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Hey, B.A. Parker here.

When this publishes, that will mark the first day in over 50 years

that NPR and member stations operate without federal funding. It's an historic moment,

and one that reminds me why I do this work. I'll never forget reporting on a group of

high school students in Curtis Bay in Baltimore

who are protesting against environmental racism.

We had an open-air coal house since I was in high school, right?

But like, we all just walked past it because it's like the best way to hide something is in plain sight, right?

And I remember standing there with a microphone in hand,

and I saw how much these young people needed their voices heard.

And that's what NPR is.

It's a place for every story, every perspective.

We're still here because of you, our listeners, and as long as you keep

tuning in, those voices won't be silenced or forgotten. On with the show.

Hey everyone, you're listening to Code Switch. I'm B.A. Parker.

Okay, so sometimes I use this test on dates to suss out a guy.

Like, I casually ask about a famous black woman, whether it's Beyonce or Serena Williams or Jada Pinkett Smith.

And it tells me about someone's politics or

sensibilities if I should run. Because women, particularly women of color in the public eye,

...