KXSC Community Statement on Black Lives Matter Protests
To the KXSC Community,
We at KXSC Radio want to express our stance in support of and in solidarity with the Black community and the Black Lives Matter movement. Our organization believes in the power of community and that we are most powerful when we add our voices together for the common good.
KXSC denounces the systematic violence and oppression of Black people upon which this country was founded. In this moment, we stand particularly with the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Tony McDade, as well as the countless other Black people who have lost their lives to racism. We stand also with those on the ground today protesting state violence and prejudice and fighting for a better world.
Many of us at the station value college radio as it allows student voices to be heard, and it is especially important now to uplift the voices of the Black community both on and off campus. We must stand together and encourage the privileged to educate themselves, to provide space for conversation, and to support those taking direct action.
Our content has always been made with the intention to reach out to our community at USC and in Los Angeles, and we should jump at the opportunity to use our collective voice for good. Our staff members are participating in ongoing conversations about how we can best provide material support for all of our DJs, now and throughout the future. We are taking the time to research and actively listen to the needs of our community and will share details of our plans as soon as they are available.
As DJs, we consistently engage with and are deeply indebted to Black music and culture, but that is not the reason that we feel the need to make this statement. This is a human rights issue, and as horrific as these recent events are, they are unfortunately not isolated incidents. It is the responsibility of local and national radio stations to provide listeners with essential information and resources, and we are committed to continue doing so. Our graphics, programming, social media presence, and station identity are all ways we can and should engage for the public good and work against vilifying forces around the country.
We strongly encourage members of our community who have the means to donate to organizations associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, particularly those that fund work in Los Angeles and support Black creatives. We have included a list at the end of our statement that includes actionable items, organizations to donate to, and educational resources. We have also included a link to this list in our Instagram bio.
Furthermore, as today is a Bandcamp day, on which the website waives its share of sales revenue, we’ve also included a list of Black artists, producers, and labels to support today and all days.
KXSC Radio prides itself on being an open and safe space and if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email mailto:gm@kxsc.org.
From,
KXSC Radio
University of Southern California