A Racial Divide

Back in 1967 after rioting in the predominantly black Hill Section of New Haven, a story on New York's all-news WINS wondered out loud how this could have happened "in a city that had done so much for its minority community."    With the latest racially-charged news out of Ferguson, Missouri and much of the white reaction to it, that New Haven question came to mind again.   Many deny the very existence of racism.   Why can't all people just behave?    Haven't we seen lots of progress since the sixties?    

Change has happened and generational attitudes evolve, but I can't say as an older white guy in a remote section of Connecticut suburbia that I know what it's like to be a young African American city dweller any more now than I did in 1967.   When the OJ Simpson "not guilty" verdict came out almost twenty years ago, I could not fathom why the majority of the black community agreed with that.   The New Haven ghetto was only ten miles from the booming suburb where I grew up, but I and most whites still have little understanding of what it is like to walk a mile in their shoes. While conservatives and liberals play fast and loose with the term "racism", I don't know how we can deny the very existence of a continuing "racial divide."   Even with political reforms and good intentions, flash points like Ferguson remind us of how far we have to go.   

Maybe the next generation or two can bridge this gap.   My stepdaughter Monica had some insight on this:   "If white people can't admit when black people are treated unfairly and recognize that biases still exist, how can we truly work to avoid the effect those biases, largely unconscious, have in society?   Even if it were the case that it wasn't about race, it's just as important to address why black people feel mistreated and marginalized.   That shouldn't be an issue that's only on the radar of black people.  It should be something we all care about and actively work to change."

Family Feud

Arthur T. Demoulas

The story of a New England supermarket chain normally wouldn't garner much attention outside of the region where they do business.   In this case, the dysfunctional family drama unfolding in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine with the seventy store Demoulas Market Basket chain provides some compelling reasons for all Americans to pay attention.   In a business dominated by grocery chains often owned by foreign companies (Stop & Shop, Shaw's, Hannaford), the Demoulas family has carved out a healthy share in a very competitive environment.   Now, what amounts to a family squabble threatens to pull this independent company apart.   Arthur T. Demoulas had been a highly popular CEO with workers because of his benevolent and arguably enlightened attitude toward company associates through good times and bad.   That did not please his cousin Arthur S. Demoulas and others on the board of directors who controlled the majority of shares, so they unseated him.   

This did not sit well with workers, store managers and, most importantly, customers.   Business has been down by over 90%, but the board and the management company they brought in has reacted with stubbornness and intimidation.   Meanwhile, customers and workers continue to stay away while store managers show up with nothing to do.   They want "Artie T" back and hope the board will accept his offer to buy them out.   Rumors persist of a possible sale to one of those international holding companies that may step in and dissolve Market Basket entirely.   This has been a successful company that now faces the scrap heap of retail history unless Artie T returns.   It serves as a reminder of how American business has shifted to totally focus on shareholders profits over any other community concerns.   The loyal customers, associates, store managers and even the community as a whole are stakeholders if not stockholders.   Somehow that concept has been forgotten by a few greedy and petty people. 

UPDATE 8/28/14:   We are getting word of an agreement to sell the company to Artie T.   Let's hope this works out as customers, associates and managers return to the stores.   I can't help but think this would have gone differently without the media, consumer and middle management attention. 

An Unexpected Legacy

Robin Williams 1951-2014

The tributes poured in and social media exploded after the news that Robin Williams had killed himself at age 63.   While everybody looks back on his impressive volume of work, I can't help but be struck by how many people are discussing the need to remove the stigma from mental illness.   We have made great progress in dealing more openly about issues that used to be taboo topics.   This should be no exception.   The sad ending to a man who gave so much to all of us serves as a reminder that depression or other forms of mental illness can be found at all levels of society.    For all the comedic roles Robin Williams shared, his performances could also be heartwarming and tragic.   All three elements were reflected in his own life.   His good friend Christopher Reeve bravely showed us life was worth living even through personal tragedy.   Perhaps we can also find inspiration in finding answers to what can prevent others from taking their own lives. 

Farewell to Hartford's Big D

(l-r) Yours truly with recently released WDRC staff
members Rockin' Ron Sedaille, Grahame Winters,
Mike Stevens, Floyd Wright & Jerry Kristafer

Connoisseur Media suddenly and unceremoniously ended a  57-year radio heritage the day they bought WDRC from Buckley Broadcasting and released practically the entire staff.  This was accompanied by a music format shift on their FM side from pop classic hits of the 70's and 80's to a more rock classic hits from the same general era.   The new company triggered a storm of protests on social media who missed the music and personality mix on the "Big D."   Meanwhile, Marlin's WCCC actually gave staffers past and present an afternoon to say goodbye to their rock audience last Friday before big religious broadcaster EMF came in and quickly added their "K-Love" contemporary Christian music network.   Some observations, if you please...

1. The new "102-9 drc" format will probably gain a foothold in Hartford, with some Big D listeners staying put and WCCC classic rock listeners fleeing Christian music.   WHCN "The River" will benefit, too.  WRCH and WWYZ just got a big gift.
2. Business is business and the new guys can do what they want, but the WDRC takeover was handled miserably from day one.  The Big D personalities deserved better.   Connoisseur didn't even handle the social backlash well.
3. I can't help but think yet another shoe will drop before long as Connoisseur looks to get another Hartford FM and broaden its portfolio against two big corporate group competitors.   John Fuller's WMRQ 104.1 is the only one left.    I know John pretty well and he had tried to buy WDRC himself, but I won't try to read his mind.  
4. The Big D appreciation party this past weekend was fantastic and I salute the fans who put this celebration together.   I hope they find suitable alternatives and don't depend on a return to the old format.
5. Since I've experienced a less than storybook ending in some past radio terminations, I know time heals all and you focus on people and things that matter now.   Radio can take a personal commitment and an end to that can sting, but you really will forgive if not forget.
6. Thanks for the memories, Big D!