People from Sacramento and beyond began taking a closer look at Meadowview in 2018. The South Sacramento neighborhood was thrust into the news after the police shooting of Stephon Clark in March of that year. The 22-year-old's death ignited local protests of police violence against unarmed black citizens. The incident also sparked conversations about the neighborhood’s enduring problems, like poverty and lack of public investment.
Those who don’t really know Meadowview could have easily missed the neighborhood’s bright spots. Harmful stereotypes about crime persist. But the people who have lived there and are working to enrich the community know that the suburb’s blight is not its defining characteristic. CapRadio’s newest podcast introduces listeners to Meadowview residents who have long been making an impact.
‘Making Meadowview’ is the latest podcast from CapRadio’s documentary series, ‘The View From Here.’ Reporter and host Pauline Bartolone spent a year exploring the work and people that sometimes go unrecognized beyond the neighborhood's borders. Those include stories about curbing crime in the Tongan community, a community police officer who was a champion for little league, and a woman who responded to the crack epidemic by empowering young women. The six-episode series premieres today, with a new episode released each Thursday.
Pauline Bartolone will join Insight to discuss her reporting in Meadowview. Sac State geography professor Robin Datel will also join the conversation, along with Robert Roots Sr. Roots was raised in Meadowview and will reflect on how the neighborhood has changed in his lifetime.