Newspaper Page Text
Power 99 Busts
McCoy for Slur
November 15,1988
Dear Mr. MacDonald,
Your letter of November 8, to Etcetera
Magazine was received by me yesterday
afternoon (Nov. 14).
After reviewing your complaint with the
morning show, and listening to the tape of
the Election Day broadcast, Steve McCoy
was reprimanded and suspended from his
air position until November 21st.
Mr. MacDonald, this action was taken,
not because of concern for ratings or
revenue. It was done because it is morally
the right thing to do.
I very much regret that you did not pick
up the phone or write me before writing
Etcetera Magazine and copying key gay
organizations and publications. You never
as much as gave Power 99 the chance to do
the right thing before clouding our
reputation in the gay community.
We would appreciate it if you would
contact us directly if you have problems in
the future.
Sincerely,
Bill Phippen
General Manager
cc: Atlanta Business and Professional
Guild
Atlanta Gay Center
Creative Loafing
Southern Voice
Metropolitan Atlanta Council of Gay
and Lesbian Organizations
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A Jewish View of Christmas
It is a comfort to reflect on the past and be reminded of
incidents bringing (he family together. For example, as a
small child I remember many times riding with my family in
the car to gaze at the striking poses houses assumed during
December; colored lights surrounding the houses so
decoratively; neighbors and strangers alike suddenly becoming
overtly good-natured; glimpses of evergreens displaying
themselves through picture windows.
At the time the meaning of these events was a complete
mystery. And why, I asked myself, did it disappear after the
first of the coming year? Someone had yet to explain to me
the existence of Christmas. To a small Jewish child, Santa
Claus is simply a large white-haired man who wears a funny
red suit.
During the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas the
masses of messages from the media are filled with the
Yuletide traditions. Whether it is Saturday cartoons or
television commercials, the Christmas effect is well made.
However entertaining it may be, the Jewish population feels
somewhat left out. There are some instances when Chanukah,
the Jewish holiday taking place near or during Christmas,is
Chanukah is the celebration of the re-taking of the
Temple in Jersualem after the Maccabean war.
mentioned in the media, but the Christmas messages are much Jewish scripture tells that although there was only
more visible and detailed.
Messages such as these have changed the interpretation of
Chanukah. For recent generations of American Jews,
Chanukah has been the reflection of the "Jewish Christmas":
Christmas trees are replaced with Chanukah bushes, and
enough oil to rekindle the Temple light for one day
a miracle occurred, and the lamp burned for eight
days. Thus, the tradition of the Menorah, whose
candles are lit progressively throughout the eight
days of Chanukah.
Christmas presents are altered to Chanukah Gild. The original story of Chanukah is the
victory of the Jewish people over a deadly enemy; however, in recent years the presence of
competition between Christmas and Chanukah (may) have changed some history.
As a Jew in a largely Christian environment it is at least
possible to share in the joys and the sorrows of the Christmas
shopping rush. For the many friends and lovers who are not
of the Jewish faith, it is a supreme pleasure to give these gifts
from the heart. But sometimes your heart can be broken
when an invitation for a Christmas party is not received
because a friend: "Didn't want to offend you because you're
Jewish." Quite often a remark such as this can sting more
than the arrival of the credit card bills for the presents.
As in all relationships a gay or lesbian Jew involved in a
relationship with someone of the Christian faith may be
doubly cursed. First, the families of the lovers may not feel
at ease with a homosexual relationship overtly visible to
their eyes, and second, the two family's may not be sure how
to react to the partner of the opposite faith during Christmas
or Chanukah. It is true that any relationship between
different cultures and religions may have similar effects, but
the strain on the gay or lesbian couple will be further
enhanced during the Christmas celebration.
A Jewish person living in a Christian community may
feel out of place and uncomfortable for not decorating the
house or not carrying a tree inside the home or even losing
an invitation to a party, but Christians and Jews will always
exist and hopefully will learn to live with and even love each
other.
-Izhar Naveh
Congregation Bet Haverim, Atlanta
Forest Memorial
Cont'd from Page 4
carried, or wore, something belonging to
Claudia. We honored Claudia and Rebecca and
we sang and we cried for them. We left the
clearing and walked past the fragile new
rhododendron. The earth around it was rich and
dark, the leaves still cupped the water sprinkled
there by children. We slowly followed the path
out of die forest. It seemed so long.
- Ann Goette
Stephen Roy Carr was convicted of first degree
murder and sentenced to life in prison October
27,1988. He plead guilty to the charge against
him after Common Pleas Court Judge Oscar
Spicer disallowed the homosexual panic
defense.
Claudia Brenner has incurred large legal and
medical costs as a result of Rebecca's death. If
you wish to make a donation, your help will be
very much appreciated. Send donations to:
Family and Childrens Services, Claudia
Brenner Fund, 204 North Cayuga Street,
Ithaca, New York 14850.
Viewpoints is part of a continuing effort to provide a forum for our community.
We invite your ideas, comments and feelings and your responses to ideas expressed
represent die views of Southern Voice. Submissions should be typed, double-
Southern Voice/Viewpoints
PO Box 54719
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