Daily Revolution
American Radio once was Radical. Radio once was a part of The People’s Movement. It was subversive & part of the counter culture. I fell in love with the community power Radio endowed its people with.
America has a proven track record of electing celebrities, whether it’s movie stars or TV stars - America LOVES voting for Hollywood.
Radio today is more like a deactivated movement, once ready to rally for causes connecting the community, now flaccid & impotent to the syndication of shows, corporate mergers & national sponsors.
Radio MISSES the mark. Radio halls look like the red carpet, with celebrities constantly shuffling through for interviews… Hosts should be getting fames’ point of view on all topics, not just the new promotional thing. Of course, you almost always have to “ok” it before “celebs” come on air. And from what I’ve witnessed, most comedians will give you an interesting unthought-of take on almost any issue… Comics are philosophers. But radio should be entering into discussions with the cultural heavyweights. Some humans think celebrities should “stick to…. whatever their specialty is” and not have an opinion, which seems to be wicked Un American - telling people to not be involved in their country. It’s also wicked Ironic at times, because those people that tell celebs to “stay out of it” - usually only do that when it’s in opposition to their stance. Every American should be educating themselves, getting involved & speaking up for what they believe in.
Issues like guns, policing, homelessness, addiction, child poverty, voting, are not “political” issues, they are societal issues which we all have to deal with. And nothing makes a “celebrity” more real than when they relate a personal story. It’s funny, that the famous people on the far right wing of the government bird have no issues speaking up about these societal issues. But it seems like the celebrities who are “for the people” get real hesitant to speak up…. I wonder why!? Maybe because they fear they’d lose money… we know corporations by definition are not “for the people” but are systems for profit. So the quiet hesitancy could be not wanted to upset the hand that feeds. It’s sad. Work & sacrifice your entire life to create yourself as a brand only to sacrifice who you are for money. Whoever does it - right or left, it’s sad. And I encourage you to re think taking back your voice. This also goes for anyone that holds the power of having a Radio Show. Some of these Radio Hosts are already keenly aware of the power they have speaking to hundreds of thousands of people every morning…. and some aren’t using that power to engage & connect “the people”. To my former colleagues, you have the power to speak about these issues & make change… and if your ratings are in the gutter, then what have you got to lose? Is radio just a way to make money? If so, GTFO. Make room for the revolutionaries.
And for the shows & Radio Hosts who keep the revolutionary torch burning, thank you. If you know shows like this - share them, tell people about it, support them, call them, write them. There is one station here in Boston that’s Revolutionary Spirit burns bright - B87 FM featuring Notorious in the Morning. Host VOG & the team making that station happen, aren’t censoring their beliefs & responsibility to the community. And they continue to keep it entertaining & informative.
Radio isn’t doing it’s part to serve the community when they aren’t engaging in community issues. That’s a big part of why Radio Stations are allowed to get licensed, to be of service to their communities. Radio, do your job.
This blog is in Honor of the first Black senator of Massachusetts, Bill Owens. Rest In Peace, thank you for your struggle.