Tavis Smiley Show Sept. 8, 2006: Ira Katznelson, Charles Fried, Linda Chavez, Katt Williams, and Lawrence Wright

First, Ruggles Professor of political science and history at Columbia University Ira Katznelson details the history of many government programs and how arguably they were devised to create a permanent economic separation of races in his book When Affirmative Action was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America. Then, Harvard Law Professor Charles Fried offers some provocative ideas for resolving the Affirmative Action debate. Also, Linda Chavez, Chair of the Center for Equal Opportunity, asserts that Affirmative Action in education diminishes the achievements of minority students. Next, comedian and former science protégé Katt Williams explains why he prefers the art of laughter over the applied sciences. After that, author Lawrence Wright examines whether time has granted a clearer perspective on the meaning of the 9/11 attacks five years ago and what the future holds for Al-Qaeda in his book The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11. Plus, everyday people from the streets of New York share their memories of 9/11. Lastly, song stylist and music legend Nancy Wilson reminds Tavis why she's "not" just a jazz singer in a rebroadcast of their extended conversation. (Broadcast Date: September 9, 2006)

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