WBAI folio

Another "Shining Black Prince";
Ossie Davis, iPresente!

by Mimi Rosenberg

Listen ... listen careftilly, can you hear it?
Close your eyes, and if you were at Harlem's
Riverside Church— or heard the live WBAI
coverage— on February 12, 2005, rekindle
those mournful sounds trumpeted for Ossie
Davis by Wynton Marsalis. What, you
weren't there or tuned in? No matter, you
can conjure up that trumpet's wail, which
pierced us and insisted that it was OK to
release our individual pain with every note.
And then that horn heralded us to soar from the depths of
despair to the heights of a collective love. The bittersweet
sounds of the trumpet linger, seeping deep into my soul to fix
in my consciousness that a true griot always walks amongst the
people. Presente, brother Ossie!

Yes, Wynton spirited back our griot, so gracious, so warm
and engaged in the human condition. For more than a millen-
nium, griots— the passers-down of oral history— have provided
the cultural glue for Afiican societies, offering the people coun-
sel, news, praise-singing, and epic storytelling. Ossie Davis
embodies the griot tradition and the great spirit of Mother
Africa. As Mumia Abu-Jamal said of him: "He was a lion, and
though he has passed, may his brilliant life inspire the lions
and giants to come."

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At the memorial, Hasna Muhammed, one of Ossie's
daughters, generously explained how she had become accus-
tomed to sharing her father with the great human family that
her parents so easily became immersed in. In With Ossie and
Ruby: In This Life Tbgether, their autobiography, the couple
writes: "We survived— no, more than survived— we triumphed,
thanks to a strategy that assured us the victory; simply, we
learned how to belong to the people for whom we worked—
mostly black people. They were, and still are, the audience that
never made us rich, but never let us down."

When labeled anti-American and denied work, Ossie Davis
and Ruby Dee still triumphed, despite or perhaps because of
the adversity. They believed in and worked with a deep love for
the people— committed to values rather than personal aggran-
dizement and material wealth. Their participation in the
struggles of hurt and often despised people has placed them in
the category of 20th-century heroes.

Above: Wynton Marsalis performs at Ossie Davis memorial service:
upper right: Mourners outside manorial; lower right: Ossie Davis and
Ruby Dee at January 2005 Thbute to Rev. Herbert Daughtry at Brooklyn
Academy of Music. Photo credit for all: William Famngton

Griots are truth
tellers who encompass
in their mighty art the
experiences of those
battered by social struc-
tures. Dreaming of
egalitarianism with Rev,
Dr Martin Luther King
Jr, Ossie gazed out over
the throngs at the 1963
March on Washington,
which he and Ruby
helped organize. His
powerful voice delivered
the eulogy at the 1965 funeral of Malcolm X, calling him "our
own Black shining prince— who didn't hesitate to die, because
he loved us so." Three years later, following yet another assas-
sination, his voice boomed forth like a drum in Central Park
before a gathering crowd, exhorting us to head to Memphis and
use our collective anger to seek economic justice for the strik-
ing sanitation workers there and realize Martin King's last
dream. And that basso profunda echoed again at Riverside
Church on March 27, 2003, in a WBAl-organized event shortly
after the U.S. invasion of Iraq and on the 36th anniversary of
King's historic speech there opposing the Vietnam War Ossie
admonished us, as Martin had, to become drum majors for
peace and justice and to defy those masters of war.

Growing up in Waycross, Georgia, his 87 eventfial years
encompassed trailblazing decades of acting, writing, directing,
and activism. For decades, our griot opened horizons for Black
people on stage and screen. And from his work against
McCarthyism in the 1950s to his recent activism against the
Haitian coup, Ossie fought zealously for civil and human rights
throughout the world. As an actor, he became most widely
known for his roles in several Spike Lee films, including Do the
Right Thing and Jungle Fever (both with Ruby), School Daze, Get
on the Bus, She Hate Me, and Malcolm X, in which he re-enacted
his original eulogy. (Last year, his final role— which again
showed the breadth of his support for human rights— was as
the loving but conflicted father of a lesbian in the Showtime
cable TV program, 77ie L Word.)
Continued on page 7

INSIDE

Indra Hardat Named Interim Mgr

..2

Farewell from Don Rojas

..2

Reports to the Listener

..3

Program Schedule

4-5

Summer Specials:

. .5

Lynne Stewart Speaks Out ....

..6

Local Station Board Report . . .

..6

Remembering John Hess

..7

i Remembering Joel Greenberg .

..7

Elributes to Fred Kuhn

..7

^ WBAI Youth At Conference . . .

..8

Support WBAI

..8

NEW WBAI STATION MANAGER

Details on page 2

"Stay Tuned"

FRED KUHN (GEOBOLD)
1944-2005

The entire WBAI family mourns the pass-
ing of our beloved colleague Fred Kuhn.
Even while enduring the ravaging pain
of cancer, he never lost his warm human-
ity, sharp urit, and impeccable integrity.
Fred ivas a pillar of this institution, and
we will miss him dearly. May he rest in
peace. Long live his legacy.

—Don Rojas, former WBAI General Manager
Fred Kuhn died April 29 after fighting
prostate and bone cancer for almost two
years. Born in 1944 in Shelbyville,
Indiana, he started working in 1978 as
WBAI's receptionist and switchboard
operator, after first volunteering for a
fund drive in 1967.

He was known to many listeners as
Fred Geobold, the host and producer of
the Light Show, a late-night program for
many years that has aired since 2002 on
Wednesdays at 2 p.m. This arts program
featured live bands, improv groups,
actors, comedians, and professional
wrestlers. He had a love of bluegrass
music, collected banjos and guitars, and
was fond of a little fipple of Jack. He was
described as having an encyclopedic
mind that could delight you with tales
about everything from a 7-foot, 400-
pound professional wrestler to the inner
workings of the Vatican; he was also
described as an intellectual with the avid
curiosity of a child. His trademark sign-
off to every interaction and phone call
was "Stay tuned."

—Rebecca Myles, WBAI News Reporter

For tributes to Fred, see page 7.

2 • WBAI Folio

Summer 2005

www.wbai.org

The WBAI Folio is published periodically (as funds
permit) and marled to all listener-members. Thanks to
all staff and volunteers who contributed to this issue,
with special appreciation to Liz Grove for extraordinary
layout and design work. Permission granted to repnnt
(with credit, including "www.wbaj.org") for nonprofit
purposes only.

We welcome comments, suggestions, letters, and
volunteers. Write us at edltor@wbal.org or at the
address below.

Ed iters- in-Chief: Don Rojas and Indra Hardat

Coordinating Editor: Bob Lederer

Designer/Art Coordinator: Liz Grove

Editors/Proofreaders: Chans Conn, Betsy Mickel,
Mark Sanbome, Judy Seime

Writers: Vick the Bruiser, Leigh Ann Caldwell,

Janet Coleman, Dan Coughlin, Kathy Davis,

Don DeBar, Evan Ginzburg, Simon Loekle, Mstndrake,

Rebecca Myles, Ken Nash, Sally O'Brien, John Riley,

Don Rojas, Cerene Roberts, Mimi Rosenberg,

Andrea Sears, Evan Tobias, Bernard White

Art Contributors: Mera Beckford, Herb Boyd,

William Farrington, Joel Greenberg family,

Ayo Harrington, Sue Kellogg, Fred Kuhn collection.

New York Blade, Matt Rogers, Dino Singh,

Dolf Toussaing

^Bfl

'j^

99.5 FM • www.wbai.org
120 Wall Street, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10005

Subways: 2, 3, 4. 5, J. M to Wall Si.
Station IS wheelchair-accessible.
Building requires picture I.D. for entry.

Switchboard: (212) 209-2800 (M-F 9-5. closed 1-2)

On-air line: (212) 209-2900

Fax tine: (212) 747-1648

(For complete list of WBAI paid staff, go to

www.wbai.org under "About WBAI.")

WBAI has been part of the Pacifica Radio Network

since 1 960. Other Pacifica stations:

WPFW (www.wpfw.org. Washington, DC),

KPFT (www.kpft.org. Houston).

KPFA (www.kpfa.org, Berkeley), and

KPFK (www.kpfk.org, Los Angeles).

There are also 75 Pacifica affiliate stations around

the country.

Pacifica Foundation (founded 1946):
www.pacifica.org ■ (510) 849-2590

Pacifica Radio Archives:
www.PacificaRadioArchives.org • (800) 735-0230

Indra Hardat Named WBAI Interim Manager

WANTED:

Volunteer Folio Ad

Salesperson

Responsibility: soliciting ads from
nonprofits and small businesses
to recoup some costs of producing
this Folio.

If interested, contact
editor@wbai.org,

or call (212) 209-2800.

Folios Available
Online

The five preceding issues of the Folio

are available online,

and this edition will be soon, at

www.wbai.org.

Indra Hardat was named
WBAl's Interim General
Manager as of May 16
by Pacifica Executive
Director Dan Coughlin.
Appointed with broad
support from the staff and
the Local Station Board,
her term is expected to
last 6 to 12 months, while
a board committee con-
ducts a search for a new
manager

Bom in Guyana,
South America, around the time of its independence fi-om
Britain, she is an accountant with more than 20 years of
business experience and has served as WBAl's Business
Manager for seven years.

A longtime leftist and active member of several grass-
roots organizations, including the Association of Concerned
Guyanese, Ministry Among Guyanese, and Enterprise

Photo credit Dt.

Support Group, Indra is also a wife to a good husband, the
proud mother of three, and indulgent grandmother of two.

"I am humbled to serve as the manager of this great
institution," Hardat said. "I look forward to working collabo-
ratively with my colleagues to strengthen the core values of
WBAI and to do my very best to deepen Pacifica's mission
of peace and social justice."

Outgoing General Manager Don Rojas welcomed the
new appointment. "Indra brings a proven track record of
strong financial management and will continue to ensure
stability, transparency, and accountability during this tran-
sition period," he said.

During his two-and-a-half-year tenure, Rojas oversaw the
launch of a completely revamped WBAI website, the roll-out
of a Pacifica Internet Radio stream, the computerization of
the station's fnncfions, and the re-initiation of this FoUo. The
station's listenership continued to grow dramatically under
Rojas's leadership, both in overall numbers and in racial
diversity, now being comprised (according to a recent survey
by the Arbitron firm) of about 50% people of color

Farewell Message from
General Manager Don Rojas

After serving WBAI as General Manager for
two years and four months, the time has
come for me to move on. I wish the best of
luck to the Interim General Manager, Indra
Hardat. I am confident that under her lead-
ership the station will continue to make strides in the
months ahead.

Being at the helm of this unique media institution
has been e-xciting and challenging. I've had the privilege
of working with the talented and passionate men and
women who make up the staff and the corps of dedicated
volunteers, all of whom are committed to strengthening
independent cominunity radio in this age of corporate
media consolidation. It's been especially painful, then,
to witness the passing of several of those remarkable
people, including staff members Safiya Bukhari, Lambert
Marksman. Farouk Abdel-Muhti, John Hess, and Joel
Greenberg, along with stalwart station supporter Ossie
Davis. Most recently, we've suffered the terrible loss of
Fred Kuhn, our wonderful receptionist and arts producer

I've also had the honor to speak with hundreds of
WBAJ listeners throughout the tri-state area, a truly
remarkable and wonderfully diverse group of people who
continue to support WBAI through thick and thin and
who believe fervently in the principles of peace and social
justice. I'm proud of the fact that during my tenure, our
listenership has grown by some 25% and that thousands
of members have participated in the first two democratic
elections for the station's governing board.

I urge all WBAI listeners to become more active in
every aspect of the station's life, from spreading the word
among friends, family, and colleagues who are not current
listeners to attending regular board meetings, assisting in
community forums, and working on fundraising ventures.

In this multimedia era, WBAI is evolving into more
than just a radio signal on the FM dial. Tbday, the station
has a dynamic website (www.wbai.org) with not only a
live audiostream, but a wealth of written news and com-
mentaries, daily updates on shows, community
events listings, interactive forums, links to
archived audio programs, and lots more.
Hundreds of people worldwide log onto
the site every day.

Furthermore, each week we
send out an electronic newslef
ter to

thousands of subscribers alerting them to upcoming
programs and station activities (subscribe for free at
wbai.org). And we've been producing a weekly one-hour
cable-TV public affairs program, aired over Manhattan
Neighborhood Network. Plus we have this FoUo, which is
a great offering for members and an effective tool for out-
reach.

Working together, the staff, the board, and the volun-
teers have moved WBAI forward in recent years. Much
has been achieved, but there's still much to be done.
We've been able to computerize most of our administra-
tive and program production processes in the past 24
months, but we've not had the extra resources required to
upgrade other key aspects of our technical infrastructure.

More critically, the station is facing particularly diffi-
cult economic times, with rising rent, utility, and labor
costs forcing ever-higher fundraising goals in each drive.
We recognize that many listeners are confronting»finan-
cial crises of their own. So I'm making a special appeal to
those of you who are able to give a bit more to be as gen-
erous as possible in WBAl's time of special need.

Help us keep our staff functioning at full capacity.
Help us maintain this precious resource of fiercely inde-
pendent journalism and culturally diverse programming
that's especially important to working people, communi-
ties of color, and the progressive community locally and
nationally.

You can pay by credit card on our website (click on
"Contribute Online Here") or use the coupon on the back
page to mail your checks (payable to WBAI-Pacifica, with
"GM Appeal" on the memo line) or credit card informa-
tion to the station.

Finally, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to
the many listeners and member/ subscribers who've sent
me messages of good wishes for the ftiture. Although I'm
moving on to other pursuits, I'll leave a big piece of my
heart with WBAI. While no longer occupying the GM's
office, I intend, however, to remain an avid listener and
an active supporter in the years ahead, and I hope you
have the same intention. WBAI and Pacifica needs us

all in these difficult times. Let's not disappoint them.
Forward Ever, Backward Never!

WBAI staff at Feb 21 live bruadcost. produced
by Ayo Hamtigton, from Harlem's Abyssinian
Baptist Church commemorating the 40th
anniversary of the assassination ofMalcohn X
From left Don Rojas, Ayo Uanm^ton, Erwl
Maitkmd Photo cre.dit Herb Boijil

www.wbai.org

Summer 2005

WBAI Folio

KHrwrnStHE
ISTENER

PROGRAMMING

Bernard White, Program Director

A ws Three of our beloved col-
we start out this period ^^^^^^^^^^Z passmg of r,ews comt,.entator
leagues have passed away. We mourn m p ^^^^ e^^enberg; and

aoh^ Hess; er.gtneer, P«f ^^;S„^^o;erator, and arts producer Fred
our lor,g-tir,ie ^---^^°'^f'^^^"oils at WBAI convey our condo-
Kuhn. They will be sorely missed. All
lences to their families. resigned as WBAI's

Additional disturbing -^^^^''^^^^l, „le fhat he played in
General Manager I want to *^-^ °°^^^J,^„,3 period. Don faced an
stabilizing WBAI after an «treme y """^^^^3 ^^^^^^, Manager had to
evolving set of circumstances thaOKipre ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^.^

deal with in the ^r^'^^^ "^ f^^erstand and sympathize com-
with aplomb and =°P^-';^^'^^°^ ,g" „d I wish him and his family well,
pletely with his reasons for leavmg ^.^ resignation as

Meanwhile, Dan Coughlm has anno ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^

Pacifica's Executive D^^-^ctor 1 also wou ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^

skill and guidance m "^-§^ '"§ ™„d to the solid ground on which
Ues that we faced i" *^ J^^X soo-to-be-xpanded famUy well,
it now stands. I wish Dan and ^ so ^^ ^^^^^^^^^

The history of WBAI and ^-^^^l^^l As soon as one important

day-to-day work and is Planning to imp^me ^^^^^^^ adjustments^

schedule after the Sp^S F"f °"™-^ J^^^ ,, i„'crease listenership and
which will take effect "^. J""^,. ^J^^^f^.^ „„ mission. One major
revenue while -aintaimng a^erence to ^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^

change will be in our r"o™"g ^^^"P' p, ^m Director responsibili-
after 13 years as cohost to focus on "^ ' ^ rience, but the tune is
fe! it has been a ^onderM and rewar<^^S e^Pe^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^,,^, o-

[-er.r.^^rM2a=dpHarperw.^

n:ers—m^":Cellbem.olved in various ^^^^^^^^

rr^ty events. (See "S"-™- ^PeciaK P^ ^ ^^„,,,1 Manager

I want to welcome . "^ra "a da^'^^ In ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ p,„fi „

indra brings to this position ^eaUedic ^^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ „f

rrnSrrdtrrllVwithlndra to make WBAI an even

^"Tnr;"rr^r your continued support. Arid until next
time' Wtrong and pay close attention.

ARTS

Janet Coleman, Interim Arts Director

^itar and banjo player ChrisHanf^H u'' ^"S'^-'/^^ng^ter,

entlrusiast, ei^L ftor^em oflove -''h ''ff" ""''°''' '"^ "^^^"'"^
friends in a spedal elo« edition of thr-'r 1°" '™"^ "^ ^^
Ginzburg and Vicky HippleTa^ w^Wh r '^ ^^""^ ^°'"''^ ^^ ^^^"
Haskins domg ma4 on^. . 1 ^ ""''">' ""* '^'chael G.

Another sorely missed Arts producer is Rill F=,„, x,
weekly Jazz Sampler after nnl,, 3 ^'^^ '^^° '■<="'''^d his

jazz specials com£gt s rar n ^« ''''r" f ' "'" ™"''""'^ '° ^°
Happily, in his TUesday ll p „ sC n ff':^"'!:*'? -^^ -'"§■
the music of Shocking Blue '' ' ^'"'^ ^"^ °"^ ^'^ ^"^

^eSn::: tludTnrrf "r"'° '""^'^ ^™'^^^' "-'"^^ °n
Buddhist schorar i tL™" f """'"/''^^'^ ''^^°"«'
analyst/historian CharresBS^' 7"'"' ^"''" °°^"''^'^' P^y^ho-
and Suzzy Roche hterat t v'"' ' '^°°'''' ^^°"P'« Ka« ^alk
and the /en Sn'^TcZmS IrS ch '^"' ^'"^'T """"-
Prison Writing Program AwardT ^"""^'^ ""'^ *^ ^^

Ub^'S^lwI:!': 'r" °'".^^ ^-^'^ '--y ^eard on Radio
Again. Cat ^Z Ca^ and tf^r ' ^^^^^^^^ Old Is New
, ivauio i.ate, and the aforementioned Light Show
In the words of a radio master, sf^y tuned.

PUBL/C AFFAIRS

good one. ^ *'^ ^« - team, and Sf ':^"°"^. ^"^^^^01/"^' ^^"<=

'"<»yahoo.coai to

Help WBAI Grow and Prosper!

by Evan Tobias

WBAI members have been hard at work spreading the word about the station. Outreach Coordinator Bok-keem
Nyerere and volunteers %vith the Local Station Board's Membership, Outreach, and Fundraising (MOF)
Committee have attended town hall meetings, worked tables at progressive events, visited colleges and higli
schools, met with advocacy groups, and even talked with the Cub Scouts- each time soliciting suggestions for
improving programming. A recent benefit concert, organized by Dante, a talented listener-member, helped with
botli outreach and fundraising.

In tlie montlis to come, the MOF will be sponsoring several ftmdraising events, so we'll need a lot of help.
We're also holding a contest for a slogan (in any language) that sums up WBAI's mission/message for use in out-
reach material. Get your creative juices flowing and submit an entry!

You can make a difference: If our station is to stay vibrant, we need listeners to bring more people into our
community. How many of your friends and coworkers aie WBAI members or even listeners? How many people
do you encounter daily who have never heard of WBAI? What creative ideas do you have for helping raise
money off-air? With spring in the air, consider sharing your talents, ideas, energy, and time to get tlie word out.

Contact: Outreach Department, (212) 209-2869, outreach@wbai.org, or MOF Committee, (212) 209-2919,
evbai(a)hotinail.com, with questions or ideas,

Evan Tbbuis, a 2S-ye«r^oId musk tcacha; is chmr of the Local Stanon Board's Membership, Outreach, and Ftaulramng
Committee.

Monthly Report to the Listener

On-air updates by management and department heads, with
listener call-ins. For times, stay tuned or go to www.wbal.org.

WBAI Program schedule

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

6:00 AM

7:00 AM

8:00 AM

WAKEUP CALL

Deepa Fernandes (Mon.-Thurs.), Mario Murillo (Fri), and others

In-depth coverage of local, national, and international news; social and cultural issues and events

Focus on human rights, peace, and social, economic, and racial justice

Check out the new website, www.wakeupcallradlo.org, with news, sound archives, blogs, a list of weekly segments, and much more!

From 6:25-6:30 daily, COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD (repeats at 10:55 a.m. and 4:55 p.m.); to submit items, go to www.wbai.org

News headlines at 6:30, 7:00, and 8:00, with Leslie George (Mon.-Thurs.)

9:00 AM

DEMOCRACY NOW! Amy Goodman, Juan Gonzalez For archived programs and list of cable-TV broadcast times, go to www.democracynow.org

Hard-hitting coverage of war and peace, government policies, and struggles for justice

10:00 am

1 1 :00 AM

1 2:00 PM

LAW & DISORDER (isii 3d wKs.)

WOMENSCDLLECTIVEmwk)

OUT-FM

Out-FM Collective Progressive lesbian,
gay. bisexual, transgendered. two-spirit
,. culture, and activism

GLOBAL MOVEMENTS,
URBAN STRUGGLES

Deepa Fernandes and Biju Mathew

CITY WATCH

Deena Kolbert and Bill DiFazio

Watchdog on NYC social, economic.
political, cultural issues

ECO-LOGIC

David OcchJuto/
Ken Gale

(alternating)

CREATE YOUR
HEALTHYHOME

May Dooley

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALS

FIRST VOICES INDIGENOUS RADIO

Tiokasin Ghosthorse and Mattie Harper

Indigenous thinking

C.C. COMEDY PLAYERS
I REEL WORLD

COUNTERSPIN Fairness and Accurac,
in Reporting (FAIR)

YOU AND YOUR MONEY Susan Lee

SCIENCE, HEALTH AND HEALING Majid aii. m.d.

Health preservation through science-based nutrition,
exercise, and spirituality

GLOBAL MEDICINE REVIEW Kamau Kokayl, M.D.

Holistic health paradigms, global healing traditions, and
cultural and community perspectives

RISE UP RADIO

Free Radio Youth Collective

Youth-produced social justice radic

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR HEALTH!

Corinne FurnarJ and Shari Lieberman

Cutting-edge holistic/nutntional
approaches to medical problems

1:00 PM

HEALTH ACTION

Health Action Collective

Corporate threats to health, activi
access issues, integrative healing

POSITIVE MIND Armand DIMele

Teaching strategies for fusing feelings and knowledge

HEALTH STYLES

Diana Mason and Barbara Glickstein

Personal health and health policy

2:00 PM

CAT RADIO CAFE

Janet Coleman and David Dozer

Salon of politics and art

ARTS MAGAZINE

Prairie Miller, Peggy Dominique, Joe Hurley,
Mary Ann Miller, R. Frasier, C. Korvath

Film, culture currents, art gigs

LIGHT SHOW

Rotating hosts

Folk songs, tales of struggle, poetry.

PERSPECTIVE

Louis Reyes Rivera

Cultural workers with a message

NONFICTtON (interim program)
Harry Allen

Books and interviews

3:00 PM

TALKBACK

Hugh Hamilton

Interactive new^s-talk program with interviews and listener call-ins

CALDWELL CHRONICLE

Earl Caldwell

Reflections and call-ins on
justice issues

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

EXPERT
WITNESS

CUBA IN FOCUS

Sally O'Brien and
Gail Walker

TAKING AIM

Ralph Schoenman and Mya Shone

Meticulous documentation and political
analysis of war and repression

EXPLORATIONS

Michio Kaku

An hour of information c
technology, and politics

BEHIND THE NEWS

Doug Henwood

Economics and politics, city to world

THE JORDAN JOURNAL

Howard Jordan

Interviews, commentary and call-ins
on Latino community issues

6:00 PM

WBAI EVENING NEWS

(Editor), Eric Williams, Rebecca Myles, Sally O'Brien (Sunday Co-editor), and Barbara Day (Sunday Co-editor)

jith in-depth progressive coverage of tri-state area. For recent archived programs, go to www.wbai.org

FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS

7:00 PM

BUILDING BRIDGES:

YOUR COMMUNITY AND UBOR REPORT
Mimi Rosenberg ant] Ken Nash

8:00 PM

HOUSING NOTEBOOK

Scott Sommer

Tenants" rights, call-ins

9:00 PM

HOME FRIES

Fred Herschkowltz

Music, comedy, call-ins

10:00 pm

i Monica Lopez {prod^^^,.,,
" in the service of peace and s

TAHRIR

Barbara Nimri Aziz

Voices of the Arab/Muslir

Comn

iity

ASIA PACIFIC FORUM

Asia Pacific Forum Collective

Progressive Asian and Asian American
politics and culture

SHOCKING BLUE

Delphine Blue

(interim program)

il JUStiC

. For archived programs, go t

OFF THE HOOK

Emanuel Goldstein

Hacker news

PERSONAL COMPUTER SHOW

loe King, Hank Kee, and Alfreil Poor

Ask the experts

GLOBAL BLACK
EXPERIENCE

Imhotep Gary Byrd

Politics, music, and call-ins

EDUCATION AT THE CROSSROADS

Basir Mchawi

Understanding "classes"...

for the masses

WHERE WE LIVE

Sally O'Brien and Rosa Clemente

Political prisoners, police repression

AFRIKALEIDOSCOPE

Etombe Brath

African world politics and culture

HEART OF MIND

Kathy Davis and Malika Lee Whitney

Self-evolution, spiritual activism

1 1 :00 PM

WBAI EVENING NEWS (Rebroadcast)

FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS (Rebroadcast)

12:00 am

NIGHTSHIFT

Mike Sargent

Ultra-free-form call-ins and
music

1 :00 AM

2:00 AM

PERSON TO PERSON

Ton! Short

Dialogues on tfie human
condition

3:00 AM

4:00 AM

5:00 AM

MASS BACKWARDS

Max Schmid

Music, current radio drama,
Jean Shepherd shows

MOORISH ORTHODOX
RADIO CRUSADE

Bill Weinberg and
Ann-Marie Hendrlckson

Anarchism for the Global City

WEAPONRY

Tom WIsker

Military technology, history
and policy

SPECIALS

ROCK 'EM
SOCK 'EM
RADIO

VIck

the Bruiser

PUNK AND
HARDCORE

UNDER THE
LEARNING TREE

Kamau KhallanI

News/issues of concern
to Jersey/the world

BURN BABY BURN-
CLAPPERS

Lister Hewan-Lowe

RADIO UNNAMEABLE

Bob Fass

The original free-form radio:
musings and music, call-ins
and conversation

IN THE MOMENT

Ibrahim Gonzalez

Eclectic sounds, live
performances, and interviews

GLOBAL BEAT
EXPERIENCE

Imhotep Gary Byrd

Message in the music: discs
and discussions of African-
American sounds and issues

SISTER FROM
ANOTHER PLANET

Andrea Clarke

Progressive soul music

CREATIVE
UNITY
COLLECTIVE I

LABBRISH

Habte Selassie

Reggae music

HOUR OF THE WOLF

Jim Freund

Science fiction/fantasy

Deepa Fernandes Named to Host Wakeup Call

Deepa Kcmandes, former an(;hor of Froc Speech Radio News and cohost of Global Movements, Urban Struggles, will take over t!ie helm
as the Monday-to-Thursday host of WBAI's morning program Wakeup Call on June 13. (Mario Murillo will continue hosting on FYidays.)

"An experienced radio journalist, news reporter, and media trainer, Deepa will bring new energy and vision to this signature WBAI
program," said Don Rj)|a.s, then WBAI General Manager, in announcing Fernandes' appointment. "She is an accomplished radio talent
with a very bright future ahead other I am confident she will prove to be an invaluable asset to WBAI."

Fernandes will join a Wakeup Call team consisting of executive producer Sharan Harper, producer/engineer Errol Maitland, and news
editor Leslie George. If funds are available, a cohost will also be brought on. Fernandes will also work closely vrith WBAI Program Director
Bernard White in restructuring the program and involving other WBAI producers. She vl^ll also help launch a new Wakeup Call website.

5

FM

Details:
uiuiui.uiDai.org

BLACK BOXES:
Programs air alternate
weeks (except Cuba in
Focus, last week); three-
way split on Thurs. at
11am represents 1st, 2d,
& 3(1 weeks; 4tti week:
Public Affairs Specials

Saturday

6:00 AM

7:00 AM

8:00 AM

9:00 AM

10:00 AM

1 1 :00 AM

12:00 pm

1 :00 pm

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

9:00 PM

10:00 pm

1 1 :00 PM

12:00 am

1 :00 AM

2:00 AM

3:00 AM

4:00 AM

HOUR OF THE WOLF

Jim Freund

Science fiction/fantasy

AS I PLEASE

Simon Loekle

Literary commentary
and readings

ANY SATURDAY

David Rothenberg

Music, politics, arts, theater,
sports, social commentary
(plus special offers on theater
tickets — call in!)

ON THE COUNT

Eddie Ellis and Ayo Harrington

Criminal justice and prison
policy, advocacy, and activism

AL LEWIS LIVE

"Grandpa" Al Lewis
and Karen Lewis

Outspoken political commentary
— Get angry about something!

RADIO FREE EIREANN

John McDonagh and Sandy Boyer

Irish and human rights issues

HAITI: THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES

Haiti Collective (interim time)

News and progressive analysis
about Haiti and Haitians in the U.S.

LA VOZ LATINA (en espaiiol)

Collectivo Latino (interim time)

Issues affecting Latino community and
Latin America

ALL MIXED UP

Peter Bochan

A nonlinear sonic tapestry of
music, art, and current events

LIQUID SOUND LOUNGE

Jeannie Hopper

Soul-infused grooves of all
persuasions representing
independent artists

MORNING DEW

Mandrake

Deadhead wakeup call

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Jay Smooth

Hip-hop politics and culture

SOUL CENTRAL STATION

Tony Ryan

R&B, soul, funk, and blues

5:00 AM

Sunday

THROUGH THE
OPERA GLASS

Tony Coggi,

Regina Fiorito Sokol,

and Manya

Recorded opera and
interviews with artists

HERE OF A
SUNDAY MORNING

Chris Whent

Early music

THE NEXT HOUR

Special arts programming

BEYOND THE PALE

Esther Kaplan and
Marilyn Kleinberg Neimark

Progressive Jewish politics and culture

WALDEN'S POND

Shelton Walden

Animals, health and
environmental i

RADIO LIBRE

Ibrahim Gonzalez

(interim program
Many genres of
Latmo music

CON SABOR
LATINO

Mickey Melende;

NEW WORLD GALLERY

Chico Alvarez

Latin jazz

WBAI EVENING NEWS

EQUAL TIME FOR FREETHOUGHT

Barry Seidman. A. Dowret, and N. Murphy

GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO

Max Schmid

Radio drama and
old-time radio shows

EVERYTHING OLD
IS NEW AGAIN

David Kenney

Pop and jazz standards, show
tunes, cabaret, and interviews

LA NUEVA ALTERNATIVA

Gonzalo Aburto and Ruben Lopez

Rock and roll en espafiol

CITIZEN K

Kirk Grantham

(interim program)
Issue-oriented, caller-driven
talk with an edge!

COSMIK DEBRIS

Rocky and Mark Laiosa

Manhattan's Premier Left Cultural 6> Educational Center

MUSIC • ART EXHIBITS • WORKSHOPS • CLASSES

PUBLIC FORUMS • FILMS • PERFORMANCES

451 West Street m Greenwich Villase • Phone: 212-242-4201

www^brechtforum^ors

BLOOMS DAY ON BROADWAY: I ^^lA

LIVE FROM SYMPHONY SPACE ' '^ *

(Thursday, June 1 6, 7:00 p.m. til after midnight)

"Love, Language, Literature, Lust; Leopold's Women Bloom" is the theme of Symphony
Space's 24th annual Bloomsday reading from James Joyce's modern masteipiece, Ulysses.
WBAI presents exclusive live coverage of the marathon performance with a cast of over 60
stars of stage and screen (including Malachy McCourt and Marian Seldes) and a chorus of
34 Mollys (one for every year in her life). The Daily Show's Stephen Colbert stars as Bloom;
Ttrry Donnelly plays Molly.

CLEARWATER

Festival

CLEARWATER FESTIVAL

(Saturday, June 1 8 & Sunday, June 1 9, all
day both days)

WBAL again partnering with the environmental
group Clearwater, will broadcast live from the
Festival including great music, storytelling, and
speeches at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson,
NY. Tline in or come out and stop by our portable studio.

GAYS, GOD, AND EMPIRE: LESBIAN/GAY/
BISEXUAL/TRANSGENDER (LGBT) PRIDE DAY

(Sunday, June 26, 1 1 :00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.)
Join WBAI's OUT-FM collective and producers
from Paciiica stations/ affiliates KPFA/Berkeley,
WPFW/Washington, KPFK/Los Angeles, and
KGNU/Boulder-Denver as we cover the LGBT
movement and anti-gay attacks on it by religious
and political leaders. We'll discuss gay marriage,
transgender politics, commercialism in the move-
ment, international affairs, Pride events, archived
queer voices, and the latest in music, writing,
and culture. Bring your radio to the Pride inarch.
Details: www.outfitn.org. p^„,„ „^„ Ne„ yori, BUd,

10th ANNUAL JERRY GARCIA BIRTHDAY SPECIAL

(Saturday, July 30, 7:00 p.m.-midnight)

Join Mandrake of Morning Dew for WBAI's annual salute to one of the most musically
diverse icons, Jerry Garcia. We will present the usual and unusual aspects of Garcia's life
represented in his own words, writings about him, and of course a huge dose of the best
music he had to offer Tfen years after his death, Garcia's legacy lives on.

CARIBBEAN DAY CARNIVAL/PARADE

(Monday, September 5, 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)

As Grenada recovers from Hurricane Ivan, Jamaica struggles with increased deportations,
and Haitians with an illegal government, the long-awaited Caribbean Court of Justice opens
in Trinidad. Join us on the air, on the 'net, or on the scene in Brooklyn to celebrate the
indomitable spirit of Caribbean people. We'll bring you music, culture, news, and views.
Carnival info: www.wiadca.com

LABOR DAY SPECIAL

(Monday, September 5, 7:00 p.m.-midnight)

Another Labor Day, another parade, more political campaigning, and sales galore. But what
about the condition of the workers— those organized into unions as well as those (the major-
ity) left to their own devices to deal with their bosses' attacks? What of those who can't find
work or are displaced? That's our focus on this Labor Day: the working class in New York
City, the nation, and the world. So to hell with Bush and his class; we'll focus on health care,
keeping pensions and Social Security, jobs vrith good pay and benefits, and we haven't forgot-
ten a redistribution of wealth from the "haves and have more"— and solidarity. Produced by
Mimi Rosenberg and Ken Nash of Building Bridges: Your Community and Labor Report.

WBAI and Paclfica Producers Again Win
Community Radio Awards

Congratulations to the Pacifica producers who received awards from the National Federation of
Community Broadcasters (NFCB), which provides support services to non-commercial stations.

Silver Reels:

• National Documentary: Leslie George of WBAI's Wakeup Call-"The Emma Clark Story:
A Struggle for Freedom and Reparations"

• Local Music/Entertainment Program or Special: Peter Bochan of WBAI's All Mixed Up-
"A Shortcut Through 2003"

Special Merit Awards:

• National News and Public Affairs Features: Free Speech Radio News (FSRN)

Collective-Newscast on 1 st anniversary of Iraq invasion

• National Documentary: FSRN's Aaron Glantz-'lraq: One Year of Occupation and Resistance"

• Radio Drama: Otis Maclay, Sarah Crowder, and the KPFT (Houston) Radio Theatre
Workshop-'ln the City"

• Local Music/Entertainment Program or Special: KPFA (Berkeley)'s Labor Collective
(Natasha Moss, Jon Frommer, Ann Worth, and Susan Chacin)-''2O04 Western Workers
Labor Heritage Festival"; KPFT's JD Doyle-"Queer Music Before Stonewall"

• Promo: Pacifica Radio Archives' Brian DeShazor-'A Passel of Pomp and a Circus of
Circumstance" Promo. -Cerene Roberts

For the complete list of awardees, go to www.nfcb.org.

WBAI Folio

Summer 2005

www.wbai.org

Lynne Stewart Speaks Out on WBAI

by Sally O'Brien

One of the most important functions of alternative media like WBAI is to
cover stories that affect the health and well-being of "the community"—
in this instance, the WBAI listening community, which, by and large, is
involved in the world around them. In this time of Homeland Security—
a time in which, as the late WBAI Program Director Samori Marksman
used to say, we are living in a "National Security State"— the legal paradigms are shift-
ing so far to the right that assumed civil liberties are no longer the standard that we
can hold the courts to.

Nowhere is this so aptly demonstrated as in the case of defense attorney Lynne
Stewart. She was arrested in 2002 on conspiracy charges that she materially aided a
"terrorist" organization associated with her client, blind Sheik Omar Abdul Rahman,
when she helped him release a press statement that prosecutors claimed contained a
message for his followers in Egypt. Key to the case were video surveillance tapes of
attorney/client meetings, which Stewart maintained showed no evidence of her guilt.
But after a trial that invoked the specter of Osama Bin Laden, Stewart and her two
Muslim co-defendants were convicted on all counts this past February.

Admittedly, WBAI was not the only outlet to cover this story— in fact it received
quite a lot of media attention. But what made our coverage different was our
approach: First, following the spirit of the long-held tenet that in our legal system a
person is shielded by the presumption of innocence "until proven guilty," we omitted
government bias and antiterrorism hysteria, opting instead to let the subject tell her
story. Second, realizing the current precarious moment for civil liberties, we encour-
aged listeners to attend the trial and decide for themselves whether this lifelong
champion of civil and political rights was really guilty of terrorism and deserved to
spend the final phase of this grandmother's well-lived life in prison.

"During the trial, I think WBAI was the main vehicle for getting people to court,"
Stewart says. "Our end of politics never got much or good coverage, but at least during
the '80s, there were straight news stories and columnists like [Ncwsday's] Murray
Kempton and [The Daily News's] Jimmy Breslin, who looked more in depth at the
political issues" behind sensationalized court cases.

It is exactly these political issues that WBAI holds up to the public for examina-
tion. We knew that the outcome of the Lynne Stewart case holds serious implications
for all people in this country and for the sanctity of the attorney/client privilege. As
more immigrants and U.S. citizens— particularly Arabs and Muslims— become targets
of McCarthy-era-type witch-hunts, imprisoning a progressive attorney on "terrorism"
charges sets a dangerous precedent for us all. We felt it was our responsibility to give
full coverage to the trial.

center), husband Ralph Poyntcr, and
n, February 200S Photo credit Sue Kellogg

after Stewart's

"I think I've been on just about every major show on WBAI," Stewart notes. "Jose
Santiago would come to court at least once a week and at lunch do interviews for the
Evening News.... I've been interviewed from many different perspectives." Besides the
Evening News, Stewart has appeared— sometimes repeatedly— on such programs as
Wakeup Call, Democracy Now!, Free Speech Radio News, The Caldwell Chronicle,
Building Bridges, 'Qhrir, Education at the Crossroads, Aiiikaleidoscope, Where We
Live, and the Sunday News.

Lynne Stewart is curtently appealing her conviction. Facing up to 30 years in prison,
she is scheduled to be sentenced in September. For more information or to get involved
in a letter-writing campaign, call (21 2) 625-9696 or log onto www.lynnestewart.oiTg.
Sally O'Brien is the host and executive producer of Where We Live (TImrsdays, 8-9 pm),
executive producer of Cuba in Focus (last Mondays of month, 5-6 pm), and co-anchor/editor
of the Sunday News (6-6 30 pm)

Meet Your Local Station Board

(listed in descending order of vote totals; internally elected positions— each for one-year terms —
noted as applicable; next membership election for LSB members October-November 2006)

LISTENER-SPONSOR MEMBERS

Elected February 2004 for terms expiring December 2006:

Father LauTcnce Lucas

Michael T^rif Warren

(Pacifica National Board mernber)

Steve Brown

Paul DeRienzo

Paul Surovell

Ray Laforest

(Pacifica National Board member)
Carolyn Birden
Mariana Gaston (Vice Chair)
Miguel Maldonado

Elected December 2004 for terms expiring December 2007:

Omowale Clay

Evan Tbbias (Assistant Secretary)

Sara Flounders

Berthold Reimers

Lisa Davis

Marian Borenstein

Patty Heffley

(Pacifica National Board member)

Cheryl Ife Griffin*

Mitchel Cohen*"

*Rutiner-up seated upon restgtiat^on of Alice Shields
**Runner-up seated upon resignation of Luanne Pennesn

STAFF MEMBERS

Elected February 2004 for terms expiring December 2006:
Bob Lcderer Tiokasin Ghosthorse

(Pacifica National Board member) Shawn Rhodes

Elected December 2004 for terms expiring December 2007:
Ccrene Roberts R. Paul Martin

Vajra Kilgour (Chair)

ADDITIONAL OFFICERS

Non-board members elected December 2004 as officers by the Local

Station Board (as permitted by Pacifica bylaws):

Baruti Bediako (TYeasurer) Berta Silva (Secretary)

Local Station Board Committees

The WBAI Local Station Board (LSB) has several advisory committees aimed at assisting
the board in pertbrming particular duties under the Pacifica Bylaws. Listener-members
and staff receive voting rights in these committees (with some exceptionsj upon attend-
ing three consecutive meetings.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

Helps with LSB mandate to approve the station's annual budget (subject to final
approval by the Pacifica National Board) and to make quarterly reports on finances to
the National Board.

MANAGEMENT EVALUATION COMMITTEE

Helps with LSB mandate to prepare an annual written evaluation of WBAI's general
manager (GM) and program director (PD); when warranted, to initiate the process of
firing the GM, which must be approved by Pacifica Executive Director; if not, it is
decided by Pacifica National Board.

MEMBERSHIP, OUTREACH, & FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

Helps with LSB mandate to actively reach out to underrepresented communities so as
to achieve station diversity; to build collaborations with like-minded organizations; and
to assist the station with fundraising.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE

Helps with LSB mandate to work with management to ensure that WBAI programming
fulfills Pacifica's mission (including increasing understanding between peoples and
offering alternative news and information and artistic expression) and responds to the
diverse needs of listeners and communities and to ensure that procedures for program-
ming decisions and evaluation are working fairly to provide quality programming.

COMMITTEE OF INCLUSION (COI)

Carries out bylaws mandate to monitor, issue quarterly reports on, and if necessary
make recommendations to the LSB, Pacifica National Board, and station management
to remedy underrepresentation of signal-area communities in programming and
staffing and among LSB election candidates. (The COI is a committee of the Pacifica
National Board, unlike the LSB advisory committees.)

AD HOC BYLAWS REVIEW COMMITTEE

•|"h(- Pacifica National Board will hold a Bylaws c:onvcntion between Sept. 30, 2005 and
March 30, 2006 to review the Pacifica bylaws and consider possible amendments.
Each Local Station Board has formed an ad hoc committee to collect and organize rec-
ommendations for refinement of the bylaws, to be reviewed and approved by the LSB
and tiK'ii forwarded to the Pacifica National Board Governance C^ommittec.

Get Involved!

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT

We urge you to get involved! All LSB and committee meetings (except under narrowly defined circumstiinces) are
open to the public and include fime for public comment. We also welcome your emails, letters, and phone messages.
Phone:212-209-2919 • Email: lsb@wbai.org • Mail: LSB, c/o WBAI, 120 Wall St, 10th Fl., New York, NY 10005

Por more info, including meetini,; dates ,ind minutes, go to www.wbai.orR/lttb or call the number above. Time into
the monthly Local Station Board Report, with listener call-ins at 2I2-209-2H00. Check H-ww.wbai.org for dates.

www.wbai.org

Summer 2005

WBAI Folio

JOHN HESS

1917-2005

by Andrea Sears, WBAI News Editor

John Hess, the former New York Times reporter, food
critic, author, and ascerbic commentator for the WBAI
Evening News, died on January 25. He was 87.

About 10 years ago, I was working on a story about
some new pohcy unveiled at City Hall that day. I needed
someone to critique what Rudy Giuliani was up to when

cmiit Dolf Tbussatgii

I heard a familiar voice on the newsroom monitor John Hess, who had been a regular
on WNYC, was being interviewed in our studios. After the show, he was more than
happy to give his analysis for my story.

John also mentioned that he'd like to do weekly commentaries for our newscast.
A few days later he was back, recording the first of hundreds of commentaries that
soon made him a staple on the WBAI Evening News.

John had spent 24 years at The New York Times. He covered the Paris Peace TSlks
in 1 968, but in speaking about those years he got more excited recounting his efforts
to convince 77ie Titries to report on the International War Crimes Tribunal that had
first brought media attention to the My Lai massacre. He was nominated for a Pulitzer
Prize for his articles exposing a nursing home scandal in New York, but couldn't con-
vince the paper's management to set up a team of investigative reporters. He lefl The
Times in 1978, but never stopped being a journalist. He continued filing WBAI com-
mentaries until a month before his death.

John Hess's book on his New York Times experience, My Times: A Memoir of Dissent,
IS available as a premium for a pledge to WBAI. For details, and for text of some of John's
WBAI commentaries, go to www.wbai.org. See also www.johnlhess.blogspot.com.

JOELGREENBERG

1947-2005

by Simon Loekle

Joel chose to listen to WBAI and starting in '87 volun-
teered to answer phones when listeners were plentifijl
but answerers were not. In the late '90s, he agreed to
take on production duties for Through the Opera Glass,
hosted by Regina Sokol and Anthony Coggi. Last year he
produced a special broadcast on Opera and James Joyce "'""' ""'" ""' <^''^'*erg farmly
for the Bloomsday Centenary. Three kinds of play balanced his work (scientific
research in another field of air time, the potentials of breath analysis): theatrical
(Wagner), sporting (Go Yanks!), and words {Finnegans Wake).

Threnody

"...myth is what we believe in..." — WB. Yeats

The "Golden Age" of 'BAI is not

an irretrievable past

but a graspable, glorious goal

should we dare admit

our community is buUt on air

Joel, generous, kind, cooperative,

was one embodying the genuine aim,

the myths that hold us together,

bonds of freedom lift us

as easy as song.

Simon Loekle is host of As I Please (Saturdays, 7 00-8 30 am).

IV-ibuteS to Fred Kuhn Ossie Davis, IPresentel

Fred Kuhn anil Light's 1980 album, 'A Song of Gods
Cone Mad' (Datfstar Records) Light was composed of
Fred Kuhn (I2-stnng, vocals, bass), Maryann Arrien,
Roberta Sappington and Freff AH words & music
(except 'TYiad' and 'Bells of Rhymney') by Fred Kuhn
(Scanned ttnage, courtesy of Robert Knight )

from Evan Ginzburg, Cohost of Light Show

It was like a Fellini movie.

3 a.m. at the old studio at 505 Eighth
Avenue. Ascending in an ancient, creaky
elevator reminiscent of something out of
a silent movie, I'd stagger into the station
bleary-eyed. Inevitably, however, I'd be
jolted by an adrenaline rush caused by the
alternate reality I had just been dropped
into— a waiting room full of musicians,
performance artists, and even larger-than-
life professional wrestlers.

And in the middle of this happy
chaos would be a calm, smiling Fred
Geobold.

Carrying too many CDs for his hands
to hold, he'd rush into the studio at 2:59
and change. Somehow he'd squeeze into
every nook and cranny a multitude of
instruments as well as the excited musi-
cians that lugged them in. For many of
them it was their first time on the air.

"Let's make some radio," he'd say, contentment written on his face.

And for so many, many years he did just that. "You're listening to a Light Show,"
Fred would announce in that sweet voice so perfect for the airwaves.

Fred was more than my radio mentor He was also a dear friend. We'd go to clubs
and listen to the music he loved so much and even hit some wrestling shows.

For a warm, sensitive guy, he sure loved his steel-cage matches.

I spent some of the best nights of my life with Fred Geobold at WBAI. Exhilarated
after a broadcast, we'd sit and just talk. And with the incredibly well-rounded Fred, you
could discuss literally anything. And with those conversations always came laughter

I loved Fred Geobold. And always will.

And although I can never hope to be the radio man he was, on every broadcast I
do he'll be in my heart.

So stay tuned, Fred. Stay tuned.

from Vick the Bruiser, Host of Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Radio

Fred Geobold was to me a mentor and friend. Though initially meeting him in the
Eighth Avenue reception area, we became friends while on the MIS bus en route to
the Wall Street station. We spoke of music and the times, and he soon invited me to
become a cohost of the Light Show. With much excitement I joined the ranks of the
Light Show crew, meeting and conversing with some of wrestling's finest, not to
mention myriads of local musicians, poets, etc.

Some of my fondest memories of that time were actually off the air, when Fred,
Max Schmid, Jim Freund, Simon Loekle, and I would sit around and banter and wise-
crack about life and times. That continues to be the essence of WBAI, at least to me,
as one who was witness to these amazing fellas who had such a long, deep friendship
and respect for each other I always felt blessed to have been a part of that.

It was also Fred who dubbed me Vick the Bruiser in those days as a tribute to one
of his old favorites, Dick the Bruiser, a wrestler short in stature but not in presence.
That name has not only become my on-air moniker, but my identity with friends and
family.

Fred and I also saw eye to eye on the "ole banjer," both of us playing and loving
the sound. I saw Fred in the hospital the night before his passing and, as I happened
to have my banjo with me, was able to play a couple of ditties for him, which I will
never forget. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to know such a man, of whom
not an unkind word could be mumbled, always with the quickest of wits, who kept
you on your toes, with laughter close behind.

With so much love, Fred, your light will never fade.
For more tributes from Fred's colleagues, go to www.wbai.org.

Continued from front cover

I had the good fortune to share experiences with Ossie such as linking hands
during the waves of arrests of those protesting the police shooting of Amadou Diallo,
celebrating the anniversary of the first Labor Day in Union Square, and reading "Just
Be Simple" with children at union II99/SEIU. And Ossie and Ruby graced WBAI
repeatedly with their appearances on numerous programs, always reaching out to
educate and inspire listeners about the vital issues of the day.

It wasn't surprising that Ossie's family asked that contributions in his memory be
made to Oxfam America's Sudan Crisis Relief Fund, EXCEL (automotive training)
Institute, Tbday's Students/Tbmorrow's Tfeachers ...and to WBAI. Each organization
typified a particular vocational sensitivity and interest of Ossie's. And, while Ossie's
and Ruby's affection for WBAI is clear, years before our station's debut, they had
already joined in the struggles for workers, human and civil rights, civil liberties, and
economic fairness, and against imperialist wars. We honor Ossie Davis and in so doing
hold on to his teachings, his artistic creations, his wonderful, encompassing humanity.

Ossie Davis, another shining Black prince, Presente!
An Ossie Dams "Dtbute 2-CD set is available as a WBAI premium. It includes Ossie's eulogies
to Malcolm X arid Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, a 1998 interview by Mimi Rosenberg and Ken
Nash with Ossie and Ruby, Ossie's recitation of labor poetry at 1199, and his 2003 speech at
the WBAI forum opposing the war against Iraq. Tb order, go to www.wbai.org (right column)
or call (212) 209-2848. At the request of the Davis/Dee family, we are not able to offer a record-
ing of the memorial service. More photos ofinemonal at www.wbai.org/gallery.
Mimi Rosenberg is the cohost, along with Ken Nash, of Building Bridges: Your
Community and Labor Report (Mondays, 7.00-8:00 ptn )

DONNELLY/COLT

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8 • WBAI Folio

Summer 2005

www.wbai.org

WBAI Youth at Media Conference:
Each One Teach One

by Leigh Ann Caldwell

This spring, WBAI youth played an important role in the Grassroots Media
Conference aimed at supporting and enhancing independent media in New
York City. In its second year, the conference, held at New School University
on April 9-10, stressed partnerships among independent media at a time
when government propaganda is increasing and corporate media are mini-
mizing voices of dissent. The event brought together independent print, radio, Internet,
and video organizations, as well as community organizers, teachers, and media
activists. The weekend was filled with panels, discussions, workshops, and films on
such topics as media freelancing, the art of graffiti, making video documentaries, and
getting your community involved.

Youth projects at WBAI were an integral part of the conference. Members of Radio
Rootz, a radio and media education project in NYC public schools (founded by WBAI's
Deepa Femandes), led a workshop called "Get Involved! Get Heard!" The youth dis-
cussed and dissected topics such as media representations and stereotypes and
making youth-produced pieces. The students from Radio Rootz also presented their
pre-produced radio pieces. Harlem sixth grader Azania Al-Shabazz played "Perceptions
of War," which aired on Free Speech Radio News on March 18 (archived at
www.fsm.org), near the second anniversary of the war in Iraq. Azania's radio piece
discussed the war in Iraq and the possibility of a draft. Azania spoke to the partici-
pants about why she chose this topic to report: "The war is very scary because by the
time we are old enough to go to war, there might be a draft. I also know someone who
has a family member in the war" Ireece Underwood, a 17-year-old Brooklynite who
attends high school at Manhattan Comprehensive Day and Night, presented her inter-
view with her great-grandmother— a Black woman active in the 1960s civil rights
movement— which will be part of a documentary called "African Americans Through
the Generations," expected to air on WBAI in June.

WBAI's weekly youth program, Rise Up Radio, coordinated a workshop and con-
ducted outreach throughout the weekend for WBAI . Kat Aaron, a Rise Up Radio
producer, led a panel discussion on radio technology that included members of
Freel03Point9, an Internet radio station, and Neuro TVansmitter, a low power radio sta-
tion. Panelists analyzed the growing number of Internet radio stations, the ease of
launching one, and the fact that the Web is not yet monopolized by large media
owners. "That's what makes the Internet so cool— you can listen to so many different
people's voices," Kat said. She compared the current situation to the early days of FM
radio, before media consolidation choked off many independent outlets. Kat urged
people to learn that history and watch for warning signs of consolidated ownership of
the Internet. "It's not inconceivable that in the future, Internet content will become
more regulated," Kat said.

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Overall, participants pronounced the conference a success. "It's definitely benefi-
cial," said Ireece Underwood. "The people who come and participate get to learn how
to do new things and how to get involved."

Leigh Ann Caldwell is a teacher with Radio Rootz and a reporter for the WBAI
Evening News and Free Speech Radio News For more on Radio Rootz, go to
w^^^v.radiorootz.org or sec WBAI Folio, Fall 2004, p. 8 (online at www.wbai.org).
Rise Up Radio (ivww.riseupradio.org), currently heard Fridays from 11:00 a.m. -noon,
will soon move to a more youth-friendly time.

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