Really, KISS 101.7 Delaware? Really? I came across this story today and knew I had to share it with my readers. KISS 101.7 in Delaware took stupidity to a whole new level Tuesday.
Here's the 411: On Tuesday, actor and singer Tyrese Gibson sat down with KISS 101.7 for a chat about his forthcoming album New Invitation, set to release on November 11th.
On his way to the interview, Mr. Gibson noticed a liquor store directly across the street from a school (pre-K through 8th grade) where he just gave a speech. A liquor store! What happened to schools being next to parks, community centers (think YMCA or Boys & Girls Clubs) or nestled in-between neighborhood homes? Growing up in California, that's what I'm use to (but there are some shady, unsafe school locales, for sure). And I've seen the same in other states during my many travels back and forth from the West Coast to the East.
Mr. Gibson was disturbed by what he saw (as I would've been), so much so that he mentioned it on the air during his interview segment. Here's what he had to say:
"Get them cats out of here, selling alcohol right across from your kids' school, homie. Put the pressure on them, homie. You know how to put pressure on dudes selling in your hood."
Now, what do you think the DJ's or station's response was to Mr. Gibson's comment? An acknowledgment of the obvious problem having a liquor store in such close proximity to children poses, especially from a safety perspective ... and then ... a meaningful discussion of how the community feels about the situation (via caller comments) and what they can do to eliminate the problem? Nope, they kicked Mr. Gibson out of the radio station!
During the commercial break, the station owner, Tony Quartarone, had Mr. Gibson removed from the radio station and then deleted the entire interview segment recorded up to that point. When later asked why Mr. Gibson was treated in this manner, Mr. Quaratarone explained that he felt Mr. Gibson was "disrespecting" his listeners and inner-city residents, in general. He further explained:
"These liquor stores got zoning from somebody and a liquor license from [Alcohol Beverage Control]. If these liquor stores have been there for years and parents haven’t done anything about it, I don’t expect him to be a politician and talk down to my audience that it’s up to them to stop this from happening.
He went on his little tweeting machine and said the program director threw him off the air because he was talking about liquor shops. No, moron. It was because I wasn’t going to allow him to degrade inner-city people and judge them. They have enough to deal with than have some guy preaching to him. He was trying to rev everybody up and then sequed into talking about his book appearance.” Source
Wow, that's a stretch. I certainly didn't get the impression Mr. Gibson was "talking down" to the people when reading his comments. In fact, I thought he was voicing an opinion that many people have, especially parents, when they witness schools - and schoolchildren - in an unsafe environment.
So, KISS 101.7, liquor stores near your children doesn't bother you? But, celebrities raising awareness about it does? Talk about dysfunctional priorities.
