Civil Wrongs

Civil Wrongs is a project of the Institute for Public Service Reporting in collaboration with WKNO-FM. Here, we analyze the present-day effects of historical cases of racial terror in Memphis and the Mid-South.

Civil Wrongs is a history podcast hosted by Institute for Public Service Reporting, with 24 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Institute for Public Service Reporting hosts Civil Wrongs, a history show with 24 episodes published.

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  Episode #3

  Unjust pursuit

  Oct 13, 202526 minS6

  <p>In this third and final episode of season 6, we talk to the family and others connected to the Memphis case that resulted in a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that made national waves and shaped how police could use force against people fleeing from them. And that probably would have made a difference in the case against Phillip Hatley’s killer, too.</p><p>We also dive into the most recent scathing report on the Memphis Police Department from the U.S. Department of Justice and how the city plans to move forward. </p><p>Mentioned in this episode: </p> T...

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  Episode #2

  Silenced Bloodlines

  Oct 13, 202519 minS6

  <p>This episode explores how Phillip Hatley’s family responded to his death — both at the time and through three generations, as more information has come to light.</p><p>His grandsons say they have a newfound understanding of their father, who was five years old when Phillip Hatley was killed within earshot of his family. The next generation sees opportunities to affect change in their community as police brutality feels closer to home and their family heals.</p><p>We also talk to Dr. Monnica Williams, a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychology at the University of Ottawa on h...

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  Episode #1

  The Killer Wore a Badge

  Oct 13, 202523 minS6

  <p>In this episode, we bring you the story of Phillip Hatley, a 43-year-old Black husband and father who was shot in the back and killed by a drunk Memphis police officer in 1939. <br><br>His death led to a publicly contentious trial that ended with his killer going free.<br><br>But his own grandsons knew only bits and pieces of what happened despite growing up in the same neighborhood. We journey with them back to where it all began and chat with the researcher who uncovered the story. </p><p>Mentioned in this episode:</p> Civil Rights & Restorative Ju...

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  Episode #7

  Revisiting connections between lynching and the death penalty as Tennessee resumes executions

  May 14, 20254 minS5

  <p>Tennessee recently scheduled its first executions after a five-year hiatus. In this episode, we host a conversation between Steven Hale, author of “Death Row Welcomes You” based in Nashville, and Margaret Vandiver, author of “Lethal Punishment: Lynchings and Legal Executions in the South” to talk about the connections between lynching and the death penalty.</p><p>Resources mentioned in this story:</p> “Death Row Welcomes You” by Steven Hale “Lethal Punishment” by Margaret Vandiver Death Penalty Information Center Tennessee Death Row Prisoners Ask Governor Lee to Halt Scheduled Executions While Courts Assess Constitutionality of New Lethal Injection Protocol by Death Penalty In...

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  Civil Wrongs

  Tom Lee’s relatives reflect on 100th anniversary of heroic water rescue

  May 7, 20259 minS5

  <p>One hundred years ago on May 8, a Black man who could not swim saved 32 white people from drowning in the Mississippi River. </p><p>That heroic act got him a meeting with President Calvin Coolidge and a house in North Memphis. And one of Downtown’s most iconic parks honors his heroism. His name was Tom Lee.</p><p>The park was not always welcoming to Black people — even his own descendants. But those striving to keep his story alive, from relatives to park leaders, hope Memphians will be inspired by his willingness to lend a helping hand.</p><p>Res...

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