On this Sunday’s MHP we’ll bring you the story of how a North American country is working to help end a humanitarian crisis taking place on its southern border. Contrary to what you might be thinking, that story does not take place on the US-Mexico border, but several hundred miles north where the activists in the nation of Canada are bringing water aid to their southern neighbors in Detroit in order to help attenuate their current state of emergency. As we reported last week, thousands of citizens of the city of Detroit have had their water turned off in an attempt to crack down on late payments in the wake of the city’s budget shortfall.
The situation has become so dire that, in addition to the Canadian assistance, residents have appealed to the United Nations for help. Host Melissa Harris-Perry will speak with activist David Alexander Bullock of the Change Agent Consortium to discuss the ongoing crisis, the role of the city’s Republican-appointed emergency manager and the efforts to help the city’s struggling residents.
After that we’ll talk about a big political move from a familiar face in #nerdland. Activist and working-class Baltimore mother Tianna Gaines-Turner recently journeyed to Washington to testify before Congress about the hardships faced by today’s working-class families. Gaines-Turner, who first appeared on Melissa Harris-Perry more than a year ago, appeared before Congressman Paul Ryan’s House Budget Committee to help Congress understand what real struggle looks like. Our host will speak with her about her experience in the nation’s capital. She’ll also speak to author Piper Kerman, whose book inspired the Emmy-nominated series Orange is the New Black, to talk about the power of personal narrative in shaping opinions and moving policy debate.
Then, it’s the return of the King! LeBron James has announced he will return to his home state to once again play for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Harris-Perry and her panel, including Esquire's Scott Raab and ESPN host Jemele Hill, will talk about Miami’s loss, Cleveland’s gain and the impact of free agency in professional sports.
Plus, more news out of Ohio to report as the Midwestern swing state pushes to implement some of the most draconian abortion restrictions in the country and an interview with Chaz Ebert to discuss the new film Life Itself that chronicles the life and career of her late husband Roger Ebert, widely revered as the most influential film critic of all time.
Be sure to read what we’ve linked above, and watch Melissa Harris-Perry Saturday at 10am ET on msnbc! Also, don’t forget to join us on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #nerdland.