The Providence American is a monthly newspaper that covers news of interest to “the Greater Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts communities of color” and in its most recent issue, editor-in-chief Peter Wells ran an op-ed accusing WPRO radio host John DePetro of being “on a campaign to spread unwarranted panic, terror, fear, and paranoia among the citizens of RI about Liberians and Nigerians residing in our state.”
The writer describes tuning into The John DePetro Show and listening to a discussion about Ebola. DePetro’s reports, according to the writer, were “inaccurate and rumor-based.” DePetro suggested that “restrictions be placed on the movement of Liberians coming into RI.”
I have written many times in the past about DePetro’s lurid, misanthropic and hateful rhetoric. The radio host is an embarrassment to WPRO and taints the otherwise fine work being done by WPRO news. Now DePetro is seeking to stigmatize an entire ethnic group here in Rhode Island for ratings and entertainment.
I am beyond being surprised by how low DePetro will go. What does surprise me is the tolerance for DePetro demonstrated by the owners of WPRO who, by providing DePetro a platform for his bile, support racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism, homophobia and intolerance. WPRO almost single-handedly drags the entire public conversation into the mud, and it’s almost entirely the fault of DePetro.
Fortunately, more and more people are starting to speak out against WPRO and DePetro. In doing so, we are affirming the worth and dignity of the people DePetro attempts to dehumanize. The Providence American piece says it well. “John DePetro is NO more a Rhode Islander than any other member of the Liberian community. He needs to realize this and know that his rights as a citizen ends where the rights and liberties of other Rhode Islanders begin, and that includes members of the Liberian community in RI!”
You can read the entire op-ed here: WHO IS THIS JOHN DEPETRO (JOHN DEPETRO RADIO SHOW ON WPRO RADIO) IN RHODE ISLAND?
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EbolaBeGone, a local activist group gathering supplies and resources to combat the Ebola epidemic in Liberia and other West African countries held a candlelight vigil at the State House attended by over two hundred people last night. Speakers spoke movingly of having lost friends, families and classmates to this terrible disease that has now claimed over 5000 victims.
Governor Lincoln Chafee, who publicly rebuked the positions of Governors Chris Christie in New Jersey and Andrew Cuomo in New York when he said Rhode Island would base its policies regarding Ebola on science (as opposed to politically expedient fear), attended in full African dress and spoke briefly to the crowd, but he kept his comments off politics and on the message of hope and remembrance.
One surprise speaker was Ashoka Mukpo, the Rhode Island native and journalist who contracted Ebola in Liberia and survived. “Liberia for me was a second home,” said Mukpo, “I love the country and love the people… I was very lucky to have all these resources that could take care of me… and I know so many Liberians have not had that opportunity…”
Towards the end of the vigil, a woman sang “God is bigger than us” in Grebo, a language native to Liberia.
Consider donating to the efforts of EbolaBeGone. You can find out more on their Facebook page.
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The Ebola crisis in West Africa has suddenly taken the lives of thousands of our brothers and sisters. Women have become widows, men widowers and children orphaned – left on the margins of society to fend for themselves in these troubling times.
This crisis deeply struck many homes and caught families by surprise. Families were not given a chance to mourn and reflect on the lives of loved ones in ways that they’ve been accustomed to.
However, we – EbolaBeGone camapign and you! – can mourn the lives of our brothers, sisters, and heroic healthcare workers who lost their lives in the fight against the Ebola Outbreak in West Africa.
On Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 6PM, we will host LIGHTS FOR AFRICA – candlelight vigil, a commemoration event honoring the lives of our brothers, sisters, and heroic healthcare workers who lost the fight to Ebola. This event will take place on the stairs of the State House in Providence, Rhode Island.
As you may already know, the Ebola outbreak has already claimed over 5,000 lives and more than 12,000 cases on hand in West Africa – including the relatives of fellow Rhode Islanders from the Guinean, Sierra Leonean, Nigerian, and Liberian communities.
We will gather to mourn and reflect on the lives of our beloved brothers and sisters, and we hope that our fellow Rhode Islanders will join us. We are indeed very grateful for Rhode Islanders’ continuous support of our efforts in these troubling times as we stand against the monstrous Ebola virus in West Africa. And we look forward to having all of our fellow Rhode Islanders in our midst as we mourn the lives of our fallen brothers and sisters in the fight against the Ebola Virus.
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The Ebola pandemic in West Africa has killed thousands and threatens thousands more. The world response has been inadequate, and much more can and should be done. The Liberian community here in Rhode island is the largest in the United States, and supporting our neighbors should be a priority.
To that end the Liberian Youth in Rhode Island have invited everyone in our community to attend the “KICK OUT EBOLA DAY: A COMMUNITY PICNIC & SUPPLY DRIVE to continue our efforts to RAISE AWARENESS and COLLECT SUPPLIES to help fight the Ebola outbreak in Liberia.”
●PLACE:
Hope High School Football Field
324 Hope St, Providence, RI 02906
●TIME: 2PM
●DATE: Saturday, September 13th, 2014
ADMISSION: Free Admission with 3 or More Sanitary/Protective Items to Help #EbolaBeGone from Liberia.
These items include disposable gowns and hazmat suits, antimicrobial hand soap, Clorox bleach, chlorine tablets, disinfectants, hand sanitizers, gloves, obstetrician gloves, medical buckets with faucets, plastic spray bottles, goggles, plastic aprons, mouth masks and CAVI and HYDE brand wipes. Do not bring water or paper towels. These items are to be shipped to affected areas. No checks or monetary donations will be accepted.
For More Information PLEASE CONTACT: 401.865.9830
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The Humanists of Rhode Island are proud to host medical anthropologist Adia Benton, delivering a presentation, “Addressing the Ebola Crisis in West Africa” in the auditorium of the Knight Memorial Library on 275 Elmwood Av, Providence, RI 02907 at 6pm on Monday, September 8, 2014.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has reached crisis proportions, and the world response has so far been inadequate.
“In this talk,” says Adia Benton, “I will provide an overview of the factors that have helped to propel the Ebola crisis in West Africa. I will also address some of the important social, economic, political and cultural consequences of a delayed and inadequate response, as well as the concerted efforts occurring worldwide to control the spread of the disease.”
Adia Benton is an assistant professor of anthropology at Brown University. As a public health specialist, she has worked and lived in various parts of Africa, with long-term experience in Sierra Leone. As an anthropologist, she studies the impact of public health, humanitarian and medical interventions on communities.
This presentation is open to the public and there will be time for questions and answers. Time will also be made for questions from the press.
