KPFT and Electorial Politics/Life & Death

Dear Ernesto,

If this is the first email you've received since being named PD, I hate to
begin your tenure with such a somber message so I apologize up front. But
as you will soon see, what I want to address is of, at least in my opinion
(and based on what I know of you, you'll agree) such dire consequences that
I hope you and the people you supervise will give what I'm saying you're
greatest attention.

Tonight, unless there is some unexpected intervention by the governor of
California, another person will be executed. Someday, I hope, Pacifica will
have the influence to prevent this. Whether it's Stanley Tookie Williams or
Francis Newton, the last hope is the governor and yet we have programmers
who either reject electoral politics or ignore it. This, to me is
unconscionable. These programmers are corroborating either maliciously or
ignorantly with the people in power. If I am overstepping my role as a LSB
member then so be it. Since I have so little power in this role, perhaps
you want me to convey this as a listener. In whatever role you wish to
pigeonhole me, I say this must stop.

It goes further or perhaps backward to one beginning of anti-social
activity (which Mr. Williams readily admits to). This morning, I heard a
news update on Saturday's election except at 8:30 (the only report I
heard). While there was a report on all other races there was no mention of
the two HISD School Board races. As an isolated case, this would not be a
big deal. Unfortunately, it's not. KPFT's and Pacifica's coverage of
elections has always been horrible (I say this based on my exposure to our
programming going back to KPFK in 1964). We don't encourage people,
especially young people, to get involved in politics or to do as small a
gesture as to register to and vote. We have largely ignored the need for a
paper trail, and we don't explain or cover the politicians and political
campaigns with the diligence we should.

One of my passions in the past was after-school programs. As a VISTA
Volunteer, I started one program and supervised another. Because of the
absence in most communities of this kind of service via either the school
system or city government we have kids like the now adult Stanley Williams
facing death.

Please don't tell me we don't have the resources to cover politics. First,
it takes a vision. Then, it takes communication with the Pacifica community
and our programmers. If those two things become priorities, like "A Field
of Dreams," the rest will come.

As a member of the KPFT LSB, I feel complicit; I feel like I have blood on
my hands. Is that too graphic. I hope so. Please do something. Let your
conscience guide you and then reap the justly deserved rewards.