Monday night at the Workmens Circle, at the end of a special meeting, the
KPFK Local Advisory Board voted by a one vote majority (12 to 11) against Pacifica
bylaws draft B.
the network has divided almost evenly on this issue and last night numerous speakers sadly noted the damage that has been done to long friendships and allegiances.
the LAB's decision brought some to tears, others to jubilation. many forecast the collapse of the entire national Pacifica network while others explained that the network had been saved.
the meeting was a wild and intense one, even for a decision making body whose meetings are roundly characterized as insane from almost any perspective. but the issues that were discussed in many ways define some of the deepest and most pressing tensions felt and dealt with by all community organizations today in the USA. like it or not, foremost among these tensions are divisions about
racism.
Pacifica listeners will have to
make up their own minds about the governance of their network but it may not be easy.
the relevant documents are very long and complex - this kind of lengthy and intricate and legalistic work is not usually done with scrutiny and rigor by vast nationwide grassroots movements and communities. this is a big challenge but it is one that the entire
Pacifica radio network will have to overcome if it is going to make real community radio a reality. and there's no reason it can't be done.
where do we go from here?
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anticrisis