KPFK & THE BEACHHEAD: Free Radio & Free Press
By Lydia
Ponce
Every morning I find myself
NEEDING to listen to KPFK because I have found my validation through their
program. FM 90.7
Recently they've had excellent guests that
spoke on topics ranging from a controversial radio anchor's return, a review of
the program's mission statement...and what direction the 'Peace Movement' should
head. It was consistently informative day after day.
The returning radio anchor was accused
of being a racist and the morning show conducted a review of these claims.
Labeling is extremely dangerous! If discussing issues of any "ism" on the air
makes someone "uncomfortable" then that is a personal issue.
Perhaps it is a discomfort or a threat
to that person's sense of privilege; they feel there is no need to change
things. They ultimately fear change, or simply, they fear.
Perhaps the radio programming should
have a disclaimer that might include, "If someone feels any discomfort or upset
over the material presented please look into yourself and ask, 'WHY?' "Why am I
having feelings about this?" I believe it is not the radio station's
responsibility to tiptoe around such an emotionally charged subject! How can
anyone un-plug the emotions of 500 years of oppression, genocide, isms, and
cultural rape? When discussing these social ills it is difficult to not speak
without outrage, disgust or upset.
I will
only list three current concerns I have breaking my spirit and they are ones
that KPFK has addressed : 1) when the oppressed gain power I always hope that
they do not become oppressors... that is a social and spiritual disservice to
all. 2) Will our children ever learn of the real powers that be? 3) I am sick of
being "tolerated".
I want
understanding for my family, everyone and me! People will now take a quick
second to tolerate another person but now we need to start to understand one
another. How about a "Museum of Understanding"? It takes more than one second
to understand another; do we have the time to invest?
Since we live in a 24-hour a
day-services-open society, we're supposed to have more time on our hands, are we
not worth that priceless understanding? Then we can honor cross-cultural
differences. We'll give and receive respect... feel integrity... have peace.
Will 'understanding' and 'acceptance' of one another ever be packaged and sold
by corporate America and corporate media to the greater populations? Does anyone
out there know about the FCC and June 2nd? Hey, here's a new one on all of us-
the FCC now stands for 'Federal Clear Channel'! Beachhead is the free press!
Send in a donation! Call KPFK with your donation! Keep the 90.7 airwaves and our
press available!
What direction the
Peace Movement should head? I feel an easy solution and direction to cure all
social- political ills, globally and locally- is through EDUCATION. I would
like to see $75 billion spent on USA's failing schools! Through education we
can raise awareness and give individuals' personal empowerment! We could solve
problems such as pollution, hunger, homelessness, nuclear madness, and perhaps
achieve global peace. Prior to 9-11, our country was in a state of 9-1-1- an
emergency! It did not take those planes to hit the twin towers to for us to know
that!
What about a walk out?
One day in September, a day when all students and teachers, from preschool to
college, walk out and demand this government 'find' $75 or how about $150
billion dollars for education?
We walk
peacefully, calmly and invite everyone to join us and let the powers that be
know, "We know that we are worth it. Our children are worth it". We can rally
and demonstrate in front of the various Board of Education Offices throughout
Los Angeles. Let us reclaim our future and so what if we pose a threat to the
economic elite and the current powers that be, corporate America!
If the Peace Movement does walk out-
maybe 9-11 is the date to do it- we'll hear about it on KPFK and read about it
in the Beachhead.
I knew there was such
a thing as were free radio waves, free speech and free press, and I hope to
continue to have KPFK. Don't you? Call
818-985-KPFK.
KPFK needs your
donations! The Beachhead needs your support, too! There are plenty of truths to
be heard and read!
I took a
minute, I think you're worth it!
Posted: Sun - June 1, 2003 at 03:05 PM