OPRAH'S NEXT CHAPTER {AKA OPRAH PRIME}: CORY BOOKER (TV)
Summary
One in this series of interview programs hosted by Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah’s subject in this episode is Cory Booker, mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Booker has attracted national attention due to his televised remarks criticizing personal attacks in political advertisements by both major political parties. The city of Newark is characterized by rampant crime and urban decay, but Booker has worked to solve many of the city’s problems and change its image to the rest of the country. His efforts to reach out to the community and improve the lives of Newark’s citizens are largely well-received, although he is also a controversial figure who has provoked mistrust and anger from other citizens. Oprah interviews Booker in Newark’s historic city hall. They discuss his decision to live in Newark’s housing projects as a means of helping to connect with the communities living there. Oprah talks about Booker’s prestigious academic background and history in local politics, including his failed mayoral bid in 2002 and landslide victory in the 2006 mayoral race. Booker notes that he denied himself the opportunity for more lucrative endeavors in order to “stay true to [his] dreams” and pursue what he felt was an avenue for change. Oprah notes that he has become notable for his use of social media, including direct communication with Newark citizens via Twitter.
One of Booker’s main goals is crime reduction; in 2008 he hired outside consultants to completely revamp the Newark police force and raised money to install security cameras, even doing midnight ride-alongs with the police force himself. His efforts pay off when Newark’s crime rate drops significantly, and he continues to work to keep them down. Booker believes he is at least in part responsible for Newark’s many problems and recounts his feelings about a particular incident involving a multiple homicide committed against a group of college students. However, he believes in a collective responsibility for society’s ills and that there is “one American destiny” regardless of political, racial, or economic divisions. Booker also recounts an incident in which he ran into a burning building to rescue a woman trapped inside. He revisits the burned-out building and recalls his experiences. The woman he rescued, Zina Hodge, is also interviewed, believing that she would not be alive if it wasn’t for Booker’s efforts. He also discusses the economic and urban renewal efforts put into Newark over the past few years, believing that “hope is on the horizon.”
Oprah asks Booker about his personal life and he talks about his relationship with his parents, who raised him in the suburb of Harrington in northern New Jersey. Despite their success as executives at IBM, they still had to contend with the ubiquitous racism of their time; they had to litigate to earn the right to purchase a house in an all-white neighborhood. Race was a main factor in Booker’s 2002 election against Sharpe James, who was also African-American. The public debate over what role race played in the candidates’ lives and political philosophies became notoriously heated and personal; Booker is accused of “not being black enough” to be mayor. He discusses this issue and how it affected him and his parents, and about how it relates to modern issues such as the controversy surrounding the shooting of teenager Trayvon Martin. Oprah asks Booker about the notion that Newark is a “pit stop” between more prestigious political positions; he responds by saying that he has already spent over twenty years in Newark and feels as though it is where his life is.
Booker purchases a home for himself and his parents in Newark, planning to renovate it. He is motivated to do so in part by a desire to help care for his parents’ medical issues, including his father’s Parkinson’s disease. He responds to speculation about a third mayoral term or a pursuit of some other position, saying that he is still unsure. He believes that it is better to cultivate goals rather than specific jobs, and hopes to embody this idea with his own life, even if it means pursuing goals outside of politics. He discusses the particulars of New Jersey politics and his efforts to put the needs of Newark citizens above purely political maneuvers; he remarks that he is “disgusted” with the state of national partisan politics in the United States. He also talks about popular opinions surrounding modern politicians and his belief that the American people require “focus” to properly articulate and act upon their dissatisfaction. He says that despite the difficulties of being mayor he is “hope unhinged” about the future of Newark and the ability of the city to effect change for the better. Oprah also interviews two families who have resided in Newark for many years, and they discuss their individual issues and their opinions of Booker. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: OWN
- DATE: November 30, 1999
- RUNNING TIME: 2:42:42
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 122004
- GENRE: Talk/Interviews
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - News/Talk; Talk/Interviews
- SERIES RUN: OWN - TV series, 2012-
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Tara Montgomery … Executive Producer
- Andrea Wishom … Executive Producer
- Jenna Kostelnik … Co-Executive Producer
- Brian Piotrowicz … Co-Executive Producer
- Julie Simpson … Co-Executive Producer
- A. Chris Gajilan … Producer
- Erinn McNeill … Producer
- Brad Opperman … Producer
- Eric Peltier … Producer
- Veronica Votypka … Producer
- Katie Berenbom … Producer
- Dax Monta … Producer
- Jason Bellue … Co-Producer
- Elianna Bodner … Co-Producer
- Amanda Cash … Co-Producer
- Shantel Klinger … Co-Producer
- Kayla McCormack … Co-Producer
- Lindsey Meglio … Co-Producer
- Julie Mirlicourtois … Co-Producer
- Andrea Dres … Associate Producer
- Collin Del Cuore … Associate Producer
- Allyson Kearns … Associate Producer
- Stacey Rossman … Associate Producer
- Harpo Sounds … Music by
- Oprah Winfrey … Host
- Cory Booker … Guest
- Clement Price … Interviewee
- Zina Hodge … Interviewee
- Chris Christie
- Sharpe James
- Trayvon Martin
- Garry McCarthy