Worldview is unique in our city and country. It connects Chicago to the world, and the world to Chicago. Yet station management plans on cancelling Worldview in favor of programming that simply cannot measure against its impact.
This city’s important role in the world, the many international communities the region home, and urgent global topics like the climate crisis warrant a dedicated program. Worldview makes WBEZ standout as an example in this way
On Worldview, we hear true experts from around the world and from our own neighborhoods. Examples include those working for peace in the Middle East, planning an international community celebration, sharing stories as survivors of torture, organizing to defend democracies, hosting acclaimed musicians from abroad, screening an important foreign film, returning from war-torn countries, implementing solutions to the climate crisis, and many more. All of this happens vis-à-vis the best possible analysis of world news.
For twenty-five years, Worldview has done this while building a globally-engaged community.
Did you know that recently Whitney Young High School was designated as Chicago’s first Fair Trade School — a recognition of how it is educating students about fair trade, a movement to ensure that goods worldwide are produced ethically and sustainably?
And did you know this started with Worldview, when Whitney Young teacher Anne-Michele Boyle heard Jerome’s interview with Nasreen Sheikh, the founder of the Local Women’s Handicrafts sewing collective in Nepal?
“I was immediately captivated,” Boyle recalled. “I searched and found WBEZ Worldview’s host Jerome McDonnell on the Internet, emailed him requesting his help connecting me with Nasreen so that she could share her story with my students.”
From that connection, Sheikh came to the school.
“After hearing Nasreen’s story, my consumption habits have been forever changed, as have many of my students,” Boyle said. But more important, the students are educating themselves and mobilizing their communities around fair trade — a lens for them to understand and influence our city and our planet. Two have since spoken at a national conference and dozens more remain actively engaged.
That’s just one powerful example of how Worldview is a unique resource for Chicago. Its value cannot be quantified.
We are deeply grateful to host Jerome McDonnell, his team at Worldview, and all at WBEZ for the program’s transformative work. WBEZ should be proud its impact and find a way to continue Worldview.
The core team of Save Worldview includes Ali Abunimah, Jennifer Bing, Katherine Bissell Cordova, Gary Cozette, River Gerding, Adam Olson, and Mary Zerkel. It is a grassroots, volunteer effort. We do not represent nor are in consultation with anyone at Chicago Public Media. We love WBEZ and hope this effort will be viewed as one from critical friends giving others a chance to share feedback that WBEZ did not have the benefit of when deciding to cancel Worldview.
Please join our movement to Save Worldview. Take these three actions right now to join our call to reverse the decision to cancel this great show:
- Sign and share the petition.
- Share your view on what distinguishes Worldview and its impact. Your testimonial should include your full name, location, and photo. 200 words or less, please.
- Attend WBEZ’s next community “Sounding Board” meeting on Wednesday, August 21 at 6:00 at 515 N. State Street, room 16C
- Call WBEZ at 312-948-4855
- Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Together, we can ensure WBEZ understands the full value of Worldview. Thank you!