Radio Curious visits with Orell Massey, Mendocino County's first and only black sheriff, who reflects on race and the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Barry Vogel, Attorney and Counselor, is the Host and Producer of Radio Curious. Christina Aanestad is the Assistant Producer.
To assist in the consideration of the impact of Martin Luther King, Jr. on the United States, I invited my friend Orell Massey to join us again here at Radio Curious. In February 2014, when Massey first visited us he shared his experiences as the first and, so far, the only black law enforcement officer in the history of Mendocino County, California.  Prior to becoming a Deputy Sheriff here 23 years ago, Massey served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was primarily assigned to the Foreign Service Embassy detail. A native of rural South Carolina, he suffered under the cloud, terror, threats and fears brought on by racial segregation throughout his childhood and early adult years before joining the Marine Corps.  Now, he continues to work part time as a Mendocino County Deputy Sheriff, since his retirement in 2017.Â
When Orell Massey visited the Radio Curious studios on January 14, 2018, we focused on the effect that Martin Luther King, Jr. had on his life.
The Civil Rights song featured is "Can't Turn Me 'Round" performed by The Roots.
The book Orell Massey recommends is âI Never Had it Made: An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson,â by Jackie Robinson and Alfred Duckett.  Radio Curious is a half-hour, weekly, long-form interview program, now in its 28th year. We interview people on a curiously wide variety of topics about life and ideas. Our website is www.radiocurious.org. If your station airs Radio Curious please let us know curious@radiocurious.org, we will add you to our list of syndicate stations. We also welcome questions, feedback and program ideas. Radio Curious 280 N. Oak St. Ukiah, Ca 95482. (707) 462-6541.