 516 00:15:41,110 --> 00:15:42,949 you've readied yourself for 517 00:15:42,950 --> 00:15:44,069 that. No, you might not. 518 00:15:44,070 --> 00:15:46,409 Know exactly what's going to happen. 519 00:15:46,410 --> 00:15:48,349 But you've decided now is 520 00:15:48,350 --> 00:15:49,889 a time when I'm willing to look at 521 00:15:49,890 --> 00:15:51,409 this. So I am informed, right? 522 00:15:51,410 --> 00:15:53,429 I mean, the choice shouldn't be 523 00:15:53,430 --> 00:15:55,549 either I'm going to just wallow 524 00:15:55,550 --> 00:15:56,849 in this stuff or I'm going to 525 00:15:56,850 --> 00:15:57,850 completely check out. 526 00:15:59,710 --> 00:16:01,289 Being an informed society is 527 00:16:01,290 --> 00:16:02,269 important, a part of having a 528 00:16:02,270 --> 00:16:03,649 functioning society. 529 00:16:03,650 --> 00:16:06,109 But if you're in a place where 530 00:16:06,110 --> 00:16:08,189 the media is deciding when 531 00:16:08,190 --> 00:16:10,149 you see and hear the 532 00:16:10,150 --> 00:16:12,349 things you see in here, and you're 533 00:16:12,350 --> 00:16:14,329 not involved more in 534 00:16:14,330 --> 00:16:16,289 the choice making of when and 535 00:16:16,290 --> 00:16:18,129 how much, then you're going 536 00:16:18,130 --> 00:16:19,989 to find yourself often more stressed 537 00:16:19,990 --> 00:16:22,069 than you need to be. 538 00:16:22,070 --> 00:16:23,589 And just quickly, are there some 539 00:16:23,590 --> 00:16:25,129 things we can do in the moment? 540 00:16:25,130 --> 00:16:26,689 If we've seen a video, we've seen a 541 00:16:26,690 --> 00:16:28,569 news story to sort of 542 00:16:28,570 --> 00:16:30,489 clear our brains and bodies 543 00:16:30,490 --> 00:16:31,910 kind of in that moment? 544 00:16:34,410 --> 00:16:35,349 Things I think. 545 00:16:35,350 --> 00:16:37,349 I mean, one is, you know, our brains 546 00:16:37,350 --> 00:16:39,129 and our bodies are all connected. 547 00:16:39,130 --> 00:16:40,409 You know, it's not like the brain is 548 00:16:40,410 --> 00:16:41,989 living in some, you know, space 549 00:16:41,990 --> 00:16:43,529 that's not connected to our bodies. 550 00:16:43,530 --> 00:16:45,549 So what we do physically 551 00:16:45,550 --> 00:16:47,409 helps kind of 552 00:16:47,410 --> 00:16:49,569 calm those feelings that we might 553 00:16:49,570 --> 00:16:51,429 have when we watch something 554 00:16:51,430 --> 00:16:53,329 that's, you know, bad 555 00:16:53,330 --> 00:16:55,289 for whatever reason, you know. 556 00:16:55,290 --> 00:16:57,469 And breathing is a big thing and 557 00:16:57,470 --> 00:17:03,649 sitting in a relaxed posture is a 558 00:17:03,650 --> 00:17:05,409 is arising below our conscious 559 00:17:05,410 --> 00:17:06,989 awareness. We're not willing that to 560 00:17:06,990 --> 00:17:08,568 happen, you know, but what can we 561 00:17:08,569 --> 00:17:09,909 control? Well, I can control the 562 00:17:09,910 --> 00:17:10,769 rate of my breathing. 563 00:17:10,770 --> 00:17:12,269 I can take a deeper breath. 564 00:17:12,270 --> 00:17:13,309 And many of the people who do 565 00:17:13,310 --> 00:17:15,129 meditation, one of the reasons it 566 00:17:15,130 --> 00:17:17,129 focuses on the breath so much is 567 00:17:17,130 --> 00:17:18,169 that's something that you can 568 00:17:18,170 --> 00:17:20,289 control that in turn influences 569 00:17:20,290 --> 00:17:21,749 how your body feels. 570 00:17:21,750 --> 00:17:22,828 The other thing I would say about 571 00:17:22,829 --> 00:17:24,668 that too is 572 00:17:24,669 --> 00:17:27,049 to stay connected with other people. 573 00:17:27,050 --> 00:17:28,869 I mean, if you're witnessing things 574 00:17:28,870 --> 00:17:30,629 like this on your own and you have 575 00:17:30,630 --> 00:17:31,709 nothing But the stuff that's 576 00:17:31,710 --> 00:17:33,509 spinning around in your own head and 577 00:17:33,510 --> 00:17:35,009 there's no interactions with other 578 00:17:35,010 --> 00:17:36,769 human beings who care about you and 579 00:17:36,770 --> 00:17:38,549 whom you care about as well, the 580 00:17:38,550 --> 00:17:40,669 likelihood of that dissipating is 581 00:17:40,670 --> 00:17:42,489 less than if you're really able 582 00:17:42,490 --> 00:17:44,019 to interact with other people. 583 00:17:44,020 --> 00:17:46,059 Important reminders about control 584 00:17:46,060 --> 00:17:47,599 and connection. 585 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:49,459 Dr. Bob Duke, UT Austin professor of 586 00:17:49,460 --> 00:17:51,619 human learning and co-host of KUT's 587 00:17:51,620 --> 00:17:53,539 Two Guys on Your Head podcast. 588 00:17:53,540 --> 00:17:55,159 Bob, thanks for talking through this 589 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:56,399 with us on Austin Signal. 590 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:57,029 Thanks, Jennifer. 591 00:17:57,030 --> 00:17:58,030 Always a pleasure. 592 00:17:58,950 --> 00:18:00,829 Again, that was KUT's Jennifer 593 00:18:00,830 --> 00:18:02,929 Staten talking with two guys on your 594 00:18:02,930 --> 00:18:05,289 head, co-host Bob Duke about 595 00:18:05,290 --> 00:18:07,309 ways to manage taking in all 596 00:18:07,310 --> 00:18:09,049 the things going on in this world 597 00:18:09,050 --> 00:18:10,050 right now. 598 00:18:17,060 --> 00:18:18,739 All right now for a little Austin 599 00:18:18,740 --> 00:18:20,939 music talk here on Austin 600 00:18:20,940 --> 00:18:21,799 Signal. 601 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:23,419 It's Black History Month and our 602 00:18:23,420 --> 00:18:25,019 friend Miles Bloxson has been 603 00:18:25,020 --> 00:18:27,119 chronicling black Austin artists for 604 00:18:27,120 --> 00:18:30,099 years for our sister station KUTX. 605 00:18:30,100 --> 00:18:32,079 Today we are going to hear about 606 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:34,059 a born and raised Austinite who 607 00:18:34,060 --> 00:18:35,980 started rapping at age 10. 608 00:18:39,540 --> 00:18:41,379 February is Black History Month 609 00:18:41,380 --> 00:18:42,839 and all month we're highlighting 610 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:44,779 black people in places that help 611 00:18:44,780 --> 00:18:46,929 shape the Austin music scene 612 00:18:46,930 --> 00:18:48,649 Jalen Howard, better known as 613 00:18:48,650 --> 00:18:50,429 JSoulja, was born on the East Side 614 00:18:50,430 --> 00:18:51,389 of Austin. 615 00:18:51,390 --> 00:18:52,969 His father's love of singing and 616 00:18:52,970 --> 00:18:54,889 music encouraged JSoulja to start 617 00:18:54,890 --> 00:18:56,909 rapping by the age of 10. 618 00:18:56,910 --> 00:18:58,489 Growing up, he was influenced by 619 00:18:58,490 --> 00:19:00,249 screw tapes and drew inspiration 620 00:19:00,250 --> 00:19:02,069 from legendary Houston rappers 621 00:19:02,070 --> 00:19:04,149 like Kamillionaire and Zero. 622 00:19:04,150 --> 00:19:06,069 In 2016, he dropped his 623 00:19:06,070 --> 00:19:07,889 first album, Oxygen, and he's 624 00:19:07,890 --> 00:19:09,929 been prolific ever since. 625 00:19:09,930 --> 00:19:11,749 His most recent album is More Than 626 00:19:11,750 --> 00:19:13,849 Nothin' and includes the track Top 627 00:19:13,850 --> 00:19:14,688 Down. 628 00:19:14,689 --> 00:19:16,649 Named after Jalen, it's apparent how 629 00:19:16,650 --> 00:19:18,789 he rose Like his first name Derek, 630 00:19:18,790 --> 00:19:20,869 how I'm ballin' in my zone Ridin' 631 00:19:20,870 --> 00:19:22,689 off to Texas, I'm a guard in my 632 00:19:22,690 --> 00:19:25,179 home I'ma guard in ma home, puttin' 633 00:19:25,180 --> 00:19:27,159 In 2018, he received 634 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:28,799 an ambassador deal with Swisher 635 00:19:28,800 --> 00:19:30,719 Sweets, a major cigar brand 636 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:32,039 in the U.S. 637 00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:33,379 With his endorsement money, he 638 00:19:33,380 --> 00:19:35,199 kicked off his concert series called 639 00:19:35,200 --> 00:19:36,379 The Smokeout. 640 00:19:36,380 --> 00:19:38,319 After headlining the first event, 641 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:39,799 Jay Soulja reached out to his local 642 00:19:39,800 --> 00:19:41,659 peers to invite them to be a part of 643 00:19:41,660 --> 00:19:42,559 the show. 644 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:44,439 Popular Austin artists Datita and 645 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:46,379 Quinn NFN both had 646 00:19:46,380 --> 00:19:48,239 sold out shows, which was history in 647 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:49,919 the making for the Austin hip hop 648 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:50,699 scene. 649 00:19:50,700 --> 00:19:52,659 I ain't doin' no more talkin', let 650 00:19:52,660 --> 00:19:54,499 the money talk for me I was 651 00:19:54,500 --> 00:19:56,439 told to be a boss, it ain't no funny 652 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:58,379 shit over me I ain't takin' 653 00:19:58,380 --> 00:20:00,239 no mo' losses, ain't a crossin' over 654 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:02,079 me I ain't doin' nor more 655 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:03,979 talkin, let the mone talk for me 656 00:20:05,110 --> 00:20:07,069 Jay Soulja is the founder of For 657 00:20:07,070 --> 00:20:09,029 Life Forever Entertainment, where he 658 00:20:09,030 --> 00:20:10,689 mentors young artists and teaches 659 00:20:10,690 --> 00:20:12,569 them how to obtain endorsement 660 00:20:12,570 --> 00:20:13,369 deals. 661 00:20:13,370 --> 00:20:15,169 He also puts on a monthly open mic 662 00:20:15,170 --> 00:20:17,209 showcase and networking event called 663 00:20:17,210 --> 00:20:18,229 The Pre-Roll. 664 00:20:18,230 --> 00:20:19,789 His main concert series, The 665 00:20:19,790 --> 00:20:21,589 Smokeout, makes its return this year 666 00:20:21,590 --> 00:20:23,669 on March 19 as an official 667 00:20:23,670 --> 00:20:26,109 South by Southwest 2022 668 00:20:26,110 --> 00:20:28,089 showcase. The artist is 669 00:20:28,090 --> 00:20:29,909 also the Director of Cultural and 670 00:20:29,910 --> 00:20:31,909 Artist Liberation for Six Square. 671 00:20:31,910 --> 00:20:33,809 An organization that celebrates and 672 00:20:33,810 --> 00:20:35,869 preserves the historic legacy of 673 00:20:35,870 --> 00:20:37,829 the African-American community that 674 00:20:37,830 --> 00:20:40,649 once thrived in central East Austin. 675 00:20:40,650 --> 00:20:41,889 This year, Jay Soldier was 676 00:20:41,890 --> 00:20:43,729 recognized for his big impact on 677 00:20:43,730 --> 00:20:45,249 the Austin music scene. 678 00:20:45,250 --> 00:20:47,049 He was nominated for an Austin Music 679 00:20:47,050 --> 00:20:48,829 Award for the first time in the Best 680 00:20:48,830 --> 00:20:51,089 Hip-Hop Artist category. 681 00:20:51,090 --> 00:20:52,689 Ain't some days that I was lost, 682 00:20:52,690 --> 00:20:54,649 Tryna come up on my 683 00:20:54,650 --> 00:20:56,529 block Turned a little 684 00:20:56,530 --> 00:20:57,530 too alike, 685 00:20:58,470 --> 00:21:00,329 Now we at your wrong step 686 00:21:00,330 --> 00:21:02,329 Look at how they changed up on him, 687 00:21:02,330 --> 00:21:04,169 Look at I came up on him, 688 00:21:04,170 --> 00:21:05,909 look at how I came up, No I never 689 00:21:05,910 --> 00:21:07,729 changed up on him No I never 690 00:21:07,730 --> 00:21:09,549 changed up on him, Look at how I 691 00:21:09,550 --> 00:21:11,969 came up, Ain't some days that I was 692 00:21:11,970 --> 00:21:13,849 Jay Soulja continues to uplift 693 00:21:13,850 --> 00:21:15,689 his community and inspire 694 00:21:15,690 --> 00:21:17,849 everyone with his raw lyrical talent 695 00:21:17,850 --> 00:21:20,389 in his diverse business endeavors, 696 00:21:20,390 --> 00:21:21,889 all while setting up the next 697 00:21:21,890 --> 00:21:24,149 generation for success. 698 00:21:24,150 --> 00:21:25,389 For more on Jay Souljah, visit 699 00:21:25,390 --> 00:21:26,449 KUTX.org. 700 00:21:26,450 --> 00:21:28,609 I never changed up on him, thinkin' 701 00:21:28,610 --> 00:21:30,409 how I came up I was turnin' around 702 00:21:30,410 --> 00:21:31,579 to dream 703 00:21:31,580 --> 00:21:34,099 That was host Miles Bloxson, 704 00:21:34,100 --> 00:21:35,999 and we will have a link to more 705 00:21:36,000 --> 00:21:37,879 at kut.org 706 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:39,919 slash signal and in our 707 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:41,799 podcast for today's 708 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:42,800 show. 709 00:21:43,520 --> 00:21:44,979 That is it for today. 710 00:21:44,980 --> 00:21:47,139 Don't forget that we are community 711 00:21:47,140 --> 00:21:49,039 powered public radio brought to 712 00:21:49,040 --> 00:21:50,959 you by KUT News and 713 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:52,759 we're glad to be with you every 714 00:21:52,760 --> 00:21:54,939 weekday afternoon at 1 715 00:21:54,940 --> 00:21:57,399 o'clock here on KUT 716 00:21:57,400 --> 00:21:59,369 news. And as I mentioned just a few 717 00:21:59,370 --> 00:22:00,629 seconds ago, you can always find 718 00:22:00,630 --> 00:22:01,689 more from the work that we've 719 00:22:01,690 --> 00:22:03,749 already done at KUT.org 720 00:22:03,750 --> 00:22:04,649 slash Signal. 721 00:22:04,650 --> 00:22:06,569 And please subscribe to 722 00:22:06,570 --> 00:22:08,569 Austin Signal wherever you listen 723 00:22:08,570 --> 00:22:10,189 to your podcasts. 724 00:22:10,190 --> 00:22:12,609 We sure do appreciate it. 725 00:22:12,610 --> 00:22:14,769 Thank you to Greta Diaz, Gonzales 726 00:22:14,770 --> 00:22:16,809 Vasquez, to Leigh Walden, to Bob 727 00:22:16,810 --> 00:22:18,669 Duke, Jennifer Staten and 728 00:22:18,670 --> 00:22:20,489 Miles Bloxson for their help 729 00:22:20,490 --> 00:22:22,069 getting today's show across the 730 00:22:22,070 --> 00:22:23,169 finish line. 731 00:22:23,170 --> 00:22:24,949 Kristen Cabrera is our managing 732 00:22:24,950 --> 00:22:26,669 producer, Rayna Sevilla. 733 00:22:26,670 --> 00:22:28,489 Is our technical director 734 00:22:28,490 --> 00:22:30,389 and I'm your host Jerry 735 00:22:30,390 --> 00:22:32,589 Kehannel here with you every weekday 736 00:22:32,590 --> 00:22:34,429 on Austin Signal bringing 737 00:22:34,430 --> 00:22:36,029 you everything that you need to know 738 00:22:36,030 --> 00:22:38,449 happening in the KUT newsroom, 739 00:22:38,450 --> 00:22:40,389 in the Texas Standard newsroom and 740 00:22:40,390 --> 00:22:42,229 all the craziness happening over at 741 00:22:42,230 --> 00:22:44,249 KUTX and everything you need to know 742 00:22:44,250 --> 00:22:45,709 about Austin. 743 00:22:45,710 --> 00:22:47,709 We've got more for you tomorrow 744 00:22:47,710 --> 00:22:49,010 and we'll talk to you then.