Ian Andre Espinet posted this up on his blog last Friday.

For anyone that’s enjoyed what the Worldwide Wakeup Show with Jester and Chief has provided to Toronto for the last decade and change (shouts to Dj Majesty!), you may be interested in what he had to say:

Good morning,

Today I write to you, as I understand that often, communities need to be pushed to action.  Enclosed, is my letter to officials at CIUT and members of the Board of Directors with respect to the cancellation of the “Worldwide WakeUp Show” which aired on Thursday mornings from 5:30-8am on 89.5fm for the last 15 years with radio personalities Jester and Chief.

Too often do things of this nature take place, and we feel annoyed or upset, yet do not take the steps to defend the issues.  And then it happens again.  And again, until there’s no one LEFT to defend it.

Please take a moment out of your busy day if you are a fan of this radio show to contact the powers that be, in a polite and respectful manner to express your opinion on the cancellation of the show.

I have included my own letter to them below.

Thank you for your time.

SIMPLY CLICK HERE TO CONTACT CIUT

Read IAE’s letter to CIUT after the jump!

(Imho) Loving the city we live in requires more than just saying we love it, or cheering from the sidelines wearing patriotic paraphernalia; basking in accomplishments that boost our sense of identity.. not realizing they require authentic, constructive reciprocation to be sustainable representations of ourselves.

If there isn’t a willingness to build, cultivate and sustain the things we claim to love is it really love?

(think about what love of your family, kids and cherished friends entails)

And it’s not enough to show it just when it’s politically convenient and/or immediately self-serving.

True love is defined when it really sucks to have to get up and do something for it.

Attn:
Brian Burchell, Station Manager
Ken Stowar, Program Director

RE: WORLDWIDE 89.5FM – CANCELLATION
====================================================================================

Today, as a 15 year listener, volunteer, advertiser, frequenter and University of Toronto Alumni, I am writing to express my extreme dismay, disappointment, and anger at your decision to cancel the “Worldwide Morning show” on community radio station CIUT 89.5fm.

But more basically, I am writing because I fear that the injustices represented here, if unchecked, will continue. I cannot sit idly by, watching as a 15 year radio show, which serves our community is cancelled, with concern that apathy will result in more of the same.  More than this, however, I am appalled that this decision was made without reference to the community – a COMMUNITY that, through your own admission in personal conversations with ME, has, through their continued support of Worldwide, “carried” the radio station for years as the highest fundraiser and garner of advertising and sponsorship support on the station.

This show is a staple in the community, with listeners of all ages. It boasts accolades such 2 time Stylus award National Radio College Show of the year – a community choice award – and category which, if won again this year they will be retired as they have won it consistently. It is a standard of excellence, and frankly, a great asset to a great community station.

However, this isn’t simply a matter of 2 programmers being ousted.  This radio show doesn’t belong to THEM, and it doesn’t belong to YOU.  This radio show – and it’s time slot, like that of the Saturday 1-4pm “Power Move” timeslot on CKLN, that of your own Monday “Morning-ride”, and the such are HISTORICAL community timeslots which provide  much needed listener content that goes unaddressed elsewhere.  For over 15 years – from the University transmitter of University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus’ SCCR, to their home of University of Toronto’s CIUT, I have been a fan of the show, which provided community information that I wouldn’t otherwise hear, voices to community and charity events, music which has been marginalized in commercial radio, and local artists who would otherwise go unknown.  And it is to said COMMUNITY that it belongs.

“We provide an alternative to mainstream media, provide community access to the airwaves, and offer programming that reflects the diverse elements of the communities we serve.  We seek to stimulate, educate, entertain and challenge our audiences, and to meet listener needs that are not currently addressed by other broadcast media”.  (http://www.ciut.fm/index.php/about/)

Yet and still, this decision was made without consultation to the very community of which you speak – and which you have depended on for years, and are therefore ACCOUNTABLE to.  As such, we as members of the community request an explanation to the cancellation of the show, and the protocol for such cancellations.

We know through painful experience that justice is never voluntarily given; it must be demanded.

I implore you to remember the very ESSENCE of the mandate of community radio.

I remember Ken, telling stories of the beginnings of his experience in community radio playing Dancehall – a music that he fell in love with, but couldn’t hear anywhere else, and so he took matters into his own hands – as well as programming. In his case, the Reggae music from the far off land of Jamaican was something that he fell in love with – in ours, it, as well as the Soca, hip hop and R&B – and the informative aspects represented in “The Worldwide show” are our CULTURE.  I, like Brian, sat on SAC, because I believed in representation of the people – hopefully these roots have not been forgotten.

I hope not.

In a similar vein as I understood it necessary to SUPPORT something that one loves in order for it to continue and flourish, I have spent thousands of dollars in advertising revenue with the station annually, volunteered for 9 years of fundraising and donated during said fundraising – a support that I am FORCED to withdraw due to your decision.

Again, I implore you to reconsider.  Awaiting your response, I remain,

Yours sincerely,

Ian Andre Espinet
p.s.  I understand that CIUT’s Board of Directors is composed of 12 members – UTSU, Professors, and private sector included, however, their information was no where to be on the CIUT website.  In the event that you have been cc’d and this matter does not relate to you, please accept my apologies and forward to the appropriate person.  Thank you.

cc:

Barbara Isherwood – Friends of CIUT
Michelle Johnson – Sales & Marketing Manager
Sandy Hudson, President: University of Toronto Students Union
Clubs and Events: University of Toronto Students Union
Garry Wallace – Board of Directors – CIUT fm / Harbinger Consulting
Ashante Infantry – The Toronto star

(Name witheld) The Toronto Sun
(Name witheld) Pride Magazine
(Name witheld) – Editor – The Caribbean Camera
(Name witheld) – Editor – Word Magazine
(Name witheld) – Editor – Share Newspaper
(Name witheld) – Toronto-Lime.com