Penn underutilizes WXPN
To the Editor:
I appreciated discussion of my column about WXPN-FM better representing students and the University community in its programming ("Putting Penn back into WXPN radio," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 10/07/04). I briefly mentioned WQHS-AM on campus regarding lack of University support; letters to the editor amplified that assessment.
Why were no provisions made with WXPN's largess applied to WQHS being in the new space? Because the location is off-campus? Because music industry-driven WXPN doesn't care to deal with WQHS? Here's where some University administrative leadership could help in tying WXPN's bounty to providing WQHS a home and budget.
Regarding WXPN employee Alex Mackler's comments ("WXPN offers plethora of opportunities to students, DP, 10/21/04), I applaud his "student sports director" role -- I wish all basketball games were broadcast. However, given pop music's dominance on WXPN, Mackler's role is limited. Sports are invisible on WXPN's Web site. Is football still carried? Sports should be part of a broader diversity of music, cultural and news programs emanating from WXPN -- but even when the station was Penn-friendly, sports were limited on the schedule.
No one disputes that listenership is larger than it was, but that quantity has no equivalence with quality or appropriateness of programming. Despite Mackler's fascination with star tracks of Dave Matthews, etc., there is a larger musical universe out there. Students used to learn about it at WXPN while playing major roles on-air and in management, documentary and production. Today, most Penn people barely listen to WXPN -- not because WXPN's commercialism is "evil," as Mackler incorrectly alleges I believe. It's because the programming is mostly banal and repetitive, serving to consolidate market position.
The unanswered question remains: Why does Penn underutilize its nonprofit public radio station by limiting the overall format to a specific brand of pop music, when it could also program the depth and diversity that the University community represents?
Nick Spitzer
College '72
Clarifications on ISKCON
To the Editor:
I want to clarify to Danielle Nagelberg ("Remaining vigilant against child abuse," DP, 10/19/04) that the Mt. Airy Krishna temple has no plans for day care or preschool as the Mt. Airy Times reported in error. We have an hour-long Sunday school.
The ancient Vaishnava Indian tradition was imported to this country in 1965. Followers were attracted to service to God with a motto borrowed from Ralph Waldo Emerson of "high thinking and simple living." Devotees were genuinely horrified upon learning of child abuse in our International Society for Krishna Consciousness. A central Child Protection Organization was formed to assist all ISKCON projects to identify any child abuse, provide aid for young people who had suffered abuse and implement systems to guard against abuse in the future.
Each temple has a Child Protection Team. ISKCON law requires that temples immediately contact appropriate police and government social services agencies when there is suspicion of child abuse. "Children of Krishna" was also formed -- organized and mostly run by children who grew up in devotee families. "Children of Krishna" raises funds for therapy, education and outreach. When the lawsuit Nagelberg mentioned was filed, ISKCON publicized it and encouraged any other children who had suffered abuse to please come forward. A fund is being created for all of these children.
For the most part, ISKCON devotees were guilty of a dangerous combination of idealism and na*vete. We failed to consider that anything as ugly as child abuse could occur in a supposedly spiritual environment. We are definitely more sober and careful now.
Mt. Airy is known for its tolerance and social consciousness. ISKCON of Philadelphia feels fortunate and honored to be among these good neighbors.
Connie Deadwyler
Wharton '66
Deadwyler's husband, William, is president of the ISKCON of Philadelphia temple.
