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Kansas City Reacts To Chauvin Verdict | Useful Delusions

Segment 1, beginning at 1:00: From relief to surprise, Kansas City faith leaders offer their thoughts on the trial of Derek Chauvin.

Former police officer Chauvin, on trial for the death of George Floyd last spring, was found guilty on all three charges against him; murder in the second degree, murder in the third degree, and manslaughter in the second degree. According to Reverend Darron Edwards, “It was one drop of justice but it cannot quench the dehydration of centuries of injustice. But I will say to you that yesterday felt like a good rain."


Segment 2, beginning at 27:48: A common belief is that self-deception is a bad thing, but Shankar Vedantam points out it can be quite useful.

Whether going through a traumatic experience, raising a child, or worrying about the safety of a loved one, the NPR host argues that delusions can enhance our abilities to get through difficult times, and even live healthier lives. "While self-deception might not be seeing the world accurately, it might perform a functional role in our lives," according to Vedantam.

Copyright 2021 KCUR 89.3. To see more, visit KCUR 89.3.

Steve Kraske is an associate teaching professor of journalism at UMKC, a political columnist for The Kansas City Star and has hosted "Up to Date" since 2002. He worked as the full-time political correspondent for The Star from 1994-2013 covering national, state and local campaigns. He also has covered the statehouses in Topeka and Jefferson City.
Danette (Danie) Alexander first came to KCUR in 2007 as an intern for Up to Date after completing her B.A. in Communications at the University of Missouri – Kansas City. After her KCUR internship was completed, Danie continued to spend her mornings assisting senior producer Stephen Steigman as a volunteer with the show. Her radio experience also includes stints with public radio's New Letters on the Air as a broadcast engineer and on local public radio as host of a weekly overnight call-in show.
Chris Young