> Come to Our Next Tuesday Meeting! Jan. 26 6-9pm
75 Varick St. (north of Canal St.), 14th floor, Manhattan MAP (A or 1 train to Canal St.) Wheelchair-accessible.
> Let's Call! WBAI call-in # is (212) 209-2900 -- Call in to WBAI when any host opens the lines and speak on air to let other listeners know what is going on.
Please watch this video of anti-racist speaker Tim Wise, in which he tackles the role of institutional racism in the takeover of Pacifica Network. Watch to realize how institutional racism affects us all and the things close to us.
We were thinking about selling this as a DVD but we feel it's so important for people to see it, that we decided to put it up for free. Please watch and donate - $5-$10-whatever you can- to finance our efforts to take back WBAI. Via PayPal or check payable to Coalition to Take Back WBAI.
42 min., recorded at the event "Progressive Left Media and Institutional Racism II" in Los Angeles.
WATCH THE VIDEO & DONATE!
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There is a swirl of rumors being used to justify the takeover of WBAI. In an in-depth discussion with Suzanne Ross of the Free Mumia Coalition, fired Program Director Bernard White addresses the questions of the WBAI community in an attempt to separate fact from fiction.
We are presenting the discussion in a series of video segments. Please scroll down and view the segments that address issues of particular interest to you. Get your questions answered! More to come.
First segment: POLITICS AND INTELLECT
Bernard responds to the characterization of his politics and intellect. Also discussed, economist Richard Wolff. Finally, a funny story about Steve Brown's marketing gizmos.
Second segment:PREMIUMS
Are you upset that you didn't get your premium from WBAI? Bernard details the history of premiums backlog.
Takeback Pacifica Coalition > FACT SHEET
Did you know that ideological and racial purges are taking place across the Pacifica network?
Did you know that since the Steve Brown/Grace Aaron faction took control of the network, Armando Gudino, Program Director at the Los Angeles station KPFK, Jerry Quickley the host of “Beneath The Surface,” Fernando Velasquez the host of “Informativo,” Lonnie Hicks, the Chief Financial Officer of the Pacifica National Foundation, WBAI Program Director Bernard White, Ron Pinchback, WPFW Station Manager were all fired and WBAI Station Manager Anthony Riddle was removed from his position? Of the seven people who were terminated or removed all were either African American or Latino.
Did you know that the local WBAI board violated its own rules and processes in rushing to engineer the removal of WBAI General Manager Anthony Riddle and the termination of Program Director Bernard White? Neither White nor Riddle had received the annual evaluation required in the station’s bylaws. The board committee that was preparing the annual evaluation for Program Director Bernard White was illegally and single –handedly abolished by LSB board member Steve Brown? Brown is the board member who has waged a five years-long public campaign of defamation against Bernard White.
Did you know that multimillionaire, WBAI LSB board member, Steve Brown has been actively sabotaging WBAI’s past fund drives by sending out thousands of racially charged emails with fabricated scenarios just before our drives? These emails were designed to undermine listener confidence and negatively impact our revenue generation. (See Document)
Did you know that Mr. Brown went as far asking listeners to send their contributions to his upper Westside Penthouse? ( http://whoisstevebrown.info)
Did you know that Cynthia McKinney applied for the position of Executive Director of the Pacifica Foundation and that the Steve Brown/Grace Aaron led faction of Pacifica denied her application by telling her that she was not qualified? This action was taken without notifying the Pacifica Personnel Committee that McKinney had applied.
Did you know that for the first time since the Christmas Coup a gag rule has been imposed that threatens the hosts with removal if they openly discuss their opposition to recent changes at the station or the newly imposed redirection of Pacifica?
The purge that is going on in Pacifica will not only replace Blacks and Latinos from decision making positions it will also transform the political nature of Pacifica in contravention to its original mission. The Steve Brown/Grace Aaron led faction now in charge of Pacifica will eliminate the community character of its five radio stations. Their goal is to increase revenue by appealing to a richer, whiter audience. Don’t be confused by the color of those who they are temporarily using to achieve their goals.
Was the financial situation of WBAI discussed openly? What are the contributing factors to the debt? What was Bernard White's role? What was the logic for the move to Wall Street and who was responsible? (Link to chart of WBAI expenses mentioned by Bernard)
Fourth Segment: INFIGHTING?
Is it accurate to call a struggle between two different visions infighting? How have Pacifica bylaws affecting the fairness of Local Station Board elections? What is the importance of WBAI to the prison population?
Fifth Segment: PACIFICA NETWORK PURGE
Who else has been fired from Pacifica? How were they treated and how does this treatment reflect on the attitude of the current Pacifica management?
Sixth Segment: UNTRUTHS
Do Steve Brown and Mitch Cohen really fabricate untruths about Bernard White and WBAI? Did Bernard deny journalist Glenn Ford a show? Was WBAI biased towards Obama and against Cynthia McKinney?
Video from a Forum Pt.1 - Bernard White details financial interests in WBAI, including Gary Null, the move to Wall Street and programming.
Video from a Forum Pt.6 - Suzanne Ross of the Free Mumia coalition describes the attitude of the Pacifica staff and denounces the opportunistic use of claims of anti-semitism in the campaign against WBAI.
