A letter to readers from Tom Turnipseed
Dear POINT readers:
I appreciate your support of the "Tom Turnipseed Show." Unfortunately, despite the show's success
and considerable revenue it generated for the station, the out-of-state owner of WOIC-AM decided not to
renew our contract. Over-ruling his professional staff's advice, the station owner says he simply wants the
station to play more music from the satellite. But we have learned that conservative business owners in the
community had talked to him about their dislike of my show. They wanted my show off the air, and they
have succeeded.
When I announced this to my listeners, calls lit up the studio phones. They further confirmed that the
show was filling a community need. No other radio program was providing a progressive message. No other
radio program was providing a forum for community leaders and builders on a daily basis.
We challenged the racism, sexism and homophobia promoted by right wing extremists like the militia
movement, white supremacists, the religious right and Newt Gingrich. We spoke out against political
attempts to reduce critical resources for children, seniors, the poor, the disabled, education and the
environment to give tax breaks to the wealthy and bigger corporate profits. And we even prayed for Gov.
David Beasley that he might have a change of heart on issues of race and capital punishment.
We wish conservative business owners well, but we don't think their prosperity must be gained at the
expense of others. I hope to be back on the air soon, but the issue is about more than Tom Turnipseed. The
total dominance of so-called conservative, right-wing talk radio and the tactics used to exclude any
progressive community radio must be challenged.
If you agree that our progressive message is vital to Columbia and a radio station which claims to be
the "voice of the African-American community," please take time to write a letter and/or make a call.
WOIC-AM is owned by Emerald City Radio in Washington, DC. You should write the owner, Paul
Robinson, c/o Tom Atkinson, General Manager at WOIC-AM, PO Drawer 50568, Columbia, SC 29250. Or
call (803) 771-0105. Letters to the editor of newspapers are also very effective. I would very much
appreciate receiving a copy of any letters, sent to me at 1337 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
If we raise our voices together, we can make positive change in our community. Thanks for your
friendship and support.
Sincerely,
Tom Turnipseed
