WPFW

06/11/2026

Curious as to what folks think about this one? Imagining what a big deal it would be TODAY for any recent sitting US president to go on live TV, acknowledge and validate the existence of racial tensions in cities across the US, and then follow up with concrete moves to at least address the situation on a federal level--all of that seems almost unthinkable today. And this is 2026, where we are supposedly wiser, more competent, and more progressive as a society.

I think about how the Obama administration responded to the Occupy movement with police crackdowns, how Trump did the same with BLM (or how the BLM movement even started under Obama, and what meaningful federal actions did his administration actually take?), how the Biden administration responded to the George Floyd protests by....making Juneteenth a federal holiday.

It's so easy to take moments like Kennedy's civil rights address for granted, especially when we don't connect it to contemporary and other historical contexts; but this moment, for what it was, represented a significant departure from the status quo in the US.

Or did it?

What are your thoughts on President Kennedy's address and its significance in the annals of US movement history? Was bro an ally? Did he really care about the People? Was it rhetoric?

Was there something about this moment that we can tap into today? Or have things changed too much?

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

PROVERBS REGGAE BAND 2026 Spring/Summer Performance Schedule!

Coming to a town near you!

Roots/Rock/Reggae

You Ready? Looking forward to seeing you out and about!

Come catch a vibe!

SHARE * SHARE * SHARE

06/07/2026

She tried so hard to keep it together 😂 But what is one to do when confronted with the masterful rizz (charisma) of the one and only "genius of all music," as Maria called him?

Melt 🫠

But really, in a time when manosphere sphere content threatens to produce a generation of empty husks of men cosplaying "alpha males," and pundits warn of a "male loneliness epidemic," this clip--a little glimpse into an era not too far gone, featuring a man who was too far ahead of his time--comes as such a breath of fresh air.

This isn't one of the many moments where Prince casually flexes his intelligence, illuminating the realities of music industry exploitation, or encouraging artists to own their own IP. That's important stuff, but this moment right here, where bro effortlessly charms his interviewer into speechlessness, is a different kinda special.

Prince was 5'2", wearing high heels (you can see them around 27 secs in), makeup, rocking pursed lips. Who today would think, "he's gonna steal ya girl"? But in this context where the network just wants him to come on and perform a song, Prince handled things on his own terms. He'd only take the guitar in hand if there was an expectation of dialogue. He played the blues first because he loves & honors the roots of his craft. He oozed confidence and swagger because he was genuinely one of the best in the world, and he knew he earned that through hard work and single-minded focus. He had no illusions about himself. And he knew the effect that being himself, a craft he's been honing since day one, had on other people. I mean, imagine being Maria, here! How would you have responded differently? Bro didn't have to posture to get people to like him. He accepted himself, walked unapologetically in his masterful, mysterious truth, and the world still loves him for it.

But what do you think? Could Prince walk into a room with makeup and heels on and steal your woman? Would you have folded? Is he a good role model for young men today?

Happy Birthday, Prince 🎂🥳👑

06/07/2026

Building Bridges radio - WPFW 89.3 FM DC & wpfwfm.org, 6/8 * 7 PM: Breaking the Zionist Blockade of Gaza; Building the Party by and For the Working Class

06/06/2026

As the War in Iran enters its 4th month, and Trump seeks a favorable peace deal, the US's unconditional support of Israel's actions across the Middle East continues to prove an obstacle to stability.

Iranian leaders have recently expressed that they'll no accept no peace deal with the US with Israel continues to bomb southern Lebanon. Lebanese officials offer mixed responses towards Iran's position, with both the Lebanese president and prime minister emphasizing their own agency to address relations with Israel and Hezbollah.

4 months in. What do you think? Where is this war going?

06/05/2026

Join us for the 2nd 50th Year Benefit Concert on Sunday, June 14 at 4PM fearuring an incredible afternoon of jazz music lineup featuring DC native, jazz saxophonist and 2020 DC Jazz Prix winner Elijah Jamal Balbed and Amy K Bormet.

Enjoy great music while supporting your station for Jazz and Justice-- WPFW.

Event Details

What: WPFW Benefit Concert featuring Elijah Jamal Balbed and Amy K Bormet

When: June 14, 2026, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Where: The Palisades Hub at 5200 Cathedral Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

Why: 100% of proceeds support WPFW’s mission of jazz and justice

Tickets are $49 but For A Limited Time Only you can get tickets 2 for 1! Don't miss out. 

Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wpfw-2nd-50th-year-benefit-concert-an-afternoon-of-jazz-justice-tickets-1989422804161. Look for the clickable link on Instagram in the profile bio.

06/03/2026

Wednesday, June 3, 11am-12pm ET
on We the People, WPFW 89.3FM, wpfwfm.org
live and archived:

As Many Americans Struggle, The President's Wealth Soars

Guest: Sonali Kolhatkar is an award-winning multimedia journalist. She is the founder, host, and executive producer of Rising Up With Sonali, a weekly subscriber-funded television and radio show airing on Free Speech TV and Pacifica stations. Her books include Talking About Abolition: A Police-Free World Is Possible; Rising Up: The Power of Narrative in Pursuing Racial Justice; and the forthcoming, Breaking ICE: Community Defense Against State Terror and MAGA Fascism.

Ms. Kolhatkar is a writing fellow for the Economy for All project at the Independent Media Institute and was a senior editor at Yes! Magazine covering race and economy. She serves as the co-director of the nonprofit solidarity organization the Afghan Women’s Mission and is a co-author of Bleeding Afghanistan. She also sits on the board of directors of Justice Action Center, an immigrant rights organization.

Please tune in & support WPFW, your jazz & justice radio station. You can now listen to the show's podcast on our website, station app, or various social media apps/platforms.

There are at least three ways you can donate to WPFW:

To give online in support of this show and the station please use the following link: https://www.wpfwfm.org and click the big red 'Donate' button be sure to indicate We the People in your selection.

You can also text to donate by simply texting WPFWFM (not case sensitive) to 801801 and then follow the instructions. Or, you can use Cash App with $WPFWFM, type in this show's title (We the People).
And please tell a friend about the show! Thanks.

WPFW 89.3FM - Pacifica Foundation radio - Washington, D.C., building a better world one broadcast at a time by serving the collective need and imagination of the community.