california state university, northridge

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
THE SPATIAL PRACTICES OF SOUL REBEL RADIO IN
LOS ANGELES’ THIRD WORLD LEFT
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements
For the degree of Master of Arts
Chicano and Chicana Studies
By
Miguel Paredes
August 2012
The thesis of Miguel Paredes is approved:
_________________________
Professor Yreina D. Cervántez
______________________
Date
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Dr. Gabriel Gutierrez
______________________
Date
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Dr. David Rodriguez, Chair
_______________________
Date
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Dedication
To the young people in Los Angeles, to the working class communities in the Third World Left throughout
Southern California especially Elysian Valley aka “Frogtown” in Northeast LA, to the over 50 members of
the Soul Rebel Radio collective especially the founding members Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito,
Teresa, Hasmik, Jorge, XL, Travis, Oriel, and Lex, to the KPFK staff and audience, to the staff of the
CSUN Chican@ Studies Department especially Dr. Rudy Acuña, Dr. Alberto Garcia, Harry Gamboa,
Fermin Herrera, Dr. Mary Pardo, Dr. Gabriel Gutierrez, Yreina D. Cervántez, Dr. Jorge Garcia, Ruben
Mendoza, and posthumously dedicated to Roberto Sifuentes , Dr. Shirlene Soto, and “Toppy” Flores.
To my family especially my mother Lucila Paredes, my father Miguel Paredes Sr., my brother Adrian
Paredes, my sister Gabriela Paredes and her daughter Dahlila and son Ivan, my brother Daniel Paredes, and
his son Diego, to my best friends Mike and Guzman, to my godchildren Juliette, Justin, Isaac, Elia, and
Ehecatl, and to the Fe@s including Pascual, Mixpe, and Chris, but particularly to Ixya Herrera for giving
me the motivation and support to complete my Master’s Degree in Chican@ Studies. I Love You.
Aho Metaquiasen- To All My Relations
In Lak Ech- You are the Other I
Zapata Vive y La Lucha Sigue
I Love LA
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
-Arundhati Roy
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Table of Contents
Signature Page
ii
Dedication
iii
List of Tables
iv
List of Illustrations
v
Abstract
vi
Introduction
1
Chapter 1- Soul Rebel Radio: Alternative Media for Non Commercial Radio
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Subheading- The Challenges to Mainstream Media
Subheading- The Third World Left in Los Angeles
Subheading- The Intersection of Soul and Revolution
Subheading- Soul Rebel Radio and Gender Equity
Subheading- The Revolution in Prime Time
Subheading- Youth Radio in California
7
11
15
18
21
27
Chapter 2- Soul Rebel Radio Themes: The Good, the Great, and the Legendary Shows
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Subheading- Youth Themes
Subheading- Gender Themes
Subheading- Environmental Themes
Subheading- Years as Themes
Subheading- People Themes
Subheading- Concepts as Themes
30
34
38
43
48
54
Chapter/Section 3: Voices of Soul Rebel Radio
68
Subheading- The Ladies of Soul Rebel Radio
Subheading- The Fellas of Soul Rebel Radio
Conclusions of Soul Rebels Radio Voices
69
79
91
Final Thoughts on Soul Rebel Radio
94
References/Bibliography/Works Cited
98
Appendix A: Soul Rebel Radio Terms
100
Appendix B: Results of Quantitative Questions
101
Appendix C: Index of Shows #1-73
102
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List of Illustrations
(A) Soul Rebel Radio Logo
(B) Soul Rebel Radio KPFK Banner
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ABSTRACT
THE SPATIAL PRACTICES OF SOUL REBEL RADIO IN
LOS ANGELES’ THIRD WORLD LEFT
By
Miguel Paredes
For the degree of Master of Arts
Chicano and Chicana Studies
The study examines the results of the case study analysis of Soul Rebel Radio and the use of space
and location by the Chican@ community in the Third World Left in Los Angeles. The term Chican@ is
used interchangeably for Chicanas and Chicanos, and the community makes up a part of what the study
identifies as the Third World Left in Los Angeles. The concept of the Third World Left in Los Angeles is
used to refer to non-majority groups instead of using the term “minority,” and it is used interchangeably
with Chican@s and other communities. Soul Rebel Radio transforms the sound of KPFK and redefines the
meaning of Chican@ radio to produce cultural citizenship. The collective seizes the listener sponsored
community space of the Pacifica Network and reclaims ownership of the public airwaves. The study
demonstrates that Chican@s and the Third World Left in Los Angeles challenge the mainstream
productions of media, negotiate the limits of the structure and format of radio, and create alternative spaces
for themselves and the community. By producing alternative media, Soul Rebel Radio builds community,
develops the self-identity of the collective members, and finds new and young voices. Soul Rebel Radio
does this through an engagement with radio and a spatial practice that is collective, vibrant, original, and
based on the experiences of the Chican@s and members of the Third World Left in Los Angeles. KPFK
forms part of the Pacifica Network, the oldest public radio association in the United States, and it remains
the only independent media outlet in Los Angeles. “Independent Media” is defined as listener sponsored
radio, and the program can be accessed at KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles and at www.kpfk.org. According
to the KPFK website, the Mission of the Pacifica Network is to “promote full distribution of public
information and to employ such varied sources in public presentation of accurate, objective, and
comprehensive news on all matters vitally affecting the community.” By not relying on outside funding, the
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station and the show are free to present a number of different topics to the community. Soul Rebel Radio
liberated a space for youth in Los Angeles, and placed themselves at the core of the narrative to create
media that is culturally, politically, socially, historically, and aesthetically relevant. By employing an autoethnographic method of analysis, the author utilizes qualitative and quantitative studies of media and other
examples of radio to demonstrate that Soul Rebel Radio creates culturally relevant, politically active, and
reconceptualized concepts of space, media, audience, community, and radio production in Los Angeles.
The author demonstrates that youth need to have spaces to exercise their creativity in order to
develop a powerful voice, and the data utilized in this study is drawn from original programs created by
Soul Rebel Radio. Interviews with members of the collective substantiate my claim that participation in the
program was beneficial to individuals and the community. My goal for this study is to demonstrate the
significance of the new knowledge created by radio programs produced by Chican@s and other youth in
Los Angeles. The experimental program does not adhere to traditional radio formats, and Chapter One
details how Soul Rebel Radio presents a challenge to mainstream media. The Third World Left in Los
Angeles represents a challenge to social hierarchy while helping contextualize the space occupied by the
community that makes up most of the Soul Rebel Radio collective. The Intersection of Soul and Revolution
explains one of the goals of the group as the expansion of the definition of uprising to embrace all forms of
dissent including spiritual challenges, philosophical differences, and revolutionary nationalism that could
benefit the community. Another important contribution in this chapter involves Soul Rebel Radio and
Gender Equity. The responsibility for the collective is to ensure the participation of women in every aspect
of the program, develop new voices, and unlearn gender norms that the men in the group can take for
granted. Soul Rebel Radio created the Revolution in Prime Time as an effort to demonstrate how media
shuns the actions of poor, minority, and Chican@ youth in particular, and we confront this by seeking out
individuals to participate in the production of collective forms of knowledge. Finally, the section called
Youth Radio in California is a case study of the Oakland organization that most resembles the focus on
youth produced media established autonomously by the Soul Rebel Radio collective in Los Angeles.
Chapter Two expands on the original work produced by Soul Rebel Radio proving that when
given an opportunity, youth create original programs that help challenge the mainstream representation of
Chican@s and other communities in what Laura Pulido defines as the Third World Left. The purpose of
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Soul Rebel Radio is to highlight, profile, and present young people on the air, and the section highlights
shows related to the core concept of youth. Another key factor for the group is the inclusion of women and
a focus on gender equity, and the section presents programs related to historical challenges to patriarchy led
by the young women in the collective. One of the most pressing issues for Soul Rebel Radio is the
environment, and the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment provides a platform to advocate for
sustainability and respect for Mother Earth. In the seven plus years that Soul Rebel Radio has aired, the
collective has profiled a number of specific years and individuals. Parts of the chapter demonstrate how the
program connects historical moments and central figures that transform our reality. Perhaps Soul Rebel
Radio’s best radio productions revolve around abstract concepts, and the last section of the chapter displays
the power of youth to employ creativity and present critical media capable of educating and entertaining the
community. The purpose of the program is to present youth on the air, but the goal is to recruit young
people to help craft social justice. Soul Rebel Radio, like Chican@ Studies, is a multi-disciplined approach
to understanding the contradictions in society related to race, class, gender, and sexual orientation.
The final chapter of the study includes interviews with the individuals who participated in the
program throughout the years. In general, most members of the collective benefited from the development
of their voice with Soul Rebel Radio. Each member volunteered and participated fully in the production of
original content, and Soul Rebel Radio provided the stage for Chican@s and other members of the Third
World Left to take ownership of the airwaves and create a space for youth on the radio. The young people
who participated took their learned skills found at the intersection of race, class and gender into the
community to effect change. Soul Rebel Radio allowed individuals to speak directly to the community and
in that way help challenge the mainstream images of Chican@s and other members of the Third World Left
that dominate the mainstream television and news media. Even progressive radio stations like KPFK rarely
make concerted efforts to create spaces for youth or people of color, and we changed that. Thus, by
working as a collective with other members of the Third World Left in Los Angeles, Soul Rebel Radio is
able to present each theme as completely as possible. In short, Soul Rebel Radio provides young people in
Los Angeles an opportunity to express ideas and find their voice while producing a monthly show based on
a specific theme that is politically relevant to the community. To date, more than 70 original programs in 7
plus years of production have been created by in excess of 50 members of the Soul Rebel Radio collective.
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Introduction
When Soul Rebel Radio presented the “Election” show in November 2006, the program was airing
on a monthly basis for less than a year, and we were still trying to create a space for young people from the
Third World Left at KPFK. We started the process of creating this program when the country was in the
midst of re-electing President George W. Bush under questionable circumstances. Few members of the
collective participated wholeheartedly in the electoral process, and the show was designed to be a look at
elections from the perspective of marginalized communities of color. The “Election” show presented an
interview with Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers, as well as one of the few known
English interviews with Sub-Comandante Marcos of the EZLN in Mexico. Huerta explained the
importance of mobilizing the Latino immigrant community to become citizens and vote, while Marcos
pointed the audience towards a revolutionary perspective that involves working every day towards change.
Both views are significant and help provide a breath of perspectives that disputes the false pretense that
pretends to empower the American electorate every four years during the Presidential election. Soul Rebel
Radio believes that the youth in the community hold the power and that people have the potential to
exercise their collective strength every day. By the time the show aired, we had interviewed Dolores Huerta
and provided the audience with a rare English dialogue with Sub-Comandante Marcos. In a fairly short
amount of time, I felt that Soul Rebel Radio had arrived on an international and local stage by creating a
unique space in Los Angeles that focused on issues important to youth in the Third World Left community.
This master thesis uses a case study of KPFK’s Soul Rebel Radio program to examine the
collective structures and spatial practices used to develop the voices of young men and women from Los
Angeles’ Third World Left. KPFK is part of the Pacifica Network and forms the only independent media
outlet in Los Angeles, yet the space has tended to reflect an older, white, and left of center principle. As a
whole, the programming and the audience is not representative of the entire City of Los Angeles because it
lacks young people and communities of color. I felt that it was necessary to take ownership of the airwaves
and produce content that was reflective of the youth’s lived experience in Los Angeles. Mainstream media
omits or distorts the likeness of young people from the Third World Left, and although the political
undertones of KPFK tend to be left of center, ranging from liberal to progressive, the programming
demonstrates aspects of class stratification, cultural differences, as well as philosophical disagreements that
do not allow the station’s audience to expand past a small aging group of like-minded thinkers. Soul Rebel
Radio is the lone youth oriented program in the history of the only independent media outlet in Los
Angeles, according to the extensive archive records at KPFK, and as such it employs a unique space in
radio and the progressive community. This study includes a review of existing research about progressive
media, and it contains an index of all 72 original programs with several major themes highlighted. The
master’s thesis concludes with interviews and surveys of past and current members of the collective who
explain what it was like to work on the show. The members of the collective utilize retrofitted memory to
explain how working on the show impacted them as individuals, but more importantly as members of the
Third World Left community that Soul Rebel Radio serves. Many collective members found their voice or
refined their skills, and most developed into productive individuals and professionals. The overwhelming
majority of members of the collective had a positive experience producing a show that challenged
mainstream media and each other to invent new spatial practices in Los Angeles’ Third World Left.
In this study, I utilized auto-ethnography as well as qualitative and quantitative studies of media
and other examples of radio to demonstrate that this spatial engagement by Soul Rebel Radio takes place in
a public forum such as KPFK. The result is the creation of culturally relevant, politically active, and
reconceptualized concepts of space, media, audience, and specifically radio production in Los Angeles’
Third World Left. As the only continuous member of the collective, I approached all the founding members
about joining the group, and as the creator and executive producer of the show, the author of this study is
responsible for ensuring that a radio show is ready to air each month. Conventional radio has an established
format and hierarchical structure that allows few people of color, including members of the Chican@
community, to engage in the process. This is especially true if the individual attempts to express ideas that
go against the established norms, but Soul Rebel Radio is a special case. I submitted the original proposal
to the Program Director for an 8-week series, and had to confront pressure from the station when the
collective decided to successfully plead our case for a monthly time slot to KPFK’s Local Station Board
meeting. It was never my intention to create a Chicano@ show because our initial goal was to present
young people on the radio, but I must admit that Soul Rebel Radio is an example of youth and Chican@
radio. Although most of the members of the collective are Chican@s, it was never my intent for the group
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to merely promote Chican@ issues. Instead, the original contributions produced by young people tend to
reflect the reality of Los Angeles in general, and the effects of inequality on all working class communities.
Soul Rebel Radio is not just a youth radio show, a Chican@ program, or even a Los Angeles phenomenon,
but instead it forms part of what Benedict Anderson refers to as the “imagined community” for social
justice that we have nurtured for over seven years on the air in Los Angeles. Soul Rebel Radio does not
function as a traditional hierarchy of authority because the structure is more democratic and employs a
collective model of organizing that tends to be more egalitarian, horizontal, and communal.
Soul Rebel Radio defies all preconceived notions of what young people can produce, about the
interests of the Chican@s and other Third World Left communities, and of how to create a program using a
collective model. For over seven years, Soul Rebel Radio has continued to surpass my own expectations for
survival by airing an original radio program on KPFK, the only independent media outlet in L.A. By using
the model of collective decision making, we provide youth a platform to find their voice and create radical
new definition of alternative media. In this way, we created something completely novel at KPFK, resulting
in the creation of a radio program that is unlike anything else on the airwaves today. Over 50 different
young people have volunteered to develop original content for Soul Rebel Radio, and while some may
work for several months, many of the core members of the collective stay on for years. From the beginning,
I designed Soul Rebel Radio with the objective of providing an opportunity to anyone willing to work
towards a collective goal of producing original content, and we encourage burgeoning media producers to
practice their skills in writing, reporting, hosting, production, and editing with help from experienced
members. I don’t know of another space in Los Angeles where youth can freely participate in radio
production in a collective manner, learn skills that can last a lifetime, and listen to their work on the air
each month. Thus, Soul Rebel Radio is a unique space even on independent media outlets because rarely, if
ever, is the freedom created for youth from the Third World Left community to participate and learn how to
produce radio collectively. The spatial practices of Soul Rebel Radio in Los Angeles’ Third World Left
prove that more spaces are necessary for youth to produce media that challenges preconceived notions of
young people and the Chican@ community.
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Chapter 1
Soul Rebel Radio: Alternative Media for Non Commercial Radio
Soul Rebel Radio was established by the author Miguel Paredes and the collective aired the first
radio show on April 22, 2005. The program was originally intended to challenge the lack of participation
and representation of young people and youthful voices on KPFK. The program was created after 9/11
when the mainstream media rarely, if ever, presented any form of dissent. The status quo generally viewed
rebelliousness as un-patriotic, yet the aspiration of the show was to present a platform for youthful and
revolutionary ideas. Meanwhile, the programming at the Pacifica Network consisted of mostly older, white,
and male voices that leaned towards a dogmatic left, and this places people of color and youth at the
periphery of the core group of media makers. The program was purposefully formed as a collective from
the start, and the format for the show would include aspects of news, talk, and music with a Soul Rebel
twist that contains skits, interviews, and segments that challenge the audience as well as the mainstream
perception of what radio sounds like in Los Angeles. For over seven years, Soul Rebel Radio has aired on
the first Friday of the month at 7pm, and produced a monthly radio program based on a theme. In the
process, we have created over 70 original programs ranging from Revolution to Marriage and from War to
Peace. Perhaps the most innovative aspect of Soul Rebel Radio is the inclusion of young people, women,
and specifically communities of color to tell their stories, find their voice, and help create a space that
fosters creativity. Soul Rebel Radio defines youth as being between the ages of 13-35, community as the
working class people of the Third World Left of Los Angeles, and the audience as the imagined community
created simultaneously by the collective and the listeners.
A better description of Soul Rebel Radio might be a collective of people of color with an emphasis
on promoting the perspectives and issues that are important to youth from the city of Los Angeles. The
creation of youth, community, and alternative representations of people of color on independent radio
stations such as KPFK help document and define the image of Chican@s and others in the Third World
Left that challenge portrayals by mainstream media outlets, the social constructs, and the controlling
images. The Pacifica Network began in the Bay Area as KPFA in 1949, and the radio station in Los
Angeles was established in 1959. Due to the reach of the frequency and the largest collection of radio
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archives on progressive movements, KPFK “is the most powerful of the Pacifica stations and indeed is the
most powerful public radio station in the Western United States” according to the website. The network
was inspired by a reporter and pacifist named Lewis Hill who was fired from a job in mainstream news and
created the world’s first listener sponsored station to report the truth. For over 50 years, KPFK has helped
to document and report the facts and the history of progressive movements locally and around the world.
Unfortunately, as movements have evolved, the sound, rhetoric, and style of reporting remained the same at
KPFK and the programming has failed to appeal to the youth that make up the communities of color that
represent the majority in Los Angeles today. The need to create a program that would appeal to the youth
and especially people of color was absolutely necessary and long overdue, but it would take a collective of
young people called Soul Rebel Radio to change that at KPFK.
Most of the founding members of the Soul Rebel Radio collective include individuals who
participated in the World Festival of Youth and Students that took place in Caracas, Venezuela in 2005.
The theme of the gathering was “For Peace and Solidarity, We Struggle Against Imperialism and War,”
and the gathering focused on the creation of 21st Century Socialism that would guide young people in the
neoliberal global structure. The youth who participated from Los Angeles helped challenge the Marxist
perception of what it meant to be a revolutionary, and although the festival is usually associated with
communist organizations, the L.A. delegation was not strictly a socialist group. The Los Angeles coalition
worked as a small rebel army within the World Festival structure and operated as a collective to provide the
U.S. delegation with alternative perspectives of “revolution.” The delegation included political influences
such as the Zapatista Rebellion, Central American revolutionary struggles, Feminism, and other progressive
ideas from the Third World Left. A collective is defined here as a group of people working together to
complete a common goal and make decisions without a specific or identifiable decision maker determining
the course for the rest of the group. Upon returning to Los Angeles, the group wanted to find a space to
practice this model of organizing. The L.A. delegation worked together for months to organize a group of
youth that traveled to Venezuela in 2005, so they already had experience working as a collective. This spirit
of unity carried over into the budding collective called Soul Rebel Radio, which was originally made up of
Chican@s, Marxists, Vietnamese, Liberals, Jews, Central Americans, South Americans and Armenians
members, about half of which were women. The diversity of voices and communities provides a space for
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collective decision making, creative media productions, and a vibrant program that can attempt to represent
the Third World Left in Los Angeles.
As explained in the Radical Reader (2003), Americans have a long tradition of rebellion that dates
back to the birth of the United States and the American Revolution. This tradition has been maintained and
expanded by marginalized people who were excluded from consideration in the founding documents such
as communities of color, women, and rebels who go against the grain. In 1776, the United States of
America was created and the Declaration of Independence emphasized a principle ethic that would sustain
democracy thriving after the birth of the new nation, “whenever any form of government becomes
destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and institute new government,
laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form” (44). This document
written by the founders of the country provides citizens an explicit space to redress grievances and the
collective uses radio to expand that definition. The Bill of Rights includes the First Amendment which
affirms that, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably
to assemble, and to petition the government” (55). The ideas of free speech and freedom of the press are
fundamental right in this country, and we feel that they are not exercised sufficiently. After freeing himself
both as a physical slave and a spiritual human being, Frederick Douglass proclaimed in his 1845 Narrative
of the Life of Frederick Douglass, “The silver trump of freedom had roused my soul to eternal wakefulness.
Freedom now appeared, to disappear no more forever. It was heard in every sound, and seen in every thing”
(142). The abolition tradition continues today, but the metaphor of a freed slave can be used to represent
someone with the ability to think critically. In 1911, Emma Goldman wrote in Anarchism: What it Really
Stands For that, “The history of human growth and development is at the same time the history of the
terrible struggle of every new idea heralding the approach of a brighter dawn” (289). Goldman’s concept of
anarchy helped influence Ricardo Flores Magon, who in turn inspired Emiliano Zapata to take up the
slogan “Land and Liberty,” and this notion remains the soul of the Mexican Revolution. Goldman believed,
“The individual instinct is the thing of value in this world. It is the true soul that sees and creates the truth
alive, out of which is to come a still greater truth, the reborn social soul.” (291). Goldman represents a long
line of revolutionary women that have shaped the course of history to also include her story in the narrative.
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A production of media that is capable of creating what Kalle Lasn describes in the Radical Reader
(2003) as Culture Jamming, or the disruption of mainstream cultural institutions, and also owning the
following statement is rare in the 21st Century. It can be said of Soul Rebel Radio,
“We are a very diverse tribe. Our people range from born again Lefties to Green entrepreneurs to
fundamental Christians who don’t like what television is doing to their kids; from punk anarchist
to communication professors to advertising executives searching for a new role in life. Many of us
are longtime activists who in the midst of our best efforts suddenly felt spiritually winded.” (Lasn
632).
A future revolution will not only be fought on the streets, but “It will be an enormous culture jam, a
protracted war of ideas, ideologies and visions of the future. It may take a generation or even more. But it
will be done” (Lasn 635). Soul Rebel Radio is the attempt to create media art in Los Angeles that is free for
youth and community members from the Third World Left to exercise rights that are the basis of an
American tradition of values that emphasizes the responsibility of rebellion, the freedom of the press, a
lifetime of wakefulness, and the search for a soul within a space and location.
The Challenge to Mainstream Media
Soul Rebel Radio is a program that includes young people, members of the community, and a fair
representation of the population of Los Angeles with a goal of producing a monthly radio show and
challenging mainstream media. In the book Manufacturing Consent (1988), the authors Edward S. Herman
and Noam Chomsky deconstruct mass media and illustrate how the marketplace and the publishing
companies help shape the news, how issues are framed, and what topics are covered. Having grown up in
Los Angeles’ Third World between the Hollywood Studios and Disneyland, I can attest to how mass media
has shaped the news, framed issues, and covered topics with prejudice towards Chican@s. Of particular
importance to my study is the “Propaganda Model” in which the authors explain who owns the media, the
influence of advertisement, mass media, the roll of “flak” or fluff pieces, the use of anti-communism as a
control mechanism, and lastly how the function of propaganda serve to control the masses. In the United
States, propaganda is manipulated for the benefit of the authorities and the wealthy own the media, have
influence over advertising, and exploit censure for the benefit of the power structure. The owners of the
means of production also use fear tactics in mass media to manage the masses, and communism and
terrorism are two ideas that help the power structure to maintain control and create new policies that limit
7
civil liberties. Soul Rebel Radio challenges pre-conceived notions of mass media and this is made possible
by operating within the Pacifica Network at KPFK, which is the only independent media outlet in L.A. The
collective is able to achieve this because the radio station does not broadcast commercials or adhere to the
protocols of the mainstream press in the United States. The policy at KPFK and the spatial practices of Soul
Rebel Radio enables for true freedom of the press, and the beneficiaries are the community and individuals.
The study of Soul Rebel Radio helps demonstrate how to go against what Chomsky explains as
the traditional role of the media within the propaganda model. He states, “In countries where the levers of
power are in the hands of a state bureaucracy, the monopolistic control over the media, often supplemented
by official censorship, makes it clear that the media serve the ends of a dominant elite” (1). In Los Angeles,
we see that the media is designed to set an agenda, create a profit, run like a business, legitimize sources,
deal with pushback, and produce a dichotomy that places revolutionary ideas outside of the accepted filters.
In short, “a propaganda approach to media coverage suggests a systematic and highly political
dichotomization in news coverage based on serviceability to important domestic power interests” (35).
Mainstream media has no place for young people or communities of color in Los Angeles despite the fact
that it’s the second largest media market in the United States, but we made a place for this diverse
population. Chomsky further concludes that unfavorable material and ideas deemed inconvenient by the
mainstream media are excluded to serve a political end, but Soul Rebel Radio embraces such concepts.
Examples like Radio Free Europe, Radio Hanoi, and Radio Zinzine are therefore relegated to falling into a
dichotomy that serves the interests of the power or in some cases against the structure. Chomsky adds, “The
potential value of noncommercial radio can be perceived in sections of the country where stations such as
Pacifica Radio offer a view of the world, depth of coverage, and scope of discussion and debate that is
generally excluded from the major media” (307). Chomsky thereby validates the importance of
independent media in the United States and specifically in Los Angeles thanks to KPFK, but Soul Rebel
Radio took this a step further. Soul Rebel Radio on the Pacifica Network’s KPFK station in Los Angeles
represents an example of a space where the mainstream media is challenged and “Only to the extent that
such developments succeed can we hope to see media that are free and independent” (307). The fact is that
too few places exist where it is possible for youth or community of color to challenge mainstream media.
Soul Rebel challenges the mainstream media to be more inclusive of youth, women, and members of the
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Third World Left. The collective understands that media is traditionally designed to manufacture consent,
but in contrast, the responsibility of Soul Rebel Radio is to present the truth.
What is clear is that the owners of the media do not provide enough spaces for youth and
especially people of color to express their truth in film, theatre, television, or radio. The New Media
Monopoly (2009) is a provocative critique of mass media first published in 1983. The book presents a dire
prediction of corporate ownership and advertising of the nation’s news which today transcends differences
in language, culture, social class, and literacy to transform social relations, politics, economics, and legal
structures. Despite the proliferation of new technology, the mainstream press is controlled by a few owners
and the result is a monopoly of media that impacts the message. Soul Rebel Radio has covered the theme of
the “media” and the role that the press and the media monopoly play. Each radio show challenges the
notion that corporate consolidation within the marketplace of ideas must be accepted, and today the number
of corporations controlling the American medium has dwindled down to single digits. Soul Rebel Radio on
KPFK is one of the few spaces in Los Angeles, or the United States for that matter, where young people
from the Third World Left can find their voice and tell their stories in a creative and rebellious space on the
air, but the collective had to work for many years to earn this space.
Increasingly, the owners of the most significant institutions involved in the production of media
including radio, newspapers, magazines, television, books, films, and now the internet, are held in the
hands of a select few corporations and individuals. Bagdikian (2009) explains that what we are left with is,
“The major news media overwhelmingly quote the men and women who lead hierarchies of power” (19),
so the youth and communities of color in the U.S. are left voiceless and without representation in the
media. Soul Rebel Radio is a space where the testimony of a young person is accepted on the same level as
an expert in the field. Many groups and issues are left outside of the mainstream press where “Citizen
groups issuing serious contrary studies and proposals for mending gaps in the social fabric get only
sporadic and minimal attention in the major media” (19). Most of the issues that are important to working
class people in the Third World Left are ignored altogether by the media, but they are given attention by
Soul Rebel Radio. Bagdikian adds that from 1934 to 1980, citizens were able to produce their own radio,
but once these opportunities ended, one of the best known examples of unlicensed pirate radio became
“Free Radio Berkeley’ based in van that moved to different locations in the hills about that city and
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broadcast news of interest and notice of educational events to the community and its minority groups”
(141). According to Bagdikian, the youth are not taking this monopoly of the media lightly and “the active
political direction for the country has seen the growth, thanks mostly to the Internet, of movements of
mostly younger men and women who have had a serious influence on public thinking on policy matters and
in voting” (148). Soul Rebel Radio is one such example where a group of mostly youth from Los Angeles
located in the second largest media market in the U.S. decided to take matters into our own hands. We
agreed to confront the media monopoly as a collective, to exercise the rights of a free press, and we took
ownership of the radio to create independent media by any means necessary. The Soul Rebel Radio
collective confronted the media monopoly by generating a public relations effort that includes the creation
of original fliers for each show, and the collective and community helps us promote the show on social
media sites and email list serves.
In News That Matters (1987), the authors Shanto Iyengar and Donald R. Kinder are one of the
earliest scholars to articulate the effect that news programs create in regards to order and how this shapes
public opinion, thus affecting the way Americans are politicized. The authors demonstrate that issues which
are covered extensively by the mainstream press emerge as more significant than themes that are
disregarded, and this affects the credibility of our political choices. Of particular importance is the chapter
titled “The Agenda Setting Effect” that explains how the public is manipulated by an invisible hand that
creates the program we are all forced to follow. It’s clear that mass media on both the right and the left
have a political agenda and media is used as the platform to convey those messages. Soul Rebel Radio
covers a number of themes and issues relevant to marginalized communities which are ignored by the
mainstream media, and in this way, we challenge the perception that an idea without a place, a voice, or
press coverage is ignored. By providing revolutionary theory a position of importance in the context of the
Third World Left community of Los Angeles, Soul Rebel Radio helps the youth to become politicized.
Participation in the show or merely listening to the program helps individuals to become politically
educated because Soul Rebel Radio has a clear conviction. Each month, Soul Rebel Radio explores a theme
using the lens of revolutionary and liberal minded youth from Los Angeles’ Third World Left, and this
informs our ability as a group to create news that matters and important programs that help to educate the
community and appeal to the young and apolitical.
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Mass communication has the ability to shape the political course of a country because the news
that is covered by the mainstream press is what gains the most importance in the eyes of the citizenship. To
that end, Iyengar and Kinder (1987) note, “[Walter] Lippmann was not exaggerating the political
significance of this relationship when he wrote that citizens ‘who have lost their grip upon the relevant facts
of their environment are the inevitable victims of agitation and propaganda” (3). This lack of information
and ignorance enables corporations, the government, and the powerful to take advantage of the general
population, but Soul Rebel Radio provides a platform to inform the community and challenge these
institutions. Iyengar and Kinder prove that news shapes the public’s political conscious, “Serious and
systematic empirical research on mass media and American politics began in the 1930’s, motivated by both
the spread of fascism abroad and by what many took to be sinister proliferation of radio at home” (116).
Iyengar and Kinder conclude that although political persuasion is difficult to achieve, agenda setting is
pervasive, and “news clearly and decisively influences the priorities that people attach to various national
problems, and the considerations they take into account as they evaluate political leaders” (117). What
remains clear to Soul Rebel Radio is that the audience expects a level of impartiality because as the
authors’ note, “As a professional ideology, objectivity includes three commitments: to independence
(journalism should be free from political pressures); to balance (journalism should present without favor
the positions of all contending parties) and objectivity” (131). Unfortunately as we see in Los Angeles, this
is not always the case because most media outlets are intolerant of alternative standpoints. Soul Rebel
Radio produces media that is relevant to the audience, and we have an ability to influence political
discourse, but the goal is to produce objective knowledge in spite of mainstream media exclusion. Keeping
to its original vision, the program does its best to represent communities of color, youth, and the issues that
are relevant to the Third World Left in Los Angeles.
The Third World Left in Los Angeles
Thanks in large part to the diversity of the Los Angeles area and the Soul Rebel Radio collective,
one of the greatest challenges the group faced was the dismissive notion that it was merely a “Chicano
show” on KPFK. A Chican@ is mostly understood as a Mexican American, but I define Chican@s as being
Indigenous people living on stolen land in the United States, and thus my identity extends beyond a strict
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nationalist understanding. In Making Latino News (1999), America Rodriguez looks at the production of
“Latino news” where Latin@s are creating a cultural, social, and political membership in US culture, and
she examines the larger narrative of the cultural production and conception of US born Latin Americans. In
regards to meaning, there are several chapters which are important to this study, and especially the
theoretical context of “What is Latino News?” Soul Rebel Radio presents an interesting challenge in that
the goal is to present a youthful perspective to the KPFK audience, but the result is that we are in essence a
Chican@ program and therein lies one of the fundamental questions that has framed the production of the
program: Is Soul Rebel Radio a representation of Chican@ Media or is it merely a reflection of the
demographics in Los Angeles? I think that former Los Angeles Times and KMEX reporter Ruben Salazar
would agree that the show is a reflection of the staff members at the time of production, but there can be no
denying that the show has a linear history that includes a vigorous representation of Chican@ mediamakers, writers, producers, and artists throughout the years.
If one is inclined to create media in Los Angeles, it is almost inevitable that the production will
include and/or cover the Chican@, Mexican American, and Latin@ population. Based on my experiences
in Los Angeles, I can attest that not all the news programs are respectful of the Chican@ community or
represent the group accurately. Scholars such as Felix Gutierrez have written extensively on Spanish
language radio and other media matters, and his contribution provides a wealth of invaluable information
on the subject. And according to America Rodriguez (1999), early pioneers like Pedro Gonzalez created
programs like “Los Madrugadores” or (The Early Risers) in 1927 by broadcasting out of KELW in
Burbank, but “For these immigrant radio producers in the late 1920s and early 1930s, the audience was not
in any sense an abstract one. Rather, programming was shaped within the immigrant enclave; face to face
communication was key” (29). The proliferation of over 5 Million Latinos living in the metropolitan area
allows for the creation of such institutions as KMEX Channel 34 operated by Univision, the newspaper La
Opinion, and radio stations like KLVE which typically rank at the top of Los Angeles area radio stations.
Rodriguez explains, “Los Angeles, since the 19th Century, has been a primary destination of Latin
American migrants, and consequently immigration has been a central topic of Los Angeles Latino-oriented
news” (109). There are differences between mainstream and Spanish language media according to
Rodriguez, and typically Latino newsmakers tend to provide “attention to news in which Latinos and
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Mexicans are the central players” whereas “the [Los Angeles] Times gives prominence to the actions of
government officials and others of the Los Angeles area majority culture” (114). Unlike most media
productions in Los Angeles, Latino news is representative of the market and also “seeks to reflect its
imagined audience back to itself through daily re-creation of the Los Angeles area Latino news agenda”
(114). Thus the media producers of Latino news like the members of the Soul Rebel Radio collective are
located in the community. Rodriguez believes that Latin@s produce “Latino News” that is grounded in the
larger Latin American immigrant narrative and contextualized in the US society. Soul Rebel Radio believes
that news produced in Los Angeles matters, and central to the theme for Latinos is cultural, social, and
political membership in the United States. Rodriquez’ book, like my study, is created from a location where
the Latino is excluded and the focus is on how “structural and cultural globalization forces are manifest in
U.S.” (7). Soul Rebel Radio produces a monthly radio program and creates a space for youth and
community to use their voice to create awareness of important issues and remain grounded in the
community, yet the goal is not necessarily to create Latino News. Instead, the show profiles members of the
collective who originate from Latin American countries or who identify as members of the Chican@
community in Los Angeles, and we provide the space for young people to produce news.
I created the Soul Rebel Radio collective to provide a framework for looking at revolution from a
radical and soulful perspective that also challenged the pre-conceived notions of what it meant to be a
young revolutionary. Publications like Occupied America: A History of the Chicanos (1988) by Rodolfo
Acuña, A People’s History of the United States (1990) by Howard Zinn, and The Radical Reader (2003)
edited by Timothy Patrick McCarthy and John McMillian, provide a comprehensive collection of
important American radical traditions. I was taught by Dr. Rudy Acuña, exposed to the writings of Howard
Zinn by the Chican@ Studies professor Dr. Alberto Garcia, and I reviewed the The Radical Reader for my
thesis study, but the canon of the Third World Left has shaped the lives of other members of the collective.
These books ignited, directed, and refined topics such as Revolution, Feminism, Land, Labor, Communism,
Anarchy, Chican@ Power, Black Power, Counterculture, Radical Environmentalism, Queer Liberation, and
Modern Leftist Movement. The contributions include several important documents, positions, stories,
declarations, and manifestos in the American radical tradition that have shaped the US from the American
Revolution to the 21st Century. Soul Rebel Radio has covered over 70 themes in 7 years of existence
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ranging from Revolution to Feminism and Environmentalism to Anarchy. The subjects included in these
and other books are important starting points for the show, and they have provided a space to explore the
standpoint of the Third World Left in Los Angeles.
The book Black, Brown, Yellow, and Left: Radical Activism in Los Angeles (2006) by Laura
Pulido is an important look at the roots of the Third World Left in Los Angeles during the 1960’s and 70’s.
Pulido explains how different groups transformed the concepts of race, class, gender, and alliances between
the Chican@, African American, Asian, and Leftist organizations in Los Angeles. For the purpose of this
study, I will use the explanation provided by Pulido of what is defined as the Third World Left in Los
Angeles. The book examines the contributions, challenges, and contradictions in Los Angeles to illustrate
that the Third World Left made independent and collective efforts to transform the political landscape in
the region. The book helps to place Soul Rebel Radio within a historic context of Third World Leftists in
Los Angeles, and this legacy includes past examples of unified endeavors. Soul Rebel Radio has made
concerted efforts to be representative of the African-American, Latin@, Asian, and Marxist communities in
Los Angeles along with our working class European-American brothers and sisters, but I can admit that we
can always improve the diversity of the group. Our efforts are collective, genuine, and grounded in the
experience of working with diverse groups of people, and based on the organizations highlighted in the
book and our experience in L.A., Soul Rebel Radio presents a unique effort to include diverse voices and
work with other communities to produce an original radio program in a radical and creative space.
Laura Pulido places Black, Brown, and Asian Organizations within the Third World Left
community to explain some of the successes and failures of radicals in Los Angeles. Pulido places value in
efforts to bring communities together in the L.A. area, “If Los Angeles is able to forge such a movement,
particularly involving recent Asian and Latina/o immigrants, it could make a real impact on the city and
serve as a model for other places” (227). Soul Rebel Radio has provided a model for youth from the
immigrant Latino and Asian communities to express themselves, but we can always do more. One force
that is at work in Los Angeles is neoliberalism and “Globalization, the growing integration of capital,
commodities, and people across the world. This has become a major concern over the past decade, as it
presents both challenges and opportunities” (227). We believe that within every crisis is an opportunity to
create change, and Soul Rebel Radio has managed to survive despite a prolonged economic crisis that
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began in 2008. The city is an important metropolis and center of media production, and as forms of
communication evolve, “globalization plays out differently across space. And given that Los Angeles is
considered a ‘global city,’ with elements of both the “First World” and the “Third World,” it has a
distinctive character” (227). Los Angeles is a unique city with cultural diversity at the intersection of
wealth and poverty, and with a large immigrant population, so many of the challenges to the status quo
come from the Third World Left. One thing left clear by Pulido is that the lack of spirituality in the
movement disallows people to move forward in rough times, “Many saw the need for individuals,
organizations, and political cultures to address questions pertaining to existence/nature of souls; humans’
relationship to other beings; healing; peace; and the importance of creating social change from within”
(237). Soul Rebel produces media that includes elements of the Third World Left in Los Angeles and we
are representative of an experience that is radical, transnational, globalized, and we try to infuse a spirit that
when lacking in a group, has led to the failure of many individuals and organizations in Los Angeles.
At the Intersection of Soul and Revolution
Chicana Art (2007) by Laura Perez is a fascinating look at the evolution of spiritual and aesthetic
altarities in the Chican@ community, and this connection between the spirit and art is a central principle in
the production of Soul Rebel Radio. Apart from the few examples of youth and Chican@ voices on KPFK,
there also seems to be a lack of spirituality that would ground the political rhetoric in the left, and we aim
to create a spirit of rebelliousness. Perez explains, “the arts have the potential, in Nahuatl expressions, to
create integrity between ‘the face and soul’ of their beholders, as well as in their makers. Likewise, they do
indeed mirror the superficial, visionary, or conflicted soul of the societies we live in” (306). This
connection between what is seen on the surface and what we feel in the soul is precisely what Soul Rebel
Radio hopes to create when we produce each show. Specifically, the chapter “Spirit, Glyph” and the
conclusion “Self, Other” offer valuable insight into the symbolism and self identity created in the
production of art. The idea of face and soul is an Aztec (Nahuatl) metaphor of a complete person, and the
reflection of spirit, art, change, and transformation. Our goal for Soul Rebel Radio is to create a complete
representation of every topic we cover by using political and soulful expressions of art to challenge the
established norms presented in the mainstream media and create a Third World Left offering.
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Chicanas have been at the forefront of creating art that is located within a known sense of
spirituality, and they have been producing many examples that illustrate this point. For example, “Chicanas
were engaging in the spiritual alongside more familiar areas of social struggle (gender, sexuality, class,
“race”) as another terrain upon which to challenge the cultural blind spots in mainstream values, in our
assumptions and dismissals” (Perez 3). The same can be said of Soul Rebel Radio because we too engage
in a battle over spiritual terrain along with the more known areas of social struggle, and we do not believe
that spirituality is the sole possession of Christian right fundamentalists. Cultural productions of knowledge
are prevalent in the Chicano community, but Perez explains “Chicana intellectuals and artists from 1960s to
the present have self-consciously referenced spiritual beliefs and practices as culturally complex and
contested social terrains where dominant cultural understandings… are reproduced or rescripted” (8). Of
importance to Soul Rebel Radio and at the center of our vision is the importance of ways of knowing
through spirit, inner knowledge, the divine within, the supernatural, and the spirit world, and they are
spaces where Chicanas operate to “contribute to a greater and more healing understanding of ourselves and
each other, and that we may be spurred along on the great spiritual, social, political, and artistic adventure
of more fully realizing our best selves, societies, and globe” (307). Perez illustrates how altarities that unite
the spiritual and political are practiced in the Chicana community and how this impacts the creation of art
in Los Angeles including in such collectives as Soul Rebel Radio. Our show occupies a space in Los
Angeles between the rebellious and the spiritual to produce a dialect of art that stands as an offering to the
community and a prayer to the spirit world. Our goal each month is to create a complete representation on
the surface that touches the heart and soul of each individual in the hopes of transforming Third World L.A.
One of the fundamental aspects of Soul Rebel Radio was the use of what Cynthia A. Young
describes as Soul Power (2006) where she presents a history of culture, radicalism, and the making of a
U.S. Third World Left. The U.S. movement borrowed heavily from Third World movements around the
world and applied them to the struggle for social and economic justice in the United States and this has
impacted our show. Young analyzes a range of figures and organizations including the LA Rebellion, also
known as the LA Riots, to place the U.S. Third World Left in the history of the American struggle for
social justice. The section titled “Union Power, Soul Power” analyzes class struggle by cultural means and
demonstrates the relationship between culture and politics as well as the positive effect of using organizing
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tactics. Soul Rebel Radio employs approaches learned in our experiences as organizers, collective decision
making, and cultural representations to demonstrate our brand of “Soul Power,” and the group examines the
intersection of soul and rebellion in Los Angeles within the communities of the U.S. Third World Left.
The book Soul Power (2006) has some gaps, but it serves a number of purposes and provides an
understanding of what it means to be part of the Third Word Left. It does not explain how people of color
see themselves or how the Third World understands themselves, but according to Young, “Indeed, the very
use of the term Third World brings with it (among other things) a history shaped by racism, imperialism,
colonialism, and a ruthless capital-accumulation drive that depends on a self /other logic ultimately about
the self rather than the other” (12). Soul Rebel Radio does not see the focus on young people from the
Third World Left as starting from a position of weakness, but instead I present it as the recognition of a
system that does not accept the Chican@s and other members of marginalized communities. A number of
people of color movements in the United States during the 60’s were inspired by the Cuban Revolution. In
particular, the Third World Left in the U.S. studied the use of technology and the production of radical
media in Cuba and Young notes, “Cubans also heard the news of the guerillas’ progress over Radio
Rebelde, a station the rebel army had set up in the Sierra Maestra to contravene Batista’s censorship codes”
(23). I was completely inspired by “Rebel Radio,” and Soul Rebel Radio members have studied the use of
media by the Cuban Revolution and other revolutionary struggles in Latin America. Today, the Cuban
Revolution continues to create an independent culture through the use of mass media such as posters,
programs, and radio that influences the Chican@ community and others in the Third World Left. Social
change can be achieved where there is resistance to institutions, and in this way, these challenges to
mainstream media can eventually help overturn the power structure. Soul Rebel Radio believes that
revolution can be realized if enough youth challenge the social institutions and overturn the power
structure. Young concludes, “US Third World Leftists built alternative communities that offered
transnational forms of solidarity and strength. Doing so required a certain political leap of faith, a
transcendence of the outer and the inner, of the material and the spiritual.” (252). Soul Rebel Radio has
been inspired by the Cuban Revolution, motivated by struggles around the world, and enthused by the
proliferation of the Third World Left in Los Angeles, and the show incorporates both material and spiritual
practices in the creation of a cultural, radical, and soulful space that present productions of knowledge.
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The Soul Rebel Radio Collective and Gender Equity
Chicana Power (2011) by Maylei Blackwell presents the contested histories of Feminism in the
Chicano Movement through a variety of disciplines including Chicana Studies, Gender Studies, American
Studies, Sociology, History, and Cultural Studies and in the process is able to illustrate the gap between the
rhetoric of equality and the organizational culture. Soul Rebel Radio strives to present gender equity and a
balanced female/male perspective and that binary has always served to keep the collective grounded in the
community. The men in the group have not always appreciated the focus on gender issues and it has created
instance of conflict when it is ignored. Throughout our history on the air, the show examines issues and
themes that are important to Chicanas and women, and we include a number of Chicanas on the program as
well as an excellent gender balance. I would never imply that Soul Rebel Radio is a Utopian or Feminist
stronghold because there is still much work to be done before that is true, but we keep working towards a
fair gender balance. The organizational culture tends to be male dominated and hetero-normative, and the
members of the collective with the longest tenures are men, but although there is much room for growth,
we won’t apologize for the male’s commitment to the program. The fact that Soul Rebel Radio recognizes
the importance of gender balance and issue relevant to women represents an important step in the
development of the Chican@ Movement because equilibrium is built in and explicitly included by the
collective. More can still be done to improve gender relations and develop an even safer space for all
women to participate. Unfortunately at times, the men in the group tend to act too familiar and
unprofessional and for that I do take full responsibility. Given the fact that there are different levels of
awareness, this problem is something that the group must continuously address in order to resolve this issue
and keep moving forward as a creative collective of young women and men from Los Angeles.
Blackwell explains that the telling is political and she provides the context for how Chicana
organizers were influenced by the Chicano Movement and struggled with issues related to gender and
sexuality to produce a new identity. Blackwell’s concept of “retrofitted memory” in the production of
knowledge resonates with me because it “draws from other Chicano cultural practices, such as the
rasquache aesthetic, that uses older parts to refine existing bodies or frameworks. By drawing from both
discarded and suppressed forms of knowledge, retrofitted memory creates new forms of consciousness” (2).
That is not to say that I, or Soul Rebel Radio, are willing to accept anything as truth because we include a
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rigorous amount of research to validate our claims on the air. Chicana feminists are vital to the struggle,
and “Their ideas informed the terrain of struggle across movement sectors, reached into gendered
discussions in other regions, and gave other women and men who believed in gender equity within the
broader project of Chicano liberation a vehicle for speaking out.” (Blackwell 3). One such space is what
some consider “Chicano Radio” and Blackwell employs the DJ tactic to illustrate the answer to Gayatri
Chakravorty Spivak’s question “Can the subaltern speak?, “This third mode of representation- represent’n’is an enunciative practice of hip-hop culture, used by African American, Chicano, and other youth. When a
caller calls in to a DJ on the radio, he or she is ‘located’ as represent’n’ through a sense of place” (41).
Blackwell uses the Art Laboe show to illustrate her point, but Soul Rebel Radio represents for and with Los
Angeles youth. The irony of the Chicano radio show described by Blackwell is not lost on the fact that
Laboe is an Armenian and not a Mexican American. Never the less, in the example, “radio shows have the
ability to create relations (family, friends, community) through the effective work across geographic
separation, caused by loved ones traveling long distances to look for work and especially mass
incarceration of young people of color” (Blackwell 42). This understanding of the power of radio helps
transcend gender, race, class, nationality, and culture and provides us with a context to understand the
influence of Soul Rebel Radio. “Represent’n’ is not about speaking for (proxy) but speaking from: it
performs an embodied knowledge of location or a situated knowledge. It does not operate outside of power
relations” (Blackwell 42). The key for Soul Rebel Radio was to create media and find authentic
representations of radio within the community that were inclusive of Chican@s and other members of the
Third World Left. I believe that the strength of Soul Rebel Radio is that we tells stories, employ retrofitted
memory, and represent while located within Los Angeles’ Third World Left to reveal an authentic example
of what can be sometimes be misidentified as Chican@ radio.
In Black Feminist Thought, (2000) Patricia Hill-Collins provides a valuable contribution to the
cannon of African American Studies, and the Third World Left. Yet, it is her analysis of the intersection of
race, class, and gender along with sexuality that truly define her contribution. Hill-Collins captures the
history and voices that have helped shape the knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment
that have changed the lives of individual women, but she also captures how this has impacted their families
in particular, and the African American community in general. A core theme of black feminist thought and
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perhaps the most important idea for this study is the chapter titled “The Power of Self Definition” because
the author illustrates how, African Americans have been misrepresented, left voiceless, in search of safe
spaces, and also explains the power of telling our own stories. Soul Rebel Radio strives to provide youth an
opportunity to tell our stories and in that way offer the audience accounts from the streets of Los Angeles
and surrounding communities that place the standpoint at the intersection of race, class, gender, and
sexuality. For far too long, mainstream media has misrepresented people of color, and especially women in
Los Angeles, but Third World feminism helps to change the focus to positive representations. Soul Rebel
Radio aims to challenge the notions of mainstream media by using the power of self definition to create a
new and powerful form of rebelliousness within the medium of radio production.
The book Black Feminist Thought (2000) by Pat Hill-Collins shook the very foundation of
political theory but for this study, the idea of self definition and safe spaces is of paramount value. HillCollins details how “controlling images are designed to make racism, sexism, poverty, and other forms of
social injustice appear to be natural, normal, and inevitable parts of every day life” and “challenging these
controlling images has long been a core theme in Black feminist thought” (69). This resonates with the
working class people in the United States and in communities throughout Los Angeles where Soul Rebel
Radio is heard. According to Hill-Collins, the construction of knowledge for members of the Third World
Left is due to the obligation to “replace controlling images with self defined knowledge deemed personally
important, usually knowledge essential” (100). Exercising freedom within a confined room is not an easy
task, and “One reason safe spaces are so threatening to those who feel excluded, and so routinely castigated
by them, is that safe spaces are free of surveillance by more powerful groups” (111). According to HillCollins, consciousness in safe spaces “becomes one that acknowledges the complexities of crosscutting
relations of race, gender, class, and sexuality” because the “efforts at self-definition is the quest to move
from silence to language to individual and group action. In this quest, persistence is a fundamental
requirement for this journey” (120). Soul Rebel Radio aims to create a safe space where everyone is
encouraged to participate in the decision making process in the hope of helping individuals find their voice
in a collective space. Change leads to empowerment, but of utmost importance is the engagement in the
process, “Whether individuals struggle to develop a changed consciousness or the group persistence needed
to transform social institutions, actions that bring about change empower. By persisting in the journey
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toward self-definition, as individuals, we are changed” (Hill-Collin 121). The power of self-definition for
Soul Rebel Radio lies at the intersection of race, class, and gender along with sexuality and thus we attempt
to create a safe space that will allow youth to produce media that replaces controlling images with selfdefinitions. Soul Rebel Radio aspires to be better, and we challenge participants to make changes within,
which can lead to the construction of social justice on the road to equality.
The Revolution in Prime Time
Prime Time Activism (1991) by Charlotte Ryan takes a look at important media strategies for
organizing and helps indentify how the community is dependent on the ability to generate and influence the
media. Ryan also issues a challenge to liberal concepts of how to best use media to create new ways of
organizing. The book outlines the role of media, defines what is newsworthy, illustrates the way media
shapes our reality, explains the role of insiders, and generally clarifies the role of routines, gatekeepers,
reliable sources, and a media strategy. As constituents of both the media and the community, the members
of Soul Rebel Radio are able to walk a fine line between objectivity and subjectivity to remain credible in
society. The collective understands the importance of organizing and we have intimate knowledge of what
it means to be making stories, gaining access, and also planning for challenges within the creation of the
program. Soul Rebel Radio’s form of activism has been to build a community of listeners, or audience, that
holds the collective accountable, but at the same time we hope to educate those who listen to the show and
in that way maintain the focus of the space on the issues that matter in prime time to young people in L.A.
Prime Time Activism (1991) by Charlotte Ryan examines the media as a contested terrain where
the opposition can present alternatives to problems described as the status quo by the mainstream media.
Soul Rebel Radio sees the media as a contested terrain and I would argue that we even had to fight for a
space for the youth from the Third World Left with an ally like KPFK. Ryan begins by explaining that,
“Our instincts about the media were right on target; we knew that no organizer could afford to ignore it and
that it played a critical part in shaping issues” (4). Ryan outlines the three traditions of media studies as the
gatekeeper which is focused on the daily workings of newsrooms, the political economic angle focused on
the structure that shapes media production, and the cultural aspects focused on the role of news between
people and consciousness. Although “No single theory address all the issues confronting an organizer,” the
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organizing tools do help us to, “understand the mass media as an arena of struggle” (9). Organizers
acknowledge both the forces that work against them and the possibility of change, and “In relation to
media, specifically, the models must recognize that modern mass media permit little input from the masses,
i.e. mass media opportunities are very limited to those of us not representing powerful, social, and
economic group institutions” (Ryan 11). In order to determine if something is newsworthy, the producers
must determine if a story has public recognition, importance, and if there exists an interest in the subject
because, “Mainstream media seek decisive actions of defined opponents whose confrontation presents clear
options in a fast paced drama. Using these criteria, an editor may decide that a strike is newsworthy” (Ryan
34-35). For organizers planning a media campaign, determining what is newsworthy is important, but
“News criteria also vary within a single medium. Radio talk shows, for instance, ask not for dramatic action
but for dramatic character, representatives who can present an issue movingly and clearly” (Ryan 41). Soul
Rebel Radio uses actions, characters, and representatives to present an entertaining and educational
program. The contested terrain of media and media studies limits appropriate representations of the Third
World Left in the press, and Soul Rebel Radio presents an inspiring example of a program that recognizes
the importance of community issues and places value in the production of knowledge that is newsworthy to
the community. The collective took ownership of public radio as organizers and transformed the sound of
the independent media space known as KPFK in order to present the revolution in prime time.
The Whole World is Watching (2003) by Todd Gitlin presents a look at the mass media in the
making and unmaking of the new left by examining how to organize the news for practioners, consumers,
and decision makers. Gitlin concludes that media images and narratives are manufactured, and of particular
importance to Soul Rebel Radio is the idea of the “mind of the media” or the hidden and deeper structure
that governs the rules and assumptions of the producers of the news. The image makers in the mainstream
press have an agenda, but Soul Rebel Radio challenge those pre-conceived notions. The issues that are
important to young people from Los Angeles who work in the Third World Left within the United States
are not usually or extensively covered by the mainstream media. As explained earlier, few spaces exist
where the youth can openly express their views without prejudice and be heard by a wide audience. Soul
Rebel Radio can be heard throughout Southern California on KPFK which has the largest antenna range in
the West Coast, and our program is heard worldwide at www.kpfk.org. The show represents both a
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responsibility and an opportunity to produce media that can demonstrate to the local and global audiences
that in Los Angeles, we are greatly concerned with the state of the world in the early 21st Century.
In The Whole World is Watching, Todd Gitlin explains how people rely on the press to create their
world view, and although the whole world is watching, there exists a battle over control of the public space.
Unfortunately for the general public, Gitlin believes that, “The media bring a manufactured public world
into private space” (1). The result according to Gitlin is that, “every day, directly or indirectly, by statement
and omission, in pictures and words, in entertainment and news and advertisement, the mass media produce
fields of definition” (2). The mainstream media distorts the images of the Chican@ community or
completely ignores important issues, but Soul Rebel Radio challenges this norm and profiles young people
of color from the Third World Left in L.A. According to Gitlin, creating meaning of the news in a
commercialized culture could be the same as helping make value in the world, and “Just as people as
workers have no voice in what they make, how they make it, or how the product is distributed and used, so
do people as producers of meaning have no voice in what the media make of what they say or do” (3). The
mass media defines public significance, but Soul Rebel Radio redefines what is significant and presents it
for the whole world to hear. An important and complex aspect of the media is mostly unknown, “Media
frames are persistent patterns of cognition, interpretation, and presentation, of selection, emphasis, and
exclusion, by which symbol-handlers routinely organize discourse, whether verbal or visual” (7). This idea
thereby lends credence to the concept that we recognize at Soul Rebel Radio of an invisible hand that helps
control outcomes in media. The decision makers operate behind closed doors and Gitlin explains this
clearly, “The media of the culture industry are ordinarily controlled by members of the top corporate and
political elites, and by individuals they attempt (with varying success) to bring into their social and
ideological worlds” because “The dominant economic class does not, for the most part, produce and
disseminate ideology directly” (254). This is in contrast to the previous generations of the owners of the
means of media production who did prefer to appear publicly and back their positions. The result is that,
“the media have a general interest in stabilizing the liberal capitalist order as a whole, and it is this interest,
played out through all hegemonic routines, which stands behind the dominant news frames” (280). This
helps us to understand why the press has no interest in reporting the truth because it would disrupt the
status quo. While the world listens to what we are programmed to hear, Soul Rebel Radio constructs new
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definitions of meaning, but the media frames for our show are rooted in the Third World Left community of
Los Angeles. The objective of Soul Rebel Radio is to defy capitalism and the dominant hegemony and
create spaces within the medium of radio that are representative of anything but reformist media, so instead
the show is focused on presenting a spirit of rebelliousness.
In order to challenge the owners of the media and the capital, Soul Rebel Radio employs a number
of tactics learned from our previous and continuous work as organizers and activists in and around Los
Angeles. In The Activist’s Handbook (2001), the author Randy Shaw examines how activists help shift the
power structure to create transformation and in the process illustrates how everyday people can
demonstrate through their lived experience that revolution is possible and that change is imminent. The
book examines the structural problems and limited openings that face community organizers and grassroots
activists in the existing structure, and it provides tips and ideas that can be helpful to rebels trying to
influence the media. I was inspired to created Soul Rebel Radio after understanding the structural
limitations and limited spaces for the Third World Left in L.A. and in the mainstream media. Of particular
interest for the study is the chapter “The Media: Winning More Than Coverage,” which includes such ideas
as using the media for results, choosing media contacts, the use of investigative reporters, tactics for
dealing with reporters, responding to media bias, as well as alternative versus mainstream media. The book
includes strategies, responses, initiatives, and direct actions that are helpful for activists. Because Soul
Rebel Radio is rooted in an activist spirit, many members of the collective organized in the community
prior to and after joining the group. The collective tends to view mainstream radio and the production of
media through a lens of active members of the Third World Left community in Los Angeles.
Randy Shaw suggests that “For social change activists, the golden age of media relations came in
the 1960s and early 1970s. News coverage advanced the civil rights and antiwar movements
immeasurably” (150). Shaw romanticizes an era of heightened political activity, but Soul Rebel Radio
doesn’t adhere to such notions because the revolution is ongoing. Unfortunately, “These mainstream media
outlets are careful, however, to link the subject’s plight to personal misfortunes rather than social and
economic policies” (Shaw 151). Therein lays the problem with organizing anything with an expressed goal
of receiving press coverage in an era where the media is not friendly to important issues, therefore, Soul
Rebel Radio does not chose topics based on popularity. As organizers have come to understand, “The news
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that is centrally featured in the media is determined by the interests of its corporate owners” (Shaw 152).
According to Shaw, until the Third World Left become creators or owners of the means of media
production, the best they can hope to do is affect it, so “Although social change activists and organizations
cannot totally control the media’s final product, we can significantly influence it” (Shaw 157). Soul Rebel
Radio ensures that the youth and the community control the final product, and this is a radical idea that we
established in an era where the media distorts controlling images to discredit civil rights efforts, and where
systematic policies are disregarded in lieu of personal stories for the benefit of corporate interests,.
The entire purpose of Soul Rebel Radio was to shake the foundation of what it means to be a
revolutionary in Los Angeles. Stir It Up (2003) by Rinku Sen provides lessons in community organizing
and advocacy to transform local, regional, and national organizations from traditional grassroots organizing
to create systematic, comprehensive, and tactical practices that can affect public policy. The book looks at
strategies that can help carry the mission of any group to address the challenges posed by the new global
order. Soul Rebel Radio continues to survive for over seven years as a collective because it does not rely on
one individual and this ensures its long-term existence. Although I am the responsible party, there is no
way that I would want to or be able to produce an entire program by myself, so we work as a collective. In
the description about how to design effective media strategies called “Speaking Truth to Power,” Sen
shows how most progressives are uncomfortable with mainstream media. Soul Rebel Radio is very
comfortable creating media and understands personally the amount of work, research, and effort necessary
to report the truth. According to Sen, “Ironically, the same technology that has built media conglomerates
enables us to produce our own media” (153), and the author outlines some principles and illustrations that
help the reader understand how to use media effectively. The Soul Rebel Radio collective employs existing
technologies to produce original radio programs in the hopes of transforming the youth in Los Angeles and
effecting social change. Soul Rebel Radio intends to stir it up and the production of alternative and
independent media provides valuable advocacy and proves to be an effective organizing tool for
community organizations and important causes among the Third World Left in Los Angeles.
Stir It Up by Rinku Sen is a comprehensive guide for community organizers and advocates of
social justice, and it offers some propositions for anyone attempting to speak truth to power. Progressive
organizations tend to have a prickly relationship with the media and this is in large part to the fact that “it is
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extremely difficult for grassroots community organizers who want to affect deep social change to get their
stories heard” (148). Soul Rebel Radio was created to presents voices from the Third World Left because I
understand how difficult it was to get our stories heard. After the Telecommunication Act of 1996, the
Federal Communications Commission has “moved to further weaken broadcasting rules that safeguard
media diversity” (Sen 149). This has forced progressives to place more attention on the press because
media coverage helps build momentum and organizations design messages, create their own media, study
the reporting, and organize resources in an attempt to affect the “official story.” Instead of affecting the
official story, we decided to create a version of the truth that is representative of the Chican@ community
and the Third World Left. Sen adds that although there appear to be less opportunities to exercise freedom
of the press, and “Despite the consolidation in radio, a number of community-based radio stations, such as
nationwide networks of Spanish-language stations, will still carry our stories. In rural communities, radio is
often the favored medium” (153). The author encourages readers to improve communication mechanisms
in order to help stir it up in the media and Soul Rebel Radio provides that opportunity. According to the
author, the goal of organizers is to understand communications because, “When we craft media messages,
we need to be aware of where the general public stands on an issue and identify shared values we can use to
move the conversation, rather than let public opinion compromise the terms of the debate” (156). Soul
Rebel Radio does not shame people or impose a worldview on our audience, but instead the goal is to
present a perspective that is ignored by the mainstream press. Finally, Sen offers some advice to activists,
“Traditionally, organizers concentrated on what got said in the neighborhoods, over the fence, and this
strategy is still important. Organizers should continue to get messages out to the people on the streets and to
make those messages even more political, more inspiring” (164). This serves as both a challenge and an
observation to the readers and future media makers because the focus should be on working with the people
and not on getting attention from the media. Soul Rebel Radio stirs the pot in the traditional left, within
independent media outlets like KPFK, and especially against the mainstream controlling images created by
the corporate press. Consequently, the Soul Rebel Radio collective adheres to shared values that shape the
debate and public opinion in the Third World Left, and in that way we help redress grievances for the
community and the youth in Los Angeles.
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Youth Radio in California
Finally, Drop that Knowledge (2010) by Elisabeth Soep and Vivian Chavez is a collection of
stories related to the history of Youth Radio in Oakland, California, and it is the closest example of a radio
program that works directly with young people in the manner of Soul Rebel Radio. Youth Radio is an
award-winning organization that produces youth driven media that can be heard both locally and nationally,
and according to the authors, “Young people come to Youth Radio from the nation’s economically
abandoned, heavily tracked, and resegregating public schools.” (4). The book serves as an ethnographic
collection of lessons learned and a framework for examining media through the lens of young people of
color in a working class community in California, and it is an example of the power of working with youth
to create media. The young people that work with Youth Radio have learned to not bury the lede in the
story, and they are also able to converge literacy, create a point of voice, and according to Soep and
Chavez, they explain the art of “dropping that knowledge” (5). The youth present work on the radio for a
younger audience in order for them to become productive community members and alumni capable of
taking their learned and shared skills to other opportunities in media making. Like Soul Rebel Radio, Youth
Radio is an exciting model for the future of media that includes young people working with adults to create
new and important representation. In my study, I found that Youth Radio is the only group that produces
radio in a similar manner as Soul Rebel Radio, and one of the main differences has to do with funding.
Drop that Knowledge by Elisabeth Soep and Vivian Chavez explains how Youth Radio places
value and recognizes the wisdom of the youth and their lived experience. The example provides an analysis
of first hand accounts of what it's like to work with young people on radio production. The book and the
Oakland organization, “Calls for youth to step up and for adults to let go of assumptions about what passes
as truth about youth, education, success, and failure, struggle, and conditions young people face” (6). By
placing itself along with the youth in an empathetic manner, Youth Radio works with young people, like
Soul Rebel Radio, by speaking with and not for the group. The authors are described in the following
manner, “Elisabeth (Lissa) Soep, is a Youth Radio’s research director and a senior producer in the
organization’s newsroom” and “Vivian Chavez is a graduate of Youth News, the program out of which
Youth Radio emerged” (8). Due to the omission of youth traditionally associated with the media, there exist
some tensions when producing media driven by young people. This includes balancing unapologetic speech
27
with humility, understanding the contradictions between social justice and the entrepreneurial endeavors of
traditional radio, intergenerational relationships, and dealing with the gatekeeper adults that control the
media spaces where the audience can listen to the work produced by the youth.
Drop that Knowledge (2010) details the concepts associated with converged literacy which entails
telling stories and exercising the right to encourage social justice with the goal of changing the fact that
young people are rarely full citizens of the media culture. As Soep and Chavez explain, “we bring together
these two terms, convergence and literacy, to articulate what it takes for young people to claim a right to
participate as citizens of the world and agents in their own lives” (21). The book presents the ideas of
media justice, and it takes youth from having a point of view to developing a point of voice where “Making
media means translating a vision into a statement; hence our shift from view to voice, from seeing to
expressing, from taking in the world to speaking out the word” (83). The book also includes details of
original contributions produced by Youth Radio for KPFA, KPFK’s sister station that helps form the
Pacifica Network. Finally, the youth and the authors are able to do what is called “Drop that Knowledge” to
explain how Youth Radio expressed media literacy practices that help other producers of youth radio to
understand the tools and methods used to produce stories. The phases of production include preproduction,
production, postproduction, and distribution, and the book provides a foundation for learning about
questions related to ethical storytelling, tips on what makes a good story, ideas for finding topics, the
construction of commentary, and how to conduct interviews. The youth also learn to create features, frame
the contribution, include an introduction and the back announce, and most importantly, the radio broadcast
reverberates in the community. Ultimately, Youth Radio aims to “launch emerging and veteran storytellers
back into that cycle, to begin again producing with youth, telling new stories” (138). At the same time
according to Soep and Chavez,
“researchers in communications, cultural studies, and literacy are increasingly tracking how young
people use new digital technologies to create original media, particularly since the advent of new
platforms for social networking, user-generated content, and peer to peer distribution, all of which
multiply opportunities for youth participants and engagement with media production” (11).
Soul Rebel Radio like Youth Radio is a platform for young people to create original media along with
adults, and we guide the youth and teach them skills that can be transferred to other media opportunities.
As alumni of Soul Rebel Radio, participants work in a unique situation where the collective nurtures the
individuals to discover their voice as members of the Third World Left in Los Angeles.
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Chapter 2
Soul Rebel Radio Themes: The Good, the Great, and the Legendary Shows
From the beginning, I decided that Soul Rebel Radio would operate as a collective and that we
would focus on a theme each month, rather than cultivate a talk show, discuss the day’s news, or cover
current events, and this proved to be both a challenge and a blessing. By covering a theme each month, the
collective was confronted with the responsibility of agreeing on a topic, developing the framing or theme,
brainstorming on the concept, and developing individual contributions that would air on the first Friday of
the month. The format of the program includes interviews, news reports, skits, original musical
contributions, commentaries, and editorials that allow the collective to explore the theme and develop a
program that appeals to youth, but more importantly includes the voices of young people from the Third
World Left. Each month, two members of the collective would lead the group and host the show, help write
the script, and generally keep the rest of the group on task to ensure that the program was the best possible
representation of a particular theme. The goal each month was to introduce an original topic, allow a young
man and young woman to host the program, and present a show that could potentially serve as educational
material for the listening audience. Each month that Soul Rebel Radio produces an original program, we
imagine the audience to be a youth in the public school system, and the collective tries to make each
program as timeless as possible in order for the theme to remain relevant well into the future.
The Soul Rebel Radio collective has always focused on the youngest members of the community
and so far we have covered over 70 themes in 7 plus years of existence on the Pacifica Network at 90.7
KPFK in Los Angeles and worldwide at www.kpfk.org. The purpose of Soul Rebel Radio was help develop
voices of young people in and around Los Angeles, and each month, a young woman and young man help
host the show and guide the audience through the theme. From the beginning, the focus was on youth and
we aired the first show “Options for High School Graduates” on April 22, 2005 and “Militarization of
Public Schools’ on May 27, 2005 as part of the original 8-week series. Although the program provides a
platform each month for young people, the group dedicated these two shows in the 8-week series to youth.
Soul Rebel Radio has also produced a “Youth” show in April 2008, the “Voices of Youth” program in
September 2009, “Children’s Stories” in January 2011, and the “Young, Gifted, and _____” show in
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October 2011. These shows focused on the young people in the Third World Left and helped establish our
focus on youth. Another important topic is gender, and the collective has created six programs dedicated to
challenges to the patriarchy including “Sexism” on May 20, 2005 as part of the 8-week series, “Women” in
March 2006, “International Women’s Day” in March 2007, as well as programs dedicated to “Young
Women,” “Sheroes,” and “Womyn that Rock.”
Perhaps the most consistent contribution to the show has been the spotlight on environmental
issues and the program has included 24 different Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segments, as well as three
additional show including the “Environment” show hosted by Kilo Watts and Tiny, “Going Green” hosted
by Kilo Watts and Tiny, and the “Sustainability: Think Globally, Act Locally” show presented in May
2012. Soul Rebel Radio has profiled specific years and created programs based on the themes “2005 Year
in Review” and the “2007 Year in Review,” in addition to the “1984” show, the “1968” program, and
“2012” show in December 2010. Human beings are another important theme that has been explored by the
collective, and the group has created shows dedicated to such people as the “Homeless in Los Angeles,”
“The Life, Contradictions, and Contributions of Che,” “The Trial of George W. Bush for Murder” in
November 2008, the “Workers” show, the “People’s Cup” in July 2010, and “Funk the Police” in October
2010. The most important shows that Soul Rebel Radio has produced include shows dedicated to the
following themes, “Fear,” “Elections,” the “Death in the Springtime” show, the “Redskins vs. Patriots”
program, the “Prison Industrial Complex,” the ”It’s the Stupid Economy” show, “Revolution,” “Go to
Health,” the “5 Year Anniversary Celebration,” “Soul” and the “State of California’s Economy: The
Prisons vs. The Universities” in April 2012. Soul Rebel Radio has produced or aired an original program on
the first Friday of the month for seven years, and each show is focused on a specific theme. Each program
strives to be the best, and the shows stand the test of time and allow future researchers of media to
understand how Soul Rebel Radio created programs in Los Angeles at the turn of the 21 st Century.
Youth Themes
Soul Rebel Radio’s first show helped set the tone for the trajectory that the show would take and
the first theme was “Options for High School Graduates.” The goal of the show is to profile and promote
youth and issues important to young people, and the first show of the 8-week series provides a clear
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orientation towards a youthful audience. We included contributions from a number of collective members,
and various contributions related to options for graduating high school seniors. It was Soul Rebel Radio’s
earliest attempt to develop our collective voice as young representatives of the Third World Left
communities in Southern California. The show opened with a report on standard alternatives for high
school students including A-G requirements, university, and college options. We interviewed High School
seniors, and presented a commercial on the Prison Industrial Complex and a skit on military recruiters. The
show concluded with a report on neoliberal economic policies, and educator Jonathan Kozol helped explain
how this impacts the poor and minority students in the inner cities. In general, it was the first step on a
long road towards establishing our forte as a youth program at KPFK, but it also drew a clear line that the
program was going to include youth consistently. It wasn’t our best effort and we were still gaining our
footing, but with the help of producer Aura Bogado, I thought it was a successful initial attempt.
The show on the “Militarization of Public Education” helped to further identify Soul Rebel Radio
with a younger demographic and a departure from the standard KPFK audience which was older and
mostly white. The show opens with an interview with Victor Paredes, the father of a conscientious objector
named Pablo Paredes, and it continued with an interview with a mother, professor, and organizer Rosa
Furumoto of California State University Northridge. The show included a number of humorous skits
including a parody of the Jerry Springer show called “Berry Stringer” where the Feds are caught cheating
on America, a game show about the connection between the economy and the military, and it allowed us to
introduce the Soul Rebel Radio Time Machine as we went back in time to see how Indigenous people dealt
with xenophobia. The show also included interviews with military personnel, a report on conscientious
objectors and suicide rates in the armed forces, and a report on homeless veterans. Perhaps the most
important contribution was the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment, which is about two homeboys from
the barrio breaking down information on environmental issues. The segment would go on to create 23
original contributions, and the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy segment proved to be very popular with the
Soul Rebel Radio community and the KPFK audience.
The show on “Youth” was an important step in reiterating the purpose and goal of the collective
and Soul Rebel Radio defined the youth demographics that we were hoping to appeal to with our show. The
program incorporated youthful contributions and we included a number of youth voices and interviews that
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took place at the El Sereno school “Semillas del Pueblo” and at an Anti-War protest in Los Angeles. Soul
Rebel Radio presented two sketches on the show, one called “Youth Time” which was a parody of the Ask
Jeeves site, and the youth were able to ask the hosts questions about the history of youth. The other skit was
called “Bling My Quinceanera,” and it was a parody of the popular MTV show Pimp My Ride. Finally, we
presented a report and interviews from the 40th Anniversary of the “East LA Blowouts,” and an interview
with Gloria Muniz Ramirez, author of the book The Fire and The Word, about the history of the EZLN, or
the Zapatista Army for National Liberation in Mexico. Muniz Ramirez helps to explain how the youth are
fighting in Chiapas to improve health, recover education, and create parallel structures of government
called the “Good Government Councils,” in the same way Chican@s in Los Angeles struggle for justice.
The show is a great representation of the ability of the collective to connect international youth struggles
with local resistance led by young people and in that way educate the community in the Third World Left.
The show “Voices of Youth” proved to be Soul Rebel Radio’s first attempt to hand over the reigns
of the show to teenage youth from the Third World Left and we had help from the organization CORAL in
Pasadena. The show included many contributions by teenagers and it was broken down into three sections,
environment, street life, and gangs. The show incorporated poetry, an environmental skit, a report on
Global Warming, plus several original songs, a police harassment skit, and a report on violence. The
Voices of Youth show was inspired by an event organized by the Los Angeles gang prevention
organization Homeboy Industries, and Fabian Montes and Pascual Torres who worked for the organization
explain how poetry helps young people to heal from violence. The youth from CORAL and the Voices of
Youth from Homeboys Industries helped present the pain and suffering that youth face in the Los Angeles’
Third World Left. The program helped to reiterate the importance of providing a platform for youth to
develop their voice and supporting the efforts to develop the influence of youth in the community. Our goal
for the show was to create a space for youth to tell stories that are familiar and realistic to the Third World
Left in L.A., which is usually ignored or misrepresented by the media. The show is a good example of Soul
Rebel Radio, but the most important development was that we provided the platform for young people and
gang involved youth to present topics that were grounded in the community.
The show we called “Children’s Stories” represented an effort to create a program that would
appeal to an even younger audience and we imagined a “tween” (not yet a teenager) listening to this show.
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We opened the show with a skit called Stone Rebel Soup that explained the history of the program as a
variation of a popular children’s story, and we continued with a “Pepito” joke, which are popular
throughout Latin America and is akin to Dennis the Menace. We also included a parody of the Emperor
Wears no Clothes, a skit about the Genie in the Lamp, another skit about a deaf frog that perseveres, and a
Soul Rebel Radio lullaby. The show included an interview with Lydia Grant, a Sun Valley resident that
became involved in the case of Jeremy Marks, an African American youth in an LA area High School who
was incarcerated and charged with lynching for videotaping an incident of police brutality. The sharpest
contribution of the program was the feminist critique of “Little Red Riding Hood” that explained that the
children’s story was originally meant to promote the virtues of chastity in France. The program provided an
opportunity to expand our voice and to appeal to a younger audience, and the result was a very well
produced show and an inventive program that I believe appeals to youth of all ages.
The show “Young Gifted and _____” was an effort to remind an aging collective that the purpose
of Soul Rebel Radio was to create a show for and by youth. We opened the show by interviewing
participants of YouThink at a weekend retreat and I provided a space for the youth from LA to provide
testimonies for the world to hear. We also interviewed the founder of the youth group Young Warriors, and
continued by interviewing older LA area residents reminiscing about their youth in the city. The show
included a report on the Mendez vs. Westminster case that made Mexican School in California illegal, but
more importantly the case served as the precedent for desegregation in the case of Brown vs. Board of
Education. Finally, the program also included young musicians from Mariachi Plaza de la Raza which is
made up of youth around the community of Lincoln Heights. We also provided the audience with a
testimony from Mario Rocha, who was falsely imprisoned for ten years as a teenager and struggles to
overcome the effects of the penitentiary system. The collective created the show to remind the audience of
their potential to be future leaders, organizers, musicians, and activists, so that they could someday look
back and marvel at the development of their voice and their contribution to the Third World Left in LA.
The show was an excellent, but not outstanding example of Soul Rebel Radio because the collective needs
to include more young voices so as to not speak with but instead provide the space for more youth to speak.
From the start of the program, I created Soul Rebel Radio with the goal of establishing a show that
would appeal to the youth, and the collective hoped to expand the audience at KPFK to include young
33
people of color, provide a working example of an organization that worked as a collective, and ultimately
create a radio program based on a theme that would air on the first Friday of the month at 7pm on 90.7 FM
in Los Angeles. The pilot program on April 22, 2005 was called “Options for High School Graduates” and
the show presented options and alternatives for young people that are facing the prospects of the real world.
Another early program from the 8 week series that was geared to the youth demographics and issues was
the Militarization of Public Schools program on May 27, 2005 that focused on students, parents, and
organizers opposed to the presence of the armed forces at public schools. In April 2008, Soul Rebel Radio
presented “Youth” and the goal was to create a program that would represent the youth while respecting
their beliefs, values, and ideas. Soul Rebel Radio presented “Voices of Youth” in September 2009 about the
role of voice in the development of young people, and throughout the history of the show, the members of
the collective had a goal of presenting individuals and members of the community that had a right to be
heard by the world. In January 2011, Soul Rebel Radio created “Children’s Stories” and the collective used
fairytales as metaphors for the issues that face the youngest soul rebels. Finally, the group paid respects to
the “Young, Gifted, and _____” in October 2011, and profiled young and gifted people from Los Angeles
who represent aspects of the Chicano@ and Third World communities that should be valued by
mainstream media. Soul Rebel Radio has continued to push the envelope and after seven years on the air,
and despite proving the value of youth, we are still the one and only youth program on KPFK in Los
Angeles that targets and works directly with the youth from the Third World Left.
Gender Themes
The “Sexism” show was Soul Rebel Radio’s first effort to present a feminist perspective and it
included interviews, testimonies, skits, and a faux Public Service Announcement. The group interviewed
young women about patriarchy at Cleveland High School in the San Fernando Valley and provided young
women a platform to express their views without prejudice. The show also included an interview with
Cherie Gaulke, a lesbian artist and Chloe Gans-Rugerbregt, a reproductive health advocate. The show also
included testimonies from members of the collective who discussed issues of domestic violence and helped
to heal those individual victims. Soul Rebel Radio presented a poem that helped paint an image of domestic
violence in a creative way but in a serious manner. The first attempt to present woman-centered program
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was a successful initial attempt, and it helped the collective to create programs regularly that focused on
feminist and gender issues. From the start of the show, the goal was always to be inclusive of women in the
collective, and gender balance was built in and promoted throughout the history of the program, but
dedicating entire shows to this theme was necessary and important to the collective. In general, the show
was tame and lacked the punch necessary to call it a feminist critique of patriarchy, but we agreed to
regularly produce programs focused on gender issues and this was an early effort at that group goal.
The show on “Women” helped to further demonstrate the importance of gender balance and
feminist themes for Soul Rebel Radio as a group although some men in the group resisted the effort. The
program highlighted some important women voices including civil rights leader Rosa Parks, Guatemalan
human rights activist Rigoberta Menchu as read by a 6th Grade student, and a tribute to musical legend
Billie Holiday. The show included the voice of a number of young women from Ventura County and also
an Anti-War protest in Southern California, and it profiled many more voices of young women. The show
includes a report on Women’s reproductive rights, a description of human trafficking, and an account of the
obesity epidemic. Kilo and Tiny created a skit on energy consumption and also an original song called
Mother Earth to demonstrate how we recognize the planet as being feminine. Finally, poetry by Robin
Powers and an original production of the Soul Rebel Radio Vagina Monologues written by member
Chelsea Moore helps present a complete account of women for the audience. The purpose of creating a
show about Women was to demonstrate the any production coming from the Third World left of Los
Angeles must include voices of women in the community, and it was important for us to honor some of the
leaders that blazed the trail for other females and males to continue the struggle for equality in the Third
World Left.
“International Women’s Day” is a celebration of the contributions of women around the world,
and Soul Rebel Radio produced a program that paid respect to the struggle for gender equity. The show
included reports on the history of International Women’s Day, an account of reproductive rights, plus a
description of the life of the Mexican feminist Sor Juana Ines and American abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
The skits included the use of the Soul Rebel Radio Time Machine to interview feminist and anarchist
Emma Goldman. Soul Rebel Radio also presented a parody of the network show The View, and a segment
on the benefits of low impact living. Soul Rebel Radio interviewed Maricela Guzman who was assaulted in
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the Navy and consequently went AWOL because she feared the consequences of reporting the attack. We
interviewed participants of the EZLN’s “La Otra Campaña” or the other campaign in Mexico that was
initiated in Chiapas by the Indigenous and egalitarian Zapatista Army. The show continues a Soul Rebel
Radio tradition of highlighting the voices of women and youth from the Third World Left in Los Angeles
as well as from around the world.
The show on “Young Women” highlights the voices of youth in and around Southern California
and provides a platform to help understand how young women are impacted by the patriarchic society. The
show includes a number of reports including one on teen dating violence, an accounts of the effects of
domestic violence on the family, and another on the policies of the Bush administration that caused harm to
women. The program includes interviews with young men combating violence against young women, we
talk with college students talking about gender issues that are important to them, and we speak with a first
generation Latinas who provides a testimony about the challenges of being the first to attend the University.
The program was blessed by the Poetry of Slam Champion Sonya Renee, as well as an interview with
guitarist Gloria Estrada and singer La Marisoul of the band La Santa Cecilia, and we also presented a report
on the Los Angeles Women in Music Organization. The show ends with a quote from Gloria Steinem who
said, “The first problem for all of us men and women is not to learn, but to unlearn.” The show on young
women and the program in general helped several young women find their voice and take the first step is
towards deconstructing the patriarchy, and it helped to demonstrate to our audience how much Soul Rebel
Radio values young women as a collective.
The “Sheroes” show was an effort to present female heroes to the audience without the need to
mystify gender. The show was inspired by a conversation with community organizer Fran Zamora, and the
interview with her helped her and the audience realize the sheroic values that we pass on to other young
women as well as how mentors impact our lives. The program includes reports on women in science, a
report on Chinese revolutionary Xiang Jingyu, and an account of the work of abolitionist and women’s
rights activist Sojourner Truth. The interviews on the show included participants of the first Womyn that
Rock conference at the University of Washington including punk rock legend Alice Bagg. We also
presented young girls talking about their cultural influences, an interview with the Chican@ teacher and
performer Jo Ann “Mixpe” Ley, as well as interviews with the Tranny Rock Stars which is a support group
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for Transgender youth in Los Angeles. The show ends with members of the Soul Rebel Radio collective
saluting the women who have served as Sheroes in their lives. The young women and historical figures
represent a legacy of women heroes that have shaped the roles of all people around the world and the Third
World in LA and this show was an exceptional representation of the importance of gender to the collective.
The “Womyn that Rock” show was done in collaboration with the Wombyn that Rock conference
at the University of Washington and inspired by Soul Rebel Radio alumni Monica de la Torre who helped
organize the gathering. The program included a report on the revolutionary writer Angela Davis and Emma
Goldman, as well as retrospectives on singers Etta James and Amy Winehouse. The show includes
interviews with participants of the Womyn Who Rock conference and young students at CSUN who talk
about important women in their lives. Yenni Diaz and Soul Rebel Radio Alumni Theresa Dang helped
produce the documentary “Stop Stealing Our Cars” about the efforts of the community in Santa Ana to stop
the police from taking immigrant vehicles, and the interview profiled the important work of two friends of
the show. The Womyn that Rock show also included a three part skit where we profiled testimonies by a
Filipina refugee, a Filipina immigrant, and a Filipina-American. The program included a reading of a poem
written by Mexican writer Sor Juana Ines, and also a report on the Hyatt Workers strike and the struggle to
earn a fair contract from the hotel giant. The most important contribution of the show was the first monthly
piece created by the youth of the community organization a Place Called Home in South Los Angeles, and
the young people interview Deborah Constance, the founder of APCH. The Womyn that Rock show was an
attempt to collaborate with a conference happening at the same time, and the fact that it was a Soul Rebel
Radio alumni who spearheaded the effort made it that much more personal for us. In fact, the inclusion in
the show of Soul Rebel Radio alumni Monica de la Torre and Theresa Dang, who developed their voices
with us and have gone on the make a greater impact as women in the community and as leaders in the
academic and creative circles, is the truest testament of the power of the Soul Rebel Radio collective and
the individual members of the group.
In conclusion, women and gender issues have continued to play a central role in the evolution of
the show from the start when we were produced by Aura Bogado to the current group of Soul Rebels that
includes a number of powerful young women and teenagers associated with the program. Each month, our
goal is to include a gender balance in the hosting, in the individual contributions, and as members of the
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collective, and there exist few shows that did not profile the voices of young women. During the initial 8week series, Soul Rebel Radio focused on the theme of “Sexism” and aired the first gender based show on
May 20, 2005, and that time we did a fair job of presenting the topic and establishing the importance of sex
in the production of the show. In March 2006, we created a show about “Women” and recognized the need
to create a minimum of one program a year that would focus entirely on gender issues and challenges to the
patriarchy. The next year, the group created the show “International Women’s Day” and honored the
unofficial holiday that is typically celebrated on March 8th as a way to recognize all women who help shape
the road to equality. The next program the collective made about gender was in April 2011 when we
presented “Sheroes” to help balance the male-centric concept of heroes and introduce courageous women
to the conversation about the fictional superman. Finally, in March 2012, Soul Rebel Radio presented
“Womyn Who Rock” in conjunction with a conference by the same name that was organized in part by
Soul Rebel Monica de la Torre at the University of Washington. The collective has develop a number of
brilliant media makers, but it is no surprise that the women in the group have gone on to do the most
essential work like earn their PhD, produce Radio Shows on Mainstream Radio Stations, create
Documentarians, work as Reporters, and even appear on national television programs.
Environmental Themes
Initially, some adults in the audience did not understand the Kilo Watts and Tiny energy segment
as a humorous sketch, and some people felt that we were portraying stereotypical characters, but it became
and remains one of our most popular contributions years after they stopped creating original pieces
precisely because we did not adhere to stereotypes of Chicanos. The first Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy
Segment aired on the 4th program of an 8 week series, and it helped establish the protagonists as two
homeboys from the barrio that are obsessed with environmental issues. The ongoing contribution was
meant to examine energy use, and the second segment explained the different forms of energy including
coal, nuclear, and fossil fuels. In the “Militarization of Public Schools Show,” Kilo Watts and Tiny explain
why and how the U.S. consumes 25% of the world’s energy and offer some tips to the audience to how to
conserve power. The “Internationalism” show included a segment where Kilo and Tiny’s friend Flaca helps
the guys to explain the “I don’t care” syndrome” and we encourage the Soul Rebel Radio audience to take
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ownership of the environment. The final contribution from the 8 week series was in the last show on
“California,” and Kilo Watts and Tiny posed the questions and scenario “What if the power went out
permanently?” in California. The Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy segment established the environment as an
overarching theme along with youth and women that served as one of central subjects of Soul Rebel Radio.
The initial monthly program in January 2006 was called “2005 Year in Review,” and although the
show was not our best collective effort, it established news report, interviews and skits as the central
contributions of the show, and the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment as the anchor of the early years. In
the first monthly contribution, Kilo Watts and Tiny explained the effects of Coal Burning in the United
States and the harm that it causes to the environment. From there, the dynamic duo created a report in the
“Women” show where Kilo Watts and Tiny create awareness about energy consumption. The first original
song by Kilo Watts or Jose Cano and Tiny or Eduardo Arenas was called “EMS,” and it was a rap about the
Energy Management System, and it served to establish their voices and musical aspirations for the future
members of the bands Las Cafeteras and Chicano Batman respectively. The next three contributions
included a report on natural liquefied gas and its uses from the “4 th World War” show, a report on TreeHugger Phobia from the show on “US Militarization,” and they created a report in the “Fear” show that
explained how we are running out of fossil fuels while being completely dependant on oil. The first several
Kilo Watts and Tiny energy segments helped establish the range of both characters and with the segment,
the pair established themselves as an integral part of the show and the environment as a central theme.
The next contribution related to the environment was from the “Election” show, and Kilo and Tiny
created an original song about solar panels called “How Much Does it Cost?” that was a well made reggae
song. In the “Los Angeles” show, Kilo Watts and Tiny explained the origins of smog in LA with help from
their friend Cati. The “Black People” show included a contribution by Kilo Watts and Tiny that was a
report on environmental racism in the Southeast LA City of Vernon where a proposed new power plant is
planned. In the “International Women’s Day” show, Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on Low Impact
Living after Tiny goes to Mexico and he comes back to explain how his relatives lived a low impact life. In
the “Death in the Springtime” show, Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on how we should not blame
ourselves for everything that is wrong with the environment because the system is also responsible for the
situation. The “Conspiracy Theory” show included two contributions from Kilo Watts and Tiny that were
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related to the environment. For the monthly contribution, Kilo Watts and Tiny present a doomsday scenario
where the power is shut off, and the duo also filed a report on ingredients in common household items after
Eduardo and Jose visit a supermarket and they explain how the use of aluminum in deodorant, fluoride in
toothpaste, chemicals in fabric softeners, and aerosols in fragrances harms the environment. The
contribution of Jose or Kilo and Eduardo or Tiny includes aspects of their passion for both the environment
and music.
In the “Music” show, Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on climate change and create an
original song called “The Carbon Tax” based on James Brown song Payback, and it was a very well made
soul song. In the “Censorship” show, Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on how censorship is used to
keep true information about the effects of Global Warming from the public. During the “Disease” show,
Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on the community-based group Pacoima Beautiful, an organization
that combats Environmental Racism in the San Fernando Valley. In the legendary “Redskins vs. Patriots”
show, Kilo Watts and Tiny created a skit that helps answer the question, “Are Indigenous People Better
Off?” today, and it includes a visit to “Native King” for some buffalo burgers. The final original
contribution of the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy segment involved Kilo Watts and Tiny interviewing the
character of Global Warming to help dispel the rumors about climate change. The legacy of the Kilo Watts
and Tiny segment continued despite the fact that both Jose and Eduardo eventually moved on to form bands
and create original music. Eduardo explains that he learned to produce thanks to the work he did on our
show, and he helped create Chicano Batman’s first album. Jose also learned about production from working
on our show, and he went on to form Las Cafeteras along with Soul Rebel Radio alumni Hector Flores.
The “Environment” show was Soul Rebel Radio’s nod to the legacy of the Kilo Watts and Tiny
Energy Segment, and the program about environmental issues was hosted by Kilo and Tiny. The show
includes a skit called “Dreams of Energy” which was a dream/nightmare scenario about the combined
effects of the energy crisis, global warming, and carbon footprints, another sketch abut a surfer named
“Rolando Mota” that hoped to save his favorite surfing spots from the effects of global warming, and
another spoof about water coming alive and talking to individuals about conservation. The interviews in
this show included a talk with Susie Chang, the Regional Director of Grid Alternatives which provides low
income families with solar panels, a discussion with Rosa Romera who works with the South Central Farm
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and who discusses the plans to build a Forever 21 warehouse on the grounds of the former South Central
Farm, and we also spoke with Steve Busceli, who worked at Brownfield on a Super Fund site that contains
land with hazardous waste that impacts the local ecosystem and human beings alike. The show included
two original songs “Where does the Energy come from?” where Kilo and Tiny explain that ultimately, the
energy comes from the power of the sun, and also another song called “Burning Out” created by Eduardo
Arenas about the global warming crisis. Finally, the show ends with Kilo and Tiny wanting to go back in
time before pollution began to impact the Earth, but they are unable to fix the Soul Rebel Radio Time
Machine and instead offer the following tips to our audience, “Redirect your energy to save energy,”
“Redirect your dollars to save energy,” and “Manage our waste so it doesn’t take up space.” The
Environment show was superb, and it re-established the Soul Rebel Radio collective as advocates of
environmental issues independent of the Kilo Watts and Tiny energy segment.
In the “Going Green” show, Soul Rebel Radio accidentally did something that adhered to the
trajectory of the show and our environmental angle, and Kilo and Tiny agreed to come back to help us host
the show along with “Eco Nut” Kianti and “Eco Love” Onamare who are real life off the grid hippies. The
hosting was a conversation about the virtues of living off the grid and living on the grid responsibly, and it
made for a fascinating discussion about environmental tactics between die-hard hippies and everyday
conservationists. The show opened with Los Angeles Councilmember Jan Perry talking about the ecofriendly initiatives she has launched in her district, but she is perhaps most famous for her involvement in
the raid of the South Central Farm in 2006. The show includes reports, interviews, and skits related to the
concept of “Going Green” and we look at the environment from all possible angles. The reports included in
the show demonstrate how to live off the grid, the effects of “Chem Trails,” the advent of genetically
modified foods, and a report on how to help the Earth. The show also includes a report on the community
based organization Green for All, which is a group that works to provide green alternatives to local
residents. The skits on the show consist of a parody of the network game-show Are you Smarter than a 5th
Grader? called “Are You Greener than a 5th Grader,” a Poor Peoples Guide to Going Green, and a skit that
explains how inexpensive products end up costing the environment more in the long run called “The True
Price of Cheap Goods.” Finally, we interview community members including City Councilmember Jan
Perry and ask them “How do you go green?” at an Earth Day Festival in South Los Angeles. The program
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was an excellent environmentally friendly show about the virtues of Going Green and we encouraged our
audience to take possession of the planet’s future. In the end, members of the Soul Rebel Radio collective
choose to live responsibly on the grid, and although we respect people that are living off the system, it is
not our preferred method of survival.
In the show “Sustainability: Think Globally, Act Locally,” Soul Rebel Radio presented a picture
of how to best deal with sustainability, which involves being concerned with the planet while doing
important work in the community. The group opens the show with a report and skit filed by “Chavela” who
is a character representative of a young girl that explains how Laughter is Medicine, and Soul Rebel Radio
defines sustainability as meeting the present needs without compromising the future. The show had a report
on the BP Oil Spill and the effects of fracking, a report on Genetically Modified Organisms, a description
of obesity, and an editorial on carbon footprints. The skits involved were an old Kilo Watts and Tiny
energy segment called the “Energy Cops” and a skit called “Global Yelp” that highlights the sustainability
of the food conditions in Greece, China, Cuba, India, and the US. The youth from A Place Called Home
also created a contribution about the sustainability of South Central after the Los Angeles Riots when
APCH was found. Finally, the show included interviews with Luisa Suleman Rodriguez who works with
the School of the Americas office in Venezuela, an interview with Revolutionary Autonomous
Communities, which provides food to low income and homeless community members on Sundays at
MacArthur Park, and we also interview teacher Edgar Flores who is an urban gardener who talks about
sustainability. The show on Sustainability was an important step in the latest generation of Soul Rebel
Radio, and it re-established the collective as an environmentally friendly program on KPFK focused on the
issues that are important to the Third World Left in Los Angeles and the world.
In conclusion, the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment was the most popular and perhaps most
practical portion of our show, and it left and enduring and indelible mark on Soul Rebel Radio, the
collective members, and the community. Kilo Watts aka Jose Cano and Tiny aka Eduardo Arenas together
created at least 23 original segments and came back to host two additional programs on top of that
including reports on Coal Burning, Hydroelectric Power, Natural Liquefied Gas, Environmental Racism,
Censorship of Global Warming, Fossil Fuels and Peak Oil along with skits like the “I Don’t Care
Syndrome,” “What if the Power Out?,” “Tree Hugger Phobia,” “Energy Cops,” and a sketch that answers
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the question “Are Indigenous People Better Off?” plus original songs like the “Energy Management
System,” “How Much does it (solar panels) cost?,” and “The Carbon Tax.” Kilo and Tiny came back twice
to host the “Environment” show in August of 2008 and the “Going Green” show in April 2010 where they
presented their latest original song called “Going Green.” The last show that we created related to issues of
the environment is the “Sustainability: Think Globally, Act Locally” show in May of 2012, and it guides
our audience towards a more sustainable way of life for individuals, communities, and ultimately everyone
from the First to the Third World. Soul Rebel Radio is proud of the long history of environmentally
friendly contributions and thanks to the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy segment, additional contributions, and
supplementary programs, our place is secure with third world environmentalists everywhere, and especially
in Los Angeles and among the Chican@ community that forms the Third World Left.
Years as Themes
The first monthly show that the collective self-produced is an effort to establish our place at KPFK
for Soul Rebel Radio as a youth collective capable of developing our voice and presenting a radio program
based on a theme. After pressuring the Local Station Board at KPFK in 2005, the Program Director
Armando Gudiño granted us a monthly show on the first Friday of the month at 7pm. The first program we
created on our own was the “2005 the Year in Review” show, and it includes two contributions from the
Soul Rebel Radio Thespians which was the name given to the collective effort to produce skits on a regular
basis. The first skit was based on a character named Angry Dave that appeared originally in the 8 week
series, and the second skit was by Conquest News which also appeared in the original series. Angry Dave
explained the deplorable response from the George W. Bush Administration to Hurricane Katrina in New
Orleans, and Conquest News reported on New Years Resolutions. The show also included a report on the
life and legacy of Pope John Paul II and a retrospective on the comedy of Richard Pryor who both passed
away in 2005. The final report was an account of the Anniversaries of the Cuban Revolution and the
Zapatista Rebellion which celebrate their existence each year on New Years Day and which were
celebrating their 46th and 11th anniversaries respectively that year. The best part of the program was the
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy segment and their contribution was a report on the effects of coal burning in
the United States. The first effort to create a show was not as well produced as future efforts, but it was the
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first show and also the initial attempt to examine a specific year. The year 2005 represented the calm before
the economic storm that would arrive in 2008, but it also provided an opportunity to examine the impact of
historical figures like President George W. Bush, Pope Paul John II, and comedian Richard Prior. The show
also profiled revolutionary movements like the Zapatista Rebellion, the Cuban Revolution, and the
environmental movement, and the impact these groups had on the Chican@ community and Third World
Left in Los Angeles.
The show called “The Year in Review in 2007” was an effort to take the collective to the next
level of production and the show included a fair mix of original and new members, and it was an
opportunity to introduce our two newest Lulu Kornspan and Monica de la Torre. The show’s first
contribution was an interview with Los Angeles MC Medusa who released an album that year, and she
discussed the role of women in Hip Hop. The skits included the use of the Soul Rebel Radio Time Machine
to make predictions about 2008 and beyond, and a very ambitious Roast of Santa Clause skit that included
the Roast-master Santa’s Elf, Jesus, Kwanza, Hanukah, Mrs. Clause, Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer, and
St. Nicholas. A report on the use of your tax dollars in 2007 and another on the increasing number of ICE
raids helped to provide valuable information to the community that serves to explain future trends. The
show also includes a review of important developments in the music world in 2007, and we end the
program with an original contribution by Kilo Watts and Tiny who interview the character of Global
Warming to help dispel the rumors about climate change. Future shows related to specific years would be
more focused on original productions related to specific and impactful years, and less so to reviewing the
news from the previous year, but this show demonstrated an important growth for the collective. Despite
the shoddy nature of this show, what I took away was that in less than two years, we had established
ourselves at the station and in the community as a vigorous voice and advocate of young people in LA.
The Year “1984” was an important time at the height of the Cold War, and the popular culture of
that year left an impact that would last for generations to come. The theme of the show was based on the
George Orwell’s book 1984 and the format includes three tenets from the book, “Ignorance is Strength,”
“War is Peace,” and the concept explained by the Ministry of Truth, “Who controls the past now, controls
the future. Who controls the present, controls the past.” The music from the year was used throughout the
show, and the program included reports on the proliferation of TV, another report on music in 1984. The
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year 1984 included the invention of MTV, a vibrant East LA Punk scene that included groups like The Brat
and The Baggs, and Prince’s song “Darling Nikki” led to the creation of the Parent Music Resource Center
which later created the Parent Advisory stickers. We presented a report on the New World Order that
focused on the atrocities of General Augusto Pinochet in Chile, the Contra War against the Sandinistas in
Nicaragua, and the Civil War in El Salvador between the Arenistas and the FMLN in 1984. The skits
included the use of the Soul Rebel Radio Time Machine to bring a young woman from 1984 back to the
present time, a Celebrity Jeopardy parody with contestants George H. W. Bush, Boy George, and Bill
Cosby, and we present a year in the life of the Cold War conflict between the US and the USSR including
the Russian Boycott of the LA Olympics and the US Funding of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein.
The show also aired two sound clips from 1984, one about the AIDS Epidemic which began around 1984
and we present Anti-Gay quotes from Pat Buchanan and the Reverend Jerry Falwell. We also include a
testimony from Frank Zappa at a congressional hearing about censorship in music in which he is in
opposition to the efforts of the PMRC. Finally, Soul Rebel Radio reiterated to the audience that it is our
responsibility to create a radio program that inform people in an entertaining manner and we end the show
with the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment. The “1984” show took the collective creativity to another
level of production and the incorporation of music, information, and audio from that year help to
contextualize the prospects of the book with the reality of the lived experience of individuals from the
Third World Left in Los Angeles. I remember how this show helped the collective to imagine the infinite
possibilities that the platform of radio provided for creativity and information, and we did an awesome job.
The world changed completely and in a revolutionary manner in “1968,” and it was the youth that
were the driving force in movements throughout the world and at home in Los Angeles. The show
represented the second attempt to profile an important year in the world’s history, and Los Angeles was
swept up in the political fervor racing around the world in 1968. We open the show with words from Paula
Crisostomo, who was a student leader during the historic East LA Blowouts when thousands of students
walked out to demand quality education for the Chican@ community and others in the Third World Left of
Los Angeles. The year 1968 included such landmark events as the East LA Blowouts, the assassination of
MLK along with race riots in over 100 US cities, the assassination of RFK in Los Angeles, the Chicago
Police Riot at the Democratic National Convention, the Tet Offensive in Vietnam, the Students for a
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Democratic Society protests, the South Carolina State Massacre, Cesar Chavez’ first fast for the United
Farm Workers, as well as movements in Czechoslovakia, France, and Mexico. That year was the creation
of the image of Che the martyr who was killed in late 1967, and in 1968, the Summer Olympics were
preceded by the Tlatelolco Massacre in Mexico City when thousands of students and community members
were murdered by government forces. The show includes a number of sound clips from 1968 including a
report on the war in Vietnam from January 31st, a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King where he explained
that “I’ve Been to the Promised Land,” another sound clip of James Brown who performed in Boston after
the MLK assassination and spoke about the need for peace in the streets after several days of violence.
Finally, we present an interview of Huey P. Newton after the police riots at the 1968 DNC as reported by
Bill Watson of the Pacifica Network. The show also includes an interview with David Simpson, a hippie
and peacenik from the Bay Area, and youth from the year 2008 at a statewide gathering of activists in Los
Angeles. The program had reports on the assassinations of MLK and RFK as well as another on the murder
of Che on October 8, 1967, and his “Guerillero Heroico” image that was turned into works of art and a
famous poster by Jim Fitzpatrick that spread around the world in 1968 after it was confirmed that he was
killed in Bolivia. The most timely and timeless contribution that we presented on the show was on the East
LA Blowout in 1968, and the 40th anniversary was an opportunity to create a report that focused on the
leading causes of the protest. We had an opportunity to interview Paula Crisostomo and Harry Gamboa Jr.
who were student leaders who helped organize the walkouts, and they describe what was happening in
1968, what Los Angeles was like, and their memories of the historic walkouts. The year 1968 was
important to Los Angeles and the Third Word Left, and the program was an important contribution to the
canon of Chicano Studies and Third World Feminism in that Soul Rebel Radio documented a significant
year during its 40th Anniversary for today’s audience.
The “2012” show was a response to the predictions and doomsday scenarios associated with the
year and the Mayan prediction. On December 21, 2012, the 5125 Long Count Calendar will end/begin at
11:11 when the Earth, the Sun, and the Black Hole at Center of the Milky Way Galaxy are aligned, and
nobody knows for sure what will happen that day, but there are a number of theories that we tried to
capture in this show. The program incorporated a number of audio clips from throughout the 2012
phenomenon, interviews with an environmentalist and an expert on Aquaponics, as well as an editorial that
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attempts to deconstruct some of the wild ideas associated with 2012. The show included a report on the
Chilam Balam which is one of the original sources of Mayan philosophy, plus a description of Izapa
Guatemala which is considered the 2012 Mayan site. We also present an account of Peak Oil in 2012, a
report on the Hopi’s Blue Star Prophecy that many associate with the Levy 9 comet in 1994, and a story on
the “Time Wave Theory” created by Terrence McKenna that incorporates aspects of the I-Ching and
demonstrates the end as occurring in 2012. Our interview with Gregory Pettis who is an environmentalist
provides a green perspective to the 2012 discussion, and Dr. Julia Rankin explains how Aquaponics can
help humanity survive past 2012 by creating self contained and water friendly sources of protein and plants.
The collection of audio clips includes NASA confirming a peak in solar flares occurring in the year 2012,
Terrence McKenna explaining his Time Wave Theory, a portion of the Lost Book of Nostradamus, another
piece on “Apocalypse Island” in the South Pacific. Apocalypse Island is the only place in the world where
one can witness the Venus Transit, the Solar Eclipse, and the alignment on 12/21/12, and finally we present
an existing interview with Rik Clay who explains the phenomenon associated with the time 11:11 and its
relationship to the 2012 prophecy. A number of occurrences predicted by cultures around the world explain
the following occurrences: on January 31, 2012, the near Earth object 433 Eros comes very close to the
planet, on May 20, 2012, there is a Solar Eclipse in the Northern Hemisphere, on June 6, 2012, Earth will
witness a Venus Transit in front of the Sun, on November 13, 2012, the Southern Hemisphere will witness
a Solar Eclipse, and on December 21, 2012, the 13 Baktun long count calendar ends on 4 Earthquake
during the Winter Solstice. This show was a huge undertaking and because I have a personal interest in the
theory that dates back almost two decades, I was overwhelmed with the results and thought that the
program was as complete as anything related to the year and the phenomenon of 2012.
Initially, the “2005 Year in Review” show and the “2007 Year in Review” program worked as
filler material during periods when production was usually slow due to holidays, but efforts became
respectable examples of Soul Rebel Radio. The “1984” show used the George Orwell book 1984 as
inspiration, and the use of music and events associated with that year was a radical departure from focusing
on contemporary issues. The “1968” show was a way to honor perhaps the most significant year of the late
20th Century due to the political activity that occurred around the world and in Third World Left of Los
Angeles, and this was due in large part to the youth driven movements that called for social justice and
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brewed with revolutionary fervor. Finally, the “2012” show was a program that aired two years before the
galactic alignment that is prophesized on December 21, 2012, and we presented a program that attempted
to encompass the various theories into a unifying understanding that we are living in what some would call
the end times, and which others identify as the start of the next phase in human evolution. Although the
years 2005 and 2007 were pivotal to understanding how critical resistance existed prior to the 2008 Great
Recession, it was the show’s ability to connect the events of 1984 and 1968 to 2012 and beyond that truly
separates Soul Rebel Radio from other programs on the radio. Coupled with the extensive use of the Soul
Rebel Radio time machine, the recognition of different years was really an acknowledgment and
appreciation of history and attempt to connect the past to the present and the possibilities that exist for
young people in the future.
People as Themes
Another important theme to Soul Rebel Radio is the concept of people, and the collective feels it
has done its best job to highlight the voiceless, the controversial, and the sinister depending on your
political perspective. The first attempt to highlight people was the “Homeless in Los Angeles” show that
made the invisible people visible and audible by bringing their voice to the masses. The show began with a
report from Skid Row and an interview with “Skid Row Bobby” Greene. Other interviews profile homeless
people living on the streets, we talk with Kevin Michael Key who is a Community Coordinator with the
homeless advocacy groups LA CAN and the LA Poverty Department, and we interview Manoush who is a
member of Food not Bombs, an organization that helps feed the homeless. The show also included an
interview with Ricardo Juarez, a Case Manager in Ventura County that illustrates the prevalence of mental
illnesses among the homeless population. Soul Rebel Radio presented interviews with Nikisha and Susan
Cruz from “Girls in Gangs,” and this is an organization that helps convicted youth avoid homelessness, and
I interviewed Tezozomoc, an organizer with the South Central Farm in Los Angeles which is an
organization that ended up being homeless after a push to evict the farmers from the land. The most
significant contribution to the show was the interview with UFW founder Dolores Huerta who explains
how the overwhelming majority of migrant farm workers are in essence homeless during the work season.
This fact is difficult to digest if we consider that most people don’t think about where their food comes
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from or what conditions are endured by the workers who pick the fruits and vegetables. The inclusion and
profiling of human beings was vital to the future of the program, and the first show to focus on specific
people was based on the theme of homelessness in Los Angeles which Soul Rebel Radio felt does not
receive enough attention by the mainstream press. The show was outstanding and it demonstrated our
ability to empathize with the most marginalized people in the Third World Left of Los Angeles.
The show we called the “The Life, Contradictions, and Contributions of Che” was an attempt to
present the life of a controversial figure while at the same time presenting something new and fresh to the
Soul Rebel Radio audience. The show included a short history of Ernesto Guevara, plus three 1 st person
accounts by important woman in the life of Che including Celia de la Serna who was his mother, Hilda
Gadea who was his first wife from Peru and the mother of his first daughter, and Aleida March who was
Che’s second wife from Cuba and the mother of the rest of his children. We included audio of Che
including his first address to the Cuban people, a report on the book that adopted into a film called The
Motorcycle Diaries, a reference to the creation of “Radio Rebelde” which proved to be the public relations
unit of the Cuban Revolution. We also share some words from Che about the defeat of Imperialism at the
height of the fallout between the US and USSR when the Cuban Revolution was forced to defend the island
during the Bay of Pigs Invasion. We also presented audio of Fidel Castro who was pressured publicly to
read a private letter when the people realized that Che was no longer involved in the decision making in
Cuba. We also created a few skits, and in the first example, the Soul Rebel Radio Time Machine was used
to interview Alberto Korda who is the photographer behind the famous image of Che called the “Guerillero
Heroico,” another spoof was a parody of Family Feud with the category of Che producing some
controversial answers. The most fascinating contribution was a poem called “What if Che was Ugly?’
where Soul Rebel Lex wondered if the aesthetics of Che helped him to become a revolutionary martyr. We
also presented interviews with youth from Latin America who explain that although the image of Che has
been commercialized, Che remains an inspiration to many revolutionary youth in Latin America, and we
also included an interview with a young Cuban ex-patriot who explains that the image of Che is
indoctrinated in Cuba and the children end each morning by proclaiming “Seremos como el Che” or we
will be like Che. Finally we include portions of an interview with Gloria Muniz Ramirez, the author of the
EZLN history book The Fire and The Word who explains that the spirit of Che is understood as that of a
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comrade who is in the hills, and his life is celebrated every October 8 th as the day of the heroic guerilla by
the Zapatistas in Chiapas. The show was a critical look at the life of Che and not a glorification of a hero
martyr, and this was done well and by design. As a devotee of Che, I wanted to make sure that we
presented his life respectfully without trying to idealize his life or gloss over some important
contradictions, and we did that in an extraordinary manner.
The “The Trial of George W. Bush for Murder” show was an assignment in the manipulation of
audio to create a voice that would resonate with the Third World Left audience at the end of an 8 year reign
of terror by the administration. The show was inspired by the Vincent Bugliosi book The Prosecution of
George W. Bush for Murder and Carole Coleman’s interview of George W. Bush for Radio Television
Ireland, and we used actual audio recordings of the George W. Bush and his administration and inserted our
questions to create the trial. We also included his infamous quote to open the show, “Fool me once, shame
on you… Fool me twice, can’t fool me again!” The show was hosted by News Eyewitness anchor Layla
Califo and reporter Jorge Arbustos who brought us breaking news from the courthouse, and The Trial of
George W. Bush was held in the courtroom of Judge Timmy Tim-Tim. The trial starts with the testimony
of the family members of dead soldiers as read by the Soul Rebel Radio collective, and the defense team
repeatedly objected to the dramatic testimony. The prosecution team of Monica and Theresa then grills the
Bush Administration cabinet members including Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfield, and Colin Powell
on the witness stand. George W. Bush took the stand and was accused of failing to adhere to facts before
illegally invading Iraq by building a structure of lies, and he was also blamed for his administration’s
failure to recognize the findings of 16 different intelligence agencies. The Prosecution team of Theresa
Dang and Monica De la Torre conclude that 4000 soldiers and 100,000 Iraqis had died as of November
2008 due to the false pretenses used by Bush to invade Iraq. The show ended with Vice-President Dick
Cheney breaking “Dubya” out of the courthouse by shooting a bailiff in the face, and they both escape to a
getaway vehicle. The show was a substantial undertaking, but Soul Rebel Radio was very proud to be able
to take George W. Bush to trial for murder, and I felt we presented a strong case and the evidence proves
beyond a reasonable doubt that that the President was guilty of murdering thousands of innocent civilians.
The “Workers” show was about the contributions of the labor force and the working class
neighborhoods that many of the collective members came from in the Third World Left of Los Angeles.
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The show was part of a Trilogy that included the “Capitalism” and “Revolution” shows, and on this
program, we focused on the workers. Former KPFK host Jerry Quigley opened the show by explained what
it means to be a worker and emphasizing his and the stations pro-labor and pro-union position. The
program showcased the voice of AFL-CIO Labor leader Maria Elena Durazo who was interviewed in three
separate parts. The first part of the interview was about how she got involved in the labor union, then she
explains the current labor situation in the United States which seems to be anti-union, and finally she
encourages young people to get involved in the union and organizing work in general. The program also
included interviews with workers and union organizers that explain what an ideal work situation would
look like and they answer the question “What does it mean to be a worker?” The show also included an
interview with Alma Catalan, a young filmmaker and former garment worker who discusses the struggle to
survive as an undocumented immigrant. We also interviewed Melody Gonzalez who works with the
Coalition of Immokale Workers and the Chiapas Media Project, and she discusses the labor situation for
workers in the fields and we played a clip of the documentary “Paying the Price” about the cost of being a
Farmworker. Finally, the show includes an excerpt from Radio Tijera which is a media outlet that
documents the lives, voices, and experiences of garment workers in the United States from the perspective
of employees in the sweatshops. The workers show was an excellent program that relates to the Chican@s
community and other members of the Third Word Left in Los Angeles, and the Trilogy that it formed was a
clear indication that Soul Rebel Radio stood on the side of the workers and against the multi-national
corporations that exploit employees.
“The People’s Cup” show was a parody of the pomp and circumstance associated with the World
Cup that tends to ignore the reality of the members of the Third World Communities in South Africa or
around the world. The show opened with a commercial voiced by Bono that was commandeered into a plug
for Soul Rebel Radio. The show defines futbol in terms of the game and the origin of the sport, explains the
history of the FIFA, the governing body of international soccer, and the World Cup, or the world
championship tournament that is played every four years. We included skits, interviews, and news report
from South Africa or related to the beautiful game to present the perspective of youth from the Third World
Left. Correspondent Xaris Delgadillo interviewed young people living in extremely poor conditions in
South Africa, and they share their thoughts on the reality that is hidden from the public. The show includes
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an editorial on how the legacy of racism remains rooted despite the end of Apartheid in South Africa. Soul
Rebel Radio also presents a report on the power of the people movements in South Africa that includes
Nelson Mandela of the African National Congress among other leaders. Local futbol players also
participated in our show and I interviewed members of the Futbolistas in Los Angeles who play soccer in a
community of skilled, unskilled, older, and younger men and women who come together to build a society
of healthy people. Every year, the group plays in the “Copa Comunidad” which brings together Futbolistas
from Los Angeles and Leftwing Futbol Club from the Bay Area to play futbol. For the World Cup
program, they answer the question, “What is the World Cup?” The show includes a fascinating report on
Drogba from the Ivory Coast who helped to create peace in his country by bringing warring sides together
using the power of futbol, and another report on how mental training is just as important as physical
training in sports and in life. One report explained the madness involved when sport fanaticism and
violence come together on the soccer pitch, and we also presented a report based on the essay “An
Impossible Happiness” by Fidel Castro written during the World Cup in 2010. Another description details
the BP Oil Spill in the Gulf Coast that wreaked havoc on the environment just a few weeks before the
World Cup started. Soul Rebel Radio also included commercials about how Coca Cola harms communities
around the world with a report that details their specific damage in South Africa, Pakistan, and Columbia
and another description of the Sony Playstation, which requires an element found in the Congo that creates
violence in that country. Finally, we created a skit that explains how the World Cup affects married couples
and the community by increasing violence and aggression during the World Cup. The show was an attempt
to take a current event and provide a Third World Leftist perspective to the debate, and we did a dazzling
job of honoring the sport with a Soul Rebel twist.
The show, public event, and “Community Bill of Rights” related to the “Funk the Police” show
was our take on police brutality and a proactive response by Soul Rebel Radio. The entire Soul Rebel Radio
show was a skit, and it was hosted by two characters named Officer Justice and Officer Malo, but the idea
is not to scream “Fuck the Police,” but instead the collective proposed a Community Bill of Rights to help
end police brutality. I write the script and created a program with two fake cops on the beat to guide the
audience through the show, and the audience was invited to see the police as human beings with flaws. The
program had two reports related to police brutality with one focusing on the lives of Oscar Grant, Rodney
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King, and Amadou Diallo who along with Manuel Jamines were all victims of Police Brutality. The other
report helps explain the relevance of the Chican@ Moratorium during the 40 th Anniversary of the event,
and we interview Leilani Montes who created the documentary called “Since Salazar” about the Chican@
LA Times reporter who was killed by the police in East LA during the original event. Other contributions
to the show included interviews with Fran Zamora who explains the reality of the law enforcement and
encourages everyone to “Know Your Rights.” We also did an interview with Joaquin Cienfuegos of Cop
Watch LA who has worked to document Police Brutality since 2004. Finally we conducted an interview
with Bill Cudahy, a Constitutional Historian and expert on the 4 th Amendment who opposes illegal search
and seizures, and fights for the right to privacy. Cudahy explains that, “Cops are ordinary people in
extraordinary situations.” The most interesting contribution on the show was the anonymous interview with
two female police officers who explain the impact of racism, sexism, and police brutality on their work.
They have witnessed supposedly a minimal level of this kind of behavior throughout their careers in law
enforcement, but it was important to seek out a balance to the show. Soul Rebel Radio organized a
community event on the night that the show aired, and we also created a “Community Bill of Rights” that
evening at the Downtown Los Angeles Youth and Community Center, and we ended the show by
encouraging the community to support the 15th annual October 22 Rally against Police Brutality that year.
The show “Funk the Police” presented a Soul Rebel Twist to the topic of police brutality, and the creation
of a living document helped the collective to convey the importance of proactive and collective measures to
state sponsored violence, so the show was a complete success for the Third World Left in Los Angeles.
In conclusion, human beings are ultimately the most important members and subjects of the show,
and although imperfect and volatile at times, Soul Rebel Radio is fundamentally a collective of people that
worked together to create an original program each month. Soul Rebel Radio cares about the “Homeless in
Los Angeles” and understands that people in our community are passionate about this subject, so in June
2006, the group aired a show about the dispossessed. Some people in the group traveled together to Cuba
together and three members of the collective Jorge Merino, Lex Steppling, and I met Aleida Guevara, but
when it came time to do a show about Ernesto Guevara in May 2008, it was called “The Life,
Contradictions, and Contributions of Che.” At the end of two administrations and the “War on Terra” by
President Bush the lesser, Soul Rebel Radio felt it was our responsibility and duty to produce “The Trial of
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George W. Bush for Murder.” In May 2009, the group created the “Workers” show because it needed to
complete the trilogy that included “Capitalism” and “Revolution,” but mostly because we values the
contributions of the labor force and unions in the United States. While the world, me included, celebrated
the World Cup being played in South Africa, Soul Rebel Radio aired the “People’s Cup” as a tribute to the
beautiful game of futbol, but with an eye towards what it means for the Third World Countries around the
world and their relationship to California and Los Angeles. The “Funk the Police” show in October 2010
was associated with a public event at a community space in Los Angeles, and it resulted in the creation of a
“Community Bill of Rights” created in conjunction and collaboration with our audience and the imagined
community that was nurtured throughout the years on the air. The goal of Soul Rebel Radio is to encourage
young people to take ownership of the media and hopefully to impact the community that it serves by
creating a program that is both entertaining and informative to the youth and the adults that might be
listening, and we have clearly done an immense amount of original programs focused on the people.
Concepts as Themes
The “Fear” show was an early program where I felt the collective had hit its stride, and by this
time we had found our niche at KPFK as a youth program. The show was a creative step in the right
direction, and it moved the collective towards challenging ourselves to push the envelope and explore ideas
thoroughly in each show. The concept of fear is rather abstract, but the group was able to explore the theme
by employing skits, interviews, and news pieces to create a complete representation of terror. Soul Rebel
Radio opened the show with a clip from the film Clockwork Orange, and from the start we wanted to set
the mood for fear and it carries throughout the show. The most memorable contributions were the skits
about fear, and they include a segment called “The Science Rebels” which was a parody of the children’s
show Bill Nye the Science Guy, which uses a fun and scientific approach to explain fear. Another sketch
about the three parts of the brain that manage our responses to fear with each compartments being
represented by a separate character. A number of different types of fears were explored including the youth
talking about their fears related to education, social services, gangs, immigration, and the economy, plus
interviews with young gay and transgender youth explaining their fears of hate, crimes, HIV, STD’s, and
acceptance, plus we also included testimonies from the collective members who share accounts of their
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fears as women. We interviewed Edward Mercado, a young man from Venezuela who discusses how youth
in the US are taught to fear Hugo Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution. The program also includes a
report explaining how the media uses fear tactics to spread terror and another report that explains how Fidel
Castro has been made out to be a boogeyman that people must fear. Many Americans like Angela Davis
and Sidney Portiere challenge this notion created by the US media about the Cuban leader, and they openly
support the communist leader. Finally, the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment portray a scary scenario of
a society that is running out of fossil fuels while being completely dependant on the oil industry. The fear
show was an excellent and creative interpretation and presentation of a conceptual program that explored
boundaries and challenged the collective to explore a theme completely and present it in a manner that
appeal to the audience and educates the community. The “Fear” show was a tremendous effort to create a
mood while covering a theme and it informed our future shows to consciously manipulate the sound to
enhance the experience for the audience.
The show called the “Elections” show started off as a challenging theme because few members of
the collective believed absolutely in the electoral process, but by the end of the program, it turned out to be
one of our best shows and a program that included some of our most memorable contributions. The show
opened with a shout out from Sub Comandante Marcos of the EZLN speaking in English in one of the few
known audio recordings of him speaking to the Chican@ and American audiences, and it ended with the
“Sup” explaining that some people go to sleep and dream about a better tomorrow while others work
through the night to create that reality. In between, the show included an amazing interview with Dolores
Huerta of the UFW who sits down with Wendy Carillo to discuss the importance of voting especially in
light of the recent immigrant rights marches in the US. The collective interviewed youth explaining their
thoughts on elections and voting, and we also presented a report on a woman’s right to choose in light of
new rulings that attempt to changes the existing abortion laws. We also included an interview with
Christine Lyon, the Vice President of public affairs for Planned Parenthood in Santa Barbara. The show
presented a report on the Pros and Cons of Proposition 87, and finally we did an interview with Bill
Paparian who ran as a Green Party candidate for the 29th Congressional District in California. A few skits
helped provide a humorous take on elections, and they were “The Mind of a Young Voter” skit which takes
us inside the mind of a young voter trying to avoid confusion at the ballot box and in the election process.
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The “Soul Rebel Café” sketch was a hilarious parody of a poetry jam and it included “Soldier of the
Spoken Word” by Sister Solstice of the Equinox and “Let’s Play House,” and “Piece About the Senate” by
Urban Warrior Mike. The program included a PSA staring Arnold Schwarzenegger where he encourages
the audience to vote. I interviewed Sub-Comandante Marcos and participants of a gathering in Tijuana
between Chican@ and Zapatista supporters. After helping with security during the day’s gathering, I asked
Sub-Comandante Marcos of the EZLN to share his thoughts in English at the stop for La Otra Campaña or
The Other Campaign in October 2006. We also include the voices of the young participants of the
gathering who explain the purpose of their involvement in the struggle for autonomy and against
neoliberalism. The show ends with the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment and Kilo and Tiny create an
original song about solar panels called “How Much Does it Cost?” The show was an exciting and huge step
towards establishing legitimacy and presenting a perspective that was well rounded, and the inclusion of
Sub-Comandante Marcos and Dolores Huerta in an Election show presented a Soul Rebel Radio view of
the world from the Third World Left in L.A. The “Election” show is easily one of the finest shows we ever
created, and I was very proud when this show aired and for the manner in which we covered the theme.
“Death in the Spring Time” was an attempt to take a topic such as genocide and completely flip it
on its side in order to create something innovative, and the show is a great example of the collective
creativity of Soul Rebel Radio. Most of the contributions were reports on different activities related to
genocide including a report from the Cucapa Camp in Baja California which was an effort to support the
Indigenous community by Sub Comandante Marcos of the EZLN and the Chican@ community in the US.
We also included a report on gentrification in places like the Hill District in Pittsburgh, the Mission District
in San Francisco, and Elysian Valley in LA. We presented a report about the Jewish Holocaust which cost
thousands of Jews, Gays, Gypsies, and Jehovah Witnesses their lives, and a report that sheds light on the
Armenian Genocide at the hands of the Turkish forces. The show included an account that focused on the
genocide in Rwanda, and a report on the year 1968 which was pivotal around the world in the struggle for
social justice. The show also includes a skit called “The True History of Columbus” where Mr. Deez, a
substitute teacher takes over a history class and the students challenge the mainstream notions of
Columbus. We also interview a teacher Jo Ann Mixpe Ley who works at Semillas del Pueblo in El Sereno,
which is a school that teaches indigenous philosophy and history and hopes to preserve native traditions.
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The show ends with the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment and their report on the importance of energy
consumptions for the preservation of the human race. “Death in the Spring Time” might seem like a
contradiction since the season is usually associated with life, but the attempt to present the topic about the
preservation of life. In light of the horrors of genocide, our program was a valuable endeavor that goes
against the grain in the style of Soul Rebel Radio and on behalf of the Third World Left in Los Angeles,
and we did an impressive job of presenting a complex theme to the audience.
Perhaps the most creative and ambitious effort ever taken on by Soul Rebel Radio was the attempt
to present the contributions of the Native American people as a football game between the Redskins and the
Patriots. The football games serves as a metaphor for the history of the Indigenous experience in the United
States, and the group uses real historical figures, locations, and times to place each “play” in the game
within a real event. The show opens with Kiko Wativiti from the Taino Nation who speaks of the true
history of Columbus as passed on in the oral tradition of his people, and he explains “Our women bashed
their heads with their war clubs.” The show takes us to the following places including Florida in 1513,
South Carolina in 1526, Mississippi in 1542, Virginia in 1548, North Carolina (Lost Colony) in 1584,
Chesapeake Bay Virginia in 1607, Plymouth Rock in 1620, Thanksgiving in 1621, Jamestown in the
1640’s, Massachusetts/ Connecticut in 1637, Hudson River (Wall Street) in 1640, Pennsylvania in 1682,
Pima Arizona in 1680, the Pueblo Revolt in 1709, Delaware in 1756, the Shawnee Scalp Act in 1775, the
Christian Missions in 1786, the Northwest Ordinance in 1790, Shawnee Ohio in 1795, the Creek Wars in
1813, the Fort Blunt Seminole War in 1815, the Doctrine of Discover in 1828, the Trail of Tears to
Oklahoma in the 1830’s, Seminole Wars II in 1843, the California Gold Rush and Indentured Servant Act
in 1849, the California Indian Treaties in 1850, California in 1862, the Homestead Act in 1862, the Sioux
War Declaration in 1862, Colorado in 1864, Southern Cheyenne in 1865, the Red Cloud’s War in 1866,
Custer against Sitting Bull in 1876, Nez Perce in 1877, the Indian Appropriation Act in 1874, the Apache
Massacre in Arizona in 1871, the Sitting Bull Gathering of Indians in 1876, the Oklahoma Land Rush in
1889, and Wounded Knee in 1890. Redskins players on the roster included Carlos Calusa, Francisco
Chicora, Powatan, Pocahontas, Samoset, Masowet Wampanowa, Squanto, Opechankano Sasakaspetqua,
Iroquois, Chief Tamanend, Lenape Delaware, Tohono Odham, Popeye Pueblo, San Diego, Shawnee,
Sacajawea, Chief Tecumseh, The Prophet, Seminole, California Indian, Manuelito Navajo, Sioux, Roman
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Nose, Red Cloud, Cheyenne, Lakota, Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, and Geronimo. Meanwhile,
the Patriot players were Christopher Columbus, Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria, Juan Rodriguez Bermejo, Jesus
Christ, Juan Ponce de Leon, Lupe Vasquez de Aylon, Hernando de Soto, Spanish Jesuits, Sir Walter
Raleigh, John Smith, Mayflower, Boston Bay, William Penn, Thomas Penn, Robert Loomis, Measles,
Small Pox, Greenville, Lewis and Clark , Maryweather, Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison,
California Legislator, Carson, Homestead Act, Col. Harry Harrington, George Custer, Christianity, Fort
Nebraska, General Crook, and Whiteside. For the halftime report, we presented an interview with Alan Yu,
a University of Chicago linguist working with the Wacho Nation, and the postgame report was with Kianga
Lucas, an Indigenous student who explains how Native American mascots in the 21 st Century are offensive.
The show included commercials for Pacifigra, a fake pharmaceutical company, and Davey Crocket Hats
which help you “Dress to Kill” and in general it had all the elements of a real football game. The Kilo
Watts and Tiny Energy segment was a skit that helps answer the question, “Are Indigenous People Better
Off?” today than before the conquest, and the segment includes words by Quese IMC who is an Indigenous
hip-hop artist. We also spoke with drummer Questlove of The Roots crew who gives Soul Rebel Radio a
shout out at the Rock the Bells show that year. We end the show with a Leonard Peltier Honor Song to pay
tribute to a leader of the American Indian Movement. The research, writing, and collaboration necessary to
create a football game complete with plays, analyst, color commentators, and sportscasters was an
ingenious way to present a theme and it remains one of our most enduring and endearing programs. Years
after the show originally aired, the audience and collective members that participated remember it as one of
our greatest creation and one of the most involved productions of radio, and I am very proud of this show.
The “Prison Industrial Complex” show allowed the collective to take a position on a controversial
issue and we presented a program that challenges the mainstream notions of the prison system. The show
includes skits, interviews, and reports and we profiled a number of voices from the Third World in Los
Angeles including member of the Chican@ community. Critical Resistance defines the Prison Industrial
Complex as the intersection of government and private corporations, and Soul Rebel Radio presented this
as our characterization as well. The sketches included “America’s Next Top Prison,” a parody of America’s
Next Top Model where Calpatria, San Quentin, and ADX Florence in Fremont, Colorado vie for the top
prize, a spoof of the show “To Catch a Predator” that explains the role of the US system of education in
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turning youth into prisoners, and a parody of the Art Laboe show which plays oldies and caters to the
homeboys and homegirls that come in and out of prisons. Soul Rebel Radio presented a report on the Top
10 prisons and explains that per capita, the USA is ranked first in the world in the number of prisoners. Plus
the program includes a report on how the 3-Strikes Law has severe effects on the individuals in prison and
the youth in the community. We interview Margaret Dooley Sammuli, the Deputy Director of the Drug
Policy Alliance in California, who explains the effects of the War on Drugs on the people. The show
profiled two young men who had parents in prison, Ezra Erlenmeyer works with Project Avery and his
father was incarcerated when he was just as a child, and performer Trumain Davis grew up without parents
because they were both in prison. We also talk with Lisa Adler who works for the UCLA Community
Labor Strategy Center and she explains how the Runner Initiative would allow youth to be tried as adults
for a “Gang Related Felony.” Finally, Mario Rocha is a young man who was falsely imprisoned for 10
years at the age of 16, and he talks to us about how his narrative became the documentary “Mario’s Story.”
The most unique and expressive interpretations on the show were the original songs related the to Prison
Industrial Complex created by four different members of the collective including “Jail Cell,” a parody of
Michelle by The Beatles, “What’s Prison Done for me Lately?” a song inspired by What Have You Done
for Me Lately by Janet Jackson, “I’m Behind Bars” a parody of I’m Just a Girl by No Doubt, and “3 Strikes
the PIC” which was a song inspired by Soulja Boy that helps explain the Prison Industrial Complex and the
3 Strikes law. The Prison Industrial Complex program was a well produced radio show that demonstrated
the range and the ingenuity associated with the informative programming and unique sounds and
production of Soul Rebel Radio, and the collective and I consider this one of our better shows.
The “It’s the Stupid Economy” show demonstrated the power of the collective to address the most
important issues of the early 21st century from the perspective of young people of the Third World Left
communities in Los Angeles. More importantly, the program confirmed the power and the essential voices
of young people that are exclusive to Soul Rebel Radio on KPFK. The show aired on September 4, 2008,
and the economy would begin to crack within days after we aired the show, and by the end of the month,
the program would prove to be a timely and visionary look at the US Economy on the brink of self
destruction. The program begins with the testimony of a young mother that explains the struggle to raise
her child, the rising food prices, the difficulty in finding work, and the complexity of providing childcare in
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today’s economy. We spoke with young people who share the experiences and frustration of looking for
work and surviving in the US economy. We also interviewed Carl Wood, the candidate for the 65th
Assembly district and a Regional Affairs Director for the Utilities Workers Union of America. The show
presented a report on the Federal Reserve, which is a private bank that controls our economy through the
use of its 12 national banks that consist of no government oversight. We also included a report on NeoLiberalism, the younger and more aggressive sibling of capitalism that drives the socialization of costs and
the privatization of profits with assistance from the IMF, the WTO, and the World Bank. We also profiled
the black market or the informal sector that helps provide jobs for many people in the US with and without
legal documents. The show and the skit is a parody of the Colbert Report’s segment called “The Word,”
and in 2008, the financial system began to show signs of breaking down. The host Mike Wall’s gung ho
capitalist defense of the economy concludes that, “Everyone knows that the US is indestructible!” By the
end of the show, Soul Rebel Radio called for a New Deal for the 21 st Century, and my conservative alter
ego “Mike Walls” breaks down and admits that “We’re in Big Big trouble. This is a national emergency
and we need help. SOS! Help! We are all going to be casualties of the war on poor people.” The most
significant factor associated with this show is that it aired days before the start of the worst financial
recession in nearly 100 years. Our visionary collective created a show that pointed towards a real concern
felt by the youth about the direction of the US and World economy. In very quick succession, the following
national and international events took place in the days following our show on the economy that aired on
September 4, 2008. Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac were Nationalized on September 7, Lehman Brothers
went bankrupt and Bank of America purchased Merrill-Lynch on September 14, the Global stocks
plummeted between September 15-17, the financial institution AIG was bailed out by the government on
September 16, and between September 16-30 the government and the banks negotiated a bail out as
portrayed in the HBO film Too Big to Fail, until the hemorrhage of the economy finally stopped on
September 30th. The collective felt like visionaries after we aired the show, and I also sensed as though our
show mattered more after this program aired. The show helped the group to understand that the power of
the Soul Rebel Radio voice was in realizing that given the opportunity, a collective of people will come up
with the best demonstration of media. The group presented a prophetic understanding of the American
economy, and although I wasn’t glad to see free enterprise fail, the program was astonishing and farsighted.
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The “Revolution” show was an enjoyable exercise in imagination and it allowed the group to
explore the concept of rebellion without having to be heavy on the dogma. Soul Rebel Radio defined
Revolution as a complete overhaul of the government system or a change to the constitution and the
program was a satirical take on insurrection. In the show’s opening, we explained to the audience that ‘We
interrupt this program to tell you that rebels have taken over the station” in the spirit of the radio program
War of the Worlds. I wrote the script and created an organization called the International People Union or
IPU to explain revolution by using first person accounts throughout the show. The participants of the show
included the following world renowned revolutionaries: Tupac Amaru of Peru, La Virgen de Guadalupe of
Mexico, Sor Juana Ines of New Spain, Gabriela Silong and Andres Bonifacio of the Philippines, the
Shawnee leader Tecumseh, the Serbian scientist Nikola Tesla, Mahatma Gandhi of India, American
Anarchist Emma Goldman, the German revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg, the Mexican hero Emiliano
Zapata, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, the Chinese leader Mao Zedong, the Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh,
the Salvadoran Miguel Marmol, the Chilean President Salvador Allende, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the
African revolutionary Lumumba, the Cuban Communist Fidel Castro, the American Muslim Malcolm X,
Japanese American Yuri Kochiyama, the American Shirley Chisom, the Black Panther Party of the United
States, the Salvadoran poet Roque Dalton, American gay rights leader Harvey Milk, the Maribal Sisters of
the Dominican Republic, Lucio Cabanas of Mexico, the Chican@ Oscar Zeta Acosta, the Nicaraguan
revolutionary Nora Astorga, the American Angela Davis, Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, plus the EZLN,
Comandante Ramona, and Sub-Comandante Marcos of Chiapas. Soul Rebel Radio tipped their beret to the
following rebellions and revolutions including the Bloodless Revolution, the French Revolution, the
American Revolution, the Russian Revolution, the Chinese Revolution, the American Revolution, the
Cuban Revolution, the Nicaraguan Revolution, the Iranian Revolution, the Zapatista Rebellion, the
Bolivarian Revolution, the Cultural Revolution, the Technological Revolution, the Islamist Revolution, and
the People’s Power Revolution. The show also included interviews where youth and members of the
community explain what Revolution means to them, and we end the show by interviewing members of the
organization the Hillside Food Cooperative, which does work in Northeast Los Angeles to provide food for
the community. The show was very involved and the research and writing was intensive, but in the end
Soul Rebel Radio created an original show that will stand the test of time and provide the listener with a
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clear understanding of the influences on the Third World Left communities in Los Angeles in the early 21 st
century, and I was very proud to write, host, and participate in the “Revolution” show.
The show “Go to Health” was a tongue in cheek take on Health, and the show was an opportunity
to have some fun with a very serious topic that affects nearly every human being. As usual, the program
included skits, interviews, and reports that enlightened the audience and provided the youth in the
community with useful information. The show opens with an interview with Coco Kornspan who talks
about Mental Health and works with people who suffer from mental issues, and the highlight of the show
was a discussion with “Dr. X and Dr. Y” which included 2 male physicians, 1 female medical student, and
1 health care Administrator who spoke anonymously about their experiences in the health care industry.
The two part roundtable discussion was the centerpiece of the show, and it was a great way to allow young
professionals a chance to share their real thoughts on the industry. The show also includes a report on the
ongoing debate between Conservatives and Liberals about the Public Health Care option, a report based on
a publication titled “Sexual and Reproductive Health” that describes issues related to youth and sexual
activity, and an editorial about the documentary Food Inc. that changed Soul Rebel Andres’ life and
provided the information needed to convert him to a life of Vegetarianism. The show also included a skit
where we go on a walk and encounter Soul Rebel Radio Alumni Jose Cano who recently went on a 30 mile
run for his 30th birthday. We spoke with Gilbert who works with El Jardin in Boyle Heights, and finally
Raquel recommends spending time in the outdoors plus tips like getting out of your house, eating the right
food, getting enough sleep, drinking water, exercising, and quitting smoking. Soul Rebel Radio encourages
our audience to move towards health and although the show title appears vulgar, it is actually a call to
action for the benefit of individuals and members of the Third World communities in Los Angeles.
The “Peace” program aired during our 5 year anniversary celebration, and it was an entertaining
counterpoint to the “War” show that had previously aired. Soul Rebel Radio employed quotes and
inspiration from the book “The Art of Peace” throughout the show to help provide wise words towards the
practice of peace. The program includes a number of fascinating interviews with people calling for peace,
especially the community at the May Day 2010 March against Arizona’s SB1070 law. We interviewed
people who respond to the question, “Define Peace and explain how to work towards that?” We also
interview Peacemakers from the Urban Peace Institute and the Gang Intervention Workers from the 1st Los
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Angeles Violence Training Academy who explain “What is Peace?” Finally, we interview members of
Homeboy Industries with homeboys and homegirls explaining “What is Peace?” and Soul Rebel Radio
created a YouTube video and interviewed Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries. We conclude the
show by presenting the Soul Rebel Radio Lifetime Achievement Award for Peace to Father Greg. We also
spoke Dr. John Morton who is a Peace Theologian and the Director of the Peace Theological Seminary,
College of Philosophy, and we even visited the Peace Awareness Labyrinth Gardens in Los Angeles which
promotes peace. Based on a ranking of domestic and foreign violence, the US ranks #83 in terms of the
Peace Index, and we felt that our show was a call to be better at promoting peace. Soul Rebel Radio defined
the word Peace, explained the history of the peace movement, the peace sign, and the peace symbol, and
we hear from both the Dalai Lama who speaks about Peace as opposed to Destruction and Zack the la
Rocha who shares his thought on the destructive racism associated with SB1070 in Arizona. The Peace
show was an opportunity to speak about issues of peace as they relate to the Chican@ community and
others from the Third World in Los Angeles and we did a magnificent job. The “Peace” program served as
an inspiration despite the war waging in the streets, in Iraq, and Afghanistan, and we produced it in the
hope of providing a message of hope and harmony on our 5 year anniversary, and the show was a superior
celebration of the group’s long run on the air at KPFK.
The “5 Year Anniversary” Show was the culmination of many years of work, struggle, and
perseverance to continue and produce a monthly radio program based on a theme that we direct towards the
youth to be inclusive of young people in the Third World Left communities of Los Angeles. The show
opened with a collage of sounds from past programs, and Soul Rebel Radio celebrated 5 years of being on
the air at KPFK with clips of the “Trial of George W. Bush,” Sub-Comandante Marcos, and the “Homeless
in Los Angeles,” the “Revolution” show, and Questlove of The Roots giving us a shout out. For the format,
we contacted several alumni and interviewed them for the program, and their memories served as the
backdrop to introduce a number of skits, interviews, and reports related to our five years on the air. We
start by interviewing Chuy Torres who remembers the Humor we set out to present, and we re-aired the Mr.
Deez Skit from April 2007. Theresa Dang appreciates the young women in the collective including Wendy
Carillo who interviewed Dolores Huerta in November 2006. From there, Siris Barrios enjoys the collective
of youth creating an informative and humorous show and we introduce a skit about political correctness
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from August 2007. We also recalled the Colbert Report parody about the economy that I created, which
proved to be prophetic in September 2008. Soul Rebel Javier valued the youth voices and especially the
fallen soldiers’ testimonies in April 2009. Meanwhile, Jose Cano is fond of the original music that we have
created over the years and the musicality of the Soul Rebel Café skit in January 2007. Laura Cambron
loved the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segments and especially the original song “Where does the energy
come from?” that we aired in August 2008. Oriel Maria Siu learned about collective organizing and
production, and she especially remembers such examples as when Soul Rebel Radio made a “Call to
Heaven” in December 2006. The original Program Director Armando Gudiño was pleased with our ability
to interview Sub Comandante Marcos in English in November 2006. Eduardo enjoyed the freedom and
creativity associated with the collective and cited the True Hollywood Stories skit in December 2006 as
evidence. Nancy became a real journalist eventually and she recalled the Limbic system sketch from
October 2006 that she found fascinating. Other members of the collective like Mayra Juarez learned to
express herself especially by working on her contributions, Luisa Flores appreciates the informal education
provided by the program, and others like Robert Loza created many of the visual representations that were
synonymous with the show. It seemed anonymous that most of the community appreciated the Kilo Watts
and Tiny Energy Segment including original members like Manuel Lopez and our newest contributors like
Loyda Alvarado who appeared on the Revolution Show in November 2009. Original Soul Rebel member
Tito Corona was the only one with any real experience having worked for the mainstream radio station
KPWR Power 106, and he appreciated the humor we were free to create like the Dick Cheney interview in
March 2006. Finally, Lex Steppling recognized his own development as a writer and producer of critical art
especially after the creation of one of our greatest shows the Redskins vs. Patriots show in November 2007.
We ended the show by extending a huge “Thank You to Everyone” that had ever listened, participated, and
supported the program and we especially appreciated everybody at KPFK and the Pacifica Network
including Armando Gudiño and Aura Bogado who have since moved on to other endeavors. The 5 Year
Anniversary Party took place at the Downtown Youth and Culture Center in Los Angeles and it allowed us
to celebrate with a birthday party precisely because we could count on the support of members of the
community including supporters, performers, and artists Meno Man, Joel Garcia, Daniel Lopez, Marcos
Amador, Selene Gonzalez, Ervin Arana, Olmeca, Cihuatl Ce, Gerard Meraz, Chican@ Batman, Las
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Cafeteras, Alan Minsky, the Pocho Hour of Power, J Revolution, Solidarity Ink, Erick Moreno, Choice of
Chance, and Eddie Gutierrez for our celebration. After 5 years of working to create an original monthly
program based on a theme, the community came out in huge numbers in a show of gratitude, respect, and
recognition of the hard work and political capital accumulated over our time on the air.
The “Soul” show took place at El Centro Cultural de Mexico, and it allowed the collective to host
a small gathering in Orange County with friends and alumni in the midst of an effort to gentrify the
downtown Santa Ana area. The group opened the show with a “Soul Glow” commercial which is a faux
product made famous by the movie “Coming to America” and Soul Rebel Radio defines “soul” as a spirit
and spiritual connection that one feels to the Earth, the community, and the Creator. We interview Carolyn
Coleridge, a spiritual guide and healer who talks about the importance of soul, plus Sun Dancers Luis
Giraldo and Glen Shiffman who pray in the sweat lodge tradition of Indigenous people in North America,
and Giraldo explains that “Soul is a prayer of the Earth” and Shiffman adds that “Creator has a Father and a
Mother.” We hosted the show at El Centro Cultural de Mexico or “The Center,” and the community space
is the soul of Santa Ana. At the time of our broadcast, it faced gentrification efforts that pushed them away
from downtown and we presented their testimony for the world to understand. We also interviewed
Freedom Schools LA where the faculty attempt to create critical thinkers at the facility located at the Chuco
Justice Center in Inglewood. Finally, we also presented an editorial musical interpretation by Jefree who
provides examples, first hand accounts, and music to explain the legacy of Soul Music in the United States
and we round out the program by interviewing the youngest children who answer questions about Soul in
the most honest way possible. By completing an image of the spirit, Soul Rebel Radio had fulfilled
producing themes that represented their name by having done shows on “Soul,” “Revolution” and “Media,”
and I felt that it somehow created a sense of completion for us. Soul Rebel Radio has created shows about
everything under the sun, so it felt appropriate to finally do a program about what may lie above and
beyond the material to the spiritual realm, and we did a divine job of presenting the sacred.
One of our most recent shows was a conceptual representation of the economic woes in the state,
and it we called it “State of California’s Economy: The Prisons vs. The Universities.” The show attempted
to pit the camp associated with the prison system against the group at the universities, but in the end, the
consensus was that the state should invest more money into education. Soul Rebel Radio opens the show
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with words from Angela Davis, and she imagines a future with a more inclusive revolution that would
benefit everybody in California. The “State of California’s Economy: The Prisons vs. The Universities”
was represented by the characters Nia and Cali who are two young women that represent the prison system
and the university system. They help facilitate the content and guide the show, and we also include aspects
of the book Are Prisons Obsolete by Angela Davis which provides important facts about the Prison
Industrial Complex. Soul Rebel Alicia Vargas interviewed Angela Davis who is the author of the New
American Revolution, and the feminist and revolutionary makes the connection between the lack of
education and an increase in incarceration in California. The show includes an interview with Sam Sidell,
the author of Hip Hop Genius who talks about the need to introduce new concepts like hip-hop in
Education. We also ask CSUN students at a rally for education to answer the question, “What should the
state of California invest our money into?” Finally, the youth from the South L.A. community organization
A Place Called Home produce a contribution that helps explain how the prisons and the universities battle
over the hearts and minds of the youth. Perhaps the most important contribution of the show was the
interviews with the men and women from Homeboy Industries who provide testimonies about the prison
system and the struggles to survive in the free world as ex-convicts. As the U.S. and California continue to
pull out of the Great Recession, it is becoming increasingly clear that the priority of the system should be to
invest in public education which benefits the Chican@s and Third World communities in Los Angeles.
In Conclusion, Soul Rebel Radio has been honored to produce 72 original programs in over seven
years of existence, and I fashioned the show in order to have the luxury of doing a pre-recorded show based
on a theme that allows the collective the chance to do shows about youth, women, the environment,
important years, and fascinating concepts. In October 2006, Soul Rebel Radio created a show about “Fear”
that shook the foundation of the meaning of radio and entertainment. In November 2006, the “Elections”
show presented a critical look at the electoral process and the program included interviews with Sub
Comandante Marcos in English and Dolores Huerta of the UFW. Soul Rebel Radio presented “Death in the
Springtime” as a balance to the life cycles associated with Spring. The “Redskins vs. Patriots” show in
November 2007 continues to remain a very popular show almost 5 years after it first aired thanks to the
epic nature of the idea. In June 2008, the “Prison Industrial Complex” show was an examination of the
connection between government and corporations, and the program helped to make important links for the
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community. One of the most important and visionary shows we ever produced was “It’s the Stupid
Economy” just days before the worst economic collapse in the last 100 years in September 2008. In
November 2009, the show was taken over in an act of “Revolution” by rebels from the International
Peoples Union, and the cast of characters helped to present a complete presentation of rebellion from the
perspective of Third World Communities of Los Angeles. In January 2010, Soul Rebel Radio encouraged
the audience to “Go to Health” and provided solutions and ideas to improve personal and universal
wellbeing. Soul Rebel Radio celebrated the “5 Year Anniversary Party” in style at the DYCC in Los
Angeles, and the celebration and show was the culmination of years of unbreakable effort. In September
2011, we reminded the community during the “Soul” show that they have the spirit of rebellion and
brilliance within them and it is important to tap into our inner-strength. Finally in April 2012, Soul Rebel
Radio presented “The State of California’s Economy: The Prisons vs. The Universities” as a theoretical
battle between the forces of incarceration and the members of the community that favor education. Soul
Rebel Radio represents an important step in the development of the power and voices of young people, in
the creativity of collective decision making, and the construction of a community of radio listeners that has
the power to exercise their authority over the mainstream media that chooses to misrepresent and exploit
the Chicano and African American youth especially. The group and the individuals associated with Soul
Rebel Radio overwhelmingly feel that the show is an important contribution as well as a significant step
towards the inclusion of young people in the media, and the development of the individual and collective
voice. Finally Soul Rebel Radio created the expectation and anticipation that every effort matters and that
together the collective can and will change the world one soul rebel at a time, and I am proud of every
single show that we have completed and especially honored that so many of our collective members
continue to produce media.
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Chapter 3
Voices of Soul Rebel Radio
In order to tell the complete story of Soul Rebel Radio, it is not enough to review significant and
relevant literature or explain some of the major themes that we have covered, but it is imperative to include
the voices of the members of the collective that created the program. After producing for over 7 years and
70 themes, the members of the collective are the true backbone and spirit of Soul Rebel Radio, but it has
come as a result of much sacrifice, perseverance, and dedication to the opportunity and responsibility to
serve the Third World Left community. The intention of the chapter is to provide members an opportunity
to express what their participation meant and how this may have positively or negatively affected them.
The interviews are not so much profiles as testimonies about the importance of having spaces like Soul
Rebel Radio accessible for the Chican@ and Third World Left Communities to learn how to create radio
and produce independent media. The young people that have participated in the collective have dedicated
countless hours and learned skills that can serve them as both members of the progressive community and
as professionals in whatever field they choose. In their own words, members of the collective help explain
the value of including young people in media, the importance of producing critically conscious radio, and
the growth they each experienced as individuals in the quest to discover their voice.
Each alumni or member of the collective was selected by me based on their participation, and I asked
the following qualitative and quantitative questions related to their experience with Soul Rebel Radio:
12345-
Can you say your name, where you’re from, and how do you identify yourself?
Can you talk about your experience working with Soul Rebel Radio?
How did working with Soul Rebel Radio positively or negatively impact you?
What are your lasting impressions of Soul Rebel Radio?
Do you have any final thoughts, suggestions, constructive criticism, or ideas for Soul Rebel
Radio?
1- Before working with Soul Rebel Radio, how would you describe your experience?
A) None, B) Beginner, C) Experienced, D) Expert
2- How much time during each month did you spend working on Soul Rebel Radio?
A) 0-10 hours, B) 10-20 hours, C) 20-30 hours, D) 40+ hours
3- How would you describe what you learned while participating in Soul Rebel Radio?
A) Not Much, B) Something, C) A Lot, D) Very Much
4-If given an opportunity to participate in Soul Rebel Radio, would you do it again and recommend it
to someone else?
A) No, B) Maybe, C) Yes, D) Absolutely
5- On a scale of 1 to 4, how would you rate your experience working with Soul Rebel Radio?
A) 1-Negative, B) 2-OK, C) 3-Positive, D) 4-Excellent
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The Ladies of Soul Rebel Radio
The ladies of Soul Rebel Radio includes a number of intelligent, creative, and driven women that
may have started with the collective, but have evolved to become important scholars, producers, and
activists that continue to realize important accomplishments that demonstrate the power of the collective.
The show had a built in effort to involve youth, and Chicanas and young women of color in particular were
the primary beneficiary of the attempt at inclusion and collective decision making; which is not to say that
Soul Rebel Radio is a utopian paradise for women. The men in the collective are a group of bright
individuals, but many adhered to a chummy attitude that excluded women and made some of the ladies feel
uncomfortable at times or offended at others. Despite the fact that there existed gender issues, the women
took ownership of the opportunity to produce quality work, and a large number of the most memorable
programs were produced, hosted, or created by the women in the collective. At the start of the show, the
most important feminist voice in the collective was Aura Bogado who produced our 8-week series and
supported the efforts of the collective. Her participation helped create an environment of inclusion and
respect for the women in the group and gender issues in general, and this propelled the show to become an
autonomous entity. Another important contributor from the beginning was Laura Cambron who is a
founding member and on of the most vocal and responsible members of the group and someone who
always helped ground the collective and focus the group on the task at hand. The inclusion of Lulu
Kornspan and Monica de la Torre at the same time helped the collective to continue and provide a voice of
reason when the boys would lose the focal point, and they helped protect the space necessary for women to
participate in the collective. Most recently, Alicia Vargas and Anahi Bustillos helped to present issues
important to women in the community and hold the space for young women against a group that sometimes
adheres to gender norms that allow for men to be more vocal in the collective. The ladies of Soul Rebel
Radio have definitely surpassed what the men have accomplished both as individual media makers and as a
group. The reason that Soul Reel Radio is unique is because it is a creative and open space where anyone
can participate, but the women who have formed the collective are a special group of young feminist
leaders. The women of Soul Rebel Radio have gone on to earn PhD’s, produce radio shows, work as
journalists, create documentaries, appear on local and national television, and will surely continue to
produce and create important work for the benefit of members of the Third World Left in Los Angeles.
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Aura Bogado is originally from Argentina but she settled in East LA and considers herself a
Latina and Guarani. Aura was the staff person assigned to Soul Rebel Radio for the 8-week series, and
remembers, “I was the original producer and worked with all of you to help develop the show.” From the
start she recalls tat it was an equally challenging and incredibly rewarding experience because most of the
participants had no experience or were limited to one skill. The collective was very ambitious and Bogado
explained, “I was able to witness how quickly young people were able to appropriate all of the skills and
that was pretty fascinating.” As a member of the Third World Left in Los Angeles, she experienced some
of the limitations of public radio, and having worked at Pacifica for some time, she understood on a
personal level how patronizing and condescending KPFK could be. Bogado explained “I remember getting
backhanded compliments that really leave one feeling as if they are being insulted and some people made it
difficult or nearly impossible to get studio time.” In general Bogado remembers that the station felt
threatened by young people and especially young people of color and in her role, she added, “I was the first
filter so my goal was different because philosophically I’m opposed to the idea that some people should
have control over others. Especially when it comes to public radio.” Soul Rebel Radio challenged all
preconceived notions of radio and format, and the group felt that public radio was supposed to be a medium
to reach out to the community. The group operated as a collective and Bogado recalls how “Facilitation
was done through a lot of meeting and really sitting down with pen and paper to develop ideas.” Bogado’s
influence on the collective was thanks in large part to her willingness to undergo the process with the
group, “For me it was more about listening and allowing the group to develop their discussions.” Therefore,
it was important that everyone had to learn as many skills as possible because as Bogado explained,
“Internally, my fear was that I would be removed as the producer or that I would be replaced with a
producer who would make it impossible to sound the way that Soul Rebel Radio wanted to sound.”
After the end of her initial assignment, Bogado continued to support the collective and she
explained, “I was able to walk away after about 10 weeks and Soul Rebel Radio was able to continue
largely because of the model that we created to facilitate each other’s learning.” Bogado’s contribution was
invaluable, and over the years the collective has recruited new people to work on the show and that is a
testament to the way that we organized the show form the start to make it really fluid and allow for people
to come in and just as easily goes out when they wanted to pursue other projects. Soul Rebel Radio is really
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different and an alternative to the standard sound on KPFK, and Bogado based this on the fact that she
hosted and helped produce a daily newscast and produced for many other programs. More recently, Bogado
came to terms with her impact on the group and individuals thanks largely to a reminder from an alumni,
“Lex Steppling recently moved to New York and he was one of the first people to work with Soul Rebel
Radio. He reminded me about the writing process that we all went through and the editing process. He told
me that it was the start for him of writing and developing himself as a writer and claiming that space.”
Bogado reminded the author of the study that, “I think about you writing your thesis and this is really
important work. You’re trying to be dismissive of this work that obviously means a lot to you and countless
people that have been involved with Soul Rebel Radio.” She reminded me of the greater impact outside
because what is really telling of the positive impact of the show is not only personal development but also
the benefit to the community. Bogado explained the incredibly positive nature of the show, ”You are giving
serious scholarly value to an alternative at the time when our local community station did not have one
youth radio program and if I understand correctly it still is the only youth radio program.” She admitted that
enough time has passed to begin to realize the positive impact of the show. Bogado stated, “I was able to
work with a group of young people to facilitate our learning. It’s really uncommon” and she added, “I am
humbled by the fact that I was able to work with all of you right from the start.” Although the group
considers Aura as the mother of the Soul Rebel Radio, she explained that we propelled each other because
it was a valuable experience to work with a group of people that was really open to the process of
facilitation. The collective really discussed how each show should sound and those conversations did not
come with a manual. The program and the collective are a unique example, and Bogado concludes that “I
would place Soul Rebel Radio outside of imperialism and the prescribed alternatives.” Bogado explains
that “It doesn’t have that NPR (National Public Radio) sound where everything could be universalized and
individualized to everyone. There are a lot of thing that are different about Soul Rebel Radio. In that way it
represents a Third World identity within the United States.” Ultimately, Soul Rebel Radio produces
alternative media and understands how it wants to sounds, but the collective was able to produce something
that was truly reflective of the community, as youth, and mostly as people of color in Los Angeles. Aura
Bogado graduated from Yale University with a degree in American Studies and she works producing media
for Colorlines Magazine.
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Hasmik Geghamyan is originally from Yerevan which is one of the oldest continuously settled
cities in the world, but she grew up in LA County and her ethnicity is Armenian. She was part of the
original group that formed the founding members who traveled to the World Festival of Youth and
Students in Venezuela and defines the program as, “Soul Rebel Radio is a collaboration of youth. It has
become more intergenerational. It is a collaboration of conscious activists that cover local and international
issues that bring more awareness to their listeners.” Geghamyan remembers the momentum that was built
before and during an international exchange, “Back in 2005, a delegation of us went to Venezuela and we
were very inspired over there with the movement, with the social services and change, so we came back
with the inspiration to do something here.” Upon our return to Los Angeles, the group wanted to keep
working together, and Geghamyan explains, “Several of us got together and covered local issues from
different communities in Los Angeles.” Hasmik left the collective to pursue a law degree and graduated
from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California.
Theresa Dang from Lynwood and Santa Ana is of Vietnamese descent and an organizer who left
the show after the first year to pursue a law degree. Dang explains that “Soul Rebel Radio is youth radio
made for youth by youth.” Dang recalls her participation and the origins of the show by saying, “Soul
Rebel has taken various different directions. My most meaningful contribution was early on.” Dang was
part of the founding members and worked on the original 8-week series and remembers, “Soul Rebel has
had a positive impact on my life. It was one of the first places where I was thinking more about media and
different platforms that are available to communicate our message.” Dang would like to see more
institutional support for efforts to work with youth to create media because “It needed more support and
needed more money and it needs paid staff. I really think it would help it a lot. The work is demanding and
some kind of institutional structure would help it to be stable and strong.” The distance from Universal City
to Santa Ana made it very difficult for some people to participate, “Orange County involvement has been
sporadic because of the distance which is prohibitive.” In the future, Dang would like to see major
improvements for the group adding, “Soul Rebel Radio needs an office, a building, you need funding and
equipment. It needs to become an institution. I have a lot of love and respect for the people who have
worked as volunteers to keep the collective together such as Miguel Paredes and Jorge Merino.” Dang has
high hopes for the collective explaining, “I want Soul Rebel Radio to become bigger and better,” but
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cautions that the challenge will be to maintain the integrity, the spirit, and the autonomy that we enjoy so
much, and which is the soul of Soul Rebel Radio. Theresa Dang is an example of the brilliance of the
women who left to pursue important scholarly and community work, and we are privileged to count them
as members of the collective. Dang volunteers her time as a board member with El Centro Cultural de
Mexico and she still continues to produces media recently producing the documentary Stop Stealing Our
Cars after a long campaign against the police forces in Orange County.
Oriel Maria Siu from Honduras identifies herself as Central American and is one of the founding
members of the group having traveled with the original group to Venezuela, and she explains, “I used to
define it as a collective of youth, interested in youth issues that worked towards developing new voices and
helping develop new radio actors in community radio.” Siu explained that she always felt it was a
collective effort and she learned a lot about interview process in terms of how radio works. In general, Siu
felt, “That it was a very beautiful experience to allow the youth to come on the air.” The group worked very
hard and had a lot of fun doing it and Siu remembers how exciting it was for everyone and how important it
was for teamwork adding, “It allowed a space for creation and creativity, and it positively impacted me.”
Soul Rebel Radio was unique because it was an opportunity to create on the airwaves and Siu said, “I really
liked the fact that we went through a process of dialogue to create a show.” The program tried a different
take on radio format and Siu said the skits that we made were quite fun and very good. Although she is no
longer involved in thee show, Siu explained, “I hope that it has continued with its initial mission, which
was to create a space for youth. I particularly like that high school students were on the air and given room
to create.” The original goal was revolutionary radio and Siu hopes that we are keeping true to the unique
spirit of rebelliousness. She offered a challenge to the current and future members of the show explaining,
“Are we continuing to be rebellious and how do we define the rebel in Soul Rebel Radio?” Oriel Maria Siu
left the program to pursue a master’s degree in Hispanic Languages and Literature at UC Berkeley and
obtained her PhD from UCLA in Central American Cultural Productions. Dr. Oriel Maria Siu will soon
publish her first book, and the writer works in the Latin@ Studies Department as a Program Director and
Assistant Professor at the University of Puget Sound in Washington.
Nancy Lopez is of Mexican descent and from Los Angeles, and she participated in the collective
for several years, but left the group to earn a master’s degree in Journalism at UC Berkeley. Lopez defines
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the program in the following manner, “Soul Rebel Radio is an attempt to present news and information in a
dynamic, creative, and soulful way.” Lopez enjoyed her time on the show adding that her experience
overall was positive and it got her to where she is today. Working in the collective was a challenge for her
and Lopez explained, “It wasn’t always easy, but I really appreciated the collaborative effort of Soul Rebel
Radio.” Lopez clarifies that, “It was just a really great learning experience in all kinds of way.” The show
had a huge impact on Nancy Lopez and helped her decide a career path, and she added, “I would say that it
has positively impacted me. I think because of the work that I was doing with Soul Rebel Radio, I decided
to pursue journalism. It was a lot of work and since I could see myself doing that I applied to journalism
school at UC Berkeley.” Nancy went from volunteering to help produce Soul Rebel Radio as a member of
the collective to “Now I am dedicating myself to radio, story telling, and production and it has everything
to do with having been exposed to the work of Soul Rebel Radio.” Some of the challenges of working in
the group were difficult, but Lopez thinks its not easy working with different personalities. She adds that
the group dealt with real situations ultimately, and helped raised a lot of questions. Lopez is pleasantly
amazed the group has survived, “I have to say that I am surprised that Soul Rebel Radio has held on. I think
it’s awesome.” Lopez added that, “I think the challenge with Soul Rebel Radio is that everyone is so busy
and no one gets paid to do this work. We do it because we love it. I feel like what I would love to see is for
Soul Rebel Radio to up their production.” Thanks to the unique nature of the show, Lopez explained, “I
think there’s a lot of potential with Soul Rebel Radio because of its freedom of format.” Nancy Lopez went
on to earn a Masters’ degree in Journalism at UC Berkeley and she works as a reporter in the Bay Area and
credits her time with Soul Rebel Radio for helping her arrive at this career choice
Wendy Carrillo is originally from El Salvador, but she grew up in Boyle Heights and identifies as
a Latina and a Chicana. She started off as an ambitious member of the group, but the format, the structure,
and some of the personalities clashed with her style of work. According to Carrillo, sometimes Soul Rebel
Radio works and sometimes it doesn’t. She added that “I had never done radio before, and I started going to
meetings and getting ideas about what I could do. It was a learning experience for me.” When Wendy
joined the group, some of the members had been working together for a long time and Carrillo explained
that she didn’t quite feel like a part of the group explaining that “It wasn’t as inclusive to new people.” The
experience was not always positive and Carrillo remembers that, “It was tough love, but I am thankful for
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the experience.” She did explain that “I felt like I wasn’t welcomed. I felt like my voice didn’t matter to the
collective.” Some of the contradictions within the group did not sit well with Carrillo because it challenged
her to think about what it meant to be in a collective and to be progressive. The greatest challenge for
Carrillo was that the group forced her to confront “what it meant to be a woman surrounded by allegedly
progressive men who didn’t really see how they way in which they spoke affected others in the group.” The
space was conscious of the involvement of women, but I must admit that we did not always do a very good
job of executing that equality. Carrillo did say, “I learned the process, recording, editing, looping, and to
produce a solid segment.” Carrillo’s greatest contribution to the show was an interview with the co-founder
of the United Farm Workers and she said, “My interview with Dolores Huerta is the best audio I have ever
recorded.” The collective did present challenges and opportunities for Carrillo though because “Identity
wise it was a challenge trying to work with people, but career wise it was an amazing opportunity,” but
ultimately she didn’t feel like she ever immersed herself in the collective, but admits that, ”at the same
time, I am thankful. “ In the end, the space and the opportunity made her realize the importance of owning
her identity, and she did caution, “The men in the group should acknowledge the lack of women voices in
the group.” Although Carrillo’s feelings are valid and I accept the criticism, the sentiment is based on her
experience and was not shared in the same manner by anyone else that has participated in the show. Wendy
Carrillo went on to graduate from USC with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, and today she produces a
weekly radio show on the Los Angeles radio station KPWR or Power 106 called “Knowledge is Power,”
and she continues to creates media in Los Angeles.
Mayra Juarez is originally from Oxnard but has settled in Los Angeles and is of Mexican descent.
Mayra was one of the youngest full time members of the group when she joined the collective, and Soul
Rebel Radio had a huge impact on her, “I define Soul Rebel Radio as empowerment. I feel like there’s a
place where people have a voice and somewhere that people can express their ideas. Soul Rebel Radio is
power” In general, Juarez has a lot of good memories of her experience and felt like she learned a lot.
Juarez explained that “It gave me something I can use now. I didn’t feel like I had a lot of places to go to
express my thoughts. Now I feel like I can give something to the community.” Juarez was generally a shy
person when she started but she learned to work with people and to organize herself. Her time on the show
helped her to break out her shell and she explains, “From that, I became a promoter and learned to make
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things on my own. You can’t wait for thing because you have to make it happen.” Juarez recalled the
collective efforts to create a solid product and explained, “Every time we would work together and create
pieces together. We would talk about issues and we would get into comedy.” She added that the radio in
general needs more of what Soul Rebel Radio provides to the audience, “We need more youth voices and
more comedy.” Mayra Juarez is a great example of a young woman who came into the group with little
experience and blossomed into an outspoken organizer. Juarez is currently a promoter, having created May
Promotions, and she works with bands in both the United States and Mexico to produce shows and events.
Monica de la Torre is from East L.A. and she identifies herself as a Chicana, and she started
working with the group after a presentation at CSUN. In her time on the show, she has produced and
created important pieces for Soul Rebel Radio and continues to provide important contributions to the
show. De la Torre joined the collective on the same day as Lulu Kornspan and together they helped anchor
what is perhaps the third generation of the collective. De la Torre explains her participation in the show as
if she’s still involved, “Soul Rebel Radio is a radio program that airs once a month on KPFK and we try to
be youth driven. That means that we try to incorporate youth voices through interviews and topics that
might appeal to young people. We are a radio program that tries to be different and entertaining.” Although
she is no longer in the Los Angeles area and unable to work full time on the show, she still considers
herself part of the collective adding, “Soul Rebel Radio also tries to educate people about important and
relevant topics for young people” and “It’s really unique in that it does strive towards discussing issues that
are important and relevant to young people.” De la Torre was one of the few members of the collective who
approached us in the recruitment process, and she remembers, “I joined Soul Rebel Radio because some
people came to a conference at CSUN and invited people to volunteer and hit them up so I did and I’ve
been a part of it ever since.” In general, de la Torre explained that she learned a lot from the experience
having arrived without having any knowledge of radio. She added, “Soul Rebel Radio was really positive
because I got to explore aspects of technology that I would have not done had I not been part of the
collective, but a lot of it I felt was self motivated.” Participation in the collective presented challenges and
De la Torres explains, “One of the things that’s an issue is that women shy away from technology and
wanting to produce because production is perceived as a male dominated field. I was able to shadow some
great producers and it helped me learn some of the technical aspects of radio production.” Another factor
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was the lack of attention to more issues important to women, “One of the things that was always
challenging on a variety of levels was having a really strong feminist perspective on the show.” De la Torre
explains that the show did talk about feminism on some of the shows, but it wasn’t present on all of the
shows, and she adds, “I feel that its one of the areas that Soul Rebel Radio can really improve upon.” This
is one of the most significant and running themes of the criticism of Soul Rebel Radio, and I accept
responsibility that the there are instances that have made women in the group uncomfortable when
inappropriate language was used by some men.
The show makes very positive contributions despite some of its shortcoming, and Monica de la
Torre said, “When I look back I always look at it as a really amazing experience. A lot of people that I met
through the radio show are now really good friends.” De la Torre values the openness of the collective
noting that “The fact that we were able to come into the show without having to have all this experience or
a resume of radio production and we could go on the air and listen to our voices on the radio is very
unique.” Unfortunately the environment at Pacifica presented challenges to thee collective and individuals
from the Third World Left, “Community radio purports to be open to the community, but that doesn’t really
happen. At KPFK, I don’t really feel that the door is that open and if it wasn’t for Soul Rebel Radio, I don’t
think the doors to the station would be that open to the community.” Moving forward, the collective faces
important challenges and apart from the gender issues, one of the biggest is what De la Torre explains as,
“Sustainability is the question for any community driven activity. We have the potential to do something
greater, but there needs to be an effort made towards sustainability. Its great to do this as a volunteer but it
sucks to do this as a volunteer. We need to establish a more sustainable collective.” De la Torre explains
that we need to recognize that our work is valuable because she feels that when it’s seen as a volunteer
effort, it’s not given as much value. Monica de la Torre left the show to pursue a PhD at the University of
Washington in Women Studies and she continues to make valuable contributions to the collective, and she
serve as an inspiration to other young women in Soul Rebel Radio and the community that it serves.
Lulu Kornspan from Los Angeles is an American of White and Jewish descent that has worked on
the show for several years and was one of the few members of the collective that studied journalism prior to
joining the group. Kornspan believes that Soul Rebel Radio can be defined as youth oriented programming,
and, “We have always tried to cover topics that we felt weren’t getting airplay in the media and we tried to
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make it palatable to the youth.” In general, Kornspan explained that, “Soul Rebel Radio has been a
transformative experience for me. It’s a major growing experience. I learned a lot about myself and other
people in my community and different perspectives.” The experience has not always been without issues,
but Kornspan said, “I would call it overall a very positive experience and something that will forever have
changed me for the rest of my life. Working with Soul Rebel Radio gave me a lot more confidence in my
voice and my ideas being worthy of airtime.” Some of the aspects that were less memorable were that,
“Soul Rebel Radio impacted me negatively in that some things don’t air and sometimes you feel like
moments are a waste of time but they never really are.” Kornspan continues to participate in the show and
she said, “My lasting impression of Soul Rebel Radio is that it affirmed that different people of different
mindsets can come together. There’s a sense of community, and there’s a purpose and a need for this
show.” In the future, Lulu said that she would feel strong about fighting for shows like this and media that
promotes voices like this, and ultimately the show is something that Kornspan said “I’m proud of being a
part of. I like telling people about it and I’ll probably be telling my grandkids about this.” Critical reflection
is one of the cornerstones of the program and Kornspan explained that “A constructive criticism is that as a
group and as people, the show could be more open to change. It’s just a natural part of life and I would
consider it more evolving.” There always exists room for improvement, and Kornspan said, “Soul Rebel
Radio has always tried to incorporate youth voices and that is something that should be maintained. In
terms of getting things done, we need to focus on quality.” Finally, Kornspan explained that Soul Rebel
Radio could benefit from doing things earlier and putting quality first, but because we are all volunteers it
becomes difficult to do that all the time. Lulu Kornspan is an important member of the collective and has
helped balance the male dominated nature of the veteran members and her presence is an important factor
in maintaining a space for other women in the group. She is currently working in post production for a
cable television station, but she wishes to continue working professionally in public radio.
The ladies of Soul Rebel Radio are an exceptional group of women that have carried the collective
throughout the seven years of existence. When I created the program, I wanted to ensure the inclusion of
youth and young women of color especially, so the collective was formed with the intent of creating a
gender balance. I can say that women have clearly played a central role in the creation of Soul Rebel Radio.
Several women pointed to the personal benefit of the space in their development, but also noted that gender
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issues existed. Of the seven women that took part in the survey, the women were all beginners or had no
experience in media production when they started working on the program. All except one participant
learned a lot or very much from their experience working with Soul Rebel Radio, and each of the women
would absolutely or affirmatively do the show again if they had to go back. Also, only one of the women
had an OK time with us and the rest had an excellent or positive experience. A typical young woman that
participated in Soul Rebel Radio had no experience working on radio, experienced an excellent time doing
the program, and would absolutely do the show again or recommend it to someone else if given the chance.
The collective has a way to go before the community can consider us a feminist stronghold, but we have
always maintained the space for youth, instituted the equal participation of young women, and nurtured the
room for feminist voices to produce relevant media for the benefit of the Third World Left communities.
Soul Rebel Radio continues to recognize its shortcomings, call out the contradictions in the group, and also
check our male privileges at the door before we enter the safe space created by the collective.
The Fellas of Soul Rebel Radio
Meanwhile, the Fellas of Soul Rebel Radio are a group of imaginative, eclectic, and spirited
men who have gone on to work in music, comedy, community organizing, and media. The show has rarely
lacked male voices and members of the collective have gone on to produce rock, hip hop, and Jarocho
music as well as worked for civil rights organizations, social policy groups, and internet sites that have
taken Soul Rebel Radio from a localized radio show with a perceived Chican@ bias, to a regional media
community, and eventually we hope to form part of the national conversation. The men in the group have
done most of the final production work, a good percentage of the writing and research, and they have also
created and maintained the signature sound that Soul Rebel Radio is famous for, and that includes original
songs, skits, and segments like the Kilo Watts and Tiny energy segment. Jorge Merino, Tito Corona and I
are founding members of Soul Rebel Radio, and despite prolonged breaks for both of the two main
producers, the author of this study never took off more than a month from the show in the seven years of
existence. Lex Steppling, Eduardo Arenas, and Jose Cano worked for many years on the show as writers
and the latter two as the producers of a number of environmental segments that secured their legacy with
the group. Their involvement in the show continues into later generations of Soul Rebel Radio, and even
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after they stopped working on the program on a regular basis, the three of them are huge advocates of the
program. Travis Pinon, Andres Flores, and Hector Flores also made valuable contributions to the show with
Travis providing many voices and humor, and the later two forming part of the Flores family which
includes Luisa Flores who at times also provided original pieces to the show. Other contributors like Javier
Cambron, Robert Loza, and Carlos Rubio also helped provide responsible male voices to a group that could
always use the help of respectful men in collective spaces. The fellas of Soul Rebel Radio have made
valuable efforts in the community as individual producers and as a group, and that is the most important
aspect of the show. The men of Soul Rebel Radio have gone on to earn master’s degrees, produce radio
shows, work as media makers, work on media projects, design graphics, teach, appear on local and national
platforms, and they will definitely continue to produce important work for the benefit of the community.
Armando Gudiño is from Los Angeles and he was the original Program Director that I submitted
the proposal to, he was the one who granted us the original 8-week series, and he also assigned Aura
Bogado to the collective. He describes the show in the following manner, “I would define Soul Rebel Radio
as a media opportunity that is laying the groundwork for future products.” Gudiño continues by explaining
that the show, “Was the first of its kind and the first to reach a younger demographics, and it serves for
future generations to build on so that makes it one of a kind.” In his role, Gudiño helped to launch the
program, and he explained “As Program Director I did collaborate, work with, and help train members of
Soul Rebel Radio.” He explained about his experience with the show, “It was an opportunity that helped
me as Program Director. It helped me grow professionally and I was able to reciprocate that with Soul
Rebel Radio.” Gudiño felt that the program was motivational and explained that “This is the kind of stuff
that my kids need to hear as my child gets older.” In general, Gudiño feels that “I dig Soul Rebel Radio. It
has created a phenomenal opportunity for something that can be very long lasting. You need to look at
professionalizing the group.” Although he felt that the show has done good work, he also cautions about
sitting on our laurels, “It’s a good project and you have the potential to make this a great project.” Gudiño
granted the collective the opportunity to create a weekly then monthly show, and through negotiation with
the group, he allowed the group to create a unique format and governing structure. Even though he moved
on from KPFK, the show was never threatened with cancellation and we became fixtures at the station.
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Tito Corona from L.A. County is of Mexican descent and he was the only member of the
collective that had extensive radio experience prior to joining the group. He is responsible for creating our
signature sound and helped produce the shows for the first few years of its existence. Corona explains, “I
define Soul Rebel Radio as youth radio for youth by youth, discussing issues that are of concern not to the
general public but to the youth who will be shaping the future.” Although he served as more of a teacher to
the group, Corona said, “I think it was a learning experience, learning patients and learning from people
who you may not agree with. We were on different sides of the left and it was really eye opening. It was
actually a really good experience.” In his role as teacher of sound production, Corona learned patience from
young people who didn’t know anything about radio, but who had expectations of how things should sound
without any idea of how to execute that job, and he said, “People had great ideas, but had no idea how to
get that from paper to a produced radio spot.” Corona was glad to see individual members of the group
evolve into professional producers, “It’s cool to see people come a long way from not knowing anything
about how to do radio to putting a show together.” Corona felt that the show positively impacted him
because he got to work with people who he would normally not have worked with. Corona adds that, “It
was a very eye opening experience” for him. It wasn’t all positive though because “The negative
experience was having to get people to come together and meet deadlines to get the show out. Some people
didn’t prioritize it because it wasn’t a paid job.” The show was far more of a positive experience and
Corona admits that, “Soul Rebel Radio is a continuous work in progress. As long as the original goal still
resonates with the original members that are active, that legacy will continue. Things change with the
lineup of people, but youth radio for youth by youth is not a trending thing.” Corona has always been an
advocate of diversity and he explained that the group needs to increase membership because there is so
much need for additional help, and that it’s easier to diffuse the burden of performing in that way than
relying on one or two people. In that way, Corona believes that, “The group needs to grow and the
knowledge needs to increase” and he also thinks that, “The show needs to get younger because you don’t
want to get out of touch with today’s youth if there is no connection.” Corona is an advocate of diversity on
the show and he explains that, “Because this is an LA based show, it has always been centered on certain
groups, but we need to add voices from other youth in the area that are not participating. Maybe the Latinos
are vocal now, but other groups will want to be heard, and now is the best time to add those extra voices.”
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In the end, Corona feels that the show “Soul Rebel Radio had no boundaries, no borders, no limitations,
and it was just a bunch of people with common interests.” Although Corona moved on from the show to
pursue work opportunities, he continues to support the collective and teach new members how to produce
our unique Soul Rebel Radio sound.
Lex Steppling is a White Jewish man from Pasadena who is one of the founding members of the
collective and one of the handful of people that traveled to Venezuela in 2005. Steppling explains, “Soul
Rebel Radio is a radio collective that aims to create a space for discourse and education via creative means
like theatre and satire.” Steppling added that we were seeking to cut out the middle man and reporting on
issues and talking to the parties most affected. Steppling explains, “One example would be during the so
called race riots that were going on in LA schools. I believe we were the only media outlet to give
substantial interview time to the youth that went to those schools.” Steppling lives in New York now, but
despite the fact that he is no longer in Los Angeles, he said, “I talk about Soul Rebel Radio all the time
actually. It often becomes a reference point for how to do things especially when it comes to cooperating
with others.” Steppling feels a deep appreciation for his time on the show and explains, “My time was very
inspiring and stimulating. It forced me to look at my surroundings” and added that “I learned that the way
things were framed could be challenged. Current events could be reprocessed.” When he worked on the
show, Steppling explained, “I would often find myself trying to figure out how to communicate an idea”
because it made the way he received current events differently. He said that he would look at issues
depending on how they could be translated for the Soul Rebel Radio audience. Thanks to his work with
Soul Rebel Radio, Steppling felt that, “It really turned me into a writer or unlocked the writer that was
inside of me. It opened up a creative process that I had ignored and it’s never been undone. It was a
definitely a profound change on my life.” Steppling also felt that the lessons he learned went beyond radio
production because “When the conversation turns to what are we’re going to do about things and how are
we’re going to fix things, I think about how we seized one little sliver of media and worked very hard to do
what we could with it.” Soul Rebel Radio impacted Lex profoundly and he added, “I write to this day. I
used to think of politics in pragmatic controlling ways. One of the things that Soul Rebel Radio helped me
understand was the value of art.” The show also helped Lex look at politics through a different lens because
“If we look at things in a binary sense politically as the right and the left, they both misunderstand the art.”
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Steppling explained that his father John Steppling believes that the right sees art as entertainment and
spectacle, and the left thinks art should be moral instruction, but they are both incorrect.
Thanks to his work on the show, Lex explained, “I realized that we were not going to do art as
education. I learned that we are doing something that is high quality and challenging ideas and challenging
the way we think about stuff and translating metaphors.” Ultimately Steppling concludes that, “Soul Rebel
Radio is about challenging the way we think that process is supposed to happen. And being process
oriented rather than outcome oriented.” Lex explains, “What I came away with is a real understanding that
it’s not pragmatics and mechanisms, but it’s about lighting light bulbs as many as we can. We helped stir
up a process.” Steppling adds that many times we don’t immediately see the results of our work, but the
show operates as a stone in the water and hopefully that ripple turns into a tidal wave that we maybe never
see. He is grateful to have participated in the show because, “The fact that I got to help agitate that process
with a show like Soul Rebel helped me to never feel powerless as an organizer or activist. We should
always be agitating the waters.” Lex feels that the show, “It’s a model that I hope becomes more common
place. Collectivism is really challenging but it teaches us an ability to cooperate that I never learned
anywhere else including school. I find myself talking about it a lot.” According to Steppling, the show was
something that really helped him as an individual, and he values everything he learned and especially the
creative process. Steppling explains about the show, “It’s something that successfully spread ideas and
continues to do so.” Lex is optimistic about the future of Soul Rebel Radio and he explained that the best is
yet to come and added, “My lasting impressions of it are that I’m still waiting to see what’s going to
happen.” One of the challenges moving forward will be continuity and autonomy and as Steppling said,
“My hope is that it continues to challenge ideas. My biggest fear when I was doing it was that we were
going to conform to the signifiers of activism. That we would play conscious music, create a conscious
vibe, and reach out to other conscious people and continue our clique.” Lex shared his concern about
catering to certain audiences saying, “My hope is that it continues to allow itself to challenge all status quo
and that it doesn’t adhere to signifiers, so that more young people can connect to it an continue to take
ownership of it.” Lex Steppling has always been one of the biggest advocates of the show and despite the
distance of working in Brooklyn, New York for Equal Justice USA on issues related to the Prison Industrial
Complex, he continues to support the efforts of Soul Rebel Radio and he also writes on a regular basis.
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Jorge Merino is from the San Fernando Valley, and the Chicano is responsible for continuing the
work of Tito Corona and maintaining the unique sound and quality of Soul Reel Radio. Merino defines the
show in the following manner, “Soul Rebel Radio is a group of youthful folks trying to put together a radio
show that will be informative, educational, as well as entertaining, specifically geared towards a younger
audience.” Merino adds that, “The younger audience can be defined as people in high school, people in
college, young people out of college, young professionals and anyone who wants to listen to the program
we put together.” Jorge is one of the founding members and explains that he’s been working with Soul Reel
Radio since our inception and explains the value of the program in the following manner, “A lot of us have
been able to express our creativity in any way we see fit.” Merino thinks that Soul Rebel Radio is original,
and what makes us unique is that we’re creating a cohesive product and meeting deadlines. He cautions,
“Our method of working sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t work, but we have to roll with the
punches and keep it going and continue our mission. Regardless of who we have with us, we have to keep
putting out shows so we can maintain the space and hopefully be able to pass it on to somebody else.”
Merino believes that the show has allowed him to meet different people in areas that he generally might not
have the opportunity of meeting and working with. The experience is not all positive and “The negative
impact is that it takes away a lot of my time.” In regards to the memories that he has of the show, Merino
explains, “I would like to think that I am still creating my lasting impressions of Soul Rebel Radio being
that I’m still a part of it. I’m still trying to create my impressions of it.” Merino advises that we have to get
together as a group and start building the shows before the month we start doing it and have people in
charge of specific shows and would like for us parcel off a lot of the important jobs and not combine all the
work. Merino is not an advocate of the process as much as the finished product and adds, “Having one
meeting may not be as constructive as having different people be in charge of certain responsibilities.” In
the near future, Merino said that “Hopefully we have a format of what our show will look like months
ahead.” Jorge Merino continues to produce for Soul Rebel Radio and work on the collective, and although
the producer doesn’t always transfer to a role of teacher, he is an amazing producer when he is focused.
Javier Cambron, from Whittier identifies himself as a Chicano Communist, and he is the younger
brother of Laura Cambron who is another founding member of the group. Cambron explains, “Soul Rebel
Radio is a show that takes a different perspective to describe what is happening with the world. Soul Rebel
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Radio has a unique chance to appeal to youth because of the satire and skits, and it’s a lot easier to listen to
than the typical radio.” Cambron explained that the group sometimes fails to realize the impact that they
have, “This is a radio show that goes out on the air and reaches all kinds of people in Los Angeles and since
we do it in a radio station, we don’t immediately see the impact of what you’re doing at Soul Rebel Radio.”
He continued, “Then you go out in the streets and you run into someone randomly and they tell you how
much they love the show. I’ve had incidents when I go out to schools and talk to youth about media and
information, and Soul Rebel Radio has that immediate connection in the community.”
Javier Cambron values what he learned while he was working on the show because, “Soul Rebel
Radio has allowed me to understand and given me the tools that I need to do my own research. We do so
much research before we even present anything” and this helped him with other work. Cambron believes
that what we do is a form of art, “I think it’s an art to be able to talk to someone about issues without
putting them in a position to be confrontational and to have a conversation about how they see the world.”
Cambron understands that, “My lasing impression would be the amount of work that goes into Soul Rebel
Radio. I would never imagine how much work went into one piece.” He added that “It’s fun and interesting
and the people are really fun down to earth people. My impressions are of the amount of time that it took,
but also the fun that I had doing it.” In general, Cambron believes that Soul Rebel Radio is a great outlet for
information that he would love to see it thrive and flourish the way he imagines it could. There was always
an idea of being syndicated and being able to have full time staff in order to make it a weekly show.
Cambron has vivid memories of his time on the show stating, “My suggestion is for Soul Rebel Radio to
get syndicated and be able to hire people and do this right because it has the potential. It needs to go out to
the community a lot more. I know it’s hard because SRR is a volunteer effort and so we never got paid.”
Cambron adds, “It takes a lot of time, but if it were to go out into the community, it would have a great
impact on the youth looking for answers.” Javier Cambron left the show to pursue a degree in Architecture
that he recently completed, but his work with the collective and his youthful exuberance and maturity
helped to ground the group and legitimize its place in the Third World Left.
Jose Cano is originally from Oxnard, but the Mexican American Chicano has settled down in Los
Angeles, and along with Soul Rebel Radio alumni Hector Flores, form part of the music group Las
Cafeteras. Cano explained, “Soul Rebel Radio is a collective of individuals, youth, and people from the
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community that come together to produce a radio show. It’s an outlet for youth to be creative and express
themselves in a way that they can do so on the radio.” Cano explained that the show presents a unique
experience to present a voice through the medium of radio by learning how to produce audio clips, and that
Soul Rebel Radio is a really well rounded experience. Cano adds, “My experience working with Soul Rebel
Radio was a learning experience.” and “My role was producing the Kilo Watts Energy Segment. This piece
was of two cholos, to homeys who would ask a certain question about environmental issues. Through a
process of discovery and their own research, they come to an answer and a conclusion about a better
solution.” As part of the Kilo Watts and Tiny energy segment, Cano explained that he worked closely with
Eduardo Arenas who did most of the production, and that it was always a fun and creative experience.
Cano felt that it was always a treat to hear the finished product, and he explained that “It was very
challenging being in Soul Rebel Radio and it required a lot of time.” Cano said that the experience helped
him learn so much and, “The positive impact of working with Soul Rebel Radio would have to include
working in teams, working with groups, exercising communication, decision making, collective thinking,
and practicing all these things that are fundamental and necessary in order to get along and function as a
community.” Cano understood that the project was challenging and very demanding of people time, but he
learned a lot from his time. He also explained that this was due in large part to the fact that “We were a
community.” Cano felt that the show wasn’t easy and that “The negative impact is that it took a lot of time,
but I don’t necessarily think it’s a negative because it was all a learning process.” Cano recalls the show
fondly and explained, “My lasting impression of Soul Rebel Radio is all the times that we spent working
together in that sense of taking ownership of our project. What we lived and what we struggled through and
all the things we celebrated was a lot of awesome times.” Jose felt that in general there were a lot of
awesome times and that we created a good product. Cano added, “It feels very rewarding to have been a
part of that. We were all in it and we were all down to work hard. We all worked hard and were very proud
of what we were doing and that was really special.” Cano recognizes the impact the show had on the
development of many voices, and “Being that a lot of people who started on Soul Rebel Radio have gone
on to do other things, all of our experience being in Soul Rebel Radio has undoubtedly helped us. I would
love to see it continue to grow and have people have the experience that I had.” Cano is hopeful about the
future, and he thinks that in the end, if the show can continue, it has to involve new members and he hopes
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that it is able to keep going. Jose Cano is an engineer by training and a musician by choice, and he believes
that Soul Reel Radio helped him learn to become a better producer of music like his partner Eduardo.
Eduardo Arenas is from Los Angeles, California and he helped form the band Chicano Batman
and produced their first album. Arenas credits Soul Rebel Radio with helping him learn how to produce
music, and he forms the other half of the environmental duo Kilo Watts and Tiny. Arenas explains “I
started producing some of the segments, specifically one called the Kilo Watts and Tiny energy segment
that I did with my friend Jose Cano.” Although he never went to school for sound engineering, Arenas used
to tell people, “I never went to school to get a Master’s. Instead I joined Soul Rebel Radio.” Eduardo
explains that Soul Rebel Radio is an organization that crafts analytical minds that provokes critical thought
and uses popular media and popular music to do so. Arenas adheres to the original purpose of the show
when he explains, “Soul Rebel Radio has always been youth oriented. Our intention has always been to
involve the youth and direct our information at the youth so we can stimulate young minds.” Arenas
believes that the show “Soul Rebel Radio is providing an alternative opinion and alternative news and
making it really accessible through political satire, comedy skits, and songs and the way we did it by airing
it once a months is moving.“ Thanks to his work on the show, Arenas says “I learned how to produce by
working on Soul Rebel Radio. For sure, all the skills that I learned on the radio show, I’ve been able to
apply them to music production which is what I do now.”
Eduardo Arenas recognizes the unique nature of the program, “When we started doing the radio
show, the collective knew that we were on the edge of something. We knew we were doing something new
and something fresh that had not been heard on KPFK.” Arenas adds that “Throughout the years it is no
secret that we started influencing other radio shows on the station to be more fun. Everybody wants an
aesthetic that can attract people.” The space that Soul Rebel Radio has created is valuable and according to
Arenas, “The fact that the show has been around for seven years really speaks for itself and for the value of
having youth programming on the radio.” Arenas recalled the early ambitions of the group. “We always
had a vision of Soul Rebel Radio TV and Soul Rebel Radio Theatre and I think Soul Rebel Radio can still
reach those heights because it has a lot of space to grow.” Moving forward, Arenas feels that the show has
room to grow and explains that the radio show needs to incorporate more youth and become more
organized so high schools students and older folk can facilitate that process and allow the youth can take
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ownership of the show. In that way, we can move towards a greater goal, “It’s the direction that it needs to
go and the attention that it deserves if people could start getting paid for it.” Arenas stated that the
challenge is that if “You’re working your full time job and you’re doing this on top of that, it’s tough. We
used to do that.” Arenas knows the heavy load that members of the collective had to carry, and he explains
that “People don’t really know the dedication that people put to the radio show. It’s a lot. It’s a hell of a lot
of work, and it’s a group efforts and I’m just really happy to have been a part of it.” Eduardo Arenas is a
world citizen who recently returned to Los Angeles after living in Brazil and Panama for some time, and he
forms part of the rock band Chicano Batman. Arenas produced Chicano Batman’s first album, and he
credits what he learned with Soul Rebel Radio for giving him the ability to do that.
Travis Pinon from Los Angeles is a comedian who has participated off and on since the beginning
of the show, and he continues to pursue a career in comedy. Pinon defines the groups in the following
manner, “Soul Rebel Radio is a collective of people from all different walks of life coming together for one
cause which is to educate the youth on subjects and do it in an interesting and entertaining fashion.” In
general, Pinon felt that his experience was really good, and he liked working with Soul Rebel Radio
because it pushed him to conquer certain areas where he felt he had limitations, specifically when it comes
to his writing. Travis said that “Overall it was a good experience,” but he added that “I feel that we went in
a direction which I wasn’t too keen on with a specific centrism.” Pinon recognizes how the show helped
him evolve as an individual, “I don’t think it had a negative impact at all. It has positively impacted me in a
sense because I acquired really great people in my life and I got to learn a whole lot of things about specific
issues in the world.” In the end, Pinon explains that “My lasting impressions of Soul Rebel Radio are that
we had years where we really shined and years where we really didn’t, but overall it was a positive outlet
and I hope it continues forever.” Pinon encourages KPFK to continue to allow the space for creativity and
cautions, “The station in general should not so quick to censor people. They need to understand that
controversy creates conversation.” Travis Pinon is a comedian who currently splits his time in New York
and Los Angeles, and he will continue to pursue his passion and create different forms of media.
Robert Loza is a Chicano from East LA who helped create a number of fliers during his time in
the collective that really professionalized the group’s ability to market the show. Loza explained that “Soul
Rebel Radio is a creative process of getting the message out about social and political issues.” Loza
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understands about Soul Rebel Radio, “It is a unique program on the radio for reaching out to different
audiences. It addresses a lot of issues in a creative way and a lot of people can identify with the way it’s
created.” Loza appreciated his time with the group and said, “The opportunity is so different in its format,
and people can learn something new.” Loza explained that he started with Soul Rebel Radio in 2008
because he knew a lot of people involved, and because he had just completed a Masters’ degree in critical
media studies. Loza values the focus on young people stating, “I thought it was trying to focus on the
younger generation and youth.” Thanks to his particular expertise, Loza was able to contribute quickly and
he explained, “I’m a visual person so I started off as a graphic designer dealing with fliers and marketing
and I liked it so eventually I got more involved with voices, research, and I hosted a show with Monica that
was a challenge for me to put a whole show together.” Loza recognized his contributions and growth when
he said, “My strength was to do the marketing for Soul Rebel Radio. For me it was an easy process to
design, but writing stuff for the show was really hard.” Loza understood how the collective affected him
positively and he said, “Soul Rebel Radio impacted me definitely in a positive way. I had a chance to
explore and practice some of my strengths and it was really great to see a lot of different skills.” Loza said
that he learned from other people’s styles, and added “Spending a lot of time and making the time for Soul
Rebel Radio and other stuff was a struggle for me.” Loza appreciates the value of the space and said, “Soul
Rebel Radio is a collective and I think everyone is encouraged to participate in whatever strengths you
have.” Finally, Loza explained that the space was welcoming and bringing people in and encouraging them
to keep the show going with new ideas was important. Loza continues to work as a graphic designer and
lecturer, and he produces media and occasionally helps the group produce original fliers for new shows.
Andres Flores from East Los Angeles is a self-identified Child of the Creator and a member of the
Flores family that has contributed several relatives to the group. He is no longer working with the group
having chosen a life of prayer and spirituality, but he remains a huge supporter of the program and a friend
of the show. Flores defines Soul Rebel Radio as an outlet for real education and he adds that “I see Soul
Rebel Radio as most definitely revolutionary.” Flores recognizes the space for what it is when he
explained, “I see Soul Rebel Radio as an opportunity.” His time with the group was greatly appreciated and
Flores stated, “My experience with Soul Rebel Radio was beautiful.” Initially, when Flores arrived, he was
shy and said, “When I walked into Soul Rebel Radio, I was intimidated. There was so much structure to it.”
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Flores, like a majority of the collective members, said “I didn’t have any previous radio skills” but he very
much appreciated the space because “There is always a similar goal within the roundtable of Soul Rebel
Radio.” One thing that Andres remembers clearly is that the space always maintained decorum and that
there was always a sense of respect. Andres recalls Soul Rebel Radio as being positive, and despite his
personality at the start of his participation, he quickly changed, “I consider myself pretty shy before
working with Soul Rebel Radio, and today I work as the communications director for my organization.”
Andres did not stay with the group for too long but, “In the short time that I worked on the show I learned
so much.” Flores believes that, “What Soul Rebel provides is a service to the community that never ceases
to be” Flores explains that the collective “Soul Rebel Radio bring a lot of truth and there is no way that they
can be silenced.” Andres does not want to paint a pretty picture because the show is not easy, but it is very
much worthwhile. In the end, the experience “It was different for me to be exposed to a collective and
allowed for different ideas to be introduced.” Flores cautions that not everyone will have a good time
working in the collective, “Individuals looking to promote themselves, looking to benefit themselves, and
looking to take advantage of it become a problem.” Ultimately, Flores believes that Soul Rebel Radio is a
force of good and that the collective should keep moving forward, so he encourages the show to continue to
evolve. Andres Flores changed tremendously in the short time that he was with the collective, and his
transformation from a shy young man to a spiritual human being is precisely the most important and
valuable aspect of the spatial practices of Soul Rebel Radio in Los Angeles Third World Left.
The fellas of Soul Rebel Radio are a group of men that have maintained the collective through the
seven years of existence. When we started the show, we wanted to ensure the inclusion of youth and young
people of color, and the collective was formed with the intent of creating a balance between spirituality and
rebellion. The men have played a central role in the history of Soul Rebel Radio, and the development of
several of the men’s voices has benefitted from the space. Of the nine men that took part in the survey, the
majority was either beginners or had no experience in media production when they started working on the
program, with one being an expert and one having experience. Every single man learned a lot or very much
from their experience working with Soul Rebel Radio, and each of the men would absolutely or
affirmatively do the show again if they had a chance to go back. Also, all of the men had an excellent or
positive experience working on the show. A typical young man that participated in Soul Rebel Radio had
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no experience working on radio, had an excellent time doing the program, and would absolutely do the
show again or recommend it to someone else if given the chance. The collective has a way to go before we
have an efficient system of production, but we have always maintained the space for youth, instituted the
equal participation of young women and men, and nurtured the room for a number of voices to produce
relevant media for the benefit of the Third World Left communities. Soul Rebel Radio continues to work
towards a more productive collective, does our best to maintain decorum in the group, and must check our
privileges at the door in order to create a safe space for everyone in the collective.
Conclusions of Voices of Soul Rebel Radio
For the study, a series of multiple choice questions were asked as part of the interview and the
author targeted over 25 core members of the collective who helped shape the production of radio shows
throughout the years on the air. Nineteen participants took part in the recorded interviews and they
consisted of thirteen self identified or cultural Chican@s, nine women, and ten men that were involved with
the collective including the former Program Director Armando Gudiño and the original Producer of the
show Aura Bogado. Gudiño and Bogado made the decision to forgo the survey, so they did not answer the
quantitative questions, and Hasmik Geghamyan was not able to complete the survey in time. In the end,
sixteen total members of the collective from throughout the years answered the survey questions, and nine
men and seven women provide the results and help prove the value of the space, the development of each
voice, and the importance of the collective effort to produce radio programs. The first question asked,
“Before working with Soul Rebel Radio, how would you describe your experience?” and the result was that
nine members had no experience whatsoever with radio, five were beginners, one had experience, and one
was an expert. This points to the importance of the space and the willingness to include people who
otherwise may have never received the opportunity to work on a radio program. The second question
asked, “How much time during each month did you spend working on Soul Rebel Radio?” and the result
was that nobody felt that the work was a 10-hour a month responsibility, and thirteen members spent
between 10 and 30 hours each month on the show while another three felt that they spent over 40 hours a
month working on Soul Rebel Radio. The members of the collective clearly understood the serious time
commitment that the program meant to everyone in the group. The next question asked, “How would you
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describe what you learned while participating in Soul Rebel Radio?” and while only one person felt that
they got something out of it, six members felt that they learned a lot from the group, and nine members felt
they learned very much from their experience in the collective. If given the opportunity to relive their
experience with Soul Rebel Radio or refer someone else, one person felt that might do it, and four members
said that yes they would do it again, bit an overwhelming ten of the sixteen members would absolutely do
the show again and recommend it to someone else. Finally, when asked to rate their experience with Soul
Rebel Radio, one person had an OK experience, and five members felt that it was a positive environment,
but ten of the sixteen participants felt they had an excellent time working on the show. Therefore, a typical
member of the collective was a Chican@ that had no experience in radio, who understood the serious level
of commitment to the show, learned very much from the preparation, and absolutely would do it again if
given the opportunity or refer a friend. Overwhelmingly, the members of the collective felt that working on
the program was an excellent experience. The effort proves the importance of having spaces for young
people to create media, and the spatial practices of Soul Rebel Radio in Los Angeles’ Third World Left
marks an important contribution to the individual members of the community and the Chican@s.
In Conclusion, the Voices of Soul Rebel Radio continue to evolve and the recent inclusion of the
youth from A Place Called Home helps to further the cause of youth programs on KPFK. The recent effort
to involve more youth also helps to solidify the attempt at including young people in every aspect of
production. The latest generation of Soul Rebel Radio has suffered growing pains unlike any previous
groups, but there is a lot of hope that the group will continue to exist as a vibrant space for youth and
especially young people of color from the Third World Left in Los Angeles. The hope is that the group can
exercise their creativity and work on their production skills, so that they too can exercise their talents on
local, national and international stages. Soul Rebel Radio represents an effort to create a space for young
people to work as a collective and exercise their skills for the audience, and the expectation is that the
program will persist despite whatever shortcoming may exist. The old saying is that “the show must go on,”
and Soul Rebel Radio will survive in one form or another for many years to come, but it depends on the
efforts of the existing group to continue to recruit individuals and foster a collective atmosphere that
becomes a space to work and build as a collective. The individuals who have participated for the most part
have gained invaluable experiences and learned important lessons thanks to their participation in the group.
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It takes an extraordinary amount of work and collective effort to produce a monthly radio program that
profiles youth, and the challenge for the older individuals will be to have the motivation to keep teaching
the younger ones and keep writing the story of Soul Rebel Radio. The ladies and fellas of Soul Rebel Radio
are the workers and the collective is the means of production, but the product that we make is the radio
show that airs on the first Friday of the month at 7pm on 90.7 KPFK in Los Angeles. Without the
community, we would not have an audience that keeps the group grounded, and without the Pacifica
Network, we would not have a platform to air the show, but it is the individual members of the community
that are the driving force and the engine behind the Soul Rebel Radio machine. Without the work, effort,
and dedication of individual members towards a collective goal, none of the 72 original programs would
have been possible. Each person that has formed part of the collective has helped Soul Rebel Radio to air
original programs for seven years on the air, and it is safe to say that if any of the core members had not
made a concerted effort to make the show happen, we would not have been on the air for so long.
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Final Thoughts on Soul Rebel Radio
Soul Rebel Radio is an experiment in the creation of media that challenges the representation of
young people of the Third World Left in Los Angeles. The initial goal was to create a space for young
people to produce media that reflected the experiences and realities of the youth in and around Los
Angeles, and we also hoped to open up a space on KPFK for this community. The show began as a
multicultural, multifaceted, and dynamic collective of young people coming out of an experience that
formed a united bond, and Soul Rebel Radio ultimately evolved into a representation of Chican@ Art. We
are expressly a Los Angeles production of creativity that challenges the mainstream media and free press to
present issue that are relevant to communities of color and the working class. Soul Rebel Radio creates a
monthly radio magazine that has aired for over seven years and produced over 70 original programs based
on a theme with a significant Chican@ influence that includes the voices of Women, African Americans,
Asians, Whites, and other Latinos in Los Angeles. Soul Rebel Radio has been inspired by other historical
examples including Radio Rebelde created by Ernesto Che Guevara during the Cuban Revolution, Radio
Venceremos created by the FMLN during the Salvadoran Rebellion, and Radio Insurgente created by the
EZLN during the Zapatista Uprising. We recognize the power of the tool of radio to help expand
revolutionary theory and ideas, and we hope to create that environment for our audience. The Self
Determination of youth in the community involves the creation of media that challenges and redefines
mainstream and controlling images of the Third World Left in LA, and Soul Rebel Radio has helped
Chican@s and other people find their voice and create a space for revolutionaries and other free souls to
create rebellion. The literature proves that mainstream media is owned, manipulated, and exploited by the
owners for their economic, political, and social benefit, but the defiance of the corporate press and the
focus on youth places Soul Rebel Radio in a unique space. The location of the show within Los Angeles
helps Soul Rebel Radio to exist in the context of Third World Left, but it is at the intersection of spirituality
and uprising that the program does it best work to produce relevant media. Through the use of a collective
decision making model that creates radio on an independent media platform, Soul Rebel Radio attempts to
create a safe space for women, communities of color, and the Chican@ population in Los Angeles to
practice self definition. Every first Friday of the month at 7pm on 90.7 KPFK in Los Angeles and
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worldwide at www.kpfk.org., Soul Rebel Radio brings the organizers to prime time for a community of
activist and otherwise free human beings to examine a theme in the space of an hour on the air.
Soul Rebel Radio occupies a distinct space in the creation and production of youth radio in that the
show has never received any funding or outside help after the production of the first monthly show. The
Program Director Armando Gudiño at the time assigned Producer Aura Bogado to assist Soul Rebel Radio
with the original 8-week series, but since the first monthly show in January 2006, Soul Rebel Radio has not
received any outside help and remains an autonomous entity within KPFK. The collective effort therefore
represents an unconventional and experimental approach to alternative media even within the medium of
non commercial radio. The lack of funding or hierarchy has some benefits, and the collective is free to
produce provocative contributions and entire programs liberated from adult perspectives of youth, which
could impact how the program sounds. Each member is ultimately responsible for pre-production,
production, and framing their contribution each month, or they could choose to not produce anything.
Therefore, the young people are free to generate contributions whenever they have the time to produce, and
they have the freedom to create whatever they want to present. Soul Rebel Radio does not select a handful
of youth, conduct interview with interested people, or screen individuals to determine if they are worthy,
and instead the group relies on a system of incessant recruitment that allows contributors to join the
collective based on their work ethic and dedication to produce a show each month. My role then becomes
more of a caretaker and responsible party for the show, and less of a manager and decision-maker. This
structure has its limitations because when the show is not completed in a timely manner, I end up having to
make alternative plans or unpopular decisions along with the producer who has the final say each month.
The most important aspect of Soul Rebel Radio is that youth work as a collective to produce an original
monthly program, and individuals acquire as much from the experience as they supply to the program.
The goal of Soul Rebel Radio is to create a youth friendly and community oriented radio program
that is accessible to people from the Third World Left in Los Angeles, and we create new and self-defined
controlling images for the Chican@ population and others on the airwaves where no such space or
representation had previously existed. Soul Rebel Radio is unlike anything that is on the air in that it caters
to young people, but we also include youth voices from throughout the Los Angeles area and from a
number of Third World Left communities. Despite a number of efforts to include youth on the radio, even
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independent media outlets like the listener sponsored stations of the Pacifica Network including KPFK,
have a difficult time including and appealing to a younger audience of color. Los Angeles occupies an
important place in popular culture thanks to the success of media institutions that have produced countless
films and programs by the likes of the Disney Corporation and Hollywood Studios who create a number of
examples of media. Rarely if ever do these media studios accurately represent the realities or issues that are
important to the working class, the people of color, and Third World Left communities in Los Angeles.
Chican@ Studies teaches the importance of obtaining an education, challenging the preconceived
notions of Mexican American people, and creating new spaces so that the community can exercise self
determination. Soul Rebel Radio is an example of that spirit of critical education, Chican@ representations,
and a focus on community. As a student of mainstream media and after examining the opportunities in
public radio, I concluded that the mainstream media was not inclusive of young people of color and I made
an effort to create a space and establish something unique where none had existed. The collective took it a
step further by establishing a space and creating a precedent for the youth and other members of the Third
World Left in Los Angeles to create independent media. There may not be another example of a collective
of young people that is self sufficient and able to produce an original radio program each month on the air,
but that should point to the need for additional spaces. By creating a space for youth and Chican@s at
KPFK, Soul Rebel Radio was able to bridge the gap between the left and other revolutionaries, between the
Third World Left communities in L.A., and especially between the older progressives and a new generation
of rebel rousers that demand change. Soul Rebel Radio is an advocate of a revolutionary spirit unlike
anything else, and the success of the collective lies in the strength of a group being greater than the power
of each individual member.
The study includes stories, significant events, conversations, and the results of quantitative studies
to demonstrate that Soul Rebel Radio is one of the best examples of alternative radio in Los Angeles. The
first chapter looks at the existing literature and I address what this means to Soul Rebel Radio in regards to
how we agreed, disagreed, or challenged these concepts. Chapter Two includes profiles of a number of
important programs grouped in sections relating to youth, gender, the environment, years, and people with
anecdotes and memories of the process that led to each show. The final chapter allows the members of the
collective to share what the experience meant to them and how this impacted their life. Based on the survey
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questions, most individuals appreciated the opportunity and the section captures the spirit of rebellion, soul,
and community that made up the sum of Soul Rebel Radio. The group has met regularly every Sunday at
KPFK and individuals volunteers countless hours each month towards the production of a single show that
airs once a month. The individuals, the station, and the entire community benefitted from having a space in
Los Angeles where young people from the Third World Left can produce media. The study helps provide a
critical understanding of radio, the impact of including fair representation of the Third World Left in public
spaces, and I ultimately prove that Soul Rebel Radio is the antithesis of mainstream media.
Soul Rebel Radio is one of the best programs on KPFK, and a true representation of independent
media in Los Angeles. When I wrote the original proposal for the 8-week series, I made it point to create
the program as a collective of young people that would include a balanced representation of men and
women. As the show evolved, it became a community based program with a focus on young people and
youth issues, and we make a point to present news, interviews, skits, and music centered on a theme. Each
month, the collective chooses a male and female representative of the collective to present the theme and
guide the audience for an hour, and the group has always maintained the space for the youth of the Third
World Left. On the first Friday of the Month at 7pm, Soul Rebel Radio airs an original program on 90.7
FM in Los Angeles and worldwide at www.kpfk.org. For over seven years, Soul Rebel Radio has produced
more than 70 original programs and helped develop 50 plus members of the collective, and for that I am
very grateful. The goal of the group is to take our work to the next level of production so that a show that is
designed for the young people of the Third World Left in Los Angeles becomes part of the national
conversation. The focus on youth in Southern California is a fundamental aspect of the program, but the
collective would like to see Soul Rebel Radio in Spanish, in the Bay Area, in New York, and anywhere else
that the Chican@ community and other members of the Third World Left are ignored or marginalized by
the mainstream press. The members of Soul Rebel Radio successfully converted the spatial practices of the
group into a representation of alternative media and a unique space for the Chican@ community and other
members of the Third World Left, and the study proves the value of such liberties for people and society.
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Ramirez, Gloria Munoz. The Fire and the Word, A History of the Zapatista Movement. San Francisco: City
Light, 2008.
Rodriguez, America. Making Latino News. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 1999.
Ryan, Charlotte. Prime Time Activism. Boston: South End Press, 1991.
Sen, Rinku. Stir It Up. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint, 2003.
Shaw, Randy. The Activist’s Handbook. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2001.
Soep, Elizabeth and Vivian Chavez. Drop that Knowledge. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2010.
Young, Cynthia A. Soul Power. Durham: University Press, 2006.
Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States. New York: Harper Perennial, 1990.
Arenas, Eduardo. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
Bogado, Aura. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
Cambron, Javier. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
Cano, Jose. Personal Interview. 2 August 2012.
Carillo, Wendy. Personal Interview. 2 August 2012.
Corona, Tito. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
Dang, Theresa. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
De la Torre, Monica. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
Flores, Andres. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
Geghamyan, Hasmik. Personal Interview. 2 August 2012.
Gudiño, Armando. Personal Interview. 2 August 2012.
Juarez, Mayra. Personal Interview. 2 August 2012.
Kornspan, Lulu. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
Loza, Robert. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
Merino, Jorge. Personal Interview. 2 August 2012.
Piñon, Travis. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
Siu, Oriel Maria. Personal Interview. 2 August 2012.
Steppling, Lex. Personal Interview. 1 August 2012.
KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles. KPFK. 2012. Web. http://www.kpfk.org/aboutkpfkpacifica-.html.
99
Appendix A is glossary of term used throughout the study
Soul Rebel Radio Terms
Key words: Chican@, Third World, People of Color, Working Class, Collective, Independent Media,
Listener Sponsored Radio, Youth, Community
Chican@s refers to the members of the Third World community that are from Mexico and Central
America, and the author chooses to use Chican@ instead of Chicana/o
Third World Left in Los Angeles refers to the community of mostly minority activists and organizers in LA
Spatial Practices refers to both the state of mind, the physical location, and the cultural location of the
group
Topic: Soul Rebel Radio on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles
Initial Goal of the Collective: To present “youth voices” on KPFK in Los Angeles
Mission: To create a youth driven and community oriented monthly radio program based on a theme agreed
by the collective that reflects the voices and stories of the people of the Third World Left in Los Angeles.
Result: Soul Rebel Radio creates a monthly radio magazine that has aired for over seven years and over
seventy topics with a significant Chican@ influence that includes the voices of Women, African
Americans, Asians, Whites, Latinos, and other members of the working class in Los Angeles.
Focus: Soul Rebel Radio is an alternative space that helps young people to develop their voice by
participating in a collective that produces a monthly radio program on KPFK.
Major Theme: The self determination of the Chican@ and other youth in the community involves the
creation of media that challenges and redefines mainstream images of the Third World Left in LA.
Thesis: The creation of alternative representations of media on independent radio stations such as KPFK
help document and redefine the images of Chican@s and others in the Third World Left that challenge the
social constructs illustrated and exemplified in mainstream film, television, radio, and art productions.
100
Appendix B is the result of the Quantitative Study and it demonstrates the findings of the interviews
Soul Rebel Radio- Appendix A
Topic: Soul Rebel Radio Multiple Choice Questions
1- Before working with Soul Rebel Radio, how would you describe your experience?
A) None, B) Beginner, C) Experienced, D) Expert
2- How much time during each month did you spend working on Soul Rebel Radio?
A) 0-10 hours, B) 10-20 hours, C) 20-30 hours, D) 40+ hours
3- How would you describe what you learned while participating in Soul Rebel Radio?
A) Not Much, B) Something, C) A Lot, D) Very Much
4-If given an opportunity to participate in Soul Rebel Radio, would you do it again and recommend it
to someone else?
A) No, B) Maybe, C) Yes, D) Absolutely
5- On a scale of 1 to 4, how would you rate your experience working with Soul Rebel Radio?
A) 1-Negative, B) 2-OK, C) 3-Positive, D) 4-Excellent
Results:
Name
Andres Flores
Armando Gudiño
Aura Bogado
Eduardo Arenas
Hasmik Geghamyan
Javier Cambron
Jorge Merino
Jose Cano
Lex Steppling
Lulu Kornspan
Mayra Juarez
Monica de la Torre
Nancy Lopez
Oriel Maria Siu
Robert Loza
Theresa Dang
Tito Corona
Travis Pinon
Wendy Carillo
Findings
19 Total Interviews
(9 Women and 10 Men)
16 Surveys Completed
#1
#2
20-30
N/A
N/A
40
N/A
40+
40+
20-30
20-30
20-30
20-30
20-30
20-30
10-20
10-20
10-20
10-20
10-20
10-20
A) 0
#3
Very Much
N/A
N/A
Very Much
N/A
Very Much
Very Much
A Lot
Very Much
Very Much
A Lot
Very Much
A Lot
Very Much
A Lot
Something
A Lot
Very Much
A Lot
A)
0
#4
Absolutely
N/A
N/A
Absolutely
N/A
Maybe
Yes
Maybe
Absolutely
Absolutely
Absolutely
Absolutely
Yes
Absolutely
Absolutely
Absolutely
Yes
Absolutely
Yes
A) 0
#5
None
N/A
N/A
None
N/A
Beginner
Beginner
None
None
Beginner
Beginner
Beginner
None
None
None
None
Expert
Experienced
None
A) 9
B) 5
B)
6
B)
1
B) 2
B) 1
C) 1
C)
7
C)
6
C) 4
C) 5
D) 1
D)
3
D)
9
D) 10
D) 10
101
4
N/A
N/A
4
N/A
4
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
2
A) 0
Appendix C is the result of the Index of each found show 1-72 and it shows the program number, the
theme, the hosts, the producer, the date, the individual contributions with a brief description, and
some musical selections that were used on each show
Show Number #1
Theme: Options for High School Graduates
Hosts: Oriel Maria Siu and Lex Steppling
Producer: Aura with help from Engineer Stan Masraji
Collective Members: Laura, Teresa, Jorge, XL, Miguel, Oriel and Lex
Plus Oso and Chuy
Air Date: April 22, 2005 Earth Day
Contribution
Theresa and Oso report on HS Graduates
SRR interviews HS Graduates
SRR Thespians present a PIC commercial
SRR Thespians skit “Adventures of Sergeant Ron
and Private Pile
Laura and Miguel report on Neoliberalism and the
Working Class
SRR sound clip of author Jonathan Kozol
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Black Star
Bob Marley
Wu Tang Clan
Description
The report presents the options that young people
have upon graduating High School including A-G
Requirements, learning approaches, and University
and Community College options
The youth explain their future plans after graduating
The Prison Industrial Complex has 33 state facilities
in California alone, and the skit explains prison
politics, cultural self awareness and commitment to
diversity present in prison
The two military recruiters try to recruit high school
youth
The report explains how the neoliberal policies
pushed by multinational corporations affect the
working class in the United States
The public education advocate and author explains
the difficulties for minority and poor people in inner
city public schools as they overcome race and
racism
Selection
Respiration
Soul Rebel
CREAM
102
Show Number #3
Theme: Racism
Hosts: Oriel Maria Siu and Lex Steppling
Producer: Aura
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Teresa, Jorge, XL, Miguel, Oriel and Lex
Plus Sick Sense, Oscar Reyes, Jason Rev Lewis, Oso and Chuy
Big Ups to KPFK including Jennifer Kiser, Matt Perez, Jerry Quigley, and Derek Boykins
Air Date: May 6, 2005
Contribution
Oriel report on the “race riots” at LA schools
Miguel report on the Korean perspective of the LA
Riots
SRR skit PSA by Governor Schwarzenegger
SRR Commercial for the “Cop Out Kit”
SRR Thespians skit “Diary of Mr. Racist”
Miguel report on Fred Hampton
SRR sound clip of “The Murder of Fred Hampton”
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Vico C
Kaiser Chiefs
Franz Ferdinand
Description
The media hyped “race riots” at Jordan, Jefferson,
Grant, Locke, and Santa Monica HS was more
likely gang or turf conflict and not a racial crisis,
but the presence of the police and cameras seems to
have escalated the violence
On the 13th anniversary of the LA Riots, Suntae Lee
documented the Korean perspective in the film Sa I
Gu
The Governator tries to explain his views on
Immigration which seem to contradict his
experience as an undocumented immigrant
The Cop Out Kit will help any racist get out of the
most racially sensitive situation
Mr. Racist is unapologetically prejudiced and he
explains the impact of racism on the economy and
the ability to find work
Chairman Fred of the Chicago chapter of the Black
Panther Party was 20 years old before he was jailed
and assassinated by the pigs
The documentary explains the role of Fred Hampton
in the development of the Black Panther Party and
Chairman Fred proclaims “All Power to the People”
and we hear chants of “Free Fred Hampton” You
dig?
Selection
Carapicu
I Predict a Riot
This Fire
103
Show Number #5
Theme: Sexism
Hosts: Hasmik and Jorge
Producer: Aura Bogado
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Jose, Teresa, XL, Travis, Miguel, Oriel, Lex, Hasmik, and Jorge
Air Date: May 20, 2005
Contribution
Oriel- Interviews Young Women at Cleveland HS
Lex- PSA
Hasmik- Interview with Cherie Gaulke
Laura- Interviews Chloe Gans-Rugerbregt
Oriel and Teresa- Personal Accounts
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Ben Harper
Erykah Badu
Susana Baca
Indie Arie
Gangstarr
Ulali
Description
How does sexism and patriarchy affect young
women on a daily basis?
Parody of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Gaulke is a lesbian artist that works with the
Feminist Studio Workshop out of the Women’s
Building
Gans-Rugerbregt is the Co-Chair of the UCLA
Reproductive Health Interest Group and they discuss
reproductive rights.
Discuss Incidents of Domestic Violence and Teresa
reads a poem called “I Swear I Love You”
Discuss Energy including coal, nuclear, and fossil
fuels
Selection
Oppression
Certainly
El Mayoral
Video
Above the Clouds
Mother
104
Show Number #6
Theme: Militarization of Public Schools
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Aura
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Tito, Teresa, Hasmik, Jorge, XL, Miguel, Oriel and Lex
Plus Sick Sense, Oscar Reyes, Jason Rev Lewis, Oso and Chuy
Air Date: May 27, 2005
Contribution
Miguel interviews Victor Paredes Sr
Description
Paredes is the father of Pablo Paredes who was the
1st Conscientious Objector in the Navy after the
invasion of Iraq, and his father explains the family’s
undivided support
Furumoto is a professor at CSU Northridge and of
the organizers of Coalition Against the
Militarization in Schools in the San Fernando
Valley
US Government has been cheating on America with
Hali Burton and all their children are paying a
heavy price for it
The game show skit helps the participants to
understand the connection between the military and
the local and global economy
The four ex-military personnel talk about their
experiences in the US military including an openly
gay soldier who was honorably discharged under
the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy
The report explains that CO status helps some
military to avoid depression and suicide attempts
which are on the rise
Kilo Watts and Tiny explain why the US consumes
25% of the world’s energy and offer some tips to
the audience
What if Indigenous people received Europeans with
modern day Xenophobia” and add “What would
happen if Black People were armed at the USCanada border ready to defend their homeland”
The report explains the circumstances and issues
that lead veterans to become homeless
Oriel interviews Rosa Furumoto
SRR Thespians skit “Berry Stinger”
SRR skit “Connect the Dots”
SRR interviews military personnel
Teresa report on Conscientious Objectors and
suicide rates
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
SRR Thespians skit “Time Machine”
Hasmik report on Homeless Veterans
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The White Stripes
Radiohead
Pink Floyd
Quetzal
Aaron Neville
Nas
Bob Marley
Selection
7 Nation Army
Go to Sleep
Money
Die Cowboy Die
Tell It Like It Is
Get Down
War
105
Show Number #7
Theme: Internationalism
Hosts: Yvette Macias and Ollin Juarez
Producer: Aura Bogado
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Tito, Teresa, Travis, Lex, Jorge, Jose, Yvette, Ollin, Hasmik,
Oriel, and Miguel
Air Date: June 3, 2005
Contribution
Missing First Half of the Show
Description
Hasmik reports on CAFTA
Hasmik Interviews the Band Slow Motion Reign
Impact of Central American Free Trade Agreement
The group discuss their cultural and national
backgrounds and the impact on their music
Conquest News reports on the International
Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization
Flaca helps Kilo and Tiny to explain the “I don’t
care” syndrome
SRR Thespian- IMF and WTO skit
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Unknown and Unsigned Local Artists
Selection
106
Show Number #8
Theme: California
Hosts: Oriel Maria Siu and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Aura Bogado
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Teresa, Hasmik, Ollin, Yvette, Jorge, XL,
Miguel, Travis, Lex, and Oriel.
Plus Kevin Huss
Air Date: June 10, 2005
Contribution
Oriel Editorial on Education
Hasmik interviews Rodrigo Garcia
Description
The Report is about Public Education in California
Garcia is the author of “Urban Politics,” a book
about the politics of gangs in the inner cities
Torres works for Homeboy Industries, a gang
prevention organization which helps young people
escape conflicts in the streets of Los Angeles
Angry Dave skit helps Americans understand the
reality of the immigration issue
The skit helps the audience connect the dots to
better understand gentrification
The minutemen is a racist organization that works in
Orange County to prevent immigrants from coming
into the country
The Report explains the history of slavery and
conquest in California from the Spanish Invasion to
the North American Free Trade Agreement
The report explains immigration policy in California
and she highlights reactionary organization like
Save Our State and the Minutemen
The SRR Collective created a song called
“Protestors Got Run Over by a Racist”
What if the power went out permanently? Kilo and
Tiny answer the question about one of our greatest
fears
Miguel interviews Pascual Torres
SRR Thespian- Angry Dave Skit
SRR Thespians- Connect the Dots
Ollin and Yvette Report on the Minutemen
Ollin Report about the History of California
Teresa Report on Immigration Policy
SRR Original Song
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Doors
Cypress Hill
Lootpack
Jurassic 5
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Tupac
White Stripes
The Coup
Ice Cube
Quetzal
NWA
Santana
Selection
Break on Through
Insane in the Brain and Lockdown
When I’m on the Mic
Quality Control
Under the Bridge
To Live and Die in LA
7 Nation Army
Dig It
24 wit an L
Elegua
Express Yourself
Oye Como Va
107
Show Number #9
Theme: The Year in Review 2005
Hosts: Hasmik Geghamyan and Javier Cambron
Producer: Tito Corona
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Hasmik, Jorge, Miguel, Travis, Lex, and Oriel.
Air Date: January, 6, 2006
Contribution
SRR Thespians- Angry Dave Skit
Lex Retrospective
Lex Report
SRR Thespians- Conquest News
Miguel Report on the Zapatista Rebellion and the
Cuban Revolution
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
White Stripes
Barbara Streisand
Sheryl Crow
Eminem
Kanye West
The Rolling Stones
Green Day
Legendary KO
Marvin Gaye
Nas
Public Enemy
Caetano Veloso
Shuggie Otis
John Lennon
Description
Angry Dave helps explains the response from the
Administration of George W. Bush to Hurricane
Katrina in New Orleans
The retrospective examines the life and
contributions of Richard Prior who passed
The report discusses the life of Catholic Pope John
Paul II
Conquest News report on New Years Resolutions
The report explains that the EZLN and the Cuban
Revolution celebrate anniversaries of their
respective movements on New Years Day
Kilo Watts and Tiny explain the effects of Coal
Burning in the United States
Selection
7 Nation Army
Stranger in a Strange Land
Where Has All the Love Gone
Mosh
Crack Music
Sweet NeoCon
Wake Me Up When September Ends
George Bush Don’t Care About Black People
Inner City Blues
I Want to Talk to You
Rebels Without a Pause
Triste Bahia
Ice Cold Daydream
Imagine
108
Show Number #10
Theme: Women’s Month
Hosts: Oriel Maria Siu and Eduardo Arenas
Producer: Tito Corona
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Hasmik, Jorge, Miguel, Travis, Lex, and Oriel.
Plus Shawn Aquino, Chelsea Moore, Mayra Juarez, Hector Flores, Luisa Flores, Robin Powers, and Laura
Cosio
Air Date: March 3, 2006
Contribution
Mayra Juarez interviews youth in Ventura Park
Excerpts of “I Rigoberta Menchu”
SRR Original Song
Description
Mayra asks youth about the legacy of Rosa Parks
As read by 6th Grader Juliette Romero
Eduardo and Jose create a spoken word piece called
“Mother Earth”
The report explains on the privacy policies and
women’s reproduction
SRR does a sit down interview with Vice President
Dick Cheney
Chelsea asked high school students “What is a
Vagina?” and the SRR collective did dramatic read
of their answers
The life and contributions of the musical legend
Billie Holiday
The report documents the responses from young
people to the war machine at a protest organized by
the “World Can’t Wait” on January 31, 2006
Robin reads a poem written by Karli Sheehan
The report examines the effects that human
trafficking has on the individuals and their families
Hasmik and Hector help explain the obesity
epidemic and the prevention methods
Kilo Watts and Tiny bring awareness to energy
consumption
Shawn Report on Women’s Rights
SRR Thespians Skit- Dick Cheney
Chelsea creates the SRR Vagina Monologues
Eduardo retrospective on Billie Holiday
Chelsea Report on an Anti War Protest
Robin Power reads a poem
Hasmik report on Human Trafficking
Hasmik and Hector report on Obesity
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Selection
Above the Clouds
You Don’t Want to Fuck with Shady
Strange Fruit
Ambulance Café
Gangstarr
Eminem
Billie Holiday
Midi Midis
109
Show Number #11
Theme: Violence
Hosts: Chelsea Moore and Shawn Aquino
Producer: Tito Corona
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Teresa, Hasmik, Jorge, Miguel, Travis, and Oriel.
Plus Shawn Aquino, Chelsea Moore, Hector Flores and Laura Cosio
Air Date: April 7, 2006
Contribution
SRR Thespians- The US Invasion of Heaven
Part 1
Hasmik and Hector Health Report
Description
The SRR Skit documents the US Invasion of
Heaven after an Anti War Protest led by God
Hasmik and Hector explain the effects of partially
hydrogenated oils on our health
Greicol is the Executive Director of the National
Organization of Women
The Armenian Genocide continues to be denied by
the Turkish perpetrators and their US allies
Oriel reads a poem written by Hector about
domestic violence
The SRR Skit documents the US Invasion of
Heaven after and interview with Satan
The US Government is this month’s corporate killer
of the month
The interview with SRR alum Dang documents her
attack at the hands of the Minutemen
Kilo Watts and Tiny create an original song called
“EMS- Energy Management System
Shawn interviews Helen Greicol
Hasmik report on the Armenian Genocide
Hector Flores poem about violence
SRR Thespians- The US Invasion of Heaven
Part 2
Corporate Killer of the Month
Miguel interview Teresa Dang
Kilo Watts and Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Mobb Deep
Tierra
Gangstarr
Selection
Infamous
110
Show Number #12
Theme: Human Migration
Hosts: Hasmik Geghamyan and Hector Flores
Producer: Tito Corona
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Hasmik, Jorge, Miguel, Travis, Lex, and Oriel.
Plus Shawn Aquino, Chelsea Moore, Mayra Juarez, Hector Flores, Nancy Lopez, and Wendy Carillo
Air Date: May 5, 2006
Contribution
Mayra Juarez interviews youth in Ventura County
Miguel report on HR 4437
Oriel, Hasmik, and Miguel document the historic
immigrant marches in 2006
Hector and Nancy Report on Nationalism
Wendy Carillo interviews Montezuma Esparza
Corporate Killer of the Month- Halliburton
Wendy Blogs about HR4437
Nancy interviews Soul Rebel Laura Cambron
Travis Editorial on Immigration
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Nas
Description
Mayra interviews youth about why they staged walk
outs in Ventura County
House Resolution 4437 awakens the sleeping giant
immigrant community in the US
On March 24-25, a huge protest against xenophobia
led to a student walkouts in Los Angeles on March
27th, which culminated on May 1, 2006 with a
Historic March that included 100,000’a of
protestors in downtown LA
Hector and Nancy discuss the pros and cons of
using the Mexican flag during the immigrants rights
movement
Esparza is a filmmaker, director and film distributor
Shawn discusses the activities and profiteering of
Halliburton Corporation
Wendy creates the Migration Monologues, a
dramatic reenactment of immigrant stories
Cambron discusses immigration in Venezuela and
how it differs from the United States
The editorial sheds some light on the hypocrisy of
the immigrant rights backlash
Kilo Watts and Tiny bring awareness to energy
consumption
Selection
If I Ruled the World
111
Show Number #13
Theme: Homelessness
Hosts: Wendy Carillo and Travis Pinon
Producer: Tito Corona
Collective Members: Eduardo, Jose, Wendy, Tito, Hector, Hasmik, Mayra, Jorge, Miguel, Travis, and
Oriel.
Air Date: June 2, 2006
Contribution
Eduardo report on Homelessness in LA including an
interview with Bobby Greene
Hector interview Manoush
Nancy interviews Kevin Michael Key
Mayra report on Mental Illnesses in the homeless
population including an interview with Ricardo
Juarez
Nancy, Hector, and Eduardo Report from Skid Row
in Los Angeles
Miguel interviews Tezozomoc
Oriel interviews women involved in the system
Wendy Carillo interviews Dolores Huerta
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Rage Against the Machine
Marvin Gaye
DJ Kam
Description
The report discusses the causes of homelessness
including how gentrification affects the number of
homeless and Eduardo interviews “Skid Row
Bobby”
The interview focuses on the work of Food not
Bombs and their efforts to help feed the homeless
Key is the Community Coordinator for LA CAN
and is with the LA Poverty Department
Juarez is a Case Manager in Ventura County and the
report illustrates mental illnesses among the
homeless population
The SRR members interview homeless people in
skid row and the report focuses on the realities of
living on the streets
Tezozomoc is an Organizer with the South Central
Farm in Los Angeles and the interview discusses the
push to evict the farmers from the land
Nikisha and Susan Cruz reveal how “Girls in
Gangs” helps convicted youth like Nikisha avoid
homelessness
Huerta discusses how the overwhelming majority of
migrant farm workers are in essence homeless
Selection
Housin
Inner City Blues
Gangsta Shit
112
Show Number #14
Theme: 4th World War
Hosts: Nancy Lopez and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Tito Corona
Collective Members: Eduardo, Jose, Wendy, Javier, Tito, Hector, Mayra, Nancy, XL, Miguel, Travis, and
Oriel.
Plus Cristina Lopez and Stamina
Air Date: July 7, 2006
Contribution
Hosts Explain the 4th World War
Description
World War I, World War II, and World War III (aka
the Cold War), and the current war between NeoLiberal corporations and the working poor people
The report focuses on the Free Trade Conference in
Washington DC and South Korea’s response
according to Hung of the Korean Peasants League
The skit is a mock interview with Walmart CEO Lee
Scott
Gonzalez is from UCLA and Juventud de FMLN
and he discusses the impact of the Central American
Free Trade Agreement
Travis reads a poem called “Open Your Eyes”
Samuel works with the cooperative Casa del Pueblo
and they combat Neoliberalism by operating an
autonomous community space in Echo Park
Conquest News explains how the IMF and World
Bank shakedown countries
The report focuses on military dissent
Kilo Watts and Tiny explain natural liquefied gas
and its uses
Nancy report on Free Trade and interview with
Hyong Suk Hung
Javier skit on Walmart
Oriel interviews Alfonso Gonzalez
Travis original poem
Hector interviews Samuel
SRR Thespians Skit- Conquest News
Wendy report on Military
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Ceelo
Kanye West
James Brown
Cypress Hill
Selection
Crazy
Drive Slow
It’s a Man’s World
Pigs
113
Show Number #15
Theme: US Militarization
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Hector Flores
Producer: Tito Corona
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Wendy, Jose, Tito, Hector, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge,
XL, Miguel, Travis, and Lex
Plus Zoila
Air Date: August 4, 2006
Contribution
Open with Dwight D. Eisenhower Speech
Description
Eisenhower’s 1961 Farewell Speech on the Military
Industrial Complex
The skit parodies the pressure that youth face from
military recruiters
The youth from Oxnard and from the East LA area
explain how the military recruiters have invaded
public schools
The skit explains the process of breaking a soldiers
spirit to become a hired killer
Figueroa works for Jovenes Inc.
Accentuate Democracy parody of Bing Crosby
The skit presents the news as a old newsreel
The skit presents the Guantanamo Prison in Cuba as
an edition of MTV Cribs
Pacifigra “Drug Your Worries Away”
Pablo Paredes was the first “Conscientious
Objector” in the Navy during the War in Iraq
Kilo and Tiny explain “Tree Hugger Phobia”
SRR Skit on Militarization by XL and Lex
Hector and Mayra Interview Youth
SRR Thespians- The Making of a Soldier
Cristina Lopez interviews Johnny Figueroa
Cristina, Nancy, and Wendy Original Song
Lex skit about George W. Bush
SRR Thespians skit “Cribs- Gitmo Edition”
SRR Commercial
Miguel Paredes interview with Pablo Paredes
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Beatles
Marilyn Manson
Usher featuring Lil John and Ludacris
Ry Cooder
The Raconteurs
War
Selection
Come Together
Yeah
Chan Chan
Broken Boy Soldier
Edwin Starr
114
Show Number #16
Theme: Post 9/11
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Hector Flores
Producer: Javier and Jorge
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Wendy, Jose, Tito, Hector, Hasmik, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy,
Jorge, Miguel, Travis, and Lex
Plus Denise Carlos
Air Date: September 1, 2006
Contribution
Open with audio of 9/11 Plane Crash and George
W. Bush speech
Description
The events of September 11, 2001 forever changed
the world, and the speech by President George W.
Bush on the same day foreshadowed the future of
US foreign policy
Rowe is the Producer of the film Loose Change:
9/11 An American Coup
Part 1- Rowe served in the military, created the film
Loose Change, and War Games being played out on
the actual day of 9/11
Part 2- Talks about the conspiracy of planes
crashing, and questionable nature of the flight lists
Security Homeland is a fictional theme park
complete with Pirates of the Middle East and Its
Our World rides, color coded threats, and characters
from the George W. Bush administration
Bush defends his right to wage war in interview
Akir of One Enterprise talks about the attack on
September 11 and the role of the artist in creating
discussion
The report explains the use of Neurolinguistic
Programming by the Bush Administration
On a trip to Hawaii, Wendy interviewed people at
the Pearl Harbor memorial and asked if there are
any comparisons between 9/11 and Pearl Harbor
Borat does a Soul Rebel Radio drop
On August 12, 2006, Hasmik interviewed people at
a pro peace march
Soul Rebel Radio remembers the original 9/11
tragedy when the US backed forces removed
Salvador Allende from power in Chile
Lex interviews Korey Rowe
SRR Skit “Security Homeland”
Nancy mock interview George W. Bush
Miguel interviews New York artist Akir
Laura report on Neurolinguistic Programming
Wendy interviews people in Hawaii
Travis as Borat
Hasmik interviews community at March
End the Show with Allende and the Other 9/11
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Portishead
Café Tacuba
Akir
The Animals
Immortal Technique
Israel Kamakawino’ole
Selection
The House of the Rising Star
The Cause of Death
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
115
Show Number #17
Theme: Fear
Hosts: Hasmik Geghamyan and Eduardo Arenas
Producer: Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Wendy, Jose, Tito, Hector, Hasmik, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy,
Jorge, Miguel, Travis, Lex and Oriel.
Plus Zoila, Pedro Jaguar, and Carolina Huacan
Air Date: October 6, 2006
Contribution
Open with audio of Clockwork Orange
Hector interviews Youth
The Women of SRR share their fears
Lex report on men’s fears
Zoila report and interviews about the fear of
homosexuality
Laura skit “The Science Rebels”
SRR Thespians
Wendy report on fear tactics
Oriel and Miguel report on Fidel Castro including
audio of Angela Davis and Sidney Portier
Miguel interviews Edward Mercado
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Boston Pop Orchestra/ John Williams
The Pixies
Amores Perros Soundtrack
Wolfmother
The Pharcyde
Marvin Gaye
Geto Boys
Description
The mood of fear was created with the opening
The youth from the Eastside talk about their fears
including Education, Social Services, Gangs,
Immigration, and the Economy
Wendy, Nancy, Mayra, and Hasmik share accounts
of their fears as women
The report dispels some misconceptions about fear
and insecurity facing men
The report explains the fear of homosexuality and
she interviews young gay and transgender youth and
their fears of hate crimes, HIV, STD’s, and
acceptance
The skit is a parody of Bill Nye the Science Guy
and uses a fun and scientific approach to explain
fear
The science of fear and the 3 parts of the brain that
manage our responses to fear
The report explains how the media uses fear tactics
to spread terror
The report explains how Fidel Castro has been made
out to a boogeyman that we must fear, but some
people like Davis and Portier challenge this notion
Mercado is a youth from Venezuela and he
discusses how young people view Hugo Chavez and
the Bolivarian Revolution
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy explain how we are
running out of fossil fuels while we are completely
dependant on oil
Selection
Jaws Theme Music
Where is My Mind?
Otha Fish
Got to Give It Up
Mind Playing Tricks
116
Show Number #18
Theme: Elections
Hosts: Mayra Juarez and Jose Cano
Producer: Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Wendy, Jose, Tito, Hector, Hasmik, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy,
Jorge, Miguel, Travis, Lex and Oriel.
Plus Zoila
Air Date: November 3, 2006
Contribution
Open with Shout Out for Soul Rebel Radio by Sub
Comandante Marcos
Hector interviews Youth
Javier skit “The Mind of a Young Voter”
Wendy interviews Dolores Huerta
Zoila report on Proposition 85 and interview with
Christine Lyon
SRR Skit by Lex
Hasmik interviews Bill Paparian
SRR Skit “Soul Rebel Café”
Miguel interviews Sub-Comandante Marcos and
participants of the Encuentro in Tijuana
Hector as Vato report on Proposition 87
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment- Original
Song
Sub Comandante Marcos Final Thoughts
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Description
Sub Comandante Marcos speaks in English in the
only known audio of him speaking to the American
audience
The youth explain their thoughts on Elections and
voting
The skit takes us inside the mind of a young voter
trying to avoid confusion on the ballot and the
election process
Huerta sits down with Wendy and discusses the
importance of voting especially in light of the recent
immigrant rights marches
The woman’s right to choose law would make
changes to the abortion laws and Lyon is the Vice
President of public affairs for Planned Parenthood in
Santa Barbara
The skit is a parody of a PSA staring Arnold
Schwarzenegger
Paparian ran for the 29th Congressional District in
California
The skit is a parody of a poetry jam including
“Soldier of the Spoken Word” by Sister Solstice of
the Equinox and “Let’s Play House,” and “Piece
About the Senate” by Urban Warrior Mike
Sub-Comandante Marcos of the EZLN shares his
thoughts in English at the Tijuana campaign stop for
La Otra Campaña in October 20006, and the
participants explain the purpose for their
involvement
Proposition 87 is the Clean Energy Act and Vato
explains the Pros and Cons
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy create an original song
about solar panels called “How Much Does it
Cost?”
In English, Sub Comandante Marcos explains that
some people go to sleep and dream about a better
tomorrow while others work through the night to
create that reality
Selection
117
Moby
The Hollywood Studio Symphony
Quetzal
Nirvana
Rage Against the Machine
Porcelain
Sin City End Titles
All Apologies
Take the Power Back
118
Show Number #19
Theme: Commercialization of Culture
Hosts: Nancy Lopez and Tito Corona
Producer: Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Wendy, Jose, Tito, Hector, Hasmik, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy,
Jorge, XL, Miguel, Travis, and Lex.
Plus Zoila
Air Date: December 1, 2006
Contribution
Open with a collage of commercials and cultural
audio
SRR skit “True Hollywood Stories”
Description
The opening established the bombardment of
commercialization of culture that we face daily
The skit is a parody of “True Hollywood Stories”
and we look at 3 icons of the 1990’s and ask where
are Ferbie, Play Station, and Tickle Me Elmo now
The youth explain the pressure of having the newest
and latest items
The skit is a parody of a game show on pop culture
and asks contestants who are the faces on their
favorite T-Shirt?
Palomares works with El Puente and she organizes
the yearly “Anti Mall” which promotes conscious
shopping
5 de Mayo has become more popular in parts of the
US and it is not widely celebrated in Mexico
Alter One is a musician with Burning Star and he
discusses the commercialization of culture and
dedicates the interview to DJ Dusk One
The hosts of the show dial up heaven and try talking
to God about how the Creator is being
commercialized
The report explains the Teachers Strike against
Ulysses Ortiz, and the role of APPO and FIOB
Kilo Watts and Tiny present the “Energy Cops”
parody of the show “Cops”
Laura, Lex, and Eduardo interview youth
SRR skit “Connect the Dots”
Hasmik interviews Laura Palomares
Hector and Jorge report on 5 de Mayo
Travis interviews Alter One
SRR Skit “Dial Up God”
Cristina report on the Oaxacan Resistance
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Twilight Zone Theme Music
Jay Z
Whitney Houston
Body Count
Nirvana
The Roots
Selection
Lucifer
I Will Always Love You and I’m Every Woman
Body M/F Count
The Man Who Sold the World
What They Do
Show Number #20
119
Theme: Los Angeles
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Travis Pinon
Producer: Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Hector, Hasmik, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge,
Chelsea, Miguel, Travis, and Lex.
Plus Cati and Pedro Jaguar
Air Date: January 5, 2007
Contribution
Lex interview Mike Davis- Part 1
Miguel skit “Huell Browner”
SRR skit “Top 10 List”
Lex interview Mike Davis- Part 2
Laura, George, and Lex report on Drugs in LA
Christina interview Victor Narro
Nancy interviews Yancy Quinones
SRR Thespians skit “The Roast of LA”
SRR skit by Javier and Tito “Law and Order- The
Death of Public Transportation”
Soul Rebel Cafe
Lex interview Mike Davis- Part 3
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Ozomatli
Jurassic 5
Colors
Ice Cube
The Doors
Shad featuring Shayde
Rage Against the Machine
Description
The Author of City of Quartz explains that Los
Angeles was shaped by the immigrant community
The parody of the Huell Howser show “California’s
Gold” focuses on the city of Los Angeles
Top 10 ways you can tell if someone is from LA
Davis discusses Gangs and Gang Culture in LA
including the effects of Neo-Liberalism on the
African American and Chicano community with the
creation of the Crips, Bloods, and Chican@ Barrios
The SRR crew breaks down the proliferation of
drugs in Los Angeles including how a report
documented the Iran Contra Affair and the
connection that drugs in South Central had with
guns in Nicaragua
Narro is the Director of the UCLA Labor Center
near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles
Quinones opened Antigua Cafe in Northeast LA
The skit includes Roas-tmaster Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa and contains such luminaries as Arnold
Schwarzenegger, Daryl Gates, Rodney King, Eli
Broad, and Roger Mahoney
The skit helps explain how Firestone, GM, and
Mack Trucks conspired to murder the public
transportation system in LA
The Cafe hosted by Joaquin Not Free presents a
poem by Travioli called “Gentrification”
Davis explains the Ecology Theory and how Los
Angeles became a Mediterranean climate
Kilo Watts and Tiny with the help of Cati Fu
explain the origins of Smog in LA
Artist
Dr. Dre
Dru Down
Quetzal
NWA
Lighter Shade of Brown
Cypress Hill
120
Show Number #21
Theme: Black History Month
Hosts: Christina Lopez and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Wendy, Jose, Tito, Hector, Hasmik, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy,
Jorge, Chelsea, Miguel, Travis, and Lex.
Air Date: February 2, 2007
Contribution
Opens with a Testimony of Racial Profiling
Lex report on Richard Prior
Eduardo interviews Lionel Jean Bautiste
Lex interviews Tanya Williams
Chelsea report on Mumia Abu Jamal
Lex editorial “I Hate Valentine’s Day”
Nancy report on African American singers
Javier skit “Soul Rebel Time Machine”
Christina report on Campaign for Justice and
interview with Lola Smallwood Cuevas
Lex interviews Cynthia Carr
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
James Brown
Rage Against the Machine
Jimi Hendrix
Billie Holiday
Nina Simone
Erykah Badu
Lauryn Hill
Dr. Dre
Cypress Hill
James Brown
Eric B and Rakim
Kool Moe Dee
Total featuring BIG
Description
An African American male testifies about an
incident of racial profiling
Richard Prior is one of the most influential
comedians and the report recalls his legacy
Bautiste is a recording artist who was racially
profiled by the police
Williams is the granddaughter of former Black
Panther Michael Zin Zin
Jamal is an activist who was convicted for
murdering Philadelphia Officer Faulkner in 1981
The report explains the history of the “Teddy Bear”
and Blood Diamonds
The report profiles Billie Holiday and Nina Simone
SRR travels back in time to listen in on a debate
between Abraham Lincoln and Senator Steven
Douglass on the merits of slavery
The Campaign for Justice calls for fair contracts for
security guards and homecare workers
Carr is the author of Our Town and her book deals
with the awful history of lynching
Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on
Environmental Racism in Southeast LA in the City
of Vernon because of a proposed new power plant
Selection
This is a Man’s World and Get on the Good Foot
Know your Enemy and Fuck the Police
Purple Haze
Strange Fruit
Brown Baby
Drama
Freedom Time
California Love
Kill a Man
Funky President and Payback
Eric B is President
How Cool Can One Black Man Be
Can’t You See
121
Show Number #22
Theme: International Women’s Day
Hosts: Chelsea Moore and Jorge Merino
Producer: Nancy
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Chelsea, Miguel,
and Lex.
Pus Rafa Aguilar
Air Date: March 2, 2007
Contribution
Christina report on International Women’s Day
SRR reports on women
Jose and Laura skit on the Soul Rebel Time
Machine
Chelsea report on Reproductive Rights
Lex interviews Maricela Guzman
Nancy report on current events
SRR Thespians skit “The Better View”
Miguel interviews participants of La Otra Campaña
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The White Stripes
Mazy Starr
Pixies
Bessie Smith
Cranberries
Divinyls
Janis Joplin
Dr. Dre
Christina Saverwein
Dj Vadim and Sarah Jones
Description
The report focuses on the origins of International
Women’s Day in the labor struggle
Sor Juana Ines and Harriet Tubman are two
important women in the history of the Americas
Jose uses the time machine to interview Emma
Goldman and her contributions to Anarchism,
Feminism, Women’s Suffrage, and
Environmentalism
The report explains the use of hormonal
contraceptive pills
Guzman was sexually assaulted in the Navy and
went AWOL and was subsequently jailed
The report focused on women making news
The parody of The View showcased four different
women with different views
La Otra Campaña kicked off in Oventic, Chiapas
with 4000 Zapatistas and 2000 Integalactic@s from
LA, California, Norway, Canada, and all over the
world
Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on Low Impact
Living when Tiny goes to Mexico and explains how
his relatives lived a low impact life
Selection
Passive Manipulation
Fade Into You
Gigantic
Blue Spirit Blues
What’s in Your Head
I Touch Myself
Summertime
Explosive
Your Revolution
Show Number #23
122
Theme: Death in the Springtime- Genocide
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Lex Steppling
Producer: Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, XL, Miguel, and
Lex.
Plus Jesse Chavez
Air Date: April 6, 2007
Contribution
SRR Thespians skit “The True History of
Columbus”
Description
Mr. Deez is a substitute teacher who takes over a
history class and the students challenge the
mainstream notions of Columbus
The Cucapa Camp in Baja California was part of La
Otra Campaña and was supported by Sub
Comandante Marcos of the EZLN and the Chican@
community in the US
Mixpe works for Semillas del Pueblo which is a
charter school in El Sereno that teaches indigenous
philosophy and history
Gentrification is a problems in places like the Hill
District in Pittsburgh, the Mission District in San
Francisco, and Elysian Valley in LA
The report focuses on the genocide in Rwanda
The report explains that the Holocaust cost
thousands of Jews, Gays, Gypsies their lives
The report sheds light on the Armenian Genocide at
the hands of the Turkish forces
The year 1968 was pivotal around the world in the
fight for social justice
Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on how we
should not blame ourselves for everything because
the system is responsible too
Miguel report on the Cucapa Camp
SRR interviews Joann Mixpe Ley
Miguel report on Gentrification
Nancy report on Rwanda
Lex report on the Jewish Holocaust
Hasmik report on the Armenian Genocide
Christina report on 1968
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Nirvana
Café Tacuba
Living Legends
The Beatles
David Gray
Janis Joplin
The Beatles
Jarocho
Edwin Starr
Credence Clearwater Revival
Portishead
Pharaoh Monch
The Cinematic Orchestra
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Selection
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Tropico de Cancer
Nothing Less
Norwegian Wood
Babylon
Summertime
Revolution
Luna Negra
War
Fortunate Son
Simon Says
Man with a Movie Camera
Under the Bridge
Show Number #24
123
Theme: Conspiracy Theories
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Lex Steppling
Producer: Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Mayra, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, XL, Miguel, and
Lex.
Plus John Bower
Air Date: May 4, 2007
Contribution
Open with a Disclaimer
SRR interview young people
SRR Report
Chelsea interviews Cindy Sheehan
SRR Original Song “Diebold Day”
Miguel skit “Grandpa Joe”
SRR Thespians skit “Space- the Final Frontier”
Nancy and Christina report
SRR editorial on Sumerian
Lex report, interview, and original song related to
the Bus Riders Union
Chelsea report on Potable Water
SRR Roll Call
Jose and Eduardo report on Deodorant
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Description
Warning- Do your own research!
We asked the youth “What is a Conspiracy?”
We explain the history of conspiracies going back to
the Spanish-American War, the Mexican-American
War, World War II, and 9/11
Sheehan is an Anti War activist
The original song is the SRR take on the stolen
election in Florida
Grandpa Joe tells conspiracy theories to youth
including Masons, the New World Order, 9/11
Attacks, UFO’s, and the Moon Landing
The conspiracy to colonize space including the
moon and Mars
The report explains that Operation Paperclip which
led to the creation of NASA was created by Werner
von Braun who was a Nazi engineer
The Sumerian theory of creation refers to reptilian
UFO’s, Planet X, and a Great Flood
The Bus Riders Union is led by youth like students
Haewon Asfaw and Richard Edmond who help
explain that the lack of public transportation is a
conspiracy against the poor, and the youth create an
original rap about the latest fee hike
The Beef Industry has a huge need an global
footprint on the use of potable water
SRR calls out the International Monetary Fund,
World Bank, NAFTA, the European Union, the
Council on Foreign Relations, the United Nations,
the Trilateral Commission, the Knights Templar, the
Skulls and Bones, the Bilderberg Group,
McDonalds, Coca Cola, Nike, Exxon Mobile,
Walmart, and others
Jose and Eduardo visit a supermarket and explain
the use of aluminum in deodorant, fluoride in
toothpaste, chemicals in fabric softeners, and
aerosols in fragrances
Kilo Watts and Tiny present a doomsday scenario
and ask What if the Power was Shut Off?
Selection
124
Dr. Dre
Goodie Mob
Michael Jackson
Nine Inch Nails
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Cypress Hill
The Roots
REM
Dre Day
Cell Therapy
Smooth Criminal
Lockdown
It’s the End of the World as We Know It
125
Show Number #25
Theme: Music
Hosts: Nancy Lopez and Eduardo Arenas
Producer: Eduardo
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Miguel, and Lex.
Plus Shawn Aquino
Air Date: July 6, 2007
Contribution
Open with a Collage of Music
Description
A myriad of musical selections is included in the
mix
Mr. Deez substitutes for a Music Class and tries to
compare Elvis to Eminem, talk about American
Idol, and he gets schooled by the students about the
history of music from Blues to Rock and Roll to Hip
Hop
Banda Juvenil Sologa fro Oaxaca includes three
high school students
The parody of the game show includes celebrities
Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, and Carlos
Mencia
Kuti produced 77 albums and was the leader of his
kingdom and is credited with creating Afro-Beat
SRR gives props to South African Jazz, Funk,
Tropicalismo, Bob Marley, and The Beatles
Davey D of Hard Knock Radio on KPFA in
Berkeley talks about the history of Hip Hop
Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on Climate
Change and create an original song called “The
Carbon Tax” based on James Brown song Payback
SRR Thespians skit Music Class
Christina interviews Banda Juvenil Sologa
SRR skit “Celebrity Jeopardy”
Eduardo report on Fela Kuti
SRR editorial
Lex interviews Davey D
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Jimi Hendrix
Muddy Waters
Gustavo Cerati
Fela Kuti
Fela Kuti
The Africa 70 featuring Fela Anikulapokuti
The Beatles
Dilated Peoples
James Brown
Bob Marley
Dr. Dre
Leon Haywood
Selection
Star Spangled Banner
Tabu
Sorrow, Tears, and Blood
Expensive Shit
No Agreement
Come Together
Big Business
Soul Rebel
I Want to Do Something Freaky to You
126
Show Number #26
Theme: Censorship
Hosts: Christina Lopez and Javier Cambron
Producer: Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Miguel, and Lex.
Air Date: August 3, 2007
Contribution
Open with Roll Call Collage of past Intros
Description
We begin by using past shows openings to create
this introduction and discuss Janet Jackson’s
wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl
The youth were asked about their views of
Censorship
Nancy profiles the book The Language Police by
Diane Ravich about how pressure groups restrict
what children learn in school but also affects how
words, ideas, images are censored in texts
The skit is a parody of the Maury Povich show and
the topic for the show begs the question “Is my
spouse politically correct?”
The parody of the military recruitment
advertisement is our take on the Army commercials
The report quotes Black Thought, Ice T, and Chuck
D and highlights 4 examples of censorship in Hip
Hop including- NWA’s Fuck the Police, 2 Live
Crew’s Me So Horny, Ice T’s Cop Killer, and The
Coup’s Party Music album cover
The report focuses on how the FCC regulates
censorship in the media
The skit details history of censorship at the hands of
the government through the eyes of a fly on the wall
The editorial looks at the history of censorship in
Venezuela including the case of Radio Caracas TV
Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on the
Censorship related to Global Warming
Javier interviews youth
Nancy report called the SRR Book Corner
SRR Skit on “Horry Povich”
SRR Thespians skit “PSA on the US Army”
Miguel report on censorship in Hip Hop
Lex report on Censorship and the FCC
Laura skit “Spy Fly”
Jorge editorial on Censorship in Venezuela
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Beatnuts and Big Punisher
Pacha Massive
Dead Prez
Pharcyde
Devilz Species
Gangstarr
Nas
Akir
Jurassic 5
Interpol
Pharaoh Monch
Immortal Technique
Selection
Off the Books
Don’t Let Go
The Pistol
Passing Me By
Pathological Drinker
Above the Clouds
Get Down
Kunta Kinte
The 4th Branch
127
Show Number #27
Theme: Diseases
Hosts: Lex Steppling and Jose Cano
Producer: Eduardo
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Chelsea, Miguel, and Lex.
Plus Cati Fu, Pedro Montes de Oca, and Luz Feliz Marquez
Air Date: September 7, 2007
Contribution
Open with explanation of STI’s
SRR Thespians- HPV
Miguel report diabetes
SRR Thespians- Herpes
SRR Thespians skit “The Great Burger”
SRR Thespians- Chlamydia
Eduardo and Cati Fu interview Celia Gloria
Rodriguez
SRR Thespians- Syphilis
Eduardo interviews Dr. Juan Camarena
SRR Thespians- Gonorrhea
Chelsea report on Intersexuality
SRR Thespians- HIV
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Gap Band
Zapp and Roger
One Way
Digital Underground
Parliament
Description
Sexually Transmitted Infections is better than STD
The skit is a first person account by genital warts
The diabetes includes Type 1, Type 2, Gestational
Diabetics, and Pre-Diabetes and could include
genetic factors, environmental issues, and other
causes of the epidemic
The skit is a first person account by the herpes virus
The skit is a parody of Lord of the Rings and Harry
Potter and their quest to seek the great one Bob’s
Big Boy
The skit is a first person account by Chlamydia
The report examines the reality of nurses in El
Salvador and Rodriguez is the President of the
Community Health Council in San Fernando
Morazan
The skit is a first person account by syphilis
Dr. Camarena explains the diseases caused by a fear
of visiting the dentist
The skit is a first person account by Gonorrhea
The report on intersexuality or hermaphrodites
explains how parents are not included in the
decision to assign gender to children because this is
based on appearance
The skit is a first person account by HIV
Kilo Watts and Tiny present a report on Pacoima
Beautiful, an organization that combats
Environmental Racism
Selection
You Dropped the Bomb on Me
More Bounce to the Ounce
Cutie Pie
Humpty Dance
Unfunky UFO
128
Show Number #28
Theme: Borders
Hosts: Chelsea Moore and Jorge Merino
Producer: Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Chelsea, Miguel, and Lex.
Air Date: October 5, 2007
Contribution
SRR Report on Border and Immigration Act
Christina interviews youth about Immigration
Nancy report on the documentary Stop the Bite by
Aliyah Levin and Edward Lyman
SRR Skit Conquest News
Nancy interviews Camilo Ontiveros
Christina report and interview on the Sanctuary
Movement
Laura report on Hawaii
Miguel reads an original poem “Time and Space”
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Doors
Stealers Wheel
Jarocho
Dinka
Pink Floyd
DJ Shadow
Description
The 2005 Sensenbrenner Bill created AntiImmigrant hysteria and placed non-citizens in limbo
“Tam” is a UCLA Graduate who has family in
Vietnam, was born in Germany, and moved to the
United States but the German refugee remains
without a country so she fights for the Dream Act
Stop the Bite is a campaign to eliminate malaria
along the Zimbabwe-Zambia border
Conquest News presents Angry Dave as he
advocates for immigrants and against racists
Ontiveros created the film Ear of the Pollo about
border crossing along the Mexican US border
The report explains that the Sanctuary Movement
has roots in the 1980’s and Christina interviews
Daniel French of the New Sanctuary Movement and
members of the Clergy and Leity United for
Economic Justice and presents the story of Elvira
Arellano who sought sanctuary in Simi Valley
The theory of Manifest Destiny pushed the United
States to expand their borders west into the Pacific
Ocean
The poem explains that there is no border between
time and space because they are one
Kilo Watts and Tiny presents an original song “The
EMS” about the Energy Management System
Selection
City of Night
Stuck in the Middle with You
Pollito en Arroz
Superstitious
Money
Building Steam with a Grain of Salt
129
Show Number # 29
Theme: Redskins vs. Patriots- The Native American Experience
Hosts: Laura Cambron, Lex Steppling, and Miguel Paredes as Michelle Rebelde, John Fatten, and Mike
Walls
Producer: Eduardo and Jorge
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Chelsea, Miguel, and Lex.
Air Date: November 2, 2007
Contribution
Open with words by Kiko Wativiti
Redskins vs. Patriots Show Skit
Redskins Players include
Patriots Players include
Shout Out by Questlove
Nancy halftime report and interview on the Wacho
Nation
Location and Time of each Play
130
Description
Kiko from the Taino Nation shares the version of
Columbus shared in the oral tradition of his people,
“Our women bashed their heads with their war
clubs!”
The football games is a metaphor for history of the
Indigenous experience in the United States, and we
use real historical figures, locations, and time to
place each “play” in the game
Carlos Calusa, Francisco Chicora, Powatan,
Pocahontas, Samoset, Masowet Wampanowa,
Squanto, Opechankano Sasakaspetqua, Iroquois,
Chief Tamanend, Lenape Delaware, Tohono
Odham, Popeye Pueblo, San Diego, Shawnee,
Sacajawea, Chief Tecumseh, The Prophet,
Seminole, California Indian, Manuelito Navajo,
Sioux, Roman Nose, Red Cloud, Cheyenne, Lakota,
Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Chief Joseph, and
Geronimo
Christopher Columbus, Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria,
Juan Rodriguez Bermejo, Jesus Christ, Juan Ponce
de Leon, Lupe Vasquez de Aylon, Hernando de
Soto, Spanish Jesuits, Sir Walter Raleigh, John
Smith, Mayflower, Boston Bay, William Penn,
Thomas Penn, Robert Loomis, Measles, Small Pox,
Greenville, Lewis and Clark , Maryweather,
Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison,
California Legislator, Carson, Homestead Act, Col.
Harry Harrington, George Custer, Christianity, Fort
Nebraska, General Crook ,and Whiteside
Questlove of The Roots crew gives Soul Rebel
Radio a shout out at the Rock the Bells show
The report includes an interview with Alan Yu, a
University of Chicago linguist
Florida 1513, South Carolina 1526, Mississippi
1542, Virginia 1548, North Carolina (Lost Colony)
1584, Chesapeake Bay Virginia 1607, Plymouth
Rock 1620, Thanksgiving 1621, Jamestown 1640’s,
Massachusetts/ Connecticut 1637, Hudson River
(Wall Street) 1640, Pennsylvania 1682, Pima
Arizona 1680, Pueblo Revolt 1709, Delaware 1756,
Shawnee Scalp Act 1775, Christian Mission 1786,
Miguel postgame interview with Kianga Lucas
Commercial for Pacifigra and Davey Crocket Hats
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
End the show with Leonard Peltier Honor Song
Northwest Ordinance 1790, Shawnee Ohio 1795,
Creek Wars 1813, Fort Blunt Seminole War 1815,
Doctrine of Discover 1828, Trail of Tears to
Oklahoma 1830’s, Seminole Wars II 1843,
California Gold Rush and Indentured Servant Act
1849, California Indian Treaties 1850, California
1862, Homestead Act 1862, Sioux War Declaration
1862, Colorado 1864, Southern Cheyenne 1865,
Red Cloud’s War 1866, Custer vs. Sitting Bull
1876, Nez Perce 1877, Indian Appropriation Act
1874, Apache Massacre in Arizona 1871, Sitting
Bull Gathering of Indians 1876, Oklahoma Land
Rush 1889, and Wounded Knee 1890
Lucas is an Indigenous student who explains how
Native American mascots in the 21st Century are
offensive
Pacifigra is a make believe pharmaceutical and
Davey Crocket Hats help you Dress to Kill
Kilo Watts and Tiny’s skit helps answer the
question “Are Indigenous People Better Off?” and it
includes words by Quese IMC
Free Leonard Peltier
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Monday Night Football Theme Music
Star Wars Theme Music
Final ScorePatriots 45- Redskins 21
Patriots
Redskins
7
0
Selection
14
7
131
10
0
14
14
45
21
Show Number #30
Theme: The Year in Review 2007
Hosts: Lulu Kornspan and Jorge Merino
Producer: Tito and Jorge
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Miguel,
and Lex.
Air Date: December 7, 2007
Contribution
Open with Collage of Soul Rebel Radio members
and introduce Lulu and Monica
Lulu interviews Medusa
Miguel musical review
Lulu skit “SRR Time Machine”
SRR Thespians skit “The Roast of Santa Clause”
Christina and Monica report on ICE Raids
Laura report on your tax dollars
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Medusa
Radiohead
Deftones
Rodrigo y Gabriela
The Shins
Mezklah
The Beastie Boys
The Police
Interpol
The Muse
Mars Volta
Manu Chao
Rage Against the Machine
Wu Tang Clan
Public Enemy
Kanye West
Nas
Blondie
Michael Jackson
Description
The voices of the collective are heard at the start
Medusa is an LA MC and the creator of the
“Gangsta Goddess” album talks about the role of
women in Hip Hop
The Musical Year in Review including Top 10 live
shows, Top 3 Musical Festivals, and Top 3 Stories
The SRR Time Machine is used to make predictions
about 2008 and beyond
“The Roast of Santa Clause” includes the Roastmaster Santa’s Elf, Jesus, Kwanza, Hanukah, Mrs.
Clause, Rudolf the Reindeer, and St. Nick
The Immigration raids are reported and information
and discussion points were presented
The report focuses on how much money as invested
in the Defense budget
Kilo Watts and Tiny do an interview with Global
Warming and help dispel the rumors
Selection
My Momma Raised a G and Gangsta Goddess
Weird Fishes and 15 Steps
Roxanne
Facilis Descenus Averni
Bombtrack
Shame on a Nigga
Hip Hop is Dead
Follow Me
132
Looney Tunes Theme Music
Aretha Franklin
Ice Cube
Santana
Moby
The Doors
Todos tus Muertos
AntiCon 6.2
Save Me
Evil Ways
Porcelain
Light My Fire
Mandela
Simulated Snow
133
Show Number #31
Theme: The Year “1984”
Hosts: Eduardo Arenas and Laura Cambron
Producer: Eduardo
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Miguel,
and Lex.
Plus Pedro Montes de Oca, Camilo Romero, Reynaldo Godoy, and Arturo Cambron
Air Date: January 4, 2008
Contribution
Open with Time Machine to travel to 1984 and
bring Laura back to 2008
SRR Thespians skit Celebrity Jeopardy
Nancy skit TV in 1984
(This Skit was later discussed in the collective and it
led to a change in the next show and an apology and
explanation)
Monica and Lulu report
SRR Soundclip
SRR Soundclip
SRR Thespians skit “How does the Cold War end?
Christina report on the New World Order in Latin
America
SRR Philosophy
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Description
The theme of the show is 1984, so we used George
Orwell’s book “1984” to format the show and used
stories and music from the year
Ignorance is Strength
War is Peace
Ministry of Truth- “Who controls the past now,
controls the future. Who controlled the present,
controls the past.”
Celebrity Jeopardy includes George Bush, Boy
George, and Bill Cosby
The skit explains that for every hour spent in school,
children spent 2 hours watching television in 1984,
and how since the creation of Hollywood in 1948
(the same year as the establishment of Israel) antiArab depictions have existed on TV
The report is a conversation between Monica and
Lulu about Music in 1984 including MTV, the East
LA Punk scene including groups like The Brat and
The Baggs, Prince’s Darling Nikki which led to the
creation of the Parent Music Resource Center which
created the Parent Advisory stickers
In 1985, Frank Zappa testified at a congressional
hearing about censorship in music
The AIDS Epidemic began around 1984, and we
present Anti-Gay quotes from Pat Buchanan and the
Reverend Jerry Falwell
In 1984, World War III was called the Cold War,
and we present a year in the life of this conflict
between the US and the USSR including the
Russian Boycott of the LA Olympics and the US
Funding of Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein
The report focused on Pinochet in Chile and the
Sandinista-Contra War in Nicaragua, and the Civil
War in El Salvador between the FMLN and the
Arenistas
It is our responsibility to do a show to inform people
Eduardo calls up Tiny and asks him a few questions
Selection
134
Michael Jackson
The Smiths
Prince
Cindy Lauper
New Order
Prince
Madonna
Beverly Hills Cop Theme by Harold Fattermeyer
Thriller
And the Air
Darling Nikki
Girls Just Want to have Fun
Understand
Let’s Go Crazy
Like a Virgin
“Axel F”
135
Show Number #32
Theme: Stereotypes and Prejudice
Hosts: Monica de la Torre and Travis Pinon
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Miguel,
and Lex.
Air Date: February 1, 2008
Contribution
Disclaimer
Lex interviews Jason David
Monica interviews George W. Bush played by
Travis
Lulu report on the Science of Stereotypes
XL skit the “Cop Out Kit”
Miguel interview Fred Hampton Jr.
Nancy interviews poet Hector Rivera
SRR report on Homeland Security
Laura, Nancy, and Christina interview Youth
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
We end the show with words by the EZLN
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Bob Marley
Fat Freddy
Gangstarr
Beatnuts
Public Enemy
Description
The show was a response/reaction to a contribution
in the 1984 show that insinuated that Hollywood
was created by and for the benefit of the Jews
David and Lex have a conversation about Jewish
identity in LA and the challenge to overcome
prejudice and combat racism
George W. Bush talks about his prejudice and
stereotypes
The report explains the scientific origins of
stereotypes
The cop out kit created by Conquest Incorporated
helps you respond to racially sensitive situations,
“Some of my best fiends are black!”
The son of the legendary Fred Hampton and current
member of the Black Panther Party talks about his
life since the death of “Chairman Fred”
Rivera of the Welfare Poets is from Chicago and is a
Puerto Rican activist
Homegrown Terrorism is created by the Department
of Homeland Security in the US
The high school students explain their experiences
with stereotypes and prejudice
Kilo Watts and Tiny re-present Tree Hugger Phobia
Un Mundo donde quepan muchos mundos
(A world where many worlds co-exist)
Selection
War
Hope
Above the Clouds
Fight the Power
136
Show Number #33
Theme: Marriage
Hosts: Christina Lopez and Jorge Merino
Producer: Jorge and Eduardo
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Jose, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, Miguel,
and Lex.
Plus Cati Fu
Air Date: March 7, 2008
Contribution
Cati de los Rios interviews HS youth
Description
Cati interviews students in Pomona and asks them
about love and marriage
The report explains the contradictions of having
heterosexual men making laws for gay couples, and
it includes a clip of the short film “The Sanctity of
Marriage”
The skit is a parody of the “Flavor of Love” and
includes Hillary Clinton as one of the contestants
campaigning for Bill’s love
The 3 couples share their dreams, hopes, and fears
related to marriage
Miguel targeted 35 couples, 16 agreements, and 6
total couples that talked about the best part, the
worst part, and the advice they would give newly
married couples
Timmy is a counselor at the Liz Taylor Clinic and
helps couples addicted to glamorous marriages and
provides 7 tips for wedding rehab
Monica report on Defense of Marriage Act
SRR Thespians skit “The Flavor of Bill”
Lulu interviews 3 engaged couples
Miguel interviews married couples
Timmy skit the “Marriage Counselor”
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Dream Lovers
Sade
Common
Amy Winehouse
Led Zeppelin
Dixie Cups
Big Momma Thornton
Aterciopelados
The Complexions
The Flamingos
Al Green
The Doors
The Students
Selection
When We Get Married
Ordinary Love
Break My Heart
Chapel of Love
Hounddog
I Only Have Eyes for You
Love and Happiness
Love Me Two Times
I’m so Young
137
Show Number #34
Theme: Youth
Hosts: Hasmik Geghamyan and Javier Cambron
Producer: Jorge and Eduardo
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Tito, Monica, Hasmik, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy, Jorge, and
Miguel
Air Date: April 4, 2008
Contribution
Open by explaining the original goal of the show
which was to showcase youth and created
interviews, skits, and news
Define Youth
Description
This show was about youth but we called on KPFK
to open up more spaces for young people to create
media
15-24 according to the United Nations which
translates to 1.2 Billion people
The skit is a parody of the Ask Jeeves site and the
youth ask the hosts questions about the history of
youth
Semillas del Pueblo is a charter school in El Sereno
that teaches Nahuatl, Mandarin, and Aztec Dancing,
and we interview the students and the director
Marcos Aguilar
The report on the 40th anniversary of the East LA
Blowouts included Sal Castro Harry Gamboa Jr.,
and current student and teachers
The youth speak at an Anti War rally about the War
in Iraq and what they would tell President Bush
The skit is a parody of the Pimp My Ride show and
it helps one young lucky girl get the Quinceanera of
her dreams
Ramirez is the author of The Fire and The Word, a
book about the history of the EZLN, and she talks
about the “youth” fighting in Chiapas to improve
Health, Education, and the Good Government
Council
SRR Thespians skit “Youth Time”
Eduardo and Miguel interview students and
administrators at Semillas del Pueblo
Miguel report and interviews about the East LA
Blowouts
Laura and Monica interview youth about War
Christina skit “Bling My Quinceanera”
Miguel interviews Gloria Munoz Ramirez
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Jurassic 5
Rage Against the Machine
Dr. Dre
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Ray Charles
Santana
Coldplay
Postal Service
Nirvana
Selection
Voice of the Voiceless
Explosive
Coneheads Song
Hit the Road Jack
Such Great Height
Smells Like Teen Spirit
138
Show Number #35
Theme: Che: The Life, Contradictions, and Contributions of Ernesto Guevara
Hosts: Lulu Kornspan and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Jorge and Eduardo
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Jorge, and Miguel
Plus Cati Fu, Suzy Roteman, and Nami
Air Date: May 2, 2008
Contribution
Open with a short history of the life of Che
Suzy 1st Person account of “Celia de la Serna”
The Motorcycle Dairies
Nami 1st Person account of “Hilda Gadea”
Che established Radio Rebelde
Suzy 1st Person account of “Aleida March”
During the Revolution, Che took on a number of
responsibilities including various violent and brutal
acts
Monica skit “SRR Time Machine”
Lex original poem “What if Che was Ugly?”
Che speak about the defeat of Imperialism
Fidel reads the Farewell Letter from Che
Eduardo interviews Cuban ex-Patriot
Miguel interviews Gloria Munoz Ramirez
Eduardo interviews Latin American youth
SRR Thespians “Family Feud: Che”
139
Description
The hosts explain origins and early life of Che
Celia de la Serna was the mother of Ernesto
Che takes a trip from Argentina throughout South
America
Hilda Gadea, a Peruvian, was Che’s first wife
Radio Rebelde is the media arm of the Cuban
Revolution and transmitted his first greeting to the
Cuban people
Aleida March de la Torre, a Cubana, was Che’s
second wife
Che oversaw executions of traitors to the
Revolutionary forces, he suggested the executions
of the wealthy who had violated laws previously, he
initiated the Agrarian Reform, led the National
Bank, and was an Ambassador in Africa and Asia
Monica uses the Time Machine to travel back in
time to interview Alberto Korda who took the
famous image of Che “Guerillero Heroico”
Lex wonders if the aesthetics of Che helped him to
become a revolutionary martyr
At the height of the fallout between the US and
USSR, Cuban Revolutionary forces defend the
island during the Bay of Pigs Invasion
Fidel was pressured to read a private letter when it
was noticed that Che was not involved in the
decision making in Cuba
The young man explains that the image of Che is
indoctrinated in Cuba and the children end each
morning by proclaiming “Seremos como el Che” or
we will be like Che
Ramirez is the author of the EZLN history book
“The Fire and the Word” and she explains that in
Chiapas, the spirit of Che is that of a comrade
constantly in the hills, and he is celebrated every
October 8th by Zapatistas
The youth talk about how the image of Che has
been commercialized, but Che remains an
inspiration to many youth in Latin America
The skit is a parody of Family Feud and the
category of Che produces some interesting answers
by the two families
Monica and Christina report and original song about
the Immokale Workers
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Radiohead
Cuban Sons
Peruvian Andino
White Stripes
Café Tacuba
Carlos Puebla
The report explains the Immokale Workers
campaign against Burger King and create an
original song “Immokale”
Selection
Que Pare el Son
140
Show Number #36
Theme: Prison Industrial Complex
Hosts: Christina Lopez and Lex Steppling
Producer: Jorge and Eduardo
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Javier, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Robert, Jorge, XL, Miguel,
Travis, and Lex
Dedicated to George Carlin
Air Date: June 6, 2008
Contribution
Open with the definition of the Prison Industrial
Complex
SRR Thespians skit “America’s Next Top Prison”
Lulu original song “Jail Cell”
SRR Top 10
SRR Commercial for PIC
SRR interviews Margaret Dooley Sammuli
Laura original song “What’s Prison Done for me
Lately?”
SRR interviews Trumain Davis
Lex interviews Ezra Erlenmeyer
Monica and Lulu skit “To Make a Prisoner”
Miguel interviews Mario Rocha
Laura interviews Laura Adler
SRR report on the Safe Neighborhoods Act
XL original song “3 Strikes the PIC”
Eduardo skit “Art Laboe”
Monica original song “I’m Behind Bars:
141
Description
Critical Resistance defines the PIC as the
intersection of Government and Private
Corporations
The skit is a parody of America’s Next Top Model
as Calpatria, San Quentin, and ADX Florence in
Fremont, Colorado vie for the prize
The song is a parody of Michelle by The Beatles
SRR present the Top 10 prisons per capita and the
USA is #1
The commercial is a parody of the old Jack Stephen
plumbing commercial and the announcer repeats
“The Prison Industrial Complex”
Dooley is the Deputy Director of the Drug Policy
Alliance in California and she explains the War on
Drugs and its effects on the people
The song is a parody of What Have You Done for
Me Lately by Janet Jackson
Davis is a performer who grew up without parents
because they were both in prison
Erlenmeyer works with Project Avery and his father
was incarcerated when he was a child
The skit is a parody of the show To Catch a
Predator and it explains the role of the US system of
education in turning youth into prisoners
Rocha was falsely imprisoned for 10 years at the
age of 16, and his narrative became the
documentary “Mario’s Story”
Adler works for the UCLA Community Labor
Strategy Center and she talks about the Runner
Initiative that would allow youth to be tried as
adults for a “Gang Related Felony”
The 3 Strikes Law has drastic effects on youth and
the community
The song is a parody of Soulja Boy and helps
explain the PIC and the 3 Strikes law
The skit is a parody of the Art Laboe show which
plays oldies and caters to the homeboys and
homegirls that come in and out of prison
The song is a parody of I’m Just a Girl by No
Doubt
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Jimi Hendrix
R Kelly
The Beatles
Borat Theme
Janet Jackson
White Stripes
The Roots
The Pharcyde
A Tribe Called Quest
Cold War Kids
Tone Loc
Selection
Star Spangled Banner/ Purple Haze
I Believe I can Fly
Michelle
What Have You Done for Me Lately
Don’t Say Nuthin and It Just Don’t Stop
Officer
Everything is Fair
Saint John
Funky Cold Medina
I’m Your Puppet
It’s Just like Heaven
Reunited
18 with a Bullet
I’m Just a Girl
Pete Wingfield
No Doubt
142
Show Number #37
Theme: The Environment
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Lulu Kornspan with Kilo Watts and Tiny
Producer: Eduardo
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Robert, Jorge, Miguel, and Lex
Air Date: August 1, 2008
Contribution
Lulu and Robert skit “Dreams of Energy”
Description
The skit is a dream/nightmare that Robert had about
the energy crisis and global warming and he begins
to worry about his carbon footprint
Rolando is a surfer who is concerned about the
effects of global warming on his favorite surfing
spots around the world
Thee skit involves Monica taking a shower and
leaning from the water that only 2% of the world’s
water is fresh drinkable water
Chang is the Regional Director of Grid Alternatives
which provides low income families with solar
panels
Romera works with the South Central Farm and she
discusses the plans to build a Forever 21 warehouse
on the grounds of the former South Central Farm
Eddie and the Sands perform Burning Out about the
world’s global warming crisis
Kilo and Tiny perform an original song where they
explain that ultimately, the energy comes from the
power of the sun
Busceli worked on Brownfield at a Super Fund
(Land with hazardous waste that impacts the local
ecosystem) Site affected his health
Kilo and Tiny want to go back in time before
pollution began to impact the Earth, but are unable
to fix the machine
Robert comes in to offer some wise words about
getting back up, and Celestial Rose Tiny offers the
audience “Redirect your energy to save energy,”
Spring Flower Kilo says “Redirect your dollars to
save energy” and Eco Laura of the Sequoia tells us
to “Manage our waste so it doesn’t take up space”
SRR skit “Rolando Mota”
Monica skit “Water? Is that you?”
Eduardo interviews Susie Chang
Christina interviews Rosa Romera
Eduardo original song “Burning Out”
Kilo and Tiny original song “Where does the
energy come from?
Eduardo interviews Steve Busceli
Kilo and Tiny try working on the Time Machine
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Sade
Death Cab for Cutie
A Tribe Called Quest
Encore and Handsome Boy Modeling School
The Doors
Selection
Your Love is King
I Will Posses Your heart
What?
Waterworld
When the Music’s Over
143
Show Number #38
Theme: The Economy- It’s the Stupid Economy
Hosts: Lulu Kornspan and Mike Walls
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Laura, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy, Robert, Jorge, Miguel
Plus Siris
Air Date: September 4, 2008
Contribution
Open with Testimony of a Young Unemployed
Mother
Monica and Lulu report on “Federal Reserve”
SRR report on Neo-Liberalism
Christina report on the underground Economy
Mike Walls editorial skit “It’s the Stupid Economy”
SRR interviews the youth about the economy
SRR interviews Carl Wood
SRR calls for the New Deal of the 21st Century
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Beatnuts
Portishead
Pink Floyd
Dr. Dre
Marvin Gaye
Luminaries
Karsh Kale
Coldplay
Nas
Description
The young mother explains the struggle to raise her
child, the rising food prices when paying for
groceries, finding work, and providing childcare in
today’s economy
The Federal Reserve is a private bank that controls
our economy through its 7 member board with 14
year terms, and 12 national banks with no
government oversight
The younger more aggressive sibling of Capitalism
includes the socialization of costs and the
privatization of profits with the help of the IMF, the
WTO, and the World Bank
The informal sector or black market helps provide
jobs for many people in the US
The show and this skit is a parody of the Colbert
Report’s “The Word” and it his a gung ho capitalists
defense of the economy which in 2008 began to
show signs of breaking down but Mike Walls
explains, “Everyone knows that the US is
indestructible!”
Young people share their experiences finding work
and surviving in the economy
Wood is the candidate for the 65th Assembly district
and as a member of the Utilities Workers Union of
America and the Regional Affairs Director
Mike Walls breaks down and admits that “We’re in
Big Big trouble. This is a national emergency and
we need help. SOS! Help! We are all going to be
casualties of the war on poor people…”
Selection
Off the Books
Money
Lolo and Forgot about Dre
Inner City Blues
Peace
One Step Beyond
America
144
After the Economy Show:
September 7
September 14
Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac are Nationalized
Lehman Brothers goes bankrupt and Bank of
America purchases Merrill-Lynch
Global stocks plummet
AIG is bailed out by the government
The government and the banks negotiate a bail out
as portrayed in the film “Too Big to Fail”
The bleeding finally stops on the economy
September 15-17
September 16
September 16-September 30
September 30
145
Show Number #39
Theme: Young Women
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Monica de la Torre
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy, Robert, Jorge, Miguel
Plus Siris and Luisa
Air Date: October 3, 2008
Contribution
Christina and SRR report on Abuse
Robert and Jorge report
Monica interviews young men
Luisa interviews young women
SRR report on George W. Bush Policies
Siris report on 1st Generation Latinas in College
Nancy interviews Marisoul and Gloria
Lulu interviews Sonya Renee
SRR report on Los Angeles Women in Music
Organization
We end the show with a Gloria Steinem quote
Musical Contributions:
Artist
DJ Shadow
Atmosphere
MIA
Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs
Little Miss Sunshine Music
Amel Larrieux
Description
The SRR women talk about abuse in relationships
and teen dating violence
The report explains how domestic violence affects
individuals and families including a poetic interlude
Monica interviews young men from the My
Strength Program “Peace over Violence” about
violence against young women
Luisa interviews young college students issues
important to young women
The report explains that the policies of George W.
Bush have negatively impacted young women and
females in general
The report interviews young women facing the
decision to go away to college and how their
families sometimes do not support them completely.
Marisoul and Gloria are member of La Santa Cecilia
an up and coming LA band
Renee is the National Poetry Slam Champion and
she reads “What We Deserve” about how women
deserve better treatment than the one they receive
The organization helps women make music in Los
Angeles
“The first problem for all of us men and women is
not to learn, but to unlearn”
Selection
Building Steam with a Grain of Salt
In Her Music Box
Giving Something Up
146
Show Number #40
Theme: The Trial of George W. Bush for Murder
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Jorge Merino as Layla Califo and Jorge Arbustos
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Javier, Laura, Tito, Teresa, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy, Robert, Jorge, Miguel
Plus Siris Barrios and Angela Flores
Air Date: November 7, 2008
Contribution
Open with quote by George W. Bush
News Eyewitness anchor Layla Califo and reporter
Jorge Arbustos bring us breaking news
Trial starts with testimony from family members of
dead soldiers as read by SRR
SRR Prosecutors question the defense witnesses
SRR Prosecutors question George W. Bush
SRR Prosecutors make their closing arguments
George W. Bush failed to recognize the facts before
illegally invading Iraq
Angela skit “Sarah Palin”
Dick Cheney breaks Dubya out of the courthouse
The show was inspired by the book by Vincent
Bugliosi and the interview by Carole Coleman
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Snoop Dogg
Cold War Kids
The Muse
Coldplay
Manu Chao
The Last Shadow Puppets
Mezklah
Dick Dale and his Deltones
Description
“Shame me one, shame on you… Fool me twice,
can’t fool me again!”
The Trial of George W. Bush presided by Judge
Timmy Tim-Tim
The defense team repeatedly objects to the dramatic
testimony but the judge sustains the statements
The Bush Administration cabinet members
including Condoleezza Rice, Donald Rumsfield, and
Colin Powell are grilled on the witness stand using
SRR questions and actual audio of each cabinet
member
SRR Prosecutors question the President on the stand
and he responds using actual audio recordings
regarding his views of the War in Iraq
The Prosecution team of Dang and De la Torre
conclude that 4000 soldiers and 100,000 Iraqis had
died as of November 2008 due to the false pretenses
used by Bush to invade Iraq
The invasion of Iraq was built on a structure of lies,
and the Bush administration failed to accept the
findings of 16 intelligence agencies
Palin shares her views on the legacy of George W.
Bush
VP Cheney shoots a bailiff in the face and escapes
to a waiting getaway car with George W. Bush
Bugliosi’s book “The Prosecution of George W.
Bush for Murder” and Coleman’s interview of
George W. Bush for Radio Television Ireland
inspired the show and mock trial
Selection
Murder was the Case
We Used to Vacation
Knights of Cydonia
Viva la Vida
Tristeza Maleza
Black Plant
Bestia
Misirilou
147
Show Number #41
Theme: 1968
Hosts: Monica de la Torre and Robert Loza as Old Man Sam
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Eduardo, Laura, Tito, Teresa, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy, Robert, Jorge, Miguel,
and Travis
Shout Out to KPFK Archives
Air Date: December 5, 2008
Contribution
Open with Paula Crisostomo talking about 1968
Lulu interviews David Simpson
SRR audio clip KPFK Archives
Miguel report and interviews about the East LA
Blowouts
SRR audio clip MLK
SRR report on significant murders in 1968
SRR audio clip James Brown
Miguel report on the image of Che
SRR audio clip Huey P. Newton
SRR report on the Chicago Police Riots in 1968
Christina interviews youth in 2008
1968
148
Description
Crisostomo describes what was happening around
the world and how this was an inspiration for the
Chican@s in Los Angeles
Simpson worked with the performance group The
Diggers and is an older hippie who is an advocate of
sustainability and he talks about the politics, music,
and movements associated with 1968
We play of clip of the War in Vietnam from January
31, 1968
The report focused on the leading causes of the East
LA Blowouts and spoke with Paula Crisostomo and
Harry Gamboa Jr. who were student leaders who
organized the walkouts, and the describe what was
happening in 1968, what LA was like, and their
memories of the walkouts
MLK was assassinated in 1968, but not before he
explained “I’ve Been to the Promised Land”
Dr. Martin Luther King spoke about his own
mortality the day before he was killed and Robert F.
Kennedy was assassinated in LA, and David
Simpson remembers what it was like to hear this
tragic news
James Brown performed in Boston after MLK was
assassinated, and he spoke about the need for peace
in the streets after days of violence
Che was killed on October 8, 1967, and his
Guerillero Heroico image was turned into works of
art and a famous poster by Jim Fitzpatrick that
spread around the world in 1968
Huey was accused of killing a pig and 4000
followers came out to support him
The police riots at the 1968 DNC as reported by the
Pacifica network in 1968 includes audio of Bill
Watson of Pacifica and Huey P. Newton
The interviews focus on student activism in 2008 at
a statewide gathering for CYFO
East LA Blowouts, MLK assassinated- 100 cities in
US rioted, RFK assassinated, Czechoslovakia,
France, Mexico, Che, Chicago Police Riot at DNC,
Tet Offensive, SDS Protests, South Carolina State
Massacre, Cesar Chavez’ first fast for UFW,
Columbia University, 1968 Olympics, and
Tlatelolco Massacre in Mexico City
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Beatles
The Beatles
Jimi Hendrix
The Doors
The Beatles
Selection
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Piggies
All Along the Watch Tower
Spanish Caravan
Lady Madonna
149
Show Number #42
Theme: Best of Soul Rebel Radio 2008
Hosts: Soul Rebel Radio
Producer: Jorge and Tito
Collective Members: Eduardo, Javier, Laura, Jose, Tito, Teresa, Monica, Hasmik, Lulu, Cristina, Nancy,
Robert, Jorge, Miguel, Travis, and Lex
Plus Siris and Luisa
2008- 18 Collective Members participated
Air Date: January 2, 2009
Contribution
January- 1984
February- Stereotypes and Prejudice
March- Marriage
April- Youth
May- The Life, Contradictions, and Contributions of
Che
July- Prison Industrial Complex
August- The Environment
September- It’s the Stupid Economy
October- Young Women
November- Trial of George W. Bush for Murder
December- 1968
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Michael Jackson
Beck
Jurassic 5
Larry Graham
Description
1984 Censorship by the PMRC and Frank Zappa’s
Testimony
Stereotypes collage including many SRR voices
Pomona Youth talk about their thoughts on
Marriage
Semillas del Pueblo youth talk about the school
We air several continues pieces that take us from
when Che was in Mexico and met Fidel through the
1st person account of Aleida March
3 Strikes-PIC Song
Original Songs Burning Out by Eddie and the Sands
and Where Does the Energy Come From by Kilo
Watts and Tiny
The Word parody “It’s the Stupid Economy”
Sonya Renee reads her poem “What We Deserve”
Testimony of George W. Bush using real audio
Paula Crisostomo talks about the East LA Blowouts
in 1968
Selection
Thriller
Summer Girl Remix
The Jam
150
Show Number #43
Theme: US Presidents
Hosts: Cristina Lopez and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Laura, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Robert, Jorge, Miguel, Travis, and Lex
Plus Sandino Navarro and Joy Simpson
Air Date: March 6, 2009
Contribution
George W. Bush is Out and Obama is IN
The hosts explain that the show will focus on 5
specific eras
Report on George Washington
Report on Abraham Lincoln
Report on Franklin D. Roosevelt
Report on Technocrats President from Ronnie to W.
Famous First Ladies
Report on how death has touched President
Cristina report on Women’s suffrage
Report on the 5 Greatest scandals of all time
Top 5 worst president skit as read by George W.
Bush played by Travis
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Description
Ex-President George Bush is out as the newly
elected President Barack Obama is inaugurated
George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew
Jackson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and from Ronald
Reagan to George W. Bush
Washington is the 1st US President who led the
Scorched Earth campaign and also held 650 acres
and owned 317 slaves
Lincoln is credited with freeing the slaves thanks to
the Emancipation Proclamation, and he is also
credited with maintaining the Union
Roosevelt is the 32nd President and served for 4
terms and although he is credited with the New
Deal, but also responsible for the Japanese
Internment camps
The era is highlighted by anti-communist sentiment,
Neo-Liberalism, the New World Order tax breaks
for the wealthy, and trickle down economics
Including Dolly Madison who was the premier
“First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt who helped the poor
and women and hosted a radio show, Jackie Onassis
Kennedy who supported arts and culture until the
assassination of JFK, and Hilary Clinton, the wife of
Bill who was raised in a privileged home and grew
up to become a prominent lawyer who even ran for
President in 2008
The report explains that 8 Presidents have died in
office including 4 natural deaths and 4 successful
assassination in 90 attempts
The right to vote for women was a long fought
struggle to combat patriarchic values
5) 9/11/Katrina/War on Terror on W’s watch, 4)
Iran Contra Affair during Reagan administration, 3)
The Watergate Scandal associated with Nixon, 2)
Harry Truman drops two A-Bomb, 1) Thomas
Jefferson fathers children with his slave
Franklin Price, Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman,
Richard Nixon, and George W. Bush
Selection
151
The Pharcyde
Interpol
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Manu Chao
If I was President
Senor Presidente
152
Show Number #44
Theme: War
Hosts: Laura Cambron and Javier Cambron
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Eduardo, Javier, Laura, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Jorge, and Miguel
Plus Sandino Navarro, Robin Garcia, Phillip Jean Marie, Arturo Cambron and Rosanna Cambron
Air Date: April 3, 2009
Contribution
Open with Soul Rebels Javier and Laura being
called to duty
Monica interviews youth
Description
Soul Rebels reporting for Emergency Duty
SRR commercial for Army Strong
Monica interview Pomona HS youth
Laura interview with Ann Wright- Part 1
Laura and Javier report “The War at Home”
SRR report on PTSD
Station ID by Lonnie Jordan
Pomona High School students discuss impact of
budget cuts
Laura interview with Ann Wright- Part 2
Miguel interview with Pablo Paredes
Lulu and Phillip read “This is my Conscious”
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Bob Marley
Rhymefest featuring Citizen Cope
Monica asks the question, “War, what is it good
for?”
The commercial is a parody of the Army Strong TV
ads, “There’s trickery, and there’s complete
deception”
The youth provide testimony about how the military
recruiters target them
Wright is an ex Army Colonel who resigned in
March 2003 due to the invasion of Iraq and she
explains how she faced sexism, assault, and rape in
the military
The report discusses their brother’s military
deployment and it includes clips of the documentary
“Arlington West”
PTSD affects 20% of the 1.6 Million soldiers, while
suicide rates are 2 times greater for ex-veterans
Jordan is a musician with the band “War”
The students discuss the impact that war has on the
economy, education, and available resources and it
includes a poem by Juan Carlos Rodriguez “Life of
War”
Wright explains why she resigned in March 2003
due to the invasion of Iraq
Paredes is the 1st Conscientious Objector in the
Navy and he refused to board his ship to Iraq
The mantra is parody of the scene in Full Metal
Jacket “This is my Gun”
Selection
War
Bullet
153
Show Number #45
Theme: Workers
Hosts: Cristina Lopez and Jorge Merino
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Laura, Tito, Monica, Lulu, Cristina, Robert, Jorge, and Miguel
Plus Sandino Navarro and Alma Catalan
Air Date: May 1, 2009
Contribution
Open with Jerry Quigley of KPFK
Description
Quigley explains what it means to be a worker and
emphasizes his pro-labor and pro-union position
Durazo is the leader of the AFL-CIO and she
remembers how she started getting involved in the
union
The interviews explain what an ideal work situation
would look like
Gonzalez works the Coalition of Immokale Workers
and the Chiapas Media Project, and she discusses
the labor situation for Farmworkers and plays a clip
of the documentary “Paying the Price”
Radio Tijera is a media outlet that documents the
lives, voices, and experiences of garment workers in
the US
Durazo is the leader of the AFL-CIO and she
explains the current labor situation in the US
Catalan is a filmmaker and former garment worker
who discusses the struggle to survive as an
immigrant
Durazo is the leader of the AFL-CIO and she
encourages young people to get involved in the
union and organizing
The workers answer the question “What does it
mean to be a worker?”
Cristina interviews Maria Elena Durazo- Part 1
Miguel interviews labor leaders
Miguel interviews Melody Gonzalez
SRR audio Clips of Radio Tijera
Cristina interviews Maria Elena Durazo- Part 2
Miguel interviews Alma Catalan
Cristina interviews Maria Elena Durazo- Part 3
Miguel interviews workers
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Arctic Monkeys
The Postal Service
Julieta Venegas
Lila Downs
Café Tacuba
The Roots
Rage Against the Machine
Selection
505
Minimum Wage
154
Show Number #46
Theme: Mentoring- Pledge it Forward (KPFK Fund Drive Show)
Hosts: Lulu Kornspan, Monica de la Torre, and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Christine Blosdale
Collective Members: Monica, Lulu, Jorge, and Miguel
Air Date: June 5, 2009
Contribution
Open with a sound clip on the importance of
Mentors
History of Soul Rebel Radio
Fund Drive Show
KPFK Giveaway “Show me the Way”- Part 1 about
LA
SRR skit on “How to Pledge”
KPFK Giveaway “Show me the Way”- Part 2
Mentoring and Mentees
Best of Soul Rebel Radio
KPFK Giveaway “Show me the Way”- Part 3 about
War, Education, Homelessness, Violence, Youth,
Los Angeles, and Workers
Best of Soul Rebel Radio
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment
Musical Contributions:
Artist
U2
Notorious BIG
Description
The testimony explains the value of being mentored
and mentoring
SRR is a youth collective that creates a monthly
show based on a theme
The goal for the hour is to raise $3000
Show me the Way is a mentoring DVD and Fund
Drive gift and it establishes the theme
SRR creates a cheesy commercial that explains the
process o pledging to KPFK
Show me the Way is a mentoring DVD and Fund
Drive gift helps develop the theme
The clips present the best parts of Soul Rebel Radio
including Stereotypes, Marriage, Che, and Youth
Show me the Way is a mentoring DVD and Fund
Drive gift explains issues that have all been covered
extensively by SRR
The clips present the best parts of Soul Rebel Radio
including PIC, the Economy, 1968, the Trial of
George W. Bush for Murder
Kilo Watts and Tiny present an original song
“Where does the energy come from?”
Selection
One
Get Money
155
Show Number #47
Theme: Capitalism
Hosts: Monica de la Torre and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Javier
Collective Members: Javier, Laura, Monica, Lulu, Jorge, and Miguel
Air Date: August 7, 2009
Contribution
Open with Pledge of Allegiance
Define Capitalism for the Audience
SRR interviews the community
Description
“… And Justice for All?”
The workers sell their labor to owners who own the
means of production including hourly wages, rent,
food, transportation,
The Federal Reserve is private/public Central Bank
that was created in 1913
The Count discusses his favorite numbers are not all
good
Walmart profits to the tune of Billions $12.7 in 2007
and $13.4 in 2008
Rent, Car Notes, Land, Oil, Precious Metals, Water
50% of the world is Men and Women, 20 youth, 14
elderly, 61 Asians, 9 Latin Americas, 5 North
America, 1 College Graduate, 1 computer, 1 man
owns $40,
The media is the marketing department of
Capitalism
Young people from the Pico Youth Family Center
and beats by Pneumonic help produce the original
song “Crimes Against Humanity”
Since World War II, Bretton Woods, IMF, Milton
Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics,
and Neo-Liberalism
Neo-Liberalism is the socialization of costs and the
privatization of profits, and involves trade
linearization, deregulation, protection of property
rights, NAFTA, and the European Union including a
Marxist Environmentalist perspective that argues
that the system is not sustainable
The time machine helps answer the question, “When
will capitalism end?” and discovers that in 2012, the
Chinese Invasion of the US occurred and put an end
to US capitalism after China reclaimed the body of
Bruce Lee during the Dragon Wars
The community explains “What is Capitalism?”
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Citizen Cope
Andrew Gold
Wu Tang Clan
Nappy Roots
Let the Drummer Kick
Spooky Scary Skeletons
CREAM
Po Folks
Lulu and Monica report on the Federal Reserve
Laura interviews The Count
SRR report on Walmart
Private Ownership of Property
If the World was 100 People
Report on Media as the 4th Arm of Government
Monica “Corporate Killer of the Month” Exxon
Mobil
SRR report on Globalization
SRR report on Neo-Liberalism
Miguel skit “Time Machine”
Selection
156
Dilated Peoples
Quetzal
Nas featuring Lauryn Hill
Beatnuts
Jay Z
Pink Floyd
Jimi Hendrix
Michael Jackson
Music from Enter the Dragon
Trade Money
Elegua
If I Ruled the World
Lucifer
Money
Star Spangled Banner
Bad
Note- Soul Rebel Radio raised $1000 during the Fund Drive last month
157
Show Number #48
Theme: Voices of Youth
Hosts: Monica de la Torre and Lulu Kornspan
Producer: Monica and Lulu
Collective Members: Eduardo, Monica, Lulu, Jorge, and Miguel
Plus CORAL Summer Film and Media Program and Homeboy Industries
Air Date: September 4, 2009
Contribution
Open with Voices of Youth
Lulu and Monica worked with youth from CORAL
Environment
Street Life
Gangs
March 4th original song
Olmeca original song
Shabuya Roll Call
Description
Young people express themselves including a poem
by Robert of Homeboy Industries “Where I’m from
makes me Strong”
The show was broken down into three sections
Environment, Street Life, and Gangs
Jonathan and Devin report on Global Warming and
Greenhouse Gases
Lolo, James, Naya, present “Eco Man” skit with a
talk to penguins in the Arctic and an ADOPT A
TREE commercial
Original song by Urzi called “What do we need to
Do”
Jared, Cody, Juan, Jose, Simone, and Chris present
a testimony on Street Life
Original song by Chris, Momo, and Triple P called
“Street Life”
Report by youth on impact of street life on youth
including gangs, violence, and drugs
“Driving While Black” skit created by youth
Skit called “Slang Game” from 1920 to 2001
Pascual, Fabian, and Joseph of Homeboy Industries
help explain the power of poetry to help people heal
Report by Jordan, Paco, Arianna, and Ramiro about
gang violence, domestic violence, and community
violence
Original song “What can we do to Stop the
Violence”
Jordan’s poem called “My Fear” about gang
violence
Report on how Los Angeles is the Gang Capitol of
the World with over 120,000 active members
Voices of Youth interview about ‘Voice of Youth”
Counter Culture
Members of CORAL that participated in the show
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Superman Soundtrack
Selection
158
Show Number #49
Theme: Revolution
Hosts: Loyda Alvarado and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Javier, Laura, Monica, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, and Travis
Plus Loyda Alvarado, Carlos Rubio, Danielle Kelley, Luis Lizarga, Sara Mathews, and Graciela Perez
Thank You to KIWA, Gerard Meraz, Ernesto Arce, Ricky Garay, DJ Sol, DJ Jedi, and Ervin Arana for the
help with our fundraiser
Air Date: November 6, 2009
Contribution
Open with News Flash
Define Revolution
SRR report on historical Revolutions
The IPU take over the station and show
Revolutionary First Person Accounts- Part 1
SRR interviews the community about RevolutionPart 1
Revolutionary First Person Accounts- Part 2
SRR interviews the community about RevolutionPart 2
Revolutionary First Person Accounts- Part 3
SRR report on Hillside Food Cooperative
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Common
Gangstarr
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Description
‘We interrupt this program to tell you that rebels
have taken over the station”
Revolution is the complete overhaul of the
government system or a change to the constitution
Bloodless Revolution, French Revolution, American
Revolution, Russian Revolution, Chinese
Revolution, American Revolution, Cuban
Revolution, Nicaraguan Revolution, Iranian
Revolution, Zapatista Rebellion, Bolivarian
Revolution, Cultural Revolution, Technological
Revolution, Islamist Revolution, and Peoples Power
Revolution
The International People Union explains Revolution
in first person accounts throughout the show
Tupca Amaru, La Virgen de Guadalupe, Sor Juana
Ines, Gabriela Silong, Andres Bonifacio, Tecumseh,
Nikola Tesla, Mahatma Gandhi, Emma Goldman,
and Rosa Luxemburg
The community explains Revolution according to
their understanding at Hollywood Forever
Emiliano Zapata, Frida Kahlo, Mao Zedong, Ho Chi
Minh, Miguel Marmol, Salvador Allende, Mother
Teresa of Calcutta, Lumumba, Fidel Castro,
Malcolm X, Yuri Kochiyama, Shirley Chisom,
Black Panther Party, Roque Dalton, and Harvey
Milk
The community explains Revolution according to
their understanding at Hollywood Forever
Maribal Sisters, Lucio Cabanas, Oscar Zeta Acosta,
Nora Astorga, Angela Davis, Hugo Chavez, EZLN,
Comandante Ramona, Sub-Comandante Marcos,
The organization works in Northeast Los Angeles to
help provide food for the community
Selection
The 6th Sun
Above the Clouds
Gold Lion
159
Maldita Vecindad
GZA
Very Be Careful
Andrea Bocelli
Fela Kuti
Café Tacuba
Ozomatli
Coldplay
The Coup
Immortal Technique
Rage Against the Machine
Rodrigo y Gabriela
The Beatles
Pachuco
4th Chamber
Por ti Volare
ITT
Dig It
Sierra Maestra
Renegades of Funk
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
160
Show Number #50
Theme: Art Attack @ Xocolatl in El Sereno
Hosts: Danielle Kelley and Luis Lizarraga
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Monica, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, and Travis
Plus Carlos Rubio, Danielle Kelley, Luis Lizarga, Sara Mathews, and G
Thank You to Xocolatl including Juan Ochoa and Thomas Cazares for flier
Air Date: December 4, 2009
Contribution
Open with Definition of Art Attack
Miguel interviews Juan Ochoa of Xocolatl
Sarah report on Art History
SRR interviews Artist Part 1
Carlos report on the Mexican Muralist Movement
SRR interviews Artist Part 2
Lulu report on street artist in LA
Travis interviews Percussionist Bobo
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Café Tacuba
NWA
Beastie Boys
Dedicated to Gregor Geghamyan (Hasmik’ Father)
161
Description
Art Attack is defined as the creation of Art, Music,
Literature, Film, Design, and Painting
Ochoa works with Xocolatl and he described the
Grand Opening celebrations scheduled for
December 12, 2009
Sarah explains Western Art history including
Classic Art, the Renaissance Movement, Leo
Tolstoy, Salvador Dali, and Surrealism
Poet Fabian Montes, Musician Hilda Delgado,
Photographer Jay Davis, Musician Laura Cambron,
Artist Lili Flor, Computer Programmer David,
Artist Alicia Siu, Art Historian Brenda Zamora,
Animator Daniel Antonio Lopez, Musician Brian
Deepwaters, Musician Jose Cano, Artist Ben Webb,
Model Amanda, Dancer Carolina Sarmiento, DJ
Skeet, Artist Ericka Martinez, and Ingrid Kornspan
The report focuses on “Los Tres Grandes” or The
Big 3 Mexican artists Orozco, Siqueiros, and Rivera
Artist Ashtron, Graphic Designer Allen, Artist
Eugene Cooperman, Musician and DJ Evan
Bourgeois, Musician Eduardo Arenas, Comedian
Jason Rouse, Singer and Poet Ruben Funkahuatl
Guevara, Poet Felicia Montes, Artist Gala Kim,
Graffiti Artist Hayze, Musician Gabriel Tenorio,
MC Rod Starz of Rebel Diaz, MC Javis the Bravest
of the Luminaries, Actor and Dancer John Jones,
Actress Melinna Teatrina, Artist and Photographer
Coy Soldier, Kyle of Studio Renaissance, MC
Mental of TUS, Maricela of Teatro Breath of Fire,
The report profiles Galo of Los Angeles
Bobo is a member of the Mighty Cypress Hill Crew
as well as percussionist with the Beastie Boys and
he shares his thoughts on art and music
Selection
Esa Noche
I Aint tha 1
Sabrosa
Show Number #51
Theme: Go to Health
Hosts: Lulu Kornspan and Carlos Rubio
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Monica, Andres, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Sara Mathews Ana Marie, Nami, and Coco Kornspan
Thank You Thomas Cazares for flier
Air Date: January 1, 2010 (New Years Day)
Contribution
Lulu interviews Coco Kornspan
Miguel report on Public Health Care
George report on Sex and Youth in America
Miguel roundtable discussion with Dr. X and Dr. YPart 1
Alicia skit “A Walk in the Community”
SRR Health Tips
Miguel roundtable discussion with Dr. X and Dr. YPart 2
Andres editorial on Food Inc
Andres Flores original poem
Musical Contributions:
Artist
AM
Arctic Monkeys
Dr. Dre
Pedro Infante
Description
Kornspan talks about Mental Health and working
with people who suffer from mental issues
The report focuses on the ongoing debate between
Conservatives and Liberals
The reports is based on a “Sexual and Reproductive
Health” report that describes issues related to youth
and sexual activity
The Dr. X and Dr. Y discussion included 2 male
physicians, 1 female medical student, and 1 health
care Administrator who speak anonymously about
their experience in the health care industry
Alicia goes on a walk and encounters Jose Cano
who recently went on a 30 mile run, Gilbert who
works with El Jardin in Boyle Heights, Raquel who
recommends spending time in the outdoors
The tips include getting out of the house, eating the
right food, getting enough sleep, drinking water,
exercise, and quit smoking
The Dr. X and Dr. Y discussion included 2 male
physicians, 1 female medical student, and 1 health
care Administrator who speak anonymously about
their experience in the health care industry
The documentary changed Andres’ life and the
information provided helped to convert him to
Vegetarianism
“Sad Bird” written and read by Andres
Selection
What’s the Difference
Guitaras Lloren Guitaras
Dedicated to Tia Nena (Miguel’s Aunt)
162
Show Number #52
Theme: All My Relations
Hosts: Alicia Vargas and Andres Flores
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Monica, Andres, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Onamare and Kianti
Thank You Robert Loza for flier
Air Date: March 5, 2010
Contribution
Miguel interview Ti George La Guerre
Lulu interviews George W. Bush
Miguel interviews the Jefferson HS community
Erick report on “6 Degrees of Arizona Bacon”
Miguel interviews Norma Vega of the US Census
Kianti and Onamare commentary
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Robin S
Melani Pain
Wilco
Julieta Venegas
Public Enemy
Arcade Fire
La Santa Cecilia
The Postal Service
Description
Ti George talks about his relationship to Haiti
We ask George W. Bush about his relationship to
the Skulls and Bones fraternity
The students, parents, and teachers talk about their
community and what education would like in an
ideal situation
The report highlights the relationship between
Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the immigrant community in
Arizona
Vega is the Office of the US Census Director in Los
Angeles and she explains the importance of the US
Census and the relationship to social services
The two talk about the power of words and the
relationship to people, thoughts, and actions
Selection
Hanuman
Show Me Love
Ever Fallen in Love
Seria Feliz
Can’t Trust It
Jack
We Will Become Silhouettes
163
Show Number #53
Theme: Going Green
Hosts: Kilo Watts and Tiny plus Onamare and Kianti
Producer: Eduardo
Collective Members: Eduardo, Jose, Monica, Andres, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Onamare Newsome “Eco Nut,” Kianti “Eco Love,” and Adafe
Thank You Robert Loza for flier
Air Date: April 2, 2010
Contribution
Open with LA Councilwoman Jan Perry
Miguel interviews the Community
Andres skit Are You Greener than a 5th Grader
Erick skit on “Poor Peoples Guide to Going Green”
Eco Nut and Eco Love report on Living off the Grid
Lulu and Monica report “How to Help the Earth”
Kilo Watts and Tiny original song
Andres and Adafe interview and skit “Radio
Alchemy”
Carlos report on Green for All
SRR announcement on Earth Day South LA event
Alicia skit “The True Price of Cheap Goods”
Kianti report on GMO’s in Foods
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Al Green
NWA
Flying Fish
Kermit the Frog
K-OS
Manu Dibango
Description
Perry is the Councilman is South LA most famous
for helping evict the South Central Farm, but here
she talks about the eco friendly initiatives she has
launched in her district
The community responds the question, “How do
you go green?”
The skit is a parody of the game show “Are you
smarter than a 5th grader”
The Poor Peoples Guide to Going Green provides
environmentally friendly ideas that poor people
already practice
The report explains how these two
environmentalists live off the grid and do not rely
on the system for electricity or water
The report includes an interview with David
Simpson who is an older hippies who worked with a
group called Human Nature that created climate
change theatre
Kilo Watts and Tiny present “Going Green”
The report interview with Evan Ray of KPFK’s Roy
of Hollywood show discusses climate change and
Chem Trails
Green for All is a community based organization
that works to provide green alternatives
The event took place on April 17, 2010 at
Normandy Elementary School
The skit explains how inexpensive products end up
costing the environment more in the long run
The report focuses on the work of Students for
Social Justice that combats genetically modified
foods
Selection
Let’s Stay Together
I Ain’t tha 1
Zenatude
Its not easy being Green
The Rain
African Battle and The Panther
164
Show Number #54
Theme: Peace
Hosts: Monica de la Torre and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Anahi, Monica, Andres, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Travis Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Onamare, Kianti, Alifa, Jefree, and Adafe
Thank You Robert Loza for flier
Air Date: May 7, 2010
Contribution
Open with Happy Birthday Song for Soul Rebel
Radio
Miguel interviews the community at the May Day
2010 March against SB1070
Act I- The Theatre of Peace
Lulu and Carlos define the word Peace
SRR report on the Peace Index
Description
SRR celebrates 5 years of being on the air on KPFK
Adafe report on the Peace Awareness Labyrinth
Gardens
The community responds to the question, “Define
Peace and explain how to work towards that?
Based on the book The Art of Peace
Lulu and Carlos use the word Peace 51 times
Based on a ranking of domestic and foreign
violence, the US ranks #83 in terms of Peace Index
Zack the la Rocha shares his thought on SB1070
The history of the peace movement, the peace sign,
and the peace symbol are all explained
The homeboys and homegirls explain “What is
Peace” and SRR created a YouTube video
Based on the book The Art of Peace
Father Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries is
presented the Soul Rebel Radio “Lifetime
Achievement Award for Peace”
Gang Intervention Workers from the 1st Los
Angeles Violence Training Academy explain “What
is Peace?”
The Dalai Lama speaks about Peace as opposed to
Destruction and Gandhi the “Soldier of Peace”
never won the award
Based on the book The Art of Peace
Dr. Morton is a Peace Theologian, Director of the
Peace Theological Seminary, College of Philosophy
The Peace Awareness Labyrinth Gardens is a
physical place in Los Angeles that promotes peace
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Asa
Rage Against the Machine
The Beatles
The Luminaries
Gangstarr
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Selection
Peace
People of the Sun
Come Together
Peace
Dwyck, Above the Clouds, and Mass Appeal
11:11
SRR sound clip
SRR report on the “V-shaped” peace sign and the
circular peace symbol
SRR interviews Homeboy Industries
Act II- Individuals working for Peace
Andres, Adafe, and Alicia interview Father G
Miguel interviews Peacemakers from the Urban
Peace Institute
Kianti report on the Nobel Peace Prize
Act III- Organizations Working towards Peace
Jefree interviews Dr. John Morton
Dedicated to Guru of Gangstarr and Angela Paredes (Grandmother of Miguel Paredes)
165
Show Number #55
Theme: 5 Year Anniversary Show at the Downtown Youth and Culture Center in LA
Hosts: Anahi Bustillos and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Anahi, Laura, Monica, Andres, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Thank You Robert Loza for flier
Air Date: June 4, 2010
Contribution
Open with collage of Soul Rebel Radio
SRR interviews alumni from throughout the 5 Years
on the air
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Beatles
Description
SRR celebrates 5 years of being on the air on KPFK
with clips of W., Sub-Comandante Marcos,
Homeless, Simpsons, Clockwork Orange,
Revolution, and Questlove
Chuy remembers Humor- Mr. Deez Skit (April
2007), Theresa appreciates the young womenWendy interviews Dolores Huerta (November
2006), Siris Barrios enjoys the collective of youthWildaughter skit (August 2007) and Colbert parody
(September 2008), Javier values the youth voiceFallen soldiers testimony (April 2009), Cano is fond
of the original music- Soul Rebel Café January
2007), Laura loved the Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy
Segment- Where does the energy come from
(August 2008), Oriel learned about collective
organizing- SRR calls Heaven (December 2006),
Armando was pleased with Sub Comandante
Marcos words (November 2006), Eduardo enjoyed
the freedom- True Hollywood Stories (December
2006), Nancy became a real journalist- Limbic
system (October 2006), Mayra learned to express
herself (November 2008), Luisa appreciated the
informal education, Robert created many of the
fliers- Kilo and Tiny Segment- (January 2006),
Manuel was an original member, Loyda expressed
herself on the Revolution Show (November 2009),
Tito was the only one with experience and loved the
humor- Dick Cheney interview (March 2006), Lex
recognizes his own development as a writerRedskins vs. Patriots (November 2007)
Selection
Birthday Song
Thank You to Everyone that has listened, participated, and supported the show and especially everybody at
KPFK, the Pacifica Network, Armando Gudiño, and Aura Bogado
Thank you to Everyone for the 5 Year Anniversary Party including Meno Man, Joel Garcia, Daniel Lopez,
Marcos Amador, Selene Gonzalez, Ervin Arana, Olmeca, Cihuatl Ce, Gerard Meraz, Chican@ Batman, Las
Cafeteras, Alan Minsky, Pocho Hour of Power, J Revolution, Solidarity Ink, Erick Moreno, Choice of
Chance, and Eddie Gutierrez
166
Show Number #56
Theme: The Peoples Cup
Hosts: Alicia Vargas and Erick Iniguez
Producer: Monica
Collective Members: Anahi, Laura, Monica, Andres, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Xaris Delgadillo, Adam, Sam, Jefree and Adafe
Thank You Robert Loza for flier
Air Date: July 2, 2010
Contribution
Open with Bono World Cup Commercial
Definition of Futbol or Soccer
Adam and Sam report on FIFA and World Cup
Lulu vignette on Coca Cola
Jefree editorial on Apartheid in South Africa
Xaris Delgadillo report and interview from South
Africa
Adafe editorial on the Power of the People
Miguel interviews participants of Copa Comunidad
2010
Lulu vignette on Sony
Carlos report on Drogba
SRR skit “How does the World Cup affect
couples?”
SRR Halftime report on BP Oil Spill
Miguel report on Nuclear Proliferation
Anahi report on Hooliganism
Andres editorial on Mental Toughness
Miguel interviews the Futbolistas in LA
167
Description
The FIFA World Cup commercial is given a Soul
Rebel Radio twist
The hosts define the games and the origins of the
sport
The Cup Check report explains the history of FIFA
and the World Cup
Coca Cola reeks havoc around the world and the
report details their damage in South Africa,
Pakistan, and Columbia
Apartheid in South Africa was outlawed but the
legacy of racism continues today
Xaris speaks to young people living in poor
conditions in South Africa and they share their
thoughts on the reality that is hidden from the public
The movement in South Africa was led by many
including Nelson Mandela
The Copa Comunidad teams the Futbolistas from
Los Angeles and Leftwing FC from the Bay Area
and they answer the question, “What is the World
Cup?”
Sony Playstation requires an element found in the
Congo that is causing problems in that country
Drogba of the ivory Coast helps create peace in his
country by cringing warring sides together using the
power of futbol
The skit explains how the World Cup affects
couples and affects the community
The BP Oil Spill in the Gulf Coast destroyed the
habitat weeks before the World Cup
The report is based “An Impossible Happiness” by
Fidel Castro written during the World Cup
The report explains the madness involved when
sport fanaticism and violence come together
In sports and in life, mental training is just as
important as physical training
The Futbolistas in LA play soccer in a community
of skilled, unskilled, older, younger, men, and
women that come together to build of society of
healthy people
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Bobby Womack
A Tribe Called Quest
Selection
Across 110th Street
Can I Kick It?
The Temptations
Yaku
Hepcat
POS
Nas
Talib Kweli
Masterpiece
Zap Mama
Hooligans
The Brave and the Snake
Mastermind
168
Show Number #57
Theme: Anarchy
Hosts: Anahi Bustillos and Carlos Rubio plus Andres
Producer: Lulu
Collective Members: Anahi, Laura, Monica, Andres, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Alifa, Omar Ramirez, Rico Muerte, and Joaquin Flores
Thank You Robert Loza for flier
Air Date: August 6, 2010
Contribution
Open with Travis as Borat
Andres the Anarchist interrupts the show
SRR report on the Black Flag and the “A” anarchy
sign
Monica report and interview on Anarchy in Ventura
County
Miguel report and interview on La Red
Alicia report on Anarchist connection to Punk Rock
SRR sound clip Emma Goldman
Lulu report on Emma Goldman
Rico Muerte report on Spanish Civil War
Miguel is an embedded reporter with Todos Somos
Arizona
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Sex Pistols
Tu Mira
Lucha Sin Deskanso
Nancy Sinatra
The Clash
Bob Marley
Sesame Street
Description
Travis as Borate greets the audience
Andres represents an Anarchist that has little
patience for the rebellious SRR collective
The anarchist philosophy proclaims that Anarchy is
Order and that is what the A is for
The report and interview focus on the work of Omar
Ramirez and Rico Muerte in Oxnard and help
explain how the Immigrant Movement has affected
anarchists
La Red in El Sereno is an effort to organize against
the 710 freeway expansion and it includes
interviews with Hector Flores and Beto Flores and
announce the August 14, 2010 Music/Arts Festival
The report focused on the historical anarchist roots
of punk rock and how they connect to modern
events like the Visionary Sounds Music Festival
Goldman spoke upon her return to the US from
exile in Europe
The report explains that world renowned feminist
and anarchist come from a tradition established by
Bakunin and Kropotkin who were Russian
Anarchist who imagined a world without leaders
The Spanish Civil War was fought between
Anarchist and Nationalist forces, but it remains the
best example of an Anarchist society
Todos Somos Arizona is an organization that
formed in Los Angeles as a response to the SB1070
Law in Arizona, and the interviews took place
during an action that resulted in shutting down
Wilshire Blvd. at the Wackenhut offices
Selection
Anarchy in the UK
Punch Track Piano
Por Que No Soñamos Todos
These Boots are made for Walking
Spanish Bombs
Soul Rebel
Rebel “L”
169
Show Number #58
Theme: Knowledge is Power
Hosts: Lulu Kornspan and Andres Flores
Producer: Lulu
Collective Members: Anahi, Laura, Monica, Andres, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Alifa, Omar Ramirez, Rico Muerte, and Joaquin Flores
Thank You Robert Loza for flier
Air Date: August 6, 2010
Contribution
Open with original song “Education” by CORAL
Alicia report on Freedom Schools Los Angeles
Miguel interviews Cindy Bendezu
Miguel interview Celes King IV
Michael and Donny of CORAL report on Education
Carlos report and interview on Home Schooling
Taylor Mali poem “What Teachers Make”
CORAL report on Education
Anahi interviews SRR about their influences
SRR goodbye to Monica de la Torre heading to the
University of Washington
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Everly Brothers
Santo and Johnny
Ayo
Mos Def
The Roots
The Pharcyde
Sesame Street Theme Music
Jurassic 5
NWA
Sublime
KRS-One
Wu Tang Clan
Lauryn Hill
Wonkamobile Wonkavision Soundtrack
Woody Guthrie
Erykah Badhu
Description
The song is parody of Boom Boom Pow
The movement for public education includes
schools like Freedom Schools LA
Bendezu is an advocate of the DREAM Act which
helps immigrant students obtain a higher education
Celes King is of the Congress of Racial Equality
California about The Urban Oasis
The report is about the K-12, Private Schools,
Charter Schools, and Home Schooling
Home schooling is an option for parents and
children and the report and interviews provide
guidance on best practices
Mali is a teacher and poet and he explains what
teachers make
The report answers the question “What would
change the world?”
SRR members talk about education and influences.
Mad Props to Ruben Salazar and the 40th
Anniversary of Chican@ Moratorium and the battle
cry remains the same “Schools Yes, Guerra No”
Selection
All I Have to Do is Dream
Sleep Walk
Down on my Knee
New World Water
Water
Soul Flower and Otha Fish
Lesson 6- The Lecture
I Ain’t tha 1
CREAM
Just like Water
Oompa Loompa
This Land is Your Land
Appletree
170
Show Number #59
Theme: Funk the Police at the Downtown Youth and Culture Center in LA
Hosts: Miguel Paredes and Andres Flores as Officer Justice and Officer Malo
Producer: Lulu and Jorge
Collective Members: Anahi, Monica, Andres, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Thank You Robert Loza for flier
Air Date: October 1, 2010
Contribution
Open with the Funky the Police theme
SRR show as a skit Officer Justice and Officer Malo
Interview with Bill Cudahy
Lulu report on victims of Police Brutality
Miguel report and interview on the 40th Anniversary
of the Chican@ Moratorium
Erick interviews Joaquin Cienfuegos
Alicia interviews Fran Zamora
Carlos interview 2 female officers
Announced 15th October 22 Rally
End the show with Richard Pryor
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Bad Boys
NWA
Bob Marley
Charley Patton
KRS One
Bruce Springsteen
John Holt
Le Tigre
Ratatat
Gangstarr
Description
The idea is not to scream “Fuck the Police” but
instead SRR proposes a Community Bill of Rights
to curb Police Brutality
Two cops on the beat help guide the audience
through the show
Cudahy is Constitutional Historian and expert on the
4th Amendment and he is opposed to illegal search
and seizures, and for the right to privacy and he
explains “ Cops are ordinary people in extraordinary
situations”
Oscar Grant, Rodney King, and Amadou Diallo
along with Manuel Jamines are all recent victims of
Police Brutality
The report helps explain the relevance of the
Chican@ Moratorium and interviews Leilani
Montes who created the documentary “Since
Salazar”
Cienfuegos of Cop Watch LA has worked to
document Police Brutality since 2004
Zamora explains the reality of the law in this “Know
Your Rights” contribution
The 2 cops explain the racism, sexism, and police
brutality that they have seen but nothing earth
shattering
The Annual anti-Police Brutality March, Rally, and
Vigil takes place across in the US
Pryor talks about his experiences with Police
Brutality
Selection
Inner Circle
Fuck the Police
I Shot the Sheriff
Tom Rushen Blues
Sound of da Police
21 Shots
Police on Helicopters
Bang Bang
Mi Viejo
Discipline
171
The Black Keys
John Legend and the Roots
Go Go Bordello
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Harold Faltmeyer
The Pharcyde
Tighten Up
Humanity
Not a Crime
Runaway
Axel F
Officer
172
Show Number #60
Theme: 2012
Hosts: Miguel Paredes and Anahi Bustillos
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Anahi, Monica, Andres, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Thank You Thomas Cazares for the flier
Thank you to La Mina for T-Shirts
Air Date: December 3, 2010
Contribution
December 21, 2012
Description
The 5125 Long Count Calendar will end/begin on
December 21, 2012 at 11:11 when the Earth, the
Sun, and the Black Hole at Center of the Milky Way
Galaxy
Nasa confirms that in 2012, Solar Flares will be at
their peak
Pettis is an environmentalist and he provides a green
perspective to the 2012 discussion
The 2012 phenomenon can be linked to the
Sumerians, Egyptians, the Kolbrin Bible, Hindus,
Terrence McKenna, and the I-Ching
McKenna is the protagonist of the Time Wave
Theory
The Chilam Balam is one of the sources of Mayan
philosophy
The report explains that we are approaching Peak
Oil in 2012 and it includes a clip from South Park
that urges people to “Drill!”
The editorial provides a skeptical look that proposes
that nothing will happen in 2012 and that the
Prophecy is not real
The clip includes references to images that we’re
rediscovered recently that are believed to be
associated with Nostradamus, and it includes the
Oracle Sybil’s Prophecy and the Mother Shipton
Prophecy
The Izapa site in Guatemala near Chiapas is the
“2012” site in the Mayan world
Apocalypse Island in the South Pacific is the only
place in the world where one can witness the Venus
Transit, the Solar Eclipse, and the alignment on
12/21/12
Clay explains the 11:11 phenomenon and its
relationship to 2012
The Blue Star Prophecy is a Hopi Prophecy that
many say is related to the Levy 9 comet in 1994
Dr. Rankin is an expert on Aquaponics and the
interview explains how Aquaponics or fish farming
could be the solution to future food shortages
On January 31, 2012, the near Earth object 433 Eros
SRR sound clip NASA
Lulu interviews Gregory Pettis
SRR report on Time Wave Theory
SRR sound clip Terrence McKenna
SRR report on the Chilam Balam
Alicia report and clip on Peak Oil
Carlos editorial on 2010 skepticism
SRR sound clip Lost Book of Nostradamus
Miguel report on Izapa in Guatemala
SRR sound slip Apocalypse Island
SRR sound clip 11:11 by Rik Clay
SRR report on the Blue Star Prophecy
Miguel interviews Dr. Julia Rankin
2012 Fun Facts
173
comes very close to the planet, on May 20, 2012,
there is a Solar Eclipse in the Northern Hemisphere,
on June 6, 2012, Earth will witness a Venus Transit
in front of the Sun, on November 13, 2012, the
Southern Hemisphere will witness a Solar Eclipse,
and on December 21, 2012, the 13 Baktun long
count calendar ends on 4 Earthquake during the
Winter Solstice
SRR Goodbye to Anahi and Andres
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Pink Floyd
Interpol
Beastie Boys
Ratatat
The Postal Service
The Doors
Radiohead
Nirvana
REM
Selection
Time
All Fired Up
Intergalactic Planetary
Mirando
Such Great Heights
The End
Idioteque
The Man Who Sold the World
It’s the End of the World As We Know It
(And I Feel Fine)
Rest in Peace to Professor Roberto Sifuentes
174
Show Number #61
Theme: Children’s Stories
Hosts: Alicia Vargas and Lulu Kornspan
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Anahi, Monica, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Phillip Jean Marie
Thank You La Mina and Robert Loza for the fliers and happy Birthday
Thank you to Joel Garcia for the silk screen
Air Date: January 7, 2011
Contribution
Open with Miguel skit “Stone Rebel Soup”
Erick skit “Pepito”
Monica feminist skit on “Little Red Riding Hood”
Anahi skit called “Young Breezy”
Carlos skit “The Genie in the Lamp
Miguel interviews Lydia Grant
Erick skit on the Most Deaf Baby Frog
Alicia and Lulu original song SRR Lullaby
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Arcade Fire
Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs
Don Omar
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Reazn
Edit Music for a Film
A Flock of Seagulls
Grandmaster Flash
Black Star
Minors into Fire
Sick Rick
Description
Stone Rebel Soup is a parody of Stone Soup, and it
is a metaphor for how the show comes together each
month
The skit is an old Pepito joke used to explain the
role of the government
The feminist critique is a dramatic recreation of the
Little Red Riding Hood story with a feminist SRR
twist explains that the story is actually a story about
the virtues of chastity
The skit explains Male Vanity and is a parody of the
Emperor Wears no Clothes
The skit is a parody of the Genie in a Lamp story
Grant is a supporter of Jeremy Marks who was
arrested by LAUS police for videotaping an incident
of police harassment
The skit explains how the deaf frog was able to get
to the top of the mountain because he did not listen
to any pessimists
The original song is based on the Hush Little Baby
lullaby
Selection
The Suburbs
Lil Red Riding Hood (Pure Gold)
Guayaqui
Hora Zero
En Mi Vida
Unkle Sounds
I Ran
The Message
Children’s Stories
Song and Sons
Children’s Story
RIP to Dany Lavila
175
Show Number #62
Theme: Soul Rebel Award Show
Hosts: Lulu Kornspan and Travis Pinon as Joan Rivers and Tracy Morgan
Producer: Jorge and Lulu
Collective Members: Anahi, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, Travis, and Alicia
Plus Phillip Julissa and Jusdeep
Thank You Robert Loza for the flier
Air Date: February 4, 2011
Contribution
Award to Todos Somos Arizona
Award to Ti George
Award to James Fugate of Eso Won Books
Award to Cache
Award to Ernesto Yerena
Award to Jacob Applebaum of Wiki-Leaks
SRR commercial skit for Hip Hop commercial
Award Show retrospective on Musicians
Description
Award for Best Collective
Award for Best Comeback
Award for Best Bookstore
Award for Best Street Artist
Award for Best Artista del Pueblo
Award for American Hero
The skit encourages you to call 1 800 Get Free
SRR honors Lena Horn, Buddy Collette, Gregory
Isaacs, and Guru
Zinn is heard in an SRR audio clip where he talks
about the Declaration of Independence
Each of the Award recipients takes the opportunity
to share some words of appreciation to their friends,
fans, and family
SRR presents Lifetime Achievement Award to
Howard Zinn
Interviews with each award recipient
Musical Contributions:
Artist
LL Cool J
Mos Def
Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Lena Horn
Blue Sands
Gregory Isaac
Guru
El Chicano
Bob Marley
Erykah Badu
Selection
Mamma said Knock You Out
UMI Says
They Reminisce Over You
The Man I Love
Black Against Black
Lost Souls
Viva Tirado
Soul Rebel
Window Seat
176
Show Number #63
Theme: Sheroes Show
Hosts: Alicia Vargas and Byron Jose plus the Sand Ninja
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Anahi, Monica, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Byron, Julissa, and The Sand Ninja
Thank You Robert Loza for the flier
Air Date: April 1, 2011
Contribution
Lulu skit “Time Machine”
Description
The Time Machine is used to interview Xiang
Jingyu who was a Chinese Warrior
Zamora explains the origins and inspiration for the
show’s theme plus reflects and her role as a Shero
The report explains the origins of women in science
from the Egyptian Empire to modern days
The Conference took place in Seattle and Monica
asks the participants “Who is your musical hero?”
including Alice Bagg of The Baggs
The young women talk about their influence and
musical interests
The Tranny Rock Stars are a support group for
Transgender youth Women in Los Angeles
Ley is a teacher at Semillas del Pueblo and an artist
and actress
The abolitionist and feminist leader was famous for
freeing a number of slaves and she wonders, “Ain’t
I a Woman?”
The members salute the women ho are Sheroes in
their lives
Miguel interviews Fran Zamora
Carlos report on Women in Science
Monica report and interviews from Womyn Who
Rock Conference
Anahi interviews young women
Byron interviews the Tranny Rock Stars
Miguel interviews Jo Ann Mixpe Ley
Lulu report on Sojourner Truth
SRR collective members speak
Musical Contributions:
Artist
James Brown
Chen Dacan Chinese Ensemble
The Duke Spirit
Lily Allen
The Postal Service
Portishead
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
The Beatles
Selection
It’s a Mans Man’s World
My Home Town
Dog Roses
Cheryl Tweedy
We Will Become Silhouettes
Glory Box
Runaway
Girl
177
Show Number #64
Theme: Media- the 4th Arm of the Government
Hosts: Anahi Bustillos and Lulu Kornspan
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Eduardo, Anahi, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Byron
Thank You Robert Loza for the flier
Air Date: June 3, 2011
Contribution
Open with a question for a college class
SRR says goodbye to Eduardo
SRR sound clip Gil Scott Heron
Description
“In an ideal world, what would you want the media
to cover?” In unison without prompting, they
responded “The Truth!”
The hosts explain that the media serves as the public
relations branch of the government
Professor Mendoza’s college class explains “What
is the Media?”
GE, Disney, NewsCorp, Time Warner, CBS, and
Viacom
The state of news radio at the present includes over
3400 talk show stations, and the report includes a
clip of the film “Goodnight and Good Luck”
The skit is a parody of Mexican novelas and
includes two acts
Dr. Triplett is the Head of Entertainment Studies at
CSU Fullerton and she focuses on Reality TV
The use of Facebook and Twitter during the
Egyptian Revolution was unprecedented
The report explains the role of the Federal
Communications Commission
The campaign “That’s My Abortion” explains how
modern day activists use social networks as a tool
Eduardo is heading to Brazil indefinitely
“The Revolution Will Not be Televised”
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Fats Waller
Immortal Technique
Nas
Franz Ferdinand
Georgia on my Mind
The 4th Branch
Sly Fox
40
Explain the theme- Media: the 4th Arm of the
Government
Miguel and Eduardo interview CSUN students
Report on Big 6 Media Corporations
Carlos report on Radio
Erick skit “Alma’s Rebelde”
Alicia interviews Dr. Laura Triplett
Shout Out to Arab Spring
SRR report on the FCC
Byron interviews Karla Che Mejia
Selection
178
Show Number #65
Theme: Freedom- The Myth Busters Edition
Hosts: Alicia Vargas and Miguel Paredes
Producer: Jorge and Lulu
Collective Members: Anahi, Erick, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Byron, Care, and Jefree
Thank You Robert Loza for the flier
Air Date: August 5, 2011
Contribution
SRR defines Freedom
SRR sound clip Assata Shakur
Freedom- Myth Buster #1 Is Freedom Free?
Carlos report on the Price of Freedom in Iraq and
Afghanistan
Alicia and Care commercial for “Liberated Minds”
Freedom- Myth Buster #2 Are we all born Free?
Byron report on Mothers giving birth behind bars
plus interview
Freedom- Myth Buster #3 Are we born spiritually
Free?
Jefree editorial on the choice of Freedom
Alicia and Care commercial for “Liberated Minds”
Freedom- Myth Buster #4 “Is Education Free and is
food accessible?
Miguel interviews members of the South Central
Farm
Alicia interviews 2 undocumented students from the
“I Exist” campaign
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Common
Description
Freedom is simply the condition of being free
Shakur explains, “Freedom? I know what it isn’t?”
The SRR Myth Busters challenge the idea that
freedom is free and this myth is busted and proven
untrue
The report details the economic and human impact
of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and it includes a
clip of George W. Bush on the eve of the War in
Iraq
The commercial for Liberated Minds encourages the
audience to get free
The SRR Myth Busters challenge the idea that we
are born free and this myth is busted and proven
untrue
The report explains how some women give birth in
shackles and it includes an interview with Farah
Diaz-Tello, author of “Birth Justice as Reproductive
Justice”
The SRR Myth Busters challenge the idea that we
are born spiritually free and this myth is busted and
proven untrue
The editorial proposes that Freedom is a choice and
to some extent we can choose to be free
The commercial for Liberated Minds encourages the
audience to get free from abusive relationships and
provides testimonies
The SRR Myth Busters challenge the idea that
education is free and that food is accessible and this
myth is busted and proven untrue
The members of the South Central Farm continue to
farm in a plot of land near Bakersfield and they
have not given up on the idea of reclaiming the old
South Central Farm
Julio Salgado and Janet Gonzalez are two
undocumented students who decided to risk their
freedom and speak out about their legal status
Selection
A Song for Assata
179
New Order
The 5th Dimension
Ohio Players
Tom Petty
Aretha Franklin
Gil Scott Heron and Brian Jackson
Love Vigilantes
Up, Up, and Away
I want to be Free
Free Fallin
Think
The Liberation Song
Dedicated to the Freedom Riders on the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Fighting in the US
180
Show Number #66
Theme: Soul @ El Centro Cultural de Mexico
Hosts: Care and Jorge Merino
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Anahi, Theresa, Erick, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Byron, Care, and Jefree
Thank You Robert Loza for the flier
Air Date: September 2, 2011
Contribution
Open with “Soul Glow” commercial
SRR defines Soul and the impact of Soul music
Alicia interviews Carolyn Coleridge
Miguel interviews members of El Centro Cultural
de Mexico
Jefree report on Soul Music
Care interviews young children about Soul
Miguel interviews Sun Dancers Luis Giraldo and
Glen Shiffman
Alicia interviews Freedom Schools LA
Musical Contributions:
Artist
The Killers
The Strokes
One Day a Lion
Sam Cooke
Ray Charles
Little Richard
James Brown
Michael Jackson
Aretha Franklin
Isley Brothers
Ike and Tina Turner
Jackie Wilson
The Temptations
Description
“Soul Glow” is a faux-product made famous by the
movie Coming to America
SRR defines “soul” as a spirit and spiritual
connection that one feels to the Earth, the
community, and the Creator
Coleridge is a spiritual guide and healer who talks
about the importance of soul
El Centro or “The Center” is the soul of Santa Ana,
and the it faced gentrification efforts that pushed
them away from downtown and three members of
the space testify to SRR
Jefree provides examples, first hand accounts, and
explains the legacy of Soul Music
Young children answer questions about Soul in the
most honest way possible
Giraldo and Shiffman pray in the sweat lodge in the
tradition of Indigenous people and Giraldo
understands that “Soul is a prayer of the Earth” and
Shiffman explains “Creator has a Father and a
Mother.”
The interview focuses on the efforts of the Freedom
Schools LA faculty to create critical thinkers at the
facility located at the Chuco Justice Center in
Inglewood
Selection
All the Things that I’ve Done
Heart in a Cage
A Change is Gonna Come
What I’d Say
Keep a Knocking
Super Bad
Rock with You
Say a Little Prayer
Lay Away
A Fool in Love
Lonely Teardrops
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
181
Let’s Do it Again
I’m on the Outside Looking In
Good Day
Regulators
The Staple Strangers
Little Anthony and the Imperials
Ice Cube
Warren G
Dr. Dre
David McCallum
The Sequence
The Gap Band
The Edge
Funk You Up
I Don’t Believe you want to get up and Dance
Peace, Love, and Soul
182
Show Number #67
Theme: Young, Gifted, and _______
Hosts: Alicia Vargas and Byron Jose
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Erick, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Byron, Care, and Clara
Thank You Robert Loza for the flier
Air Date: October 7, 2011
Contribution
Miguel interviews youth from YouThink
Description
The YouThink youth explain what they want the
world to know about young women, young men,
and young people
The Young Warriors program started out of Tia
Chucha’s in the San Fernando Valley and focuses
on mentoring young men and young women
The report explains the role of the Mendez case on
youth in Orange County, Mexican children in
California, and communities of color in the US
Mariachi Plaza de la Raza is a youth mariachi in
Lincoln Heights that has won awards and
competitions in its short life and the interviews
include the director and the youth musicians
The community members from Los Angeles explain
what it was like growing up in LA
Rocha was falsely imprisoned as a teenager and
now he works with youth and towards a career
where he can help steer others from the same fate
Erick report and interview Young Warriors
Clara report on Mendez vs. Westminster
Miguel interviews Mariachi Plaza de la Raza
Lulu interviews people from LA
Alicia interviews Mario Rocha
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Maldita Vecindad
Mariachi Plaza de la Raza
Blackalicious
The Beatles
Selection
Pachuco
Automatique
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Love Album)
Dedicated to Jamal Navarro
183
Show Number #68
Theme: Relationships
Hosts: Lulu Kornspan and Erick Iniguez
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Laura, Jose, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Care, Clara, Jay Davis, Moises, and Samuel Oh
Thank You Robert Loza for the flier
Air Date: February 1, 2012
Contribution
SRR defines Relationships
Description
A relationship is defined as a connection or an
association
The skit is based on the definition of a relationship
from the urban dictionary
The students from Robert F. Kennedy High School
discuss their relationship to technology
The skit looks at one man’s attempt to begin a
relationship and some wise words from his neighbor
an older woman
The skit is a Dear John or goodbye letter to reality
television from a former fan
Operation Skid Row was an event meant to
highlight the relationship between Homeless people
and Los Angeles and it includes words by Chuck D
The skit explains the how the elimination of
Chican@ Studies in Arizona along with 50 books
including Occupied America by Rudy Acuña affects
the relationship that the school has with the students
The skit highlights some of the main arguments and
misconceptions related to monogamy and
poliamorous relationships
The skit is meant to explain the intimate relationship
that people have to their phones
The report explains how generalizations affect both
men and women
Psyche is a fortune teller that helps the audience
understand relationships
The interviews and report attempt to answer the
question, how long does it take to get over a
relationship?
Erick skit on “RelationShip”
Miguel interviews RFK High School students
Jose and Laura and skit “On the Doorsteps”
Lulu skit “Dear John to Reality Television”
Moises report and interview from Operation Skid
Row
Erick editorial skit Penny for your Thoughts
Clara skit on Relationships
Lulu skit “Love Letter to Cell Phones”
Laura and Jose report on Generalizations
Care skit “Psyche”
Erick and Carlos report and interviews on
Relationships
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Radiohead
Sling and Imchi
Zapp
Public Enemy
Pink Floyd
Mary Wells
Al Green featuring Anthony Hamilton
Selection
Lotus Flower (Jacques Greene Remix)
Our Fight
Mo Bounce to the Ounce
Can’t Truss It
Money
Two Lovers
You’ve Got the Love I Need
184
Outkast
Nirvana
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles
Prototype
All Apologies
Within You without You (Love Album)
Tomorrow Never Knows
All You Need is Love
The Word
Step Inside Love/ Los Paranoias
Strawberry Fields Forever
Honey Pie
Oh Darling
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Yer Blues
For You Blue
All My Loving
In My Life
If I Fell
Michelle
This Boy
I’m so Tired
Things We Said Today
Why Don’t we do it in the Road
I’m Looking Through You
Norwegian Wood
Something
Don’t Let Me Down
Real Love
When I’m 64
185
Show Number #69
Theme: Womyn that Rock
Hosts: Alicia Vargas and Clara Urion take over for Brock and Dirk
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Laura, Jose, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Care, Clara, Jerick, and A Place Called Home youth
Thank You Chayo Luis for the flier
Air Date: March 2, 2012
Contribution
In collaboration with the Wombyn that Rock
conference at the University of Washington
Monica interviews women at conference
Lulu retrospective on Amy Winehouse
Alicia repot on Angela Davis
APCH Youth
Alicia and Clara report on Emma Goldman
Erick report “A Penny for Your Thoughts”
Miguel interviews Yenni Diaz and Theresa Dang
Jerick skit on Immigrant Mothers Nanais
SRR interviews CSUN students about Womyn that
Rock
Lulu retrospective on Etta James
Miguel and George create Beatles Collage
Chayo reads a poem Sor Juana Inez
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Description
The theme for the show was inspired by the U of W
conference that SRR Alumni Monica de la Torre
helped organize
The conference participants talk about the
conference and the theme of the show
The retrospective helps remember the musical
legacy of this young songstress who passed
The report explains the life and contributions of the
Revolutionary Angela Davis
The youth from APCH create the first monthly
installment and they interview the founder of APCH
Deborah Constance
The report explain the legacy and contributions of
the Anarchist and Feminist
The report on the Hyatt Workers strike explains the
struggle to earn a fair contract against a corporation
Diaz and Dang are the Executive Producers of the
documentary “Stop Stealing Our Cars” about the
efforts of the community to stop the police from
taking the immigrant’s vehicles
Filipina grandmothers or Nanais are presented in a
three part skit that includes letters from a Filipina
refugee, a Filipina immigrant, and a new FilipinaAmerican
CSUN students answers the question who is a
famous and unknown women that rocks
The retrospective helps remember the musical
legacy of legend who passed away after a long life
full of progressive work
The Beatles have created music about Relationships
and this musical mash-up
The poem was written by the first of the Feminist in
Mexico and Latin America
Selection
Halftime
Love is a Losing Game
Wake Up Alone
Our Day Will Come
186
A Place Called Home
A Place Called Home
Pink Floyd
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Sade
Sade
Sade
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Etta James
Etta James
Etta James
Etta James
Etta James
Alicia Keys
City Lights
Money
Zero
Soft Rock
Dragon Queen
Paradise
Hang on to Your Love
Cherish the Day
Rock with you
Loving U
A Woman’s Worth
Never Feel this Way
Something’s Got a Hold on Me
Don’t Cry Baby
At Last
I’d Rather Go Blind
A Sunday Kind of Love
Butterflyz
187
Show Number #70
Theme: State of California’s Economy: The Prisons vs. The Universities
Hosts: Miguel Paredes, Eli and Kasandra Delgado-Carillo as Nia and Cali
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Tito, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Clara, Jerick, Eli, Kassandra, and A Place Called Home youth
Thank You Chayo Luis for the flier
Thank You DJ War for the Music
Air Date: April 6, 2012
Contribution
Open the show with Angela Davis
State of California’s Economy: The Prisons vs. The
Universities
Cali and Nia debate throughout the show
Alicia interviews Angela Davis
Lulu interviews Sam Sidell
APCH Youth
Miguel interviews CSUN students at education rally
Miguel interviews men and women from Homeboy
Industries
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Talib Kweli
Common
Saul Williams
NWA
A Place Called Home
Rodrigo y Gabriela
The Black Keys
The Black Keys
The Black Keys
Snoop Dogg
The Foreign Exchange
Description
Davis speaks about a future and inclusive revolution
Nia and Cali are two young women that represent
the prison system and the university system and the
help guide the show
The two characters guide the show and the book
“Are Prisons Obsolete” by Angela Davis provides
facts about the Prison Industrial Complex
Davis is the author of “New American Revolution”
and makes the connection between the lack of
education and in the increase in incarceration in
California
Sidell is the author of Hip Hop Genius and he talks
about the use of Hip Hop in Education
The APCH youth’s contribution helps explain how
the prisons and the universities battle over the hearts
and minds of the youth
The students answer the question, “What should the
state of California invest our money into?
The men and women provide testimonies about the
prison system and the struggles to survive in the free
world as ex-convicts
Selection
Hot Thang
The Light
Lalala
I Aint tha 1
Girl Like Me
Money Makers and Stop Stop
Run Right Back and Nova Baby
Mind Eraser and Lonely Boy
The Shiznit
Come Around
RIP KRCA TV Executive Jesus Javier, Journalist and Father
188
Show Number #71
Theme: Sustainability: Think Globally, Act Locally
Hosts: Jerick Ybuan and Alicia Vargas with help from Chavela (Kassandra)
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Tito, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Clara, Jerick, Eli, Kassandra, Janet Chavez, and A Place Called Home youth
Thank You Chayo Luis for the flier
Air Date: May 4, 2012 (Celebrating 7 Years on the Air)
Contribution
Jorge talks to Chavela
SRR defines Sustainability
Kilo Watts and Tiny Energy Segment reprise
SRR report on the BP Oil Spill and Fracking
Janet Chavez interviews Luisa Suleman Rodriguez
Jerick skit on Global Yelp
Alicia interview and report on GMO’s
Lulu editorial on Carbon Footprints
Kassandra interview with Edgar Flores
APCH youth contribution
Alicia interviews Revolutionary Autonomous
Communities
Eli report on Obesity in the US
Musical Contributions:
Artist
Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg
Ultimate Ringtones
Unknown
LMFAO
Kermit the Frog
Description
Chavela explains that Laughter is Medicine but the
young girl asks George some questions
SRR defines sustainability as meeting the present
needs without compromising the future
Kilo Watts and Tiny present the Energy Cops
The BP Oil Spill in the Gulf Coast and Fracking has
drastic effects on the Environment
Suleman Rodriguez works with the School of the
Americas office in Venezuela and she explains how
sustainable the Venezuelan revolution has been by
demanding that Chavez be returned after the
attempted coup
The skit highlights the sustainability of the food
conditions in Greece, China, Cuba, India, USA
Neyeli Guzman and Sam Henna talk about
alternatives to GMO’s like Permaculture and
sustainable ways to take care of moon cycles
The editorial explains how our carbon footprints has
a negative impact on sustainability
The teacher and urban gardener talks about
sustainability
The APCH youth interview founder Deborah
Constance who found APCH after the LA Riots and
include a shout out to Trayvon Martin
RAC provides food to low income and homeless
community members on Sundays at MacArthur
Park
The obesity epidemic in the US is causing a number
of health problems including diabetes and heart
disease and exercise and healthy eating is the best
option to solving the problem
Selection
Young, Wild, and Free
Laughing Baby Remix
Healthy Choice
I’m Sexy and I Know It
Its not Easy being Green
189
Show Number #72
Theme: Technology: the Digital Divide
Hosts: Miguel Paredes and Alicia Vargas plus Jasmine and David from A Place Called Home
Producer: Jorge
Collective Members: Tito, Erick, Lulu, Jorge, Miguel, Carlos, and Alicia
Plus Eli, Kassandra, Daniel Olivares, and A Place Called Home youth
Thank You Alicia Vargas for the flier and Ixya Herrera for the voices
Air Date: July 6, 2012
Contribution
We open by thanking the audience and collective
for 7 years
Alicia and Miguel open the show and introduce the
theme
APCH Contribution
Jasmine and David of APCH take over
Miguel interviews the youth of the Children’s
Institute
Eli report on Digital Divide
Kassandra and Eli skit on Facebook divides the
Family
Alicia skit on Facebook TV
Miguel interview with Dr. Ramesh Srinivisan of
UCLA
DJ Music Mix
Musical Contributions:
Artist
A Place Called Home
Radiohead
Jackson 5
Description
The show celebrated 7 years on the air recently and
rediscovered that our first show aired on April 22,
2005
The theme of the show is the digital divide and it
deals with individuals and communities that have
access to technology
The youth of A Pace Called Home explain what the
digital divide means to them since the youth are the
most involved in the technology
Miguel and Alicia hand over the hosting duties to
Jasmine and David who are two youth that have
helped produce segments over the last several
months for Soul Rebel Radio
The Children’s Institute serves youth and children
in the Echo Park and the Mid-City area, and we
interviewed young people in the community center
Eli presents a report on the Digital Divide and she
explains that there exists inequalities among the
different communities that have access to
technology
The sits helps explain how technology is dividing
families but the grandmother comes in and adds that
technology has always divided families
In the not too distant future, subscribers to social
media will be able to play out there lives on
Facebook TV and earn points that could buy them
their wildest dreams
The UCLA professor teaches technology a and also
writes and blogs about home people around the
world use and access technology for the benefit of
entire communities
DJ War of Spincycle presents a music mix that
helps bridge the divisions in technology through the
use of Hip Hop
Selection
Original Music
I Want You Back
190
Libraries
Jake One featuring Little Brother
Tevin Campbell
Machine Shop
Bless the Child
Could it Be
191