The newest playlist at SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE HEART OF BERKELEY YouTube Channel is titled PACIFICA & The Struggle for Participatory Pacifist Community Radio. The first video in the playlist begins with 88 year old Addie Bianchi (RIP 2013), a long-time BFUU Social Justice Committee activist, calling for deep listening at a contentious “Truth & Unity Town Hall Forum for KPFA & Pacifica” in Historic Fellowship Hall on January 30, 2012 (part 1 of 2 videos by John Parulis of Bright Path YouTube Channel). Addie passed away on Nov. 3, 2013. It was a delight to rediscover her in this video. Her wise counsel about “deep listening” is recorded here. Such advice might serve us well during the current stand-off between the newly seated Pacifica National Board factional majority and those in the Pacifica Community who see them as reckless and irresponsible in their representation of the network. They used a 1 am telephone conference “executive session” secret meeting to fire Executive Director Summer Reese without notice, without cause, and without a performance review as her 3 year contract requires by law. This is a rash and poorly planned decision that throws the entire network into financial jeopardy and heightened social tension. Unlike the other 4 stations in the network, KPFA has not presented audited books to the national office. This adds suspicion of motives and speculation of what may actually be going on to the debate about the direction of the network. What is the reason for a brash power play that destablizes the financial well-being of the network? We could all benefit from some calm and well-contemplated “deep listening”. Addie Bianchi had no axe to grind for any faction. She just knew how valuable KPFA and Pacifica were to her, to the community, and to the world it serves. Addie Bianchi also used humor when she said, “Actually, speaking is done very quickly, and deep listening is a difficult gift to develop. Did you ever see anyone fall asleep while they were speaking? But how about listening? (laughter) So I just wanted to put that in. So many people spend listening time preparing what to say next. But I think that we will find more harmony if we really practice “deep listening” tonight.” youtube/watch?v=YiZ9W2OOAI8&feature=share&list=PLF6vlpoPDpR6RLhNjdCQJGuyMw800tWuN
Posted on: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 06:28:48 +0000
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