THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY.•• FIRST, EARLY VOTING PATTERNS AND WHAT THEY SAY ABUT AN ELECTION JUST WEEKS AWAY.

THEN, BEHIND THE HEADLINES: FREEZE FRAME, ADDRESSING SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH PERFORMANCE ART.

[♪♪] HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, THE ELECTION IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.

NBC NEWS REPORTS MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION VOTES WERE ALREADY CAST NATIONWIDE AS OF LAST WEEKEND.••.MORE THAN 1 MILLION OF THEM IN THE 12 BATTLEGROUND STATES.

BUT THESE NUMBERS REPRESENT A SLIVER OF EARLY AND MAIL IN BALLOTS EXPECTED TO BE CAST, A FULL 35% OF THE US ELECTORATE.

THAT SAID, EARLY VOTING NUMBERS MAY BE AS OR MORE IMPORTANT THAN POLLS IN PREDICTING THE OUTCOME.

AT LEAST THEY ARE PLACING MANY MORE TWISTS AND TURNS IN THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

HUFFINGTON POST REPORTS EARLY VOTING AND POLLS IN THE SOUTHERN BATTLEGROUND STATES OF FLORIDA, NORTH CAROLINA, AND VIRGINIA REVEAL HILLARY CLINTON IS POISED TO DO BETTER THAN BARACK OBAMA DID IN 2012.

WHILE IN THE MIDWESTERN STATES OF IOWA AND OHIO, DONALD TRUMP IS POISED TO DO BETTER THAN MITT ROMNEY DID IN 2012.

POLITICO REPORTS TRUMP HAS LITTLE CHANCE OF CAPTURIG THE 270 ELECTORAL VOTES NECESSARY TO WIN THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE WITHOUT WINNING NORTH CAROLINA AND FLORIDA.

AN NBC-WALL STREET JOURNAL POLL THIS WEEK (OCT. 18) SHOWS IN A TWO-WAY RACE, CLINTON LEADS BY 8 POINTS WITH MAJORITY SUPPORT OF 51 PERCENT TO TRUMP'S 43 PERCENT AMONG LIKELY VOTERS.

AN NBC NEWS |SURVEYMONKEY (WEEKLY ELECTION TRACKING) POLL, SHOWS CLINTON WITH AN 18-POINT MARGIN OVER TRUMP AMONG LIKELY WOMEN VOTERS.

TRUMP LEADS CLINTON AMONG LIKELY MEN VOTERS BY 7 POINTS.

LASTLY, TRUMP SEEMS TO HAVE CREATED AN INTERNET STORM BY WOMEN VOTERS ANGRY WITH HIS APPELLATION OF CLINTON AS A QUOTE NASTY WOMAN.

THEY'VE ADOPTED THE TERM AS THEIR OWN AND USE IT TO RATTLE TRUMP SUPPORTERS.

CONGRESSWOMAN EDWARDS WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT?

WATCHING POLLS OR EARLY VOTING RESULTS?

>> TIMELY, IT'S ABOUT EARLY VOTING GET OUT THE VOTE THIS IS WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD WAIT UNTIL ELECTION DAY TO FIND OUT.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING A REPUBLICAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

AND I THINK DONALD TRUMP HAS A FAIR CHANCE.

>> I THINK WHAT IS KEY HERE IS THAT YOU SEE WOMEN PUTTING IN ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS AT HIGHER NUMBERS AND SHOW THIS IS A KEY ELECTION FOR WOMEN.

>> I THINK IT IS A QUESTION OF HOW VOLATILE THE POPULATION IS.

I THINK VOTERS ARE LARGELY UNDECIDED.

>> YOU THINK VOTERS ARE STILL UNDECIDED?

WHAT POLL IS SHOWING THAT?

>> I THINK IT'S BECOME SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE TO SAY THAT YOU SUPPORT EVEN CLINTON BUT MAINLY TRUMP.

SO I THINK IN THE PRIVACY OF THE VOTING BOOTH PEOPLE MAY SURPRISE, I THINK THE FINAL RESULTS MAY COME OUT IN TRUMP'S FAVOR.

>> WELL, GIVEN WHAT DONALD TRUMP DID IN THE FINAL DEBATE IN TERMS OF WOMEN CALLING HILLARY A NASTY WOMAN AND STARTING THIS WHOLE TWITTER STORM AND ON-LINE STORM ABOUT WOMEN EMBRACING THE TERM AND CALLING THEMSELVES IS THERE ANYTHING HE COULD DO AND THE WAY THAT HE IS LOSING THE WOMEN'S VOTE WHICH MEANS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE RONALD REAGAN, IF THE POLLS PROVE TRUE, A REPUBLICAN WILL NOT EVEN WIN MARRIED WHITE WOMEN WHICH HAS ALWAYS GONE TO A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE SINCE 1980.

IS THERE ANYWAY HE COULD GET WOMEN BACK AT THIS POINT?

>> NOT A CHANCE, I COUNT MYSELF AS A NASTY WOMEN AND A LOT OF WOMEN ARE DOING THE SAME THING AND YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE BALLOT REQUESTS AND YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE EARLY VOTE DEMOGRAPHIC NUMBERS.

AND YOU KNOW IT IS SHOCKING THAT DONALD TRUMP IS LOSING WHITE SUBURBAN WOMEN VOTERS BUT HE IS AND THIS IS ALL HIS LANGUAGE AND THE FAT-SHAMING AND THE REST IT'S TIMELY ADDED UP SO THAT NOW WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUT THE VOTE AND STARTING TO SEE THAT IN EARLY VOTING AND I'M CONVINCED WE WILL SEE THAT FOR HILLARY CLINTON WHEN NOVEMBER 8TH COMES.

>> WELL, I THINK WE SHOULD STILL WAIT UNTIL ELECTION DAY.

I THINK A LOT OF WOMEN DID FEEL OFFENDED BY HIS COMMENTS BUT THEY ARE HOLDING OUT THEIR VOTE.

I MEAN WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE STILL A REPUBLICAN POLICIES ENACTED AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE STRONG LEADERSHIP IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> BUT YOU KNOW, MY QUESTION IS HOW MUCH IS EARLY VOTING VOTED EARLY.

IT'S ALMOST AS IF IT IS MAKING OBSOLETE HAVING TO GO TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> WELL, YEAH.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TURNING OUT THEIR VOTE EARLIER BECAUSE OF THE POLLING DAY DISASTERS AND LOTS OF THINGS CAN GO WRONG.

>> AND BAD WEATHER BEING STUCK OUTSIDE IN LONG LINES.

>> AND THEY ARE DOING IT FOR CONVENIENCE.

I MEAN NOT JUST THE MAIL-IN BALLOTS BUT THE IN PERSON EARLY VOTING AND EARLY VOTING PERIODS IN A LOT OF STATES.

IN NORTH CAROLINA BATTLEGROUND STATE EARLY VOTING HAS STARTED LINES ARE FORMING EVEN FOR THE EARLY VOTE.

PEOPLE WANT TO CAST THEIR VOTE IN THIS ELECTION AND I THINK WE WILL SEE MUCH STRONGER NUMBERS THAN WE SAW IN 2012.

>> THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT EARLY VOTING.

A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

I'M NOT SURE THE PRESS WOULD COVER IT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OF US ON THE RIGHT THINK THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF SCANDALS REVEALED BY WIKILEAKS AND THE VIDEOS THAT HAVE COME OUT THAT HAVE SHOWN BAD BEHAVIOR ON THE PART OF DEMOCRATS.

I THINK FOR MANY OF US WHO LOOK AT EARLY VOTING WE WORRY THAT SOMETHING COULD BREAK AND PEOPLE CANNOT CHANGE THEIR MIND AT THAT POINT.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU WOULD SUGGEST TO DONALD TRUMP IF YOU WERE KELLY ANNE CONWAY, A REGULAR ON THIS SHOW FOR 20 YEARS.

TO GET BACK WOMEN WHAT WOULD IT BE?

>> HE NEEDS TO RETURN TO TALK ABOUT POLICY.

I THINK THERE IS A LOT.

>> HE TALKED MORE POLICY IN THE THIRD DEBATE THAT HE HAD IN THE FIRST TWO.

>> HE NEEDS TO REMIND WOMEN THERE ARE A LOT OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS THAT IF HE STARTED SAYING THAT HE WANTS TO RAISE TAXES OR LIMIT ACCESS TO GUNS, THEY MIGHT CHANGE THEIR OPINION ON HIM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF WOMEN THAT NEED TO BE REMINDED OF THE HILLARY SCANDALS.

SHE IS NOT ELECTED AND WE HAVE E-MAIL SCANDALS AND BENGHAZI AND NOW THE TAPES THAT HAVE COME OUT SHOWING POTENTIAL CORROBORATION WITH VOTER FRAUD.

HE NEEDS TO HIT HER HARD ON THOSE THINGS.

WITH A CIVIL TONE.

HIT HER HARD ON THOSE AND REMIND AMERICANS THAT HE IS FOR LOWER TAXES AND LESS REGULATION AND REMIND THEM TO CHECK OUT HIS TAX PLAN.

HE HAS GOOD INFORMATION OUT THERE BUT IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT HE STICK TO POLICY AND STAY OFF TWITTER.

>> WHAT IS INTERESTING IF YOU LOOK AT THE VOTING TRENDS YOU WILL SEE THAT THE ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS IN KEY BATTLEGROUND STRAIGHTS INCREASED AMONG WOMEN AND WHEN?

AFTER THE FIRST DEBATE.

AND WHY?

BECAUSE HILLARY KILLED IT.

AND YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH REPRESENTATIVE EDWARDS, I AM A NASTY WOMAN AS WELL, ORDERING A T-SHIRT TODAY AND I THINK IT IS AMAZING BECAUSE YOU SEE TRADITIONALLY REPUBLICAN GROUPS OF VOTERS.

WHITE MARRIED WOMEN ARE TRENDING FOR HILLARY.

AND THE HILLARY CAMPAIGN IS ALSO CUTTING INTO THE CATHOLIC VOTE BECAUSE THESE GROUPS ARE FINDING DONALD TRUMP'S LANGUAGE UNACCEPTABLE.

>> AND IT'S ALSO ABOUT HER DEMEANOR.

I MEAN THERE IS A LOT OF THAT BUT PEOPLE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE STAGE AND ASK WHO THEY COULD SEE AS PRESIDENT?

AND THEY SAW HILLARY CLINTON AND HER DEMEANOR AND UNDERSTANDING HER COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF POLICIES BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL.

AND THEY SAW A PRESIDENT.

AND I THINK THEY ARE BEGINNING TO CAST THEIR VOTES FOR THAT REASON.

AND TO THE EXTENT THERE IS ANYONE WHO IS UNDECIDED WHAT THEY ARE UNDECIDED ABOUT IS THAT THEY MAY BE REPUBLICANS SAY I MAY NOT WANT TO VOTE FOR HILLARY BUT I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP.

>> I WONDER IF HE IS HIS OWN WORST ENEMY.

AT THE AL SMITH DINNER HE SAID WHICH WAS A LARGELY CATHOLIC AUDIENCE HE SAID HILLARY CLINTON HATES CATHOLICS.

PATENTLY UNTRUE AND GOT BOOED LIKE CRAZY AND NOW HE IS PLAYING THIS GAME.

EVERYBODY SEEMS TO FORGET THAT IT WAS EITHER THE FIRST OR SECOND DEBATE HE SAID HE WOULD ABIDE BY THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

NOW, IT'S I WILL IF I WIN.

YOU KNOW HE IS GOING BACK AND FORTH ON THAT KIND OF STUFF.

HE CAN'T HELP HIMSELF.

>> WELL, HE IS DEFINITELY NOT A TRADITIONAL CAREER POLITICIAN AND HE COMES ACROSS YOU KNOW, IF HE IS GOING TO BE LOSING HE IS NOT GOING TO TAKE THAT EASILY.

HE WILL BE CHALLENGING -- >> WILL THERE BE RIOTS.

>> NO.

I HOPE NOT.

I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE IN THE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AND THEY WILL ACCEPT THE RESULTS.

>> I THINK HE HAS DONE REALLY GREAT DAMAGE AND HARM BY SUGGESTING NOT JUST RECENTLY, BUT ALL ALONG THAT THE PROCESS IS RIGGED.

AND HE HAS DONE DAMAGE.

>> NOT WHEN HE HAS AHEAD IN THE POLLS.

>> ON THE RIGGED QUESTION CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE MADE THE CATHOLIC COMMENT AS A CATHOLIC I'M OFFENDED BY WHAT HILLARY CLINTON'S CAMPAIGN THROUGH THE WIKILEAKS INFORMATION THAT WE SAW, THE THINGS THEY WERE SAYING ABOUT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND CATHOLICS SPECIFICALLY, I WAS VERY OFFENDED BY THAT AND YET THE PRESS WITH YOU BEING THE EXCEPTION DOESN'T TALK ABOUT THAT.

AND THE ELECTION IS RIGGED AND THE PRESS DOES NOT COVER THIS.

THE VOTER FRAUD QUESTIONS BROUGHT UP WITH THE HIDDEN CAMERAS THESE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS AND I THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC SURE HE MAKES OFF COLOR REMARKS BUT I THINK THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WE SEE AS -- >> WAIT.

WAIT.

WAIT.

SERIOUSLY, WOULD YOU CALL IT OFF COLOR THAT I GRABBED A WOMAN'S, THE P WORD?

>> YES.

>> I WILL LET YOU TALK.

BUT DOESN'T JUST HAVING DONE THAT I DO NOT CARE WHO WAS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, ANYBODY WHO SAYS THAT DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN, AND GOT CAUGHT ON TAPE.

>> SURE.

>> IS -- THERE SHOULD BE A LINE PAST WHICH A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE CANNOT SPEAK AND I THINK HE CROSSED THAT LINE.

>> I HAVE NO PROBLEM ADMITTING I WAS DISGUSTED AND UNHAPPY TO HEAR THAT.

BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE PRESS' UNWILLINGNESS TO COVER SOME ALLEGATIONS MADE AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT CLINTON.

AND HILLARY CLINTON'S ROLE IN SMEARING THE WOMEN THAT ACCUSED HIM.

THEY SEEM UNINTERESTED WHICH AS A WOMAN I THINK THAT DESERVES EQUAL TIME.

SO WHAT FRUSTRATES ME I'M TALKING ABOUT RIGGING THIS ELECTION AND THE PRESIDENT BEING IN THE BAG FOR HILLARY.

AND THESE ARE SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HEALTH OF OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> OUR ELECTIONS HAVE MORE INTEGRITY THAN YOU CAN COUNT AROUND THE WORLD.

PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR VOTE AND THAT THEIR VOTE IS GOING TO BE COUNTED.

AND THEY SHOULD SHOW UP TO VOTE AND I THINK IT'S DANGEROUS TO GO AROUND SUGGESTING ESPECIALLY A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TO SUGGEST THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH OUR ELECTIONS AND WITH OUR SYSTEM.

IT'S VERY DANGEROUS.

>> AND I THINK IT'S DANGEROUS TO HAVE A CANDIDATE AND A CAMPAIGN RELYING ON WHAT THE RUSSIANS HAVE DONE TO TRY TO INTERFERE WITH OUR ELECTIONS WHICH IS WHAT DONALD TRUMP HAS DONE.

>> I THINK THAT THERE IS A REASON WHY THERE'S 92% CHANCE THAT HILLARY CLINTON IS GOING TO WIN THIS ELECTION AND THAT IS BECAUSE I THINK MOST AMERICANS REALIZE THAT THIS ELECTION IS A FIGHT FOR THE MORALS OF OUR COUNTRY.

I MEAN THE CONTRAST IS SO CLEAR.

WE HAVE WHO COULD BE THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF OUR COUNTRY RUNNING AGAINST A MAN WHO IS WIDELY ALLEGED TO BE A SEXUAL ASSAILANT THAT IS THE SELECTION AND MICHELLE OBAMA PUT THAT IN HER SPEECH A WEEK AGO AND THAT IS WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD STILL -- I THINK THERE'S FORGIVENESS AND THERE'S YOU KNOW, WE STILL WANT A REPUBLICAN WHITE HOUSE.

I THINK WE BELIEVE -- >> MAINLY BECAUSE OF TAX CUTS?

>> TAX CUTS, TRADITIONAL FAMILY FAMILY VALUES.

>> IMMIGRATION?

>> WE NEED COMMON HENCE ISSIVE IMMIGRATION FORM AND SECURE BORDERS.

>> WHEN YOU SAY COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM FOR DEMOCRATS THAT IS A VERY DIFFERENT THING THAN WHAT IT MEANS FOR REPUBLICANS.

>> I THINK DONALD TRUMP HELPED BRING THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE TO THE FOREFRONT AND I THINK HE DESERVES CREDIT.

AND I THINK HIS POLICIES ARE STRONG AND THAT IS WHAT I BELIEVE IN AND I HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT HE IS SURROUND HIMSELF WITH THE REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHMENT IF THEY WIN THEY CAN TURN THE COUNTRY AROUND IN GOOD WAYS.

>> LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE.

FROM POLITICS TO THE ARTS.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES.

ADDRESSING SOCIAL JUSTICE THROUGH ART AND DANCE, FREEZE FRAME STOP THE MADNESS IS A THEATRICAL PRODUCTION BY AND STARRING DEBBIE ALLEN WHICH IS ON LIMITED TOUR.

IT ADDRESSES HOW AFRICAN-AMERICAN LIVES INTERTWINE WITH THE POLICE FORCE.

[♪♪] THE ARTS ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN FURTHERING THE CONVERSATION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.

WHEN I FIRST CAME TO LA TO DO FAME, THE VIOLENCE AND THE GAINS AND THE POLICE WAS JUST SOMETHING THAT I COULD NOT GET DESENSITIZED TO AND I WAS ALWAYS UPSET EVERY TIME I READ IN THE PAPER AN INNOCENT CHILD THAT IS KILLED IN THE CROSSFIRE.

SOME CHILD SHOT BECAUSE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY OR A POLICEMAN -- TOO MUCH.

>> ACTRESS, DANCERS, DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER DEBBIE ALLEN IS DEBUTING A THEATRICAL NARRATIVE FREEZE FRAME AT THE KENNEDY CENTER THIS FALL AND HOPES THE PLAY WILL BRING ATTENTION TO GUN VIOLENCE AND ITS EFFECT IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGH DANCE.

>> FREEZE FRAME STOP THE MADNESS IS A FUSION OF EVERY ART THAT I HAVE MASTERED AND INVOLVED WITH.

IT'S CINEMA, DANCE, MUSIC, IT'S DRAMA.

IT'S ART.

>> YOU CALLED IT YOUR CHURCH?

>> IT IS A VERY SPIRITUAL THING TO BE AN ARTIST AND TO DANCE AND TO DO WHAT I DO.

IT'S VERY SPIRITUAL.

AND NOT ALWAYS CLEAR IT COMES FROM A PLACE WHERE YOU MUST TAKE CHANCES AND YOU BRING PEOPLE IN.

I GATHERED SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN WHAT I DO.

AND IT IS MY CHURCH, MY WORK IS MY CHURCH AND I LOVE WHAT I DO.

AND I THINK I'VE BEEN ORDAINED TO DO IT.

>> HOW DID YOU CREATE THE MOODS AND HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH THE STORIES IN THE SHOW?

TELL US ABOUT THAT?

>> IT WAS VERY INTERESTING FOR ME.

I ACTUALLY SPENT A LOT OF TIME DOING RESEARCH.

I SAT WITH A LOT OF MOTHERS WHO LOST THEIR CHILDREN.

I SAT WITH GANG MEMBERS WHO ARE VERY VIOLENT PEOPLE.

WHO TRUSTED TO TELL ME THEIR TRUE STORIES.

I SPENT TIME TALKING WITH POLICE OFFICERS TO GET THEIR FEELING ABOUT WHAT THEY DO HOW THEY FEEL.

I SPENT SO MUCH TIME DOING RESEARCH AND THEN I MADE A DECISION ON WHAT STORIES I THOUGHT WOULD FIT, WHAT MADE SENSE, WHO WOULD BE IN THIS PICTURE.

SO IT STARTS OFF WITH THE ACTUAL HORRIFIC MURDER OF A STORE OWNER AND A GANG MEMBER FLEEING THE POLICE.

AND THE POLICE ARE TRYING TO FIND HIM.

AND THEN THEY COME UP ON A PARTY OF A LOT OF YOUNG BLACK KIDS AND THERE IS A GUY WEARING A BLUE SHIRT LIKE THE SUSPECT.

AND THEY ARE READY TO TAKE HIM OUT BECAUSE THEY THINK HE'S THE ONE AND IT'S NOT HIM.

THAT'S WHEN THE ACTION STOPS AND WE GO BACK AND FIND OUT WHO ARE THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE.

WHOSE LIVES ARE GETTING READY TO CHANGE FOREVER?

AND I PLAY TWO PARTS IN THE SHOW.

I PLAY THE WIFE OF THE BISHOP WHO HAS THE BIGGEST CHURCH IN THE COUNTRY, BIGGEST BAPTIST CHURCH AND HIS SON OUR SON DAVID IS ONE OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO THE STORY IS ABOUT.

HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE A MINISTER HE WANTS TO USE HIS MUSIC TO IN RAP TO CONNECT WITH HIS COMMUNITY IN THAT WAY.

AND I PLAY A LATINA GRANDMOTHER WHO IS A GANG MEMBER HERSELF.

>> FREEZE FRAME TACKLES MANY SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS ISSUES THAT MADE HEADLINES OVER THE YEARS FROM FIGHTING FOR EQUAL RIGHTS TO ADDRESSING BULLYING IN SCHOOLS.

ALLEN POINTS OUT THIS IS NOT JUST A BLACK AND WHITE ISSUE BUT A HUMAN ONE.

AND IN ORDER FOR CHANGE TO OCCUR A CONVERSATION MUST HAPPEN AMONG EVERYONE.

>> WE HAVE GOT TO DO THIS GRASSROOT CITY BY CITY AND PEOPLE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND VOICE THEIR CONCERNS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE NOTHING HAPPENS WITHOUT A CONVERSATION.

>> BUT WHEN ARTISTS GET INTO THE ARENA OF PUSHING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE WHICH HAS POLITICAL ASPECTS TO IT, WHAT ARE THE -- WHERE ARE THE POTHOLES?

WHERE ARE THE SINK HOLES IN THIS?

>> THE SINK HOLES ARE HOW DO YOU RAISE MONEY TO KEEP IT GOING WITHOUT NAMING NAMES AND TALK TO BIG CORPORATIONS WHO WANT TO.

AND THE SUPERIORS ARE NOT LETTING THEM UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION.

THEY KNOW THIS IS THE RIGHT THING, THIS IS COMING FROM A DANCE ACADEMY, A DANCE WORLD.

THIS IS NOT COMING FROM A POLITICAL LEADER OR ADVOCATE THAT WAY.

I'M DEALING WITH MY PEOPLE, MY KIDS EVERYDAY.

I'M LOOKING AT THE KIDS WHOSE LIVES WILL BE COMPROMISED IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING.

NO ONE EXPECTS A CHILD TO DIE WHEN THEY GO TO THE LIBRARY AT THEIR OWN SCHOOL.

NO ONE EXPECTS THEIR CHILD TO DIE IF THEY GO TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO THEIR CLASS.

IF SANDY HOOK DID NOT CHANGE PEOPLE'S MINDS, THEY HAVE GOT TO BE REMINDED.

THEY HAVE TO.

>> SO JENNIFER, CAN WE HAVE A NATIONAL DISCUSSION CAN WE HAVE COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE OR ARE WE TOO POLARIZED?

>> I THINK WE CAN AND WE MUST.

WITH 33,000 GUN DEATHS A YEAR THE TIME IS NOW AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT ART HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN BRINGING THIS ISSUE TO LIGHT.

AS J.F.K.

USED TO SAY THERE IS A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN HOW MUCH OUR SOCIETY PROGRESSES IN ART AND HOW MUCH WE PROGRESS POLITICALLY.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> THERE IS -- >> I DID HEAR THAT OF THE 33,000 DEATHS, SOME HALF OF THEM ARE SUICIDES.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

AND THAT IS OFTEN NOT MENTIONED.

BUT THERE IS A LONG TRADITION OF ART AND POLITICS AND ART FURTHERING A POLITICAL DISCUSSION.

LOOK AT CAESAR AND KING LEAR, HAMLET.

>> BOB DYLAN.

>> I THINK ROMEO AND JULIETTE IS APPROPRIATE FOR OUR DAY AND AGE TODAY.

SO OBVIOUSLY ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY SHE IS A GREAT MESSENGER FOR THAT REALLY IMPORTANT MESSAGE.

>> WHAT -- YOU ARE A POLITICIAN DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES.

CAN THERE BE A DISCUSSION A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION, AN ACROSS THE DIFFERENCES DISCUSSION WHEN THERE IS AN NRA THAT JUST DOESN'T WANT -- WANTS EVERY PERSON WITH MENTAL PROBLEMS TO BE ABLE TO BUY AN UZI.

>> I THINK THERE IS A VOCAL MAJORITY THAT DOES WANT TO CHANGE THE CONVERSATION AND I THINK ART AND PARTICULARLY PERFORMANCE ART OPENS THE SPACE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ACROSS THOSE LINES.

AND ART HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PART OF POLITICS.

ART IS POLITICS AND THE QUESTION IS WHETHER WE ARE GOING TO GET THE MESSAGE.

BUT I THINK IT OPENS THE DOOR IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

AND AMONG A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ALWAYS AT THE TABLE AS A PART OF THAT CONVERSATION.

>> I THINK IT IS A GREAT INITIATIVE.

AND YOU KNOW WITHIN THE NRA AND I MEAN NOBODY WANTS TO HAVE UNPREVENTABLE DEATHS ESPECIALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF TERRORISM AND STUFF WE SHOULD HAVE THE SAN BERNADINO SHOOTER THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PURCHASE GUNS AND THAT IS A SERIOUS DEBATE THAT WE NEED TO HAVE.

AND IF WE CAN BRING IT TO LIGHT THROUGH ART AND THROUGH STAGE PLAYS AND WHATNOT, I THINK THAT IS ALL THE BETTER.

>> I WOULD ADD THAT THE NRA DOES NOT LOBBY ON BEHALF OF MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE.

>> UZIS ARE ILLEGAL.

BUT -- >> I APOLOGIZE I WAS EXAGGERATING.

>> BUT I THINK THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE TALK ABOUT THE VIOLENCE IN INNER-CITIES.

THE DEATHS IN CHICAGO ARE TRAGIC AND THE NUMBERS SEEM TO GO UP.

I AM A FAN OF DEBBIE ALLEN I LOVED FAME.

I THINK AGAIN SHE IS A GREAT MESSENGER AND I THINK WE NEED IT.

AND SHE MENTIONED IT NEEDS TO START AT THE GRASSROOTS.

THE CONVERSATION IS NOT GOING WELL MAYBE ON THE GRASSROOT LEVEL IT WILL GET BETTER.

>> WHAT ABOUT POLICE SHOOTINGS AND TRAINING?

THAT IS LESS OF A HOT BUTTON ISSUE CAN WE HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT POLICE TRAINING SO THE FIRST THING THAT COMES INTO A POLICE OFFICER'S MIND IS NOT NECESSARILY OH, MY GOD THIS PERSON IS GOING TO KILL ME?

BECAUSE MANY HAVE.

>> YOU SEE THE INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE AROUND DEESCALATION TRAINING AND THERE WAS IMMEDIATE PUSHBACK FROM THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE AROUND THOSE TRAINING TECHNIQUES.

BUT IT IS NOT JUST ONE TIME TRAINING IT'S OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND CHANGING THE CULTURE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN IT INTERACTS WITH COMMUNITIES.

AND TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND HOLDING TO ACCOUNT THOSE WHO ARE THE HE OFFENDERS WITHIN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND LOOK, I THINK THAT THERE IS A VOCAL, STRONG VOCAL MAJORITY OUT THERE THAT WANTS SENSIBLE GUN REGULATION AND LAWS AND WE NEED TO ELEVATE THAT VOCAL MAJORITY SO IT BECOMES A POLITICAL MAJORITY FOR POLICY CHANGE.

>> EXACTLY.

I THINK WE ALL NEED TO HAVE A GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION DEBATE.

AND WE NEED TO BRING IT TO THE FOREFRONT ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE NOT JUST INNER-CITIES BUT AT THE LARGER NATIONAL SECURITY TERRORISM SPACE.

AND WE NEED TO HAVE DIVERSITY WITHIN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT DOESN'T USE FORCE AS THEIR FIRST RESPONSE.

>> ART TO BE A POWERFUL WAY TO SPAWN A SOCIAL MOVEMENT AND WE HAVE SEEN IT THROUGHOUT HISTORY AS FAR BACK AS UNCLE TOM'S CABIN WHICH CAUSED A NATIONAL OUTCRY AGAINST SLAVERY.

AND HOW DID SEXUAL HARASSMENT COME TO THE FOREFRONT?

WE HAD 9 TO 5 WITH JANE FONDA THAT PUT THE ISSUE INTO THE NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE NEED HERE AND WHAT THE ALLEN INITIATIVE DOES.

>> BUT, BUT, ARTISTS ARE FOR THE MOST PART GOING TO BE LABELED AS LIBERAL AND WILL THAT HURT CONSERVATIVES FROM GETTING ENGAGED IN CONVERSATIONS STARTED BY ARTISTS?

>> I WILL SAY, I THINK SOME OF THE BEST WORK ON JUSTICE REFORM IS BEING DONE BY SOME CONSERVATIVE THINK TANKS AND WORK TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE INNER-CITIES.

I DO NOT THINK THEY ARE NECESSARILY MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE I THINK SOME ARTISTS CONSERVATIVES WOULD APPLAUD AND JUSTICE REFORM IS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

>> SORRY THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

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[♪♪]