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Last Revised: August 1995
It's been really crazy around here. I realize that my old and
true friends will just roll their eyes when they hear me say that--like
what else is new?? But, no, really I mean more than usual!! Honest!!
This has been a month where two protests at the Grove happened
at the last minute instead of none like the original plan. KPFA
went bonkers and we'll talk more about that later...... Affirmative
action in California went down the tubes creating the potential
for a new mass movement..... Our local Bd. of Supes is threatening
bad times for our Community Hospital and its longtime workers.....
and personal friends are all screaming at each other. It's time
to start talking about depression in the movement...see letters.
I really hoped for a quiet summer so I could turn 60 surrounded
by friends and family. That sort of happened except for the quiet
part. Getting this paper out took a back seat to everything else
and that's why we're late. Sorry to anyone who had an announcement
for early August. Oh yes and of course there is the challenge
of trying to get ready to go to China and finding the time to
get a root canal done before we leave so the air pressure (or
lack of it or whatever) doesn't mess with my mouth. Hold the comments!!
Mostly this column is about the situation at KPFA. My most grateful
thanks go to Johana Lynch who offered to write the article that
appears in this issue and who was able to sort through all the
rumors and opinions to come out with a fair and compassionate
piece. I feel too close to the situation because of my friendship
with some of those affected, particularly Mama O'Shea. I do not
feel objective about this situation but did take the time for
a long conversation with Ginny Berson when the shit first started
hitting the fan. I believed her when she said she wanted to find
a spot for Mama but as of this writing that does not seem to be
happening. Jennifer Stone will be given a very small piece of
the Morning Show and some of the other familiar voices may find
their way back to the airwaves but at the moment there are few
guarantees.
I believe that Ginny Berson and Marci Lockwood think that this
is all happening for the good of the station as do some of the
staff people but I also think they are underestimating and not
understanding their listeners who for whatever reason do not feel
consulted, much less listened to by those insulated souls upstairs
at KPFA It doesn't help to have the station playing one of their
"pay your pledges" promos that keeps telling us how
we are all a team!! We are used to doublespeak with the U.C. Regents,
the Bohos, all the powers that be that claim to do their deeds
for the public good. We don't need it from "our station"!!!
I know for a fact that both Ginny and Marci are getting alot of
phone calls and letters from us--the listeners. I hope they are
not just planning to "ride out the storm" but instead
will make a real try at listening, reading and absorbing the reactions
from their financial supporters and then doing something about
it. If they don't then they are making the same FATAL ERROR that
any other governing body makes when it ignores the people.
It may be that our only recourse is to set up an escrow fund for
the October marathon so that listeners can have an alternative
place to pledge and place their money until KPFA management does
listen. Meanwhile keep your letters and phone calls happening.
It will take a determined and sustained effort.
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