Hate Radio?
Re: "Off the Air," Feb. 2; "Straight Talk Cancellation Finalized," March 9, by Max Linsky
As a long-time listener-sponsor to non-commercial community radio station WMNF-88.5, I would like to respond to your story regarding Straight Talk. I have listened to Straight Talk on many a Sunday morning, shutting off the radio when I'd heard my fill. I started listening more closely when the show became truly controversial, and there was talk about taking it off the air. This was by force of will and through gritted teeth, just to bear witness and objectively decide about the show and its place in WMNF's programming.
Did it make me uncomfortable? You bet!
I despised the show. Civility and respect for the listener (all the listeners!) are the hallmarks of enlightened radio programming. Connie Burton could have taught Rush Limbaugh a few things about hate radio. The host and guests were often obnoxiously rude, loud and divisive. "Reporting" on issues was completely one-sided and there was no attempt at bringing the larger community together in a consensus. It was all about an "us against them, black vs. white" mentality, preaching Victimization! Confrontation! Retribution! and Revolution! … featuring the Uhurus as the black communities' sole salvation.
I knew Straight Talk had crossed the line when the show started on-air soliciting for donations to the Uhurus. It was clear to me that the host and producer were in the hip pocket of this organization, shilling for them and merely spouting the party line.
As a volunteer at the station, I know how hard it is to build a consensus and move the station management to take action on an issue, especially a sensitive one like canceling Straight Talk. A programmer has to really push the envelope to get a long-standing, well-supported show yanked off the air. Ms. Burton had been doing that for years. She was given every opportunity to tone down the rhetoric on Straight Talk, but seems generally unwilling or unable to cooperate with people or organizations (other than the Uhurus) … even a well-meaning, tolerant one like WMNF. She would rather bite the hand that feeds her, and then claim to be the victim. Whoever yells the loudest wins.
Apparently, some black leaders are more interested in reinforcing their civic positions by exaggerating and even inflaming situations regarding race. It is an unfortunate, disruptive and counter-productive tool utilized to highlight their necessity as a leader to the "common folk."
I don't buy it, and neither will anyone else who actually listened to Straight Talk on a regular basis. It was intentionally offensive, abusive and, if not racist, then guilty of race-baiting. If the show had continued it would eventually have resulted in WMNF being sued by an offended and/or injured party. Win or lose, the station would pay real money (read: my donated $) for Ms. Burton's day in court. I have seen the way she and her small band of supporters have attempted to hijack WMNF public meeting forums to focus on their own agenda, much as the Uhurus had hijacked Straight Talk.
They may rely on my relentless efforts to prevent any such hijacking of our community radio station.
Rick Kaplan
St. Petersburg
Saving Grace
Re: "A Daughter Who Deserves Choices," Feb. 22, by John Sugg
While I wholeheartedly disagree with nearly every point you made, I applaud your courage to take into your home five children. To share the financial blessings that God has bestowed upon you in such a generous way is an act so beautiful that my meager language skills fall way short. I firmly believe that God has a special place in his heart for people who do what you are doing.
Ed Rosa
Via e-mail
This article appears in Mar 23-29, 2005.