Mary Tilson Candidate Statement

I am interested in serving as a staff representative to the board primarily to represent the needs and perspectives of paid and unpaid radio producers and other volunteers at KPFA. Additionally, I hope to participate in a process which may foster an atmosphere in which "...people can disagree without being disagreeable." I think that peace and social justice begins at home and that the local advisory board should be a local model for "... understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors; to gather and disseminate information on the causes of conflict between any and all of such groups; and through any and all means compatible with the purposes of this corporation to promote the study of political and economic problems and of the causes of religious, philosophical and racial antagonisms."

KPFA/Pacifica attracts people who are passionate about their concerns for social justice, local community, cultural expression, and who have strong personal/political points of view. While there is great power in this passion and diversity, there is within this strength the potential for acrimony and disintegration. Too often disagreement within the walls of the KPFA becomes highly charged, too internally focused and stridently personal. Pluralistic expression and regard of the points of views of others are disregarded in the push to impose one perspective or another. The LSB can better serve the needs of the KPFA community by better integrating the intent of the founders of KPFA by engaging in respectful debate and meaningful integration of many points of view.