‘Books & Co.’ host Alberto Ríos discusses U.S-Mexico border on PBS NewsHour

As President Donald Trump visits California to look at prototypes for the proposed U.S.-Mexico border wall, poet Alberto Ríos believes borders are what help join people together.

Ríos, Arizona’s first poet laureate and host of “Books & Co.,” grew up near the border, and says his upbringings in the southwest are what shaped his life.

“The border for me has very little to do with the wall or a fence. The border is everywhere and in everything every step of the way in my life,” says Ríos. The poet spoke in-depth about his recent works, which he calls “poetry with a purpose,” with PBS NewsHour reporter Jeffrey Brown. Watch the full interview here.

Illustration of columns of a capitol building with text reading: Arizona PBS AZ Votes 2024

Arizona PBS presents candidate debates

Earth Day Challenge graphic with the Arizona PBS logo and an illustration of the earth

Help us meet the Earth Day Challenge!

The Capital building with text reading: Circle on Circle: Robert Lowell's D.C.
May 2

An evening with ‘Poetry in America’

Graphic for the AZPBS kids LEARN! Writing Contest with a child sitting in a chair writing on a table and text reading: The Ultimate Field Trip
May 12

Submit your entry for the 2024 Writing Contest

Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters

STAY in touch
with azpbs.org!

Subscribe to Arizona PBS Newsletters: